USA > Indiana > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Indiana > Part 60
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WILLIAM ACTON, a resident of Salt Creek Township, was born in the township where he now lives, August 4, 1842. He is the eldest son of Richard and Arena (Lorance) Acton, both natives of Kentucky. Farming has always been the occupation of Mr. Acton, and his whole life has been spent on the farm where he now resides. His education is such as the common schools of his day afforded, and is practical. Emily C. Knight, of Lawrence County, became his wife November 19, 1865, and to them have been born these six children: Addie E., Mariah A., Charles W., Clarence A .. Mary I., and Alice E. In September, 1862, Mr. Acton enlisted in the Fiftieth Indiana Regiment, where he served until June, 1865. His politics are Democratic, and in 1869 he was elected township assessor, but resigned. In 1878 he was chosen trustee, and served four years. He is a member of the G. A. R. at Freetown. Both Mr. and Mrs. Acton are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and they are among the best and most influential people of the county.
WILLIAM BOWMAN is a native of Salt Creek Township, where he now resides, and was born August 30, 1842. He is
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the eldest son of Daniel and Sarah (Allman) Bowman, natives of North Carolina, and of Dutch descent. The primitive schools of his time afforded but limited opportunities for education. His nuptials with Nancy J. Martin, of Washington County, were celebrated January 22, 1860. Two children were born to them: Mary E., who died in 1885, in her twenty-third year, and John M. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bowman are among the leading members of the Christian Church. He has espoused the principles of the Democratic party, and has held several township offices. His father, Daniel, one of the pioneers of the county, died July 30, 1882.
JOHN W. BROWN, a merchant of Houston, was born in Salt Creek Township, March 1, 1860. His parents were natives of the same township, and named Thomas and Lean (Cornett) Brown. John is the oldest living son. He received a good edu- cation in the common schools and at the Clear Spring Academy. He was raised on the farm, where his time was mostly spent until the fall of 1884, when he began doing a general merchan- dise trade at Houston. By his enterprise he is rapidly building up an extensive trade. His marriage with Mary J. Bowman was solemnized January 16, 1880. Their only child is named Ova. January 24, 1884, he was grieved by his wife's death. He is a Democrat, and takes an active interest in public affairs.
ANDREW G. BRUNN, a native of Baden, Germany, and a resident of Salt Creek Township, was born March 28, 1838. In 1857, at the age of nineteen, he embarked for America, and in August, of that year, landed at New New York. From there he proceeded directly to Brownstown, in Jackson County, where he at once secured work at his trade, that of a shoe-maker. He re- mained there until 1864, when he entered the army, and served until the close of the war. He was engaged in the battles of Franklin, Nashville and others. Upon his return he resumed his trade in Brownstown, and worked there until 1885, when he moved to this portion of the county. In 1860 he married Maggie Reed, who bore him two children: Charles and John. She died in 1866, from consumption, and the following year he was married to Susan Marsh, of this county. The result of this union was two children: Laura and Florence. In 1876 Mr.
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Brunn again mourned a wife's death. In the same year Phoebe C. Callahan became his third wife. They are the parents of three children: Jacob E. Alpha E. and Cora. Mr. Brunn is a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity, and one of the industri- ous men of his community.
DR. GEORGE CHUTE is a native of Washington County, Ohio. He was born June 8, 1825, being the eldest son of Will- iam and Anna Chute. His parents were natives of Maine and Ohio, and were descendants of the old Yankee and Dutch ele- ments of the Eastern States. George's early schooling was received in a log schoolhouse of his native county. At the age of seventeen he entered the academy at Marietta, Ohio, where he remained about one year. About this time he began the study of medicine with Dr. Freeman, of Marietta, devoting but a por- tion of his time to the study. In the fall of 1844 he entered a medical college at Cincinnati, under Prof. Alva Curliss. Having graduated from that institution in the spring of 1861, he came to Indiana and began the practice of his profession in Freetown. Being conscious of the responsibilities of a physician, Mr. Chute understood that a medical college diploma was not a synonym for the words " skilled practitioner," and he has been untiring in his devotion to the study of the science. As a result of his efforts he was most successful, and acquired an extensive practice. De- cember, 1848, he married Mary J. Nichol, a native of Pennsylva- nia. To them have been born six children, of whom three are living: Edna, Eliza and Roxena. He is a member of the F. & .A. M., and in politics is a Democrat. Of late years the Doctor's health has been failing, and he has given up the practice of call- ing upon his patients.
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JAMES OLIVER CROSS, of Salt Creek Township, was born in Tennessee April 16, 1830, he being the second son of William and Mariam Cross. His father and mother (whose maiden name was Mormon) were both born in North Carolina, and both moved to this State in 1816, locating where Seymour now stands. The county was at that time a wilderness, and In- dians roamed through the forest unmolested. They were married in 1822, and soon after they moved to North Carolina, and shortly from thence to Tennessee, where Oliver was born. In 1831 they
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moved back to this county, locating in Salt Creek Township, where they resided the rest of their lives. The occupation of William Cross was that of a farmer. He and his wife joined the Chris- tian Church at Buffalo in 1840. They both served as officers in the church up to death, she serving as deaconess for thirty-five years. At the time of the early settling of this county physicians were few. Mrs. Cross was much praised for waiting on and caring for the sick. It was no rare occurrence for her to ride ten or twelve miles in the dark, through woods and rain or snow, to visit and care for some poor sufferer. William Cross died in 1861, of dropsy. His widow died September 17, 1885, after a lin- gering illness of eight months caused by typhoid fever, aged nearly seventy-nine years. She had resided on the same farm, two miles northeast of Houston, since 1832, or for fifty-three years, being at the time of her death one of the earliest inhabit- ants of Salt Creek Township, also of the county. Oliver remained at home, receiving a very limited education, working on the farm, until 1851, at which time he was united in marriage to Margaret Souder, who was a native of Brownstown Township, born May 16, 1830. He purchased a farm in the eastern part of Salt Creek Township, and began farming. Soon after he secured and moved on a farm one and one-half miles northeast of Houston, where he has since continued the occupation of farming. In February of 1861 his wife died. To them were born four children, two of whom are living, namely: Susan and Jane, both married. In 1862, when the Fiftieth Regiment was sent forth to help subdue the Rebellion, Oliver accompanied them. He was never sworn in, and went merely to be with his three brothers, who were in the regiment. December 4, 1863, he married Lucretia Pruitt, who was born in Brown County, this State, October 17, 1848, but at the time of marriage she was an inhabitant of Salt Creek Township. To them were born nine children, eight of whom are living, namely: Thomas Sherman, John M., Nancy A., James B., Mariam J., Hattie E., Lucy B. and Laura E. For the past five years Mr. Cross and sons have been dealing largely in staves, under the name of J. O. Cross & Sons. Cross & Sons are buying staves in five counties, namely: Jackson, Bartholomew, Lawrence, Brown and Monroe. Gibson & McDonald, of Seymour, have been
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using most of their staves. Their stave trade has furnished thousands of dollars to Salt Creek and surrounding townships. By having their staves dressed in the country they furnish em- ployment to hundreds of hands, thus greatly benefitting the local merchants by giving them the trade which would otherwise go to the cities or larger towns. Mr. Cross' ancestors were English on his father's side and German and French on his mother's side. He and wife are both members of the Christian Church. Dem- ocratic in politics.
JOHN CROSS, one of the leading citizens of Jackson County and a prominent farmer of Salt Creek Township, was born in Burke County, N. C., February 7, 1815. His parents were Solomon and Elizabeth (Tippes) Cross, who came to this county in an early day. John's education was but meager in early life, owing to poor facilities in his native State. He has now been a resident of the county fifty-seven years. April 7, 1835, he married Elizabeth Brown, also of North Carolina. She died December 31, 1867. June 28, following, he married Mrs. Cansada (Hunter) Winkler, of Lawrence County. In 1834 he began doing a dry goods busi- ness at Houston, and continued at that for fourteen years. At the end of that time he sold out and returned to his farm where he now lives. He has been successful in business and closely iden- tified with the interests of the county. He voted for Jackson, and from that time to the present has been identified with the Demo- cratic party. In 1859 he was chosen county commissioner and served three years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cross are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has served thirty-one years as steward.
LEVI M. CROSS is a native of Salt Creek Township, where he now lives and was born December 10, 1842. He is the eldest son of Thomas and Rebecca (Bridgewaters) Cross. His educa- tion is such as the schools of his day afforded. Eliza Cordell, a native of Ohio, became his wife October 16, 1865, and to their union six children were born, of whom five are now living: Cath- erine, George W., Franklin, Mary A., and Edward. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the Sixty-seventh Regiment Indiana Infantry, and took part in all the important battles in which that regiment was engaged. On his return home, he followed farming until
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1868, when he began the wagon-maker's trade. December 29, 1882, he mourned the death of his wife; and June 24, 1883, he married Rettie Smith of this county. In 1882 he was appointed postmaster, and at once began keeping a line of notions, groceries, etc. He belongs to the G. A. R., and is a Democrat. Mr. Cross has been quite successful thus far in life. He and wife are mem- bers of the United Brethren Church, in which he is an officer.
S. Z. CROSS, who now lives in Salt Creek Township, was born in Brownstown Township, this county, July 18, 1842. He is the eldest son of Jacob and Eliza (Richards) Cross, of Tennes- see and Kentucky. His early education was limited to the country schools of his time. His marriage with Anna R. DeLong, a native of Ohio, was solemnized October 3, 1866. Of their eight children only six are now living: Ralph R., Samuel J., Florilla, Emil E., Edna V. and Ida I. Mr. Cross has always been engaged in farm- ing, although he has worked some at carpentering. He volun- teered in the Fiftieth Indiana Regiment, in October, 1861, and served until September, 1865. His political faith has always been that of a Democrat. He and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he has been a member of the Masonic society for fifteen years.
D. J. CUMMINGS, M. D., of Houston, was born in Jackson County, July 11, 1845. His parents were Joseph and Malinda (Faubion) Cumming, natives, respectively, of Lawrence County, Ind., and of Tennessee. In early life the Doctor attended the common schools and later received an academic education in the schools at Clear Spring. At the early age of eighteen he volun- teered in the service of his country. The date of his enlistment was December 17, 1863, and his regiment was the Ninety-third Indiana Infantry, with which he served in several battles, and at the close of the war was honorably discharged. Upon his return, finished his schooling in the academy and began the study of medicine with Dr. W. H. Smith, at Leesville. In the fall of 1868 he began a course in the Miami Medical College of Cincinnati. In the following May he located at Houston, where he has suc- ceeded in building up a large and lucrative practice. His first wife was Sarah E. Starr, of Lawrence County, and this wedding was solemnized July 26, 1866; three children were born to this
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union. She died September 23, 1871, and for his second wife he took Rebecca J. Cummings June 30, 1872. She has borne him three children; Elmer, Cora and Joseph. The Doctor is a Mason, in which order he is now Worshipful Master, and is also a member of the G. A. R. His political affiliation is with the Democratic party. He stands high in his profession and has been twice appointed a delegate to the American Medical Association.
THOMAS FLEETWOOD, a farmer of Salt Creek Township, where he was born April 10, 1846, is the third son of Jesse and Cynthia (Stewart) Fleetwood. The parents were natives of Ken- tucky. The common schools of Jackson County afforded the only source of education for Thomas, and because of hard work he was unable to avail himself of their full benefit. He was raised a farmer, an occupation he has followed throughout life with success. Ellen Lutes, a native of Brown County, Ind., became his wife in January, 1872. To this union have been born five children: Zefery, Jefferson, Purley, Maude and Ica. In pol- itics he has always been reliably Democratic.
GEORGE W. GIBSON, M. D., one of the leading phy- sicians of the county, and a citizen of Houston, was born in Bel- mont County, Ohio, July 13, 1838. His parents were Allen and Deborah (Barnes) Gibson, and he is their eldest son. They were of German, Scotch and American extraction, and natives of Penn- sylvania and Ohio. George W., in early life, attended the com- mon schools, and after coming to Indiana in 1852, went nearly two years to an Indianapolis school. He located at Nashville, this State, and for two terms taught in Brown County. In 1858 he began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. John Carson, where he remained until 1860. At that time he entered the Lou- isville University. In the spring of 1861 he returned to Brown County and enlisted in the Twenty-second Regiment of Indiana. He served in all the hard fought campaigns for which that regiment was famous. He was mustered out July 24, 1865. Soon after his return to Brown County he was taken sick, and he returned to his old home in Ohio for one year. He then returned to Nashville, and in 1867 he located at Houston, in the practice of his profes- sion, where he has been ever since. He enjoys a good practice and the esteem of those who know him. The Doctor is a member of the Masonic order, and a reliable Democrat in politics.
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GEORGE M. LUCAS is a native and resident of Salt Creek Township. He is the youngest child of Jesse and Elizabeth (Parks) Lucas, both of North Carolina. The father was one of the pioneers of Jackson County and died August, 1848. George M. received but a limited education in the schools of his native township. In February, 1864, he enlisted in his country's serv- ice, and served in some of the most important battles of the war. Among them were Konesaw Mountain. Tunnel Hill, Dallas, Res- aca, Peachtree Creek, Rome, Jonesboro, Bentonville, and went with Sherman on his march to the sea. He was mustered out in July, 1865. Upon his return home he engaged in farming. His marriage with Nancy C. Gobble, of the same township, was sol- emnized September 22, 1866. Their family of eight children are all living and named Olive L., John W., Mary E., Jacob C., Sam- uel E., Lewis B., Sophrony M. and Inez. He is a member of the G. A. R. and an active Democrat.
DANIEL LUTES, one of the oldest men of Salt Creek Town- ship, was born in Burke County. N. C., June 19, 1810. His par- ents were John and Catherine ( Bowman) Lutes, of whom he is the eldest son. His early education was received in his native county, and at the age of twelve years he came to Jackson County with his parents, where his home has ever since been and where the father died in 1862. He was raised upon the farm and there his life has been mostly spent. His success in his business has been marked, and all his undertakings have been prosperous. Mr. Lutes has never been married, and, though in the evening of life, he looks back upon his course with evident satisfaction, and not sorry that his many years have been passed in the realms of bachelorhood, where women are supposed not to intrude.
MARTHA E. LUTES, wife of John W. Lutes (deceased), of Salt Creek Township. Jackson County. was born in Ohio December 31, 1848. She is the youngest daughter of John and Mariah (Hilt) Wadsworth, who now reside in Brown County, Ind. Her husband, John W. Lutes, was born in this county November 20, 1844. His schooling was limited, but he succeeded. in acquiring a practical education. His only occupation during life was farming, and in that he was successful in every partic- ular. His death happened April 30, 1880, at which time Salt
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Creek Township lost one of its most valuable citizens and one of its most respected men. Their seven children were named Meedy E., Rosa O., Ida I., Eva L. (deceased), Rosa C. (deceased), Lula B. (deceased) and Marcus M.
JOSEPH G. L. LUTES, of Salt Creek Township, was born in the township where he now lives September 27, 1854. He is the fifth son in the family of his parents, who were Henry and Catherine (Cross) Lutes, and died in 1862 and 1864 respectively. The common schools of the county was the only source of Jo- seph's education. He was raised upon the farm, and until 1885 his only occupation was farming. In June of that year he began doing a dry goods business, and he is still engaged in that calling. Miss Estella Cornett, a descendant of one of the oldest families in Salt Creek Township, became his wife November 6, 1879. They are well and favorably known in that portion of the county where they live. The political sentiments of Mr. Lutes are of the Democratic kind.
DR. GRAFTON MANUEL, of Freetown, Jackson County, is a native of Ohio, and is the oldest son born to James and Jane (Stillwagon) Manuel. He is of Spanish descent and his ances- tors took part in the war of 1812, perhaps in the Revolution. His early education was received in the common schools of Bel- mont, his native county, and later attended a select school. At the age of eighteen he went to Marshall County and began teach- ing. He was born August 12, 1834, and April 12, 1853, he mar- ried Elizabeth J. Logsdon, of Marshall County, W. Va. She bore him one child, named for the mother, and died April 10, 1854. In the same year he began studying medicine with Dr. Sam Griffith, of the same county. In 1857 he came to Jackson County and located at Freetown. In May, of that year, he mar- ried Elizabeth J. Acton, of this county, and they are the parents of seven children, all living. The Doctor has had quite an ex- tensive practice in his profession and in addition to this has taught school some during the winter seasons. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and a Democrat. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is a licensed local preacher.
CHARLES A. MOTSINGER, a druggist of Salt Creek
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Township, where he was born September 9, 1860, is a son of George W. and Mahala ( White) Motsinger, natives of Washing- ton County. The education of Charles W. was obtained in the common schools and by attending one term at the Clear Spring Academy. He was reared on the farm where most of his life has been spent. He was born in the vicinity of Freetown and, with the exception of two years spent in the West, has always made his home in Salt Creek Township. September 13, 1885, he was married to Jennie Thompson, from Houston. In the fall of 1884 he began doing a drug trade which is increasing. He is one of the rising young business men of Jackson County.
WATSON O. SCOTT, a teacher of Salt Creek Township, is a son of Rev. A. and Mary J. (Hanna) Scott, both natives of Ohio and of Scotch descent. The father was well educated, and taught school until he entered the ministry in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a Mason and a Democrat. Watson O. was born in Washington County, Ohio, December 16, 1861. He received a good education and entered Moore's Hill College. He began teaching in 1880 and is in his fourth term as teacher. July 4, 1883, he was united in marriage to Mary J. Brown, a native of Brown County, Ind. Two children have been born to them: William B. and an infant unnamed. He has inherited the political sentiments of his father.
HIRAM SPRAGUE, a prominent citizen of Salt Creek Township, and one of the reliable teachers of the county, was born in Marion County, Ohio, October 7, 1834. His parents, John and Mary (Taylor) Sprague, were both of Belmont County, Ohio, and of Irish-Dutch extraction. Hiram was reared on the farm and received sufficient education at home and in the com- mon schools to enable him to teach. This he began at the age of twenty-six, and after teaching six winters he came to Indiana. He is now living on the same farm entered by his father in 1851. After coming here he continued teaching and has now taught fourteen schools in this State. April 16, 1870, he married Mary A. Lloyd, a native of Muskingum County, Ohio. Their two children are named John O. and George C. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sprague are members of the United Brethren Church, in which he is now one of the trustees. He is a Democrat and one of the most highly respected men of Salt Creek Township.
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JAMES SMITH, a well-known farmer of Salt Creek Town- ship, was born in Belmont County July 1, 1830, and is the third son of Thomas G. and Mary (Simpson) Smith, natives of Mary- land and Virginia, of Dutch and Irish extraction. His education was limited to the common country schools. He was raised a farmer, an occupation he has followed successfully all his life. April 18, 1850, he was married to Sarah A. Burcher, of the same county. To them have been born four children: Thomas J. (deceased), John M., Mary A. and Emily B. In September, 1861, he enlisted in the Sixty-second Regiment, Ohio Infantry. He was in the battles of Winchester, Cross Keys and was with McClellan in his seven days' fight near Richmond. He was dis- charged on account of physical disability. On his return home he continued farming in Ohio until 1876, when he came to Salt Creek Township. He has followed farming since then and is now a member of the G. A. R. His politics are Republican.
NATHAN LLOYD, a well-known citizen of Salt Creek Township, is the youngest son of Nathan and Louisa (Jones) Lloyd, who were of Welsh descent. The date of his birth is September 9, 1851, in Highland County, Ohio. His education was received in his native county and partly in Jackson County. In 1865, at the age of fourteen years, he came to Jackson County with his parents, and his home has been here ever since. Most of his life has been spent on the farm. In 1881 he opened a store of general merchandise at Maumee, where he has since been doing a very good trade. He is the proprietor of the place and its leading spirit. Sarah C. Ireland, of Brownstown, became his wife March 16, 1873, and together they are the parents of five children, named Vevay D., Zephyr E., Addie B., J. B. G. and Ethel, all living. Mr. Lloyd is a notary public and a Republican in politics.
CHARLES W. THOMPSON, a leading citizen of Jackson County and resident of Houston, was born in Lawrence County, Ind., May 26, 1838. He is the fourth son of Andrew and Eliza (Cummings) Thompson. The father was born in 1801, came to this county in 1845 and located one mile from Houston. He is still living and was born in Kentucky; the mother in Tennessee. Charles W.'s education did not extend beyond the common
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schools. April 7, 1859, he married Mary E. Cornett, of this county, who has borne him six children: Walter, Hamlin F., Charles L., Rosetta A., Tessa L. and David W. In October, 1861, he enlisted in Company H, of the Fiftieth Indiana Regi- ment, and. was mustered out July 22, 1862. He is a member of the G. A. R., in which he is now Commander. He is a Democrat and is active in his party's behalf. He has been township assessor and trustee four years each, and central committeeman six years. He will doubtless receive other honors at his party's hands. For several years he has been practicing law, and he belongs to the bar of Brown, Lawrence and Jackson Counties. Both Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
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