History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana, Part 86

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 86
USA > Indiana > Sullivan County > History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana > Part 86

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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any charities of the community. He began life in an humble way, and by his industry, economy and good management has acquired a compe. tency for the evening of his life. He is an A. F. & A. M., an I. O. O. F., and a National in politics, but formerly affiliated with the Republican party. He was the candidate of the Nationals for County Commissioner in 1878, and made a very creditable race in so strong a Democratic county as Sullivan.

JOEL O. WALTERS was born in the eastern part of Kentucky January 18, 1824, one of seven children born to Luke and Evarilla (Lamb) Walters, natives of Virginia, who settled in Kentucky in an early day, moving thence to Sullivan County in 1830, and living in Had. don Township the balance of their lives. Subject came with his parents to Indiana when nearly seven years of age, received the ordinary educa. tion of the day, and was reared to farming, owning at the present time 300 acres of excellent land. He was married, March 28, 1848, to Nancy Land, and to their union were born ten children, tive of whom are living -- Mahala, October 15, 1851; John W., September 12, 1856; Martha A., November 1, 1859; William J., September 17, 1861; and Permelia, April 28, 1865. Mrs. Walters is a daughter of James and Jane (Willis) Land, and was born in this township, September 8, 1823. Subject and wife and all his children are members of the Christian Church at Providence. near Paxton. Mr. Walters had two grandfathers in the Revolutionary war, two nncles in the war of 1812, two cousins in the Mexican war. and three brothers and one cousin in the late rebellion -- not one of whom, in either struggle, was shot or wounded, although all took active parts. He is a Democrat, and takes an active interest in the temperance cause, as well as in all public enterprises.

WILLIAM P. WALTERS, farmer, P. O. Paxton, was born, August 14, 1824, in Greenup County, Ky., and is the only one now living of five children born to Samuel and Elizabeth (Lamb) Walters, who came from Kentucky to Sullivan County in 1832. Subject remained with his father till he was eighteen years old, but from that time till he was twen- ty- five, he followed boating on the Mississippi. November 2, 1851. he was married to Sarah J. Anderson, who bore him five children-Jacob, Harrison, May A., Josephus and Alice J. Harrison and Alice are dead. October 13, 1862, Mrs. Walters died, and October 10, 1863, he married Mrs. Nancy E. Pirtle, who bore him one child-Sarah J. Soon after his first marriage, he began farming, in which he has continued ever since, although engaged at times in other businesses. For many years he was the principal grain buyer at Paxton, which village was laid out on his farm; was also engaged by the E. & T. H. R. R. to look after their tim- ber interests Was also partner in a general store at Paxton. He owns 400 acres of excellent, highly improved land, and is a man who is re- spected by all who know him. Mr, Walters is an A., F. & A. M .. and a Democrat, and, seeing the necessity of education, is in favor of mak- ing it compulsory. He takes an active interest in all public matters. His wife is a member of the Christian Church at Paxton.

JOHN R. WALKER, farmer, Carlisle, twin brother of L. M. Walker, was born November 17, 1843, son of George W. and Rhoda (Blevins) Walker, who are elsewhere mentioned in this work. (See sketch of L. M. Walker.) Our subject, August 28. 1862, enlisted in Company K, Eightieth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until July 8, 1865, when he was honorably discharged. He was actively engaged at

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the battles of Perryville and Resaca, in the last named being wounded in the hand. During a spell of sickness his twin brother, who very nearly resembles him, paid him a visit, and in order to relieve him took his place, changing clothes with him, and serving three months for him, without the fact being known except to a few. January 7, 1869, he was married to Mary J. Sproatt, by whom he is father of four children-Ina M., born May 12, 1870; Vincent C., December 19, 1874; Halley F., May 22, 1878; John A., March 7, 1880. Mrs. Walker was born December 24, 1850, and is one of thirteen children born to John and Eliza (Minnick) Sproatt. Mr. Walker has been a farmer all his life, and now owns 116 acres of land. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Bethlehem, and are prominent in all good works. He is an I. O. O. F., and a Republican, and in the spring of 1882, he was elected by his party Justice of the Peace, which fact speaks much for his popularity, when it is remembered that his township is largely Democratic.

LEMUEL M. WALKER, farmer, Carlisle, twin brother of J. D. Walker, was born on the farm where he now lives in Haddon Township, November 17, 1843, one of eight children born to George W. and Rhoda (Blevins) Walker, early settlers of Sullivan County; he born September 1, 1794, in North Carolina, and going from thence to Tennessee with his father when young. After becoming of age, George W. located in Jes- samine County, Ky., but in 1826, came to Sullivan County, Ind. He was drafted in the war of 1812, but obtained a substitute for a horse and saddle and $5. He was a Baptist, and died in 1882, January 26, much regretted by a large circle of relatives and friends. His wife was born in Kentucky, December 14, 1811, and was married April 29, 1832; she died Septem- ber 1. 1879. Lemuel, our subject, was reared to farming, and now owns 110 acres of land, well improved and well stocked. He married Lydia Wells, April 14, 1864, and five children have been born to them-Rosa M., George W., Emma P., Francis M. and Roland T. Mrs. Walker was born April 10, 1842, and is one of nine children born to Francis M. and Phoebe (Mills) Wells. Both Mr. and Mrs. Walker are members of the Baptist Church. He has on his place a log cabin built in 1810, by the Polks, who were early settlers of Sullivan County. Mr. Walker is a Republican, and takes much interest in all public matters, being an ar- dent advocate for compulsory education and prohibitory action by law against the sale of intoxicants.

DR. RICHARD M. WHALEN, one of the prominent citizens of Haddon Township, was born in this township, where he now lives, November 4, 1832, one of six children born to Richard and Sarah (Minich) Whalen, natives of Tennessee, who settled in Sullivan County at an early day, where they died, he having been born August 17, 1807, and dying in 1852; she was born May 16, 1799, and dying in 1880. Mrs. Whalen was one of the O'Haver family. Dr. Whalen received a good common school education. also attended the academy at New Lebanon. In the spring of 1856 he began selling clocks, following that abont one year. Then went to the Neosho Valley, Kan., and was en- gaged in teaming from Kansas City for two years. Then returned to Sullivan County and commenced farming and trading stock, continuing till 1864. He then studied medicine, till 1866, when he again went to Kansas, where he practiced one year. In the fall of 1867, he began a course of medicine at Rush Medical College, Chicago, after

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which be returned to his native county and practiced his profession in addition to farming till 1880, when he opened a drug store in Carlisle, continuing the same until the fall of 1883, when he sold out and returned to his farm. May 12, 1859, the Doctor married Miss Frances Jenks, born February 12, 1839, in Ripley County, Ind., daughter of Joseph and Mary (Arnold) Jenks, and to this union nine children have been born, four of whom are living-Joseph R., born March 30, 1861; Mary A., Novem- ber 13. 1862; Sarah F., June 21, 1867, and Nellie, October 31, 1878. Dr. Whalen and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. and he is an A. F. & A. M., a prominent Democrat, and occupies the position of Township Trustee.

JOHN. WHEELER, farmer, P. O. Carlisle, is a native of Clark County, Ind., born July 11, 1828, one of three children born to Hugh and Nancy (Bays) Wheeler. who came to Clark County from Tennessee in 1824. In October, 1830, they came to Sullivan County, where they have ever since lived. Hugh was born in Tennessee September 22, 1501, has been a farmer all bis life, a member of the Christian Church, and a Democrat, having cast his first vote for "Old Hickory " in 1828. John Wheeler, our subject, was raised a farmer, and on January 10, 1850. he was married to Nancy Alvas, and she has borne him six children, four of whom are now living. Hugh K., born September 6, 1851; Edith, August 23, 1854; Nancy, October 6, 1856; Anna, August 23, 1863. July 15, 1867, Mrs. Wheeler died, and December 19, 1867, be married Laura L. Wallace, by whom he has had tive children-Charies, Leona, Ethel, Thomas and Theodore. Mr. Wheeler owns two hundred and twenty-four acres of land, raising considerable stock and fine horses. Mr. Wheeler and wife belong respectively to the Christian and Baptist Churches and he is an A. F. & A. M., Blue Lodge and Chapter, an I. O. O. F., Subordinate and Encampment, an A. O. U. W., and an I. O. G. T. He has held office in the Masonic fraternity for twenty seven years, and has represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge. I. O. O. F. He attended the first Sunday school organized in Sullivan County, at Carlisle, ir 1834. He is a Democrat in his political affiliations.

REUBEN WHIPPS is a native of Baltimore, Md., and was born September 11, 1811, the only child of Benjamin and Anna (Gwin) Whipps. Benjamin was killed in the war of 1812, and his wife married his brother, John Whipps. some two or three years afterward. Soon after her marriage, she, with her husband and son Reuben, moved on a farm owned by Charles Carroll, of Carrollton. They afterward moved to Ohio. Mr. Whipps has followed farming the most of his life, but was engaged in tobacco raising for ten or twelve years. December 25, 1841, he married Elizabeth Welch, and six children have been born to them -William, George, John, Thomas (deceased), James and Mary. Mrs. Whipps is one of three children born to Michael and Mary (Fisher) Welch, and was born January 10, 1822. Mr. Whippa settled with his family in Haddon Township in 1857, where he owns three hundred and seventy-six acres of land. Mr. Whipps has had a checkered life, having been nearly drowned once in the Ohio. Mr. Whipps is a member of the Christian Church, and he is a Democrat.

EDWARD WILLIS, farmer, P. O. Carlisle, was born in Jessamine County, Ky., January 10, 1827, one of ten children born to Richard and Sarah (Alsman) Willis, who came to Sullivan County in 1831, remaining residents of Haddon Township till their death, he in 1863 and she in

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1865. Our subject was raised to a life of farming, and attended school but little, he not being permitted to do so except in stormy weather when he could not work. When he was only nine years of age, he tended ten acres of corn all alone. He remained at home until he was twenty-one, and then for two years was engaged in cutting wood and rafting in the South. November 15, 1849, he was married to Parmelia Shake, and twelve children blessed their union, ten of whom are living-John W. born September 5, 1850; James, November 19, 1851; David, January 9, 1853; Richard T, July 17, 1854; Lemuel H., December 18, 1855; Will- iam D., September 9, 1857; Fannie, May 17, 1861; George B., August 16, 1864; Minnie, June 6, 1868; Artie M., April 12, 1869. Mr. Willis began life with almost nothing, but by strict economy, industry and ex- cellent management, has become one of the largest taxpayers of Sullivan County, owning seven hundred and eighty acres of finely improved land. He has also raised considerable stock. He is an A. F. & A. M., both Blue Lodge and Royal Arch Chapter; also an I. O. O. F. Is a Democrat, and takes a lively interest in all public matters.

JOHN L. WILSON was born in Greene County, Tenn., May 5, 1817, the only child of Peter and Judith (Welty) Wilson, who settled in Sul livan County in 1828. Peter was born in Virginia May 15, 1792, and at an early day located in Greene County, Tenn., where he mar- ried, his wife being a native of Germany; they afterward lived in Sevier County, same State, from whence they came to Sullivan County, Ind., he died January 29, 1849, and she November 15, 1854, and they were among the best citizens of their community. John L. Wilson received but little education, and he has been a farmer all his life. January 12, 1840, he married Elizabeth Stevens, and to their union were born ten sons, six of whom are now living-Peter, born October 16, 1840 ; Will- iam S., September 29, 1842 ; James K., August 20, 1844 ; John M., November 28, 1847 ; Courtney M., March 9, 1850 ; and Uriah, August 24, 1853. Mr. Wilson formerly owned 360 acres of land, but he dis- posed of all this to his children, and he is now enjoying the declining years of his life. When he settled in Sullivan, he had no property, but by hard work and good management acquired a fine competency. Octo- ber 4, 1865, Mr. Wilson died. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church at Carlisle, and does much to support all laudable enterprises. He is a Republican in politics. His grandfather served in the Revolu- tionary war, his father in the war of 1812, and two sons, William S., and James K., in the war for the Union-a good family record.

CLATER C. WOLFE is a native of the township where he now residen, and was born April 19, 1842, one of nine children born to Ben- jamin and Isabella (Shepherd) Wolfe, he being a native of Virginia, born April 18, 1799 ; settled in Sullivan County when nineteen years old, and died December 6, 1868. Mrs. Wolfe was born in Sullivan County, March 21, 1811, and died January 4, 1883. They were mar- ried March 19, 1831. In 1852, they moved to Bloomington for the purpose of educating their children, and lived there ten years. Clater C. received a good education, and began for himself at twenty-one. December 24, 1863, he married Rozena D. Snapp, born August 27, 1843, daughter of Abraham F. and Abigail (Lovelace) Snapp, of Sullivan County, and to this union have been born four children-Ida B., born September 24, 1864 ; Zollie L., March 26, 1867 ; Anna, April 12, 1869 ; and Nora E., March 1, 1871 ; all living except Anna. Mra Wolfe is a

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- member of the Christian Church, and he is a Democrat, having been a member of the Central Committee for twelve years. . Was a candidate for Recorder before the Democratic primary in 1882.

JAMES N. YOUNG, M. D., one of the leading physicians of Car- lisle, is a native of Gibson County, Ind., born May 16, 1842, one of nine children born to Jonathan and Harriet (Withers) Young, who were among the early settlers of Gibson County, Mr. Young coming from Kentucky. Dr. Young received a good education in the Princeton Schools, and devoted a good portion of his early life to farming. At about the age of fifteen, he began the study of medicine, and when sev. enteen commenced reading in the office of Drs. Patton & Blair, and afterward in the office of Dr. W. G. Kidd, all of his native town. In the fall of 1861, he began a course in the Medical College of Ohio, from which institution he graduated March 2, 1865. Immediately after this he was appointed Surgeon in the United States Volunteer Navy, where be served until January 23, 1866, at which time he was honorably discharged, receiving the thanks of the Department. During his service, the Doctor had charge of the United States steamer Gazelle until the war closed, after which he was put in charge of the Medical Department Naval Ordinance Depot at Jefferson Barracks, Mo. After his discharge, Dr. Young located at Carlisle, where he has had a fine practice, being considered extremely skillful in his profession, and consequently popu- lar. In the winter of 1873-74, he attended lectures in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, the Bellevue College Hospital, and the New York Medical College. In March, 1874, he received a diploma from Bellevue College. Dr. Young is an A. F. & A. M., and a Democrat in politics.

CURRY TOWNSHIP.

C. B. BOLINGER, farmer, P. O. Shelburn, was born in Mason County, Ky., September 9, 1849, son of W. H. and Victory (Close) Bolinger ; he was born in Mason County, Ky., in 1821 ; she in France, coming to this country when quite young. In 1864, the father came to Hamilton Township, Sullivan County, Ind., where he has since resided, & farmer by occupation. Our subject was early educated in his native county, but completed his studies at Farmersburg, and in 1872 turned his attention to farming. In 1873, he made a trip West, passing through the States of Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, and Kansas; returning, he located st Shelburn and clerked for two years, after which time he rented a farm in Curry Township for six years. He then purchased and settled upon his present place, 240 acres, and has become identified as one of the most worthy and industrious farmers of Sullivan County, and being largely interested in live stock, shipping his first carload in 1879, since which time he has been doing a business of about $40,000 per year. He was married in Vigo County. Ind., February 11, 1874, to Miss Barbara E. Sparks, daughter of George W. and Sarah (Hodges) Sparks. Mra. Bolinger died in 1879, leaving two children -- Daisie G. and Mattie C. He is an I. O. O. F. and a stanch Republican.

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GEORGE W. BOWN, farmer and miller, P. O. Farmersburg, was born in Butler County, Ohio, July 10, 1831 ; son of Oliver W. and Sarah (Hyatt) Bown, natives respectively of New Jersey and New York. Our subject early learned the trade of carpenter, and came with his parents in 1853 to Vigo County, Ind., where subject engaged in contracting and building, erecting most of the schoolhouses, churches and many dwellings in Linton. He was also engaged in farming and has forty acres yet in Vigo, after dividing liberally with his children. In October, 1883, he settled in Curry Township and purchased thirty- seven acres and the Farmersburg Mill, a frame building 30x40 feet, three stories in height, propelled by steam and running two sets of buhrs, with a capacity of forty barrels per day. He is also dealing in live stock, doing a business of $40,000 per year. He was married in Vigo County, April 12, 1855, to Miss Henrietta Woodward, born in War- ren County, Ohio, December 26, 1838 ; daughter of James and Caroline (Owens) Woodward, natives of Ohio. Three children were born to them -Aurelia and Gertrude, living, and Laura E., dead. Mr. Bown is a stanch Democrat and was before the convention in 1880 for County Clerk, and in 1882 for County Commissioner. He has a tine residence, large and commodious. Mr. Bown's father died in Vigo County December 7, 1882 ; his mother is still living in the seventy-first year of her age.

STEPHEN BRACEWELL, merchant, P. O. Curryville, was born in Green Acres, near Oldham, Lancashire, England, June 8, 1836; son of Michael and Bettie (Sidebottom) Bracewell, both natives of England. Our subject when eight years of age was appren- ticed to the trade of cotton spinning, at which business he continued till he was twenty-one years old, at which time he sailed for America, and landing in New York almost penniless, and not being able to obtain em- ployment, walked to Pittsburgh, at which city, not finding ready employ- ment, hired as a roustabont on a steamer running from Pittsburgh to Florence, Ala., which he followed for nine months, when he obtained a situation as knife-cleaner at the Gault House, Louisville, Ky. In June, 1859, he went to Fulton, Mo., where he worked in the coal mines; then to Columbia, and from there in the fall of 1863 he went to Belleville, Ill., and remained mining until 1867. He then went to Louisiana and . was Superintendent of salt mines, which position, after six months, he gave up and that fall, 1867, made a trip to England. In 1868, he came to Curryville, and remained some weeks, when he returned to Missouri, where he was successful in mining. In November, 1870, he settled in Curryville, where he purchased property and has remained since. His attention was given to mining for the first six years, but in 1878 he opened a general stock of merchandise, and has since conducted a suc- cessful business. He was married at Saddleworth Church, England, April 21, 1856, to Elizabeth Beswick, daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Hadley) Beswick, and two children have blessed their union-Bettie A. and Fred. Mr. Bracewell is an I. O. O. F. and a Republican.

PAUL BUCKLEY, miner, post office Shelburn, one of the propri- etors of the Shelburn and Sullivan Coal Mines, which company is com- posed of the following persons: F. Richards, Paul Buckley, Hugh Moore and William Jefferson. It was established in 1869, and has two veins: first vein 169 and the second vein 210 feet. These mines have a capacity for 250 tous of coal per day; employ 100 men, and find ready

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sale for all they can bring to the surface. Have all the latest improved mining machinery and engines. Mr. Buckley. the subject of this sketch. was born in Oldham. Lancashire, Eng., December 6; 1837. His father was a manufacturer, and young Buckley was employed with him in va- rious capacities, till he was eighteen years of age. In April, 1856, he sailed for America, and found employment in Schuylkill County, Penn., in the coal mines, where he remained about fifteen months, when he went to Huntington County, Pa, and was engaged in the mines He then re- moved to Henry County, Ill. In 1859, he went to Alton, and was en- gaged there about fifteen months in mining; then went to St. Clair County, Ill .; then to Kentucky; then to Pittsburgh; and from there to East Liverpool, Ohio, where he mined about three years. He then returned to St. Clair County, where he remained three years, and in October. 1864. located at Curryville, and helped sink both shafts of the Curryville and Shelburn mines. In 1869, he became partner in the above company. He has taken an active interest in developing the coal interests of Sullivan County. He was married in Sullivan County to Mise Adelia Manwarring, daughter of Solomon and Jane (Pitt) Manwar- ring, who is a distant relative of the great Lord Chatham, of England, whose voice was so eloquent for the downtrodden colonies. By this union Mr. Buckley has five children-Francis E., William P., Jobn, Maria and Charles. He is an A., F. & A. M., an I. O. O. F., a Demo- crat, and an active one.

WILLIAM MCCLURE CARRITHERS, farmer, P. O. Shelburn, son of Adam and Katy (McClure) Carrithers ; he was born near Louis- ville, Ky., in 1809, and dying in 1876 ; she was born in Ft. Knox, Ind. Adam came to Sullivan County when nine years old, and in 1829 mar- ried as above, and had twelve children, our subject being the second. He was born in Sullivan County. Curry Township, October 5, 1831, where he was reared and educated, and always followed farming. In 1868 he located on. his present place, eighty acres, which is highly im- proved. January 30, 1868, he married Miss Nancy Beck, born near Car- lisle, January 8, 1842, daughter of Philip W. and Rachael (Mahan) Beck, both natives of Kentucky, who came to Indiana at an early day, settling near Carlisle, but afterward moving to a farm near Sullivan. He is still living. Four children bave been born to Mr. Carrithers, three living and one dead-Charlie B., Flora E., Leona and Eddie (deceased). He is a Democrat, an industrious and highly respected man, having attained what he has by his own unaided efforts.

THOMAS CRARY, merchant and railroad agent, Farmersburg. son of John and Lydia (Bishop) Crary, respectively of Vermont and New Jersey, and of German descent. They settled in Franklin County, in the year 1841, and he followed merchandising, dying in 1862. Our subject was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, December 16, 1833, removing with his parents to Franklin County in 1841, and clerked in a store at the age of eighteen years, in Metamora. After one season of clerking he went to New Orleans by flathoat, and afterward settled in Mercer County, Ohio, where he taught school one year, then returned to Franklin County and taught. In 1863, he came to Farmers- bury and taught school, and in 1868 settled permanently at that place, where he has since been engaged in merchandising. He was burned out in 1883, but re opened. Has been R. R. T. A. and Adams Express Com- pany's agent for twelve years His daughter Ida fills the position of

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operator and ticket agent. Is the principal operator in grain at Farmers- burg. He was married in 1857 to Abigail Kendall, of Franklin County, Ind., and died in 1873, leaving four children-William, Joseph, Ida M., and Clara; two from this wife, also, are dead-Jessie and Luella. Jane 11, 1877, he married Miss Mary Bastian, a native of Monroe County, who has borne two children-Stella and Mamie. Mr. Crary's father died in Franklin County in 1862, and his mother in Farmersburg, August 30, 1872. Mr. Crary served as Postmaster one year, from 1875 to 1876. He was the first ticket agent appointed for Farmersburg. He is a Republican.

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History of Greene and Sullivan Counties, State of Indiana, Part 86

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

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