History of Gibson County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 24

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 24

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).

The officers of the post who served during the first year were: Gil. R. Stormont, post commander; Joseph R. Ashmead, senior vice-commander ; W. J. Cameron, junior vice-commander ; W. M. Duncan, quartermaster ; Rev. M. M. C. Hobbs, chaplain; Henry P. Chambers, officer of the day; John Turnage, officer of the guard; J. C. Hartin, adjutant; Alex N. Devin, ser- geant-major ; Sol. Vannada, quartermaster-sergeant.

During the first year after organization a large number of applications for membership were received and the muster-in service was a very prominent feature of the regular meetings. The membership of the post was increased that year to something near one hundred. The same year posts were estab- lished at Fort Branch, Patoka, Oakland City and other places in the county.

The first Memorial day observance under the auspices of Archer Post was a notable one, notwithstanding the rain storm that prevailed during the entire day. An elaborate program had been prepared and every arrangement made to set a high mark for the proper observance of the day. With a few exceptions, these arrangements were carried out in spite of the rain and the observance of this day was a marked success. And this may be said of all the Memorial days since that time. Whether in rain or in sunshine, the

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graves of soldiers in all adjoining cemeteries have had a tribute of flowers from the hands of members of Archer Post.

A brief mention of some of the incidents pertaining to the history of the post since its organization will be of interest :

At a special meeting of the post, May 14, 1883, a flag was presented to the Post by William Archer, on behalf of his father, after whom the post was named. This was on the anniversary of the day on which the father was killed at Resaca.

The first death in the post was that of James Anderson, of the Eightieth Indiana, which occurred in November, 1883. The post attended his funeral in a body and conducted the first ritual exercises at the grave. At the re- quest of Comrade Anderson before his death, John Ayers, the color bearer of his regiment, attended the funcral and carried the post flag. In Decem- ber of this same year the second death in the post occurred, that of Hugh Daugherty, who was also a member of the Eightieth Indiana.

It seems that the usual rain did not occur on Memorial day, 1884, and the exercises of the day were carried out without interference of weather. There was a large procession to the cemetery, headed by the Princeton band and the Post drum corps. Rev. M. M. C. Hobbs was the principal speaker at the exercises in the court house yard.

On the evening of May 15, 1885, a meeting was held in the post hall in commemoration of the battle of Resaca. At this meeting addresses appro- priate to the occasion were made by Capt. Vesper Dorneck, Capt. J. S. Epper- son, George W. Hill, H. Clay Wilkinson and Dr. W. P. Welborn.

At a meeting of the post in July, 1885, there was presented a gavel made from the limb of a pine tree near Jonesboro, Georgia. This tree was used as a signal station by the signal corps of Sherman's army at the time of the battle there. The wood from which the gavel was made was procured by Samuel Reavis while on a visit to the battle field, and the presentation was made by Captain Dorneck. In accepting the gavel, the post commander assured the donor that it would be sacredly kept and used while the post maintained its existence. As it turned out, this assurance was a wrong guess. In less than one year from that time the post hall and all its contents, includ- ing this gavel, were destroyed by fire, but the post has continued to exist.

In August, 1885, the memorial meeting in honor of Gen. U. S. Grant, held in the United Presbyterian church, was a notable event. It was the largest assemblage of the kind ever held in the town. The exercises were under the auspices of the Grand Army and were appropriate to the occasion.

On January 13, 1887, a memorial service was held in the post hall in

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honor of Gen. John A. Logan. The principal addresses were made by M. W. Fields, A. P. Twineham and Rev. J. E. Jenkins.

On February 3, 1887, a camp fire was held in the post hall, at which Gen- eral Shackelford, of Evansville, gave an account of the pursuit and capture of John Morgan, which was participated in by Shackelford.

In the month of January, 1886, the post met with a serious disaster in the loss of its hall and all the contents by fire. This loss included all the rec- ords of the post, the furniture and equipments of the hall, the drums belong- ing to the post and about fifty stand of arms. But this disaster did not dis- courage the members. Another meeting place was secured until arrange- ment could be made for permanent quarters.

At the department encampment, held in Indianapolis, February, 1890, Archer Post was honored by the election of one of its members as depart- ment commander. Gil R. Stormont, who brought this honor to the post. was tendered a reception on his return from the encampment. On this occa- sion the department colors were exhibited for the first time in the post hall, by Henry P. Chambers, who had been appointed color bearer by the newly- elected department commander.

The dedication of the new hall, which had been fitted up in the Henry Soller block, was an important event in 1890. This occurred May 15th of that year and the record says the hall was crowded to suffocation on that occasion. Addresses were made by Governor Ira J. Chase, Col. I. N. Walker, of Indianapolis, Mrs. H. M. Caylor, of Noblesville, department president of the Woman's Relief Corps, and others.

Memorial day, 1891, occurred during the meeting of the United Presby- terial assembly in Princeton, and the public exercises of the day were marked by some very able addresses made by delegates in attendance.

Another incident of note in this year was the presentation of a diamond badge to Past Department Commander Gil R. Stormont by a committee ap- pointed by the department encampment for that purpose. This event took place in the post hall, under the auspices of the post, June 15th, and the presentation was made by Governor Ira J. Chase. Other members of the committee who were present and made addresses were Col. I. N. Walker, then department commander ; Major Charles M. Travis, a past department com- mander; Major Irvin Robbins, of Indianapolis; Ben Starr, of Richmond, and others from Evansville.

The following is a list of the post commanders of Archer Post since the organization and the years in which they served :

GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA.

253

Gil. R. Stormont

1883

1885

1898

Henry P. Chambers.

1884

1891

James S. Epperson

1886

1887 1893

Vesper Dorneck

1888

Solomon Vannada

1889

James J. Hartin.

1890

Joseph C. Hartin

1892

Frank M. Grigsby

1894

Henry M. Lamb.

1895

1896

Hugh T. Carlisle

1897

Charles C. Whiting

1899

1900

190I

William M. Duncan

1902

1903

Hugh Hanna

1904

1905

D. Wilson Smith 1906 1 1

James A. Sprowl

1907

John M. Stormont 1

1908

1909

Joseph K. McGary 1

1910

WV. J. Lowe.

-19II

James W. Lewis

1912

Arthur P. Twineham

1913

George W. Shopbell

1914

J 1

For a few years after the organization of the post new members were added to the roll at every meeting, but this increase in membership was offset by those who had come into the order in the early years of its history and had grown indifferent, and had allowed themselves to become delinquent in dues. According to the rules of the order the names of such were dropped from the rolls, and at one time the list of suspended and dropped members was almost as large as the active list. Then, as the years passed. there was a continual depletion of the membership by death. But, notwithstanding these losses, Archer Post has always had a strong guard of the faithful to hold up its banner. It has always held its regular meetings with a fair average attendance, and has always been ready to minister to the wants of needy comrades, and has always been ready to turn out in a body and pay appropriate tribute to comrades who have answered the last roll call. It has always been careful to give proper observance to Memorial day and has commanded the respect and approbation of the community in its conduct and deportment in this and in all other public services.

In the later years there has been a decided revival of interest in the

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Grand Army, and Archer Post has been affected by this revival. As the years go by, and as the Grand Army seems to be marching with quickened steps toward the place of final encampment, as comrades, one by one, are drop- ping from the ranks, there is manifested a desire for a closer fellowship and association for those who remain. Those who may have been indifferent as to this association in the earlier period of the Grand Army have come to the belief that there is a reality in the tie that binds comrades one to an- other. As a result of this belief, Archer Post has had restored to member- ship all those who had been suspended or dropped, and there has been a large number enrolled of those who have not before sought membership in the order.

On the 13th of January, 1908, Archer Post celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary with a free supper to all its members in good standing. At that time it was said the post had a larger membership than it ever had in history; that, with a few exceptions, it had on its rolls all who were eligible to mem- bership within its jurisdiction. Quite a number who participated in the quarter-centennial celebration and rejoiced in the happy conditions and fra- ternal feeling that prevailed, have since passed to the beyond. The ranks have been thinned by death, but some of the vacant places have been filled with new recruits and the fraternal spirit grows stronger with the passing years.

At the quarter-centennial celebration a camp fire was held in the Kidd opera house, at which an interesting program of exercises was given. Rev. Daniel Ryan, past department commander, made the principal address. There was also an address of historical character by Past Department Commander Stormont, covering the history of the post from its organization. The clos- ing part of this address follows :

"The review of the history of Archer Post for the past quarter of a century, and the present view of its healthy condition, affords occasion for hopefulness and cheer for the future. Certainly there is ground for belief that its days of usefulness are not yet within the shadows of the setting sun. There is much of strength and vitality in the organization and in the individ- ual membership, and there is still a call to duty and to service. It is a call not only to the duty of aiding needy and distressed comrades, of helping others to bear the burdens of life, but also of teaching by influence and example the principles of right living.

"Amid the smoke and leaden hail of battle conflict the Grand Army set a high standard of patriotism and courage, and when the conflict was ended they received their discharge with the plaudits of the nation which was saved

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GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA.

by their valor. Since those days of conflict the Grand Army has not lowered the standard of patriotism and it has continued to receive the approval of a nation redeemed and regenerated.

"The honor of having been a soldier of the Republic is an honor not to be lightly regarded, and it should be the endeavor of each soldier to magnify that honor by living an honorable and upright life as a citizen. Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

"Whether the life be long or short, whether for any comrade of the Grand Army present the last roll call shall come this week, or this year, or for many years, let this sentiment be the resolve of each :

"I live for those who love me, Whose hearts are kind and true, For the right that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance. For the future in the distance, And the good that I can do."

A. H. COCKRUM POST NO. 520, OAKLAND CITY.

A. H. Cockrum Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Oakland City, was organized by Gil. R. Stormont, September 20, 1887, with the following charter members: Ira Castetter, Eph Christmas, F. M. Langford, John T. Benton, Abe Cole, James Kilmartin, Henry C. Vickers, James M. Reavis, Alvin T. Lett, Francis M. Black, Charles W. Abram, Joseph Beck, Henry Barton, William Myers, Asa Turpin, Wiley J. Baldwin, William M. More- land, James M. Cockrum, James Hord, John McFarland.

This post increased rapidly in membership for the first few years, en- rolling the most of those who were eligible in the town and vicinity. As the years passed the ranks were depleted as the comrades, one after another, dropped out, to be enrolled in that greater Grand Army beyond. There are still a faithful few who remain to maintain the organization and the regular meetings are well attended.

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GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA.

The following have served .the post as commanders since the organi- zation :

James M. Cockrum

1887 1888

John McFarland

1889

1891 1893

Ephraim Christmas I

1890

James Kilmartin

1892

1895 1897

James Reavis

1894

190I

Norman Taylor

1896

D. J. King 1 1

1898

L. O. Emmerson.

1899

James L. Stewart 1

1900

Adam Young

1902

Hiram Robinson 1

1903

W. A. Harper

1904

J. V. Gillum

1905

Zadok M. McCleary

1906

1914

1 I

1 1

STEPHEN MEAD POST NO. 187, FORT BRANCH.

Stephen Mead Post, Grand Army of the Republic, was organized at Fort Branch in 1883, with the following charter members: Silas M. Holcomb, Elias Lambert, John T. Dickson, Isaac H. Myers, William J. Lowe, Hugh D. McGary, John W. Yeager, Golston S. Wilson, James Crilley. Casper Gram, Benjamin F. Robinson, John W. Carter, Charles Mead, William T. Stilwell, Chesley F. Garrison, Robert Onyet, Samuel Anderson, William J. Woods, Elisha L. Pritchett, Michael Robinson, Charles F. Abel, W. Gary Hopkins, David Korte, Anthony Alsop, David B. Butler, Joseph K. McGary, William A. Preston, William H. Pritchett.

Since the organization this post has met with misfortunes of various kinds, one of the most serious being the loss of their records and post prop- erty by fire. This loss included their original charter and other valuable pa- pers, so that it is impossible to give an accurate history of the organization. But it can be said that, notwithstanding the adverse fortunes they have ex- perienced, there have been enough members of loyal and patriotic spirit to maintain the organization and keep their flag afloat. The following have served as post commanders since the organization: S. M. Holcomb, W. T. Stilwell, Henry Hamilton, Casper Gram, T. A. Walters, John E. Ruston. B. F. Stewart, John A. Ewin, August Rodeman, C. F. Garrison, William Hickrod.

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GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA.

THE WOMAN'S RELIEF CORPS.

The Woman's Relief Corps came into existence as a national organiza- tion in 1885 as the recognized auxiliary of the Grand Army of the Republic. This order met with popular favor and increased rapidly in membership from the start, and has continued to grow ever since. All loyal women are eligi- ble to membership in this order, and, unlike the Grand Army, the eligible list from which recruits can be gathered to maintain and perpetuate the Woman's Relief Corps is unlimited and inexhaustible.

The object of this organization, as indicated by the title, an auxiliary of the Grand Army, is to assist in the relief of needy and distressed soldiers, their widows and orphans, and they have done and are doing noble work along this line.

Archer Corps No. 31, Woman's Relief Corps, auxiliary to Archer Post, Grand Army of the Republic, was organized in Princeton, June 23, 1887, with the following charter members: Martha B. Craig, Clara K. Braselton, Kate Keys Stormont, Mary L. Pumphrey, Jennie Daugherty, Ellen Epperson, Sophrona Snow, Melinda J. Warnock, Kate W. Small, Anna Bucklin, Maria T. Browniee, Anna M. Stokes, Julia T. Duncan, Ophelia Mowery, Lillie J. Posey, Lillie Bucklin, Jennette Kern, Sarah Hollis, Mary E. Witherspoon, Emma Reavis, Mary L. Daugherty, Jessie K. Hartin, Sarah C. McGary.

Those who have served as presidents of Archer Corps since the organi- zation are as follows :

Martha B. Craig 1887 1888 1889

Mary Wright 1890

Kate Sterne 1891 Julia T. Duncan 1892

Kate K. Stormont

1894

1893

1895

Mary L. Pumphrey 1896

1897

Syren W. Scott 1898 Anna Stilwell 1900

Clara K. Braselton I90I 1902 Anna V. Bucklin 1903 H. Gertrude Lawrence_ 1908 1909

1904 1907 1910 1911 1914

Martha L. Sprowl 1912 Clara B. Simpson 1913 (17)

258

GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA.

SOCIETY OF THE DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

The Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution was organ- ized in Washington, D. C., October II, 1890. It has for its object the per- petuation of the memory of those who achieved American independence, the collection of relics of earlier American days, the protection of historical spots, the encouragement of historical research in relation to the Revolution, and by the preservation of the records of individual services of Revolutionary sol- diers and patriots. The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution has members in every state and nearly every territory of the Union. The society as a whole has a charter granted by the Congress of the United States, a national constitution, a national treasury, and the governing body, the continental congress. Formal organization of the society occurred on October 11, 1890, and the dark blue and white of Washington's staff was chosen for the society's colors. The design of a golden spinning-wheel was chosen for a badge. The first chapter was formed in Chicago, Illinois.

THE PRINCETON CHAPTER, D. A. R.

While the movement looking to the organization of a chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Princeton was agitated for some time prior to 1911, it was not until the summer of that year that the matter of such an organization began to take effective shape. In response to a call, several of those who were members of the order in other chapters met with Miss Luella Johnson and decided to proceed to the organization of a local chapter. A formal organization was effected November 25, 1911, but it was not until February 4, 1912, that the first regular meeting was held. Prior to this meeting Miss Johnson had been elected regent; Mrs. Kate Keys Stormont, vice-regent ; Miss Ruth Maxam, treasurer; Miss Edith Braselton, secretary ; Miss Maud Tichenor Witherspoon, registrar; Miss Mary Skelton Welborn, historian. Thereafter meetings were held regularly on the first Saturday of each month.

At the first regular meeting it was decided to name this "The General John Gibson Chapter," in honor of the territorial governor of that name, and a soldier in the Revolutionary war, the man for whom Gibson county was named.

The first year's work of the General John Gibson Chapter was a study of local history, including the organization of Princeton and Gibson county ; old pioneer families, pioneer occupations, etc .; the settlement of New Har-

259

GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA.

mony and Vincennes. The second year's work was "Birds", and the third year's work consists of topics bearing on the colonial period in general, such as "Literature and Press of the Colonies," "The Old Historic Hudson," "The Dutch of New York", "The English Viewpoint at the Time of the Revolu- tion", "The American Viewpoint at the Time of the Revolution".

The present officers of the chapter are: Mrs. Kate Keys Stormont, re- gent ; Mrs. Mary Skelton Welborn, vice-regent; Miss Mabel Tichenor, sec- retary ; Miss Mary Archer, treasurer; Miss Maud T. Witherspoon, registrar ;. Mrs. Anna Servoss, historian.

The charter members of the General John Gibson Chapter are: Mayme Archer, Sadie Archer, Daisie Braselton, Edith Braselton, Mrs. Ellen McCor- mick, Edna Ewing, Mrs. Ella Fellows Ewing, Luella Johnson, Mrs. Elsie Johnson Lewis, Eliza Aurelia Lewis, Ruth Maxam, Mrs. Anna Servoss, Mrs. Kate Keys Stormont, Mabel E. Tichenor, Mrs. Maud Tichenor Wither- spoon, Mrs. Mary Skelton Welborn, Mrs. Georgia Seaton Ward and Mrs. Ella V. Buchanan.

It is interesting to note the eligibility of the members of the Princeton chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Mayme and Sadie Archer are descended from Thomas McCalla, a private in Capt. A. G. Clay- poole's company in the New Eleventh Pennsylvania Regiment, commanded by Col. Thomas Hartley.

Daisie Kurtz Braselton and Edith Dean Braselton are descended from John Braselton, who served during the Revolution as colonel of a Virginia regiment.

Mrs. Ella Garrison McCormick is the great-granddaughter of Uriah Cross, one of the famous "Green Mountain Boys". He had six brothers in the same war.

Edna Ewing and Mrs. Ella Fellows Ewing are descended from Samuel Fellows, a delegate to the third Provisional Congress at Watertown, Massa- chusetts, in 1775, also in the conquest of Canada in 1757 and 1763. he served as a soldier. His son, Capt. John Fellows, commanded a company at Still- water and was present at the surrender of Burgoyne. Willis and William, twin sons, fought in the Revolutionary war.

Luella Johnson and Mrs. Elsie Johnson Lewis trace their ancestry to Arthur Johnson, who was a sergeant in Captain Cooper's company, Fourth Virginia Regiment, commanded by Col. John Nevill, participating in the bat- tles of Valley Forge, Brandywine, Stony Point, Eutaw Springs and York -. town.

260

GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA.

Ruth Maxam is descended from Brigadier Nathaniel Heard, com- inander of the New Jersey state troops, known as Heard's Brigade.

Mrs. Anna Servoss traces her lineage to Thomas McCalla, the same as Mayme and Sadie Archer.

Mrs. Kate Keys Stormont is the great-granddaughter of Brig .- Gen. Ed- ward Hand, who was in command of a Pennsylvania regiment at the cross- ing of the Delaware, also in the battle of Trenton. He was afterward adju- tant-general on General Washington's staff and was at the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. General Hand was one of the electors from Penn- sylvania and cast the vote of that state for George Washington for President. He was a member of the old Congress, 1784-1785.

Mabel Tichenor, Maud Tichenor, Mrs. Witherspoon and Mrs. Mary Skelton Welborn are descended from Thomas Montgomery, who served as lieutenant in Capt. John Martin's company of Virginia state troops in the In- dian expedition under command of George Rogers Clark. He was one of seven sons, all of whom did valiant service in the Revolutionary war.

Mrs. Georgia S. Ward is related to Thomas Dill, a captain in the bat- talion of Pennsylvania, and served in the first expedition to Canada in 1776. He served as captain in the Seventh Pennsylvania Line and was wounded at the battle of Brandywine.

Mrs. Ella V. Buchanan is descended from Gen. Ephraim Douglas, aide- de-camp on the staff of Gen. Benjamin Lincoln, and was taken prisoner at Bound Brook in 1777. He was afterward paroled and served as aide-de- camp on the staff of Gen. Ferd Sterling.

Mrs. Allie Lewis Sevedge is descended from Eli Lewis, who served as major in the Tenth Battalion of York County Militia in the battles of Brandy- wine and Germantown. He was distinguished as the "Fighting Quaker."

Mrs. Lucilla Miller traces her right to membership to Thomas McCalla, the same as Mayme and Sadie Archer, and Mrs. Dora McRoberts to Gen. Ephraim Douglas, the same as Mrs. Ella V. Buchanan.

Mrs. Ada M. Warnock is descended from Benjamin Coe, a ranger on the frontier from 1778 to 1783.

Alice Hopkins is related to Joseph Neely, a sharpshooter in Captain Marshall's company of Pennsylvania Rifle Regulars, Colonel Mile's battalion, and participated in the battle of Brandywine, and was present at the Corn- wallis surrender at Yorktown.

Nellie M. Redman is descended from James Smith, who served during the war in Captain Bowyer's company of the Twelfth Virginia Regiment.

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GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA.

He enlisted in 1776 and served until some time in the year 1780. He died in Gibson county in 1837 at the age of eighty-three years.

Eliza Aurelia Lewis traces her lineage to Eli Lewis, the same as Mrs. Allie Lewis Sevedge, and also to Thomas McCalla.

GIBSON CAMP, SONS OF VETERANS.

The latest of the patriotic organizations in Gibson county is the Sons of Veterans, organized March 12, 1914, with one hundred and twenty-eight charter members. This organization is designated as Gibson Camp No. 228, and, for numbers mustered as charter members, this camp holds the record of any in this state or in the United States. George W. Krietenstein, of Terre Haute, officiated as mustering officer, assisted by other members of the order from Terre Haute, and Col. N. J. McGuire, past commander-in-chief, of Indianapolis. The following officers were elected and installed to serve the current year :

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History of Gibson County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 24

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