USA > Indiana > Daviess County > History of Daviess County, Indiana : Its people, industries and institutions > Part 51
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Charles L. Stuckey was married in 1900 to Carrie B. Peek, the daughter of Charles E. Peek and Julia A. (Thomas) Peek. Charles E. Peek is the son of John and Winnie ( Palmer) Peek, and his wife is the daughter of William Wright Thomas. To this union three children, Donald J., Russell D. and Elva P. have been born.
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Mr. Stuckey is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He and his wife and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. The Stuckeys are prominent farmers in Daviess county and are clearly entitled to representation in a volume which purports to preserve the history of the people of this county.
THOMAS G. HORRALL.
It is certainly interesting to note in the series of personal sketches in this volume, the varying conditions that have compassed those whose careers are here outlined. An effort has been made in each case to throw well- focused light on each individuality and to bring into proper perspective the scheme of each career. Each man who strives to fulfill his part in connection with human life and activities is deserving of recognition whatever may be his field of endeavor, and it is the function of works of this nature to per- petuate for future generations an authentic record concerning those repre- sented in its pages. The value of such publications is certain to be cumulative for all time to come and will present the individual and specific accomplish- ments from which generic history is derived.
Thomas G. Horrall, the subject of this sketch, was born on the farm where he now lives in Veale township, in 1851. He is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Jones) Horrall. the former a native of South Carolina and the latter a native of Daviess county. Indiana. Thomas G. Horrall's paternal grandparents came from South Carolina and settled in Daviess county. They lived in Washington township, near what is now known as the Lillie farm, at which time there was a fort upon the farm. Mr. Horrall's maternal grandfather. William H. Jones, was a pioneer farmer in Daviess county.
Thomas Horrall. Sr .. the father of Thomas G. Horrall, came to Daviess county when a boy and from here enlisted in the Federal army, during the War of 1812. He was a farmer throughout his life. He entered forty acres where Thomas G., the subject of this sketch, now lives, but owned several farms at different times. At his death, he owned one hundred and fifteen acres, where Thomas G. now lives. The brick that were used in constructing the house, on this farm. Thomas Horrall, Sr., burned on the place. He also built the house, but in the division of the farm, at the death of the father, Thomas G.'s sister took that portion of the farm.
Thomas G. Horrall was educated in the Veale township schools, has
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lived on the old farm all his life, and has never been away from home more than two weeks at a time. Thomas G. Horrall owns sixty-five acres of land and rents considerable tracts of land from different neighbors. He has erected the present buildings on the farm and is engaged extensively in dairying.
In 1884 Thomas G. Horrall was married to Emmor Kelso, of Reeve township, Daviess county. To this happy union, one child, Edith, has been born. She is now Mrs. Ezra Bingham. All of the Horrall family are identified with the Methodist Episcopal church and they are all prominent in both the work of the church and the Sunday school. Mr. Horrall is a liberal contributor. Politically, he is a Republican, but he has never been active in the councils of any party.
MATTHEW L. BRETT.
One of the best-remembered men of a past generation in Daviess county, Indiana, is the late Matthew L. Brett, who served many years as auditor of Daviess county, several terms in the Indiana Legislature and as treasurer of the state of Indiana. Of Mr. Brett, personally, it may be said that he was a man of strong and active sympathies. His sentiment was warm and ardent, his feelings deep and intense, and these and other attractive character- istics unconsciously drew him a large number of devoted friends upon whom, under all circumstances, he could rely, and who, now that he has passed from earthly scenes, revere his memory. He was a close student of human nature and comprehended with little effort the motives and purposes of men. He was a lover of truth and sincerity and the very soul of honor. In brief, he is remembered as a manly man of pleasing but dignified presence, a student of many subjects and an influential man in the circles in which he moved. Of sound character and unflagging energy, he stood as a conspicuous example of symmetrically developed manhood. His position as one of the state's repre- sentative citizens was conceded by all who knew him.
The late Matthew L. Brett was born on January 5, 1823, in South Carolina. He was the eldest of seven children born to Patrick M. and Mary Brett, who came to America from Ireland immediately after their marriage, in 1820. They lived in South Carolina for about ten years and then came to Daviess county. Patrick M. Brett was a lawyer and professor and a prominent man in South Carolina and also in Daviess county. He held many
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important offices, among which was that of county auditor. He died in 1844 and his wife in 1868.
Matthew L. Brett was reared on a farm in Daviess county, where he spent most of his life. He was educated under the direction of his father and, although he was unable to attend college himself, he was able to afford that privilege to his brother and five sisters. At the age of twenty-one, he succeeded his father as county auditor of Daviess county, in 1844, and held this office continuously for fifteen years. During the time he was auditor of Daviess county, he also carried on farming, milling and in the mercantile business. In 1860, Matthew L. Brett was elected to the Indiana Legislature and served during the regular and special sessions. He served two years on a committee appointed by the Legislature to audit the expenses incurred by the state on account of the war. In 1862, Mr. Brett was elected treasurer of the state of Indiana and held this position two years. In 1872, he was elected to the state Legislature again and served during two sessions. Shortly after his service in the Legislature, he became a cripple and from this time on, until his death, he gave his entire attention to farming. He owned two hundred and fifty acres, a part of which was located near Washington, in Daviess county, and a part located in Warren county.
On June 1, 1858, Matthew L. Brett was married to Alice Hayes, of Vincennes. She was the daughter of William and Ann ( Beckes) Hayes. Benjamin Beckes, the father of Ann Beckes and grandfather of Mrs. Brett, was said to be the first white child born in Vincennes. Two children were born to Matthew L. Brett and wife, both of whom are now deceased, Anna, who was the wife of Austin F. Cable, and William, who died young. Mr. and Mrs. Cable had one son, Brett, who is the only descendant of Matthew L. Brett. Brett Cable has always resided with his grandmother and operates the old home farm.
Matthew L. Brett is said to be the only treasurer of the state who did not take any interest for the money deposited to the credit of the state. After serving his last term in the Indiana Legislature, Matthew L. Brett purchased a farm at the edge of Washington. He made many improvements upon this farm and here died, July 25. 1896, where his widow still lives.
Matthew L. Brett was a devout member of the Catholic church, and his wife is also a member of this denomination. Mr. Brett was a Democrat.
Matthew L. Brett's success was not achieved without unflagging indus- try and persistent, painstaking and judicious effort. No history of Daviess county would be complete that did not present the facts in the career of the late Matthew L. Brett.
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LEW W. BARBER.
The best history of a community or state is that which deals most with the lives and activities of its people, especially those who, by their own endeavor and indomitable energy, have forged to the front and won recogni- tion as progressive citizens. In this brief review will be found the record of one who has outstripped the less active plodders on the highway of life and achieved a career surpassed by few of his contemporaries, a career of marked success in agricultural affairs and a name, which all men who know him delight to honor. Because of his upright life ahd habits of thrift and industry, Lew W. Barber is one of the best-known farmers of Veale town- ship.
Lew W. Barber was born on the old homestead farm on September 27, 1862, the son of Nelson and Mary (Batchelor) Barber, the former of whom was born on the old homestead on June 12, 1833, and the latter in Knox county, the daughter of George Batchelor and wife, who died in California. Nelson Barber was the son of Aden and Eliza Katherine (Houts) Barber, the former of whom was born in New York and the latter in Kentucky in 1813. Eliza K. Houts was the daughter of George and Jennie (Graham) Houts, who came from Kentucky and entered what is called the old Barber homestead just south of where Lew W. Barber now lives. They entered one hundred and sixty acres. Stanton Barber, a brother of Lew W., now lives on this farm. The Houts family were of Scottish descent. Aden Barber was unmarried when he came to Veale township, where he purchased a farm from a man who had entered the land, and added to his original tract of forty acres until he owned one hundred and twenty-five acres.
Nelson Barber, the father of Lew W., was reared on the old home farm and educated in the public schools. He taught in Daviess and Franklin counties for several years, but soon took up farming and stock raising. He resided where his son, Stanton, now lives. He owned two hundred and twenty-five acres. Nelson Barber was a man of wide political influence in Veale township, having served as township trustee at one time. He and his family were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Nelson Barber and wife were married in May, 1857. They had twelve children, Aden C., Frank, Ellis, Edgar, Lew W., George L., John N., Stanton, Cora D., Bertha A., Ottis C. and Jennie Pearl.
Lew W. Barber, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the common schools and in the commercial college at North Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso. After completing his education, he taught school three years.
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Subsequently, he located on the farm where he now lives. Mr. Barber has. erected excellent buildings upon this place and is engaged in general farming.
On October 6, 1886, Lew W. Barber was married to Emma J. Thomas,. of Washington, who is the daughter of William R. and Malina B. (Johnson) Thomas, the former of whom was the son of John and Vina Thomas, who lived in Washington township, on what was known as the Ricks farm. Malina B. Johnson was born on the old Johnson farm, which was located on the Petersburg road, in Washington township. She was the daughter of Elijah and Mildred (Horrall) Johnson, the former of whom was born in Knox county, in 1796, and the latter in South Carolina, in 1802. Elijah Johnson was the son of Peter Johnson, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1758, and came to Indiana in 1790. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. The Johnson family is of Scottish descent.
Lew W. and Emma J. (Thomas) Barber are the parents of eight chil- dren, Jennie; Jessie, who died in infancy; Ethel; Hazel; Robert N .; Mary; Lillian and Mildred.
Fraternally, Mr. Barber is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Throughout his life he has been identified with the Republican party and has served efficiently as trustee of his township. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are active in its affairs.
WILLIAM C. SCUDDER.
There are individuals in nearly every community who, by reason of pronounced ability and force of character, rise above the heads of the masses and command the unbounded esteem of their fellow men. Characterized by perseverance and directing spirit, two virtues which never fail, such men always make their presence felt, and the vigor of their strong personalities serve as a stimulus and incentive to the young and rising generation. To this energetic and enterprising class of men William C. Scudder very prop- erly belongs. Mr. Scudder has never been seized with the roaming desires that have led many of Daviess county's young men to other fields of endea- vor. He has devoted all his life to the industries at home and has succeeded remarkably well, which is evidenced by a study of his life's career.
William C. Scudder was born on the farm where he still lives, in Veale township, in October, 1851. He is the son of John and Alice (Arrell) Scud- der, the former a native of New Jersey, the latter of Pennsylvania.
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Mr. Scudder's paternal grandfather, John A. Scudder, was a son of Kenneth Scudder, who was a general in the Revolutionary army, in which army John A. was a commissioned surgeon. Kenneth Scudder was killed by the British in this war. About one hundred years ago John A. Scudder came to Daviess county and settled in the central part of Veale township. It is probable that he entered land here. It is known that he practiced medi- cine and it is likely that he was the first physician in this vicinity. He also was engaged in farming. John A. Scudder had ten sons. He owned two hundred acres of land, only a small part of which was cleared, and there was only a little hut on it when he removed to the farm in the wilderness.
The maternal grandparents of William C. Scudder came from Pennsyl- vania about one hundred years ago and settled in the western part of Veale township. Mr. Scudder's maternal grandfather likely entered what is now the Rodgers farm, which he cleared and where he made his home and died.
John Scudder, the father of William C., was educated in the pioneer schools of his day and generation. He was engaged in packing pork, which he floated in flat-boats down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to New Orleans, upon which he also took corn and lard. Later in life, however, he gave all his attention to farming. He served in the Indiana Legislature, during the fifties, as a representative of the Whig party. He was a candidate for re- election after having served the first term, but about this time the American or Know-Nothing party was organized, and because he would not join in this movement he withdrew from the race. For many years he lived on a farm of two hundred acres where William C. now lives, which land he owned, as well as one hundred and twenty acres on the river in Veale town- ship. He erected practically all of the present buildings. John Scudder was township trustee for some time and during his entire life was prominent in the councils of his party.
John and Alice (Arrell) Scudder had six children, Jacob F., Ellen, William C., Alice, Lydia and Carrie. Jacob F. was a soldier in the Civil War. He is still living at an advanced age.
William C. Scudder, one of the six children and one of the two sons born to his parents, was educated in the public schools of Daviess county, and after finishing the public schools took a commercial course in a college at Evansville. After finishing his education, he became a farmer and stock raiser, having upon his farm a great many hogs and cattle. In fact, Mr. Scudder is still engaged in raising hogs and cattle and found it a very profitable phase of farming. Mr. Scudder owns two hundred acres in the old home place and a hundred and sixty acres on the creek, all of which is in
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Veale township. He is a Democrat and has been township trustee of the township and in this office made a record of which he and the people of his township have good reason to be proud. From time immemorial, almost, the Scudders have been members of the Presbyterian church, and William C. is no exception to the rule.
LOUIS GRANT TAYLOR.
Agriculture has been the true source of man's dominion over earth ever since the primal existence of labor and has been the pivotal industry that has controlled for the most part all of the fields of action to which his intel- ligence and energy have been devoted. Among the sturdy elements of Daviess county whose labors have profited alike themselves and the com- munity in which they live. is Louis Grant Taylor, a well-known farmer and coal operator. In view of the consistent life lived by Mr. Taylor, all of which has been passed within the borders of ths county, it is particularly fitting that the following short record of his career be incorporated in a book of this nature.
Louis Grant Taylor was born on October 7, 1864. in Washington. Indiana. He is the son of John M. and Henrietta (Painter) Taylor, the former a native of Germany, and the latter of Virginia. The paternal grandparents of Louis G. Taylor were Michael Taylor and wife, natives of Germany, where he was a stone mason. Mr. Taylor's maternal grand- parents came from Leroy, Virginia, and located first in Missouri. His maternal grandfather was a farmer, who died in Missouri, where he moved in 1850, and where he entered land.
John M. Taylor was born on January 4, 1827, in Wurttemberg, Ger- many, was the father of Louis Grant, and was educated in Michelbach, Germany, and there learned the stonemason trade, which his father had followed. He was a son of Jacob Frederick and Elizabeth M. Greiner. He came to America before his marriage, about April 5, 1854, and came first to New York city and, subsequently, to Louisville, Kentucky. There he began to work on the Ohio & Mississippi railroad, now the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern, and assisted in building all the stone bridges from Seymour to Vincennes. He came to Indiana in November, 1854, and for about twenty- five or thirty years he was in the bakery business in Washington. Subse- quently, he retired to a farm of eighty acres in Veale township, and there died in 1907. His wife is still living in Washington. Six children were
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born to John M. and Henrietta Taylor, as follow: John, Henrietta, Louis Grant, Elizabeth, William and Richard.
Louis Grant Taylor was educated in the Washington public schools, where, for a short time, he clerked in a store and then went to the farm. Mr. Taylor has an interest in the estate of his father, and, during the past fifteen years, has been a partner in the coal mining industry with his brother-in-law. They made a rather remarkable success of this business.
On December 23, 1888, Louis Grant Taylor was married to Mary E. Franklin, the daughter of John F. and Laura J. (Ragsdale) Franklin, the former a native of Germany, born in 1823, and the latter a native of Veale township. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Taylor spent all of their days in Germany. Her paternal grandfather was a miller and was killed while operating a flour-mill. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Taylor came to this vicinity in an early day and located near the old Bethel church, in Veale township. Her maternal grandfarther was a Methodist minister and a farmer. Mrs. Taylor's father, upon coming to this country, landed at Balti- more, but soon removed to Cincinnati, and at the age of twelve years started in life for himself. He became a wealthy land owner in Daviess county, and at one time owned over six hundred acres. He assisted in building the canal from Evansville to Indianapolis. He died while sitting in a chair on the old home farm in Daviess county.
To Louis G. and Mary E. (Franklin) Taylor, six children have been born, Anna, Pearl, Blanche, Fred, Lucile and William.
Mrs. Taylor is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Fra- ternally, Mr. Taylor is a member of the Tribe of Ben Hur. He is a Demo- crat. The Taylors are well known in this section of Daviess county and are highly respected citizens.
JOSEPH WILLEY.
Those who faced every danger and death itself upon the battlefield of the Civil War and bore suffering and made sacrifices for their country's sake, are especially deserving of mention in these annals. The younger generation should never forget that to them is due a debt of gratitude which can never be repaid, as the prosperity, liberty and happiness which we now enjoy is the direct outcome of their labors and loyalty. Among the honored
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veterans awaiting the last roll call, Joseph Willey, of Washington, Indiana, is one who gave nearly four years of his life in the service of his country, and who returned home after the war and has lived a life of usefulness and honor since that time.
Joseph Willey was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, on December 18, 1834. He is the son of Charles and Talitha (Stephenson) Willey, the: former born near Boston, on August 1, 1800, and the latter in Cape May county, New Jersey, on February 12, 1802. The paternal grandfather of Joseph Willey was Hosea Willey, of Massachusetts, who removed to Hamil- ton county, and some time later moved to Kentucky, and there died. He was a farmer. Some of the Stephensons served in the War of 1812, and also in the Revolutionary War. The maternal grandparents of Joseph Willey were Stephen and Sarah (Lake) Stephenson, the latter of English descent. They came from New Jersey in 1806, and located in Hamilton county, where they followed farming and where they died.
Charles Willey, the father of Joseph Willey, was educated in the pub- lic schools of Ohio. He remained in Hamilton county until 1838 or 1839, where he was a farmer and cooper, and then removed to Daviess county, where he resided until the fall of 1845, when he moved to Knox county. He died in Knox county, January 9, 1846. While a resident of Daviess. county, he lived in Veale township. After his death the family moved back to Hamilton county in March, 1846, and there Joseph Willey received his. education.
In October, 1855, Mr. Willey located on the farm in Daviess county where he now lives. He worked by the month in the cooper shop near by, which was operated by his uncle, Peter Stephenson, who had a station of "the under-ground railway," and who at that time was assisted by Joseph Willey. Later, Joseph Willey ran a cooper shop near where he now resides. Since 1874, Mr. Willey has given his entire attention to farming. He now owns the farm of sixty-three acres upon which his father settled in Knox county, and fifty-five acres where he lives in Veale township.
Joseph Willey enlisted in Company E, Fifty-second Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, on December 16, 1861, and served till January 31, 1865. He was slightly wounded twice during the war, but was never in a charge that was repulsed.
On February 21, 1856, Joseph Willey was married to Jane Cummings, who was born and reared in Pike county, and who is the daughter of Charles and Delilah (Rhodes) Cummings, of that county. Charles and
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Delilah (Rhodes) Cummings were early settlers in this county, and both came from North Carolina. On both sides of the family they were farmers. To Joseph and Jane (Cummings) Willey eight children were born : Talitha, on February 16, 1857, is now deceased; John R., January 16, 1859, is deceased; Mary Alice, November 17, 1865; Joseph died in infancy ; Carrie, January 31, 1871 ; Sarah, May 17, 1873; Bertha, April 28, 1876, is deceased, and likewise Cora, June 12, 1880. The mother of these children died on February 15, 1900. She was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church and was a woman of rare refinement and one highly respected in the community where she lived, devoted to her husband and her children.
Formerly Mr. Willey was a member of the Grand Army of the Repub- lic, but is no longer active. He served two terms as trustee of the township where he lives, having been elected in April, 1888, and re-elected in 1890, and because the Legislature extended the term of trustee, Mr. Willey served until 1895. He has also held other minor offices. Joseph Willey is an ardent Republican. Sarah Willey has always lived at home. Mrs. Willey attended the Indiana Dental College, and graduated in 1905. But on account of the death of her mother and two sisters she returned home to take care of the old home.
AARON W. LOCKWOOD.
That life is the most useful and desirable which results in the greatest good to the greatest number. Though all do not reach the heights to which they aspire, yet in some measure each can win success and make life a bless- ing to his fellowmen. It is not necessary for one to occupy eminent public positions to do so, for, in the other walks of life, there remains much good to be accomplished and many opportunities for the exercise of talents and influence, which in some way will touch the lives of those with whom we come into contact, making them brighter and better. In the list of Daviess county's successful business men, Aaron W. Lockwood has long occupied a prominent place and in his career there is much that is commendable. His career forcibly illustrates what a life of energy can accomplish, when plans are wisely laid and actions are governed by right principles, noble aims and high ideals.
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