History of Gibson County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions, Part 46

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 46

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).

479

GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA.

vicinity of Owensville, Gibson county, Indiana. He married Susannah Elizabeth Fravel, May 28, 1866, and a short time afterwards purchased a farm about three miles north of Owensville, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was a very successful farmer and by his thrift and frugality he became the owner of over three hundred acres of good land before his death, which occurred May 24, 1905. Susannah ( Fravel) Thompson was born near Corydon, Harrison county, this state, April 6, 1845, where she lived until she was sixteen years of age, when she came with her parents to Gibson county in 1860. To Mr. and Mrs. Francis M. Thompson, Sr., were born nine chil- dren, as follows: William. born July 20, 1867, married Lucinda Mauck; Amanda, September 21, 1869. married Erastus Burkett; Julia, April 10, 1871, married Arthur B. Woods; Laura, January 16, 1873, married W. Columbus Benson; Samuel B., March 12, 1875, married Cora Emerson; Jesse W., November 14. 1877, married Mattie Musick; Francis M., January 19. 1880, married Ethel Tichenor; Ellis, May 5, 1882, married Elsie Yeager, and Elmer Thompson, May 5, 1882, married Flora Redman.

Joseph M. Fravel, the father of Mrs. F. M. Thompson, Sr., was born in Virginia on December 28, 1817, and died on June 13, 1879. He spent his boyhood days under the paternal roof in Virginia and in early life went west to Indiana, settling near Corydon, that state, where he married Mary Ann Simler, whose parents came from near Reading, Pennsylvania, and settled in Harrison county, Indiana, near Corydon. Both families were of German descent. They moved to Gibson county about the year 1860 and settled about four miles northeast of Owensville, where they lived for the remainder of their lives. Mary Ann Simler was born in Harrison county, Indiana, September 14. 1821, and her death occurred on March 3. 1907. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph M. Fravel were the parents of nine children: Joseph A., born February 13, 1859. died on May 14. 1860; John H., November 4. 1848, died March 28, 1854; an infant, born October 10, 1855. who died the same year : William Benjamin, March 29, 1851, died February 27, 1896; Susannah Eliza- beth, April 6. 1845, married F. M. Thompson on May 28, 1866; Alice January 6, 1857, married Andrew Jackson Spore: Sarah, December 11, 1846, married James C. Nettleton : Ella, May 28, 1862, married Rhesa K. Spore : Rebecca. who married John Woods.

Francis M. Thompson, Jr., son of Francis M. and Susannah Elizabeth (Fravel) Thompson, was born four miles north of Owensville, Indiana, January 19, 1880. He spent his boyhood on the home farm, attending the

480

GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA.

district schools of his neighborhood in the winter seasons, and working on the farm in the summers. He also spent one year in the high school at Owens- ville. Shortly after his marriage to Ethel Tichenor, the daughter of Willis H. and Louisa ( Lucas) Tichenor, on December 24, 1902, he moved to Owens- ville and started to learn the blacksmith trade with his father-in-law, W. H. Tichenor. Here he remained for eight years and then bought the Lockhart blacksmith shop and went into business for himself. He has all the necessary skill and technical ability for a first-class artisan and has built up his trade until he has all the business he can manage. He is also the agent for the Mitchell wagons and has put a large number of them on the market in this community. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are the parents of three children, Paul T., Raymond E. and Mary Elizabeth.

Mr. Thompson takes an active interest in fraternity circles and is a valued member of the Knights of Pythias and Modern Woodmen of America. Al- though he takes an intelligent interest in political affairs, he has never sought any office from the Democratic party, to which he owes allegiance. He and his wife are both active and loyal members of the Regular Baptist church of Owensville and are deeply interested in all church movements. Mr. Thomp- son is a quiet and unassuming citizen, well liked by every one with whom he comes in contact, and owes his success to that devoted energy which has al- ways characterized his every-day life. He brings credit to one of the oldest and best known families of the state and is a public-spirited citizen who is an honor to any community.

DAVID RILEY STORMONT.

No family in Gibson county's history has occupied a more exalted place in public esteem than the Stormont family and none has more worthily upheld the prestige of an honored family name. Originating in Scotland, the most noteworthy characteristics of that splendid people have been preserved and exemplified by this family through the successive generations, the members of the family having been marked by loyalty, courage, industry and integrity of the highest order, so that the lineal record is one to which the present genera- tion may point with justifiable pride. Several representatives of this family now honor Gibson county with their citizenship, among whom is the gentle- man whose name appears at the head of this sketch.

DAVID RILEY STORMONT AND FAMILY.

481

GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA.

Samuel Stormont, the emigrant ancestor of the subject, was born in county Antrim, Ireland, and emigrated to the United States during or soon after the war of the Revolution. Before leaving Ireland, the family were granted the following certificate :

"That Samuel Stormont His wife Martha & Son David who is a single person is about to go to South Carolina with His daughter Esther who also is a single person Beliaved themselves Soberly & Honestly & may be re- ceived into any Christian Society where God in his providence hath ordered his lot. Certified by --

"Willm. James, "Simon Cameron, "James Wright, "Robert Knox."

To Samuel and Martha Stormont were born the following children : David, who married Nancy Boyd; Esther, who became the wife of James Chestnut ; Martha, the wife of Samuel Faris; Molly, the wife of Samuel McClure; John, who was married twice, first to Nancy Wilson, and then to Bettie Maybin ; William, who married Anna McCulla.

Nancy Boyd, above referred to as the wife of David Stormont, was the daughter of Mary Archer Boyd. The latter walked from her home in Chester district, South Carolina, to Charleston to nurse her husband, who was confined on a prison ship in the harbor there. While she was there, her husband was ordered north to be exchanged, she going with him. He died on the voyage in 1782 and was buried at sea, which recalled a dream he had when crossing the ocean from Ireland to the United States, to the effect that he would die at sea and his body be thrown overboard. During the period when Mary Archer Boyd was nursing her husband, the British and Tories went to her home, where her daughter Nancy, then about nineteen years old, was alone, her brothers being away in the Continental army. The vindictive and inhuman soldiers locked the doors and set fire to the house, but Nancy escaped and slipped away into the woods, where she hid until the British left. During this period her only food was ripe peaches and such milk as she could obtain by slipping away in the dusk of the morning or evening to the cow, which was hidden in a thicket. Nancy Boyd was married to David Stormont about the year 1787 or 1788, and lived in South Carolina until 1810, when the family, accompanied by Nancy's mother, moved to Gibson county, Indiana,

(31)

482

GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA.

settling on the place still owned by the descendants. A few years afterwards Mary Archer Boyd died and was buried in Archer cemetery, she being the first person buried in that graveyard, which had been given by her brother, Robert Archer, to the Reformed Presbyterian church.

Prior to leaving the South Carolina home, the following certificate was granted to Mrs. Boyd :

"Thus is to Certify that the Bearer hereof Mary Boyd, weadow; is now A regular Member of this society in the Comunity of old Decenters and is free from publick scandel known to us. Certified By us thus 27th Day of March 181 I Rocky Creek Chester Districk South Carolina.

"James Munford, Eld. "David Smith, Eld."

"Thus is to Certify that the Bearer hereof, weadow Nancy Stormant, herself and her Daughter Martha Storment is now Regular Members of thus society in the Comunity of Old Decenters and is free from publick scandel known to us And the Rest of her Children is living Regularly under her care. Certified by us thus 27th day of March 1811 Rocky Creek Chester Districk South Carolina.

"James Munford, Eld. "David Smith, Eld."

To David and Nancy (Boyd) Stormont the following children were born: Martha, born July 7, 1789; Robert, April 30, 1791; Mary, April 8, 1793 ; Esther, June 23, 1795; Samuel, August 30, 1797; Nancy Agnes, Octo- ber 22, 1799; David, August 7, 1802; John, December 29, 1804.

Of these children, David, who was the father of the immediate subject of this sketch, married Mary Hartin, who was born in Chester district, South Carolina, and whose ancestral history is briefly stated as follows: The first of this family of whom there is definite knowledge were Joseph and Mary (Craw- ford) Hartin. to whom were born Patrick, Isaac, Jacob and George. Of these, Patrick married Margaret Cunningham and to them were born John, Joseph, Jane. Mary and Patrick. Of the latter children, Joseph married Nancy Agnes Stormont, to whom were born the following children: Mar- garet Jane, who became the wife of Andrew J. Wright; David, who married Elizabeth Brazelton; Mary Marilla, who became the wife of John C. Blair; Rosanna, deceased ; Martha Ann, deceased ; Nancy Catherine Archer was the wife of Robert Little; Sarah became the wife of John Fisher, and Joseph,

483

GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA.

who married Jessie Kerr. To Joseph and Jessie (Kerr) Hartin were born the following children : Mary Duncan, who became the wife of Doris Head; Melville Joseph, who married Ada Smith; John Aden.

The subject's paternal grandfather was a farmer, owning a small farm of forty acres in South Carolina, but, because of his poor health and the fact that he desired that his children should be reared in a non-slaveholding state, he desired to move to the North. However, his death prevented his going, but in 1810 the remaining members of the family moved to Kentucky, making their home with a relative, Mr. Hagwood, who was very good and kind to them. They made the trip to their new home in a one-horse cart. In the spring of 1812 one of the sons, Robert, then seventeen years of age, came to Gibson county, Indiana, locating on a tract of land northwest of Princeton, in Patoka township. Here he put out a small crop and in the fall of that year the other members of the family followed him to the new home. The sub- ject's father, David Stormont, was a lad of ten years when they came to this county and here, amid the pioneer conditions that prevailed, he was reared. He was necessarily denied the opportunities of securing a school education, but, being of a studious disposition and a keen observer, he became a man of wide and accurate general knowledge. He started in life on his own account by farming on land where now stands the Archer cemetery, northwest of Princeton, later locating on land one mile west of there. He started neces- sarily in a very modest way, first working as an ordinary farm hand for fifty cents a day, and out of this meager wage he managed to save money with which he bought his first land. Though mainly a farmer, he worked at anything that presented itself and assisted in the construction of the old Patoka bridge. He was an industrious and hard-working man, paying atten- tion to his own affairs, and was a man of decided convictions, not believing in voting or holding office as far as he was personally concerned. He was very strict in his habits and was a man of strong religious views, being an earnest member of the Reformed Presbyterian church, in which he was a deacon for many years and otherwise active in the church's various enterprises. A kind husband, loving father and honest citizen. he was universally respected in the community where he lived and labored to goodly ends.

On September 23, 1825, David Stormont married Mary Hartin and to them were born the following children: Nancy Jane, who is now deceased. was born on October 5, 1826; she became the wife of John Hull and they lived in Gibson county. John H., born August 4. 1828, died in 1832. Robert B., born September 16, 1830. died September 29. 1862, unmarried. Mary Ann,

484

GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA.

born January 13, 1835, died young. David H., born January 19, 1833, died October 13, 1839. Margaret E., born May 28, 1838, died September 23, 1841. Joseph W., born October 23, 1840, died at Evansville, Indiana, March 5, 1863; he was a member of Company F, Forty-second Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Louise Amanda, born April 24, 1843, married John Adams, of Cutler, Illinois, and both are now deceased. David Riley is the immediate subject of this review. Martha Ella, born September 10, 1850, was the wife of Alex McConahy, and they occupied the old homestead north- west of Princeton. The parents of these children are both deceased, the father dying on December 12, 1886, and the mother on February 13, 1874.

David Riley Stormont, familiarly known among his acquaintances by his middle name, was born on October 1, 1847, on the home farm, three miles northwest of Princeton, Indiana. His education was mainly secured in the old log cabin schools of that early period, whose homely equipment-was not especially calculated to increase the comfort of the pupils, but where, never- theless, the rudiments of a good practical education were secured. This train- ing Mr. Stormont supplemented through the years by much reading and labits of close observation, so that he has long been regarded as a man of wide and accurate information along general lines. Reared to the life of a farmer, Mr. Stormont applied himself indefatigably to that vocation and has long been numbered among the representative farmers of his locality. He is today the owner of five hundred acres of splendid land in Patoka township, practically all of which is maintained in the best condition for the various purposes to which applied. He is also the owner of forty acres of land in White River township. In addition to general farming, Mr. Stormont has given much attention to the breeding and raising of live stock, in which he has met with large success. He has handled Clydesdale and Cleveland bay horses, Poland-China hogs and cattle of all kinds. He has always given his personal attention to every detail of his operations and is thoroughly up-to- date and progressive in his methods, so that he has been enabled to achieve the highest results with a minimum expenditure of effort. His farm is well im- proved in every respect, its general appearance reflecting credit on the owner.

On June 2, 1896, David R. Stormont was united in marriage to Mary E. Lytle, of Center township, this county, and the following year they moved to Princeton, where Mr. Stormont had erected a beautiful home at No. 227 North Seminary street, their present home. Mrs. Stormont's parents were John and Nancy (McIntire) Lytle, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter born near Salem, Indiana. The latter place was their home for a time

485

GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA.

after their marriage, but in 1860 they came to Center township, Gibson county, and secured a tract of wild land, which they converted into a splendid farm and made their permanent home. The father, who was born on February 28, 1825, died in Princeton in 1900, and the mother, who was born in 1826, died on December 12, 1904. They were the parents of the following children : Sarah Ann, who died in April, 1905, was the wife of Alex Mooney; Jolin B. died in infancy ; Margaret Jane died in 1892; Mary E., Mrs. Stormont. To Mr. and Mrs. Stormont the following children have been born: David Lytle, born May 16, 1897; John Lytle, born February 13, 1899; Daniel Lytle, born July 17, 1900; Nancy Lytle, born January 24, 1902; Mary L., born June 28. 1907; an infant daughter who died on October 1, 1908.

Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. Stormont are members of the Reformed Pres- byterian church, to the support of which they are liberal contributors. Not only by reason of the honorable family name which he bears, but more espe- cially because of his own attainments and upright life, Mr. Stormont has earned and retains to a marked degree the confidence and respect of the entire community in which his entire life has been passed. He stands for the best interests of the community, giving his support without reserve to such move- ments as promise to advance the general welfare, and he is popular among his acquaintances.

SAMUEL WOODBURN.

Specific mention is made of many of the worthy citizens of Gibson county within the pages of this work, citizens who have figured in the growth and development of this favored locality and whose interests have been identified with its every phase of progress, each contributing in his sphere of action to the well-being of the community in which he resides and to the ad- vancement of its normal and legitimate growth. Among this number is he whose name appears above, one of the foreign-born citizens of our common- wealth to whose industry and right principles of life the early development of our county and state is largely indebted for its high moral status. Sammuel Woodburn is a native of county Antrim, Ireland, where he first saw the light of day on July 20, 1826, the son of Robert and Margaret ( Wasson) Wood- burn, both natives of the same county. The father was a farmer. and the parents spent their entire lives on their native sod. There were three children in the family, namely: Margaret, deceased; Samuel, subject of this sketch, and William, a farmer residing near Lockport, New York.

486

GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA.

Samuel Woodburn received his education in the common schools of Ire- land and early took up the work of a farmer. This vocation he followed until in 1847, when he set sail for America, being eleven weeks in crossing the Atlantic. His boat docked at New Orleans and from there he journeyed by boat up the Mississippi and Ohio rivers to Evansville, Indiana, and from thence to Princeton. His long journey was made in company with friends. His earliest employment here was during the construction of the Erie canal, in which he was employed for a time. He later became apprentice to the carpenter's trade, in which he became quite proficient and until he joined the army he worked steadily at this trade. In the fall of 1861 he enlisted in Com- pany D, Fifty-eighth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, at Princeton. He was first sent to Louisville and Bardstown, Kentucky, and saw much active service during his enlistment. He was in the battles of Pittsburg Landing, Murfreesboro, Stone River, Chattanooga, Duvall's Station, and other engagements and skirmishes. He was with the Army of the Cumber- land. He had many close calls from death during the engagements in which he participated, but came through free from injury. He saw three years of service and received his discharge in July, 1865. After his discharge from the army, he returned to Princeton and again took up his work as a carpenter, at which he continued until he retired.

On November 20, 1856, Mr. Woodburn was united in marriage to Sarah Connor, who was born in Ireland, March 13, 1833. She was a daugh- ter of Thomas Connor, who had emigrated to America and had settled in Vanderburg county, Indiana. To their union were born seven children: Robert, born September 29, 1857, a farmer of Center township, this county, married Belle Makemson. To them have been born six children, Munroe, Ethel, Hettie, Helen, Alva and Frank. The second child is James B., born May 19, 1859, a farmer who resides in Princeton and who married Josie Griffin. William, born July 6, 1861, is a farmer in White River township, this county ; Mary J., who has always resided at home; Frank died July 30, 1867; Henry, who resides in Evansville, married Dora Margenkerth and they have three children, Charles and Dorotha (twins) and Sarah E. The seventh child of Mr. Woodburn is Nellie, wife of Frank M. Terry, a traveling salesman of Princeton. Mrs. Woodburn's death occurred August 26, 1893.

Mr. Woodburn's religions sympathies are with the United Presbyterian church, to which he gives liberally of his time and means. He is also a mem- ber of the Grand Army of the Republic, Post No. 28, of Princeton. Mr. Woodburn is a hale old gentleman, a man of wonderfully rugged constitution,

487

GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA.

which has served him well during the many years of hard work he has put in, and he is a man well known in the county. He has made many friends both through his business connections and by reason of his genial personality and universal good nature. He is accounted among the most worthy citizens of Gibson county, one who has always had the best good of the community at heart.

MORRIS WATSON, D. D.

The good that a noble character like the Rev. Morris Watson can do in the course of an active life is indeed incalculable and cannot be measured in metes and bounds, in fact, cannot be known until the "last great day, when the trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised incorruptible." He has de- voted his life to the good of others, has lived an unselfish, helpful and altruistic life, and thousands have been made better and had their life-paths made easier and brighter by having known him. So that today he is emi- nently entitled to the high esteem in which he is universally held.

Morris Watson was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, the son of Andrew and Margaret Watson. After attending the public schools he was a student in Muskingum College and later in Xenia Theological Seminary, where he completed his studies preparatory to entering the ministry of the Gospel, a career which he had determined upon. His first active pastorate was at the First United Presbyterian church of Burgettstown, Pennsylvania, from which church he was called to the church at Princeton in January, 1911. A man of forceful personality, an effective pulpit speaker, consecrated to the work in which he is engaged, Rev. Watson has impressed himself upon the community with which he is now identified, and enjoys to a marked degree the confidence and respect of all who know him, regardless of sect or profession. He has not only been active in the particular society of which he is the head, but in the general moral and civic affairs of the community he has been a forceful factor.' Among the special efforts with which he has been identified was the abolition of the saloons from the city of Princeton. Mr. Watson being at the head of the temperance forces and being materially responsible for the splen- did results obtained. His ability is freely recognized, and in 1912 Franklin College, at Easton, Ohio, conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity, an honor richly earned .. A man of marked intellectual attainments, exemplary character and public spirit, Reverend Watson has in every respect merited the high esteem in which he is universally held in that locality.

488

GIBSON COUNTY, INDIANA.

On August 16, 1899, Reverend Watson was married to Florence White, of New Concord, Ohio, and to this union have been born two daughters, Grace and Ruth. Mrs. Watson has proved to her husband a valued helpmate in the religious activities in which he has engaged and because of her graces and excellent qualities of character she has endeared herself to all who know her.

SAMUEL E. MUNFORD.

To attain a worthy citizenship by a life that is always honored and re- spected even from childhood deserves more than mere mention. One may take his place in public life through some vigorous stroke of public policy, and even remain in the hearts of friends and neighbors, but to take the same posi- tion by dint of the practice of an upright life, and without a craving for exaltation and popularity, is worthy of the highest praise and commendation. The late Samuel Munford, one of the successful physicians and public- spirited citizens of Princeton, Indiana, who was well known throughout this community, was a man respected and honored, not because of the vigorous training of his special talents, but because of his daily life, each day having been one that was above criticism and passed upon in the light of real, true manhood. Strong and forceful in his relations with his fellow men, he not only made his presence felt, but also gained the good will and commendation of both his associates and the general public, ever retaining his reputation among men for integrity and high character, no matter how trying the cir- cumstances, and never losing that dignity which is the birthright of a gentle- man. Consequently his influence for good in the general life of his com- munity was most potent, and he will long be sadly missed from the various circles in which he moved and over which his influence was like sunshine on a field of ripened wheat.

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 46

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