Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical, Part 45

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 45
USA > Indiana > Monroe County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 45
USA > Indiana > Morgan County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 45

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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GREGG TOWNSHIP.

GEORGE RILEY BRIANT was born in Clay Township, this coun- ty, August 17, 1843, being a son of John S. and Rachel (Burris) Briant, who came at an early day to this State, married, and reared nine sons and one daughter. George R. Briant, after working on the farm and going to school, enlisted August 12, 1861, in Company A, Thirty-third Indiana Volunteer Regiment, and served actively for three and a half years; he experienced many hard battles, and May 25, 1865, had his left arm shot off at the shoulder, which led to his discharge in February, 1865. He was previously taken prisoner at Thompson's Station, and held thirty-three days in Libby Prison, and afterward, in February,

1864, became a veteran. After the war he engaged in farming, and in 1879 commenced the photographic business at Wilbur, in which he is now engaged. While on veteran furlough, April 26, 1864, he married Emily S., daughter of W. Gordon (deceased), which union gave issue to seven children-Franklin Sherman, Bennie Ellsworth, Lodema Ellen, Naomi E. (deceased), Viola Eldora, Letitia Evaline and Dudley Erech. In 1878, Mr. Briant came into this township, and has for some years re- sided at Wilbur. He was Township Assessor from 1876 to 1878, and has served eight years as Constable. He is owner of 120 acres in Jeffer- son, and of 122 acres in this township. Mr. Briant is an active Repub- lican, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

RICE EVANS BROWN was born in Oldham County, Ky., January 27, 1819, and is a son of William and Elizabeth (Wilson) Brown, na- tives of Virginia, where they married in 1796. Mr. Brown came to In- diana in 1834, after living in Kentucky for some years, where Mrs. Brown closed her life in 1829, aged fifty-two years. He afterward mar- ried Elizabeth Phillips, and died in 1854, aged eighty years, in this township. Rice Evans Brown was reared on the farm, and received the rudiments of education from the subscription schools. September 7, 1837, he married Ann C., daughter of Bright and Elizabeth Pruitt, by which union were born to them ten children-William B., Andrew C., Emily S., James M., Sarah E., Amos (deceased), Alvin H., Almira J., Mary M. (deceased) and Ida May. Mrs. Brown departed this life Au- gust 5, 1883, aged sixty-two years, a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Brown owns and cultivates 160 acres, of which Mrs. Brown inherited eighty from her father. Three of their sons -- William B., Andrew C. and James M. - were soldiers in the late war. Mr. Brown is a pillar of the Christian Church, and a respected citizen.

JAMES HENRY BROWN was born in this township September 15, 1842, and is a son of Oliver H. and Betsey (Carter) Brown, natives of Kentucky, whose parents moved to Indiana in the early time, and located in Morgan County, where the parents of our subject were married. James Henry is the eldest of this family, and assisted his father on the homestead farm. September 16, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Thir- ty-third Indiana Volunteer Regiment, served three years, and in Febru- ary, 1864, became a veteran. He took part in the battles of Wild Cat,

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Resaca, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, the historic "Sherman's march," and during his service was promoted from Corporal to Captain of his com- pany, as which he left the army. After his return, he pursued farming for some years, and in February, 1871, engaged in mercantile business at Hall, which enterprise he has successfully continued. While at home on furlough, April 17, 1864, he married Miss Emeline, daughter of Michael Pruitt, to which union have been born six children-Leroy N. (deceased), Oraola, Josephine (deceased), Ina Bell, Daisy D. and Ralph Edwin. In 1866, Mr. Brown was elected Township Trustee, and has been Postmaster at Hall since 1876. He is a stanch Republican and a Master Mason, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church.

BENJAMIN CORNWELL was born in Oldham County, Ky., Decem- ber 3, 1844, and is the eldest of the five children of John and Minerva (Williams) Cornwell, natives of Kentucky, who located in Washington County, Ind., where our subject grew to manhood and obtained the com- mon education the schools afforded. During boyhood, Benjamin learned the blacksmith trade, at which he labored until August, 1861, when he enlisted in Company K, Fifty-third Indiana Volunteers, and served actively at Vicksburg, Black River, Bolivar, Jackson, Shiloh and on other fields; received an honorable discharge in 1864, and afterward engaged at farming for one year; then resumed blacksmithing, at which he has since continued. November 16, 1865, he wedded Vernilla Ludlow, of this county, and they have become parents to five children, three of whom are living-John Milton, Altha and Levada. Mr. Cornwell is an excellent man and a patriotic citizen. Like all the soldiers, glory nestles around him and shows him worthy of confidence and support. He is an esteemed citizen, and Mrs. C. is a member of the Christian Church.

JAMES COX was born in Dayton, Ohio, August 8, 1823, and is a son of John W. and Nancy (Swisher) Cox, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to this State in 1824, and settled in this county, about three miles from Martinsville; they reared a family of five-two sons and three daughters. James Cox, after reaching manhood, in conjunction with G. W. Clapper, purchased his father's interest in a mill, and managed the same until 1868, when Mr. Clapper retired, and he conducted the same alone. In 1846, he married Sarah Rogers, a union cemented by six children-John W., William (deceased), Mattie, Emma, Sarah (deceased), and Aquilla B .; Mrs. Cox died in December, 1863, a member of the Christian Church. May 5, 1864, Mr. Cox wedded Elizabeth J. Hoyt, and to this marriage were bestowed three children-Edgar G., Hattie and Minnie Bell. In 1868, his mill at High Rock having burned, Mr. Cox moved to Martinsville, and in company with another, erected a steam flouring mill, which was continued nine years. In November, 1882, he removed to Hall, and purchased a half interest in the steam saw and flouring mill, to which he has since devoted his, time and energy. Mr. Cox is an esteemed and worthy citizen, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church.

REV. JESSE BROOKS JOHNSON was born in this county, January 20, 1837, and is a son of Brooks S. and Anna B. (Green) Johnson, natives of North Carolina, who came to this section about 1835, and settled in Adams Township, where Mrs. Johnson ended her life in 1858; Mr. John- son is still living, aged eighty-five years. Rev. Mr. Johnson was reared at home, and is the youngest son of eight children. He early acquired a good education, and afterward taught for some time, instructing in

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penmanship for five years. He grew up in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and being gifted as a speaker, naturally leaned toward the ministry; he afterward, however, affiliated with the Christian Church in 1867, and was ordained Elder in 1870. in which denomination he has continued to preach efficiently. October 20, 1859, he married Mary E., daughter of Allen R. Seaton, and to this union have been bestowed six children-Lieusely, Charles S., Melvin A., Carrie, Ernest F. and Oliver. The mother of this family came to her death March 29, 1882, aged forty-three years, a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Johnson removed to his farm in 1871, comprising 107 acres; but he has never neglected the service of God and the welfare of his fellow-man. Dur- ing 1883, he was pastor of Mount Pleasant Church at Hall. He is a noted temperance orator and Sabbath school worker, an upright man, a persuasive preacher, and belongs to the Masonic fraternity.

HOWARD C. JONES, M. D., was born in Hendricks County, Ind., May 4, 1853, and is the only child of William W. and Mary Ann (Poe) Jones, both natives of Kentucky, but married in this State. Dr. Jones was reared at home, in Clayton, and afterward worked three years in a woolen factory, but attended the common schools a due time. After pre- paring himself, he entered, in 1874, the College of Physicians and Sur- geons at Indianapolis, from which he graduated in 1877, as Doctor of Medicine. His first experience was at Pittsboro, whence he removed to Marion County, and became physician to the Marion County Asylum. December 23, 1877, he married at Clayton, Julia A., daughter of Robert S. and Elizabeth Pearson, to which union were bestowed three children- Rilus, Pearl (deceased) and Irwin. Two months succeeding his marriage, he moved to Hall, in this county, and began the practice of his profes- sion, taking rank immediately as a practitioner. He is an old-school regular physician, and enjoys the confidence of his fellow-citizens, having graduated No. 1 in a class of thirty-four. Dr. Jones is a Republican and an esteemed citizen.

WILLIAM KIRK is a native of Shelby County, Ind., having been born February 7, 1830, and his parents having been William H. and Elizabeth (Depew) Kirk, both of whom were natives of Kentucky, who came to this State in the early days, and in 1838 to this county. They were blessed with five sons and four daughters. Our subject was reared at home and on a farm, obtained some rudimental education from the common schools, and began life for himself when twenty-two years of age. In 1851, he married, in this county, Mary E , daughter of Nathan Dow, and to them were bestowed five children-Nathan H. (deceased), David B., Daniel R., Martha Alice, and Nancy Elizabeth. Mr. Kirk is owner of 217 acres of good farming land in two tracts, both in this town- ship, and most of which is in fair improvement and cultivation. Out of this property, he received but sparse assistance from his father's estate. Mr. Kirk is a practical farmer, a successful man in business, a Republican in politics, and he and his wife are strict members of the Christian Church.

SMITH LABERTEW, farmer, is a native of Owen County, Ind .; was born September 25, 1841, his parents being Joseph and Mary Ann (Hart) Labertew, natives of Ohio, who came to Indiana in an early day and settled near Gosport, where Joseph Labertew died in 1846. Mrs. Labertew is still living, and is about eighty years of age. Smith worked on the farm and attended school as a boy, receiving a mediocre education.

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September, 1861, he enlisted in the Thirty-third Indiana Regiment, be- came a veteran, and served in all nearly four years. He was detailed for hospital duty in 1863, and continued therein until the end. March 18, 1865, he was captured at Blackwater, S. C., and held eight days. Soon after, he was sent to Tennessee from Resaca with wounded men, and re- turned to hospital duty at Resaca. November 22, 1866, he married Asenath Lewallen, from which union has resulted one child-Carl A. Mr. Labertew came to this township in 1870, settled where he now li ves on 120 acres of well-improved land, the earning of his own industry and care. Mr. Labertew is a Master Mason; in politics a Republican, and, in company with his wife, a member of the Christian Church.

ROBERT W. McNAUGHT is a native of Morgan County, Ind., was born November 28, 1837, and is the youngest son of Robert W. and Martha McNaught; the former a native of Scotland, the latter of Penn- sylvania, who removed to this State and settled in Owen County, and still later in this county, where they finished their lives-Mr. McNaught in December, 1847, aged forty-eight, and Mrs. McNaught in November, 1866, aged fifty-five years, having reared four sons and four daughters. Our subject was reared in Martinsville, attended the usual schools, and afterward the University at Indianapolis; and afterward married Mary C. Garrison, with an issue of eight children in all -- Ada L., Lora B., Emma A., Olive M., Cora, Joseph W., Frank and Walter. Mr. Mc- Naught served as Justice of the Peace in 1865, and was re-elected in 1869. In the spring of 1871, he moved into Hall, and there engaged in the harness trade, but is now a journeyman. May 25, 1862, he enlisted in Company H, Seventieth Indiana Volunteers, served three years, was engaged in the battles of Resaca, Lost Mountain. Rich Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Marietta, Atlanta and others. Mr. McNaught is a Repub- lican, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church.

JOHN WESLEY MINTON was given birth in Knox County, Tenn., November 19, 1833, his parents being Ebenezer and Dorcas (Baldwin) Minton, the former a native of Virginia, the latter of Tennessee, who moved to this State in 1849; settled in Clark County for two years, and thence came to this township, where Mr. Minton died in 1877, aged sixty-nine; Mrs. Minton yet lives, aged seventy-five years; they had five sons and five daughters. Our subject grew up on the home farm, and when of age went to Illinois for five years, attending and teaching school; but the greater part of his education was obtained after his marriage, which took place September 20, 1856, in Illinois, the bride being Miss Mary, daughter of Joseph Norton, now of Kansas. The result of this union was twelve children-Maria Elizabeth, Mary Alice, Emma (deceased), Ida May, Delilah, Rufus Carlton, Elbert, "Cuty" (deceased), Dollie, Lida, Clyda and Lillie. In 1858, Mr. Minton moved to Kansas, where he farmed for twelve years. September 10, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Seventh Kansas Cavalry, became Second Sergeant, served three years; re-enlisted in 1864. He was at the battles of Corinth, Iuka, Pilot Knob and many skirmishes. In 1871, he returned to Indiana and settled in Wilbur, where he engaged in mercantile business, and was made Postmaster in 1872; he was appointed Trustee in 1874, and elected in 1876, and served in all five years. Mr. Minton has a farm of 217 acres, which he owns and manages. He is an active Republican and a progressive citizen.

NATHAN NICHOLAS, farmer, is a native of Washington County, Ky., was born September 16. 1804, and is a son of Nathan and Nancy

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(Gresham) Nicholas, natives respectively of North Carolina and Vir- ginia, who emigrated to Orange County, Ind., in 1815. where Mr. Nich- olas died. Our subject settled in this county in 1830, near Mooresville, and in this township in 1848. Mr. Nicholas has been twice married- first, October 23, 1828, to Sarah Kearby, a native of Kentucky, with an issue of seven children-Edward C. (deceased), Nancy M., Giles H., Elizabeth B., Sophia Jane, Mary and Thomas K. (deceased). The mother of these died in 1843, and November 1, 1853, Mr. Nicholas mar- ried Mrs. Lena Hancock, by which marriage succeeded five children- Delphina (deceased), Samuel, Loretta F., Lena Finotta (deceased) and Arlita T. Mr. Nicholas is owner of eighty acres of excellent, and im- proved land, which possession is wholly his own acquirement. He is in political matters a Republican, and he and wife are communicants of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

ALLEN R. SEATON was born in Jefferson County, Ky., April 28, 1808, a son of George and Sarah (Drake) Seaton, natives respectively of Virginia and Kentucky, who dated their ancestry back to the Scots and . Britons. They were married in Kentucky in 1803, and raised a family of ten. Allen grew to manhood with his parents and remained with them until he was twenty-two years old. August 11, 1830, he married Sarah Pound, a union which produced nine children-John P., George W., Charles, Richard (deceased), Mary E. (deceased), James P., Sarah J., Grafton W. and Apphia M. (deceased). In 1832, he came to and settled on a tract of land entered by his father in this township. His sons Charles and Grafton are prominent physicians of this county, the former being now Treasurer thereof. Mrs. Seaton died at Hall January 31, 1884, aged seventy-two years. She, with her husband, joined the Christian Church in 1835. Mr. Seaton owns a comfortable eighty-acre farm given to him by his father. He was once a Whig, but is now a Republican.

GRAFTON W. SEATON, M. D., was born March 5, 1846, in this county, and is a son of Allen R. Seaton. He was bred to the farm, attended public schools, and also the N. W. C. University for two terms. In 1868, he commenced the study of medicine with his brother Charles, a physician at Hall, and at the end of a year attended Rush College, Chi- cago; then, later, the Louisville Medical College, from which he gradu- ated in 1870, and began practice with his brother the same year. From 1878 to 1881, he was in the drug business. March 2, 1871, he wedded Sarah E. Welman, with a bestowal of four children-Harry A., Guy, Edna E. and Nellie. Dr. Seaton is a Freemason, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church.

ELI P. SHAKE, farmer, was born in Gregg Township, Morgan Coun- ty, Ind., May 21, 1841, and is the second child in a family of five chil- dren born to George W. and Catherine H. (Pruitt) Shake, the former a native of Jefferson, and the latter of Oldham County, Ky. They were of German-Scotch and German descent respectively. George W. Shake re- ceived his early education in his native State, and while yet a young man, in 1835, came with his parents to Morgan County, Ind. He was married at the age of eighteen, and soon after bought 160 acres of wild land in Gregg Township, where he subsequently improved the farm upon which he still resides. He was once elected Commissioner of Morgan County, but did not qualify. He is an active member of the Masonic fraternity. Eli P. Shake, the subject, received a limited common school education in youth, and was employed on his father's farm until he was

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twenty-one years old. He then leased forty acres of wild land in Gregg Township for six years, which he cleared. In the fall of 1870, he re- moved to Bates County, Mo., where he settled on ninety acres of wild prai- rie land deeded to him by his father. Here he built a house, improved a farm and resided three years. He then sold this place and returned to Gregg Township, Morgan Co., Ind., where he bought eighty acres of the old homestead, upon which he resided until the fall of 1883, when he sold out and came to Adams Township, same county, where he bought the farm of eighty acres upon which he now resides. He was married, July 24, 1862, to Miss Mary E. Yager, a native of Gregg Township, Morgan Co., Ind., and a daughter of William W. and Sarah A. (Hinkle) Yager, who were among the pioneers of Gregg Township. Three chil- dren have blessed their union, of whom two sons -- William W. and How- ard J. are yet living. Both Mr. Shake and wife are and have been from early youth devoted and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, Mr. Shake is a Democrat.

JACOB ALONZO SHIPLEY first saw the light of this world on March 4, 1846, in Jefferson Township, Morgan County, being the second son of Tolbert and Sarah (McInturf) Shipley, natives of Tennessee and Ohio respectively; they were pioneers of this county, having lived in this township for forty-five years. Jacob Alonzo Shipley spent his boyhood in farm work and pursuing education in the schools. August 15, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Thirdy-third Indiana Volunteer Regiment, and served four years, having become a veteran in February, 1864. He was made a Corporal, and was captured at Thompson's Station, held thirty-three days and exchanged. After the war, he engaged in saw milling for five years in Jefferson Township, after which he resumed farming, which he has since followed. October 19, 1871, he married Victoria Rouseau, from which union descended five children-Bertie (de- ceased), Percy (deceased), Myrtie, Jesse and Hazel. Mr. Shipley was elected Trustee of this township in 1882, and still serves as such. He is a Republican in politics, a member of Blankenship Post, G. A. R., and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

HENRY B. SMITH, farmer, is a native of Owen County, Ind., was born February 11, 1827, his parents being Daniel and Elizabeth (Crum) Smith, natives of Virginia, who emigrated to Kentucky, later to Indiana in 1825, and settled in Owen County until 1831, whence they moved to this township, made a home on entered land, and there remained until 1875, at which time they removed to Clayton, where Mr. Smith closed his life in 1879, aged about seventy-nine. After this event, the mother returned to the homestead, now occupied by our subject, and ended her life in 1881, aged seventy-six years; they had a family of ten children. Henry B. Smith was reared on the homestead farm, and at seasons attended the subscription schools. December 2, 1847, he married Jane Carder, a native of Kentucky, to which union have been given nine chil- dren-Vernilla A., Ruth J., Sanders, Theodore R., Harvey M., Stephen, Henry K., Eva J. (deceased) and Martha R. Mr. Smith is the owner of a good farm of. 160 acres, and has a desirable home-most of which he has acquired by his own efforts. He is a Democrat, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church.

ELIJAH SMITH, farmer, is a native of Owen County, Ind., was born February 23, 1829, and is the second son and third child of Daniel and Eliza- beth (Crum) Smith. He was brought up and grew to manhood on the home

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farm, after he had had some advantages from the schools of the time. August 24, 1852, he married, in this township, Mary Carder, by which union they had a family of two children-Lafayette C. and James H. Mr. Smith came to this county in company with his parents, and here be has made a home, which embraces eighty acres of well-improved and cultivated land, the most of which has been gained by his own unaided exertions and exacting frugality. By political preference, he is a Demo- crat, and by cotemporary judgment a good citizen. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the Christian Church.

BARTHOLOMEW SMITH, farmer, was born in Owen County, Ind., February 5, 1837, and is the eldest of seven children born to Marcus M. and Malinda (Pierson) Smith, the former of whom was a native of Mus- kingum County, Ohio, and the latter of Bourbon County, Ky. They were of English and Irish descent respectively. Marcus M. Smith received orly a very limited education in youth, at the rude log school- houses of the Indiana frontier; but by his own exertions, and by the. light of a shell-bark fire afterward acquired a fair, practical business- education and became of the best historians in the country. After his father's death, in the fall of 1824, the family removed to Owen County, Ind., and settled on some 600 acres of land on the White River, which his father had entered some years before. Here young Marcus learned the miller's trade, which he followed for several years, and here he was afterward married. Later he bought a farm in Owen County, where he still resides, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. Both himself and wife are members of the Christian Church, in which church he has been a minister for more than thirty years. The father of Mrs. Malinda Smith, Bartholomew Pierson, served under Gen. William H. Harrison at the battle of Tippecanoe and in that General's other campaigns against the Indians, and his father, Shadrach Pierson, was a veteran of the Revolutionary war, having served seven years, or through the entire struggle. Bartholomew Smith received such an education in youth as could be obtained at the primitive log schoolhouses of the frontier, and was employed on his father's farm until he was twenty-one years old. He was then employed as a salesman for the Turner Scale Company for about two years. In September, 1861, he enlisted in the Tenth Indiana Battery, and served with the same in all its marches and engagements. until the close of the war, and was mustered out at Indianapolis in June, 1865. He participated in the battles of Stone River, Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, and the Atlanta campaign, as well as many other lesser engagements. At Dallas, Ga., he was severely in- jured by the recoil of a piece of artillery, resulting in partial paralysis. For two years after his return from the army, he was engaged in rail- roading. He then bought a farm in Ray Township, Morgan Co., Ind., where he resided until October, 1876, when he sold and bought another in Gregg Township, where he still resides. He was married, September 21, 1861, to Miss Mary J. Hancock, a native of Franklin County, Ky. Five children, two sons and three daughters, have blessed their union, all of whom are yet living. Mr. Smith is a member of Eminence Lodge, No. 440, A., F. & A. M., and is also a member of the G. A. R. In pol- itics, he is a Republican, and is a respected citizen of Gregg Township.

WILLIAM H. SMITH, dealer in general merchandise, Herbemont, Ind., was born in this township November 5, 1846, and is the sixth of the twelve children of Allen and Elizabeth (Brown) Smith, natives of

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Kentucky and of English descent. William H. Smith was reared to farming, and received his education at the common schools. December 6, 1866, he married Mollie E., daughter of Thomas Dickson, and became the father of seven children-Ida B., Thomas A., Esta D., Lura E., Iva (deceased), Maggie and Herman. In 1874, Mr. Smith embarked in mercantile business at Herbemont, where he has done a thriving business. He is a Master Mason, and has acted as Past Master. In 1882, he pur- chased an interest in a saw-mill, with which he has done fairly. He is owner of a good and improved farm of sixty acres, which will always furnish a fine home and revenue. He is a Democrat in politics, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical, Part 45

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