USA > Indiana > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Indiana > Part 52
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61
FRANCIS M. EWING was born August 30, 1846, in Cler- mont County, Ohio, and is the tenth child of a family of eleven children, born to James and Nancy (Talifero) Ewing, the former being a native of Ohio, born in 1801, the latter is a native of Virginia, and was born in 1803, both of whom are still living in
Digitized by Google
-
649
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Jennings County, Ind. They moved to Jennings County about 1850, where F. M. was raised. He was raised on a farm, but in the meantime, by his own efforts he prepared himself for admis- sion to Franklin College, in Johnson County, Ind., and attended there during the years of 1868-69. He began teaching in the public schools which he followed one year and in the meantime he singled out the profession of medicine as his choice of occu- pations and began reading medicine in 1869. He studied with Dr. J. L. Jost, of Hardensburg, Jennings County, and in 1871- 72 he attended a course of lectures at the Cincinnati Medical College, and in the winter following he attended a partial course of lectures at the Louisville Medical College. After some reading again with his preceptor he located in 1873, at Vallonia, where he has lived and practied his profession ever since, except from September, 1884, to January, 1885, he took an additional course of lectures at the Miami Medical College, at Cincinnati, Ohio. In July, 1876, he was married to Miss Laura V. Croft, of Vallo- nia, daughter of Thomas Croft. She was born in 1856. To them have been born three children: Thomas J., Ralph and an infant. The Doctor is a Democrat in politics and is indeed the architect of his own fortunes. He is a man of rare abilities and by the force of his own genius is working his way to the head of his profes- sion.
WALLER HARRELL is one of the oldest residents now living in Jackson County, having come here with his parents in 1815 and settled in the southern part of Driftwood Township. He was born in 1811, near Bardstown, Ky. His father, Isaac, and his mother, Elizabeth ( Watkins) Harrell, came to Kentucky from Virginia, and afterward to Indiana. They were of that sturdy enterprising element of Virginia who westward took their way and planted the future homes for their posterity in the North- west Territory. They bequeathed to their children, as well, habits of frugality and industry, which our subject inherited abundantly. He began as a farmer and is now the owner of 800 acres of well-improved land. He has been intrusted by his neigh- bors with the administration of decedents' estates more or less all his life. He has never been in office, only às trustee of his township for a term of four years. February 5, 1835, he 22
Digitized by by Google
650
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
was married to Miss Julia A. Blockwood, who died in 1846. To them were born six children: Kalista A., Manderville, Ira B., James I., Josephine and Elizabeth. Mrs. Harrell was the daugh- ter of James Blockwood, who came from North Carolina. In July, 1847, he was again married to Esther C. Knight, daughter of Israel Knight. To them were born three children: Hattie K., Louisa, and one dying in infancy. Mr. Harrel is a member of the Christian Church. He is a Republican in politics and is one of the leading men in his township.
COLBY HORNADAY was born February 22, 1844, in Jack- son County, near Vallonia. He is the fifth of a family of five children born to E. D. Hornaday and Nancy Hornaday. His mother died in 1846, when he was but two years of age, and he was raised by his uncle until thirteen years old, when he re- turned to his father. His father died in 1867. He was born and raised on a farm, but at the age of eighteen years he entered the army in what was known as the 100-day service, but at the ex- piration of his term of enlistment he was transferred to the Fif- teenth Indiana Battery, where he served bravely defending his country. While in the service, in December, 1862, he contracted the measles, resulting in total blindness ultimately. He, however, did not go blind until since his discharge. While in the service he took part in such engagements. Harper's Ferry contending with "Stonewall" Jackson, when he, together with about 1,100 others, were taken prisoners of war. They were paroled, and re- entered the service immediately. He was in "the Morgan Raid," siege of Knoxville, Nashville, Franklin, the Atlanta campaign, and many others. After his discharge he followed farming until he became blind, in 1869. After much trouble and delay he is now upon the pension roll, getting $72 per month. April 23, 1882, he was married to Miss Olive A. Dilano, daughter of Will- iam B. Dilano. She was born April 14, 1859. To them have been born three children, only one of whom is living-Minnie J. Mr. Hornaday is a member of the Christian Church and is a Republican in politics.
SAMUEL HUNSUCKER is one among the most success- ful farmers and one of the leading citizens of Driftwood Town- ship, and lives in Vallonia, where he was born and raised. He is
Digitized by Google
651
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
the sixth of a family of nine children born to Thomas and Cloah Hunsucker, and is now in his forty-seventh year, having been born October 6, 1839. His parents came to Jackson about 1820, from North Carolina and Tennessee, respectively. They were married near Rogersville, Tenn. Samuel was raised on a farm, and is a farmer by occupation, and the owner of the old homestead left by his father. He has 150 acres of valuable land adjoining the town of Vallonia. In August, 1864, he was married to Miss Margaret Allsup, daughter of Leonard Allsup, of Carr Township. To them have been born eight children, the eldest, an infant (deceased), Ida, Josiah, Franklin, Lucy, Nena, Adda and Clara. Mr. Hun- sucker is a member of the Christian Church, and in all things for the benefit of his church or the community, he is indeed enthusi- astic. It is to such men that society is most indebted for what- ever advancement or progress is made. He takes especial interest in the education of his children and otherwise preparing them for the higher duties of life.
THOMAS HUNSUCKER, a pioneer of Jackson County, was born in North Carolina, September 2, 1809. At the age of nine- teen he was married to a Miss Cleah Coop, a native of Tennes- see. There were born to them nine children, of whom five are still living-three sons and two daughters. Mr. Hunsucker emigrated from Tennessee in the fall of 1831, and settled in Brownstown Township, this county, one mile and a half northwest of Vallonia, on the south side of White River, where they re- mained for about four years, when they removed to Vallonia, where they dwelt the remainder of their lives. Mr. Hunsucker's principal occupation is that of a farmer, although at times. he was engaged in merchandising, and occasionally made trips to New Orleans by flat-boats. During the construction of the Ohio & Mississippi Railway he was one of the contractors for grading the road through this portion of the county. In 1848 he was elected sheriff of Jackson County and re-elected in 1850. He and nearly all his family were members of the Christian Church, and took a leading part in its affairs. Politically he was a Democrat. The names of their children in the order of their birth were as follows: John E., Sarah A., Charnel J., Rhoda A., Rachel A., Samuel, Jana B., Thomas J. and William B. The father died April 12, 1864, and the mother February 25, 1885.
1
Digitized by Google
652
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
SAMUEL LOCKHART was born in 1844, in Taswell County, Va., and is the fifth of a family of ten children born to Daniel and Almanda (Jennings) Lockhart. They are of Scotch and English descent. Samuel's father dying when he was but an in- fant, his widowed mother moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, Madison, Ind., thence to Louisville, Ky., to raise her children, and there Samuel lived until he was nine years of age. He then went to Washington County, Ind., and lived there until 1857, when he moved to Jackson County and contracted to live with Dr. Gibson until he was of age. He, however, gave that up and entered the United States service in 1861 to defend his country in Company K, Thirty-ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He served continuously in that organization until his term of service expired in 1864. He then re-enlisted in the same organization and served until the war closed in 1865. He veteranized at Ringgold, Ga. During his service he was in some of the most thrilling en- gagements of the Rebellion. He was with Gen. Rousseau in his Alabama raid. He was with McCook in his attempted raid to release the Union prisoners at Andersonville. He was also with the dashing cavalry man, Kilpatrick, in his raids in and around Jonesboro, and in Sherman's "march to the sea." He was captured by the Confederates four times, making his escape twice, and be- ing made twice a prisoner of war in Libby Prison. His regiment was in twenty-two different engagements, he being in twenty-one of them. He was once wounded in the left leg. After his dis- charge in 1865 he located at Vallonia (where he now lives), and went to school about nine months, and then engaged with Dr. Gibson, as clerk; then in the mercantile business, and remained there until 1870, when he began for himself in general merchan- dising. He followed this until 1884, when he, meeting with some financial reverses, sold out. He has been trustee of Drift- wood Township four terms. In 1878 he was a candidate for sher- iff before the Democratic Convention, but was defeated. In 1884 he was elected commissioner of his county, which office he still holds. In 1872 he was married to Alfonsine Gibson, daughter of the late Dr. F. W. Gibson, of Vallonia. She was born Decem- ber 18, 1853. To them have been born three children: Marshall (deceased), Virgil and Goldie. Mr. Lockhart is a member of the
Digitized by Google
-
653
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Methodist Church and of the Masonic fraternity, and is a Demo- crat in politics. His life reads like a romance, and indeed has been an eventful one. He is a man of intelligence and sociability.
JOHN C. LUBKER was born in March, 1855, in Grassy Fork Township, Jackson County, and is the fifth in the fam- ily of Henry and Katharine (Dinkelman) Lubker. His father was born in Hanover, Germany, October 30, 1824, and in 1845 came to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he married in 1847. They moved to Jackson County in 1852 and ultimately settled down in Grassy Fork Township, where John C. was born and raised. Mrs. Lubker died in August, 1864. In 1865 Mr. Lubker married Maria Peters. He followed farming until 1875, when he moved to Val- lonia, and utilizing the school advantages, he prepared himself for the mercantile business. His first business in that direction be- gan in 1875, as retail clerk and salesman for Samuel Lockhart, and remained in that position until about 1878. He next found employment as salesman for Charles Durland, of Brownstown, where he remained six months. In 1880 he formed a partnership with Samuel Lockhart in the mercantile business, which lasted until December, 1884, when meeting with some unavoidable finan- cial embarassment, the firm suspended business. In 1885 he be- gan as clerk and salesman for George Turmail, of Vallonia, which place he still holds. In 1880, July 11, he was married to Anna E. Craft, daughter of Thomas Craft, of Vallonia. She was born April 7, 1861. To them have been born two children. Myrtle was born March 10, 1884. Mr. Lubker is a Republican in poli- tics. He is a splendid business man and is a very live and ener- getic citizen and honorable gentleman.
WILLIAM A. MILLER, the present trustee of Driftwood Township and among the most thorough-going and enterprising farmers and stock raisers in Jackson County, like all of our prac- tical and successful farmers, got his experience and knowledge in that line from his early training. His father Joseph, and Caro- line (Goss) Miller, before him, were born and raised to till the soil. His early ancestors came to this country from North Car- olina and Kentucky. He was born February 25, 1843, in Browns- town Township, and is the oldest and only living child of a fami- ly of two, born to Joseph and Caroline. He has been in public
Digitized by Google
654
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
life only as trustee of his township. He is the owner of 100 acres of land near Vallonia. He was in Company F, in the Thir- ty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry, where he served in the de- fense of his country ten months, the war closing at that time. He was in the battles of Franklin and Nashville, Tennessee. In 1868 he was married to Miss Ida Smith, daughter of Henry G. Smith, of Vallonia. She was born in 1850. To them have been born five children: Henry J., Belle (deceased), Ralph A. and Thomas H. Mr. Miller is a member of the Masonic fraternity and is a gentleman of high character.
MORSE B. SINGER was born in 1838 in Miami County, Ohio. He is the fourth child of a family of eight born to Christo- pher W. and Mary (Brown) Singer. Christopher Singer was born in Germany, and his companion in Rhode Island, and came in an early day to Ohio, where they were married. Morse B. spent his early life on a farm, although his father was for many years a merchant in Troy, Ohio. He chose farming and stock raising as his calling, which he has prosecuted successfully, too. He is about the largest land owner in Driftwood Township, owning 1,230 acres of land. He came to Jackson County in 1856. In addi- tion to his successful career as a farmer, he has also been trustee two terms. In 1861 he was married to Paulina Burchem, daugh- ter of James Burchem, of Washington County. He lost his companion in 1874 by death. To them were born seven children: Albert, Clarence, James, Ola (deceased), Edith and Paulina. On the 27th of September, 1879, he was again married to Miss Solma Sontag, daughter of Morris Sontag. To this union have been born five children: Emma, Myra, Morse B. and two infants (deceased). Mr. Singer is a Republican in politics, and is among the most popular men in his township, as well as the most intelligent kind of farmers in the county.
TURNER W. THOMPSON is one of the old men who were born and raised in Jackson County, his parents having come to the county in 1817 from Kentucky. They were Jonas and Catherine (Bottom) Thompson. Turner W. is the fifth of a family of nine. He has always lived on the southern part of Driftwood Town- ship, where he is rather an extensive farmer. He has a farm of 160 acres of land, and has always followed farming, preferring
Digitized by Google
655
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
that to any other calling. Mr. Thompson was among the many patriots and, when his county called him, gave up his home and family, and went to the front in Company E, Fifth Indiana Cavalry, where he served three years, his regiment being com- manded by Col. Graham. His organization was engaged in that most disagreeable service of skirmishing on detailed duty, fight- ing much of the time what was known as " bush-whackers." After his discharge he returned to his former occupation which he has continuously followed ever since, so far as his broken health has permitted. August 4, 1842, he was married to Miss Polley E. Thompson, daughter of John and Mary Thompson, of Washing- ton County. She died July 12, 1865. To them were born five children: Francis M., Unity E. (deceased), Laura, Clinton L. ' and Polly O. Mr. Thompson is a member of the Christian Church, the G. A. R. and is a Republican in politics. He is a man highly esteemed by all who know him.
GEORGE F. TURMAIL was born December 21, 1860, in Brownstown Township, Jackson Co., Ind. He comes from a Ger- man ancestry, his grandparents coming to Jackson County nearly half a century ago. He is the eldest of a family of seven chil- dren born to Frederick and Lucetta (Dickmyer) Turmail. George's childhood was spent on his father's farm. At the age of nineteen he entered the St. Louis Business College, which he attended about ten months. After his course was finished at St. Louis he attended school six months at Brownstown, after which he followed farming until December, 1884, when he began merchan- dising at Vallonia, where he is still in business and is the leading merchant in the place. He has annually about $15,000 of sales which is the result of his own business sagacity and energy. In 1881 he was married to Miss Anna Geyer, daughter of Louis Geyer, of Jackson County. She was born August 18, 1861. To them have been born two children: Theodore L. F. and Clarence L. W. He is a member of the German Lutheran Church, having been a member three years. He is a Democrat in politics. Mr. Turmail is an illustration of what a young man of enterprise may do for himself and the community in which he lives.
COL. SAMUEL T. WELLS was born November 4, 1821, in Owen Township, Jackson Co., Ind., and is the second of a
Digitized by Google
656
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
family of six born to Jacob and Salley (Caruthers) Wells. He began life as the son of a farmer and such education and advan- tages as the schools of those days gave him until he was twenty years of age, at which time, having made suitable proficiency, and having an ambition to a higher sphere of education, he entered the State University at Bloomington, Ind., where he took a scientific course of two and a half years. Then he re- turned to the farm, and in 1846 he was elected sheriff of Jack- son County and served in that capacity about six months, and re- signed and went into the United States service in the Mexican war and served during the war. He returned to his farm as before and in 1849 was elected as representative-as a Democrat-from Jackson County, and was re-elected in 1851, this being the first meeting of the legislature under the new constitution. He made the race for the same office in 1858, but was defeated. At the breaking out of the Rebellion in 1861, he raised a company and joined the Fiftieth Indiana Volunteers. In 1862 he was pro- moted to major and in the following September he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel, but served, however, as colonel of his regi- ment from September, 1862, until 1865. After the close of his military career he resumed his occupation of farming and was not in politics again until 1876, when he was elected to the Legisla- , ture as a Republican, he having severed his connection with the Democratic party on the war question. In 1876 he was elected in the face of about 1,100 Democratic majority. Then in 1884 his party nominated him for the office of State senator, for which he was defeated by a somewhat reduced majority. In 1849 he was married to Mary C. Dunham, who died in 1861. To them were born two children: Caroline (deceased) and Sarah E., now living in Colorado. In 1865 he was again married to Mrs. Wilson, daughter of John Ready, who came from Ohio. She was the widow of the late Dr. Thomas Wilson, of Jennings County. To this union have been born two children: one dying in infancy, and Edward C., born in 1868. Jacob Wells came to this county in 1817. Col. Wells has, as will be seen, a splendid career, both military and civil, in both of which he was very distinguished; added to which is his private life, no less distinguished, espe- cially on account of his high character and moral worth.
-Digitized by Google
657
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
JEFFERSON B. WILSON, of Driftwood Township, where he is one of the leading farmers, was born in Washington County in 1840. His parents were William and Nancy Wilson, and he was the fifth in their family of eight children. The father and mother were among the earliest settlers of Washington County, and were among its leading citizens. J. B. was raised on a farm and his early training was such that it created in him a fondness for farming. He has followed from choice that occupation through life, and with success. In 1873 he moved to Clarke County, where he remained four years and then returned to Jackson County. He owns 120 acres of well-improved land in Driftwood Township. His wife, who was Carrie M. Bowen, was born October 13, 1840. Their wedding was February 8, 1866, and to them have been born seven children: William T., Julia (deceased), Nanie B. (deceased), Charles A. (deceased), Robert E., Thomas B. and Mary A. Mr. Wilson is a member of the Christian Church, and a Democrat in politics. He usually takes an active interest in all matters pertaining to the public welfare.
GRASSY FORK TOWNSHIP.
JESSE COX was born in 1825, in Owen County, Ky., and in 1833 he moved with his parents to Jennings County, Ind. He is the second of a family of seven born to John and Lurana (Os- born) Cox. The Coxes came originally from Virginia, and the Osborns from North Carolina. Jesse was born and raised on a farm, and followed farming in Jennings County until the spring of 1860, when he moved to Kansas. He, however, returned in the fall of the same year. February 12, 1846, he was married to Polly A. Hill, daughter of Allen and Elizabeth Hill, of Jennings County. She died in 1862. To them were born five children: John A. (deceased). Lurana (deceased), James W., Levin and Thomas O. John A. was a soldier three years in the Tenth Indi- ana Cavalry. In 1862 Jesse was again married to Margaret M. Cregg, daughter of William Cregg, of Jennings County. She
Digitized by Google
658
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
was born in 1842. . To them have been born eight children: Martha (deceased), Manderson, May, Charlotte, Vestina, Earnest, Rily and Bertha. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and of the Baptist Church. He is a Republican in politics, and, as he says, he was born a Democrat and was reared at the breast of a negro woman, but was first a Whig and then a Republican; he is now engaged in the manufacture of barrel heading and lumber sawing at Tampico. He produces about 300,000 headings annually, and about 50,000 feet of lumber. He also owns about 155 acres of land. He is truly a man of enterprise.
DEDRICK F. EMMA was born May 6, 1818, in Windheim, Prussia, and came to America in 1846. He lived four years in New Orleans and Cincinnati, and came to Jackson in 1850. He settled on a farm near Tampico, but is a shoe-maker by trade, and has followed that until recently in connection with farming. ' In 1850 he married Henrietta K. Piel, daughter of Frederick Piel. She was born at Lubeke, Prussia, in 1821 (January 15). To them have been born five children: George F., Minnie L., Caro- line M. (deceased) and Mary L. (deceased). George F. was born August 28, 1851. He was born and raised on a farm. Since 1878 he has been extensively engaged in the lumber trade and saw milling. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and is a Republican in politics. Dedrick Emma is also a member of the Presbyterian Church and a Republican in politics. He is the owner of 120 acres of land. Minnie L. was born April 4, 1853, and was married, in 1875, to Lewis Borcherding. J. C. was born November 27, 1855, and was married, in 1881, to Elizabeth Kos- ter. They, like most of our German citizens, have proved them- selves valuable additions to our population. They, as is charac- teristic of the German people, by hard labor and frugal manage- ment have succeeded where our American citizens often make signal failures.
DANIEL EMPSON was born October 28, 1839, in Grassy Fork Township, Jackson Co., Ind., on the farm where he now lives. He is the sixth of a family of ten children born to Azariah and Martha (Holmes) Empson. The Empsons are of Scotch nationality and the Holmeses are Irish in their origin. It may be said that the farm on which Mr. Empson lives is very remarkable
Digitized by Google
659
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
indeed for the abundance of Indian relics, more so than any other place in Jackson County. Having been raised on a farm, and his taste and inclination being in that direction, he chose farming as his calling, and has followed it exclusively, excepting about four years, when he sold goods in Vallonia during two years of which he was postmaster at that place. This was from 1872 to 1876. In October, 1861, he went into the army for the Union in Com- pany A, of the Fiftieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served more than three years, following that organization through its varying scenes of hardships, disasters and to final victory. March 14, 1871, he was married to Miss Sarah J. Waskom, daugh- ter of Jacob Waskom. She was born January 1, 1849. To them have been born eight children: Franklin (deceased), Maggie, Ida, Nettie, Wade, Bud, Blain and an infant. Mr. E. is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is a Republican in politics. How- ever obscure a man's life may be, or however humble his calling, if he was a soldier in defense of his country, he, as does Mr. Empson, deserves the highest honor.
JAMES F. KEACH was born in 1846, in Grassy Fork Town- ship, Jackson County. He is the third of a family of eight chil- dren born to Alexander C. Keach and Susan H. (Fislor) Keach. They were born in eastern Kentucky in 1821 and 1824 respect- ively. Alexander Keach first settled in Washington County about 1844. He now lives as a farmer and stock dealer, which he fol- lowed continuously until 1864, when he entered the United States service in the Twenty-fifth Regiment. Near Allatoona he was, according to the best information to be obtained, captured by the enemy and died from starvation-a sacrifice to his country. James F., thus left a dependant boy in his teens, began life as a farmer, and in 1866 he also entered the mercantile field, which he has followed successfully until the present. He enjoys the confidence of his party, having been twice elected by the Republicans as trustee of his township, and has been nominated for sheriff and treasurer of his county. He is a member of the Christian Church. and of the I. O. O. F. In 1868 he was married to Elizabeth Moore, daughter of Isaac Moore, of Floyd County, Ind. She was born in 1850. To them have been born eight children: Grace, Gertrude, Clyde, Lucy, Raymond, Ethel, Florence and an infant.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.