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 46
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 46
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
born January 28, 1848, in Knox County. They have eight chil- dren living: William F., Melvin Le Roy, Lucinda Isadore, Rob- ert Ephraim, Leversa Ann, Ernest, Luella and Kenneth. After marriage he bought fifty acres in Harrison Township, where he settled and lived until 1874, when he sold out and bought 100 acres and lived here two years, when he again sold and bought 116 acres where he now resides. Mr. Johnson bears an unsullied . reputation, is highly esteemed as an honest and worthy citizen. In politics he is a Republican, having cast his first presidential vote for U. S. Grant. Himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
JOHN J. LASSWELL (deceased) was born in Rockcastle County, Ky., February 19, 1831, and was one of a family of six children born to William and Susanah (Kamp) Lasswell. The father was of English and Irish descent, and was born in Vir- ginia, in 1796. He was a farmer, and also did butchering at times. He was married in Kentucky, and came to Indiana in 1834. He died in 1867. The mother was of the same origin. and born in the same State as her husband in 1794. She died May 23, 1850. Our subject resided with his parents until twenty years old. He was married, September 26, 1850, to Susanah Brock, daughter of John and Margaret Brock. Mrs. Lasswell was born September 1, 1831. They have had thirteen chil- dren, only four of whom are living: Martha A., wife of Wal- ter Delamater; Lindon Downey, James Harris and Lydia Myrtle. They purchased eighty acres of land in Crawford County, which they farmed for six years. About 1850 Mr. Lasswell began merchandising, continuing until 1865, when he sold out and came to Knox County, locating in Monroe City, where he followed the same business. He was a Democrat, and was justice of the peace two years in Crawford County, and for sixteen years of Harrison Township. He was notary public and insurance agent in con- nection with his other business. When twenty-three years old he was ordained a minister of the General Baptist Church, and lived a good and useful life. He was a member of the Masonic order and I. O. O. F. He died July 22, 1885. Since his death his wife has been keeping a hotel and a livery and feed stable. She is energetic and enterprising, and keeps a good house. She is a member of the Baptist Church and Rebecca Lodge.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
PLEASANT MARTIN was born September 26, 1829, in Jef- ferson County, N. C. His parents, Joseph and Elizabeth (Banks) Martin, were natives of North Carolina. The father was born in 1799, and was a farmer by occupation. In 1834 he and family came to Indiana and located in Jefferson County, where they lived about eighteen years, then moved to Jackson County, and in 1864 came to Knox County, where he has since resided. He is now over eighty-six years old. He has been married four times. His last wife was Binda McConnell, with whom he is now living. The mother died in 1844. Our subject received the education and rearing of the average farmer's boy, his education being somewhat below the average, on account of scarcity of schools. He came with his parents to Indiana when only five years, and received his rearing in the wilds of the "Hoosier State." When about eighteen he began earning his own living, and December 8, 1850, he married Elizabeth Banks, daughter of Jesse and Sarah Banks. She was born in 1826, and bore her husband one child, viz .: Tishey (wife of John Like). After mar- riage Mr. Martin purchased thirty-seven acres of land in Jackson County, and began farming. In 1855 his wife died, and March 10, 1857, he married Elizabeth A., daughter of William and Elizabeth Cochran, born June 7, 1834. To them were born eleven children, nine of whom are living: Jacob, Matilda (wife of Clark Reel), Dilla, Elizabeth, Charlotte, Alice, Commodore and Isadore (twins), and Cyrus. Mr. Martin settled in Pike County in 1863, and a year later came to Knox County, where he purchased forty acres of land, but soon after bought forty acres in another section. He again sold out, and located on the farm of 200 acres, where he now lives. He is considered an excellent citizen and neighbor. He is a Democrat, and cast his first vote for Pierce. He and wife are members of the Christian Church.
JOHN R. McCOY was born in Knox Co., Ind., November 23, 1834, and is one of two children of Robert and Louisa (Steen) McCoy. The father was of Irish descent, born in Knox County in 1806, a farmer by occupation. Our subject's paternal grand- father, John McCoy, was a native of Virginia, and came to Indi- ana at a very early day. He entered 400 acres of land, and was in the war of 1812, and was shot and killed in the battle of Tip-
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
pecanoe. Robert was married in 1827, and located on the home place, of which he received 324 acres. He owns 447 acres of land, and is the oldest native resident of the township. He has been married three times, and is the father of fifteen chil- dren. The mother was of Irish descent, and died about 1838. The father, Richard Steen, was one of the prominent early settlers, and was quite influential, Steen Township being named in his honor. Our subject's mother died when he was but four years old. He walked from one to four miles to receive instruction, and made his home with his father until he was thirty years old. March 13, 1864, he married Sarah Alice Adams, born June 26, 1838, daughter of Joseph and Rebecca Adams. Mr. and Mrs. McCoy have four children: Ulysses G., Benjamin F., James N. and Libbie A. Ulysses is married and living in Steen Township; Benjamin F. is a student in the Purdue University, and the other two children are at home. In 1861 Mr. McCoy commenced the saw-milling business, and two years later rented a saw-mill of ex- Gov. James D. Williams, which he operated five years. In 1863 he purchased 100 acres of land, on which he located in 1868. He has been very industrious, and now owns nearly 700 acres of land. In 1885 he erected a frame barn 60x74 feet, the largest in the township. He is a Republican in politics, and cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
ALEXANDER McGARRAUGH was born January 26, 1840, in Knox County, Ind., and is one of five children of Joseph and Eliza Jane (Welton) McGarrangh. The father was Irish by birth, and lived in Greenfield, Ohio, at the time of his marriage. He was a tanner and farmer. He came to Knox County, Ind., and purchased eighty acres of land in Harrison Township. Here he settled and remained until his death, about 1845. The mother was of German descent, and was born in Knox County, in 1816. After her husband's death she married William Soden. Since his death, in 1863, she has lived with her children. The father died when Alexander was about five years old. He lived with his mother until eight years of age, and then made his home with his grandfather, David Welton, who was killed by a falling tree. He then lived with William C. Welton, with whom he remained until
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
he was grown. He received a limited education in the district schools. May 8, 1859, he married Margaret Ann Stroud, born August 28, 1841, daughter of Robert and Ann Stroud. Mr. and Mrs. McGarraugh are the parents of these children: William A., Robert J., Alice M. and Anna E. Mr. McGarraugh began farm- ing on his own responsibility after marriage. August 12, 1862, he enlisted in Company I, Eightieth Indiana Infantry, and was in numerous skirmishes. While at Johnson House Hospital, near Louisville, Ky., he received a stroke of paralysis, which disabled him for five years. He was discharged May 2, 1863. He pur- chased land in different parts of Knox County, and finally bought fifty acres near Monroe City, where he has since resided. He owns two houses and three lots in the village, and is considered a good citizen. He is a Republican, and cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln,
JAMES A. MOREHEAD is one of seven children of Robert and Nancy (Bence) Morehead, and was born in Knox County, Ind., February 29, 1844. The parents were of Irish and German origin, born in 1811 and 1817 respectively. The father was a mechanic and engineer by occupation, and at the time of his mar- . riage lived in New Albany, Ind., where he was engineer on a steamboat on the Ohio River. He purchased 240 acres of land in Knox County, and after living in New Albany and Evansville for some time, he located on his farm. He died August 23, 1852. Since that time the mother has been twice married. Her second husband was Chandler Schoonover, and her last, Robert Small, with whom she is now living at Wheatland. The father died when James A, was but eight years old. He acquired his educa- tion in the district schools, and made his home with his mother until twenty-three years old. He was one of the boys in blue, enlisting in November, 1864, in Company G, Sixteenth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, for three years or during the war. He traveled through Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and remained in the field until hostilities ceased. He was honor- ably discharged at Vicksburg, November 13, 1865. February 3, 1870, he married Martha Baker, daughter of Thomas Baker. To them were born two children, both of whom are dead. His wife died in April, 1872, and October 1, 1874, he married Rose E.,
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
daughter of Thomas and Catharine Wallace. She was born Octo- ber 9, 1857. They have one child, Flora Ethel. Mr. Morehead is well to do financially, and in politics is a Republican, casting his first vote for U. S. Grant. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
ISAAC SMALL, an old settler of Harrison Township, Knox Co., Ind., was born in said county, January 6, 1822, and is a son of John and Anna (Frederick) Small. The father was of German lineage, born in Pittsburgh, Penn., in 1796, was a blacksmith by trade, and in connection tilled the soil. He left his native State in his youth and came to Knox County, Ind., where he lived at the time of his marriage. He located about seven miles from Petersburg, in Pike County, and purchased 120 acres of land. In 1838 he sold out and moved to Clark County, Ill., where he remained until his death in 1841. The mother was also a German by descent, and was born in Knox County, Ind., in 1802. After her husband's death she and her children resided together. She died March 17, 1884. Our subject received little or no edu- cation, owing to the poor facilities at that time and the need of his services at home. On his birthday, 1843, he married Sarah Thomas, daughter of James E. and Nancy Thomas. She was born in. Knox County, January 29, 1826, and bore nine children, four now living: James E., Nancy A. (wife of Lewis C. Reel, Jr.), Harriet and Laura. James is living with his parents and has succeeded well financially. He owns 100 acres of land, and de- serves much credit for his perseverance and sterling qualities. Mr. Small began life a poor boy, but by indomitable energy now owns 228 acres of land. September 27, 1884, his dwelling house caught fire and was consumed with nearly all its contents. He immediately erected himself another, a very commodious and handsome one, and has added other improvements. He is an ex- cellent citizen and has been a life-long Democrat. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. James was a soldier in the late war, enlisting in Company I, Sixth United States Infantry, and was in many Southern and Western States. He was discharged at Drum Creek, Kas., and then returned home.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
JESSE R. SNYDER is a son of James R. and Rebecca (Sampson) Snyder, and was born in Knox County, Ind., Febru- ary 4, 1838. He was reared at home and received his education in the common schools, and afterward attended a subscription school at Petersburg about two months. He was one of the boys in blue, enlisting in the service July 15, 1862, in Company G, Sixty-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry for three years or during the war. He participated in the battles of Franklin, Bean Sta- tion, Atlanta and numerous others, and was one of the fortunate ones, not receiving a wound during the service. He received his discharge July 7, 1865, at Indianapolis. November 7, 1861, he married Margaret Thorn, daughter of John H. and Lochia, Thorn. To them were born four children: Mary (wife of James H. Shouse), John H., James and Margaret. The wife died April 21, 1872, and May 24, 1874, he married Louisa Gates. She was born March 24, 1850, and is a daughter of Jacob and Angeline Gates. They became the parents of these children: George, Andrew, Ellen, William, and an infant. Mr. Snyder from time to time purchased land, and now owns 207 acres of land. He is a Republican and cast his first vote for Lincoln. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and G. A. R. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and his wife of the Christian Church. His father was a German by birth, and was born in Pennsylvania in 1817. He came to Indiana with his father, Leonard Snyder, who operated an ox mill and ground corn and wheat for his neigh- bors. James R. was a successful farmer, and at the time of his death, 1875, resided in Harrison Township on 176 acres of land. The mother was of Scotch descent, born in Kentucky. She died in 1850.
N. B. SPARKS, M. D., of Monroe City, Ind., was born April 2, 1815, in Belmont County, Ohio, and is one of nine children born to Jesse R. and Margaret (Burris) Sparks. The father was of Scotch descent, and was born about 1785 in Maryland. He was a shoemaker, and in connection did auctioneering. He lived in his native state when married, but soon after moved to Bel- mont County, Ohio, where he became one of the leading citizens and was sheriff for several years. He came to Dearborn County, Ind., in 1820, where he died in 1865. The mother was also a na-
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
tive of Maryland, and died in 1850. Our subject received his literary education in the subscription schools. He learned the «shoemaker's trade and worked at it until twenty-five years of age. In December, 1837, he married Harriet Skaats, daughter of Ja- cob and Hannah Skaats. She was born November 29, 1822. They have four children living, viz .: Mithadese, Laura V., James W., and Rosella (wife of A. C. Falls). About 1839 Dr. Sparks commenced the study of medicine, and in 1847-48 attended the Eclectic Medical School at Cincinnati, Ohio, and in the summer of 1848 located in Brookville, Ind., where he remained three years practicing his profession. He then lived in Westport, Ind., five years, and in 1856 moved to Elizabethtown, where he remained nine years. At the breaking out of the war in 1861 he was com- missioned by Gov. Morton as physician and surgeon of the Sixth Regiment Indiana Volunteers. He served until January 12, 1862, when he resigned, and was afterward commissioned special physician and surgeon to go where ordered. In 1863 he came home and in 1867 came to Knox County, Ind., and a year later located in Monroe City, where he has since resided. He is the oldest physician in the village and has excellent success in his practice. He is a Democrat and cast his first vote for Harrison. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
SOLOMON STUCKY, farmer of Harrison Township, Knox Co., Ind., was born in said county October 9, 1826, and is the eldest of four sons and four daughters of Jacob and Polly (Teve- baugh) Stucky. The father was of German descent, born in In- diana in 1800. He was a miller by trade, and was a resident of Pike County, Ind., when married. He died May 8, 1837. The mother was also of German descent, born May 1, 1802, in Knox County. After her husband's demise she married John Tay- lor, who lived only a few years. Until her death, August 9, 1877, she lived with her son Solomon, our subject. He received his education in the district schools of Pike County, and made his home with his parents as long as they lived. At the age of sixteen he came to Knox County, and worked for his uncle, Riley Teve- baugh, for three years, and then became a tiller of the soil on his own responsibility. October 8. 1851, he married Elizabeth Ann
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Wilson, daughter of John and Rutha Wilson. She was born in 1836 and bore her husband these two children: Burnetta (wife of John G. Warner), and Elvina (wife of Henry P. Warner). About 1847 Mr. Stucky bought eighty-four acres of land in Har- rison Township, where he located and has since resided. He pos- sessed a patriotic spirit, and accordingly, in November, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Fifty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry, for three years, or during the war. He was in the battles of Stone River, Perryville, Nashville, Franklin and many others of lesser note. While skirmishing near Rome, Ga., he was captured by the enemy and taken to Belle Isle and retained fifteen days. He was then paroled and sent home. He again enlisted and re- mained in the field until hostilities ceased. He received his dis- charge at Indianapolis in January, 1866. In January, 1854, Mr. Stucky lost his wife, and his mother then kept house for him un- til her death. Since that time his daughter, Burnetta (Mrs. J. W. Warner) and her husband have lived with him. Mr. Stucky owns 123 acres of land and has an unsullied reputation. He is honest in all his dealings, and is a Republican in politics. He is a member of no church, but contributes liberally to the support of all benevolent and charitable institutions.
JOHN W. TEVEBAUGH, farmer, is one of eight children born to the marriage of John Tevebaugh and Anna Richards, and was born in Knox County, Ind., August 1, 1836. He was reared on a farm and received a very limited education, not se- curing more than a week's schooling during his life. He gave his father the benefit of his labor until the latter's death. May 23, 1873, he married Isabel Marsh, daughter of John and Arie. Marsh. She was born October 18, 1853, in Tennessee. To them were born these children: Willie, Arie, Kenelisha and Gertrude. Mr. Tevebaugh located on 150 acres of the old homestead, given him by his father, where he now resides. He has a fine dwelling- house, and is very prosperous. He belongs to the Republican party, and his first vote was cast for Lincoln. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His paternal grandfather was born in Virginia, and was among the very first white settlers of the county. He lived in a fort seven years, to protect himself against the Indians, and was a minute man in
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
the war of 1812. Our subject's father resided in Knox County at the time of his marriage, where he bought 300 acres of land, and remained until 1856, when he purchased land in Sections 22 and 27, and resided there until his death, January 10, 1869. He was married three times, and was the father of ten children. The mother was of Scotch-Irish descent, and was born in Ten- nessee. She was married in Knox County, and died about 1846.
DAVID R. VANKIRK, merchant, of Monroe City, Ind., was born in Knox County, Ind., April 17, 1828, and is one of thirteen children of John and Lavina (Risley) Vankirk, born in Virginia and Indiana in 1794 and 1806 respectively. The father came to this State and county when only one year old. He was a farmer, and owned at one time about 1,200 acres of land. He was a private in the war of 1812, and the mother draws a pension of $8 for the same. He died March 11, 1885. The mother is yet living. David R. received his education in the subscription schools, and made his parents' house his home until thirty years of age. In 1859 he was married to Mary Risley, daughter of William and Eliza Risley. She was born in Knox County in 1843. They have two children-Esther, Curtis and Martin. After marriage Mr. Vankirk purchased 100 acres of land, and has continued a tiller of the soil to the present time, and owns about 550 acres of land. About 1868 he purchased a one-half interest in a grocery store in Vincennes, his partner being George Rose, and lived there one year, when he sold out and returned to the farm. In 1873 he erected a large store-room in Monroe City, and began keeping general merchandise goods. He is one of the leading business men of the town, and has been for the past twelve years. In connection he carries on farming. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and I. O. O. F., of Monroe City. He and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
MARTIN L. VAN NADA, merchant, of Monroe City, was born August 7, 1850, in Newberg, Warrick Co., Ind., and is one of a family of eight children born to George and Jane ( Kilpat- rick) Van Nada. The father was of German descent, and was born in Warrick County, Ind., September 20, 1819. He was a merchant and farmer, and at the time of his marriage was a res-
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
ident of his native county. He lived in Warrick and Gibson Counties until 1877, when he moved to Petersburg, Pike County, where he now resides. He has retired from active business life since 1884. The mother was of Scotch origin, born in Gibson County in 1818. She died July 9, 1871. Our subject attended the district schools, and was a student in the Newberg High School for one year, and the Indiana State Normal School, at Terre Haute, in the spring of 1874. At the age of nineteen he began teaching school, continuing fourteen years in Knox, War- rick and Gibson Counties. He taught one term in the graded school at Monroe City, and met with good success. February 16, 1876, he married Meta, daughter of John and Eliza Steele. She was born March 28, 1852, in Switzerland County, Ind. She was educated in the Richmond High School and Hiram Hadley's Academy, at Richmond, for one year; Antioch College, Ohio, two years; the Indiana State Normal School, at Terre Haute, seven months, and one year at the Northern Indiana Normal School, at Valparaiso, Ind. At the age of sixteen she began teaching, fol- lowing that vocation in Wayne, Union and Knox Counties, Ind., and was considered an excellent teacher. In March, 1885, Mr. Van Nada began merchandising, and is receiving a large share of the trade in his neighborhood. He is honest and trustworthy, and in politics is a Democrat, and cast his first vote for Horace Greeley. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and his wife is a Presbyterian.
E. C. VAN TRESS, M. D., was born in Orange County, Ind., June 1, 1851, son of William and Elizabeth (Carter) Van Tress. The father was of German origin, born in Kentucky in 1801 .. He was a farmer and carpenter, and came to Indiana in his youth. He owned 240 acres of land in Orange County, where he lived until his death in 1873. He was taken suddenly ill while at Bed- ford, and was not able to return home. He was buried in the cemetery at Orleans. The mother was born in Kentucky in 1814, and was of German-Irish descent. She died August 13, 1868. Our subject attended the district schools and the academy at Or- leans for five years. When seventeen years old he began teaching, but taught only one term. When about twenty years of age he began studying medicine with Dr. J. C. Pierson, with whom he
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HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
remained three years. In 1874 he entered the Ohio Medical Col- lege, at Cincinnati, Ohio, remaining one year. He then practiced two years in Bicknell, Ind., and in 1880-83 attended the Med- ical College at Indianapolis, graduating as an M. D. in March. 1883. He then traveled through the South quite extensively, but returned to Knox County in 1878, and located at Monroe City, where he resumed his practice and has since resided. July 27, 1870, he wedded Nannie Trueblood, daughter of Josiah and Rachel Trueblood. She was born in Indiana March 14, 1854. They have one child-Bertie. Dr. Van Tress is the leading physician and surgeon of Monroe City, and is a Democrat in politics.
ELIJAH W. WALLACE was born in Daviess County, Ind., November 1, 1850, son of Thompson and Elizabeth (Chapman) Wallace. He was educated in the district schools, and resided with his parents until twenty-two years old. February 6, 1873, he married Mary E. Dunn, daughter of James and Elizabeth Dunn. She was born in Knox County in 1853. They have five children: James, Joseph, Nannie, Gracie and William. In 1870 he purchased forty acres of land, and after marriage forty acres more. He now owns 205 acres, and an interest in the old home place. In 1882 he erected a fine dwelling house, and has added many other improvements. He is a Democrat, a member of the I. O. O. F., and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His father was of Scotch descent, born in Daviess County in 1823. He was a prominent man of the county, and served as justice of the peace for about twelve years, and was county commissioner two terms. He lived first in Har- rison Township, and afterward moved to Knox Township, where he bought 160 acres of land, and lived there until his death. He died March 2, 1880, and was the father of eight children. His father (our subject's grandfather), William Wallace, came to Indiana and located in Steen Township, and after several years. moved to Daviess County. He was among the very early set- tlers, was a very prominent man, and at the time of his death was a member of the State Legislature.
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