USA > Indiana > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Indiana > Part 59
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
-Digitized by Google
726
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
ness induced by exposure. Gen. Tipton was twice married- in 1822 to Miss Shields, who died soon after, and in April, 1825, to Miss Matilda Spencer, daughter of Capt. Spear Spencer, who was killed at the battle of Tippecanoe. They had four chil- dren, all of whom are now dead, excepting one daughter, who is the wife of Capt. Thomas S. Dunn, of the United States Army. In 1817 Gen. Tipton received the several degrees of Ancient Craft Masonry, in Pisgah Lodge No. 5, at Corydon, Ind. Upon the organization of the Grand Lodge, in 1818, he was elected Grand Senior Warden, and served until September, 1820. He was then elected Grand Master of the State, and served during the fourth and twelfth sessions. In 1822 he was made a Royal Arch Mason, in Louisville, Ky. In the fall of 1828 he organized Tipton Lodge No. 33, of Logansport, and in 1837 procured & charter and organized Logan Royal Arch Chapter, No. 2.
J. G. W. TRAYLOR, farmer, was born in Montgomery County, Ky., January 18, 1823. His father, Nicholas Traylor, was a native of North Carolina, and his mother, Mary (nee Trim- ble), of Virginia. His educational advantages were limited by the frontier character of the times of his youth. When he was seven years of age his father, with his family, immigrated to this State and settled upon a farm near where Scottsburg now stands. Our subject remained upon the farm until about 1852, and with his parents till he was thirty-five years of age. In 1852 he was appointed deputy sheriff of Scott County, and four years after- ward was elected sheriff; and, being subsequently re-elected, he served two terms. In the meantime he was engaged in mercan- tile business for about two years. In the fall of 1862 he was elected county clerk, when he, for the first time, left his farm home and fixed his residence at the county seat in March, 1863, and continued there until 1871, serving in the above-mentioned office. He then moved upon a farm, where he, in addition to agriculture, also conducted a mill. While there the county aud- itor died, and Mr. Traylor was appointed to fill the vacancy for one year; was on his farm again until 1877, when he returned to Scottsburg, opened a boarding house and ran it until 1880. Then he came to Seymour, bought the furniture and fixtures of the city hotel, conducted that institution for two years, and sold out, since
Digitized by Google
727
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
which time he has not been engaged in anything specially. April 16, 1867, he married Sarah J. Wilson, a native of Wash- ington County, Ind., and of their four children two are living: Rose and Cary. Politically Mr. Traylor is a stanch Democrat.
VALENTINE VOGEL, a prosperous farmer residing a mile south of Seymour, in Jackson Township, was born November 2, 1820, in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany. His father, Valentine Vogel, Sr., was a native of Frankfurt-on-the-Main, Germany; was reared in Hesse-Darmstadt; was a gunsmith by occupation; served in the war under Napoleon I, and when seventeen years of age he participated in the battle of Waterloo. In 1837 he immigrated to America, settling in Dearborn County, this State, and died about the year 1848. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Catharine Seipp. After attending the common schools of his native land and growing up to the age of twenty- two years, Mr. Vogel, of this sketch, engaged to learn the trade of a butcher, which he afterward followed in Cincinnati, Law- renceburg and New Richmond, Ohio. Three years prior to this, however, he followed the river, serving as watchman between New Orleans and Cincinnati, St. Louis and Pittsburgh. He is now a substantial farmer of this county, at the point above indicated, and owns 375 acres of good land. August 18, 1845, is the date of Mr. Vogel's marriage to Dora Dressendorfer, and they have had nine children, seven of whom are living, namely: John Lewis, Mary Ann, Eliza Clara, Emma Susan, Jesse Cary, Fannie M. and Valentine S. The deceased are George W. and Martha. Mr. and Mrs. V. are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Vogel in his political sentiments is counted a member of the Republican party.
1
1
Digitized by Google
728
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
OWEN TOWNSHIP.
ABRAHAM BRANAMAN, of Owen Township, is the fourth son of Abraham and Susan (Kindred) Branaman. His birth oc- curred September 29, 1857, in Jackson County, where his home has always been. His father was one of the pioneers of the county, and in his boyhood days remembers Salem as the nearest milling place, twenty-five miles away. His early school advantages were only such as the rude log house, with slab benches, afforded. In the absence of window-glass paper was used, and that generally greased, to make it both more durable and serviceable. He worked for a time at the stone-mason's trade and acquired consid- erable skill in that trade. He is a Mason and a member of the Baptist Church. His wife, who was a native of Kentucky, named Juliet McDade, is a member of the Methodist Church.
J. W. BRANAMAN, farmer, was the seventh in order of birth in the family of Christian and Mary S. Branaman, and was born November 15. 1850. He acquired the rudiments of an education at the district school, and his occupation has ever been that of a farmer. His farm, comprising 190 acres, borders upon the village of Clear Spring. December 25, 1878, he married E. V. Bain, and this matrimonial union has been crowned with the birth of two children, whose names are Ruth and Blanche. Mr. Branaman has been identified with the Democratic party, and his wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church at Seymour.
DAVID KYTE, one of the leading men of Owen Township, was born in Washington County, August 21, 1821. He is the eldest son of Lewis and Catherine (Colglacier) Kyte, both natives of Ohio. The common schools of his native county was the only source of David's education. He was raised upon the farm and while yet a boy began the shoe-maker's trade; this trade, however, he never followed very much. Margaret Mckinney, of the same county, became his wife August 12. 1847. She hore him six children, these four are now living: Elizabeth, James
Digitized by By Google
729
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
L., Robert H. and William H. Her death occurred April 4, 1857. His second marriage was to Cyrena Zent, February 28, 1858. A little more than a year later she too died, and Novem- ber 4, 1859, he took for his third wife, Julia A. Weaver, of Shelby County, Ky. By her he is the father of two sons, Henry R. and David V., both of whom are now successful young physicians. Mr. Kyte is a Democrat, has long enjoyed the confidence of the citizens. He has been township trustee three terms and perhaps did more than any other man to put the schools in a flourishing condition. He is one of the progressive men of the county.
JAMES McCORY, of Owen Township, is a native of Oneida County, N. Y., and was born June 24, 1808, being the third son of Clement and Abigail ( Mudge) McCory. The parents were also natives of New York and were of Scotch-Irish and Dutch descent. They came to Clarke County, Ind., in 1818, and re- mained there the balance of their lives. Mahala Scott, a native of Kentucky, born June 27, 1810, became his wife January 7, 1830. The result of this union is a family of nine children; only Elizabeth, Isabelle, Abigail and Louisa now living. Mr. McCory has been a citizen of Jackson County about fifty years, and is now one of its oldest and most respected men. He lives on the land he first bought from the Government and which he has cleared. When he first located here the wolves were yet so thick that sheep had to be penned up nights for protection. His early education was limited, but by much reading he has acquired a good general knowledge. He has led a life of temperance, having never been drunk nor used tobacco in any form. He has always been a Democrat and voted for Jackson at his first term, to whom he was formally introduced on the steamer "Triton," en route to New Orleans. Both Mr. and Mrs. McCory are prom- inent members of the Christian Church and have been such for several years.
JOHN R. McCOY, one of the oldest and most highly esteemed citizens of Owen Township, was born February 2, 1825, in Wash- ington County, Ind. In that county his boyhood was spent, and his early occupation was that of a farmer. Since he came to Jackson County he has devoted most of his time to the ministry in the Baptist Church. His marriage with Mary Rasor occurred
27
Digitized by Google
730
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
June 1, 1843. Nine children have been born to this union, of whom six are now living. He enlisted in the One Hundred and Twentieth Regiment of Indiana Volunteers as chaplain, where he served for two years, beginning in March, 1864. His life has been largely devoted to his pastoral duties, which he has con- ducted in a quiet and unobtrusive manner. Besides this he has taught a number of terms in the district schools, but these labors he has been compelled to abandon in later years on account of physical infirmity.
ALFRED OSBURN, a leading citizen of Owen Township, Jackson Co., Ind., is the second in the family of John and Frances (Blount) Osburn. He was born near Plymouth, Washington Co., N. C., October 7, 1827, and is of English descent. At the age of seven years he became a resident of Jackson County, where his home has ever since been. He attended the subscription and common schools of his day, and until the age of twenty-two was engaged in farming. At that time he began the wagon-maker's trade, which he has followed to some extent nearly ever since. Mary J. Fish became his wife April 27, 1848, and none of their three children are now living. Mr. Osburn became a minister of the gospel in the Christian Church, in 1879, at Clear Spring, where the society has a good building and a large membership. In politics he is a Democrat, and has been township trustee, be- sides holding several other minor offices. He enjoys the confi- dence and high regard of all his neighbors and others who know him.
DR. THOMAS J. RICHARDS, a native of this county, was born September 16, 1823, the fourth son of Gabriel and Margaret (Ayer) Richards. His father, a native of Virginia, was a first lieutenant in the regular army, which position he resigned, and became a Methodist minister for the remainder of his life. In 1811, in Nashville, Tenn., he was married, and came to what is now Jackson County, purchasing a squatter's claim, to which he moved his family in 1816. From that time onward he was a "local Methodist preacher." His death occurred August 6, 1826. Mrs. Margaret Richards, a devoted wife and mother, was a native of Ireland, and was brought, in the immigration of the family, to this country when but two years of age. She died in 1877.
Digitized by y Google
731
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Richard Richards, an uncle of the Doctor, was also a Methodist preacher, officiating in that capacity as early as 1805. The "min- utes" show him to be the first regularly ordained Methodist Epis- copal minister stationed on the Vincennes Circuit. At the age of twenty-one years Dr. Richards attended the Medical College at Louisville, Ky .; afterward practiced in company with his pre- ceptor, Dr. C. T. Wilson, at Leesville, Ind., and in 1854 came to Clear Spring, this county, where he was for many years one of the foremost practitioners. In October, 1863, he enrolled a com- pany of the One Hundred and Twentieth Indiana Volunteer In- fantry, and was commissioned captain. Being soon afterward ordered to the field for service, he participated in the Atlanta campaign and many of the hard-fought battles of the war. Re- turning to Clear Spring, he resumed the practice of his profession, as far as health would permit. Dr. Richards has been twice married; the first time to Maudlean Wheedon, and of the three children born by this marriage two are now living, namely: William D. and Maudlean. The wife and mother died in 1853, and Dr. Richards, in November, 1854, selected for his second wife Miss Hannah L., daughter of Lemuel and Susan (Peniston) Butler, who was born in Jennings County, in 1834. There are three children living by this marriage, named Alice, Frank and Olis B. Dr. and Mrs. Richards are both members of the Method- ist Episcopal Church.
DR. JAMESC. WELLS was the sixth born to Jacob and Sarah (Carruthers) Wells. Jacob Wells and wife ware natives of Jessa- mine County, Ky. They removed to Indiana in 1816. Jacob Wells was born May . 10, 1791. Sarah Wells was born in 1788. They were married November 29, 1818. They were among the very earliest pioneers of Jackson County, and among the first settlers in Owen Township. Jacob Wells held the office of county commissioner and was also justice of the peace for many years. Sarah Wells was a member of the Baptist Church. James C. Wells, the subject of this sketch, was born April 20, 1831. His early life was spent upon his father's farm in Owen Township. His early school advantages were the district school where he acquired the common branches. He subsequently attended the State University at Bloomington, Ind. He pursued his studies
Digitized by y Google
732
. HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
here until the senior year when he was obliged to return home upon the death of his father. He began the study of medicine in 1853, under Dr. Mussey, of Cincinnati, one of the most cele- brated physicians in the West in his day. He remained in Dr. Mussy's office for four years. In the year 1856, he was house surgeon of the city hospital. He attended lectures in Philadel- phia in 1854. He returned to Clear Spring, Jackson County, in 1857, where he opened an office and began the practice of medicine. In March, 1863, he enlisted in the Fiftieth Indiana Volunteers as surgeon. He served under Gen. Steele at the capture of Little Rock, Ark. He returned home during the summer of 1864 and resumed the practice of medicine at Clear Spring. He was injured in the left ankle and seriously disabled while in the army. He served as county commissioner from 1867 to 1873, two terms. He was appointed in June, 1885, ex- amining surgeon for the pension department, and occupied the position of president of the board of examining surgeons at North. Vernon, Ind. He was married, in 1858, to Nancy C. Carr, and four children have been born to them, three of whom are living: Sarah, born August 1, 1859: Kitty, a twin sister of the former; John C., born September 17, 1861; Caroline Vir- ginia, born April 22, 1867. The Doctor's ancestors were Vir- ginians. Both of his grandfathers were Revolutionary soldiers for the full term of seven years. His maternal line of ancestors were from James River. No physician in Jackson County stands higher than Dr. Wells, and very few are his peers in his pro- fession.
ALEXANDER H. WRAY, a resident of Owen Township, Jackson Co., Ind., was born in Garnett County, Ky., January 20, 1834. His parents were Eli and Paulina (Henderson) Wray, who came to this county not long after Alexander's birth, and ranked among the pioneers of Jackson County. The father is said to have been one of the earliest Whigs in the county. The son's education was acquired in the early log schoolhouses of his day, that formed a wide contrast with those of the present time. Puncheon floors and large fire-places were then universal. Throughout life Mr. Wray's calling has been that of a farmer. In July, 1862, he enlisted in Company K, of the Fifty-fifth Reg-
Digitized by Google
733
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
iment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry. On account of disability he was compelled to quit service. In January, 1865, he again entered the army, this time in Company F, of the One Hundred and Forty-fifth Regiment, where he served fifteen months. He took part in campaigns in Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama and other States, and returned home badly disabled from injuries received. His marriage with Martha Fountain was solemnized in February, 1853. Of the ten children that have been born to them only these four are now living: Henry, Rebecca J., Sarah and Martha Isabel. The parents are members of the Christian Church and are among its leading members. Mr. Wray has been a consistent Republican.
REDDING TOWNSHIP.
ARTHUR C. BRADBURY, a farmer of Redding Township, is a native of North Carolina, born April 4, 1816, son of Arthur and Mary Bradbury, who were natives of North Carolina. The former died in his native State. His wife came to Jackson County, Ind., where she died May 20, 1840. Our subject's early life was passed in farming and clerking in a store. In 1835 he came to Jackson County, of which he has ever since been a citizen. He has been twice married, the first time, October 29, 1837, to Han- nah Easter, a native of Fayette County, Penn., born August 10, 1810, by whom he had the following children: Barbara, born December 22, 1838, now wife of J. R. Curns; Mary M. E., June 25, 1842, died December 31, 1875; Maria, September 21, 1845, wife of R. W. Brooks; Mahala, February 17, 1848, died August 15, 1856, and Eliza J., born December 1, 1850, died September 9, 1877. Mrs. Bradbury died January 29, 1876. November 28, 1878, he returned to his native State and married an estimable lady, Mary H. Bradbury, a native of North Carolina, born Octo- ber 8, 1813. Mr. Bradbury served an apprenticeship as brick- mason and shoe-maker, but his main occupation has been farming. He now owns 172 acres of land in Jackson County, besides land in North Carolina. In 1846 he partially lost his eyesight, and in
Digitized by y Google
734
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
1861 became totally blind. From that time to the present he has borne his affliction with unusual patience, and always with kind- ness. He has served as justice of the peace and township clerk, been a member of the Christian Church since 1846, and a life- long Democrat. His wife has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church since 1832.
NICHOLAS DEPPERT, a farmer of Redding Township, was born in Bavaria Germany, December 13, 1813, the eldest son of George and Dothory (Sinner) Deppert, the former born in Bavaria and the latter in Saxon Germany. They married in their native country in 1837, and immigrated to America, settling in Redding Township, Jackson County, where they resided until their death. He died in about 1874, his wife in about 1866. They were much respected in their community, and were members of the Lutheran Church. Our subject has been a resident of Jackson County since 1837. He worked by the day and month until he had acquired sufficient means to purchase fifty-one acres of land, and has added to that until he now owns 151 acres of well-improved land. August 24, 1838, he married, in Jefferson County, Ind., Margaret Buchwad, a native of Germany. She was the mother of two children, John A., born in 1841, and Mar- garet, wife of Etson Claus. John A. took an active part. in the war of the Rebellion, and went out in the Fiftieth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was a good soldier, and took part in many battles. He died at Little Rock, Ark. Mrs. Dep- pert died in 1844. Mr. Deppert took for his second wife Pris- cilla Standfield, a native of North Carolina. Mr. Deppert is a well-respected citizen of the county, has been an officer of the township in which he lives five times, and is a member of the Lutheran Church. His wife is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. He is a Democrat.
OLIVER M. GLASSON, a leading citizen of Redding Town- ship, was born in Jackson County May 23, 1843, son of William and Rachel (Marshall) Glasson. The former was of Welsh de- scent, and both natives of North Carolina, the former born in 1799, his wife in 1802. They were married in their native State in about 1820, and soon after came to Jackson County, Ind. He was a wagon-maker by trade, but mainly followed farming. He
-Digitized by Google
1
735
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
died in 1868. His wife preceded him in 1848. Our subject is the youngest child. He received his education at the common schools. He worked on his father's farm until 1862, when he en- listed in Company G, Sixty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry. His first battle was at Mumfordsville, Ky., where he was taken prisoner and paroled. He was soon after exchanged. He was in the siege of Vicksburg, also Black River, Arkansas Post, Jackson, Miss., Champion Hill, Fort Gibson, Fort Morgan, Fort Gains, was all through the Florida campaign, was with Gen. Banks on the Red River expedition, and many other engagements. After the close of the war he again gave his attention to farming. He is the owner of 208 acres of well-cultivated land. In 1866 he married Margaret Tinder, a native of Jackson County, and daugh- ter of Timothy and Peggy (Jones) Tinder, who were prominent early settlers of Jackson County. Mr. Glasson has two sons, Charles and John T. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., No. 414, Lincoln Lodge, of Seymour, and identified himself with the Dem- ocratic party.
HENRY NAYROCKER, a citizen of Redding Township, was born in Switzerland, August 9, 1814. He is a son of Henry and Ann (Brunner) Nayrocker, natives of Switzerland. They came to America in 1834, and settled in Jackson County, where they purchased government land, and lived there until their death, which occurred about 1859, his wife in 1835. Our subject received his education in Switzerland, and, like his father, followed farming for a living. He married, in 1845, Margaret Price, a native of Germany, who bore him the following children: Mary, Lizzie, John and Henry. She was a member of the Lu- theran Church, and died in 1871. Mr. Nayrocker has secured, by his energy and labor, 214 acres of fine land, which he has im- proved. His son, Henry, now farms part of the old homestead, where he was born, March 9, 1855. He married, November 25, 1879, Agnes Elsner, a native of Cincinnati, born May 31, 1858. They have three children: William, Annie and Oscar.
JOHN SHADE, deceased, was a farmer of Redding Town- ship. He was born in Germany, March 11, 1812, and came to America in 1837, locating in Jackson County. In 1838 he mar- ried Hannah Deppert, who is a native of Germany, born Novem-
Digitized by Google
-
736
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
ber 15, 1812. By this marriage there are two children: John and George. Mr. Shade died June 7, 1850. He was held in high esteem as an honest and upright citizen and neighbor. He was obliged, when young, to rely upon his own resources, and worked at anything he could obtain until he accumulated enough money to buy him a farm. He was a member of the Lutheran Church. His son, George, now resides on the old homestead and works the farm. He married Eva Reighel. They have four children: Annie, Mattie, Julius and Martin.
JOHN SHANNON, a farmer, and resident of Redding Town- ship, was born in Jefferson County, Ky., in 1825, and is the son of Samuel and Mary A. Shannon, natives of Pennsylvania and Ireland. They moved to Clark County, Ind., in 1837, and to Jackson County about 1849, where they settled on a farm in Red- ding Township, where they both died, at about the age of seventy- seven years. Our subject's vocation through life was that of a farmer. April 12, 1849, he married Mariam Cox, daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth Cox, who were prominent early settlers of Jackson County. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Shannon: Mary A., born July 15, 1850; Elizabeth L., September 23, 1852; Attlas W., September 6, 1858; Lillie R., June 28, 1860; Samuel F., November 28, 1862, Benjamin G., June 23, 1865. Mrs. Shannon died September 6, 1865. Mr. Shannon again married, April 9, 1866, Mary, the widow of S. D. Allen, and daughter of William P. Coons, and a native of Scott County, Ind., born October 13, 1833. She has three children by her former marriage: Alice A., born November 6, 1857; Mary J., November 19, 1859, died February 27, 1876; Ella D., Decem- ber 19, 1861. By her second marriage, with Mr. Shannon, she has the following children: Mariam A., January 4, 1867; Le- nora M., April 16, 1869; George M. W., July 16, 1871; Lydia V., December 8, 1875: John W., February 17, 1877. Mr. Shan- non owns 260 acres of well-improved land, which is the fruit of his own industry. Politically he is a Democrat, and his wife has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for thirty-six years. They are held in high esteem by all who know them.
-
Digitized by Google
73'
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
SALT CREEK TOWNSHIP.
FRANK ACKERMAN, of Salt Creek Township, is a native of Switzerland, and was born October 16, 1824. Early in 1854 he embarked for America, and in March landed at New York. From there he proceeded to Columbus, Ohio, and in that vicinity hired out to work on the farm. It is one of the curious coinci- dences that the woman who became his wife came over on the same ship and hired out to the same farmer, although they were then unacquainted. In September, 1854, they were married, and the result of this union has been eight sons: Joseph, Henry, John, Frank, Charles, Louis, Edward and William. In 1858 he moved to Dearborn County, where he remained until 1866. At that time he bought the farm in Jackson County, where he has ever since lived. He is a successful farmer, and they belong .to the German Methodist Episcopal Church.
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.