USA > Indiana > Gibson County > History of Gibson County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions > Part 48
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Robert Archer, the great-grandfather of the subject, gave to the Presby- terian church some land to make the Archer cemetery, this burial ground thus acquiring its name from the family and having been laid out over one hun- dred and ten years ago. Robert was a Revolutionary soldier and was a cripple. He died in his sixty-fifth year. His sister, a widow, Mrs. Boyd, was the first person interred in the Archer cemetery. To Robert Archer and wife were born six children, Rose, Nancy, Mary, Ebbie, Thomas and William.
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Thomas Archer, as a young man, acquired one hundred and sixty acres of land in Patoka township, two miles northwest of Princeton, securing this tract from the government. He was a farmer and stock raiser and was a very successful man. In later life he sold his farm and bought six acres north of Princeton, but later returned to the old home place, where his death oc- curred. He was the father of the following children: (1) Robert lived all his life in Patoka township and was a farmer and stock raiser. (2) John lived in Gibson county and was a gunsmith and locksmith by trade. In 1850 he settled on land south of Princeton where the Southern railroad shops are now located. The tract was covered with heavy timber, much of which had been blown down, the land comprising one hundred and sixty-eight acres. In the clearing of this place the subject of this sketch assisted. John, who was first a Whig and later a Republican, was a well known and highly respected man in his community, a member of the Reformed Presbyterian church, while his wife was a charter member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He died in 1865 and his wife in 1872. (3) Samuel, at the age of sixteen, started clerking in the store of Robert Stockwell at Princeton and later was made a partner in the firm, eventually buying Mr. Stockwell out. Later moving to Evansville, Indiana, Sanmel, in partnership with John Mackey, engaged in the wholesale dry goods business, also engaging in banking. He was married to May Snethen and died in his eightieth year. (4) David lived in Prince- ton, where he was a clothing merchant for many years, also being interested in farming operations. He married Martha McCalley. (5) Beasey educated himself in the State University, and died at the age of twenty-six. (6) Thomas lived in Evansville, Indiana. He was an engineer of high ability, and ran the first engine on the Evansville & Terre Haute railroad out of Evansville sixty years ago. He was twice married. (8) Mary married John Munford, a farmer, and lived in Princeton. (9) Sarah died at the age of thirty years. Of the above named children, Robert married Louisa, the widow of Brown Woods, who was killed in the battle of Resaca on May 14, 1862. She lived in Princeton. To Robert and his wife was born a son, Robert A. On Robert's death she again married, becoming the wife of George Miller and they have two sons, Dr. C. A. Miller, of Princeton, and Archibald, who died in the Philippine Islands while in the employ of the gov- ernment as a teacher.
John Archer, the subject's father, was the parent of the following chil- dren : (1) William, who was born in 1828 and lived in Gibson county all- his life, was a member of the Eightieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry and was
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killed in the battle of Resaca. He was the husband of Jane King, who now lives in Princeton, and they had one child, William, who is a farmer at Montrose, Colorado. (2) James Wilson lived at home until his death, at the age of twenty-three. (3) Samuel, the subject. (4) Theodore Beasey lived at home until he reached the age of seventeen. when he enlisted in the Thirty- third Indiana Volunteer Infantry. While in his country's service he died from exposure, in 1863. He was buried in the Archer cemetery. (5) Sarah M., who is deceased, was the wife of Hugh Cairns. (6) Rachael Ann died young. (7) Margaretta also died young.
The children of Samuel Archer and wife were: Anne, living near Port- land, Oregon; Lucy, also living near Portland, Oregon; Charles Archer, D. D. S., is located in Portland, where he deals in dental supplies. He is mar- ried and has a son, Samuel. To David Archer and wife were born two chil- dren, Beasey and Elizabeth, of Princeton.
Thomas Archer. by his first marriage, was the father of three children: Fulton is deceased; Elzine is one of the oldest engineers on the Evansville & Terre Haute railroad, having been in its service for the last thirty years. He is married; Mary is unmarried and lives in California.
John and Mary (Munford) Archer were the parents of the following children : Riley, who was married, died at the age of twenty-eight; Harvey, deceased, was a graduate of the State University and taught school. He was married to a Miss Emery, and she also is now deceased; William, deceased, was a member of the Fifty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry during the Civil war and was wounded at Murfreesboro. After the war he lived in Gibson county and married a Miss McRoberts. He left two children on his death, John, who lives in Princeton, and Anne, also living in Princeton, and the widow of a Mr. Sabins.
Samuel Hugh Archer, the subject of this review, received his early edu- cation in the primitive schools of pioneer times. He was compelled to go three or four miles to the little log school house, following blazed trails through the forest, the children riding through the dense woods three on a horse. The subject lived at home until he reached the age of twenty-two, when he and a brother, William, borrowed money and went to the river bot- toms to engage in the raising of corn. They found a ready inarket at thirty cents a bushel and were soon enabled to pay off their debt. Remaining at this business for four years, Mr. Archer next went to the state of Kentucky and sold fanning mills for two years, after which he returned to the old home place and he and his brother William farmed it until the brother enlisted in
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the Union army. Samuel remained at the home to take care of the family and the farm, and after the parents died he was appointed administrator and settled the estate. After their deaths he lived in Princeton for two years and then purchased one hundred and ten acres of land known as the Potter place. In the spring of 1871 he was united in marriage to Elizabeth O. Robb, of Gibson county, and this union has been blessed with the following children : Lluella married William Wyman, who is traffic manager for a railroad com- pany in Chicago; Mary is at home; Franklin married Elizabeth Gray and is farming on the home place; Sarah is at home; two died in infancy. In the years 1879 and 1880 Mr. Archer built his present splendid home and his place, which now comprises two hundred and six acres, is one of the finest in Patoka township.
A progressive farmer and stock breeder, the subject las devoted much attention to the raising of fine stock, specializing in Short Horn and Jersey cattle and Chester White, Berkshire, Poland China and Duroc Jersey Red hogs, also raising general purpose horses and mules.
In 1858 the Gibson County Fair Association was organized and Mr. Archer was one of the incorporators, the association being reorganized in 1864. Mr. Archer served as assistant superintendent, later as superintendent and eventually as general superintendent for eight years and as a director for fifteen years. He has always taken a deep interest in movements for the bet- terment of Gibson county in any line. A faithful member of the United Presbyterian church in Princeton, he has taken a great interest in its welfare.
Mr. Archer has taken an especial interest in the upkeep of Archer ceme- tery, having added many improvements to it, among these being a fine iron fence and a gravel road leading to the burial place. The care of the grounds of this beautiful resting place of the dead has been a pleasant task for him and the beauty of these are the result of his solicitude.
RICHARD B. HALLOCK.
It was remarked by a celebrated moralist and biographer that "there has scarcely passed a life of which a judicious and faithful narrative would not have been useful," and especially is this true when the life under review is one that has closed its earthly career and permits the biographer to view the life as a whole and get a prospectus scarcely possible in the life of a living
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man. Richard B. Hallock, the honored subject of this memoir, was one of the worthy citizens of Princeton in an early day and by his business ability, honor and integrity, coupled with a winning personality, he did much to ad- vance the social and business welfare of this community. It was he who opened the first drug store in Princeton, on the south side of the square, and he was also the genial host of the hostelry known as the Hallock House, at whose hospitable board many of the famous visitors to Princeton sat down in early days.
Richard B. Hallock was born March 15, 1815, and died September I, 1895. His birth place was Tuckerton, Burlington county, New Jersey, and he was a son of the Rev. John Hallock and Lydia, his second wife. They were both natives of Tuckerton, where the Rev. Mr. Halloek was a preacher of the Quaker faith. After the death of his wife, Mr. Hallock, together with three maiden sisters and his three sons, came west and located in Illinois, south of Friendsville and near Mt. Carmel. Here they had considerable land, which they farmed, and they also had a general store and in addition manufactured castor oil. One of the sons moved to Evansville, Indiana, where he died. The father also later lived in Evansville, and it was at that point his death occurred. Aaron, another son, lived at Mt. Carmel, Illinois. The Rev. John Hallock was a fine man, quite prominent and well known in his day.
The third son who came with the father was Richard B., the subject of this sketch. He received his early education in the public schools. He first acquired the trade of a cabinet-maker and later became a druggist. He was in the drug business in New York state and also in Philadelphia, and he and his brothers, Allen C. and James, were in the drug business in New York City before the father and sons came to Illinois, and were associated with the rest of the family in the manufacture of castor oil. In addition to their other business interests, they operated flat boats on the river, going as far as New Orleans, where they disposed of the produce that formed their cargo. The father and his three sons were men of importance in their community and were widely known. After coming to Princeton, Richard B. Hallock oper- ated his drug store in various locations until his retirement in 1888.
In April, 1844, Mr. Hallock was united in marriage to Malinda Parmenter, of Albion, Illinois. She was the daughter of Isaac and Sarah (Ulter) Parmenter, originally of Mt. Carmel. The father was a farmer and was one of the leading men in the Indian war, ranking as colonel. His death
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was due to a bullet wound in the forehead received during one of the numer- ous skirmishes. It was after his marriage that Mr. Hallock came to Prince- ton and here they resided during many years. endearing themselves to all. Mrs. Hallock was an exceptionally fine woman, and was the pioneeer nurse of Gibson county. For a while she was second matron of the Orphans' Home at Princeton, where her great heart found an outlet for its wonderful store of motherly love. Soon after their arrival in Princeton, Mr. and Mrs. Hal- lock identified themselves with the Cumberland Presbyterian church and dur- ing the remainder of their lives gave much of their time and means to further its influence on the community. Into the ideal home these two worthy ones made, ten children were born, three of whom, Lydia, Amy and Eliza, died in early infancy; Harry died at the age of eleven, John at the age of thirty- three, and Charles at the age of forty-five. Sarah lives in Pasadena, Cali- fornia, the widow of the Rev. J. E. Jenkins, who filled the pulpit of the Cum- berland Presbyterian church in Princeton for thirty-three years. To their union were born four children, Mary, Minnie, Catherine and Annie. Richard, one of the sons of this excellent family, was a teacher in the schools of Gibson county for fourteen years and is now in the directory business at Peoria, Illi- nois. He remains unmarried. The two remaining children. Malinda and William E., have always remained in the old home. Both were educated in the schools of Princeton and in the year 1886 William E. began the manufac- ture of brooms and is still engaged in that business at No. 527 South Gibson street. Also for the past twenty-five years he has propagated sweet potato sets for the spring plantings and this business has assumed considerable pro- portions, so that now he supplies almost the whole of Gibson county. Will- iam E.'s political sympathies are with the Republican party, as were those of his honored father, and he and his sister Malinda are members of the First Presbyterian church. The family is well and widely known throughout the country, having contributed in no small way to its advancement along various lines.
The influence of such a life as that of Richard B. Hallock cannot be esti- mated by any earthly standard. His friends and associates know him in his outward life as a man of sterling worth, one whose every wish it was to ad- vance the cause of humanity, and needless to say there were many helpful and beautiful deeds recorded to his credit of which the world knew nothing. His was a life that measured up to the full stature of manhood, and in saying that, there is nothing more that can be added.
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CAPT. CHARLES BROWNLEE.
Few men in the city of Princeton, Gibson county, Indiana, are so widely and favorably known as the worthy gentleman whose name initiates this para- graph. He is one of those strong and influential citizens whose lives become an essential part of the history of a community, and for years his name has been synonymous with all that constitutes an honorable and upright manhood. Tireless energy, keen perception and honesty of purpose, combined with every-day common sense, are among his chief characteristics, and while ad- vancing his own individual success he has largely promoted the moral and material welfare of his community.
Captain Charles Brownlee was born in the house in Princeton where he yet resides, on January 17, 1839, the son of John and Jane ( Harrington) Brownlee. The father was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, December 18, 1794, and the mother in North Carolina January 15, 1804. To the parents of the subject were born eleven children, namely: George, deceased, was born August 12, 1828; William, born February 18, 1830; James, born Aug- ust 17, 1834; Hugh, born December 12, 1836; Charles; Catherine, born March 1, 1841 ; Thomas, born August 23, 1843; John, born August 23, 1846; Alex, born January 23, 1849; one child died in infancy.
The subject's father was a merchant, as was also his father before him, they having started in business together in 1811, and the business has been in the family for over a century, having beeen handed down through four generations. Grandfather Harrington was the first judge in Gibson county.
The subject of this review enlisted in the Eightieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry on August II, 1862, under Captain Simmonson, and was elected second lieutenant by the members of his company, in which position he served for one month, when he was promoted to the captaincy, holding that office until the practical end of the war, resigning on account of ill health in 1864. Four of the subject's brothers were in the Union army and all served honor- ably through that conflict and returned to their homes. The command in which Captain Brownlee was an officer was engaged in a number of the biggest battles of that sanguinary conflict, also taking part in many lesser engagements. They took part in the battle of Perryville, were in the fight- ing in eastern Tennessee and were with General Burnsides at Kingston and Morristown, acquitting themselves with great credit to their state and nation. Captain Brownlee, in recalling the terribly cold winter through which they passed in eastern Tennessee, remarks that in order to keep warm "they burned
Charles Sonraulec
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up all the rails in that part of the state." On returning home from the service of his country the subject resumed the mercantile business, in which he was engaged the rest of his life up to the time of his retirement in Febru- ary, 19II.
The subject's father was a private in J. W. Crockett's Kentucky volun- teer regiment, while his grandfather Harrington and two sons fought in the battle of Tippecanoe, one of the sons, James, being killed in that battle.
Captain Brownlee has been thrice married. In 1874 he was united in matrimony to Sallie Hall, and to this union were born two children, Paul, who is conducting a store, and Therese, who married Charles Smith. of Dyersburg. Tennessee. In 1882 the subject's second marriage occurred, this time to Mariah Hall, a sister of his first wife. One child blessed this union, Cornelia, who is now an artist in the city of Chicago. Captain Brownlee mar- ried Charlotte Lockhart, his present wife, in 1889, and to them has been born a son, Allan Lockhart, who is attending Purdue University at Lafayette, Indiana.
The Brownlee family has lived in the present home since 1834, it being one of the oldest and best constructed houses in the county. It contains a good old-fashioned fireplace, the rooms are large, and it is indeed a fine old home, situated on a hill and commanding a splendid view.
Having cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln, Captain Brownlee has ever since allied himself with the Republican party. A member of the city council, he has given the best thought to matters of interest to his home city. His mother was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and was one of the organizers of the first church of that denomination in Princeton. Cap- tain Brownlee is an honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
ROBERT M. MORTON.
The biographies of enterprising men, especially of good men, are in- structive as guides and incentives to others. The examples they furnish of patient purpose and steadfast integrity strongly illustrate what is in the power of each to accomplish. Some men belong to no exclusive class in life, ap- parently insurmountable obstacles have in many instances awakened their dormant faculties and served as a stimulus to carry them to ultimate success, if not renown. The instances of success in the face of adverse fate would almost seem to justify the conclusion that self-reliance, with a half chance,
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can accomplish any object. The life of Robert M. Morton, well known throughout Gibson county, is an example in point, for by his individual efforts and close adherence to his every duty he has overcome the obstacles en- countered on the highway of life and is now very comfortably fixed regarding this world's goods and has at the same time won a reputation for right living among his fellow men.
Robert M. Morton is a native of Gibson county, Indiana, born November 23, 1845, on a farm near Oakland City. He is the son of Alexander and Susan J. (McConnell) Morton. Alexander Morton was born in Chester district, South Carolina, and his wife Susan was a native of Ohio. The father of Alexander Morton was Thomas, a native of South Carolina, who married Margaret Bell of that state. Early in their married life, they, in company with several other families, went westward and settled near Knox- ville, Tennessee. They only made a crop or two there and, being dissatisfied with the location, journeyed on until they reached Gibson county, Indiana. The Morton family obtained ground near Summerville. It was all in virgin forest, but, undaunted, they set about the laborious task of reclaiming the broad acres from the grip of the wilderness. A clearing was soon made in which the pioneer cabin was erected, and there the balance of their lives was passed. Thomas was killed in a runaway accident and the wife remained on the homestead until her death. Thomas Morton and wife were the par- ents of eight children, namely: Alexander, father of the immediate subject of this sketch; Thomas, John, Elizabeth, Nancy, Mary, Robert and Donald C.
Alexander Morton remained at his father's home until his marriage to Susan J. McConnell, at which time he obtained a tract of wild land adjoining the farm of his father, and here he endured the hardships of the pioneers while they were clearing their ground and putting in the first crops. He died comparatively young, at the age of forty-five years, and the wife con- tinued to reside on the farm until she had raised the family, when she moved to Princeton, where she died. They were the parents of six children: Rob- ert M., the subject of this sketch, was the oldest; Patrick Henry, a farmer residing in Livermore, Kentucky; David, deceased; Margaret, residing in Princeton, is the widow of Reuben Seibert; Mary, wife of John Jones, a farmer in Washington township, this county, and the youngest is Nancy, also residing in Washington township, and the widow of James Lowe. Alexander Morton and wife were members of the Covenanter church and lived fully consistent with the tenets of their faith.
Robert M. Morton attended the public schools of Gibson county in his
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boyhood and on August 16, 1861, at the age of sixteen years, he enlisted in Company F, Thirty-third Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until June 1, 1864. He enlisted at Princeton and was first sent to Indianapolis where the regiment was organized and was then sent into Tennessee and joined the Army of the Cumberland. He remained with that command until the close of the war. After the expiration of his first enlist- ment, he promptly re-enlisted in the same company and regiment until he was mustered out July 21, 1865. On July 20, 1864, at Peach Tree Creek, Georgia, he was shot through the right hip and was confined to the hospital for eleven months. He was taken a prisoner south of Franklin, Tennessee, on April 9, 1863, and was within the confines of Libby prison for thirty days, at which time his exchange was effected. . After the close of the war, he returned to his home in Gibson county, where he engaged in agricultural work and also attended school. He fitted himself for a school teacher and followed this vocation for five winters.
On October 21, 1869, Mr. Morton was united in marriage to Nancy E. Murphy, of Gibson county, daughter of William L. and Margaret ( McCon- nell) Murphy. After his marriage, he was engaged in farming in different parts of Gibson county, and gave up this line of work in 1878, when he settled in Princeton, where he has since resided. He has engaged in various lines of industry, among them being carpentry. general contracting, saw-mill and lumber business and also operated a threshing machine. In 1891 Mr. Morton built his present commodious home at No. 1235 South Main street, Princeton, where a hearty welcome always awaits his many friends.
Mr. Morton is a member of Archer Post No. 28, Grand Army of the Republic, at Princeton, and is also a consistent member of the Presbyterian church. to which he gives liberal support. Mr. and Mrs. Morton are the parents of three children, the oldest of whom is Oliver P., who is engaged in the restaurant business in Princeton. His wife was Maud Ewing and they are the parents of three children. Jennie, Rosa Belle and Emmaline. Another son, LeRoy, is connected with the police department of the city of Evansville, Indiana. He married Mary Hamilton and to their union one son has been born, Cecil R. The daughter of the family, Cordelia, is the wife of R. E. Herring of Moberly, Missouri, and they are the parents of two children, Robert Earl and Lawrence
Some one has said that the story of any life is well worth the reading and surely this is particularly true of the life of a good man. Highly interesting and edifying it would doubtless be to know of the hidden battles waged from
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time to time, but all the world can see is the life as a whole. Robert M. Morton is a man who stands high in the estimation of his associates, is well known and highly respected by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, and this is a fitting tribute to his sterling character.
JOHN RILEY ERVIN.
Indefatigable industry, sound business judgment and wise management have been the elements which have contributed to the success achieved by John R. Ervin, for many years an enterprising and progressive farmer of Patoka township, Gibson county, Indiana, but who has now retired and re- sides in Princeton. His farming lands have always been well improved and highly productive, being numbered among the best farms of the township, and, because of his high character and unquestioned integrity, he enjoys to a marked degree the sincere respect of the community. In addition to a general line of farming, Mr. Ervin has always paid particular attention to his live stock and has taken much interest in his good breeds of horses, mules, cattle, sheep, Poland China hogs, etc.
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