Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical, Part 82

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 82
USA > Indiana > Monroe County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 82
USA > Indiana > Morgan County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 82

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C. O. FREEMAN, stock-raiser and farmer, was born January 15, 1829, and is the eldest living child of James and Margaret (Collier) Free- man, natives of North Carolina, the former of English, the latter of En- glish and German extraction. James Freeman emigrated to Owen County, Ind., in 1834. and from the native soil made a farm and a home. One year preceding his death, which occurred in 1871, at the age of sixty- seven, he went to reside with a daughter. Mrs. Freeman died September, 1879, aged seventy-two years. Mr. Freeman was a Democrat, and he and wife raised nine out of twelve children. Our subject was only five years of age when his parents moved to Owen County, at which place he passed his boyhood, and acquired the business of farming from his father. He had some advantages of education, and remained within the parental walls until he was a legal man, after which time he rented land and be- gan to do for himself. He afterward moved to Owen County, then to this county again, and purchased his present home in 1870, now com- prising upward of 200 acres, well improved, stocked, and constituting one of the township's best farms, the fruit wholly of his thrift and man- agement. August 25, 1850, he married Miss Rachel H., daughter of John Thompson, and a native of this county. To this union have been bestowed seven children, of which number four are living-John M., James F., Cyrus J. and Mary A. Mr. Freeman is a liberal, conscientious man, politically a Democrat, and he and wife are members of the Cum- berland Presbyterian Church.

JAMES COLEMAN FREEMAN, farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of North Carolina, was born July 26. 1830, and is the third of the fam- ily of James and Margaret Freeman, who moved to Owen County, Ind., whence our subject, after a few years, removed to Monroe County, and worked at farming, when but ten years of age. November 4, 1848, he married Miss Sallie Acuff, a native of Tennessee, and to this union were bestowed nine children, of which number five are living-Louisa A., Joseph M., Martha E., Rebecca D. and Rosaline. Mr. Freeman com- menced life in earnest by renting land, which he continued to cultivate for three years, when he purchased a small farm, and afterward sold the same, with a gain of $150. He then removed to Owen County, and pur-

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chased 900 acres, lived five years thereon, and exchanged this for a por- tion of his present home, now aggregating 255 acres, all well improved, and having much under good cultivation. Mr. Freeman is identified with the Democratic party, and he and wife are worthy members of the Baptist Church.

BENJAMIN HALL is a native of Richland Township, Monroe Co., Ind .; was born October 1, 1826; is the son of F. V. and Polly (Noel) Hall; in a family of twelve children he is the seventh, and is of Irish German origin. The father of our subject was born in Kentucky, and his mother was of Virginia birth. His paterral grandfather was Francis Hall, a native of Scotland, who came to America prior to the Revolution. About the year 1820, his father came to Monroe County, and settled in Richland Township, where he died in 1854. Mr. Hall remained at home and worked for his father on the farm until his twenty-eighth year. In 1854, Mr. Hall was married to Miss Nancy Cox, a native of Owen County, Ind. By this lady he became the father of six children-Martha E., Allie A., Biddy P., Aurilla P., Morton M. and Edith E. Mrs. Hall died August 24, 1883, a consistent member of the Primitive Baptist Church. Mr. Hall settled on his farm in Richland Township in 1855. In the fall of 1882, he removed to Bloomington to educate his children. Politically, he is a Republican, and a member of the Primitive Baptist Church. He is an honorable man, and a highly respected citizen. By occupation, his life has been that of a farmer, and in which he has been successful. He has a well-improved farm in Richland Township.

JESSE T. HAMILTON, farmer, is a native of Nicholas County, Ky., was born September 8, 1811, the eldest son of James P. and Mar- garet (Turner) Hamilton, natives respectively of Indiana and Ohio. James P. Hamilton came to Kentucky with his parents when seventeen years old, where he married, and farmed until 1837, when he removed to Decatur County, Ind., and closed his life in 1844, aged fifty-four, and his wife hers in 1855, aged sixty-three years. James T. Hamilton was given charge of the home farm when twelve years old, and remained in that position until his twenty-second year. when he began milling in Bourbon County, Ky., and superintended also a small farm. Later, he purchased a mill property near Lexington, which he managed for eighteen

years. In 1864, becoming complicated in war troubles, he was compelled to leave Kentucky, and some time afterward purchased a flouring mill in Decatur County, Ind .; this he subsequently exchanged for a farm in Rush County, Ind., and three years later sold this with the purpose of removing to Southwest Missouri, but instead located on land in Shelby, and then in Boone County, until 1880, and thereafter exchanged the lat- ter farm for 146 acres, where he now lives. Mr. Hamilton has been twice married-first, March 29, 1835, to Miss Nancy Turner, of Kentucky, who died October 25, 1858, leaving three sons-J. Alexander, Robert A. and James W .; second, August 18, 1859, with Miss Martha Neal, of Ken- tucky; five children were born to this union-David M., James W., Frank B., Hulcea J. and Mary E. Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

DR. JAMES M. HARRIS is a native of Jessamine County, Ky., was born October 19, 1819, and is the eldest of the seven children of Thomas and Elizabeth (McCarley) Harris, natives re- spectively of Virginia and North Carolina. Thomas Harris, in 1831, located near Smithville, and afterward near Spencer, where our sub-

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ject passed his boyhood on the farm and in going to school. When twenty years of age, he entered the office of Dr. S. P. Langdon, of Gosport; remained there two years doing some practice, and soon after located at Ellettsville, where he was the only physician, and where he built up a large business in his way. In 1865, he established a drug trade, which he continued several years before retiring to his farm, em- bracing 200 acres-a good property and commodious home. March 2, 1843, he married Miss Sarah, daughter of William and Polly Fletcher, and born August 6, 1823. Twelve children graced this union, six of whom are living -- William T., John J., S. Emmet, James F., Hester A. and Lou Jessie. Dr. Harris is a Freemason, a Republican, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, an efficient Sunday school worker and temperance advocate. He has also held the office of Township Trustee

for six successive years. In 1850, he established the first hotel in El- lettsville, and continued the same for two years. Dr. Harris is a public- spirited and worthy citizen. Mrs. Harris adheres to the Presbyterian Church.

W. T. HARRIS, hardware merchant, was born January 13, 1847, and is a son of Dr. J. M. Harris. His boyhood days were passed at school and on the farm. At the age of twenty years, he engaged in the tin shop, buying an interest with Mr. Edwards, to whom he afterward became successer, and which business he continued four years. In No- vember, 1871, he purchased a stock of mixed hardware from F. E. Worley, and afterward added stoves and the like. By tact for trade and attention to business, he has constantly increased his stock and taken the patronage of the town, July 29, 1870, he married Miss Martha, daughter of Robert Acuff, and born August 26, 1856. Mr. Acuff was a pioneer of the county. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Harris has been favored by the birth of two children-Harry G. and Beulah. Mr. Harris, politically, is a Republican, and Mrs. Harris is a member of the religious denomination known as Christians.

SAMUEL B. HARRIS is a native of Kentucky, was born June 16, 1823, and is the third of the seven children of Thomas Harris. Our sub- ject was brought to Owen County, Ind., by his parents when seven years of age, whom he assisted on their farm until he became sixteen, when he went under apprenticeship to the blacksmith trade for three years, after which he started a shop on his father's farm, and later traveled as a journeyman, and taught six terms of school. By these means, he saved sufficient to purchase a farm, and afterward engaged in business in El- letsville for seventeen years, and then erected a woolen mill. About 1864, he moved to Coles County, Ill., where he built a saw and grist mill. and later returned to his old home and engaged in milling success- fully. September 10, 1346, he married Miss Endemile Chambers, a union favored with six children, of whom four survive-Mary E., John R., William B. and Perry Oliver. Mr. Harris is a consistent Free- mason, a Republican, and in religion a Universalist. He was instrumen- tal in establishing the first newspaper in the town, and which he passed to his son, who is now editor thereof. Mr. Harris is a prominent and esteemed citizen, and was for three years Postmaster at Ellettsville.

JOHN R. HARRIS, dealer in dry goods, notions, gents' furnishing goods, etc., was born May 18, 1847, in this county, and is the eldest son of Samuel B. Harris. After attending school, he began clerking for his father when twelve years old, and assisted in the mill; and in Coles

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County, Ill., engaged with him in the milling business. On return- ing to this locality, he had charge of his father's mill until 1879, and when this was sold he came to Ellettsville, and engaged in mercantile trade with his . brother, Perry O., under the firm name of Harris & Brother. In 1883, said firm was dissolved, and John R. became sole pro- prietor of the business. August 29, 1882, he married Miss Phebe, daughter of John Matthews, recently deceased, she having been born July 18, 1856. John R. Harris is one of the most successful and promis- ing business men of his years to be found. In politics, he is a Repub- lican, and an esteemed citizen and a worthy gentleman. Mrs. Harris is a member of the Baptist Church.

RICE C. HARRIS, M. D., is the youngest of the six children of Thomas and Elizabeth (McCarley) Harris. He was born in Owen County, Ind., November 15, 1834, and remained at home until he was fifteen years old, when the family moved to Ellettsville, and he attended school for two years, and taught in 1851. In 1852, under his brother, Dr. J. M. Harris, he commenced to study medicine, and then taught for a period of years. March 5, 1853, he married Miss Rebecca Wood, of this county, who died October, 1854, and April 14, 1857, he wedded Miss Mary J. Knighton, by which marriage they had nine children, five of whom are living-Thomas B., Rebecca W., William W., Oliver K. and Lizzie A. Dr. Harris attended lectures at Ann Arbor University in 1856-57, afterward engaged in practice with his brother one year, then moved to Coles County, Ill .; there practiced four years, and removed to this town, where he has remained in successful pursuit of his pro- fession, both in surgery and medicine. Dr. Harris has of late years given attention to his farms, and is beside the owner of several dwell- ings and business houses. He is a Republican, and has served as Post- master for sixteen years. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and Mrs. Harris is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

W. B. HARRIS, editor-in-chief of the Monroe County Citizen, is the son of S. B. and Endemile (Chambers) Harris, natives respectively of Kentucky and Indiana. He was born March 6, 1856, in Ellettsville, Ind., where he passed his boyhood in going to school and working on a farm. In 1872, he entered the Ellettsville Republican office, as a type-setter, for eighteen months, and then became editor for one year. Soon after this, he went to Indianapolis, and assisted in the office of the Herald. In 1875, he returned to Ellettsville, managed the Sun, and afterward pub- lished the Owen County People, which he disposed of in 1881, and re- tired to a farm for a year, when he purchased the Ellettsville News, and changed the name to the Monroe County Citizen, a popular and efficient journal, of Republican shade in politics. March 9, 1876, he married Miss Allie, daughter of Hiram Branton, and born November 30, 1856. This union gave issue to four children-Carl B., Edmund B., Kate H. and Henry B. Mr. Harris is a member of the I. O. O. F., and Mrs. Har- ris of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

REV. W. H. JACKSON is a native of Brown County, Ohio, was born December 29, 1815, and is the eldest child of Bernard and Elizabeth (Wisner) Jackson, the former a native of Virginia, the latter of Mary- land. Bernard Jackson was a carpenter and cabinet-maker, and moved from Virginia to Brown County, Ohio, shortly after the war of 1812, at that time the only mechanic in his section, and commanded the trade. He became owner of 670 acres, which made him well to do in his declin-

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ing days. Until he was forty-three he was an Deist, but becoming converted from Bible reading, he lived thereafter a Christian life. He was a Democrat, and father of seventeen children. Rev. W. H. Jackson was reared to the farming business, but obtained considerable education, and mainly from his own exertions in study. He remained at home until of age, and being a natural mechanic, took to building carriages and wagons, which business he abandoned for the ministry in 1848, although he had begun preaching in 1844. He was ordained by the Methodist Episcopal Conference in 1849, assigned to North Madison, and after various charges, was made Chaplain of the Fiftieth Indiana Regiment in 1861. In 1863, he was detailed as Post Chaplain in Kentucky, and later at La Grange, preaching tive sermons each Sabbath. In 1863, he returned and opened a drug store, then a dry goods store, and with which he has operated a saw mill. Later he purchased a flouring mill in Ellettsville, which was destroyed by fire in 1883, causing $10,000 loss. November 24, 1837, he married Miss Jane Goldsborough, to which union were born ten children, five living-Sophronia E., Sarah, Wesleyanna J., William Jerome and James W. Mr. Jackson was a Democrat, but is now a Re- publican. He still preaches actively. He was a Notary Public for sixteen years, was admitted to the bar, and is an Odd Fellow, a temper- ance man, and belongs to the G. A. R.

DAVID S. JOHNSON, farmer, is a son of David and Polly (Whited) Johnson, both natives of North Carolina, and of German and Irish ex- traction respectively. He was born February 23, 1829, the fourth of ten children, in Bartholomew County, Ind., his parents soon after moving to Lawrence County, where he was reared to the business of farming, and plainly educated. He remained at home until of mature age, when he began farming on rented land. September 2, 1852, he married Miss Emily, daughter of John and Nancy Dunlevy. After marriage, Mr. Johnson moved to his father's farm, near Bedford, which he purchased in 1860, and where he lived for some time in a pioneer cabin. Thus he acquired a home, and in 1869 sold the same and located at Ellettsville, and purchased sixty acres west of the town, which he improved, cultivated, and where he founded a good orchard. Mr. Johnson was an early-comer to this region, when Indians and game were more numerous than settlers. He is a Republican, and gave his first vote for Gen. Fremont. He is a member of the Odd Fellow fraternity, and he and his consort are honored members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

JOEL BENJAMIN KIRBY, farmer, was born in the house in which he now lives May 16, 1849, and is the second of the family of nine born to William and M. A. Kirby, now of Van Buren Township. Joel was bred to the profession of farming, and when fifteen years old moved with his parents to Van Buren Township, where he grew to maturity and had common school advantages. When twenty four years old, he purchased an interest in a grist mill, managed the same two years, then returned to farming, and purchased eighty acres, thus owning 117 acres. In 1881, he sold this land and bought that once used by his grandfather, and at this time possesses 140 acres, 120 of which are improved. Octo- ber 6, 1875, he married Miss Matilda H., daughter of John and Margaret Dinsmore, and born January 4, 1850. This union has resulted in four children-Margaret D., Sarah D., Elizabeth V. and Theophilus W. Mr. Kirby is a member of the venerable Masonic order, and is a Patron of Husbandry. He is a Republican in politics, and a greatly esteemed citi- zen. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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J. P. KNIGHTEN, retired farmer, is a native of Bloomington, was born December 18, 1819, and is the youngest of three children composing the family of J. W. and Nancy Knighten, who moved from North Caro- lina to this county in 1816. Our subject was the first white child born in this section. He was orphaned when thirteen years old; then began to work for himself, and after a period devoted himself to acquiring some education and learning the trade of a plasterer, at which he worked for seven years; then he came to Ellettsville and purchased a saw-mill and woolen factory, operating these for five years. March 8, 1846, he mar- ried Miss Mary C., daughter of William and Hannah G. Puett. In 1849, he purchased eighty acres, and soon after 104 acres more, removing to his present location in 1850. He now cultivates 160 acres -- all the fruits of his industry and care-a good home and valuable property. He has been a life-long Republican, and he and wife belong to the Methodist Episco- pal Church.

JOHNSON F. McELROY, farmer, was born May 30, 1820, his parents being David and Martha McElroy, both natives of North Carolina and of Scotch-Irish extraction. The paternal grandfather. Our subject was a soldier of the Revolution. Our subject was early left fatherless, with but small advantage for getting an education. When thirteen years old, his mother came by team to this State and settled near Elletts- ville, where he rented some land, being the only family support and hav- ing to labor for 25 cents per day. After four years he purchased

forty acres for $100, which he paid after some years. He erected a cabin for the family, and his mother spun the texture for their clothes and kept the house; she died July, 1864, aged seventy-four years. April 12, 1853, he married Miss Elizabeth Hinkle, born April 21, 1833, to which union two children were born-Ira J. and Emma C. Mr. McElroy has lived on his homestead more than forty-six years, during which he has seen many changes and acquired good property. He is politically a Republican, a most exemplary man and citizen, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church.

G. W. McHENRY is a son of John and Rebecca A. (Wilson) Mc- Henry, natives respectively of Knox and Monroe Counties, Ind. The paternal grandparents of our subject were settlers in Knox County previ- ous to the war of 1812, of which Mr. McHenry was a soldier. John Mc- Henry was reared in Owen County, was a farmer, and made a good home for his family; he also followed boating to New Orleans for a long time. He died May 4, 1875, followed by his wife in 1880, both members of the Baptist Church. G. W. McHenry is the second of thirteen children, was born in Bean Blossom Township February 12, 1841, and was bred by his father to farming, with whom he remained until he was twenty-two years old. February 22, 1863, he married Miss Izora Moore, who died January 12, 1870, leaving three children-William T., Oscar W. and Minnie I. After marriage, Mr. McHenry farmed on rented land for two years, when he engaged as clerk for a time, and afterward farmed again. October 13, 1872, he wedded his second wife, Miss Lucy M. Cox, whose father was a pioneer of Owen County. Mr. McHenry is a man of good business capacity, a worthy citizen, a Democrat politically and an upright gentleman. He and wife are connected with the Baptist Church.

ELIJAH H. MARSHALL, stock-raiser and farmer, is a son of Will- iam G. and Christiana (Strawn) Marshall, natives of Pennsylvania, the former of Greene, and the latter of Fayette County, and respectively

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of Scotch and German extraction. William G. Marshall moved to Ris- ing Sun, Ind., in 1818, and three years later to Lawrenceburg, where he worked at his trade of carpenter, and afterward settled on land for farming purposes. In 1865, he came to this county, where he died August 7, 1882, aged eighty-two years. He was a pensioned soldier of the war of 1812, and with Gen. Hull. He was a Republican and a Universalist. His wife survives and resides with our subject at eighty- six years of age; she is a Quaker. Elijah H. Marshall was born in Dear- born County, Ind., November 8, 1835, and after some preliminary edu- cation entered Moore's Hill College, with much advantage. On

reaching his majority he began teaching in this county; continued for four years, and then engaged at farming, which he followed until 1861, when he enlisted in the Thirty-eighth Regimental Band. During his service, he contracted measles, since which his health has been impaired. After his discharge, he engaged in farming, and has so continued until the present time, being interested in raising good horses and cattle. Mr. Marshall is a fine musician, and has taught music for a number of years. He has been thrice married; first, March, 1860, he wedded Miss Rebecca J. Allen, who died July 8, 1864, leaving two children-Harland E. and Ethel (now deceased). He next wedded, April 23, 1865, Miss Matilda. J. Sanders, who died February 27, 1872, leaving five children-Zada, Eber, Dessie, Luke W. and Sibert. November 15, 1874, he married his present wife, Miss Nancy Whitesell. Mr. Marshall is a member of the Baptist, and Mrs. Marshall of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

NATHAN R. MATSON is a native of Cumberland County, Penn., was born April 5, 1840, and is a son of Peter and Mary Matson, natives of Pennsylvania, and respectively of English and Scotch descent. After going to school at intervals until he was sixteen, Nathan began his ap- prenticeship to the trade of a tanner, which trade he finished in Phila- delphia in 1859. He then came West, and worked as a tanner at Bloom- ington until 1861, when he enlisted in Company G, Thirty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, and, hav- ing served his term, re-enlisted as a veteran in the same company. After various promotions he became Second Lieutenant. He participated in the greatest battles of that campaign, and afterward suffered from rheumatism and weakness of vision, which incapacitated him from fol- lowing his trade, and he was elected by the Republicans Township Trus- tee for four years. October 2, 1865, he married Miss Ann Matthews, which union gave being to four children-John E., Mary A., James H. and George W. Mrs. Matson died July 6, 1875. Mr. Matson is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity, of the G. A. R., and of the Baptist Church; he is also highly extolled as a citizen.

JOHN MATTHEWS deceased (late of the firm of Matthews & Son, now P. T., William N. and Frederick Matthews), was born October 10, 1806, in County Sussex, England; was apprenticed in London to the stone and marble work, and assisted at building some of the Parliament houses, etc. Here he married his wife, Miss Mary A. Drake; they had twelve children, seven of whom are living-Peter T., William N., Jane, James L., Susan, Phebe and Frederick. In 1849, the Matthews family left for America, were delayed on the voyage by a mutiny, and finally landed at New Orleans, where Mr. M. was offered inducements to remain; but he moved to Cincinnati, thence to Louisville, and thence to this State, in Jefferson County, and opened a quarry for Dean Bros. In 1855, he

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came to this county and opened a quarry for himself, which he managed until his death. A specimen of this stone took first premium at the Cen- tennial. He was a Union Democrat and a highly esteemed citizen. He died May 27, 1883, aged seventy-seven, a member of the Baptist Church; his wife is yet living, aged sixty-seven years.

FRANCIS D. MATTHEWS (the second son) was a veteran soldier of the recent war, a member of Company G, Thirty-eighth Indiana Volun- teer Infantry, and was shot before Atlanta.

PETER T. MATTHEWS was born in London July 8, 1840. In 1861, he enlisted as a drummer in the Nineteenth Regimental Band. Most of this band were captured at the battle of Bull Run, but Peter escaped and served until the war was closed. After returning, he en- gaged with his father in the quarrying business, and September, 1867, he married Miss Sarah E., daughter of Robert T. Stimson, which union gave them four children-Effie, Albert, John and Charles. Mr. Mat- thews is a member of the Masons and the G. A. R.

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Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical, Part 82

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