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 42
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 42
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which is erected a good two-story frame residence. He has also been engaged in mercantile business in Oaktown at various times, and his son, George H., is now in the hardware business in that town. Mr. Shepard was married, December 3, 1858, to Margaret C. Sproatt, daughter of Benjamin Sproatt. These five children have been born to them: George H., Benjamin H., John F., Ed- ward and Guy L. Mrs. Shepard is a member of the Christian Church, and he belongs to the I. O. O. F. He belongs to the Democratic party, and takes an active interest in political affairs. He was trustee and justice of the peace of the township, and is one of the enterprising men of Oaktown and Knox County.
JOHN H. E. SPRINKLE, a very prominent old farmer of Busseron Township, was born in Wythe County, Va., in 1822, and was one of a family of four children born to Henry and Elizabeth (Ernst) Sprinkle. His father was born near Hagers- town, Washington Co., Md., in 1757. In 1807 he married Eliza- beth Ernst, and engaged in the ¡hatter's trade at Wytheville, Va., a knowledge of which trade he obtained from his wife, whose father was a hatter. Henry Sprinkle was the owner of an exten- sive plantation and a large number of slaves, who were very duti- ful, and who often requested him never to sell them. He lived to the ripe old age of ninety-four, dying in 1851, his wife having preceded him to her long home in 1836. The immediate subject of this sketch was born in Virginia, and lived there until he ar- rived at the age of twenty-three, when he removed to Knox County, settling on the farm where he now resides, the property having been previously purchased by his father from the Shakers in 1835. He has ever since continued farming very successfully, and now owns 750 acres of the finest land on Shaker Prairie, which is under the best improvement. His residence is a com- modious two-story brick building, in a most excellent location, surrounded by both natural and artificial beauties, and command- ing an extensive view of Shaker Prairie. On this farm stands the oldest and largest pear tree in the State, set out by the Shak- ers and still bearing fruit. Mr. Sprinkle also has an old-fash- ioned eight-day clock, which has been running for ninety-six years. It is a fine specimen of skilled mechanism, and is said to contain in its case over 3,000 pieces of wood. Besides the
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time of day, it records the day of the month and the changes of the moon. Mr. Sprinkle was married, December 4, 1845, to Rhoda La Hue, who was born in Wythe County, Va., about 1827. By her he had two children: Henry B. and Mary M. L. She died May 9, 1849, of cholera, while en route to her old home in Virginia. Mr. Sprinkle was married the second time, January 1, 1851, to Barbara Brouillette, a daughter of Capt. Pierre Brouil- lette, a prominent early French settler and a warm admirer of Gen. Harrison. She was born in 1821, at Vincennes. The re- sult of this marriage was six children, four of whom are living: Wythe P. B., Welcome B., John R. R. and Jefferson M. All the children are still at the old homestead except Welcome B., who is practicing medicine at Irving, Ill. Since locating in this county Mr. Sprinkle has been engaged mainly in farming, though he has been engaged in merchandising and distilling a short time. Politically he has always been a Democrat, casting his first vote for James K. Polk for President. Under the administration of President Buchanan he had an appointment in the United States Land Office. He was an efficient member of the board of county commissioners in 1863, and in many other ways he has been a faithful public servant, and by his neighbors is held in the high- est esteem. As a member of the I. O. O. F. he was instrumental in procuring the establishment of a lodge at Oaktown. He was one of the commissioners appointed to effect a compromise be- tween the county and the holders of the Ohio & Mississippi Rail- road bonds. He was disbursing agent under President Bu- chanan, and was also United States Marshal, appointed by the governor for collecting the official vote for President Lincoln and Vice-President Wilson. His children are as follows: H. Bowen, the eldest by first marriage, was born October 7, 1846, in this county. He was reared on the farm, and had the educational advantages supplied by the common school, and afterward he attended school at Vincennes. At the age of sixteen he was ap- prenticed to the harness trade for three years. He then returned to the farm, and has ever since lived with his father. He has never married. Mary M. L. was born January 27, 1849, also in this county. She was but little over three months old when her mother died, and was brought up by her grandmother, La Hue, in
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Virginia, where she remained until the close of the war, when she came to her father in Indiana, where she has lived ever since. She was educated at St. Rose Academy, Vincennes. By the sec- ond marriage have been born the following children: Wythe B. P., the eldest, was born November 11, 1851, in Vincennes. He was raised on the farm and obtained a fair education. He served a three-years' apprenticeship at the harness trade, and followed his trade about eight years, when he returned to the farm. He now has complete charge of the home farm, and himself, owns forty acres, and lives with his father. He was married, Septem- ber 16, 1874, to Mary Anne Madigan, a lady of Irish descent, by whom he has one daughter, Estella B., born July 10, 1875, and now in Vincennes, attending school. His wife died October 3, 1879. Welcome B., the second child by the second marriage, was born at Carlisle, Sullivan Co., Ind., January 26, 1853, was brought up on the farm, and served three years at the har- ness trade. He studied medicine under Dr. J. W. Pugh at Oak- town, graduated at Louisville Medical College, and located at Palmyra, Ill., where he remained two years, when he removed to Irving, Ill., where he is now living, practicing medicine and running a drug store. He is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. He was married, November 18, 1880, to Ida All- man, daughter of R. J. Allman, a prominent physician of Pal- myra. John R. R. was born October 13, 1857, where he now lives. He was brought up on the farm and in Vincennes, where he at- tended school, and was also at St. Mary's Institute, Dayton, Ohio, and at the Cecilian College of Kentucky. He then remained with his parents until his marriage, when he established a drug store at Irving, Ill., and ran it four years. He then conducted a drug store at Oaktown one year, when he was burned out, and then commenced farming where he now lives and owns forty- three acres of land. He was married, October 17, 1877, to Sallie A. Tewalt, a native of Sullivan County, Ind. They have two children: Okie A. T., born July 24, 1879, and Cokie A. T. W., born May 7, 1885. Both himself and wife are members of the Christian Church. Julia M. was born October 13, 1858, and died in July, 1862. J. Monticello was born March 2, 1861, on the present farm. He was educated at Dayton, Ohio. He stud-
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ied dentistry at Vincennes, under Dr. T. B. Girard, and gradu- ated at the New York College of Dentistry. He located at Car- lisle, and enjoyed a successful practice. B. Powhattan P. was born October 7, 1866, and died at the age of thirteen months. All the sons but H. Bowen are members of the I. O. O. F.
BENJAMIN SPROATT, a very prominent old farmer of Bus- seron Township, was born November 5, 1813, at New Albany, Ind. He was the sixth of a family of nine children born to John and Keziah (Sikes) Sproatt. The father was born in England, where he was raised until arriving at the age of sixteen, when he came to South Carolina with his parents, and thence to North Caro- lina, where he married and remained a short time. The mother was born and reared in North Carolina. After their marriage they came to New Albany, Ind., when there were but settlements in the place. For nine years the father ran a ferry across the Ohio River, the first one at the place. He also assisted to sur- vey and plat the town of New Albany, and was one of the promi- nent men of the place. From New Albany he moved to Busseron Township, with all his family, in March, 1821, and followed farm- ing the remainder of his life. At the present time there are but two of his family living, the subject of this sketch and Reason R. Benjamin Sproatt's early education was obtained mainly in the primitive log schoolhouse, with but indifferent teachers. His early life was spent amid pioneer surroundings, and he fre- quently carried corn to mill on horseback quite a distance. His father once put up a wind-mill, and later a horse-mill, and ground corn for the neighbors. The subject remained with his parents until twenty-four years of age, when he married and set- tled where he now lives. He is a successful farmer, and has owned 500 acres of land, but is now dividing it among his children. He started the second store in Oaktown, and is now connected with his sons in the same store. He was married, December 5, 1837, to Mary Pifer, a native of Virginia, born April 15, 1814, and came to Indiana about 1835. To them have been born six children, all of whom are now living: Margaret C., the wife of John A. Shepard; John W., whose sketch appears elsewhere; George W., a farmer; Commodore P., a partner in the store; Eliza H., yet at home, and Mary, wife of John W. Wolf, of Sulli-
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van County, Ind. The family has been remarkably healthy, all of them having good physical constitutions. Mr. Sproatt and all of his family are members of the Christian Church. Politically he has been a zealous Democrat, and he is highly respected as a moral, upright citizen. He is thoroughly a self-made man, and though one of the oldest inhabitants of the township, is yet strong and hearty.
JOHN W. SPROATT was born near Oaktown, Ind., August 29, 1840, and is the second of six children born to Benjamin and Mary (Pifer) Sproatt. He was reared to manhood on an Indiana farm, and acquired a somewhat limited education. He resided with his parents until twenty-five years of age, when he engaged in the mercantile business with his father, and has ever since suc- cessfully continued. He now owns, in connection with his brother, 100 acres of very fine land. They deal in all kinds of general merchandise, keeping a good and full line of goods .. The business was established in 1865 by Benjamin Sproatt and John N. Shepard, but in 1870 became known under its present firm name, John W. and Commodore P. being the present members of the firm. The former is the oldest business man of the town. He was married, in 1868, to Sallie E. Bond, daughter of Adam Bond. They have three children, viz .: Urban, Minnie, and Pearlie. Mr. Sproatt and family are members of the Christian Church, and politically he has always been a zealous Democrat, and belongs to one of the highly respected families of the county.
WILLIAM H. H. STIPE, a very prominent old farmer of the county, was born at Crab Orchard, Ky., September 11, 1818, son of Henry and Jennie (Adams) Stipe, both natives of the "Bluegrass State." They came to Knox County, Ind., on Christmas day, 1824, and located near Vincennes. The father was a farmer and mechanic, and was one of the prominent men of the county, being a captain of militia to guard against the In- dians. They moved to Busseron Township in 1825, where both parents died, the mother in 1843, and the father in 1849. Our subject received his early education in the historic log school- house of early times. After attaining his majority he worked about as a farm-hand three or four years, and then married and began farming on rented land on the edge of Shaker Prairie.
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
After the death of his parents he settled on the homestead farm, where he yet resides. He has been in the saw-milling business eight years, and has done a great deal of contract work for rail- roads and levees. He owns 100 acres of land, with a good brick residence. He was married April 14, 1840, to Eunice Joseph. To them were born eleven children, two only of whom are living, Eunice, born September 1, 1843 (wife of James Winemiller), and Lillie Bell, born January 9, 1862 (wife of David Harmon). Mrs. Stipe died July 8, 1862, and April 29, 1866, he wedded Julia Jean, who died January 26, 1869, after bearing two chil- dren, both deceased. March 14, 1869, Mr. Stipe married America J. Proctor, born in Kentucky. She is a member of the Christian Church, and he belongs to the I. O. O. F., and has been a life- long Republican in politics. He lost two sons in the late war. His grandson, Harrison Pirtle, is now living with him.
ROLAND S. WALKER, a prominent merchant of Oaktown, Ind., was born April 9, 1836, in Sullivan County, Ind. He was the fifth of eight children born to George W. and Rhoda (Blevence) Walker, born in Virginia and Kentucky respectively. The father was taken to Kentucky when quite young, and was there reared and married. About 1827 he came to Sullivan County, Ind., and there lived on a farm until his death in 1882. The mother died in 1880. Roland S. was educated in the com- mon schools. At the age of twenty-one he married, and began farming for himself, continuing eight years. He then engaged in the saw-milling business in Knox County a short time, and then kept a grocery store for about three years, when he became con- nected with W. A. Polk in the general merchandise business. He has been quite prosperous in his enterprises, and now owns 200 acres of very fertile land well improved. He engages quite extensively in live stock. In 1860 he led to Hymen's altar Mary E. Bond, who died in 1869 after becoming the mother of two children: Jennie B. and William E. In 1871 Mr. Walker mar- ried Nancy A. Sproatt, who died in 1878. His last marriage to Hattie Kable was consummated in 1880. The wife is a member of the Christian Church. He is a Republican in politics, and one of the leading business men of the town.
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DAVID WILLIAMS, farmer, was born in Floyd County, Ind., July 26, 1844, and is a son of Samuel and Lavina (Lewis) Williams, who were the parents of nine children. The father was born in Clark County, Ind., in 1813, and in 1819 went to Floyd County, where he now lives, a farmer. The mother was born in the same county as our subject, in 1815, and died Janu- ary 16, 1860. Our subject spent his boyhood days on a farm and in attending the common schools. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company K, Ninety-third Indiana Volunteers, and served in the war of the Rebellion three years. He was wounded in the leg by a gun-shot at Nashville, Tenn., December 16, 1864, from which he is yet disabled, and receives a pension. After his return home, he engaged in agricultural pursuits. He lived in Missouri from 1869 to 1870, then returned to Floyd County, Ind., and in the spring of 1872 came to his present farm. He deals quite ex- tensively in grain, and owns 130 acres of fine land, under good cultivation, with a good residence and very large barn. He was married April 19, 1869, to Clara Taylor, born in Floyd County, November 10, 1845. Seven children were born to them, three of whom were at one birth, and are all dead. Those living are Mark G., Claude D., Delretta and Lavina. Mr. Williams is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and politically is a very firm Democrat. He has never aspired to office, but is one of the prominent men of the county.
JOSEPH A. WOLFE may be mentioned as a prominent farmer of Busseron Township. He was born in Sullivan County, Ind., February 9, 1841, and is the eldest of three sons of Uriah Wolfe, who was born in Virginia in 1817, and was reared in Sul- livan County, Ind. He was married in that county, and has passed his life on the farm, where he now lives. Two of his sons are living in Sullivan County. The mother, Eliza Garrett, was born and reared in Greene County, Ind., where she died in 1841. Joseph A. was educated in the common schools of his native coun- ty. When about twenty-four years of age he married, and began doing business for himself. After living in Sullivan County about five years, he located on his present farm, near Oaktown, where he has prospered, and now owns 140 acres of land in Knox County and seventy acres in Sullivan County. His home farm is well
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improved and very fertile. November 4, 1863, he was married to Eliza B. Fry, who was born February 10, 1846, and died May 10, 1868, leaving one child, Herbert E., who is now a teacher of Busseron Township. Mr. Wolfe's second marriage took place January 20, 1870, uniting him to Mary Kackley, daughter of Elias and Lucy Kackley. She was born in Kentucky March 30, 1837, and is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Wolfe is a very zealous Democrat, and is highly respected as a moral and upright man.
VIGO TOWNSHIP.
DANIEL R. ALTON, proprietor of the livery and feed stable at Bicknell, Ind., is a son of Benjamin and Mary J. (Walker) Alton, and was born May 5, 1844. The father was a farmer, born in 1823, in Indiana. He was married about 1843, and died at the age of thirty-three, in 1856. The mother was a native of the "Keystone State," and after her husband's death married Jacob Harvey, and both now live near Bicknell. Our subject secured a common school education, mostly acquired at home. He resided with his mother until twenty-three years old, and was one of the "boys in blue," enlisting August 1, 1861, in Company E, Twenty- seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, for three years or during the war. He took an active part in the battles of Winchester, Cedar Mountain, Antietam, Pulaski, Franklin, Nashville, Mobile, and many lesser engagements. He was wounded at Antietam by a minie-ball, which has since disabled him from manual labor. He was mustered out at Vicksburg and received his discharge at Indianapolis in 1865. He was commissioned second lieutenant in 1863, and in 1864 was promoted to first lieutenant. On return- ing home he worked on the farm, and April 11, 1867, married Lizzie J. Gettings, born in Daviess County, Ind., in 1852, daugh- ter of William and Mary Gettings. They have these eight chil- dren: Cora M., Mary J., Effie, Thomas M., Maud, Willie R., Lizzie and Charles H. Mr. Alton has been a farmer, and in 1879 came to Bicknell, where he has since resided and practiced law. He was admitted to the bar in 1877. In 1882 he established his
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feed and livery stable, and owing to energy and enterprise is doing well financially. He has succeeded well iu his legal prac- tice, and is one of the leading lawyers of the county. He belongs to the Republican party, and cast his first vote for U. S. Grant. He belongs to the I. O. O. F., and his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
AMBROSE ARTHUR may be mentioned as one of the prom- inent old farmers of Vigo Township. He was born in Knox County, Ky., January 25, 1824, and is a son of Joseph and Mary (McFarland) Arthur. The father was a native Tennessean, born in 1801, and a farmer by occupation. He was married in 1824, in Kentucky, and in 1830 came to Indiana. He died in Greene County in 1860. The mother was born in the "Blue-grass State " in 1803, and died iu 1863. When our subject was a lad Indiana was very new, and his opportunities for acquiring an education were very limited. In 1845 he married Mary Watkins, daughter of Myer and Nancy Watkins. She was born in Ken- tucky in 1823, and died in 1852, leaving these two children: Wesley and Nancy Ann. After his wife's death Mr. Arthur re- turned to the paternal roof and lived with his father and mother several years. In 1861 he enlisted in Company B, Thirty-third Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the battles of Stone River, Chickamauga, and numerous lesser en- gagements. In 1864 he returned home on furlough, and while there, April 4, married Maria Jones, daughter of Joshua and Elizabeth Jones. She was born in 1838, in Monroe County, Ind. They have seven children: Mary, Caturah, Lizzie, Burton Theo- dore, Emma, Fletcher and Lillie. Soon after the marriage Mr. Arthur returned to the army and remained until hostilities ceased. He was discharged at Indianapolis in 1865. He owns 160 acres of land and is one who is respected and esteemed by all classes. He belongs to the Republican party, and cast his first vote for J. K. Polk. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
HUGH BARR, JR., proprietor of the livery and feed stable of Edwardsport, is a native of Daviess County, Ind., where he was born April 16, 1847. He is one of five children of William and Margaret Barr, born in Indiana in 1818 and 1821 respectively.
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The father married in Daviess County, moved to Knox County in 1848, and farmed near Edwardsport. He died in February, 1867. The mother sometimes resides by herself and sometimes with her son, M. P. Hugh was educated in the schools near home. When twenty-one years old he married Sarah E. French, born in Monroe County, Ind., January 24, 1848, daughter of William and Nancy French. They have six children: William V., Margaret E., Ann, Martha, Dora and Blanche. Mr. Barr at- tended to the ferry until 1876, when he purchased a half interest in the livery and feed stable of the Love Bros. In 1877 he be- came sole owner, and has since carried on the business with marked success. He keeps a good stable and gives the best of satisfaction to his customers. He owns an interest in the ferry, and farms about seventy-five acres of land. He is gentlemanly and obliging, and is considered a strictly straightforward and honest business man. He is a Republican and cast his first vote for U. S. Grant. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church.
JOHN E. BARROWS is a son of Heman B. and Eliza C. (Hunter) Barrows, who were born in Illinois and Kentucky in 1823 and 1826 respectively. The father was a farmer, and at the time of his marriage lived in Vincennes, Ind., where he followed tailoring about four years, and then moved to Edwardsport, where he purchased 40 acres of land, but soon sold out and bought 115 acres in Washington Township, where he has since lived. He owned about 450 acres of good land, but has given all but 245 acres to his children. John E. was born in Knox County October 28, 1852. He attended the district schools, and the graded schools of Bruceville one year. When twenty years of age he began doing for himself, but made his home with his parents until twenty-seven years of age. April 27, 1879, he married Helen E. Gammon, daughter of Lewis and Mary (Minich) Gammon. She was born March 17, 1858, in Knox County, Ind. They have one child, Omar P. In 1881 Mr. Barrows purchased fifty acres of land and his father gave him fifty acres more, and upon this farm he lived until 1882, when he bought twenty acres in the suburbs of Bick- nell, and now lives there. He is a young man of good habits and bids fair to become a wealthy and prominent citizen. He is a
1
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Democrat, and cast his first vote for S. J. Tilden. He and wife are members of the Christian Church.
THOMAS BARTLETT, merchant, of Edwardsport, Ind., was born in Johnson County, Ind., January 17, 1835, and is one of the eight children of George and Fannie (McQuaid) Bartlett, both born in . Kentucky, in 1800. They came from Johnson County, Ind., in 1825, and twenty years later went to Monroe County, where they lived five years and then went to Fayette County, Ill., where he remained until his death in the fall of 1855. The mother died in Johnson County, Ind., in 1838. Our subject made his home with his father until he was twenty years old. He received his education in the old log schoolhouses, and, in April, 1854, he married Malinda Ginger, born in Illinois in 1837, daughter of William and Mary Ginger. Mrs. Bartlett died September, 1856, having borne one child (deceased). In March, 1860, Mr. Bart- lett married Mary Jane Killion, who was born in Daviess County, Ind., in March, 1838, daughter of David and Matilda Killion. To them were born eight children, seven living: Fanny M. (wife of Charles H. Shepard), Dora J. (wife of Joseph M. Freeman), John T., Ida May, Ota Irene, Ethel and Edna. After his first wife's death Mr. Bartlett abandoned farming, and came to Ed- wardsport and commenced blacksmithing, following that until 1860 when he purchased a one-half interest in a saw-mill. He soon sold out and resumed farming, but in 1865 began merchan- dising. He and William Hollingsworth were partners for seven years and then our subject became sole proprietor. He was con- nected with C. C. Azbell and A. R. Perkins in business, but since 1877 has carried on the business alone. He is one of the leading merchants and has the largest stock in the village. He has many friends and is carrying on a successful business. He is a Demo- crat in politics and in 1880 was appointed county commissioner to fill an unexpired term. He made a good officer and was re- elected in 1882. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and he and wife belong to the Christian Church.
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