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 39
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 39
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
in Washington Township. In boyhood he had almost no advant- ages for education, attending the old-time schools at a distance of from two to three miles, and not going but two or three days in a week. At the age of twenty-one he began to battle his own way in the world. Having learned the carpenter's trade, he thought that too dependent a calling, consequently he turned his attention to farming, and in connection with that has followed his trade to a limited extent. In 1844 he was married to Julia Boyd, born in 1827 in Virginia. She is a daughter of John T. and Christina (Arney) Boyd. ยท To Mr. and Mrs. House ten children were born: Ellis, Martha, John B., Caroline, Mary, Alice, Helen, Anna, James M. and an infant, deceased. James is one of the teachers of Washington Township. Mrs. House is a member of the Method- ist Episcopal Church. Mr. House is a stanch Republican, and cast his first vote for Clay. Having saved the money he earned at 123 cents a day, he bought 100 acres of land in 1843, for which he largely went in debt. Since, by hard work and good manage- ment, he has increased his farm to 340 acres. Having moved the large house in which he now lives a mile distant to its present position, he kept postoffice in it during the war. As a farmer he has been quite successful. He is an example of what a young man of determination can do. Having started with nothing, he has arisen to the ownership of a good farm.
CAPT. ELLIS HOUSE, son of Samuel and Julia (Boyd) House, was born in Knox County, Ind., in 1845. In boyhood he had very poor advantages of education, attending the old-time schools, and not going more than two terms altogether. At the age of sixteen, when the nation was calling for "more troops," he enlisted as a private in Company E, Fifty-first Indiana Infantry, in 1861. From private he arose to corporal, and in 1864 he be- came first lieutenant. In 1864 he was veteranized and made captain of his company. He was at Stone River (where he was wounded), Day's Gap, Crooked Creek, Blount's Farm, Pulaski, Columbia, Franklin, and Nashville. At the latter engagement a minie-ball shattered his left arm, for which the Government pays him $14.50 per month. After serving faithfully for over four years he re- turned home and began farming. In 1866 he purchased 167 acres of land where he now lives, which he has increased to 267
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acres. He was married, in 1866, to Nancy E. Robinson, born in Knox County in 1848. To them were born these children: Ora A., Ephraim W., John L., Estella G., William E. and Louis C. Mr. House is a stanch Republican, and cast his first vote for U. S. Grant. He, wife and four children are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church.
SAMUEL T. JOHNSON, one of the prominent farmers of Washington Township, is a son of Samuel and Mary ( Martin) Johnson. The father was born in 1771, in Maryland. After reach- ing manhood he married, but his wife soon died. Having removed to Kentucky he met Miss Martin, to whom he was married in 1810. In that State they remained till 1826, when they came to this county and State, and located where Samuel T. now lives. By occupation the father was a farmer, owning at his death about 800 acres of land. Both he and his wife were members of the Christian Church. During his entire life he was an industrious, energetic worker. Both died but a few hours apart in 1845, and were buried in the same grave. Samuel's ancestors on his moth- er's side were of Irish descent; on his father's lineage uncertain. Our subject was born in 1819, in Bourbon County, Ky. In boy- hood he had only the advantages of the old-time schools. He lived with his parents until their deaths. In 1845 he was married to Catherine Bruce, born about 1826. After the brief period of a little more than two years she died. In 1849 he was again married, this time to Mary (Lemen) Post, the widow of Peter M. Post, by whom she had two children, Eliza and William H., who died in a hospital at Knoxville, Tenn. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson seven children were born: James B., Samuel, Clara B., Thomas L., Mary R., Nancy E. and Joe B. Both husband and wife are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Johnson is a stanch Republican, though he voted the Democratic ticket till the break- ing out of the war. As a farmer he has been fairly successful.
HARRIS KARNS, one of the farmers of Washington Town- ship, is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Stalk) Karns. The father was born in Virginia. The mother was a native of Maryland. When young both moved with their parents to Tennessee, where they were married and spent the remainder of their days. In their family were twelve children, ten of whom they raised. By
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
trade the father was a blacksmith, and in connection with that ran a small farm. He was a member of the Lutheran Church, his wife of the Presbyterian. During his entire life he was an indus- trious, energetic worker. In 1845 the mother died. The father lived ten years longer. Harris' ancestors on both sides were of German descent. He was born, in 1815, in Knox County, Tenn. In boyhood he had very poor opportunities of schooling, not attend- ing more than twelve months all told. At the age of twenty-one he began to battle his own way in the world. After working by the month for a short time he mounted his horse and went to southern Illinois, where he was married, 1839, to Susan Buchan- an, born in 1820, in Wabash County, Ill. Having lived in that State some four years, he moved to Posey County, Ind., and final- ly back to Tennessee. To Mr. and Mrs. Karns five children were born: Emily, Elizabeth, Liza J., John W. and Henry P. Mr. and Mrs. Karns, and all the children, are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Karns is a stanch Republican. His first vote was cast for White. During the war he was actively engaged in secretly transporting Union men out of the rebel country. Language caunot express the dangers, hardships and privations he and his family had to endure. In 1864 he left Tennessee for this State. At first he bought 100 acres where he now lives, mostly in the woods. By hard work and good manage- ment he has since increased his farm to 200 acres, of which some 170 acres are under cultivation. In 1870 Mrs. Karns died. Mr. Karns still lives at the ripe old age of seventy, widely known and highly respected.
WILLIAM M. KESSINGER, one of the farmers of Wash- ington Township, is a son of Peter and Susannah (Morette) Kes- singer. The father was born in 1788, in Lancaster County, Penn. The mother, a native of the same State, was some three or four years younger. There they grew to years of maturity, and were married in Cumberland County. The family consisted of nine children, seven of whom reached manhood. One of the girls, Mary, was a teacher in Lutherville College, Maryland. By trade the father was a carpenter, which calling he followed in early life, but afterward betook himself to farming, which calling he fol- lowed till his death. Both parents were members of the Lutheran
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Church. When a young man, the father was a Federalist, later in life he changed to a Democrat, which he continued to be till the breaking out of the Rebellion, when he became a warm sup- porter of Republican principles. During his entire life he was an industrious, energetic worker. Both died and were buried in their native State. William's ancestors on his father's side were German; on his mother's, French. He was born in 1827, in Cumberland County, Penn. In boyhood he had ordinary advan- tages of education, his father was one of those thoroughgoing old Germans, who are quite as anxious to see material progress as intellectual advancement. While growing up he learned wagon-making, and on reaching manhood attended Kingston Academy. After thus preparing himself he taught for some eight terms. For some time he worked at his trade wherever he could get a job, but in 1852 he opened a shop in Bruceville. In 1853 he was married to Margaret J. Bruce, born in 1830, in Bruceville. She is a daughter of William and Hettie R. (Holmes) Bruce. To Mr. and Mrs. Kessinger these eight children were born: L. Augustus, William E., Ellis M., Clarence B., Orro (de- ceased), Hettie B., Flora E. and Pearl. All have been teachers save Orro and Pearl. William E. is a practicing physician in Monroe City, Knox Co., Ind., and Clarence B. is a rising young lawyer of Vincennes. Mrs. Kessinger is a member of the Chris- tian Church. In 1862 Mr. Kessinger volunteered in Company K. of Seventieth Illinois Infantry, and after serving three months was discharged and resumed peaceful pursuits. In 1863, the war having destroyed his trade, he bought 100 acres where he now lives, and has since devoted his entire attention to agricultural pursuits. As a farmer he has been quite successful. He is a man who takes a deep interest in the education of the rising generation, having given all his children good educations.
JAMES P. MARTIN, one of the early settlers of Washing- ton Township, is a son of William and Edie (Parker) Martin. Both parents were natives of Maryland, where they were married. After living there for some time they moved to West Virginia. Here the father died about 1807, and after his death the mother married Alex Connell. Soon after they moved to Ohio, where her second husband died. Then James brought her to this
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county, where she died in 1841. By trade the father was a shoe- maker, which calling he followed during his entire life. Our subject was born in 1807, in Brook County, W. Va. In boyhood he had almost no advantages for schooling. His stepfather was a man who looked upon schools as a place to go when no work could be found. James lived with him till twenty-two years of age, and then struck out for himself. Thinking himself deficient in education he attended school for some time, and in 1830 he came to Knox County, and after farming two years he enlisted in the Blackhawk war, going near Chicago for equipments. At Rock Island, Ill., cholera broke out in the camp, from which many died. Mr. Martin was taken with it, but his strong con- stitution wore out the disease. Having returned and spent the winter, they went out the following spring. as far north as the Portage. Having saved his wages on this campaign, he returned and bought sixty-five acres of timber land, and began to make himself a farm. From that he has increased his farm, from time to time, until he now owns 250 acres, of which 175 acres are under cultivation. In 1833 Mr. Martin was married to Martha Cham- bers, born in 1817 in Knox County. She was a daughter of James and Lydia (Hollingsworth ) Chambers. To Mr. and Mrs. Mar- tin nine children were born, viz .: Emily, William H., Mary A., George, Lydia, Enoch, John, Winfield S. and Martha A. In 1850 Mrs. Martin died, and the same year he married Nancy Thorn, born in 1827 in Knox County. She is a daughter of George L. and Mary (Wilson) Thorn. To this second marriage two children were born: Andrew and an infant (deceased). An- drew is married to Katie Bain, and lives on the old homestead. Mr. Martin is a stanch Republican, and his first vote was cast for Harrison. As a farmer he has been quite successful. Mr. Mar- tin is one of the old-time hunters, having killed more deer, per- haps, than any other man now living in the township, having been an eye witness of many fights between wounded deer and dogs.
JOSEPH H. McCLESKY is a son of Joseph H. and Martha (Dickey) McClesky, who were born in South Carolina, but spent the most of their lives in Kentucky, where they were married. They came to Daviess County, Ind., at an early period, and re-
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mained here until their respective deaths in 1845 and 1857. They were members of the Presbyterian Church, and the father was a Whig. Joseph, our subject, was born in Daviess County, Ind., in 1830, and is of Scotch-Irish descent. At the age of seventeen he began to make his own way in the world. He purchased sev- enty acres of land, and soon paid for it. After attending the State University for a year he sold his farm and began merchan- dising in Plainville, continuing there seven years. He then sold his stock and began speculating in land, and after a short time came to Knox County, in 1861, and purchased 200 acres of land where he now lives. In 1856 he was married to Martha J. Trot- ter, born in North Carolina in 1836, daughter of Samuel and Louisa (Carrol) Trotter. Mr. and Mrs. McClesky are the parents of one child, viz .: Mattie S. All are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. McClesky is a Republican. His first vote was cast for Scott. He has held the office of town- ship trustee.
DR. JAMES McDOWELL, the leading physician of Bruce- ville, Ind., is a son of James and Mary C. (Moore) McDowell. The father was born about 1818, in Washington County, Penn. The mother was a native of Jefferson County, Ohio. At the age of nineteen, having prepared himself for the practice of medi- cine, he began his work in Jefferson County, where he was soon after married. Of this marriage three children were born, two sons and one daughter. In 1849 the mother died, and after her death he was married to Caroline Erwin. To them two children were born-one son and one daughter. The boys of both fami- lies of children are practicing physicians. From Jefferson County he moved to Columbiana County, where he married his second wife, and in 1865 came to Sullivan County, Ind., where he has had a good practice, and still follows his profession to a limited extent, being now sixty-seven years old. Our subject was born in 1848, in Jefferson County, Ohio. When a boy he attended the common schools, and on reaching manhood attended a two-years' term at De Pauw University. Having returned he studied medicine two years, and in 1869 engaged in the mercan- tile business as a salesman for C. H. Baker, of Freelandsville. Some six years later he started a store of general merchandise in
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Pleasantville, Ind. In 1875 he was married to Sarah Jane Hol- lingsworth, born in 1856, in Knox County. She is a daughter of Samuel E. and Nancy (Delay) Hollingsworth. To Mr. and Mrs. McDowell one child was born, Sarah Jane. In 1877 Mrs. McDowell died, and a few weeks later the child also died. After the death of his wife Mr. McDowell took a complete course of instruction at the Hospital College of Medicine, at Louisville, Ky., graduat- ing in 1880. The same year he located in Bruceville, where he has worked up an extensive practice. In 1883 he took to wife Nancy J. Willis, born 1866, in Bruceville. She is daughter of John T. and Mary (Piety) Willis. To Mr. and Mrs. McDowell one child was born-Blanche C. Mrs. McDowell is a member of the Christian Church, and he is a Presbyterian and a stanch Democrat, and cast his first vote for Greeley. When only four- teen years old he made two applications to join the Union Army, but was rejected. As a physician he has been very successful, enjoying a good share of the respect and confidence of the entire community. He also takes considerable interest in thorough- bred trotting horses, which promise to make extra horses on the track.
DR. JOHN W. MILAM, one of the leading physicians of Bruceville, is a son of William S. and Emma (Beckes) Milam, natives of Indiana, born in 1827 and 1828, respectively. The father when young moved with his parents to Knox County, Ind., where he remained until fifteen years of age. He then went to Johnson Township, and there spent the remainder of his days. He was a farmer through life, and held the offices of justice of the peace and township trustee, and in 1856 he was chosen coun- ty commissioner, and held that position ten years. He was a Dem- ocrat, and died in 1874. The mother still lives. Our subject was born in an old-fashioned log house in Knox County, in 1855. At the common schools he prepared himself for teaching, and after following that calling for some time he went to the State Normal School. His father having died insolvent, he and his brother took the burden of his debts on their shoulders, and paid the entire amount of indebtedness. The mother also sacrificed all her rights in the estate, that every creditor might be paid. In 1878 our subject was elected county superintendent, and filled
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that position to the entire satisfaction of all. He accumulated enough money to pay his debts and enable him to attend the medical department of the University of Louisville, and was among ten who stood highest in a class of 100. He graduated in 1881, and located in Vincennes, where he practiced a short time, and then moved to Bruceville, where he is doing well. In 1878 he was married to Ida Gude, born in Oaktown in 1855. They have three children: Raymond, Meda and Muriel. Dr. Milam is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and his wife of the Christian Church. He is a Republican, and cast his first vote for Hayes.
EPHRAIM PHILLIPPE, one of the leading farmers of Washington Township, is a son of Peter and Rebecca (Fox) Phil- lippe. His father was born in Wythe County, Va., in 1808, and his mother in Smyth County, Va., in 1807. They both grew to maturity in their native State, and were married in Wythe County, in 1824. After a residence there of some eight years they came to Knox County, Ind., in 1832, and after renting for three years, purchased the farm upon which the subject of this sketch now resides, and upon which they both lived until their deaths. While in Pennsylvania, they were both members of the Lutheran Church, but upon coming to this country, and finding no Lutheran Church within reach, he joined the Presbyterian Church, and she, the Methodist Episcopal. Politically he is an old-time Democrat. In early life he was a great hunter of bears, panthers and deer, and many a deer fell at the flash of his unerring rifle. He died in 1854, his wife in 1878; both were of German descent. Such was the ancestry of the subject of this sketch, who was born in Wythe County, Va., in 1828. In boyhood his advantages for obtaining an education were very limited, on account of the scarcity of schools and the demand for labor at home. The first schoolhouse he ever entered had neither nail nor pane of glass. After the death of their father all nine of the children remained at home and worked the farm together until they were married, when each went to himself. Having purchased the interests of the other heirs Ephraim had a farm of 207 acres; since then, by hard work and good management, he has increased his farm to 870 acres. In 1866 he was married to Naomi J. (Robinson) Stephenson, who
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
was born in Knox County in 1826, and who was a daughter of Harmon and Eleanor (Steen) Robinson. Mr. Phillippe is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, while Mrs. Phillippe is a member of the Presbyterian. He is an ardent and earnest Democrat, having cast his first vote for Buchanan.
WILLIAM D. PIETY, one of the leading farmers of Wash- ington Township, is a son of Thomas and Mary (Duncan) Piety. His father was a native of Pennsylvania, born in a British fort, and the first child born west of the Alleghany Mountains. In his day he was a great Indian fighter, having been in nine cam- paigns against the savages. On one of these raids, the one under St. Clair, he was severely wounded. Being one of a num- ber cut off from the army, he was trying to make his way back. Seeing an Indian behind a tree, he raised his gun to fire, but the savage fired a little first, piercing him through the hips. By means of a horse, however, he made good his escape. In 1792 he and Miss Duncan were married in Kentucky. They were the parents of fourteen children-seven boys and seven girls-all of the former following the occupation of farming. Until about thirty years old he was a firm believer in the doctrines of the Baptist Church; but after reading the able presentation of Gospel truths by Alexander Campbell, he became a leading mem- ber of the Christian Church. In 1814 he left Kentucky for Sulli- van County, Ind., and the following year came to Knox County. where he spent the remainder of his days. He lived sixty-five years; his wife eighty. The Piety family is of English descent. William's grandfather was a noted landlord in England, holding a high office in the English Army. On his death the estate should have fallen to William, but he gave a power of attorney to a man who used it to his own advantage. The subject of this sketch was born in Breckenridge County, Ky., in 1808. In boyhood he had almost no advantages for education, barely learn- ing to read and write, and at the age of eighteen he began life on his own account. At first he worked one month for wages, and then began cropping. By good management he saved enough to buy fifty acres of land, and afterward increased it to 420 acres. In 1830 he was married to Sally A. Threl- keld, born in Knox County, in 1811. To this marriage were
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born eleven children: Sarah J., Angeline, Mary, Samuel T., Amanda T., Thomas, Susan, Rachel M., Alice E. and Francis A. Thomas was one of the brave boys who fell in the battle of the Wilderness, after a faithful service of three years. Both him- self and wife are members of the Christian Church, of which Mr. Piety has been an elder forty years. Mrs. Piety died in 1878. He is a stanch Republican, and cast his first vote for Henry Clay.
JAMES PRICE, farmer, is a son of John and Jane (Hobbs) Price, who were born in North Carolina and Maryland in 1800 and 1802 respectively. When young they moved to West Vir- ginia, where they were married about 1822. Some nine years later they moved to Wayne County, W. Va., where they lived until their death. There were eight children in the family, all of whom were farmers. The father died in 1884, and the mother in 1849. James, our subject, was born in West Virginia in 1834. He is of English lineage, and secured his education in the old-time subscription schools. At the age of twenty-one he began working for himself as a farm hand, and on flat-boats and steam-boats, or at whatever presented itself. He thus accumu- lated about $600, but at the breaking out of the war the Southern bank bills, of which the most of his money consisted, were worth nothing, so he was left almost destitute. In 1859 he was married to Mary A. Dennison, born in Ohio in 1835. To them were born these children: Sarah, Ida, James B., Alvin, Adaline, William and John. In 1863 they moved to Ohio, but soon after came to Indiana, and in 1865 came to Knox County, where they have since lived. In 1869 he purchased 109 acres of land, which he has since increased to 370 acres. He is a supporter of Demo- cratic principles, and is a thoroughly good farmer and citizen.
JAMES S. RICHEY, deceased, was born in 1835, in Steen Township, son of John and Elizabeth (Steen) Richey, born in 1791 and 1795. James grew to manhood in his native township, and in 1864 moved to Washington Township, where he spent the remainder of his days. In 1861 he married Nancy A. Fitzpat- rick, born in Knox County in 1840. Her father was a Baptist minister. To Mr. and Mrs. Richey four children were born: Rich- ard H., John W., Katie E. and James W., all of whom, save Rich- ard, are living in Florida. James received forty acres of land from
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his father, and by his industry and economy increased his farm to 231 acres. He was a Democrat, and a member of the Presbyter- ian Church, and died at the age of forty-six. The farm has since been managed by his eldest son, Richard H., who was born in Steen Township, in 1862. In boyhood he had good educational advantages, and, after attending the common schools, went to Lebanon, Ohio, during the winter of 1882-83. In 1884 he was married to Laura, daughter of C. C. and Cynthia (Alton) McClure, born in Washington Township in 1864. To Mr. and Mrs. Richey one child was born, named James S. Mr. Richey is a strong Democrat, and his first vote was cast for Grover Cleveland.
JOHN T. SARTOR, one of the prominent farmers of Wash- ington Township, is a son of John and Sarah (Hollingsworth) Sartor, natives of Knox County, Ind., and born in 1810 and 1811, respectively. They were married in 1831 and spent the lives of farmers. They were members of the Christian Church and the father was a Republican in politics. The father died in 1871 and the mother the following year. They reared eight children. John Sartor was born in the same township as his parents in 1845, and is probably of Irish descent. He remained with his parents until their death, when he came into possession of a farm of 120 acres, where he has since made his home. He now owns 160 acres of good land, about 140 of which are under cultivation. In 1873 he was married to Mary B. Richey, born in Washington Township in 1854, and daughter of Richard S. and Mary J. (McClure) Richey, who were born in Knox County in 1825 and 1827, respectively. The father died in 1876 but the mother is yet living. Mr. and Mrs. Sartor became the parents of these children: John L., Rich- ard S., Effie D. and Jennie P. Both husband and wife are mem- bers of the Christian Church, and he is a Republican and cast his first vote for Lincoln. He is a good farmer and is always ready to support worthy enterprises.
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