Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical, Part 79

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 79
USA > Indiana > Monroe County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 79
USA > Indiana > Morgan County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 79

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ROBERT MARSHALL, farmer, was born in Monroe County, Ind., in 1842; is the son of Thomas and Eliza (Gracia) Marshall; is the third in a family of four children, and is of Scotch-Irish origin. His parents were born in Ireland. They came to this county in 1836, settled in Ben- ton Township, and came to Perry Township about 1844. Here his parents died in 1869. Robert Marshall began life for himself at seven- teen years of age, by farming, which he continued until 1878, and then led a general life of travel for four years. In 1861, he settled where he now resides. He was married, September 11, 1873, to Miss Kee McKissack, of Monroe County, daughter of William and Sarah McKis- sack. To this union were born two children, viz .: William C. and Alma P. (deceased). Mrs. Marshall died April 9, 1878. She was a member of the United Presbyterian Church. Politically, Mr. Marshall is a Nationalist, but cast his first Presidential vote for Lincoln. Mr. Marshall has a well-improved farm of 160 acres, and as a farmer has been very successful. He has a brother who served four years in the late war. Miss Sue Marshall, a sister of Mr. Marshall, has charge of his house.

P. B. MARTIN, general merchant, was born in Washington County, Ind., November 11, 1844; is the son of Peter and Elizabeth (Goss) Mar- tin; is the youngest in a family of ten children, and is of German descent. The father of Mr. Martin was born in Kentucky, and his mother in Pennsylvania. They came from Kentucky to Indiana in 1821, and set- tled in Washington County, where they resided until their deaths; the father died in February, 1863, and the mother in 1846. The early life of Mr. Martin was that of a farmer, and at the early age of seventeen years he began doing for himself. He enlisted in January, 1864, in Company A, Seventeenth Indiana Volunteers, and was at the battle of Selma. In August, 1865, he was honorably discharged. In 1869, Mr. Martin came to Clear Creek Station, Monroe County, and began general merchandising. This business he still continues, and has invested about $2,500. He lost by fire, in 1875, his whole stock of goods and business building, valued in all at $6,000. He was married, in 1873, to Miss Lydia Blankenship, a native of Owen County, Ind. They have two children-Maud E. and James B. H. Mr. Martin is a Republican. In 1872, he was appointed Postmaster at Clear Creek, and is also express agent. Mr. and Mrs. Martin are members of the Christian Church. He is the principal busi- ness man at the station, and one of the leading citizens of Perry Township.

THOMAS N. MATHERS, one of the early-day men of Monroe County, was born in Nicholas County, Ky., February 28, 1821; he is a son of James and Susana (Nesbit) Mathers, and is the fifth of a family of ten children. The parents of our subject were natives of Bourbon County, Ky. The paternal grandfather of Mr. Mathers was a native of Ireland. In early childhood he became an orphan, lived the life of a bound-boy, and came to America prior to the Revolutionary war, in which he took an active part. His death occurred in Monroe County, Ind. The parents of Mr. Mathers also died in this county. Before our subject had gained his majority, he began doing for himself. His mar- riage took place in 1841, to Miss Mary E. Mathers, an own cousin. Mrs.

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Mathers was also of Kentucky birth, one of the pioneer women of Monroe County, and a most amiable Christian lady. Her death occurred Decem- ber 28, 1880. To the above-mentioned union were born nine children. The year 1841 dates the settlement of Mr. Mathers where he now resides. He has a valuable and well-improved farm, and is in comfortable circum- stances. By the " sweat of his brow " he has accomplished what he has, and his success is due to his own energy and economy. Politically, Mr. Mathers is a Republican, but, prior to 1861, he was a Jackson Democrat. He was elected Assessor of Perry Township in 1879, and served one term, and by appointment served one year. For forty-five years he has been a consistent member of the Christian Church.

WILLIAM J. MOORE was born in Bloomington, Ind., January 30, 1821, and is the only son in a family of two children, born to John and Ann (Henry) Moore. The parents of Mr. Moore were born in Ireland, and emigrated to America in 1816, and for two years they lived near Pittsburgh, Penn., and then came to Monroe County and settled in the town of Bloomington. Here they lived until their death. His father died in 1825, and his mother in 1846. Mr. Moore remained at home and worked for his mother until twenty-one years of age. He then labored for months, at 16} cents per day. His marriage took place in 1844 to Hannah MeCaughan, a native of Ireland. They have had four chil- dren-John A., Ann H. (deceased), Mary J. and Susan E. In 1845, Mr. Moore removed from Bloomington to Benton Township, and there re- mained six years; then removed to Perry Township, west of Bloomington; there remained twelve years ; then removed to what was known as the Westbrook homestead, and there remained until 1875, when he settled on the farm he now owns. He is a Republican, and he and wife are mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church.

WILLIAM NORMAN, farmer and dairyman, was born in Polk Township, Monroe Co., Ind., May 5, 1844; is a son of Peter and Nancy (Hayes) Norman; is the third in a family of twelve children, and is of Scotch-Irish origin. The father of Mr. Norman was born in North Car- olina, and his mother is of Indiana birth. The father came to Monroe County about 1834, and settled in Polk Township, where he died in 1876. The subject of our sketch was married in May, 1863, to Miss Susan J. Shields, a native of Lawrence County, Ind. They have four children, viz., Cyrus M., Lizzie, Nannie and Peter. Mr. Norman en- listed, in 1864, in Company C, Thirty-second Indiana Volunteers. He was honorably discharged in May, 1865. Mr. Norman removed from Polk Township to where he now lives, in Perry Township. He has a well-improved farm in Polk Township of 200 acres. He came to Perry Township to have better educational advantages for his children. He is a Republican. In 1883, he began the dairy business, and at present he has fourteen cows, and the business has been very successful. Mr. and Mrs. Norman are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

P. G. PAULEY, farmer, was born in Van Buren Township, Monroe Co., Ind., June 1, 1826; is the son of Isaac and Sarah (Paugh) Pauley; is one of nine children, and is of German lineage. The parents of Mr. Pauley were born in Nicholas County, Ky., and in 1818 came to this county and settled in Richland Township, but subsequently removed to Vau Buren Township, and here the father of Mr. Pauley died in 1832, and his mother in 1877, at eighty-seven years of age. When our subject was · seventeen years of age, he began the realities of life for himself, and for two

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years worked on a farm by the day and then by the month, and at twenty- one he is found clerking in the dry goods store of Helton & Dodds, where he remained four years, and then purchased a farm and began farming. His marriage occurred October 6, 1858, to Miss Sarah J. Hel- ton, a native of Lawrence County, Ind. To this union were born chil- dren as follows : Helton, Lew W., Ralph and Winfield Scott. About 1859, Mr. Pauley settled where he now resides. He has 200 acres of splendidly improved land. Politically, he is a Republican, though in local matters he supports the men who, in his judgment, are the best fitted for office. He is a thorough temperance man, and has been a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church for forty-two years. He served as chorister in that church fourteen years. Although passing down the western declivity of time, his years bear lightly upon him. For many years he was acquainted and associated with one of the early-day men of Monroe County. This personage was none other than the well-known L. G. Shryer, who was born in Cumberland, Md., in 1799, and who came to Monroe County in 1825, and the next year erected a steam mill, which was the first mill of the kind in the county. For many years he was one of the most active business men in the county. His death oc- curred in 1883. Mr. Shryer was the father of six children, and John, one of them, is a prominent man, in good circumstances, and resides near Mr. Pauley's.

ELDER I. N. PORCH was born in Lincoln County, Ky., September 5, 1832; is the son of John H. and Margaret Porch; is the eldest in a family of eight children, and is of Scotch-English extraction. His father was born in Virginia in 1802, and his mother is a native of Kentucky, born in 1808. His paternal grandfather was also born in Virginia, and died in Montgomery County, Ind., at almost one hundred and four years of age. The father of Elder Porch died near Pilot Point, Texas. The sub- ject of this sketch is a graduate of Butler University, having quitted that institution with the highest honors of his class. His early life was divided between attending and teaching school. After his graduation he assumed the principalship of the Rushville (Indiana) Schools. After closing his labors at school teaching, he began preaching in the Chris- tian Church, which has been his leading life occupation. For many years he has been interested in eternal salvation for human souls, and has preached extensively in Indiana, Missouri and Tennessee, and his labors are known in Ohio, Illinois and Texas. He now resides near Bloomington, Ind. His marriage occurred in 1863, to Miss Sarah, daughter of Judge Hinchman, of Rush County, Ind. Children have been born to this union as follows: Maggie, Lois, Quinta, Anne, Ed- ward and Yale C. Politically, Elder Porch is a National.

HENRY CLAY RHORER, farmer, is a native of Jessamine County, Ky .; was born September 7. 1828; is the son of Jacob and Mary (Hoover) Rhorer, is the fifth in a family of eight children, and is of German descent. The father of Mr. Rhorer was born near Hagerstown, Md., in 1796, and his mother was of Kentucky birth. In infancy, his father was brought by his parents to Jessamine County, Ky., here he died in 1872. His mother died in the same county in 1850. At twen- ty-one years of age, Mr. Rohrer began the scenes of life for himself. His marriage took place November 5, 1854, to Miss Mattie A. Hoover. Mrs. Rhorer is also a native of Jessamine County, Ky., and was born December 14, 1832. To this union have been born one daughter and two

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sons, viz., Mary B., Alvin K. and Jerome E. In 1855, Mr. Rhorer came to Monroe County, Ind., and settled where he now lives at Pine Valley Home. Here he owns a well-improved farm. Politically. Mr. Rhorer is a Republican; his first Presidential vote was cast for Henry Clay. In 1872, Mr. Rhorer was elected Assessor of Perry Township. The father of Mr. Rhorer was a minister of the old Christian Church, and, though a Southern gentleman, was always of an anti-slavery spirit. Mr. Rhorer has a fair common school education, and has been very successful in life.

AQUILLA W. ROGERS, ex-Sheriff and farmer, is the eighth son in a family of thirteen children of Jonathan and Mary (Rand) Rogers, and is of English-Irish extraction. His birth occurred October 16, 1819, in Bloomington Township, Monroe County, Ind. The father of Mr. Rog- ers was born in Pennsylvania, and his mother was of Kentucky birth. In extreme early life his father migrated to Ohio, where he was mar- ried, and there remained until just prior to the war of 1812, when he and wife came to the territory that now composes Jackson County, Ind., and there remained until 1817, when the family came to Monroe County. The father cleared the land on which the court house now stands. His death occurred May 15, 1834, in Washington County, Ind. At twenty years of age, Aquilla W. Rogers undertook the labors af life for himself. His marriage took place April 2, 1840, to Miss Mary E. Rogers, an own cousin. To this union have been born seven children, viz., Napoleon B., Mary L., Elizabeth, Benjamin A., Harriet E., Leonidas D. C. and Exi- lona S. After the marriage of Mr. Rogers, he made settlement on Salt Creek, in Salt Creek Township, where he remained eight years, and then removed to Perry Township. In 1868, he made settlement near where he now lives. He has a splendidly improved farm of 144 acres. Polit- ically, this old pioneer is a thorough Democrat, and has always advo- cated the interests of that party. In 1862, he was elected Sheriff of Monroe County, and was re-elected in 1864, and discharged the trust imposed in him to the satisfaction of his constituents. For more than a half century Mr. Rogers has been a resident of Monroe County, and now resides in a splendid residence near his birthplace. He has al- ways possessed a spirit of public enterprise, and was the first advocate of what is known as the Rogers Pike. He is a leading citizen and an hon- orable man.

HENRY ROGERS (deceased) was born May 9, 1814. £ He was the son of Jonathan and Mary (Rand) Rogers, and his birth occurred in Clarke County, Ind. At two years of age, he was removed by his parents to this county. In early life, he learned the tanner's trade, though he did not follow that occupation many years. The marriage of our subject took place January 12, 1837, to Miss Jane Ward, a native of Wythe County, Va., daughter of Granville and Anna Ward, also natives of Virginia, who emigrated to Monroe County in 1816. The under-named children were born to the Rogers-Ward union: Mary A., Francis M., Malinda J. (deceased), Willis A. G. (deceased), Thomas J. and Harriet E. In politics, Mr. Rogers was an uncompromising Democrat. He served as Justice of the Peace for some time. His death occurred August 21, 1876. Mrs. Rogers was born December 27, 1814, and came to Monroe County in 1816. She has a distinct remembrance of the Indians, wolves and deer, and is one of the true pioneer women of Monroe County. She is a member of the Christian Church, and an earnest Christian lady. Mrs. Rogers now resides with her son-in-law, Mr. George P. Campbell,

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who was born in Perry Township, Monroe County, Ind., October 2, 1852, son of Hugh B. and Susan G. (Patton) Campbell. He is of Scotch- Irish lineage, He has attended school at the Bloomington College, and Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College at Indianapolis, and has more than an ordinary education. In 1876, he engaged in general merchan- dising, in partnership with P. B. Martin, at Clear Creek, Ind., which he continued about two years, and then began farming. His marriage took place October 19, 1880, to Miss Harriet E. Rogers, also a native of Monroe County, daughter of Harry and Jane Rogers. Mr. Campbell has 155 acres of good land. He is a Republican, and a member of the Knights of Pythias. In 1874, he represented the Bloomington Lodge in the Grand Lodge at Indianapolis. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are members of the Christian Church. He is one of the leading young men of Perry Township, and an honorable citizen.

GEORGE STIPP, farmer. was born in Lawrence County, Ind., November 16, 1824, is the son of John and Maria (Mauk) Stipp. Mr. Stipp is the fourth in a family of nine children, and is of German de- scent. The father of our subject was born in Kentucky, and his mother in Virginia. About 1817, his father removed from Kentucky to Law- rence County, Ind., where he lived until 1856, when he came to Mon- roe County, where he died in 1857. Mr. Stipp was married, in 1848, to Miss Mary A. McPhadden, a native of South Carolina. To this union have been born four children-William N., Alice E., Edward and Sarah E. In 1848, Mr. Stipp came to Monroe County, and settled in Clear Creek Township, and there remained until 1873, when he removed to where he now lives. Here he has 283 acres of splendidly improved land. He has a good residence, erected in 1876, at a cost of $2,000- Politically, Mr. Stipp is a Republican, but was formerly a Democrat, and cast his first Presidential vote for James K. Polk. Mr. and Mrs. Stipp are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is an honorable man, and has the confidence and respect of all who know him.

REV. WILLIAM D. TURNER (deceased) was one of the pio- neer clergyman of Monroe County. He was born in Pendleton Dis- trict, S. C., August 25, 1806, of Irish parents, who at an early day emigrated to America and settled on a farm in South Carolina. They were of the stanch old Presbyterian stock, whose religion had been tried in the fires of persecution and came through them without a falter in the Christian faith. It was in such a family, whose religion is alike true and strong, and under its happy and restraining influences, the subject of this memoir passed his earlier days. Soon the fruit began to appear, and a desire sprang up and grew within him to serve his Creator and Re- deemer. To qualify himself for the work, he eagerly embraced the ad- vantages of the common school, and at the age of nineteen years he began a classical course at an academy in Tennessee, where he remained three years and then entered the Miami University, at Oxford, Ohio. From this institution he graduated in 1831. He then became a student of theology and entered a theological seminary at Allegheny, Penn., and after completing the course there he was licensed to preach the Gospel by the First Associated Reformed Presbyterian Church at Xenia, Ohio. During the college course of Rev. Turner, he taught school during vaca- tions. In 1834, he married Miss Julia Ann Woodard, a native of War- ren County, Ohio, daughter of Lewis and Eliza Woodard. This union was blessed with thirteen children, and the following with their mother

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yet survive: Martha E., Harriet A., Laura L., Clara M., Ella A. and Anna A. After Rev. Turner was licensed to preach, he did much and faithful service in various churches in Ohio and Indiana, and in the fall of 1835 he received and accepted a call to the pastorate of the Blooming- ton Associated Reformed Church, and here on the 16th of June, 1836, he was ordained and installed in the pastorate of that congregation, and a relation formed which remained unbroken for thirty three years. Here was the great work of his life, and this congregation is the memorial and proof of the extent and solidity of that work. It was his first and only charge. He found it few in number, weak and struggling; he left it strong and influential. With Rev. Turner it was the same as with the majority of the early-day ministers of the old Hoosier commonwealth; he was compelled to supplement his income by some secular industry, and he chose the farm, garden and nursery business, and at these he proved himself a complete master; still the ministry was his work. He allowed no secondary enterprise to interfere with his religious work. Rev. Tur- ner's physical constitution was robust, and the general health of his life good, but in 1858 he was attacked by severe ophthalmic disease, causing great suffering, and disqualifying him for his work for three years. He gained no relief from home treatment and sought a specialist at Cincin- nati, Ohio, obtaining relief, but only partial recovery. He continued to preach until 1869, when the infirmities of old age had so grown on him that he could no longer minister to so large a congregation and his resig- nation was accepted, but even after this he continued to aid in the church when occasion demanded. Rev. Turner continued to superintend his sec- ular interests with his usual skill for fourteen years, adding to his former industries bee culture. On Sabbath, August 5, 1883, he was in his ac- customed place in church and taught a class in Sabbath school, and on the following day, while at the office of Dr. Weir, his son-in-law, in Bloomington, he died, and by his death Monroe County lost one of its best and most influential men, the church one of its most brilliant lights, the family a devoted husband and kind father. He was a Republican, a zealous anti-slavery advocate, and was highly esteemed and much lauded wherever known. His children were liberally educated. One of the daugh- ters married Hon. Franklin Landers, of Indianapolis; one, Dr. Weir, of Bloomington; one is the wife of Rev. Foster, of Cincinnati. The widow of Rev. Turner still resides on the old homestead near Bloomington. Mrs. Turner has reached the alloted threescore and ten. The home farm is now successfully superintended by Miss Clara M. Turner, a most amiable lady.

WILLIAM WEIMER was born June 10, 1825, in Indiana County, Penn .; lhe is the son of Adam and Nancy (Shanks) Weimer, and is of Scotch-Irish extraction. His parents were also born in Pennsylvania. His paternal grandfather was Andrew Weimer, a native of the German Empire, and, in company with two brothers, came to America when a young man and made settlement in Pennsylvania, where his death occurred. When the subject of this biography was about ten years of age, he re- moved with his parents from his native State to what is now Noble County, Ohio, where he was married in 1850 to Miss Margaret J. McCon- nell, a native of Guernsey County, Ohio. To this union children were born as here undernamed: George, Mathew L. (deceased), Mary J., William E., Helen Morton and Eliza. . Mrs. Weimer died in Blooming- ton, Ind., in March, 1876. Mr. Weimer was married the next year to Miss

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Sarah A. Kelly, one of the pioneer ladies of Monroe County. In 1857, our subject came to Monroe County and purchased what is known as the Abram Pauley farm. Mr. Weimer now owns 235 acres of good land, and as a farmer he is successful. Formerly, our subject was an Abolitionist, then became a Republican and is now a Nationalist. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Bloomington Lodge, No. 166. Mr. and Mrs. Weimer are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are among the prominent people of Perry Township. In 1873, the family removed to its present place of residence.

REDICK M. WYLIE, ex-County Commissioner, is a native of Bloomington, Monroe County, Ind., was born May 22, 1831; is the son of Prof. Andrew and Margaret (Ritchie) Wylie; is the tenth in a family of twelve children, and is of Scotch-Irish lineage. The father of Mr. Wylie, was born in Pennsylvania in 1789, and his mother was of the same nativity, born in 1791. When quite a young man, his father was elected President of Jefferson College in Washington County in his native State. In 1829, the Wylie family emigrated to Monroe County and made settlement in Bloomington. The father of Mr. Wylie was the first President of what was then Bloomington College. At the time of his death, which occurred in November, 1851, he was president of the Indi- ana State University. The Wylie Family was first known in Ireland. The early life of the subject of this sketch was spent in attending school and serving his father. In 1847, he entered the Indiana State University, and graduated from that institution in 1851. On the account of the death of his father about this time, Mr. Wylie assumed control of the home and assisted in educating a younger brother and sister. His marriage took place in 1870 to Miss Madaline A. Thompson, a native of Mt. Vernon, Ill. To this union have been four children-Jane T., Red- ick A., Francis B. and Madaline E. In 1861, Mr. Wylie settled where he now resides. He has 440 acres of well-improved land. Politically, Mr. Wylie is a Republican. He was elected County Commissioner of Monroe County in 1874, and served one term. Mr. Wylie is a member of the Presbyterian Church. and Mrs. Wylie is a member of the Episco- pal Church. He is one of the pioneer men of Monroe County and one of its leading citizens. As a farmer, he has been successful. He also has a half interest in the McCalla store in Bloomington.

BEAN BLOSSOM TOWNSHIP.

WILLIAM BENNIE was born in Newcastle-on-Tyne, England, on December 17, 1849, and is the first of six children born to Thomas and Mary (Biggse) Bennie, who were born in the North of England. Our subject was reared in New Castle, and worked in the coal mines of England. He immigrated to the United States in the year 1870, landing in New York City, and immediately went to Greencastle, Ind., and worked as a stone cutter. In August, 1870, he came to Ellettsville, Monroe County, and has remained here ever since, working at his trade of stone-cutter. He owns forty acres of good land, under a high state of cultivation, with a comfortable house and good orchard. He accumu-

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lated his property through his own exertions and industry. His educa- tion is limited, as, while in his native England, he only acquired the rudiments. He is the only member of his family resident of this country. On October 27, 1871, he was married to Wilmina Schultze, a native of Prussia, but a resident of Monroe County. Six children have been born to them, viz., Thomas William, Charles, Mary Jane, Emery, Albert G. and Gusta. He is a member of A., F. & A. M., No. 245, Ellettsville. In politics, he is an active Democrat.

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Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical, Part 79

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