USA > Indiana > Gibson County > History of Gibson County, Indiana > Part 5
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has always been a stalwart Republican and warmly advocates the principles of his party. He and his wife are members of the Pres- byterian Church, and in all that pertains to the county's welfare and advancement he takes a deep interest. His prominence is in- dicated by the fact that in 1893 he was appointed by Governor I lovey one of the Indiana commissioners at the World's Colum- bian Exposition, and was one of the judges on cercals for sixteen weeks. Robert Mitchell is one of Gibson County's leading citi- zens, and this work would be incomplete without the record of his life.
DR. ANDREW LEWIS .- By permission the following bio- graphy is taken from "Hight's History of the Fifty-eighth Indiana Regiment," compiled and published by G. R. Stormont: "I)r. Andrew Lewis, under whose direction the Fifty-eighth Indiana was recruited and organized, was born April 19th, 1813, in Lewis- burg, New York County, Pennsylvania, and died in Princeton, Indiana, March 10th, 1877. He was the fifth son of Dr. Webster Lewis, a physician of great eminence in that state. After com- pleting a common school education the subject of this sketch turned his attention to the study of medicine. In 1839 he left Lewisburg, intending to settle in Iowa, but, getting out of funds, stopped in Gibson County, Indiana, to recruit his finances. Here he engaged in manual labor on the Wabash and Erie canal, then in the course of construction. Afterwards he resumed the study of medicine, with his brother, in Boonville, Indiana, and in Janu- ary, 1841, began his first practice in Winslow, Indiana. In April, 1843, he removed to Princeton, Indiana, where he continued the practice of his profession until 1850. At this time he became a candidate of the Whig party for County Clerk and was successful. In 1855 he was re-elected and served to the end of his term. Dr. Lewis was a man of great energy and enterprise, and devoted his time and means very largely to the promotion of the public and private interests of the town and community in which he lived. I Ic took an active part in the incipient steps that brought into ex- istence the first railroad through this town-now the Evansville & Terre Haute. It was mainly through his efforts that the main line of the Louisville, Evansville & St. Louis railroad was located through the county of Gibson and town of Princeton. He was interested in the construction of the road and it was largely through his energy that this railroad enterprise was sustained cline the appointment. "Governor Morton subsequently appointed through its primitive struggles, and was kept in condition for oth- ers to push to ultimate completion. Unfortunately, this enter- prise did not prove profitable to Dr. Lewis. His large fortune, which he had amassed in other enterprises, was shattered in this. Ile was left largely involved, and was never able to recover the loss. But it is more within the province of this sketch to speak of the loyalty and patriotism of Dr. Lewis. As has already been
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intimated, he was in thorough sympathy with the war for the sup- pression of the rebellion. It was through his suggestion and in- fluence that the order was secured from Governor Morton to or- ganize the Fifty-eighth Indiana Regiment at Princeton. He was appointed to recruit the regiment and at once began the work. A camp was established in the Gibson County fair grounds in the latter part of September, and several companies were entered as a nucleus for the regiment. Within four weeks the organization was complete. Dr. Lewis was appointed Colonel, but his busi- ness was such that he could not go to the field, and he had to de- him commandant of the First Congressional District, and as such he recruited three other regiments, namely, the Sixty-fifth, Eigh- tieth and Ninety-first Indiana Regiments. The service of no one in the state was more highly prized by Governor Morton than was that of Dr. Lewis. He devoted his best energies to the cause of his country at a time when it was in a struggle for its existence. Ilis contribution to this cause was not alone in labor, but also in money, clothing and food for soldiers' families. He was known at home and abroad as the friend of the soldier and the soldier's family." Dr. Lewis married Elizabeth A., daughter of James Evans. The Evans family came from Virginia, and from an early day in the history of Southern Indiana this family has been among the most prominent of the section. Unto the mar- riage of Dr. Lewis the following children were born: James W., Melissa J., Rankin E., Andrew E. and William H. All of the children were born and reared in Gibson County.
JAMES W. LEWIS is the efficient claim agent of the Air Line Railroad, and a genial, popular man, who makes friends of all hc meets. A native son of Gibson County, he was born December 22, 1846. He is the oldest son of Dr. Andrew Lewis, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. He completed his education in an academy at Fergusonville, and leaving the school room became one of the soldier boys of the war, joining Company C' of what was known as the "Fighting Fifty-eighth" Indiana Regiment. MMr. Lewis participated in all the engagements of the regiment, and was mustered out of the service at Louisville, Kentucky, August 2, 1865. Upon his return home at the close of the war Mr. Lewis joined his father, who was then extensively engaged in the grain and pork business at Princeton, and in this connection continued up to the death of his father, which occurred in 1877. For several years he was employed as deputy in some county office, and in 1892 accepted the position which he now holds. In this position he has proven a capable and faithful em- ploye, most acceptably discharging the duties of his office. Mr. Lewis was married November 4, 1860, to Anna L., daughter of Newton and Rachel (Scantlin) Johnson. In politics he is a stal- wart Republican. For six years he served as marshal of Prince-
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DR. ANDREW LEWIS.
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ton. Ile is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and the circle of his friends is limited only by the number of his ac- quaintances.
WILLIAM H. LEWIS, son of Dr. Andrew Lewis, was born and reared in Gibson County. His birth occurred l'ebruary 22, 1859. Ile was educated in the public schools of Princeton. For nine years he clerked in the mercantile establishment of W. D). Downey. In 1886, W. H. Dimick, Charles Ileberd and Mr. Lewis entered into a co-partnership, under the firm name of Dim- ick, Heberd & Lewis, and began a general merchandise business in Princeton. In 1887, Mr. Lewis' brother, Andrew E., who had been, for eighteen years, an assistant cashier in the People's Bank, purchased the interest of Mr. Heberd. In 1894 the Lewis brothers purchased Mr. Dimick's interest, and since the Lewis Bros. have been the proprietors of a well-stocked, handsome and large dry goods store. William H. Lewis was married in 1882 to Miss Olive (irigsby. The marriage has been blessed by the birth of a son, whose name is William Evans Lewis. Mr. Lewis and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Ile is a staunch Republican and fraternally a prominent member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity, having filled all the chairs of the order and represented his lodge in the grand lodge of Indiana.
ROBERT FREMONT WARNOCK is one of the extensive land owners of Gibson County, and a man whose prominent con- nection with the agricultural and industrial interests of this locality has made him a valued factor in the community. He is a western man by birth, training and interests, and possesses the true west- crn spirit of progress and enterprise. Gibson County numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in Patoka township on the 9th of August, 1861. In the home of his parents, Archibald and Malinda J. (Milburn) Warnock, he spent the days of his boyhood and youth, assisting in the labors of the fields through the summer, while in the winter he pursued his education in the common schools. On attaining his majority, Mr. Warnock began farming on his own account on a tract of land of seventy- six acres, which he had received as his share of the old home- stead. His work has been diligently prosecuted and his labors have brought to him prosperity, so that he has been enabled to extend the boundaries of his farm, until it now comprises three hundred and fifty acres of rich land, all under a high state of cultivation. He is also interested in the coal business, and is now engaged in the manufacture of brick. His resourceful ability enables him to extend his field of operation beyond one line of business, and thus while adding to his own prosperity he is also promoting the ma- terial welfare of the community. On the 11th of October. 1887, Mr. Warnock was united in marriage to Ada M. Wilson, daugh- ter of William and Mari. Wilson, of Allegheny County, Pennsyl-
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vania. A little son, Archibald W., has come to bless their home. Mr. and Mrs. Warnock hold membership in the United l'resbyterian Church, and their standing in social circles is en- viable. Since attaining his majority he has been an adherent of the Republican party, and strongly supports the platform on which the recent Republican victory was achieved. With the exception of a few months spent in California, he has always made his home in Gibson County, on the farm where he now resides, and is most widely and favorably known. He is still a young man, and the future undoubtedly holds in store for him still greater successes than he has hitherto achieved.
DAVID D. HART .- Among the enterprising farmers of Gib- son County there is probably none more energetic or thorough- going than the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. Ile is a native of Indiana, his birth having occurred in Warrick County, August 10, 1836. His father, John Hart, was born in Perry County, Kentucky, October 1, 1800, and at the age of twenty-four was united in marriage with Mary Boyd, who was born in Spencer County, Indiana, 1801. Of their union ten children were born. namely: Mary A., Lurn, Maria and Louis, all deccased; David D., of this sketch: Millie L., deceased; Elijah K .: Elizabeth; and two who died in infancy. The father was a resident of Hart township, Warrick County, where he entered eighty acres of laml from the government and as his circumstances permitted added to it until at the time of his death he had two hundred and fifty acres of good land. There he departed this life February 14, 1868, and his wife died in December, 1885. . In politics he was a life-long Democrat. On the completion of his common school education David D. Hart gave his entire time and attention to assisting his father in the labors of the home farm, where he re- mained until twenty-eight years of age, at which time he was married. On the 14th of September. 1864, was celebrated his marriage with Elizabeth S. Embree, deceased. Two chil- dren were born to them-Mary E., deceased, and John T. Mr. Hart was again married September 22, 1873, his second union being with Elizabeth Wood, by whom he had four children-Elsie, deceased; r Athur, Eva P. and Fornia. It was in 1864 that Mr. Hart came from Warrick County to Gibson County, and purchased an interest in the Em- bree farm of forty-five acres, where he still makes his home. At the present time, however, he is the owner of one hundred and seventy acres of valuable land, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation. In addition to general farming he is also in- :crested in stock-raising. Until 1888 he was a staunch Democrat n politics, but since that time has given his support to the l'ex- le's party, and recently became a candidate for State Represen- ative on that ticket from Gibson County and was successful. He
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is one of the prominent and influential men of the county, public- spirited and progressive, and enjoys the confidence and regard of many friends. His first wife was a member of the Generai Baptist Church, while the present Mrs. Hart is a Cumberland l'resbyterian in religious belief.
JOSEPH P. McCLURE, who is now spending the evening of life in retirement, enjoying a well earned rest, is a worthy represen- tative of one of the honored pioneer families of Gibson County, his birth occurring on the farm, which is still his home, October 6, 1815. His father, James McClure, was born in Maryland, Oc- tober 0, 1785, received a very limited education and at the age of twelve years accompanied his parents to Kentucky, where he served an apprenticeship to the tanner's trade, which he followed throughout his active business career. In 1805 he came to In- diana, locating in Gibson County, near Princeton, and served Inkler General Harrison in the battle of Tippecanoe. In 1838 he laid aside business cares, living retired until his death, which oc- curred February 7, 1855. On the 12th of June, 1808, he led to the marriage altar Malinda A. Warrick, a native of Kentucky, who died January 12, 1850, and they became the parents of eleven chil- dren-Albert, Edwin and James, all deceased; Joseph P .; William M .; Henry; David, deceased; Robert; and George W., John W. and Ellen J., deceased. In the primitive pioneer schools our subject acquired his education, and was reared amid the scenes of frontier life. At the age of nineteen he was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Ann, daughter of Rev. Alexander and Susan (Nowlin) Devin, and to them were born twelve children, namely: Eleanor J .; Mary B .; Alexander D .; Susan J., deceased; Margaret C .; Joseph D .; Robert M .; William M .; George W .; Nancy V .; Franklin P. and James. Five of the sons donned the blue and aided in the defense of their country during the dark days of the Rebellion. Upon his marriage, Mr. McClure was given eighty acres, and in the following fall purchased another eighty acre tract, on which he remained, and at once began the cultivation and im- provement of his land. He added to his income by running on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers during the winter season for some ten years, and so successful has he been in his life work that he is now the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of rich and valuable land, and is able to spend his remaining days in ease and retirement, surrounded by all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. His estimable wife was called to her final rest November 27, 1888. He hokls membership in the General Baptist Church, and politically supports the men and measures of the Democratie party.
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MONROE KEY .- Among those whose devotion to the duties of public and private life have made them valued citizens of Gibson County is numbered Mr. Key, a prosperous and popular farmer
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of Patoka township. On southern battlefields he demonstrated his loyalty to the Union, and in the more quiet walks of business life he has displayed those sterling qualities of integrity and straightforwardness which everywhere command. respect. Mr. Key is a native of Gibson County, born September 4, 1841. 1lis father, John L. Key, removed from Scottsville, Kentucky, to this county in 1808 and followed farming and merchandising. Leas- ing his farm for ninety-nine years, he afterward removed to Georgetown, Illinois, where he died in 1874, at the age of seventy- four years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Lathan:, died in Gibson County in 1880. aged seventy-four years. Their chil- dren are Monroc, Mrs. Mary Murphy and Jolu. The father had five children by a former marriage, of whom four are living. as follows: S. C., of Concordia, Kansas; William, also of Concordia ; Marion, of Pike County, Indiana; and Hannah, wife of J. W. Har- ris, of Patoka. Monroe Key was educated in Patoka and at the age of twenty years enlisted in the Union army as a member of Company C. Fifty-eighth Indiana Infantry. On the 12th of March, of that year he was married in Princeton. In July, 1865. he was discharged and mustered out at Indianapolis. During the first year after his return home Mr. Key engaged in the lumber business. He then learned the carpenter's trade, and followed contracting and building from 1867 until 1888. In the latter year he was elected Sheriff of Gibson County, and in 1802 was re- elected, serving for four years. He was one of the most efficient officers ever in that position and his promptness in carrying out the law won him the highest commendation. Since his retire- ment he has engaged in the operation of his farm, which comprises two hundred and forty acres of rich and valuable land. Mr. Key was married March , 1871, to Eliza Summers, and their children are Charles S. Nellie-Annie and John 1. In politics Mr. Key is a staunch Republican, and is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. His life has ever been honorable and upright. displaying the same fidelity which he manifested on southern battlefields when upholding the cause of the stars and stripes.
ABRAHAM L. SMITH, a well known and highly respected agriculturist of Gibson County, is a native of New Jersey, born in Hunterdon County. November 19, 1826, and is a son of John W. and Charlotte (Randolph) Smith, who were also born in that state, the former April 21, 1785, and the latter September 10, 1792. Both were provided with fair educational advantages and in carly life the father learned the wagonmaker's trade, but his later years we're spent in farming. In 1827 he took his family to New York. , where he made his home for about twenty-five years, during which time his wife died --- April 8, 1839. Later he lived with a son in Michigan, where his death occurred June 14. 1870. In his family were cleven children, namely: Jacob, John R., Elizabeth, David,
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all doccased; P'ermelia, Samuel, Abraham L., Mary, Charlotte and George, deceased; and Caroline. Our subject acquired a good education in the schools near his home, and remained under the parental roof until he had reached the age of twenty years, at which time he began learning the miller's trade. During the thirty years he followed that occupation he drifted over various sections of the country, but finally located upon the farm in Gibson County. Indiana, where he still resides. Besides general farming he is also extensively engaged in raising poultry and thoroughbred Jersey cattle. On the 23d of August, 1860, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Smith and Miss Margaret Jane Erwin, who was born in South Carolina, January 18, 1835, and is a daughter of James and Elizabeth Erwin. The father's birth occurred in Ireland, January 1, 1797, while the mother was born November 9. 1796, in Georgia. of Irish descent, but at the age of six years she was taken by her parents to South Carolina. When Mrs. Smith was about three months old she was brought by her parents to Gibson County, where the mother died July 13. 1877, and the father passed away August 7, 1884. For fifty-one years they had traveled life's jour- ney together, sharing with each other its joys and sorrows. its adversity and prosperity, and were carnest members of the United Presbyterian Church. Four children blessed their union-Sarah Ann, deceased; Jolin; Robert, deccased; and Margaret Jane. By trade the father was a blacksmith, but also engaged in agricultural pursuits, owning at the time of his death a valuable farm of two hundred and twenty-three acres. At the time of his marriage Mr. Smith was still interested in the milling business, which he con- tinued to carry on for fifteen years, and then located upon the sixty-acre tract of land which his wife had received from her father's estate. They are consistent members of the United Pres- byterian Church, and have won for themselves an enviable place in the regard of their fellow citizens. Having no children of their own they adopted two-Anna B. and Charles, but the latter is now deceased. In his political affiliations Mr. Smith is a Prohibi- tionist.
SAMUEL HENDERSON DAVIS is an enterprising farmer whose life has been a busy and useful one, and who, through earn- est effort has overcome the difficulties and obstacles in his path and worked his way upward to success. He was born in Penn- sylvania County, Virginia, March 7. 1819, a son of Joshua and Sallie (Green) Davis, the former a native of Pennsylvania County, and the latter of Lulenburg County, Virginia. The father re- ceived a common school education and was reared by his mother for his own father had died when he was twelve years of age. When twenty-eight years of age he married Sallie Green, and they became the parents of eight children-Parthenia. Louisa and Agnes, all deceased: Samuel H., Joshua, Wm. J., Sallie An and
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George, who have all passed away. In 1826 Joshua Davis re- moved to Western Tennessee, and in 1828 came to Gibson County. where he followed farming until his death, which occurred March 19, 1843. His wife died in October of the same year. Though he came to this county a poor man, he acquired a comfortable com- petence and at his death was the owner of a good farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres. Samuel HI. Davis was a child of six years when he came with his parents to Gibson county, and here, amid the wild scenes of the frontier he was reared to manhood, exper- iencing the usual hardships and privations of pioncer life. He assisted in the development of the home farm until twenty-four years of age, when he started out in life for himself as a farm hand. He was married January 28, 1848, and unto the marriage were born eight children, namely: George W., Louisa, Elizabeth, deceased; John H., Mary Ann, Samuel, deceased: Ella Jane and William J., deceased. The mother of this family, who to her hus- band was a faithful helpmeet through many long years, is now totally blind. For a year after his marriage Mr. Davis operated the old home farm, and then purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land upon which he has since resided. The early days formed a period of hardship and earnest toil, but he courageously worked on and as the years passed his financial resources in- creased, enabling him to add new comforts to the home and supply his family with better advantages. He has given to each of his children a quarter section of land at the time of their marriage, and vet retains a comfortable property, from which he derives a good income for himself. He is truly a self-made man and in his life there is much that is worthy of emulation.
THOMAS W. MONROE, a son of Charles and Nancy (Clin- ton) Monroe, was born in Vanderburgh County, Indiana. in 1820, and was left an orphan when only four months old. after which he was reared in the Staser household until seventeen years of age. TTc then left the family that had cared for him and started out in life for himself, working on the river. Soon he began dealing in chickens, and accumulated some money. but afterward lost it in an unfortunate business venture. Returning home he entered forty acres of land and gave his attention to agricultural pursuits. All through his remaining life he followed farming, and his reso- ulte purpose and well managed interests brought to him a richly merited prosperity. At the age of twenty he married Nancy Clin- ton, who was born in Kentucky in 1826. They became the parents of eight children, as follows: Fred K., James. John C., deceased; Mary J., Edward, deceased: Thomas W., Margaret, deceased; and Clinton. The mother died in 1858, and Charles Monroc afterward married Louisa Trible, by whom he had two children-Franklin and Louis Ellen. both now deceased. Her death occurred in April, 1865, and Mr. Monroc departed this life
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December 3. 1873. Thomas W. Mourne assisted in the labors of the home farm until twenty years of age, at which time he began clerking in a store owned by his brother, and was thus employed for five years. On the expiration of that period he removed to King's Station, purchased a small plot of ground, erected thercon a store building and began general merchandising on his own account. His determined application and honorable business methods have enabled him to succeed in the face of difficulties and ·he is now enjoying a comfortable income derived from a liberal patronage. On the ist of November. 1877. Mr. Monroe married Miss Barbara B. Biel, and eight children have been born to them -- Lulu, Charlie, deceased: Mamie: Emeline: Clara: Mildred: John; and one who died in infancy. The parents are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and in politics Mr. Monroe is an advocate of Democratic principles.
VINCENT W. S. TRIPPETT, D. D. S., is successfully en- gaged in the practice of dentistry in Princeton, where his well equipped office, furnished with all modern appliances known to the profession, and his skill and ability. enable him to give to his pat- rous the most efficient service. He is one of the native sons of Gibson County, born April 30. 1867. His parents were Alex. and Betsy (Phillips) Trippett, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Indiana. They were married in Gibson County, and their union was blessed with three sons and two daughters. The father was twice married and by the first union had one son and two daughters. He was a thrifty farmer and stock-raiser. a Democrat in politics and a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. His widow, sixty-eight years of age, is still living on the farm north of Princeton. She also holds membership in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The Doctor was reared at the old home- stead, and in the common schools acquired his preliminary cdu- cation, which was supplemented by study in the Central Normal College of Danville in 1887-8. The following winter he taught school, and the next year entered a business college in Lexington. Kentucky, where he was graduated in 1880. His professional education was acquired in the Hospital School of Dental Surgery in Louisville, Kentucky, where he was graduated in June. 1892, after which he located in Princeton. His practice has steadily grown, and he has now a patronage which many an older meniber of the profession might well envv. In 1803 Dr. Trippett led to the marriage altar Miss Annie E. Cox, of Wadesville, Indiana, and they have a bright little daughter. Margerie. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Church, and the Doctor belongs to the Tribe of Ben Hur. His political support is given the Democracy.
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