History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana, Part 45

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 45
USA > Indiana > Sullivan County > History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana > Part 45

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).

OSCAR McDONALD, a merchant of Newark, was born in Shelby County, Ky., October 15, 1827, and is the son of Francis and Mary (Car- roll) McDonald, who were natives of Kentucky and Maryland respectively. While in Kentucky. they were engaged in farming. Coming to Indiana in 1834, they settled in Greene County, and embarked in a like pursuit. They were the parents of four children-Sarah (Mra. Jacob McIntosh), James, Elizabeth (Mrs. David Smith), and Oscar, who came with his par- ents to Indiava, and remained with them until his marriage with Miss C. Hoke, in 1852. He continued farming for sixteen years, when he moved to Newark and engaged in the boot and shoe trade, which he continued about three years; then, with Joseph G. Smith, became interested in harness and mercantile business, which lasted some four years. Since then, he has been in mercantile pursuits alone. Mr. McDonald has sev- eral times held the office of Trustee for Highland Township. He and wife are members of the Christian Church, and Mr. McDonald is deeply interested in the advancement of all public enterprises. In politics, he otes for the best man, regardless of political party, faith or creed.

HENRY H. McHALEY, one of the well-known citizens of Greene County, is a native of Beech Creek Township, where he now lives. He was born January 24, 1841, one of seven children of William and Lucinda K. (Rice) McHaley, who settled in Greene County at an early date. Henry H. McHaley received but a limited education and in the log cabin schools of early days. His principal business through life bas been farming, although he has engaged considerably in mercantile affairs.

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From 1869 to 1873, he did a general merchandise trade at McVille, and a short time at Newark, Ind., but his health failing, he quit that and paid his exclusive attention to farming. On December 16, 1858, his marriage with Letitia Hudson was solemnized, and to this union five children have been born-Oliver S., Lucinda C., Mary A., William H. and John A., all living. Mr. McHaley began life for himself with no property, and has been fortunate enough to acquire 157 acres of well improved farming land. As a Republican, he was elected Justice of the Prace for his township in 1872, and has held that office ever since. In December, 1881, he was appointed Postmaster, at MeVille, Ind., which position he now holds. In December, 1883, he again commenced doing a general merchandise business, with a stock of $1,200, and is having a good trade. Mr. and Mrs. McHaley are members of the Christian Church, and are prominent in the charities of their neighborhood. Mr. McHaley is a member of the fraternity of I. O. O. F., which order he has represented in Grand Lodge.

HON. JACOB P. McINTOSH, a native of Marion County, Ind., was born November 17, 1835, and is the fourth in a family of ten children, of whom William J. and Sarah (Negley) McIntosh were the parents. He became a resident of Greene County when two years of age by the removal of the family, and has ever since been a resident of Greene County. He was raised on the farm of his father, and owing to Mr. McIntosh's limited means, secured but a common education. In 1857, he was married to Miss Nancy Kelley, and since his graduation from the Eclectic Medical College at Cincinnati, in 1868, has pursued his chosen profession. Although a man of no great pretensions, yet Dr. McIntosh is gifted with an unusual degree of practical wisdom, which ranks him among the prominent men of Indiana. He began his career in the world with but little education, and no means by which he could obtain one. By close application he in after years secured a thorough knowledge of all the lower branches, together with some of the sciences, and by industry has obtained a goodly share of this world's goods. Besides the practice of medicine, he has been engaged in mercantile pursuits in various parts of the county, and in 1877 published his work entitled "Information for the People." In politics, he has ever been a firm and outspoken Demo. crat, always contributing largely to the success of his party in the county. He was a member of the Democratic State Conventions of 1876 and 1880, and in 1874 and 1878 was the nominee of his county for State Repre- sentative, and was defeated each time. In 1880, he was elected Joint Representative from Greene, Knox and Sullivan Counties, and through the acceptable manner by which he served in this office, he was elected State Senator from this Senatorial district. Dr. McIntosh has proven a wise and acceptable legislator, and is the author of several popular laws. He is now a resident of Beech Creek Township, where he is the owner of valuable property. Himself and wife are parents of six children: Martin F., Mary K. (Mrs. J. L. Wood), Nathaniel and three that died in infancy.

MARTIN F. McINTOSH, a son of Hon. Jacob P. McIntosh, of whom appropriate mention is herein elsewhere made, was born in Highland Township, Greene Co., Ind., July 6, 1858. He received a common school education in the schools of his county and has been mostly engaged in the mercantile business all his life. Until April 1, 1879, he was in the employ of his father at Newark, Owl Prairie and Linton. At that date, he began for himself in the grocery business at Newark, but in May fol-

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lowing his father went into partnership with him and they then added a stock of drugs, in which manner they continued until July, 1881, when his brother-in law, Mr. J. F. Wood, came into the firm and it has since been known as J. P. McIntosh & Sons. They carry a stock worth about $4,500, each owning one-third interest. On July 27, 1879, his nuptials with Miss Della Frame were celebrated, and they are the parents of two children-Jacob P. Jr., and one that died in infancy. He is a stanch Democrat, and has been delegate in two Congressional Conventions. He has done considerable newspaper writing, and takes an active interest in all public affairs, and is a rising young man who is looked upon with promise.

. GEORGE W. NASH, one of ten children born to Obediah and Nancy (Edwards) Nash, is a native of the township, county and State where he now resides, his birth occurring August 15, 1839. His parents were among the first to brave the hardships and inconvenience of pioneer life in Greene County, their advent dating back to 1822. His education was obtained at the primitive log schoolhouse, and when about eleven years of age he was cast upon his own resources by the death of his par- ents. Until twenty-one years of age, he was engaged in farming, but July 6, 1861, he volunteered his services for the suppression of the rebellion, and was assigned to Company C, Twenty-first Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry. At the end of two and a half years, he was discharged, then re-enlisted in the First Indiana Heavy Artillery from which he received his final discharge August 23, 1865. Mr. Nash was a brave and efficient soldier and took part in the battles of Port Hudson, Baton Rouge, Cedar Grove, Donaldsonville, New Orleans and the Spanish Fort. February 1, 1866, he married Fidelia Gaston, who has presented him with two sons-William O. and John D. The parents are highly respected people of their locality, and are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Nash is one of the progressive farmers of his township, owns a good farm of 156 acres adjoining the village of New- ark, and as a Republican in politics has always favored the advancement of all laudable public enterprises.

ISAAC PHILPOT, a native of Belmont County, Ohio, was born November 16, 1824, and is one in the following-named children of William and Ruth (Hults) Philpot, who were natives respectively of Ireland and Ohio-William, George, Shepherd, Isaac, John H., Samuel, Eliza, Eleanor, Maria, Matilda and Sarah Ann. Previous to leaving Ohio, Mr. Philpot held the commission of Second Lieutenant in the State militia of Noble County, and where, also, he was twice married, his first wife being Miss Ann Rebecca Gibson, and his last and present wife Miss Eliza Wilson. To his first marriage, three children were born -Robert Heath, John William and Martha Matilda; and by his present wife he is the father of two children-Frank L. and Annie Rebecca In 1866, Mr. Philpot became a resident of Beech Creek Township, Greene Co .. Ind., and since that time it has always been his home. He was actively engaged in farming until 1881, when he took charge of the mill at Newark for one year; then returned to the farm and again took charge of the mill in 1883. He is one of the prosperous citizens of the county, owns a good farm of 123 acres, is a Republican in politics, and himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

DAVID SCHARB, undertaker and dealer in furniture, is the son of Obed and Catherine (Miller) Scharb, natives of Pennsylvania. They came

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to Indiana in about 1857, and settled in Greene County on a farm, where they remained until Obed Scharb's death in 1874. To them were born three children-Sarah (Mrs. Edward Pennell), David and Joseph M. David Scharb was born in Wayne County, Ohio, March 1, 1845, and came with his parents to Indiana and remained with them until the breaking- out of the late rebellion, when he enlisted in Company E, Fifty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. A. G. Cavins, and remained in the service until 1865, when he was honorably discharged. He was a brave and gallant soldier, and participated in some of the severest cam. paigns and hardest fought battles of the war. November 12, 1867, he married Miss Mary Taylor, and to them were born three children -- Will- iam Sherman, E. Algon; and one that died in infancy unnamed. The mother died September 1, 1881, since when Mr. Scharb has married Mrs. Angeline (Smith) Pickerd, the widow of Isaac Pickerd. He is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church and a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity. Mr. Scharb established himself as an undertaker and furni- ture dealer at Newark in 1879, and has since continued successful in business.

HENRY SHIELDS, a resident of Beech Creek Township, is the old- est of three children, of whom William and Bersheba (Festler) Shields were the parents. He was born in Meigs County, Ohio, April 1, 1822, whence he went with his parents to Washington County, Penn., in May, 1826. They remained in.that State about six years, when they removed to what is now Noble County, Onio. His education is limited, and was all acquired in the primitive log schoolhouses of that day. On August 22, 1844. he was united in matrimony to Minerva D. Gilkerson, and of the ten children that have been born to them only these five are now living: Andrew J., George H., James H., Sarah E. and Dora B. In April, 1865, Mr. and Mrs. Shields moved with their family to Greene County, Ind., where they have ever since lived. Mr. Shields has successfully followed farming all his life, and now owns a splendid farm of 197 acres, and engages in buying and selling stock. Both Mr. and Mrs. Shields belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church at Solsberry, and are foremost in all laudable enterprises of their community. His politics are Republican, and he takes an active interest in public affairs. All who know him are enthusiastic in his praise as a moral and upright citizen

ANDREW JACKSON SHIELDS, merchant of Newark, was born in Noble County, Ohio, September 9. 1857, and is a son of Henry and Minerva Delong (Gilkerson) Shields, who were natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Ohio. They came to Indiana in April, 1865, and set. tled on a farm in Beech Creek Township, where they still reside. They are the parents of ten children, only five- Andrew Jackson, George H., James H., Sarah E. (wife of William Torrence) and Dora B .- yet living. Andrew Jackson came with his parents to Indiana, and remained with them until his marriage with Miss Louisa M. Frame, a daughter of Jacob and Martha Frame, who reside at Solsberry. He then engaged in farm- ing until 1870, when he entered the State University at Bloomington and remained three years. During his life he has taught twelve years of public school. In the spring of 1883, he formed a partnership with J. B. Young, at Newark, in the general mercantile business, at which he is still engaged. He is a stanch Republican in politics, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, while his wife is connected with the Congregational Church. Mr. and Mrs. Shields are the parents of one

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son-Oscar Raymond. During the extra session of the State Legislature in 1881, Mr. Shields was Enrolling Clerk in the Lower House, which position he filled with commendable praise.

EDWARD THOMPSON, farmer of Beech Creek Township, is a na- tive of Ireland, where he was born County Antrim July 5, 1834. His parents, Gilbert and Nancy (Quiery) Thompson, bore a family of seven children. Our subject received a common school education, and followed farming until the year 1851, when he left his native land, and located in London, England, there engaging in the business of engineering for four years. At the end of that time he came to America, landing in New York in 1855. Soon after this, he came to Indiana, and followed railroading for a time, and engineering at Greencastle until 1860, when he moved to Wayne County, Ill., where he owned and operated a circu- lar saw mill. From there he came to Greene County in May, 1862, where he has ever since lived. His marriage with Sally M. (Junkin), of Monroe County, Ind., was solemnized December 24, 1863. Together they have raised a family of five children-David G., Elizabeth C., Ag- nes O., James E. and Catherine J. Since his settlement in Greene County, Mr. Thompson was engaged in grist milling until March, 1863. He is now devoting his attention entirely to farming, and owns a good farm of 162 acres. He is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, and supports all the benevolent institutions of his community with both his influence and means. As a Republican, he takes a lively interest in public affaire, and his reputation for honesty and morality is above re- proach.

EBENEZER F. TORRENCE, of Solsberry, Ind., was born in what is now Noble County, Ohio, September 5, 1826. Joseph and Mary (Mc- Crary) Torrence, his parente, bore a family of eleven children. The education of our subject was limited to that of the common schools. Eliza Hannum became his wife November 25, 1848, and by her he is the father of six children-Mary J., William J., Sarah E., Parker F., George H., all living, and Eliza E., deceased. At the age of eighteen years, he began the carpenter's trade, which he followed about five years. In the fall of 1849, he moved to Jasper County, Mo., where he lived un- til June, 1852, when he located in Greene County, Ind. Since he left Ohio, Mr. Torrence has been farming with good success, as his large, well-improved farm of 300 acres clearly shows. On November 20, 1864, he was grieved by the loss of his wife. Again on August 29, 1865, he was married to Mrs. Sarah E. (Larue) Catron, who is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Solsberry. Mr. Torrence, though for- merly a member of that church for thirty-three years, now belongs to the Congregational Church at the same place. The reason for his changing was his conviction against the morality of " secret oath-bound societies, which the Methodist Episcopal Church indorses, while the Congregation- al Church at Solsberry forbids all such societies as wrong. During the slavery agitation, Mr. Torrence took strong grounds against that great evil, and was active in working for its downfall. He is now an earnest worker for the causes of Prohibition and Woman's Suffrage. In senti- ment, he is an American in politics, and takes active interest in the pub- lic affairs of the day.

ISAAC WATKINS, one of seven children born to Benjamin and Hannah (Jones) Watkins, is a native of Johnson County, Ind., his birth occurring February 3, 1835. His limited education was secured at the

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old-fashioned log schoolhouse of that early day, and although he has worked at the carpenter's trade some, his general occupation through life has been farming and stock-raising. About the age of nine years, he came to Greene County with his parents, and since that time has al- ways made Greene County his home. November 27, 1855, he was united in marriage with Mary A. Livingston, and to them have been born eight children; of these six are yet living-John W., Laura E., Peter F., George F., James I. and Noah A. Mr. Watkins began for himself with but little or no means at his command, and a well-improved farm of ninety-five acres shows with what success he has managed his business. September 29, 1864, he entered Company B, Fifty-seventh Indiana In- fantry, but the rebellion soon afterward ending, he was honorably dis- charged July 10, 1865. He served his country with fidelity, and was an active participant in the battles of Franklin and Nashville. In politics, Mr. Watkins is a member of the National party, is an enterprising citi- zen and a man respected by all who know him.

JOHN FREELAND WOOD, a merchant of Newark, Ind., is a na- tive of Sullivan County, and was born January 8, 1845. Lacy and Jane (Reneau) Wood are his parents, who bore a family of fourteen children. Mr. Wood received a good education, graduating from the Southwest- ern Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio, August 15, 1867, when he received the degree of Bachelor of Science. After this he engaged in teaching school thirty-seven months, part of the time in the town of Sullivan, Ind. On February 18, 1865, he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Forty ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, but the war end- ing soon after, he was honorably discharged September 27, 1865. In the spring of 1872, he began the merchandise business at Pleasantville, in the firm of Parks, Wood & Co., but in the fall of 1873 the firm be- came L. R. & J. F. Wood. In this manner, it remained until the spring of 1875, when he went into the same business at Linton, which he fol- lowed for about two years before he went into partnership with J. P. McIntosh. In the fall of 1878, in partnership with his brother, he be- gan business at Newberry, Ind. This he continued until July 8, 1881, when he became one of the firm of J. P. McIntosh & Sons, at Newark, where he has ever since been. On August 1, 1876, he was married to Mary H. McIntosh, by whom he is the father of two children, Bessie M. and Orion L. In the winter of 1877 and 1878, he attended lectures at the Eclectic Medical College at Cincinnati, Ohio. He was formerly a member of the fraternity of Odd Fellows, although he now holds a with- drawal card. Mrs. Wood was born November 17, 1859, and is a daugh- ter of J. P. McIntosh. Mr. Wood is firm in advocating the principles of the Republican party.

JACOB BROWN YOUNG, a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, was born December 17, 1855. His father died and left him, at the age of eight years, in the care of his mother, who afterward married William V. Ferguson. In the year 1864, he came with the family of James Crawford to Greene County, Ind., settling in Beech Creek Township, which has ever since been his home, and where he is well known and himself and family universally respected. Mr. Young received a good education in the schools of this county, but not being satisfied with the benefits derived from the common schools, he embarked in school teach- ing, and in this way, and by other hard work, accumulated sufficient means to enter the State University at Bloomington. He remained at

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this institution four years, and besides being a hard student was one of the leading spirits of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. In August, 1878, he became associated with James Crawford in the general merchandise businees at Newark, which continued a few years, when A. J. Shields purchased Mr. Crawford's interest. The firm now carries a well-assort- ed stock of goods valued at abont $4,500, and are doing the leading busi - ness of the town. March 17, 1880, Miss Kate Kelsey, of Owen County, this State, became Mrs. Jacob Brown Young, and the union has been blessed with one daughter-Grace Edwards. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Young is one of the county's self-made men, beginning life's battle a poor boy and by upright deal- ings acquiring a competence. He is a Democrat, and member of the subordinate lodge of Odd Fellowship, in which fraternity he has filled nearly every office two times, once representing his lodge in the Grand Lodge of the State.

FAIRPLAY TOWNSHIP.

JOHN H. BOVENSCHEN, farmer and stock-raiser, was born on the River Rhine, Germany, near Freamarhen, in the year 1824. He learned the carpenter's trade with his father, for whom he worked until twenty- four years old, and in 1848 embarked for America. After a tempestuous voyage of fifty-six days, he arrived in the United States in safety, and coming to Greene County, Ind., purchased eighty acres of land in Stock- ton Township, which he began farming and improving. In 1851, he purchased 120 acres, where he now resides in Fairplay Township, which is one of the best farms in the county, and on which he has erected a house that is a credit to the township and himself as well. He now owns in all 300 acres of land, which he has earned entirely by his own ezer tions. In 1856, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Moss, daugh- ter of Rev. Aquilla and Sallie (Harrah) Moss, by whom he is the father of four children-Stephen Aquilla, John W., deceased, Elijah and Jo. seph Milton. Both of Mr. Bovenschen's parents died in the old country They were parents of four children named Catharine (deceased), J. H., Charlotte (Mrs. Switz) and Hannah.

JOHN H. BULLERMEN was born in the year 1819 at Moers, Prus- sia, where his parents were influential citizens and possessed of considera- ble means. He was early sent to school and by continuous application succeeded in gaining an academic education, after which, he engaged in farming until his twentieth year, when, he served three years as a member of the Eighth Hussars, subsequently serving for a time in the provisional army. A dissatisfaction engendered by the Revo. lution of 1848, and other causes, resulted in the banding together of a large number of relatives, with the avowed purpose of seeking homes in the freedom of the United States; and accordingly on the 18th of April of that year, they bade farewell to friends, relatives and fatherland, took passage on board the ship Libra, of Rotterdam, for the El Dorado of their anticipations whither Mr. Bullermen's father-in-law, Mr. Shryer, had preceded them the year previous, to locate a place where the little colony might settle, live and prosper together. Mr. Shryer performed his mis-

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sion faithfully, but died soon afterward from the effects of cholera, as did many others of the party. The colony of relatives were fifty-six days upon the ocean, during which time they endured twenty-six days of stormy weather, and to add to their sufferings, cholera visited them, carry. ing away nearly one-half their number, among them, being a child of the subject of this sketch. Mr. Bullermen and Matilda Shryer, the fifth child of J. B and Matilda (Konen) Shryer, were united in marriage in 1845, and to them fourteen children have been born, only two-Henry and Elizabeth-yet living, and these reside with their parents.

J. H. DAUBENSPECK, a successful farmer of Fairplay Township, was born in the year 1833, near Moers, Prussia, where he was raised on a farm, his education being obtained at the high school and college of his native town. Until thirty-three years of age, he was engaged in ag- ricultural pursuits on his father's farm, but in 1866 he embarked for the United States with the purpose of making him a home in a new and free country. He first located in Grant Township, Greene County, Ind., but after a residence there of two and a half years he purchased the farm in Fairplay Township, where he now resides. Mr. Daubenspeck is one of the well known and highly esteemed men of his township, and although coming to this country with little or no knowledge of American institu- tions he has, by application, become thoroughly versed in local public affairs, and besides having served his township as Assessor, was, in 1882. elected Trustee. He was married in November, 1870, to Anna Sabilla Molls, who was also a native of the Rhine country, born in 1848, a daughter of Henry and Louisa (Kremer) Molls. Mrs. Daubenspeck emi- grated to this country a short time after Mr. Daubenspeck, and to their union this family has been born: Agnes, Willie, Henry, Diedrich (de- ceased) and Gerhard.

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History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana, Part 45

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

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