USA > Indiana > Gibson County > History of Gibson County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions > Part 47
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Samuel E. Munford was born in Princeton, Gibson county, Indiana, on June 17, 1837, and was a son of John and Mary Nixon ( Archer ) Munford. The father was a native of South Carolina and the mother was born in Chester, South Carolina, in September, 1800. The latter's father, Thomas Archer, came to Indiana, in about 1806, because of his opposition to slavery. He brought several black men with him, among whom was Sampson, who had been the body guard of George Washington and whose remains now lie in the Archer cemetery.
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Mr. and Mrs. Archer were pioneers of the early day and upon coming to this locality they entered a tract of government land and here followed agri- cultural pursuits during the remainder of their lives. They were the parents of nine children, all of whom reached mature years, but all are now deceased excepting R. M. Samuel E. Munford was reared upon the paternal farm- stead, and in his early youth attended the common schools, also receiving some special work in Latin. Having entertained an ambition to make a prac- tice of medicine his life work. the subject entered the office of Doctor Blair. where he read medicine, and also was a student in the Jefferson Medical Col- lege of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, graduating in 1861. He was a close and studious observer of everything pertaining to his profession and became a writer of some note for medical journals. He engaged in practice at Prince- ton for a short time, in partnership with Dr. W. W. Blair, and was just getting fairly started in his professional work when the war of the Rebellion broke out, and to him belongs the distinction of being the first man in Gib- son county to enlist for service. In June, 1861, he became a private in Com- pany H, Seventeenth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was im- mediately detailed for hospital service. In August, 1861, he received an ap- pointment as assistant surgeon of his regiment, and on February 5. 1862, he was promoted to surgeon of that command. At the formation of Wilder's brigade, one of the most noted commands in the Northern army, Doctor Munford was appointed acting brigade surgeon, which position he filled until the close of the war in 1865. when he received an honorable discharge, and returned to Princeton. He formed a partnership with Dr. W. W. Blair, which was maintained for five years, after which Doctor Munford became associated with Doctor West, a partnership which existed for three years, after which he engaged in the active practice alone for many years. A man of strictest integrity, conscientious in the performance of his duties, he suc- cessfully handled many difficult cases and gained a wide reputation as a pro- fessional man of ability and learning. In the special department of surgery, Doctor Munford had no superiors and few equals in this section of the state, being called to many distant points, both as an operator and in consultation. Many of his cases were reported to the medical journals of the country and he also contributed many valuable articles to the medical societies with which he was associated. In 1884 Doctor Munford was elected president of the Indiana State Medical Society, and received much praise for the able manner in which he handled its affairs during his administration. A close student of his profession and keeping in touch with the most advanced thought relative
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thereto, Doctor Munford possessed a large library of the best professional literature and his office was well equipped with everything pertaining to his practice.
Though a busy man professionally, Doctor Munford always maintained a deep interest in local affairs, being public spirited in his attitude toward every movement which promised to benefit the community in any way. He was especially active in church work, being a member of the United Presby- terian society, in which he was an elder, and for ten years he served as a trustee of the city schools. Politically, he was a Republican, though the de- mands of his profession prevented his taking a very active part in political affairs.
In 1873 Doctor Munford was united in marriage to Mima S. Stone- barger, the daughter of John and Emily (Eppley) Stonebarger, the father a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of Virginia. John Stonebarger was a manufacturer in early life, though during his later years he gave his atten- tion largely to the real estate business, which he was following at the time of his death, which occurred at the advanced age of eighty-nine years. To Doctor and Mrs. Munford were born five children, namely: Roderich S., who is news editor of the Youngstown (Ohio) Telegram. Agnes, who died on August 30, 1912, was the wife of Claud H. Crowder, a wholesale boot and shoe dealer of Indianapolis. Mrs. Crowder was a very accomplished musician, being an expert player on both piano and pipe organ. Samuel Archer, who is a physician, is medical adviser of Cornell University, being also extensively engaged in lecturing. Edith is the wife of John D. Moser, a member of the Taylor Manufacturing Company at Hamilton, Ontario. Dorothy is unmar- ried and remains at home with her mother.
In the death of Doctor Munford there passed from the professional circles of Princeton a man who had honored the community with which his life had been identified. There is no standard by which his beneficent in- fluence can be measured, for the helpfulness which he extended was limited only by the extent of his knowledge and skill. Of intense earnestness and conscientiousness in his professional duties, no labor was too arduous and no self-sacrifice too great when he felt called to attend a patient, regardless of conditions or surroundings. His life was full of tenderness, sacrifice, solicitude, true in its constancy and loyal in its devotion to all with whom he was associated. He was everywhere regarded as a wide-awake, enterprising man of his time, fully alive to the dignities and the responsibilities of citizen- ship. and, to the extent of his ability, contributed to the general prosperity of
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the community honored by his citizenship. Courteous, affable and easily approached, he commanded the undivided respect of all with whom he came in contact, and his friends were bounded only by the limits of his acquaintance, being universally esteemed in all the relations of life.
JOHN L. MORRIS, M. D.
Professional success results from merit. Frequently in commercial life one may come into possession of a lucrative business through inheritance or gift, but in what are known as the learned professions advancement is gained only through painstaking and long continued effort. Prestige in the healing art is the outcome of strong mentality, close application, thorough mastery of its great underlying principles and the ability to apply theory to practice in the treatment of diseases. Good intellectual training, thorough profes- sional knowledge and the possession and utilization of the qualities and at- tributes essential to success, have made the subject of this review eminent in his chosen calling, and he is recognized as one of the leading physicians in Gibson county.
John L. Morris, M. D., was born February 22, 1869, in Barton town- ship, Gibson county, Indiana, on the old Barton homestead, the son of John T. and Mary E. ( Miller) Morris. The father was also born on this same farm, while the mother is a native of Warrick county, Indiana. Jolin T. Morris was a son of John T. and Mary ( Marshall) Morris, natives of Eng- land, in which country they lived until reaching maturity, when they came to America in 1832. They were married in Evansville, Indiana, in 1832, later removing to Vanderburg county, and in 1838 locating in Barton town- ship, Gibson county. Here they cleared a place in the heavy growth of tim- ber and built a cabin. John T. Morris. Sr., was fortunately possessed of a knowledge of surveying and was enabled to greatly help his neighbors in locating their land. He was a man of splendid intellectual attainments, well read and scholarly, and was a leader in his community. He and his wife were members of the Episcopal church. To them were born six children, namely : John T., the subject's father; Richard, Lewis, Phillip and Sidney, deceased; Robert is living on part of the old home place. The subject's father, John T. Morris, received a common school education, and, his father passing away when he was but twelve years of age, he tenderly cared for
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his mother until her death in 1892. On August 7, 1862, Mr. Morris enlisted in Company F, Fourth Indiana Cavalry, and was mustered out on June 23, 1865. He served in the Army of the Cumberland, with Sherman on the "March to the Sea," was in Wilson's raid and took part in the capture of Jefferson Davis. He has followed farming for thirty-five years, part of this time being also interested in a saw-mill. In politics he is deeply interested in the success of the Republican party, while his religious affiliations are with the Methodist Episcopal church. In January, 1867, John T. Morris was united in marriage with Mary E. Miller, daughter of David Miller, of Vir- ginia, who was an early settler in Pike county, Indiana, and who later re- moved to Missouri. To this union were born nine children, as follows : George Thomas, who is a farmer in Warrick county, being also interested in engineering and the dairy business, married Mary E. Heldt; John L .; Robert Benjamin is a farmer in Warrick county and among other invest- ments he is connected with the telephone interests. He was first married to a Miss De Priest and his second wife was a Miss Smith; Charles died at the age of four years; Martha Bell died at the age of two and one-half years; James died at the age of four years; W. F. is a physician and is the subject of a sketch elsewhere in this work; Edison, a farmer of Elberfield, Indiana, inarried Augusta Ebrecht; Mary Eva married William C. May, a farmer living at Mackey, Indiana.
After completing a course in the common schools, the subject of this review attended the Snake Run Academy. Resolving to make the study and practice of medicine his life work, he put in two years preparatory work under Dr. John Ballard, of Haubstadt, Indiana, now deceased, and then he entered the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, from which he gradu- ated May 15, 1896. He was then engaged in practice with Dr. John Ballard at Haubstadt, Gibson county, until 1899, when he located at King's Station, where he built his home and office and resided until December 23, 1913, when he moved to Princeton and is now in active practice. Doctor Morris' prac- tice extends over an extensive territory, he not only doing a large business in Princeton, but over the entire county.
The subject was married on April 28, 1897, to Artena Frances Epper- son, of Gibson county, daughter of Uriah C. and Mary (Brumfield) Epper- son, the father, a farmer, living four miles north of Haubstadt. To this union have been born two children: Uriah C., who was born December 23, 1901, and Nola V., who died at the age of four and one-half years.
Doctor Morris is a member of the county and state medical associations,
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also being affiliated with the national body, the American Medical Associa- tion. Politically, he is a staunch Republican, having been elected coroner for the county from 1896 to 1910. Religiously, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at King's Station. His fraternal relations are with the Knights of Pythias lodge at Princeton, and is also a member of the Sons of Veterans, about to be organized here.
JAMES ALBERT TICHENOR.
Though more than a decade of years has elapsed since the honored sub- ject of these memoirs was transferred from the life militant to the life triumphant, his personality is still fresh in the memory of his many friends who remain in Gibson county, where for many years he was regarded as one of the leading inen. Because of his many excellent personal qualities and the splendid and definite influence which his life shed over the entire locality in which he lived so long and which he labored so earnestly to upbuild in any way within his power, it is particularly fitting that specific mention should be made of him in a work containing mention of the representative citizens of the community in a past generation. . \ man of high moral character, unim- peachable integrity, persistent industry and excellent business judgment, he stood "four square to every wind that blew" and throughout the locality where he lived he occupied an enviable position among his fellow men, by whom he was universally esteemed.
James Albert Tichenor was born September 22, 1851, on the corner of West and Emerson streets, Princeton, Indiana, the son of William N. and Elizabeth ( Johnson) Tichenor, he of Nelson county, Kentucky (born De- cember 25, 1826), and she born October 12, 1828, on "River DeShee." Else- where in this volume will be found a sketch of the life of William N. Tiche- nor, father of the immediate subject of this sketch, a man of great influence and ability.
James Albert Tichenor was educated in schools of Princeton, remaining at home with his parents until his marriage, in 1881. to Eliza J. Mauck, who was born August 7. 1850, in Owensville, Indiana, a daughter of Abraham and Nancy (Jones) Mauck. Abraham Mauck was a native of Harrison county. Indiana, and Nancy Jones was a daughter of Col. Charles Jones, whose wife was Eleanore Warrick. The Warricks were natives of Kentucky and Capt.
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Jacob Warrick, Eleanore's father, was killed at the battle of Tippecanoe. Abraham Mauck's education was limited to that obtainable in the country schools of his time. Later in life he was engaged in the pork packing in- dustry and boating and was a merchant at Mt. Carmel, Illinois, in association with his brothers ; they were also engaged in the flour-mill business. He died at the age of eighty years. Nancy Jones Mauck, his wife, died when young, aged thirty-three years. She was the mother of two children now living, namely : Eliza J., wife of the subject of this sketch, and Charles, a farmer located at Twin Falls, Idaho.
Abraham Mauck married a second time, his second wife being Mrs. Mary Miln Walling, widow of Dr. Willoughby Walling, and she is still living in Princeton. To their union were born three children, namely: William M., deceased; Frank, a farmer residing in Princeton, and Arthur, a farmer who resides in Patoka township, Gibson county.
From the time of his marriage in 1881 until his death, May 23, 1900, James Albert Tichenor was engaged in agricultural pursuits in Patoka town- ship. He was one of the largest and most successful farmers in Gibson county and, in addition to general farming, devoted much time and attention to raising high grade live stock. He was a public-spirited man and gave much time and means to promoting any cause that had as its object ultimate benefit to his community. He took a great deal of interest in the Gibson County Fair Association, and did much to make it a high class exhibit. He was influential in political circles and from 1894 to 1898 was chairman of the Republican central committee. His religious affiliation was with the Presbyterian church, to which he gave liberally of his means. To Mr. Tiche- nor and wife were born two daughters, Mabel E. and Maude. Both of these
' daughters are well educated. After attending the grades and high school in Princeton, Mabel E. was graduated at Indiana University at Bloomington, later attending Vassar College for Women, from which she was graduated in 1910. She has been an instructor in mathematics in the Princeton high schools for the past six years. She toured Europe in 1912. Maude, the second daughter, is the wife of James Paul Weatherspoon, to whom she was united in marriage February 1, 1911. She is also a graduate of the Prince- ton high school and attended Indiana University and takes an active interest in many clubs and various societies, in addition to her home duties. Mr. Weatherspoon is engaged in farming.
"An honest man is the noblest work of God," and no higher praise can be given a man than the simple statement that he measured up to the full stature
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of manhood. Such a life was that of James Albert Tichenor, well rounded, full and complete in every relation of life, his memory and influence a vital, living thing in the hearts and minds of those with whom he came in contact.
CHARLES B. SWINNEY.
The youngest newspaper man in Gibson county, Indiana, and one of the youngest in the state is Charles B. Swinney, the editor of the Fort Branch Times, which he established in October, 1911. Mr. Swinney was born August 12, 1888, in Lincoln City, Indiana, the son of Crutcher C. and Jennie (Wright) Swinney, both natives of Indiana. His father died in October, 1893, and his mother is still living.
Charles B. Swinney was educated in the public schools of Fort Branch, and when a chance was offered to learn the newspaper business he readily accepted the opportunity. While still a boy he started in the printing office of C. B. Speer, editor of the Herald, at Fort Branch, Indiana. He then worked for a time in the Courier-Journal office at Louisville, Kentucky, and in 1911, at the age of twenty-three, established the Fort Branch Times, and has continued as editor and manager of this weekly paper since that time. He also has a large job printing business and is rapidly coming to the front as an enterprising newspaper man.
Mr. Swinney was married on November 30. 1912, at Fort Branch, Indiana, to Alice E. Polk, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William C. Polk, and to this union there has been born one son, .Jack William, who was born November 21. 1912. Mr. Swinney is a Democrat in politics and in his paper he espouses the principles of that party in an able and fearless manner. The Polk family, of which Mrs. Swinney is a member, is one of the most prom- inent families, not only of this county, but of southern Indiana during the early history of the state. Mr. Swinney's grandfather, Merit Swinney, was a leading physician of Spencer county, Indiana, for many years, although later in life he went to Evansville, where he was engaged in the grocery busi- ness.
Mr. Swinney is at the threshold of a long and useful career as a news- paper man and. with the energy and ability which he has shown thus far in the conduct of his paper, he bids fair to become a man of influence in his county. A good newspaper is the means of doing an incalculable amount of
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good, and the standard which has been set by Mr. Swinney shows that he is a public-spirited citizen, who wants to put his newspaper on the right side of all public questions.
JOHN J. HOLLIS.
Among the strong and influential citizens of Gibson county the record of whose lives has become an essential part of the history of this section, the man whose name appears above occupies a prominent place and for years he has exerted a beneficial influence in the locality where he resides. His chief characteristics are keenness of perception. a tireless energy, honesty of pur- pose and motive, and every-day common sense, which have enabled him not only to advance his own interests, but also largely contribute to the moral and material advancement of the community.
John J. Hollis, than whom no farmer in Patoka township. Gibson county, Indiana, enjoys a higher degree of popular confidence and regard. was born about three and one-half miles south of Princeton on the old Hollis homestead on April 10, 1838, and is the son of Othniel Hollis, who was born in 1807, in Raleigh, North Carolina. Othniel Hollis lived in North Carolina until he was seventeen years of age, when he came to Gibson county where he had an uncle, Bazil Brown, engaged in the hotel business in Princeton. His wife was Micha Ann Steward, a native of Maryland, born in 1809. She lived to be sixty years of age and died on the farm near Princeton. She was one of the charter members of the Cumberland Baptist church at Princeton, and was a consistent member throughout her life. Othniel Hollis worked on farms in different parts of Gibson county for a while and later purchased eighty acres of wild land about two and one-half miles south of Princeton, which he cleared and put into good shape. He purchased a little later forty additional acres lying about one-half mile southeast of his original tract and on this he built a home, where the famliy lived for several years. In later years he bought a home on South Main street in Princeton, and after the death of his wife made his home with the subject of this sketch for a time. He died in 1882, at the age of seventy-four. For many years he was a faith- ful member of the Liberty congregation of the Regular Baptist church, east of Fort Branch, Indiana. Othniel Hollis and wife were the parents of nine children, namely: The first child was an infant which they lost; Fannie Elizabeth and Robert Alexander, both deceased; John J., the immediate sub-
2 I Holend
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ject of this sketch; Ellen, widow of Joseph Ashmead, of Terre Haute, Indi- ana ; Bartlett B .; an infant ; a little daughter, Sarah, and Louisa, aged seven- teen, all dead, and Corilla, living with her brother Bartlett B. in Patoka town- ship.
John J. Hollis had very little opportunity for schooling when a youth, and worked quite hard with his father on the home place. He remained at home until the beginning of the Civil war, when, in October, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Fifty-eighth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served to January of 1865. He left on December 13, 1861, going to Louisville, Kentucky, and was in the battle of Chickamauga and, on account of weak eyes as a result of measles, he was relegated to cook for his mess. He was four times wounded. On September 19, 1863, he was shot through the right foot, was also shot through the left leg, a shot which struck him in the left hip passed out through the right hip and he was also hit in the spine by a spent ball. He was taken to the field hospital on the next day and for fifteen days was held a prisoner near Murfreesboro. During this time all he had to eat was cockle and wheat and after fifteen days he was sent back to the Union lines. He had to lay on his face on a blanket thrown over a pile of stone for a long time. Four months later he got home and was disabled for a long time.
On October 12, 1866, Mr. Hollis was united in marriage to Sarah Skelton, of Gibson county, who died in 1907. They were the parents of two children, Ella, who died aged two years, eight months and eight days, and Othniel, who died at the age of twenty months. Mr. and Mrs. Hollis have a foster son, William R. Knowles, whom they took when a boy six years old. He married Eva Gorley and they are farmers in Patoka township. After returning from the army, Mr. Hollis bought eighty acres of the old original Hollis homestead, which he still owns. He was also engaged in the furniture business in Princeton for several years. Also at one time he had lived in Posey county, Indiana, and for about four years they were in Owensville. In 1881 they left the old farm homestead and he bought his present home in Princeton, on the corner of South Main and Pinkney streets.
Mr. Hollis is a man of delightful personality who counts his friends by scores. His life principles have been such as to win for him the confidence and respect of all and he has ever sought to better the community in which he made his home. He is a charter member of Archer Post No. 28, Grand Army of the Republic. At the age of eighteen years he united with the
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Enon General Baptist church and has ever been a faithful and consistent member of same. His has been a clean, honest, open life, helpful to all and an excellent example to those with whom he comes in contact.
SAMUEL HUGH ARCHER.
There are individuals in nearly every community who, by reason of pro- nounced ability and force of character, rise above the heads of the masses and command the unbounded esteem of their fellow men. Characterized by perseverance and a directing spirit, two virtues that never fail, such men always make their presence felt and the vigor of their strong personality serves as a stimulus and incentive to the young and rising generation. To this energetic and enterprising class the subject of this review very properly belongs. Having never been seized with the roaming desires that have led many of Gibson county's young men to other fields of endeavor and other states, where they have sought their fortunes, Mr. Archer has devoted his life to industries at home and has succeeded remarkably well, as we shall see by a study of his life's history.
Samuel Hugh Archer was born October 14, 1833, in Patoka township, Gibson county, Indiana, the son of John and Catherine (McMullen) Archer, the father a native of South Carolina and the mother of Kentucky. The paternal grandfather of the subject was Thomas Archer, who married a Miss McCalley in South Carolina, and Thomas was a son of Robert Archer. In 1806 or 1807 Samuel Hugh Archer's father, grandfather and great-grand- father, John, Thomas and Robert, came from South Carolina through to Indiana in wagons, stopping on their way for a brief period in Tennessee. On arriving in the Hoosier state, after the long, tiresome and dangerous journey, they settled in White River township, Gibson county, for a time and later purchased the land known as Captain Hopkins' place, which at that time was a virgin forest of heavy timber.
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