Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical, Part 44

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 44
USA > Indiana > Monroe County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 44
USA > Indiana > Morgan County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 44

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).

BENJAMIN O. BUTTERFIELD, a wide-awake farmer, carpenter and millwright, of Ashland Township, was born August 17, 1835, in Owen

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County, Ind., and was the fifth of fourteen children born to Velorus and Clarissa (Badgeley) Butterfield, natives of New York and Virginia, and of English descent. They settled in Owen County very early, and built a water mill, and, selling this, they finally moved to Morgan County, and now reside here. Benjamin O. Butterfield lived upon the farm until his sixteenth year, when he learned the trade of millwright, and followed it for several years. He also worked at that for five years in Iowa, after which he returned home and purchased a farm. He and his brother bought a mill near the town of Centerton, in this county. They moved this to the town, and ran it for several years, when it was sold. Mr. Butterfield then purchased the farm which he now owns, and which con- sists of 139 acres, abundantly supplied with spring water, and well culti- vated. On September 22, 1859, Mr. Butterfield was married to Sylvania Moser. Three children were born to them-Clarissa E., born November 7, 1860; Alfarata B., November 17, 1862; and Georgie A., December 6, 1864, died November 6, 1865. The mother died on December 24, 1865. On February 3, 1867, Mr. Butterfield married Samantha E. (Hedrick) Reeves. They had three children-Benjamin O., born November 27, 1867; Leota M., May 8, 1869; and Oliver P., December 24, 1870. Mrs. Butterfield was born February 20, 1839, and died September 25, 1872. Mr. Butterfield was next married to Mrs. Louzann (Brown) White, on February 14, 1876. She died June 1, 1880. Leota M., his daughter, keeps house for him. His wives all belonged to the Christian Church, of which he is also a member. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and is very public spirited. He is a Republican, and is noted for his generosity.

W. T. COLWELL, farmer and stock-raiser, was born October 29, 1861, in Morgan County, Ind., and is the fifth of the eight children born to Philip and Carrie (Stierwalt) Colwell, natives of Ireland and of In- diana, and of Irish and German descent, respectively. They were early settlers in the county, and reared their son, W. T., on a farm, sending him to the common schools, and giving him as a start in life forty acres of land. Philip Colwell owned over 600 acres at his death. He and his wife are both deceased. Our subject deals some in stock buying and selling. He is an active Democrat, is very energetic, and, with his pres- ent start in life, will succeed.

MARTIN L. MARSH, farmer and stock-raiser of Ashland Township, was born in Morgan County, Ind., February 22, 1836, and is the eighth of nine children born to Cyrus J. and Elizabeth (Shults) Marsh, natives of Virginia and North Carolina; and of English and German descent. Cyrus J. came to Washington County, Ind., in 1817, soon married, and there remained for sixteen years. ' He then moved to Jackson County, Ind., remained two years, and in 1835 moved to Morgan County, where he lived until his death. He owned 240 acres of land. Martin L. was reared a farmer, and received a very poor education. Two of his broth- ers, Daniel and Fielding, were in the Mexican war. He enlisted in the last war, but was not enabled to reach the battle-field. On January 29, 1857, he was married to Lucinda J. Sandy, of Morgan County, Ind. They have had six children-Newton M., Lavena K. (deceased), Henry E., Ella B., Nettie and Eldon F. He and wife are members of the Christian Church. He is a Mason, and was Secretary of the Grange for four years, when that body was in operation in his locality. He was As- sessor of his township for one term. He has a farm of 120 acres, em- bellished with many of the modern improvements. For some time Mr.

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Marsh followed carpentering. He is a lover of education, and has en- deavored to instill the same into the minds of his children. For the last year and a half, he has, in addition to farming, been selling pianos and organs.

ANANIAS MICHAEL, farmer and stock-raiser, was born March 22, 1830, in Augusta County, Va., and is the eldest of ten children born to Jonathan and Susan (Huffer) Michael, Virginians, of German descent. Ananias came with his parents, in the fall of 1834, to Clinton County, Ind., and they remained here until 1849, when he moved to Putnam County, where the old people remained until their death. Ananias set- tled in Morgan County, Ind., in the fall of 1853. From his father's es- tate he received about $1,200, and has a nice farm of 158 acres, beauti- fully situated and supplied with many of the modern improvements. When he first settled here, roads were scarce, and there were but a few houses scattered around for a considerable distance, the principal feature

being vast forests. Mr. Michael was united in marriage, on December 29, 1852, to Lucinda Stanton, a native of Putnam County, Ind. They have had six children-Mary A., Jonathan, Sarah A., Susan A., Ida B., and Minnie M. (deceased). Mrs. Michael is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a member of the Grange, and is a very liberal citizen. Mr. Michael voted first for President Taylor, and since that has been a Democrat. Mrs. Lucinda Michael is a daughter of George W. and Sarah (Hood) Stanton, natives of Tennessee and of Virginia re- spectively.

JOHN C. MILLER, farmer and stock raiser of this township, was born February 1, 1846, in Morgan County, Ind., and is the fifth of the seven children born to Robert and Auka (Alderson) Miller, natives of West Virginia, and of Irish and English extraction respectively. John C. was reared upon a farm, and received a rudimentary education. He remained at his parents' home until he was twenty-three years of age, but since his eighteenth year has been doing for himself. He takes great pride in raising fine horses. One, a fine animal, "Shaker Boy," paced a mile in two minutes and twenty seconds, and Mr. Miller sold this horse for $1,200. He has raised many other fine horses. Mr. Miller married, on November 15, 1866, Delilah C. Whitaker, a native of Morgan County, Ind. Four children have crowned this union-Charles G., born January 2,.1868; James R., January 14, 1870; Margaret I., born December 27, 1875, and Homer A., September 19, 1879. His wife is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Miller received $1, 700 from his wife, as a start in life. For several years he followed the business of buying and shipping stock. He is now farming on a place of 240 acres, pleas- antly situated, and having the advantages of all the modern improve- ments. He is a Democrat. He gives liberally to all benevolent institu- tions, which tend to promote the welfare of the human family. Mrs. Miller is a daughter of Grafton and Margaret (Gregg) Whitaker, na- tives of Shelby County, Ky., and respectively of Welsh and Irish de- scent. They were early settlers in this county, and remained here until their death. Mr. Miller is giving his children the best of advantages for an education. His son, Charles G., is at present attending Asbury University, and is progressing rapidly in his studies.

CALEB A. PRITCHARD, a teacher in this township, was born on February 9, 1862, in Putnam County, Ind., and is the eldest of three children born to Greenbury and Margaret J. (Buis) Pritchard, both na-

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tives of this State, and of English and German extraction respectively. The father was born in Owen County, and his father moved to Morgan County in an early day. Greenbury, the father of our subject, moved to Illinois in the year 1862, and in the fall of 1864 he enlisted in Com- pany F, Eleventh Illinois Infantry, remaining in the service until the close of the war. He took part in the engagements of Fort Blakely and Spanish Fort, which lasted fourteen days and nights; also in numerous skirmishes. He received his discharge at Baton Rouge, La. The sub- ject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and received a good education. He attended three terms at the Central Normal School at Danville, Ind., and two terms at the State University at Bloomington, Ind. He began teaching at the age of fifteen, and has taught seven terms very success- fully. Mr. Pritchard has not really decided what profession he will fol- low, other than that in which he is engaged. He has a fine collection of books on miscellaneous subjects. In politics, he is an energetic, stanch Democrat.

JOHN W. SHIELDS, an enterprising farmer and stock-raiser of this township, was born November 20, 1853, in Hendricks County, Ind., and is the second of nine children born to Harrison and Sarah A. (Johnson) Shields, both natives of North Carolina, and of English extraction. They came to Morgan County about the year 1864, and are still living here. Our subject was reared a farmer, and received a good common school education. He attended one term at the State Normal School, Terre Haute, after which he taught two terms with success. The profession of a teacher was his chosen one, but he was compelled to retire from it on account of failing health. January 21, 1877, he was married to Mrs. Mary J. (Whitaker) Edwards, from which union two children have re- sulted, viz., Homer (deceased), Cora M. (born September 6, 1879). Mr. Shields is a member of the Christian, his wife of the Missionary Baptist Church. He is a stanch Republican. Mrs. Shields is the owner of a fine farm of 100 acres, well improved, and under a high state of culti- vation.

MICHAEL STIERWALT, SR., an enterprising farmer and stock- raiser of Ashland Township, this county, was born on December 3, 1821, in Washington County, Ind., and is the eldest of eleven children born to John and Elizabeth (Sandy) Stierwalt, both natives of North Carolina, and of German extraction. The subject of this sketch grew to manhood a farmer, and attended subscription schools about three months of each winter, during his youth, thus acquiring a common school education. For a start in life he received about $1,500, with which he purchased land. He finally sold out and came to Morgan County, locating, in 1851, in Jefferson Township, remaining four years, at the end of that time coming to this township, where he has resided since. He owns a fine farm of 300 acres, well-improved. On December 11, 1842, he was mar- ried to Adaline Guy, a native of North Carolina. Eight children have been born to them, viz .: Elizabeth (Shake), John M., Martha (Schrim. sher), Keziah (Hodges), Elsie C. (Shake), William M., Michael A., and Mary A. (Knoy). Mr. and Mrs. Stierwalt are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. He is an active member of the Grange, and cast his first vote for President for James K. Polk, being a Democrat. In 1860, he was elected Assessor of this township, having been twice re-elected since. In the fall of 1876, he was elected Township Trustee, re-elected in 1878, again re-elected in the spring of 1882, and is at present serving

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in that capacity. Mr. Stierwalt is a public-spirited citizen, an industri- ous, well-to-do farmer, and a genial gentleman.

MICHAEL A. STIERWALT, was born on March 6, 1857, in Mor- gan County, Ind., and is the seventh child of Michael and Adeline (Guy) Stierwalt, natives of Indiana and North Carolina respectively, and of German descent. Our subject was reared on a farm, received a common school education, and is at present making his home with his parents. In 1875, he had the misfortune of losing his left arm, by the bursting of a gun. On December 16, 1880, he was married to Joanna Pritchard, a native of Illinois. Two children have been born to this union, viz .: Cornie E., born October 11, 1881; Eddie L., July 11, 1883. Mr. Stier- walt is a consistent member of the Missionary Baptist Church. In politics, he is a stanch, wide-awake Democrat.

JOHN F. STIERWALT, an enterprising farmer and stock-raiser of this township, was born on August 12, 1833, in Owen County, Ind., and is the sixth of eleven children born to John and Elizabeth (Sandy) Stier- walt, both natives of North Carolina, and of German extraction. Our subject was brought up on a farm near Gosport, Ind., and received a limited education. He spent the most of his early youth in rolling logs, picking brush, and helping to clear land for a farm. As a start in life, he received about $1,500, and now owns a farm of 164 acres of good land, well-improved. In 1854, he came to this county, and has resided here ever since. On April 11, 1861, he was married to Milcha A. Shake, a native of this county. Nine children have been born to them, viz .: Eli F. (deceased), horn November 27, 1862; Levi A., born February 28, 1864; Martha E., born November 26, 1866; Michael H., born March 1, 1869; Robert W. (deceased), born October 7, 1871; William T., born August 15, 1874; Rosy E., born February 24, 1877; Mary A., born July 6, 1879; Miranda C., born October 7, 1881. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Stierwalt is a stanch Demo- crat, and at one time took an active part in the Grange movement. He cast his first vote for President for James Buchanan. He is a liberal giver to benevolent and charitable institutions and movements, is a public-spirited citizen, and much respected by his associates and ac- quaintances.

THOMAS S. STIRWALT, farmer and stock-raiser, was born De- cember 11, 1835, in Morgan County, Ind., and is the third child of Adam and Lucy (Sandy) Stirwalt, natives of North Carolina, and of German extraction. Adam Stirwalt was a very early settler here, and made him- self a farm from the forests. Thomas S. was reared on this farm, re- ceiving but little education. At his twenty-fourth year, he received eighty acres from his father, and by energy has increased this to 240 acres, and added to it all the modern improvements. On October 19, 1859, Mr. Stirwalt was married to Lucinda C. Mannan, who was born in this county October 10, 1841. Six children have been born to them- Sims H. and La Fayette (both deceased), Cornelius R. (deceased), Benja- min F. (deceased), Eli E., born December 11, 1865, and Sarah C., Janu- ary 10, 1871. The parents belong to the Missionary Baptist Church. Mrs. Stirwalt is a daughter of William R. and Rebecca (Chambers) Man- nan, natives of Indiana, and of German extraction. He is a liberal citizen, and cast his first vote for Douglas. He is firmly stranded on Democratic rocks, is a most worthy gentleman, and in whatever position he is placed, he will succeed well.

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EVAN E. TWOMEY, farmer and stock grower, was born in Rowan County, N. C., March 14, 1817, and is the third in a family of fourteen children born to William B. and Nancy (Wayman) Twomey, of Irish and English extraction respectively. When only three years of age, the sub- ject of our sketch removed with his parents from his native State to East Tennessee. There the family remained some thirteen years, and there our subject received the rudiments of an English education. In after years, however, he acquired by his own exertions a good practical busi- ness education. At a very early age, he learned the wagon-maker's trade, and afterward learned the ship-carpenter's trade, which he followed for many years. In 1834, he removed to New Albany, Ind., where he started a ship-yard, and also owned and operated a saw-mill and foundry. Still later, he added steamboating to his other business, which he followed for a number of years on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, owning several valuable boats. Soon after the war, however, he met with severe finan- cial reverses; but, nothing daunted, in the fall of 1868 he came to Mor- gan County, Ind., and commenced with a stout heart and willing hands to rebuild his shattered fortunes. Here, by industry and economy, he has again amassed a handsome property, now owning a well-improved farm in Ashland Township of 160 acres, upon which he still resides, as well as other valuable property. August 26, 1836, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Mary E. McKinley, a native of Kentucky, and of Irish descent. Thirteen children were the fruit of this union, six of whom, two sons and four daughters, are yet living. Both Mr. Twomey and wife are members of the church, he of the Christian and she of the Missionary Baptist. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F. and of the Masonic fraternity. He cast his first vote for William H. Harrison, but is now identified with the Democratic party.

THOMAS S. VOSHELL, farmer and stock-raiser, of Ashland Town- ship, was born on January 14, 1854, in Morgan County, and is the fourth of the six children born to Daniel H. and Delilah (Goss) (Sandy) Voshell, natives of Morgan County, Ind., and residents of Ray Township. Thomas' grandfather, William Voshell, was one of the first settlers of this county. Thomas S. was reared a farmer, but was well educated, and attended an academy in Henry County, Ind., and also eighteen months at the Bedford College, in Lawrence County, Ind. He has also taught two terms of school with success. He and his sister, Mrs. Mary A. McGinnis, of Knox County, Ind., are all that are left of his father's family. On January 1, 1879, Mr. Voshell was married to Rebecca E. Knoy, a native of this county, who was born July 27, 1854. Two children have been given them-Daniel J., born December 29, 1879, and died June 18, 1880, and Mary D., born January 30, 1881. He is a member of the Baptist and his wife of the Christian Church. He is an active member of the Grange. He is a Democrat. Mr. Voshell received from his father about $400, and his wife was presented with an eighty-acre farm by her parents. He has added fifteen acres to this farm. Mrs. Voshell is a daughter of Solomon and Mary (Ratts) Knoy, natives of North Carolina and Indiana, and of German extraction. Mr. Voshell is a shrewd and industrious business man, and from present appearances will make a success in life. He is now agent for the New Home Sewing Machine in this township.

PRESTON D. WAKELAND, an enterprising farmer and stock-raiser of this township, was born August 23, 1830, in Butler County, Ohio, and is the third of the six children born to Turner R. and Nianetia (Arthur) Wakeland, Kentuckians, of Irish and Scotch-Irish extraction. Preston

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D.'s parents brought him to Marion County, Ind., in his fourth year, and here he attained manhood on the farm, and received the rudi- ments of an education. In 1856, he came to Morgan County, and has remained here ever since. He enlisted, in the fall of 1862, in Company H, Seventieth Indiana Infantry. He was in the following battles: Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, and in the sieges of Atlanta, Bentonville and Averyboro, besides other battles and numerous skir- mishes. He was discharged at Indianapolis in the spring of 1865. He also accompanied Sherman on his "march to the sea." Mr. Wakeland was married, on October 16, 1853, to Sarah P. Hawkins, a native of In- diana. They have had seven children-one deceased (unnamed), Ed- wilda J. (deceased), Turner R., Clytus C., Eliza J., John J. and Charley A. Mrs. Wakeland is a member of the Christain Church, and he is a member of the G. A. R. He has a farm of ninety-eight acres, well im- proved, and is a liberal giver to all charitable institutions. He is a Re- publican. He has been acting as Deputy Sheriff, more or less, for the past eight years.

BLUFORD CLARK WATSON, a farmer and stock-raiser of Ash- land Township, was born July 29, 1852, in Morgan County, and is the ninth of eleven children born to Simon and Samirah (Bowman) Watson, the former a native of North Carolina, and the latter of Kentucky. Our subject was reared a farmer, but received a good education from the pub- lic schools. At the age of twenty years, he commenced teaching school, and has taught, with the exception of one winter, ever since with good success. On February 3, 1876, he was married to Sarah A. Michael, a native of Morgan County, born August 9, 1857. Three children have been born to them-Minnie B., born September 22, 1877; Maud E., born May 17, 1880; and Ivy C., born September 29, 1882. Mr. Watson is a member of the Masonic fraternity at Eminence, this county. In politics, he is a stanch Democrat. He owns a fine littie farm of 110 acres, acquired through his own thrift and industry. Mr. Watson is a genial, whole- souled gentleman, and very much respected by his associates and ac- quaintances.

LEVI B. WHITAKER, an enterprising farmer and stock-raiser of Ashland Township, was born March 1, 1828, in the western part of this county, near Owen, and is one of the eleven children born to Grafton and Margaret (Gregg) Whitaker, Kentuckians, of English descent. Grafton Whitaker came to this county in 1826, and at his death owned 680 acres of land. He was Colonel of the militia in the county soon after his arrival. He died July 19, 1862. Levi B. Whitaker grew to maturity on a farm, receiving a rudimentary education. As the schools were poor, he studied at home by the light of the fire-they had no lamps then. He remained with his father until his twenty-fifth year, when his father gave him 200 acres of land in the woods, and he began to make him a home. Mr. Whitaker now owns 540 acres in this county, pretty well- improved, and made it by his industry. On January 21, 1869, Mr. Whitaker was married to Susan C. Robertson, a native of Owen County, Ind., and a daughter of Thomas and Delilah (Asher) Robertson, natives of East Tennessee and Kentucky, and of Irish and English extraction. Mr. Whitaker is a member of the Missionary Baptist and his wife of the Presbyterian Church. He is a Democrat, and was elected Trustee of Ashland Township in the spring of 1874, holding the position one term. Mr. Whitaker is a liberal giver to all charitable institutions, and by his kind and sympathetic nature has won for himself many friends.

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ASHLAND TOWNSHIP.

DAVID L. WHITAKER (deceased) was born August 30, 1830, in Morgan County, Ind., and died January 3, 1872, and was one of the eleven children born to Grafton and Margaret (Gregg) Whitaker, na- tives of Kentucky, and of English extraction, and early settlers of this county. David L. was reared on a farm, and received the rudiments of an education. He remained at home until his twenty-eighth year, when he went to work for himself. On November 18, 1858, Mr. Whitaker married Mary J. Edwards, a native of Owen County, Ind., and born February 9, 1841. Two children were born to this couple -- John S., born on December 5, 1859; and Melinda B., on April 14, 1863. Mr. Whitaker was an active member of the Missionary Baptist Church. He had received 100 acres of land from his father, and at his death owned 334 acres, which has since been divided between the two children and his widow. The children each received 117 acres, and Mrs. Whitaker 100 acres; each also received an equal portion of $3,300. Mr. Whitaker was a devout Christian gentleman, and very liberal in all his dealings. He was a stanch Democrat, and at one time acted as Assessor of Ray Town- ship. Mrs. Whitaker is a daughter of William and Lucinda (Asher) Edwards, natives of Indiana.

JOHN S. WHITAKER, farmer and stock-raiser of this township, was born December 5, 1859, in Morgan County, Ind., and is the eldest of the two children born to David L. and Mary J. (Edwards) Whitaker, natives of Morgan and Owen Counties, Ind., and respectively of English and German descent. John S. was reared upon a farm, but received a good education, graduating from the Spencer High School, and attend- ing two years at the State University at Bloomington, Ind., where he acquitted himself with honor. He has followed farming since his return home. November 14, 1882, he was married to Alice Voshell, a native of this county. He and his wife belong to the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Whitaker belongs to the following: The Sigma-Chi frater- nity at Bloomington, Ind., and the Masonic fraternity at Eminence, Ind. He is a wide-awake Democrat, and in the spring of 1882 was elected As- sessor of Ashland Township, an office which he holds four years. He re- ceived from his father's estate 117 acres of good land, takes great pride in raising good stock, and is an excellent business manager. Mrs. Whitaker is a daughter of Levi J. and Sarah A. (Mannan) Voshell, na- tives of Indiana.

JOHN WINGLER, farmer and stock-raiser of this township, and also a manufacturer of brick, was born March 5, 1842, in this county, and is the youngest of four children born to John and Eva (Knoy) Wingler, both deceased, natives of Indiana and North Carolina, and of German extraction. John was reared a farmer, being poorly educated. When he was quite young, his parents died, and he lived with his grandfather, George Knoy, until his twentieth year. At that time he enlisted in Company H, Seventy-ninth Indiana Infantry, August 20, 1862, and re- mained in the service until September, 1863, when he was discharged on account of disability. He was engaged in numerous skirmishes, and on his return home he engaged in farming. In the year 1873, he began manufacturing brick, and has since that time burned about 12,000,000. Mr. Wingler married, November 2, 1865, Milkey Costin, of this county. They have had six children-Lewis F., Ella F., Katy E., Jesse E. and two infants unnamed. He belongs to the I. O. O. F., and his wife to he Christian Church. He is a Democrat. He is industrious, and is ow cultivating a nice farm of forty acres, which is well improved.

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Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical, Part 44

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