USA > Indiana > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Indiana > Part 50
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ELISHA SEWELL, of the firm of Sewell & Brown, dealers in general merchandise and agricultural implements, Ewing, Ind., was born in Jackson County, Ind., October 28, 1846, and is a son of Moses and Mary A. (Slade) Sewell. They were of old Vir- ginia stock, and among the first settlers of Jackson County, being compelled for a time, after arriving here, to live in a "fort." The boyhood days of our subject were spent in working on the farm, and obtaining an education at the country schools. He fol- lowed farming until the year 1875, at which time he gave up that
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pursuit and engaged in his present occupation. In 1884 he was elected trustee of Brownstown Township, which office he still holds and fills with credit. He was married, October 27, 1871, and is the father of the following children: Leonidas L., Sylvester S. and Edna P. Mr. Sewell is an active Democrat.
DR. JOSEPH STILWELL, Brownstown, is a native of Jackson County, Ind., where he was born April 11, 1831. He is the fourth born to Charles W. and Hannah (Beggs) Stilwell, natives of Henry County, Ky., and Clark County, Ind., respectively. The parents were farmers by occupation. The former died in 1836 and the latter in the seventy-sixth year of her age. Our subject's early life was passed on his father's farm, and attending school in the old log house in Carr Township. In 1855-56 he attended the Louisville Medical College, and in 1857 he began the practice of medicine. In August, 1861, he was commissioned as physician and surgeon in the Twenty-second Indiana Volunteer Infantry, which position he creditably filled until the close of the Rebellion. In 1866 he attended the medical college at Cincinnati, from which he graduated, then returned to Brown- stown and resumed practice, and in this connection does a large and extensive drug business. He has served as presi- dent of the Jackson County Medical Society, is member of the Mitchell and the State Medical Societies, also member of the State Pharmaceutical and National Drug Association, and has served & number of years as pension examiner. In 1860 he married Julia Worth, a native of Indiana. By this marriage there are three children living: Maria, Katie and Anna. The Doctor is a member of the Masonic fraternity and a Republican. He stands high in his profession, and has a large and lucrative practice.
WRIGHT VERMILYA, merchant, Brownstown Township, was born in Jackson County, Ind., August 11, 1843, and is the fourth child born to Solon and Mary (Wiley) Vermilya. The former came with his parents from New York State to Washing- ton County, Ind., in 1816; he soon afterward married and settled on a farm near. Brownstown, where he lived until his death, which occurred in about the year 1848, his widow surviving him only a few years. Our subject being thus doubly orphaned at the early age of eight years. He came to Brownstown and engaged as clerk
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with George V. Benton, who was one of the most successful mer- chants in southern Indiana. He remained with him as clerk until 1868, when he engaged in business as a member of the firm of Benton & Vermilya. He has occupied his present place of business since 1870, where he has carried on a flourishing business in general merchandise. He was married, in Sep- tember, 1869, to Josephine Miller, daughter of Joseph Miller, one of the most prominent farmers and early settlers of the county. By this marriage seven children have been born, five of whom are living: Edwin, Joseph, Clyde, Earl, Ray; Lillie and Wright are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Vermilya are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, he is a Republican, and as such has rendered invaluable service to the party. He was four times elected city treasurer.
H. W. WACKER, merchant, Brownstown, was born in Ger- .many July 23, 1840. He came to America in the fall of 1853, and located at Louisville, Ky., where he served an apprenticeship as a machinist, and worked at his trade till 1861, when he came to Jackson County, and engaged in the mercantile business at Crane's Mill for four years, after which he went to Seymour. He subsequently went to Shields, where he engaged in merchandis- ing and milling. In 1876 he was elected county treasurer, was re-elected for a second term, which office he filled creditably. In 1882 he retired from his office and engaged in his present mer- cantile business, the firm being Wacker & Acker. In 1884 Mr. Acker retired from business, since which time the firm has been Wacker & Ireland. They now carry on a trade which is one of the most extensive in the county, their stock invoicing about $12,000. November 4, 1860, he was married at Louisville, Ky., to Miss Rust, a native of Germany, born January 1, 1844. By this union they have five children: Lillie F., Adlheido C., Charles H. W., Alexander H. and Mattie F. Mr. Wacker is a Mason and a Democrat.
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CARR TOWNSHIP.
ELIAS M. ALTER, of Medora, comes of rather distinguished ancestry, who were originally of Swiss nationality, and are of the - earliest families of Pennsylvania. He is the fourth child born to David M. and Margarett (Ritner) Alter; the former came to In- diana in 1853. His mother is the daughter of Gov. Joseph Rit- ner, who was governor of Pennsylvania at one time. Elias M. was born September 21, 1843, in Alleghany County, Penn., and came to Indiana with his father, who, together with his brother, were contractors in the construction of the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad, in 1852. They settled in Lawrence County, at the town of Lawrenceport. After the completion of the railroad enterprise he, with his parents, moved to Washington County, he then being fourteen years of age, and engaged in farming, which he followed until he entered the United States service, in 1862, in Company B of the Sixty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, where he served three years, his time expiring just about the close of the war. During his service he was with his regiment in every battle in which it took part. He was captured by the enemy at Richmond, but was paroled in a short time. After his discharge he attended school several terms, and became a teacher in the public schools, teaching in Lawrence, Bartholomew and Clarke Counties several terms. He moved to Medora in 1869, and took the position of salesman and book-keeper in the now firm of Henry Zollman & Co., which position he still holds. In 1882 he was elected trustee of Carr Township, and re-elected in 1884, which office he still holds, and has so conducted it as to give satisfaction to all. He has otherwise not been in public office. September 26, 1878, he was married to Sarah A. Poole, daughter of the late Col. John W. Poole; she was born September 5, 1852. To them have been been born three children: Edwin M. (deceased), Blanche, born January 30, 1881, and Mabel, born July 13, 1883. Mr. Alter is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is a Republican in poli- tics. He is a man of culture and ability.
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VINCENT L. BEEM was born September 14, 1827, in Carr Township, Jackson Co., Ind., about one mile from Medora, where he now lives. He is the sixth of a family of ten children born to Michael and Mary (Lockman) Beem, who were among the early pioneers of Jackson County, having come to Indiana Territory, then a wilderness, in 1811 and 1813, respectively. Michael Beem was one of the leaders of the new settlers in their defense against the depredations of the vicious red man. They fought the Indians, hunted the game and cleared away the dense forest for our present farmers. Vincent L. was born and raised on a farm, and when he began life for himself he adopted farming as his occupation, which he had followed until 1875 or 1876, when he moved to Medora. He there engaged in the hardware and hotel business, which he still follows successfully. He has been justice of the peace four years since he lived in Medora, whice office he filled with satisfaction. He is owner and proprietor of the "Beem House," the leading house in the place. In 1852 he was married to Tabitha A. Muden, of Salem, Washington Co., Ind., and is now in his fifty-seventh year. To them have been born six children; Mary F., Surrin D., Maud O., Willard B., Vivian and one dying in infancy. Mr. Beem has always been enterprising and inter- ested in the society in which he has lived. He has been a mem- ber of the Christian Church sixteen years. He is also a Demo- crat in politics.
GEORGE W. BEEM was born in Brownstown Township, December 17, 1816, and is the eldest child of Michael and Polly (Lockman) Beem, who came to Jackson County in 1811 and 1813, respectively. They came from Kentucky, and cast their lot in the then new county, where George W. has lived all his life, and is now among the leading men, socially and otherwise, in Jackson County. He has devoted his time to farming and stock raising, and now owns 198 acres of land in the White River bot- toms, in Carr Township, most of which is under improvement. He was married, November 8, 1838, to Polly Goss, daughter of Joseph Goss, of Owen Township, one of the early settlers in that township. They have had born to them nine children: Michael (de- ceased), Joseph, Caroline (deceased), Dorkes, Sarah (deceased), Jonas, William, Ida and Dilla. Mr. Beem is a Democrat in
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politics, and is nearly "three score and ten," and is distinguished for having lived a straightforward and upright life, which is a heritage more valuable than wealth. To such men more than to any others the present generation implicitly look. for moral prin- ciples and teachings.
GEORGE W. BEEZLEY, one of the leading farmers and citizens of Carr Township, was born March 7, 1827, in Lawrence County, Ind. His parents were Isaiah and Sally (Mullen) Beez- ley, who came to Indiana from North Carolina and Kentucky about 1814. George was the eldest of a family of five, and was raised on a farm, which was congenial to his taste, and he became a farmer accordingly, and now owns 327 acres of land. He is one of the many American citizens who have succeeded by dint of hard labor and frugality, which is the only sure road for the honest farmer. In 1849 he was married to Mary A. Plummer, daughter of Thomson J. Plummer; she died, leaving two children: Silas W. and William N. In 1857 he was again married to Rebecca A. Reed, daughter of John Reed, of Lawrence County. To this union there were born five children: Susan C., Thomas B., John I., Clarinda Ida and an in- fant. Losing his second companion, he again married, in 1869, & Miss Eliza R. Breckenridge, of Lawrence County, Ind., who was a native of Kentucky, but, together with her parents, came to Indiana in an early day. Mr. Beezley is a member of the . Christian Church, and is a Democrat in politics.
HON. GEORGE W. CARR, of Carr Township, was born in Clarke County, Ind., October 7, 1807. He is the second of a family of six children born to Thomas and Margaret (Buchanan) Carr, who came to Clarke County from Mercer County, Ky., in the year 1804. He removed with his parents to Jackson County in 1811; where he remained until 1831, when he removed to Law- rence County. In 1853 he was appointed receiver of public money by President Pierce, and in consequence moved to Jeffersonville, where he remained two years, when the office was discontinued. Leaving Jeffersonville, he returned to Jackson County and located on the farm where he now lives. While in Lawrence County, he served the people nine years in the State Legislature; serving six years in the lower house and three years in the Senate. While in
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the lower house, he was twice elected speaker, 1848-49. In 1850 he was elected a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, and on the assembly of that body was elected chairman, receiving 132 out of 138 votes. In 1845 Col. Carr was chosen presidential elector for Cass and Benton. In 1851-52, he was appointed by the Legislature, together with Jonathan A. Lester and Walter Marsh (two distinguished lawyers), to revise the code simplifying the practice by abolishing the distinction between law and equity. During the year 1862, Col. Carr recruited six companies of the Ninety-second Regiment, over which he was appointed lieu- tenant-colonel, and went to the field the same year and reported to Gen. Sherman. He served in this capacity for about eight months during which time he participated in the battle of Jackson, Miss., and was about one month engaged in the siege of Vicksburg, when, on account of the loss of health, he was compelled to resign. Mr. Carr is a Republican in politics, but believes in the national principles of finance. Mr. Carr is an extraordinary man, both physically and mentally, and has lived a life of great useful- ness. In 1826 he was married to Elizabeth Brown, and the fol- lowing children have blessed this union: Sarah, Polly, Jane A., Matilda, James T., David, George W., John, Columbus and Will- iam. Mrs. Carr died in 1864, and a few years later married his present wife, who is a native of Vevay, Ind. He is now living in retirement and is enjoying the fruits of a well spent life.
JOHN FLAVEL CARR (deceased), who died at his residence in Carr Township, Jackson Co., Ind., was born in Clarke County, Ind., March 27, 1805. He was, at the time of his decease, April 23, 1878, probably one of the oldest citizens who was born in the State. He came with his father to Jackson County in the spring of 1811, and lived sixty-seven years near the place where his father settled. He was early called by his fellow-citizens to political honors, and was elected first in 1835 to the House of Rep- resentatives of the State Legistature. He was re-elected to the same office in the year 1837, and also in 1838. In the year 1839 he was chosen as State senator for the district composed of the counties of Jackson and Scott, and he was re-elected in 1842. Mr. Carr was also elected a member of the convention which framed the State constitution, and will, doubtless, be remembered with
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kindly feelings by the members of that worthy body who are still living. In 1845 he was elected one of the directors for the State of the old State Bank of Indiana. He held his position till the charter of the bank expired, and its business affairs were settled. By virtue of the latter office he was a member of the board of commissioners of the State sinking fund. This position he filled for the space of seventeen years. The board had charge of school fund of the State, and so wise and prudent was the management that, on his retirement, the fund amounted to several millions of dollars. It was with pride that he thought of the magnificent school fund, and of its increase, while he, with his colleagues, had the care of it, and that while in their charge none of the funds had been lost. The friends of the common schools of Indiana owe a debt of gratitude to those who so care- fully guarded the school fund, that the children of the State might enjoy the advantages of our excellent common school system. Mr. Carr served for a time as a member of the State board of agricult- ure, and was provost-marshal of Jackson County during the Re- bellion. He filled all these positions with honor and dignity. Until the time of the Rebellion Mr. Carr acted with the Demo- cratic party. Feeling that his party did not maintain as firm an attitude as it should for the preservation of the Union, he thereafter acted with the Republicans. His cardinal political creed was equal and exact justice to all men. Though in his youth he did not have the advantages of education which are now enjoyed by the youth of the State, still such was the native vigor of his intellect and his habits of reading and observation, that he was well informed on all the subjects of the day. He saw the State when it was almost an unbroken wilderness. He lived to see it honored among the sisterhood of States, the home of nearly 2,000,000 of inhabitants. When he was elected to the Legislature in 1835 he made his journey to the mud-encompassed capital of the State on horseback. What a change forty years have wrought! Mr. Carr was glad to see the progress of his native State, of whose early history he had seen so much. Of stalwart frame and command- ing presence, Mr. Carr was a fine specimen of the pioneers of the State. Thus beloved and respected in all the relations of life, honored and loved most by those who knew him best, deeply
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mourned by relatives and friends, he has gone from the scene of his labors.
WILLIAM B. DRISKELL is one of the most advanced and thorough teachers in our public schools in Jackson County, hav- ing now been almost continuously a teacher for fifteen years in Jackson County, seven years of which he has taught in one place. This speaks for itself in commendation of Mr. Driskell as & teacher in the public schools. . He, like most of our successful men in life, was raised on a farm, having been born in Washing- ton County in 1847, and is the eldest of five living children born to Elijah and Elizabeth (Mahorney) Driskell. Having qualified himself he began teaching in 1868, in Washington County, where he taught several years. Aside from his training in the common schools, he was principally educated at the Salem Acad- emy, under Profs. James and William May, who rank among our leading educators. Mr. Driskell is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is at this time Master of his lodge at Medora. In 1873 he was married to Miss Sarah A. Wesner, daughter of William Wesner, of Washington County. To them have been born four children: Erastus O., Estella O., Ethel O. and Claudius E., all of whom are living. Mr. Driskell is a man who has added to the world's good where he has lived.
ELIAS P. EASTIN is a native of Jackson County, and was born in Owen Township, in November, 1837. His father was Jackson W. Eastin, who came to Indiana from Kentucky, and his mother, Nancy (Curry) Eastin, daughter of Elijah Curry, of Jackson County, was born in Jackson County, Ind., and died in 1852, her husband dying in 1873. Elias was born and raised on a farm, and followed that occupation continuously until he enlisted in the United States service, in Company B of the Fifti- eth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, where he served three years and six months. He was with his organization in the battles of Mumfordsville, Ky .; Parker's Cross-Roads, Tenn .; Little Rock, Ark .; Prairie Leon and several others; contending with Price, Bragg, Marmaduke and others. He was honorably dis- charged January 5, 1865. He is a member of the G. A. R., and is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and a Democrat in politics. In 1858 he was married to Roxena Har-
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rell, daughter of Edmond Harrell, of Jackson County. They have had born to them twelve children: Ziporah, Nancy E., Jackson W., Edmond (deceased), Erastus A., Bertha, Minnie E., William H., Leona, Mary E., Elias P. (deceased) and Frederick S. Mr. Eastin, like all soldiers, may well be proud of the humble part he took in the defense of his country in the hour of her peril.
THOMAS F. FITZGIBBON was born July 22, 1861, at Fort Ritner, Lawrence Co., Ind., is of Irish nationality. His parents, Marshall and Anna (Ryan) Fitzgibbon, were born in Limerick and Tiperary Counties, Ireland, respectively, and came to this country in 1855, and settled on the farm where Thomas F. was born and raised, he being the third in a family of four. He is one of the young men often met with who believe in special preparation for any profession, and to this end he availed himself of the schools about him, and in 1877 he took a course in the Camp- bellburg Academy, under Prof. James May, in Washington County, and in 1880 began teaching, but in the meantime he at- tended three terms at Leesville, Lawrence County, under Prof. D. H. Ellison, and one term at the Central Normal, at Ladoga, Montgomery Co., Ind. He is also a farmer, which he follows during the spring and summer of each year, and owns 115 acres in Carr Township. In 1882-83 he completed a course in teleg- raphy at Mitchell, Ind. In 1884 he was married to Miss Rillah Beezley, daughter of Silas Beezley, of Kansas. To them have been born one child-Mamie. Mr. Fitzgibbon is a member of the Catholic Church, and is a Democrat in politics. He stands high as a teacher, and is respected as an upright citizen, and as a young man he has a bright future before him.
GEORGE M. FENLEY was born in 1845, at Columbus, Bar- tholomew Co., Ind., and is the fifth of seven children born to Dr. Isaac and Mary G. (Murphy) Fenley. Dr. Fenley came to Browns- town in 1832, from Jefferson County, Ky., where he lived until 1844, and then moved to Columbus, Ind., moving in the meantime to Wabash, Ind., where he lived but a short time. In 1846 he entered the United States service in the Mexican war as first lieutenant, but was afterward promoted to regimental surgeon of his regiment, the Fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. At the expiration of the Mexican war he returned to Columbus, and in
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1849 died of cholera, supposed to have been brought from New York by some German immigrants. He was one of the first abolitionists in this part of the country, and voluntarily gave his inherited slaves their freedom, and moved to Indiana. George M., as will be seen, was raised an orphan, his father dying when he was but four years old. Notwithstanding his early orphanage he educated himself and became a teacher in the public schools, which he followed for seven years. However he moved to Jack- son County in 1853, and has lived there ever since. After he quit teaching he became a clerk in Medora, which he followed until 1877, when he began business for himself as groceryman and manufacturer of cider, wine and vinegar, this business being known as the Apex Wine, Cider and Vinegar Company. He was the first to start the crab apple industry in Jackson County. He is the inventor of some very valuable patents, and has made twelve applications to the Government for patents. Among his patents are the "fruit crate," patented in 1869; the "drift-wheel," patented in 1880, for the protection of bridge piers, and is a very ingenious, as well as important invention. Mr. Fenley has been trustee of Carr Township two terms. He is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellow fraternities. In 1863 he was married to Miss Alice Sulivan, daughter of Lemuel Sulivan, of Jackson County. She died in 1877. To them were born two children: Daniel M. and Mary M. (deceased). In 1879 he was again mar- ried to Mrs. Early, daughter of William B. Deckart, of Lawrence County, and widow of the late Samuel Early, of Medora. Mr. Fenley is a genius of high order, and has led a life of more than usual interest, and is, withal, a gentleman of refinement and cult- ure.
ALLEN GOSS is another instance, so often observed in our western country, of a man starting in life with his good health and lessons of frugality his only capital, and becoming a leading citizen in his chosen occupation. He is farming on a large scale, owning about 1,400 acres of land, and shipping annually a great deal of stock. He was born in Owen Township, Jackson County, and is the sixth of a family of eleven children born to Joseph and Darkes A. (Rust) Goss. They came from North Carolina about 1812, and first settled in Washington County, Ind.,
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near the now town of Providence. They are of German descent. Joseph died at his home in Owen Township, in 1851, his com- panion dying some time before that. Allen took his first lessons on the farm and early learned the secrets of farming well and now annually farms about 700 acres. In 1846 he was married to Martha M. Hall, daughter of Stewart Hall, of Brownstown Town- ship. To them were born two children: Margaret M. and Darkes A. Mrs. Goss died in 1858, and in 1859 Mr. Goss married Syl- via E. Overman, to whom have been born three children: Oliver M., Arva M. and Floyd A. Mr. Goss is a member of the Demo- cratic party. He has never been in public life, and never wanted to be. He fortunately knew his calling and made no mistake, as many do in that respect.
HENRY E. GREGG, like many of southern Indiana, comes from Kentucky ancestry, his parents, Henry and Margaret (Ed- wards ) Gregg, coming in an early day to Kentucky, Pulaski County, then to Indiana, settling in Jackson County, where Henry E. was born May 14, 1836, in Owen Township. His mother, Margaret Gregg, is still living, in her eighty-third year; his father dying some years ago. Henry E. was born and raised on a farm, and is a farmer by occupation. He owns 150 acres of land in Carr Township. He has never been in official life. He is a Democrat in politics. In 1859 he was married to Rosa C. Cummings, daugh- ter of James and Delila (Johnson) Cummings. To them have been born thirteen children: Mary E., Louisa E., Margaret D., Manerva B., Charity M., Mariah, Ethel, Lillian, James and an in- fant not named; three being deceased. Mr. Gregg's early an- cestry were of Welsh and German origin, who were a very enter- prising and intelligent people, from whom he has inherited his chief traits of character. He takes a deep interest in his com- munity, and is respected by all who know him.
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