Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical, Part 71

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 71
USA > Indiana > Monroe County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 71
USA > Indiana > Morgan County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 71

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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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

Dudley in the general merchandise business at Stanford, Van Buren Town- ship, Monroe County, continuing three years. At the death of his father he purchased the interests of the other heirs in the old homestead farm, and engaged in farming until September, 1872, at which time he removed to Bloomington for the purpose of educating his children. Here he embarked in the administrator's business, and at present is the

assignee and administrator of many estates. On the 8th day of May, 1853, he was married to Harriett J. Baker, daughter of Absalom Baker, an early settler in Monroe County. His wife dying February 14, 1865, he was married December 8, 1880, to Elizabeth (Betty) Evans, of Mason County, Ky. He was a charter member of Stanford Lodge, No. 173, A., F. & A. M., and is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He served some time as Councilman, and is at present a member of the City Board of School Trustees.

CAPT. W. M. ALEXANDER was born in Bloomington, Monroe Co., Ind., on December 19, 1836. His parents, John H. and Margaret J. (Clark) Alexander, were natives of Kentucky. They came to Monroe in an early day, and located in Bloomington, where the father engaged in farming, and ran a mammoth tannery. In July, 1855, his death oc- curred, the wife having been dead for some time. Capt. Alexander was the youngest in a family of four children, and was reared in his native place until after his mother's death, when he began work by assisting the farmers in his immediate vicinity, and working at odd jobs. When twenty years of age, he began herding cattle, which he did both in Iowa and Minnesota for two years. Returning to Bloomington, he learned the blacksmith's trade with Seaward & Sons. In the spring of 1861, he enlisted in Company H, Eighteenth Indiana Volunteers, under Capt. Charles, and served for about four and a half years, taking part at Pea Ridge, Black Water, Cotton Plant, Magnolia Hills (after which battle he was promoted to Second Lieutenant), Champion Hills, Black River, siege of Vicksburg, Jackson, Miss., Mustang Island, Tex., Ft. Esperanza, and then came home on furlough. August 1, 1863, he was sent to the army of Virginia, and took part in the battles at Richmond, Winchester, Fisher Hill and Cedar Creek, after which he was promoted to First Lieutenant, and soon after, for meritorious conduct, to Captain. No. vember, 1865, he received an honorable discharge at Darien, Ga., and, returning to Bloomington, followed his trade for a number of years. He then opened a meat market, and one year later was appointed Deputy Sheriff, which position he held until the fall of 1876, when he was elected Sheriff, and two years later was re-elected by quite a large majority. He then farmed until 1882, when he was elected County Auditor, which position he at present occupies and fills with great credit to himself and benefit to the county. Mr. Alexander is a stanch Republican and a mem- ber of the Christian Church, as is also his wife. He was married Sep- tember 19, 1868, to Jennie Burch, a native of Monroe County, by whom there was one child, which died December, 1880. His wife died one year and three months after marriage, and he was next married to Mrs. Jennie Houver, daughter of Capt. John Sluss, of Monroe County, on Janu- ary 7, 1883. Mr. Alexander is a member of the K. of P., Franklin Lodge, No. 22. He is highly esteemed by all who know him, both as a citizen and as an official."

WILLIAM J. ALLEN, only son of John W. and Fannie J. (Clark) Allen, was born September 8, 1836, in Putnam County, Ind. He was

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reared on a farm in Perry Township, Monroe County, Ind., whither he came with his parents when but three months old. In September, 1850, he entered the State University, and remained until the death of his father September 8, 1852. In April, 1853, he came to Bloomington with his mother, and entered the employ of W. O. Fee, a dry goods mer- chant, with whom he remained for nearly a year. March 13, 1854, he went to California, where he mined until the spring of 1857, when he returned to Bloomington. Removing thence to Iowa, he remained a short time. In September, 1857, he was married to Harriet L. Swearin- gen, daughter of Charles and Harriet Swearingen, residents of Monroe County. They had three children-John C., Fannie C. and Joseph H. His wife died on November 8, 1865, and in July following he was mar- ried to Eliza J. Allen, daughter of Robert N. and Elizabeth Allen, of Greencastle, Ind. They have six children-Robert N., Eliza L., Mary M., William D., Eva O. and Arthur G. He farmed after his first marriage until the war broke out in 1862, and then enlisted in Company A, Fifty fourth Indiana Light Artillery, serving for three years, taking part in the battles at Atlanta, Jonesboro and Nashville, and on July 5, 1865, received an honorable discharge. Returning to Bloomington, he he was engaged in the stove and tinware business with M. E. Benegar, afterward with Samuel Osborn, until 1870, when he purchased the whole stock, and at present does a lucrative business in stoves, tin and hard- ware, also agricultural implements, and all kinds of building material. Mr. Allen is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, and polit- ically he is a Republican.

DR. A. J. AXTELL, one of the leading physicians in Bloomington, Monroe Co., Ind., was born October 18, 1827, in Washington County, Penn., where he was reared until nine years of age. He then went to Knox County, Ohio, with his parents, Thomas and Mary (Weir) Axtell, natives of Pennsylvania, entered the Martinsburg College, attended two years, and afterward taught school for some time. In 1847, he began to study medicine with Drs. Connors & Welsh, in Noble County, Ohio, con- tinuing for three years. In 1850, he entered the regular practice of his profession there, and four years later removed to Greene County, Ind., re- maining there for nearly twenty years. In 1873, he came to Blooming- ton, where he has since been successfully engaged. In August, 1863, he was elected Captain of Company A, Ninety-seventh Indiana Volunteers, organized at Terre Haute, and sent to Memphis, Tenn., where, on ac- count of ill health, he was compelled toresign. He has served two years as Coroner of Monroe County. On November 7, 1850, he was married to Susan M. Gilkerson, daughter of Thomas C. and Sarah Gilkerson, of No- ble County, Ohio. They have had nine children, seven of whom are liv- ing-Charles J., William F., Mattie, Henry O., Mary B., Harry A. and an infant. Dr. Axtell is Secretary of a Masonic Lodge, is a Republican, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Church.

HARVEY BAKER was born in Washington Township, Morgan Co., Ind., April 11, 1840. His parents, John C. and Elizabeth (McDaniel) Baker, natives of Kentucky, were married in Morgan County, and settled on a farm in Washington Township, where they lived until 1843, when the mother died. The father then married Mrs. McKinney, and removed to a farm in Jefferson Township, whence, in 1852, he went to Baker Town- ship, where he died in December, 1866. The subject of this sketch was the eldest son and child, and was reared in Morgan County, where he was

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educated in the district schools. August 26, 1861, he enlisted in Com- pany H, Thirty-third Indiana Volunteers, under Capt. James E. Burton, and served for more than two years. He took part in the engagements at Wild Cat, Ky., and Cumberland Gap, and at the battle of Thompson's Station, Tenn .; on March 5, 1863, was wounded in the right leg; was capt- ured and placed in prison in Columbia, Tenn., from whence he escaped August 6, 1863, and on account of disability he was mustered out of serv- ice September 11. On December 24, 1866, he was married to Martha Holler, daughter of Jacob B. Lafaver, Methodist preacher. They had three children, two of whom are living-Newton D. and Jacob O. He engaged in farming in Baker Township until in 1872, when he removed to a farm in Monroe County, remaining for seven years. He then re- moved to Bloomington, and was appointed Tax Collector, which position he filled for three years. In March, 1883, he was appointed Deputy Sheriff, and is at present in the discharge of his duties. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Paragon Lodge, No. 406. He is a member of the Christian Church, his wife of the Methodist Church. Politically, he is a Republican.

WILLIAM B. BAKER, born October 22, 1834, in Van Buren Town- ship, Monroe Co., Ind., is the second son and the sixth child of Absalom and Harriet (Gentry) Baker. He was reared in his native township, where he acquired the rudiments of a good education in the district schools. When twenty years of age, he purchased a farm of eighty acres in the same township, continuing for about eight years. In September, 1865, he sold his farm, and removing to Stanford he opened a general merchandise store, under the firm name of Baker Bros., which was con- tinued until in 1872, when they sold out, one year later re-purchasing the same stock. In July, 1881, he moved to Bloomington. He has been County Commissioner for three years, which position he fills with credit. August 6, 1883, he formed a partnership with C. S. Neeld in the furni- ture business, and they are at present doing a lucrative business under the firm name of Baker & Neeld. He served as Postmaster at Stanford for several years, and as Township Assessor for two years. He was mar- ried October 5, 1857, to Harriet R. Denny, daughter of James H. Denny, a citizen of Warrick County, Ind. By this union there were four chil- dren, three of whom are living-Florence G., Mary H. and Thomas A. His wife died November 10, 1865, and he was next married, on Septem- ber 27, 1866, to Miss Hannah Yoho, daughter of Samuel Yoho, at present a citizen of Indian Creek Township, this county. By this union there has been one child-Birdie O. Mrs. Baker is a member of the Baptist Church. Politically, he is a Republican, and a very prominent and in- fluential member of that party.

JOHN BLAIR, farmer, was born in Lincoln County, Tenn., on July 15, 1819. James Blair, his father, was born in South Carolina October 25, 1789, and on October 3, 1811, married Jane (Neill) Smith, who was born in South Carolina in 1780. They came to Monroe County, and here he farmed until his death, March 26, 1849. Mrs. Blair died April 5, 1854. They had six children. John Blair's paternal grandfather was a soldier of the Revolution. John was fairly educated, and since 1825 has resided on the same farm. On October 28, 1843, Mr. Blair married Hannah, daughter of Robert and Martha (Small) Fullerton. She was born May 17, 1819. In 1837, her father died, and her mother in 1872. They were of Irish lineage. Mr. Blair has six children-Martha J.

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(Owens), Euphemia (Crabb), James N., Emma (Strong), William S. and Addie L. Mr. and Mrs. Blair belong to the United Presbyterian Church, and are respected by all who know them. Mr. Blair was at one time a Whig, but now votes with the Republicans.

W. T. BLAIR, born May 1, 1855, in Bloomington, Monroe Co., Ind., is the third son and sixth child born to John and Hannah (Fullerton) Blair, natives of Tennessee and Ireland respectively. The parents came to Monroe County in May, 1825, and located on a farm in Bloomington Township, where they at present reside. The subject of this sketch ob- tained the rudiments of a good English education in the district schools. In September, 1876, he entered the State University at. Bloomington, whence he graduated in June, 1880. After he had completed his educa- tion, he entered the employ of W. J. Allen, a hardware merchant, with whom he remained for three years. On March 31, 1883, he purchased the stock of boots and shoes owned by C. R. Perdue, and is at present doing a lucrative business. He was married October 5, 1882, to Miss Julia A. Waldron, daughter of John and Ann Waldron, old and respected pioneers of Monroe County. They have one child, William J., born July 9, 1883. They are members of the United Presbyterian Church. Politically, he is a Republican.

PETER BOLENBACHER, farmer, was born in Germany May 4, 1814, and is the son of Peter and Margaret (Fairrence) Bolenbacher, natives of Germany. They came to America in 1832, located first in Maryland, and about 1850 came to Monroe County, where they died, at the ages re- spectively of eighty-nine and seventy-eight years. Peter Bolenbacher came to Maryland with his parents, and there learned the trade of stone- mason and bricklayer, which business he followed for a number of years in that State, and resumed it again after he came to Monroe County. After some years, he was obliged to retire from active business. He then settled on eighty acres of land, which he purchased near Bloomington. He is a member of the Christian Church, a member of the Masonic fra- ternity, and liberal in politics. Mr. Bolenbacher is strictly temperate in all his habits. In 1855, he married Rebecca Whisnand, who was born in 1815, and is a member of the Methodist Church.

GEORGE BOLLENBACHER was born in Bavaria, Germany, June 17, 1825. He is the third son in a family of six children born to Peter and Margaret (Fairrence) Bollenbacher. In 1832, he came with his parents to America, and located in Maryland. In the public schools of his native village, and the schools of his neighborhood in Maryland, he obtained the rudiments of a good English education. When thirteen years of age, he began learning shoe-making with J. B. Sherer, in Fred- ericktown, Md., and remained with him seven years. In April, 1846, he came to Bloomington, Ind., and soon after opened a shoe shop. In 1859, he built a tannery, which at that time was one of the most extensive bus- iness interests in Bloomington. In 1874, he quit shoe-making, and pur- chased a one- third interest with J. H. Ryors and George P. Bollenbacher in their spoke factory. In 1881, J. H. Ryors sold his interest to them, and the business is in a flourishing condition under the firm name of Bollenbacher & Sons, manufacturers of wagon and carriage spokes and dealers in hardwood lumber. They have branch factories at Gosport and Guthrie, Ind., and employ about eighty men. They have a capital of about $60,000 invested, and their factories have a capacity of about 13,000 spokes per day. Mr. B. is also the proprietor of a large shoe

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store in Bloomington. In 1848, he was married to Margaret Shawver, daughter of Christopher Shawver, one of the earliest settlers in Monroe County. The issue of this marriage has been thirteen children, twelve 'yet living-Lizzie, George W., Mary, Kate, Julia, Martin C., William P., Caroline, Sallie, Samuel N., Jacob I. and Fannie. He is a member of the Bloomington Lodge, A., F. & A. M., and of the Lutheran Church. Politically, he is a Democrat.

JOHN E. BORLAND was born in Perry Township, Monroe Co., Ind., on August 7, 1834. His parents, Edward and Margaret (Caldwell) Borland, natives of Washington County, Penn., immigrated to Indiana in 1819, and settled in Bloomington, where the father followed the carpenter's trade for about five years, and then entered a farın of 320 acres in Perry Township. February 8, 1865, he died. The mother's death occurred in August, 1877. The subject of this sketch was the third son and sixth child in a family of ten children, and was reared in his native county, where he received a good education. When eighteen years of age, he entered the State University, at Bloomington, remaining a portion of each of four years. In 1856, he began farming for himself in Perry Township, and by perseverance and industry has secured a com- petence. September 4, 1872, he married Emma L. McClellan, daughter of Alexander McClellan, an early settler, and a prominent citizen of Bloomington. His wife is an active worker in the Presbyterian Church. He was for two years Trustee of Perry Township, and for six years Road Supervisor of Perry Township.

S. WALTER BRADFUTE is second son in family, and was born May 18, 1862, near Xenia, Greene Co., Ohio, where he lived until twelve years of age, and was there educated. His parents were John and Maggie J. (Collins) Bradfute, the former dying in 1864. When fourteen years of age, he started the Bloomington Telephone, in partnership with Frank G. Arnott, and six months later purchased his partner's half interest, and has continued to run it up to the present writing, having enlarged from the size of note paper to that of six-column quarto. He attended the high school in Bloomington, as far as Senior class, the last four years of which time he was conducting his paper. Since fifteen years of age, he has corresponded for the Cincinnati Commercial-Gazette, and is at present also representing the Indianapolis Journal, St. Louis Democrat, Chicago Tribune, the Inter Ocean, Indianapolis Times and the Louisville Com- mercial, in Monroe County. He is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, and is corresponding member of the Phi Delta Theta. Politic- ally, he is a Republican. He was married, November 1, 1883, to Flora Wallingford, daughter of Samuel Wallingford.

REV. JEFFERSON E. BRANT was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, February 27, 1837, and is the second child born to Seth and Rachel (Jackson) Brant, natives of West Virginia. In 1853, he came to Owen County, Ind., and for two years afterward assisted his father to clear the wilderness. He then earned enough money to enter Asbury University, at Greencastle, whence he graduated in 1860, having two years previously preached his first sermon. In 1860, he was appointed by the Indiana Conference to a mission in Clay County, for one year, afterward serving for about ten months near Terre Haute. In August, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Eighty-fifth Indiana Volunteers, and was commissioned Captain one year later. He took part in several im- portant encounters, among which were Resaca, Kingston, Marietta,

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Dallas Woods, etc., and was in command of the regiment when Atlanta was captured. On September 1, 1864, he was, for meritorious conduct, promoted to Major, afterward participating in the engagements at Ben- tonville. Goldsboro and Averysboro, and at Savannah was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel, January 1, 1865. Five months later, he was mustered out of service, immediately re-entering the conference and ministry. He has been actively engaged since, and at present has in charge the Meth- odist Episcopal Church at Bloomington, where he has been located since September, 1882. On August 8, 1858, he was married to Mary A. Mc- Allister, daughter of Dr. McAllister, of Owen County. By this union there are nine children, four of whom are living-Anna, Emma, Claude and Arthur. Rev. J. E. Brant is a member of the A., F. & A. M., the I. O. O. F. and of the G. A. R. Politically, he is a Republican.

DR. G. W. BRYAN, second son of John and Mary (McCormick) Bryan, was born October 1, 1825, in Beaver County, Penn., where he lived until fifteen years of age. His educational facilities were very poor, but by perseverance and studiousness he acquired a good English educa- tion. He commenced the tailor's trade with a half-brother, who died two years later. He then went to Clinton, Allegheny County, and com- pleted the trade with George T. Hice, remaining three years. He then worked as journeyman for about one year in Pennsylvania and Ohio; then came to Indiana, and opened a shop in Carroll County, continuing about two years. Returning to Beaver County, Penn., he attended an academy at Hookstown for about three years; then taught school and studied medicine with Dr. R. A. Moon, for two years. In 1850 and 1851, he attended a course of lectures, at Cleveland, in the Western Reserve Medical College, and entered the regular practice in Fayette, Allegheny Co., Penn., where he remained for two years, at which he took a second course of lectures at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1853 and 1854; then went to Knoxville, Jefferson Co., Ohio, and formed a partnership with Dr. Ham- ilton, in the regular practice, continuing with him for one year. Coming thence to Bloomington in 1855, he entered practice here, and is at pres- ent doing a good business, and is considered one of her best practitioners. In December, 1862, he was appointed Assistant Surgeon of the Sixty- seventh Indiana Volunteers, which position he was compelled to resign on account of ill health. On October 15, 1849, he was married to Miss Alice Calhoun, daughter of Joseph Calhoun, of Beaver County, Penn. They have had seven children, three of whom are living -- Florence, Mary and Minnie. Dr. Bryan is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, and he is politically a Republican.

JOHN B. BUSKIRK, a native of Kentucky, was born September 5, 1815, in Shelby County. He is eldest son of Abram and Mary A. (Boswell) Buskirk, natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia respectively. They came to Indiana in 1817, and lived in New Albany until 1820, when they came to Monroe County and settled on a farm near Blooming- ton. The father was a stone-mason, and, removing to Bloomington in 1831, followed his trade for a number of years. He was Associate Judge of the Bloomington courts for some time. He served as Postmaster for four years, and was Justice of the Peace for several years. He died in October, 1853. The mother died in 1850. The subject was reared at home until seventeen years of age, when he began learning the cabinet- maker's trade with William McCollough. In 1833, he went to New Al- bany, and worked at his trade for two years, when he returned to Bloom-

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ington for some time. Removing thence to Bedford, he remained for nearly twenty years; he then went to Orange County, where he engaged in the general merchandise business for eighteen years, the greater part of which time he acted as Postmaster. Removing thence to Paola, Ind., he edited the Paola News. In 1878, he returned to Bloomington, where he at present resides, sixty-nine years of age. On January 2, 1840, he was married to Maria H. Ritter, daughter of John Ritter, a citizen of Kentucky. They have had six children, five of whom are living-Thomas B., John W., Caroline L., Margaret B. and George A. Mr. Buskirk is a member of the A., F. & A. M. and of the I. O. O. F. He is a Democrat and a member of the Methodist Church.

GEORGE A. BUSKIRK (deceased) was born August 10, 1829, in Monroe County, Ind. He was the son of Abram and Mary A. Buskirk, who came to Bloomington in 1831. Having finished his education in the public schools of Bloomington, while yet a lad he was taken into the office of David Browning, Clerk of Monroe County Circuit Court. He had entered the Preparatory Department of the State University, and had just completed the Freshman year, when the Mexican war broke out. He enlisted in First Indiana Regiment, at La Fayette, but was soon after- ward transferred to the Third Indiana, under Col. James H. Lane, and served till the close of the war, being a participant in the battle of Buena Vista. On his return to Bloomington, he served in the office of Jesse Brandon (editor of a Democratic paper), for two years, thus acquir- ing a practical knowledge of the details of the printing business. In 1848, he began the study of law with Samuel H. Buskirk, soon after which he entered the Law Department of the State University, graduat- ing in 1850. He was soon after elected Justice of the Peace, serving for several years. In 1856, he was elected Judge of the Court for the dis- trict embracing Morgan, Monroe and Brown Counties, and re-elected in 1860, the counties of Shelby and Johnson having been added. In 1867,. he was selected by the Legislature as Agent of State, and assumed the control of the funds set aside by the State for the payment of the State debt, managing the trust with skill and fidelity. In 1868, he was elected Representative of Monroe County in the Lower House of General As- sembly, and at the regular session in 1869 he was elected Speaker, presid- ing with signal ability over the deliberations of that body. In 1871, he organized the First National Bank of Bloomington, and was chosen President by the Board of Directors. During the last three or four years of his life, he withdrew from public affairs, devoting himself en- tirely to private interests. He was married, August 5, 1854, to Martha Hardesty, daughter of Samuel and Susanna Hardesty, early pioneers of Bloomington. His death, which occurred July 21, 1874, caused by a severe stroke of apoplexy, was greatly mourned by the citizens of Bloom- ington. He was an active member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Knights of Pythias. His valuable services during the war were so appreciated by Gov. Morton that he was appointed Colonel of the Indi- ana Legion.

JOHN W. BUSKIRK, second son and third child of John B. and Maria H. (Ritter) Buskirk, natives of Kentucky, was born on November 20, 1845, in Bedford, Lawrence Co., Ind. His parents at present reside in Bloomington, and are spoken of elsewhere in this work. The sub- ject of this sketch was reared in his native county until eight years of age, when he went with his parents to Orange County, and lived until

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Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical, Part 71

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