USA > Indiana > Gibson County > History of Gibson County, Indiana > Part 8
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Thomas A. Walters obtained his primary education in the schools of Fort Branch, and subsequently spent one year in school in Evansville, Indiana. His course, however, was interrupted by his service in the army. He left the play-ground for the field of battle, enlisting December 14. 1863, as a member of Company B. Tenth Indiana Cavalry, under Colonel T. M. Pace. The regiment operated chiefly in Tennessee and Mobile, Alabama, and when the war was over he was mustered out August 31, 1865. receiving an honorable discharge at Indianapolis on the 9th day of September.
Returning once more to the pursuits of civil life. Mr. Walters engaged in the saw-mill business until 1876. when he was ap- pointed chief deputy under General Vail. County Sheriff, with whom he served two years. He was appointed to the same posi- tion by Sheriffs Chambers and Key, a fact which well indicates this efficiency. For nine years he held the position of collector with the Osborn Company, and was assistant claim agent for the Air Line Railroad Company for one year. In 1894 he was elected County Recorder by a majority of 574. and is the present incumbent of that office. His public career has been one of marked fidelity to duty and to the trust reposed in him.
In Fort Branchi, October 30, 1895. Mr. Walters married Annie E., daughter of Captain H. C. West, who died from wounds re- ceived at the battle of Shiloh. He was a native of New Jersey, and married Phoebe E. Gereung. Mr. Walters is a valued mem- ber of the Odd Fellows Society, the Knights of Pythias fraternity, of Ben Hur Tribe, and of Stephen Meadle Post. No. 187. G. A. R. In politics he is a Republican, and a recognized leader of his party in Gibson County.
CHIARLES W. BENTON, Deputy County Recorder of Gib- son County, and City Clerk of Princeton, was born in this city, September 5. 1856. His father. J. T. Benton, is a carpenter of Oakland City. He was born in Kentucky, and is a son of J. T. N. Benton, one of the pioneers of Gibson County. The mother of our subject. Mrs. Rachel Benton, is a daughter of Henry F. Cole- man, and a sister of W. H. Coleman, of Princeton. Her chil- dren are Charles W., N. W., W. H., J. H. and Fred.
Charles W. Benton acquired his education in the public schools of Oakland City. Early in life he developed a strong love of music, and in order to become proficient as a cornetist, he entered a school in Cincinnati for the study of thorough bass and har- mony. In due time he completed this course, and for a number
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of years was engaged in organizing and instructing bands in Southern Indiana. In 1886 he was elected City Clerk of Prince- ton on the Republican ticket, and has been five times re-elected. He served as Assistant Deputy Circuit Clerk under Mr. Coleman. and was appointed Deputy Recorder when Mr. Walters was elected to the superior ofice. No higher testimonial of his effi- ciency could be given than his frequent re-election as Clerk. Every trust confided to his care is fulfilled with the utmost faith- fulness, and he has the respect and confidence of all.
Mr. Benton was married in November, 1882, the lady of his choice being Jennie, daughter of James and Sophrona (Kirkman) Patterson. Their home is now blessed with two children-Agnes and Ruth. A lover of music, he has done much to promote the art in Princeton, and is now leader of the band in this city. Hle is also a member of the Order of Ben Hur.
SAMUEL P. WELBORN was one of Gibson's County hon- ored pioneers and most prominent and respected citizens. He was born in North Carolina in 1813, and died in this county in 1875. Ilis father. Moses Welborn, was a native of England. and with his father, emigrated to America in 1765, locating in Maryland. His wife bore the maiden name of Deborah Chipman.
When a young man of twenty years, Samuel Welborn came to Gibson County, and aided in opening up this region to civiliza- tion. He went through the usual experiences of frontier life and the hardships which he and other pioneers endured made possible . the prosperity and advancement of the county to-day. His life- work was farming, and though his career was uneventful as marked by public service, it was honorable and upright, furnish- ing an example well worthy of cmulation. He was joined in wedlock in this county with Mary, daughter of James R. and Nancy (Armstrong) Waters, the latter a native of Ireland, and the former of Kentucky, whence they came to Gibson County in 1808. spending their remaining days near Owensville. The father was a soldier in the war of 1812. Mrs. Welborn was born in Gibson County, in 1815, and died in 1887. In their family were six sons and five daughters, whose identification with busi- ness and professional life in the county has prominently linked the name with its history.
WILLLIAM P. WELBORN is the eldest son of Samuel P. Welborn. of whom mention is made above. He was born on his father's farm February 14, 1838, and assisted in the labors of its cultivation until nineteen years of age. He attended the public schools, for a short time was a student in the State University, and at the age of nineteen began the study of medicine in Owens- ville. In 1858 he entered the Ohio Medical College at Cincin- nati, and in 1859) was graduated at the Jefferson College of Phila- delphia. l'ensylvania, after which he took a post-graduate course.
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He then located in Owensville, where he practiced medicine un- til August 11, 1862, when he joined the Union Army as First Lieutenant of Company A, Eightieth Indiana Infantry. A month later he was appointed assistant surgeon, and after one year's service was made surgeon of his regiment, acting in that capacity until honorably discharged in September. 1865.
Returning home, Dr. Welborn successfully engaged in the practice of his profession for two years, when failing health caused him to abandon it. In 1870, on the Democratic ticket, he was elected County Clerk, and by re-election was continued in that office for eight consecutive years. For five years he engaged in general mercantile business in partnership with W. D. Downey. under the firm name of Downey & Welborn, but in the mean- time had become interested in the organization of the People's National Bank in 1873, and in 1885 was elected cashier, a position he has since acceptably filled. He was also one of the organizers of the Water Works Company, of which he is a stockholder and director, and in addition owns two valuable farms.
Dr. Welborn was married in 1869 to Marv F. Jefuld, a native of Gibson County, and they have four sons-Jeruld, a clothing mer- chant: Oscar P., Maurice J. and Charles H. The doctor and his family hold membership in the First Presbyterian Church. For sixteen years he has served on the School Board, and is now its president. No man has done more in the interests of education than he. He was one of the active organizers of the Public Li- brary, and is now purchasing agent for the same. Few interests in the town have not received from him substantial aid and en- couragement, and he is a progressive, public-spirited citizen, whom Gibson County could ill afford to lose.
COLONEL GEORGE W. GORMAN was a native of New Haven, Connecticut. His birth occurred July 26. 1825, and his death at Owensville. Indiana, in 1887. He came west carly in life and learned the printer's trade. which he was following at Evansville, when he enlisted in the Mexican War, in which he served as Sergeant. For a while after the close of that military struggle, he was foreman of the Evansville Journal. In 1849 he married and settled at Owensville, Indiana, where he continued his place of residence until his death. He married Mary A. Mc- Quade, and became the father of the following children: James U., deccased: George C .; Agnes, deceased: Florence, Emma and John C. He was prompt to answer the call for troops at the out- breaking of the Civil War; raised Company H, Seventeenth In- diana Infantry : became Captain of the company; rose to rank of Major: to Lieutenant-Colonel; resigned while serving as Lieuten- ant-Colonel. and was afterward appointed Colonel of the First Indiana Congressional District, and in this capacity recruited and
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organized the One Hundred and Twentieth Indiana Infantry, and the Tenth Indiana Cavalry. For a good many years after the war he was engaged in the merchandise business at ()wensville, and during the last years of his life was engaged in the real estate business and practice of law. Ile was a prominent leader in the Democratic party, and enjoyed the confidence and esteem of a wide acquaintance.
GEORGE C. GORMAN, son of Colonel George W. Gorman. was born at Owensville, Indiana, July 15, 1852: was reared in his native town: there attended school and later spent two years in the State University of Indiana: was associated with his father in business for many years; taught school; became associated with his brother. John C. Gorman, two years ago, since which time he has been assistant editor of the Princeton Democrat.
JOHN C. GORMAN, editor and proprietor of the Princeton Democrat, was born and reared at Owensville, Indiana. His birth occurred December 12. 1866. His father was Colonel George W. Gorman, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume.
He was educated in the schools of Owensville; began his news- paper carcer there at the age of fifteen years; worked as a printer. there and elsewhere, up to 1888, in which year he establishe I the Owensville Gleaner, a paper which he successfully published. weekly, up to February, 180)5. when he sold it. In March, of that year, Mr. Gorman purchased the Princeton Democrat, which he has since continued to issue. It is both a daily and semi-weekly paper, and is ably edited. In 1801. Mr. Gorman married Miss Mary McGinnis, who passed to her final rest in December of 18006. leaving three children. Mr. Gorman is a Democrat in politics, and fraternally a member of the Knights of Pythias order.
JAMES M'CORMICK, editor and proprietor of the Princeton News, was born in Gibson County, Indiana. July 6. 1851. is a son of Rev. Thomas B. and Mary A. (McClurc) McCormick. Ilis father was a native of Kentucky, and spent his life in the ministry as a Congregationalist preacher.
The subject of this mention was reared mainly in his native county, and was given a common school education. From 1870 to 1880 he was engaged in farming. In the latter year he be- came a resident of Princeton, where he was engaged in the hotel business for one year, and for six years thercafter he was in the patent right business. In 1887, Mr. McCormick began his news- paper career by purchasing the Princeton Prohibition Era, which he published for five or six years, and then suspended. In April. 1893, he established the Princeton Evening News, and in 1804, Weekly News, which he has since successfully continued to issuc. In 1802, he was the Prohibition candidate for Secretary of State for Indiana, but with his party, suffered defeat. Mr. McCormick
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was married, in 1873, to Mary E. Garrison, and his home has been blessed by the birth of two sons.
SAMUEL A. STEWART, of Princeton, occupies the position of Clerk of the Circuit Court of Gibson County. He comes of sturdy Scotch ancestry, who located in America anterior to the Revolution. The founder of the family in this country located in Virginia, and near Lynchburg, that state, on the 9th of April. 1768, Thomas Stewart was born. On the 30th of January, 1794, he married Tirza Morrison, and one of their sons, Samuel (Ayers) Stewart, who was born December 10, 1797, located in Patoka, Indiana, in 1818. He followed milling in his now home during the summer season, and in winter engaged in teaching school. Subsequently, he entered land and devoted the latter part of his life to farming. His well-directed business efforts, his energy and perseverance brought to him a comfortable competence. Of a deeply religious nature the united with the Methodist Church in carly life, and was licensed to preach in 1830. Four years later he was ordained a deacon at Mt. Carmel by Bishop Roberts, and in 1847 was ordained an ckler by Bishop Waugh. Public-spirited and progressive, he was also active in public affairs, was elected associate judge in 1837, was appointed Probate Judge in 1845 by Governor Whitcomb to fill out an unexpired term, and in Au- gust of the same year, was elected for a full term. In 1839 he served as County Tax Collector, and in the various positions which he was called to fill he ever discharged his duties with marked promptness and fidelity. On the 29th of January, 1824, he married Lucinda, daughter of Robert Howe, who came from Kentucky. to Gibson County in pioneer days. They had eleven children, one of whom, John W., served as a soldier of Company A, Eightieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, from August 10, 1862, until the close of the war. Samuel A. Stewart, the grandfather, dlicd May 24, 1849, and the county thereby lost one of its valued citizens.
Thomas Stewart, father of our subject, was born July 29. 1828. and on the 29th of September, 1853, married Elizabeth (l'ayne) Hudelson. Four of their chiklren are now living, namely: Samuel A .; Clara E., wife of M. S. Knaurb, and John H.
Samuel A. Stewart, whose name introduces this review, was born near Patoka, July 17, 1854, and acquired his early educa- tion in the common schools, after which he entered the Evansville Commercial College, where he was graduated August 14, 1874. Ile then entered his father's general mercantile store, where he discharged the duties of a salesman until 1879, when the firm of Stewart & Danks was organized and he was given an interest in the business. For fifteen years he was one of the partners in that enterprise, and was prominently connected with the commercial interests of Patoka. In 1894 he was elected to the office of Clerk
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of the Circuit Court of Gibson County, in which capacity he is now acceptably serving. He also filled the position of Postmaster of l'atoka for seven years. He represents a family whose identifi- cation with the county has been long and honorable, and in the business and political life of this locality he too has been an im- portant and valued factor. Mr. Stewart and his estimable wife are members and active workers in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was married December 26, 1877. to Mary E. Danks, daughter of Rev. Thomas C. and Mary D. Danks. They have an interesting family of five children-Edith 1)., Charles H. Clara, Samuel Avers and Mary E.
JACOB F. BIRD is numbered among the self-made men of Gibson County, his success being attributable to his own perse- verance, earnest labor and close application to business. He was born five miles south of Greenville, Tennessee, January 1. 1827. a son of David and Mary (Broyles) Bird, both of whom were na- tives of Virginia. Removing to East Tennessee at an early day they were married in Greene County, and became the parents of six sons and six daughters, of whom Jacob F. is the eleventh child. Both the Bird and Broyles families are of German lineage. The parents died near Greenville, where for many years the father had followed farming. Jacob F. Bird remained on the home farm until twenty-four years of age. He was graduated in Tusculum College in East Tennessee in 1851, and in the same year took up his residence in Owensville, Indiana. Te has since resided either in Owensville or Princeton. From 1851 until 1864 he taught school, and in the meantime by private study prepared for the practice of law, and in 1858 was admitted to the bar. For two years thereafter he devoted his energies to the legal profession and then resumed school teaching. In 1864 hc embarked in mer- chandising in Owensville, and for thirteen years carried on busi- ness in partnership with John Robb, after which he was in part- * nership with John Smith for eight years. Through the following year his son was associated with him in business, and through the succeceding six years, Howard Mauck was his partner. Since May, 1806, he has been alone in business and from the public he receives a liberal patronage, for his honorable dealing and courte- ous treatment commend him to the confidence of all. Mr. Bird voter with the Democratic party until 1876, since which time he has supported either the Greenback or Prohibition party. He is an advocate of the free coinage of silver, and supports principle rather than party. Honored with several public offices, he served as county school examiner for six years, after which he resigned and in 1866 was elected to the lower house of the General Assem- bly of Indiana as a representative from Gibson County. Mr. Bird was married in 1853. to Cordelia Robb, who had three chil- dren and died in 1873. In 1874 he wedded Maria Sommers, who
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departed this life in 1879, and in 1880, he led to the marriage altar Frances McCullouch. Socially, Mr. Bird is a Master Mason, and has been a life-long member and active worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He public record, his business career and his private life are alike above reproach and his history is that of a man who has faithfully performed all duties and been ever true to the trust reposed in him.
ALFRED W. SPRAGUE is engaged in the practice of law in Owensville. When one engages in commercial pursuits they may have the advantage of carrying on a business already established, but in professional life, merit alone must win advancement, and success is gained only by laborious effort, close application and superior ability. The possession of thesc qualities has enabled Mr. Sprague to gain a foremost place in the ranks of the legal fra- ternity in Gibson County, and he now has a large clientage:
Mr. Sprague was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, on the 10th of September, 1838, and is a son of Alden and Sophronia (Eklredige) Sprague, natives of New Hampshire. The father was a physician and after preparing for the medical profession in the Granite State engaged in practice for many years in Little Rock, Arkansas. He died April 7. 1847, and his wife passed away December 5, 1853, at the age of forty-seven years. In carly life Mr. Sprague at- temled the common schools, and at the age of fifteen began clerk- ing, which he followed for a few years. Subsequently, he taught school in Mount Carmel, Illinois, and then came to Indiana, where he followed the same vocation for many years. In 1862 he was elected justice of the peace, in which capacity he served for thir- teen years, discharging his duties in a most acceptable and creditable manner. This awakened in him a deep interest in the legal professison and he studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1876. In 1875 he was appopinted land apppraiser of Montgomery township, and was twice elected to the same position, where in the discharge of his duties he manifested the same loyalty that he has ever character- ized his public career. On the 7th of February, 1861, Mr. Sprague was united in marriage to Miss Permelia Simpson, a daughter of James Simpson, of Gibson County, and their union was blessed with nine children, five of whom are yet living, namely: Sophronia, Leicester. James A., John D., Addie H. and Horace A. Mr. Spargue and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and in politics he is a Democrat. Of the Masonic Fraternity and Odd Fellows' Society he is a valued member, and has represented both organizations in the Grand Lodge. His professional ability, his honorable business methods and his up- right life have gained him prestige in the community where he makes his home and it is with pleasure that we present this record of his carcer to our readers.
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CHARLES II. LEONARD, a prominent and highly respected citizen of Owensville, who has been prominently identified with the interests of Gibson County for many years, was born in Mt. Vernon, Indiana, on the 3d of June, 1841, and is a son of C. F. and Lucreta (Knowles) Leonard, the former a native of Rhode Island and the latter of Kentucky. Both are now deceased. Mr. Leonard of this review was reared in his native city and acquired his education in Wabash College. At the age of fifteen he started out in life for himself and has since been dependent upon his own resources. For a time he was employed in the First Na- tional Bank of Mt. Vernon, and afterward engaged in clerking for his father for a few years, purchased the business, which he con- ducted on his own account from the spring of 1867 until 1877. At the latter date he embarked in the boot and shoe business in Ev- ansville, Indiana, carrying on operations along that line until his removal to Owensville. Here he accepted a position as salesman in the general mercantile store of F. M. Welborn, in whose employ he remained for nine years. On the expiration of that period he once more embarked in business for himself, carrying on his store until 1889, when he was appointed trustee by the county commis- sioners to fill out the unexpired term of J. J. Smith. He dis- charged his duties with promptness and fidelity and left the office as he had entered it with the confidence and goodwill of the public. On the 30th of June, 1881, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Leonard and Miss Florence M. Gorman, daughter of Colonel George W. Gorman. Their union has been blessed with one child. Manning F. Mr. Leonard is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Masonic Fraternity, and he and his wife holl membership in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. They have a pleasant home in Owensville, the chief charm of which is their warm-hearted hospitality, which they ex- tend to their many friends. In politics, Mr. Leonard is a Republi- can, and during the late war manifested his loyalty to the govern- ment by service with the one hundred-day troops under Colonel Foster. His duties of citizenship have ever been promptly and faithfully performed. His life has been well spent, his genial manner enables him to make friends casily, and when once a friendship is gained it is always his.
GEORGE T. KENEIPP is a progressive and public-spirited citizen of Owensville, who is now serving as trustec of Montgom- ery Township. Ile is one of the native sons of Gibson County. and was born on the 11th of April, 1853, his parents being Robert and America (Lucas) Keneipp, early settlers of this locality. The father was born in Erie County, Ohio, and on coming to Gibson County located on a farm which he continued to cultivate for a number of years. For some time previous to his death he also conducted a general mercantile store in (Owensville, and was one
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of the enterprising citizens of the community. His life labors were ended December 16, 1894.
Mr. Keneipp of this sketch acquired his education in the public schools and spent the days of his childhood upon the family home- stead, assisting in the labors of the farm. Ilc continued there until twenty-nine years of age, when he began farming on his own account. He purchased eighty-seven acres of land and from time to time has added to this property until he now owns one hundred and cighty-one acres, the greater part of which is umler a high state of cultivation and yields to him a golden tribute in return for the care and labor he bestows upon it. In August. 1896, he was appointed trustee of Montgomery Township to fill out the unex- pired term of H. W. Mauck, and in the acceptable discharge of his duties has won the conmmendation of all concerned.
On the 20th of October, 1875, Mr. Kencipp led to the marriage altar Miss Kittie H. Matthews, a daughter of Henry Matthews, a native of England. By this union have been born six children, and the family circle yet remains unbroken. They are Arthur, Harvey, Enos, Lucretia, Elsa and Zella. Mr. Kencipp is a mem- ber of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and exercises his right of franchise in support of the Republican Party. Ile and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are held in high esteem in the community where they have long resided.
LEWIS L. POTTER is the efficient station agent at Owens- ville, and his courteous and obliging manner has made him very popular with the citizens of this place. He was born in Gray- ville, Illinois, December 27, 1868, and is a son of Rev. Lemuel and Lydia (Humphrey) Potter, of Illinois. His parents are both hiv- ing and since 1888 have residled in Fort Branch, Gibson County. The father has devoted many years of his life to the work of the ministry.
Lewis L. P'otter, whose name introduces the initial paragraph of this review, is indebted to the public school system for his edu- cational privileges. No event of special importance occurred dur- ing his boyhood and youth, which were quietly passed on his father's farm. In 1888 he came to Gibson county, locating in Princeton, where he remained until September. 1889. In March, 1800 he went to Alabama, spending a short time in the south. On the'expiration of that period he returned to Gibson County and accepted the position of station agent at Owensville on the Mt. Vernon Branch of the Evansville and Terre Haute Railway. For six years he has served in this capacity, giving satisfaction to the public and to the company which he serves.
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