History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc, Part 32

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 32
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 32
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 32

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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his brother, Volney, at Paoli, and in 1846 began practicing in Bedford. Shortly thereafter he was appointed County Clerk, and in 1852 and 1856 was elected to that position in Lawrence County. In 1857 he resigned to become Cashier of the Bedford Bank, serving in the latter office until his death. September 14, 1504. He was a man of strict integrity and irreproachable character. To his union with Mary A. Braxtan, which occurred at Paoli, July 13. 1847, five sons and three daughters were born, six children and the inother yet living. Thomas V. Thornton, the eldest son of George A. and Mary A. Thornton. is the present nominee of his party for Clerk of Lawrence County. He was born at Paoli, May 21. IS4S, was educated in the public schools of Bedford, and in June, 1869, graduated from the classical course of Hanover College. He read law with Judge Pearson. took the junior course of lectures at the Law Depart- ment of the State University. and in 1871 was admitted to the Lawrence County Bar. With the exception of eighteen months, while dealing in real estate in Kansas, and three years while book-keeper in the National Bank at Evansville. Ind., he has always resided in Bedford, where he has been engaged in merchandising and saw milling. In 1881 he became interested in the Hoosier Stone Company, since when he has been its Secretary. March 21. 1872, Miss Annie N. Martin became his wife, and Clande M .. George D .. Charlotte and Marie are their children. Mr. Thornton is a Republican, a member of the F. & A. M., and he and wife belong to the Presbyterian Church.

COL. ARCHIBALD C. VORIS, of Bedford, was born in Switzerland County. Ind .. June 16, 1829, one of the eleven children of Cornelius R. and Mary ( Van Nuys) Voris. The parents were natives of Kentucky and settled in Indiana in 1824. Col. Voris received a common school educa- tion in the country schools of his native county, where he was raised upon the farm. In 1931 he began a course in Hanover College which he com- pleted in 1955, receiving the degree of A. B. and afterward that of A. M. Immediately after graduation he located in Bedford and taught school me year. In IS56 he was admitted to practice law at the Bar of Lawrence County, and in the following year he went to Harvard Univer- sity and attended the Dane Law School at that institution, in which he took a full conrse. He then returned to Bedford and formed a partner- ship with Judge Pearson in the practice of his profession. This con- tinned until July. 1502, when he was commissioned a Captain by the Pre-idont, and was assigned for duty on the staff of Gen. W. S. Han. cock. where he served until the close of the war. At the date of his dis- charge in May. INS. he held the commission of Brevet Lieutenant- Colom !. awarded "for gallant and faithful service on the field." On Noveluber 16. 1555. his marriage with Antoinette Rawlins was solemn- ized. and to their union two children have been born, only one. Joseph R .. now living. Upon his return from the army Col. Voris again engaged in the practice of law and at the same time studying languages, being abir to read with tuency the Greek. Latin. Hebrew. F'rench and Ger- mittD. For five years beginning in 1567. he was associated with Judge Frui- Wilson in his profession. In religion both he and his wife are influential members of the Presbyterian Church at Bedford. In politics, Col. Vori- has always been an ardent Republican, and was at one time candidate for Circuit Judge against Bicknell, but was defeated on account of the district being largely Democratic. In 1876 he was the candidate of his party for Judge of the Supreme Court, but with the State ticket

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that year was defeated. As a delegate to the National Convention at Chi- cago in 1860 he was one of the active men in securing the nomination of Abraham Lincoln. In 1882 he abandoned the practice of law on account of increasing business as a member of the Dark Hollow Stone Company.

JOHN C. VOSS. jeweler. is a native of Perry Township, Lawrence County, Iud., born June 3. 1849, one of two living children in a family of six born to William and Elizabeth (Cook) Voss who were among the early settlers in Lawrence County from Tennessee. Jonn C. Voss received a good common school education in the schools of his native county, and in the fall of 1565 moved to Bloomington, where one year later he began a course in the State I'niversity at that place. The spring of 1868 he began working at his trade, that of carpentering, which he had learned in early life with his father, and after this was engaged in clerk- ing in a drug store for some time. He then began for himself in the jewelry business in Paoli, Orange Co., Ind .. where he continued for about six months and then returned to Bloomington. In September, ISS1. he bought out George N. Rouse, and located in Bedford with a stock of jewelry valued at 82,000 which he has increased to the value of about $4,000. He is now known as one of the progressive and best business men of Bedford. October 5, 1SS2, he was married to Mary M. Hughes. and to their nnion one child -Maxwell H .- was born April 1. 1884. Mr. and Mrs. Voss are members of the Presbyterian Church and Mr. Noes is a member of the Blue Lodge in Masonry and a Republican in politic -.

HON. NATHANIEL WILLIAMS. a native of Ashe County, N. C., was born January 12, 1817. and when only nine months old came with his parents to Lawrence County, Ind., then an unbroken forest. His school- ing was limited to the primitive log cabin conducted on the subscription plan of that period, and when seventeen years old he began learning the blacksmith trade, following that vocation forty-five years. December 27. 1834, he married Rosanna Owens, who died November 25, 1839. leaving three children: Belinda. Exony and John. August 27. 1\40. Susannab Owens became his wife. and in 1852 they moved to Morgan County. but four years later returned to Lawrence County, which has since been Mr. Williams' home. Since 1856 he has passed the greater part of his life in merchandising, farming and working at his trade. the former being his present occupation. October 10, 1879, his second wife died after bearing him eight children. only three-William J., Martha F. and M. E .- yet living. Miss Ella Shaw became his present and third wife Octo- ber 28. 1880. "Uncle Nat," as he is familiarly called, is one of the well-known and esteemed men of the county as well as one of its first pio- neers. He is a Democrat in politics, has been twice elected Justice of the Peace, and in 1862 was elected Representative. For fifteen years he belonged to the Christian Church, but for the past fifteen years has attil- iated with the Missionary Baptists, serving as local preacher in each denomination.

JOHN WILLIAMS is a native of Shawswick Township, and was born November 27. 1842. the third of three children born to Nathaniel and Rosanna (Owens) Williams, the father a native of North Carolina. and the mother of Kentucky, who came to this county in Is17. Passing youth without noteworthy event and with meager education, John at the . age of nineteen years began life's battle for himself. Angust 17. 1505. he married Sarah J. Fish. Three of their tive children are now living :

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Emma C., Sudie M. and Minerva C., all at home. July 8, 1874. Mrs. Williams died, and July 15, J\75. he married Mary A. Fish. The issue is three children-Lutie ML., Ella J. and Anna M. MIr. Williams through- ont life has followed farming. He now owns 120 acres of good laud. He is a Republican. and he and family are members of the Christian Church. Angust 6. 1562, he enlisted in Company G. Fourth Cavalry. and served for three years, and was mustered out as Corporal July B. 1865. He was at the battle of Chickamauga, and participated at Resaca and Atlanta, and in MeCook's raid and in minor actions. His military record is a good one.

COL. VINSON V. WILLIAMS. a native of Lawrence County, and ex-Sheriff. is one of four children born to David and Aun (McClelland . Williams. his birth occurring March 28, 1541. David Williams was a native of North Carolina. and came to Lawrence County. Ind., with his father. Maj. Vinson Williams. in ISIS. His wife's parents were natives of Ireland. from whence they came to this country in 1702, locating in Pennsylvania, where Mrs. Williams was born. In 1819 they settled at Old Palestine. in Lawrence County. Ind. Here Col. Williams' parents were married April 21. 1836, and their respective deaths occurred in this county January 9. 1857. and October 19. 1877. V. V. Williams received only the advantages of the common schools in youth. April 19, 1861. he enlisted in Company B. Eighteenth Regiment Indiana Volunteer In. fantry-the first company raised in Lawrence County for the late war- and served through the battles of Pea Ridge, Cotton Plant, Port Gibson. siege of Vicksburg. Fort Esperanza and other important engagements. At Port Gibson he was three times wounded. and of the thirty-four men then comprising the company twenty.two were wounded or killed. He was discharged May 1, 1863. and on his return home recruited what became Company B. Forty- fifth Regimeut. of which he was elected Cap. tain ou organization. At the organization of the regiment he was com. missioned Major by Gov. Morton and in June. 1565, was promoted Lien- tenant-Colonel. In this capacity he served until January, 1566. when he was honorably discharged. Since the war he has been engaged in varions pursuits, principally farming. May 16. 1967, Miss Mary Owen became his wife, and Walter C., Minnie N .. Nora A. and John D. are their children. Col. Williams is a Sir Knight in Masonry and a life-long Republican. In 1968 was elected County Sheriff, serving four years. and for eight years was Deputy United States Marshal under Messrs. Spooner and Dudley.

JUDGE FRANCIS WILSON, of the Tenth Judicial Circuit of Indi- ana. was born in Scott Conuty. Ind., February 19. 1537. second of seven children born to Thomas B. and Ann (Lowry) Wilson, early settler, of Indiana. the former being a tanner, at which trade Francis was bronght up. After the age of fifteen years our subject taught school for about five years: during a portion of the time, however, he attended Hanover College. In 1857 he went to Illinois, where for two years he taught school and surveyed: also began the study of law there, borrowing books from Judge Breese. He then taught and studied for a couple of year- at Paoli. Orange County, and in 1542 was admitted to practice at the bar of that county. afterwurd forming a connection with Col. A. M. Black. now of Terre Haute, until 1567. when he located in Bedford. forming a partnership with Col. A. C. Voris, and afterward with Hon. Moses F. Dunu. which la-ted until he was elected Judge in 1579. The

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Judge in early life was a Republican, but has been a Democrat since 1872. As an evidence of the estimation in which Judge Wilson is held, it is only necessary to state that the judicial district over which he has been called to preside is not only a large one, but is Republican. Octo. ber 24. 1861, he married Miss Mary White. daughter of Dr. Cornelius White, of Paoli, and one child has been born to him-Laura, born in July, 1862.

WILLIAM C. WINSTANDLEY is one of four children of John B. and Penina (Stewart) Winstandley. and was born January 25. 1541. at New Albany. Ind., where his father and grandparents setiled in ISIS. In boyhood he attended the public schools of his native town, and when sixteen years old came to Bedford and was employed in the old State Bank at a salary of $100 per year and board. In 1860 he was elected Cashier of the Bank of Salem at Salem, Ind., serving as such three years. and the succeeding year was an assistant in the office of the Provost Marshal at New Albany. In September. 1564, be returned to Bedford and was made Cashier of the .. Bank of the State." and from that time until the present has been connected with all subsequent banks at Bed. ford as an official. Mr. Winstnudley, as a citizen of Bedford, has been identified in the growth and prosperity of the town, and was a member of the first Board of School Trustees, a position he held eleven succes. sive years. during which time two large school buildings were erected. In politics he is a Democrat, and he and wife belong to the Christian Church. Besides occupying his present position in the Bedford Bank. he is President of the Hoosier Stone Company, Vice- President and Treas. urer of the Bedford & Bloomfield Railroad Company and a Director in the Southwestern Overland Telephone and Telegraph Company. the Ken. tucky & Indiana Bridge Company, the New Albany Steam Forge Work -. the New Albany Water works and the New Albany Banking Company. In March. 1864, Mr. Winstandley and Mi -- Alice MI .. daughter of Jesse A. Mitchell, were united in marriage, and to them two children have been born, named Jesse M. and John B.

WILLIAM P. YOUNGER. a native of Nicholas County. Ky .. wa- born March 23. 152S. being the eldest of twelve children of Lowi- nud Nancy (Crose) Younger, both untive- of Kentucky, who came to this county in 1832, settling where our subject now re-ide -. William P. remained on his father's farm until the age of righteen years. obtaining limited schooling. but at that age began for him-elf. November 11, 1848. he married Delilah Rogers, who has borne him three children. two of whom are now living: Lucretia J .. the wife of Caleb Cupp-, and Alice, who became the wife of Jasper Kern. February 14, IS57. Mrs. Younger died. and November 22. 1557. he was united in marriage with Elvira lieed. and to thi- union the following i -- ne ha- beeu horn: Addison. Kitty, Minnie. Charlie. Lillie and May. May 22, 1571. hi- second wife died. and August 16. 1573. he married Phelis-a A. Fisher, Woody, who has borne him three children, two living: Aylett R. and J. N. Mr. Younger is successful in farming. owning 200 acres of land. They are members of the Christian Church. He is a Republican. Hi- grand. father was a soldier in the Revolution.

JOHN YOUNGER was born in Nichola- County. Ky .. July 15. 1530. being the second of twelve children of Lewis and Nancy (Cro-et Younger (see biography of W. P. Youngert. He remained at home with his par- euts on their farm during youth. securing a fair education. and at the

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age of eighteen years began doing for himself. October 2, 1851, he was united in marriage with Mary A. Ragsdale, and to this union the follow. ing four children were born: David A .. Cora, who became the wife of Dewitt C. Leatherman, since deceased; William O., who married Celes. tia J. Ramsey, and Benjamin. On the 25th of November. 1860, Mrs. Younger died. and November 19. 1863, Mr. Younger married Kittie E. Ramsey, who has borne him two children: Robert L. and Mary H. He owns a good farm of 160 acres, mostly well improved and stocked. He own- fine horses and jacks. He and family are members of the Christian Church, and he is a Republican and a member of the Odd Fellow fraternity. He has been Justice of the Peace for two terms, and is a prominent farmer and citizen.

MICHAEL YOUNGER is a native of Nicholas County. Ky .. and wa- born July 3. 1532. He is the third child of twelve born to Lewis and Nancy (Crose) Younger (see biography of W. P. Younger). Michael pa-el his youth at hard work on his father's farm. He did not have the advantages of the present of getting an education, and was forced to take what he could get by a limited attendance at the old subscription -chowi -. At the age of eighteen he began work for himself. April 23, 1855. he married Mary Thorn, who bore bim nine children. seven being now living: Isis, who married Levi Keithley: Andrew J .. who married Clara El-ton: Nannie, who became the wife of Joel Hobbs: Elizabeth. Carrie. Cornelia and Thomas. Mr. Younger is a prosperous farmer with 160 acres of well stocked and improved land. He and family are mem. bers of the Christian Church. He is an influential Republican and a leadling citizen.

MARION TOWNSHIP.

BURTON FAMILY. The Burton family in the United States. num- berme at the present time over 80.000, are of English and Welsh origin. The first authentic neconnt we have of the family in this country is the settlement of four brothers-Jobn. Richard. Thomas and Allen-near the present site of Richmond, Va., in the year 1655. All purchased large tracts of land in what is now Henrico County. except Thomas. and all married and reared large families. many of whom became dis. tingai-hed in military and civil life. among whom might be mentioned Col -. Robert and Hutchins Burton, who served on Gen. Washington's staff' in the war of the Revolution, and the latter as Governor of South C'ais linn after that war. William Burton, brother of Gideon Burton. a wh bale boot and shue dealer of Cincinnati, was Governor of Rhode Island, and the Jate Allen A .. of Illinois, and John W .. of Tennessee, were jurists of recognized ability. the former being the only man in his county in Kentucky who voted for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. "Old Alw " afterward made him Minister to Chili. John Burton, of Virginia, was a noted Baptist divine. The family is represented in all the tradive. professions and different departments of business. the largest Eutuber. however, being engaged in agricultural pursuits. In the late war they furnished their proportion of the army, rank and file. from Major General to private. Some of the family fought for the " lost

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cause," but whether willingly cr not the writer of this was unable to learn. Those residing in North Carolina. Kentucky and Tennessee, however. were largely represented in the Union Army. The Burtons residing in this portion of Indiana are descendants of Richard Burton. n native of the Old Dominion. who soon after the war of the Revolution removed with his family to Ashe County. N. C. His son. John P., was born in Virginia, July 5. 1758, and was married in Ashe County, to Miss Susannah Stamper. who was born August 22. 1767. To them were born the following children: Richard. Patsey, Allen, John. Mary, David, Will- iam, Hutchins, Hardin, Zachariah. Ann. and Eli and Isom, twins. Of this large family only the three youngest sons are now living. John P. Bur- ton came with his family to this county in 1826. locating on the farm now owned by Ransom Burton. Mr. Burton died July 4, 1836, and Mrs. Burton Angust 10, 1545. They were people of the highest respectability. and had the love and respect of all who kuew them. Mr. Burton was a member of the Masonic Order, and a great admirer of that ancient iusti- tution. Besides rearing thirteen children of their own. John P. and wife reared six orphan children, doing and caring for them as though they were their own. All their children married and reared large famil- ies. William, one of the sons, was married. in Ashe County. N. C., to Miss Obedience Reeves, and in 1826 came to this county, locating on the farm now owned by their son. John W., which they soon afterward made their home, and where nine of their family of fifteen children were born. William was one of the best-known and most prominent of John P. Bur- ton's sons. He was an unswerving Democrat. and represented Lawrence County in the State Legislature. He assisted in many of the early Jand surveys, and was a useful and progressive citizen. He died September 20. 1546. and his wife July 28, 1533. Several of their children now reside in the county, among whom are Alfred. Allen C .. Eli and John W. Alfred was born in Ashe County, N. C., September 22, 1\16, and came with his parents to this county in 1528. and in 1542 was married to Miss Hannah E., daughter of the late Hugh Hamer. To them were born eleven children: Hugh H., Mary E., Caroline O, William. Felix Gi .. Catharine, Alice A., George C., Theodosin. Josephine and Oscar J. Alfred Burton has always followed farming. and is one of the county's most worthy citizens. Eli, brother of Alfred, was boru in Ashe County. N. C .. October 2. 1822: was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Koons, Angust 15. 1850. She died June 27, 1877. The following children were born to them: Henry A. and Nancy J., living: Franklin P .. Delana, Florence. Eli G .. Laura E., and two infants deceased. In 1979 Mr. Burton married Mrs. Elizabeth (Brown) Taylor. Mr. Barton owns a good farm and is a practical and successful farmer and stock-raiser. Allen C. was born in the township in which he now resides, January 12. 1827. and received the benefits of a common school education. Septem. ber 10. 1540, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Holmes, a native of Lawrence County, and to them were born four sons: William S., Joseph R .. Zachariah T. and Charles W. Mrs. Burton died Febrn. ary 3. 1554. Mr. Burton was united in marriage with Miss Sarah A. Richards, November 16, 1854. She was born in Jackson County, Ind .. in 1530. Six children were the fruits of this nnion: James B., Alonzo. Sallie O .. Indiana. Lydia and Della. Allen C. voted with the Demo. cratic party until the breaking out of the late war, since which he has voted with and zealously labored for the success of the Republican party.

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He has twice appraised the real estate of Lawrence County, has been one of its Commissioners, and has held other positions of honor and trust. He has given his children liberal educations, and has taken an active and leading part in the advancement of all enterprises that go to build up the country or benefit his fellow-man. He served as Second Lieutenant in Company H. Sixty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in the late war, but after 'one year of active service was discharged on account of physical disability. He has always been engaged in agricult- ural pursuits, and is one of the county's most progressive and useful cit. izens.

John W. Burton was born upon the old homestead in Marion Township, October 12. 182S. which has always been his home. He received a common school education, and December 14, 1854, was united in marriage with Miss Nancy J. Baker, a native of Orange County, Ind., her birth occurring April 27, 1830. Eight children have been born to them: Volney T .. Obedience, Douglass, Clara E., Mary L., Edgar. Jesse L. and Virgil. Mr. Burton owns a well-improved farm of 350 acres. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and during the war did much to encourage the boys in the field and keep up a strong loyal sentiment at home. He liberally contributes to all laudable public enterprises and is one of the leading farmers and public-spirited citizens of the county. Rich- ard Burton, eldest child of John P. and Susannah (Stamper) Burton, was a native of Ashe County, N. C., and there was married to Miss Nancy Edwards, and to them were born these children: John, Jane, Young. Rob- ert. Noah. David E., James, Celia. Hiram. Susan, Mary, Cynthia and Timanza. Richard Burton and wife were well and favorably known to the carly settlers, and were people of the highest worth. David E., fifth son born to these parents, is a native of Ashe County, N. C .; his birth occurring August 26, 1815. His educational advantages were very limited. and from early childhood he was accustomed to bard work. He was married July 29, 1844, to Miss Catharine, daughter of Joseph and Margaret (McBride) Conley. both natives of the old North State, as was their daughter, whose birth occurred January 2, 1S28. Twelve children have been born to David E. Burton and wife: Timanza, Joseph, Margaret, Nancy A., Phoebe. Richard. Susan, Rebecca, Jincie, Naomi, Frances and Henry. David E. has been a life-long Democrat. He is a self-made man. and one of the wealthiest farmers in Lawrence County, owning at the present time nearly 2,000 acres of land. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and an upright and useful man. Other members of Richard Burton's family reside in the county, and are among its most worthy and honored citizens. Rev. Hardin Burton, ninth of John P. Burton's children, was born in North Carolina, in 1705. He came to Indiana in 1527, and settled near Bloomfield, Greene Co. He was thrice married. his first wife being Miss Jennie Reeves, who bore him the following children: Jackson, John, Singleton, Chaney, Aun and Jane. His second wife was Wliss Lucy Maxwell, to whom he was married in 1835. The following children were born to this union: George W .. Nancy, James, Eli. Isom. Hardin and William J. In 1852 he married Miss Kisiah McBride, who still survives him. In 1834 he came to Lawrence County, and engaged in farming and stock-growing. In 1843 he was licensed to preach and two years later was ordained a minister of the Baptist Church, and from this date on gave much of his time to his professional duties, and did much to build up the churches

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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 32

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