History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana, Part 49

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 49
USA > Indiana > Sullivan County > History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana > Part 49

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).

JAMES CARPENTER, a prosperous merchant at Lyons, and a descendent of one of the pioneer families of Greene County, was born

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in the township where he yet resides in 1844. He is one of three sur. viving children in a family of nine born to John and Mahala (Simmons) Carpenter, both of whom were natives of Indiana and who located in Greene County as early as 1826, participating in all the hardships and inconveniences of pioneer life. John Carpenter departed this life in 1861, and his widow in 1874. James passed his youth and early man- hood on the home farm and attending the public schools. He began clerking, after farming for himself for some time, but in 1876 embarked in merchandising at Lyons with F. M. Gilbert as partner. At the end of about four years, he became the firm's successor. At present he has a partner, and they carry a well-assorted stock amounting to over $5,000. Besides his interest in this property, Mr. Carpenter owns forty acres of land and several town lots in Lyons. He is a Democrat in political sen- timent and is one of the county's best citizens. In 1880, he was united in marriage with Miss Allie Hornbeck.

JAMES P. DENTON. Among those who volunteered their services from Greene County in the suppression of the rebellion, and bravely fought and valiantly suffered for their country's cause, was he whose name forms the subject for this notice. Born in the year 1841 in Indi- ana, his early life was passed on his parents' farm, and when twenty years old became a member of Company B, Twenty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry. After being in the engagements at Winchester, Antietam, Cedar Mountain, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and Resaca, he received a severe wound in the hand at Dallas, Ga., resulting in the loss of four fingers, and leaving him a cripple for life. For this disability he is drawing $24 per month pension. After serving in the war three and one- half years, he was discharged by reason of disability, since when he has been engaged in farming and clerking. Mr. Denton is one of six chil- dred, three yet living, born to Nicholas T. and Anna (Smiley) Denton. He was liberally educated in the common schools, and in 1872 was mar. ried to Miss Mary Dagley, to which union two children were born, but none living. He and wife are members of the Christian Church, and are among the best people of Lyons.

ISAAC HALSTEAD, an ex-hotel keeper at Lyons, but at present re- tired from active pursuits, was born in the State of New York in the year 1811, and is one of two surviving children in a family of eight, born to A. and M. M. Halstead, who were also natives of New York. His father was a Democrat in politics, and an honorable and upright citizen. He died in 1860, preceded by his wife two years. Isaac Halstead learned the tanner's trade of his father, but his life has been passed in various pursuits, among which is farming. working at his trade, milling, mer- chandising and keeping hotel. In 1858, he located in Newberry, where for two years he carried on merchandising with a reasonable degree of success. He is now living a retired life in Lyons, where he owns pro- perty to the value of $3,000. Miss Elizabeth M. Terwilliger became his wife in 1833, and four of their ten children are yet living-Martha E., David N .. Sarah C. and Abraham M. Mr. and Mrs. Halstead are mem- bers of long standing in the Christian Church, and as the shades of the sunset of life fall on their heads, they can look backward over a life of usefulness, without remorse or regret.

REV. JAMES B. HAMILTON, a well-known man in Greene County, was born October 16, 1820, in Washington County, Ind. His parents, Archibald and Susannah ( Bridges) Hamilton, were natives of North Caro-

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lina; were married in 1808, became the parents of five children, three of whom are yet living, and in 1817 became residents of the county where the subject of this sketch was born. James B. was raised on a farm, and in 1840 was wedded to Miss Elizabeth W. Rice, a native of Kentucky, who died in 1854, the mother of five children -Emmons R., Cyrus N., Elisha Asbury, Mollie and Susannah. All are living, and the oldest, since 1878, has been in Washington Territory. Mr. Hamilton married Miss Euphrasia Stuckey in 1855, and by her is the father of two children-Ida M. and Elizabeth A. Early in life, Mr. Hamilton experienced religion, and believing that many souls were yet to be saved, he applied, and was admitted a member of the Indiana Methodist Episcopal Conference. He bas pursued his ministerial labors in various portions of the State, and at present his location is at Edwardsport and Oaktown. While at Linton. Greene County, during a portion of the late war, and being a man of pro- nounced Union sentiments, he was unmercifully assailed by rebel sym- pathizers, and threatened violence of numerous kinds. Notwithstanding these troubles, he continued his labors as honestly and conscientiously as before. For a time he was out in the service, as Chaplain of the Thirty- first Indiana Volunteers. In politics, Mr. Hamilton is a Republican, and in Masonry has passed through the different degrees, until at present he is a Sir Knight of the Commandery at Louisville. He owns a good farm of 200 acres in Washington Township, this county, and where known is universally respected.

JOHN A. HAWKINS, farmer and stock-raiser, was born near where be now resides, in Washington Township, October 15, 1848, and is one of four living children in a family of eight born to Jonathan and Eliza- beth (Aikman) Hawkins, who came from Daviess County to Greene County, Ind., in 1847, where they died in about 1871 and 1878 respect- ively, members of long standing in the Methodist Episcopal Church. John A. Hawkins was reared in his native county, receiving in youth but a common school education, and on attaining his majority began doing for himself. He selected farming as his vocation through life, as did his father before him, and is the present owner of 123 acres of good farm- ing and grazing land. In 1872, he was united in marriage with Miss Louisa Casey, who was born in Tennessee, May 25, 1849, a daughter of Dempsy and Dicy Casey, and by her is the father of three daughters, named Ida Belle. Dicy Elizabeth and Lonisa Mr. Hawkins is an en- terprising and progressive citizen, a Republican in politics, and himself and wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church.

DR. JOSEPH MULLANE, a successful physician of Greene County, is a native of the city of New York, born in the year 1855. His father was a native of Ireland, but crossed the Atlantic to the United States in about 1840, and began working at the cabinet trade. He was married at Cincinnati to Ellen Sullivan, by Archbishop Purcell, and to them four children were born, all living but one. Mr. Mullane was a man in every sense of the word, and loyal to the cause of his adopted country. In 1861, he volunteered his services to aid in the suppression of the rebell- ion, and was captured, incarcerated in Andersonville Prison, where, after enduring the agony and sufferings of Southern prison lite for a time, expired, as it were, upon the altar of his country. Dr. Joseph Mullane became a resident of Indiana in 1865, and when sixteen years old began reading medicine with Dr. Short, of Springville. He attended one term of lectures at the Miami Medical College, Cincinnati, Ohio, and one

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term at the Central Medical College, Indianapolis, Ind., graduating from the last-named institution in 1881. Since 1877, he has been practicing his profession, and at Lyons he has secured a lucrative practice. Dr. Mullane is a progressive citizen, a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity and the Christian Church.

JAMES H. QUILLIN, one of six surviving children in a family of thirteen, was born in Greene County, Ind., in the year 1843, and is a son of William and Nancy (Stone) Quillin, natives respectively of Kentucky and Indiana. He aided his parents on the home farm until seventeen years old, and in May, 1861, enlisted in Company D, Fourteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in which he served as private until March 23, 1862, when he became disabled by a gunshot wound through his leg. He was discharged by reason of disability, but in September, 1863, after recov- ery, he re-enlisted, becoming a member of Battery C, Second Indiana Artillery. In this he served until the war was virtually ended, but for six months after its close was detained on garrison duty at Fort Morgan, in Alabama. Mr. Quillin saw much hard service during the late war, and was a participant in the battle of Winchester, siege of the Spanish Fort, and the capture of Mobile. He was wedded to Miss J. Waggoner, in 1868, who died in June, 1873, leaving four children-Samuel, Rachel, Nancy and Noah V. In 1875, he married his present wife, and they are among the first families of Washington Township. For the past two and one half years, Mr. Quillin has conducted a successful drug trade at Lyons. His stock is carefully selected, and in value amounts to about $2,000. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and in politics a Democrat from principle, the remainder of his family being Republicans.

FRANKLIN RAMSEY, of Washington Township, was born January 26, 1839, in Columbiana County, Ohio, and is one of four children of Samuel and Margaret A. (Orr) Ramsey. Franklin Ramsey came to Greene County, Ind., in March, 1854, with his father's family, and settled in Stafford Township, where he received a common school education, such as the log schoolhouse of that day afforded. He enlisted for the late war, in Company C, of the Twenty-first Regiment Indiana Infantry, where he served over four years, and received an honorable discharge January 22, 1866. He was engaged in the following battles: Baton Rouge, Port Hudson and Spanish Fort and others. Since the war, Mr. Ramsey has engaged in farming, and for seven years bought grain at Marco. He moved to Washington Township in November, 1880, and has lived there ever since. In September, 1880, he was married to Mrs. Eliza J. (Denny) West, by whom he is the father of one son, Frank. As a Democrat in politics, he has been Trustee of Stafford Township, and in 1882 was the candidate for his party for County Clerk. He ran much ahead of his ticket, only failing of election by seventeen votes. He is a member of both the Subordinate Lodge and Encampment of I. O. O. F. at Worthington. He owns 320 acres of land in Washington Township, and 180 acres in Knox County, Ind., and is one of the progressive and enterprising citizens of Greene County.

BENJAMIN F. REID, one of the best and most successful farmers of Washington Township, was born in Greene County, Ohio, May 1, 1824, and is a son of John and Sallie W. (Sterrett) Reid, who were natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Kentucky, and of Scotch-Irish descent. John Reid was among the first settlers of Greene County, Ohio, and his general occupation through life was farming and working at the

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carpenter's trade. He died in November, 1871, followed by his widow in April, 1876. Benjamin F. was reared and educated in his native county, the first thirty years of his life being passed in aiding his parents on the home farm. He rented the old homestead upon which he resided, engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1875, when he removed to Indiana and located on his present place in Greene County. At the present, he owns 480 acres of fine farming and grazing land, upon which he has comfortable and commodious buildings, which reflect not only credit upon himself but on the township as well. Mr. Reid has never aspired for political honors, although he is well posted on all the leading political issues of the day. In politics, he is a Republican, but previous to the organiza- tion of that party, his influence and support were cast in favor of the Whig party. Miss Elizabeth Harbeson became his wife on the 28th of December, 1853, and to them six children have been born-Addison Y., Anna Belle, Frank H. and Joanna L., living, and John William and Eva F. (deceased). Mrs. Reid is a daughter of William and Mary (McMil- lan) Harbeson, who were natives respectively of Chester District, S. C., and Ireland, the latter coming to the United States when sixteen years old. Mr. Reid and family are members of the Presbyterian .Church, and are among the best citizens of Greene County.

J. A. M. ROSS. Among the pioneer families of Indiana was that of Hugh S. and Sarah (Miller) Ross, who removed from Kentucky, their native State, to Indiana previous to the Territory being admitted into the sisterhood of States. Hugh S. Ross served his country faithfully in the war of 1812, and on his removal from Kentucky settled on Clarke's grant or what is now Clarke County, Ind. J. A. M. Ross was born in Jefferson County, Ind., in the year 1818, and when five years old came with his parents to Greene County, where he has ever since resided. He began farming for himself when twenty-three years old, but afterward engaged in school teaching, which profession he followed for thirty years with the best of success. One of the important epochs connected with his life and one that will seem incredible to the rising generation, was his paying for forty acres of good land in Stafford Township with the proceeds derived from the sale of coon skins captured in two months. Mr. Ross is one of the few remaining of our old pioneers and is universally respected. He owns valuable property in Greene County and a sub- stantial brick residence in Lyons. He was married in 1841 to Miss Charlotte Hail, who came with her parents from Virginia to Greene County, Ind., in 1828. Eight children have blessed their union, only the following named yet living: George T., John M., Charles H., Sarah E. and Irene. In politics, Mr. Ross is a Democrat, as was also his father before him, and for the past forty-five years he and wife have been mem- bers of the Methodist. Episcopal Church.

SIMEON SMITH, a native Hoosier, was born in Jackson County March 16, 1839, and is one of twelve children, six yet living, born to Henry G. and Eliza M. (Settles) Smith, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. In about 1835, the family came to Indiana from the Blue Grass State, and located where Henry G. yet resides in Jackson County. From this place he moved to Salem in 1842, making that his home four- teen years, after which he returned to his old home where he has since resided and where his wife died in January, 1873. Mr. Smith is an old steamboat engineer, having served in that capacity on the Ohio River four years, but his principal occupation through life has been farming.

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Simeon Smith was raised a farmer, in his earlier years having secured an academic education. At twenty-one years of age, he began doing for himself, and in 1863 came to Greene County, Ind., locating in Washing- ton Township. He subsequently moved to Newberry, thence back to the farm, thence to Washington, thence to Bloomfield and lastly to where he Low resides. Mr. Smith is one of the successful farmers and stock-raisers of Greene County; is the owner of a well-improved and well-stocked farm of a total of 558 acres, and in politics is a Democrat. In March, 1863. Miss Matilda Carr became his wife, Mrs. Smith being born in Lawrence County, Ind., June 5, 1840, the daughter of George W. and Elizabeth (Brown) Carr, who were natives respectively of Indiana and Kentucky.

WRIGHT TOWNSHIP.

DR. W. H. H. ASBURY, son of W. D. and Elizabeth (Bowman) Asbury, is a native of Kentucky, as were also his parents, his birth oc- curing August 5, 1840, in Fleming County. When nine years old, he removed with his parents to Sullivan County, Ind., where he was reared and educated, his schooling being finished at Farmersburg Seminary. He was employed in school teaching for about three years, afterward going to Centerville, Vigo County, and beginning the study of medicine under the tuition of Dr. Hollingsworth. In 1868, he took a course of lectures at the Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati, but did not graduate until attending a second course in 1875. Dr. Asbury is one of Greene County's best physicians, and previous to his location at Jasonville, in 1876, he carried on a good practice, at different times, in Centerville, Freedom, Sandborn and Middletown. While at Freedom, his marriage, on the Ist of September, 1870, with Miss Ludie Landrum, was solemnized, and · to this union have been born three children- Maud L., Pearl and Lulu. Mrs. Asbury was born in Owen County, Ind., July 22, 1850, a daughter of R. B. and S. J. Landrum, who were natives respectively of Virginia and Indiana. Dr. Asbury is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and although a Democrat in politics is inclined in his belief to the doctrines of the National Greenback party.

GEORGE BAUGHMAN, son of Jacob and Margaret M. (Houser) Baughman, was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, July 6, 1833. His parents were natives of Maryland and Virginia respectively, but removed to Coshocton County, Ohio, at an early day, where they became known as one of the best and wealthiest families of that portion of the country. Jacob Baughman departed this life in March, 1876, but his widow still survives him and resides in Coshocton County. George Baughman was raised a farmer, in youth securing a fair education. In 1854, he moved west to the Hoosier State and settled in Greene County on his present place in Wright Township, giving $1.25 and $2.50 per acre for a quarter- section. He immediately began improving this property, and as his means increased, would add to what he already had, so that by economy and industry, he now owns a valuable farm of 440 acres. He is one of the best citizens Wright Township ever had, and his influence has been greatly felt in the advancement of educational and religious matters of

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the community. He has taught school in the neighborhood for a number of terms, and from his own individual means contributed largely in the erection of the New Lebanon Church, which is both a blessing and an ornament to the township. In 1863, he became a private in Company A, One Hundred and Fifteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, serving as such eight months, when he was changed to Company B, Fifty-third Indiana Volunteers, being finally discharged at Louisville, Ky., July 21, 1865. Mr. Baughman was married, May 5, 1835, to Miss Emily Larr, who was born in Coshocton County. Ohio, June 25, 1832, a daughter of David and Nancy (Miller) Larr, nativesuspectively of Pennsylvania and Vir. ginia. Mrs. Baughman came with her parents to Greene County, Ind., when thirteen years old, and by Mr. Baughman is the mother of eight liv. ing children-Miriam M., William E., Matilda N., Mary D., George A., Jacob, Emma S., and David, and one deceased, Margaret E. Mr. Baugh- man is one of the representatives of what a poor boy can do under adverse circumstances. Ou his arrival, he had only one horse-blind-sent to him from Ohio by his father, and 5 cents in money. The latter was used to defray postage on a letter to his old mother, and for this, if no other reason, Mr. Baughman is rewarded with prosperity for his filial devotion.

JOHN BLEDSOE is a son of David and Elizabeth (Groves) Bledsoe, both of whom were natives of North Carolina, from whence they removed to Eastern Tennessee at an early day, and from there to Greene County, Ind, in 1837, where Mr. Bledsoe died in August, 1877. John Bledsoe is a native of East Tennessee, where he was born June 5, 1820, and is of Dutch and Scottish descent. When seventeen years of age, he came with his parents to Indiana, shortly after which he located a "claim," and began improving. In 1861, he erected a mill, and this he yet ope- rates in conjunction with farming. Mr. Bledsoe is one of the progressive men of his locality, is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and a Dem- ocrat in politics. In 1840, he was elected Constable of his township, serving as such five years, the succeeding two years holding the office of District Trustee. In 1856, he was elected Justice of the Peace, in which capacity he served until the winter of 1857-58, when he was elected Doorkeeper in the House of Representatives. Mr. Bledsoe has been twice married, his first wife being Nancy Eveans, to whom he was mar- ried in Greene County in April, 1839. Mrs. Bledsoe was a member of the family of Walter and Rachel (Jones) Eveans, who were natives of Tennessee. She became the mother of nine children, whose names are William, Mary, Sallie, Isaac W., Elizabeth, David H., Rebecca A., Rachel C. and James A. The mother died August 1, 1877, and May 28, 1879, Mr. Bledsoe and Mrs. Lyda M. Watkins were married, in Sullivan County. Mrs. Bledsoe was born on the 14th of September, 1837, and both husband and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.

MARTIN BONHAM, a native of Harrison County, Ohio, was born October 8, 1818, a son of David and Tacy (Phillips) Bonham, who were natives of the Old Dominion, and early pioneers of the Buckeye State. Martin is the sixth born in a family of ten children, and when yet a small lad, was taken to Tuscarawas County, Ohio, by his parents, where he was raised, and where, by dint of considerable self-application, he secured a good elementary education. When eighteen years of age, he began life's battle ou his own responsibility, and choosing farming, has always made that his vocation. In 1832, he became a resident of Greene County, and

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purchasing 160 acres of land, where he now resides, began improv- ing it. He began life with but little or no means at his command, but hy industry and frugality secured an estate of 600 acres. This Mr. Bon- ham has decreased somewhat by his liberality with his children, but he yet retains a good farm, which is underlaid and surrounded with large fields of coal of a superior quality. November 5, 1840, he was married to Elizabeth Hiller, who was born in Jefferson County, Penn., July 9, 1821, a daughter of Peter and Mary (Milliken) Hiller. Eight children have blessed their union, as follows: Mary S., Martin H., Samuel, David P., William J., Margaret A., Eliza J. and Rebecca G. Mr. Bonham is one of Greene County's early pioneers, and where he has lived so long and become so widely known, he is universally liked and respected.

ANDREW CAMPBELL was born May 4, 1806, in Whitley County, Ky., and is a son of William and Mary (Gilless) Campbell, both of whom were natives of the Old Dominion. When only a small lad, An- drew, together with his parents, immigrated to Clark County, Ind., but about four years later removed to Lawrence County, where Andrew received the greater portion of his schooling. July 22, 1824, he was united in marriage with Isabella Daugherty, who was born in Tuscara- was County, Ohio, in the year 1806, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Tanner) Daugherty. Mr. Campbell and family came to Greene County in 1846, and, purchasing an unimproved tract of land, located upon it and engaged in farming and stock-raising. This property he sold in 1882, and, removing to Jasonville, embarked in the drug business, at which he is at present engaged. After a long life of usefulness, Mrs. Campbell died, after blessing her husband with a family of twelve chil- dren-James, William, Andrew M., Jobn, Mary E., George W., Ever- most J., Dellacour, Betsy, Hannah, Sarah L. and Alzira. Mr. Campbell married Mrs. Margarette Bonham October 18, 1874, in Greene County, for his second wife, and they are among the leading people in Wright Township. Mrs. Campbell was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, Novem- ber 17, 1817. Mr. Campbell is a Jackson Democrat in politics, and a member of the Baptist Church.

JAMES GIBSON, a progressive farmer of Wright Township, was born in Lancaster County, Penn., November 13, 1817. His parents, Al- exander and Nancy (Thompson) Gibson, were natives of the Emerald Isle, but emigrated to the United States about 1813, settling near Har- risburg, Penn., where they worked at the weaver's trade, having pursued this vocation in their native country. In 1820, they removed to Coshoc- tori County, Ohio, where Mr. Gibson died in September, 1872. James Gibson was largely reared and educated in Ohio, where he was married on the 2d of November, 1837, to Miss Thorsa Hayse, daughter of Jere- miah and Nancy (Norris) Hayse, who removed from Virginia to Coshoc- ton County, Ohio, at an early period in the history of that country. Mr. and Mrs. Gibson are the parents of an interesting family of thirteen children- John, Alexander, Nancy J., Delia M., William, Elizabeth E .. Mahala C., Mary A., Harvey W., Margaret J., James L., Sarah M. and George F. Mr. Gibson is one of the prominent Republicans of Wright Township.

REV. JOSEPH T. HANNA, a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Ham- mers) Hanna, is a native of Greene County, Penn., born February 7, 1811. When nine years old, his parents removed to Jackson County, Ind., where his father died in 1834. In Jackson County, the subject of

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History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana, Part 49

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

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