Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical, Part 86

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 86
USA > Indiana > Monroe County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 86
USA > Indiana > Morgan County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 86

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).

JOHN G. J. SMITH is a native of West Virginia, was born July 24, 1814, and is the seventh child of Anthony and Achsah Smith, natives of New Jersey, who moved to Pennsylvania, and thence to West Virginia. John received a good subscription school education, and in 1850 moved to Noble County, Ohio. In 1876, he removed to this township, where he purchased 321 acres, all of which are well improved. October 13, 1836, he married Isabel B., daughter of Caleb and Margaret Tarelton. Twelve children have honored this union-Louisa M., Achsah C.,, Irwin T., Mary E., Harriet E., Sarah C., John I., Susan A. and Nancy A. (twins, deceased), Emily H., Charles G. and Ida B. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Smith was a magistrate in Noble County, Ohio, for six years; he is a Republican.

CHARLES G. SMITH was born in Noble County, Ohio, March 4, 1859, the eleventh of the twelve children of John G. J. and Isabel B. Smith. He was reared in Ohio, and there obtained a good education. February 13, 1879, he married Paulina Sullivan, a native of this township, the fruits of which union were three children-Gertrude, Beulah and Ira. After his marriage, Mr. Smith lived with his father until January, 1884,

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when he moved to his mother in-law's farm, and has since given atten- tion to agriculture and stock-raising. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Smith has now a farm of ninety-six acres; he is a Republican.

IRWIN T. SMITH, farmer, is a native of West Virginia, came into the world December 21, 1841, and is the third child of a family of twelve born to John G. J. and Isabel B. (Tarelton) Smith. Irwin T. Smith re- ceived the rudiments of a necessary education from the general schools of his neighborhood. While in Noble County, Ohio, he enlisted in Com- pany H, One Hundred and Sixteenth Regiment of Ohio Volunteers, and had the glory of participating in the following engagements: Piedmont, Lynchburg, Cedar Creek, Richmond, the charge on Fort Gregg, and the pursuit of Gen. Lee, and was discharged with honor in December, 1865.' March 4, 1868, he was united in wedlock with Miss Alcensa, a daughter of A. C. and Elizabeth Lawrence, from which alliance descended a fam- ily of five children-Philip Sheridan, Hattie J., Doris, Myra and John L. Mr. Smith has been during his whole life a farmer, who came to this township in 1875, and purchased a well-improved, cultivated, productive farm, covering ninety acres. He is a highly respected citizen, a Repub- lican in political faith, and, with his consort, an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

JACOB TAGUE, farmer and stock-dealer, is a native of Stokes Coun- ty, N. C., was born January 22, 1818, and is the third child and only son of Michael and Catherine (Holder) Tagne, who moved to this town- ship from North Carolina in 1829. Jacob received his education from the schools of this township, where he grew to man's estate. May 14, 1840, he married Louisa Jane, eldest child of James and Marzilla King, and to this union were born nine children-Mahala A. (deceased), Martha J. (deceased), Catherine, Lydia Jane, Margaret O. (deceased), George M., James M., Jacob W. and William L. Mrs. Tague died Au- gust 15, 1862, and January 29, 1863, Mr. Tague wedded a second spouse, the eldest child of William and Christian Fowler, and a native of Maryland, by which marriage was born to them one child. Mr. Tague resides on a good farm of 958 acres, which is part of his father's home- stead. He has in addition to farming, giyen much attention to the rais- ing and shipping of stock. Mr. Tague is a Democrat and a highly re- spected citizen.

GEORGE M. TAGUE is a native of this State, was born March 6, 1847, and was reared in this township, where he received the rudiments of a good English education. He lived with his parents until 1867, at which time he moved to Missouri and followed farming for eighteen months. December 25, 1867, he married Espy F., daughter of Alvis and L. Jane Moore, natives of Lawrence County, Ind. From this union has succeeded one child-Jacob E. After marriage, he moved to.Kansas and there engaged in farming for about two years, thereafter returning to this township, where he purchased land and lived thereon four years; he then sold this, after which he followed teaming successfully for a time, and is now engaged in farming. In 1878, he was elected Constable of this township, as which he served for two years. Mr. Tague is a son of Jacob and Louisa J. Tague.

WILLIAM E. TARKINGTON, farmer, is a native of this county. He was born December 9, 1833, and is the second son of the nine chil- dren which made up the family of Elsberry W. and Lucinda (Legg)

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Tarkington; the former a native of Tennessee, the latter of Kentucky. William E. Tarkington obtained the rudiments of a good English educa- tion from the district schools of his boyhood. He was in the volunteer service during the late war for about two weeks. April 9, 1860, he married Miss Mary M., daughter of John and Mary Thrasher, the fruits of which alliance were four children-Martha J., Ella T., Nettie E. and William. Mr. Tarkington makes his home on a farm of 141 acres which is in good cultivation and has many improvements, and where he has resided con- tinuously since 1859. Mr. Tarkington is a Democrat, and he and wife are members of the M. E. Church.

GILBERT THOMPSON is a native of County Antrim, Ireland, and was born June 7, 1813, and attended subscription school in his native county. In August, 1833, he married Agnes Guiery, likewise a native of Ireland. By this union were born seven children -Edward, Mar- garet, James (deceased), Joseph, Jane, Martha (deceased), and Gilbert Albert. Mr. Thompson was owner of ten acres in Ireland, on which he lived for several years after his marriage, and which he sold after- ward and opened a provision store in Carrick Fergus, Ireland; this he disposed of at a later period, and worked in a ship yard until 1854, when he emigrated to the United States, rented a farm near Blooming- ton, Ind., for three years, and thereafter purchased his present farm, which includes 103 acres of well improved and highly productive land. Mr. Thompson is a Republican in politics, and he and wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church.

ELMORE F. WALKER is a native of this township, and was born November 10, 1842, and is the youngest of the eleven children of Elmore and Henrietta (Burch) Walker. Our subject was reared in this township, where he obtained the rudiments of a good education, which he completed at the high school at New Albany. December 25, 1861, he enlisted, at Gosport, Ind., in Company I, Fifty-ninth Indiana Volunteers, in which he served three years and seven months, and took part at New Madrid (where he was wounded, afterward rejoining his regiment at Corinth, Miss.), Holly Springs. Memphis, Jackson, Champion Hills, Vicksburg, Chattanooga and the Atlanta campaign. November 1, 1868, he married Lucinda Keck, from which union sprang seven children-Jesse L., Or- pha H., Jewett, Mary A., Bayard, Alva and Emma. Mr. Walker has fought the battle of life for himself since he was ten years of age. After his marriage, he purchased land in this township, and lived thereon seven years, then moved to Lawrence County, but soon returned to this locality, and has since resided here-on a farm containing sixty valuable acres. Mr. Walker is a Republican, and he and wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

JOHN T. WOODWARD, merchant, is a native of Greene County, Ind., was born April 5, 1860, and is the fifth of the twelve children of John T. and Lucinda A. Woodward. Our subject was reared in this township, and received a fair education from the primary schools, which was completed at the Bloomington High School, and by one vear at Val- paraiso. He has been a teacher for the past four years in this township, and he has also a half interest with W. H. King in a general store at Buena Vista. December 24, 1880, he married Summie H., daughter of Jerry and Ann Black, through which union descended one child-Roy H. Mr. Woodward is a prominent and worthy citizen, an enterprising and liberal business man, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church

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by religious preference, a member of the Republican party by political preference, and one of the trusted and promising young men of this township.

DAVID WRIGHT was born near Utica, Ind., November 16, 1806, and is the third of the family of James and Elizabeth (Sears) Wright, who moved to this State in 1816; located in the timber, which they cleared, and thereby made a home. September 14, 1829, he married Caroline M., daughter of John and Elizabeth Kutch, by which union were produced thirteen children-John, James, Alfred, Levi, Jane, Eliz- abeth, Euin, Jacob, Nancy, Clarinda, David D. and two infants, de- ceased. After marriage, Mr. Wright lived with his father about a year, when he bought land and lived thereon for six years, afterward purchas- ing his present home and farm, comprising seventy acres of excellent. and well improved land, on which he has since resided. Mrs. Wright. died January, 1881, and January, 1882, Mr. Wright married a second wife; they are members of the Christian Church.

ALFRED WRIGHT was born in this township February 11, 1833, and is the third son of David and Caroline Wright. He received the rudiments of a good education; and March 7, 1850, married Eliza Rebecca Boyd. After his marriage, he lived with his father for some years, when he moved to Illinois, remained a few months, returned, and at the division of his father's land received forty-one acres. Mr. and Mrs. Wright are leading members of the Christian Church, of which Mr. Wright is an Elder; they are parents of eleven children-William E. (deceased), John W., Minerva J., Laura A., Mary C. (deceased), Jefferson M., Alfred Perry, Isaac S., David Grant, James M. and Eliza A. F.

CLEAR CREEK TOWNSHIP.

ALEXANDER S. BAKER, minister of the M. P. Church, was born February 12, 1827, on the western shore of Maryland, and is a son of Malden and Eliza (Culenbaugh) Baker. Malden Baker was born Sep- tember 22, 1802, and was about thirty years old when he moved to this State and settled on Indian Creek. He raised the first tobacco raised in the county, and labored as an ordained local preacher. Alexander S. Baker was married November 11, 1852, to Sarah A. Johnston, who died July 11, 1865, leaving six children. August 16, 1866, he wedded Mrs. Nancy E. Hagan, a native of Rush County, to which union were born three children -- Elma, Hugh and Henry. Mr. Baker obtained his educa- tion principally by the tirelight at home, continuing his studies long after he was married. Mr. Baker is a member of the Masonic fraternity of the degree of Royal Arch; he is also a radical temperance worker, and an esteemed citizen, and an honorable conscientious gentleman.

ALBERT F. BENNETT, merchant at Smithville, was born July 22, 1848, in Clarke County, Ind., and is a son of Granville M. and Parmelia J. (Jacob) Bennett. Granville M. Bennett was a physician; moved from Clarke to Monroe County, and settled on a farm one mile from Smith- ville, practicing medicine until his decease-April 27, 1854. His widow afterward married L'li Wray, later moved to Jackson County, and died

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September 30, 1877. Albert F. Bennett received only such education as the county schools afforded, but by home study acquired a fair educa- tion, so as to enable him to teach, which he did from 1874 to 1877, in and around Smithville. In 1877, he purchased the store of Dr. J. N. Warring, and has since conducted the business, carrying a large stock of general merchandise. May 19, 1879, he married Miss Isabel Gaither, a. lady he had known since childhood, and an estimable member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. This union was cemented by the birth of one child-John M., a bright and promising boy. Mr. Bennett has made his way to success by his unaided exertions and inherent energy. In politics, he is a Republican, and is a public-spirited, liberal gentleman.

HIRAM BUTCHER, pioneer of Monroe County, was brought to this section by his parents, when two years old, and has been the pet of Indian friends and the playfellow of Indian children. He was born in Johnson County, Tenn., September 5, 1816. His father, Solomon Butcher, was also a native of Tennessee, a farmer and carpenter, who married Catherine Stevens, and they, with two children, moved to this region by wagon, purchased 160 acres, and made à good home and valu- able farm. These parents had born to them eleven children. Hiram is the eldest of this family, and when a youth received but six months' schooling, educating himself by the light of the fire, since which time he has pursued such studies as have made up for his early disadvantages. When twenty-two years old he married Amelia Beasley, of Lawrence County, Ind., and thereafter began life for himself by purchasing a mill, and afterward gaining and improving 300 acres. After bartering for and occupying various lands, Mr. Butcher purchased the Fairfax property for $9,750. He was not exempt from reverses, but now has a good farm of 140 acres. He is a Republican, was for six years Justice of the Peace, and made the law a study, as also the Bible. He and wife are, and have been for forty-five years, members of the Christian Church. Mr. and Mrs. Butcher have three girls and two boys, all of whom are married.

WILFORD CARTER, merchant at Smithville, was born February 15, 1823, in Jackson County, Ind., and is the third son of Benjamin and Nancy (Reynolds) Carter. Benjamin Carter was a native of Patrick County, Va., and in 1815 moved to Indiana. He was a father of nine children, the eldest son being the first man to settle at Seymour, Ind., where he is now a merchant. Wilford Carter began life for himself when twenty years old, his father having died in limited circumstances, and by his integrity saved the farm and paid all claims. In 1848, with $100 and some credit, be commenced business in Dudleytown with James Stephens, which continued eighteen months, when he purchased the old homestead and engaged in farming. Soon after, he founded another store, in company with Mr. Stephens, at Tampico, and laid out a town on his land. In 1854, he purchased a half-interest in another business, and in 1857 commenced the enterprise he is now pur- suing. He also owns 160 acres near Smithville. In 1849, he married Sarah Powell, who died March 15, 1870, leaving three children. August 21, 1870, he wedded Mrs. Martha McCormick, by which marriage they have two children-Mary M. and Ralph. Mr. Carter has been for four terms Justice of the Peace, and has united in marriage many couples. He is a Republican, a temperance worker, and he and wife belong to the Methodist Church.

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GEORGE GAITHER, farmer, Smithville, was born on the parental homestead, where he now resides, September 22, 1855, and is one of the family of Perry and Betsy Ann (Ketcham) Gaither, the former a native of Kentucky, born in 1809. These parents married in this State, and settled where Ketcham's mill now stands. Mr. Gaither was owner of 200 acres. He was for several years Township Trustee, a Republican politically, and died in 1876. Mrs. Gaither died in 1878. They had twelve children, and were members of the M. E. Church. George, our subject, married, in the autumn of 1878, Miss Mary Deckaral, a native of Smithville, to which union have been born two children-Emma, and an infant daughter (deceased). Mr. Gaither has a good home and farm comprising 1153 acres, all of which is cultivated. He is a radical tem- perance reformer, a Republican, and he and wife are communicants of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

JOSEPH HARROLL, farmer, is a native of Virginia, was born March 7, 1826, and is a son of James and Mary (Thrasher) Harroll, natives of Virginia, also parents of seven girls and seven boys. James Harroll moved to Monroe County, Ind., about 1830, and settled near Bloomington, there being then perhaps three houses. He lived for eighteen years on rented ground, after which time he purchased 160 acres near Smithville, and died in 1864, his wife preceding him by two years. Joseph Harroll worked for his father until manhood, and after- ward at making rails for 37 cents per hundred; at railroad work for $1 per day, and later, as section boss for eight years. With $1,100, he pur- chased 80 acres, on which he commenced farming. Soon after, he pur- chased, at times, various amounts of land, which he sold. He now has 110 acres, all in cultivation, with house, barns, orchard, fencing, etc. In 1861, he married Jane Holland, with a result of one child-Arthusa J. This mother died, and Mr. Harroll married, in 1865, Jane Adams, who gave being to four children-John, Samuel, Willie and Tabitha. Mr. Harroll is a Republican, a temperance worker, and a member of the Christian Church.

SAMUEL R. HUMSTON, physician, is a native of Lawrence County, Ind., was born October 19, 1846, and is a son of William M. and Lavi- nia E. (Glover) Humston, the former a native of Virginia, the latter of Indiana. The grandfather of our subject, Edward Humston, came from Scotland; he was a millwright, moved to this section at an early day and built several mills. Samuel R. Humston had a good common school edu- cation, and when twenty-two years old, began teaching in Lawrence County, and soon after commenced to read medicine under Dr. S. A. Rari- den. of Bedford, and to study Latin; still later, he attended lectures at Ann Arbor, Mich., and afterward began practice in Lawrence County, then at Heltonville, and since 1872 has done a leading business here. December 6, 1877, he married Miss Sallie R. Rariden, daughter of his former preceptor, to which union were born two children, both deceased. Dr. Humston and wife are members of the Methodist Church for twenty years. He is Republican in political choice, and furnished the following statement: Distance traveled in active practice, 12,380 miles; number of visits, 2,692.

DANIEL KETCHAM (deceased) was born near Shelbyville, Ky., in 1806. His father, Col. John Ketcham moved to this State with his fam- ily when the same was a Territory, and settled near Brownstown, whence he removed to Jackson County, and in 1818 to Monroe County, and

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soon after to the farm on Clear Creek, now the home of his youngest son. In 1836. our subject married Mary Worley, by which union they had four children-Eliza A., John H., Francis. William and Lizzie. In 1852, Daniel Ketcham moved with his family to Smithville, where he lived during his remainder of life. Mr. Ketcham was an affectionate husband, a kind parent, and an upright citizen. For thirty-five years, he was an honored member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in which he held several offices of trust. Religion sustained him at all times, and most particularly in his closing hours. When asked if willing to depart and if his trust was in Jesus, he answered affirmatively. He left this world September 23, 1877, in perfect peace. September 13, 1862, Miss Eliza A., eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ketcham, departed this life, a lovely and promising woman, whose loss is a lifelong lament. Mrs. Ketcham lives with her daughter, Lizzie Ketcham. and her grandchild, Minnie, on the homestead. Miss Lizzie is a gracious and amiable young lady, universaily regarded with admiration and love.

WILLIAM LEONARD, farmer and stock-dealer; was born Febru- ary 13, 1817, in Paoli, Orange County, Ind., and is the eldest son of Henry and Martha (Rains) Leonard, the former a native of North Caro- lina, who came to Indiana in 1816. The grandfather of our subject was of Irish descent. Henry Leonard tirst located in Orange County, where he remained two years, then went to Lawrence County for three years, whence he came to Monroe County and settled in what is now Clear Creek Township, and built a log house; the place consisted of eighty acres of timber. After a period of about twelve years, he moved near Bloomington, and remained. William Leonard was reared with his par- ents; his early education was sparse, having attended school only in the worst winter weather; but he studied by night, and thus acquired con- siderable education unaided. He worked by day at clearing, plowing and the like, and also split rails for 37 cents a hundred, and paid a debt of his father's for $100 at $7 per month. When twenty-two years old, he became a teacher, at which, in conjunction with farming, he employed his time during the year for two years, and also attended school at Har- rodsburg; then returned to teaching, and taught in the Woodard School- house seven consecutive winter terms. January 5, 1843, he married Lu- cinda Grimes, whose father was one of the first settlers and the first grand-juryman of the township. After marriage, Mr. Leonard moved to Perry Township, where he taught a six months' term in the free schools. For this he received $90, sold a colt for $10, and entered therewith eighty acres of land. After the school term, he moved to the farm on which he now lives, of 108 acres, making in all, as land owned by him, 252 acres. He has erected a large dwelling, good barns, and has the same cleared and in good cultivation, as well as stocked with excellent cattle. Mr. Leonard was once a Whig, but is now a Republican, and was Township Trustee at a time when each township had such an officer, and was afterward Township Clerk for two terms. He is an upright man, an esteemed citizen, a member of the Christian Church, of which he has been an Elder twenty years, and is now Sabbath School Superintend- ent. Mrs. Leonard died August 1. 1873, after which he married Mrs. Nancy Boruff, with one son-Samuel D .; she is also a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Leonard has been father of thirteen children, of whom six sons and three daughters are living-John H., a physician of Elkinsville; James T., a farmer; Alfred M., served during the war, and

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died after his return; William I., now in Texas; David M., died lin in- fancy; Silas M., now in Portland, Oregon; Lewis O., a graduate of Bloomington University; Homer, now attending Bloomington University; Martha J., now Mrs. W. J. Taylor, of New Albany, Ind .; Nannie E., now Mrs. J. C. Miller; Lida, a music teacher in Portland, Oreg.

L. T. LOWDER, M. D., was born near Springville, Lawrence Co., Ind., May 6, 1846, is the son of Lynden and Mary H. (Short) Lowder, and is of English-Irish origin. The father of Mr. Lowder was born in Boone County, Ind., in 1816, and came to Lawrence County the year following. His mother was born in Greene County in 1819. His paternal grandfather was Ralph Lowder, a native of North Carolina. His great- grandfather was John Lowder, a native of England. Dr. Lowder received a good literary education, having spent two years in Blooming- ton University. In 1870, he came to Harrodsburg and began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. Beard. After attending two full courses at the Indiana State Medical College, he graduated in February, 1873. He then came to Harrodsburg, and here has since been in successful practice. He was married, in 1873, to Miss Alice A. Stipp, a native of Harrodsburg, and a daughter of George Stipp, one of the prominent and successful farmers of the county. To this union have been born children as follows: Daisy E., Rosa M., Mary C., Lindsey C., Lillie E. and George. Politically, Dr. Lowder is a Republican. In 1864, he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Thirty sixth Indiana Volunteers. He was honorably discharged the same year. He is a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity and the order of Knights of Pythias.

CHESLEY D. McLAHLAN, M. D., is a native of Lawrence County, Ind., born October 29, 1847, son of Oliver and Sarah (Davis) McLahlan, and comes of Scotch-Irish origin. The father of Dr. McLahlan was an Ohioan and his mother is of North Carolina birth. The early life of Dr. McLahlan was spent in attending the district school and in his father's service. He afterward attended school at Bedford, Ind., where he obtained a fair common school education. He enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Forty-fifth Indiana Volunteers, and served until the close of the war. He was honorably discharged in 1865 at Indianapolis. In 1867, he came to Harrodsburg and began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. Beard, a very prominent physician. After attending lectures at Chicago Rush Medical College, he graduated in 1871. Since his graduation, he has been in active practice of his profession at Har- rodsburg, and has been very successful. The marriage of Dr. McLahlan occurred in 1871, to Miss Lizzie More, a native of Iowa. To this union has been born one child-Eva. Dr. McLahlan is a Republican, and for many years has been an earnest supporter of that party. Through his own energy he has made a success of life, and he has been the architect of his own fortune.

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Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical, Part 86

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