USA > Indiana > Fayette County > History of Fayette County, Indiana: containing a history of the townships, towns, villages, schools, churches, industries, etc.; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; biographies, etc., etc. > Part 41
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MAJ. JOHN W. ROSS, Postmaster, Conners- ville, was born in Franklin County, Ind., September 30, 1837, received the best common school edu- cation the surroundings afforded, and was raised on
a farm. His parents, John S. and Hannah (Masters) Ross, were natives of Pennsylvania, former born Sep- tember 13, 1805. They were married in 1827, and came to Indiana in 1834, locating in Franklin County; then moved to Fayette County in 1853. Mr. Ross, July 29, 1861, enlisted in Third Indiana Battery, under Capt. W. W. Frybarger. October, 1862, he was promoted to Lieutenant, and February, 1863, at Knoxville, Tenn., he was appointed Assistant Chief of Artillery, and Chief of Ordnance Department of Ohio, with rank and pay of Major. He served his country, in all, over three and a half years. After his return home he was married, December 18, 1865, to Miss Sarah M. Hanson, born October 10, 1837. By this union one child has been born-Mary A. March 28,1866, Mr. Ross engaged in the grocery business with M. C. Buckley, continuing up to February 1, 1868, at which time he sold out. After a short season of rest, our subject formed, in 1869, a partnership with Mr. Leonard in same business, and this firm existed up to 1871, when he purchased Mr. Leonard's inter- est, conducting the business alone up to 1873. He then sold a half-interest to Mr. Morrison, a clerk whom the Major had educated to the business. The firm of Ross & Morrison existed up to September 12, 1882, when our subject sold out and accepted the appointment of Postmaster February 1, 1883. Maj. Ross was also Assessor of Internal Revenue from December 23, 1871, to February, 1873, and Rev- enue Collector from March 10, 1874, to February, 1876. Our subject prospered in all his undertakings. He has filled all the positions of trust with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of the people. He is a member of I. O. O. F. and Encampment, also G. A. R.
JOHN B. SALYER, Connersville, is the honored Superintendent of Fayette County Infirmary. He is known as one of the most placid-tempered men of the connty, and is therefore made the subject of many practical jokes, which he is ever able to reciprocate with a completeness and facility peculiar only to himself. His even temper is perhaps hereditary rather than acquired, as his father and uncle (to him ever equal masters during his minority) dwelt together and reared families in the same house, holding their property in common, with twenty children as the result of their respective unions. His parents were Charles and Margaret (Waters) Salyer, natives of Carolina and Virginia respectively, and of English and Irish descent. They came to this county in an early day, and purchased a large tract of land, which the two brothers cultivated in common, at their father's request, as related above. John B., whose name heads this sketch, was born February 14, 1827. He spent his early years in the common family of his
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father and uncle, employed in the arduous labors of the farm. At the age of twenty-two he was married to Adeline Osbon, also a native of this county, and by this wife ten children are now living: Andrew J., Richard, Lewis, Ham, Theo, Bode, May A., Belzura, Flora and Maria. For several years after his mar- riage Mr. Salyer resided on the home farm. He then purchased 140 acres in Jackson Township, where he also lived a number of years. He at length disposed of his farm, however, and embarked in the grocery trade, at Everton, conducting this business three years, holding the office of Postmaster at the same time. After a few years spent in the milling and lumber business, Mr. Salyer returned to the farm, where he was engaged till 1879, in which year he was appointed to his present position of Infirmary Superintendent, an office which he has since retained, and the duties of which he has most faithfully and efficiently discharged.
CHARLES B. SANDERS, City Treasurer, Con- nersville, Notary Public, insurance and real estate agent, and possessor of the only abstract of titles in the county, is a native of New York, born August 26, 1827. He received a common school education, and at the age of eleven years was taken with necrosis of the left tibia, which confined him to his bed for three years. In 1869 he had his leg amputated three inches below the knee, which gave relief. His father, Eli- phalet Sanders, was born in Connecticut, February 22, 1790; died May 19, 1853. His mother was born in New York, September 17, 1794; died April 18, 1881. In early life Charles B., as far as health would per- mit, followed the woolen-mill business. In 1864 he began machinists' work for a livelihood, at which he continued up to 1872, when he was elected County Recorder, and his work being regular he was re-elec- ted in 1876. Mr. Sanders was married April 10, 1853, to Miss Ann P. Caswell, a native of Ohio, who was born . May 12, 1833, and by this union there is one child- Clinton A .- now a resident of Richmond, and a ma- chinist with the Hoosier Drill Company. Our subject came to this county March 27, 1857. He is a mem- ber of I. O. O. F., Subordinate aud Encampment; a member of the Presbyterian Church.
JOHN SAVAGE, Connersville, was born in Ban- gor, Me., December 7, 1815; son of John and Margaret (Campbell) Savage, natives of that vicinity. The family, in company with Daniel Campbell, Jacob Nelson (related) and Henry Welch, in 1815 left Maine for the West, first locating at Columbia, near Cincinnati, where John Savage, Sr., died in the fall of that year. In 1817 the widow and family, with the families of the others mentioned, removed to what is now Fayette County. In 1822 the Widow Savage was married to John Adams, a farmer of Harrison Town-
ship, and their home was also the home of our sub- ject until he reached the age of twenty-three years. In March, 1839, Mr. Savage was united in marriage with Melissa Thomas, a native of the State of New York, and a daughter of Jacob Thomas, who settled in Fayette County, Ind., about 1822, having emigrated from Dutchess County, N. Y. By the union of our subject and wife seven children have been born, three of whom are deceased. The living are named Mar- tha V., Margaret C., Ruel I. and Emma. Mr. Sav- age in early life learned the painting trade, which occupation he has in the main followed through life. In 1859 or 1860 he was elected Sheriff of the county, the duties of which office he performed for four years to the satisfaction of his fellow citizens and with credit to himself. He has also filled other offices of trust. In politics he is a Republican. He is a F. & A. M., one of the oldest members of the fraternity now living in the county.
THOMAS SHAW, grocer, Connersville, was born in Butler County, Ohio, August 1, 1829. He was reared on a farm and received a common school edu- cation. His parents, Albin and Ruth (Welch) Shaw, were natives of Butler County, Ohio. The former was born July 6, 1808; the latter was born December 10, 1807, died in July, 1879. The subject of this sketch followed farming up to 1848, in which year he took up the carpenter's trade, following same for a livelihood. In 1862 he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment, from Rush County, Ind. He served two years as a pri- vate, receiving slight scalp and hip wounds as last- ing mementos of Decatur and Atlanta. In 1864 he returned to Connersville and worked for Roots in the foundry, then for Cooley, Morrison & Co., after which he was received as partner. In 1879 he sold out and returned to the foundry, working for one year. In 1881 our subject engaged in the grocery business, continuing in same up to the present time. He was married, August 2, 1850, to Miss Margaret Willie, a native of Butler County, Ohio, and to them were born four children: James E., Alonzo, Martha M., Ida C., all now deceased. His wife died March 16, 1860. Mr. Shaw was again married, on this occasion Feb- ruary 1, 1863, to Caroline Knapp, a native of Rush County, Ind., born October 2, 1829. He is a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F., Subordinate and Encampment, also of the K. of P. Uniform Rank. He is a con- sistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
AUGUSTUS M. SINKS, editor and proprietor of the Connersville Times, was born in Bethel, Clermont Co., Ohio, March 27, 1838. He received a com- mon school education in his native village, and sub- sequently entered what is now known as the National Normal University, at Lebanon, Ohio, where he pur-
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sued a course of study which completed his scholastic education. Mr. Sinks in early life was engaged in school teaching, during which period he read law under the instruction of Hon. R. W. Clark, of Batavia, Ohio. He was admitted to the bar in 1863, and the same year was honored by the citizens of the county in his election to the office of Clerk of the Courts of the county, the duties of which office he performed with credit to himself and honor to his constituents, for three years. In 1867 he removed to Connersville, Ind., and purchased the office of the Connersville Times, which paper he published in con- nection with his brothers until in the spring of 1871; he then resumed the practice of law, forming a part- nership with Hon. J. M. Wilson, which continued until in the fall of 1876. November 9, 1881, Mr. Sinks, in connection with J. C. Ochiltree, purchased the office of the Times, which paper they togetber published until July 1, 1884, at which time Mr. Sinks became the sole proprietor. From 1872 to 1878 Mr. Sinks was City Attorney for Connersville. He was also for many years Attorney for the C., H. & I., Ft. W., C. & M. and W. W. V. Railroads. He has been twice married; first, June 23, 1859, to Miss Mary M. Quinlan, a native of Missouri, born in Weston, May 3, 1842. To this union was born one child-May. Mrs. Sinks died September 10, 1865, and October 18, 1870, Mr. Sinks was united in mar- riage with Miss Birdie Spangler, at New Liberty, Ky., where she was born May 23, 1850. Our subject is a genial and affable gentleman of scholarly attain- ments; he possesses a thorough knowledge of law, which eminently qualifios him for the field of jour- nalism, which he is successfully following. In poli- tics he is a Republican; his paper, the Times, being the official organ of that party in the county. Mr. Sinks is a member of Chapter and Council; is also a member of the I. O. O. F. His parents, Randolph M. and Eleanor H. (Clarke) Sinks, are natives of Ohio, born October 15, 1809, and August 5, 1816, respect- ively. His mother died July 16, 1850.
JOSHUA D. TATMAN, member of firm of Cooley & Tatman, photographers, No. 522 Central Avenue, Connersville, was born near Franklin, Warren Co., Ohio, July 7, 1828. He received a common school education. His father, Stephen Tatman, was born in Delaware, and his mother, Nancy (Ross) Tatman, was a native of Kentucky, born October 16, 1800; died October 16, 1876. They were married November 26, 1815, and came to Indiana in 1841, where he located as a farmer in Franklin County, and there died. In 1865 the subject of this sketch abandoned farm life and learned photography under his brother James. He started in business on his own account in 1872 with bis present partner, A. C. Cooley. Mr. Tatman was
married, January 11, 1872, to Miss Mary Morris, who was born July 25, 1838, and to this union have been born two children: Willie D., and Frankie M.
THOMPSON F. THOMAS, proprietor of livery, sale and feed stables (with accommodations for 150 horses), located on Central Avenue, between Fifth and Sixth Streets, Connersville, is a genial and courteous young man, born in Benton County, Ind., October 1, 1857. His parents, Sexton E. and Martha (Alexander) Thomas, are both natives of this county and State, having descended from old pioneer families of this vicinity. Sexton E., with little exception, has fol- lowed agricultural pursuits, though for a few years he lived in Connersville, where he followed his son's business, but he has again returned to his farm in Columbia Township. Our subject was raised on the farm, receiving a good common school education. In addition to the above business he conducts a first-class undertaking establishment, and January 26, 1885, he bought the furniture store of W. H. Moyer, and is now carrying on the largest retail furniture store in Connersville. He was united in marriage, July 1, 1878, with Miss Rose Hudson, who was born in Franklin County, Ind., June 2, 1859, and to this union have been born three children: Clair, Lessa and Flosie. Both our subject and his father are Republicans in politics.
ROBERT UTTER, County Treasurer, Conners- ville, is a native of Fayette County, Ind., born Jannary 2, 1843; son of Zimri and Susan (Winchel) Utter, natives of New York, former born Angust 14, 1796, the latter born June 11, 1798; they located in this county in 1816; were married December 25, 1817. Zimri Utter died January 30, 1880, his wife Novem- ber 6, 1864. Robert Utter received a good common school education. He farmed until August 22, 1862, when he enlisted in Company L, Third Indiana Cav- alry, under Capt. O. M. Powers, in Gen. Kilpatrick's command, serving until July 20, 1865, when he was mustered out of service and returned to the farm. January 17, 1867, Mr. Utter was married to Miss Mary F. Jones, a native of this county, born July 12, 1842, and to this union were born three children: Ottis, Eva (deceased May 30, 1884) and Nellie. In the fall of 1880 Mr. Utter was elected County Treas- nrer and re-elected in 1882. He was elected Trustee of Columbia Township two terms-1868 and 1869. He is a member of the [. O. O. F. and G. A. R.
RICHARD G. WAIT, a third member of the firm of Downs, Ready & Co., was born in Ohio in 1850; son of Richard and Mary (Woolison) Wait, natives of England. They came to this country when young, were married in the State of New York, and about 1839 moved to Ohio and settled in Hamil- ton County, where they are still residing. Six of
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their nine children are now living: John, Charlotte, Carrie, Ann, Mary and Richard G. The subject of our sketch remained the usual twenty-one years with his parents. He learned the carpenter's trade with his father, and was two years engaged at Indianapolis. In 1875 he came to Connersville, and since that time has been continually engaged in contracting and building. In 1877 he purchased an interest in the mill with which he is now connected, sold out a year later, and in 1882 repurchased. Mr. Wait was mar- ried, in 1871, to Lizzie White, a native of Dearborn County, Ind., and daughter of James and Esther White. Her father was born in South Carolina, from whence he came when a youth to this State, and her mother was born on the voyage to this country from England. Her parents are still living at Har- rison, Ohio. By this union three children are liv- ing: Harry, Essie and an infant not named; two others died in infancy. Mr. Wait is a Republican in poli- tics, and may be classed among the most energetic and industrious of Connersville's business men.
ANTHONY WATT, general manager of Con- nersville Gas Light Company, is a native of Pennsyl- vania, born in Philadelphia, March 1, 1823, and had a common school education. His father, John Watt, was born in Ireland; his mother, Edith (Rue) Watt, in Bucks County, Penn., in 1793, and died in 1874. In the spring of 1844 Mr. Watt located in Conners- ville and clerked for Elliott & Bro .; was sent to Alquina with a branch store, remaining one year, thence went to Harrisburg. In 1848 Elliott & Bro. moved their stock to Connersville, and Mr. Watt engaged in general business at Harrisburg for him- self, carrying on a farm in addition. In 1867 he moved his business to Connersville, but lived in Har- risburg. In 1873 he closed out his business and moved his family to Connersville, where he accepted the position of Deputy Auditor, in which he contin- ued for eighteen months. December 25, 1875, he engaged in his present business. During Mr. Watt's sojourn at Harrisburg he was Postmaster. Our sub- ject was married in October, 1852, to Miss Malinda Murphy, who was born in July, 1833, and to this union was born one son-John R -who is now engaged in Indianapolis as book-keeper. Mr. Watt is a member of the I. O. O. F. and Encampment, of which he is Financial Scribe; also Warren Lodge No. 15, F. & A. M., Maxwell Chapter No. 18, R. A. M., and Fayette Council No. 6, R. & S. M., acting as Secretary of all these Masonic branches. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
ELIAS WEBSTER, physician, Connersville, was born in Fayette County, Penn., October 31, 1805, son of William and Mary (Marsh) Webster, natives of New Jersey, the former born January 3, 1773, the
latter February 5, 1779. They moved to Ohio, May 1, 1806, locating in Butler County, twenty-five miles north of Cincinnati. Mr. Webster died December 29, 1846; his widow May 8, 1864. The subject of this sketch received a common school education and in 1822 embarked in the tanner's trade, which he followed for ten years. He then prosecuted farming in connection with other enterprises up to 1871, when he moved to Connersville. In November, 1864, he came to this county. Our subject read medicine at home, and attended lectures at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1850 and 1851, receiving his diploma February 12, 1874, from the Homeopathic college. The Doetor began the practice of medicine in 1835 and has con- tinued up to the present. He was married, Septem- ber 8, 1825, to Miss Mary Kain, who was born in Warren County, Ohio, January 5, 1809, and to this union were born nine children: William, physician at Dayton, Ohio; Samuel, born September 10, 1829, died November 11, 1832; Hugh, born March 3, 1832, died October 1, 1833; James K., a physician in Flor- ida; Joseph M., farmer near town; Taylor, born August 7, 1841, died September 11, 1882; Daniel, born July 10, 1843, died May 11, 1883; Sarah A., born January 13, 1846, now the wife of Rev. A. H. Jevis, and Mary J., born December 23, 1854, died August 11, 1855. Mrs. Webster died September 28, 1867, and our subject was again married October 31, 1871, on this occasion to Mrs. Mary P. Doughty, a native of Kentucky, born October 15, 1818. The Doctor is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
THOMAS WHITE (deceased) one of the early settlers of this county, was born in Tennessee in the year 1803. In 1813 his father with the rest of the family crossed the Ohio River from Tennessee, but trouble with the Indians made it necessary for them to return to the fortifications at Hamilton. In 1815, however, they located in this county and for some time were much annoyed by the Indians, who were then savage and troublesome. They purchased 160 acres of land in the east part of this township, Mr. White making some of the payments by cutting cord wood in the vicinity of Cincinnati. They resided here until about 1838, when they moved to Madison County, Ind., where the father died a few years later, the mother about 1852 or 1853. Thomas White resided with his parents till grown to maturity. In November, 1830, he married Elizabeth Douglass, who was born in Preble County, Ohio, in 1813, a daugh- ter of William and Cora N. (Cassady) Douglass, also natives of Ohio. Her grandfather came from Wales and was a lineal descendant of the old Douglass fam- ily so famous in history and romance. The Cassadys were of Irish descent and of an old and prominent fam -
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ily. After his marriage Mr. White inherited a por. tion of the old homestead in this county, and pur- chased the remainder. He followed farming till 1861, when he retired from active service and moved to Connersville, where he died in 1863. He was a man of firm convictions, serupulous honesty, and greatly reverenced by his family. Mr. and Mrs. White reared no children of their own, but adopted a sister's son, John T. White, who has always lived with the family. John T. was born in 1843 and in 1876 married Anna R. Halbert, a native of Maryland, and daugh- ter of Samuel Halbert. By this marriage three chil- dren were born: Thomas H., Elizabeth R. and James D. Mr. White is a carpenter by trade; a member of the K. of P., Uniform Rank; is a member of the Chris- tian Church. The family has been identified with the history of the county from the earliest periods, and its name will long be remembered and cherished.
CHARLES R. WILLIAMS, Deputy Anditor, Con- nersville, was born in Fayette County, Ind., June 10, 1830, and received a good common school education. His father, Charles, was born in New York, Novem- ber 23, 1791, and died March 1, 1868. His mother, Lydia (Jobs) Williams, was born in Pennsylvania,. April 16, 1800, and now resides with her son Ambrose, in Harrison Township. These old pioneers came to Indiana in 1814, and located in what is now Fair- view Township. The subject of this sketch taught school from 1848 to 1869, in the winter season, farm- ing during the summer. He was married, August 3, 1851, to Miss Caroline Ellis, of this county, who was born November 11, 1833. They have been blessed with the following children: Frank; Rose E .; Alice C .; Olive, died September 27, 1861; Menor L., died September 30, 1861; Laura; Eliza E .; Harriet E .; Roy L .; Bert and Charles. In 1858 our subject was elected County Surveyor, serving two years. In 1864 he was drafted three times, furnishing two substi- tutes, but finally went in person, serving five months in Company C, One Hundred and Thirtieth Ind. V. I. returning with no worse damage than a de- pleted pocket-book. As a reward of merit, in Octo- ber, 1874, Mr. Williams was elected County Auditor, and re-elected in October, 1878, discharging the duties of the office with credit to himself aud to the entire satisfaction of his constituents.
CASS WOLF, brick-maker and Street Commis- sioner, Connersville, is a native of Germany, born in Baden, June 29, 1846; son of Ignatz and Mag- dalene (Ufheil) Wolf, also natives of Baden. Our subject received a good common school education, and with his mother came to America in 1854, locating in Huntington County, Ind. In 1864 he went to Indianapolis, where he remained until 1878; thence moved to Jennings County, where he farmed for
three years; thence to Rushville, where he opened up a brick-yard, and in 1881 he came to Connersville, where he engaged in the manufacture of brick. Mr. Wolf was married June 6, 1872, to Miss Kate Cul- lins, a native of Marion County, Ind., born March 14, 1854, and three children were born to this union: Nannie G., born August 30, 1873; Bessie L., born July 1, 1876; and Daisy, born May 28, 1883. Mr. Wolf was appointed Street Commissioner in May, 1884.
GEORGE W. WOOLSEY, druggist, Connersville, was born in Evansville, Ind., March 8, 1847, and received a good education. He was raised in a drug store, and has followed no other business for past twenty-five years. In 1860 he went to LaSalle, Ill., and clerked in his father's drug store. In 1871 he engaged in business at Toledo, Ohio, where he remained four years; thence went to Carroll, Ill., where he was with Barclay Bros. In 1881 he came to Connersville, and purchased D. W. Andre's drug store, where he has established a lucrative wholesale and retail trade, carrying a general line of drugs and patent medicines, Sherwin paints, oils, varnishes, window glass, toilet goods, pure wines and liquors for medical purposes only. He also devotes his time to compounding the following valuable medicines for the trade: Penetrating oil, compound syrup wild cherry, extract Jamaica ginger, elixir buchu, juniper and acetate potash, Woolsey's salve, camphor ice, bouquet cologne, compound syrup sarsaparilla with iodide potassium, cocoanut hair oil, etc., etc., on which he gives liberal discount. Mr. Woolsey was married January 30, 1881, to Miss Mary Kinzle, a native of Pennsylvania, who was born May 10, 1860. He is a member of the K. of P. and I. O. O. F.
CURTIS WRIGHT, Connersville, formerly Sec- retary and Treasurer and now President of the Cooley-Morrison Furniture Manufacturing Associa- tion and now one of its principal stock-holders, was born in 1844, in Stark County, Ill., where his early days were spent. He is a son of Capt. W. W. Wright, who lost his life in the battle of Resaca, in 1864. His mother, Mrs. Ann M. Wright, now resides at Champaign, Ill. At the age of eighteen Mr. Wright enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Twelfth Illinois Volunteer Infantry (T. J. Hen- derson, Colonel; W. W. Wright, Captain,) and contin- ned in the service three years. He participated in thirty-five recorded battles, receiving his discharge in 1865. Soon after leaving the army he began rail- road work as bill clerk, at Cincinnati, and by his fidelity and efficiency rose through the various posi- tions in the company's service to that of Superin- tendent of the telegraph department, also having charge of the general ticket office during a part of that
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