USA > Indiana > Greene County > History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana > Part 47
USA > Indiana > Sullivan County > History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana > Part 47
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DANIEL MILLER, dealer in drugs, groceries and notions, was born in Holmes County, Ohio, March 29, 1839, and is one of ten children, six yet living, born to Michael and Margaret (Harrigan) Miller, the former being born in Germany and the latter of Irish descent. Daniel was raised on his parent's farm, received a common school education, and the fall of 1859, went to Wayne County, Ohio, where he followed threshing until the spring of 1860, when he went to Summit County, continuing a like business in conjunction with farming. In 1862, Miss Diana Kepler be- came his wife, and four years later he and wife came to Greene County, Ind .. which has since been their home. Mr. Miller first purchased a farm in Cass Township, upon which he resided until 1872; then removed to Newberry with the expectation of retiring from active work, but shortly afterward he was induced to be a partner with Uriah Christenberry in merchandising. He is now alone in the business, carries a full line of goods and commands a good trade. Since being a resident of Greene County, Mr. Miller has united with his neighbors in the support of all matters of a beneficial nature to his town, township or county, and for sixteen years he has been honored as the Justice of the Peace for Cass Township. He was first elected the spring of 1868, every vote cast in the township being in his favor, except the one he polled for his oppo- nent. He is yet serving in that capacity, and is an old-fashioned Demo- crat in politics. He and wife have had born to them three children, but all died in infancy.
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HENRY C. OWEN, SR., Postmaster, and proprietor of the Owen House, Newberry, was born in Madison County, Ky., October 15, 1814, a son of William and Sally (Crook) Owen, with whom he came to Law- rence County, Ind., in 1819, where he was principally raised. In 1832, he went to Henry County to learn carpentering, and two years later mar- ried Frances Jones. In 1836, he returned to Lawrence County, but in 1839 located in Scotland, Greene County, where he remained ten years; then removed to Newberry, where, with the exception of five years, he has since resided. His wife dying in March, 1866, he took for his second wife Mrs. Catharine E. (Slinkard) Landers, in February, 1867. By his first wife, he was the father of ten children, all living but four. To his present marriage three have been born, but only one lives. Mrs. Owen is a daughter of Fredrick Slinkard, and the widow of John Landers, who died at New Madrid during the rebellion. By her first husband she has one living daughter. Mr. Owen is a Royal Arch Mason, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church since 1838, and is a Republican in politics, formerly a Whig. He had been at Scotland only two months, when he was elected Justice of the Peace, serving as such five years. From 1840 to 1848, he was Postmaster at Scotland, and for four years, beginning in 1848, he was County Assessor. In 1860, he was commis- sioned Postmaster at Newberry, but resigned on his removal to Bloom- field to occupy the office of County Treasurer. . He was re-elected in 1868, served four years in all, and lived in Bloomfield almost tive years to the day. Since January, 1874, he has been Postmaster at Newberry, where he is also conducting one of the best country hotels in Indiana. He is an upright citizen, with many warm and steadfast friends.
DR. J. A. SIMS, a native of Greene County, Ind., and a successful physician at Newberry, was born in Beech Creek Township, July 23, 1850, and is one of six living children in a family of nine born to Al- ston and Martha A. (Wilson) Sims. Alston Sims was born in Monroe County, Ind., in about 1817, a son of Alexander and Barbara Ann Sims, who were natives respectively of Virginia and Tennessee. These grand- parents of Dr. Sims emigrated to Monroe County, Ind., a year previous to the admission of the State into the Union, but afterward moved to Beech Creek Township, this county, where they finally died. Alston and Anderson Sims entered land in Beech Creek Township at an early day, and were the first of their family to endure the hardships of pioneer life in Greene County. The former married his wife in Owen County, and resided at their home in this county until the fall of 1883. when they sold out and moved to Jack County, Tex., which is at present their home. J. A. Sims was raised in a similar way, as were the majority of the boys at that day. At the age of seventeen years, he began teaching school. and for thirteen terms of five months each pursued this vocation with gratifying success. On the 19th of October, 1873, Miss Alice Rice be- came his wife, and this same year he began the study of medicine. In 1875, he moved to Newark, and while pursuing his studies under the advisement of Dr. M. L. Holt, he taught the village school two terms, then took a course of lectures at the Medical College of Indiana, and the spring of 1878 began practicing at Newark as an equal partner of his preceptor. The fall of 1878, he returned to his old alma mater, graduating in 1879. In July of the last-named year, Dr. Sims located in Newberry, where he has since practiced his profession with good suc- cess. He is a member of the Odd Fellows' fraternity; is a Democrat in
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politics; himself and wife are members of the Christian Church, and the parents of two children-Carrie, born October 19, 1874, and Lenna, born September 3, 1882.
SLINKARD FAMILY. There is no greater pleasure for the hand and pen of the historian or biographer to perform than in recording the notable events in the lives of the first settlers of a locality, tracing their steps from homes of ease and comfort in the East to dangers and hard- ships among the unbroken forests of the West. In this sketch, the writer desired to give a more complete biography, but, owing to a failure to se- cure data promised by members of the family, he was compelled to do as best he could under existing circumstances. The family is of German origin, and ancestors of the name were closely related to the nobility of the old country. They emigrated to America when Great Britain yet held sway over the colonies, and early found homes in the Carolinas. Later generations of the family took decided grounds against human slavery, and this was one of the principal reasons that led John Slinkard and wife, Catharine, together with their family, to come to Indiana in 1817. They settled first in Knox County, but in the spring of 1818 re- moved to what is now Cass Township, Greene County, where members of the family have ever since resided. John and Catharine were parents of the following-named children: Andrew, Frederick, Moses, Henry, John, Daniel, Mary, Susanna and Catharine. Of these, all are now dead except Catharine, who resides in Missouri, at an advanced age. Andrew was born in Lincoln County, N. C., in February, 1794; was married to Mary Wesner. by whom he became the father of twelve children, five yet living, one in Knox County, one in Montgomery County, and the remainder in Greene County. Of the latter, Andrew B. lives southwest of Newberry, and is the father of John F., ex-Clerk of Greene County. Andrew, Sr., died in January, 1868, and his widow in December, 1870. Frederick was born in February, 1796; married Catharine Skomp, who bore him thir- teen children, all dead but one son, Samuel, and four daughters. He was a prominent man of his day, and his death, which occurred in April, 1860, was widely mourned, as was also the death of his widow in August, 1875. Moses was born in April, 1802, and died in November, 1848. He married Mary Skomp in February, 1828, who died in 1839, leaving a large family of children, three of whom yet live, whose names are Henry S., an ex-Sheriff of the county: Samuel W. and Mrs. Susan Neal. Moses married for his second wife Rebecca Wesner, and of the five children born to this union only Moses V. and Mrs. Margaret Hindman are now living. Henry, the fourth son of the old pioneer, John Slinkard, be- came well known by the surrounding neighborhood. His daughter, Eliza, married William D. Shields, and their descendants are living in the southern part of Cass Township. The Slinkard family throughout have been one of the best ever to honor Greene County as their home. As a rule, they have been industrious, honest and law-abiding people, and their influence has ever been felt in the advancement of all enter- prises of a beneficial character. Five generations have lived within the borders of Greene County, and being of a prolific nature, the majority of the citizens of Cass Township are in some way connected with the family.
JOHN F. SLINKARD, great-grandson of John Slinkard, the old pioneer of Greene County, was born near Newberry, in Cass Township, November 16, 1849, and is a son of Andrew B. and Sarah (O'Neal) Slink. ard. He was raised on a farm until sixteen years old, and in early
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years received his learning from the common schools. In 1868, he com- pleted a course of instruction from the Vincennes Commercial College, and for the succeeding ten years was in partnership with his father at Newberry, in mercantile pursuits. In 1878, he received the nomination of his party for the County Clerkship, and after a sharp contest in which he had a Republican majority to overcome, he was duly elected. He served in this capacity four years, but since then has been engaged in farming in his native township. Mr. Slinkard is an Odd Fellow, and like the majority of his name a warm Democrat in politics. January 1, 1873, Miss Caroline, daughter of Aaron and Nellie Williamson, became his wife. To their union this family has been born: Oscar P., Annetta E., Nellie W., Harry K., Cyrus L. and one as yet unnamed. Mr. Slink- ard is one of the prominent men of southern Greene County, and both he and family are universally esteemed.
J. W. WALKER was born in Beech Creek Township, Greene Co., Ind., September 18, 1856, and is the only son of Edward W. and Mary D. Walker. He is of English and Irish descent. His father being a farmer of limited means, was unable to do much for him, either in the way of giving him an educational or a financial start in life. He was permitted, however, to attend the district school until he was sixteen. At that age, he obtained from Prof. R. C. Hilburn, an eighteen months' license to teach. One year prior to this time, be received the most severe shock of his life-his father and mother separated-and he was subjected to the taunts of a heartless world. For a few months the future to him seemed starless. But possessing a strong will, a bright intellect, a commendable ambition, he made a vigorous effort to secure an education. His progress was so rapid that at the age of seven- teen he began his first school. By teaching, he earned the means of sup- port to further pursue his studies. In this way he has become one of the most efficient and popular teachers in Greene County. He was a stu- dent in the Solsberry High School for two terms, Prof. R. A. Ogg, & graduate of the State University, being bis instructor. The next school he attended was the Northern Indiana Normal. He spent two years there, graduating in 1878. In the summer of the next year, he was employed by County Superintendent S. W. Axtell to assist Profs. Ogg and Menges in the Bloomfield Normal. Since that time, he has taught at various places with a high degree of success. He was at Newberry for three years, in the meantime conducting two summer normals. He was employed by Dr. E. W. Hilburn as Principal of the Newberry High School, at a sal- ary of $10 per month more than was ever given any other teacher of Cass Township. In 1883, he and Prof. W. B. McKee had control of the sum- mer term of the Bloomfield Normal. At this time, he and Prof. Frame are associate Principals of the same school. In March, 1881, he was married to Miss Lora Glidden, who had charge of the Second Intermedi- ate Department of the Worthington Schools. They now have two chil- dren. In politics, he is a positive Democrat. In the spring of 1880, he was initiated into the Worthington Lodge, No. 137, I. O. O. F. He is not a member of any church, but believes in the common brotherhood of mankind, and in practicing the broad principles of humanity and Chris- tianity as found in the golden rule. Thus far his career is a fair demon- stration of what can be accomplished by energy, enterprise and a stern determination to succeed in the face of all difficulties.
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STAFFORD TOWNSHIP.
DAVID DELAY was born February 9, 1826, in Guilford County, N. C., and is one of nine children born to Alexander and Rachael (Carroll) Delay, who settled in Lawrence County, Ind., in Novem- ber, 1827, where they lived about six years. From there they came to Greene County locating in Stafford Township, where they have since lived. David Delay received his education, as he says, " on the wing" in the primitive schools of his first days. He was wedded to Mary Garrett on the 16th day of March, 1353, and nine children in all have been born to them, only three-Albert, Cora M., and Mollie B .- now living. Mr. De- lay is a farmer and a success, now owning 200 acres of land where he lives, under a good state of cultivation. In 1882, Mr. Delay was the Republican candidate for County Treasurer, and has been Assessor of his township for several years. He is a member of the Odd Fellows fratern- ity and belongs to the Encampment at Pleasantville. He also is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is one of the men of use to society and esteemed by all its members.
JOSIAH ELLIS, an enterprising farmer of Stafford Township, was born in Sullivan County, Ind., October 27, 1844. He is one of twelve children of whom John W. and Sarah (Ching) Ellis are the parents. Our subject received a common school education, such as the advantages of his times and circumstances afforded. While a young man, he was engaged in the hotel business at Carlisle with his father, although his principal occupation has been farming, and that, since April. 1869, he has carried on in Greene County, where he now lives. On February 1, 1872, he was united in wedlock to Florence Beck, but on September 30 following, he was called upon to mourn her loss in death. He is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Pleasantville, Ind., and supports all landable enterprises of his community. His farm consists of 170 acres of good land well cultivated and improved. He is the present Assessor of his township, and as a Democrat, is always interested in public affairs. An upright and hard working citizen, Mr. Ellis enjoys the high respect of all who know him.
JOHN FITZGERALD, born September 22, 1848, in the City of New York, is one of two sons born to Martin and Agnes (Wilson) Fitzgerald. In 1850, with his parents, he settled in Warrick County, Ind., and lived there until 1871. when he came to Greene County, where he has since re- sided. He traces his descent from Lord Edward Fitzgerald, the famous Irish agitator of 1798. He received a good education from the high schools of his county and began teaching in Warrick County, which he continued in Greene County, teaching in all five terms. On September 5, 1875, he was united in matrimony to Sarah Hagaman, of Greene County, by whom he is the father of four children, only two of whom, Maud and Myrtle, are now living. During the years of 1873 and 1874, he read medicine with Dr. Aydelotte now at Worthington. After bis mar. riage. he farmed until September, 1881, when he began doing a retail drug and grocery business at Marco, carrying a stock of goods worth
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about $2,000. Besides this, he carries on farming, and, taken all in all, is one of the enterprising citizens of Stafford Township. He is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the I. O. O. F., and never fails to do his part to aid the charitable institutions of his neighborhood.
JOHN FRENCH, a resident of Stafford Township, is a native of Orange County, Ind., where he was born May 24, 1848. He is one of a family of nine children born to James and Eliza (Allen) French, who moved to Knox County with their family in 1863. While in that county, John French learned the carpenter's trade, and worked at it until he came to Greene County in March, 1871. From his marriage with Louisa C. Douthit, of Sullivan County, which occurred January 7, 1872, three children have been born, named George E., Laura A. and Florence A. Soon after his marriage, he began farming on the place where he now lives, and in that occupation has been quite fortunate, as 120 acres in Greene and 80 acres in Knox County abundantly prove. About ninety acres are well improved and cultivated. He is a member of the Bethel Baptist Church where he resides, and his part is never wanting in matters of public charity. His politics is Democratic, and as such was elected Trustee of his township, and held that office two years, giving complete satisfaction. An industrious and upright citizen, he is eminently a self- made man.
WILLIAM A. HARBIN is one of eight children of James and Mary (McDonald) Harbin, and a native of Iredell County,. N. C., where he was born July 26, 1831. Mr. Harbin is of Scotch origin. In 1846, he came to Sullivan County with his father's family, where they lived about four years, and whence they came to Greene County. On February 18, 1855, Miss Louisa Hinkle became his wife, and from their union seven children have been born, of whom Florence C., Emery D., John K., William C. and James C. are yet living. Mr. Harbin has been a farmer through life, and as such has been a success, now owning 330 acres of land, 270 of which are cleared and highly cultivated, making one of the finest farms in Stafford Township. He is a member cf both the Subordi- nate Lodge and Encampment of I. O. O. F. at Pleasantville, and has been both Noble Grand and Chief Patriarch in that order. Besides this. he is an influential member in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a free giver to the needy institutions around him. Among his donations is one of $50 to Asbury University. More of such men is all our county needs to make it one of the best in Indiana.
WILLIAM HILL, a native of Greene County, Ind., is the only child of John and Phoebe (Gallion) Hill, and was born in Richland Township September 2, 1828. He received a common school educa- tion from primitive schools of his day. On March 11, 1857, he was joined in wedlock to Donna M. Halstead, who has borne him a family of three sons, all living-John E., Winfield S. and Henry C. During most of his life, Mr. Hill has engaged in farming, and with good success, as is shown by a good farm of 200 acres in Stafford Township, well- improved and under a good state of cultivation and well stocked. He is a member of the Baptist Church near where he lives. A Republican in politics, he has held several minor township offices, and usually donates freely to the charities of his community. He is one of the hard-working and progressive men of Greene County, who is appreciated by all his neighbors.
WILLIAM HUNTER, of Marco, Ind., a native of England, where he was born in Yorkshire July 17, 1844, is one of seven children of John
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and Elizabeth (Wardell) Hunter. With his father's family, he came to America in August. 1853, and settled in Pickaway County. Ohio, where they lived until 1861, when they came to Greene County, and have been in Stafford Township ever since. On October 3, 1SS0, he was married to Mrs. Drusilla (Jamison) Stafford, by whom he is the father of two children-William and Joseph Franklin. Mr. Hunter is a brick- mason by trade, but since September, 1876, he has been in the saw and flonring mill business, in partnership with his brother, at Marco, and is among the most flourishing millers in the county. and together they own 200 acres of land in Stafford Township, besides the mill and other prop- erty in Marco. He is a member of the Blue Lodge in Masonry, and one of the substantial men of Stafford Township. What he owns has been acquired by hard and earnest labor in Greene County, where he is duly appreciated by his neighbors and friends.
WILLIAM A. JACKSON, who is one of the well-to-do farmers of Stafford Township, Greene County, Ind., was born in Washington County, Ky., January 23, 1835. In the fall of 1839, he located with his father's family in Sullivan County. John T. and Mary (Pirtle) Jackson, his parents, were among the early settlers in that county where they reared a family of seven children. His school days were few, and spent in the log schoolhouses of that time. On January 3, 1858, he married Eliza McClung, and to them seven children have been born -Nancy E., Jobn W., Susanna P., Logan A., Hattie J .. Minnie I. and Eliza M., all living, In March, 1858, he settled in Greene County, where he lived in Stockton Township until 1867, when he located in Stafford, and has lived on the present farm ever since. He enlisted in Company I, Ninety seventh Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry in July, 1862, and served in the late war until its close, when he received an honorable discharge June 9, 1865. The following are the principal battles in which he was engaged, as shown by his discharge: Vicksburg, Jackson, Mission Ridge, Dalton, Resaca, Dallas, New Hope Church. Big Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain, Chattahoochie River, Decatur, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy, Little River, Griswoldville, Savannah, Columbia, Bentonville and Raleigh. Mr. Jackson began doing for him- self without anything, and has been fortunate in gaining this world's goods, as his fine farm in Stafford Township abundantly testifies. On September 6, 1879, his wife died, and again the 7th of October, 1883, he married Miss Mary O. Loudon, of Greene County, who is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Jackson belongs to the Methodist Episco- pal Church. He is a Republican, and says he proposes to stand by the old party, whose principles be earnestly advocates in his community, where he is eminently esteemed.
FRANKLIN P. JARRELL, merchant at Marco, Ind., is a native of Greene County, where he was born December 13, 1852, one of three chil- dren born to James and Elizabeth (Thomas) Jarrell, who were among the pioneers of Greene County. Frank, the subject of this sketch, received a common school education from the country schools of his county, and in early life followed farming for his mother, his father having died, leav- ing him at the age of nine years to her care. In September, 1870, he was married to Miss L. A. Wilson, who died in January, 1872. In February, 1874, he began doing a general merchandise business at Marco, and on September 17 of the same year, he was united in matrimony to Lucy A. Vickery, of Greene County, and to them have been born two children- 26
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James O. and Eugene P., only Eugene living. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., at Pleasantville, Ind., and has been Noble Grand in that order. His politics is Democratic, and he always takes active interest in public affairs, and in 1880 was candidate for State Representative, and was defeated by but a small majority. In May, 1883, he was admitted to the bar in the Greene Circuit Court, and has practiced more or less for ten years before the Justice of the Peace. He is doing a thriving trade at Marco, and is the leading merchant there, where he enjoys the con- fidence and high opinion of all its citizens.
DANIEL W. RAY, of Marco, Ind., is a native of Shelby County, Ind., where he was born August 5, 1846. His parents, Jesse and M. (Allison) Ray, were among the pioneers of that county, and bore a family of eight children. Daniel W. Ray received a common school education, and afterward studied medicine with Dr. Piatt, of Shelbyville, but this he abandoned for other business until 1869, when he began the study of telegraphy in the same town. On September 9, 1870, he took charge of the railroad business at Marco, and since that time has filled that position. Miss Anna B. Ferguson, of Greene County, became his wife January 26, 1874, and by her he is the father of three children-Minnie B., Jesse O. and Pearl, and all living but the first, For about one year, Mr. Ray was in the general merchandise business at Marco, Ind., in company with Mr. Isaac Weaver. For thirteen years, he has not missed a day from his office as agent of the Indianapolis & Vincennes Railroad, a record unsurpassed by any. He is a member of both the Subordinate Lodge and Encamp- ment in the fraternity of Odd Fellows, in which order he has been Noble Grand. As a Democrat, he takes a lively interest in the politics of his community.
GEORGE W. SIMS, deceased, was born in Franklin County, Ohio, December 6, 1840, and is one of thirteen children born to Elkana and Nancy (Ford) Sims. He acquired a common school education in his native county, and engaged in the grocery business at Groveport, Ohio, when a young man. His nuptials with Malinda J. Maddux, of Fayette County, Ohio, were celebrated September 22, 1861, and together they raised a family of four children-Tillie A., Asenath J., Nancy B. and Thomas E., all living but the last. Mr. Sims came to Indiana and set- tled in Grant County in April, 1862, where he lived until August, 1865; whencejhe came to, Greene County, at Linton. Soon afterward, he settled in Stafford Township and followed mostly the business of farming, though at intervals was engaged in threshing. His political proclivities were Democratic, and he took great interest in public affairs, holding several township offices. He was a member of the Baptist Church, and his death, which occurred May 12, 1877, was cause for great regret among neighbors and friends. In his will, all the property was given to his wife, who still survives him and conducts the business of the farm in connec- tion with a hotel at Marco, Ind., in all of which she is greatly successful.
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