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 78
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 78
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS COUNTY.
Aden H. and Ira H. Mr. Ragsdale was formerly a Democrat in politics, but is now a radical member of the National party. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
REUBEN ROBINSON is a native of Daviess County, Ind., born December 31, 1844, son of Elijah G. and Lucretia (San- ford) Robinson, and is of Irish origin. He is the eldest in a family of seven children. His father was born in Kentucky in 1816, and his mother in the same State in 1818. His paternal grandfather was Elijah Robinson, a native Virginian, who immi- grated to Kentucky in early life, and from there came to Indiana. and located in Daviess County. He died here in 1845. Our subject's father died in Harrison Township, in December, 1879. Subject was reared on a farm. and attended the common schools. He began teaching the "young idea" in 1863, and continued that occupation eight years, meeting with good success. Later in life he gave his attention to agricultural pursuits. In 1874 he settled on his present farm of 100 acres. He was married, in 1869, to Miss Catherine Ax, a native of the "Buckeye State," born in 1850. To their union six children were born, four of whom are living: John W., Ada, Lattie L. and Lydia. In politics Mr. Robinson is a Democrat. He and wife are members of the Bap- tist Church.
HAMLET ROBINSON is a native of Daviess County, Ind., where he was born July 11, 1846, son of Elijah and Lucretia (Sanford) Robinson. He grew to manhood on the farm, and in early childhood removed with his parents to Harrison Township, and attended the public schools. After attaining his majority he began working for himself, and has always followed the life of a farmer with the exception of four years. He settled on his pres- ent farm in 1872. He owns 161 acres of good and well-improved land. He has a fine residence and a good barn. In 1868 he married Adelia A. Young, a native of the county, born in 1850. They have seven children, as follows: Edwin, Flora, Ephraim, Stella, Frank, Amy M. and John. Prior to 1876 Mr. Robinson was a Republican, but since that time he has been a true and ar- dent worker of the National party, and was one of the first men in the county to advocate the principles and doctrines of that party. He and wife are members of the Cumberland Presby-
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terian Church, and he is, in every sense of the word, a self-made man, and one of the best known and most prominent citizens of the township.
C. J. SMOOT was born in Washington Township, Daviess Co., Ind., October 22, 1831, son of William P. and Elizabeth (Jett) Smoot. He is of Scotch-German descent, and is the sec- ond in a family of seven children. His parents were natives of Kentucky, and came to Daviess County about 1820. Subject spent his boyhood days on the farm and in attending the sub- scription and public schools. When about sixteen years of age he began learning the plasterer's trade, and followed that occu- pation for twenty years. In 1861 he enlisted in Company A, Fifty-second Indiana Volunteers, for three years. He re-enlisted at Canton, Miss., and was in the battles of Fort Donelson, Nash- ville, Mobile and many minor engagements. He was honorably discharged in 1865. In 1871 he settled on his present farm of 211 acres of well-improved land, and in 1879 erected one of the finest houses in the township. In October, 1855, he was married to Miss Rachel L., daughter of Job Martin, born in Wayne County, Ky., in 1836. To their union ten children were born, seven of whom are living: John T., Jemima, Elizabeth, Ida M., William P., Harley A. and Laura E. In politics Mr. Smoot was formerly a Republican, but is now a National. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church.
WARNER G. SMOOT, farmer, is a native of Daviess County, born August 28, 1833, son of William P. and Elizabeth (Jett) Smoot, and grandson of Clayborn Smoot, who was a Virginian, and immigrated to Kentucky in the pioneer days of that State. The family came to Indiana about 1820. The father of our subject came to Daviess County in 1826, and located in Washington Township. His death took place July 22, 1872. Subject grew to manhood on a farm, and received a common school education, and in addition attended the Indiana State University and Franklin College in Johnson County, Ind. In April, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, Sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry for three months, and re-enlisted the same year in Com- pany A, Fifty-second Indiana Infantry, and served until after the battle of Fort Pillow. He then returned home and assisted
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS COUNTY.
in organizing and recruiting a battery. This done he was trans- ferred to the Eightieth Indiana Battery, and served until 1865. when he was honorably discharged. He was at Perryville, Knoxville, with Sherman at Atlanta, and participated in many minor engagements. He was commissioned first lieutenant in July, 1864, and was a true and brave soldier during the war. Returning from the field and scenes of war he began teaching school, continuing this until 1872, when he engaged in farming. He owns 131 acres of fine land. January 24, 1864, he mar- ried Lydia E. Robinson, born December 2, 1844. They have these five children: Emma J., Walter G., Richard B., Mary D., and Edwin R. In politics Mr. Smoot is an uncompromising Republican, and is a leader of that party in his township. He has been trustee of Harrison Township, and is a representative man of the county. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and his wife of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
BENJAMIN W. STEEN was born in South Carolina January 4, 1834, son of John C. and Phoebe (Gregory) Steen, and of German-Irish descent. The parents were born in South Carolina in 1805 and 1806, respectively. The father died in 1878, and the mother in 1850. The family came to Daviess County in 1837, and located in Harrison Township, where the parents died. Subject attended the subscription schools, and aided his father on the farm until twenty-one years of age, when he began for himself. He located on his present farm in 1855, and now owns 160 acres of well-improved land. He was married in 1855 to Martha R. Colbert, born January 18, 1834, in Harrison Township, daughter of Tolliver and Sarah Colbert. Mr. and Mrs. Steen have two children: Oliver B., born in 1857, and Luella, born in 1872. Oliver has been twice married; both wives are deceased. He has two children: Emma by his first wife, and Leona by the second. Leona now resides with our subject. Mr. Steen is a Republican in politics, and has served two years as trustee of Harrison Township. Both husband and wife are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Steen is a valuable citizen of the county, and is the soul of integrity. Mrs. Steen's parents were born in 1789 and 1796, respectively. The former was a native of Virginia.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
STEPHEN STEPHENSON, plasterer and farmer, was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, November 18, 1829, son of Peter and Jane (Crabbs) Stephenson, and is one of eleven children, and of Dutch-Welsh extraction. His father was born in Cape May County, N. J., in 1804, and the mother in Washington County, Penn., in 1807, The paternal grandfather was a native of Wales, and died in Hamilton County, Ohio. The family came to Daviess County, Ind., in April, 1839, and settled in Veal Town- ship, where the father died in 1880. By occupation he was a cooper and farmer. He was an ultra-Abolitionist, and later became a stanch Republican. His wife died in 1884. Our immediate subject received a common school education, and his early years were spent in learning the cooper's trade. Subse- quently he learned the plasterer's trade, and this has been his principal calling through life. In 1865 he located on his present farm of 126 acres. Politically he is a thorough Democrat, and for many years has advocated the principles of that party. In 1884 he was chosen assessor of Harrison Township. He was married, in December 1852, to Miss Sarah Edwards, born in 1834, daughter of John and Elizabeth Edwards. To their union five children were born: Seth, born in 1856; Jesse, who is a teacher in the Washington Public School, is taking a course at Du Pauw University, and was born in 1859; Lillie B., born in 1862; John, born in 1864, and Lizzie J., born in 1867. Mr. Stephenson joined the I. O. O. F. in 1862, and the Masons in 1865.
FRANCIS ASBURY WARD, Deputy United States Mar- shal for Indiana, and ex-sheriff of Daviess County, is a native of Knox County, born near the farm of the late Governor James D. Williams (who was an intimate friend of the father of our sub- ject) in 1839, and is a son of Andrew and Lydia (Atchison) Ward. The Ward family were of Irish origin, and the father was a native of North Carolina, and came to Daviess County, Ind., in early times. He died in Harrison Township of that county in 1866, at fifty-six years of age. The mother died in 1843. Subject was educated in the public schools, and attended the Evansville Commercial College, graduating from that institu- tion in 1861. He then taught school for about nine terms, and
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS COUNTY.
was a successful pedagogue. He served about one year in the late war in Company I, Forty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He has a good farm of 172 acres in Harrison Township, and politically is a Democrat. In 1870 he was elected trustee of the township, and subsequently served one term as deputy sheriff of Daviess County under Nathan G. Read. In 1880 he was elected sheriff of the county by a majority of fifty-eight, and was re-elected in 1882 with a majority of 280. He is one of the most popular and efficient officials the county has ever had, and has filled the duties of his office to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. In October 1885 he was appointed deputy United States marshal for Indiana. He is a Mason, and a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F. He was married, in 1864, to Mrs. Mary E. Arthur, a native of the county, who has borne him seven children.
DR. GEORGE W. WILLEFORD is a native of Williamson County, Ill., born February 6, 1847, son of George A. and Min- erva (Hogan) Willeford, and is of Welsh-Irish descent. His parents were born in Tennessee in 1804 and 1809, and died in Illinos in 1876 and 1881, respectively. The boyhood of Dr. Willeford was spent on a farm. He attended the common schools, and began teaching the "young idea" in 1864, and con- tinued that occupation four years, meeting with the best success. He began the study of medicine in 1866, under Dr. T. D. Fergu- son, of Marion, Ill., and afterward attended lectures at the Chi- cago Medical College, graduating in 1874. He practiced five years before his graduation. He located in Glendale, Ind., where he has an extensive and lucrative practice. In 1882 he engaged in the drug and dry goods business, and in connection with his prac- tice continues that occupation. He was appointed postmaster of Glendale in 1881, and held the office until 1885, when he was superseded by a Democrat. He was married in 1871 to Martha McClure, born in Knox County, Ind., in 1850. They have these five children: Otis, Cora, Nora, Ralph W. and an infant unnamed. Dr. Willeford is a member of the I. O. O. F.
MICHAEL ZINKAN, one of the leading farmers of Harrison Township, Daviess Co., Ind., and native of the same, was born April 4, 1842, son of Philip and Ann Barbara Zinkan, who were
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
born in Germany. They came to the United States in 1832, and located in Daviess County, Ind., where they resided until their death. Subject obtained a common school education, and spent his boyhood days on a farm. He remained with his parents until twenty-six years of age, when he located on his present farm. He has 200 acres of good land, the most of which is in a fine state of cultivation. He engages quite extensively in stock raising, and is considered a prosperous and enterprising tiller of the soil. He has a fine barn, built in 1883. He was married in November, 1867, to Elizabeth Byrne, a native of Ireland, born in 1839, daughter of J. L. Byrne. She came to America when a child. Their union has been blessed with three children, viz. : Philip M., born October, 1868; Mary J., born May, 1873, and John J. A., born June, 1875. Mr. Zinkan is a Democrat, and cast his first vote for McClellan. In 1881 he was appointed to fill out the un- expired term of O. B. Steen, as trustee of Harrison. The family are members of the Catholic Church.
REEVE TOWNSHIP.
JAMES P. ARVIN was born in Washington County, Ky., January 31, 1828, and is a son of Harry Arvin, born November 7, 1787, in Maryland. His grandfather, Edwin Arvin, was of Irish parentage. Mr. Arvin's mother was Theresa Montgomery, born in Maryland in 1787. Our subject lived on a farm in Kentucky with his parents until seventeen years of age, when they moved to Daviess County, Ind., settling near the eastern boundary. Here he lived until after attaining his majority. He then married Miss Mary Miles, daughter of Hillary and Frances (Clemmons) Miles, who were native Kentuckians. After Mr. Arvin's marriage he began doing for himself, working on the neighboring farms. In 1850 he purchased forty acres of land where he now lives and owns 150 acres, 100 of which are under cultivation. They are the parents of two children: Theresa Elizabeth, born December 2, 1850, and Thomas Hillary, born October 24, 1852. Mr. Arvin is a Democrat, and cast his first vote for Pierce. His father was a
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS COUNTY.
soldier in the war of 1812. The family are members of the Cath- olic Church.
W. DAILY BAKER, is a native Virginian, born October 1, 1848, one of twelve children born to Isaac Baker, who was also born in Virginia. The mother's maiden name was Bagnal, and she was born in North Carolina. Mr. Baker was reared in his birthplace, and learned the blacksmith's trade with his father. He attended the common schools and remained with his parents until twenty-two years of age. He then moved to his present place of abode. November 9, 1871, he was united in marriage to Miss M. Alford, daughter of John W. and Margaret Alford. They became the parents of six children: Minnie A., William F., Rolla, Maggie, Clara B. and Hugh G. Mr. Baker cast his first presidential vote for Horace Greeley, and has always been identi- fied with the Democratic party. He is a member in good stand- ing of the I. O. O. F., and he and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. By hard work he has accumulated some valuable farming land, and in all respects he is a valuable citizen.
REV. CHARLES CURRAN, pastor of St. Patrick's Church, was born October 22, 1851, at Seneca Falls, N. Y. He is one of twelve children born to the marriage of Richard Curran and Catherine Maley, who were born in County Clare, Ireland, in 1801 and 1810, respectively. They were married in 1831 and lived in Ireland until there were ten children born to them. In 1849 they came to America. The father died in 1859. Our sub- ject obtained his early education in the public schools of Seneca Falls. At the age of fourteen years he entered St. Bonaventures College at Allegany, N. Y., where he studied for the priesthood for one year. He then came West and visited his brother, Rev. Daniel Curran, residing in Greensburg, Ind. He attended the St. Meinrad College, in Spencer County, Ind., for the completion of his education. He took a six years' course and was ordained a priest June 19, 1881. After being ordained his first appoint- ment was at Brightwood, a suburb of Indianapolis, and he be- came assistant pastor of the St. John's Church, Indianapolis proper. After having charge of this congregation for over two years, he was given charge of St. Martin's Church and was resi-
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
dent pastor of both of these congregations. About two years later he took charge of his present pastorate. He is a man of much ability and is much liked by his congregation.
JOHN FANNING was born September 8, 1843, and is a son of Thomas and Bridget (Riley) Fanning, who were born in Ireland in 1811 and 1810, respectively. Our subject was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and lived in that city until ten years of age. He then moved with his parents to Reeve Township, Daviess Co., Ind., and located on a farm, where he learned to be an expert tiller of the soil, and has followed that occupation since his father's death in April, 1871. The father owned 200 acres of land, and our subject has added 120 acres of land, on which he lives with his mother. He takes considerable interest in stock raising. He cast his first vote for MeClellan, and has ever been a stanch Democrat. In April, 1878, he was elected trustee of the township, which office he held two years, and in 1882 to the office of county commissioner, and was re-elected in 1884 and still holds the position. He was one of the youngest men ever elected to this position. He is a Catholic, as are all his family. He belongs to the St. Patrick's Temperance Society, of which he is secretary. He is a good farmer and a worthy officeholder.
F. M. HEDRICK was born in Daviess County, Ind., March 16, 1842, and is the fourth of six children born to George F. Hedrick, who was a Kentuckian by birth, born in 1790. The mother was born in 1808. Mr. Hedrick was reared on a farm, where he remained until nineteen years of age. He secured a good common school education. In 1860 he purchased forty acres of land-which he has since increased to eighty-and com- menced his career as a farmer. On the 4th of February, 1866, he was united in marriage to a Miss Ishem, daughter of Joel and Bettie (Scott) Ishem. They became the parents of these chil- dren: Laura Ann, Mary, Thomas, Albertie and Pearlie May. Mr. Hedrick is a Democrat. On the 22d of September, 1864, he enlisted in Company F, Eighteenth Ohio Infantry, and was in the battle of Nashville. He was honorably discharged June 10, 1865, and returned home and resumed his duties on the farm. He and wife are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Hed-
55
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS COUNTY.
rick is sober, industrious and a worthy type of the self-made man. E. C. HORNADAY is a native of Jackson County, Ind., born December 1, 1879, and is a son of Isaiah H. and Nancy (Thompson) Hornaday. The parents were natives of North Carolina, born in 1789 and 1796, respectively. Our subject re- mained with his parents and assisted them on the farm until 1841, when he began working for himself. He rented land for two years and then purchased eighty acres of land. By his un- tiring industry he has increased his farm to 1,200 acres. He was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas and Catharine (Mathews) Meadows. They became the parents of these chil- dren: Mary, Thomas, Elizabeth C., Bell L., John K. and Benja- min. He was not a soldier in the late war, but rendered good service in raising troops and supplying money to aid the cause of the Union. He belongs to the Republican party and cast his first vote for Van Buren. He takes some interest in local poli- tics, but has never aspired to office. He and wife have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church for about twenty years. He is one of the self-made men of the county, and has met with fair success in his business ventures.
THOMAS J. HORNADAY was born in Scott County, Ind., October 28, 1845, and is the second of eight children born to Eli and Elizabeth (Meadows) Hornaday. They are natives of Indi- ana and Kentucky, born, respectively, in 1819 and 1821. When our subject was but six years of age his parents moved to Wash- ington County, Ind., and his early days were divided between at- tending the district schools and farming. He remained at home until the age of twenty, when he entered Asbury University at Greencastle, Ind., where he finished his education. He then re- turned home and continued farming. October 17, 1871, he was united in marriage to Mollie A., daughter of Rev. W. W. and Mira (Duncan) Puett, who were born in Monroe County. Mr. and Mrs. Hornaday became the parents of four children: Du Pauw, born in 1872; R. G., born in 1875; Orth L., born in 1880, and Mira B., born in 1882. Subject has always been a stanch Republican in politics, and takes considerable interest in the polit- ical affairs of his county. He has been a member of the Method- ist Episcopal Church since 1875, and is a charitable and gener-
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
ous contributor to all religious causes. He owns 214 acres of land, 110 of which are under cultivation.
P. A. HORRALL was born in Daviess County, Ind., Novem- ber 23, 1827, son of Coleman C. and Lucinda (Lett) Horrall, na- tives of South Carolina, born in 1805. The father died in 1829, and the mother in 1882. Subject was reared in his native county, and received but little education. At sixteen years of age he started out in life for himself, and at the age of eighteen years began farming. September 11, 1848, he was united in marriage, and to their union these children were born: Priscilla, Precia, Lucinda, John C., Rachel, Sarah, Lovel, Randall, Hattie and Lillie. Subject has always been a stanch Republican, and his first presidential vote was cast for Harrison. He was not a sol- dier in the late war, although he applied three times, but was not admitted on account of deficiency in size. He was then made captain of the home guards. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Horrall's grandparents were natives of Ireland, and the father was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, and was one hundred years old at the time of his death. Mr. Horrall rented land for some years after his marriage, and after living in various parts of the county finally settled in Alfordsville, where he engaged in managing a flouring-mill. He owns eighty acres of land and some valuable town property in Alfordsville.
JOHN JONES was born in Ireland in the year 1809. He lived with his parents until fifteen years of age, when he began working for himself at farming. At the age of twenty-four he left his native isle and embarked for England, thinking to make it his home. He worked for about six months in a soap factory, and then took passage in a vessel sailing for America. May 31, 1832, they landed at Quebec, Canada. Here our subject resumed farming, and followed this occupation for about eight- een months. He then went to Oswego, N. Y., and worked on a farm near that town for about a year, and then came to Indiana, and then worked near Fort Wayne on a canal. After some time he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and shipped on board a flat-boat bound to New Orleans. After about eighteen months he returned to Indiana and worked in Jeffersonville, and then again returned
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS COUNTY.
to New Orleans the following fall. From that city he went to Mobile and worked on the Alabama River. The following April he went to Kentucky; thence to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he re- mained one month. He worked on the railroad for some time, then returned to New Orleans, and the following spring returned to Cincinnati. April 12, 1850, he was married to Ann Gallagher, a native of the Emerald Isle. She was born August 12, 1818, daughter of Maurice and Ann (Patton ) Gallagher. Mrs. Jones came to America with her brother Maurice in 1849. Several years after his marriage he moved to Daviess County, Ind., where he located and began farming. He owns 273 acres of land. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have five children: Mary J., John, Ellen, Annie and William. Mr. Jones is a Democrat in politics, and is a mem- ber of the Catholic Church.
JAMES MAHAN was born in County Meade, Ireland, June 24, 1800. His parents, Thomas and Bridget (Riley) Mahan, were born in the same place as himself. The father died at the age of sixty and the mother at fifty-eight years of age. Mr. Ma- han, our subject, lived in the old country until he was thirty-six years of age, when he went to Liverpool, England, and embarked for the United States on the sailing vessel " Wakefield." They reached New York June 8, 1838, and the same year went to New Jersey, where he worked on a farm a few days, when he went to Pennsylvania and worked on canals in that State for about a year, and then went to Madison, Ind., and worked for one year on the railroad. He then went to New Orleans, where he spent a few days, but not liking the South he returned and again worked on the railroad, continuing at this for some time. He soon came to Daviess County and entered the eighty-acre farm where he now lives. In 1839 he married Catharine Hart (daughter of James Hart), who died in 1842. In February, 1849, he married Mrs. Margaret (McDowell) Whiteface. To them were born these four children: Ellen, Catharine, Elizabeth and Thomas. Mrs. Ma- han had five children by her first marriage, named William, John, Mary Ann, Margaret and Sarah J. He has owned 160 acres of land, but deeded it to his son in 1885. He has always been a Democrat politically, and has been quite successful as a farmer and stock raiser.
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