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 42
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time. He remained in the employ of the railroad company about ten years, and then embarked in the furniture business, in which he has since continued. He purchased an interest in the Cooley-Morrison Fur- niture Manufacturing Association, became its Sec- retary and Treasurer, and exerted a leading influence in bringing it up from virtual bankruptcy to its pres- ent standing of prosperity. The institution is the out- growth of the firm Cooley, Morrison & Co., and the Cooley, Gregg & Co's establishment, and was incorpo- rated under the law of the State. It was formerly a stock company enterprise, but is now controlled by C. Wright, T. J. Rittenhouse and R. C. Wright, with a capital of $50,000. The factory gives employment to about one hundred workmen, and has a capacity of 350 pieces per week. Mr. Wright was married in 1869 to Nira Koogler, daughter of Dr. Koogler, of Connersville, and a native of Ohio. She is a niece of Gen. Crook, of Indian fame, and who, during the summer of 1883, received so much notice from the newspaper world. The fruits of this marriage are seven children, all now living: Bessie C., Nira, Annie M., Curtis, Jr., Nathaniel W., May and William W. Mr. Wright is a member of the G. A. R., also of the Presbyterian Church. He is an industrious, practi- cal business man, and possesses in a large degree those qualities of character in which the elements of success are inherent.
ROBERT C. WRIGHT, the junior member of the Cooley-Morrison Furniture Manufacturing Associa- tion, Connersville, was born in Stark County, Ill., in 1852; son of Capt. W. W. Wright. His early years were devoted to farming in his native county, where he re-
mained till his twenty-fifth year. He then studied law with Judge Wright, of Toulon, Ill., and practiced his profession till 1881, when he came to Connersville and purchased an interest in the manufacturing estab- lishment already referred to in sketch of Curtis Wright. Our subject is a young man of sterling qualities, both of mind and heart.
WILLIAM N. YOUNG, County Recorder, Con- nersville, is a native of Wayne County, Ind., born December 7, 1845. He was raised on a farm and had a common school education. His father, Will- iam, was a farmer and school teacher, born in Mary- land, August 2, 1822; moved to Indiana in 1837; died October 2, 1851. His mother, Rebecca Y. (Bennett) Young, was born in Wayne County, Ind., August 12, 1823; died October 19, 1863. They were married February 25, 1844, and in the spring of 1846 they moved to this county, where they resided until their death. William N., at the age of sixteen, enlist- ed in Company H, Thirty-sixth Regiment I. V. I., served three years and was discharged as Corporal. He then attended school until the spring of 1865, when he enlisted in Company F, Fifth U. S. Vet. V. I., serving till March, 1866. He then went to school and taught until 1880, at which time he was elected Recorder, being re-elected in 1882 for four years. Mr. Young was married, September 3, 1868, to Miss Eliza J. Chrisman, a native of Fayette Coun- ty, born June 9, 1849. By this union two children were born: William G. and Alva L. Mr. Young is a member of the I. O. O. F., K. of P. and G. A. R. In politics he is a Republican.
FAYETTE COUNTY.
S. ADAMS, farmer and manufacturer, Conners- ville Township, is a native of the State of New York, born April 14, 1825, son of W. T. and Elizabeth (Fruits) Adams, natives of New York and Kentucky respectively; married in Indiana. They subsequently moved to the State of New York, remaining until about 1845 or 1846; then returned to Indiana, where they resided during the rest of their lives, respected and honored. W. T. Adams was by occupation a pump manufacturer, aud did a largo business. The early years of our subject were passed in his native State, and at about the age of nineteen or twenty he settled in Franklin County, Ind., where he remained about one year; then removed to Fayette County, where with little exception he has since resided and been engaged in manufacturing and dealing in
pumps, in which line he has done an extensive and successful business. He has been four times mar- ried. His first wife was Mary A. Barlow, who lived but two years. His second wife was Eleanor P. Clark, by whom he had four children, three of whom are now living: Mary M., Elnora and Queen. After the death of this wife Mr. Adams married Phoebe J. Crandel, and after her death he was united in marriage with Amelia J. Enos, his present wife, who is a native of Butler County, Ohio, a daughter of William and Re- becca Enos. Mr. Adams, one of the substantial men of Fayette County, has served as Treasurer of East Connersville, and was several years School Trustee. In politics he is a Republican.
LEVI AYERS, farmer, Posey Township, was born in Butler County, Ohio, in 1813, son of Henry and
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BIOGRAPHIES.
Mary (Tucker) Ayers, former born in Pennsylvania, latter in Ireland, being three years old when her par- ents came to America. In 1828 Henry Ayers with his family settled two miles north of Connersville, where they lived five years. He was a cooper by trade. In 1833 he settled on the present Jeffrie farm, same township, living there till 1837, at which time they settled permanently on the land now owned by Levi Ayers, Posey Township. Henry Ayers died in 1848 in the sixty-sixth year of his age. His widow died in 1851, aged sixty two years. They had nine children: Harriet, Levi, Henry W., Mary, Israel, Henrietta, Phobo, Julia and Jane. Mr. Ayers served in the war of 1812 and 1814, being stationed at De- troit. Our subject passed his boyhood days under disadvantageous circumstances, and of learning ho acquired but little; of hard work and privations he had plenty. In 1835 he was married to Susan, daugh- ter of Alexander Jennings, and by this union were born eleven children: Sarah J., William, Mary, Phœba A., Eliza, John, Jonathan, America, Emma, Flora, Minerva (deceased). Mr. Ayers owns an excellent farm of 128 acres, splendidly improved and in a high state of cultivation. The family hold membership in the Christian Church and are among its stanch sup- porters. Politically Mr. Ayers is an uncompromising Republican.
OSCAR M. BACKHOUSE, farmer, Connersville Township, was born in Fayotte County, Ind., May 31, 1855, son of Samuel B. and Nancy (Milner) Back- house, the former born in Harrison County, Ohio, October 2, 1815, and the latter in Fayette County, Ind., March 18, 1822. They were married in this county and here they settled. Mr. Backhouse died May 30, 1881; his widow is still living with her son, our subject. Their children were as follows: Ella W., Helen S., Josie M. (deceased), Captolia and Os- car M., who is the third in point of age, and the only son. He was married in this county July 18, 1876, to Mollie E., daughter of Joseph W. and Almira (Ty- ner) Caldwell, who was born in this county July 16, 1858. After our subject's marriage he settled on the farm where he now lives. Their children are as fol- lows: Lena M., born May 29, 1877; Eva F., born June 9,1879; Willie O., born January 24, 1881; and Carl M., born August 16, 1883.
JOHN BAKER, farmer, Fairview Township, was born in Bourbon County, Ky., February 14, 1803. His parents, Abraham and Elizabeth (Fife) Baker, were natives of Maryland and Kentucky, respectively. Abraham Baker, born July 7, 1764, was a son of John and Mary Baker, who, in an early day, moved from Maryland to Kentucky, and there resided the balance of their days. His wife was a daughter of Abijah and Ellen Fife. They were married in Mason Coun-
ty, Ky., March 18, 1800; after marriage they settled in Bourbon County, Ky., remaining until 1824, when they moved to this county, where Mrs. Baker died October 5, 1826. They had a family of eight chil- dren: David, John, Harrison, Mahala, Nancy, Ellen, Eliza, and Daniel. Mr. Baker subsequently married Margaret Stephens. They were exemplary members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics Mr. Baker was a Jacksonian Democrat in early and mid- dle life, but subsequently became a Whig. He died January 17, 1842. John, our subject, the second in the family, came with his parents to this county in 1824. In 1826 he returned to his native county, and there married, December 12, same year, Mary Hannah, born in Bourbon County, Ky., October 30, 1801, daughter of Josoph Hannah, a native of Ire- land. To this union were born the following-named children: Elizabeth, John H., Eliza M., Sarah M., Harriet, James S., Mary J., and David. In Febru- ary following their marriage our subject and wife moved to this county, settling on the farm where he has since resided. Mrs. Baker died December 2, 1858. Our subject began life at the foot of the hill, but by judicious use of his time, and hard labor, he gradually worked his way up until he had amassed a lauded estate of 260 acres. August 7, 1882, he met with a painful accident, dislocating or breaking his hip bone, and has since been deprived of the use of his body. Politically he is a Republican.
AZARIAH T. BECKETT, farmer, Jackson Town- ship, was born in Franklin County, Ind., December 16, 1816; son of William and Doshia (Thorn) Beckett, natives .of Pennsylvania. The father of William and grandfather of Azariah T. was a native of Ireland, and was in that country educated for a Catholic priest. On immigrating to America he settled in Pennsylvania, abandoned the priesthood, and was married. He sub- sequently removed to the vicinity of Hamilton, Ohio, where his death occurred. The father of our sub- ject settled in what is now Jackson Township, this county, in 1814, where he entered some 320 acres of land. He succeeded well in life and at one time had accumulated considerable property, which, however, was subsequently lost. He was a Captain in the Militia during muster days, and for some years served as Jus- tice of the Peace. He was three times married, hav- ing by his first wife six children, by his second (nee Katie Lynch) four, and by his last wife four. Our subject commenced life a poor boy, and had the advantages of only a very limited common school education. He worked by the month, and by such earnings was enabled to begin the purchase of the property where he at present resides. He owns now over 500 acres of excellent and well-improved land, and has besides settled about 350 acres on his children,
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which furnishes a fair illustration of the thrift and en- terprise of this gentleman. On December 27, 1838, Mr. Beckett was united in marriage with Miss Emily Ross, who was born July 17, 1814. To this union were born seven children: William E., born November S, 1839; Joseph, born July 9, 1841; Clementine, born January 8, 1843 (died March 17, 1861); Caroline, born December 7, 1844; Theodore, born March 11, 1847 (died August 30, 1848); Marian, born Septem. ber 25, 1849 (died April 11, 1861), and Azariah T., Jr., born January 31, 1852. Of the sons, Joseph was a member of the Thirty-sixth Regiment, Ind. V. I .; died at Nashville, Tenn., in defense of his country and the flag he loved. The mother died October 28, 1881. Mr. Beckett has been twice appointed to the office of County Commissioner to fill out two va- cancies, and was subsequently elected by the people to serve four terms, officiating in all about fourteen years. He has also been chosen to fill minor offices -- as School Director, Township Trustee, etc. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., having been the first man initiated in that order in Everton. He is a F. & A. M. Politically, Mr. Beckett votes the Repub- lican ticket. In every way he is a good citizen, one of the substantial men of Fayette County. He is public-spirited, and generous to a fault in giv- ing to the church and other worthy enterprises.
THEODORE BEESON, farmer, Posey Township, is a native of Fayette County, Ind., born March 17, 1845; a descendant of an old and highly respected family, his parents being Templeton and Sarah A. (Loder) Beeson, natives of Indiana. They were mar- ried in Wayne County, and shortly afterward moved to Rush County, where they remained a short time, and from thence came to this county, settling in Posey Township, where the father died in January, 1881. His widow is still living, and resides on the old homestead. Their family were: Isabelle, Leroy, Theodore, Edgar, Charles, and Williard. Our sub- ject was married in Wayne County, February 18, 1874, to Malinda, daughter of Benjamin and Nancy (Sellers) Harvey, and born in Wayne County, Ind., February 14, 1853, and to this union one child- Harvey T .- was born in Rush County, Ind., May 9, 1875. After his marriage Mr. Beeson moved to Rush County, where he owned land, and in 1881 came to this county and settled on the farm where he now lives, and which he had purchased previously. He owns 128 acres of land in this county and 160 in Rush.
B. L. BENSON, dealer and importer of fine-bred hogs, Fairview Township, was born in Rush County, Ind., July 11, 1842. His parents were John H. and Mary (Minor) Benson, the former born in Maryland, March 2, 1802, and the latter in Kentucky, Decem-
ber 23, 1809. They were married in Pendleton County, Ky., and moved thence, in an early day, to Rush County, Ind., where they resided. Mrs. Benson died January 28, 1868. Mr. Benson is still a resi- dent of Rush County, this State. Their children were John S., Ann, Martin, Walter M., Emily, Pendleton A., Beverly L., Luther and Richard. Our subject was married in Rush County, Ind., November 10, 1869, to Ellen G., daughter of Garrett and Nancy (Groves) Wikoff, and born in Rush County, Ind., February 10, 1847. To this union were born two children: Lena and Gertie. After marriage Mr. Benson settled in Fairview Township, where for four years he engaged in the manufacture of carriages. After this he moved on the farm where he at present resides.
D. E. BEVER, farmer, Orange Township, was born in Rush County, Ind., November 12, 1832; son of John and Elizabeth (Heaton) Bever, natives of Kentucky and Indiana, respectively. John Bever was a son of Michael Bever, Sr., a native of Kentucky, born in 1779, and immigrated in 1817 to Rush County, Ind., where he remained until death. He was twice married, and had eleven children (five by his first wife): Susan, John, Elijah, Isaac, Elizabeth, David, Margaret, Nancy, Anna, Jane, and one who died in infancy. The father of our subject was born near Lexington, Fayette Co., Ky., in 1806, and came with his parents to Rush County, Ind., in 1818, where he and Elizabeth, daughter of John and Rachel H. Hea- ton, were united in marriage. They afterward settled in Orange Township, Fayette Co., Ind., remaining some time, and subsequently purchased and moved on a farm in Rush County, where he has since resid- ed. His wife died in 1864 and he subsequently mar- ried Mary Hildreth. His children were as follows: Paulina (deceased), David E., John, Michael (de- ceased), James, Margaret H., Alice (deceased), Thomas, Morrison, George, Benjamin by his first wife and one by his second marriage, who died in in- fancy; our subject being the second in the family. He was married in Fayette County, Ind., Jannary 4, 1853, to Elizabeth Stephen, and shortly afterward settled on the farm which he now owns and where his wife died March 27, 1855. He subsequently mar- ried Lavina Stephen, a sister of the first wife, and who died August 23, 1863. Mr. Bever was again married, March 29, 1864, this time to Martha E. Stephen, a cousin of his previous wives. His chil- dren were Vincent (deceased), by first marriage ; Amanda, Samuel T., Rhoda J., by second wife, and Elizabeth, Lepha, Edis, Clifford W., Daisy, Mattie, Adolph (deceased), and Orville by his present wife.
F. M. BILBY, farmer and live stock dealer, Fair- view Township, was born in Fayette County, Ind., June
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BIOGRAPHIES.
5, 1830; son of Stephen C. and Jane (Ludlow) Bilby the former born in Pennsylvania, September 26, 1802, a son of John Bilby, a native of England, and whose father, a very wealthy man, was an officer of the King's Bench. John Bilby, when a young man, was invited to participate in a ball given on the occasion of the christening of a new ship. A large crowd of wealthy young people were present (he was the only member of his father's family) and, all intent on hav- ing a good time, did not notice that the vessel had set sail, until, in the morning, they found themselves out of sight of land. They were relieved of their fine clothes, jewelry and other valuables and brought to the United States, then involved in its war with Great Britain. John Bilby participated in the Revolution- ary war; subsequently settled in Pennsylvania, where he remained until his death. He was twice married and had a large family of children. Stephen C. (fa- ther of our subject) when quite young went to Cincin- nati, Ohio, and learned the blacksmith's trade of George C. Miller. He was married in New Rich- mond, same State, to Jane Ludlow, born in Clermont, Ohio, March 3, 1805, daughter of Henry and Sarah (Williamson) Ludlow. To this union were born Ju- lia A., Viola, Salone, Francis M., Albert G., Jasper N. and Elizabeth J. After marriage Stephen Bilby settled in Newtown and engaged in his trade until 1829, when he moved to Fayette County, Ind., and here died January 16, 1873. His widow survived him un- til February 24, 1884. Our subject was educated at Fairview Academy, Rush County, Ind., and taught school for several years. He was married, December 10, 1854, to Dorcas A. Atherton, born in Hamilton County, Ohio, February 17, 1832, daughter of Stout and Mary A. (Sater) Atherton. They have ten chil- dren: Charles M., Emerson A., Florence J., Clara O., Elmore W., Mariannia, Alva E., Morten L., Palm- er T. and Sherman. After marriage they settled in Harrison Township, but in a year moved to Posey Township, remaining there until 1866, when he pur- chased the farm in this township on which he has since resided. He owns over 600 acres of land.
EMERSON A. BILBY, farmer, Columbia Town- ship, son of Francis M. and Dorcas A. Bilby, was born in this county, November 13, 1856. He was here married, September 6, 1881, to Rhoda J., also a native of this county, born June 6, 1862, daughter of David E. and Lovina Bever, of Orange Township. One child deceased in infancy was born to this union. After marriage Mr. Bilby settled on his father's farm and after remaining one winter purchased and moved on his present farm, where he has since resided. He owns 116 acres of well-improved land. He is an energetic and much respected young man.
GEORGE W. BOOE, farmer, Connersville
Township, was born June 4, 1814, on the well cultivated farm where he has ever since resided. His parents, Benjamin and Sarah (Harwood) Booe, were natives of one of the Carolinas, and soon after their marriage removed to Green County, Ky., where they resided some five years, then settled in Boone County, Ky., where Mr. Booe entered the United States service in the war of 1812. In December, 1813, he located on the farm where George W. now resides, and here the parents passed the remainder of their lives, the father dying in 1839, and the mother in 1844. Our subject, strictly speaking, is one of the pioneers of this section, and has passed through the many privations usually undergone in the clearing up of a new coun- try. It is claimed for him that he was the first white child born in the county west of the West Fork of Whitewater River. He is familiar with the Indian scenes of his early life, having frequently come in con- tact with the various bands then roaming through this country, well knowing the Chief Ben Davis, elsewhere referred to in this work. In October, 1836, Mr. Booe was united in marriage with Elizabeth Moffett, a native of Tennessee, daughter of Samuel and Mary (Doddleson) Moffett, natives of Ireland, and to them have been born eight children.
ROBERT C. BRATTEN, Superintendent of Cem- etery, Connersville Township, was born in Staunton, Va., September 28, 1810, son of Peter and Frances (Patterson) Bratten, natives of Pennsylvia and Vir- ginia respectively. When our subject was quite young his parents moved to Boone County, Ky., where Robert C. grew up and learned the brick and stone mason trade, which he followed until 1866. In 1831 he removed to Grant County, Ky., and in 1835 to the State of Indiana, locating at Lawrenceburg, where he remained until 1841, when he removed to Con- nersville, and here, since 1866, he has been occupied as the Superintendent of the City Cemetery, a position he has filled so long very acceptably to the citizens of the city and vicinity. On the 6th of March, 1832, Mr. Bratten was married to Harriet Woodyard, which union has been blessed with ten children, all of whom except one are deceased. In politics Mr. Brat- ten is a Republican. His first Presidential vote was cast for Jackson. He voted the Democratic ticket until the birth of the Republican party, with which he has since affiliated. Both himself and wife have been for forty years or more members of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church. They are respected and esteemed citizens.
MICHAEL BROWN (deceased), late of Jennings Township, was born in Lebanon County, Penn., where he resided till 1835, when he removed with bis family in a one-horse wagon to this county, but
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FAYETTE COUNTY.
subsequently settled in Union County, Ind. He had nine children, four of whom were born in Pennsylva- nia: Samuel, Cyrus, Mary, Catherine, Elizabeth, Daniel, Hettie, Henry and John. Mr. Brown died November 13, 1879, his wife having preceded him August 19, 1879. Both were members of the Luther- an Church. Samuel Brown, one of the two repre- sentatives of their father's family in this county (the other being his brother Daniel, in East Conners- ville), was born in Lebanon County, Penn., January 21, 1822. His education was received principally in the subscription schools of Indiana. Being a poor boy, these advantages were very much curtailed by his having to work for a living. He started out in life working in the harvest field at $6.00 per month and thus got a start. His first marriage, in 1841, was with Elizabeth, daughter of Garland Stanley, by whom he had two children, Albert S. and Preston, and Mrs. Brown dying in 1848, at the age of thirty- one years, he married in 1849, for his second wife, Sarah Stanley, sister of his first wife. By this union were born two children: Nathan and Joseph. This Mrs. Brown died in 1867, aged sixty four years. In 1869 Mr. Brown then married for his third wife Sarah Ellen, daughter of Nathan Stanley, who has borne him one child -Charley. Samuel Brown has prospered in life, and now owns 174 acres of excel- lent land, after settling his children in good homes. He is a self-made man in the strongest senso of the word, and is a respected and progressive citizen. He has held the office of Township Trustee seven years, and in the transaction of public business has shown good executive ability.
CHARLES H. BROWN, farmer, Connersville Township, was born in Connersville, Ind., August 28, 1840. His parents, William S. and Nancy (Mar- tin) Brown, were natives of Pennsylvania and Indi- ana, respectively, the former born April 15, 1816, and the latter November 30, 1818. They were mar- ried at Connersville, Ind., July 29, 1839, where they remained until 1850, at which time they moved to Connersville Township and purchased a farm on Sec- tion 4, where he engaged in farming and remained until 1862, when he moved to a farm on Section 5, which he had purchased previously, and there remained until his death, which occurred April 24, 1883. His widow still lives on the farm. Their children are Charles H., Thomas M., George W., Sarah J. and Mary E. Our subject was married in this county, August 29, 1861, to Margaret E., daugh- ter of Richard W. and Phoebe (Carter) Williams, who was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, February 9, 1840. Their family numbers seven children: Edwin F., Laura Y., William E., Richard E., Mary E., Cora B. and Alva M. In 1870 Mr. Brown moved
on the farm where he has since resided. He owns 160 acres of fertile land, well-improved, with a fine residence and a magnificent fish pond in front, which he constructed in 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
JOHN W. BROWN, farmer, Jackson Township, a native of Fayette County, Ind., was born December 2, 1842; son of Barnet and Sarah A. (Smith) Brown, former a native of Maryland, latter of Pickens Dis- trict, S. C., and immigrated to Indiana in 1812, where Barnet Brown followed farming until his death. Our subject received a common school education. He was married May 19, 1867, to Miss Adelia I. Campbell, who was born June 2, 1849, which union has resulted in the birth of seven children: Charles M., Cora M., Minnie, William, Gertrude (died in infancy), Jasper and Ada. Mr. Brown is a F. & A. M., and a member of Ireland Grange, No. 1749. He belongs to the Universalist Church; an industrious, honest, upright citizen, highly respected by all his neighbors. He resides on Section 26.
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