USA > Indiana > Brown County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 80
USA > Indiana > Monroe County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 80
USA > Indiana > Morgan County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 80
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MATHIAS BERRY, farmer, was born April 22, 1820, in Lincoln County, N. C., and is the second of eleven children born to John and Charity (Rader) Berry, natives of North Carolina, and of German descent. Mathias was reared on a farm, and received a passable education, attend- ing school when not employed about the farm. In 1833, he came with his parents to this township, where his father entered land. On Decem- ber 26, 1850, Mr. Berry was married to Mary E., of Putnam County, Ind., and a daughter of Stephen and Nancy (Parish) Bell, natives of Tennessee and Kentucky respectively. By this union Mr. Berry had born to him ten children-Margaret O. (now Mrs. J. K. Smith), James W. (deceased), John Stephen (deceased), William Alex (deceased), Nancy Charity (deceased), Hamilton L., Melissa E., Louisa J., Emma Ann and Richard R. (deceased). Mr. Berry owns eighty acres of land, well cultivated, stocked and improved by a comfortable residence, barn, etc., and also a fine orchard. He is the possessor of a fine stone quarry, containing marble which may be polished to an extent almost equal to that of New England marble. This is used for monumental purposes, and is shipped to various parts of the country. That which is softest is used for building purposes, and it is of the best quality found in the State. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has been Constable of his township for three terms, and is a Demo- crat. He enjoys good health, and it is to be hoped will enjoy many more years of usefulness. For ten years he followed flat-boating from Gos- port to New Orleans.
DAVID P. BURTON, a farmer and stock-raiser of this county, was born December 28, 1848, in Baker Township, Morgan County, Ind., and is the first of two children born to J. E. and Cynthia A. (Buskirk) Bur- ton, natives of this township and of German lineage. David P. was reared on a farm, and received a fair education at the public schools, also attending the graded school and the university at Bloomington, each two years. On December 14, 1870, Mr. Burton married Mattie C., a native of Morgan County, and a daughter of Patterson B. and Mariah A. (Sparks) McCoy. The couple have two children-Fred W. and Charles Mc. Mr. Burton owns 160 acres of land in a good state of cultivation, stocked abundantly, and which has a fine residence, barn and outbuildings, besides a young orchard. Mr. Burton started in life with $500, and what he possesses besides has been accumulated by his persevering industry. He and wife belong to the M. P. Church. He has always given to benevolent and charitable enterprises with a liberal hand. In 1882, Mr. Burton was elected County Commissioner. In po- litical fields he has always been under the Republican colors. He was one of the first to settle in Bean Blossom Township.
JOSEPH L. BUSKIRK, a farmer and stock-raiser, was born Feb- ruary 6, 1860, in Bean Blossom Township, and is a son of Isaac and Nancy (McCoy) Buskirk, natives of this township and of Martinsville,
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Morgan County, Ind., and of Scotch-Irish descent respectively. Joseph L. attended school when not employed about his father's farm, and also attended the Preparatory Department at Bloomington University. On April 14, 1881, Mr. Buskirk married Laura Walker, of Monroe County, and daughter of Dr. Ware S. and Eliza (Hite) Walker, natives of Ken- tucky and of, Scotch origin. By this marriage there is ore child-Chloe. Mr. Buskirk possesses 130 acres of land, cultivated and embellished with a good residence and outbuildings and with the addition of a good orchard. This place was inherited from his father's estate. Our sub- ject has had excellent success since starting for himself. In politics, Mr. Buskirk is an active young Republican.
WILLIAM A. CLINE, stock-raiser and farmer of this county, was born May 10, 1840, in this township, having been the first of three chil- dren of Valentine and Catherine (Summit) Cline, natives of North Caro- lina and Indiana respectively, and of German-English and German de- scent. William A. was reared on a farm, and received some instruction at the schools of the neighborhood. Mr. Cline married Nancy Jane, daughter of Levi and Mary Jane (Shilburn) Kean, natives of Kentucky, and of English lineage. By this union there were three children-Mary, Catharine (McHenry), Minter V. and William Henry. The parents be- long to the Baptist Church. Mr. Cline owns ninety-three acres of land, cultivated, and ornamented with a good residence and outbuildings, and a flourishing young orchard. He is a good farmer, and by his persever- ance has accomplished a great deal in the way of ascending the ladder of success in life. He is a Democrat, and in the way of charity is not backward in doing his duty.
VALENTINE CLINE, an old settler of Monroe County, who is en- terprising in his business of farming and stock-raising, was born about 1812, in Lincoln County, N. C., and is the second of ten children born to Philip and Elizabeth (Abbenatha) Cline, natives of North Carolina, and of German and English descent respectively. Valentine was reared on a farm, and attended school but one month in his life. In about 1829 or 1830, he came to Indiana, locating first at Chambersville, Owen County, where he lived about four years. He then removed to the river bottom, stayed a short time, when he returned to his first place of residence. Mr. Cline remained here four years, and during this time married, on March 13, 1839, Catherine, daughter of Christian and Betsey (Master) Summit, of Monroe County. He then went near Ellettsville; remained two years; then near his present residence; then to Owen County, for two years, and finally came to the place on which he now lives. Mr. and Mrs. Cline have three children-William Alexander, Rufus Oliver and Anna Catha- rine (Taylor). Mr. Cline owns 146 acres of land, under good cultivation, with a good residence, barn and ontbuildings. After his children's marriage, he presented them with 213 acres of land. Mr. Cline began his life's journey by working for $8 per month, but by his unceasing in- dustry has been able to earn this fine home farm. His wife and children belong to the Baptist Church. He is a Democrat, and from his strength and activity, it is hoped he will long be with a community who greatly honor and respect him. He has reared two of his grandchildren- Amanda and William Wilson.
PETER COWDEN, one of Monroe County's old settlers, and an enter- prising farmer, was born in Wythe County, Va., on April 7, 1820, and is the fifth of the eleven children born to James and Barbara (Etter) Cowden,
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Virginians, of Irish and German descent respectively. Peter was brought up on a farm, attending common schools in winter, when not engaged in farm labor. When he had attained the age of eighteen, being ambitious, he began to farm independently. In about the year 1833, Mr. James Cowden and his son came to Indiana, settling in Bean Blossom Town- ship. Here he lived one year; then returned to Virginia and lived in that State for six years. In 1840, he again came to this county, where he remained about nine years. In 1849, Mr. Cowden went to Illinois, locat. ing in McLean County, and farming for three years. Then he came again to Monroe County, first worked by the month, and then farmed for himself. On April 4, 1856, Mr. Cowden married Susan, daughter of Ed- ward and Susan (Ridge) Raney, Kentuckians, of Irish and Swedish origin. To this marriage were given four children, of whom two are living-Jennie Florence and Benton Howard. Mr. Cowden possesses 170 acres of land, which he has labored perseveringly to raise to its present improved state. This farm is finished with a convenient residence, and a roomy barn and out-buildings. His wife and daughter are members of the Christian Church. He is a Democrat. From his hard work and energy, Mr. Cow- den well deserves to enjoy peacefully, on his fine place, his declining years.
JAMES S. GENTRY, an old settler, as well as an enterprising farmer and stock-raiser of this county, was born on January 9, 1813, in Kentucky, and is the second of three children given to Elijah and Elizabeth (Ware) Gentry, natives of Tennessee and Virginia, and of English and Scotch origin, respectively. James S. was reared on a farm, attended school in Indiana about eleven months, and so learned to read and cipher. His parents brought him into Indiana in 1816, and settled in Harrison County. About 1817, his father died, and his mother moved, first to Lost River, Orange County, in 1822, and then to Morgan County, and, about 1838 or 1839, James S. entered eighty acres of land, where he now lives, and to which he has added, until the number of acres amounts to 253, all cultivated, with residence, out-buildings and orchard. On February 8, 1838, Mr. Gentry married Eliza, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Graham) Campbell, of Monroe County. Her parents came here in 1818, and her mother drew a silver medal for being the oldest settler represented at the the old settlers' meeting, August 9, 1883. By this union, Mr. Gentry had the following children: William C., Lemuel K. (deceased), Norman J., Mary J. (Cosner), Joseph P., James M., David D. and Thomas H. Two of Mr. Gentry's sons, William C. and Lemuel K., were in the late war. Mr. Gentry was a member, formerly, of the I. O. O. F. and of the Grange. He and wife are members of the M. P. Church, and are very benevolent in disposition. He served on the Board of Trustees five years, and in 1859, was elected, when the law was changed, and served until 1873. In the spring of 1878, he was again elected for a term of two years. He is a Democrat. In forty years, Mr. Gentry has not lost three days of time on account of illness. He lives in a house, a part of the lumber in the building of which was made by his hands in 1837, being sawed out with a whip-saw, and he has worked with a whip- saw for a month at a time, for 50 cents per day, thinking this large pay. In using this saw, two men could saw 400 feet of lumber per day. Mr. Gentry built rafts at Mt. Tabor at an early day, and labored thus, until the construction of the New Albany Railroad, at which time rafting ceased.
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R. M. GREER, M. D., was born October 3, 1851, in Troup County, Ga., and is the seventh of eleven children, nine now living, born to Young and Eliza Victoria (Darnell) Greer, natives of Virginia and of Scotch-Irish and French extraction. R. M. was reared on a farm, and his advantages for an education were small, as he was in the South dur- ing the war, and little attention was paid there to learning. He went to school soon after the war was over, at Davisville, Calhoun Co., Ala., also attending Carrollton College for about nine months. He afterward spent some time at Louisville Medical College, and two terms at the Louisville University. In the year 1870, our subject moved with his parents into Calhoun County, Ala., where the family remained two years. R. M. Greer went to Fayette, Chambers Co., Ala., in the year 1870, thence to Monroe County, Ind., about 1872, settling in Stinesville, where he was employed in stone quarries about three years, after which he began the study of medicine with Dr. Smith, of Gosport, Owen Co., Ind. He fin- ished his course in the College of Medicine, practiced there, at Gosport, for one year, and then located in Stinesville, where he has met with excellent success in his profession. In 1883, Dr. Greer opened a drug store in the village. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and during his school days was associated with Charles Hill, son of Senator Hill, of Georgia.
WILLIAM HEDRICK, one of Monroe County's leading farmers and stock-raisers, was born on February 4, 1832, and is the second of eleven children of Conrad and Mary A. (White) Hedrick, natives of North Carolina, and of German and English descent respectively. Will- iam was reared on a farm, and attended common schools in the winter, when not engaged in the duties incident to farm life. He was married on February 9, 1861, to Brunette P. Ground, a native of Monroe County, and daughter of Henry Ground. They have had born to them seven children, six boys and one girl, viz., James W., Samuel E., Florence I., William A., Elijah E., Charles E. and Henry G. Mr. Hedrick is the owner of 250 acres of land in a good state of cultivation, well-stocked, and embellished with a fine residence, barn and out-buildings, and an orchard of choice fruit. He commenced life with nothing, but has been very successful in his accumulations, and is the possessor of as fine a home as any in his township. He is entirely free from indebtedness, and takes great interest in the education of his children. He is esteemed in his community as an honorable and upright citizen. Politically, he is an active Democrat.
WILLIAM HOADLEY, Jr., was born in Yorkshire, England, Janu- ary 27, 1825, and is the fourth of five children born to William and Elizabeth (Hopwood) Hoadley. William, Jr., came to the United States in 1842, and in 1846 the family returned to England and settled in Leeds. They carried back with them a planing-mill and machinery for making buckets, about the first of the kind ever introduced into En- gland. Owing to the hostility felt there against American improvements, their enterprise did not succeed, and in 1848, William and his brother John returned to the United States. After their return, buckets were introduced and fortunes made by many out of them. Mr. Hoadley lived in New Albany, and was employed in the steamboat shops until 1855, when he moved to Mt. Tabor, Monroe Co., Ind. Here, in company with his brother, he purchased a flour mill, and also a saw mill, which Mr. William Hoadley still owns, and manufactures as good flour as any in
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the country. In 1876, he and his brother divided the property, John taking the saw mill and he retaining the grist, and in 1878, William purchased his brother's mill, and is now sole proprietor. On August 27, 1856, he married Phebe, a native of this county and a daughter of Reu- ben and Margaret (Buck) Staley, of German descent. By this union there were seven children-William, Edwin, Margaret A. (Goss), Cyrus, Sylvester, Claudius and Thomas (deceased). Mr. Hoadley was well edu- cated, attending private, and also East Witton School in England. His son William has taught five years in the township, and is well thought of. Mr. Hoadley was formerly a Republican, but is now a Democrat. In life he has always been " lucky," as the saying is.
JOHN W. HOUSTON, an enterprising farmer and stock-raiser, was born October 18, 1848, in this township, and is the youngest of the eight children of Joseph and Lucinda (Putnam) Houston, natives of Kentucky, and of English descent. John W. was reared upon a farm, and educated during the winter months, when farm work was dull. On December 21, 1871, Mr. Houston married Martha, daughter of John and Eliza (Johnson) Gilman, natives of Kentucky, and of German and English descent. By this marriage there were six children-Amanda, Lewis W., Cassandra M., Florence Ida, Walter T. and Purnel J. Mr. Houston owns ninety- nine acres of land, well cultivated, with a comfortable frame dwelling, barn and out-buildings, supplemented by a thrifty orchard. Mrs. Hous. ton belongs to the Christian Church. Mr. Houston's parents came to Monroe County in 1834, and settled on the farm where he now lives, and which his father had improved. Lucinda Putnam and her parents came to Monroe County from Kentucky in 1823. Mr. Joseph Putnam bought the farm which our subject now owns, in about the year 1822. Thus Mr. Houston's grandparents were among the earliest settlers in the coun - ty. He is a Democrat.
ALFRED LAYMON, farmer, was born December 26, 1846, in Shelby County, Ind., and is the seventh of twelve children, born to Alfred and Elizabeth (Randolph) Laymon, natives of Ohio. The father was of Ger- man descent, and the mother of the Virginian family of Randolphs, her great-grandmother being an Indian. Alfred was reared on a farm, and was taught at the public schools what time he was not otherwise engaged. On February 20, 1865, Mr. Laymon enlisted in Company G, Thirty- third Indiana Infantry, Col. Burton commanding, and joined the regi- ment at Raleigh, N. C. He participated at the grand review at Wash- ington, D. C., and was discharged there on June 20, while in hospital. Mr. Laymon owns 130 acres of land, cultivated, and which has a good house and out-buildings. He started with absolutely nothing, but his perseverance has worked wonders. He owns nineteen acres of land in Owen County, which was given him by Mr. Laymon, Sr. On November 21, 1867, Mr. Laymon married Tracy C., daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Parks) Wampler, natives of North Carolina. Mrs. Lay- mon's parents are the oldest settlers of this county, having located here about 1817, near Bloomington. Mr. and Mrs. Laymon have three chil- dren-Rosa Etta, Joseph E. and Ollie E. He is a Democrat.
WILLIAM C. LITTEN, an old settler and leading farmer and stock-raiser of Monroe County, was born in Bean Blossom Township January 30, 1828, and is the oldest of the nine children born to Gilbert and Lavina (Summitt) Litten, natives of North Carolina and of English and German descent. Gilbert descends from Lord Lytton. He came
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to this country in 1827, entered land, and settled in the place of Will- iam's birth, being one of the first settlers in the township. Our sub- ject was reared on a farm, and was poorly educated. He first attended school at the house of Mrs. Philips, by whom the children were instructed. The principal things William C. learned were to read and cipher. In 1840, the family went into Washington Township, Owen County, our sub- ject accompanying them. They purchased 320 acres of land, which were sold in 1853, for $6,000, when they came to Bean Blossom Township, purchased 515 acres of land, where the father lived until his death in June, 1862, at the age of fifty-six, and where William C. Litten now lives. Mr. Litten was married on April 17, 1855, to Elizabeth, a native of this county, and a daughter of Lewis L. and Verlinda (Parks) Wal- den, natives of Kentucky and North Carolina respectively, and of En- glish lineage. Mr. and Mrs. Litten have four children-Andrew J., Ella Florence (Miller), Rosa Bell and Louis P. Mr. Litten is the possessor of 245 acres of land, improved, stocked and well provided with buildings, with a fine old orchard, and also a young one. He is also supplied with all the necessary agricultural implements of the latest make. He has labored well for the property which he possesses, and given eech of his children fifty-five and sixty-seven acres.
Mr. Litten began to make a clearing in the woods twice for himself and father each, and he has assisted materially in clearing up and developing the county. He is very charitable in disposition and is a Democrat. They belong to the Baptist Church. Mr. Litten has an iron constitution, has always enjoyed good health, and bids fair to live a number of years in a com- munity where he is a respected and valued citizen.
W. H. McHENRY is the oldest of thirteen children of John and Rebecca A. (Wilson) McHenry, the former of whom was born in the fort at Vincennes, Ind., during the Indian war of 1812. The grandfather, John McHenry, was engaged in the war of 1812, and participated in the battle of Tippecanoe. He went to Vincennes in the year 1811, and thence to Owen County immediately after peace was declared, and entered 160 acres of land, which he improved. Our subject was born on April 19, 1838, near Stinesville, Monroe County. He was reared on a farm, and attended the common schools when not engaged on the farm. At Frank- lin, Johnson County, he attended a Baptist college about eleven months, after which he taught school several terms. On May 3, 1858, he was married to Matilda, daughter of C. C. Wilson, of Monroe County. Mr. Wilson was of English descent. Mr. and Mrs. McHenry had born to them four children, two living, viz., John C. and Notra B. Our subject followed farming until he was twenty years of age, when he engaged in the saw milling business, which he followed four years in Illinois. He then went into the stone business, which he has followed more or less ever since. He was engaged in the mercantile business for seven or eight years after his marriage, in Stinesville; was Postmaster of Stinesville five years. Ir politics, he is a stanch Republican.
WILLIAM M. MAY, an enterprising farmer and stock-raiser of this county, was born November 13, 1844, in Bloomington Township, this county, and is the second of ten children born to William R. and Eliza (Threslur) May, natives of Virginia, and of German descent. William M. was reared on a farm, and attended school part of the time. In No- vember, 1864, he enlisted in Company G, Forty-third Indiana Infantry, under Capt. Moss. He was located at Indianapolis on guard duty for a
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time. June 14, 1865, he was discharged, and returned to farming, living with his father until his marriage. On November 29, 1866, Mr. May was wedded to Eliza A., daughter of William R. and Tabitha (Everman) Coffey. She was born January 23, 1851, in Monroe County. By this union there were five children -- William R., Rosa Ethel, Frank N., Mamie Elsie and Walter E. Mrs. May's parents were among the earliest settlers of the county. Mr. May is tbe possessor of 206 acres of land in a good state of cultivation, well stocked, and ornamented with a good residence, barn and out-buildings, and a fine orchard. With a start of $2,300 from his wife, he has established his farm and home, worth about $6,000. Mr. May formerly belonged to the Sons of Temperance. They belong to the Christian Church, and are liberal in all charitable movements. He is a Republican.
ANDREW W. REEVES, one of the county's pioneers and enterpris- ing farmers and stock-raisers, was born on April 30, 1808, in Fleming County, Ky., and is the third of ten children born to Joseph and Susanna (Woods) Reeves, natives of Virginia and South Carolina respectively. Our subject came to Indiana with his parents in 1818, and settled in Richland Township, Monroe County, where the father entered 160 acres of land, which he improved. This farm is in the southwest part of Ellettsville. Our subject was reared on the farm, his limited education having been acquired at the subscription schools of that day. On March 22, 1832, he was married to Sallie Ann McDonald, a native of Mason County, Ky., and daughter of William and Ruth (McFadden) McDonald. Five children have been born to them, viz .: Elizabeth A. (deceased), William McD., Joseph H. (died in the army), John A., Mattie E. (Deem). Mr. Reeves was four years a Trustee of Richland Township; was also a School Trustee of Ellettsville. He was elected Sheriff of Monroe County for two consecutive terms -- from 1856 to 1860. In the autumn of 1872, he was elected a Representative to the Legislature from his county, at- tending the regular session during Gov. Hendricks' administration, and a special session during Gov. Baker's. He also held the office of Justice of the Peace while a resident of Owen, of which county he was formerly a resident twenty-one years. He owns 360 acres of good land, well im- proved; 120 acres of this land lie in Richland Township. About two years ago, he lost by fire a fine property in Ellettsville, since which time he has resided on his farm in Bean Blossom Township. He and his wife have been members of the Christian Church for over forty years, and are liberal givers to charitable enterprises. In politics, he is an active and uncompromising Republican. In his community, he is much respected and highly esteemed as an upright citizen.
WILLIAM RIDGE, one of Monroe County's pioneers and enterpris- ing farmers and stock-raisers, was born on January 8, 1821, in Martin County, Ind., and is the third of eight children born to Benjamin and Henrietta (Staten) Ridge, natives of Maryland and Kentucky respect- ively. Our subject was reared to a farmer's life, and his limited educa- tion was acquired from a subscription school which he attended in the winter when not engaged on the farm. He came to Monroe County about the year 1824, with his parents, and settled in Indian Creek Town- ship, remaining here about six years ; thence to Richland Township; thence to Bloomington Township, where his parents resided until their death, On January 27, 1856, our subject was married to Margaret Whisnand, a native of Monroe County, and daughter of William and
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Elizabeth (Wolf) Whisnand, natives of Virginia and Tennessee respect- ively. They have had born to them two children, viz .: Laura A. (Akin), Elizabeth Ella. He has taken great interest in giving his children a first-class education. They attended the high school at Bloomington, Elizabeth graduating from that institution, and is now a successful teacher in the schools of the county. Mr. Ridge is the owner of 280 acres of good land, well improved and stocked, and occupies an elegant residence. It may be said of Mr. Ridge that he is " the architect of his own fortune." He has given his married daughter about $7,000. In pol- itics Mr. Ridge is one of the active Republicans of the township. His wife is a consistent member of the Christian Church.
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