Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical, Part 85

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 85
USA > Indiana > Monroe County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 85
USA > Indiana > Morgan County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 85

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

GEORGE W. MOORE was born July 8, 1806, in Scott County, Ky., and is the fourteenth of fifteen children (fourteen of whom lived to rear families) born to Robert and Margaret (Mercer) Moore, natives of Ire- land. The father was a farmer. Our subject grew to manhood on a farm, his educational advantages being very poor. At the age of eighteen, he commenced the struggles of life on his own responsibility. For three years he drove a stage-coach team, and carried the United States mail. He drove the first four horse stage team ever driven from Lexington to Nashville, Tenn. He was agent for the United States mail line for four years, after which he engaged in farming, continuing five years. In the autumn of 1834, he came to Monroe County, and settled in Bloomington Township. He farmed for three years, then sold out, and moved to Bloomington, where he embarked in the dry goods and grocery trade, following this business twenty-five years, after which he disposed of his business and purchased the farm of 250 acres of land on which he now resides. To this he has added twenty-five acres, which addition makes him the owner of 275 acres, all in a high state of cultivation, and having all the modern improvements. Mr. Moore was married, August 31, 1831, to Elizabeth Mouser, of Kentucky, and daughter of Frederic Mouser. Four children were born to them, three of whom, John S., Ann A. (Fletcher) and Louisa (Otwell), are living. In Washington Ter- ritory Mr. Moore made a purchase of 157 acres of timber for $300, which he subsequently sold for $1,300. On his farm he has a saltpeter cave, which has been explored three-fourths of a mile. Mr. M. and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1831. In politics he is a Re- publican.

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DANIEL PAFFORD, an old settler and a most enterprising farmer and stock-raiser of Monroe County, was born in the summer of 1814, in North Carolina, and is the only child of his parents, who were natives of Scotland. Daniel was reared on a farm and, being an orphan, had very poor opportunities for obtaining an education. He was enabled, however, by paying his own way, to learn to read and write a little. Our subject came to Indiana in 1822, in company with a family named Mel- vin. They settled in Lawrence County, and Daniel Pafford remained with them until he was seventeen years old, and then began working at $1 per week, and at one time for $8 per month. On August 13, 1835, Mr. Pafford married Hannah McBride, of Lawrence County, and a daugh- ter of John and Mary (Woodruff ) McBride, respectively of English and Irish descent. They have had ten children, seven living-Gideon, Mary (Balanger), Elizabeth (Mayo), Frank, Solomon, Janet (Gentry) and John. The mother died, a Baptist, in 1863. In 1865, Mr. Pafford married Sarah Roy, of Lawrence County, and a daughter of Thomas and Polly Roy. This lady died in 1880, and in July, 1882, Mr. Pafford took for his third wife Eliza Stone, of Monroe County, and a daughter of William and Evaline (Hight) Roseberry. Mrs. Pafford is a member of the Chris- tian Church. Mr. Pafford is a Baptist, and owns 265 acres of land, with a good residence, barn and outbuildings, besides an orchard. He is a solid Democrat, and first voted for Van Buren.

GEORGE NEWTON PUETT, farmer and pioneer, was born on De- cember 11, 1827, on the farm now occupied by Andrew Reeves, in Bean Blossom Township, this county, and is the youngest son and the fifth of the eight children born to William and Hannah (Parks) Puett, natives of North Carolina, and of French-English and English extraction. William Puett came to this county in 1816, and cleared the first land upon which Spencer, Owen County, now stands, for Samuel Dunn, and also helped carry the first brick ever made in Bloomington. He was very poor and worked in various capacities. finally entering 160 acres of land, in 1817 or 1818, improved it and built the brick house now occupied by Andrew Reeves, then being considered a very fine dwelling. This was built in 1830. He was married about the time his land was entered. He be- longed to the Old Regular Baptist Church for about thirty years, and then joined the Missionary Baptist, in which church he preached for twenty years. He was opposed to slavery, and intemperance, was a great reader, and always supported the Whig and Republican parties, and died on July 3, 1877, in his eightieth year. Our subject's mother was a teacher and composer of music, and he has a book which was prepared by her in 1812, and in her native State she was considered a fine singer. George New- ton, our subject, was reared on a farm, and received a poor education. On February 24, 1848, Mr. Puett married Emily Hyneman, of Elletts- ville, and a daughter of John W. and Nancy (Drunon) Hyneman, Ken- tuckians, of Irish descent. By this union there were three children- Rob N., John W., living at Colfax, Ill., and Charles W., killed by a horse. Mrs. Puett died June 23, 1867, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Puett next married, on July 5, 1868, Mary A. Du Bois, a native of Brown County, and daughter of Levi B. and Martha M. (Green) Du Bois, natives of New York and of Ohio. By this union there were three children-William D., Mattie E. and George M. (de- ceased). Mr. Puett and wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. After his first marriage Mr. Puett farmed on the old homestead in Bean

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Blossom Township, for four years; then went to McLean County, Ill., entered 160 acres of land, and remained there five years. He then went back to the old farm, in Bean Blossom Township, for twelve years, and then to Illinois, bought back the old farm, and lived there six years. In February, 1874, Mr. Puett returned to Bean Blossom Township; thence to Ellettsville, and finally to this county, four miles west of Bloomington. Mr. Puett owns 160 acres, all cultivated. He received forty acres from his father, which he sold for $250. A legacy of $600, received after his father's death, was all the help he had. Mr. Puett began preaching in the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1856; was ordained Deacon October 2, 1864, and Elder September 12, 1880, by Bishop Foss. Mr. Puett has taught singing for about twenty-five years of his life. W. W. Puett, subject's elder brother, has been a member of the old Indiana Conference for thirty years. Our subject belongs to the I. O. O. F. and to the Grange, being Chaplain of the order. He was first a Whig, then a Re- publican and finally a Greenbacker. In 1876, he was candidate for Representative on the Greenback ticket. He is much respected and prized as a valuable citizen of the county.

HARRIS A. RICHEY was born January 4, 1863, in Noble County, Ohio, and is the eldest of the two children of Thomas J. and Mary E. (Elliott) Richey, natives of Ohio and of Irish origin. Harris A. was reared on a farm, and was instructed to a certain degree in the public schools. He also took a year's course at Mitchell, Ind. Mr. Richey has taught two terms. He remained at home until his fifteenth year, then farmed, attending school part of the time. Mr. Richey spent one year in Kansas, then clerked, and finally attended school at Valparaiso, where he left in 1881. He then came to Stanford, bought an interest in a store there in April, 1883, and in August bought out his partner's interest, and now is sole manager and proprietor. On November 25, 1883, Mr. Richey married Ella S. Brown, of Monroe County, and a daughter of William J. and Mary E. (Rice) Brown, natives of Green and Monroe Counties. Mrs. Richey is a Missionary Baptist. Her husband is an act- ive Republican, and is a rising young man of this county.

WILLIAM J. SEMPLE was born in Ireland, February 17, 1820, and is the third of eight children born to William and Esther (Hemphill) Semple, natives of Ireland. William J. was reared on a farm, and received but thirteen months of schooling. In 1847, he came to this country, landed at New York City, and after working on a farm for four years, in 1852 he came to Monroe County, Ind., settling in this town- ship. Mr. Semple purchased 217 acres of land, improved it, and occu- pied it for seventeen years. He then sold out and was in Kansas three months, expecting to settle there, but finally returned and bought the farm which he now owns. It consists of 240 acres, which Mr. Semple has improved, and upon which he has a good residence, barn, and out- buildings, supplemented by an orchard. Mr. Semple's second marriage took place in October, 1870, to Sarah Hemphill, of St. Clair County, Ill. She was born in Ireland, and was a daughter of John and Mary (Reed) Hemphill, natives of Ireland. Mr. Semple owns sixty acres in Greene County. He was first married on May 28, 1863, to Eliza, daughter of Benjamin and Amelia (Campbell) Baxter, all natives of Ireland. He and his present wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church, and he votes the Republican ticket.

ADDISON C. SMITH, an old settler and wide-awake citizen of the county, was born on March 11, 1827, in Bloomington, being one of the

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first children born there. He is the oldest of three children born to Dudley C. and Elizabeth (Berry) Smith, natives of Vermont and North Carolina, and of English and German descent respectively. Addison C. was reared upon a farm, and was sent some of the time to the public schools. He lived with his parents until he was eighteen years old, when he commenced learning the carpenter trade, following it for one year. He enlisted in the Mexican war, June, 1847, in Company A, Third In- diana Volunteers, serving under Capt. John Sluss and Col. James H. Lane, and took part in the battle of Buena Vista. He was honorably discharged in July, 1848, at New Orleans. Mr. Smith returned home, and worked at his trade for two years. He then married Sarah Hardesty, of Bloomington, Ind., and a daughter of George and Martha A. (Blair) Hardesty, Virginians, of English ancestry. By this marriage there were six children, of whom five are living -- Donald H., Alice (Shirley), Egbert, Thurston and Rodney. In 1852, they went to Missouri, settling near St. Joseph. Mr. Smith entered forty and purchased forty acres. He remained here six years, and then returned to this county and town- ship, where he has been living ever since. Mr. Smith owns 118 acres of land, which is cultivated, improved and embellished with a good resi- dence and outbuildings, besides a fine young orchard. He and family are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Smith takes great interest in education, and has given all his children the best of opportunities. He is a Republican, and has been four terms Assessor of his township, and was appointed one year by the County Board. Mr. Smith is a liberal giver in charity.

DUDLEY F. SMITH, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in the vicinity of his present home, in Van Buren Township, on March 17, 1839. He was the third of five children of parents Dudley C. and Isa- belle (Porch) Smith, natives of Vermont and North Carolina, and of En- glish origin. Dudley C. Smith was thrice married He first married Maria Humphrey, who bore him one child-Olivia (Givens). He was next married to Elizabeth Berry, of English birth. Her brother founded an institution called "Harmony," where everything was in common. To this marriage were born two children (both living). The family came to Monroe County in 1820, settling near Bloomington, and there re- mained for five years. They then came to this township and purchased 100 acres of land, partly improved. They were among the first to settle here, and Mr. Smith died here at the age of eighty-four, possessing 600 acres of land, and $10,000 in money. He distributed this among his children, and died a member of the Christian Church, in which he had been an Elder for about forty years. The grandmother of Dudley F. Smith was a sister of Salmon P. Chase, of national fame. Dudley F. attended common schools, and also the State University. His father had taught for fifteen years, and our subject has also followed that vocation to some degree. Mr. Smith married, December 23, 1863, Sarah Blank- enship, a native of Decatur County, Ind. She is a daughter of James and Dolly (Stark) Blankenship, of English ancestry. To them were given four children, three now living-Winona, Ulysses Howe and Paul. Mr. Smith owns 120 acres, besides an interest in 560 acres in his father's estate. The family are members of the Christian Church. He belonged to the Grange, and is now a Republican.

THOMAS W. SPARKS, an enterprising merchant of Stanford, Mon- roe County, was born on March 3, 1852, in this county, and is the first

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of five children born to Henry and Sally J. (Holder) Sparks, the former coming to Indiana about the year 1842, and settling in Greene County, where eighty acres of land were entered by our subject's grandfather, who was a soldier in the war of 1812. Our subject was reared on a farm, and received a common school education. At eighteen years of age, he attended a high school, finished the freshman year at the Uni- versity at Bloomington, after which he taught four terms. His marriage was to Lou Emma, the daughter of Elah and Elvira (Givens) Butcher, of Monroe County. Six children have been born to them -- Clara (deceased), Ivy, Earl, Fannie Pearl, Zelletha Jane and Oscar. Mr. Sparks owns fifty acres of good land in this township, well improved with a good res- idence, barn and outbuildings. He also owns a half interest in the store and building at Stanford. With the exception of $500, he has accumulated his fortune by his own industry. In politics, he is a Democrat.

WILLIAM STONE, one of the pioneers and enterprising farmers of this township, was born on December 16, 1820, and is the fifth of nine children, six of whom are living, born to Ellis and Margaret (Denny) Stone, Virginians, of English lineage. Ellis Stone came to Monroe County in the fall of 1819, and purchased the farm upon which our sub- ject now lives, paying $6 per acre for 160 acres. He was very industri- ous, and owned finally 400 acres, dying in his eightieth year. He ran a carding mill in an early day; often walked about six miles to hear a dis- course on Sunday. He was a Whig, then a Republican. He moved the carding mill to Bloomington, where our subject lived for thirteen years. When his father lived in town, he, with two of his daughters, went to their farm every spring, and made 700 and 800 pounds of maple sugar, and carried the sap in pails, and the sugar to the town through timber infested with wolves. William, our subject was educated at Blooming- ton, and also attended the University three terms. Mr. Stone owns 210 acres of land, well cultivated, stocked, and embellished with a good brick residence, which was built by his father in 1840. He also owns good town property. He is a Republican in politics. Mr. Stone says, in early days, they did not settle difficulties with a law suit, but the par- ties fought to settle them. On one occasion, a man married a young daughter of one of our old settlers, and soon the parents learned that their son-in-law had another wife in Tennessee, and the girl's brother was commissioned to thresh the son-in-law. The old lady took an active interest in the duel. The man was whipped, and his wife left him. The punishment was witnessed by all the neighbors, their seconds having been selected by the respective parties from their friends.

I. J. WHISENNAND, an old settler and enterprising farmer of Monroe County, was born in Sullivan County, Tenn., on February 18, 1829, and is the seventh of thirteen children born to Isaac and Mary Ann (Isley) Whisennand, natives of Virginia, and of German descent. Isaac Whisennand came to Monroe County in 1830, and brought our subject with him. He entered 132 acres of land, improved it, and lived there till his death. Isaac Whisennand was a member of the Board of Trustees in an early day. Our subject was reared on this farm, and was sent to the common schools. On September 19, 1850, he married Mary Matilda Farmer, of Monroe County, and a daughter of Eli P. and Eliza- beth Farmer, natives of Virginia and Indiana, and of Welsh and Ger- man origin. Eli P. Farmer was an itinerant Methodist Episcopal min-

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ister. By this union Mr. Whissennand had born to him four children, two living-Albert W. and Carrie (Rock). The mother died in July, 1863, and on February 11, 1864, our subject was married to Sabina Clark, of Gibson County, Ind., and a daughter of William B. and Mary (Wigens) Clark, natives of North Carolina and Kentucky, and of Irish and German descent. William B. Clark was born in 1798, and came to Gibson County in 1805, where he lived the rest of his life, and was one of the old settlers of the county, Mr. Whissennand had five children by his last marriage-Samuel, Lillie P., Rosetta, Mary E. and Martha Ann. He and wife belong to the Church of God. Mr. Whisennand bought the farm of eighty acres which he now occupies shortly after his first marriage. It is now in a good state of cultivation, with a fine house, barn, etc. He gives liberally to all charities. For President, he cast his first vote for Pierce. In 1860, he voted for Lincoln, but in 1876 he com- menced voting with the Greenback party, and has been ever since an active worker in that party.

INDIAN CREEK TOWNSHIP.

ELI BOWERS was born in this county May 21, 1841, and is the eldest of the three children of Peter and Sarah (May) Bowers. During youth, he received the rudiments of an education from the ordinary schools of the district. September 5, 1861, he enlisted in Company F, Forty-third Regiment Indiana Volunteers; served three years and ten months; re-enlisted January, 1864, served until June, 1865, and partic- ipated in the following engagements: New Madrid, Island No. 10, Fort Pillow, Memphis, Fort Pemberton, Helena, Little Rock, Elkin's Ford and Mark Hill, where he was captured, taken to Texas for ten months and then exchanged. After his return, he applied himself to tilling mother earth, and occasionally working as a carpenter. December 23, 1866, he married Nancy J., daughter of William M. and Nancy Roy, natives of Kentucky, and this union was graced by the birth of five children-Emma A., Paulina E., Charles M., G. Peter and Wilson. Mr. Bowers is a practical farmer and owns a good farm and home of seventy- five acres. He is politically a Republican.

HENRY BURCH was born in Stokes County, N. C., July 24, 1813, and is the seventh of the nine children of John and Judith (Suthern) Burch. In 1819, he was brought to this neighborhood with his parents, where he has continuously made his home. He lived with his parents until April 9, 1840, when he married Rebecca L. Gentry, a union which gave being to fourteen children-Sabra Ann, Damaris (deceased), Thomas B., Gilbert L., Almira J. (deceased), Francis R., infant (deceased), Den- nis N., Mary E., Henry J., Luther M. (deceased), Sarah H., Ira A. and Nancy M. Mr. Burch has a good farm of 252 acres. He is a Democrat, and he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church. Gilbert L. Burch was born September 14, 1845; was reared in this township, where he obtained a fair school education and grew to man's estate. December 10, 1865, he wedded Nancy Ferguson, to which union three children have been bestowed-Ida G., Henderson R. and Orrin E. In about

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five years after his marriage, he moved on to a farm near Buena Vista, where he remained for three years. He has divided his time between carpentering and farming. In 1882, he was elected Township Clerk for four years. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, of the Baptist Church, and is, politically, a Democrat.

WILLIAM F. CORMAN is a native of this county, was born May 29, 1837, and is the youngest of the six children born to Jacob and Mary Corman, both natives of Kentucky. William was reared in Clear Creek Township, this county, where he was educated in the common schools. November 16, 1863, he married Lydia J., daughter of Elijah J. and Matilda Morgan, old settlers of this county. By this union they had born to them six children-Flora A., James W. (deceased), Frank V., Nannie L., Myrtie and Ellis E. Mr. Corman has followed blacksmithing nearly the whole of his life, with the management of a farm in the meantime, which embraces eighty acres of very excellent and well-im- proved land. He is a reputable citizen and worthy gentlemen, and in political faith a Democrat.

PLEASANT FOSSETT is a native of Rowan County, N. C., and is the eldest of the seven children born to John and Elizabeth (Moss) Fossett. Our subject was born July 13, 1820, and was brought hither by his parents soon after his birth, where he has continued to reside. When a boy, he attended the subscription schools of his neighborhood. October 27, 1842, he married Mary Ann Crum, the youngest child of John and Sarah Crum. By this union have been born six children. Mr. Fossett resides on an improved farm of 800 acres. He is a highly honored citi- zen, a practical and successful farmer. in political choice a Democrat, and cast his first vote for James K. Polk; he has been for twelve years a member of the Knights of Pythias. In 1848, he was elected to the office and served for five years as Justice of the Peace, and he has also served as Township Trustee.

PICKNEY G. MOORE, farmer, is a native of Lawrence County, Ind., was born July 2, 1841, and is the seventh of the eight children of John and Rachel (Lemmon) Moore, natives of North Carolina. Pick- ney resided on the home farm until December 25, 1861, at which event- ful date he enlisted in Company I, Fifty-ninth Regiment Indiana Volun- teers, and was in some small skirmishes while en route to Island No. 10, and was in regular battle at Corinth, Miss .; Boonville, Shiloh, Holly Springs, Vicksburg, Champion Hill, Buzzard's Roost, Missionary Ridge and Gen. Sherman's march. He was discharged July 17, 1865, as Ser- geant. August 6, 1865, he married Miss Elizabeth Bennett, and to them were bestowed a family of nine children, five of whom were named Mary Jane, Ellsworth, Louisa E., Commodore Perry and Edward N. After his marriage, Mr. Moore moved to a farm in this county, where he lived for one year, afterward removing to Sullivan County for seven years; thence to Illinois for four years, and finally returned hither, where he owns a farm of forty acres. Mrs. Moore left this world July 16, 1882. Mr. Moore is a Democrat, and a worthy and respected citizen.

ELIJAH J. MORGAN is a native of this township, where he now resides. He was born August 8, 1818, and attended school but a short time during his youth. January 5, 1837, he married Matilda Goodwine, a native of Monroe County, by which union were born four children- William S., Nancy M., Lydia J. and Lucinda D. May 26, 1846, he en- listed at Ketchum's Mill for one year's service in the Mexican war, and

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was present at the battle of Buena Vista. After returning, he engaged in farming, which has been his life-long occupation, on the farm purchased by his parents, Elijah and Mary (Crum) Morgan, in 1817. This farm comprises 160 acres. Mr. Morgan is one of the oldest residents of this township; he is a member of Lodge 173, A., F. & A. M. In 1867, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and served two terms of four years each; was re-elected in 1880, but resigned after serving eighteen months. Mrs. Morgan died October 28, 1883. Mr. Morgan is a Democrat by political preference.

JOEL H. MORGAN is a native of this township, who first saw the light September 12, 1836, and is the fifth of the eight in the family of Absalom and Elizabeth (May) Morgan. Absalom Morgan came to this township in 1817, where our subject has passed his days in the capacity of a farmer. September 9, 1867, he married Emma May, by which union they had bestowed on them three children-Ira I., Laura E. and Walter E .; Mrs. Morgan died June, 1872, and December 28, 1875, Mr. Morgan was united in wedlock with Miss Elizabeth East. To this mar- riage was born one child-Minnie E. Mr. Morgan is the owner of 206 acres of good land, now his home. January, 1865, he enlisted in Com- pany I, One Hundred and Forty-fifth Indiana Volunteers; occupied his time in guard duty for a term of one year. Mr. Morgan is a practical farmer, a good citizen, and a member of the Odd Fellow and Knights of Pythias brotherhoods.

WILLIAM A. SARE first saw the light in this county April 9, 1861, being the only son of Martin and Susan Sare. The father of William A. Sare died when he was a boy, and he was thereafter reared by his grandfather, William Bowen, with whom he remained until he was nine- teen years old. December 31, 1879, he married Miss Serena Jones, the third child of Catherine Jones, and by this union they were made happy in the birth of three children-Sesta, Walter B. and Myrtle I. After marriage, Mr. Sare lived for about one year, and then moved to his present home, a farm embracing 100 acres of very excellent and well- cultivated land. Mr. Sare has been a reasonably prosperous gentleman; he is by political election a Democrat, and a worthy, honored and prom- ising citizen.

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Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical, Part 85

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