History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc, Part 28

Author: Goodspeed Brothers
Publication date: 199-?]
Publisher: [Salem, Mass. : Higginson Book Co.]
Number of Pages: 954

USA > Indiana > Orange County > History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc > Part 28
USA > Indiana > Washington County > History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc > Part 28
USA > Indiana > Lawrence County > History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc > Part 28

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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cho-en Captain. He served with Gen. Taylor through the battle of Buena Vista. and was honorably discharged June 21, 1847. In 1849 he moved to Bedford, from where he enlisted in September, 1862, in the Eighty-second Indiana Volunteer Infantry, of which he was commis- sioned Lieutenant Colonel. At the battle of Chickamauga he not only lost a son but was severely hurt by a Minie ball, which struck his sabre squarely and with tremendous force. Besides the above battle, he served through Perrysville. Hoover's Gap und Stone River. Owing to his injury he resigned, and was discharged in October. 1863. Col. Davis is a Sir Knight in Masonry, a Camp Degree Odd Fellow, a stanch Repubhcan, and for four years, beginning in about 1850. served as County Treasurer. In 1977 he was commissioned Postmaster at Bedford, and is yet serving as such. August 26, 1858, his wife died, and December 9 of the same year. Christina (Culbertson) Kern became his wife. This lady died April 4, 1\72. Col. Davis is a member of the G. A. R. and the Christian Church.

WILLIAM DAY was born in North Carolina. October 12, 1826, and was the fourth child of eleven born to Archibald and Ruthie (Woody) Day. nh natives of North Carolina. who came to Shawswick Township in 1\27. Our subject spent his early years on l:is father's farm at hard labor. aud continued thus until the age of twenty three years, receiving poor einentional advantages, but making the most of what he could get. September 19, 1850, he married Elizabeth Woody. who has borne bin eleva: children, eight of whom are now living. Robert W., who married Isi- Dancan: Jesse MI., who married Mary I. Malott (deceased); Ruth E .. who married John F. Wright: Lewis F., Kitty C .. William W., Elizat ,th E. and Nannie B. Mr. Day has followed farming through life. and now owns 20 acres of fine land. In March, 1848, he enlisted for three months in the war with Mexico, and was honorably discharged at the expiration of his term of enlistment. In December, 1563, he enliste I in Company I. One Hundred und Twentieth Indiana Regiment. and served with distinction until he was mustered ont in January. 1566. as Lie nenant Ho was at Kenesuw Mountain. Resaca. Decatur, Ga .. Atlante. Franklin. Nashville. Kingston. N. C., and other battles of Jess not .. He is a Republican and is active in politics, having been candi- date : : Sheriff. He has served often as County Poor Superintendent. and has been prominently connected with the Agricultural Society. He belongs to three secret societies: Mason. Odd Fellow and G. A. R .: und he and wife are members of the Christian Church.

CAP T. JEREMIAH E. DEAN. a veteran of the Mexican and late Civil ware was born in Clark County. Ky .. October 25. 1521 and is one of five chili !!: Fem to James and Mary iCan phell) Dean. When a small Ind he was :: to Marion Conuty. Ind .. making that his home until about four. tech sears old. when he moved to Orange County to live with an uncle. Uutil at seining his majority he worked on a farm, then worked two years in a grisi amill at Lawrenceport. after which he moved to Bedford. May 7. : 47. he eulisted in Company I. Sixteenth Regiment of United State- Infantry, served in the Mesiem war until he was honorably dis- charged at Newport. Ky .. July 28. 1846. May 24. 1549, Mary A. Owens became his wife, shortly after which he moved to Springville, where for over twenty years he was engaged in blacksmithing. June 7. 1861, he enli-ted in Company F. Fifteenth Indiana Volunteers, and on the organi. notion of the company was elected First Lieutenant. a position he held

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until after the battle of Stone River, when he was advanced to the C'ap. taincy of his company. Besides varions skirmishes in which he was engaged he was an active participant in the battles of Shiloli. Stoue River. Chickamanga and Mission Ridge. Mr. Dean is a member of the Blue Lodge in Masonry, is a Republican in politics, and in 1575 was electedl Anditor of Lawrence County, serving as such four years. He is at pres. ent engaged in the hardware trade. Both Mr. and Mrs. Dean are mem. bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the following named of their ten children are yet living: Sumunel MI., Sarah C., D. J., Amanda L .. Harriet C. and Jeremiah H.

DR. ISAAC DENSON. a pioneer physician of this county, wa- hora Angust S. 1804 in Somerset County. Md., and is one of four children born to James and Mary (Collins) Denson, who moved to Hamilton County, Ohio in 180s. and and from there ten years later to Lawrence Conuty. Ind. Dr. Isaac Denson was edneatel in the country schools of his day and the State University of Indiana. Owing to the chodlern of 1533, which broke np the latter school. he was prevented from grad. nating. He read medicine with Dr. Winthrop Foote, at Bedford. and in the winter of 1835 attended lectures at Jefferson Medical College. Phil- adelphia. then began practicing his profession at Bedford with his pre- ceptor. Once since then Dr. Denson has had a partner in Dr. S .A. Rariden. but for years he was alone in the practice of medicine. Since 1876 he has been living a quiet and retired life. March 24. 1st, his marriage with Surah J. Rawlins was solemnized. and their eleven chil dren are: Daniel (deceased). Mary, Susan. Sarah. Josephine (decease.l. Harriet, Elizabeth, Gustavns (deceased). James, Amy and Joseph The mother is a member of long standing in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Dr. Denson was a Whig in polities until 1856. since when he has acted in unison with the Republicans. As a physician he was eminently sne. cessful. as his many patients yet living testify. In later years he has turned his attention to agricultural parsnits, and in this as in other mnat- ters he has made a success.

JAMES H. DONICA. a native of Shawswick Township. born October 22. 1834. is the fourth of seven children of Caswell and Henrietta (Thatcher) Donica. the father a native of Greene County. Tenn .. born December 25. 1803. The parents of Caswell came from Kentucky to Indiana in 1818. The marriage of the latter to Mi-s Thatcher occurred November 6, 1827, and soon afterward he located on a farm to do for himself. living many years, becoming well respected and securing a fine farm of about 570 acres. His death occurred Angust 4. 1553. He was a stanch Democrat. His widow yet survives, at the age of about seventy. eight years. She was a native of Bourbon County, Ky .. born January 22, 1807. At the age of twenty three years. with a limited schooling. James H. began for himself. October 7, 185>, he married Nancy Hunter, who bore bim one child: William L. His wife died August 15. 195, and September 21, 1971. he married Naomi Trogdon, who has presented him with three children: James F . Henrietta A. and Lawrence C. His ocenpation has been farming and stock raising His farm of 470 acres. well stocked, shows his success. He is a Republican: belongs to the Christian Church, und his wife to the Methodist Church. The family are among the best citizens.

HON. GEORGE G. DUNN. deceased. was a native of Kentucky, horn in December, 1\12, and when yet a boy settled in Monroe County.

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Ind., where he received the greater part of his schooling. While a member of the junior class in the State University. he quit college and for a time was engaged in school teaching in Switzerland County. but in 1533 located in Bedford, where he identified himself as an instructor in the public schools, occupying his spare hours in reading law. He was admitted to the Lawrence County Bar and soon afterward became associ- ated with Col. R. W. Thompson, ex. Secretary of the Navy, in the practice of his profession. While serving as Prosecuting Attorney of his circuit he became widely known. and being an ardent Whig in politics. became the nominee of his party for Congress. Although in a dis. trict strongly Democratic.he was elected after a heated contest by twenty. two votes, and served with marked ability. Succeeding this he was elected to the Indiana State Senate, but in 1552 resigned his seat to look after a large law practice which he could no longer neglect. In 1854 he becine an Independent candidate for Congressional honors, and after one of the most spirited campaigns in which Mr. Dunn was ever engaged he was elected with a majority of 1.660 votes. The exposure and hard work of this campaign were, no doubt. the ultimate cause of his death. He lived to serve in the session to which he had been elected. and died in September. 1557. regretted by many warm friends. Without flattery to the memory of Mr. Dann. it can be honestly said that he was possessed of legal and legislative attainments unsurpassed by any man of his day in Southern Indiana. He was an eloquent and effective speaker and a man of undoubted integrity and great personal courage.

ALEXANDER H. DUNIHUE. one of Bedford's oldest merchants and most respected citizens, was born at Marietta. Ohio. April 26. 1507. and is the oldest and only survivor of a family of eight children born to Dan- iel and Abigail (Pooh) Dunibne, and is a grandson of Daniel O'Donoghme who was a native of Northern Ireland. where he was identified with the Protestant religion. The latter emigrated to the United States at au early day and here the family name became changed to Dunihne. The father of Alexander H. removed from Marietta. Ohio, to near Columbus. in 1514. And from there three years later to what is now Carroll County. Ky. The fall of 1818. they settled at Paoli. Ind .. but seven months afterward moved to Livonia, in Washington County, where, after a residence of four years, they removed to Mooresville. In 1533 the family settled in Bed. ford. where Mr. Dunihne died in 1>50. preceded by his wife in 1546. Alexander H. Dunihue received the greater part of his education in a high school at Livonia, taught by Rev. W. W. Martin. a distinguished Presbyterian minister. While at Greenville. Muj. Isaac Stewart induced him to begin clerking in his store at 25 cents per day, and voluntarily increased it to 374 cents. then 30 cents and in 1826 sent him to take charge of a branch store at Bedford at $S7.50 and board and clothing per year. The second year he received with his board and clothes $150, and the third year $250, which at that time was enormous wages. During the third year the -tore was -old. after which he was employed by Daughton & Co., of New Albany to dispose of a $7.000 stock of goods at the mouth of Salt Creek. in Lawrence County. In 1830. he began clerking in the store of Col. William McLane, at Bedford, with whom he remained four years at $250 per annum: then accepted a position in the office of Register of Lands at Indianapolis, at much higher wages. In July, 1834. Mr. Duuiline returned to Bedford and was accepted as a partner by Col. MeLane, and in 1836. Ann MeLane, his partner's daughter, became

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his wife. Since 1834 -- fifty years-Mr. Dunihue has been constantiy and actively engaged in business in Bedford for himself, and at present is connected with one of the town's best business houses, known as Dnnihue & Sons. During this long and eventful career he has made considerable money and lost considerable, but out of the .de bris he has saved sufficient to keep himself and wife the remainder of their days in peace and plerty. Mrs. Donihue was born at Orleans, Ind .. in 1816. and for forty-eight years has been a member of the Presbyterian Church. During his life. Mr. Dunihue has made fourteen different trips to New Orleans, ten times on flat- boats. In politics he is a Republican. formerly a Whig. and there is no man more intimately connected with the history of Bedford than is Alexander H. Dunihne.

JOHN Y. DUNLAVY is a native of Montgomery County. Ky .. born July 15, 1504. the second of ten children of Daniel and Martha . Yoonm) Dunlavy; the father a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of Ken. tucky. John Y. passed his youth at hard work on his father's farm. securing little education, and at the age of twenty.two year- went to Henry County. Ind., and a little later to Wayne County, but sont: there. after came to Lawrence County. January S. 1529, he married Nancy Woolery, and to this union twelve children have been born. six how liv- · ing: Emily, wife of David S. Johnson: Rebecca, who married Robert Foster, deceased: Norval, who married Evaline Fish: Joseph L .. who married Flora R. Griffith: George C .. nummarried. and Margaret A .. wife of W. Reynolds. Mr. Danlavy was formerly a carpenter and wheel. wright, but his leading ocenpation has been farming. He own- eighty acres of good land. and is an influential Democrat, and has been for sixty years. He has been Justice of the Peace and is well respected.

LYCURGUS DUNCAN, born in this township. Angust S. 1635, the fourth child of eight of William and Mary H. (Malott) Duncan. remained with his parents on the farm. receiving an average education. antil he was eighteen years old. when for two years he attended the State l'hiver. sity at Bloomington, being forced then to leave owing to failing health and being forced to remain idle for about one year. He then tanght school and afterward entered a hardware store at Bedford. which estab. lishment was the first in the place. Eighteen months later he moved to the farm upon which he now lives. He has by good management and industry secured 400 neres of good lund. June 30, 1858. he married Sallie A. Bryant, who bore him eight children, six of whom are now liv- ing: Mary P., Morton, Sarah E., William. Carrie T .. and Nannie, all at home with their parents. March IS, 1579. Mrs. Duncan died, and March 8. 1883, he married Amanda E. Driscoll, who hus borne him one child. Kate. Mr. Dimena lins served as County Surveyor for fourteen years. He is a Republican. a Mason, and himself and wife are members of the Christian Church. His parents were nativos of Jefferson Comity. Ky. They reached Lawrence County, December 25. 1\25. The family is one of the best in the county.

WILLIAM EDWARDS was born in Ashe County. N. C .. June 18. 1&11, the ninth of twelve children born to Starling and Salit. . Cobb; Edwards. Our subject came to this State in 1827. and has been a resi- dent of this county ever since. In consequence of his father's death his educational facilities were limited, and he was cast ont upon the world to carve his own fortune, and well he has done it. July 15. 1533, he was Innrried to Elizabeth Fish, and to this union twelve children have been

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born, six of whom are now living: Serelda, who was united in marriage to Thomas Kilgore; Sallie, wife of B. F. Kilgore; John, who married Retta Williams: Lucien, whose wife was Martha Long; a son. who married Delilah Cariss; Virginia F., who married George Kinnick. Farming has always been his occupation, and he now owns 208 acres of land. Mr. and Mrs. Edwards are members of the Christian Church. and he is a Democrat, having in by.gone years taken quite an interest in political matters. He is well respected.

AUGUSTIN ELLIS. jeweler. was born August 30. 1836, in Hendricks County, Ind .. and is one of six children born to William and Sarah (Blackwell) Ellis, who were among the earliest settlers in Indiana from the Sonth. Mr. Ellis received such school privileges as were to be had at that enrly day in Indiana, and was left when young by the death of his parents to care for himself. In youth he learned the carriage-makers' trade. which he followed about four years in Canton, and Morgan County, Ind. He was engaged in business in Salem, Washington County, at the time of the famous Morgan raid in that locality, and was by Gen. Morgan taken prisoner. but soon after released Mr. Ellis was married April 15, 1-60, to Drusilla Green. and to their nnion six children were born. four of whom are now living: Samuel. Oliver, Magnolia and Angusta. June 12. 1874, be located in Bedford in the jewelry business. where he owns the store room where he is doing a prosperous business. and has a stock of goods valned at 86.000. Mrs. Ellis died April 6. 1876. and July 17. 1579. Mr. Ellis was married to Ellen LeForce. and by her is the father of one child. named Frank. Mr. Ellis is a member of the Methodist and his wife of the Presbyterian Church. He is a Democrat in politics, although he takes little interest in public affairs.

WILLIAM ERWIN, deceased, was a native of Randolph County. N. C .. from whence be emigrated with his family to Indiana Territory in IMP. locating in Clark County. In 1-15 he removed to Lawrence County. where he became widely known, serving for a time as County Indge. Previous to this he served as one of the Territorial Magistrates under Gov. Harrison. The eldest of his children and his name sake was the father of William Erwin. the present County Recorder. By Bishop Roberts, William the second was married to Elizabeth Dodd. a native of Kentucky, in March. I\35, and to them twelve children were born. Mr. Erwin was a farmer throughout life. a member of long stand. ing in the Methodist Church, and a man of undoubted honor and integ. rity. Early in life he espoused the Whig faith in politics, but in 1850 was one of seventeen in Marion Township who renounced their old party for Republicanism and cast their ballots for John C. Fremout for President. During the Rebellion he took advanced grounds for the pres- ervation of the Union. His death, which occurred November 19. ISSI, was univer-ully regretted. His oldest son, Hugh Erwin, was elected to the Indiana Legislature in 1960, at that time being the youngest member. but in 1961 resigned, and enlisted in the Twenty- fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was elected Captain of Company A. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, Port Gibson, Champion Hills and Vicksburg, but by reason of failing health was compelled to resign his commission. He was twice elected Treasurer of Lawrence County, and was afterward appointed Government Ganger by President Grant. He is now a resi- lent of Cherokee County, Kan. William Erwin, the third of that name here mentioned. and Hugh's brother, was born April 11. 1543, and with

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his brother was raised on a farm. July 9. 1S01. he enlisted in the same company and regiment as his brother, served through the Missouri cam- paign and was honorably discharged June 11, 1-62. For a time succeed- ing this he attended Asbury University at Greencastle, and in May, 1864, graduated from Bryant & Stratton's Business College at Indiana- polis. In this same month he became a member of Company E, One Hundred and Thirty sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, serving until the expiration of his term of enlistment. After this he served as Deputy Treasurer and Auditor two years, and in 1875 was appointed County Recorder to fill the nnexpired term of John F. Richards. In 1576 he was elected to this office and re-elected in ISS0 with an increased major- ity. Mr. Erwin is a stanch Republican, a Free Mason aud a member of the G. A. R. Max 15. 1576. Miss Flora A. Irwin became his wife, and Mary. born October 11. 1579. is their only child. His mother. now in her sixty-eighth year. and one sister. now live on the ohl homestead in Marion Township: two sisters in Eureka. Ill. His brother. Thomas Erwin, resides in Marion Township on his farm: one sister in Anchor- age. Ky .. one in North Vernon and one near Springville. Ind.

JAMES D. FARMER, born in Shawswick Township. July 21. 1521. is the eldest of three children of Michael and Jane (Stevenson) Farmer, both natives of Grayson Connty. Va., who settled in Lawrence County in 121. The father came to the wilderness with little property, but at the time of his death was worth about $10,10K). He and wife were esteemed citizens. At the age of nineteen. with a limited education. our subject began clerking in the dry goods store of samuel Irwin. Bedford, remain- ing seven years, then accepting a position as clerk in the State Bank at Bedford. continuing until the charter expired in 1954. October 1%. 1-49. he married Emeline R. Rawlins, who bore him seven chiklren. of whom the following six are living: Lucy J. (wife of A. B. Tressler). Frank, Charley D .. E. W .. Edward E. and Adda. the latter two being twins. Since leaving Bedford Mr. Farmer has been a farmer. and now owns over 500 acres of land. mostly well improved. He i- a prominent Republican, and an parne-t exponent of all movements to improve soci- ety. He and wife are members of the Methodi-t Episcopal Church.

ANDERSON FISH was born in Lincoln County, N. C., Junnary 17. 1515. and is the seventh of eleven children of William and Sarah Kale) Fish, natives of North Carolina, who came to Orange County. Ind .. in 1816, but in the spring of 1817 located where our subject now resides. The parents became honored citizens of the county. The father . William) was born in 1751 and died in 1555, full of years. revered by all. Our subject. at the age of twenty-two. with meager education, secured at the old subscription schools, married Melinda Loug. May 25, 1837. and this lady has borne him twelve children. of whom tou are liv- ing: John W., who married Eliza J. Bridgewater: Minerva. who married Charles Mason: Frances, wife of James Owen: Adolphus, who married Lydia Bridwell; Levi L .. who married Lydia Ragsdale: Oscar H .. who married Jane Anderson: Kate, wife of Lyenrgus Ferguson: Felix, who married Mary Pace: Virgil E., who married Carrie Stipp, and Lloyd E .. unmarried. September 26. 1982. Mrs. Fish died. aud October 30. 19\3, Mr. Fish married Nancy Nugent. He owns a fine farm of 550 acres. is a leading Democrat. and himself and wife are members of the Christian Church.

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WINTHROP A. FOOTE is a native of the town and county where be now lives and has always resided, his birth occurring December 15, 1832, one of five children born to Dr. Winthrop and Cynthia C. (Barlow) Foote. Dr. Winthrop Foote was born November 30, 1787, early in life graduating in both law and medicine, as well as the classics and sciences. He left Connecticut to seek his fortune in the West, and in 1816 located at old Palestine, in Lawrence County, Ind. Ten years later, on the removal of the county seat, he came to Bedford, where for a time he engaged in legal pursuits, and was elected State's Attorney. Preferring the practice of medicine to that of law, he resumed the practice of the former and made his home at Bedford until his death, August 2, 1856. Dr. Foote was a man far superior to his early associates in point of edu- cation and intellect. He acquired a large amount of property by indus- try, and May 22, 1823, was married. He at one time predicted that stone from what is known as the " Blue Hole " would be shipped to New York. This prediction. when there was no railroad or prospect of one in this part of the country, was remarkable. He lies buried by the side of his brother in a solid stone vault near Bedford. W. A. Foote, subject of this sketch. received a liberal education at Newton, Conn., and also took a commercial course at Cincinnati. He then clerked in Bedford five or six years; then embarked in business for himself with D. W. Parker, bis present partner, and their partnership has continued about twenty-two years. September 16, 1858, Juliet Curtis, of Newtown, Conn .. became his wife, and both he and wife belong to the Presbyte- rian Church. Although no children have been born to them, they have reared two, adopting one. Until the firing of Fort Sumter Mr. Foote was a Democrat; since then he has been a Republican.

COL. GEORGE W. FRIEDLY, one of the members of the Lawrence County Bar, was born in Harrison County, Ind., June 1, 1540, one of four children born to John M. and Sophia Friedly, who were both of Pennsylvania Dutch descent, settling in Harrison County in 1816, but afterward removing to Bartholomew County for the purpose of edu- cating their children; and it was there that onr subject received his edu- cation- in the Hartsville University. He was reared on a farm, and while yet a boy began reading law. In July, 1862, he enlisted in Com- pany I. Sixty.seventh Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served in the late war till its close, when he was honorably discharged August S. 1505. He was elected First Lieutenant of his company, and afterward pro- moted to Captain. with which rank he was discharged. After the war he located in Bedford. and began the practice of law. He was married to Edith Kelley January 16, 1567, and to their union have been born four children: Clara, Olive. Georgie and Emma. Mrs. Friedly is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is an A. F. & A. M. - Blue Lodge. Chapter, Commandery and Council-and a G. A. R. Col. Friedly has a fine practice, and is attorney for the L., N. A. & C. R. R. He is a Republican. that party having elected him to the Lower House of the Legislature, and afterward to the Senate. In 1872, at a special session, he was elected President of the Senate to fill the unexpired term of Lieut. Gov. Cumback. He ha- served as Chairman of the Republican State Central Committee: was a delegate to the Chicago Convention, and was tendered the position of Register of the Land Office at Helena, Mont., but declined.

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History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc, Part 28

Author: Goodspeed Brothers Publication date: 199-?] Publisher: [Salem, Mass. : Higginson Book Co.] Number of Pages: 954

Author: Goodspeed Brothers
Publication date: 199-?]
Publisher: [Salem, Mass. : Higginson Book Co.]
Number of Pages: 954