USA > Indiana > Greene County > History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana > Part 39
USA > Indiana > Sullivan County > History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana > Part 39
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OSCAR W. SHRYER, a native of the county of which he is yet a resident, and a son of Marcus H. and Mary A. (Eveleigh) Shryer, appro- priate mention of whom is made elsewhere herein, was born April 15, 1847. His early education was obtained in the best schools of Greene County, but subsequently, beginning in 1863, he attended Hanover College for three years. In 1868, he entered the Law Department of the State University at Bloomington, graduating with the degree of L.L. B. in 1869. For about two years after this, Mr. Shryer was associated in the practice of his profession with Col. Aden G. Cavins, at Bloomfield, but on the expiration of this time he took a trip to the Pacific Coast, and for a time was employed in the capacity of reporter at Stockton on the Independent, subsequently editing the Evening Herald, both daily journals. In 1873, he returned to Bloomfield, Ind., and immediately began serving as cashier of the Bloomfield Bank. In 1876, he began the publication of the Bloomfield News, which he continned two years, but in 1878, became an equal owner of the re-organized Bloomfield Bank, and -
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has ever since been engaged in banking with marked success. Arabelle M. Cressy became his wife on the 28th of October, 1873, and their union has been blessed with two children-Frank W., born February 19, 1877, and George C., born March 26, 1880. The parents are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. Shryer is a member of the Blue Lodge in Masonry, in which order he has served as W. M. several times, and has also represented bis lodge in the Grand Lodge. He is a Repub- lican in politics, and is connected with all public improvements of the day.
HENRY S. SLINKARD, grocer, was born near Newberry, in this county, August 11, 1828, and is one of the three surviving children in a family of seven born to Moses and Mary (Skomp-sometimes spelled Scomp) Slinkard. He is a grandson of John Slinkard, the pioneer, and for further family history relating to his father and grandfather see the biographical department of Cass Township. Henry S. Slinkard first began guing to school at ten years old, in the same log cabin where he was born. After his father's death, he began for himself, and June 5, 1849, he and Margaret E. Wesner were married. Eight children blessed their union, but all were called to their final home except one son- Samuel E. Mr. Slinkard's business life has been somewhat diver- sified, and consists principally in farming, keeping hotel in Bloomfield, serving two years as Sheriff of the county, aiding in the construction of the B. & B. Railroad and merchandising. He enlisted February 7, 1864, in Company B, Fortieth Regiment, served through the engage- ments of Hatcher's Run, Welden Railroad, Petersburg, High Bridge, Farmville and at the surrender of Gen. Lee. At Petersburg, he received a slight wound in the head. Mr. Slinkard affiliated with the Democratic party until 1874, since when his influence and support has gone with the Nationals. In Masonry, he has ascended to the Royal Arch degree. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F., K. of P. and other benevolent organ- izations. Mrs. Slinkard is a member of the Lutheran Church, as is also her husband, and is a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Killion) Wesner. Mr. Slinkard, at present, is the proprietor of the "Old Wrinkle Grocery," where he conducts a good trade.
S. STALCUP, Trustee of Richland Township, and a prosperous mer- chant of Bloomfield, first began in business for himself in Bloomfield in April, 1869, with an invoiced stock of drugs of about $500 value. He has ever since conducted this business in the same room where he first be- gan, but from a diminutive stock of goods, his increasing trade has enabled him to add a full line of clocks, watches and jewelry in 1877, which amounts to $1,500, while he carries a $3,500 stock of drugs. In both branches, his annual trade reaches $13,000. In every sense of the word, Mr. Stalcup is self-made, as the following sketch indicates: He was born in Highland Township January 24, 1843, and is a son of Bennett Stal. cup. Being raised in the country, he only received limited educational advantages, and July 4, 1861, ran away from home and enlisted as a private in Company C, First Indiana Heavy Artillery. After leaving camp at Baltimore, he, with the company, rendezvoused on Ship Island, afterward moving under Gen. Butler against Forts Jackson and Philippi, and from thence to New Orleans. He was next engaged in the battle of Baton Rouge, siege of Port Hudson and then back to New Orleans, via Baton Rouge. During the remainder of the war, Mr. Stalenp was, en- gaged in guard and fort duty, the only deviation from this being the
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time he was a participant in the siege of Mobile. From Third Sergeant he was promoted to Quartermaster Sergeant, and the spring of 1865 was commissioned Second Lieutenant. From the close of the war until he embarked in business for himself, he was principally engaged in clerking. Mr. Stalcup is a Republican, and a dimitted member of the I. O. O. F., F. & A. M., K. of P. fraternities. In 1869, he was married to Maggie Stropes, who died in 1872, leaving one son-John B. In 1875, he was united in wedlock to his present wife, Alice Henderson, by whom he is the father of two children-Claudius and Ethel.
L. H. STALCUP, a leading merchant of Bloomfield, and son of Ben- nett and Lydia (Pagett) Stalcup, of Highland Township, was born in Greene County, Ind., January 31, 1847. He was raised on his parents' farm, receiving only an ordinary education, and in 1869 came to Bloom- field a poor boy. For three years, he was employed as clerk in the dry goods store of W. W. Gainey, but in 1873, with what little means he bad and with a good credit, he purchased the Horner dry goods store for $3,300. Possessing all the requirements of a successful merchant, Mr. Stalcup has made his business a success in every particular. He now carries an average stock of about $9,000, and his average annual sales will reach $27,000. His success in business is due to a courteous treatment and honorable dealings with all people, regardless of age and social po- Bition. Mr. Stalcup was married to Miss Blanche Osborn in 1874, and they have two children-Minnie and Pearl.
W. P. STROPES, deceased, and one of the prominent men of his day, was born in Parke County, Ind., March 21, 1832, and was a son of Adam and Penlope Stropes. In his fifteenth year, he entered the United States service as waiter-boy to his father, who was First Lieutenant in Company E, Second Indiana Volunteers. In 1856, he embarked in merchandising in Bloomfield on his own responsibility, and for thirteen years continued this without interruption. In 1867, he was the Democratic candidate for County Auditor, but was defeated by forty-two votes. In 1873, he be- came editor and proprietor of the Bloomfield Democrat, and for a number of years conducted this periodical with entire success. In 1874, he was again the Democratic nominee for Auditor, and after a hotly contested canvass was elected by a majority of 115 votes. He was a candidate for re-election in 1878, but suffered defeat by a small majority. Mr. Stropes was an honorable and upright official and citizen, an able editor and a man who enjoyed the respect of his fellow-men, regardless of religious or political faith. He was a stanch Democrat, and a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity. To his marriage with Miss Sarah E. Talbott in 1856, a family of eight children were born. Mr. Stropes departed this life June 9, 1883.
E. R. STROPES, a member of one of the oldest and most honored families of Greene County, and the present County Treasurer, was born in Richland Township May 22, 1836. He is the youngest of four sons and one daughter of Adam and Penlope (Lockwood) Stropes, and has al- ways made his home in Greene County. When eighteen years old, he began teaming from the old Richland Furnace, which he continued two years; then began clerking in the dry goods store of his two brothers at Bloomfield. On the election of J. B. Stropes as an official of the county, E. R. assumed the partnership vacated by his brother, and has since been almost constantly identified with the business interests of Bloomfield. November 5, 1863, he was married to Miss Maggie, daughter of Henry
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Van Slyke, one of the pioneers of Greene County, to which marriage four children have been born -- Henry V., Mary, Frankie, and one that died in infancy unnamed. Mr. Stropes is one of the liberal public men of Bloomfield, and is a member of the Masonic brotherhood, in which he has advanced to the Royal Arch degree. In political matter, the Stropes family have differed considerably. Adam Stropes, the father of the sub- ject of this memoir, was a Whig, and one of the early County Commis- sioners; J. B. was a Democrat, and for four years was Treasurer of the county; J. L. is a Republican, and was the nominee of his party at one time for County Sheriff; W. P. served for four years as a Democratic Auditor, and E. R. was elected County Treasurer in 1882 on the Dem- ocratic ticket, taking charge of the office in the fall of 1883. The family throughout has been very popular, and be it recorded to their credit that the name has never been tainted with a dishonorable act.
GEORGE P. STONE was born in Barren County, Ky., March 8, 1842, a son of Stanford and Margaret (Smith) Stone, who were natives of Maine where they were reared, married and resided until 1841, when they moved to Kentucky, making that State their home until their respective deaths. Stanford Stone was a Methodist minister and a man of education, re- finement and purity of life and character. He was a zealous worker in the cause of Christianity, and at the time of his death in 1858 was a Presiding Elder in the Methodist Episcopal Church. His wife died in 1862. They were the parents of three children, one of whom-Jasper- served his country in the late war; was Second Lieutenant in Company C, Thirty-seventh Kentucky Mounted Infantry, and was killed near Tompkinsville, Ky., in 1864. A daughter named Lucretia is the wife of J. T. Hartley, and resides in Liverpool, Eng. The only surviving son is the subject of this memoir. He was raised as are most itinerant preach- er's sons, and was a student at Transylvania College when the war broke out. Like his brother, he espoused the Union cause, and in 1861 be. came a member of the Ninth Kentucky Volunteer Infantry, participating in the battles of Shiloh, Perryville, Murfreesboro, Nashville and a num- ber of lesser engagements. He was slightly wounded several times, and was almost constantly in active service until his retirement from the army. By reason of meritorious conduct, he was given a Captain's commission of Company C, Thirty-seventh Kentucky , Volunteers about a year after his enlistment, and his official conduct as an officer of the Union army was such as to reflect credit and honor upon himself and company. After the war, he read law in his native State, was admitted to practice, and in 1867 located in Brazil, Ind., practicing his profession in the courts of Clay and adjoining connties. In 1879, he located at Worthington, but the winter of 1883 moved to Bloomfield, which has since been his home. As a counselor and advocate, Mr. Stone is among the first in Greene County and is eminently successful in his profession. He is a Repub- lican in politics and a member of the Masonic, K. of P. and K. of H. fra- ternities. His marriage with Miss Lucy J. Larr was solemnized October 15, 1868, and William B., Lillian and Edwin H., are their children. Mrs. Stone was born at Dresden, Ohio, in June, 1844.
W. W. TEMPLETON was born in Xenia, Ohio, July 28, 1836, and is a son of William and Ruth (Beethe) Templeton. William Templeton was three times married, his first wife bearing three children; his second two and his third wife, who yet lives, four children. He was of Irish descent, settled in Greene County and engaged in farming in Richland
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Township until his death March 28, 1878. W. W. Templeton is the only survivor of his father's second marriage. His early life was passed upon the home farm, and at eighteen years of age began doing for himself. July 6, 1861, he became a private in Company C, Twenty-first Indiana Heavy Artillery. His first military experience being with Butler around the coast, rendezvousing on Ship Island; thence up the river to New Or- leans, running the fire from Forts Jackson and Philippi, and next partici. pating in the campaign against and reduction of Baton Rouge. After their return to New Orleans, they were transferred to what is now Mor- gan City, and were the cause of the destruction of the rebel gunboat Cotton." Port Hudson was their next important engagement, next participating in the expedition against Fort Monroe and Mobile. Here- mained on garrison duty at Fort Morgan until his discharge, January, 1866. Mr. Templeton was promoted from the ranks to First Sergeant, then to Second Lieutenant and finally to First Lieutenant. Since the war, he has been engaged almost constantly in saw-milling, and in 1878 erected his mill at Bloomfield, where he is doing a good business. He operates a double circular saw with a forty-horse power engine which has a capacity of 10,000 feet per day. Mr. Templeton is a Freemason, a Republican and a member of the Christian Church. To his marriage with L. A. Rosecrans, May 22, 1867, eight children have been born, five of whom are yet living.
THOMAS R. WILLIAMS, an unpretentious, but honored citizen of Bloomfield, is a native of Fulton County, Ohio, where he was born in 1826. He came with his parents, Elisha and Hannah (Harrison) Will- iams, to Greene County, Ind., in 1855, where afterward both parents died. Thomas R. was raised to manhood on the farm of his father, his educational advantages being such as were accorded in the country schools of that day. He served a two years' apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade, and the greater part of his life has been passed in working with lumber. In partnership with his eldest son, he erected his planing and saw mill near the depot in 1881, and they are doing a good business in manufacturing house-furnishing goods, and in dressing lumber. Besides machinery expressly for planing work, they have a double circular saw driven by a twenty-horse-power engine. Mr. Williams is a Republican, has served as Township Assessor six years, and is a member of the Blue Lodge in Masonry. In 1853, he was married to Mary Moyer, and eight children have blessed their union-Elisha M., Horace G., Sadie A., Mary E., Frank M., Cora E., Thomas and Hoyt H.
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.
WILLIAM C. ANDREWS is a native of Essex County, N. Y., his birth occurring April 4, 1812. His father, George H. Andrews, was also a native of the Empire State, was of English descent and was married to Nancy Mckenzie. For many years Mr. Andrews commanded a vessel on Lake Champlain, and in this way obtained the title of " Capt. Andrews." In 1819, he and family removed to Franklin County, Ohio, where he en- gaged in farming, and where he passed the greater part of his declining
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years in peace and contentment. William C. Andrews, at the age of twelve years, entered a store at Worthington, Ohio, as clerk, remaining there until 1837, and for the two succeeding years was employed in a like capacity at Gambier. In 1839, in company with Dayton Topping, he came to Greene County, Ind., and began merchandising at Point Commerce, but subsequently became associated with C. J. Barrackman in a like business. In 1849, he platted and laid out Worthington, and the spring of 1850, moved to this place and opened a general store-the frst in Worthington. Until the close of the late war, Mr. Andrews was almost constantly engaged in mercantile pursuits, but since then has dealt in real estate and transacted a general law, collecting and insurance business. On the 19th of August, 1840, he was married to Eunice G. Topping, who was born in Franklin County, Ohio, in 1812. To this union were born Newton, Katharine R. and Mary L. The mother died April 30, 1852, and May 4, 1858, Mr. Andrews married his second wife-Josephine Stalcup. This lady was born in Greene County, Ind., September 19, 1835, and by Mr. Andrews is the mother of three chil- dren-Grace, William C. and Maria L. For over twenty-five years, Mr. 'Andrews has served as Justice of the Peace, and although not a radical partisan, has always firmly believed in the principles of the Whig and Republican parties. Mr. Andrews is one of the oldest and best known men in northern Greene County, and all who know him unite in pro- nouncing him a man among men. He is a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity, and the Protestant Episcopal Church.
THOMAS AYDELOTTE, M. D., a son of James R. and Amelia A. (List) Aydelotte, who were natives respectively of Delaware and Ohio, was born August 18, 1838, in Montgomery County, Ind., whither his parents had removed from Ohio in 1837. His father became a resident of the Buckeye State when a small lad, and was there married. His mother dying in Montgomery County, Ind., in 1842, his father soon afterward moved to Clinton County, and at the time of the building of the Wabash & Erie Canal, took large contracts and continued aiding in the work until the canal's completion. He then moved to Gibeon County where he continued to reside until his death in 1876. He was twice mar- ried, by his first wife being the father of five children and by his second, who was formerly Cynthia A. Hollingsworth, eight children. Dr. Ayde- lotte was raised a farmer, was but commonly educated and at twenty- four years of age, began the study of medicine at Princeton. He attended two courses of lectures at the Chicago Medical College, and in 1864 lo- cated at Carlisle, Ind., for the practice of his profession, where he re- mained nearly three years, then, after practicing at Princeton a short time, he came to Greene County. For about six years, he was located at Newberry, after which he came to Worthington, where he has since re- mained in active practice, a part of the time as partner with Dr. L. P. Mullinniz. He has here built up a large and successful practice and has the entire confidence and respect of the community. In politics, he is Democratic and is a member of the Masonic and K. of H. orders ' He was married in 1861, to Miss Ella Kennett, who died after bearing two children, both now deceased. Miss Donna Arnold became his second wife, on the 30th of November, 1870, and by her he is the father of three children-Joseph G., James W. and George.
TAYLOR BROTHERS. George R. Taylor, the father, was born in New Hampshire in 1796, and at manhood came to Orange County, Ind.,
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where, for a time, he taught school winters and boated summers, and where, in 1828, he married Miss Mary Clark, who was born in Vermont in 1808. The following year, he located in Scaffold Prairie, Greene Coun- ty, where he lived about twenty-two years, moving then to Worthington, where, except two years, he resided until his death. While on Scaffold Prairie, he farmed, dealt in stock, kept a country store, was the first Postmaster in Smith Township (his commission bearing President Jack- son's name), was an Old-Line Whig and a popular man and politician; served as Justice of the Peace, owned a store in Fairplay while on the prairie. and one at Point Commerce after the canal was finished; was & Methodist, his house being.a resort for early circuit-riders, and a place of worship; was a merchant at Worthington from 1856 to the close of the war, when he retired. He was an excellent man, broad, liberal, genuine, noted for sobriety, honesty and industry, and died in 1876, full of years and hon- ors, followed by his wife in 1878. Eight of their six sons and six daughters are now living. Calvin S. Taylor was born in Smith Town- ship in 1832, was reared on a farm, with limited education, and, in 1854, went overland to California, starting March 5 and reaching San Jose Sep- tember 1. Here he remained until 1863, farming and dealing in stock; then returned to Greene County; attended school at Greencastle; then began merchandising in Worthington with his brother Merritt, and is yet thus engaged, besides conducting a farm and dealing in stock. He is a Republican, and a member of the Episcopal Church. He married Miss Annie E. Topping in 1865; they have two children-Mary L. and Frank D. The brothers' store building was built in 1876. They have a large stock and a profitable business. Merritt C. Taylor, born in Smith Town- ship in 1836; was also reared on a farm, remaining at work there and in the store until 1862, when he enlisted in Company E, Fifty-ninth In- diana Volunteer Infantry, as Second Lieutenant. He was at the surren- der of Island No. 10, at the siege and battle of Corinth, and in lesser engagements, and, in 1864, resigned his commission in the Fifty-ninth, and with S. L. Bryan raised Company A, One Hundred and Fifteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was commissioned First Lieutenant, serving as such until March, 1865, and part of the time as Captain de facto. After his return, he entered in business with his brother, and is yet thus en- gaged. His marriage with Emily Topping occurred in 1865; they have two children- George D. and William T. Mr. Taylor is a Republican. Dayton Topping was a native of New England, born in 1802, and moved as a child to Ohio. In 1824, he married Miss Margaret Douglas, and in 1840 moved to Greene County, Ind., entering the mercantile business at Point Commerce. Two years later, he moved to Terre Haute, but, in 1850, returned and began keeping the famous old " Franklin House," at Worthington. He conducted the house ten years; was a prominent canal man and canal collector; was an Old-Line Whig, and an uncom- promising Union man during the war; was a member of the Episcopal Church; was a Mason. He was a man of unusual capacity, and died in 1865, followed by his wife in 1881. They had eight children; four of the daughters are yet living. His son, Melville D., raised a company at Terre Haute, became its Captain, was promoted Lieutenant Colonel of the Seventy-first Regiment, and was killed near Richmond, Ky., in 1862, his death being widely lamented.
GEORGE G. DYER was born in Putnam County, Ind., October 20, 1851, and is a son of John G. and Hannah E. (Crose) Dyer, who were
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natives respectively.of Ashe County, N. C., and Bourbon County, Ky. John G. came to Owen County, Ind., when a lad, but in later years moved to Putnam County, where his parents died. He read medicine for a time, but afterward engaged in farming, wagon-making and carpenter- ing, and at one time was Superintendent of the bridge department for a railroad company. He afterward engaged in the marble trade, and, in 1870, came to Worthington, where he died in 1874. His widow yet sur- vives him, and by him has nine children. George G. passed his youthful days upon a farm, and secured a fair education. From early boyhood he manifested great liking and aptitude for mechanical pursuits, and when about fourteen years old began working at watch-repairing, marble- cutting, and metal and wood engraving. He was in the marble business in Worthington from 1869 to 1880, and also worked at engraving and silversmithing. Since then he has been engaged in the jewelry business. and is doing well. He was married, in 1871, to Miss Emma Allison, and they have four children-Daisy, Elsie, John and Charles. Mrs. Dyer was born in Johnson County, Ind., in 1851. Mr. Dyer is a Republican, a member of the Christian Church, the Masonic and K. of P. fraterni- ties. He is one of the best engravers on stone, wood or metals in Indiana.
SAMUEL FOLSOM, deceased, was born in the town of Groton, N. H., Angust 4, 1801. He remained upon a farm, assisting his parents, until February of 1819, when he went to Boston, Mass., and thence in a short time to Florida and Mississippi. He remained in the South until 1827, when he took boat at Natchez, Miss., for the upper country, not knowing where he would stop. On board the boat, he fell in company with Capt. John Johnson, Daniel Harris and Stephen L. Bigger, of Owen County, Ind. They gave him such a favorable account of the country they lived in that he determined to accompany them home. This he did, and after a short time located on the farm now owned by John Ritter, in Owen County, purchasing the land of Capt. Johnson. Here he remained a number of years In 1850, he came to Greene Coun- ty, Ind., and located on the farm now owned by Mark Hayes, in Eel River . Township, where he remained some seven years, and then moved to Fair- play Township, where he lived several years, when he came to Worth- ington and located to avoid the cares and hardships incident to farm life. Here he passed the remainder of his days, dying October 22, 1877. When quite a young man, he connected himself with the Methodist Episco- pal Church. He was a self-made man, inheriting only the priceless legacy of a good name and a robust constitution. His battle against poverty was successful, as he secured a handsome competency. He was indus- trious, honest, philanthropic, an upright Christian, true to all of life's obligations. He served as Justice of the Peace some ten years; also was Commissioner of Owen County a number of years. He was one of the pioneer Whigs and Abolitionists, and in later life a Republican. . He was twice married, his first wife being Hannah Nelson, to whom he was married in 1828. She died in 1846. By this union there was one child, viz., Emily. There were five children his wife had when he mar- ried her, by a former marriage. These he reared as his own, and all in a manner reflecting great credit on himself and wife. He was united in marriage with Mise Sophia Davis September 25, 1848. She was born near London, England, September 5, 1814, and when a small child her parents emigrated to the United States, and after living in New York
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