USA > Indiana > Gibson County > History of Gibson County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions > Part 44
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In 1909 Mr. Biggs was married to Celeste Prince Downey, daughter of AV. J. and Octavia (Hall) Downey, both of whom were natives of the state of Indiana, the father born in Posey county and the mother in Gibson county. They were among the early residents of this county and are representatives of prominent old families of this community, the town of Princeton having been named for the Prince family and Hall street of this city for the Hall family. To Mr. and Mrs. Biggs has been born one child, Nancy Celeste, now four years of age. The family now reside in a splendid and attractive home on South Hall street, where the spirit of hospitality is always in evi- dence and which is a favorite gathering place for the many friends of the family. Fraternally, Mr. Biggs is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order
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of Elks, in the workings of which orders he takes an appreciative interest. In every relation of life Mr. Biggs has been true to his highest ideals, and today 110 man in his community stands better in the public estimation than he, for he has at all times stood for the best things in life and for the advance of the community along all lines.
RICHARD MONTGOMERY.
It is a well attested fact that the greatness of a community or a state lies not in the machinery of government nor even in its institutions, but rather in the sterling qualities of the individual citizen, in his capacity for high and unselfish effort and his devotion to the public welfare. In these particulars he whose name appears at the head of this review has conferred honor and dignity upon his locality, and as an elemental part of history it is consonant that there should be recorded a resume of his career, with the object in view of noting his connection with the advancement of one of the inost flourishing and progressive sections of the commonwealth, as well as his official relations with the administration of the public affairs of the county honored by his citizenship.
Richard Montgomery was born in Patoka township. Gibson county, Indiana, about three miles west of his father's old homestead, on September 18, 1839. His parents were Greenberry and Eliza (Fitzgerald) Montgom- ery, the father born at Owensville. Indiana, and the mother in Patoka town- ship. The subject's paternal grandfather, James Montgomery, was a native of Kentucky. as was his wife, and they were among the early settlers in Gibson county. locating near Owensville. Here the father, who was a farm- er, secured a tract of wild land, which he cleared and which he developed into a splendid farm. To them were born the following children, Mack, Richard, James, Greenberry, America, who became the wife of Jolin Baker; Martha, who became the wife of Peter Smith; Jane, the wife of Frank Daugherty, and Polly, the wife of John Robb. Greenberry Montgomery was reared on his father's farm and had but little opportunity to attend school. On attaining mature years he bought a tract of wild land in Patoka town- ship, which he cleared and there created a comfortable home, owning two hundred and sixty acres of land. He was a hard-working man and his wife, who was a woman of large and powerful physique, did nearly as much
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manual labor as he did in the work of clearing the land and putting it into crop. They were well known and highly respected in the community, where they resided during the remainder of their lives. Mr. Montgomery was a Whig in politics in early life, but later became identified with the Republican party. Their children were as follows: James, deceased, was a farmer in Patoka township, and married Nancy Griffin; John, deceased, married first Sarah Perkins; second, Bessie Pritchett, and third, Maggie Barnett; Will- iam, deceased, was a farmer in Patoka township, married Anna Woods, who now lives in that township; he was a veteran of the Civil war; Thomas, who lives on a part of the old homestead in Patoka township, and who was a veteran of the Civil war, married Delia Kinelly; Willis, deceased, married Lizzie Forker; Parmelia, deceased, was twice married, first to Sanderson Emberton, and second to James Woods; Victoria is the wife of Robert Corn, of Evansville, Indiana ; Martha is the wife of I .. Ohinstead, of Patoka township, this county; Nora, deceased. was the wife of Charles Florica; Richard, the subject of this sketch.
Richard Montgomery was deprived of the opportunity of securing a school education in his youth, his early years being given unremittingly to the work of the home farm, where he remained until his marriage in 1861. He and his wife then lived on the old homestead in Patoka township until August 9, 1862, when he enlisted as a private in Company A, Eightieth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, his wife going to stay with her own people while he was out in the defense of his country. He was first sent to Evansville, where he joined his regiment, and then back to Princeton and on to Covington. Kentucky. The command was sent from there to Louisville, and then to Perryville, where they took part in an engagement with the enemy on October 8, 1862. The Eightieth Regiment was assigned to the First Brigade, Twenty-third Army Corps, with which they took part in the battles of Perrysville, Marrow Bone, Kingston, Tennessee, Mossy Creek, Buzzard Roost, Resaca, Dallas Hills, Lost Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain, siege of Atlanta, which lasted from July 19 to August 9, 1864, Lovejoy Sta- tion, Boone Gap, Franklin, Fort Anderson, North Carolina, Washington and Goldsboro, North Carolina, and on June 2, 1865, Mr. Montgomery was honorably discharged from the service, being paid off at Indianapolis. Dur- ing his period of service he traveled eight thousand two hundred and forty- six miles, two thousand fifty by water, twenty-four hundred and forty-five by rail and thirty-seven hundred and fifty on foot. After his return from the war, Mr. Montgomery bought a part of the old homestead of Johnson
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Fitzgerald, and here he and his wife established a home and carried on farm- ing successfully until 1905, when they sold the farm and retired from active labor, now living at No. 618 South Hall street, Princeton. They are both remarkably well preserved physically and are now situated to enjoy life to the utmost. Mr. Montgomery has gone through some trying experiences, but despite his army hardships and strenuous labor required in his life work as a farmer, he has come to the sunset of life's journey well preserved, and is now prepared to quietly enjoy the remaining years of his life.
On October 3, 1861, Mr. Montgomery was married to Mary Jane Alsop, who was born east of Owensville, Indiana, the daughter of Reuben and Willie Ann (Smith) Alsop. Her father, who was a native of Gibson county, Indiana, died in 1844, and his widow afterward became the wife of Johnson Fitzgerald, of Virginia, who was a veteran of the Indian wars, having served in the battle of Tippecanoe. He came to Gibson county in 1810, settling in Patoka township, and died in 1886, at the age of seventy-six years. He was one of the foremost and most enterprising men of his period and was the owner of one of the first saw and grist mills in this locality, being run by water power. He was also a successful farmer and was widely known throughout southern Indiana. Mrs. Montgomery was the only child born to her parents. To Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery have been born eight children, namely : Martha Jane is the wife of Thomas Wright, of Fort Branch, and they have one child, Loren; Lorenzo, who is engaged with the Southern Rail- road Company at Baldwin Heights, married Minnie Newberry, and they have one child, Roy; Emma is the widow of Major Wright, of Baldwin Heights, and is the mother of three children, Bessie, Otto and Jesse; Pearl lives at Harrison, Arkansas; Justus Elmer and Jesse Ellis are twins; the former, who is a farmer in Patoka township, married Nannie Powers, and they have three children, Roscoe, Willis and Harvey G .; Jesse Ellis, who lives in Patoka township, married Florence Embree, and they have four children. Gertrude, Mildred, Richard and John; John Montgomery died in youth; Grace is the wife of James A. Lhuring, of Princeton, Indiana, and they have one child, Thelma Laverne.
Politically, Mr. Montgomery is a stanch Republican, while, religiously, he and his wife are members of the Baptist church, belonging to the White church in Patoka township. At one time Mr. Montgomery was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic at Princeton. In all the essential ele- ments of good citizenship Mr. Montgomery is a man among men and by his earnest life, sturdy integrity and strict regard for the highest ethics he has
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earned and retains the warm regard of all who know him. He gives his support to every movement which promises to be of material or moral bene- fit to the people, and because of his success in life and his genuine worth he is eminently entitled to representation in this work.
JOHN K. PEOPLES.
It is an axiom demonstrated by human experience that industry is the keynote of prosperity. Success comes not to the man who idly waits, but to the faithful toiler whose work is characterized by sleepless vigilance and cheerful celerity, and it has been by such means that John K. Peoples, popu- lar and enterprising groceryman of Princeton, has forged to the front and won an honorable place among the substantial citizens of Gibson county.
John K. Peoples was born in Princeton, Gibson county, Indiana, De- cember 5, 1875, the son of William and Melvina L. (Carithers) Peoples. The father was a native of freland and emigrated to the United States when he was seventeen years of age, coming direct from the East to Princeton, where he settled and followed agriculture and the mercantile business until his death, which occurred in 1895 in Princeton. The subject's mother is still living, residing on East State street in Princeton.
The early education of the subject was acquired in the common and high schools of his native city, and on reaching mature years he was em- ployed as a clerk in a grocery store, which occupation he followed until 1900, when he engaged in business on his own account. His establishment was located in the building in which was formerly E. P. Downey's grocery. By constant attention to details and by exercising a desire to please his patrons, Mr. Peoples has built up a large and profitable trade, always keep- ing-on hand the best goods in every line, choosing rather to refuse to buy goods of an inferior quantity than to attempt to sell such to his customers. Following out this policy of serving his patrons with dependable merchan- dise, the subject has gained a reputation for himself that may well be envied. A grocery stock valued at from four to five thousand dollars is carried, in addition to a line of chinaware.
On June 29, 1911, Mr. Peoples was united in the bonds of matrimony to Anna McConaley, daughter of A. L. and Martha ( Stormont) McConaley, old settlers in the community and both still living in the county. To the subject and wife has been born one child, Eloise V.
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Mr. Peoples is a member of the Reformed Presbyterian church. He and his family live at No. 323 East State street in Princeton, where they have a very comfortable and hospitable home, over which Mrs. Peoples presides in a praiseworthy manner, making their home the center of a happy social circle.
The qualities which have made Mr. Peoples one of the prominent and successful men of Princeton have also brought him the esteem of his fellow townsmen, for, although comparatively a young man, his career has been one of well-directed energy, strong determination and honorable methods, and he is an excellent representative of the wide-awake, enterprising and successful American business man.
DAVID A. DAVISON.
In nearly every community are individuals who, by innate ability and sheer force of character, rise above their fellows and win for themselves con- spicuous places in public esteem. Such an one is the well-known gentleman whose name appears above, a man who has been identified with the history of Gibson county for a number of years, during which period his life has been closely interwoven with the material growth and development of his county, while his career as a progressive man of affairs has been synonymous with all that is upright and honorable in citizenship.
David A. Davison was born in Marshall, Illinois, on March 11, 1866, son of Reese and Catharine (Wayrick) Davison, the father being a native of Ohio and the mother of Virginia. The father was a farmer throughout his active years and still lives in Clark county, Illinois. He was born in 1830 and his wife in 1828. Both are faithful and earnest members of the Meth- odist church, and enjoy the respect of the entire community in which they live. They were the parents of eight children, of whom six are living, namely : George P., of Terre Haute, Indiana; Lyman L., of Los Angeles, California; Burns U., an attorney of Marshall, Illinois; John H., a druggist at Marshall; Charles D., a farmer in Clark county, Illinois, and David A., the subject of this sketch. The latter received his elementary education in the public schools of Marshall. Illinois, later attending the Indiana State Normal School at Terre Haute. Then, having determined to take up the veterinary profession as his life work, he became a student in Chicago Veter- inary College, where he graduated in 1892, receiving the degree of Doctor
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of Veterinary Science. He immediately entered upon active practice of his profession at Marshall, Illinois, where he remained for six years, and then he came to Princeton, establishing himself here on May 28, 1898. He has been successful in his profession here to an unusual degree, and enjoys a wide-spread reputation as a successful veterinarian, being called to many parts aside from his home town in the practice of his profession. He has erected a fine two-story brick hospital, into which he moved on June 15, 1907, and which is finely equipped in every respect for the treatment of horse diseases, including an operating table, foot tub and an elevator to lift the horses to the second story. For about a year Doctor Davison was the proprietor of a drug store here, which is now known as the H. G. May store.
On May 27, 1891, Doctor Davison was married to Alice M. Harris, of Marshall, Illinois, daughter of Milton and Mary E. Harris, and to them have been born three children, Marie, Burns H. and Helen.
Politically, Doctor Davison is an ardent Republican and in November. 1909, he was elected mayor of Princeton, assuming the duties of his office on January 3rd. following. As mayor, Doctor Davison has won some hard- fought battles, some of which terminated in the court, but he has had the satisfaction of winning in each instance. He has been impartial in enforcing the law, knowing neither friend nor foe, and has been unrelenting in his pur- suit of wrong doing and vice of every nature. His police court has been conducted in an impartial manner and, though he has had some opposition and has actually created some enmity, he is now strong in the confidence and esteem of the best element of the populace. Fraternally, he is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Tribe of Ben-Hur. Mrs. Davison and the children are members of the United Presbyterian church. The Doctor has taken an active part in affairs affecting his pro- fession and served as treasurer of the Ohio Valley Veterinary Association for seven years, and is fourth vice-president of the Indiana Municipal League. As a man, Doctor Davison is easily the peer of any of his fellow citizens in all that constitutes upright living and correct citizenship. He is a close and intelligent observer and takes pains to keep himself well informed upon cur- rent events. He is quiet in demeanor, a thinker and a man of action rather than words. He is essentially a man of the people, because he has large faith in humanity and is optimistic in all of his views. The high esteem in which he is held by the people of his community is a worthy tribute to so successful a man, and he deserves a conspicuous place on the roster of Gib- son county's progressive and representative citizens.
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CAPT. JAMES H. BALLARD.
It should be a source of gratification to us if we can point to our an- cestors and say that their reputations were always above the reproach of their fellow men, their careers being free from the shadow of wrong or the suspicion of evil. This Capt. Jamies H. Ballard can do, although he modestly refrains from any undue laudation of his family history, but those who are conversant with the facts regarding this sterling old Virginia stock will not hesitate to speak of their good qualities and their honorable lives.
James H. Ballard was born August 17, 1838, in Albemarle county, Virginia, the son of Thomas and Lucy B. (Duke) Ballard. Thomas Ballard was born in the same county in Virginia as his son James, on a farm settled on by the subject's great-grandfather. Mr. Ballard retains possession of the original deed to the land, signed by Robert Dinwiddie, of Virginia, a governor in colonial times, the document being dated 1752. The subject's father was a farmer and flour mill man and in the early days a slaveholder. He died at Pittsylvania Court House, Virginia, in 1873, his wife passing away at the old home place three years previous.
Captain Ballard was educated in the common schools of Virgina and was attending the Mossy Creek College when his health failed and he was compelled to relinquish his studies, thereafter engaging in the collection busi- ness for two years, at the end of which time, on May II, 1861, he enlisted in Company K, Second Virginia Cavalry, which was a part of Gen. Robert E. Lee's army. Mustered in as a private, the subject soon was commissioned captain and with his company took part in many of the great battles of the war, among them the battle at Manassas, the Valley campaign with Jackson. the Seven Days' fighting around Richmond, Fredericksburg, the Wilderness, Seven Forks, Winchester and Five Forks. The Captain was three times wounded. One horse was shot to death under him and two others wounded. At the battle of Five Forks he received a severe wound in the shoulder. which compelled him to retire from the service of the Confederacy. On returning to his home, Captain Ballard was appointed deputy internal revenue collecter and served in that capacity and as chief deputy marshal for fourteen years, at the expiration of which time he removed to Knox- ville, Tennessee, and engaged in the dairy business for three years, then going to Texas, remaining in the Lone Star state until 1896. Going to Fort Smith, Arkansas, in the latter year, he accepted the position of clerk in the Grand Central hotel at that place, which position he resigned after a short
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term of service to accept a position in the clerical and collection department of the Princeton Water Company, in which capacity he was employed until his retirement.
On May 18, 1863, Captain Ballard was married to Sarah A. White- head, and to this union were born eight children, as follows: Jimmie Lee is a railroad man employed in the shops at Knoxville, Tennessee; Ellis R. met his death in a railway accident at Roanoke City, Virginia; Robert is a minister of the Methodist Episcopal faith at Crossville, Tennessee; Fred was a non- commissioned officer in the United States army in the war with Spain; and was killed in Porto Rico; two children died in infancy; Henry lives at Knoxville, Tennessee, and is a railroad man: Douglas is employed in the railroad shops at Princeton.
Captain Ballard was married on May 18, 1905, to Mary E. Fentriss, daughter of James H. and Johanna (Skinner) Fentriss. James H. Fentriss was born and reared in Princeton, was a harness-maker and served his county as recorder for four years. He was the father of four children, all of whom are living. Fraternally, he was affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in early life, while he was a supporter of the Demo- cratic party.
Captain Ballard has been a Republican in politics, but has never let his allegiance to that party interfere with his judgment when it came to a choice of what he considered the best men for any office. Fraternally, he is affil- iated with the Masonic order, and is a consistent member of the First Meth- odist Episcopal church.
JAMES W. LEWIS.
What a wonderful heritage a man gives his children, in passing from this life, when he leaves behind him a knowledge of an active life well spent and evidences of the good he had accomplished for his age and community. To be considered the foremost man of his county in his day, a leader in all things pertaining to the welfare of the community, does not fall to the lot of many men, and only those who are truly great in heart and mind, of in- domitable energy and unfailing optimism, are capable of winning the trust and confidence which places them in the leadership in matters of public good, especially in a new section. This cheering knowledge is possessed by the children of Andrew Lewis, among them being the subject of this sketch.
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James W. Lewis first saw the light of day in the old Lagow House at Princeton, Gibson county, Indiana, on December 22, 1846, his father being owner and proprietor of the Lagow House at that time. Mr. Lewis is the son of Andrew and Eliza A. (Evans) Lewis. Andrew Lewis was a native of Pennsylvania, having been born in Lewisberry, that state, which town was founded by his paternal grandfather, Eli Lewis, an old and honored physi- cian. Eli Lewis has placed himself on record in the history of his state, by giving to the town he founded his family name.
The subject of this sketch has additional cause for pride in his ancestors in the fact that his mother was a niece of Gen. Robert M. Evans, who founded the city of Evansville, Indiana, although she was born and reared in Princeton. General Evans was quite active in the early military affairs of the state, when the red men were constantly annoying the whites. Grand- father Evans was in the battle of Tippecanoe, being wounded there, which eventually caused his death in 1836.
Andrew Lewis, father of the subject, came to Gibson county. Indiana, from his native state of Pennsylvania, in either the year 1842 or 1843, the exact date not being known. He was twice married, his first wife being Jane Ann McCann, a native of Pennsylvania. To this union was born one daugh- ter, who is Mrs. Adeline M. Thornton, of Washington, D. C. For many years Andrew Lewis engaged in the practice of medicine, winning the hearts of his patrons through his skill and sincere interest in them. He took an active interest in politics, so far as his other duties permitted, and served as clerk of Gibson county for one term. Being a man of keen enterprise and foresight, he saw an opportunity in handling grain, and for a time gave his attention to the flour-mill business and buying and selling of grain.
Having at an early date become identified with the leading movements of his community, the project of the old Wabash and Erie canal strongly appealed to him and he gave of his time and ability toward its accomplish- ment. He was much interested in railroading, then in its earliest infancy, and always being anxious to obtain for his adopted part of the country all advantages possible at that time, he became one of the projectors of the old "Air Line" or Southern Railroad, being, in fact, one of the original con- tractors who built a portion of the road.
There are today in Princeton many landmarks which stand as monu- ments to the memory of this versatile man, and it is with regret that we record that he lost a fortune of six hundred thousand dollars in railroad
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contracting. Among other works in Princeton, his fine residence and the Zenith mill still remain.
Mr. Lewis was in every respect a man worthy of the name, and as "man is the noblest work of God," his useful life was surely pleasing to his Creator. He departed this life March 10, 1877, regretted by all who knew him and admired by many who had never had the pleasure of a personal acquaintance. He left his wife and five children, the eldest being James W .. subject of this sketch; Malissa J., who married Robert Douglas, formerly in the book business in Indianapolis, and who is now dead; Rankin E., who makes his home at the Columbia Club in Indianapolis; Andrew, who resides here in Princeton and is cashier of the American Trust Company, and Will- iam H., who lives in Indianapolis. Mrs. Andrew Lewis survived her hus- band not quite two years, passing away November 4, 1878, a fitting wife for such a man.
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