USA > Indiana > Knox County > History of Knox and Daviess Counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present; with biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc. ; together with an extended history of the colonial days of Vincennes, and its progress down to the formation of the state government > Part 38
USA > Indiana > Daviess County > History of Knox and Daviess Counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present; with biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc. ; together with an extended history of the colonial days of Vincennes, and its progress down to the formation of the state government > Part 38
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Church. To Mr. and Mrs. Bruce four children were born: Sal- lie, Hettie, Cora M. and William E .; all of whom, save Cora, have been teachers, William E. being one of the rising young teachers of his township. Both he and wife are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Bruce has been honored with several offices. For five years he was township clerk, and afterward held the office of assessor for six years. He was trustee for four years, the Bruce- ville Graded School building being the result of his foresight. In all of these positions he has shown ability and given good satisfaction. He is a man who takes a deep interest in all enter- prises tending to build up the morality and intelligence of his community.
IRA DONHAM, one of the farmers of Washington Township, is a son of William and Sarah (Arthur) Donham. The father was born in 1784 in Pennsylvania; the mother, a native of Virginia, was born in the same year. When young both moved to Ohio, where they were married and lived till 1833, when they came to Indiana and settled in Vigo County, where both died. By occu- pation the father was a farmer, and for some years ran a grist and saw-mill. During his entire life he was an industrious and energetic worker. Both parents were members of the Baptist Church, and politically he was an old-time Democrat. The father died in 1849 and the mother in 1863. Ira's ancestors on his father's side were natives of Spain. About the time of the In- quisition they were so persecuted on account of their religious views that they decided to come to America. In order to do that they were obliged to change their name. Their original name was Singleton, but in order to get away with their lives they changed it to Donham, which they have borne ever since. From Spain they went to Wales, and finally to America. His ancestors on his mother's side were of Scotch descent. Of such ancestors was born, in 1817, the subject of this sketch in Clermont County, Ohio. In boyhood he had meager advantages for edu- cation, having to go six miles to the old time subscription schools. At the age of twenty-one he began to do for himself. For three years he helped survey the canal from Terre Haute to Evansville. Then having received eighty acres of land from his father he be- gan farming, and after making several changes finally settled in
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Knox County in 1872 on the farm where he now lives. In 1838 he was married to Cynthia A. Townsley, born in 1822 in the same county as the husband. To this union eleven children were born: Elizabeth, Nathaniel, America, Susan, Abel, George A., Joseph, Cinderella, Sarah, William and Lena L. All the sons are farmers. Eight of the children have been married. America was married to Perry West, who died from exposure in the war, leaving his wife, without property, to raise four little girls, the eldest about eight years of age. She has brought them up in a praiseworthy manner. The eldest is now one of the first teachers in Palmyra Township. She secured her education by working by the week dur- ing summer and going to school in winter. Lena L. married Lawson B. McNeece, who was killed by a runaway team. In 1839 Mr. Donham bought eighty acres of timber land in Clay County, for which he largely paid with coon skins at $1 a piece. Here he settled in a log house 18x20 surrounded by howling wolves and other wild animals. Now he has 111 acres of good land. Mrs. Donham is a member of the Baptist Church. For a time he was trustee in Fountain County, justice of the peace in Clay County and assessor for fourteen years. He is a stanch Democrat, his first vote being cast for Van Buren.
GEORGE W. FLEMING is a son of Rubus and Louisa (Byers) Fleming, who were born in Smith County, Va., in 1812 and 1819, respectively. In 1838 they moved to Mississippi, where they spent the remainder of their days. The father fol- lowed blacksmithing until about fifteen years before his death, when he turned his attention to farming. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he was a Whig and a Demo- crat. The mother died in 1843, and about three years later he married Julia Avery. His death occurred in 1883. George W. was born in Virginia in 1836. He received a good education in Mississippi, and at the age of twelve years he and his youngest sister came to Knox County, Ind., to live with their relatives. George lived with an uncle until twenty-one years of age, when, with a horse and a suit of clothes, he began to do for himself. For five years he worked by the month, saving his wages and keeping it on interest. After renting land some time he pur- chased 136 acres, where he now lives. In 1863 he was married
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to Elizabeth Brentlinger, born in Knox County, in 1844, daugh- ter of George and Mary (McClure) Brentlinger. To them were born four children: Hugh E., Daniel R., Mary J., and George B. Hugh is a salesman in a grocery' store in Kansas. Mrs. Fleming is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Fleming is a stanch Democrat, and cast his first vote for Douglas. He has always been very industrious, and is now reaping the reward of his labor.
PETER FOX, a farmer of Washington Township, Knox Co., Ind., son of Stephen and Hannah (Hollingsworth) Fox, was born in 1837 in Washington Township. In boyhood he had the disad- vantages of the old log schoolhouse and the old-time teachers. His being the oldest son obliged him to stay at home to get wood and do odd jobs, so that his school-days were few. He remained with his father until twenty-six years of age, when he was mar- ried, in 1863, to Mary Phillippe, born in 1846, in Washington Township. To this union seven children were born: Edward D., William E. (deceased), Martin L., Marion B., Alice P., Joseph C., and Charley B. Soon after his marriage Mr. Fox's father gave him eighty acres of land without improvement and mostly in the woods. By hard work and good management he has since in- creased it to 160 acres, of which some 125 acres are under culti- vation, furnished with a good house. Both husband and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Fox is a stanch Democrat, and cast his first vote for Douglas. He has made farming a success. Having started with a small beginning, he has arisen to the ownership of a good farm. He is a man ever ready to support public enterprises.
STEPHEN FOX, one of the pioneers of Knox County, Ind., is a son of Peter and Mary (Steffey) Fox. The father was born in 1763, in Pennsylvania. The mother, a native of Virginia, was born in 1775. When a young man the father went to Virginia and met Miss Steffey, to whom he was married in 1793. By occupa- tion the father was a farmer, and in connection with that built log houses and barns, being one of the most noted hewers of his times. It is said he could hew a log without leaving a nick from either broad or narrow ax. The largest building he ever erected was a log barn, 38x90 and 48 feet to the comb. In 1833
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he with his family came to this county and settled in Washington Township. Here they spent the remainder of their days in agri- cultural pursuits. Both were members of the Lutheran Church, but as there was no such church in reach they united with the Presbyterian. In 1840 the father was called from among the living; the mother lived till 1853. Our subject was born in 1811 in Wythe County, Va., and was raised in Washington County. In boyhood he had very limited . advantage for education, going a short time to both English and German schools. When only twelve years old he walked a distance of three miles, his father being the teacher. At the age of sixteen he took charge of his father's farm of 312 acres, which he con- tinued to manage till their deaths. In 1836 he was married to Hannah Hollingsworth, born in 1811. She is a daughter of Peter and Sarah (Young) Hollingsworth. He was a native of North Carolina and she of South Carolina. He came to this county about 1805 and she some three years later. After their marriage they settled here on the farm where they spent the rest of their days. To Mr. and Mrs. Fox nine children were born: Peter, Ferdinand, William, Martin V., James P., Mary, Sarah, Adam and Ellen. Mr. Fox, wife, and all the children are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a Democrat, and cast his first vote for Van Buren. In 1836 Mr. Fox bought 175 acres of land, largely on credit. He not only paid for that, but by hard work and good management he and his boys have increased the farm to 726 acres, all of, which has been given to the children. Both he and his wife are still living at the ripe old age of seventy- four. They reside on the old homestead, tenderly cared for by their son Adam, enjoying the respect and confidence of all who know them.
HENRY W. FOX was born in Knox County, Ind., in 1839. He is a son of Henry and Catherine (Snyder) Fox, who were born in Virginia in 1794 and 1798, respectively. They were mar- ried in 1816, and came to Indiana twelve years later. The father gave a four-horse wagon and a watch for 100 acres of land, but soon sold out, and purchased 200 acres, where Henry now lives. Both parents were members of the Lutheran Church in Virginia, but after coming here they united with the Presbyterian Church, in
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which the father was a deacon for many years. One of his chil- dren became a minister, two elders, and one a deacon. The father died in 1867, and the mother yet lives with our subject. In early times she spun and wove flax and carded and spun the wool, and made the clothing for the entire family. In boyhood Henry re- ceived a common-school education, which he has since improved by reading. He is a great lover of music, and in early times was a teacher of vocal music, having for one of his pupils James D. Williams, afterward governor. In 1865 he went West to dig gold, and after remaining two years in Montana was called home by the death of his father, and purchased his home place, where he yet lives. In 1877 he was married to Eliza Wampler, born in 1854, daughter of Abraham and Ann M. (Dunn) Wampler. To them were born four children: David, Alvah D., Anna C. and Mamie A. Both husband and wife are members of the Presby- terian Church, he being an elder since about 1868. He supports the Democratic party, and while in Montana was chosen a dele- gate to the convention for the nomination of officers, he being one of the few temperance men in that region. He voted squarely against the whisky-ring leaders, thus aiding in defeating them and their candidate, a proceeding which surprised them not a lit- tle. Here, as there, he always supports the worthy, and is con- sidered by all a first-class farmer and citizen.
GEORGE W. GANOE is a son of James and Martha (Mead- ley) Ganoe. Where the father was born is not definitely known. The mother was born in Kentucky in 1808. She came to this State and county with her parents at an early day, and lived for some time in a fort. The father came here when a young man, and worked by the month for some time. In their family were these children: George W., Lucy A., Nancy J. and Catharine. Both parents were Baptists, and the father was a Whig. He died in 1841, and the mother in 1883. George W. was born in Knox County, Ind., in 1833. His educational advantages were limited, as the schoolhouses were very few and far between. He lived with his parents until their death, when he and two sisters sold their interest in the home farm and purchased 160 acres where he now lives. His sister, Nancy, then married and took forty acres of the farm, and since then he and his sister, Lucy, have lived to-
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gether. Mr. Ganoe is a stanch Democrat, and his first vote was cast for the candidate of the Know-nothing party. He has been moderately successful as a farmer, and he and sister belong to the Christian Church.
WATT, HILL & MAYFIELD are the proprietors of the Bruceville Tile Factory, which was established in 1880, by Barr & Witherspoon, who operated it one season, and then sold out to the above-named men, who went in debt for it, but by honesty and determination to succeed they have built up a paying business. The excellence of their work is shown by the demand for their product, not only at home, but also from surrounding counties, the annual product being about 8,000 rods.
DANIEL G. HILL, one of the proprietors, and at present a teacher in the graded school of Bruceville, is a son of William and Martha B. (McClure) Hill, and was born in 1854. He at- tended the common schools in boyhood, and at the age of eighteen began to make his own way in the world. For about three years he worked at Terre Haute, in a lumber yard, and afterward in a confectionery store. In 1876 he commenced teaching in the dis- trict schools of Knox County, In 1884 he was given a position in the Bruceville schools, and the following year was elected as- sistant principal of the same. In 1880 he began working in the tile factory, and the following year became one of the proprietors. In 1883 he was married to Bettie Umbarger, born in Virginia, in 1860, daughter of Alexander and Jane (Clemens) Umbarger. Mr. and Mrs. Hill are the parents of one son, Harry. Mr. Hill is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and Mrs. Hill of the Method- ist Episcopal Church. He is a Republican, and cast his first vote for Hayes.
GEORGE W. MAYFIELD, teacher, and one of the above firm, is a son of John and Elizabeth (Colton) Mayfield, and was born in Bruceville in 1856. He attended the schools of that town, and also the county normals. At the age of eighteen he be- gan teaching, and has followed this during the winter seasons ever since. He worked for the tile firm of Barr & Witherspoon dur- ing 1880, and the following year became one of the proprietors, and has operated it during the summer seasons ever since. In 1880 he was married to Mary J. Gude, born in Bruceville, in 1857,
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daughter of Alfred and Jane (Holmes) Gude. They have two children: Hattie G. and Susie S. Mr. Mayfield is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and his wife of the Christian Church. He is a Republican, and cast his first vote for Garfield. He has been a successful teacher, and is doing well at his present business. His father, a retired physician of Bruceville, was born in 1821, in Sullivan County, Ind. He studied medicine under Dr. J. H. Paxton, and took a course of lectures at Rush Medical College during the winter of 1849-50. He then practiced until 1853-54, when he completed his course. In 1854 he located at Bruceville, where he had an extensive practice. He was married in 1850, and his wife bore him these children: Robert P., Ellen, Kate, George W., Mary, Amelia, Joseph B., John T., Elizabeth and Stella. All the family are church members. Robert P. is chief of division of bank accounts in the United States Treasury. For four years Mr. Mayfield was assessor of Washington Town- ship. He is a Republican, and cast his first vote for Polk. In 1863 he moved onto a farm, where he remained ten years, and then returned to Bruceville. He retired from practice in 1880.
WILLIAM HILL, one of the early settlers of Washington Township, was born in 1811 in East Tennessee. When about three years of age he came with his parents to this State and settled near Paoli. In 1817 they moved to this county. At the age of eighteen he began to learn the saddler's trade. Having finished his trade and worked some two years at jour- ney work, he, in connection with D. G. McClure, opened a harness shop in Bruceville, about 1834, continuing here three years. In 1837 he was married to Martha B. McClure, who was born in 1816 in Washington Township. She was a daughter of Charles and Margaret G. (McDonald), McClure. Her father was a native of Kentucky and her mother of South Carolina. Her grandparents were among the first settlers of Knox County. Mr. and Mrs. Hill reared a family of eight children, five of whom have been school teachers. In 1838 Mr. Hill went to Darwin, Ill., but two years later he returned and went into partnership with Mr. McClure again. Having quit the harness business, he opened a shoe shop in 1843 and there continued to work until 1879, when failing eyesight compelled him to quit the business,
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and after staying in his son's store for some time, he retired from active life at the ripe age of seventy-three. All the family are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Hill is a Republican in politics and cast his first vote for Henry Clay in 1832. Both parents still live.
CHARLES M. HILL, one of the leading merchants of Bruceville, is a son of William and Martha B. (McClure) Hill. He was born in 1845 in Bruceville. In boyhood his father gave him the opportunites the old-time schools afforded. At the age of eighteen he volunteered in Company A, One Hundred and Eighteenth Indiana Infantry and served therein some seven months. Having been honorably discharged, he returned home and worked on a farm and brickyard. In 1866 he began the mercantile business as a salesman for Roberts & Baird. After clerking some ten years he and his brother formed a part- nership known as Hill Bros. At first they began on a very small stock, worth about $600. Since then, by close attention to business, they have become proprietors of a good stock and store, besides other property. In 1873 he was married to Emma J. Moore, who was born'in 1854 at Attica, Ind. The fruits of this union are five children: W. Herbert, Harry M., Gordon M., Rob- ert G., and Ruth I. Both husband and wife are church members, he of the Presbyterian Church and she of the Christian. Mr. Hill is a stanch Republican, and cast his first vote for Grant. Mr. Hill has met with good success as a just reward for industry and good management. He is a man who takes a deep interest in every enterprise that is for the benefit of society and as a citi- zen is well known and respected.
CHARLES P. HOLLINGSWORTH is a native of Knox County, Ind., where he was born in 1841, son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Palmer) Hollingsworth. In boyhood he attended school only in the winter time, as his services were very much needed at home during the summer. In 1861, at the breaking out of the Rebellion, he enlisted in Company M, Third Kentucky Cavalry, and participated in the battles of Murfreesboro, Perry- ville, siege of Corinth, and was with Sherman on his memorable march to the sea. Some fifteen months before the expiration of his term he was commissioned second lieutenant, and held that
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position until the close of the war. After nearly four years of faithful service he returned home, and soon after took a trip West, visiting Missouri. On his return he turned his attention to farm- ing, and now owns an excellent farm of 378 acres. In 1870 he took for his life companion Alice, daughter of Hugh and Martha (McClure) Barr. She was born in Knox County in 1849, and has borne her husband these children: Grace, Martha and Blanche. Mr. Hollingsworth is a Democrat in politics, and his first vote was cast for Seymour.
MILTON HOLLINGSWORTH one of the farmers of Wash- ington Township, is a son of Bernard and Nancy A. (McKee) Hollingsworth. The father was born in 1791, in South Carolina. The mother, a native of Kentucky, was born in 1798. Both came to this county when young and their matrimonial rites were sol- emnized in 1816. After marriage they settled in Washington Township, where they spent the remainder of their days. By occupation the father was a farmer, being quite a large land- owner. During his entire life he was an industrious and ener- getic worker. When a young man he joined the Baptist Church, but afterward became a member of the Christian Church. He was a Republican. In 1876 the father was called from among the living. The mother died two years before. Our subject was born in 1842 in Washington Township. In boyhood he had very ordinary advantages for education, having to walk two miles to school. In 1861 when the dissolution of the Union was threat- ened, Milton, though only nineteen years of age, enlisted in Company H, Fifty-first Indiana Infantry. At Stone River, Shi- loh, Corinth and Nashville, he with the other brave boys of Com- pany H fought manfully for home and country. After the last named engagement they were ordered to San Antonio, Tex., where they remained until the close of the war. At Stone River he received three wounds, and as a partial compensation receives $2 per month from the Government. Having served his country faithfully for over four years he returned, bearing an honorable discharge. In 1868 he was married to Martha A. Martin, born in 1850, in Washington Township. She is the daughter of James P. and Martha (Chambers) Martin. To Mr. and Mrs. Hollingsworth eight children were born: Ulysses G., William
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S., Ellis H., James U., Urania G., John, Anna and Logan. Mrs. Hollingsworth is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Hol- lingsworth is a stanch Republican and cast his first vote for Lin- coln. At the death of his father our subject received 138 acres of land, of which about 100 acres are under cultivation. As a farmer he has been quite successful, and is considered one of the first citizens of the county.
GEORGE M. HOLMES, one of the old settlers of Washing- ton Township, is a son of Josiah L. and Margaret (McClure) Holmes. The father was born in 1775, at Carlisle, Penn. The mother, a native of Kentucky, was born about four years later. Both came to this county about the same time-1804. Here they were married in 1818. By trade the father was a tanner, which calling he followed throughout life. He was a man of some public note. For four years he was deputy sheriff under John Purcell, besides being constable for a number of years. In the war of 1812 he took an active part, being in the battle of Horse- shoe Bend, and also at the battle of New Orleans. At the latter place he was promoted to captain. In 1837 the father died. The mother died in 1832. George's ancestors on both sides were of Irish descent. He has had the pleasure of seeing seven genera- tions, looking backward and forward. He was born in 1822, in Vincennes Township. In boyhood he had very poor advantages for education, attending the old-time subscription school, and not more than five months all told. When only about seven years old he and his brother, a ten-year-old lad, went week after week some eight miles up the river, to cut a boat-load of wood for winter use. In a little log shelter they stayed of nights, but when Satur- day came they would gladly return home to spend Sunday and get a new supply of provisions. For some time he followed driv- ing stage, going from Evansville to Vincennes, or from Vincennes to Terre Haute, etc. In 1842 he began his career as a farmer. His first crop of corn was raised on a rented place, and sold for 8 cents per bushel delivered at a station five miles distant. Hav- ing no team, he was obliged to give $1.50 per 100 bushels to get it hauled. He thus received $13 for 200 bushels. Times being hard, he thought to make some money by chopping wood. He was paid 25 cents a cord for wood split fine and made out of the
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body of the tree only. In 1842 he was married to Berrila Pen- ington, born in 1824 in Lincoln County, Ky. She is a daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth (Price) Penington. Her father was a na- tive of Tennessee, and her mother of Kentucky. To Mr. and Mrs. Holmes thirteen children were born: Josiah, Isaac, Harriet, Weston, Benjamin, James, Margaret, George, Mary, Martin, Eliz- abeth, Laura and Obediah, all of whom are living on farms. The husband, wife and nine of the children are members of the Chris- tian Church. Mr. Holmes is a stanch Democrat, and cast his first vote for Van Buren. For four years he has held the position of jus- tice of the peace. Two of his sons, were in the late war-Isaac, who served four years in the Rebellion and three years as a regu- lar soldier, and Weston, who served three years in the Rebellion and three years as a regular soldier. In 1860 Mr. Holmes moved to Washington Township, and bought 145 acres, on which he still lives. As a farmer he has been quite successful; having started with nothing, he has arisen to the ownership of a good farm. He has been engaged to some extent in literary work, having written a number of stories for periodicals. Though he had such meager opportunities in early life, he acquired broad information by read- ing.
SAMUEL HOUSE, a farmer of Washington Township, Knox Co., Ind., is a son of Burket and Eliza (Fairhurst) House. The father was born in 1789, in Virginia. The mother, a native of the same State, was born in 1796. In that State they grew to years of maturity and married. Soon after they moved to Ohio, where they remained until 1816, when they came to Vincennes, Ind., and lived two years. Having moved to this township, they here spent the rest of their days. By occupation the father was a farmer, which calling he followed during his entire life. In their family were thirteen children, all of whom have been farmers. The father was a member of the Baptist Church and his wife of the Christian Church. As to political preferences he was a Whig, and after the death of that party became a Republican. In his early settling here he was a great hunter. Many a wolf and deer have been a prey to his skill as a marksman. In 1874 the father died. The mother outlived him four years. Samuel's ancestors, on both sides, were of English descent. He was born in 1820,
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