USA > Indiana > Johnson County > History of Johnston County, Indiana. From the earliest time to the present, with biographical sketches, notes, etc., together with a short history of the Northwest, the Indiana territory, and the state of Indiana > Part 38
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JOHN A. COLLIER, the gentleman whose biographical sketch is herewith presented, is a representative of one of the earliest pioneer families in Johnson County, his father, Isaac Collier, having located
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on the present site of Edinburg, before the county was organized. The Colliers were early residents of Greenfield, Ohio, in which town the above named Isaac worked at the blacksmithing trade. He served in the War of 1812 as drum major, and shortly after the close of the struggle came to Indiana. He eventually came to Johnson County and built the first residence in the town of Edin- burg, and also claimed the distinction of being the first mechanic of the place, opening a blacksmith shop immediately upon his arrival. He was a splendid mechanic, especially skilled in fine work, such as edged tools, guns, pistols, etc. Ifis wife's maiden name was Nancy Jones. He married her in Ohio, and raised a family of nine children, only two of whom are now living, to-wit: Isaac D. and the subject of this sketch. He died in the year IS40, at the age of sixty. His wife survived him forty years, dying in ISSo, at the ripe old age of ninety. John A. Collier was born in the town of Greenfield, Ohio, on the 25th day of November, 1820. He was raised in Johnson County, Ind., and obtained his first start in life by flat-boating and saw-milling. He subsequently purchased land in Blue River Township, and engaged in farming, which was his occu- pation until 1883. In that year he turned his attention to the manu- facture of brick, a business he still follows. In this enterprise Mr. Collier has been quite successful, the yearly production of his kilns being over 200,000 brick, all of which find ready sale in Edinburg and vicinity. Mr. Collier was married January 1, IS45, to Miss Deborah Ann Bills, daughter of Abraham and Harriet (Johnson) Bills, of New Jersey. The following are the names of Mr. and Mrs. Collier's children now living: Susan, wife of - Smith ; Margie, wife of William Dark; John B .; Harriet B., wife of Farr, and Isaac.
GEORGE CUTSINGER, son of Samuel and Elizabeth Cutsinger, was born in Shelby County, Ind., on the 2Sth day of February, 1843. He was educated in the country schools, and reared to agri- cultural pursuits, which he has always followed, beginning farm life for himself about the year 1866, in Jackson Township, Shelby Co. He afterward moved to Johnson County, where, after a short residence, he returned to Shelby, and at this time lives upon the paternal homestead, one of the best improved farms in the section where it is located. Mr. Cutsinger owns valuable lands in Johnson and Bartholomew counties, and in addition deals in thorough-bred horses and other fine live-stock. He is an industrious and intelli- gent man, and one of the leading citizens of the community in which he resides. Miss Matilda Miller, of Bartholomew County, daughter of Isaac and Anna Miller, became his wife on the Ioth day of De- cember, 1863. Mr. and Mrs. Cutsinger have six children, whose
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names are as follows: Mollie W., wife of Prof. A. J. Loughery, of Edinburg; Kittie, wife of E. Wheatly; Frank M., Elizabeth D., and Roscoe. Mr. Cutsinger is a democrat in politics, but has never sought official honors at the hands of his fellow citizens.
JOHN M. CUTSINGER, farmer and stock-raiser, and a member of one of the early pioneer families of Johnson County, was born in Blue River Township, on the Sth day of January, 1839. His father was Jacob Cutsinger, a native of Virginia, and an early set- tler of Johnson County, moving here some time before the county was organized. Jacob Cutsinger was a farmer and distiller, also a stock-raiser, in all of which he was very successful. He died in the year 1852. John M. Cutsinger is the youngest of a family of seven children, two of whom, beside himself, are living, viz .: Will- iam and Mrs. Catherine A. Heiflan. He was reared to agricul- tural pursuits, and in time became a leading farmer of Blue River Township, where he now owns 120 acres of fine land, upon which are many valuable improvements. He deals largely in stock, and, in addition to his own land, farms other places, renting a good deal of ground. He is an energetic and enterprising citizen, and a con- sistent member of the Methodist Protestant Church, to which his wife also belongs. He was married in Bartholomew County, Ind., to Miss Imelda Carter, daughter of John S. and Sarah (Cook) Carter. To this union have been born the following children: Mrs. Ella J. Klein, Mrs. Sarah M. Furnas, Annie E., Samuel S., Thomas A., Jessie M., Homer C. and Floyd W.
MARTIN CUTSINGER, third son of Samuel and Elizabeth ( Har- ris) Cutsinger, was born in Shelby County, Ind., on the 7th day of February, 1856. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, received a good education, and began life as a farmer, in which calling he has been more than ordinarily successful, owning at this time one of the largest and best improved farms in the vicinity of Edinburg. Mr. Cutsinger's life has been characterized by that energy and ag- gressiveness which marks the successful man, and as a reward of his well-directed business efforts, he stands to-day in the foremost rank of Johnson County's representative citizens. In connection with his farming interests, Mr. Cutsinger has given a great deal of attention to live-stock, and upon his beautiful farm, one mile north- east of Edinburg, are to be seen some of the finest short-horn cat- tle in this section of the state - some of which represent a capital of over $300 each. To his efforts is largely due the credit of awakening an interest in behalf of improved herds among the farm- ers of Johnson County, and upon all matters pertaining to the grow- ing of fine stock, he is an authority. Aside from his farming and stock interests, he is interested in the Edinburg Starch Works, own-
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ing a share in the factory, and takes an active interest in the success of the business. Mr. Cutsinger was united in marriage, May 4, 1876, to Miss Charity N. Williams, of Bartholomew County, daughter of Claiborne Williams, one the prominent farmers and stock-raisers in this part of the state. Mr. and Mrs. Cutsinger are the parents of four children, three of whom are living, viz .: Homer, Clarence and Minnie Belle.
SAMUEL CUTSINGER, a prominent farmer, and one of the lead- ing business men of central Indiana, was born in Washington County, Ky., on the 25th day of June, 1820. Two years later the family came to Indiana, and settled in what is now Jackson Town- spip, Shelby County, where amid the active scenes and rugged du- ties of pioneer life the youthful years of our subject were passed. The family living in moderate circumstances, young Samuel was obliged to bear his part in the work of clearing and developing the farm, consequently his educational training was very limited, as but little time could be devoted to attendance at school. He early displayed rare business qualifications, however, and by much min- gling with men in after years acquired a practical education such as few possess. He remained with his parent until his marriage, which took place December 12, 1839, with Elizabeth Harris, and then moved to Edinburg, where he had engaged in the mercantile busi- ness the year previous. Here he remained until 1841, when he moved back to Jackson Township, and resumed farming which, with stock-raising, he has since carried on. Mrs. Cutsinger was born in Kentucky, September, 1820, and came to Shelby County, Ind., when but nine years of age. Thirteen children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Cutsinger, namely: Mary, Jane, George, Ed- monson, Maria, Catherine, Ann, Hannah B., Martin, Indiana, Ivory H., Eleanor and William E. Of these, all are living with the excep- tion of the fifth daughter, Ann, and nearly all settled near their father's home. As a farmer and stock-raiser, Mr. Cutsinger has met with success such as few achieve, and in his business transac- tions has displayed financial ability of the highest order. Begin- ning life with little or no capital, he has so managed his affairs as to accumulate a large fortune, owning at this time over I,Soo acres of valuable land, besides having a large amount of capital in- vested in manufacturing enterprises at Edinburg and Franklin. He has made a great deal of money in stock, dealing extensively in cattle and hogs, always making it a point to have them as large and fat as could be found in the market. Latterly he has dealt more in cattle, and fattens yearly from 200 to 250 head of choice steers. In 1869, Mr. Cutsinger, with three other business men, founded the Edinburg Starch Works, the largest enterprise of the kind in
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the state, and one of the largest in the United States west of the Alleghany Mountains. He has been the leading spirit of the en- terprise, and much of its success has been due to his able manage- ment and business foresight. Latterly he became identified with the starch works at Franklin, in which he has a large amount of capital invested. Both of these establishments are appropriately mentioned in another part of this volume. The better to look after his business interests, Mr. Cutsinger, in 1884, moved to Edinburg, where he has since resided, his residence here being one of the finest homes in the city. Politically, Mr. Cutsinger has always been an unswerving supporter of the democratic party, but he has never sought official honors at the hands of his fellow-citizens. Personally, he is very popular, and with true Kentucky hospitality believes in having as many of the good things of this world as is consistent with a successful business career. In his wife he has se- cured a life partner who has always been a helper to him, and one well qualified to fill the duties of wife and mother. She seconds her husband in giving genuine welcome to all who have the good fortune to become the recipients of their hospitality, and is favor- ably known among a large circle of friends and acquaintances for her many excellent qualities. Mr. and Mrs. Cutsinger are active members of the Christian Church of Edinburg.
THOMAS H. DAILY (deceased) was born December 4, IS41, in the town of Charlestown, Clark Co., Ind., and was a son of David W. and Mary A. (Shirley) Daily, natives respect- ively of Indiana and Kentucky. He was the youngest of a family of eleven children, seven of whom are living, and grew to manhood in his native county, in the common schools, of which he received the elements of an ordinary English education. When the war cloud gathered over the country in 1861, he responded to the call for volunteers, enlisting when but nineteen years of age, in Company D, Twenty-second Indiana Infantry, with which he served gallantly for a period of three years. IIe entered the ser- vice as a private, but soon obtained a lieutenant's commission, and later, was promoted captain, in which capacity he served on the staff of Gen. Jefferson C. Davis, between whom and himself there ex- isted an intimate friendship. He participated in a number of cam- paigns and battles, and was with his command through all its varied experiences in the service, during which time he gained the good will of his men and the confidence and esteem of his superiors in office. He. passed safely through various engagements in which his command took a part, but was severely hurt by being thrown from his horse against a tree, the effect of which was materially to
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shorten his life. He was mustered out of the service at Atlanta, Ga., September 14, 1864, and on quitting the army he received through the interposition of a friend, the position of passenger conductor on the J., M. & I. Railroad without having to pass through the usual preliminaries and promotions required for such service. He ran a train for twelve years, but owing to physical disability superin- duced by the injury received while in the army, was finally com- pelled to abandon the road, which he did very reluctantly. For about three years and nine months previous to his death, Mr. Daily was a confirmed invalid, and during that time, his comfort and satis- faction was to meet and converse with his old army comrades and recall the scenes of his battles and campaigns in which they took part while in defence of the flag. He married September 27, 1868, Miss Maggie Walsh, daughter of John Walsh, Esq., who shared with him the future vicissitudes of life, and whois now living at her home in the town of Edinburg. Mr. Daily died on the 3rd day of May, ISSI, and was buried in his native town of Charles- town. He was a devoted member of the Catholic Church, in which faith his wife and children were also raised. Mr. and Mrs. Daily raised a family of three children, namely: Katie, born July 8, 1869; Ella W., born January 4, 1872, and Maria, born November 25, 1873, died February 28, ISSO. Mrs. Daily has looked carefully to the intellectual training of her children, Miss Katie being a gradu- ate of St. Mary's academy, an educational institution located near Terre Haute. The other daughter, Ella W., is pursuing her studies at the same school.
CASSIUS W. DAVIS, the subject of this sketch, is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, and the only living child of Moses and Elizabeth (Donnelly) Davis. Paternally, Mr. Davis is descended from En- glish ancestors, and upon the mother's side from Irish. He was born on the 28th day of November, 1852, and at the early age of sixteen began life for himself, choosing for his calling the carpenter's trade, at which he served a three years' apprenticeship. He began working at his trade in Edinburg, Ind., to which place he came in 1866, and after following it several years, accepted a clerkship in the grocery house of Breeding & Bro., by whom he was employed until about the year 1883. He then became book-keeper for H. Maley & Co. (saw- and planing-mill), a position he still holds. Mr. Davis is a careful and competent business man, and enjoys the con- fidence of the wealthy firm, by which he is employed. In addition to his clerical position, he is interested in the mercantile business, being one of the partners to the grocery store of Maley, Davis & Co. He was married in November, ISSI, to Miss Ite Furgason,
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a native of Johnson County, Ind., daughter of Frank and Mary Furgason, of Edinburg. Mr. Davis is a member of the K. of P. order, and with his wife belongs to the Christian Church.
MILES DECOURSEY, farmer, Blue River Township, was born in Nineveh Township, Johnson County, Ind., July 10, 1839, and is the youngest son of John and Phebe ( Barnes ) DeCoursey, natives of Kentucky, and of French and German descent, respectively. John and Phebe DeCoursey were married in Henry County, Ky., and in 1832 moved to Indiana, and settled in Johnson County, where the father farmed for several years. He died February, 1857, in Huntington County, where he moved five years before. Mrs. DeCoursey is still living, a remarkably well-preserved old lady of eighty-one. Mr. and Mrs. DeCoursey were the parents of seven children, three living, two in this county and one in Missouri. The immediate subject of this biography was raised a farmer, and remained with his father until the latter's death. He resided for some years in Johnson, Morgan, Marion and Grant counties, and later returned to Johnson, settling in Blue River Township, where he owns a handsomely improved farm of seventy-two acres. August, 1861, Mr. DeCoursey enlisted in Company F, Seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, Col. Dumont's regiment, for the three years' service, but was discharged at the expiration of eighteen months, on account of physical disabilities. He was with the regi- ment in the bloody battles of Greenbrier, Bull Run, South Moun- tain, Antietam, and several more engagements, in all of which he bore the part of a true and faithful soldier. His disability was of such a nature, that upon one occasion, at Frederick City, Md., his physicians abandoned all hopes of his recovery, and sent the tidings of his death to his mother. January 20, 1868, Mr. DeCoursey and Miss Ilannah Mitchell, daughter of Joseph Mitchell, were united in marriage. To this union have been born four children, viz .: John W., Arthur I., Minnie G. and Ernst, all living at home.
D. L. DEMING, the subject of this biography, was born in the town of Edinburg, Ind., August 27, 1854, and is a son of B. J. and Heppy Deming, of English and German descent, respectively. The father was for some years a prominent merchant of Edinburg, but is now engaged in agricultural pursuits in Bartholomew County. He has been twice married, his first wife, whose maiden name was Sallie White, and by whom he had one child. He afterward mar- ried her sister, Heppy White, who has borne him five children, three living, whose names are as follows: Clara, wife of John A. Thompson, Mary, and D. L., the subject of this sketch. D. L. Deming was raised in Bartholomew County, and received a com- mon school education, supplemented by one year's attendance at
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Butler University, Irvington, Ind., where he graduated in the com- merciał course. On quitting school he accepted a clerkship in the dry goods house of John Walsh, Edinburg, and after spending one year in his employ, accepted a similar position with John A. Carvin, with whom he remained five years. Severing his connection with his employer, Mr. Deming next engaged in business for himself, dealing in agricultural implements in Edinburg, with an interest in the same kind of a house in Franklin. He carried on a very suc- cessful business until quite recently, when he sold out both stores. He owns a fine farm in Nineveh Township, a good property in Edinburg, and is justly considered one of the substantial and ener- getic citizens of Johnson County. Politically, he wields an influ- ence for the republican party, but has never aspired to political honors, preferring to spend his time and talents in other directions. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., belonging to the lodge in Edin- burg. October II. 1882, he solemnized his marriage with Miss Mary, daughter of Peter J. and Mary (Brewer) Banta, one of the oldest and most highly esteemed families of the county. The fruits of this union are two children, namely: Byron J. and Edwin L. Deming.
ABRAHAM DEUPREE (deceased) was a native of Kentucky, born in Nicholas County, that state, on the 17th day of June, ISII. His paternal ancestors were French Huguenots, and the family history can be traced back through many generations to the mas- sacre of St. Bartholomew, in which so many protestants lost their lives. Two members of the family escaped from France, shortly after the massacre, and making their way through England, came to America, and settled in the colony of Virginia. The descendents of these two brothers subsequently emigrated to North Carolina and Kentucky, and from the laiter state the father of the subject of this sketch, came to Indiana in IS22, and located near the pres- ent site of Edinburg. Soon after the family's arrival in the new country, the father died, leaving a widow and five small children. Abraham at this time was a mere youth, of twelve or thirteen years. Thus early deprived of his father he was obliged to make his own way in life, and impressed with the necessity of an education he attended such schools as the county afforded, until he was able to teach. For some years he taught school during the winter seasons, and worked on the farm the rest of the year, and by prudent man- agement succeeded in laying the foundation for the comfortable competence, with which his later life was blessed. In 1833, he married Hannah B. Carter, daughter of Nathan and Elizabeth (Leonard) Carter, of New Jersey, who bore him seven children, six of whom are now living. He became a member of the Christian
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Church of Edinburg, at the time of its organization in IS34, as did also his wife, and until his death was an earnest and consistent Chris- tian, having been licensed to preach in the year 1840. Although he never excelled as a public speaker, vet his talents were far above mediocrity, and by his earnest efforts in behalf of the church, did as much, if not more than any other member, to place it upon its present substantial footing. IIe was a strict temperance man, abstained from the use of tobacco and intoxicants in all their forms; and shrank not from the performance of any duty for the bettering of the con- dition of his fellow man. He left to mourn his loss, a widow, five children, and sixteen grand-children. Mrs. Deupree joined the church the same time as her husband, and is the only charter mem- ber of the Edinburg congregation, now living.
JOHN E. DEUPREE, son of Abraham and Elizabeth Deupree, was born in Shelby County, Ind., on the 23d of June, 1840. IIe was reared in Johnson County, grew to manhood on a farm, and at the age of twenty-two, with the spirit that animated the patriotic young men of the north, he entered the army as a member of the Third Indiana Cavalry. He served three years and one month, and bore the part of a brave and gallant soldier on many bloody battle fields, and was twice wounded-at Knoxville, Tenn., March, 1864, in the left shoulder, and at Goldsborough, N. C., 1865, in the left shoulder blade, where the bullet still remains, the latter wound disabling and unfitting him for active duties in the field. He was discharged May, 1865, and immediately thereafter returned to Johnson County and engaged in farming in Blue River Town- ship, where he has since resided. He manages the home farm and looks after the interest of his mother, who is an old lady of seventy- five. He owns land in Shelby County, and has met with reasonable success as a farmer and stock-raiser, being at this time one of the well-to-do citizens of the community in which he resides. Novem- ber, 1865, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Kennedy, by whom he had one child, who died in infancy. Mrs. Deupree died in the year 1872, and on the 9th day of August, 1874, Mr. Deupree married Miss Elsie Allen, who has borne him three children, viz .: Marth E., Alpha A., and Avery E. Mr. and Mrs. Deupree are members of the Christian Church.
JAM'ES H. DORSEY, attorney at law, Edinburg, was born at the town of St. Paul, Shelby?County, Ind., August 28, 1860, and is a son of Dr. James and Lydia A. (Hart) Dorsey. The father was a native of New Jersey, but in early youth was taken by his par- ents to Butler County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood. He was a physician of extensive practice, and during a long and varied professional experience earned the reputation of one of the most
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successful medical men of southern Indiana, having moved to this state a number of years ago. He began the practice of his profes- sion in Shelby County, and until his death, in March, 1862, com- manded a large and lucrative business in the counties of Shelby and Decatur. Lydia A. Hart, wife of Dr. Dorsey, was descended from Scotch ancestry, on the father's side, and maternally from Irish. Some years after the death of her husband, she married Robert Armstrong, of Edinburg, who departed this life in 1873, leaving one daughter, viz .: Mary Armstrong. By her first marriage Mrs. Armstrong had two children, the subject of this sketch being the younger. James H. Dorsey was reared principally in Johnson County, Ind., and at the age of seventeen graduated with honors from the Edinburg high school, delivering the valedictory address upon the occasion. He afterward became a student of Moore's Hill College, in which he completed the prescribed course, his grades of examination during the period of his attendance averag- ing ninety per cent., the maximum of the institution. Impressed with a strong desire to enter the legal profession, Mr. Dorsey read law as opportunities would admit, under the instruction of William A. Johnson, and after obtaining a knowledge of the profession, was admitted to the bar in ISSI, being at the time barely twenty-one years of age. He began the practice in Edinburg, with the late C. W. Snow, Esq., and soon succeeded in establishing quite a profitable business, which he subsequently discontinued, and re- moved to Colby County, Kan., where he was for some time en- gaged in the real estate and abstract business. Owing to the poor health of his wife he was compelled to leave Kansas, and return to Indiana, where he has since resided in the enjoyment of a lucrative practice in the courts of Johnson and other counties, being at this time city attorney of Edinburg. Politically, Mr. Dorsey wields an influence for the republican party, and in his professional and social relations, enjoys in a large measure the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens. Miss Adda, daughter of Alexander and Re- becca (Thompson) Breeding, became his wife on the 10th day of September, 1881, a union blessed with the birth of two children, namely: Iloward A. and Fred J. Mrs. Dorsey died on the 12th day of April, 1885, and lies buried in the Edinburg cemetery.
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