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 76
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 76
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS COUNTY.
has a fine two-story residence, and good substantial barns and granaries. He is a Democrat, and cast his first vote for George B. McClellan. In June, 1884, he was appointed trustee of the town- ship, by the county board of commissioners, to fill an unexpired term. In 1880 he was appointed to take the census of Madison Township.
ALLAN K. LANE, M. D., of Odon, Ind., was born in Wash- ington County, Ind., January 25, 1843, and is one of five children born to Richard and Jane (Martin) Lane, born in Tennessee and Kentucky, in 1811 and 1813, respectively. The father was of French-Irish descent, and was a merchant, and a minister of the Christian Church. He was married in Kentucky, about 1837, and soon after moved to Martinsburg, Ind., where he passed the remainder of his days. He died in 1845. The mother died in 1873. Our subject's literary education was acquired in the com- mon schools. At the age of seventeen, he commenced the study of medicine under Dr. James McPheeters, at Fredericksburg, Ind., with whom he remained about four years. In 1865 he com- menced practicing his profession at Pitt's Point, Ky. He re- mained there until 1869, when he came to Daviess County, Ind., and located first in Raglesville, and then in Odon, in 1876. By a thorough knowledge of his profession, he has the entire confidence of the people and is pronounced a first-class physician and sur- geon. He owns 200 acres of fine land on the outskirts of Odon, be- sides his fine town property. In politics he is conservative, but rather favors Republican principles. Heis a member of the Masonic fraternity, and I. O. O. F. He has been married three times. He married his first wife, Angie Glenn, in 1863. She was born in 1844 and bore three children; only two, Maud and Blanche, are living. Mrs. Lane died in 1875, and the next year he mar- ried Mary J.Kelsey, born in 1853, and died in 1878. To them was born one child, now deceased. Dr. Lane took for his third wife Sarah Kelsey, sister of his second wife. They have one child, named Bradie. The Doctor and his wife are members of the Christian Church.
JOSEPH D. LAUGHLIN, attorney at law and notary public at Odon, Ind., was born in Martin County, Ind., February 1, 1845, and is one of ten children born to John O. M. aud Eliza-
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beth (Gyger) Laughlin. The father was of Irish descent, born in Kentucky, in 1815, and is a farmer by occupation. He came to Indiana, when but three years of age. In 1843 he moved to Martin County, where he entered forty acres of land, and where he has since resided, but now owns 160 acres of land. The mother is of German extraction, born in Tennessee in 1814. Our subject at- tended the district schools, and in addition attended two terms at Zion's Seminary, in Zion, Ill., in 1869, and the following year at- tended the two terms at Dover Hill, Martin County. He was one of the "boys' in blue," and August 9, 1862, he enlisted in Com- pany B, Twenty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He took part in the battles of Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Resaca, Dalton, Peach Tree Creek, siege of Atlanta, and was with Sherman on his march to the sea, and in the grand review at Washington, D. C. In November, 1864, he was transferred to Company C, Seventieth Regiment. He was in the field until the close of war. October, 1873, he married Lakie, daughter of Charles and Amanda Legerwood. She was born in Daviess County in 1852. To them were born these children: Laurette, Edgar Tecumseh, Lillie, Mand, Bertha, Oliver and Elizabeth. Mr. Langhlin has lived in Odon since his marriage. In 1870 he be- gan teaching school, continuing that occupation eight years. The last three years of his school teaching he studied law, and, since 1877, has given his entire time to the study and practice of that profession. In 1881 he drew up a petition for the purpose of changing the name of the town (then Clarksburg) to Odon, and presented it to the county board of commissioners. The petition was granted. Mr. Laughlin is a Republican, and cast his first vote for U. S. Grant. In 1874 he was appointed notary public, and has since held that office. He and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.
DANIEL L. McCARTER was born in Daviess County, Ind., February 16, 1840, son of Moses and Sarah (Ketcham) McCar- ter. Daniel attended the common school and remained with his people until after he was twenty-one years of age. He was a strong Union man, and September 10, 1861, he enlisted in Com- pany B, Twenty-seventh Regiment Indiana Infantry, for three years. He took an active part in the battles of Resaca, Chancel-
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lorsville, Gettysburg, Winchester, and a number of lesser engage- ments. At the battle of Winchester he received a flesh wound, but was in the hospital only a short time. He was also slightly wounded at Gettysburg. At the expiration of his term he re- turned home, and September 17, 1867, married Amanda Ledger- wood, daughter of Charles and Amanda (Chambers) Ledgerwood. Mrs. McCarter was born in Daviess County, Ind., May 9, 1847. They have these six children: William H., Charles M., Moses A., John W., Daniel E. and Mina. Mr. McCarter located on the old home place after marriage, where he has since resided. He owns 265 acres of land, and is well to do financially. He was a brave and faithful soldier during the war, and is a useful and hon- est citizen. He is a Republican, and cast his first vote for Abra- ham Lincoln. He and wife are members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church.
WILLIAM H. McCARTER is a son of Moses and Sarah (Ketcham) McCarter, and was born in Daviess County, Ind., April 4, 1847. His father was born in Tennessee September 24, 1813, and was of Irish descent and a farmer by occupation. He was married in Monroe County, Ind., in 1834, and a few years later came to Daviess County, Ind., where he became the owner of 505 acres of land. He died of consumption December 27, 1856. The mother was a German by birth, born June 21, 1812, in Kentucky, and died in the fall of 1863. Subject attended the common schools, and after the death of his parents still resided onthe home farm until his marriage to Miranda C. Laughlin March 29, 1866. Mrs. McCarter was born in Martin County, Ind., Au- gust 1, 1846, and is a daughter of John O. M. and Elizabeth Laughlin. To their union eight children were born, six of whom are living: Minerva E., Daniel R., Mary I., John K., William O., and Opha E. Mr. McCarter began farming on 100 acres of land given him by his father, which he has since increased to 190 acres, 150 acres of which are under cultivation. In politics he is a Re- publican, and cast his first vote for U. S. Grant. His wife is a member of the Church of God. Minerva, their eldest daughter, was married November 5, 1885, to Frank Miller.
WILLIAM R. NEERIEMER, blacksmith, of Odon, Ind., is a native of Ohio, born June 10, 1854, son of David P. aud Mar-
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tha (McCoy) Neeriemer. The father was of German descent, born in Ohio in 1819, a tailor by trade. His marriage occurred in 1845, and he lived in different parts of the " Buckeye State " until 1867, when he came to Daviess County, Ind., and located near Odon, where he now resides. The mother was of Scotch- Irish descent, born in Ohio August 1, 1828. At the early age of eleven years our subject began working for himself as a farm la- borer, receiving $2.50 per month for his services. After coming to Daviess County he did farm work until 1872, when he began working at the blacksmith's trade with Dunlap & McCoy in Odon. He worked for them two years, and then worked in Illi- nois and in Odon for other parties for about two years longer. In 1876 he established himself in business in Odon on his own re- sponsibility. He is a very skillful workman, and, owing to the large amount of work he is called upon to execute, he employs a blacksmith and wagon-maker to assist him. In politics he is a Republican, and cast his first vote for Rutherford B. Hayes. Oc- tober 18, 1875, he married Sarah, daughter of Reuben and Julia Ann Harman. Mrs. Neeriemer was born in Ohio September 29, 1855. They have five children: Hugh, Frank, Almeda, Ismay and Martin.
CALEB E. ODELL, brick-maker and contracter, of Odon, Ind., was born September 22, 1848, in Daviess County, Ind., son of Emsley and Sarah A. (Scott) Odell (mention of whom is made elsewhere). Caleb attended the district school near home, and in 1873 entered the Indiana State Normal School at Terre Haute, and remained until he nearly finished the full course, attending about six terms. At the age of twenty he began teaching school, and continued that work for eight years. He was highly success- ful, and was for three years principal of the high school at Odon, Ind. October 7, 1876, he wedded Mary M. Blough, daughter of Joseph and Mary A. Blough. Mrs. Odell was born in Ohio in 1855. To their union three children were born, two of whom are living: Letha, Grace and Raymond Clyde. In the spring of 1876 Mr. Odell entered into partnership with his brother Alexan- der in the general merchandise store in Odon. During the first two years of their partnership he also taught school. They con- tinued together until 1884, when they disposed of their goods. In
1
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the fall of that year subject began manufacturing brick and tak- ing contracts for building houses. In 1884 Mr. Odell manufact- ured 250,000 brick, and 175,000 in the summer of 1885. He is one of the wide-awake business men of the village, and is doing well financially. In politics he is a Republican, and cast his first vote for U. S. Grant. In 1878 he was elected trustee of Madison Township, and served four years. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His wife is a member of the United Brethren Church.
ALEXANDER ODELL is a son of Emsley and Sarah (Scott) Odell, who were natives of North Carolina and Ken- tucky, born in 1806 and 1813, respectively. The father went to Kentucky in his youth, and about 1828 went to Lawrence County, Ind. He was married in 1830, and kept hotel in Springville for about three years. In 1840 he came to Daviess County, Ind., where he owned at one time 120 acres of land. He died Febru- ary 12, 1868. The mother is now residing with her children. Subject was born September 22, 1848, in Daviess County, and made his home with his parents until twenty-six years of age. He attended the district schools, and in addition attended the Indiana State Normal School at Terre Haute for one term. When twenty years of age he began teaching and followed that occupa- tion very successfully for six years. December 10, 1874, he married Mary F., daughter of William and Julia Ballou. She is a native of Daviess County, Ind., born June 22, 1858. To their union five children were born, three of whom survive: Edgar, Famie and Harry. After marriage Mr. Odell farmed the old homestead one year, then moved to Odon and began keeping a general merchandise store, with his brother Caleb as partner. They worked together eight years and then disposed of their stock in the spring of 1885. Since that time subject has clerked in C. L. Pierson's merchandise store. Mr. Odell is a very ener- getic young man, and in politics is a Republican, and was com- missioned postmaster of Odon in 1877 and held the position five years, and was re-commissioned in 1884 and held the office until October, 1885. He is a Mason, and is tolerably well to do finan- cially.
REZIA OVERTON was born in Daviess County, Ind., Janu-
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ary 25, 1850, son of Moses and Susan (Fletcher) Overton. The father was born in North Carolina in 1808. He moved to Ten- nessee in his youth and there married, about 1830. His wife died five years later, and in 1836 he married our subject's mother. In 1839 they moved to Lawrence County, Ind., and lived one year, and then came to Daviess County in 1840, where he became the possessor of 660 acres of land, being one of the largest land- holders in Madison Township. He died May 20, 1883. The mother was born in Tennessee in 1811, and died in August, 1877. Our subject, Rezia Overton, attended the district schools in boy- hood, and made his home with his people until he attained his majority. February 2, 1871, he wedded Phobe Ann Chesnut, born in Daviess County, Ind., January 4, 1854, daughter of Julius and Rosa Ann Chesnut. To their marriage seven chil- dren were born, six of whom are living, named John A., William J., Rosa M., James M., Rezia E. and Frederick B. Mr. Overton began his married life as a farmer on 100 acres of land given him by his father, and where he has since resided. He now owns 120 acres of land. He is a Republican and cast his first vote for U. S. Grant. He is a Mason, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
ELIJAH S. PERSHING, teacher and farmer, of Daviess County, Ind., was born February 2, 1849, in Ohio. He is the eldest of eleven children born to Solomon and Magdaline (Resler) Pershing. The father is of German and Irish descent, born March 9, 1824, in the "Buckeye State." After his marriage, which occurred in 1846, he resided in his native State until 1863, when he sold out and came to Daviess County, Ind., and bought 160 acres of land, and at one time owned 205 acres. He is yet living but has retired from active life, and is now living with his daughter Susan in Odon. The mother was of German-Scotch de- scent, born in Pennsylvania in 1827. She died November 5, 1882. Subject obtained his education in the district schools of Daviess County, and in addition attended the graded schools of Dover, Ohio, and Raglesville and Liberty, Ind., for one year. When eighteen years old he began teaching school, and has followed that occu- pation nearly ever since. He is spoken of as one of the ablest and most successful instructors in the township, and is a thorough
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS COUNTY.
scholar and gentleman. December 9, 1869, he wedded Saralı, daughter of George C. and Susan Winklepleck. Mrs. Pershing was born August 13, 1849, in Ohio. They are the parents of these eight children: Mary I., Emma J., Jonas E., Charles A., Roland G., John D., Susan E. and Solomon E. After Mr. Per- shing's marriage he made several changes of residence, but now owns eighty acres of land in Madison Township. He is a Republican and cast his first vote for U. S. Grant. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and his wife of the United Brethren Church.
ELDER WILLIAM E. RITTER, minister and farmer, was born in Indiana April 7, 1836, son of John L. and Jane (Fate) Ritter, natives of North Carolina and Tennessee. The father followed the millwright's business and also farmed to some ex- tent. About 1820 he came to Indiana, and after residing here a number of years moved to Texas, where he died in 1859. The mother died in 1836, when our subject was only a few days old. He was taken to raise by William Moore, with whom he lived until twenty-five years old, and received his education in the sub- scription and free schools. September 18, 1856, he married Ce- celia A., daughter of John and Rachael (Raney) Hastings. Mrs. Ritter was born January 3, 1836, in Indiana. They have two children: Eliza Ellen (widow of Samuel Guthrie) and John William. After his marriage Mr. Ritter lived with Mr. Moore four years, and then located on an eighty-acre tract, given him by Mr. Moore. By his energy and good management he now owns 240 acres of land on which are erected good buildings. He is a Republican and cast his first vote for Lincoln. He and his wife are members of the Church of Christ. He was ordained elder of said church in 1864, and in 1878 was ordained evangel- ist, and has since been preaching the doctrines of that church. He is a true Christian, and a gentleman in the truest sense of the word.
WILLIAM SENEFF was born in Fayette County, Penn., December 20, 1831, and is one of eleven children born to Daniel and Susannah (Barnett) Seneff, who were born in Pennsylvania in 1799 and 1806, and died in 1878 and 1881, respectively. They were of German descent, and the father was a farmer. At the
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time of his marriage, in 1826, he lived in his native State. They moved to Ohio in 1846, and in 1863 came to Daviess County, Ind., where he purchased 154 acres of land, and lived about seven years. He then sold out to his son William, and purchased 140 acres in Bogard Township, and lived there until his death. Our subject attended school about three months during his life, and resided with his parents until twenty-two years of age. October 27, 1853, he wedded Ann Fisher, daughter of Henry and Eliza- beth (Crits) Fisher. Mrs. Seneff was born October 22, 1835, in Ohio. To this union these children were born: John H., Sarah A., Daniel W., George E., Mary E. (who was murdered near Philadelphia, Ohio, May 14, 1880, by Ellen A. Athey. The trial lasted fifteen days, and the verdict of the jury was "imprisonment for life"), Susan N., Lydia E., Ida M., Claranetta (deceased), Emma A., Mertie L. and Alda L. John is living near Shoals, Ind., farming; George is in the regular army. Mr. Seneff lived in Ohio for ten years after his marriage. He came to Daviess County, Ind., in 1863, and began farming. In 1884 he built a fine two-story dwelling-house, one of the best in the township, and has his farm well improved otherwise. In politics he is a Republican and cast his first vote for John C. Fremont. He and wife are members of the United Brethren Church.
HARVEY SMILEY, brick and drain tile manufacturer, of Odon, Ind., was born November 22, 1833, in Ohio, and is one of seven children of William and Elizabeth (Swighart) Smiley. The father was born in Pennsylvania in 1800, a farmer and blacksmith by profession. He moved to the "Buckeye State" in his youth, and made his home in Tuscarawas County, where he died in 1848. The mother was of German descent, born about 1807. She is yet living. Our subject's boyhood days were spent on the farm, and in obtaining such education as the district schools afforded. May 22, 1856, he wedded Catharine, daughter of Joseph and Margaret Crout. Mrs. Smiley was born in Pennsylvania February 10, 1836, and became the mother of six children, three of whom are deceased. Those living are Milo, Evalena and William. Soon after his marriage Mr. Smiley purchased fifty-four acres of land in his native county, and began farming. In 1862 he sold this and bought a tanyard in Dundee, Ohio, where he worked two
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS COUNTY.
years, meeting with good success. In 1864 he sold his property and came to Daviess County, Ind., and built a tanyard in Odon, continuing fifteen years. He then returned to agricultural pur- suits, and was a tiller of the soil about eight years. In the spring of 1884 he turned his attention to manufacturing brick, and in 1885 also began making tile, taking his son Milo in as equal partner. They do an extensive and paying business. They are enterprising business men, and although the establishment is new, they are doing well financially. In politics Mr. Smiley is a Democrat and cast his first vote for James Buchanan. He and wife are members of the United Brethren Church.
JOHN V. SMITH, editor of the Prairie Scorcher, of Odon, Ind., was born November 7, 1831, in Lawrence County, Ind., near Bedford. He is one of a family of three sons and six daughters of Peter and Margaret (Ford) Smith. John attended the district schools about three months during the year, and remained at home with his parents as long as he remained single. July 24, 1851, he wedded Susan A. Collins, daughter of Samuel Collins. Mrs. Smith was born in Monroe County, Ind., about 1831. To their union nine children were born, all of whom are deceased. During the war Mr. Smith became one of the "boys in blue," en- listing in Company I, One Hundred and Twentieth Indiana In- fantry, in 1864, for three years, or during the war. He partici- pated in the Atlanta campaign, and numerous minor engagements. He remained in the field until hostilities ceased, receiving his discharge in 1866. He then came to Daviess County, and located in Clarksburg, now Odon, and began life as a merchant. Two years later he was burnt out, and he then began selling drugs, continuing for about the same length of time. In 1873 he com- bined his drug store with George Barber's dry goods store, the firm being known as J. V. Smith & Co. In connection with his store Mr. Smith established the newspaper called the Clarksburg Spy, and continued its publication until 1877. The same year he disposed of his store and moved his press to Bedford, Ind., where he resolved to devote his entire time to editorial work. He pub- lished the Bedford Journal for seven years with good success. In 1884 he sold his entire interest, and soon after purchased the Mitchell Commercial, assuming control as editor and proprietor,
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which position he now holds. In the fall of 1885 he established the Prairie Scorcher, and is meeting with the best of success. He is a Republican in politics and cast his first vote for Fillmore. He was appointed postmaster of Clarksburg by U. S. Grant, and served in that capacity for several years. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the G. A. R. He and wife are members of the Christian Church, and he is highly respected by all classes.
DANIEL J. SMITH, M. D., of Odon, Ind., was born in Lawrence County, Ind., May 13, 1829, and is one of nine children born to Peter and Margaret (Ford) Smith. The father was a German by birth, born in Kentucky. He was a farmer and came to Indiana about 1828, and located on a 160-acre farm in Indian Creek Township, Lawrence County. He soon afterward traded this farm for 160 acres near Bedford. He was a successful farm- er, and owned at the time of his death 500 acres of land. He died in the spring of 1849. The mother was born in the State of Tennessee. After her husband's death she made her home with her children until her death. Subject remained at home and re- ceived his education in the district schools. At the early age of seventeen, on March 11, 1847, he married Catharine Woody, daughter of Robert and Mourner Woody. She was born February 13, 1829. They became the parents of seven children, three of whom are living: Sarah Jane (wife of Capt. Z. V. Garten), Mary E. (wife of John Smiley), and Margaret E. (wife of John Crooke). Mrs. Smith was intelligent and well educated and her husband perceived the advantages of a good education, and accordingly received instruction from his wife and attended school a few terms. He learned very rapidly and at the age of twenty years entered the teacher's profession. About 1850 he commenced working at the carpenter's trade, at which he continued about eight years. In 1859 he began the study of medicine under Dr. E. E. Rose. At the end of one year he took a course of lectures at the Eclectic Medical College at Cincinnati, Ohio, and after completing his course commenced practicing his profession at Fayetteville, Ind., where he remained two years. August 1, 1861, he came to Clarksburg, now Odon, where he resumed his practice and has since resided. Dr. Smith lost his wife October 14, 1870,
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS COUNTY.
and May 14, 1871, he wedded Sarah J. Clinton, daughter of Henry and Delphia Clinton. Mrs. Smith was born in Daviess County, Ind., in 1839. To their union two children were born, one of whom is living, Arnley. His second wife died March 1, 1881, and October 3 of the same year he married Mrs. Catharine (Stoy) Crater, daughter of Rev. John and Sophronia Stoy, born December 25, 1844, in Ohio. Dr. Smith has been a resident of Odon twenty-four years, where, by his thorough knowledge of his profession, he has built up an extensive and paying practice. He graduated at the Medical College at Cincinnati in 1866. In pol- itics he is independent. He is a member of the Christian Church, but is an Evolutionist in belief. He was for some time justice of the peace in Lawrence County, and was elected in 1880 to the Greenback National Convention at Chicago.
ROBERT D. STOTTS is a son of John L. and Elizabeth E. (Laughlin) Stotts, born in Daviess County, Ind., August 18, 1851. The father was of Scotch descent, born December 11, 1820, a teacher by profession. Soon after his marriage he came to Da- viess County, where he purchased 240 acres of land. During the Rebellion he enlisted in Company G, Twenty-eighth Indiana In- fantry, February, 1864, and during his stay in the field was taken sick at Ringgold, Ga., died February 9, 1865, and was bur- ried at that place. The mother was of Irish lineage, born in Lawrence County, Ind., January 26, 1826. They were married in 1843 and came to this county in 1846. Since her husband's death she has lived with her son, Joseph, on the old place. Our subject attended the district schools and the high school at Dover Hill, in Martin County, and attended the Indiana Normal School at Mitchell, Ind., for one term. At the early age of seventeen he began teaching school, and has followed that occupation dur- ing the winter months ever since with the exception of one term, and is considered one of the best teachers in the county. Octo- ber 19, 1871, he married Eliza J. Phipps, daughter of Benjamin and Mary H. Phipps. She was born in Daviess County March 3, 1851. They have three children, named Alva E., Zeta M. and John B. After marriage Mr. Stotts located on the old home place, where he yet resides and owns eighty-three acres of land. In politics he is a Republican and cast his first vote for U. S. Grant. He and wife are church members.
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