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 50
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 50
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552
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
Rodarmel is a stanch Republican, and cast his first vote for Fill- more. Soon after his marriage he located on his present farm and has been fairly successful as a farmer, and in connection works at the carpenter's trade. His mother and sister spun the yarn for the first cloth made in this part of the county.
ROBERT C. THOMPSON, a farmer of Johnson Township and son of Henry Thompson, was born in Indiana in 1837. When young he received a common school education, and on reaching manhood worked on the farm by the month and rented until after his marriage to Sarah Roderick. By hard labor and economy he accumulated enough money to enable him to purchase twenty acres of land, which he afterward increased to 250 acres. Mrs. Thompson was born in 1837, and is a daughter of Franklin and Ella (Johnson) Roderick. Both parents died when Mrs. Thompson was a mere child. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Thompson these seven children were born: Riley, Charley, Orie, Franklin, James, Robert, and an infant deceased. Mr. Thompson was a member of the I. O. O. F., and throughout his entire life was an industrious, energetic worker. His death occurred in 1880. Although not a member of any church, he was favorable to every good work and was ever ready to lend a helping hand to the needy. Wherever he lived he won the respect and confidence of all who knew him. Since his death his wife and oldest son have farmed the home place very successfully.
PATRICK H. WHEATLEY, may be mentioned as one of the prosperous farmers of Johnson Township. He is a son of Arthur and Catharine (Lewis) Wheatley, who were born in Kentucky and Virginia, in 1805 and 1808, respectively. They were married in Kentucky about 1825, and there lived until 1839, when they moved to Knox County, Ind., and settled in Vincennes. The father was a carpenter by trade, and later followed the occupation of farming, about two miles from Vincennes, and there spent the remainder of his life. For many years he had charge of the mail route from Vincennes to Edwardsport, and on one of his trips con- tracted a fever which resulted in his death in 1866. The mother is still living. Our subject was born in Breckenridge, Ky., in 1832. He was a student in the subscription schools, and at the age of twenty-four years began doing for himself. At this time
553
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
he was married to Mary Bowman, born in Lawrence County, Ill., in 1839, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Bowman, the former born in Pennsylvania in 1809, and the latter in Ohio in 1808. Their marriage took place in Ohio, and after living in Lawrence County, Ill., for some time, they came to Knox County, Ind., about 1854, where the father died a year later. Since that time the mother has lived with her children, and is seventy-seven years old. Mr. and Mrs. Wheatley are the parents of these children:
Sarah J., Julius, Arthur, Lewis, Mary E., Daniel, Lydia A., Anna C. and William. Mr. Wheatley is a member of the Catholic Church and a Democrat in politics, and cast his first vote for Buchanan. He served four years as justice of the peace, and for the same length of time as township trustee. He has been a prosperous farmer and owns 188 acres of good land.
STEEN TOWNSHIP.
ELI H. DUNN, farmer and stock raiser, is a son of Joseph and Mary (Hawkins) Dunn, and was born in Knox County, Ind., February 19, 1831. The father was a native of Kentucky and the mother of Indiana. Our subject's paternal grandfather was Samuel Dunn, who came to Knox County, Ind., in 1811. He and his son Joseph were farmers by occupation, and experienced many of the privations incident to pioneer life. Our subject's father removed to Daviess County shortly after marriage, and here the father died. Eli H. was a mere child when his father removed to Daviess County. He was reared on a farm, and at the age of sixteen began working at the carpenter's trade, and after attain- ing his majority worked at this trade exclusively until 1856, when he removed to Steen Township, this county, and began farming. He and S. L. Dunn rented a farm in partnership, continuing together until the spring of 1868 when he began to farm by him- self and has met with excellent success. He owns 600 acres of land, the most of it well improved. It represents his own indus- try and hard work. In 1868 it was a wilderness, but he has reduced it to a fine state of cultivation, and he now ranks among
554
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
the first men of the county as a farmer and stock raiser. He is one of the very few men who can say he never spent 5 cents for liquor, or who was never under its influence. He is a stanch Republican and a worthy member of the Masons. Mr. Dunn was married April 21, 1868, to Miss Malissa E. Steen, born January 8, 1830, daughter of John and Ruth Steen, who was one of the very early settlers of Knox County. Mr. and Mrs. Dunn are the parents of these two children: Ruth C. and John. They are also members of the Presbyterian Church.
SIMON T. MCKINLEY was born in Knox County, Ind., June 20, 1848, the youngest of five children born to Thornton and Eliza B. (Nicholson) Mckinley, born in Kentucky and Indiana, and of Irish-German and Irish extraction. He received a some- what limited education, and remained under the paternal roof un- til twenty-eight years old. About this time he was married, and removed to the farm where he now lives, having purchased it in 1877. He worked out by the day and month to obtain his start, and his home now represents the fruits of his own labor. He owns 250 acres of land, the greater part under cultivation. He
was married, December 4, 1877, to Miss Sarah E. Robinson, daughter of Richard Robinson, born January 2, 1852. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and Mr. Mckinley is a Re- publican politically. Thornton McKinley, the father of our sub- ject, removed with his parents to Daviess County, Ind., in his youth, in 1816, and was here reared to manhood. He was reared on a farm, and followed this vocation through life. He removed to Knox County after his father's death, and lived with a sister until he was married, February 16, 1840. He visited Texas in 1846, with a view to making that State his home, and after his return was taken ill, and died November 9, 1847. Mrs. McKin- ley, soon after her husband's death, purchased her present home, where she has lived ever since. She is a member of the Method- ist Episcopal Church.
PETER H. OVERBAY, an extensive farmer and stock raiser, is a native of Tennessee, born September 18, 1820, and is the eldest of two sons born to George and Thurza Overbay, who were born in Tennessee and North Carolina, respectively. Peter H. came to Floyd County, Ind., in 1823. The father died when our
555
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
subject was quite young, and as he was the eldest, part of the burden of supporting the family fell on his shoulders, consequent- ly his educational advantages were quite limited. He remained at home until twenty years of age, and then came to Knox Coun- ty to do for himself. He purchased his first real estate of 100 acres in 1843 for $240. He kept bachelor hall part of the time, and when tired of that would board with his mother, who lived near. He remembers the time when all kinds of game were abundant, but was not an expert with the gun. In 1850 he was married, and immediately located on his farm, where he has ever since made his home. He has added to his farm, little by little, until he now owns 1,500 acres of land, and is the largest land- holder in the township. He has seven sons, who aid him on his extensive farm. His land is under excellent cultivation, and he owns thirty head of work horses and mules and raises from thirty to forty calves per season, thus showing his skill and management as a farmer. He never voted anything but the Democratic ticket and cast his first vote for Van Buren. January 16, 1850, he was married to Miss Jane Stevenson, born in Ireland, in December, 1824, daughter of John and Sarah (Condy) Stevenson, who were born in County Tyrone, of the "Emerald Isle," and came to America in 1831, and located in Knox County. In 1832 the father died, and Mrs. Stevenson raised the children to manhood and womanhood. Her death occurred in 1880. Our subject be- came the father of ten children: George S. (deceased), Lewis L., Thomas, Frances M., John H., Robert E., Sarah J., William B., Peter H. and Fanny B. For the last three years Mr. Overbay has been somewhat of an invalid, caused by heart disease, but still manages to oversee his farm.
RICHARD ROBINSON is a son of Harmon B. and Eleanor (Steen) Robinson, who are of English-Irish descent and born in North and South Carolina respectively. Harmon Robinson is a son of Abner Robinson, who removed from North Carolina to Ohio at an early day. They came to Indiana about 1818 and located on a 400 acre farm south of where Wheatland now stands When Harmon had attained his majority, his father gave him 100 acres of land. Through economy and well directed ef- forts he succeeded in gaining 434 acres of land. He was a man
35
. 556
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
of considerable influence and a sincere admirer of Andrew Jack- son, and always voted his principles. He held a number of county offices, and was a member of the Presbyterian Church. He died in June, 1853. The mother is yet living on the old homestead. Richard Robinson was born in Knox County, Ind., October 16, 1824. Owing to being obliged to work on the farm he obtained a somewhat limited education. He remained under the paternal roof until twenty-four years of age, when he married, and imme- diately located on the farm where he now resides. He lived in a log house until 1863, when he built his present large two-story brick. It is very finely situated and gives a fine view of the sur- rounding scenery. By his industry he has secured a large share of this world's goods. He owns 1,250 acres, all under fence. He . is the largest stock raiser in the township. He is a member of the Democratic party, and although never aspiring to office, was forced to serve as township trustee. He was married, March 4, 1852, to Miss Francis Stevenson, of Knox County, born in Ire- land on April 1, 1829.
CHARLES C. WEAVER, farmer, was born in Franklin County, Penn., May 7, 1841, and was the second of eleven chil- dren born to the marriage of George S. and Margaret P. (Os- braugh) Weaver. They were of German and Irish extraction and are natives of Pennsylvania. The father was a miller by trade, and in 1846 moved to Maryland, where he followed farming and milling. In 1849 he came West to Knox County, Ind., and purchased 300 acres of land for $300. He returned to his early home, but soon returned home to look after his coal interests in this State. In the fall of 1850 he built a block-house, into which he moved with his family. Here they lived for some time and experienced many hardships. He gave up milling and en- gaged exclusively in farming. He cleared upward of 100 acres in the river bottoms and engaged extensively in raising corn. He was a Republican, and served as justice of the peace. He and wife were members of the Old School Presbyterians. The mother died in 1876, and the father in July, 1880. Charles C., our sub- ject, obtained a limited education in the common schools, and re- sided with his parents until the first call came for 300,000 men to defend our country. He then enlisted in Company E, Twenty-
557
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry and served two years in the Army of the Potomac. Then his brigade was transferred to Gen. Sherman's division, and he was with him on his famous march to the sea. He participated in the following battles: Fredricks- burg and all the engagements with Gen. Sherman. He was a prisoner for some time, and was veteranized in 1864, and served until the close of the war. He was discharged July 21, 1865. He returned home and began working at the carpenter's trade, which he has followed nearly ever since. He was bridge-builder on the railroad for nearly sixteen years. In 1882 he began farming. He has always been an active Republican and his first presidential vote was cast for U. S. Grant. He was elected justice of the peace in 1883. His marriage to Miss Catharine Hauk took place April 20, 1871. She is of German parentage and the daughter of Jacob and Sophronia (Eagler) Hauk. Mr. and Mrs. Weaver are the parents of three children: Eliza D., Stead and Margaret. Both husband and wife are church members.
SOLOMON WETZEL is a native of Virginia, where he was born May 28, 1819. His parents, George and Margaret (Cormany ); Wetzel, were natives of Pennsylvania, but of German extraction .. The father was a farmer and mechanic, and was married in Vir- ginia, and later moved to De Witt County, Ill. Since the war he was a Republican, previous to that time a Democrat. His death occurred June 23, 1878, and the mother's August 21, 1877. Our subject, Solomon, secured the education and raising of the average farmer's boy. At the age of twenty he began the battle of life for himself, and engaged in driving stage between Vincennes and Washington, and later from Vincennes to Terre Haute, continu- ing two years, and receiving from $15 to $20 per month. Having a good knowledge of tools, he worked at carpentering and mill- wrighting until his sons were old enough to assist him on the; farm, and in 1856 rented a place and carried on farming in con- nection with his trade. In 1877 he purchased his present farm of fifty acres, which is fairly improved, with good buildings. January 4, 1840, he married Miss Eliza Burris, born February 15, 1821, daughter of Joshua and Martha (Lively) Burris, na- tives of Virginia, and of English and German extraction. Mrs ..
558
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
Wetzel came with her parents to Daviess County, Ind., in 1830. Here both of her parents died. Mr. and Mrs. Wetzel became the parents of ten children, six of whom are living: Clark P., Charles M., Laura D. (wife of J. C. Hennon), Margaret A. (wife of James Harbin), Nancy E. (wife of George E. Poole), and Eliza M. Mr. Wetzel and his wife are members of the Christian Church, and he has been an active Democrat all his life, but has never aspired to office.
HAMILTON WILLIAMS, trustee of Steen Township, Knox Co., Ind., was born in Washington Township, that county, Janu- ary 20, 1853. His boyhood was spent on the farm and in attend- ing the common schools. After working on the farm for some years, he engaged in the saw-mill business. He is a Democrat politically, and cast his first presidential vote for S. J. Tilden. In 1880 he was appointed to fill the unexpired term of George S. Williams as justice of the peace, and in April of the same year was elected to the same office. In April, 1884, he was chosen trustee of the township, defeating William Donaldson by seven votes. In 1872 he was married to Abigail M. Richardson, who has borne him seven children, these now living: Jesse L., Lillie M., Willie C. and Clara E. Mrs. Williams died April 8, 1885. Mr. Williams is a member of the Christian Church, and for a number of years he has manifested much interest in the political affairs of the county. He has made a good officer, and is a thor- ough gentleman, and is much respected by all who know him.
HANNIBAL YOUNG, a successful farmer of this county, was born in Crawford County, Ill., January 26, 1831, and is one of twelve children born to Thomas and Lucy (Barbee) Young, who were natives of Kentucky. They are of English extraction. Hannibal was reared upon a farm, and had the advantages of the common schools. He was left an orphan at the age of fourteen years, and he then came to Knox County to live with his brother John, who now resides in Palmyra Township. Here he remained until attaining his majority. He started in life with no capital excepting his two hands and indomitable courage. He worked as a farm hand for some time, receiving $10 per month for his services. By his industry and economy, in ten years' time he had saved enough money to enable him to purchase a small home.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES,
In 1858 he sold this and removed to Illinois, and after remaining there three years, he returned and purchased eighty acres of land in Steen Township. In 1865 he purchased his present farm of 125 acres of land, which is now well improved and makes them a comfortable home, the result of his own labor. He is a Repub- lican in politics, and held the office of justice of the peace four years. He was married March 15, 1865, to Miss Catharine Bal- low, of this county. They are the parents of these three chil- dren: Lucy A., Lilly May, Myrtle A. Mrs. Young is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
PALMYRA TOWNSHIP.
REV. JOHN P. FOX, of Palmyra Township, Knox Co., Ind., was born October 15, 1831, near Bruceville, and is one of a fam- ily of twelve children of Henry and Catharine (Snyder) Fox. The father was of German origin, and was born in August, 1794, in Virginia. In early life he was a farmer, but in later life fol- lowed agricultural pursuits for a livelihood. He came to Indiana in 1829, and settled in Knox County. He died August 6, 1867, near Bruceville, Ind. The mother was born in Virginia in 1798, and is yet living. Our subject was reared at home, and remained with his parents until reaching his majority. The following year he went to the "Sucker State" for the purpose of laying a land- script, but soon sold out and went to Terre Haute and purchased a horse-power and threshing machine, which he brought to Knox County, the first of the kind in said county. He was educated in the district schools, and in addition entered Hanover College, graduating in 1859. The following year he entered the Western Theological Seminary at Alleghany, Penn., remaining two years. December 25, 1861, he married Mary C. Wampler, daughter of David and Jane Wampler. Mrs. Fox was born February 3, 1836, in Virginia. They have four children: David H., John F., Ed- ward E. and Jennie. In 1861 Mr. Fox was licensed to preach. He has preached in these States: Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, and Indiana. In 1876 he came to Knox County, and in 1879 pur-
560
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY.
chased a farm, where he has since 'resided. He is a conscien- tious Christian, and has been a minister over twenty-five years. He is an easy and fluent speaker, and is yet preaching the gos- pel. He is a Prohibitionist, and is a member of the I. O. O. F.
JOHN T. HOLLINGSWORTH, a prominent and thrifty farmer and stock dealer of the county, is the sixth of a family of seven children born to Joseph and Elizabeth (Palmer) Hollings- worth, mention of whom is made elsewhere in this work. He was born near where he now lives November 1, 1846, and was reared on his parents' large farm. He secured a very good com- mon school education, and when twenty-one years of age mar- ried and settled on his present farm. He has been quite pros- perous in his business ventures, and now owns 218 acres of very fine land, well improved. He deals in live stock of all kinds, and is an extensive shipper. He is a member of the Christian Church, and his wife is a Presbyterian. He has always been a firm and zealous Democrat, and has deservedly won the respect of his fellowmen. He was married October 12, 1871, to Louisa Simpson, of Bruceville, who died November 17, 1879, after hav- ing borne four children, all of whom are deceased. November 29, 1882, Mr. Hollingsworth took for his second wife Maggie Patterson, of this county. They have one child, Anna E., now over two years old.
ROBERT W. KNOWLAND, farmer, is a son of William and Mary (Tencher) Knowland, natives of the "Blue-grass State," and was born in Greene County, Ind., in 1827. He remained there with his parents until thirteen years of age, when he be- came a,"bound boy" in Crawford County, Ill., until twenty-one years of age. He then came to Knox County, Ind., and remained with his brother in Washington Township a number of years. In the spring of 1849 he began farming for himself, and raised a good crop. In 1851 he was married to Eleanor Hollingsworth, daughter of Peter and Sarah Hollingsworth, natives of Knox County. She died in 1855, having borne one child, James. Our subject was married in 1857 to Miss Mary Timms, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Salisbury) Timms, natives of Lawrence County, Ill. To them were born eleven children: Alvin L., Will- iam T., Robert L., Mary E., William T., Noah M., Maude L.,
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Rachel T., Musa D., Ephraim H. and Arthur A. Mr. and Mrs. Knowland are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and he is one of the ruling elders. He became a member of the I. O. O. F., in 1868, of the Old Post Lodge of Vincennes. He is a strong Republican, and was elected trustee of Palmyra Town- ship in 1877, and served faithfully four years. He sold his splendid farm of 115 acres and intends leaving for Hastings, Neb., in March, 1886.
PETER MARSHINO was born in Loraine, France, now Ger- many, February 28, 1832, and is a son of Peter and Lena Mar- shino. At the age of eighteen years our subject came with his parents to America, in 1849. They landed at New Orleans and came immediately to Vincennes, Ind., where they followed the lives of farmers. The father died in 1867. Our subject re- ceived a common German education, but was not educated in the English. He was married in 1855 to Miss Mary Meyer, daugh- ter of Andy and Magdaline (Meyer) Meyer. She came from Alsace, Germany, in 1849, when about seventeen years of age. Her parents died in Germany. She lived about one year in Evansville, Ind., and then came to Vincennes. They have seven children, viz .: Katie, Lena, Josephine, William P., Joseph, Ella and Peter, Jr. Shortly after their marriage they purchased 100 acres of land, part of the old Gibson farm, which the father has since increased to 1552 acres. He is in good circumstances, and made his own way in life, for which he deserves much credit. He is a stanch Democrat, and he and wife are members of the Catholic Church.
PART II. HISTORY OF DAVIESS COUNTY.
CHAPTER I .*
GEOLOGY OF THE COUNTY-BOUNDARY AND DRAINAGE-FOSSILS-SEC- TION OF THE COUNTY - ANALYSIS OF COALS-NUMEROUS BORES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY-LOCAL DETAILS-SANDSTONE AND LIME- STONE-IRON ORE, CLAY, ETC .- NATIVE TIMBER.
D AVIESS COUNTY is bounded on the north by Greene County, east by Martin, south by Pike and Dubois, and west by Knox, and contains about 424 square miles. It lies at the junction of the east and west forks of White River, which stream, with its tributaries, Sugar, Mud, Aikman, Veal, Prairie, Smithers, Pond, Purse and a few other creeks, drains the whole county. The county lies wholly within the area of the coal measures, and is probably not surpassed by any other county in the State in the number, value and availability of its coal deposits. By a care- ful examination of the county it is found that the strata slope or dip to the southwest, and that the principal coal (L) was in past ages removed by erosion from the northern part of the county, except perhaps from elevations occasionally left standing. The following is a connected section of the county strata.
Feet.
Surface soil.
20
Shale, argillaceous and silicious
6
Coal N.
2
Fire clay 4
Argillaceous shales. 8
Limestone, pyritiferous and shaly 1
Arenaceous shale. 14
Bluish argillaceous shale. 31
Coal L (main Washington). 5
Fire clay, often colored .. 11
*Adapted to this volume from the report of the State Geologist.
564
HISTORY OF DAVIESS COUNTY.
Feet.
Shale and sandstone.
30
Coal X. 35
Fire clay 2
Silicious shale. 10
Calcareous shale and limestone. 6
5
Coal K. 3 to 5
Fire clay
3
Shale. .
25
Coal J. 1
Fire clay and shale. 11
Coal I, good block. 31
Shale, argillaceous and silicious.
60
Silicious shales. 25
Place of coal B. 1
"Millstone grit," sandstone. 65
Buff shale. 15
Coal A.
21
Fire clay and buff shale.
13
Coal.
FOSSILS.
In the limestone between coals N and L are Brochiapods, Spirifer cameratus, Productus semireticulatus, P. wabashensis, P. elegans, Athyrus subtiliti, Chonetes mesoloba, Cephalopods, Nautilus, Bellerophon carbonarius, B. percarinatus, B. Montfort- ianus and Orthoceras Rushensis. In the gray argillaceous shale of the roof of coal L are Sigillaria reuiformis, Pecopteris arbo- rescens, Sphenophyllum Schlotheimii, Neuropteris hirsuta, N. Loschii, Asterophyllites sub-lævis, Alethopteris and Crustacans. In the limestone over Coal K are Productus punctatus, P. cora, P. semireticulatus, P. elegans, P. Rogersii, Spirifer cameratus, S. lineatus, Athyrus subtilita, Chonetes mesoloba, C. Smithii, Avic- ulopecten providences, Bellerophon sp. ? , B. carbonarious and Orthoceras Rushensis.
. ANALYSIS OF COALS.
Coal L is an excellent coking coal free from deleterious im- purities, and ranges in thickness from 3 feet 10 inches to 5} feet. At Washington it averages 5 feet. It is cubical, fractures irregu- larly and contains little calcite or pyrite. An analysis of it from five different banks gives fixed carbon 56.5 to 61.5 per cent, aver- aging 59.1 per cent. The quantity of gas varies from 30 to 35.5
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