USA > Indiana > Cass County > History of Cass County, Indiana : From the earliest time to the present > Part 77
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JOSEPH GRAVES (deceased), who was one of the pione of this county, was born in Rock Castle County, Kv .. March 1. 1. He was the youngest child born to James and Betsey ( Pratt ) Gras the former of whom was a native of England who immigrated Amerien a short time before the commencement of the Revolutie ary war, espoused the enuse of the Colonists, entered the service der Washington, and served during the entire war: accompan Gen. Boone on his second expedition to Kentucky : participated. n Government sharp-shooter, in the war of Is12: afterward im grated to Missouri, where he died about 1515. The latter, his wi was a distant relative of the Inte Senator D. D. Pratt. Her de occured in Rock Castle County, Ky .. in about the year ISOS this year our subject enme with his father to Switzerland Coun this State: soon afterward they returned to Rock Castle Conn Ky .. but in 1512 they again came to this State, and this time local in Jefferson County. Though at this time Joseph was a mere 1 of but twelve years, he found an opportunity to render some gul service to the cause of his country when in the hour of need. 1 afterward accompaned his father to Missouri, where he remain until the latter died. He then returned to this State and located Deentur County. While a resident of that county his marriage cured to Sarah Howe, who, also, was at the time a resident of Des tur County. If a license could have been obtained this would ha been the first marriage in that county, but at that time the conn was yet nuorganize I and it was necessary for them to go to an adjoi ing county to have the marriage ceremony performed. In Isi !! o
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JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
bject came to this county and located upon a tract of woodland in ction 22, Jackson Township. Here he was engaged in agricult- al pursuits until his death, which occurred February 25, 1883. In earlier days he worked at mill-wrighting to some extent.
JAMES F. GRAVES, the oldest son of Joseph and Sarah lowe) Graves, and at present one of the prominent farmers of ckson Township, is a native of Decatur County, this State, and s born July 3, 1829. He spent his boyhood and youth working on his father's farm in his native county and attending the dis- ct school, in which, considering the limited advantages of that y, he received a good education. He came with his parents to s county in 1849, and located with them upon the old place in kson Township. In 1856 he located upon a farm of his own, -half mile east of the home place, where he has ever since re- ed. His avocation has always been that of a farmer. April 9, 56, he was married to Eliza Haines, a native of Clinton County, io, born May 8, 1830. She was the daughter of James and rtha Haines, natives of New York and South Carolina, respect- ly. His first wife died May 22, 1865, and on the 29th of March, 66, he was married to Rebecca S. Stanley, a native of Fayette unty, this State, born June 23, 1834. She was the daughter of orge W. and Elizabeth (Smith) Stanley, both natives of South volina. By his first wife Mr. Graves had three children, as fol- vs: Sarah E., born July 6, 1857; Albert, June 13, 1860, died ly 20, 1860, and Ida D., born July 16, 1862. He and his pres-
wife have had four children. Their names are Lenora, born vember 27, 1866, died April 5, 1868; Charlie, born February 10, 39, died August 29, 1869. The next was an infant son who died infancy, unnamed, and Pliny A.,born November 12, 1870. In poli- s Mr. Graves is a Democrat. He owns, in all, 400 acres of d, most of which is in cultivation. The farm which he re- es upon contains 160 acres, and is one of the most desirable loca- ns in Cass County. Mr. Graves is an industrious and success- farmer, and a No. 1 citizen.
JOHN J. GRAVES, of Jackson Township, is a native of De- ur County, this State, and was born July 15, 1832. He was the ond son born to Joseph and Sarah (Howe) Graves, who came to ss County in 1849 and located in Jackson Township, where they th spent the rest of their lives. When his parents came to this inty our subject was seventeen years of age. He has ever since ided in Jackson Township, and until within the last year or two has been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is the owner of ;hty-one and one-half acres of good land, which is a part of the me place where his parents had resided so long. Owing to the paired condition of his health he has retired from a life of hard rk, and he now devotes his time to overseeing his farm. His
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
father having located right in the woods, and the suitable age of our subject for labor at the time of their locating in this county, a great deal of hard work naturally devolved upon him. He chopped grubbed, rolled logs, plowed. ditched, und. in fact, did all kinds of hard work which the development of a new country necessitates. He remembers, for instance, attending thirty-one log rollings dur. ing one spring. Mr. Graves is a member of the F. & A M lodge and n Democrat in politics. He has been an industrious au l successful farmer, and is a highly respected citizen.
NEWBERRY W. GRAVES, one of the substantial and influen tial citizens of Jackson Township, is a native of Decatur Counts. this State, und was born April 22, 1539. He was the youngest child born to Joseph and Sarah A. ( Howe ) Graves, natives of Ken- tucky and Ohio, respectively. When our subject was ten years old his parents removed from Decatur to this county, and located upon n farm in Section 22, Jackson Township. The former has ever since resided in that township, and has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits. Anna M. Logan, a native of Jackson Town- ship, born January 4, 1552, beenme his wife February 11. 150 She was the daughter of George W. and Nancy ( Brofford) Logan. now of Jackson Township. Mr. and Mrs. Graves have had seven children. Their names are Earl, born February 16. 1570; Willie. born May 9. 1572; Stella, born January 19, 1875; Eva. boru Janu- ary 29, 1577. died August 11. 1550; Amma, born July 25, 1-50. died November 8, 1555; Frank, born July 26. 1554, and Laura, born June 14, 1556. Mr. and Mrs. Graves belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Graves is a member of the F. & A. M. lodge and a Democrat in politics. He is the owner of 251 acres of good land. most of which are in cultivation. His farm is fitted up with good buildings, among which is a brick residence, erected at a cost of about $2,000. He also owns 350 acres of Texas land. He is an industrious and successful farmer and a good citizen.
JOSEPH GRAY, one of the prominent farmers of this county, was born in Butler County, Ohio. December 20, 1530. He was the third son born to James and Ruth ( Merritt ) Gray; the former a native of Juniata County, Penn., and the Intter a native of New Jer- sey. When Joseph was yet a young child he accompanied his par- ents to Carroll County, this State, where they located upon a tract of land they had entered from the Government. There our subject spent his boyhood, youth and early manhood working upon his fa- ther's farm. He attended the district schools of his day, in which he received an ordinary common school education. In August, Is50. he came to this county, and located upon a tract of land which he had purchased in Deer Creek Township. Here he resided antil November, 1967, when he removed to Jackson Township and located where he now resides, in Section 25. March 7. 1567, he was married
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o Mary A. Neely, a native of Juniata County, Penn., born February 9, 1844. She was the daughter of William and Mary (McConnel) Neely, both natives of Juniata County, Penn. Mr. and Mrs. Gray have had four children. Their names are Mollie, horn May 2, .868; Harvey, born August 2, 1870; Maud, born December 29, .873, died August 3, 1874, and Harry, born May 2, 1878. Politi- ally Mr. Gray is a stanch Democrat. He owns a splendid farm of '60 acres in Jackson Township, and it is located in one of the best arming localities in Cass County. Besides this, he owns sixty cres of good land in Deer Creek Township. His residence is a andsome brick mansion, erected at a cost of $7,000. He is an in- lustrious and successful farmer, and one of the most substantial and prosperous in the county.
RUFUS C. GRIFFITH, an intelligent and enterprising young armer of Jackson Township, was born upon the farm where he now esides December 20, 1854. He was the only son born to David und Julia A. (McCauley) Griffith, the former a native of Virginia, f Welsh descent, and the latter a native of Ohio. His father was porn December 1, 1822; immigrated to Ohio in an early day; thence o this county in 1847. He located where Rufus now resides, where he remained until his death, which occurred May 23, 1873. The nother of our subject also died upon this farm in May, 1857, or when the latter was but two years old. Rufus spent his boyhood und early youth working upon his father's farm. During this time he attended the district schools, in which he received an ordinary common school education. He afterward attended an academy in Logansport about eight months. In December, 1873, he went to Alabama, where he remained until August, 1874. He then returned o this county, and soon afterward he located upon the old home place, where he has ever since pursued the occupation of a farmer. February 27, 1878, he was married to Carrie S. Davis, a native of Fulton County, this State, and daughter of George W. and Eliza- beth ( Williams) Davis, of Galveston. She was born December 8, 1858. To them two children have been born. Their names are Everett, born August 11, 1879, and Bessie E., born April 21, 1885, both of whom are living. Mr. Griffith is a member of the K. of P. and I. O. O. F. lodges, and is a Republican in politics. He owns a arm of 165 acres of excellent land, about 150 of which are in a high state of cultivation. He is an industrious and successful farmer and a good citizen.
REV. ALLEN HILL, pastor of the Baptist Church at Galves- on, is a native of Jennings County, this State, and was born Janu- ary 10, 1831. His paternal grandfather, Thomas Hill, was born in the State of New Jersey March 17, 1763. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and continued in the service until the struggle for independence culminated in the surrender of Cornwallis, at which
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
he was present. Soon after the war closed he was married to Mary Stone, by whom he became the father of five sons. The third Non, Thomas, and the father of our subject. was born near the French Broad River. in Tennessee. September 12. 1797. When four years old his parents removed to Pulaski County, Ky., and in March, 1>17. they came to this State and located in Jennings County. Here the older. Thomas Hill, having been. in 1500, ordained a minister in the Baptist Church, soon began in his wilderness home to collect the few settlers in his reach into some one of their cabins and preach to them the way of salvation. As the result of his la- bors, n Baptist Church was organized in the cabin of the younger Thomas Hill in IS22, the latter becoming a member upon the day of its organization. Thomas Hill, Jr., was license l to preach in 1823; was ordained in 1>25, and for over fifty years he gave his whole at- tention to the ministry. He died March 24. 1576, after serving one church as its pastor for thirty-five years, consecutively. His family consisted of three sons and five daughters, five of whom, two sons and three daughters, are yet living. The subject of this sketch was the second son. During his earlier life he enjoyed only the privileges of a common school, which he attended during the winter months, having spent the balance of the time laboring upon the farm. His early school-training was afterward supplemented by a course of instruction in the Jennings County Academy and one Year's work in Lancaster College and Jefferson College. In July, 161, he organized Company H. of the Twenty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Regiment, and served as its captain one year, when, owing to the impaired condition of his health he was compelled to resign. In April, 1563. he located in Illinois, where he resided fourteen years. In February, 1566, he united with the Little Flock Baptist Church, in Cumberland County, Ill. ; April 4. 1569. he was licensed to preach by said church. and on January 22, 1870, he was ordained. since which time he has labored continuously in the ministry. In 1>74 he was elected county superintendent in Coles County, Ill .. in which capacity he served three years; when, at the earnest request ยท of. the Coffee Creek Church. in Jennings County. Ind., he resigned his office, returned to the old homestead in his native county, and took up the work upon which his father had been engaged for thirty-five years. After serving this church as pastor for three years he was assigned, by the State Board. to do missionary work ut Vernon and North Vernon. Having received a call from the Baptist Church, at Galveston, he, in April, 1884. removed with his family to that place, where he has since resided. February 14. 1950, he was married to Salena H. Hudson, who died January 5. 1554. laving one child-a daughter, three years old-now Mrs. Emmar tta Dixon, of North Vernon. February 24, 1556, he was married to Marah E. Malcomb, by whom he has four children-three
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sons and one daughter-all living. In politics Rev. Hill formerly affiliated with the Republican party, having cast his first vote for John C. Fremont. Upon the financial question he voted, for several years, with the National Greenback party. He now believes that the temperance question overshadows all others, and is, in sentiment, an uncompromising Prohibitionist.
SIMEON A. HOUSE, one of the enterprising citizens of Jackson Township, was born in Preble County, Ohio, November 17, 1843. He was the third son born to Simeon and Alpha (Blankenbaker) House, both natives of Virginia, of English and German descent. Our subject spent his boyhood and youth upon his father's farm in his native county. In 1865 he came to this county and located upon a farm in Jackson Township. He removed to a farm in How- ard County in the fall of 1866, and a year later he removed to Deer Creek Township, Miami County. He returned to Howard in 1869, and in the following year he again came to this county and located in Jackson Township. He returned to Miami County in the fall of 1872, where he remained until 1881. In that year he again came to this county and located where he now resides, in Section 10, Jackson Township. His occupation during his entire life has been that of a farmer. February 17, 1866, he was married to Elizabeth Adams, a native of Huntington County, this State, born of English descent July 4, 1848. She was the daughter of Daniel and Indi- ann (Baldwin) Adams, natives of Kentucky and Ohio, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. House have had seven children, six of whom are liv- ing. Their names are Melvin E., born November 16, 1866, died February 26, 1872; Jessie B., born March 19, 1868; Walter A., January 24, 1873; Noley A., September 12, 1874; Martin L., Feb- ruary 5, 1878; Orbie R., January 31, 1880, and Nellie P., April 30, 1883. Mr. and Mrs. House belong to the Christian Church. Politically Mr. House is a Democrat. He owns a handsome little farm of eighty acres where he resides, besides forty acres of good land in Section 9 of the same township. His home is fitted up with good buildings and fences, and is a very desirable location. Mr. House is a pushing, energetic and successful farmer, and a No. 1 citizen.
BARNABAS L. KING, one of the prominent citizens of Gal- veston, is a native of Preble County, Ohio, and was born April 26, 1832. He was the third son born to John and Elizabeth (Collins) King, the former a native of Warren County, Ohio, of Irish descent, and the latter a native of Tioga County, Penn., of English and Ger- man descent. His father and mother were the parents of twelve children-eight sons and four daughters-all of whom, strange to say, are still living, the youngest being past thirty years of age. When our subject was quite young, his parents moved to a farm in Darke County, Ohio, where his father died. Here our subject spent
35
806
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
his boyhood and youth working upon a farin and in n saw-mill. Ho returned to Preble County in 1956, where he was engaged in saw- milling until May 1, 1564. At this time he entered Company B. One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Ohio Regiment, with which he served the full time of his enlistment, receiving his discharge about Sep- tember 1, 1561. He then returned to Preble County and resumed saw-milling. In March, 1566, he immigrated to Cass County and located at Galveston, where he purchased n saw-mill, which he has ever since continued to operate, and in which he has been very suc- cessful. March 24, 1559, he was married to Sarah A. Wells, a na- tive of Butler County, Ohio, born November 15, 1939. She died October 28, 1567. June 2, 1869. he was married to Mrs. Mary A. Keeler, daughter of William Newcomb, a native of Maryland. By his first wife he had but one child. William A .. December 20, 1569. Mr. King is a member of the G. A. R. and n Prohibitionist in pol- ities. He is an industrious and successful man and a highly re- spected citizen.
DR. S. F. LANDRY, a practicing physician of Galveston. Was born in Lexington, Preble Co., Ohio, March 25, 1534. He was the oldest son born to Richard and Elizabeth (Smith ) Landry. the for- mer a native of Staunton, Miami Co., Ohio, and the latter a native of Guilford County. N. C. His father was of French, and his mother of German and Irish descent. The latter's maternal ancestry was among the Coble family, who were formerly wealthy plantation and slave owners of Orange and Guilford Counties, N. C. When our subject was about eight years old, his parents removed to Harris- burg, Montgomery Co., Ohio, where for three years his father worked at his trade, which was that of a blacksmith. In 1545 they came to this State and located at Lockport, Carroll Co. Here his father worked at his trade until 1856, when he located upon a farm near Rockfield, of the same county. Three years later he located in Rockfield, where he resumed his trade and followed it until about 1575, when, owing to the impaired condition of his eye-sight, he ( father ) was compelled to abandon it altogether. In August, 1975. he removed to a farm one mile west of Woodville, Carroll County. now known as the Linkhauer farm, where his deathoccurred in Au- gust, 1880. He was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in polities was a strong supporter of the principles of the Whig and Republican parties. The mother of our subject was also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her death of- eurred at Rockfield in June, 1561. The early life of our subject was spent with his parents, during which time he was kept closely to his studies, and by the time he was thirteen years of age, he had. in addition to a good knowledge of the common branches, also at- tained a knowledge of phrenology and electricity, and at this early age he entered the lecture-field and displayed a wonderful kuowl-
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edge of these subjects. His reputation as such became so widely extended, that he soon became known as the American Juvenile Phrenologist. He located in Galveston July 9, 1861. March 9, 1856, he was married to Mariamne Banfield, a native of Preble County, Ohio, born October 6, 1838. She was the daughter of Samuel and Ellen (Smith) Banfield, the former a native of Ohio, and the latter a native of Guilford County, N. C. To them have been born six children, as follows: Edward A., Stanley M., Hugh W., Ivor, Otto and an infant daughter, deceased, unnamed. Of these, Edward A. and Ivor are deceased. Dr. Landry is a Repub- lican in politics. He is a well-informed and intelligent gentleman, and his knowledge and works upon the subjects of geology, zoology, botany and ethnology entitle him to a high place among the natur- alists of the United States. While a resident of Carroll County he taught sixteen terms of school, fourteen of which he was principal of graded schools at different places. He has attained considerable reputation as a surgeon, and has performed over 150 surgical oper- ations, some of which required extraordinary skill. His life-work may be summed up in this, to wit: He has been a teacher, poet, lecturer and scientist, and is a physician of thirty years' experience. As a fit tribute to his son who, at present, is one of Cass County's most promising youths, we append the following biography of Staley M. Landry. He was born near Rockfield, Carroll County, this State, March 2, 1861. His early life was spent at the home of his parents in Galveston. He attended the public school of that place, in which he received a good common school education. At the age of fifteen he attended a normal school at Bunker Hill one term. During the two winters following, he taught school in Howard County. In 1878 he entered the State Normal, at Terre Haute, where he attended two terms. He was then employed in the public schools of Kokomo, as second principal, which position he held for one year. In the capacity of a teacher he was more than ordinarily successful. In July, 1882, he received an appointment as cadet to West Point. At that place he pursued his military studies about one year and a half, when, on account of impaired health, he resigned. Having passed a satisfactory examination under a civil service commission at Indianapolis, in July, 1884,he received an appointment in the Pension Department at Wash- ington. This position he held until September, 1885, when he accepted a cadetship in the Revenue Marine Service. He is a young man of more than ordinary ability, with good habits, and a character that is irreproachable.
JAMES A. LEWIS, one of the pioneers and respected citi- zens of Jackson Township, this county, is a native of Lawrence County, Ill., and was born November 16, 1820, He was the only child born to Peter and Mahala (Spencer) Lewis. His father died before he was one year old, and while he was yet a young child he
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
was given to his grandparents. Isaiah and Nancy (Julian) Lewis. who were among the first settlers of Lawrence County. Thus left without a father at this early age, and having been unavoidably ropa- rated from his mother, though the latter lived until he was thirteen years of age. he has no recollection of her in the least, and, conse. quently, he possesses no knowledge of either of them but such as he has been able to obtain through others. But this sad state of things was, in n mensure, obvinted through the kindness of grand- parents, who became parents to him in every thing but in fact. He remained with them during his childhood and youth. accompanying them, in 1525, to Vigo County. this State, where his grandfather died in 1-36. In I>39 our subject went out into an unfriendly world to fight its battles for better or for worse. Two years later. in June, 1>11. he came to Cass County and Joested upon a tract of wixalland on Big Pipe Creek, in Tipton Township. This land he af. terward entered from the Government. Here he immediately set about clearing up a farm, und. amidst all of the privations of pio- meer life, supplemented with sickness and limited circumstances, he eume forth triumphant. In the course of a few years his tract was changed from a wilderness to a handsome and well-cultivated farm. Here he was engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1555, when he purchased n grist-mill upon Pipe Creek. He then gave his atten- tion to the management of this mill about three years. He then located upon a farm upon the Wabash River. in the Indian reserve. Tipton Township. In 1965 he immigrated to a farm in Vermillion County, Ill., but n few months later he returned to this county. and loented where he now resides. in Section 31. Jackson Township. Angust 1. 1839, he was united in marriage to Jeanetta C. Tritt, a untive of West Virginia, born April 11. 1522. She was the dangh- ter of Peter and Sallie ( Bowyer) Tritt, both natives of Virginia. To them five children have been born. Their names are William R .. Nancy M .. Sarah R .. Alice A., and another who died in infancy unnamed. In politics Mr. Lewis was formerly a Republican, but is at present an ardent Prohibitionist. He has never identified him- self with any church, but is a firm believer in the principles of Christianity. He and his wife are now spending their declining days at their home, near Galveston. They are in comfortable cir- cumstances and are well-respected citizens.
GEORGE W. LOGAN, one of the early settlers of Jackson Township, and one of the pioneers of the county, was born in Fayette County, this State, September 6. 1527. He was the fifth som born to Thomas and Anna (Smith ) Logan, both natives of North Carolina. When George was four years old his parents re- moved to Clinton County, this State, where he spent his boyhood nud youth working upon a farm. In 1550 he came to this county nul located upon a farm ir. Section 7. Jackson Township, where he
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