USA > Indiana > Spencer County > Excerpts from atlas of Spencer County, Indiana, D.J. Lake and Co., 1879 > Part 3
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From Chio County he removed to Davis County, and from there, in April, 1818, to Spencer County, Indiana, where he purchased and located on a large tract of land containing a thousand or more acres, near the present village of Gentryville. He subsequently purchased other tracts of land in different localities, amounting to several hundred acres. Mr. Gentry was a man remarkable for his activity and industry. He did
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not fail to observe the probable capabilities of this almost uninhabited land. It was almost a new and unexplored field for adventure and indus- try. His comprehensive mind saw, at a glance, all those elements of country, and promising surroundings, which render it valuable when developed by the hand and skill of industry.
Through his intesest in the welfare of his family was intense through all circumstances, he was ever ready to serve in any and all ways, with- in his power, those who could be benefited by his large experience. He opened wide paths to industry and enterprise, and extended a helping hand to all honest and well disposed men, who sought help for themselves or families. Mr. Gentry had a family of eight children, viz., Mathews, Agnes, Allen, Hannah, Joseph, Sarah, James and Elizabeth. Of this number, the first six were born in Kentucky. Mathew, the eldest, died at his father's home near Gentryville. Agnes was married to Benj. Romine, an early settler in Spencer County, who removed from Kentucky. Allen married Anna Roby, daughter of Absalom Roby, also an early settler. Allen Gentry died on his farm near Rockport about the year 1863. Hannah married John Romine, brother to Benjamin, and is now living near Gentryville, this county. Joseph was married first to Rebecca Romine, subsequently to Mary A. Oskins, both of whom are dead. Joseph lives near Lincoln City. Sarah was married to Madison Hall; husband and wife both dead. Elizabeth was married to Enoch Lane, had a family of two children; mother and children deceased.
James Gentry, Sr., died in the month of June, 1840, and was buried at or near the old home.
The death of his wife occurred some time previous to his. He had acquired quite a handsome fortune, which he divided between his children.
James Gentry, Jr., was born near the village of Gentryville, this county, February 4th, 1819. Although his educational advantages were limited, he succeeded in gaining a fair English education. His youth was spent on his father's farm, engaged in the duties of farming and stock-raising. On the 7th of November, 1839, he was married to Elizabeth Montgomery, daughter of Robert Montgomery, a native of Pennsylvania. Mr. Gentry continued the business of farming, being also engaged for a short time in selling goods at Gentryville. In 1864 he removed to a farm on the river, 3 miles from Rockport, where he remained until 1877, at which time he removed to his present home one mile west of Rockport, on what is known as the "old Shackleford farm." Mr. Gentry has had a family of six children who arrived at the age of maturity, viz., Allen, Robert, Elizabeth, James W., Eliza A., and Mary M. Robert married Ann Lamar, daughter of Allen Lamar, a resident of the county. James W. married Sarah Littlepage, daughter of Beverly Littlepage, of Spencer County. Eliza A. married to W. T. Bullock, of Rockport. Elizabeth to James S. Wright. Mary M. to J. W. Haines.
As a business man Mr. Gentry is straightforward and honorable. As a citizen he is highly esteemed in the community. He contributed $1000 to the building of the Rockport and S.W. RR and spent much time in the interest of the same. He has never desired or sought forpolitical honor or office, although elected and served as State Representative from 1870 to '73. He was educated in the atmosphere of Democracy, and during all the changes of political parties he has been an undeviating Democrat.
(Of the ancestors of James Gentry . James Gentry was born 6-15-1778 the second son of Samuel Gentry. Samuel married three times. Children by the first wife were Joseph, James, Matthew, George and a daughter Agnes who married John Phillips 1-4-1799 in Surrey Co., N. C .. By second marriage he
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had Arthur, Thomas and Shelton. He married Sarah Brock May 24, 1787 and they had Samuel. Samuel Sr. was a Soldier of the American Revolution. He died in Barren Co., Ky .. This line has been cleared for D.A.R. by Spier Spencer Chapter through James and by Capt. Jacob Warrick Chapter through the Phillips' line.
Samuel's father was Joseph, born in Virginia; died in May 1813 in Surrey County, N.C .. His wife, Agnes, died about Feb. 1826. Their children were Shelton, Samuel, William, Elizabeth, Agey, Anne, Judith, Sarah and Susanna. This line has also been established by D.A.R. in both chapters).
CHARLES L. WEDDING
was born in Ohio County, Kentucky, October 17th, 1845. His parents though of high respectability were poor, and lived on a farm in a sec- tion of country possessing no educational advantages, and the aspira- tions of the boy for the higher position of life are indeed hard to account for. At the age of sixteen, still living upon the farm and without even a fair English education, he began the study of the law. Being unable to go away from home to pursue his studies in school or law office, he managed to procure a copy of Blackstone's Commentaries, and a Law Dictionary, and diligently prosecuted his studies until Feb. 1864, when he at the age of eighteen, and without any association with lawyers or attendance upon the courts, applied for admission to the bar of Kentucky, and passed the examination to which he was subjected by two Circuit Judges, whose action was no doubt influenced by the applicant's youth and intellectual worth, which was a yet, almost wholly undeveloped. After his admission to the bar, he located at Cloverport, Ky., but seeing little prospect here, after spending a few weeks in recruiting his health on his father's farm in Ohio County, he removed to Rockport, Indiana; arriving in January, 1865. The bar at this place was then full, number- ing among its members several of the ablest lawyers in Southern Indiana. The outlook was indeed unpromising. Several young men before him had failed to succeed in competition with these veterans, and the young men were generally discouraged. Being an entire stranger and penniless, it would not have been strange if even a braver heart had faltered, but being "endowed by nature with a good, well-balanced mind, an indomitable energy, a laudable ambition to make a foot-print on the coast of time - to mark the age in which he lived, so notwithstanding the adverse circum- stances surrounding him, so soon as he became his own master, he set out on life's billowy sea, determined to succeed or die in the attempt." His success, however, cost him much toil, and many a pang. He was young, sensitive and very poor, and for a period of two years his success seemed indeed uncertain, but he never doubted nor hesttated, and before he had reached the age of twenty-five, had a leading practice, and had appeared in the Supreme and Federal Courts of the state, in the trial of important cases, and from that time to the present he has been recognized as one of the ablest and most successful lawyers in Southern Indiana. Perhaps no man of his age in the state, has served as counsel in so many important cases, and certainly no one has or deserves a higher reputation at the bar, being possessed of a good mind, wonderful energy, and sterling integrity. In addition to being a fine lawyer, he is an impressive speaker, and as an advocate has few superiors. He works hard in his cases, and is always armed at all points. He is rarely, perhaps never,
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over-reached by the acuteness or ability of an antagonist. He is warm- hearted, confiding, and though he knows the value of the money he has earned, is generous to the poor, and to all works of charity. lle has used his earnings liberally for the comfort of his family, and some of his relatives have also been the recipients of his favors.
Mr. Wedding has perhaps the finest law-library in Southern Indiana, if not in the entire state, while his miscellaneous library, consisting of more than two thousand volumes, contains all of the leading works on history and general literature.
In politics, Mr. Wedding was a Republican until 1872, when he went with the Liberal Republicans, and has since been a democrat. He took an active part in the canvass 6£ 1876, making many able speeches in Indiana, and other states. Mr. Wedding is yet a young man, and devoted to his profession, and if he has good health with his energy, his ability and integrity, a still brighter future is surely before him.
JOSEPH SCAMMAHORN
The subject of this sketch, was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, on the 24th of June, 1829. lle is a son of the Rev. Jacob Scammahorn, who was one of the pioneers of the United Brethren Church, in Spencer County, and who began his ministerial labors near the town of Rockport, in the year 1850, having arrived during that same year from Chio, accompanied by his wife (whose maiden name was Jane Gilliland), his father, Luke Scammahorn, his mother-in-law, Patience Gilliland and three children, vis. : Joseph, John A., and Catharine.
Joseph Scammahorn, was married to Miss Annabell Hearn, of Hamilton County, Ohio, in 1850, by whom he raised a family of five children, viz. : two boys and three girls, Jesse, Jacob, Clara, Josephine and Viola. He commenced married life in this county in the year 1850, with $90, and has been engaged chiefly in farming, but feeling an interest in education. he engaged in school-teaching during the winter months, which he con- tinued for thirty years, with pleasure to himself and patrons; in the meantime owning several saw mills, both stationary and portable, threshing machines, steam and horse power, with which he helped to improve the county, accommodate his neighbors, and increase his wealth, with which he was always liberal in giving to the needy and all charitable enter- prises. In 1852, Joseph Scammahorn and wife, united with the U. B. Church, living acceptable members and taking an active part in the Sabbath-school. Being strongly opposed to slavery, he instinctively inclined to the Republican party, casting his first vote for John C. Fremont, in 1856, and has never seen fit to oppose strongly any leading candidate of that party since.
During the civil war, he was connected with the state militia; accepting a position on Col. Cook's staff, as Sergeant Major. He attended state drill, or military school, carrying Maj. Gen. Love's certificate of honorable discharge.
JOHN MILTON MYLER, M.D.,
The subject of this sketch, was born in Spencer County, March 2d, 1832. His father's name was Alfred Myler, a native of Tennessee. His mother's maiden name was Taylor, a native of Kentucky.
The educational advantages of J. M. Myler were such as the common schools of Spencer County afforded. Ilas been engaged in no business
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except that of his profession. Was married March 4th, 1858, to Mattie Montgomery of Princeton, Indiana. His second marriage was to Lizzie Richardson, Oct. 10th, 1861. He is a member of the M. E. Church, and also a demitted member of the Blue Lodge, and Royal Arch Masons.
THOMAS N. MILLER
was born in Kentucky, Dec. 25th, 1816. His father's name was Beverly Miller. His mother's maiden name was Almyra North. Of the ancestors of Beverly Miller, we have no definite traces. (His wife, Almyra North, was born Mar. 18, 1784 in Farmington, Conn., daughter of Lot North and Silence Horsford. Lot North, son of Timothy and Hannah, served as a Drummer Boy in Conn. Regt. He was born 1-10-1756 in Conn. Moved to Whitestone, N.Y. in 1799; then to Ky. ; then to Switzerland Co., Ind. by 1808. His children were Sydney, born 1-12-1782; Almyra born 3-18-1784; Abijah born 12-25-1787; Rufus born 9-5-1789; Abi born 5-21-1791; Ashel born 11-3-1792; Levi born 3-11-1793; Olive born 10-18-1794; ilulda born 6-20-1796 and Nancy born 1-5-1800. Lot died 10-8-1825 and is buried in a graveyard on North's Fam near North's Landing in Ohio County, Indiana. His besther, Thomas, also a Revolutionary Soldier, is buried in the same cemetery but is buried in Switzerland County. The County line runs thru the Cemetery) He has a family of seven children, six sons and one daughter, viz .: James, Polly, Benjamin, Lot, Joseph, Thomas and Edwin. Re removed from Kentucky, when Thomas, - the subject of this sketch - was quite young, and located on a farm about three miles from Rising Sun, Switzerland County, Indiana. At the age of 17 Thomas Miller left home; going to Rising Sun, where he remained about two years as an apprentice in cabinet making, after which he went to Cincinnati, Chio, where he remained about one year, finishing the work of his trade. At the age of 21, he returned to North landing, Ind., and was married Oct. 12th, 1837, to Chastina Cunningham, daughter of Jonathan and Phoebe Cunningham, who came from near the town of Essex, Vermont. When Thomas Miller left home, his mother gave him $25.00, with which he purchased a set of carpenter's tools which constituted his capital in business.
In autumn 1841, Mr. Miller removed from North Landing to Patriot, in Switzerland County, where he remained eight years engaged in the work of a cabinet maker, when he removed (in 1849) to a point about three miles above Patriot on the Ohio river, buying there a few acres of land upon which he erected a saw mill; being engaged in the milling business, until March 29th, 1854, when he removed his mill by flat-boat to Spencer County, Inc., landing April 5th, at Enterprise, buying 46 acres of land 24 miles distant where he made his home. Ile subsequently purchased 400 acres of land on which he rebuilt the mill; this land included the home farm. The mill he afterward exchanged for land, erecting another - saw and flouring mill - near the old homestead, on the Enterprise and Boonville road. lie removed to the present home of the family Dec. 1st, 1860, where he re- mained until his death April 1st, 1877. In the spring of 1872, he built a steamboat, viz .: "T. N. Miller," of which he was master, doing business on the Ohio and Wabash Rivers until 1875, when he sold the boat and retired from active life. Mr. Miller, had a family of six children viz. : T. M. Melissa P., Emma E., Cornelia A., Scott. E. and Frank M. Francis enlisted in Co. L. 42d Ind. Volunteers, during the late war, and was appointed orderly sergeant. He was killed at the battle of Perryville, Oct. 8th, 1862. Melissa P., was married to Thomas M. Glass, Sept. 15th, 1861, and
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now a resident of Spencer County. Emma E., was married to Francis Faught, then a resident of Ills, now of Spencer County. Cornelia A., died Jan. 23d, 1864, while a student of the Rockport High-school. Scott E., re- mains at the old homestead with his mother, engaged in farming. Frank M., is engaged in milling at Eureka. The latter two are unmarried.
Mr. Miller was politically a Republican. In early life he was not favored with any peculiar advantages, and his success must be attributed to his indomitable will and energy, which he displayed in all his under- takings.
(Thomas N. Miller died 4-1-1877 in Spencer County and is buried in Richardson Cemetery. His wife, Chastina, was born 12-16-1816, daughter of Jonathan and Phebe Cunningham, of near Essex, Vermont. They too migrated and Phebe's will is in Spencer County, Indiana, Will Book I, page 378. Chastina Miller died 4-28-1900 and is buried by her husband, Thomas. )
JOHN TIPMORE.
The subject of this brief sketch was born in Darke County, Ohio, August 25th, 1819. In those early days common schools were not in vogue, and educational advantages were limited. Mr. Tipmore received but a slight education at "subscription schools," barely learning to write and advance in arithmetic so as to be able to do common, every- day calculations. Aiming at manhood, he, like many boys, left home, and struck out boldly for himself. He went to Hamilton County, Ohio, and worked on a farm until about the year 1841 or '42, when he married Miss Sarah Babb. From Hamilton County he moved to "Egypt bottom, " in Switzerland County, Indiana, where he continued farming several years, then going to Vevay, the county-seat, where he kept a hotel one year. In October, 1855, he removed to Spencer County, where he farmed very successfully until his death, May 20th, 1877. He was a renter until about the year 1867, when, having accumulated some money, he purchased the farm on which he died, opposite lower Owensboro, on the Chio River. In connection with his farming he was for several years engaged in dairying, and was very successful in all of his business transactions, leaving at his death a very snug estate for his widow and only surviving son, William Tipmore, who occupy the farms left them by the husband and father. Mr. Tipmore was a worthy and exemplary member of the M.B. Church; was, politically, a firm and consistent democrat. He was a good man in all that the word implies: kind-hearted, public-spirited, a good neighbor, a kind husband and an affectionate father. Ilis large and benevolent heart was always moved by appeals from the poor and distressed, never turning a deaf ear to an appeal for charity. At his death the commmity lost an exemplary member; his family, a loving and generous protector and a faith- ful friend; the county and state, a faithful citizen. His career was an example of what industry, honesty, and perseverance will accomplish. Start- ing in early life, with out means or influential friends, he carved out for himself a handsome competence.
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HON. WILLIAM B. RICHARDSON.
The subject of this sketch was born in Hardin County, Kentucky, February 9th, 1809, and came to Indiana territory, with his parents, in 1815, and settled in what is now Perry County.
His father, Ebenezer Richardson, was born in Worcester County, Mary- land, in 1785, and moved to Hardin County, Kentucky, in 1796, where he resided until his removal to Indiana territory, in 1815, having, in the meantime, been married to Hannah Vanmeter, of Hardin County. He was a farmer by occupation, and was a fair scholar, having gained a good, common-school education under the most unfavorable circumstances, - educational facilities at that period being far inferior to those of the present day.
The family of his wife also experienced many of the hardships incident to a frontier life. While sitting by the camp-fire, Joseph Vanmeter, uncle of Mrs. Richardson, was killed by Indians. So hazardous was it to live in the wilds of Kentucky, that her father erected a fort in Hardin County, in order to protect his family against Indian depredations, The first year after Mrs. Richardson's arrival in the territory, he was com- pelled to return to Hardin County, his former home, a distance of sixty miles, for flour, there being no flour-mills nearer. It was not long, however, until hand-mills were brought into use, then horse-mills, then land-mills, the latter being considered a great improvement until the water and steam-mills took their places.
In December, 1829, W. B. Richardson moved to Spencer County, near the present site of Eureka. In 1833, he entered two hundred acres of land, where his home now is, and which was at that time almost an un- broken wilderness. During the same year, he was married to Mary Ann Luce, who was born in Muhlenburg County, Kentucky. David Luce, father of Mrs. Richardson, was one of the pioneers of Spencer County, having settled in luce Township at a very early day. He held the office of county commissioner before the organization of Spencer County, while the territory comprising Spencer, Vandeburg, Warrick and part of Perry was yet known as Warrick County, the county-seat being located at Darlington. His wife was Elizabeth Carter. Her father was born in New York and her mother in Virginia. Her grandfather was a native of England, and her grandmother of Ireland. Her grandfather left New York on that memorable foggy night that General Washington did. He was a great friend of Washington, and, on one occasion was in the act of killing a British Officer for speaking disrespectfully of the General, when his wife interposed, saving the officer's life. Mrs. Richardson's parents were married in Nelson County, Kentucky. During the earlier days of Virginia, her mother was often in imminent danger from the Indians, being many times surrounded by these savages.
Mr. Richardson received such an education as the "old log-school- house" of 1820 afforded. But his energetic mind not being satisfied with this, induced him to seek other sources of information, so that now, in his later years, a well stored mind is the result of application and close observation. When he first started in life, he commenced teaching school, but, not being adapted to that profession, he soon abandoned it, and returned to farming, which has always been his particular pride, and by close attention to this branch of industry, he has accumulated a handsome fortune, and is now the possessor of one of the finest properties in Spencer County, - the farm on which he has resided since 1836.
Mr. Richardson's children are as follows: ElizabethhR., John M., Minerva, Isaiah E., Robert D., David L., Maria, William L., (the latter two
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deceased), Helen and James B., all of whom are located near the old home, except Robert D., who is a lawyer located in Evansville, and enjoying a remunerative practice, and David L., who is one among the leading busi- ness men of Dallas, Texas. Those remaining in Spencer County are all highly respected for their worth and intelligence.
The public life of Mr. Richardson began in 1842, when he was elected "justice of the Peace," but owning to some defect in the papers and un- pleasantness of the county clerk against him, he did not receive his certificate of election, and within six weeks was re-elected, and held the office until 1847. In 1848, he was a candidate for the legislature against Judge Graham, being defeated by forty-nine votes. At the follow- ing election, and against the same party, he was elected, by a majority of three. The vote of one township being thrown out, through some defect of the papers, and a certificate of election issued to hisopponent. The election was contested, and Mr. Richardson was permitted to take his seat in the legislature. In 1853, he was again the democratic candidate for representative, and was again elected, his opponent being John H. Smith, the Whig candidate. In 1854, he was a candidate for state senator for the counties of Warrick, Spencer and Perry, against Judge Mason, the regu- lar "know-nothing" candidate, being elected by a large majority. After serving the people one full term as senator, he retired from the poli- tical arena, though his ardor and labor for the cause he espoused in his earlier days, have not ceased to the present day. His first vote was cast for Andrew Jackson, and from that time to the present, he has been a staunch supporter and an ardent worker in the democratic party, his opin- ions being sought by county and district politicians and conventions. He is a man of great earnestness and clearly-defined views of political ques- tions; therefore one whose opinion is sought by aspiring politicians. Mr. Richardson has passed the age of "three score years and ten" and still enjoys the respect and admiration of a host of associates and friends.
His children have reached the middle age, and, in lives of usefulness, are enjoying merited prosperity. For more than two socre and four years he and the companion of his early manhood and old age, the sharer of his joys and sorrows, have lived, toiled and struggled together. In the fulness of a ripe old age, they look back on long years of mutual assistance, and the comfort of their common sympathy, and the enjoyment of each other's society. The lingering sunset of life casts its shadows over long lives, fruitful of good and usefulness. Nearly three-quarters of a century have left him a hale, hearty and well-preserved old man; a quick, elastic step, active and energetic in business, still in the possession of his old-time habits of unflagging industry, with eye undimmed and mind unimpaired. Such is the imperfect personal sketch of Hon. William Braughton Richardson.
WILLIAM MATTINGLY
Was born in Perry County, Indiana, April 9th, 1820. His father was Thomas Mattingly;his mother's maiden name was Nancy Ann Woodson. The ancestors of this family were of Irish descent. The earliest definite traces locate them near Dublin, Ireland, from whence they emigrated to the United States, locating in the State of Maryland, during the days of Lord Baltimore. His grandfather, Joseph Mattingly, and great-grandfather, Luke Mattingly, were both born near the present prosperous city of Hagerstown, the county-seat of Washington County, Maryland.
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