History of Jackson County, Indiana, Part 56

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

USA > Indiana > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Indiana > Part 56

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logical specimens as can be found in his study. In Dr. Ger- rish Indiana had one of the leading spirits in the temperance movement. In the early part of 1877 he espoused the cause, and was immediately chosen president of the Red Ribbon Reform Club, of Seymour, which position he held for some time. Jack- son County owes more to his energy and liberality for the grand success of the work than to any other man. He was not a mono- maniac on the subject of temperance, but believed in moral suasion and man's ability to govern himself. His courtesy and kindness, and wonderful success in the management of the affairs of the Reform Club, endeared him to the hearts of the members. In 1879 he was elected president of the Grand Temperance Coun- cil, of Indiana, by delegates from all the State temperance organi- zations, in recognition of his work. He was married to Miss Maria Robinson, of Elizabeth, Allegheny Co., Penn., in Septem- ber, 1849. They have had seven children, four of whom are now living. Dr. Gerrish's mother died January 7, 1877. Both par- ents were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

DR. M. F. GERRISH is a native of Paris, Jennings Co., Ind. The family is a very old one, and of Saxon extraction. He was born February 27, 1856. His father, Dr. J. W. F. Gerrish, was an old and well-known physician of the State, an extended notice of whom is given in another part of this work. Dr. M. F. Gerrish attended the common schools in his boyhood, and sub- sequently graduated at the Shields High School, of Seymour, in 1877. He entered his father's office as a student in 1872. He attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated in 1881. He also secured the degree of Ph. D. at the same insti- tution. Upon his return to Seymour he entered the office of his father, and immediately engaged in the practice of medicine. Shortly after his matriculation at the University of Pennsylvania he met Miss Violet Molseed, between whom there immediately grew a very strong attachment. Fearing that his father would regard matrimony as an obstruction to the pursuit of his studies, they were married April 3, 1879, but kept the secret from his parents until his graduation. One child has blessed this union. The Doctor is a member of the order of Masons. He is a gen- tleman of fine literary tastes. Himself and wife are members

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of the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle. The Doctor is resident surgeon of the Ohio & Mississippi and Jeffersonville, Madison & Indianapolis Railroads. The Doctor, though compar- atively a young man, is already taking high rank as a physician and surgeon. He and wife are members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. He is courteous and refined in his manners, of good physique, and has a brilliant future before him. The Doc- tor is a Republican.

W. E. GERRISH, D. D. S., was born September 27, 1860, in Paris, Jennings Co., Ind. His . early school ad- vantages were the common schools of his native town. He entered the dental office of Dr. Erwood, of Seymour. He re- mained here two years. He subsequently attended the dental department of the University of Pennsylvania, where he gradu- ated. He returned to Seymour, and engaged in the prac- tice of his profession. He was married, October 3, 1882, to Miss Emma B. Sawyer, of Washington, Ind. One child has been born to this union, J. W. F. Gerrish. The Doctor, in conjunction with his brother, occupies a suite of apartments on Second Street, west of Chestnut, that are the most complete and handsomely appointed offices in Seymour, and are scarcely surpassed in the State. The rooms are handsomely frescoed, containing a large and well-selected library, with elegant book-cases and other fur- niture. They display a very cultivated taste for antique curiosities. . Their collection of Indian relics is very unique, and is the result of great labor and considerable expense. The Doctor is the leading dentist of the city, and enjoys a large and lucrative prac- tice. He has been engaged in practice since 1882. He is a member of the order of K. of P. He is a Democrat in politics.

L. W. GODFREY. The subject of this sketch was born Oc- tober 6, 1849, in Jackson County. He is a son of Thomas and Catharine ( Winscott) Godfrey. Thomas Godfrey, the father of our subject, is a native of Maryland. He has spent his life upon a farm. He was one of the early pioneers of the county, and assisted in preparing much of the present arable land for agri- culture. L. W. Godfrey was reared upon a farm, where he re- mained until his majority. He attended the common schools of his section, where he acquired the rudiments of an education.

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He was married, February, 1872, to Louisa M. Tinder. Four children have blessed this union, all of whom are now living: Effie, Richard, May and Charles. He is at present engaged in the retail liquor business in Seymour, where he has been estab- lished for four year's. He is a member of the K. of H. In politics he is a Democrat.

DR. JAMES H. GREEN, of Seymour, is a native of Jef- ferson County, Ind., born December 19, 1824. His parents were Abram and Hannah Green, natives of Tennessee and Ohio respectively. Dr. Green's early education was limited; his mother having died while he was yet young he was thrown upon his own resources, and consequently had no advantages for schooling. He left home with but 25 cents, and but one suit of clothes, that being of very cheap material and home-made. He went to Louisville, and without a cent in his pocket, having spent the 25 cents on his way, he set out in quest of work, first applying to James McCrung, a merchant of that city, who was so favorably impressed with the honest face of young Green, that he gave him employment. He commenced blacking boots, but was soon given a clerkship, and after a short time was by his employer sent to college at Bloomington, Ind., where he remained for three years. Leaving the college he entered the office of Hon. David McClure, of Scottburgh, where he read medicine until 1846, at which date . he entered the medical college at Louisville, and later attended lectures at the Ohio Medical College, from which institution he graduated in 1856, then located at Dudleytown, in which com- munity the greater part of his professional labors have been per- formed. In 1864 he was elected county treasurer and re-elected in 1866. In 1870 he came to Seymour, where he has since lived. In 1847 Dr. Green was married to Miss Emily Barnes, and this union has been blessed by eight children: Dr. William, Norman L., Nellie, Ollie, Frank, Ida and James.

GEORGE F. HARLOW is a native of the State of Hanover, Germany, and was born October 31, 1833. One year and a half after his birth, his parents immigrated to America, landing in Baltimore. Going thence, partly by land and some distance. by canal, they arrived at Wheeling, W. Va. Here they embarked upon a steamer for Cincinnati, Ohio, where they landed about the

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year 1837. His father was there employed in a white lead man- ufactory in the summer, and a pork house in the winter, until he had saved enough money to push West, which he did in 1840, coming to Jackson County, where he settled near Sauer's Church, on a farm in this vicinity. The subject of our sketch acquired the rudiments of an education in the primitive temple of learning of that day, with its puncheon seats and capacious fire-place. At the age of fourteen he returned to Cincinnati, where he engaged as bell boy at the Gibson House. Remaining there only two years he returned home, and worked upon a farm about one year, then again went to Cincinnati, and apprenticed himself to a black- smith and wagon-maker. At the expiration of two years he re- turned to Jackson County, following his trade about two years. On March 5, 1854, he was married to Mary E. Turmail, who is a native of Pittsburgh, Penn. Her father is one of the earliest pio- neers. His father gave him eighty acres of land, which he sold and bought a farm of Hon. Ezekiel Davison, in Grassy Fork Township. He remained here six years, but, owing to failing health, sold his farm and removed to Jackson Township, where he bought out Jonas Crane, near Seymour. Living here till 1877, he removed to Seymour, where he purchased the flouring- mills of William Stinebrink (deceased), engaging in partnership with John Blish & Co. Sold out to Blish & Co., and be- came proprietor of the Fifth Ward Mill, in Seymour, which burned. He then retired from business until in October, 1885, when he was elected president of the Jackson County Bank, which position he still holds. The names of his children are H. Har- low, Lizetta, William, Mary, Frederick, John, Edward, Dora, Alexander, August and Aaron. He is a member of the Evangel- ical Lutheran Church, of Seymour. In politics he is a Demo- crat. In the year 1878 his wife died, and he was left to battle with the world as best he could. In the year following he was again married to M. E. Stienbrink, of Seymour. They are now en- joying the comforts of life, having accumulated considerable property in the city and country-owning 525 acres of the very best land in the county. He is now at the age of fifty-two years. Four of the above named children are married and living in the county, almost around him, in the same neighborhood where they were born.

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JOHN HEINS, a citizen of Seymour, is a native of Germany, born March 3, 1827, and was the third son of John Heins, Sr. In 1852 he came to this country, landing July 8, and coming direct to Cincinnati, he engaged in the cabinet business for two years. In the latter part of the year 1854 he went to Dubuque, Iowa, but at the end of a year he returned to Cincinnati, where he re- mained till 1859, when he came to Seymour, this State, engaging in the furniture trade. Selling out his establishment to Charles Hancocks, he worked a year for him, and then he again began to operate for himself, as a cabinet-maker. Mr. Heins was a captain in the military forces during the last war in resisting the noted "Morgan raid," and he has also held the office of captain of the Home Guards, when sixty-seven men were comprised in his com- pany. He is the founder of the German Protestant Church of Seymour; in politics he is a Republican. In 1858 Mr. Heins was married to Miss Fredrike Wenner, and they have had nine chil- dren, namely : Mary, Charles, Ernestine, Louis, Frederike and four deceased.

JOHN HARTON was born December 20, 1820, four miles remote from Steubenville, Ohio, being the eldest son of Charles Harton, a native of Dublin, Ireland, who immigrated to America about 1790. When he was quite young he removed with his father to Pittsburgh, Penn .; from there they removed to Green River, Ky. At this time the subject of our sketch was about twelve years old; working in the summer with his father, and attending school in the winter. His primary education was limited. They soon removed to Cincinnati, where, at the age of sixteen, he began to learn the carpenter's trade. He also hauled gravel for the first pavement laid on Central Avenue, Cincinnati, and later, was ap- prenticed to Warren G. Finch, with whom he remained three years. He subsequently engaged with Miles Greenwood as pattern-maker. He remained with him one year, then went to work for himself as contractor and builder. He pursued this avocation for two years, but not being very successful he went to work for John Jeffries, a lumber dealer, till the year 1854, when he began rail- roading, this time as telegraph clerk, at Cochran, till 1855, when he came to Seymour, taking charge of the office, shops and everything pertaining to that road at this place till 1858, when

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he acted as traveling agent for the road. He held various other responsible positions for the company. In 1842 he was married to Miss Kate Vanausdal, of Cincinnati. 'Two children were born to them: Orpha and Ella-both are dead. His wife died dur- ing the summer of 1852. In July, 1854, he married Miss Milli- son Sparks, a native of Ohio. Three children have blessed this union: Charles B., Louisa and Joseph C., all of whom are living. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., passing through all of the chairs. In politics he is a Republican. In the evening of his days he looks back upon a busy and well spent life, and finds himself in the present enjoyment of a handsome competence.

E. E. JENKS, of Seymour, is a son of George M. and Sarah (Russel) Jenks, both natives of Massachusetts, where the father followed the trade of a pattern-maker. E. E. was born April 19, 1855, at Columbus, Ohio. His early education was acquired in the common schools of Bloomington, Ohio, and until eighteen years of age most of his time was spent upon the farm. In 1871 he began the trade of machinist and later became connected with the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad and has remained with them ever since, having in the meantime located at Seymour. His marriage with Miss Dora Donaldson, a native of Kentucky, occurred December 25, 1878. She is a member of the Baptist Church. In May, 1884, Mr. Jenks was appointed general fore- man at Seymour, and in 1885 was made division master mechanic. This indicates the high standing which he enjoys with the com- pany, and still higher promotions may be looked for. Politically Mr. Jenks is a Democrat.

WILLIAM JOHNSON, of Seymour, is a native of Bartholo- mew County, where he was born February 8, 1831, being the second son born to C. R. and Ellen (Heath) Johnson, natives of Delaware and North Carolina, respectively, They came to Indiana about the year 1824 and located in Columbus, where the father followed the tailor's trade. Mr. Johnson received a com- mon school education in his native county, after which he was apprenticed to Reuben Shull, of Cincinnati, Ohio, under whose supervision he learned his trade, which is that of blacksmithing. After his term of apprenticeship expired he went to Vernon, Jen- nings County, and entered the shop of Uriah Wagoner, where he

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remained until 1853, when he came to Seymour and began busi- ness for himself, and now in partnership with his brother they are doing an extensive business. July 12, 1854, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage with Miss Huldah Elliott, of Jackson County, and this union has been blessed by three children: Lou, Eva and Nevada, but one of whom is now living. Mr. Johnson is a mem- ber of I. O. O. F. and is at present holding the office of Noble Grand. He is an honest, upright citizen, a kind and benevo- lent neighbor, a devoted husband and an affectionate father. Jackson County has but few better citizens.

J. W. KENNEDY, of Seymour, was born in Wilmington, Ohio, March 18, 1830; remained on the farm until he was four- teen years of age, when he began to learn the carpenter's trade, serving a four-years' apprenticeship under the supervision of William Henson, who afterward came to this State, and settled in Hendricks County. Although he never attended college, his education is very good. He was a student a term or so at the Bloomington (Ohio) Seminary. At the age of nineteen Mr. Kennedy went South, settling at Fort Gibson, Miss., following his trade while there. Leaving there in August, 1855, and going to Louisville he engaged in steamboat cabin building until 1860, when he came to this State and located in Henryville, and fol- lowed building bridges on the Jeffersonville, Madison & Indian- apolis Railroad. From the latter place (in 1864) he moved, with his family, to Seymour, this county, remaining with that railroad company, in the various departments, until January, 1880, when he became superintendent of the Bedford & Bloomfield Railroad, which position he still holds. He is not a wealthy man, but has been successful in earning a comfortable livelihood and giving all his children a good education. Is a member of the Masonic order, and in politics a Republican. In 1856, while in Louis- ville, Mr. Kennedy married Miss Sarah Vryle, a native of Johns- town, Penn. Of their thirteen children, since born, seven are living, namely: Francis, Anthon M., Jennie, Walter, Ralph, Daisy and Forest-all at home, except Anthon, who is a railroad employe in Idaho Territory.

PETER KIDD is a native of the State of Connecticut. His parents, Peter and Agnes (Mingus) Kidd, were natives of Scot-

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land. He was born January 7, 1832. His education was ac- quired in the common schools. His first occupation was that of engineer on the Jeffersonville, Madison & Indianapolis Rail- road. He was married the latter part of January, 1865, to Elizabeth McCarty, who is a native of Ireland. One child has been born to them-Edward Kidd. Peter Kidd was for three years the engineer of the passenger engine making the fastest time on the Jeffersonville, Madison & Indianapolis Railroad. He ran an engine on the Ohio & Mississippi Railway for seventeen years. He was always regarded as a very prudent and trust- worthy man. After severing his connection with the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad he engaged in the retail liquor traffic, which business he has pursued for eleven years. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. He is not a member of any church. His wife is a member of the Catholic Church. He resides in the city of Seymour in a comfortable frame cottage on the corner of Second and Broadway Streets. His place of business is on Indianapolis Avenue, near the railway depot. He adheres to the faith of the Democratic party.

CHARLES LEININGER, of Seymour, was born in Balti- more, Md., March 7, 1842, the first son of Jacob and Mary Lein- inger. His mother died when he was only about one and a half years of age. During his boyhood he worked around home and in his father's tailor shop, and received but very limited school- ing, on account of the very meager educational advantages of the place and period. In 1852 he accompanied his father to Phila- delphia, where he was living during the Mexican war. They then came West and settled at Vernon, Jennings County, this State, and peddled clothing along the line of the Ohio and Mississippi Rail- road while the track was in process of construction. Subsequently the subject of this sketch engaged himself to A. Shubbert as a clerk in a general store for about a year and a half. Then he began to learn the barber's trade, under the supervision of John Meech, and remained with him two years. Next he followed his trade at Cincinnati about seven months; returned to Vernon, bought the shop of John Mills, and prosecuted his chosen voca- tion until 1861, when the civil war aroused his patriotism, and August 8, that year, he enlisted in the Twenty-second Indiana

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Infantry. Being a candidate for second lieutenant, he failed of election (by only three votes), and he was mustered in as a mem- ber of the band August 15. He was in the battle of Pea Ridge, where he aided in carrying off the field Col. Hendricks, who had been killed in that engagement. July 20, 1862, he was mustered out. While in the army he conducted a barber shop about two months at Otterville, Mo. After the close of his military service he came home to Vernon, and in August, 1862, to Seymour, this county, engaging as an attendant at the bar for Philip Langel for about two months, since which time he has conducted a barber shop at that place. Being successful in business he has accumu- lated considerable property. In his politics he is a Democrat. In February, 1862, Mr. Leininger was married to Miss Barbara Kessler, a native of Bavaria, and their children have been John (deceased, at the age of twenty-one), Walter, Catharine, Charles (deceased), Fred, Josie and an infant (deceased). Mr. Leininger is a member of the I. O. O. F. and of the camp, having "passed all the chairs." His wife is a member of the German Protestant Church.

WILLIAM K. MARSHAL is a native of Jefferson County, Ind., and was born on the 12th of October, 1824. His parents, Thomas and Sarah (Kinnear ) Marshal, were natives of Kentucky and Virginia, respectively. He attended the common schools of his day, where he acquired a knowledge of the common branches. At the age of twenty he entered Hanover College, where he con- tinued for four years. When about half through the junior year he left college, and began the study of law, by himself. He was admitted to the bar at Madison, in March, 1850. He con- tinued the practice of his profession there one year, then removed to Lexington, Scott County, where he remained until 1864, when he located at Seymour, where he has built up a large practice, both in the circuit, supreme and federal courts. On the 1st day of November, 1854, he was married to Fidelia Childs, a na- tive of Jefferson County, Ind. Seven children have blessed this union-six of whom are living: Alice, William D., Samuel W., Kittie and Grace. William K. Marshal held the position of treasurer of Scott County from 1856 to 1860. He has also been city attorney for Seymour for several terms. He is a member of

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the I. O. O. F., and the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Marshal com- bines a profound knowledge of the law with great skill and tact in the management of his cases, that have made him very suo- cessful in the circuit, supreme and federal courts. In politics he is a Republican.

JOHN W. MASSMAN was born July 21, 1857, in Seymour. His parents, Henry and Mary (Smersal) Massman, were natives of Germany. They were among the early pioneers of Cincinnati, Ohio. They removed to Jackson County in 1852. Henry Mass- man was a cooper by trade. He started a cooper shop soon after his arrival, then one of the very few industries of this sparsely settled section. He afterward engaged in the grocery business, having at that time one of the few stores of the kind in Sey- mour. There were nine children born to this couple. John W. Massman, the subject of this sketch, acquired his education in the common schools of Seymour. He has followed the vocation of a grocer from his boyhood. He attended commercial college two terms, and is now very proficient in this art, in which he takes considerable pride. He was married, October 7, 1880, to Maggie Langel. One child has been born to them. He is a member of the order of K. of P. He is at present en- gaged in the grocery business, on Chestnut Street, in Seymour. He is a member of the St. Paul's Protestant Church. His wife is a member of the same church. In politics he is a Republican.

THOMAS MCCOLLUM is a native of Franklinton, Ohio, being the fourth child of five children born to Thomas and Sarah (Minter) McCollum, who were natives of South Carolina and Virginia respectively. The subject of this sketch was born July 30, 1808, and is of Scotch-Irish extraction. His father died when he was twelve years of age, throwing him upon his own resources, thus hampering his opportunities for the acquisition of an education. He and his mother afterward removed to Cin- cinnati, and later to Covington, Ky. He was a member of the first

· Sunday-school organized in Cincinnati, two ladies coming at that time who were the first to take an interest in the work. There was not a church in the town that would open its doors to them. The Christians at that time maintained that it was sacrilege to hold "school" on Sunday. They held their first meetings in an old

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dilapidated paint shop, and afterward in a brewery. There were twelve in the first class. He was one of the twelve. Mr. McCollum was married January 2, 1833, to Fanny C. Elsey, at Bethel, situated eight miles east of Indianapolis, born in Scott County, Ky. She has borne him six children: Sarah E., Rebecca J., John M., William M., Thomas A. and an infant deceased. In 1853 Mr. McCollum came to Jackson County and lo- cated at Seymour, where he kept the first hotel. Their eldest son is a lawyer in Idaho, and William a passenger con- ductor on the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad. He has occupied the office of justice of the peace of Seymour eighteen years. He resigned this office in 1881. He and his wife are members of the Church of Christ. After half a century of wedded bliss, they celebrated their golden wedding at the residence of their son-in-law, L. L. Shields, January 2, 1883. Mr. McCollum is a Democrat of the Jacksonian type, having cast his first vote for old Hickory in 1828. He is one of the oldest and most respected citizens in the county. The son, Thomas, has been deputy clerk, and is now candidate for clerk of the court subject to the Demo- cratic convention.

WILLIAM N. McDONALD was the seventh child born to William and Elizabeth (Bedel) McDonald. His father, William McDonald, was a native of Kentucky, and was a farmer by occu- pation. Seeking to improve his condition, he removed to Indiana in 1823, and settled in Vernon Township, Jackson County, where the subject of this sketch was born, February 4, 1840. His early life was spent on a farm, and his early school opportunities were very meager. As he grew older he began to appreciate the advantages of an education, and with that tenacity of purpose and intense application to the matter in hand that has character- ized all his later efforts, he soon possessed himself of the rudi- ments as taught in the common schools, after which he completed his studies in the high school of Seymour. He was married, June 23, 1861, to Mary E. Williams, of Jennings County, Ind .; seven children have blessed this union, six of whom are living: Celia Rosa, Martha, William, Lena, Florence and Franklin; a son was killed by the cars November 24, 1884. Mr. McDonald engaged in the stave manufacturing business in 1866 in a small way, at a sta-

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History of Jackson County, Indiana, Part 56

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

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