History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana, Part 37

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 37
USA > Indiana > Sullivan County > History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana > Part 37

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command of the Ninety-seventh from Goldsboro until its arrival at Washington City, where he was mustered out as Colonel. Since that time, he has been actively engaged in the practice of law at Bloomfield, standing second to none at the bar of Greene County. He is a stanch Republican, and in 1880 was Presidential Elector for the Second Con- gressional District. In 1851, he was married to Julia Taylor, who died in 1854, leaving two sons, only one (Edward) yet living. To his second marriage, with Matilda Livingston, eight children have been born-Will- iam L., Hugh L., Josephine; Lelia, Aden L., Francis L., Margaret, and Lee (deceased). Mrs. Cavins is a daughter of Hugh L. Livingston, a pioneer lawyer of Indiana, who was descended from an old and honored family.

COL. E. H. C. CAVINS, a native of Greene County, Ind., was born in Jackson Township April 16, 1832, and was raised to manhood in Bloomfield, where he acquired his early education. He afterward took , two years' course at Asbury University, then read law with his brother, Aden G., and in 1853 graduated from the Law Department of the State University. He then began the practice of law in Bloomfield, and in 1858 served as a member of the State Legislature. In the spring of 1861, be recruited Company D; was mustered into service as Captain of this company, which went out as a part of the Fourteenth Indiana Vol- unteers. They were first under McClellan and Rosecrans in West Vir- ginia, but in 1862 were with Gen. Shields in the Shenandoah Valley campaign and the battle of Winchester. They were then transferred to the Army of the Potomac, and became a part of the Second Army Corps, which covered the retreat from the Peninsula and from second Bull Run. In August, 1862, Capt. Cavins was advanced to Major of the Fourteenth, and the fall of this year participated in the battle of Antietam, where he was wounded in the left hand, and shortly after which he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. He commanded his regiment at Fredericksburg, and from the official reports the dead from the Fourteenth laid nearest the enemy's works Chancellorsville and Gettysburg were the next im- portant battles in which Col. Cavins was engaged, snoceeded by Morton's. Ford, where he commanded two regiments and where his horse was shot under him. Shortly after this, be returned to Indiana to reornit his regiment, and on reporting for duty at Washington was assigned com- mand of a provisional brigade, detached from the Army of the Potomac, of which he continued in command during the remainder of his term of service, which culminated in the battle of Cold Harbor. In 1864, he was commissioned Colonel, and June 20, 1864, received his final dis- charge. He was then made Adjutant General for the Southern Division of the State, under Gen. Hughes, and served as such during the remain- der of the war. During the rebellion, Col. Cavins participated in over fifty pitched battles and skirmishes. Since then, he has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession at Bloomfield, where he has at- tained a prominent position at the bar of Greene County. He is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church, a Republican, and a Royal Arch Mason. To his marriage with Miss Ann M. Downing, solemnized October 23, 1855, four children have been born-Samuel R., Carrie Belle, Ida L. and Susie F. The mother was born in March, 1836, in Greene County, and is a daughter of the old pioneer, Alexander Downing.

JOHN J. CLIFFT, a native of Kentucky, born February 22, 1837, is one of seven children, born to Thomas and Melinda (Jones), Clift,

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natives respectively of Tennessee and Kentucky, and maternally of Dutch descent. The family removed to Monroe County, Ind., in 1838, and settled near the Greene County line, making these two counties their home until the death of Thomas Clifft, in the latter county, May 18, 1861, aged fifty-nine years. His widow afterward married a Mr. Clark, and died in Illinois in about 1874. John J. Clifft was raised a farmer; receiving but limited advantages, and on attaining his majority started in life for himself. During the holidays of 1861 and 1862, he enlisted as a private in Com- pany B, Sixtieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, the first battle of his company being Munfordville, where the greater part of the Sixtieth Regiment was captured by' Gen. Morgan's command. At the time of this battle, Mr. Clifft was sick at the Louisville hospital with typhoid fever and consequently escaped capture. He was an active participant in the battle of Walnut Hills before the siege of Vicksburg, and all through this remarkable siege, being wounded June 3, 1863, in the left shoulder, from the effects.of which he is yet a sufferer. He was next in the engagement at Grand Coteau Prairie, where he received his second wound, which was much more severe than the former one, it being through the right shoulder and side, leaving a gaping and terribly lacerated wound. Not receiving immediate attention and being unable to help himself, his wound attracted flies in abundance, and erelong it was swarming with maggots. For about four weeks he was in the hospital; then, although not really able to do so, rejoined his regiment and remained in active service until his discharge in April, 1865. After the war, he farmed and worked at the stone-mason's trade in Greene County until July, 1883, when he came to Mineral City, and in partnership with R. Haywood started a general store which they have since continued. Mr. Clifft is a member of the National party, the I. O. O. F .; and was married in 1867, to Rhoda Ann Minks, by whom he is the father of six children: Mary E., Ida M. (deceased), Nora A., William L., James W. and Thursia J.

DR. S. C. CRAVENS, the oldest established physician of Bloomfield, was born in Jefferson County, Ind., January 3, 1839, and is descended from English and Irish ancestors, bis parents being John C. and Nancy M. Cravens. His early education was obtained at Hanover, and in 1861 came to Greene County and began teaching school in Daviess County, at the same time devoting his spare hours to the study of medicine. In 1863, he continued these studies under the direction of Dr. J. N. Conley, and the session of 1863 and 1864 attended Rush Medical College at Chicago, after which he was associated in the practice of his profession with his preceptor. The term of 1865 and 1866, he returned to Rush College and graduated, and for one year, beginning in February, 1869, he was in partnership with Dr. Gray. In 1870, he took a course of instruction at Long Island College Hospital, New York, receiving the ad eundem degree, and has ever since been intimately connected with the medical history of Greene County. For a time, he was associated with his brother, Dr. T. A. Cravens, but in 1881 this connection. was severed, and the same year our subject took a post-graduate course at Rush: since then he has been practicing in partnership with Dr. Rankin, and this firm ranks among the first practitioners of the county. Dr. Cravens is an enterprising and esteemed citizen. and is connected with some of the leading organizations of Bloomfield. He was married to Mary L. Routt, in 1866, and they are the parents of four living children.

R. E. EVELEIGH, Postmaster and druggist, is a native of Bloom- field, born August 31, 1848. After attending the public schools of his

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native town, he entered the scientific course of the State University in 1867, graduating in 1869. For a period, he was employed in clerking, but in October, 1875, he embarked in business on his own responsibility in Bloomfield, with a stock of drugs and books valued at about $1,000. He has ever since continued this line of business, and owing to his in- crease in trade has been enabled to establish one of the most successful mercantile houses in Bloomfield. At present, his stock consists of up. ward of $5,000 worth of drugs and books, and his annual sales will reach about $15,000. Mr. Eveleigh is a member of the fraternity of Odd Follows, is a Republican in politics, and in October, 1875, was appointed Postmaster at Bloomfield, a position he yet occupies.

A. J. FAUUETT was born in Orange County, N. C., October 31, 1816, and when eighteen years old removed with his parents, George and Eliz- abeth (Killion) Faucett, to Orange County, Ind., where the parents con- tinned to reside until their respective deaths. Family tradition bath it that the name came originally from England, but at the battle of the . Boyne they became residents of Ireland, whence William Fausett (who spelled the family name with an " s"), grandfather of A. J., emigrated to North Carolina during the eighteenth century. Being strongly opposed to slavery, led to the removal of the family of George Faucett to Indiana. A. J. Faucett received but little educational or other advantages, and his youthful days were passed on a farm. November 1, 1838, he married Almira D. Fellows, a daughter of Col. Levi Fellows, who settled in Greene County in 1819. In 1839, he and wife removed to the farm on which Mr. Faucett now resides, and building a small frame house, began clearing and farming. When rebellion was threatening to overthrow our country in 1861, he assisted raising Company E, Fifty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in which he became a private, and with which he remained until being honorably discharged at Goldsboro, N. C., in April, 1865. He was a participant in some of the hardest campaigns and most hotly contested battles of the rebellion, among the latter being New Madrid, Island No. 10, Corinth, Vicksburg, Mission Ridge, Savannah, Columbia and Bentonville, besides numerous minor skirmishes and en- gagements. He was commissioned First Lieutenant of Company E on the 6th of September, 1863, and owing to the Captain's resignation the fall of 1864, he commanded the company until the close of the war. Since then, Mr. Faucett has been engaged in farming and milling in Greene County. To his marriage was born this family: George W. (was a volunteer of Company D, Fourteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry; was wounded at the Wilderness, and died of this wound at Fredericksburg, Va.), Levi J., Theodore, Austin D., Mary J., Caroline E., Celestia, Hattie and Schuyler. Of the above, all are dead except Levi J. and Celestia. The mother died October 7, 1869. Mr. Faucett is a Master Mason, a Republican, and is the owner of 308 acres of good land in Richland Township.

LEVI J. FAUCETT, a progressive and self-made man of Greene County, was born in the township where he now resides July 27, 1843, and is a son of A. J. Fancett. After receiving his preliminary education in the common schools, he completed his schooling with a three years' collegiate course. In 1869, he became his father's partner in saw milling; having purchased the old water saw and grist mill owned by Col. Fellows In five years, this partnership was dissolved, Levi J. continuing two years Jonger, when, owing to injury to the property occasioned by high water,

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he removed to Mineral City, where he erected an excellent steam saw mill, and for years conducted the largest lumber business of any mill in the county. In 1883, he" removed his mill fixtures one-half mile west of Mineral City, where he has a new and commodious building built in the shape of a "T," the main building being 28x60 feet, and the other 28x72. The engine'room attached is 12x30 feet, in which is a 50-horse- power engine and boiler of the most improved kind. Besides his double circular saw, which has a capacity of 10,000 feet per day, he has five smaller rotary saws. This is, without exception, the best and most hand- ily arranged saw mill in Greene County, giving employment to about fifteen men, and causing an annual trade of $10,000 to be transacted. Besides this property, Mr. Fancett owns 200 acres of land in Richland Township, and a part of the tract of land entered by his grandfather, Col. Levi Fellows. To his marriage with Susan V. Ashton October 25, 1871, six children have been born-Joseph A., Charles W., John M. (de- . ceased), Wendell, Frank and Hattie A. (deceased). Mr. Faucett served six months in the late war as a private in Company C, One Hundred and Forty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He enlisted in February, 1865, and was discharged the following July. In politics, he is a Re- publican, and he and wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church.

WILLIAM HAINS, a native of Coshocton County, Ohio, was born January 16, 1842, and is the next youngest of seven children born to Daniel and Sarah (Foster) Hains. His father was a native of the "Key- stone State," and a farmer by occupation, both of whom are now dead. William Hains was raised on his parents' farm, received but a common schooling in his youth, and August 15, 1862, enlisted as a private in the ranks of Company H, Ninety-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry. If ever soldier deserved praise and honor for gallant and meritorious services, William Hains should not be forgotten in this respect. After leaving Camp Zanesville in October, 1862, his regiment started on the Cumber- land campaign, their first important battle being at Stone River. Suo- ceeding this, Mr. Hains was a participant in the engagements of Murfreesboro to Tullahoma, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, besides various smaller battles; 8 o'clock P. M., on the 17th of June, 1864, after the rebel rifle pits had been taken at Kenesaw Mountain, he was shot by a minie ball between the shoulder and elbow of the left arm, and after fourteen hours' waiting, his arm was amputated near the shoulder joint. His brother, Samuel Hains, was wounded in the right elbow at this same battle. This effectually put an end to his further military career, and resulted in his discharge December 17, 1864. Mr. Hains returned to Ohio, farmed three years and was mar- ried May 5, 1865, to Mary J. Markley. They removed to Greene Coun- ty, Ind., in 1868, and farmed until 1876, when they came to Bloomfield and embarked in merchandising. In two years, Mr. Hains sold out and operated a dray until the fall of 1883, when he established himself in the restaurant business, which he has since successfully continued. He is a stanch Republican, owns eighty acres of land in Taylor Township, besides town property; he and wife are members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and parents of three children-Mary M., Agnes and As- bury.

J. J. HARDY, proprietor of the National House, was born in Brown County, Ky., February 6, 1823, and is one of five children born to Ben- jamin F. and Amy (Pedigo) Hardy. Benjamin F. was a native of Paris,

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France, and a Lieutentant in the British Army during the war of 1812. He was wounded at New Orleans, and at this battle succeeded in desert. ing and joining the American troops. He was a blacksmith by trade, and after the war settled in Barren County, Ky., where he married our subject's mother, who was a native of Virginia. In 1880, while return- ing from a neighbor's to whom he had sold a farm for $3,000, he was murdered and robbed. His widow and children moved to Mooresville, Ind., in 1832, in a four-horse wagon, afterward removing to Lawrence County, where Mra. Hardy died in 1865. At ten years of age, J. J. Hardy began life's battle for himself. Until seventeen years old, he was clerking in Springville, after which he learned blacksmithing, and in 1844 settled at Point Commerce, where he remained two years working at his trade. In 1845, he married Frances M. Gainey, and in 1848 went to Bedford and worked at carriage and wagon making until 1862. In August of this year, he helped recruit Company G, Fourth Indiana Cav- alry, of which he was made Commissary Sergeant Mr. Hardy saw much hard service during the late war, and ie credited with being a fear- lees soldier and a prudent officer. He was in the battles of Shelbyville, Alpine, Summerville, Chickamauga, Jonesboro, Chattanooga, Franklin and Nashville, besides numerous skirmishes and engagementa. In Sep- tember, 1864, he was examined by the Military Board and was commis- sioned Lieutenant of the Fifteenth United States Colored Troops by the President. Shortly after this, he took command of 200 independent scouts, and continued in command until being mustered out of service April 7, 1866, as brevet Major. Maj. Hardy was three times wounded, the worst of these being at Cedar Hill, Tenn., where he was shot through the neck, from the effects of which he is yet u sufferer. After the war, he embarked in the livery business at Bedford, but in July, 1868, came to Bloomfield, where he has since resided. In 1874, he started in the liv- ery business here, and two years later built his present stable. In 1881, he erected the National House, of which he is the present popular pro- prietor. By his first wife he was the father of one daughter-Laura E. In 1868, he was married to Mrs. Julia A. (Ferguson) Milam, to which union is born one daughter -- Jennie E. Mrs. Hardy was the widow of ex-County Clerk, John I. Milam, by whom she had four children, only one yet living-Mrs. Nettie Beaty.

JOHN L. HARREL, County Auditor, was born in Richland Town- ship, Greene County, Ind., February 8, 1842, and is one of three children born to James and Emily J. (Harrah) Harrel. Being left an orphan when a small boy, John L., lived with an aunt in Putnam County until he ar- rived to years of maturity. He became a private in Company D, Fiftieth Indiana Volunteers, on the 3d of October. 1861, and his first year's mili- tary experience consisted largely in doing guard duty. He was sick at Louisville at the time of his regiment's capture at Munfordville on the 17th of September, 1862, but he rejoined this exchanged regiment at In- dianapolis in time to participate in the campaign along the M. & O. R. R., and the battle at Parker's Cross Roads with Gen. Forrest. After guard- ing the M. & O., and M. & C. Railways for a time, they were transferred to the department of the Arkansas, subsequently joining Gen. Steele in the campaign against and capture of Little Rock. Succeeding this, they were employed at guard duty near Lewisburg until March, 1864; then rejoined Steele, who, in conjunction with Gen. Banks, moved against Shreveport. On this expedition, Mr. Harrel was a participant in the en-

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gagements at Terre Noire Creek, Little Missouri, Prairie De Halese, Poison Springs and the capture of Camden. Owing to Banks' defeat, they re- treated to Little Rock, and at the battle of Saline River Mr. Harrel was wounded in the left foot and taken prisoner. He remained in confine- ment at Tyler, Texas, until February 26,- 1865, when he was exchanged, and April 16, 1865, was mustered out of service. From this time until be assumed the duties of County Auditor, Mr. Harrel engaged in farming in his native township. He was elected in 1878, and in 1882 re-elected, and has proven an honest and efficient official. In 1866, his marriage with Margaret Williams was solemnized, and one son-James Elmer- ·has blessed their union. ' Mr. Harrel is a Republican, and owns a farm of 100 acres in Richland Township.

DANIEL B. HATFIELD, grocer, was born in Jackson Township, Greene County, Ind., May 1, 1838. His father, Mordica Hatfield, was a native of Campbell County. Tenn., born November 17, 1818, and was de- scended from Irish ancestors. Ale Hatfield, father of Mordica, together with his family, removed to Indiana in 1831, and was induced to locate in Greene County by reason of fine water facilities and an abundance of wild game. They settled in Jackson Township and occupied their time largely in hunting, becoming justly celebrated as hunters. In about 1844, Ale Hatfield died. Mordica married Millie Richardson when seven- teen years old, and fourteen children blessed this union, all of whom were raised to maturity. Ten of these were daughters, six heing twins, and the entire family are now married. The sons of Ale Hatfield, not receiving any schooling, were unable to read or write, but they all be- came honored and respected citizens, as have also their children. Mor. dica Hatfield was an ordained preacher of the Baptist Church for over twenty-five years. He died September 14, 1869, followed by his widow April 8, 1875. D. B. Hatfield was raised and educated in his native township. November 17, 1859, he married Miss Rachel Burcham, who died May 15, 1873, leaving four children, the following three-Wesley M., Laura E. and Serepta M .- yet living, and John L., deceased. Mr. Hattield enlisted August 16, 1862, in Company G, Ninety-seventh Indi- ana Volunteer Infantry, served three years, during the war participating in all the battles from Buzzard's Roost to Atlanta, at the latter place being wounded by a minie ball in the right thigh. After recovering from this wound, he was transferred to Rock Island, and detailed on guard duty where he remained until discharged July 16, 1865. He then came home, farmed four years, and in 1870 entered upon the duties of County Recorder, having been elected the preceding year. After serving four years he was re-elected, serving in all eight years. For two years he practiced law but since that time has been engaged in merchandising. He married his first wife's sister, Violet Burcham, October 1, 1873, to which union three children were born-Onias, Daniel B. and Mary V., all deceased. The mother died March 24, 1878. Mr. Hatfield married Marie H. Alexander June 9, 1878, by whom he is the father of two sons- Thomas R. and Alexander H. He is a Democrat, a member of the F. & A. M., and a non-affiliating member of the I. O. O. F.

D. M. HILDEBRAND, a native of the "Keystone State," was born in the year 1824, a son of Michael and Christina (Harsh) Hildebrand His early years were passed in assisting his parents on the home farm and attending subscription schools, such as were common at that period. In 1845, his union with Miss Margaret Keys was solemnized, and the .

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following named of the seven children born to them are yet living: Henry W., Ira A., James B. Mc., Louella and Carrie E. Mr. Hildebrand came to Greene County, Ind,, in 1882, purchased the farm of Dr. H. V. Nor- vell, in Richland Township, and has since resided here, where he has won the respect and esteem of his fellow.men. His eldest son pur- chased the Richland Flouring Mills on Richland Creek, and is now pro- ducing an excellent quality of flour, which meets the approbation of those who patronize the mill. Although but a recent comer to Greene County, Mr. Hildebrand is taking an active part in the welfare of his adopted county. In politics, he is Democratic, and both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

HENRY C. HILL (deceased), son of John and Jane (Johnson) Hill, was born in Greene Connty, Ind., December 13, 1834, and was always a resident of his native county. He received a liberal literary education, read law with William Mack, now of Terre Haute, and after his gradua- tion from the Law Department of the State University in 1859, formed a partnership with his preceptor and embarked in the practice of his pro- fession. He was a man of keen discernment, possessed of superior qual- ifications for his profession, but in the midst of a successful career was compelled to relinquish active pursuits by reason of ill-health, which culminated in his death May 4, 1865. Mr. Hill was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a Domocrat, and for some time held the office of County School Examiner. His father migrated from North Carolina to Greene County at an early day, and became one of our early pioneers. June 25, 1861, witnessed the marriage of Henry C. Hill and Miss Emma Ritter. Mrs. Hill is yet living in Greene County, where she was born, raised and has always resided.

MARION HINDMAN (deceased) was born in Dubois County, Ind., October 20, 1840, the eldest of six children born to John B. and Maria (McDonald) Hindman, who were of Irish extraction. When a small boy, he came with his parents to Greene County, where he received a fair education. He began reading medicine, but on the news of the fall of Sumter relinquished his previous intentions, and October 12, 1861, en- listed in Company I, Forty-first Indiana Reg. (Cav.) He was a faithful and fearless soldier, and a participant in some of the hardest campaigns of the late war. He was honorably discharged October 4, 1864, then returned to Greene County and embarked in the drug trade at Newberry; afterward the dry goods business; but in 1875 sold out and began deal- ing in stock. He was married, July 4, 1867, to Miss Margaret E. Slinkard, two children being the blessing of their union-Laura A. and Frank M. Mr. Hindman was a man of push and energy, as well as one of the county's most valued citizens. He assisted liberally in the advance- ment of all laudable public measures, and by industry had accumulated a comfortable income. Although a member of no church, he was a Christian in the fullest sense of the word and his death, November 5, 1878, was universally regretted. Mra. Hindman moved to Bloomfield with her children in 1879, where she has since resided.

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History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana, Part 37

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

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