History of Jackson County, Indiana, Part 55

Author: Brant & Fuller
Publication date: 1886
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 759

USA > Indiana > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Indiana > Part 55

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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 1

Charles is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has filled all the principal offices in the grand chapter and grand council, and is the present Grand Master of Indiana, to which position he was elected in 1884. In his own State his decisions on Masonic law are considered the very best authority and have been so ac- cepted in many other States. He has one of the largest Masonic libraries in the State, as well as a large and well selected library of miscellaneous works. He was married, October 27, 1874, to Miss Belle C. Thurston, of Seymour. Four children have been born to this union: George Mc., Albert P., Frank C. and Robert T. Mr. Charles is in comfortable circumstances and has an ideal home, with every convenience to make home happy.

DR. SAMUEL H. CHARLTON, of Seymour, was born in Jefferson County, Ind., November 1, 1826. He is one of eleven children born to Thomas and Alice (Henry) Charlton, who were early settlers in Jefferson County. In early life he attended the common schools of his native section, and also the county semin- ary. On account of sickness he was prevented from attending college. At the age of twenty years he began the study of medi- cine with Dr. Solomon Davis and Dr. T. C. Gale, of Vevay. In 1850 he began the practice of his profession at Hardenburg, in Jennings County, and remained there until 1854. At that time he located in Vernon and continued his practice until March, 1858. While at Hardenburg, in December, 1852, he was married to Cordelia Andrews, a daughter of Alanson and Minerva (Hard- ing) Andrews, of Vernon. In March, 1858, he came to Seymour, where he has ever since resided and practiced his profession. He is a graduate of the Louisville University. He was assistant surgeon in the Sixth Indiana Regiment during the civil war, and was for five years a member of the Seymour board of health. He was first vice-president of the Tri-State Medical Society, of In- diana, Illinois and Kentucky in 1881, and was also vice-president of the Indiana Medical Society in 1882. He was president of the Mitchel District Society in 1878; president of Jackson County Medical Society in 1878. In 1885 was elected member of the council of the section of diseases of children, to the Interna- tional Medical Congress, that will meet in Washington City in 1887. In politics the Doctor has always been a Republican.

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He is a member of the orders of Masons, Odd Fellows and Knights of Honor, in which he has held several positions. The Doctor and his wife are both members of the First Presby- terian Church, of Seymour, in which he has been a ruling elder for ten years, and was at one time commissioner to the Gen- eral Assembly at Saratoga, N. Y. Dr. Charlton enjoys a large and lucrative practice that is the result of large experience and a profound knowledge of his profession. He is possessed of a genial, cordial nature, qualities that endear him to all who know him.

C. B. COLE, of Seymour, former superintendent of the Cin- cinnati & Vincennes division of the Ohio & Mississippi Rail- road, and the present master of transportation of the same line, was born July 17, 1833, in Caledonia County, Vt., and is a son of Ziba and Rebecca (Ford) Cole. He acquired the rudiments of an education at the common schools of his native county. Lived upon his father's farm until the age of nineteen, when he went to northern New Hampshire where he engaged to drive ox teams during the construction of the Grand Trunk Railroad from Portland to Montreal. Upon the completion of this road he worked for the Northern New Hampshire Railroad on repairs. In 1858 settled in Seymour, Ind., and beginning work on the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad as a bridge carpenter, was promoted to the position of road master and appointed conductor of freight and passenger trains. He continued in the employ of this road for ten years and was then employed by the Union Pacific, running a passenger train from Rawley's Springs to Wabsutch on that. line. He was subsequently employed by the Vandalia line as yard master and freight conductor where he remained one year. We next find him in the employ of the Missouri Pacific Road as freight conductor, which position he held for one year and a half. He then resigned and returned to Seymour, Ind., in 1872, and was appointed train master of the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad. Soon after he was made division superintendent between Cincin- nati and Vincennes. Then master of transportation which posi- tion he now holds. He has been twice married, first in 1855, to Lydia Brooks, of Lebanon, N. H .; they had one child, a daughter, who died at the age of nineteen. In 1862 he married Fannie

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Teatman, of Lawrenceburg, Ind., to whom two children have been born. Mr. Cole commenced life with no means and com- paratively little education and has worked his way to the position he now holds by his own energy and close attention to business.

C. G. COLE is a native of Starke, N. H. He is a son of Ziba and Rebecca (Ford) Cole. He remained in New Hampshire until his ninth year, when the family removed to In- diana. His early school advantages were the common schools, where he acquired a knowledge of the rudimentary branches. The early years of his life were spent upon a farm. He was born June 30, 1851. At the age of eighteen he began his career as a railroad man, a vocation he has followed now for sixteen years. He was married, April 3, 1872, to Miss Belle Hillson, an accom- plished young lady of English extraction. Two children have been born to this union, both living: Manie and Warren. Mr. Cole is engaged as a conductor on the Ohio & Mississippi Rail- road. He has been in the employ of this company for twelve years. By faithful adherence to the line of duty he has made himself invaluable to his road. He is a brother of C. B. Cole, master of transportation of the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad. Mrs. Cole is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

MATTHEW COOLEY, a citizen of Seymour, Ind., is a na- tive of Fayette County, Penn., and was born April 30, 1833, and is the seventh son of Frederick and Jane Cooley, who were also na- tives of that State, of Dutch descent. When five years of age, he moved with his parents to Allegheny County, Penn. His early days were spent on the farm, and he secured such education as the limited means and circumstances of his times would permit. At the age of nineteen years, he came to Jackson County, where he secured employment as a carpenter with the Ohio & Missis- sippi Railroad. After one year he went to Louisville, Ky., and worked about eighteen months. He then returned to Seymour, where he has ever since made his home. For ten years he was employed by the Jeffersonville, Madison & Indianapolis Railroad. His next engagement was with Travis, Carter & Co., with whom he remained until 1883. Since that time he has been working for the railroad and others. His marriage occurred in July, 1857, when Sarah E. Huffman became his wife. She is a native of

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Jackson County and has borne him seven children, of whom these five are now living: Eva R., William, Fred A., Nellie and Har- vey

FINLEY S. COLLINS, proprietor of the Seymour Daily and Weekly Democrat, is a native of Ohio, having been bornin Cum- berland, of said State, on the 24th day of December, 1862. After receiving the preparatory training he was sent to the McIntyre High School, at Zanesville, Ohio, from which institu- tion he was graduated. The course was a thorough one and Mr. Collins came from school well prepared for the work in which he has since been engaged. January 1, 1881, he came with the family to Seymour, where he has ever since remained. In 1884 Mr. Collins became proprietor, city editor and business manager of the Democrat, an evening daily, of which his step-father, Mr. Forsythe, is managing editor. The success of this paper is largely due to the business enterprise of the proprietor, and for one so young he deserves special credit. Socially he stands high among both old and young, and for his ever gentlemanly conduct he is beloved by all. Mr. Collins is a member of the K. of P., secret society, and also a Mason, having reached the rank of Sir Knight.

JAMES M. CULVER, grocer, Seymour, was born in Rip- ley County, Ind., February 15, 1825, being the third son of Aaron and Cassandra (House) Culver, natives respectively of Maryland and Kentucky. His maternal grandfather, Levi House, lived to be one hundred and ten years of age. Mr. Culver's youth was passed in farm labor, alternated with attendance at schools in the characteristic pioneer log house. About the age of twenty he left home and was engaged on a steamboat on the Ohio and Missis- sippi Rivers until 1849. In the fall of 1850 he commenced to conduct a hotel at Napoleon, which he contiuned to do for four years, then becoming a bridge carpenter, then superintendent of bridge building forces, continuing to the year 1862. On leav- ing the hotel in October, 1855, he came to Seymour and erected the building known as Seip's Hall. From 1862 to about 1870 he was a railroad conductor for the Ohio & Mississippi Company. Following the carpenter's trade until 1876, he moved to Cincin- nati, and was employed in an ice-chest manufactory two years

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and returning to Seymour he opened the grocery business at the corner of Third Street and Broadway, where he is now flourishing. In his political sympathies he is a Republican, and in religion & Catholic. February 24, 1850, is the date of Mr. Culver's mar- riage to Ellen A. Murphy, a native of Carbondale, Penn. Their only child, John A., born in 1854, is a physician in Cincinnati.

MICHAEL F. EVERBACH, editor of the Seymour and Columbus Journal, is a native of Wurtemburg, Germany, where he was born April 11, 1834, one of a family of twelve born to John and Mary (Rich) Everbach, both natives of the same place and agriculturists by vocation. Michael was reared in the same calling, and educated in his native land, with one year of Latin in a normal school. In 1852 he left Germany and landed at New York May 1, actuated by a love of liberty and the hatred of a government which continually labored for its suppres- sion. After following gardening in New York City one year he removed to Louisville, Ky., continuing in the same vocation until late in 1866. He then came to New Albany, this State, where he engaged in gardening and merchandising until 1873, when he embarked in the agricultural implement trade at Jeffersonville, Ind. After continuing in this business until 1879 or 1880, and becoming meanwhile a master of the English tongue, by news- paper correspondence, in which his articles were read by the pub- lic with avidity, he decided to engage in journalism, and accord- ingly established the Seymour Journal in December, 1882, an independent German paper. He is a Republican, but conserva- tive in his sympathies, and devotes his best energies and talent for the upbuilding of his own people, being an ardent and able advocate of social reform, anything that will tend to harmonize capital and labor. The German people in Columbus and vicinity, demanding a newspaper in their own language, but being unable to support one at that point, they induced Mr. Everbach to devote some space to the interests and news of Bartholomew County. The paper was accordingly named the Seymour and Columbus Journal. Being a Republican Mr. Everbach, during the cam- paign of 1884, canvassed the county in favor of Blaine and Logan, making fluent and effective speeches in both German and English, as the result of the election in sundry localities demon-

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strated. He has done much to Americanize his race and to eradi- cate all monarchical ideas from their minds. In his religious views Mr. Everbach is very liberal, inclining to the principles of Swedenborg. He is logical in his style, progressive in his views, philosophical in his temperament, and sympathetic in his disposi- tion; hence he is ever found on the side of the oppressed. Temperate in all his habits and dignified in his bearing, he en- . joys the respect of all classes. As a writer, he has also composed several poems of merit. In 1856, in the house of Bishop Smith, of Kentucky, Mr. Everbach was married to Elizabeth Meyer, a native of Wurtemburg, Germany. Four of their six children died in infancy; the two living are Elizabeth, now Mrs. Cleland, and Annie, both residing in New Albany, this State. Mrs. Ever- bach died in March, 1865, and Mr. Everbach subsequently mar- ried Mrs. Dora (Frey) Fagle. The three children by this matri- monial union are all dead. The second wife dying in May, 1871, Mr. Everbach, for his third wife, married Sarah S. Hahn, daugh- ter of Vincent S. Hahn, of New Albany, and the three children by this marriage are Frederick, born July, 1872; George, 1873; and Emma, 1875. The family live at Austin, Scott County.

REUBEN F. EVERHART, mayor of the city of Seymour, is a native of Scott County, Ind., the date of his birth being January 3, 1841. He was the first-born son of George W. and Anna (Frey) Everhart. His education was limited to that of the district schools of his neighborhood, and, although he was crippled by a scythe at the age of thirteen, he continued to do what he could on the farm until he reached the age of twenty- three years, when he commenced to learn the shoe trade at Aus- tin, in his native county, with R. W. Montgomery. In 1865 he moved to Hardenburgh, Jennings Co., this State, where he worked at his trade until 1877, when he came to Seymour, this county, continuing in the same business until September, 1884. In May of this year he was elected mayor of Seymour, in which official relation he is now serving. Previously he had served nine years as justice of the peace; four years in Jennings County. In his political views he is a Democrat, and in religious connec- tions both himself and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and he is also a Freemason and a Knight of the Golden

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Rule. In 1866 occurred the marriage of Mr. Everhart to Miss Catharine Keene, of Hamilton, Ohio. The children born in their family are Mary (deceased), Bertha, George H. (deceased), Hanford R., Clarence and Clare.

LYNN FAULKCONER is a native of Washington County, Ind., being the youngest of three children born to Joseph K. and Adaline (Newby) Faulkoner, who were natives of Maryland and Indiana respectively. Joseph R. Faulkconer was in the secret service department of the Government, with headquarters at Jef- fersonville, Ind., during the war, at the close of which he was appointed deputy warden of the Southern Penitentiary at Jeffer- sonville, Ind. He served in this capacity four years, then came to Seymour, where he engaged in hotel keeping. Lynn Faulk- coner, the subject of this sketch, was born July 13, 1855. He acquired his primary education in the common schools of his native county, later attending school at Salem five years. About the year 1868 he removed with his parents to Jeffersonville, Ind. In 1869 they removed to Seymour, where his father took charge of the Carter House, then standing upon the present site of the Jonas House. Mr. Faulkconer was clerk in the Carter House until 1874, when he entered the office of George A. McCord to learn bookkeeping. He subsequently became bookkeeper and secretary of the hub and spoke factory, which position he now fills, being also largely interested in the stock of the concern. In 1882 Mr. Faulkconer began the erection of a hotel in Seymour, Ind., which was named the Lynn House. It was completed and opened July 1, 1883. In 1879 he was appointed city treasurer of Seymour, which position he still holds. He is a director in the Jackson County Bank, and member of the I. O. O. F. Lynn Faulkconer is sober, steadfast and honorable, and has pursued a business career of unvarying success, that is seldom equaled by one of his age.

J. T. FOSTER, a farmer of Jackson Township, is the sixth son of Hiram and Polly (Trumbo) Foster. His father, also a farmer, was a native of Ohio; was born in 1796, removed to Jef- ferson County, this State, and died in January, 1875, after hav- ing brought up a family of nine children. The subject of this sketch was born October 16, 1829, in Jefferson County, Ind .;

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passed his boyhood upon his father's farm, and acquired the rudiments of an education at the common schools and subse- quently such a practical education from observation and the experiences of life as to render him successful in his vocation. He is fond of reading, especially history, and he has thus acquired a considerable fund of general information. Mr. Fos- ter was married August 18, 1853, to Catherine Zener, and they have had one child, named Hiram, who was born on the 3d of June, 1854, is now married and resides on the old homestead, in Jefferson County. Mrs. Foster is a native of this State, of Ger- man extraction, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Foster has occupied his present place of abode since 1870, and in his political views is a Republican.

MICHAEL FOX is a native of Germany, and a son of Jacob and Mary Fox, who came to this country in 1847. Landing in New Orleans, thence they went to Madison, from there to Jennings County, where they settled upon a farm. The meager school advantages of his section prevented his obtaining more than the mere rudiments of an education. At the age of seventeen he worked upon the Jeffersonville, Madison & Indianapolis and Ohio & Mississippi Railroads for a short time. In 1863 he went to Vernon, where he became an apprentice to Peter Fox. He con- tinued here for nine years, and in 1872 married Miss Ella Gal- lagher, of Jennings County. Six children have been born to this union : Rosa, Charley, Alice, Flora, Georgia and Nellie, all of whom are now living. February 12, 1873, he removed with his family to Seymour, where he worked four years and six months with Joseph Giger; moving thence to Hardenburg, where he remained nine months. He afterward returned to Seymour, where he opened up a shop. In 1884 he established, in connec- tion with his shop, a boot and shoe store, where he caters to the tastes of all in the productions of the art of St. Crispin. He has here built up a very substantial trade. He and wife are members of the Catholic Church. In politics he is a Democrat. JOHN J. FREY is a native of Switzerland, and was born April 26, 1821. Being the first son living of Casper and Doro- thea (Noetzele) Frey, both natives of Switzerland. At the age of thirteen Mr. Frey came with his parents to America, landing

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in New Orleans in 1834. In the following year his father bought a farm one and a half miles west of Seymour, where they remained one year, then removed to Louisville, Ky. His mother died while on the farm in Jackson County in 1835. He then engaged in a bakery, continuing in that business about fifteen months. He next accepted a position on a steamboat as pastry cook, following this vocation for ten years. He was married, in 1847, to Miss Anna Dressendorfer; eight children were born to them: Joanna, Henrietta, Agnes, Charlie, Ella, Sarah, Oliver and Rodger S., the last being the only one dead. In 1854 he returned to Jackson County and located in Seymour, where he established a bakery. He has resided here continuously since that time. He has occupied the position of councilman of the city of Sey- mour, and is a member of the order of Masons, also the I. O. O. F. He is a stanch Democrat in politics.

MATTHIAS FRIEDMAN, one of the old citizens of Jackson County, was born near the river Rhine in Germany, August 12, 1812. The parents were George and Elizabeth (Miller) Fried- man, who followed farming in their native land. Matthias received his education in the schools of the land of his birth, and about the year 1833 came to America. His first settlement was in Cler- mont County, Ohio. May 7, 1848, he married Ann Hannah, a native of Brown County, Ohio, born December 27, 1825. 'In 1852 they moved to Jackson County, Ind., where he pursued the occupation of a farmer until 1874, at which time he moved to Seymour. Mr. and Mrs. Friedman are now spending the evening of life in that quiet which years of industry have secured to them. They are both members of the Christian Church, and in politics he is a Democrat,

HENRY L. GAISER, proprietor of the Seymour Nursery, is a native of Baden, Germany, born July 15, 1830. He is the eldest of four, born to Andrew and Anna (Linder) Gaiser. His parents died in their native land. Mr. Gaiser received his education in his native country, and at the age of fourteen years he apprenticed himself to learn his present business. He left that country in 1852, and spent two years in France, where he worked at his occupation. In 1854 he immigrated to Amer- ica. After spending one year in New York and Pennsylvania,

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he came to Richmond, Ind., where he remained some time. He then went to Henry County, Ind., where he remained two years, and in February, 1862, he came to Seymour, where he engaged in his present successful and extensive business. He bought sixty acres of unimproved land of M. W. Shields, located on Walnut Street and the south end of Chestnut Street, and by his own industry he has brought it up to its present high state of cultivation. He has on his place a fine greenhouse, where he keeps throughout the year plants and flowers of all varieties. The history of horticulture is in intimate relation with the prog- ress of civilization. An acute observer has justly remarked that the esteem in which gardening is held among nations is an un- failing index of the advance they have made in other forms of human progress. The first impulse of man, arising from the dark- ness of barbarism, is to plant and ameliorate the wild fruits that grow around him, and then flowers by his habitation, appealing to the esthetic impulses of his nature. But it is not until soci- ety is improved, commerce extended, and mind itself expanded, that horticulture takes its place among the arts, flourishing wher- ever there is wealth to encourage or taste to appreciate its charms or excellencies. Horticulture has advanced with civilization, and been kindred with all that adorns, refines and sustains the struct- ure of a solid as well as an elegant society. Mr. Gaiser gives employment to eight or nine men the year around. In 1862 he married an estimable lady, Maria Barnaby, a native of England, By this union there is one child, Annie M. Mr. Gaiser and fam- ily are members of the Catholic Church. He is a solid Democrat.

JAMES W. F. GERRISH, deceased, who was a physician and surgeon of Seymour, was born in Monmouth, Me., February 12, 1831. His father, Ansil Gerrish, was a general merchant and speculator. The Gerrish family was among the early settlers of the New England States, having emigrated there from England in 1632, and became identified with the welfare and growth of the East. During the financial troubles of 1836 and 1837, Dr. Gerrish's father, like many others, became deeply involved, and after spending two years in an unsuccessful attempt to retrieve his for- tunes, left his family and went to Elizabeth, Allegheny Co., Penn., where he taught school for about two years. He then

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sent for his family, which consisted of his wife and two children, the eldest nine years of age, and in the fall of 1840, the family were again united. Dr. Gerrish, the subject of this sketch had a distinct recollection of the long and tedious journey. He obtained the rudiments of his education in the school taught by his father. While teaching, his father completed the study of medicine which he had begun in his youth, and in a few years re- moved to Paris, Jennings Co., Ind., where he commenced prac- tice. In the early part of 1850, James W. F. Gerrish followed his father to Paris, where, in the same year, they opened a drug store. The son soon after commenced the study of medicine, in which he became so deeply interested that he resolved to become a physician. He graduated in 1855, and immediately upon re- turning home he commenced practice with his father in Paris. Their copartnership continued with a large and lucrative practice until the death of Dr. Ansil Gerrish, which occurred August 19, 1859, at Portland, Me., while he was traveling for his health, accompanied by his son. Upon the breaking out of the war, Dr. Gerrish was commisioned assistant surgeon, but soon rose to the rank of surgeon, and was assigned for duty with the Sixty-seventh Regiment of Indiana Volunteers. During his army career he held several important positions, at one time having charge of the general hospitals of the Thirteenth Army Corps, at Vicks- burg. In August of 1864, on account of failing health, he was compelled to resign, and soon after returning north settled in Seymour, Ind. Here by close attention to the wants of the com- munity, he steadily arose in the estimation of the people, until he was regarded one of the leading physicians of this part of the State. He became a member of the State Medical Society and a permanent member of the American Medical Association. In 1877 he was also chosen first vice-president of the Tri-State Medical Society of Kentucky, Illinois and Indiana, and was voted an honorary membership in the Southwestern Kentucky Medical Society. Dr. Gerrish was always a lover of ancient his- tory, and in early life had his curiosity aroused by the relics found in the mounds of the Mound-builders, near Marietta, Ohio. He was constantly adding to his collections, and at this time very few private citizens of the State have as fine archæo-

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History of Jackson County, Indiana, Part 55

Author: Brant & Fuller Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Number of Pages: 759

Author: Brant & Fuller
Publication date: 1886
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 759