History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana, Part 50

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 50
USA > Indiana > Sullivan County > History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana > Part 50

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).

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this sketch was reared to manhood's estate, and, being endowed with a bright mind, he early espoused the cause of Christianity, and in 1836 was ordained a minister of the Gospel, his first charge being at Gilgal Baptist Church, in Lawrence County. In 1849, he came to Greene County, and, purchasing property in Wright Township, has ever since made it his home. For forty-eight years, he has been preaching Chris. tianity throughout Greene and neighboring counties, and besides this has looked after his farming interests, and for ten years taught public school. On bis first location in the county, or shortly thereafter, he obtained possession of 500 acres of land, but he has since decreased this by giving to his children, until he now owns but 260 acres. On the 19th of May, 1831, he was joined in marriage with Lucy Mitchell, who was born in Ashe County, N. C., June 27, 1814, a daughter of Levi and Celia (Davis) Mitchell. To this union have been born the following family: Ambrose, Levi, Jesse, Elizabeth, Lemuel and Doctor, living; and Isaac, Rebecca J., Celia, Abram and one unnamed, deceased. Mr. Hanna is one of the prominent men of northwestern Greene County, and is always identified with the progress of bis community. He takes an active interest in edu- cational matters, and besides affording his own children proper advan- tages for a good schooling, he has partially educated tive others.

DR. EPHRAIM MORGAN, the second in a family of nine.children, is a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, his birth occurring September 22, 1826. He was reared in his native county, and after receiving the bene- fits to be derived from the neighborhood schools, completed his literary studies at the Ohio Farmers' College in 1845, after which he began the study of medicine at Cleves, under the advisement of Dr. A. G. Collier. In 1847, he entered the Ohio Medical College of Cincinnati, graduating from that institution in the spring of 1850. He then opened an office at Cleves, remaining there until 1853, when he came to Sullivan County, Ind., where for about eight years he conducted a very large and success- ful practice. In 1861, he located on his present farm, which consists of 200 acres of excellent land, where, in conjunction with farming, he has followed his chosen profession, although during the past few years he has not confined his labors so exclusively to medicine as heretofore. His marriage with Miss Margaret E. Spencer was celebrated in Bartholomew County, Ind., in 1853, Mrs. Morgan having been born in Clinton County, Ohio, in May, 1837, a daughter of John R. and Mary (Hinxton) Spencer, both of whom were natives of the Buckeye State. One son, Edgar A., and one daughter, Alice, have blessed their union, the latter dying in infancy. Dr. Morgan is one of the leading citizens of Wright Township, is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Lewis Morgan, his father, was born at Bainbridge, Mass., in September, 1790, and was of Puritanic ancestors. In about 1810, he came to Hamilton County, Ohio, and for a long time was mail carrier be- tween Cincinnati and Dayton. In 1853, he settled in Curry Township, Sullivan Co., Ind., where he remained engaged in farming until his death in October, 1882. She who became his wife and the mother of Dr. Morgan was Sarah J. Wright, who was a native of Eastern Mary- land, and who died in Sullivan County, Ind., in July, 1883. .

C. M. D. PARKS, the youngest of three children born to Charles and Nancy (Richcreek) Parks, is a native of Coshocton County, Ohio, born Au- gust 2, 1827. His father was a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, and his mother of Loudoun County, Va. ; they were married in the Buckeye

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State, and their three children were Andrew, Thomas and Charles M. D. The mother being left a widow, she was married to John Gordon in 1832, and by him had one son-George W. Mrs. Gordon died in Greene County, Ind., in 1869. The father of the subject of this sketch dying when he was but a small boy, he was taken by his grandfather, Thomas Richcreek, who raised and educated him and taught him the cabinet trade .. In 1856, he started West for the purpose of bettering his circum- stances, and coming to Greene County settled on his present place, which now consists of 200 acres of excellent farming land. On first coming to the county, he worked at his trade, and in time erected a cabinet and blacksmith shop on his property. Being tasty and thoroughgoing in his work, Mr. Parks has added to his place until it is now among the best farms in the township. In politics, he is a stanch Republican, and dur- ing the war was an ardent supporter of President Lincoln's administra- tion, for which he was vigorously denounced and threatened with dire vengeance by rebel sympathizers. Notwithstanding all these murderous innuendoes, he continued encouraging enlistment, and upholding the cause of freedom and equal rights to all until the ratification of peace. He has steadily declined all political honors, preferring to remain at home with his family. He was married in his native county, November 2, 1848, to Mary E. Richcreek, a daughter of David W. and Dorcas E. (Wasson) Richcreek, and to them have been born this family: Almedia J., Hannah C., Miranda E., James P., William L., Mary L .. Charles F. and Lewis A., living; and Nancy D., Eliza C. and one unnamed, de- ceased. This family is among the best in the county, and one of the most accomplished, all being good musicians and possessed of more than ordinary intelligence. Surrounded with all these comforts, home is in- deed a blessing to Mr. Parks.

JAMES P. PARKS, eldest son of C. M. D. and Mary E. (Richcreek) Parks, was born in Greene County, Ind., February 10, 1861, and was reared on the farm of his parents. His early schooling was obtained in the country near his home, but subsequently he attended the graded schools of Sullivan, the business school at Bloomfield, the Leba- non Normal and Business College, and finally the Sullivan Normal School, finishing in June, 1883. He is now engaged in teaching his second term of school, and although young in years he has shown an ability in his profession which ranks him among the able educators of his county. He is bright and genial in his ways, a hard student, and one of the pub- lic-spirited and enterprising young men of his township.

JOEL PHILBERT, farmer, was born in Washington County, Ind., November 24, 1825, a son of Luke and Nancy (Lane) Philbert, who were natives of Kentucky, where they were reared, married and resided a num. ber of years. They came to Washington County, this State, at an early day, but after a few years moved to Owen County, where they passed the remainder of their days engaged in agricultural pursuits. Joel Philbert was reared on the farm of his parents, his youthful years being passed in the pioneer pursuits which fell to the lot of the sons of early settlers. While in Owen County, he was married to Miss Ruth Bowen, and previous to the rebellion removed to Greene County, where he engaged in farm- ing, and from where, in August, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, Nine- ty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He served his country with fidelity, participating in the battles of Jackson, Mission Ridge, all through the Atlanta campaign, with Sherman on his memorable march to

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the sea, and was finally discharged in June. 1865. After the war he re. turned to his home in Greene County, where he-has since resided, and where his wife died July 12, 1876, after bearing a family of six children, as follows: Charles L., James B., George F., Florence M. and two that died in infancy. July 18, 1877, Mr. Philbert married for his second and present wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Haney who was born in Ohio in the year 1833. The greater portion of Mr. Philbert's life has been passed in farming, although previous to the late war he made ten trips to New Orleans on flat-boats with grain, produce, etc. He began life a poor boy, and although not a man of great wealth. yet he has, by hard work and frugality, secured a good farm of 180 acres. In politics, he is a Democrat, although liberal in his views on all things. He is deeply in- terested all matters of public welfare, and is one of the county's well- known and useful citizens.

SANDERS PIGG, son of James and Mary (Neeley) Pigg, of North Carolina and Virginia respectively, was born in White County, Tenn., May 13, 1813, but owing to the removal of his parents to McMinn County, he was reared to manhood in the last-named county. Six months was the sum total of his schooling advantages, but so well did he im- prove this time that he learned to read and write readily and transact any ordinary business. Having considerable skill in the use of tools, he learned the carpenter's trade, and made that his occupation many years. Together with his parents, he removed to Sullivan County, Ind., in 1829, remaining with his father until twenty-one years of age, when he located a " claim " in Wright Township, Greene County, but a year later ex- changed this property for a farm owned by a brother-in-law, W. Gamble. This he has cleared and improved, and now owns a fine farm of 314 acres. In 1870, he erected his present brick dwelling, a building that reflects not only credit upon himself but his township as well. In this

county, on the 16th of October, 1832, he was married to Miss Hannah Gamble, who was born in White County, Tenn., in about the year 1818, the fifth child born to the union of Martin and Susan (Shadden) Gam- ble, both of whom were natives of the Old Dominion. To them eleven children have been born-Mary E., James, Morgan G., Wiley H., Su- sanna, Andrew J., John H., Eliza E., Elizabeth A., William C. and Emma. The last three named are deceased. Mr. Pigg is a member of the Christian Church, a Democrat, and one of the few remaining of our old pioneers. On first coming to Indiana, it was a new country, filled with wild animals and game of various kinds, and so new was the coun- try and so thick the game that Mr. Pigg has seen as many as eighty-seven deer in one drove.

JAMES WRIGHT. Among the pioneers of what is now the State of Indiana, and among the first white settlers of Greene County, was Rev. Richard Wright, father of he whose name heads this sketch, and, figura- tively speaking, the father of Wright Township. He was born June 15, 1783, in Randolph County, N. C., where his wife (Elizabeth Hughes) was also born June 15, 1783. They emigrated to Clarke County, Ind., as early as 1807, and engaged in farming. During the war of 1812, Mr. Wright enlisted, and was out during the entire service, being slightly wounded while working on Fort Harrison, and being under the command of Col. Thompson when the renowned Indian Chief, Tecumseh, was killed. After the war a few years, he moved to Washington County, but two years later removed to Monroe County, where he was engaged in

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blacksmithing a short time. In March, 1826, he settled in old Smith Township, Greene County, and in 1838 wrote the petition for the organ- ization of Wright Township; secured signers for this petition, and carried it before the March term of the court, where it was granted. This same year he was made Justice of the Peace, also acting as Trustee for the Sixteenth Section, which he surveyed and put upon the market. In November, 1843, be was accidentally killed by a gunshot. James Wright was born in Monroe County, this State, May 5, 1825, but when an infant was brought by his parents to Greene County, which has always been his home. He received only such education in youth as the common schools of that early day afforded, and in early years learned the black- smith trade, which he still follows in conjunction with farming. He owns eighty acres of land south of Jasonville, is a member of the Christian Church, and a Democrat in politics. In 1858, he was elected Trustee of the township, serving as such three years, and in 1862 was re-elected, continuing until 1866. While serving in this capacity, Mr. Wright organized the popular Congressional, road and school districts. For the past fourteen years, he has acted as agent for various machine companies, both as local and traveling salesman. He was married, October 29, 1845, to Delia J. Ellixson, who was born July 24, 1829, a daughter of Jeremiah and Wineford (Gilstrap) Ellixson, both of whom were natives of Washington County, Ind. Mr. and Mrs. Wright are parents of six living children-James W., Zelpha E., Mary E., Nancy E., Alice E. and John M .; and six deceased-Francis M., Wineford J., George W., Eze- kial H., Delila M., and one unnamed.

GRANT TOWNSHIP.

DAVID OSBORN HARRAH, an early settler of Greene County, Ind., is descended from an old Irish family, who were amongst the first pioneers of the great Commonwealth of Virginia, which was the place of his own birth in 1807, and that of his father, Robert Harrah, in 1781. According to family tradition, the maternal grandparents of Mr. Harrah, in coming to America, experienced hardships and privations unparalleled. The party, consisting of the two parents and a small babe, took passage on board a sailing ship, which, on account of continuous and adverse storms, was driven from her course, and drifted about on unknown waters for weeks, during which time the supplies of the vessel had become exceed ingly short, and all on board despaired of ever again seeing land. During this extremity, the husband gave his rations to his wife, while himself and babe derived nourishment from the wife and mother's breast. David O. Harrah, when a small lad, removed with his parents to Kentucky, where he was reared upon his father's plantation, and derived the rudiments of his education from the neighboring schools. After living in Fleming and Montgomery Counties for a number of years they came to Greene County, Ind., in November, 1825, and entered a tract of land near the Harrah Chapel, which was named in honor of the family, and near where David O. Harrah owns a well-improved farm. He was married in 1833 to Miss Rebecca Words, who died in 1875. Robert Harrah, father of our subject,

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was married in Virginia, July 8, 1806, to Elizabeth Baldwin, who was born in one of the New England States in the year 1777.

THOMAS GRACE, Trustee of Grant Township, was born in Wash- ington County, Ind., in the year 1825, a son of Jesse and Catharine (Gil- brith) Grace, who were natives of North Carolina and Virginia respect- ively, and among the old and esteemed residents of Washington County. He was reared to manhood upon his father's farm, secured a common school education in youth, and in 1845 went to Jackson County. this State, where, in the year 1853, he was united in marriage with Miss Par- melia Yancey, a native of Jackson County, and a daughter of Andrew J. and Sallie (Critslow) Yancey, who were from the Old Dominion. The fall of 1860, Mr. Grace and family removed to Greene County, where they are well known and universally respected. Mr. Grace is, in every sense of the word, a self-made man. He began life's battle a poor boy, with nothing to depend upon but his own energy and ability, and he now owns a good farm of 560 acres, and for ten years has been honored with the office of Township Trustee, which position he has filled with entire satisfaction, and which he still holds. He is one of the prominent and progressive men of Greene County, is a genial companion, a neighborly neighbor, and a good husband and father. Himself and wife are parents of this family: Sarah C. (deceased), Albert H. (deceased), Casselda, Spencer, J. L., Daniel V., Lillie D., and one that died in infancy un- jamed.

ALBERT A. HALL, one of the well to-do men of Grant Township, was born in the year 1851 in Kentucky, and is the only issue to the union of Alexander and Elizabeth (Dowden) Hall, who were natives of Scotland and Kentucky respectively, the latter dying in 1867 and the former in 1872. Albert A. passed his youthful years in assisting his parents on the home farm, but at the age of fifteen he started out in the world to battle with the realities of life on his own responsibility. In 1872, he came to Indiana, and in 1878, together with Samuel Harden, he em- barked at saw-milling, at which the firm of Hall & Harden are doing a profitable business. Besides owning valuable mill fixtures worth about $1,800, the firm possess eighty acres of land in Grant Township. Mr. Hall is one of the progressive and successful men of Greene County, is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and a Democrat in politics, as was also his father before him.

W. C. HINEBROOK, farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of Germany, his birth occurring in the year 1837. His father, William Hinebrook, was also a native of Germany, born in 1801, and was married in his native country to Louisa Neal, by whom he became the father of the fol- lowing bamed: T. W., Mary, Charles, W. C., Louisa, Lewis, John M., and Sarah J. When a small boy, W. C., together with his parents, emi- grated to America, and coming to Indiana, found a home near Bloom- field, in Greene County, where they engaged in agricultural pursuits. Miss Sarah Beach, daughter of John Beach, became the wife of W. C. Hinebrook in 1867, and together they have lived happily where they now reside for a number of years, and are the parents of four children-John Newton, Louisa Ann, William Henry and David (deceased). In 1861, when rebellion was threatening to overthrow our Government, Mr. Hine- brook joined Company E, Fifty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was with his regiment through the battles of New Madrid, Spanish Fort, and numerous other engagements, and in 1864 was sent with a detach .

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ment to guard prisoners at Rock Island. He was honorably discharged in February, 1865, after which he returned home to Greene County, where he has since resided.

D. E. HUMPHREYS, the only son of Hon. John Humphreys, who is a distinguished attorney of Sullivan and an ex-official of Greene County, is a native of the county where he yet resides, his birth occurring in the year 1856, 'He was married in 1876 to Miss Mary P., the second daugh- ter of D. L. and Ann (Buck) Osborn, who were among the early settlers of Greene County, and by her is the father of three children-Bessie, Jennie Ann, and one as yet unnamed. Mr. Humphreys is one of the prominent young men of western Greene County, is a Democrat in poli - tics, and a successful farmer and stock-raiser.

PETER SCHULTZE, a native of Germany, was born near Moers in the year 1826. He was reared to manhood's estate in the land of his nativity, where he obtained a collegiate education, and afterward em- barked in the manufacture and sale of goods With the tide of immi- gration that was fast draining Europe of its freedom-loving people, he drifted to the United States in 1848, and, escaping the ravages of cholera of that year, located in Greene County, Ind., where he purchased a large tract of land and engaged in agricultural pursuits. Since being a resi- dent of this county he has endeavored to merit the honor conferred upon him as an American citizen by upholding the institutions of his adopted country, and supporting them to the best of his ability. He took an act- ive part in the organization of the first fair of Greene County, of which he was he first assistant Secretary, and since 1872 has almost continually served in the capacity of Secretary. He selected Miss P. Barton for his wife in 1850, and to their union three children were born- lizabeth C., Mary Ann and one that died in infancy. Mr. Schultze is one of Grant Township's best and most energetic citizens.

JOHN S. SIMONS, deceased, was one of the early preachers of Greene County, Ind., where he was born, raised and educated. He was the eldest son of Samuel and Cynthia (Price) Simons, the former being one of the early Commissioners of Greene County. John S. Simons early experienced Christianity, and during his ministerial labors accom- plished much good. He volunteered his services for the preservation of the Union as a private in Company D, Fourteenth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in May, 1861, and was mustered into service June 7 of the same year. For valuable services rendered he was promoted Second Lieutenant, then First Lieutenant, and finally to the Captaincy of the same company June 11, 1863. In 1861, he was engaged in the Western Virginia campaign. After this he participated in the battles of Winchester (first fight), Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, and was mortally wounded at the battle of Spottsylvania Court House in May, 1864, his death occurring on the 15th of May, 1864. He was in about fifty engagements, great and small, and his Colonel said of him that he was one of the most efficient and gallant Captains in battle he ever knew. To the marriage of John S. Simons and Mary A., daughter of William and Louisa (Neal) Hinebrook, was born and reared this family: Charles P., Sarah E., Samuel F., Lewis M., John N., James S., and two that died in infancy. The mother departed this life in 1876.

JOHN SWITZ, SR., oneof the prominent German residents of Switz City, was born at Hoch Emerich, Rhine. Kingdom of Prussia, Germany,

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in March, 1816, and is a son of John and Sibilla (Kueppers) Switz. He was liberally educated in the schools of his native country, and while a young man worked as a farm laborer, and at the weaver's trade. In February, 1846, he was married to Charlotte Bovenschen, who was born at Bergheim-on-the-Rhine, in August, 1819, and together they embarked at Antwerp, Belgium, in 1849, for the purpose of finding homes in the United States. They disembarked at New Orleans, La., from thence coming to Greene County, Ind., Mr. Switz purchasing a large tract of land in Grant and Fairplay Townships, which had been put upon the market as " canal land." This property is situated where he now resides on the present site of Switz City, which was surveyed and platted in 1870, and named in his honor. Mr. Switz is the owner of over 200 acres of good land, and in connection with farming keeps a first-class hotel. In politics he is Democratic, and is the father of three sons and one daughter, named John, Harmon, Henry and Mary.

CENTER TOWNSHIP.

JOHN W. BINGHAM, senior member of the firm of Bingham & Holtsclaw, dealers in general merchandise, was born in the township and county where he now resides in the year 1857, and is a son of Edmund and Eliza (Olinger) Bingham, who were natives of the Old Dominion, from whence they removed to Indiana at an early date. John W. passed his early years on the farm of his parents, but when about the age of eighteen years began teaching school which he continued upward of six years. Since then he has been engaged in farming and merchandising, in the latter vocation transacting a lucrative business. His nuptials with Miss Hester A. Holtsclaw were celebrated in 1877, and to their union three children have been born-Flossie E. (deceased), Howard C. and Flossie F. Mr. Bingham is one of the progressive and prominent young men of our county, and where most intimately known, is best liked.

THOMAS BOGARD, Trustee of Center Township and a descendant from one of the first families to settle in what is now Greene County, was born in the county, where he yet resides, in the year 1823, and is one of two surviving children in a family of seven born to Cornelius and Jane (Benham) Bogard, who were natives of Ohio and Virginia respect- ively. His early years were passed in assisting his parents on the home farm, but on attaining his twenty-second year commenced farming for himself, which has since been bis occupation. By industry he has se- cured a good farm of 200 acres, and also sixteen town lots in the village of Hobbieville, upon one having erected one of the finest dwellings in the township. Mr. Bogard was married to Miss Mary O'Neal, his first wife, in 1845, and one son-William-of the four children born to them, is yet living. He married Miss Lucinda James, his present wife, in 1862. Mr. Bogard is, as was his father before him, a Democrat in poli- tics; is a member of the F.,& A. M., and both he and wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church.

MOSES CROCKETT, County Commissioner, was born July 15, 1830, in Owen County. Ind., and is one of nine children born to James

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and Louisa (Oley) Crockett, who settled in Owen County at a very early day, but subsequently removed to this county. Moses Crockett re- ceived only limited educational advantages in youth, and his general oc- cupation through life has been farming. At the time he began doing for himself, he had little or no means, but ambition, the chief character- istic of an American, propelled him forward, and by years of hard toil and economy he has acquired 225 acres of good land, the greater part of which is under cultivation and well stocked. His marriage with Mar- garet M. Johnson was soleinnized January 2, 1851, and six children have been born to them, named James T., Nancy L. (deceased), Mary E., Dan- iel W., Stephen A. (deceased), and Angeline. In politics, Mr. Crockett is a Democrat, and in 1880, as the candidate of his party for the office of County Commissioner, was elected, although having a Republican ma- jority to overcome. Again, in 1882, he was elected to this office by & largely increased majority, which reached 253 votes, and this, of itself, is sufficient indication of Mr. Crockett's standing among his neighbors and fellow-citizens.

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History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana, Part 50

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

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