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 42
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completing the prescribed course of that institute in IS41. He be- gan the practice of his profession at the town of Marshall, not far from his old home, where he continued twelve years, and then moved to Shelbyville, Ind., where he was similarly engaged for three years. He afterward practiced two years in Clark County, Ill., two years at Bowling Green, Ind., and in 1855, located in Edinburg, where he continued the profession until his retirement from its active duties, about the year IS68. Since that time he has turned his attention principally to mechanical pursuits, being a skillful artisan in all kinds of wood-work, etc. The Doctor has a military record ex- tending over a period of one year in the late Civil War, having served that time as member of Company H, Fifty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, Col. W. Q. Gresham's old regiment. He was in the battle of Shiloh and other engagements, but owing to sick- ness, was discharged from the service at the end of the time above mentioned. Dr. Sharp was married in 1850, to Miss Deborah Toner, daughter of John Toner, of Edinburg. One child was born to this marriage, namely: John E. Sharp, now one of the leading citizens of Columbus, and auditor of Bartholomew County.
J. L. SiMis, one of the progressive citizens of Edinburg, son of William P. and Mary A. C. (Murphy) Sims, was born in Bartholo- mew County, Ind., on the 10th day of April, 1834. He began life for himself before attaining his majority, as an employe of the J., M. & I. Railroad Company, and continued that calling with little or no interruption until the breaking out of the Civil War between the states. He held various positions with the above company, in- cluding the local freight agency at Edinburg, the duties of which he discharged for a period of sixteen years. July, 1861, he entered the army, enlisting in Company H, Nineteenth Indiana Volunteer In- fantry, for the three years' service, during which time he participated in a number of active campaigns and bloody battles, and earned a record of which he feels deservedly proud. It is a noticeable fact that during his army experience, he never once visited his home, and from the time of enlisting until honorably discharged, he did not see any member of his family. He resumed railroading upon his return from the service, and continued it until a few years ago. On severing his connection with the J., M. & I. Railroad Company, he was appointed postmaster of Edinburg, and discharged the duties of that office three years. He is at this time proprietor of a meat-market in Edinburg, a business which has returned him hand- some financial profits. Mr. Sims and Miss Ellen Bradburn, of Philadelphia, Penn., daughter of Alexander and Ellen (Remo), of the same state, were married on the 19th day of July, 1857. They
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are the parents of eight children, seven living, viz .: Charles E., Gertrude J., Harry A., Maggie M., Samuel S., Nellie A. and Horace S. The deceased member of the family was John D.
N. N. SIMS, the gentleman whose name introduces this bio- graphy, was born in Bartholomew County, Ind., on the 20th of February, 1833, son of William P. and Mary A. C. (Murphey) Sims, natives of Tennessee and Kentucky, respectively. Pater- nally, the Sims family were Scotch, while the subject's mother was descended from English ancestry. William P. Sims was by occu- pation a butcher, in which business he accumulated a handsome competence. He died a number of years ago, and lies beside his wife in the cemetery at Edinburg. Mr. and Mrs. Sims were the parents of eleven children, of whom these are living, viz .: J. L., W. P., John F., Christian P., Palmyra and Mary. N. N. Sims' first practical experience in life was as a railroader, having been en- gaged for some time as fireman and locomotive engineer with the J., M. & I. Company. Later he engaged in the produce business at Edinburg, and for a period of three years served as city marshal. He was proprietor of a meat market for twelve years, and in 1886, began dealing in poultry, a business which proved quite remunera- tive. In addition to his business career, Mr. Sims has a military record of which he feels deservedly proud, having responded to his country's call, in 1860, by enlisting in Co. C, Twenty-seventh In- diana Volunteer Infantry, with which he shared the fortunes and vicissitudes of the war for three years. He was with his regiment in many of the bloodiest battles of the eastern campaign, including Gettysburg, and earned the reputation of a brave and gallant sol- dier. He was honorably discharged in September, 1864. Mr. Sims was married October 1, 1854, to Miss Emily lluff, of Johnson County, Ind., by whom he had five children, namely: William D., Louis A., Edward B., Jerome H. and Alvarado (deceased). Mrs. Sims died in the year IS -. Mr. Sims subsequently married a half-sister of his first wife, to-wit: Miss Mary Danver, who has borne him two children, both deceased. In his various business enterprises Mr. Sims has been quite successful, his property at this time representing a value of over $20,000. He has done a great deal to advance the material interests of Edinburg, and is justly considered one of the city's leading citizens.
CHARLES W. SNOW .- Charles W. Snow (deceased), late member of the Johnson County bar, was born in Clark County, Ind., on the 9th day of May, 1827, son of John and Mary Snow, early residents of Shelby County, where the family settled in 1839. Charles W. was the eldest of a family of nine children. His par- ents being in moderate circumstances, he was early in life obliged
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to rely very largely upon his own resources, and while still young contributed his full share toward the support of the family. He received a practical education in the common schools, and at the age of twenty-two, with his young wife, Jennette Pike, of Ken- tucky, whom he had married two years previous (January 24, 1846), moved to Franklin, and began the study of law with Col. Ovler. He was admitted to the Johnson County bar in 1855, and began the practice at the city of Edinburg, to which place he moved the year previous, and soon earned the reputation of an able attor- ney and safe counsellor. He continued the practice for several years with good success, and by diligent attention to the interests of his clients, acquired a business which returned him handsome profits. He accumulated large tracts of valuable real estate in Indiana and elsewhere, all of which is at this time in the possession of his widow, who resides in Edinburg. Mr. Snow departed this life at his home in Edinburg, on the 24th day of July, 1884, deeply lamented by all who knew him. He was laid to rest with the appropriate and touching Masonic ceremonies, of which order he had for a number of years been an active member. For much of his success Mr. Snow was indebted to the wise counsels and sensible advice of his wife, who proved a helpmeet indeed, in his hours of adversity, and an appreciative sharer of his days of prosperity. His large estate, embracing Soo acres of land in Sullivan County, Ind., 900 acres in Texas, besides other valuable property, she has ably managed, a fact which attests her superior business abilities. Mrs. Snow is the mother of two children, both deceased. While unfortunate with her own family, she has generously aided other children, proving a foster mother to eight orphans whom she raised and cared for. She is now looking after the interests of a ninth, who, like the other sharers of her bounty and care, will doubtless grow up to call her blessed.
THOMPSON FAMILY .-- The name of Thompson has been prom- inently connected with the history of Johnson County from the early days, and that family has done fully its share in bringing about the many changes it has taken to turn the forests of the past into the magnificent country that is embraced within the present limits of Johnson County, and to develop the rich and well-improved portion of the Blue River Valley that surrounds the busy town of Edinburg. The Thompsons are of Scotch-Irish descent, and the first of whom we have an account -James Thompson by name - came to America from Ireland about 1774-75, having eluded his parents who were opposed to his coming; in the same vessel with him came his cousin, Carmichael, and wife. Soon after their ar- rival in this country, and in the beginning of the War of the Revo-
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lution, Carmichael lost his life by an attack of pleurisy, and soon after his death, about 1776, his widow married James Thompson. They moved to Tennessee in early times, but it is uncertain whether it was in this state or in Virginia, before their departure, that Alexander, their only son, was born. Alexander was born July 5, 1778, and grew to manhood in Granger County, Tenn. About the year 1800, he was married to Ann Donaldson, daughter of William and Mary Donaldson: she was born September 10, 1775. In 1816, Alexander and family moved to Franklin County, Ind .; stayed there one year, then moved to what is now Fay- ette County, where they remained till 1821, when they came to Johnson County and settled near Edinburg, where he died August 21, 1822, with fever, being cut down in the prime of man- hood. His wife survived him some time, her death taking place June 21, 1836. They had six children born in Tennessee, and two after their removal from that state. James, the eldest, was born April 19, 1802, and died October 4, 1872; Isabel C., born March 2, 1804, was married to Nathan Wheeler, January, 1822, and died August 26, 1834: John S., born September 6, 1806, who was a prominent man in Johnson County, was sheriff of the county for some years, also served in the legislature as representative and state senator; he was engaged in business for some time with T. R. Threlkeld and A. C. Thompson, in the mercantile line in Edinburg; he was married in the fall of 1835, to Sarah Carvin; in 1837, he sold out his interest in the store in Edinburg, and moved to Franklin, where he was engaged in the mercantile business for awhile, after which he moved on a farm in Bartholomew County; he died September 20, 1845. The next of Alexander Thompson's family- Mary-was born Jannary IS, 1809: married William R. Hensley, January, 1823, in Edinburg; died October 21, 1873, in Texas. Alfred C., who is the only one surviving of the family, whose biography is fully written up further on, was born Septem- ber 2, ISII; Jennet, born June 2, 1814, married in Edinburg to Timothy R. Threlkeld; in 1839, moved to Texas, where she lived till her death, which took place December 13, 1876; Alexander B., born August 2, 1817, died in 1825: Celia D., born August 22, 1822, in Edinburg, Ind., married in Jackson County, Tex., in IS4I, to Darwin M. Stapp; died of yellow fever October 10, 1867.
ALFRED C. THOMPSON. - Prominent among the successful and public-spirited men of Edinburg and Johnson County, is A. C. Thompson. As above stated, he is the only surviving member of the family of Alexander Thompson, and was born in Granger County, Tenn., on the 2nd day of September, ISII. Unlike the youth of the present day, his early years were passed amid scenes
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where a ceaseless routine of labor was the common lot of all, and his educational training embraced only a few months' attendance each year in such schools as the country at that time afforded. While it can be said that Mr. Thompson is not educated in the sense of scholastic attainments, yet, by intelligent observation and the exercise of those qualities which mark the career of the suc- cessful man, he has obtained a fund of practical knowledge which has enabled him to discharge faithfully the duties of a very active business life. While still young, he was taken by his parents to Franklin and Fayette counties, Ind., and at the age of ten years accompanied them to Johnson County, where, since the year IS21, he has constantly resided. By the death of his father in 1822, he was thrown upon his own resources, and thus early in life laid the foundation upon which his subsequent successful career was in a large measure founded. He remained at home and grew up a farmer, an occupation he followed with success until 1836, at which time he embarked in the mercantile business at Edinburg, in part- nership with T. R. Threlkeld and John S. Thompson. After a time this business was abandoned, owing to the stringency of the times, and he subsequently engaged in the carpenter's trade, which he carried on about two years. In 1841, he again embarked in the mercantile business, and, in time, became one of the leading mer- chants in Johnson County. He continued merchandising until 1870, the last ten years of which time he was associated in the business with his son, E. C. Thompson. Having accumulated a handsome competence in the mercantile trade, Mr. Thompson, in 1870, dis- continued the business, and the year following, in partnership with his son, E. C., established a bank in Edinburg, which they have since conducted successfully, and which at this time is one of the most substantial and well-known private enterprises of the kind in this part of the state. In 1878, his youngest son, John A. Thomp- son, became a partner in the institution, and the firm now consists of A. C. Thompson & Sons. Mr. Thompson justly ranks as one of the safest and most successful business men of Johnson County. He is a financier of transcendent ability, endowed with wise fore- sight, intuitive perception, broad comprehension and accurate judgment. He is clear-headed, able to utilize all his energies and accomplish the purpose of his will even though it required long and persistent effort. Ilis life has been free from vicious habits which weaken and destroy the physical system, and although upward of seventy-eight years, he is to-day in the possession of all his physical and mental faculties, and bids fair to live many years in the enjoyments of his many blessings. He is a conspicuous example of the successful self-made man, and the
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acquisition of his fortune, amounting to over $159,000, by honest business methods, speaks well for his ability as a financier. He became a member of the Christian Church a number of years ago, and is still a devoted worshipper, contributing liberally of his means toward the support of the Edinburg congregation. Mr. Thompson was married in 1835, to Maria W. Carvin, who proved help-mate to him in his years of struggle and adversity, and an appreciative sharer of his prosperity. She was a devoted Christian woman, and her death, which occurred on the 14th day of January, 1887, was felt as a calamity by the entire community. The following are the names of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Thompson: Sarah A., born March 29, 1836, died November 3, 1836: Edward C., born December 22, 1837; James M., born April 16, 1840, died August 9, 1844: Harrison C., born July 1, 1843, died August 12, 1844; Mary A., born March 7, 1846, died April 26, 1853; Hannah E., born April 25, 1849; Amanda C., born October 4, 1851, died Sep- tember 2, 1852; Richard L., born February 9, 1854. died June 27, 1854, and John A., born October 1, 1855. Hannah E. Thompson, the fifth of the living children, was married March 29, 1870, to G. B. McEwen, who died December 9, 1879. Mr. McEwen was born September 7, 1847, and was the second son of William and Mary (McFall) McEwen. The McEwen family came originally from North Carolina, and were among the prominent citizens of Colum- bus, where William McEwen carried on the banking business. G. B. McEwen was interested with his father in the bank, and became one of the active business men of Bartholomew County. He was an accomplished scholar. an active member of the Christian Church, and a gentleman who possessed the confidence and esteem of a large circle of friends in Bartholomew and Johnson counties. To Mr. and Mrs. McEwen were born the following children, viz .: Imogene, born December 29, 1870; Edith R., born March 8. 1873, died August 15, 1873; William A., born June 14, 1875; Nannie L., born February 13, 1878, and Lillie, born July 2, 1880.
JAMES THOMPSON (deceased), as has been stated, was the eld- est son of Alexander, and was born in Granger County, Tenn., April 19, 1802. He passed his boyhood days in Tennessee, having limited educational opportunities, and came to Indiana with his par- ents in 1816: was with them during their stay in Franklin and Fayette counties, and came with them to Johnson County in 1821. In the following year his father died, and, being the oldest son, he was of great assistance to his mother in carrying on the farm. Mr. Thompson was brought up a farmer, but learned the trade of blacksmithing under Isaac Collier, and afterward went into part- nership with him in blacksmithing, continuing in it up to the time
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of his marriage in 1825, when he was united to Susan Collier, daughter of Isaac, by whom he had children as follows: Rebecca Ann, born April 19, 1826; John Alexander, born April 22, 1828; Isaac M. and Alfred C., twins, born August 22, IS31 (A. C. died April 12, 1858) ; W. H., born December 7, 1833; Redding B., born November 27, 1838, died June 22, 1849; James I., born April 15, 1841, died in September, 1876. Some time previous to his marriage, he had been laying plans preparatory to engaging in the milling business, and soon after his marriage, in IS25, erected a grist- and saw-mill on the Blue River, near where the mill of John A. Thompson now stands. This was one of the first mills in John- son County, and James Thompson was one of the pioneer millers. He could hardly have realized then to what perfection the process of milling would be carried in comparatively so short a time, and the primitive mill of that day would be almost as much of a curios- ity to the people of to-day as the present mill, with all its improve- ments and milling machinery, would have been to the early settlers. He engaged in, and carried on, the milling business so successfully, that about fifteen years later he added a woolen mill and rebuilt the saw- and grist-mill, making them as perfect as the day and age were capable of. In 1852, Mr. Thompson abandoned the saw- and woolen-mill, and built a fine six-story stone and brick mill, with all modern improvements, changing the site of the mill a few hun- dred feet down the Blue River. This mill he carried on until he sold out to his son, John A., in 1859, having accumulated an ample fortune. Mr. Thompson also owned a farm, which he worked with the aid of his sons. Politically, he was a whig, and later a re- publican, but never specially sought any office, though he was jus- tice of the peace for many years, holding that office at the time of his death. He relinquished the office for a time prior to the time of his retiring from the milling business, and after he had sold that out, having more leisure, again accepted it. Susan Collier, Mr. Thompson's first wife, died in September, 1850, and he was mar- ried again December 29, 1850, to Phobe Hicks, by whom he had several children, three of whom - Mary Emily, Charles Fremont and Lydia Harriet - are living. Coming to Johnson County at so early a day, and in the heighth of his youth and strength, Mr. Thompson entered into the affairs of life with that earnestness of purpose that insured success. IIe did much to improve and ad- vance the country and community where his lot was cast, and raised a family who have been and are amply capable to further what he began. In his dealings, he was strictly honorable and - possessed of that common-sense and good judgment that enabled him to see what was for his own good, and made him a prominent
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factor in his community. After he sold his mill to his son John he was not as actively engaged in business, but carried on a certain amount up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1872, and was caused indirectly by a kick received from a mule about a year previous to this. This kick caused injuries which, though at one time nearly healed, were further aggravated a short time before his death by his being run over by a wagon drawn by the same team. The combination caused the formation of an abscess which was the immediate cause of his death. He died at the ripe old age of seventy, having accomplished a life-work that was an honor to his name and justly entitled him to the respect of all.
JAMES E. THOMPSON, third son of John A. and Elizabeth Thompson, was born in Johnson County, on the 29th day of Decem- ber, 1863. He was raised in Blue River Township, received a good education, and began life for himself in his father's mill, near Edinburg, of which he eventually became superintendent. Mr. Thompson possesses those traits of character which render him popular with the people, and as a business man, fully alive to the interests of the enterprise with which he is connected, few young men have as good a record. He stands high, socially, and has be- fore him a promising future. March 28, 1887, he married Miss Fannie W. Wilson, daughter of C. C. Wilson, of Columbus, Ind.
JAMES I. THOMPSON (deceased ) .- Few business men in John- son County were more widely and favorably known than the late James I. Thompson, of Edinburg. Mr. Thompson was a native of Johnson County, Ind., born April 15, 1841, the son of James and Susan (Collier ) Thompson. He was reared and educated in Johnson County, and for some years was prominently identified with the mercantile interests of Edinburg. He subsequently abandoned merchandising, and accepted a position in the large flouring-mill of the late John A. Thompson, where he held the po- sition of book-keeper and general superintendent. While thus employed he married Miss Jennie Cutsinger, daughter of Samuel Cutsinger, of Edinburg, and shortly thereafter engaged in the pork- packing business at Columbus, where he continued for some time. Later he established a harness and saddlery business in Edinburg, and after discontinuing this branch of trade, became identified with the Blue River Starch Works, of which enterprise he was one of the proprietors. Mr. Thompson was one of the leading citizens of Edinburg, and a man widely and favorably known throughout business circles of the state. He was a marked example of those sound, practical business qualifications, which secure the confidence of the people, and those personal qualities that win and retain the public esteem. Ile took an active part in the prosperity of Edin-
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burg, was a liberal patron of all measures, having for their object the material and moral good, and will long be remembered as one of the community's most progressive and reliable business men. He was a republican in politics, and an active member of the Ma- sonic and K. of P. fraternities. His widow lives in Edinburg, and is the mother of seven children, whose names are as follows, to- wit: Elizabeth, Minnie, James S., Lewis J., John A., Jr., Stella (deceased) and Mary I. Mrs. Thompson has spared no pains in the intellectual improvement of her children, all of whom have en- joyed superior educational advantages. The daughters have at- tended the well known Vassar College, of which institution the eldest, Miss Elizabeth, completed the musical course. The second daughter, Miss Minnie Thompson, is an artist of acknowledged ability, and the eldest son, James S., holds an important clerical position in Boston, Mass.
JOHN A. THOMPSON (deceased) .- Among the active and suc- cessful business men of southern Indiana, few occupied a more con- spicuous place than the late John A. Thompson, of Edinburg. Mr. Thompson was a native of Johnson County, born on the 22nd day of April, 1828. the eldest son of James and Susan ( Collier ) Thompson. His early years were passed upon his father's farm near Edinburg, and in the common schools he received a practical English educa- tion, which, supplemented by a year's course in Franklin College, and a thorough knowledge of business affairs, obtained in subse- quent life, entitled him to a place among the best-informed men of the community. At the age of eighteen he accepted a clerkship in his uncle's store at Edinburg, and later, in partnership with two brothers, under the firm name, of John A. Thompson & Bros., rented his father's large flouring mill on Blue River, and engaged in the milling business. The firm thus constituted, continued about three years, at the end of which time (1859), John A. purchased the entire interest, and became sole owner of the mill property. He carried on the business with the most encouraging success dur- ing the years that followed, and realized therefrom a handsome for- tune. In 1872, his valuable mill was completely destroyed by fire, entailing upon him a loss considerably in excess of $60,000. With the energy characteristic of the man, he soon rallied from the effects of the disaster, and at once rebuilt the mill, and was soon in the en- joyment of a far more extensive business than he had formerly con- ducted. December, 1874, he established a private bank in Edin- burg, which, with his milling business, he carried on with success and financial profit until his death. In addition to the above enter- prises, he owned several valuable farms and dealt largely in live- stock, especially fine cattle, upon the raising of which he was con-
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