History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana, Part 36

Author: Goodspeed Bros. & Co.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 901

USA > Indiana > Greene County > History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana > Part 36
USA > Indiana > Sullivan County > History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana > Part 36

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Digitized by y Google

329

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

instead of that, it has had given to it the name of Jefferson, and a dis- trict west of that, embracing Scaffold Prairie, has the name of Smith. On the old trace from Smith's Ferry to Fort Harrison or Terre Haute, there was no one living from where Worthington now stands to where a family by the name of Shumaker then lived, about where old Mr. Myers now lives, until you came to Scaffold Prairie. My father entered 160 acres of land in Scaffold Prairie on the 9th of August, A. D. 1824, and in the fall, after the lapse of a month or two, moved to his land in the prairie, and took me with him.

" My father, Frederick Dayhoff, as also my mother, were natives of Maryland, but were residents for a long time of Kentucky, after which they settled in Scaffold Prairie, Greene County, in 1824. Being single, I came with them, and remained until the first crop of grain was raised. I then returned to Kentucky, and remained six or nine months, and married a young lady whose maiden name was Mary Thomas, whose character was such that it never was tarnished by the tongue of malice. She died of consumption, and left me three children. My mother died in Scaffold Prairie in July, 1833, of cholera, the only person's death by that disease in the country around, aged fifty-seven years, nearly. My father died ten years and two days after, by the infirmities of age, being over seventy-seven years old.

" When my father came to Scaffold Prairie, in 1824, he found there two families who had been living there a year or two. The head of one was Jesse Elgin, a native of Kentucky, and son of old Jesse Elgin, of Wash- ington County, in this State, and the other family was by the name of Woodsworth, from Ohio. Among the subsequent early settlers of this prairie was Charles Walker, a family from Kentucky, who settled where David Fuller now lives, and George R. Taylor, now of Worthington, who bought out Woodsworth and lived in the settlement many years. But, that I may not weary the reader in speaking of additions and changes in the settlement, I decline this course for the present. I conceive you may inquire of me what gave Scaffold Prairie its name. I can very briefly and fully satisfy you on this question.

DEER AND BUFFALO LICKS.

" There are, in the central and lower parts of the prairie, licks which were the resort of wild animals, such as deer, buffaloes, and, perhaps, elks, from the commencement of wild animals on our continent until its occu- pation by white men. At this lick large basins were eat out by wild ani- mals, craving salt or something of the kind, I suppose. From these licks diverge in every direction what is generally called buffalo ditches, made by the wear of animals and the wash of water along their paths. Now, around this lick were scaffolds, constructed upon four posts set in the ground, and the scaffolds upon them twelve or fifteen feet or more

Digitized by Google

330

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

above the ground. Upon these scaffolds the Indians would sit and watch for deer and other wild animals coming in to the lick. And while these animals would come,-spying for danger on the surface, never thinking of danger above, toward the smiling heavens, the Indian would pop them through with his fatal ball. These scaffolds were standing for years after the prairie was occupied by white men, and from these scaffolds the prairie took its name. And is it not remarkable that no effort has been made to discover what the animals sought at this lick, especially as coal and timber are plentiful around this prairie ?

WAGONING FROM LOUISVILLE.

" The changes that have taken place in this part of the State in fifty or fifty-five years are astonishing. In the fall season of the year, the mer- chants in this county and west had to have their gouds hauled by team from Louisville, there being no railroads at that time, and the Wabash being at that season of the year too low for steamboating. So, then, Mr. Elgin, myself and brother, having heavy teams for breaking prairie sod, would haul for the Wabash merchants in the fall of the year, and receive $1.50 per hundred for hauling to Terre Haute; and with our big wagons and teams we would haul from twenty-five to thirty hundred. And one of the last loads that I hanled was to Robroy, I think, forty miles beyond Terre Haute; and, what is remarkable, made the trip from Louisville by Terre Haute to Robroy and back home without having my wagon sheet wet. How nnlike this season up to the present ! But com- merce now goes by the power and speed of steam; and we would naturally conclude that under the improved state of mechanism and arts of com- merce, that we could get along in the world much easier now than in the old time, but is this the case, I would ask? Now, let us consider. Our taxes are double, and, in some cases thribble, according to amount and value of property, what they were from thirty to fifty years ago. And, I think, if you will look over your old tax receipts, you will be convinced of the correctness of the assertion. Please examine your old receipts, while I write you the exact copy of a tax receipt of my father's for pay- ment on land and property in Kentucky, for the year 1814, and conse- quently since the war of 1812. Now comes the copy:

" ' MAY, 1814. - Received of Frederick Dayhoff, two dollars and six cents, in full of his tax, for the year 1814, on 1424 acres land, one tithe and nine horses.

G. SMITH, Deputy Sheriff for "'O. CLARK, Sheriff Shelby County.'

" This was a good farm and well improved. But Hoosiers are to be pitied. They can call up nothing like this. But this taxation is but one item in the bill of expenses; and, further, I would state in reference to our taxes, that I have a receipt for taxes, paid for a single year on my own property, without including any former delinquencies, amounting to

- Digitized by Google

331

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

$126.77. Now I would say, if this is not exorbitant oppression on a citizen in Smith Township in moderate circumstances, depending upon the labor of his hands and economy to support himself and family, and defray the other expenses incumbent upon a respectable member of society, then I may say the heavens do not cover us. But, further, have not the claims of other public functionaries increased much in the same ratio ? Lawyers' fees, doctors' bills, and all other public characters and agencies. Now, good citizens of Smith Township, I leave these brief hints to your consideration; and it is for you, whether you be called Whig or Demo- crat, to say whether you will continue to submit to this extortion. The late floods were beyond your control, but the expenses alluded to may be within the compass of your influence.

FIRST SCHOOL TEACHERS.

" The attention given to education in Smith Township, and especially in Scaffold Prairie, from the early settlement there, has been commend- able. My sister, Litticia Buskirk, mother of Philander Buskirk, was the first school teacher in Scaffold Prairie settlement, and I was the second. And I can say with pleasure that I think the morals of this settlement have been above the medium standard. Religion, which is compared to the salt of the earth, has always received attention and respect here; and I believe there has never been a dram shop in the township, and trust the fire of Tophet will never burn here. I fear, however, that the morals of this settlement now are not as good as in its infancy.

" Smith Township contributed a liberal support to the Government dur- ing the war of the rebellion, and lost a number of her brave sons; but, with the rest of our country. enjoys the confidence that our Republic is ' not to be destroyed by internal diversions or external foes.

PET DEER.

" At the first settlement of Smith Township by white men, wild game of various descriptions was very plentiful, especially deer and turkeys- the former attracted, I suppose, by the lick in Scaffold Prairie. The hunters could have all the venison they wanted. I, besides my venison, according to the recollection of my family, had at one time nine pet deer, which I procured by offering 50 cents a head for fawns until I got nine. We raised them, and they were very pleasant pets. They would on sight distinguish a stranger from one of our family; and, on a particular occa- sion, a gentleman from Terre Hante put up with us, and in going from the house to the barn, a young buck spied something red on the gentle. man. Having a horror of blood or anything red, young Mr. Buck made battle with the stranger. But ordinarily they were very pleasant and gentle in the family; and if I could have some of them for pets at the present time, they would afford a luxurious pastime for amusement.

Digitized by Google

332

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

LONE TREE PRAIRIE.

" The Lone Tree-Creek and Lone Tree Prairie were named for the old oak tree which stood alone in the prairie for a great number of years. That noted old red-oak stood on the north side of the old Gen. Harrison trace, made by the soldiers in 1814. Many persons can yet point out the place where the Lone Tree stood, about one mile northeast of Will- iam W. Baber's. The big Jake, on the county line, two miles east of Howesville, has evidently at one time been the old river bed, and a great many stories could be told for the truth about the many exploits and adventures of the old pioneer hunters and trappers on the river from Worthington up to the old reservoir.

"Smith Township was never noted much for its bad conduct, but in an early day two festive young men-own cousins-Samuel Wilks and Byram Combs, met at a corn-shucking at Richard Wright's, and by some little difference of opinion about a girl in the neighborhood, engaged in a fisticuff fight, and after a few rounds and hard licks in the short ribs, Mr. Combs hallooed out, "Enough! enough! Boys, take Sam Wilks away! I'm not whipped, but by jinks, I just can't stand it!"

"Our old neighbor and sociable friend, George R. Taylor, established the first store, sold dry goods, and made the farm, set out the apple trees and built a good substantial brick dwelling house on the place where Rice Elgin now lives, on the old Terre Haute State road. Mr. Taylor's brick house was destroyed by fire, and afterward he came to Worthing- ton and is now enjoying good health.

" Old Uncle Sammy Wilks and his brother-in-law, Mr. Byram Combs. settled near the old lake on the Sand Hill, made the farm and set out the old apple orchards near where Mrs. Elizabeth Cole now lives, north of the prairie.

" Rev. Richard Wright settled on the farm and built a blacksmith shop where the Widow Dean now lives. Afterward, Mr. Wright sold that farm to Richard Lambert, and Mr. Lambert buried more than half the num- ber of his large family in less than five months' time, together with a man by the name of James Frazier, who was smothered to death by the damps while he was engaged in the work of cleaning out a well for Mr. Lambert the same summer, and on the same place that there were so many persons died."

The first weddings were Cyrus W. Conant to Nancy Dayhoff; W. Y. Dayhoff to Lucy Goodale; Samuel Wilks to Celia Wright. The first school was in the Dayhoff neighborhood. Among the early teachers were Letitia Buskirk, Lucy Goodale, Elijah Godfrey, and some of the earliest scholars were Philander Buskirk, Elijah and William Elgin, Mary and Susan Walker, Eliza, Milly and Julia Elgin, Enos and Will- iam Goldsberry, Rice Elgin and Bart Ellinsworth, besides the Dayhoff and Fuller children, some six or seven in number.

Digitized by y Google

PART II.

GREENE COUNTY.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

Digitized by Google

yGoogle

- Digitized

PART II. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

RICHLAND TOWNSHIP.

. JOHN D. ALEXANDER, State's Attorney for the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, was born in Bloomington, Ind., February 6, 1839, and came with his parents, William and Martha L. (Dunn) Alexander, to Greene County in 1843, where he was raised to manhood. William Alexander was a physician, which profession engaged his attention until his retirement from active life in 1867, after which he removed from the eastern part of the county to Bloomfield, where he died in 1871, aged seventy-seven years. His widow died in 1883, aged eighty-seven years. Both were natives of Kentucky, but their parents were from the Old Dominion. John D., after receiving the benefits to be derived from the common schools, entered the classical course of the State University. graduating in 1861. August 18, 1862, he enlisted as private in Company E, Ninety- seventh Indiana Volunteers, and on the company's organization was ap- pointed Orderly Sergeant. In February, 1863, he was advanced to Second Lieutenant, and December 15, 1864, was promoted to the Cap. taincy of Company D, Ninety-seventh Regiment. In April, 1865, Gen. Logan appointed him Acting Assistant Inspector General of the Second Brigade, First Division, Fifteenth Aminy Corps, which remained his official duties until being mustered out of service June 9, 1865. Capt. Alexander was a participant in the battles of Vicksburg, Resaca, Ken- esaw Mountain, Griswoldville, Ga., Savannah, Columbia and Bentonville. After the war, he took a six months' course at the Law Department of the Michigan State University, subsequently practicing his profession one year at Bedford, and the remainder of the time being engaged in a like pursuit at Bloomfield. In 1880, he was elected Prosecuting Attorney for the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit, and in 1882 re-elected to this position, the State Legislature of 1882-83 changing the circuit to the Fourteenth. Capt. Alexander is a Republican in politics, and at present is 1 member of the law firm of Alexander & Letsinger.

S. W. AXTELL, Superintendent of the schools of Greene County, is one of three surviving children in a family of five born to George R. and Amanda (Farnham) Axtell, appropriate mention of whom is made else- where in this work. The genealogy of this family is traced back in England as early as 1535, to one John Akstyle, a member of a religious order in Hertfordshire. Thomas Axtell, baptized at Berkhamstead, Eng- land, January 26, 1619, was undoubtedly the progenitor of the name in the 21

Digitized by

Google

336

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

United States. The following are the names of the heads of the different families in a direct line of descent from the Axtell last mentioned, together with their respective births: Henry, born in 1641; Daniel, 1673; Thomas, 1727; Thomas, 1750; Thomas, 1797; George R., May 10, 1825. The last on this list is the father of the subject of this memoir, and is a pros- perous farmer of Beech Creek Township. S. W. Axtell was born in Knox County, Ohio, June 17, 1850, and when six years old removed with his parents to Greene County, Ind., locating in Beech Creek Township, where he was raised, and largely educated. After attending the best schools afforded in the county, he entered the State University the term of 1871-72, and in July, 1874, graduated from the law department of that institution. The same month of his graduation, he located for the prao- tice of his profession in Bloomfield, and has ever since resided here, being at present a member of the well-known legal firm of Pickens, Axtell & Moffett. For several years Mr. Axtell has been at work perfecting a complete set of abstracts of title for lands in Greene County, and is now prepared to furnish anything in his line. He is a Democrat, and in 1876 was elected County Superintendent, which position he has ever since held, making one of the best Superintendents the county ever had. Through many obstacles and against the advice of older heads, he undertook the system of grading the schools of the county, and has made it a flattering success. In a like manner, he was successful in perfecting the graduation system, which he claims is not a fabric woven in the loom of fancy, but a complete system of common-sense plans. Mr. Axtell, at one time, was the candidate of his party for State's Attorney, but owing to a Republican majority in . the district, suffered defeat. His marriage with Miss Mary J. Gray was solemnized February 16, 1861, and by her is the father of this family: Aden F., deceased, G. W., Ilie M., Casper B., Edna M. and Nita Vera. The parents are members of the Christian Church.

G. W. BEARD, editor of the Bloomfield News, is a native of the Hoosier State. born December 28, 1836, in Harrison County. He was one of six sons and two daughters born to the marriage of Jesse Beard and Charlotte Bullock, who were natives respectively of Virginia and Georgia, and of Irish-Scotch descent. G. W. was raised in his native. county to manhood, receiving the greater part of his education from the common schools, and when about sixteen years old was apprenticed to the printer's trade on the Western Argus, of Corydon. For eight years, he was employed on the mechanical part of this periodical, then became editor and proprietor, continuing as such until the breaking-out of the rebellion. August 22, 1861, he enrolled bis name as a private in Com- pany B, Third Indiana Cavalry, and was an active participant in the bat- tles of Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wil- derness and numerous other engagements, amounting in all to 120. May 11, 1864, while on Sheridan's raid to Richmond, he received a severe grape-shot wound in the left hip. September 7, 1864, he was honorably discharged from the service, wearing, as a mark of honor, a Sergeant's chevron. For one season, Mr. Beard farmed in Lawrence County; then engaged in mercantile business in Greene County, which he continued until 1874, afterward farming five years or thereabouts. Since 1879, he has resided in Bloomfield, engaged in journalism. Miss Angie Broaddus became his wife on the 8th of February, 1864, and to their union have been born six children-Lena, Broaddus, Jennie, Stannard, Daisy and Georgia. The mother is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr.

Digitized by y Google

337

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Beard is one of the prominent Republicans of the county, and through the News is doing valuable work for his party. He issues a bright, at- tractive paper weekly, filled with able editorials and spicy local news, which is fast becoming the weekly visitor of all the better families of Greene County.

EVAN A. BONHAM, Sheriff of Greene County and a native of Wright Township, was born June 10, 1852, and is a son of David Bon. ham, appropriate mention of whom is made elsewhere in this work. After receiving a preliminary education in his native township, Evan A. 'attended the seminary at Sullivan one year, then, in company with a brother, William A., took an extended trip through the West and South- west. In 1871, he entered Judsonian University, in White County, Ark., his brother the same year purchasing forty acres of land there for the purpose of embarking in fruit-raising. William A. is yet residing there, and operates a farm of 170 acres, 110 of which are devoted exclusively to fruit-raising. In 1872, Evan A. returned to Greene County and em- barked in saw-milling and farming in Wright and Stockton Township& In 1874 and a part of 1875, he was an attendant at Franklin College, but in 1876 was a student at the Newbury Normal School, where he prepared for the teacher's profession. The latter occupation served to engage his attention for six years, and during Mr. Bonham's pedagogical career, he met with deserved success. April 27, 1871, he was married to Miss Winnie E. Hicks, a native of Iowa, and a teacher of five years' experience in Greone County, and one son has blessed their union-Leon J., born October 28, 1881. Mr. Bonham is a Republican in politics, a member of the Baptist Church-as is also Mrs. Bonham-and is one of the best Sheriffs ever Greene County had. He was elected to this office in 1882, and is filling its requirements to the entire satisfaction of all concerned.

DAVID BUTCHER, deceased, ex-Treasurer of Greene County, was one of eight children born to Richard and Rebecca ( Boruff) Butcher. His father dying when he was eleven years old, the burden in caring for the family fell on his shoulders, and at this critical period he embarked in his struggle for a home and an honored name. He was enabled to secure only a limited schooling, but by diligence in after years secured a good, practical education. On leaving the farm, he went to Bloomington, there learning wagon-making, and in 1850 married Carrie Finley, who bore him two children, only one-David F .- yet living. In 1854, the mother died, after which Mr. Butcher moved to Sullivan and worked at bis trade until his removal to Bloomfield in 1856. At this place, he em- barked in the drug trade, at which he continued until he sold out to en- ter upon the duties of County Treasurer, to which position he had been duly elected, and after one term of two years he was re-elected, serving in all four years. Mr. Butcher was an honest citizen, an obliging neigh- bor, and a loving husband and father. He was well known and univer- sally respected for his many sterling qualities, his pureness of heart and simplicity of manners. He was twice married, his widow having been Mina V. Hopkins, a native of Ireland, by whom he was the father of three children-John V. (deceased), Stella and Cora Mr. Butcher was a member of the Christian Church and the Masonic fraternity, and a Democrat in politics.

SAMUEL R. CAVINS was born in Green County, Ky., in 1792. Before he was of age, he went to Vincennes, and remained there several years.

Digitized by Google

338

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

While at Vincennes, he went on a hunting excursion (about the year 1813) np White River, and the party landed in Greene County, just above the mouth of Richland Creek, near the old Indian graveyard. After that he returned to Kentucky. In 1814, he entered the army as a substitute, and served under Gen. Jackson, at the battle of New Orleans. In 1822, he returned to Indiana again, and settled in Monroe County, near Harmony. In 1825, he moved to Lawrence Connty, near Springville. He moved to Greene County in 1827, and settled on Indian Creek, near Owensburg. In the year 1833, he settled on a farm in Richland Town- ship, adjoining the farm of David Heaton. In 1835, he moved to Bloom- field. and resided there until his death, which was in 1864. In 1828, he was elected Associate Judge of the Circuit Court, and held the office until 1834, when he resigned. He was Assessor for the east side of White River for the year 1834. In 1835, he was elected Clerk, and entered upon the duties of the office in 1835, and held the office continuously until 1855. He raised nine children to be grown, and had several to die in infancy. He was well known throughout the county for his hospital- ity and liberality, and especially remembered for the numerous instances 'u which he befriended the poor. Though well advanced in years at the time of the last war, there was no man in the county, of any age more active or loyal. He was Draft Commissioner, and was so energetic that more than once was in imminent danger of serious personal injury. His portrait will be found in this volume.

COL. ADEN G. CAVINS was born in Lawrence County, Ind., Uc- tober 24, 1827, and is a son of Samuel R. Cavins. He received in youth only such schooling as was obtainable at that early day, and his literary education was completed with three years' instruction at Asbury Univer- sity. He afterward read law, and graduated from the Law Department of the State University in 1849. He then practiced his profession in Bloomfield until 1858, when he removed to Nebraska City, Neb., remain- ing there two years, and representing his locality in the Lower House of the Legislature. In 1861, he returned to Greene County, the same year recruiting a company for the Fifty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was commissioned Captain of Company E in November of the same year. Capt. Cavins was with Pope on his expedition to New Madrid in the spring of 1862, and after the evacuation of Island No. 10 went with his regiment to Pittsburg Landing, and was present at the siege of Corinth. For distinguished services, Gov. Morton in 1862 commis- sioned him Major of the Ninety-seventh Indiana Volunteers, and while at Holly Springs in December of the same year, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel of his regiment. After participating in the siege of Vicksburg, he was in the engagement at Jackson, Miss., where his horse was killed by a cannon ball from the enemy. Col. Cavins was actively engaged at Mission Ridge, from whence his command moved to the re- lief of Burnside at Knoxville, which was one of the hardest campaigns of the rebellion. Succeeding this, he was an active participant in the battles of Resaca, Dallas, New Hope Church, and June 15, 1864, his command captured 700 of the enemy, including a large part of the Thir- ty-first Alabama Regiment, with field and staff officers. He led his regi- ment at Kenesaw Mountain, and at Atlanta his command again gained renown by capturing the Fifth Confederate Tennessee Regiment, which killed the gallant McPherson. Col. Cavins was also in the engagements at Ezra Chapel, on the right of Atlanta and Jonesboro. He remained in

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana, Part 36

Author: Goodspeed Bros. & Co. Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Number of Pages: 901

Author: Goodspeed Bros. & Co.
Publication date: 1884
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 901