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 40
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 40
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WILLIAM T. SCOTT, farmer, is a son of Archibald and Catherine (Purcell) Scott, born in 1792 and 1801, respectively. They came to this county when quite young, and here were mar- ried and followed agricultural pursuits. The father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and both he and wife were members of the Presbyterian Church. He died in 1873. The mother yet lives.
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William was born in Knox County, Ind., in 1821, and is of Irish- Dutch descent. He attended the old subscription schools in boy- hood, and remained with and assisted his parents on the farm un- til twenty-six years of age. In 1847 he led to Hymen's altar, Elizabeth Huntington, born in Ohio in 1828. To them were born ten children: Catherine, Andrew, Anna, John, Jane, Alice, Mor- ton, Cora, Rosette, and an infant deceased. Mr. Scott received fifty acres of land from his father. He has increased it from time to time until he now owns 178 acres, 160 acres being under cultiva- tion. Mrs. Scott is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he belongs to the Republican party. He is an enterprising citizen and farmer, and is much respected by his neighbors and friends.
JOSEPH H. SCROGIN is a son of John H. and Lucinda (Bruce) Scrogin, who were natives of Kentucky and Indiana, re- spectively, and born in 1809. In early life the father came to this neighborhood, where he grew to manhood and was married May 5, 1835. He followed agricultural pursuits and assisted in the early Indian wars. He died March 3, 1848, and the mother February 21, 1870. Our subject was born in Knox County in 1836. In boyhood he had almost no opportunities for schooling, but on reaching manhood he worked his own way in school at Ladoga, Ind. In 1861, at the breaking out of the war, he enlisted in Com- pany H, Fifty-first Indiana Infantry, and of seventeen months' service over half was spent in the hospital with rheumatism. He was honorably discharged, and returned home and clerked for Roberts & Baird in Bruceville. Some two years later he tried farming, but finding his physical strength insufficient he aban- doned farming and for over two years was disabled by rheuma- tism. In 1879 he set up for himself in the mercantile business, in which he has since been engaged. In 1866 he was married to Nancy J. Gano, born in Knox County in 1837. They have five children, viz .: Mattie B., Lucinda M., George W., Anna and Rosie. Mattie is one of the rising teachers of the county. Husband and wife and two eldest children are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Scrogin is a warm Republican and cast his first vote for Lin- coln. He is a good business man and one who bears the confi- dence of all.
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
SAMUEL THOMPSON is a son of Samuel and Mary (Baird) Thompson, mention of whom is made in the sketch of Bradway Thompson. He was born in 1809 in Washington Township. He secured the best education the times afforded, and studied some of the higher branches, such as surveying and chemistry. Until twenty-three years of age he lived with his parents. He was mar- ried, in 1832, to Opah Ann McCord, born in Kentucky in 1812. They settled on their woodland farm, fifty acres of which the father cleared. He endured many hardships and privations in order to make a comfortable home for his family. To them were born these children: Tirza J., Hannah B., William H., Mary E., Louisa, Dorcas A., Henry M., Margaret, Samuel and Isador. William, after attending the Nashville Medical College and prac- ticing about four years, died; Tirza, Hannah, Louisa and Dorcas have been teachers. Henry M. enlisted in the late war in Com- pany H, Fifty-first Indiana Infantry, and after eighteen months' service sickened and died at Murfreesboro, Tenn. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church. In 1872 the wife died, and since that time Mr. Thompson has resided with his son Sam- uel, who owns the home farm. He is a Republican and has filled several offices, such as township trustee, assessor and magistrate. He cast his first presidential vote for Jackson.
BRADWAY THOMPSON is a son of Samuel and Mary (Baird) Thompson, who were born in New Jersey and Kentucky, in 1766 and 1778, respectively. They were married in the "Blue- grass State," and came to Indiana in 1802. The father was a brick-maker, and made the brick for the house in Vincennes known as the Harrison House. He contracted with Gov. Harrison for 400 acres of land, paying for it with 200,000 brick. In 1804 he located on his farm, and cleared about 100 acres. In their family were eleven children. The mother died in 1820, and the father married Laura Roberts, by whom he had one child. He died in 1849. Bradway was born in 1813, in Washington Town- ship. He was educated in the old log schoolhouse, and when his father became too old to work, he and his brother farmed the home place jointly, until 1839, when Bradway married Eliza J. Richey, born in Palmyra Township in 1822. They then settled on the home farm, and cared for his father during the rest of his
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life. He received 100 acres of land from his father, and pur- chased out the heirs for another hundred. He now owns 229 acres of land, 160 acres being under cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson became the parents of fifteen children: Thomas B., Cynthia A., William, Charles K., David R., Samuel, Mary E., William R., Eliza J., Nathaniel B., John L., Arthur H., James W., Edwin V. and Henry C. Charles, David and Cynthia have taught school for some time. Thomas and David were in the army. Thomas served three years in Company G, Fourteenth Indiana Infantry, and was wounded at Antietam. He then joined a company of Kentucky cavalry, and served until the close of the war. David served eighteen months in Company A, One Hundred and Eighteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Parents and nine children are members of the Presbyterian Church, of which Mr. Thompson has been elder about twenty years. He is a Republican, and was magistrate four years.
MOSES THRELKELD is a son of James and Sallie (Handly) Threlkeld, and was born in Knox County, Ind., in 1813. He was reared on a farm, and secured his education in the old subscription schools. At the age of twenty-four he was married to Malinda Johnson, born in 1814. She is a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Martin) Johnson, and was married in 1837. To them were born ten children: Samuel H., James J., Sarah J., Maurice T., William M., Mary A., Moses H., Nancy, Thomas B. and an infant, deceased. Both husband and wife and four chil- dren were members of the Christian Church. After marriage they located on a farm, where the wife and children still live. He received eighty acres from his father, and his wife owned 200 acres. They increased the farm to over 800 acres. He was a man who took great interest in the advancement and welfare of his community, and for a number of years previous to his death was a deacon in the church. He died in 1878, leaving his fam- ily well provided for. Moses H. and Thomas B. worked the home farm until 1883, when the latter married and left Moses in charge. The mother is still living, surrounded by her children and many friends.
JAMES J. THRELKELD, one of the leading farmers of Washington Township, is the son of Moses H. and Malinda W.
28
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(Johnson) Threlkeld, who were natives of Indiana and Kentucky, and born in 1812 and 1814, respectively. When a girl the mother came to this county, and here they were married. Soon after they settled in Washington Township, where they have lived to the present time. The father was an industrious farmer, and owned at the time of his death some 1,000 acres of land. Both husband and wife were members of the Christian Church. When a young man the father was a Democrat, but on reaching maturer years he became a Republican. His death occurred in 1878. The mother still lives at the ripe old age of seventy-one. James' ancestors, on his father's side, were Scotch-Irish; on his mother's, Irish. Our subject was born in 1840 in Washington Township. In boyhood he had the advantages of the common schools, and afterward attended school in Bruceville. In 1861, when war sounded its wild alarm, James shouldered his musket and went to battle. In Company E of the Fifty-first Indiana Infantry, he volunteered to sacrifice his life for the Union. Though a life- long cripple he was accepted, and after the battle of Stone River he was transferred to the Invalid Corps. After three years of faithful service he returned home, bearing an honorable discharge. After his return he began farming. In 1866 he was married to Eliza Post, born in Russellville, Ill., in 1842. She is the daughter of Peter and Mary (Lemon) Post. To Mr. and Mrs. Threlkeld eight children were born: Laura R., Mary, Elmer, John, James, Harlin, Morton, and Charles. Laura is one of the teachers of Vigo Township. Both husband and wife were members of the Chris- tian Church. Mr. Threlkeld is a stanch Republican, and cast his first vote for Lincoln. In 1869 his father gave him 200 acres of land. Since, by hard work and good management, he has in- creased it to 360 acres, of which some 250 are under cultivation, with good buildings.
WILLIAM M. THRELKELD, a farmer of Knox County, Ind., was born in said county in 1847, son of Moses and Malinda (Johnson) Threlkeld. In boyhood he had very poor chances for schooling on account of the shortness of the schools and the demand for his services at home. He was reared and aided his father on the farm until thirty years of age, when he was mar- ried, in 1878, to Miss Alice Robinson, born in 1854, in Washing-
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ton Township, and daughter of John and Sallie (Young) Robin- son, who were born in Knox County in 1829 and 1823, respectively. Mrs. Robinson had been previously married to Henry Frederick, by whom she had two children. To her second marriage six children were born, Mrs. Threlkeld being the second. The father died in 1876. Soon after marriage Mr. Threlkeld settled in Busseron Township, where he lived about three years, then moved on his present farm. He and wife became the parents of four children, viz .: Elsie M., Thomas P. and two infants (deceased). The wife is a member of the Christian Church, and he is a Republican and cast his first vote for Grant. He has been fairly successful as a farmer. He re- ceived seventy acres from his father and has increased it to 210 acres.
ROBERT G. WATT, the senior member of the firm of Watt, Mayfield & Hill, tile manufacturers, is a son of Hugh and Mar- garet (Murray) Watt. The father was born in 1806, in Erie County, Penn. The mother is a native of Belfast, Ireland, and was born in 1836. Both are of Scotch-Irish descent. She came with her parents to Boston in 1847, and after a residence of some three years moved to Green County, Ohio, whither Mr. Watt came in 1816. In 1854 they were married, and ten years later moved to Gibson County, where they settled permanently. By trade the father was a bricklayer and stone-mason, which he fol- lowed till a short time before his marriage, afterward devoting his time and energy to agricultural pursuits. In addition to farming he held office a number of terms, being township trustee and county commissioner. Both he and his wife belonged to the United Presbyterian Church. As to political views, he was a warm supporter of Republican principles, as also are his sons. Having farmed it till 1869, they moved to Oakland City, where they opened a boarding-house. In 1880 the father died. The mother still lives. She reared a family of six children, four of whom have followed the profession of teaching. Subject was born in 1855, in Green County, Ohio. In boyhood he had good advantages for education, having attended the Oakland School. He thus prepared himself to take a collegiate course, but on ac- count of the death of his father the project was abandoned. In 1876 he began teaching, which calling he has followed nearly
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five years during the winters. In summers he works at the brick and tile business. In addition to that he works at the brick- layer's trade, having served three years as an apprentice. In 1883 he was married to Hannah Heithecker, born 1859, in Knox County. She is the daughter of Henry and Hannah ( Wagner) Heithecker. Both parents were natives of Germany; having come to this country they. settled in Knox County, where they have lived ever since. Mr. Watts is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, and his wife of the Evangelical Reformed. As a business man, as well as a teacher, he has met with good success, enjoying a large share of the respect and confidence of the entire community.
WILLIAM WILLIS, one of the leading merchants of Bruce- ville, is a son of Clark and Nancy J. (Simpson) Willis. The father was born in Smith County, Va., in 1810, and the mother in Knox County, in 1816. When only two years old he was brought to Knox County, Ind., where he grew to manhood. In 1834 he was married and settled on a farm, where he remained until about 1837, when he formed a partnership with Hugh Barr, with whom he carried on a general merchandise store for about twenty years. They then dissolved partnership, and the father conducted the business by himself. In 1858 he built the spacious room where his son now carries on business. At the breaking out of the war he raised a company, and as its captain served for some time and was promoted to the rank of major. On account of ill health he returned home and began farming. He died in 1873 and the mother two years later. Our subject was born in Knox County in 1842. He received a common school education, and at the age of eighteen enlisted in Company H, Eighty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He participated in the battle of Stone River, and in 1863 was taken prisoner at Rome, Ga., and for twelve months endured the privations of Libby Prison. His father, hearing of his capture, went to the congressman of his district and asked him to assist in the exchange of his son, but was told he was powerless. He then asked for an interview with Lincoln, and it being granted him he urged his assistance, but the President told him all was being done that could be done. Mr. Willis then asked for a recommendation to the commissioner
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of exchange. The President being touched with the father's anxiety, wrote the following: "Gen. Hitchcock, hear this case; I say hear this case." Armed with this Mr. Willis presented himself to the General, and the result was the son's return in a few weeks, with the rank of first lieutenant. He farmed until 1877, when he commenced merchandising with his brother at his father's old stand. In 1881 the brother sold out to W. V. Barr. In 1866 Mr. Willis married Sarah A. Dillon, born in Daviess County in 1854. To them were born these children: Herbert, Mattie G., Orlando, Roscoe P., Edith and Lewis W. Both hus- band and wife are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Willis is a Republican, and cast his first vote for Lincoln. He was post- master of the town for four years, and is a prominent man and valuable citizen.
CLARK WILLIS, a farmer of Washington Township, Knox Co., Ind., is a son of Clark and Nancy (Simpson) Willis. In boyhood he had good opportunities for education, and having completed the common school course he finished his education at Lebanon, Ohio. After his return he taught school one term, but was unable to carry on this work and farming too, so he gave up the former and turned his entire attention to agricultural pur- suits. In 1876 he was married to Eliza Fox, born in Knox County in 1852. She is a daughter of Daniel and Almyra (Ball) Fox, and for some six years previous to her marriage was a school- teacher, giving the best of satisfaction. To Mr. and Mrs. Willis these children were born: Myra E., Maurice C., Paul and Albert N. Soon after marriage they settled on the farm of 100 acres, where they now live. Both husband and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. As a farmer he has been very successful, and is much respected by all. In politics he is a warm Repub- lican and cast his first vote for R. B. Hayes.
THOMAS J. YOUNG was born in 1827, and is of German- Welsh extraction. He attended school but very little in boyhood, and at the age of twenty began to battle his own way in the world. He worked by the month for a short time, and was mar- ried, in 1848, to Matilda J., daughter of Thomas W. and Mar- garet (McLaughry) Paddock, who was born in New York and married in 1805. The mother died in 1830. Mr. Young was a
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renter for a number of years after his marriage, and then bought out the heirs to his father-in-law's farm of 200 acres, now in- creased to 350 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Young are the parents of these children, viz .: Cyrus, Marshal, John H., Bayard T., Thomas E., Mary A. and Oliver M., who is attending the Indiana State University. Husband and wife are members of the Baptist Church, and Mr. Young is a warm Republican, and cast his first presi- dential vote for Taylor. His parents, Thomas and Lucy (Barbee) Young, were born in the "Blue-grass State" in 1783 and 1790, respectively. They were reared and married in that State, and in 1817 removed to Illinois, where the father followed the life of a farmer. After joining the Baptist Church he began minis- terial work, and devoted the most of his time to that calling. He was a man of ability and wide influence. His death occurred about 1847, and the mother's in 1846.
BUSSERON TOWNSHIP.
HENRY BARTLEY is one of Busseron Township's most prominent farmers. He is the seventh of ten children and was born in Illinois, October 4, 1824, son of Robert and Elizabeth (Latlove) Bartley, who were natives of the "Empire" and " Key- stone " States, respectively. They came to Knox County, Ind., during the very early settlement and died when Henry was quite young. Only four of the family are now living. Our subject's educational advantages were limited. He was reared among relatives and friends and endured many hardships. When about fifteen years of age he began working for himself by the month. When twenty-two years of age he began farming on Shaker Prai- rie and a few years later married and settled where he now lives. He has developed his farm from a dense woodland to well-culti- vated fields, and now owns over 500 acres of very fertile land. His residence is a nice two-story frame building and his barns and granaries are spacious and convenient. January 12, 1851, he married Margaret Polk, a native of this county, born April 19, 1830. To them were born thirteen children, three of whom died
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in infancy, and ten now living: Sylvester, Leander, Helen (wife of Crawford Dunkerly), Irene (wife of Rolen Yerkes), Eugene, Harriet, Margaret, Elizabeth, Nellie and Mamie. Mrs. Bartley is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Bartley is honest and industrious and is one of the highly respected men of the county. He is a Republican.
LEANDER BARTLEY is the second of a family of thirteen children of Henry and Margaret (Polk) Bartley (see sketch of Henry Bartley). He was born in Knox County, Ind., Nov- vember 5, 1853, and was reared on a farm, securing a common school education. He made his parent's house his home until nearly twenty-two years of age, when he went to Kansas and farmed about five years. He then returned to "Hoosierdom," married and located on the farm where he now resides. He has succeeded well and owns ninety acres of very fertile and well- cultivated land in Shaker Prairie. February 26, 1884, he led to Hymen's altar, Miss Nettie Hollingsworth, born October 20, 1854, daughter of William P. and Louisa (Stevenson) Hollings- worth, both natives of this county and living in Widner Town- ship. Mrs. Bartley is a member of the Christian Church, He is and always has been a Republican, and is an energetic and honest young farmer.
SYDNEY G. BLANN, a wealthy farmer of Busseron Town- ship, Knox Co., Ind., was born in Sullivan County, Ind., March, 31, 1833, and is the fourth of a family of eleven children of Allen S. and Hettie (Hardin) Blann, who were born in the "Blue-grass State " in 1802 and 1809, respectively. They were married in their native State, and came to Indiana about 1832, settling in Sullivan County. The mother died in 1863. The father is yet residing in the township and is a feeble old man. He has been a member of the Christian Church for many years, and is one of the highly respected old pioneers of the county. He was township trustee one term. Sydney G. was reared mostly in Knox County, on a farm, securing a very limited education. At the age of twenty-two he began farming for himself on the place where he now lives, and at the present time is the owner of over 1,100 acres of very fine land. His residence is a frame build- ing in a very fine location. November 3, 1863, he was married to
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
Sarah S. Sproatt, daughter of John Sproatt, Jr., one of the early settlers of the county. The wife was born January 13, 1836, and has borne seven children, one of whom died at the age of twelve years. Their names are Edward P., born August 3, 1864; John A., born October 13, 1865, and died April 13, 1878; Frances M., born September 17, 1867; Mary O., born September 11, 1869; William W., born September 30, 1871; Herbert U., born October 12, 1873; Charlie E., born January 26, 1877. The husband and wife and one child, Frances M., belong to the Chris- tian Church. Mr. Blann has always been a very firm and un- compromising Democrat. He has never aspired to a public office but is recognized as one of the very prominent and moral citizens of the county.
WILLIAM H. BLANN was the seventh of a family of eleven children of Allen S. and Hettie (Harden) Blann, (else- where written) and was born in Knox County, Ind., on Shaker Prairie, September 3, 1842. He received a limited education, owing to the poor facilities of the day, and was reared on a farm. On attaining his majority he began working for himself as a farm hand, and soon after began farming for himself on his present farm. He has followed agricultural pursuits all his life, and has been quite successful, now owning 125 acres of very fine land. His farm is well improved and has a fine two-story frame residence. He was married, October 17, 1872, to Miss Jennie Sul- lenger, born in Knox County February 14, 1850. Her parents were among the pioneer settlers of Busseron Township. Four children have blessed their union: Curtis, born July 16, 1873; Samuel, born August 17, 1875; Johnnie, born June 26, 1878, and died April 8, 1879; and Della P., born September 17, 1882. Both Mr. and Mrs. Blann are members of the Christian Church. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and in politics is a Demo- crat, and one of the prosperous and respected farmers of the township.
BEN L. BLANN was born August 5, 1853, and is the young- est of eleven children of Allen S. and Hettie (Hardin) Blann. He was reared on Shaker Prairie on a farm, and secured a lim- ited early education. He lived with his parents until eighteen years of age and then worked about in different capacities, and
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farmed two years for himself before he married. He has con- tinued as a tiller of the soil since that time, settling on the farm where he now resides in 1879. He owns sixty-eight acres of ex- ceptionally good land. January 18, 1874, he took for his life companion Martha Ellen Calvert, a native of the county, born July 4, 1853. To them were born these three children: Claude C., born August 18, 1875; Winfield S., born June 25, 1880, and Everett H., born April 5, 1884, and two other children who died . in infancy. Mr. Blann is a stanch member of the Democratic party, and belongs to the I. O. O. F. He is a good citizen, ener- getic and honest.
GEORGE BOND was born in Shenandoah County, Va., March 25, 1816, and is the second of twelve children of Joseph and Mary (Ashelman) Bond. When twenty-one years of age he left his native State and came to Knox County, Ind., with his parents, worked as a farm hand for about nine months and then began farming on his own responsibility, and has ever since continued. In 1855 he and George H. Bond erected a frame, buhr-process flouring-mill, which they operated about five years, when it caught fire and was consumed. A year later the present brick mill was erected by Mr. Bond, George H. Bond and another gentleman, at a cost of $20,000, with a capacity of 100 barrels per day. In five years' time the junior members of the firm re- tired from that business and the mill is now operated by our sub- ject. He was for some time engaged in the merchandise business with his brother, Adam Bond. He has been a very successful business man, and was at one time very wealthy, but lately has met with some financial reverses. In 1845 he was married to Sarah Robertson, a native of the county, who died about 1857, leaving three children, two now living: Joseph A. and Dora (wife of N. F. Concle, a merchant of Topeka, Kas.). Mr. Bond took for his second wife Emma Watson, of Sullivan County, Ind. To them five children were born, three now living: Rush L., Charles L. and Nora E., all at home. Mr. Bond is a member of the Christian Church, and his wife and daughter of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. He is a worthy citizen of the county, is a Republican and a firm believer in prohibition.
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