USA > Indiana > Greene County > History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana > Part 85
USA > Indiana > Sullivan County > History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana > Part 85
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tles: Hoover's Gap, Chickamauga, Atlanta, Selma, and many others in the Sherman campaign. Upon his return home from the war, Mr. Malone began doing a general merchandising business at Palestine with his father, under the firm name of Malone & Son, from January, 1869, to 1876. In the last-named year he moved to Carlisle, where he has ever since been doing a mercantile business. He is a live business man, and is doing a large and profitable trade. His marriage with Rose Donnell occurred November 12, 1869, and together they are the parents of three children-Bernard L., Alfred C. and one that died in infancy. Mrs. Ma- lone is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Malone of the Christian Church at Carlisle, and they usually do their share toward the praiseworthy enterprises of the town. He is a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity of the Master Mason's degree, and a Republican in pol- itics.
JESSE M. MATHES, M. D., of Carlisle, was born in Jefferson Township, Sullivan County, Ind., August 28, 1841, one of eight children born to Abraham and Sarah (Reneau) Mathes, who came from Sevier County, Tenn., to Sullivan County at an early day, and lived here till their deaths. Abraham Mathes was born in December, 1803; was a cooper as well as farmer, and died in 1865. Mrs. Mathes was a daugh ter of Lewis Reneau, a prominent politician of Tennessee; was born in 1809, her marriage occurred in 1824, and she died in the spring of 1883. Dr. Mathes, our subject, July 16, 1861, enlisted in Company D, Twenty- first Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served about five months, when he was discharged on account of failing health. August 22, 1862, he enlisted in Company I, Ninety-seventh Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was engaged in the battles of Jackson, Vicksburg, Resa- ca, Dalton, Big Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain, and other minor engage- ments. At the battle of Kenesaw, he received a gunshot wound in the left shoulder, where he now carries the ball, and on account of which he was discharged November 29, 1864. He was Sergeant in his company during his last term of service. For a short time after his return home, he was engaged in farming, but in 1865 began the study of medicine in the office of Drs. Helms & Miller. In 1866, began a course of medi- cine at Rush Medical College, Chicago; attended one term; located at Pleasantville, afterward at Farmersburg, and in 1868 came to Carlisle. In 1877, completed his medical course at Rush, graduating from that in- stitution. June 24, 1868, he married Mary E. Warner, born January 28, 1859. daughter of Peter E. and Eliza (Vanderhoff) Warner, and one child has been born to them- De Laskie J., born October 15, 1869. The Doctor and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is a Republican.
BAILEY McCONNELL, farmer, P. O. Carlisle, was born in Had- don Township April 9, 1840, one of eight children born to Andrew and Nancy (Johnson) McConnell, early settlers of Sullivan County. Subject is of Scottish extraction, his father having been born in Scotland, in January, 1798; coming to America in 1805 with his parents, who located in Sullivan in about a year afterward, and where they remained till their deaths. Our subject, on the 13th of July, 1862, enlisted in Company K, Eightieth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, but was soon ad- vanced to Second Lieutenant; was afterward promoted to First Lieu- tenant, and then to Captain, holding that position till the close of the struggle. Out of a company that went into the war with 100 men, only
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twenty-four were mustered out in 1865. He was in the following battles: Perryville, Resaca, Knoxville, Atlanta, Franklin, Nashville, and Fort Anderson, N. C. He was honorably discharged June 28, 1865. After returning home, he began farming, and now owns 400 acres of the best land in the county. He raises, buys and sells considerable stock, in ad- dition to his other farming interests. September 29, 1870, he married Jennie O. McDowell, who has borne him one child-James, born July 17, 1871. Both he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Bethlebem, near where they live, and they can always be found among the most progressive citizens of their community. He is a Republican in politics.
JOHN T. MCKINNEY, merchant, Paxton, was born in Sullivan County, Ind., June 30, 1836, one of ten children born to Thomas R. and Jane (McGrew) Mckinney, early settlers of Sullivan County. His father was a Baptist minister, who preached in Sullivan County, although his principal occupation was farming. In 1856, our subject went to Texas, and engaged in the cattle business, but returned after the ex. piration of one year, and in 1859 went to California, and from there to Nevada, and remained till 1866, and while there engaged in gold and silver mining, made considerable money, which he eventually lost, how- ever, in attempting to increase it. In 1866, he went to Montana, and continued mining, and there met with an accident in 1873, which nearly resulted in his death; both thighs were crushed, and his recovery was a matter of surprise. In the winter of 1873 he returned to his native county, and the next winter attended a Commercial College at Terre Haute. In the fall of 1876, he began doing a general merchandise business at Paxton, and is now carrying a stock of about $5,000. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, his lodge being at Carlisle, and is A Republican in politics, taking a lively interest in his party, and all other public matters.
GEORGE W. MCKINNEY, was born in Sullivan County, Ind., December 26, 1840, one of ten children born to Thomas R. and Eliza- beth (MoGrew) Mckinney, who were among the early settlers of Sullivan County. Thomas R. was born September 18, 1803, in Fayette County, Ky., where he lived until 1815, when he moved with his parents to Orange County, Ind., living there till he settled in Fairbanks Township in 1829. In 1827, he married his wife, who was also a native of Ken- tucky, born December 25, 1807. He followed farming nearly all his life, and was a minister in the Missionary Baptist Church, and was con- nected with Little Flock Church for over thirty years, but at the time of bis death belonged at Sullivan. He settled in Haddon Township in 1865, where he died April 12, 1877. Subject was raised to farming, but taught school about ten years. April 30, 1874, he married Anna Nash, born October 8, 1846, youngest of the children born to Marvel W. and Leah (Love) Nash, and to this union were born four children, two of whom are living- Lena, born January 23, 1878, and Martha E., March 27, 1881. Mr. Mckinney owns seventy-five acres of highly improved land, and is a Democrat in politics. Mrs. Mckinney is a member of the Christian Church.
ELIJAH MILAM is a native of Shelby County, Ky., born January 8, 1809, one of seven children born to Stephen and Martha (Nash) Milam, who settled in Indiana in 1815, locating near Carlisle, where they died in 1822. Subject received but a meager amount of schooling, and
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began the trade of blacksmith when sixteen years of age, but was com- pelled to quit it on account of his eyes. After that be learned the cab- inet making, at which he worked two years. He then joined Capt. Back- us' Company of Rangers, serving one year; then returned to Sullivan and began the carding of wool, starting a mill. February 16, 1837, he married Ann A. McCandless, who bore him ten children-Greenup A., Elijah W., Elizabeth H., Joseph P., Lavilla D., Jennie, Margaret, Chales T., Ida and Jacob B., all living except Elijah W. and Charles T., the former being killed in the battle of Murfreesboro. Mr. Milam owns 170 acres of land. He was formerly a Whig, but is now a Republican. He was the Whig candidate for the Legislature at the forming of the constitution in 1852. For several years he was Captain of the Light Horse Company of this county.
.PLEASANT A. MINICH was born in the township where he lives June 6, 1822, one of five children born to Adam and Sarah (O'Haver) Minich, who were married in Tennessee, and settled in Sullivan County in 1819, where they died. Our subject has lived upon the same farm, upon which he was born. all his life, with the exception of a few months, and now owns about 300 acres of highly improved land, upon which he raises some stock in addition to the usual farm c ops. He was married, April 24, 1856, to Sarah Corbin, who has borne him three children -- Adam V., boru May 9, 1857; William F., August 22, 1859; and Charles T., Octo- ber 21, 1860; the latter dying while quite young. Mrs. Minich was born January 25, 1832. Mr. Minich is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was formerly a prominent member of the Patrons of Hus- bandry. ' He is a Democrat and takes a lively interest in public affairs.
JAMES L. NASH, farmer, P. O. Paxton, is a native of Haddon Township, and was born March 16, 1829, one of nine children born to Marvel W. and Leah (Love) Nash, who were among the earliest settlers of Sullivan County who came from Kentucky. Our subject received an ordinary common school education and has followed the occupation of farming all his life. September 16, 1854, he was married to Sarah J. Ross, born in Sullivan County July 9, 1835, and they have been blessed with four children-Robert D., born November 4, 1855; John M .. De- cember 25, 1857; Leah A., October 31, 1860; and Marvel, December 22, 1870. December 22, 1873, his wife died, and June 6, 1875, he married Mrs. Eliza J. (Summers) Curry. He has 418 acres of land, highly im- proved, and in addition to farming, has been engaged somewhat in ship- ping stock and grain; also raises some fine horses. Mr. and Mrs. Nash are members of the Christian Church, and all of his children have been well educated. He is an I. O. O. F. and a Democrat, and has held sev- eral township offices. He represented his county in the Legislature of 1875, and was instrumental in securing the passage of the "Fees and Salaries " bill, as well as one for redistricting the State. Mr. Nash is one of the progressive and enterprising farmers of Haddon Township, and is foremost in aiding all laudable enterprises.
ARMSTED M. NASH, farmer, P. O. Paxton, was born January 12, 1837, in Haddon Township, Sullivan County, Ind, one of ten children born to Marvel W. and Leah (Love) Nash, who came to Sullivan County at an early day. March 22, 1860, the subject of this sketch was joined in matrimony to Nancy E. Purcell, and their union has been blessed with six children-India A., March 22, 1861; Willie L., September 3, 1865; Edgar E., February 7, 1868; Clara B., July 13, 1870; Mary E., October
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29, 1873, and Lillie, September 19, 1877, all of whom are living except India. Throughout life Mr. Nash has followed farming. and his splen - did farm of over 400 acres attests his success. His buildings are more numerous and are certainly unexcelled by any farm in Haddon Town - ship. He is a strong supporter of education and upholds the law of making it compulsory. He is a large dealer in stock, aud is always among the foremost in furthering the interest of his community. He is a Democrat and takes an active interest in all matters pertaining to his party. He and wife are members of the Christian Church at Providence, near Paxton.
JAMES P. RIDGWAY was born on the farm where he now lives January 28, 1838, one of eight children born to Benjamin and Catha- rine (Trunnel) Ridgway, who came from Kentucky in an early day, and lived in Sullivan County till their deaths. Our subject was raised to farming, and has followed that all his life. October 26, 1862, he mar- ried Vandillia A. Sinclair, born January 27, 1840, daughter of John and Maria (Crawford) Sinclair, and three children have been born to them- Ara B., July 28, 1864 ; George A., October 20, 1868 ; Charles H., Au- gust 17, 1870. Mr. Ridgway owns 220 acres of fine land, and has been quite successful in farming. He and wife and daughter are members of the Obristian Church at Shaker Prairie, near where they live, and he is a Democrat. In 1870, Mr. Ridgway moved to Knox County, where he remained five years, and then returned to Sullivan County and to his present place.
LEMUEL H. SHAKE was born in Oldham County, Ky., November 10, 1828, one of fifteen children born to David and Artemisia (Blevins) Shake, who were among the earliest settlers of Sullivan County. Sub- ject came with his parents in 1830 when an infant, and has remained in Haddon Township ever since, and has followed farming all his life, own- ing at the present time 160 acres of as good land as there is in Sullivan, and which is highly improved. November 14, 1850, he married Virginia Nash, and three children were born-India A., born November 29, 1851 ; Marvel W., Angust 16, 1855; and Albert E., March 18, 1866. Mrs. Shake was the daughter of Marvel W. and Leah (Love) Nash, and died September 26, 1882. August 23, 1883, Mr. Shake married Mrs. Sarah J. (Risinger) Bond, of Knox County. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church at Providence, and Mr. Shake is a Democrat,
BENJAMIN S. SHAKE was born in Haddon Township April 7, 1832, one of fifteen children born to David and Artemisia (Blevins) Shake, natives of Kentucky, coming to Sullivan County in the fall of 1881, and dying here. Subject has been a farmer all his life, and now owns about 216 acres of good land under a high state of cultivation. March 24, 1859, he married Elizabeth Arnett, born January 4. 1837. daughter of Leven and Nancy Arnett, and to this union were born four children - William L., born March 20, 1860; James E., January 20, 1865 ; Deborah J., April 7, 1871; and Margaret S., October 13, 1873. Mr. Shake and wife are members of the Christian Church at Paxton, and he is a Democrat. He was formerly a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, and takes an active interest in all laudable enterprises.
SAMUEL SHUMARD was born in Clermont County, Ohio, January 9, 1819, one of eleven children born to Samuel and Elizabeth (Coonrod) Shumard, who were among the early settlers of Ohio, where they lived till their death. Mr. Shumard received but little education, and followed
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farming till he was twenty-two years of age; he then began the carpenter's trade, and followed the same till 1854, when he settled in Vigo County Ind., where he lived till the fall of 1883, at which time he located on the farm where he now lives. October 9, 1845, he was married to Hannah Elstun, of Clermont County, Ohio, and eleven children have been born to them, eight of whom are now living-Isaac N., born September 1, 1846; Clara B., February 19, 1849; Mary M., February 18, 1851; Will- iam W., May 19, 1859; Cynthia M., September 14, 1861; Edward A. and Ida E., twins, April 14, 1866; Rosa D., February 1, 1868. Mrs. Shumard is one of nine children born to Isaac and Hannah (Arthur) Elstun, and was born October 1, 1828. She is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Shumard raises some stock in addition to the usual farm crops, and has under fine cultivation and highly improved 213 acres of land. He is a Republican in politics. August 12, 1862, he enlisted in Company E, Eighty fifth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until June 5, 1865, when he was honorably discharged. He was engaged in the following battles: Thompson's Station, Dalton, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek and other minor engagements. He was captured and confined for twenty-six days in Libby Prison.
JOHN C. SNIDER, farmer, P. O. Paxton, is a native of Jessamine County, Ky., where he was born December 3, 1827, youngest of seven children born to John and Elizabeth (Cravens) Snider. In 1836, he came with his parents to Sullivan County, where he has ever since fol- lowed farming. January 22, 1852, he was married to Nancy J. Robbins, and by her he had four children-John R., November 17, 1852; Francis M., December 3, 1853; George W., April 23, 1855; William M., July 20, 1857. On the 15th of October, 1858, Mrs. Snider died; she was a mem- ber of the United Brethren Church . March 26, 1861, he was married to Eliza J. Maxwell, who bore him seven children, of whom five are living -Mary F., born January 5, 1862; James W., January 9, 1864; Martha J., March 11, 1867; Rush H., November 15, 1871; Amanda M., August 30, 1876. Again, February 22, 1880, Mr. Snider was bereft of his com. panion, since which time he has been living with his children at the homestead, and endeavoring to give each one an education. His last wife was a member of the Baptist Church. He owns 210 acres of first- class land, which is highly cultivated. All his life Mr. Snider has been a hard working man, and is now looked upon as one of the substantial citizens of Haddon Township. He is a Democrat.
JAMES J. SNYDER, 'one of the old and prominent citizens of Sul- livan County, is a native of Jessamine County, Ky., where he was born November 10, 1816. He is one of the seven children of John and Eliza- beth (Cravens) Snyder, who settled in Haddon Township, on the same farm where our subject now lives, in November, 1836. His education is only an ordinary one, being acquired in the primitive schools of his times. Through life his exclusive occupation has been farming, and the fine farm he now owns of 345 acres abundantly testifies his success. On June 15, 1848, his marriage with India Nash was solemnized, and both are now the leading members of the Christian Church near Paxton, always doing their full share to support the charities of their neighborhood. Among Mr. Snyder's benevolent acts is a donation of $1,650 to his church. Mrs. Snyder is one of ten children of Marvel W. and Leah (Love) Nash, who were among the pioneers of Sullivan County. A son of Mr. Snyder by a former marriage, while on a trip to New Orleans
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with a cargo of live stock, was taken sick and died at that place Febru- ary 9, 1871. His politics is thoroughly Democratic, and as such he was elected to the office of County Commissioner in 1878, to which place he was re-elected in 1881. He has also been Trustee of Haddon Township. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder are among the best and highly esteemed people of the county, where they are now enjoying the evening of life amid the comforts that a large competence, honestly and laborously earned, can secure to them.
JOHN W. SPENCER, son of Daniel and Eleanor Spencer, was born July 10, 1824, in Salem, Washington Co .. Ind. The family moved to Paris, Edgar Co., Ill., in 1832, and in 1833 moved to Indianapolis, wbere John W. was a pupil in the Marion County Seminary during the years 1834, 1835, 1836 and 1837. In 1837, the family moved to Bloom- ington, Ind., and in May be entered Indiana College, and in 1838 it was chartered as Indiana University; he remained a student as freshman to the close of the year. During the year 1839, he stopped out of the University, to work for money to bear his expenses in the regular course of study to graduation; but from overwork at house-painting, he was taken sick with a disease peculiar to painters, and finally became palsied for nearly one year. When he recovered, he took a contract for carry. ing the mail on horseback from Leesville, in Lawrence County, to Green- castle, in Putnam County. through Bloomington. Dr. David Dale Owen was making the geological reconnoissance of the State at that time, trav- eled along with the mail carrier, who acted as guide and assistant col- lector on the route. From Dr. Owen he received instruction and also books on the study and science of geology. 'This in after years became with him a specialty, and a study in which he became so eminently suc- cessful and distinguished. He married Martha A. Robbins, the eldest daughter of John and Eliza Robbins, on the 24th day of October, 1844; they have had ten children, eight sons and two daughters. The sons are John Daniel, Charles Francis, William Barton, Marion Robbins, James McCord, Thomas Hamilton, George Jackson and Franklin; the daughters are Eliza Ann and Keturab Eleanor. The two sons, James M. and Franklin, and the daughter, Keturah E., died in infancy. The surviv- ing children are an honor to their parents, being highly respected and esteemed by all with whom they are associated. John W. Spencer is one of the pioneer teachers of this county. He commenced to teach in the winter of 1844 and 1845, and taught " subscription " schools till 1854, when the new school law came into operation or took effect; and from that time till this year he has only missed one year out of the school, and that was caused by sickness. He has taught two schools in Greene County, and three elsewhere. He has been a teacher nearly forty years; a mem- ber of the State Teachers' Association for eighteen years, and has a life membership. In 1871, he was elected a member of the "American As- sociation for the Advancement of Science," and, in 1874, was elected unanimously a Fellow of that association. He rendered assistance dur- ing the geological survey of Sullivan County in 1870 by Prof. John Col. lett. He has sent many fine geological and archaeological specimens from this county to the Smithsonian Institute. Prof. Lesquereux says that all the specimens he has seen from Indiana coal measures, were sent by John W. Spencer, of Paxton. He filled the cases of coal specimens and coal flora in the Museum of the Indiana State University at Bloom- ington, that were burned last summer. Dr. Alexander Martin, D.D., LL.D.,
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President of De Pauw University (late Indiana Asbury University ), Greencastle, Ind., writes: "February 15, 1884. Prof. J. W. Spencer, though perhaps less known than some others, is really one of the most diligent, deserving, and, in certain lines, accomplished scientists in the State of Indiana. He has contributed to the collections of this institu- tion 'typical' specimens of every geological formation in the State from the Lower Silurian to the Coal Measures. He has also generously furnished some fine specimens form Ottawa and Montreal, Canada. Also a fine collection sent to him from Dr. J. W. Dawson, Principal of Mc- Gill University at Montreal, and a valuable collection of invertebrates sent him from the Smithsonian Institute, by S. F. Baird, Sceretary, have been given by him to our collections. Other institutions and col- lections have been indebted to his zeal and ability in the interest of sci- ence. It affords me pleasure to certify to the above facts. Alexander Martin." As his name is placed in the International Directory, and in all naturalists' directories, his exchanges of geological specimens are greatly in demand by scientists, not only in the United States, but also in Europe. He joined the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1834, when a boy ten years old, and he is still a member of that church, and one of the Quarterly Conference members of Carlisle Circuit, Indiana Confer- ence. He was the first Secretary of Sullivan County Teachers' Institute.
CHARLES G. TRIMBLE, farmer, P. O. Carlisle, was born where he now lives, Haddon Township, Sullivan County, Ind., November 26, 1823, one of nine children born to Joseph and Catharine (Carico) Trimble, both of whom were natives of Kentucky, who came to Sullivan at an early day, and where they died, she dying January 3, 1871, and he Jan- uary 12, 1873. The education of our subject was such as could be ob- tained from the old subscription schools, and he was reared to farming. September 22, 1851, he was married to Julia Willis, who bore one child, which died in infancy, April 22, 1854, the mother following her loved one in eight months thereafter. December 18, 1856, he was married to Mrs. Susannah (Cox) Cox, by whom he has had five children-Joseph, September 18, 1857 ; Benj. F., March 14, 1859 ; Rush, March 2, 1861 ; Catharine E., September 5, 1863 ; Charles E., September 17, 1866 ; all living but Benjamin, who died August 22, 1877. The farm of Mr. Trimble consists of 320 acres of well-improved land, upon which he raises, in addition to the usual crops, considerable stock. Subject and wife are members of the Christian Church at Bethany, he having been a member since 1851, and she since 1842. He was formerly a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, being one of the charter members ; is a Re- publican, and takes an active interest in all matters pertaining to his party or the public. He also looks with satisfaction upon the fact that he was never before a grand jury nor sat as a petit juror.
DAVID TROXELL, farmer, P. O. Paxton, was born September 25, 1824, in Montgomery County, Ohio, only child born to Abram and Mary (Mullendore) Troxell, and has been a farmer all his life. June 20, 1848, he was married to Mary Ifert, and eight children have been born to him, four of whom are living-Simon P., January 22, 1851 ; Mary E., No- vember 1, 1857 ; Elizabeth, August 25, 1859, and Calvin, July 11, 1862. In the fall of 1851, Mr. Troxell settled in Madison County, Ind., where he lived till the spring of 1867, when he came to Sullivan County, and where he now owns 493 acres of land. Mr. and Mrs. Troxell are mem- bers of the Universalist Church, and are among the foremost to aid
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