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 77
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 77
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
PHILIP S. WARD was born in Ohio September 2, 1830, and is one of eight children born to Jesse and Rachael (Shplor) Ward, who were of German descent, born in 1797 and 1802, re- spectively, in Pennsylvania. The father was a carpenter, but later in life became a farmer. They were married in their native State in 1821, and moved to Ohio about 1826. At the time of his death, January 22, 1864, he owned 160 acres of land. He was married three times and was the father of twelve children. The mother died March 12, 1832. Subject attended the common schools, and when twenty-one began working at the carpenter's trade and continued at that occupation about six years. Janu- ary 22, 1855, he married Margaret Fry, daughter of Moses and Catherine (Bash) Fry. Mrs. Ward was born in Ohio Septem- ber 15, 1838. To Mr. and Mrs. Ward these children were born: Jesse F., Henry W., John A., Cora B., Charles F. and Ed- win B. (twins), and Arthur A. In 1852 Mr. Ward came to Daviess County, Ind., and entered 120 acres of land. In 1856 he sold out and bought forty acres where he now resides. In September, 1864, he was drafted in Company H, Thirty-eightlı Indiana Infantry, for one year or during the war. He was in the Atlanta campaign, and received his discharge at Indiana- polis, Ind., in July, 1865. He has been an industrious farmer, and now owns 594 acres of excellent and well-improved land, be- sides giving his boys eighty acres. In politics he is a Repub- lican and cast his first vote for James Buchanan.
LEONARD C. WARD was born in Holmes County, Ohio, May 21, 1835, and is a son of Jesse and Rachael (Shplor) Ward. His boyhood days were spent on the farm and in attending school. When twenty-three years old he began doing for him- self, and in March, 1859, he married Barbara Shutt, a native of Ohio, born December 4, 1838, daughter of John and Susan Shutt. Mr. and Mrs. Ward became the parents of these chil- dren: Olivia, Mary E., Susan B., Harvey E., Lavina and Maggie. Mr. Ward resided in his native State two years after marriage, and in 1861 came to Daviess County, Ind. He owned 150 acres of land in Greene County, Ind., which he traded for eighty-two acres in Daviess County. Two years later he purchased part of his present farm of 250 acres. In 1864 he was drafted in Com-
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pany H, Thirty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He was in the battle of Nashville. He received his discharge at Indianapolis, Ind., in 1865. After his return he resumed his work on the farm. He has a beautiful residence, and a good substantial barn and granaries. In poli- tics he is a Republican, but cast his first vote for James Bu- chanan. He and wife are members of the United Brethren Church.
HARRISON TOWNSHIP.
REASON S. CHAPMAN, a pioneer of Daviess County, Ind., a representative farmer and stock raiser of Harrison Township, is a native of Ohio, born near Cincinnati, February 3, 1814, son of Elijah and Elizabeth (Miller) Chapman. The family, who are of English-Dutch origin, came to Indiana in 1818. The father died in New Orleans about 1821. The mother was twice married, and died near Glendale, in 1831, in her eighty-fourth year. Subject grew to manhood in what was then an almost un- broken wilderness. He attended the early subscription schools, and later located on a farm near Glendale. where he continued to reside until 1880, when he moved to his present place of resi- dence in Harrison Township, where he owns 290 acres of land. He has been married three times; the first time, in 1823, to Polly Baldwin, who bore him nine children, six of whom are liv- ing. After fifteen years of wedded life Mrs. Chapman died. Mr. Chapman then married Caroline Lashley, who died in February, 1880, leaving four children. The following April Mr. Chapman took for his third wife Mrs. Lucy A. (Cook) Wilson, a native of Ohio, born in 1835, daughter of George and Elizabeth Cook. Mr. Chapman is a firm Republican. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and has been for more than twenty years a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
CAPT. JOHN W. CLARK (deceased) was born in Wash- ington, Daviess Co., Ind., August 6, 1832, and is a son of John W. and Catherine Clark, who were born in 1806 and died in 1863
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and 1848 respectively. They came to Indiana at an early day, and were among the first settlers of Harrison Township. Sub- ject obtained his education in the common schools, and in 1861 enlisted in Company D, Eightieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was afterward commissioned captain in that regiment. By the explosion of a shell at Resaca, he was disabled and compelled to resign his command. He was a gallant officer and a true and brave soldier. In early life he learned the carpenter's trade, and followed that occupation almost exclusively through life. At the time of his death he owned eighty-five acres of land near Glendale. March 15, 1855, he married Sarah E. Steen, who bore him one child, named Benjamin W. Mrs. Clark died in 1856, and in 1867 Mr. Clark took for his second wife Eliza C. Wise, a native of Daviess County, born in 1849. To their marriage these four children were born: Ephraim T., born in 1868; Carrie D., born in 1870; John M., born in 1873, and Harlan T., born in 1884. In politics he was a stanch Republican, and was for many years a Mason. He was noted for his charity and for his many sterling virtues. His death, which occurred October 16, 1885, was the result of rheumatism contracted in the army. At the time of his death he was a member of the Cumberland Pres- byterian Church. Mrs. Clark is a woman of much intelligence, and a kind and accommodating neighbor.
JACOB W. CLARK, M. D., was born in the township where he now resides February 12, 1842, son of John W. and Catherine Clark, and is of German-Irish origin. He is the sixth of a fam- ily of ten children, and spent his boyhood days on a farm and in attending the common schools in his neighborhood. He began the study of medicine at Glendale under Dr. John S. Mitchell, a graduate of the Louisville Medical College. He attended lec- tures at the University of Louisville during the winters of 1868- 69, and graduated in the winter of 1870. He then located at Glendale, where he has since resided. In July, 1877, he began the drug and dry goods business, continuing at that occupation until 1885, when he sold out to Dr. Ragsdale. Dr. Clark owns ninety-two acres of well-improved land. In 1874 he · was mar- ried to Miss Lucinda J. Gillespie, a native of Benton County, Ind., born in 1852. They have two children, viz .: Ethel B. and
54
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS COUNTY.
Larry L. Politically the Doctor is a member of the National party, and has taken an active part in the political affairs of the county. He was formerly a Republican, and cast his first vote for Lincoln. He joined the Masons in 1866, and the I. O. O. F. in 1874. He is a representative of one of the old families of Da- viess County, and is one of its most prominent men.
HENRY C. CLARK, farmer, was born in Daviess County, Ind., June 6, 1845, son of John W. and Catharine Clark, and is of Irish lineage. (Mention is made of the parents' history else- where. ) Subject remained at home until eighteen years old. He received a common school education, and enlisted in his coun- try's cause, in 1864, in Company K, One Hundred and Forty- third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged. Returning from the service he engaged in farming, and now owns 100 acres of good land and is a successful farmer. He was married, November 22, 1868, to Miss Mary A. Robinson, a native of Daviess County, born in 1850. To their marriage two children were born, named Arthur B., born April 6, 1873, and Effie E., born February 23, 1880. Mrs. Clark died October 17, 1883, and March 5, 1884, Mr. Clark married Miss Nancy, daughter of John and Sallie Nash. She is a native of Benton County, Ky., born in August, . 1855. In politics our subject is a Republican. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and his wife of the Presbyterian.
JESSE B. COLBERT, a pioneer farmer of Daviess County, Ind., was born May 30, 1822, son of Tolliver and Sarah (Miller) Colbert, and is of English extraction. His father was born in Virginia and his mother in Ohio. The Colberts came to what is now Daviess County, Ind., in 1816. Tolliver Colbert was one of the first men in the county. He killed a bear on the tract of land now owned by our subject, and the old rifle he used is in the possession of the family and is kept as a relic of the primitive days of the county. Subject grew to manhood in Daviess County and attended the subscription schools in boyhood. When twenty years old he began farming for himself and has continued that occupation ever since. He was engaged in the general merchan- dise business in Epsom, Ind., for about three years. He owns a farm of eighty acres. In 1841 he took for his life companion
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Phobe Brown, who died in 1843. In 1845 he wedded Winnie Gilley, who bore him twelve children, five of whom are living: Tolliver P., Viola J., Bettie G., Laura M. and George W. Mr. Colbert is a Republican, and has been justice of the peace and was trustee of the township under the old law. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and is one of the oldest native residents of the county.
ALEXANDER THOMPSON CONLEY, trustee of Harrison Township, dealer in general merchandise and farmer, is a native of Owen County, Ind., son of John and Elizabeth Conley, and was born January 7, 1835. The family are of Scotch-English descent. The father was born in North Carolina in 1798. His grandfather, William Conley, came to Lawrence County, Ind., in pioneer times, or about 1820. He was probate judge of Lawrence County for several years. He died in 1845. John Conley, our subject's father, came to Daviess County in 1856 and died in 1861. Alexander Conley came to Daviess County in 1855, and for four years worked for Elisha Hyatt. He owns a well-improved farm on which he located in 1860. In 1871 he engaged in the general merchandise business in Glendale, where he has since continued with good success. He is a Republican in politics and has held a number of positions of honor and trust in the township, but not undeservedly. He was elected trustee of Harrison Town- ship in 1882, and was re-elected in 1884. He was elected over two men each time. His first majority was fifteen and the second seventeen. He made a very trustworthy and efficient official and was the means of wholly clearing the township from debt, and filled the position with honor to himself and to the entire satis- faction of the people. He joined the I. O. O. F. in 1865 and the Masons in 1870. He was married in 1856 to Rosanna C. Greenwood, a native of Greene County, Ind., born in 1840, daugh- ter of William and Sarah Greenwood. To Mr. and Mrs. Conley these children were born: Nancy A., Addie, Sarah E., John W., William, Clementine, Rolla J., Adah M. and Nellie R.
WASHINGTON COSBY is a representative of one of the pioneer families of Daviess County, Ind. He is commonly known as "Doc" Cosby, so called on account of being the seventh son of the family. He is of Scotch-German origin and was born
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS COUNTY.
February 24, 1825, son of Overton and Susannah (Hyser) Cosby. The father was born near Richmond, Va., in 1785, and the mother in what is now West Virginia in 1787. They were married in 1806 and came to Indiana about 1817, and located in Daviess County. Overton Cosby erected the first brick house in the township. It was built about one-half century ago and was only torn down in 1884. He and wife died in 1859. Our subject was reared on a farm and attended the early schools. He remained at home assisting his father on the farm until twenty-one years of age, when he began farming for himself. He owns 130 acres of land and since 1850 has resided where he now lives. For some years he has given considerable attention to bee culture and owns about thirty stands. He was married, in 1850, to Martha J. Thomas, a native of Daviess County, born in 1830. Of five children born to them only two survive: Ziba and Grandison T. In politics Mr. Cosby was formerly a Whig, now a stanch Repub- lican. He became a Mason in 1859. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
CLARINGTON G. CROSS, farmer, was born in Fleming County, Ky., April 30, 1823, son of John and Mary (Johnson) Cross, and is of German descent, the fifth in a family of eleven children. His father was born in Tennessee and his mother in Virginia. In 1826 the family came to Daviess County, Ind. The father died in Pike County, Ind., at about thirty years of age. The mother died in Daviess County. Subject was reared on a farm and attended the subscription schools. When about eighteen years of age he began working for himself by the month ; this he continued until twenty-seven years old, when he began farming for himself. He settled on his present farm in 1852, and now owns 250 acres of well-improved land. He was mar- ried, in 1849, to Miss Eliza E. Small, a native of Kentucky. To their marriage three children were born, two of whom are yet living, viz .: Frank, born in November, 1850, and Theodore, born in September, 1855. Mrs. Cross died in 1881. Mr. Cross is a Republican and is a charter member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge of Glendale. He is a successful farmer and is one of the prominent men of the county.
WILLIAM DONNOLLY, farmer and stock raiser, is a native
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
of Ireland, born January 6, 1805, son of Thomas and Catherine (Redman) Donnolly, who were also born in the "Emerald Isle." When our subject was about fifteen years old he left his native land and went to Canada, where he remained two years. He then came to the United States, and after living an unsettled life for some time finally came to Daviess County, Ind., in 1836, and located where he now resides. He owns 190 acres of well-im- proved land, and is one of the principal farmers of Harrison Township. In 1834 he was married to Mary Molloy, by whom he had eleven children, four of whom survive their mother, who died in 1859, viz .: John, Dennis, Kate, and Peter. Mr. Don- nolly married, in 1874, Mrs. Mary (Treanor) Crosby, born Octo- ber 5, 1829, daughter of James and Catherine Treanor. Mrs. Donnolly came to Daviess County, Ind., in 1840. The family are all members of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, of which Mr. Donnolly was one of the principal founders. He is a prominent and worthy citizen, and the family are highly respected.
A. M. JOHNSON was born near where he now lives March 28, 1829, and is a son of Hiram M. and Maria (Martin) Jolinson, who were born in Kentucky, the former in 1802, and the latter in 1805. The Johnson family came to Daviess County, Ind., about 1822, and located in Harrison Township. Our subject's father died in Daviess County in 1872. The mother yet lives, and re- sides with our subject. Subject attended the common schools and resided with and aided his father until twenty-four years of age, when he began doing for himself. In 1853 he located on a farm near his present place of abode, where he remained until 1864, when he moved to his present place of residence. He owns 299 acres of the best improved land in the county. He was married, in 1852, to Lydia Ann Davis, daughter of Abner M. Davis, who was a native Kentuckian, and for a number of years represented Daviess County in the General Assembly. Mrs. John- son was born in Indiana in 1835, and bore her husband these two children: Henry S., born November 27, 1854, and died July 18, 1879, and Priscilla A., born January 1, 1858. They have two grandchildren, viz .: Henry P. Johnson and Harvey A. Cay- lor. Formerly Mr. Johnson was a Democrat, but later became a Republican and an uncompromising Abolitionist. After the
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS COUNTY.
election of R. B. Hayes to the presidency he became a National, and has since been identified with that party. He is president of the County Central Committee, and is considered one of the first men of the county. Mrs. Johnson is a member of the Christian Church. Her mother's maiden name was Priscilla Kirk.
WILLIAM W. JONES was born in Daviess County, Ind., August 4, 1832, son of Joseph and Hannah (Johnson) Jones. The family are of Welsh descent. The father was born near Charleston, S. C., in 1801, and the mother in Kentucky, in 1798. They both died in this county, the father in 1866, and the mother in 1862. Joseph Jones came to what is now Daviess County in 1816 with his father, who was also a native Carolinian and a slave-holder in that State. He died in Daviess County in 1840. William W., our subject, attended the common schools and farmed until 1864, when he enlisted in Company E., Forty- fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served about one year, when he was honorably discharged. He had a brother in the late war who was shot at the battle of Cedar Mountain, and died there. After his return from the army Mr. Jones resumed farm- ing, and now owns 300 acres of good land. In 1852 he was mar- ried to Eliza Collins, a native of Knox County, Ind., born in 1832. They became the parents of thirteen children, five of whom are living: Franklin S., Lydia O., Hannah M., Milton C. and Mason R. Two sons were accidentally drowned in the White River while bathing July 9, 1884. Mr. Jones is a Republican, and he and wife are members of the Baptist Church.
JAMES LAMB, farmer and stock raiser, is a native of Daviess County, Ind., born September 3, 1838, son of Edward and Cath- erine (Bradley) Lamb, who were born in the "Emerald Isle" in 1811 and 1822, respectively. The paternal grandfather, James Lamb, was also Irish, and lived and died in his native land. The family came to America about 1832, and resided two years in New York and then came to Indiana, locating in Daviess County, where they still reside. Subject attended the subscrip- tion schools of early days, and when twenty-three years old began working for himself. For some years he worked at the cooper's trade, but settled on a farm in 1863. He owns 400 acres of good land, and is one of the leading farmers of Harrison Township.
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February 3, 1863, he led to the hymeneal altar Miss Ellen Cus- sack, born in Indiana in 1839, daughter of Nicholas Cussack. To their union these two children were born: Edward, born in June, 1869, and Thomas F., born in 1873. Mr. Lamb is a Democrat, and an enterprising and public-spirited man, and an honorable citizen. The family are members of the St. Patrick's Catholic Church.
FENWICK MCCAFFERTY is a native of Harrison Town- ship, Daviess Co., Ind., born May 12, 1829, son of Thomas and Catherine (Palmer) McCafferty, who were born in South Caro- lina, the father being of Irish lineage. They came to Daviess County, Ind., about 1809, and settled in what is now Harrison Township. The father was a soldier in the war of 1812. Both parents died in this county. Subject spent his boyhood days on a farm, and when twenty-one years old began working for him- self. About twenty-four years ago he located on his present farm, which is moderately well improved, and is about two miles west of Glendale. At intervals for the last twelve years he has clerked in the store of A. T. Conley, at Glendale. He is in every sense of the word a self-made man, and has battled his own way through life. He received a common school education, and takes much interest in the education and welfare of his children. He is a Democrat, and cast his first vote for Pierce. He has held the office of assessor of Harrison Township, and was justice of the peace for three years. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and in 1855 was married to Miss Anis Gilley, a native of Daviess Coun- ty. To them were born these four children: Mary C., Franklin L., Elizabeth J. and Tillman R.
JAMES PORTER, JR., is a son of James W. and Ann (Mc- Coy) Porter, and was born in Daviess County, Ind., May 3, 1845, of Scotch-Irish descent. His father was born in Jefferson Couu- ty, Ohio, in 1814, and his mother in Virginia in 1813. They came to Daviess County in 1838, and located in Reeve Township. Subject lived with his parents until twenty-one years old, when he began life for himself. He tilled his father's farm for three years, and then purchased a farm in the southern part of the county, on White River, remaining there until 1877, when he purchased and located on his present farm. He owns 640 acres
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS COUNTY.
of good land, of which 540 acres are in a fine state of cultivation. In 1869 he began buying and selling stock, and raises a great many short-horn cattle. In August, 1863, he enlisted in Com- pany K, One Hundred and Seventeenth Indiana Volunteer In- fantry, and served nine months. He was honorably discharged in 1864. In September, 1874, Mr. Porter married Judith Lem- mon, a native of Dubois County, Ind., born March 5, 1851, daughter of Elijah and Elizabeth Lemmon. Two children blessed their union: Artie, born in 1878, and Clara, born in 1880. Mr. Porter is a Republican, and joined the Masons in 1872. He is the largest land owner and heaviest tax payer in Harrison Town- ship, and is one of the most esteemed and respected citizens of the county. His wife is a member of the Cumberland Presbyte- rian Church.
REV. MARION PORTER is a son of James W. and Ann (McCoy) Porter (elsewhere written), and was born in Reeve Township, Daviess Co., Ind., January 22, 1850. He is the sev- enth of the family, and grew to manhood on the farm. At the age of twenty-one he began working for himself. He was edu- cated in the common school, and attended one term of school at Washington, Ind. The greater part of his education has been obtained through self exertion. He began teaching school in Reeve Township, and has taught every winter, with the exception of one, since 1869. He has met with excellent success, and is considered one of the best teachers in the county. In 1875 he purchased his present farm of 160 acres, where he lived until 1885, when he rented his farm and moved to Harrison Township, where he now resides. October 30, 1873, he was married to Laura Jackson, a native of Reeve Township, born December 2, 1851. They have two children: Inez G., born in 1874, and Amy M., born in 1879. Mr. Porter and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and August 9, 1884, he was or- dained a minister of that denomination. He is a Republican, and cast his first vote for U. S. Grant.
DR. MARK H. RAGSDALE is of Scotch-English descent, born in Harrison Township, Daviess Co., Ind., August 26, 1836, son of John and Elizabeth (Palmer) Ragsdale, and is the fourth of their eight children. His parents were born in South
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Carolina in 1802, the former in November and the latter in August. The family located in what was then the Northwest Ter- ritory, but what is now Daviess County, Ind., in 1811. Here the grandparents of our subject died. The Doctor's father died in 1848, and his mother in 1874. The family were among the pio- neers of the county. Subject was reared on a farm, where he re- mained until 1857, when he began the battle of life for himself. In 1864 he enlisted in Company I, Forty-fourth Indiana Volun- teer Infantry, and served one year. He began the study of med- icine in 1871, under Jacob W. Clark, M. D., of Glendale, and at- tended medical lectures at the Indiana Medical College at In- dianapolis, and began the practice of his profession in the spring of 1875 at Algiers, Pike Co., Ind. After a one-year's practice in that place he located in Otwell, the same county, remaining five years. He then came to Glendale, where he has continued to practice his profession ever since. In September, 1885, he en- gaged in the drug and dry goods business at that place. He has been a very successful physician, and is a National in politics. He was married, February 22, 1866, to Harriet P. Chappell, who bore him these two children: Francis A., born in 1866, and Ar- sulla E., born in 1881. Mrs. Ragsdale is a native of Daviess County, born in 1845, and is a daughter of Elliott Chappell, who was a pioneer of the county.
P. H. RAGSDALE is a son of John and Elizabeth (Palmer) Ragsdale (elsewhere written), and was born in Daviess County, Ind., near Hudsonville, October 26, 1839. He is the sixth in the family, and was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He remained at home, aiding his parents on the farm, until the breaking out of the war in 1861, when he enlisted in Company G, Forty-second Indiana Volunteer Infantry, for three years or during the war. He was so severely wounded at the battle of Perryville that he was unable to attend to his duties, and was honorably discharged February 28, 1863. Since that time he has followed agricultural pursuits, and in 1879 located on his present farm of 150 acres, where he has met with good success. September 8, 1864, he was married to Miss Melvina Combs, a native of Illinois, born December 18, 1839. To them were born these five children: Tolman R., Denby H., Arla May,
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