History of Gibson County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 102

Author: Stormont, Gil R
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Indianapolis : B.F.Bowen
Number of Pages: 1284

USA > Indiana > Gibson County > History of Gibson County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions > Part 102

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

IO21

GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA.

at him. The mate happened that day to be wearing a pair of old slippers and in his kick he missed the dog and the old slipper went sailing into the sea. With that the mate gave the other foot a kick and, telling both the slippers to go to Hades, he stood and watched the last slipper follow its mate. There were many nice days and many awfully rough days and nights. Some days the captain would walk the deck and call all hands to action, declaring there was a storm coming. Then all sails had to be taken in until the storm was over, then another fresh start taken and so it went until we got in sight of the light houses at the mouth of the entrance of the great Mississippi river, where we waited for tow boats to take us up the river to New Orleans. Our vessel drew sixteen feet of water over the sand bar at the month of the river. Our tow boat towed three ships up the river to New Orleans and we landed at the dock at four o'clock on the morning of December 12, 1844, and then we green horns began to see the sights. I worked at different occupations at New Orleans for several months and did well working, for what seemed to me, a poor boy. lots of money. In 1845, as there was much talk of yellow fever in New Orleans, I improved the opportunity to go up the river, left the city and finally landed at Evansville, where I decided to stay. I promised my friend Thomas Ruston to go back to New Orleans with him in the fall, but being assured work as a clerk in the store of Babcock Brothers in Evans- ville I did not go. I stayed with the firm thirteen years. I began work with them August 4, 1845, my wages being eleven dollars a month and board. After I stayed with them three years I married Mrs. Elizabeth Furnas of Evansville and went to housekeeping and my wages were increased. They were gradually advanced until I got fifty dollars per month, which was con- sidered exceptionally good wages for those days. Having received what 1 consider an exceptional offer. I went to work for M. W. Foster as clerk in the old warehouse that stood on what was at that time the canal, but is now known as Fifth street. I remained there about two years, then came up to Hazleton, Indiana, where I purchased from Mr. Foster a stock of merchan- dise. This was in March, 1862, but I did not take possession of the stock until April of the same year.

"On the 19th of April, 1862, I moved my family from Evansville and took up my residence at Hazleton. Indiana. and began the mercantile business and here I have ever since made my home. I was then about forty years of age and will have been here forty years next April if I live to see that day During the forty years I have lived at this place I have witnessed many changes. When I came here there was no church or Sunday school and I

1022

GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA.

was lost on Sunday. When I came to Evansville and began life there Father Parrett and Joseph Wheeler were local preachers at the Locust street Meth- odist church, and there I attended service. In 1860, I think it was, while Brother Gillett was our preacher, we had a big revival meeting and many of the boys, myself among the number, were converted and joined the church and we truly enjoyed religion. So when I moved to Hazleton and found no devotional services to attend I interested myself in starting a Sunday school which, I am indeed glad to say, was very successful and is still showing a continued and healthy growth, both spiritually and in increased members. Since I came here there have been great changes for the better. Churches have been established and Sunday is now a day of spiritual strength and thanksgiving.

"In conclusion I want to say to my children and my friends that I know that my days on earth are drawing to a close, but my mind is serene in the comforting thought that I have made my calling and election sure with my heavenly Father and I am now ready and waiting with all I have and am to make the change from this life to a seat in Glory 'where moth and rust doth not corrupt and where thieves do not break through nor steal'-there to re- main with my beloved ones gone before-forever and forever."

As the preceding autobiographical history of Mr. Kightly has treated in a general way of his life from early childhood, this sketch will deal with such details and matters as have not been there related. He was twice married, his first and second wives being sisters. They were both born in Ramsey, Huntingtonshire, England. The death of Mrs. Elizabeth Kightly occurred October 29, 1865, and she was buried at Oak Hill cemetery, near Evansville. She was a miost estimable woman, home loving and domestic in her tastes, and her death was a bereavement indeed to her husband and family. On April 8, 1867. Mr. Kightly was married to Sarah Roe of Hazleton, Indiana. Mrs. Sarah Kightly died January II, 1898, at her home in Hazleton, Indiana, and was buried at Oak Hill cemetery. She was a kind Christian woman, a fond wife and a loving mother and her loss was deeply felt, not only by her husband and family, but by all who knew her. In each of these wives the husband found a true companion and helpmate and their deaths left him sadly bereaved. After the death of his last wife in 1898, one of his grand- daughters, Miss Mary A. West, assumed the duties of housekeeper for his home. In the following August she was married to John Knaub, and those two made their home with the aged man until his final summons. In this

1023

GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA.

connection it may be said that to their loving care and devotion much of the happiness of his latter days was due. He was the object of their kindness, care and solicitude and his interests and happiness were their first thought.

Coming from Evansville, where his first job of work had been the clear- ing of trees from the present site of the Union station to make way for a hay press, Mr. Kightly was a continuous resident of Hazleton from 1862 until his death, except six months in 1864, when, thinking he could better his con- ditions, he disposed of his business interests in Hazleton and engaged in the same line in Friendsville, Illinois. This being off a railroad line, he had to freight his goods from Evansville by wagon, crossing the Wabash river at Mt. Carmel, Illinois. He soon became aware that, for his business, he should be located on some railroad, and coming back to Hazleton, he repurchased the store he had owned there and settled down to make that place his perma- nent home. Having made this decision he began to invest his savings in land in that section of the county and before his death he was owner of several hundred acres of the best land in Gibson county. For many years Mr. Kightly passed his life peacefully and quietly as a country merchant, but in 1875 his landed interests having become of large proportions, he retired from his mercantile business and devoted his time to looking after his farm. Ever an ardent Republican, he did not refuse when in 1882 his party asked him to fill the office of county commissioner, and served two terms. During his term in office the magnificent county court house at the county seat was built and to his watchful care may be credited much of the good work there is to be seen on that building. He was the same careful, conservative business man when looking after the affairs of the county that he was in his own personal affairs, and he retired from that office with the confidence and re- spect of all with whom he had official dealings. Mr. Kightly was ever inter- ested in the material progress of his home town, and in 1903, realizing that the business of Hazleton and the rich surrounding country lacked the ad- vantages of a bank near at home, he was one of the first to set about the establishment of an institution of that kind. The result was that the Citizens State Bank of Hazleton, Indiana, was founded. He was elected its first presi- dent and took an active interest in its affairs until a short time before his death. At the time of his death he was a member of the order of Odd Fellows and until his death was a strong defender of the principles of that order. In personal appearance Mr. Kightly was about five feet four inches in height, weighing about one hundred and sixty-five pounds. His com-

102.1

GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA.

plexion was normally fair, but owing to his love for outdoor life he was continually tanned until he had a swarthy appearance. He was always close shaven. He was very energetic and active and fond of walking and horse- back riding and it was his great pleasure in his old age to mount his favorite horse "Molly," a beautiful black, and ride to his farm daily. He loved his home and was a hospitable and entertaining host. Faithful and constant in his attendance at his church his life was that of an honest man who desired to serve his Maker and his deserving fellow men. He was a Methodist and gave freely of his time and means to further the advancement of that church and the gospel in general. He was honest in all of his dealings; was char- itable, but was disposed to know that his charity was well directed. He wanted to live in peace with all mankind and yet was quick to resent an attempt to perpetuate upon him a wrong. In all his dealings he tried to observe the precepts of the Golden Rule, nor did he look with any degree of charity upon a dishonest act. Personally, Mr. Kightly was sociable and genial with all, and, while possessed of a quick and violent temper, he was quick to recover from such outbursts and, if in the wrong, to make ample apology. He looked on the habit of worrying as a sin and his philosophical advice to the man who worried might well be followed by all. To such an unfortunate he would say: "Don't worry; if what you are worrying about can be helped, go to work and help it ; if it can't be helped, what is the use of worrying?" No more truthful and sensible advice was ever given.

In 1850 Mr. Kightly had taken out his naturalization papers in Vander- burg county, Indiana. He never returned to his English home and never saw any of the family of his youth except his sister and his two brothers, John and Francis, who later came to this country. At his death in 1907 Mr. Kightly left the following surviving children: Mrs. Lucy Kightly Ennes, of Princeton, Indiana, wife of William S. Ennes, who served two terms as county treasurer of Gibson county, Indiana, being elected by the Republican party ; and Francis J. Kightly, one of White River township's most pro- gressive farmers, who lives on a splendid four-hundred-acre farm two miles southwest of Hazleton, Indiana. In his later life, Mr. Kightly celebrated each birthday anniversary by having his children and his children's children meet with him to observe the day. On these occasions he delighted in gath- ering about him his descendants and relatives and relating humorous and often pathetic incidents through which he passed his younger days. He knew that his period on earth was drawing to a close, yet his desire as he grew older was to make those about him joyful and contented. Often when the

1025

GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA.

cares of the day were heavy he would lie down upon his couch, draw his familiar old cap down over his eyes and softly croon or sing his favorite hymn, "Blessed be the Name of the Lord," until the tired eyes would close and sleep would softly hold him in its gentle embrace.

Mr. Kightly had all his life been of rugged and sturdy constitution and as age fastened its ruthless hand upon the sturdy frame the vital tissues of life began to wither and give out. His last sickness, if sickness it could be called, was of comparatively short duration and through it all there was no suffering. It was simply the quiet, invisible dissolution of the mortal body and the end drew gradually near. January 1, 1907, he began to fail. From that time there was a gradual decline until he became perfectly helpless, though free from any suffering. His mental faculties remained strong and clear until within a few hours of his death. He knew those around him and not the least shadow of doubt clouded his mind as to the happy ending of the final summons. The last words he ever uttered on earth were a line of his favorite hymn, which he no doubt realized to the fullest extent. "Blessed be the Name of the Lord." \t half past one on the morning of March 6, 1607. his spirit bade adieu to its mortal clay and joined the loved ones who had preceded him to the golden shore. His death was peaceful and painless and the loved ones who stood about his dying bedside could not mourn as those who have no comfort, for they knew he was at rest. Another favorite hymn of his was "When I Can Read My Title Clear to Mansions in the Skies." His funeral took place on Thursday, March 7, 1907, at two-thirty P. M., and it was one of the largest ever held in Hazleton. It was from the Methodist Episcopal church and the services were conducted by Rev. W. W. Reynolds. pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church, assisted by the presiding elder, Rev. Dr. J. W. Duncan, of the Methodist district, and the Rev. J. R. Edwards of the General Baptist church.

The life history of Mr. Kightly would not be complete without mention made of one who for many years made her home with him, his only sister. Mrs. Mary Ann Knowles. She married in England and was the mother of three children, all of whom died in infancy. Her marriage proving an unhappy one, she came to this country in 1863. and from that time to her death she lived with her brother. By her gentle ways and kindly heart she became established in the affections not only of the family, but of all who knew her. "Aunty Knowles," as she was known to all, was a mother to the children of the family, when they were indeed motherless. and to her brother

(65)

IO26

GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA.

in his many bereavements she was a tower of strength and a source of great comfort. She died at the home of her niece, Mrs. Lucy Ennes, at Princeton, Indiana, whom she was visiting in 1892, lacking one month of being eighty years old. Her body was laid at rest at Hazleton, Indiana.

Following is given the genealogical history of the family of Josiah Kightly :

Josiah Kightly was born January 31, 1822; married Mrs. Elizabeth Furnas, October 3, 1848. To this union were born: Francis Josiah, born August 13, 1849, married, first Lucinda Edwards, September 3, 1880, and then Della Briner, April 28, 1903; William Roe, born .August 8, 1852, died May 15, 1868; Sarah Jane, born April 11, 1855, married A. V. West, May I, 1873, died July 1. 1884: Mary Elizabeth, born July 9, 1858, married Albert Daly September 11, 1877, died December 29, 1880; Samuel Roe, born July 9, 1858, died February 10, 1859; Emma Kate, born June 2, 1860, died March 19, 1801 ; John Russell, born March 7. 1863, died December 25, 1863; Mrs. Elizabeth Kightly, died October 29, 1865, and Mr. Kightly married Sarah Roe, April 8, 1867. To this union were born : Lucy, born April 4, 1869, married William Stilwell Ennes, November 12, 1889; Alice May, born March 19, 1872. died September 10, 1872; John William, born December 26, 1874. died March 11, 1875. Mrs. Sarah Kightly died January 11, 1898.

The grandchildren of Josiah Kightly follow: To Sarah Jane and A. V. West were born seven children, three now living: Mrs. Mary Ann Knaub. Mrs. Alice May Furgerson and Josiah A. West. To Mary Elizabeth and Albert Daly were born three children, all now deceased. To Lucy K. and W. S. Ennes were born four children, Vesper Dale, born March 9, 1891 ; Darle, born July 11, 1893; Raymond, born August 3. 1902, and died in Octo- ber, 1902; Lowell Kightly, born October 4, 1907.

The marriages of Josiah Kightly's grandchildren are as follows: Mary Ann West and John Knaub, August 27, 1899; Josiah A. West and Luella. Kays, July 26, 1902. The great-grandchildren follow: To Mr. and Mrs. Josiah West, Everett, Ethel. Maud and Chester; to Mr. and Mrs. Frank Furgerson, Gertrude May ; to Mr. and Mrs. John Knaub, John and Velma.

Fraternally, Mr. Ennes is affiliated with the Masons, being a member of the blue lodge at Princeton, the chapter and council, he having attained to the thirty-second degree; while he and his wife are members of the Order of the Eastern Star, Golden Fleece Chapter No. 176, at Princeton, in which subject is a past patron and Mrs. Ennes is a past matron. They are mem- bers of the First Methodist Episcopal church.

1027

GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA.

MILLS AND GREEK FAMILIES.

By Berilla Greck.

This is to be a history of my ancestors and of myself and family. My father's family was of English descent and so was my mother's; my father's name was Mills, and my mother's maiden name was Stapleton.

My grandfather and grandmother Mills were born at Holowell. Kene- beck county, Maine. My grandparents, James and Rachael (Courson ) Mills, were the parents of twelve children, nine sons and three daughters, all of whom were born in the state of Maine. They had seven sons in succession. my father, Duston Mills, being the seventh son. They reared eleven of the twelve children to manhood and womanhood. Their eldest child was a daughter, named Affia; then followed the seven sons: Bracket, Zizasa died in infancy. Richard, Asa, Daniel, James and Duston. The remaining children were Mary, John, Samuel and Caroline, the youngest of my grandfather Mills' immediate family.

Aunt Affia Mills married a man in Maine, by the name of Richard Hussey, the progenitor of all the Husseys that I ever saw. Aunt Affia had thirteen children and raised them all to man's and woman's estate.

Uncle Bracket Mills married Miss Anna Reynolds, here in Indiana. Uncle Richard Mills married in the state of Maine. Uncle Asa Mills married a Miss Delight Vandusen. Uncle Daniel Mills married a Miss Hannah Chapman, and lived and died here in Gibson county. Uncle James Mills married a Kentucky lady by the name of Mahala Hopkins. Then my father, Duston Mills, married Miss Louisa Stapleton and settled on a tract of eighty acres that his father deeded to him, and where he lived and died. The next in order in grandfather's family was Aunt Mary Mills, who married a man by the name of Anson White, and lived in Illinois. Late in life they re- moved to Iowa, where both died, leaving children. Quincy. Lewis, Matilda and Warrick. The next was Uncle John Mills, who married a Miss Eliza- beth Varner, and lived and died in Carmi, Illinois. Uncle Samuel Mills married a sister of Uncle John Mills' wife. Her name was Sarah Varner. Aunt Caroline Mills, the youngest of my grandfather Mills' family, married a man by the name of William Coleman. They did not live to be very old. None of my father's family lived to an exceedingly old age.

Grandfather James Mills left the state of Maine on the first of March, 1810, for a new country. They started with wagons and teams and plunder. They traveled on west to the Genesee valley in New York, arriving there

1028

GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA.

the last of April. Then grandfather rented a large farm and put all of the family to raising different crops suitable to the climate. Then grandfather, Uncle Richard and a dog, started on foot for Indiana and Illinois, which was then the far West. They were gone so long that the family, not having heard from them, naturally became very uneasy. About the last of August, the dog they started with got back to the family in New York. They naturally concluded that the Indians had killed grandfather and Uncle Rich- ard. As the crops were all made grandmother thought best to sell off everything and go back to the state of Mainc.

When grandfather and Uncle Richard reached Indiana, the dog then left them, and so they concluded to go back to New York and to get the family together, and return to Indiana. When they got back they found grandmother getting ready to go back to Maine. Grandfather sold the crops and started for Indiana. They traveled on to Meadville, Pennsyl- vania, on the Allegheny river, arriving there in October. There they built family boats and embarked their teams, wagons and goods, and the several families started down the Allegheny and Ohio rivers, and landed at Evans- ville on New Year's day, 1811. There were but three houses in the place, which was then called Smith's Landing. They tied up at Smith's Landing and grandfather and Uncle Richard Hussey started to seek a location. They went north from Smith's Landing and located east of Princeton, but of course there was no l'rinceton then. They stopped and looked around where Fort Branch is now, but went on north, where they finally located. They then walked to Vincennes, where the land office was then located, and entered their land. Grandfather took up a strip a mile and a quarter long by a half mile wide. Uncle Richard Hussey took a strip three-fourths of a mile long by one-half of a mile wide. They then returned to Smith's Landing, unloaded and sold their boats, and took up their march to possess their new land, and build their homes. Whip sawing was the only way people got lumber in those days, so they made a whip saw and sawed up some of the large trees they found on their land, and built their homes. Uncle Richard Mills was the only one of grandfather Mills' sons who had married. He married in New York, at Ocean Point. He built a log cabin in the woods where James Hussey's old house now stands. He dug a well and cleared some ground. They had two sons. Uncle Richard had learned the cabinet trade and did not like pioneering, so he left this place and the last we ever heard of him he was in Canada.

Uncle Bracket had learned to be a wood workman. Uncle Asa and

1029

GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA.

Uncle Daniel learned tailoring, and settled in Princeton when it became a town.

Uncle James was named after grandfather and followed farming. Grandfather and grandmother lived with Uncle James since I can remember. Uncle James and Aunt Mahala had two sons and four daughters. About the year 1838 or 1839, grandfather and Uncle James got the notion to have richer land, so they sold the home and took Congress land in Patoka bottoms, near Moore's bridge. They built a log house, large enough for both families. and in two years they were all dead of malaria, and were buried on their farms in the bottoms.

Duston Mills was the seventh son in succession of my grandfather's family. He married Louisa Stapleton, the oldest daughter of Joshua Staple- ton, also a pioneer of this part of Indiana. Duston Mills was born at Holo- well, Kenebeck county, in the state of Maine, on June 5, 1804. His wife, Louisa, was born April 28, 1808, in Robinson county, Tennessee. Duston Mills and Louisa Stapleton were married in November, 1827. To them were born twelve children. On March 14. 1829, there were born to thein twins, a son and a daughter, the daughter weighing one pound and the son seven pounds. The son, whom they named Zyasa, died within twenty-four hours after birth, while the daughter is living yet, at the age of seventy-seven years. They named the daughter Berilla. Their third child was a daughter which was born February 4, 1831, and was named Adelia. The fourth child was a daughter, born September 2, 1832, and named Cecelia. The fifth child was born November 8, 1833, and named Zelissa. The sixth child was a son, born January 6, 1835. named Byron. The seventh child was a son, born March 20, 1838, named Horace. The eighth child was a daughter, born August 15, 1840, and named Elvira. The ninth and tenth children were twins, born May 5. 1843, and named Albert and Almena. The eleventh and twelfth children were twins, born November 19, 1846, and named John and Mary. This completes the names and ages of the Duston Mills family.

The remainder of grandfather Mills' family were (1) Mary, who mar- ried Anson White, and both died in Iowa, leaving quite a family. (2) John Mills, who married Elizabeth Varnor, who lived and died in Carmi, Illinois. They left a family of three children. (3) Samuel, who lived and died in Grayville, Illinois, leaving a family of two children. He married Sarah Varner. (4) Caroline, the youngest of the twelve children of my grand- father Mills, married a Mr. Coleman. They died young and left no family.

The oldest daughter, Berilla, married Joseph Greek, who was a brick

1030

GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA.

maker at the time of their marriage, but eventually became a farmer. They are both living at this date, August 8, 1907, and have reared a family of twelve children. Three children died in infancy and five are alive at the present time. Their eldest was a daughter, Ellen, who married John Seals. She died within two years after marriage, leaving a little daughter who soon followed her to the grave. Their second child was a son, born April 4, 1850, whom they named Albert Tell. He married Sarah Burchfield. He was killed a few years ago by stepping off a moving train, leaving his widow with quite a family. Their third child was a daughter named Joanna, born January 5, 1852, who was married when quite young, to a man by the name of Marshfield T. Paul. They had a daughter and son before she died. The fourth child, George William. was born April 18. 1854. and died October 27. 1855. The fifth child was a son, born February 28, 1855, and named John Henry. The sixth child, born May 18, 1855, was Alace May. The seventh child was born September 29, 1860, named Abraham Lincoln. The eighth child. Samuel Milo, was a son, born March 6. 1863. and died October 19. 1863. The ninth child, Kate Louisa, was born October 20, 1864. The tenth child was a daughter. Margaret Adelia, born June 27, 1867. and died March 12,1868. The eleventh child. Rhoda, was born January 20. 1869. The twelfth child was a daughter, Zelissa Mills Greek. born April 27. 1871.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Gibson County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 102

Author: Stormont, Gil R Publication date: 1914 Publisher: Indianapolis : B.F.Bowen Number of Pages: 1284

Author: Stormont, Gil R
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Indianapolis : B.F.Bowen
Number of Pages: 1284