USA > Indiana > Brown County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 81
USA > Indiana > Monroe County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 81
USA > Indiana > Morgan County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 81
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WILLIAM STALEY, farmer and stock-raiser of this county, was born April 10, 1837, in Virginia, and is the sixth of seven children born to Reuben and Margaret (Buck) Staley, natives of Virginia and of Ger- man ancestry. William was reared on a farm, and attended subscription schools when not farming. In 1837 he was brought into Monroe County by his parents, who located in Bean Blossom Township, and in 1840, they went to Mt. Tabor, where William has resided ever since. In July, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, Sixty-seventh Indiana Infantry. He took part in the battle of Munfordville, Ky., where he was captured, paroled and sent to Indianapolis. He was exchanged in ninety days, and, be- coming disabled, was discharged from the service December 27, 1862. Mr. Staley returned home and engaged in farming and the lumber busi- ness, and the latter he has followed more or less since 1868, farming at the same time. He owns 200 acres of land well cultivated. He started with nothing, having purchased a horse on time, and since has been very successful. On January 19, 1872, Mr. Staley married Emily J., of Mon- roe County, a daughter of Dr. S. H. and Margaret (Brown) Flood, and of Scotch-Irish descent. Three children have resulted from this mar - riage-Sanford, Oliver F. (deceased) and Margaret I. Mr. Staley be- longs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was appointed Justice of the Peace two terms, and, in 1880, resigned and accepted the position of Census Enumerator for his township. He is a Republican, and at pres- ent one of the Central Committee of the county.
REV. GEORGE W. TERRY, a prominent citizen, was born Decem- ber 6, 1825, in Richmond, Va., and is the fourth of eight children born to Thomas and Elizabeth Terry, natives of Hanover and Greenbrier Counties, Va., and of French-Saxon and Irish-French-Saxon descent. George W. was reared on a farm in Greenbrier County, and when fif- teen years old he went with his parents to Muhlenburg County, Ky., and there they engaged in farming until the father's death. George W. attended school when not employed upon the farm, and on December 21, 1847, was married to Nancy A., daughter of John and Minerva (Weir) Shelton, of that county. By this union there were nine children-Ruth Ann (Mosier), Melissa Jane (Jackson), William A., George T., John C., Charles (deceased), Ida May, Edward F. and Robert C. Mr. Terry fol- lowed the trade of silversmith after his marriage until 1862, in the meantime studying for the ministry nights. He enlisted September, 1862, in Company B, Ninety-seventh Indiana Infantry, and was soon ap- pointed Chaplain. He was with the regiment in all its engagements, ex- cept when in hospital, and took part in the following battles: Jackson, Miss., second Missionary Ridge, Tenn., Resaca, Dalton, Little Kenesaw Mountain, Big Kenesaw Mountain, Decatur, Ga., Atlanta, second Atlanta,
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Griswoldville, Ga., Savannah, Ga., and Bentonville, N. C. From ex- posure, Mr. Terry became subject to rheumatism, and was confined at hospital at Memphis one week, and two weeks at the field hospital in Marietta. But he preferred to be with his comrades, and so followed his regiment on crutches, or with a cane, from January, 1863, to the close of the war. In 1864, Mr. Terry came home on leave of absence, and so far recovered as to be able to leave his crutches and use a cane. He then returned to his regiment, to which he was greatly attached. He took part in the grand review at Washington, D. C., and on June 15, 1865, was discharged, and returned to his family on the farm he now oc- cupies. He came to Indiana in 1857, and settled at New Albany, where he staid two years, engaged at his trade. He then went to Gosport, Owen Co., Ind .; worked at his trade, and preached every Saturday and Sunday. Mr. Terry lived there until 1862, when he joined the army, and his fam- ily moved to near Stinesville, where his wife purchased a farm of seven- ty-seven acres, on which they now reside. In 1866, he attended a theo- logical institute at Chicago for two months, one month at Clayton, Hen- dricks County, and one month at Terre Haute, Ind. He also studied with several theological professors. Since leaving the army, Rev. Mr. Terry has been engaged wholly in his ministerial duties in the Baptist com- munion. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and is a Democrat. His grandfather was in the war of the Revolution, and at the siege of Yorktown received a wound which resulted in his death. His father, Thomas Terry, was a soldier of the war of 1812, and participated in the battle of Craney Island, Va. Mr. Terry volunteered his services during the Mexican war, but peace was declared before he went into the field. He has served his association as Moderator of Township Association for fourteen years, and in twenty years has preached 5,300 sermons.
DAVID VAN BUSKIRK, farmer and stock-raiser, was born upon the farm he now occupies November 23, 1826, and is the eldest of ten chil- dren born to James and Mariah (Campbell) Van Buskirk, natives of Ohio and Tennessee, and of German and Scotch-Irish descent respectively. David was reared on a farm, was fairly educated, and on March 16, 1849, married Lucy Ann, daughter of Isaac and Patience (Stillwell) Buskirk, of German lineage. Mr. Van Buskirk, by this marriage had six children born to him-D. C., J. I., Cinthy (Ridge), John, Thomas and Gety. He lost his wife March 16, 1866. He was next married, May 26, 1867, to Mrs. Martha Able, of Monroe County, and daughter of Madison and Sarah (Wilborn) Stephenson. They had born to them two children -- Michel (deceased) and Mariah Ann. Mrs. Van B. died February 22, 1873, and our subject took for his third wife, October 26, 1874, Mary Able, sister of the second wife. He enlisted in July, 1861, in Company F, Twenty seventh Indiana Infantry, under Capt. Peter Clapp and Col. Silas Colgrove. He was engaged first in the first battle of Winchester, where he was taken prisoner, being confined for about three months. He was finally sent to Annapolis, Md., exchanged, and next took part in the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, besides numerous skirmishes. He went out as Second Lieutenant, but his Captain was killed during his imprisonment, and he received an appointment as First Lieutenant, and after the battle of Antietam was made Captain. In the fall of 1862, his command was transferred to Gen. Thomas' division, and on April 26, 1864, he resigned on account of disability and returned to farming. In 1866-68, he was elected County Treasurer of Monroe County, on the Re-
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publican ticket, but was defeated in a struggle for State Treasurer in 1876. He has not since made any attempt to secure office. Mr. Van Buskirk owns 450 acres of land on White River bottom, highly cultivated, well stocked, and which has the addition of a fine residence, outbuildings and orchard, and is one of our oldest settlers, having always lived here. He has provided handsomely for all his children, and has taken great interest in their education, having given them all courses at college. He enjoyed good health until he left the army, since which time he has been affected with rheumatism. Mr. Van Buskirk is the largest and tall- est man in the county, and one of the largest in the State. He weighs 390 pounds, and stands six feet ten inches in his stockings. He is a Republican, and is very benevolent. Mr. Van B.'s grandfather, Isaac Van Buskirk, was a soldier of the Revolution, and his uncle, John Van Bus- kirk, served in the war of 1812, having been wounded at the battle of Tippecanoe. Isaac, son of John Van Buskirk, served in the Mexican war, and in the late rebellion. He was killed at the battle of Chancel- lorsville, at the time being a Lieutenant. The wives of the above men- tioned soldiers are all sleeping peacefully in the family graveyard on David Van Buskirk's place. This burying-ground is located on a hill east of the house, and from the spot you may command a view of the en- tire country.
LEWIS W. WALDEN was born in Bean Blossom Township, Monroe County, on November 27, 1830, is one of the oldest living native-born citi- zens in the township, and is the fifth of ten children born to Lewis L. and Virlincha (Parks) Walden, the father a native of Kentucky, the mother of North Carolina. Our subject was reared on a farm, his early advantages of an education having been very poor. He was married, in August, 1853, to Eliza Ann Owens, of Lawrence County, Ind., daughter of John Owens. One child has been born to them-Ruth R. (now Hed- rick). Mrs. Walden died on January 12, 1860, and he was next married, in 1861, to Frances Reynolds, of Monroe County, Ind. Six children have been born to this union -- Charles W. (deceased), Samuel B., Anna E., Jesse E., Daisy E. and Lewis E. For five years our subject lived in Owen County, engaged in farming and bricklaying, returning to Monroe County in January, 1860, and working his father's farm for two years. He then purchased of his father ninety-one acres, moved on it, and lived there eight years. He then exchanged this property for a flour mill at Stinesville, ran the mill about five years, then lost the property as a result of going security for other parties, and other debts. He then purchased forty acres of land west of Stinesville, and opened up a stone quarry, now known as and operated by the Terre Haute Stone Company. This he afterward sold, and purchased eighty acres of land where he now lives, on which he bas an excellent marble quarry. He ships marble to all parts of the country. The quarry also yields the softer stones of good quality. He has had good success in whatever he has undertaken in life, and his property is the result of indefatigable industry and rigid economy. Mr. Walden is a much respected citizen in the community in which he resides. He is politically a stanch Democrat, and has held the office of Justice of the Peace, once by appointment, and one term by election. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and was a member of the Grange in its day. He and his wife are both members of the Baptist Church.
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RICHLAND TOWNSHIP.
JAMES A. BAKER, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Clarke County, Ind., August 20, 1824, and is the eldest of the family of nine children of Jesse and Sarah (kobertson) Baker, natives respectively of South Carolina and Virginia. Jesse Baker was orphaned when seven years old, and went to live with an uncle, with whom, in 1815, he came to and settled in Clarke County, there married, farmed on leased land until 1831, when he purchased land, and remained thereon until 1848, at which time he purchased a saw and grist mill near Utica, managed the same until 1854, and afterward farmed until his death in 1876, aged seventy-eight years, his wife having preceded him in 1866. He was a Democrat, and a member of the Christian Church. James A. Baker worked for his father and attended school, but obtained the major part of his education by after-study. In 1846, he enlisted in Company I, Third Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry; recruited for the war against Mexico, in which he served one year, and took part at Buena Vista. After returning, he engaged in milling with his father, and in 1854 pur- chased land, farmed until 1857, after which he bought land near Utica, and August, 1865, located at his present home, comprising 225 acres of good grass and farm land. Mr. Baker is a hard-working man, and for thirty years combined his trade of carpentering with farming and stock-dealing. January 28, 1851, he married Margaret A. Littell, with an issue of six children-Jesse T., Reuben A. (deceased), Sarah A., Charles E., Mary Luella and William F. (deceased). Mr. and Mrs. Baker are members of the Church of Christ.
CHARLES A. BUNGER, farmer, is the son of Jacob and Mary (Camper) Bunger, both natives of Virginia, and respectively of German and English extraction. Jacob Bunger removed with his family to this county in an early day, and located in Van Buren Township, where he now lives, having been farmer, stage-driver and miller. He has been the father of eight children, four of whom are living- Charles, Sarah, Matilda and Willie. Charles was born in Greenbrier County, W. Va., September 20, 1845, and was reared to the vocation of a farmer. In early manhood, he was his father's only support, and was industrious and energetic. February 23, 1870, he married Miss Eliza- beth B., daughter of William Kirby, a pioneer of this township. Shortly after his marriage, Mr. Bunger moved to where he now lives, which is an improved farm of 102 acres, on which he has built good buildings and made other improvements toward a commodious home. Mr. Bunger is a Republican, a Patron of Husbandry, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
G. W. BURKS is the eldest son of Floyd and Helen (Thompson) Burks, the former a native of Kentucky, the latter of Indiana, and respect- ively of Irish-English and German descent. Floyd Burks was a house- carpenter and farmer, who came to this county in early manhood, mar- ried and reared a family of ten children. The larger portion of his life was spent in Greene County, and he there redeemed from nature's wilds
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a home and farm, in doing which he experienced the trials of a pioneer. He was a notorious hunter, a Republican and a member of the Church of Christ. He died June 10, 1878, aged sixty-three years. G. W. Burks was born November 16, 1836, and was reared a farmer, and from the common schools obtained a fair education. October 18, 1855, he mar- ried Miss Matilda H. Mayfield, of this county, a union cemented by the birth of seven children, five of whom are living-Lauretta, Joseph W., Ulyssus L., Walter W. and Isaac R. Mr. Burks, soon after this event, commenced farming on the home place, and in 1857 located where he now is-a farm of much value and with many improvements, containing an area of fifty-seven acres. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and a Republican in politics. Mr. Burks is a member of the Christian and Mrs. Burks of the Baptist Church.
HON. DAVID BYERS, retired farmer, is a son of David and Eliza- beth Byers, natives of Pennsylvania and North Carolina. David Byers, Sr., located in Mason County, Ky .. having come down the Ohio River on a flat-boat about 1783. He married Miss Rachel Nesbit, and was father of five children. After her death in 1803, he married Mrs. Elizabeth (Ray) Turner, with an issue of three sons, and died in 1817, aged fifty- nine years. He was a superior man, both in mind and body. After his decease, Mrs. Byers came with her family to this county in 1827, and some time lived, and finally died, with our subject, in 1852, aged eighty-three years. David Byers, Jr., was born June 20, 1806, in Nicholas County, Ky., where he was trained to farming; he was studious and ambitious, and became a teacher after coming to this county, and as such a pioneer. In 1835, he located where he now resides, and created a home and farm from the wilds of nature. January 30, 1831, he married Miss Rachel Sanders, and to this union were bestowed nine children, only two of whom survived-Lafayette and Thomas, Jr .; Mrs. Byers died June 21, 1874. Mr. Byers' second son, James K. P., was a soldier of the Fiftieth Indi- ana Regiment, and died in 1867. Mr. Byers was a Democrat until the Kansas troubles, when he became a Republican. He was Representative to the Legislature in 1840-41, and in 1844-45, having led the " Semi- nary " and "State University Re-organization " bills. He served as Justice of the Peace eight years, and as County Commissioner from 1830 to 1840-the only one living that served under the old law. Since 1842, he has been an active worker in the Church of Christ.
LAFAYETTE BYERS was born in this township January, 30, 1839, was reared a farmer and attended the common schools. He taught one term of school, and then embraced farming, now owning 146 acres, which he exchanged for 100 in Boone County, on which he located in 1880. October, 1869, he married Elvira L. McCoy, and he has six children, five living-Mary, John, Orange, Carl and Wilford. Mr. B. is a Republican, and he and wife belong to the Church of Christ.
THOMAS J. BYERS was born where he now lives November 7, 1848, a son of the above. He was reared a farmer and acted as a teacher for years, in this State, Illinois and Iowa, but he has of late given atten- tion to farming. February 14, 1875, he married Sarah A. Stanger, with an issue of four children, three living-Norah F., George H. and Homer C. He and wife belong to the Christian Church.
JOHN D. COFFEY, retired farmer, is a son of James and Hannah (Alloway) Coffey, natives of North Carolina, and respectively of Irish and English extraction. John D. was also born in North Carolina July
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8, 1821, whence, when he was eleven years old, his parents removed to this county and purchased a timbered tract near Ellettsville, in the clearing of which our subject took a full part, and remained with his parents until he was twenty-three years old, when he married his first wife, Mary A. Whisnand, and who died in 1846, leaving one son-James W. His second marriage took place December, 1848, the bride being Miss Mary A. Mayfield, who died May 2, 1873, leaving two sons-Will- iam R. and Anderson T. His third marriage was with Miss Mary J. Ridge, who died May 18, 1883. After his first marriage he leased twelve acres, and after his second marriage he purchased a small farm, where he resided until 1855, and two years later located near Ellettsville, im- proved land and lived until 1869, at which time he purchased part of his father's farm. In addition to a good farm, he has some village property, and has a comfortable living. Mr. Coffey is a member of the Masonic order and of the Baptist Church.
JOHN S. CONSTABLE, stock-raiser and farmer, was born in Burke County, N. C., June 1, 1815, and is the eldest son of Peter and Susanna (Hilman) Constable, both natives of North Carolina, and respectively of Scotch-Irish and German descent. Both grandfathers of our subject were Revolutionary soldiers. His father, Peter Constable, was a soldier of the war of 1812. He was a farmer, and in 1827 was killed by light- ning while at work. In 1832, the family emigrated to Indiana, settled near Ellettsville and rented a farm, in the government of which John S. Constable took active part and remained at home until he was twenty- two, when he began to work for himself, making rails at 50 cents per day. February 7, 1836, he married to Miss Margaret James, of this county, born March 1, 1819. Six children were the result of this mar- riage-Mary, Sarah, James (of the Thirty-eighth Regiment, who died of fever in Louisville, February, 1863), William H , Margaret and Carrie Bell. In 1838, Mr. Constable commenced farming on rented land, and on shares until 1868, when he was able to purchase 110 acres, of which seventy acres are under cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Constable are mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church.
W. C. DRAPER, hardware and furniture dealer, was born May 16, 1850, and is a son of Jesse and Eliza (Conduitt) Draper, natives respect- ively of North Carolina and Kentucky, and of English and French descent. He attended school regularly during boyhood, and graduated in the classical course when seventeen years old-the youngest alumnus of the State University. He located at Martinsville, and studied law for one year, which he abandoned afterward, and visited California, where he worked as a carpenter. On his return, he associated himself with the "National Temperance Alliance" at Indianapolis, and after the death of his father-May 28, 1872-came home to look up his father's estate, and then engaged in the lumber trade for a time. November 21, 1873, he married Miss Mary, daughter of L. W. Sanders, a union which has been cemented by four children-Clarence, Admilla, Beulah and Blaine. In January, 1882, he engaged in his present business, in which he has been very successful. Mr. Draper is a member of the I. O. O. F., and a licensed local minister of the Baptist denomination, of which his wife is a member. He is an influential and respected citizen.
GEORGE W. FAULKNER is a son of Emanuel F. and Rebecca (Coffey) Faulkner, natives respectively of North Carolina and Tennessee. He was born in this county May 23, 1832, whither his parents removed
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in 1824. Being left motherless in childhood, and having'to labor with his father, he received but scant instruction in learning, and when of age worked as an engineer. In September, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Thirty-eighth Indiana Volunteers, which formed a part of the Cumber- land division, and was promoted by steps until he became Captain of said company in 1865, and left the service July 25 of that year, after participating in the great battles of the campaign. On coming to his home, he found employment in erecting various mills, and is an expert in matters of machinery. September 15, 1858, he married Miss Anna, daughter of Martin and Mary (Rice) Cornman, by which union they were favored with one son-Edward E. Mr. Faulkner is an uncompromising Republican, a member of the honorable order of Freemasonry, and an esteemed citizen. Mrs. Faulkner is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
JAMES W. FIGG, farmer, is a native of Shelby County, Ky., was born March 19, 1835, and is one of the twelve in family born to Thomas and Rebecca Figg, natives respectively of Kentucky and Virginia, and of German and English extraction. James Figg was reared a farmer's boy, and received some education from the subscription schools. At the age of sixteen, he removed with his parents to Ellettsville, and when of age began farming in the neighborhood, and in February, 1864, located where he now resides, his farm containing 180 acres -- a valuable property and comfortable home. December 23, 1861, he married Mrs. Naomi (Will- iams) Reynolds. Six children succeeded to this union-Mary I., Lilla B., Ella J., Jennie M., Sarah and Norah. Mr. Figg is a liberal Democrat and a public-spirited citizen. He has made his own way unaided to com- fort and independence, and he and his wife are members of the Baptist. Church.
GEORGE W. FLETCHER is a son of William and Mary (Dean) Fletcher, natives of Maryland and of English descent, who early moved to Owen County, and, in 1854, to Decatur County, Ill., where Mrs. Fletcher died, whereupon Mr. Fletcher returned to Owen County, and died in 1868, aged seventy-three years, a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. Our subject was born in Ripley County, Ind., January 8, 1834, was reared a farmer, and assisted his father until he was seven- teen, at which period he began working for himself by splitting rails. In 1854, he commenced as a carpenter, and since he moved to Ellettsville, in 1859, has been engaged in contracting and building. In 1872, he- built a planing mill, which he has since operated successfully. In 1861, he enlisted in the militia during the Morgan raid. January 2, 1855, he married Miss Melvina Knapp, who died in 1875, leaving two sons-Ed- win and Otis L. He wedded his second wife, Miss Lizzie Stimson, No- vember 20, 1876. Mr. Fletcher is an Odd Fellow, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
ROBERT T. STIMSON (deceased) was born November 29, 1823, and was reared in North Carolina, whither his parents moved after his birth. October 2, 1844, he married Nancy C. Johnson, and one week thereafter, they left for Indiana, located in Owen County, and there re- mained until 1853, when they settled near Ellettsville, and engaged in farming; they subsequently moved into the town, where Mr. Stimson died February 11, 1882, aged fifty-nine years. He was a worthy cit- izen, a Republican, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and left two daughters-Sarah E. and Lizzie. Mrs. Stimson is yet living.
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RICHLAND TOWNSHIP.
THOMAS N. FOSTER, stock-raiser and farmer, is the second son of James and Rachel (Nesbit) Foster, natives of Kentucky, the former of Irish, the latter of Scotch extraction. Grandfather Nesbit, after the Rev- olutionary war, came down the Ohio to Maysville, on a flat-boat, and settled about thirty miles inland. James Foster was a farmer, who in 1835 located on Clear Creek, and in 1838 came to this township, where his son Thomas now resides. He was afterward killed instantly while at work; his wife survived him until 1876, and made her home with our subject. Thomas N. Foster was born in Nicholas County, Ky., April 29, 1820, and was there reared until he was fifteen years old, when he came with his parents to this county, and here has continued to reside. After his father's decease, he took charge of the farm, and made a home for his mother. He afterward purchased the home farm, which he has continuously improved and cultivated. It comprises 172 acres, contains good house, good barns, and is profitably stocked. January 29, 1843, he married Miss Elizabeth Oram of this county. Four children graced this union-Mary L., Florence R., John T. and Dowe B. Mr. Foster is a liberal-spirited man, an esteemed citizen, and, as well as Mrs. Foster, a member of the Christian Church.
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