USA > Indiana > Gibson County > History of Gibson County, Indiana > Part 3
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Mr. Robinson is the author of a work entitled "Indiana County , and Township Officers, Board of Commissioners," which was issued in 1893, and is now being revised by him for a second erlition. He has always been a close student, is a man of broad general information, a fluent writer and a ready and entertaining speaker. His career as a lawyer, palitician and statesman is envi- able and above reproach, and in all probability the future holds in store for him still higher honors.
ELISHA EMBREE was a native of Lincoln County, Ken- tucky, born September 28, 1801. He was the son of Joshua and Elizabeth Embrec. Joshua Embree was a native of Kentucky, and his wife, whose maiden name was Edmondson, was a native of Virginia. Joshua Embree and family came to Gibson County in the month of November, 1814 : and settled on a tract of land about two and a half miles southwest of the present site of Princeton. It was a densely timbered district in which the settlement was made, and here was erected a, cabin for the shelter of the family. and a small. farm.was cleared. Joshua. Embree was a member of the Baptist church and his wife of the Christian church. He lived only about two years after coming here. His widow sub- sequently married a Mr. Spencer, and lived in the county until her death, which took place June 24. 1820. On the death of his father, Elisha Embrec was obliged to labor hard toward the sup-
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port of himself and family. His early educational advantages were limited. What education he did gain was such as the dis- trict schools of that carly period afforded. He read law with Judge Samuel Hall, and began practicing in Princeton in 1826. He soon arose to prominence and for many years was a leader in public life. He was eminently successful as a lawyer; was an able and eloquent advocate; a wise and practical counselor, and universally respected. In 1833, he was a member of the State Senate, and in 1835 was elected judge of the Circuit Court. He served ten years in this judicial position. In 1847 he was elected to Congress from the First Congressional District, defeating the Hon. Robert Dale Owen, and being the first Whig ever elected in this district.
On the 15th of March, 1827, he was married to Eleanor Robb, the daughter of Major David Robb, the pioneer of the Robb family in Gibson County. Unto the marriage six children were born, viz: Maria Louisa, James T Ophelia (lied in infancy). Ophelia Elizabeth (died in infancy). David By and Milton D'evry
When the civil war came on Elisha Embree was advanced in old age. Ile was a strong Union man and aided and encouraged the enlistment of troops, and his three sons entered the army.
JAS. T. EMBREE was one of the most learned and profound lawyers who have ever practiced before the courts of Gibson county. He was a native of the county. His birth occurred at Princeton on the 2nd of January, 1829, and there he died in the year 1867, at the age of thirty-eight years. He was educated at the Asbury University, read law with his father, Elisha Embrec. and graduated from the law department of the University of Indiana in 1852, and at once became associated with his father in the practice of his well chosen profession. His predilections led him to the profession in which he rose to prominence and gained him an enviable reputation. He was Lieutenant-Colonel of the Fifty-eighth Regiment, Indiana Volunteers. In 1852 he married Mary Magdeline Landes, who bore him the following children and passed to her final rest in the year 1863. The chil- dren were: Lucius C., Samuel L. and Elcanor.
DAVID F. EMBREE completed his collegiate education at the Asbury University, and studied law under the direction of his brother. James T. Embree. He enlisted in the Forty-second Indiana Regiment of Volunteers and remained in the service three years, arising to the rank of Captain of Company E of the regiment. After the close of his war service he attended the Al- bany (N. Y.) law school for one year. In 1865 he graduated from the law school of the University of Michigan, and immediately began the practice in partnership with his brother, James T. Em- bree at Princeton. He arose to distinction in his profession, be- came a very successful practitioner, and enjoyed the respect and
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esteem of a wide acquaintance for many years. His death occurred in 1877. He married Mary Fleming, who bore him the following children: Anna F. and Charles F.
LUCIUS C. EMBREE, son of James T. Embree, deceased, was born in Princeton September 8, 1853. He first attended the public schools of Princeton, then Eartham College, and then com- pleted a one year's course in Asbury University. He took up the study of law under the guidance of his uncle, David F. Embree, in 1873, and was admitted to the bar in 1875. In the fall of the following year, Mr. Embree entered the University of Virginia, and there completed a law course in 1877, and then returned to Princeton, where he has since practiced his profession with grati- fying success. He has an excellent knowledge of the law, and possesses ability to clearly and forcibly present his knowledge both with the pen and as a speaker. Mr. Embree has done some literary work, which has been well accepted. In 1880 he married Luella Casey, the daughter of the late William J. Casey, who was once Auditor of Gibson oCunty. The marriage has given issue to four children, viz., James Casey, Morton Casey, Louise and Clotilde. Fraternally, Mr. Embree is a Master Mason, and in politics a staunch Republican.
JOHN R. McCOY. a well known attorney of Princeton, was born in Spencer County, Indiana, September 15. 1852, and is a son of Clark and Asa (Lockhart) McCoy. His father was also a native of Spencer County, and a son of James McCoy, a native of Ireland. The mother was born in Indiana, and in her family were five sons and one daughter, John R. being the eldest. He spent his early boyhood days on the farm and carly became fa- miliar with all the duties that fall to the lot of the agriculturists. During the winter season he attended the district schools, and at the age of seventeen he entered Hartsville College. At the age of eighteen he began teaching, but the following year re- sumed his studies in Hartsville College, which completed his literary education. For six years he was numbered among the successful teachers of Spencer County, and afterward engaged in teaching for two years in Gibson Colinty, where he located in 1879. In the meantime he took up the study of law, which he diligently pursued and in 1880 was admitted to the bar, but did not begin practice until August of the following year. For nine years he was alone in business, and his thorough understanding of the law, his able advocacy of a trust committed to his care and his devotion to his clients' interests soon won him a large prac- tice. In December, 1881, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. McCoy and Miss Carrie E, Craig, of Princeton. They have two children-Bessie E. and James Royal. The parents are mem- bers of the United Presbyterian Church, and in his political views Mr. McCoy is a staunch Republican. Ilis careful and pains-
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taking preparation of cases, his ability to quickly recognize the strong points of a cause and his clear and logical reasoning have won him marked prestige as a member of the Gibson County bar.
LEWIS J. OSWALD has won a distinguished position among the business men of Princeton and is now the successful and popular manager of the Maule Coal Company. Ile was born in Gibson County, May 24, 1862, was reared in the county scat, and obtained a practical English education in the public schools of Princeton. He entered upon his business career at the age of fifteen, as a salesman in a general store of Fort Branch, where he remained for seven years, a most faithful and trusted employe. He then returned to Princeton, where he embarked in general merchandising on his own account, conducting his store with profit until 1802, when he sold out. In the meantime, Mr. Os- wald turned. his attention to other interests. He began dealing in real estate, and was the promoter of various enterprises which have largely advanced commercial activity in this city. UIc was instrumental in the organization of the Maule Coal Company, and was a prominent factor in placing the enterprise in successful operation. It was through his influence that the company was induced to come to Princeton, and on the 1st of April. 1895, when the plant was completed, a handsome banquet was given in honor of John Maule, the president of the company. Mr. ()swald has since acted as general manager and sales agent, and is fully competent to discharge the responsible duties that devolve upon . him. He is a most progressive and wide-awake business man. whose energy brooks no opposition that can be overcome by ,perseverance, thrift and determined and honorable effort. He is, indeed, an important clement in the business activity of his native county, and well deserves honorable mention in this vol- ume. It will be interesting in this connection to note something of the family of Mr. Oswald. His father, John Oswald, Sr., was born in Baden, Germany, February 15. 1831, and at the age of seventeen came alone to America. He made his first location in Princeton, and in 1855 was married here to Theresa Allgeyer, who was born in Baden, Germany, June 24, 1832. She came to America with her mother in the spring of 1855, and was married the same year in Evansville, Indiana. Mr. Oswald then accepted a position in the St. Louis Mills of Princeton, where he was em- ployed for many years. When his labors had brought him suf- ficient capital he engaged in business for himself, establishing a grocery store, which he conducted eighteen years. He was a good business man and highly esteemed for his honesty and his charity. His political support was always given the Democracy. He died November 16, 1800. Mr. and Mrs. Oswald had nine children, one of whom died in infancy, while a son. John F., died
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at the age of twenty-five. The living children are Lewis J., Albert, a merchant tailor of Dennison, Iowa; Julius A .. a jeweler and engraver, of Princeton: Charles F., a salesman for a New York house; Oscar H., proprietor of the Orient Cigar and News Stand, of Princeton; and two daughters, viz: Henrietta. wife of C. C. Kuhn, Ft. Branch, Ind., and Thresia. The sons all grew to manhood and are active in business circles, while their probity. enterprise and thrift have won them high regard.
ROYAL G. HIGGINS, M. D., possessing a typical progressive spirit, stands to-day as a leading representative of the homeopathic fraternity in this section of the state. Ile was born in Bar Har- bor. Hancock County. Mainc, September 11, 1867, a son of Royal G. and Mary F. (Snow) Higgins, who were natives of Eden, Maine. At an early day in New England history the first American ancestors, natives of the Emerald Isle, crossed the Atlantic and located at Cape Cod. The descendants are now numerous and are widely scattered over the country. The ances- try of the Snow family is traced back to England, and their first American emigrants also located on Cape Cod during early colonial days. The parents of Dr. Higgins were married at Bar Harbor and had three children. Ella F., Stephen W., deceased, and Royal G. The father was a sca captain and died when his son was only five years of age. The doctor was reared in Bar Ilarbor, where his mother still resides, and attended its public schools until eighteen years of age. He then spent four years in East Maine Conference Seminary. a Methodist institution, and during the summer months for a period of three years he studied medicine under the direction of a practicing physician of Bar Harbor. In the fall of 1889 he entered Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia, and was graduated with honor in the spring of 1892. Ile also won in a competitive examination for the position of physician in Hahnemann Hospital, where he spent one year. In July, 1893, he came to Princeton, and has since been a leading representative of the medical fraternity herc. In February, 1894. Dr. Higgins married Miss Catherine Little. of Philadelphia. and they have one son, Royal Gi. In politics the doctor is a Repub - lican, but the demands of his profession leave him little time for political work. His skill and ability are attested by the liberal patronage which is accorded him.
JOHN W. BRADY, who has been a member of the Gibson County bar since 1888, was born in Princeton, January 30, 1862. a son of Matthew J. and Laura A. (Bucklin) Brady. The father, a native of Ireland, came to America when a young man, and located in Gibson County, where he married Miss Bucklin, a native of this county, and a daughter of William and Lucy (Car- penter) Bucklin. Her father was a native of New England, and one of the carly settlers of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Matthew
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J. Brady were the parents of six children, two of whom died in carly life. The mother's death occurred in 1879. The father has made his home in Petersburg since 1878, where he carries . on a photographic studio, being one of the pioneers in this busi- ness in the county. John W. Brady spent his boyhood days in Princeton and acquired his literary education in its public schools. Determining upon the practice of law as a life work, he was grad- nated from the law department of the University of Virginia in 1888. He immediately afterward returned home and entered into partnership with Clarence A. Buskirk, a connection that has since been maintained with mutual pleasure and profit. He is well versed in common law, and his thorough knowledge of the sci- ence of jurisprudence has made him a leading member of the (il)- son County bar. In his political views Mr. Brady has always been a staunch Republican, but never an active politician. In 1802 he married Miss Effa C. Summers, of Owensville. Indiana, and they have one child, John Summers Brady. Their pleasant home is noted for itshospitality and their circle of friends is extensive.
JOHN W. EWING. a member of the Gibson County bar, and a public-spirited and progressive citizen of Princeton, was born in this county, February 14, 1850. His father, John Ewing, was a native of Ireland, whence he emigrated to America in his boy- hood, locating with his parents in Maysville, Kentucky, where he grew to manhood. For many years he was a resident of Gib- son County, but his last days were spent in Pike County, Indiana. where he died in 1859, at the age of sixty years. Throughout life he followed farming and milling, and was a successful business man. He amassed considerable wealth and at his death owned about twelve hundred acres of land. He was twice married, his second union being with Sarah Brunner, widow of William Key. She has three children by her first marriage and two by the sec- ond. She was born in Kentucky, and now in her ninetieth year is living with the subject of this sketch. John W. Ewing was reared on the home farm, and after attending the district schools pursued his studies in the graded schools of Owensville, and later entered the Indiana State University. where he completed the literary course and was graduated in 1872. The following year he was graduated in the law department and in April, 1873. was admitted to the Gibson County bar, after which he began the practice of his profession in Princeton. At different times he has been associated in partnership with D. F. Embrce, James F. McCollough. M. W. Fields and J. R. McCoy. Mr. Ewing is interested in several business enterprises, which add to the general prosperity of the community, as well as to promote his individual success. He is now treasurer and manager of the Princeton Water Works Company, and has been deeply inter- ested in all that pertains to the development and progress of
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Prince ton. In 1882 he was elected the first Mayor after its in- corporation as a city, and his two years' administration of the municipal affairs proved of material benefit to the town. For . about twelve years he served as a member of the Princeton Board of Education, and has given his staunch support to every enter- prise or interest calculated to aid the community.
HON. ARTHUR PERRY TWINEHAM .- Rising above the head of the mass are many men of sterling worth and value, who, by their own unaided efforts, have risen from the ranks of the common place to eminence. Nature richly endowed Mr. Twine- ham with those brilliant qualities of mind which mark the great lawyer, but sterling worth and honest manliness and a strong. resolute character are the qualities which have enabled him to put the talents which nature gifted him to the best possible use. Mr. Twincham was born in Switzerland County, Indiana, August 16. 1847. His parents, William S. and Sarah Ann (Brant) Twincham, were poor but respectable people. The father was born in Switzerland County, in 1823, and died there at the age of sixty-five. He was a son of Arthur Twincham, whose father. William J. Twineham, was a son of James Twincham, of Scotch- Trish lineage, and a native of Kentucky. The last named cn gaged in merchandising in Paris, Kentucky, whence in 1802 he removed to Switzerland County. Indiana, where his remaining days were passed. The mother of our subject was born in Mt. Carmel. Indiana, in 1823, and died in Switzerland County about 1800. Her father, a native of Pennsylvania, located here at an early day. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Twincham, celebrated in 1846, was blessed with five children, but three died in infancy. One son, Francis M., is now a leading business man of Moran. Kansas. Arthur P. Twineham was reared in the village of Ben- nington, and received but limited educational advantages, owing to the financial condition of his father. After studying for a time in the village schools he defrayed the expenses of a year's study in Hartsville College by working Saturdays and in leisure hours. Early in life he developed a fondness for books, and in the school room made rapid progress in his studies. At the age of sixteen he obtained a teacher's certificate and in the winter of 1863-4 taught school in Jefferson County. In July of the latter year, as a member of the Fifth Ohio Cavalry, he joined Sherman's army at Atlanta, just after the fall of that city. He participated in the march to the sea, the Carolina campaign, aided in the capture of Raleigh, and was with his department at Durham, North Caro- lina, when Johnston surrendered. In July. 1865, he received an honorable discharge. After his return home. Mr. Twineham en- tered the Hartsville Commercial College, was graduated in 1866. and in the fall of that vear entered Wabash College at Crawfords- ville, where he remained three years. In 1869 he entered the
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University of Indiana, where he was graduated in 1870. Hle taught school in Greenfield and Rockville for about one year, and in the fall of 1871 entered the law department of the University of Indiana. In June, 1872, he began reading law in the office of Harrington & Korbly, of St. Louis, and in 1873 he came to Princeton, where he began practice. His rise in the profession was very rapid and he has long stood in the front rank among the representatives of the bar in Indiana. For a year after com ing to Princeton he was in partnership with Judge Land, and since 188%) has been associated with Hon. W. D. Robinson, under the firm name of Twincham & Robinson. In 1879 Mr. Twine- ham married Miss Lettie R. Beymer, who died in 1895, leaving a daughter. Gertrude, now fourteen years of age. In 1804 hc marriedi Mss Agnes Lockhart, and they have one son, Arthur P. Mr. Twincham is a member of the Grand Army of the Re- public and the Knights of Pythias society. He has always been an ardent supporter of the Republican party, and is recognized as one of its leaders in Southern Indiana. His first official ser- vice was rendered as city attorney of Princeton, and in 1884 he was elected to represent Gibson County in the State Legislature. From 1874 until 1882 he was chairman of the Republican Central Committee of Gibson County, and was a member of the State Central Committee in 1800, also the First Congressional Com- mittee. In 1888 he was a delegate to the National Republican Convention, and in 1892 was the Republican candidate for Con- gress, but like the others of his party in that year was defeated. In January, 1893, President Harrison appointed Mr. Twincham a member of the commission to the Round Valley Indian Reser- vation in California, and he served with the commission until in the spring of 1804. when the work of the commission was satis- factorily completed. In political and social circles, in professional and in private life he has won the high regard of all with whom he has come in contact.
THOMAS DUNCAN, attorney and counselor at law of Prince- ton, is one of the native sons of Gibson County, of which she has every reason to be proud. He was born in Patoka township. May 5. 1800, a son of James L. and Rebecca M. (Duncan) Dun- can. His father was born in Gibson County, June 1. 1827. and now resides near Mackey. Indiana. Throughout life he has fol- lowed farming, and is a man of sterling worth. In politics he is a Democrat. and both he and his wife are members of the Baptist Church. Mrs. Duncan was born in Rush County, Indiana, Sep- tember 1. 1837. and by her marriage became the mother of eleven children, of whom four are now deceased. The paternal grand- parents were Joshua and Sarah (Logan) Duncan. When very young the grandfather served as a soldier in the war of 1812, and as a life work be followed agricultural pursuits. On the home
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farm Thomas Duncan was reared to manhood. His elementary education obtained in the district schools was supplemented by a course of study in Fort Branch in the winter of 1876. At the age of eighteen he began teaching, and for four years devoted his time to that profession and farming. He then entered the Central Nor- mal College of Danville, Indiana, and after two years and a half spent in earnest study completed the scientific and classical courses. In 1884 he had the honor of addressing the alumni of that institution. . After his graduation he taught for three years in Francisco, and as an educator won high rank. In the mean- time, he took up the study of law, was admitted to the bar in February, 1889, and has since engaged in practice. He has a com- prehensive understanding of the science of jurisprudence, is a close reasoner. a gifted speaker and logical in argument. . Ile has, therefore, secured a large and representative clientage. Mr. Duncan was married in 1884 to Lida M. Wisc. of Frankfort. In- diana. They have four children -- Leila. Prentiss, Denver and Ruth. Mr. Duncan is a recognized leader in the ranks of the Democracy of Gibson County, and served as chairman of the Dem- ocratic County Central Committee from 1892 until 1894. In 1802 he was presidential elector for the First Congressional District. and received the nomination of his party for representative in Congress at the convention held in Evansville on the 27th of August, 1896, and for this office made a most creditable race. however he was defeated by a small majority. His entire life has been spent in Gibson County, where by his own merit he has risen to a prominent position among his fellow townsmen. Hc is the peer of any member of the Gibson County bar, and should he have been elected to Congress the district would have found the same loyal representative of its interests in the council cham- bers of the nation.
CAPTAIN JAMES S. EPPERSON is numbered among the pioneer settlers of Gibson County, and his identification with its interests has been long and honorable. For more than half a century he has witnessed its progress and development, and in the advancement of its commercial interests has borne an acitve part. His name is, therefore, indissolubly linked with the history of this community and this work would be incomplete without the record of his life. Captain Epperson was born in Warren County, Kentucky, February 4. 1830, and was of Irish lineage. his ancestors emigrating from the Emerald Isle and locating in Westmoreland County. Virginia, where Charles Epperson. the father of our subject was born in 1772. He became one of the early settlers of Warren County, Kentucky, and in 1839 took up Iris residence in Johnson township, Gibson County. Indiana. There he died in 1844. He was a wheelwright and followed that business for many years, but his last years were devoted to farm-
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