History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc, Part 36

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 36
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 36
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 36

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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living nntil 1856. David L. was reared on a farm, receiving such edu- cation as the schools of those days afforded. At the age of twenty-one years he started in life for himself and withont mnuch of this world's goods. less than 100 acres of land, since which time he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits, paying considerable attention to stock-raising, and of late years also to saw.milling. By close attention to business, careful management and keen business foresight. he has become the largest land owner and one of the wealthiest citizens in the county, owning about 4. (k) acres. Mr. Sheeks has been married three times, and is the father of a large family. His first wife was Miss Syl- vania Lewis, a native of this county. She was a daughter of Robert Lewis, who settled in Clarke County, Ind .. in 1811. To this union were born eight children: John W., Delbert, Edward, Martha, Isom, Frank- lin P., Priscilla. and an infant unnamed. His second wife was Miss Susan Horsey, a native of Martin County. Ind., and a daughter of James Horsey. who settled in Martin County. Ind., in 1815. She hore him ten children: Mary. George Canotte. Halbert J .. Laura, Homer, David I ... Rose, Albert. Isaac Lawrence and Wade. His third wife was Miss Melinda Payne, a native of Martin County, Ind., and a daughter of Riley l'arne. an early settler in Lawrence County, who came from South Carolina. She bore him two children: Sallie and Everett. In politics Mr. Sheeks has always been a Democrat. His son. John W' .. was in Company D. Sixteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. and was its color. bearer. He lost his life while serving his country. Mr. Sheeks has twice been elected to the responsible position of County Commissioner. in which office he has proven himself capable and efficient, having saved to the county many dollars by his financial ability. He is now a candi- date for that office. During the time of his official life he superintended the building of the County Infirmary and other public improvements.

WILLIAM H. TAPP, druggist and grocer, was born in Louisville, Ky .. March 23. 1548, son of James P. and Eliza J. (Clark) Tapp. natives of Kentucky. The father died in Mitchell in ISSI. his wife having passed away the year previously: he was Captain of Company D. Thirty- fourth Kentucky Volunteer Infantry. Subject's parents removed to Mitchell when he was fifteen years of age, and there he learned the trade of marble-cutter. afterward working in Lonisville for some months. when he returned to Mitchell. where he has since resided. In December. 1570. he and father opened a drug store. and the father dying in ISS1. the business has been continuel by himself. carrying a good stock and loing a good business. In ISSI he was appointed Notary Public, and in 1982 he was elected Trustee of Marion Township. He is Secretary of the Mit- chell Building. Loan and Saving- Association, and has been for many years P. S. of Mitchell Lodge. No. 242. I. O. O. F .: is Scribe of Law- reuce Encampment, and served as Secretary of Mitchell Agricultural Association. He is a Democrat. Is leader of the Mitchell Silver Band. being u fine musician.

HENRY C. TRUEBLOOD is descended from John Trueblood. who migrated from England to America in 1700, settling in Camden County. N. C. His wife's name was Agnes, and they had two sons, Amos and John. who married and reared large families, and their descendants are to be found ju almost every state in the Union. They were God-fearing, liberty.loving people, and held to the religions tenets of the Friends or Quakers, and left the Old World on account of religious persecution.

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They were always opposed to the institution of Slavery, and many of them settled in Orange and adjoining counties in Indiana. Josiah True- blood. father of Henry C., was twice married; his first wife was Miss Lydia Bowden, who bore him seven children; his second wife was Miss Rachel Field, daughter of Jeremiah and Margaret (Wilson) Field, who came to Washington County, Ind., soon after the war of 1812. By the second marriage there were four children, one of whom, Henry C .. is the subject of this sketch. Mr. Trueblood came to Lawrence County in an early day. settling near Bryantsville, where he followed farining. He died in 1854. His wife survives him and resides in Marion Township. Henry C. Trueblood was born in Spice Valley Township, November 15, 1849. He was brought up on the farm and received the benefits of a good common education. He was united in marriage with Miss Millie F. Hall. March 11, 1572. This lady was born in Marion Town- ship. November 13, 1849. MIr. Trueblood owns a farm of 100 acres. which he farms in a practical and successful manner. He also pays considerable attention to raising and grazing cattle and other stock. He has taught several terms of school and is one of the intelligent and pro- gressive men of Lawrence County. In politics be is a stauch Repub- lican.

JONATHAN TURLEY is a native of this township. born May 2. 1827. son of Benjamin and Parmelia (Wright) Turley. The grand. parents came early to Barren Conuty, Ky .. and in 1824 to this county, locating at Palestine. Here the grandfather. Aaron. died. One of his children was Benjamin, the father of Jonathan. The father married Miss Wright of Orange County; was a prominent and useful citizen and farmer: was an Old Line Whig and a Republican, and was once Captain of Militia. Ten of his twelve children grew up. Jonathan is a self. mule man. His youth was spent on the farm and in attendance at the subscription schools. He selected the occupation of farming and his success is shown by his 430 acres and comfortable home. . In 1\79 he began the distillation of brandy and some whisky. making from 600 to 1. Si) gallons per year. December 29. 1549. he married Julia A. Hall. who was born in this conuty in 1928. They have four children: Mary F .. Sarah J., Robert B. and Eliza A. Mr. Turley i- a Republican. The will is known as Daisy Spring Mill. and is doing a good business as it did in early times. Mr. Turley is just commencing to burn lime on nu extensive scale. He is an industrions and prosperous man.

AARON TURLEY. This gentleman was born in Orleans Township. Orange Co .. Ind., June 10, 1554. He is the son of Benjamin nud Par. melia ( Wright) Turley. appropriate mention of whom is made in another part of this work. Aaron Turley was reared on hi- father's farm, receiv- ing a common school education. He was united in marriage with Miss Dora MI. Hardman. May 9, 1575. She was born. June 25. 155%. in Orange County, Ind., and is the daughter of John and Sarah ( Reed) Hardman. early settlers of that conuty. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Turley: Uon B. and Ralph H. Mr. Turley owns n well improved farm of 212 acres, and raises good stock of all kinds. He bas never aspired to any political preferment. but is an unswerving Repub- lican. He is a member of the Christian Church. n man of good moral- and habits. und a useful and influential citizen.

THOMAS W. WELSH is a native of Erie County, Penn .. his birth occurring June IS, 1551. His parents. Timothy and Annie ( White)

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Welsh, were natives of Limerick County, Ireland, where they were reared and married. Soon after this event they immigrated to this country, and located at Erie. Penn .. where they remained three years, and then moved to North Vernon, Ind., and after two years removed to Poston. Ripley County, which they have since made their home. They reared a large family. and are people of great social and moral worth. Thomas W. received a common school education, and while yet a boy began to do for himself. His first job was carrying water when a boy for track-men and other employes on the railroad. This he did so well and faithfully that he found employment of this kind for five years. At sixteen years of age he went to work with the other employes, receiving a man's wages, and two years later was promoted to the position of foreman of a gang of men on construction and repairs of the road-bed, a position he filled a number of years with much credit. In 1879 be was given the position of supervisor of track of division C on the Ohio & Mississippi Rail. way, a position he now holds and efficiently fills. He was united in mar- riage with Miss Jennie Cox, May 12, 1877. This lady was born in Rip. ley County, Ind., January 30, 1856. Five children have been born to them, viz .: Thomas E., Genevieve P., and three that died in infancy. Mr. Welsh is a Democrat. a member of the Town Council, and of the Masonic order.

EDWIN WOOD, grocer, was born in Randolph County, N. C., Octo. ber 31. 1815, son of Zebedee and Hannah (Brower) Wood, natives of North Carolina. In 1818 our subject came with his parents to Lawrence County, who settled in Marion Township, the father being born in 1791, and dying in 1872. his wife also dying the same year. Our subject remained at home farming till he was twenty-five years of age. when he purchased 160 acres of land, where he remained till be located the town of Woodville. He was also engaged contracting on the railroad, starting a store at the same time. and in addition ran a mill. In 1877 he came to Mitchell and opened a store, which he still runs. He has been twice married. first in Lawrence County, February 25, 1841, to Mary E. Sheeks, a native of this county. born November 12, 1824; she died September 7, 1857, leaving six children: Anselm. George Z., John B., Hannab E., Malinda and Thomas J. June 24. 1558, he married Mary L. Brooks, in Orange County. Ind. Mr. Wood was appointed First Lieutenant of the company of this township, when he was twenty three years of age. He is one of the pioneers of this section, and does a very fair business. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for fifty years, and is a Republican in politics.

GEORGE Z. WOOD, editor of the Mitchell Commercial. was born in Lawrence County. Ind., October 15, 1844. where he was reared and edu- cated. At the age of fourteen years he entered Mitchell Seminary. where he remained three years. and then went to farming. In 1863 he enlisted in Company H. One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, serving as Corporal, three months. In April, 1864, he again enlisted. in Compuuy D. One Hundred and Forty-fifth Regi. ment, Indiana Volunteer Infuutry, and was with his regiment when it released the Andersonville prisoners. He was Sergeant of his company. He was engaged in saw-milling three years, and then clerked awhile, when he and his brother formed a partnership which lasted a year. He again became a partner in business, until abont 1576, at which time he was appointed Assistant Postmaster. afterward being appointed Post-

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master. In October, 1583. be purchased the Commercial, and has made it an excellent paper. It was established in 1565. In 1979 he was elected City Councilman. In connection with his other business. Mr. Wood is engaged in the wholesale book and stationery trade. being suc. cessor to Anderson & Hamilton. In 1550 be established a coal-yard in Mitchell, which he still operates. July 6. 1576. he was married to Naomi Z. Hutchinson, a native of Harrison County. Ind., and by this union have been born two children: Grace A. and Francis E., the latter being deceased. Mr. Wood is an A. F. & A. M .. and an I. O. O. F.

ANSELM WOOD, of the firm of A. Wood & Co., was born in Law. rence County. Ind., October 13. 1542. the first of six children born to Edwin and Mary E. (Sheeks) Wood. natives respectively of North Caro- lina and Indiana. Subject completed his education at the Baptist Semi- nary at Mitchell. In 1561 he enlisted in Company I. Fiftieth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the following battles: Parker's Cross Roads, and a forty days' fight in Arkansas. He was pro- moted to Sergeant, and discharged ut Indianapolis in Jannary. 1965. After the war he engaged in the boot and shoe trude, then in the grocery business. and finally in dry goods business. first being a partner with D. L. Sheeks, and in 1870 the firm assumed the name A. Wood & Co .. and now carries a stock of abont $12.000. Mr. Wood also owns a farm of 100 acres. He has been Township and School Trustee. He was married in Lawrence County in September. 1566, to Miss Mary J. Pless, daugh- ter of John F. and Rebecca J. (Daviess) Pless, and of this union eight children have been born: Fannie, Oscar. Stella. Jesse. Auron F., Will- iam R .. Rebecca J. and Lawrence A. The family are member- of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Wood is a Republican. He served as Postmaster under President Johnson's administration.

AARON WRIGHT was born in went i- now known as Orleans Town. ship, Orange Co., Ind .. May 3. ISIG. His parents were Jonathan and Sarah (Reed) Wright. Jonathan's father was a resident of Virginia. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. fighting for American Inde- pendence, and was killed in battle. He left a widow and quite a family of children, who separated, some of them being bound ont. Such was the fate of Jonathan, who. when a boy. removed with the man to whom he was bound from Virginia to Kentucky. Hore he was reared. He was married there to Miss Sarah Reed, and in the fall of IS15 brought his family to Indiana. and located two miles east of Orleans, Orange County. He served in the war of 1512 against the Indians. He was the father of eleven children. Both he and his wife are now dend. Their lives were spent on a furm, Jonathan devoting part of his time to carpentering. In politics he was an Old Line Whig. During his life he held positions of honor and trust. and both he and his wife were highly esteemed by all. Aaron Wright was reared on a farm: received u com- mon school education, which was mostly proenred by attending subscrip- tion schools. At the age of twenty-one sears he started in life for him- self by engaging in farming, which he ba- since f. Howed. Like many of our prominent men, he began life a poor ky, with no capital. In 1835 he located where he now lives, in Marion Township. He owns 30 Heres of fine land. und ha- aided his children in preventing farms. Ou November 1. 153%. be married Miss Jane Hall, who was born in Orange County. Ind .. June 4. 1517. To them were born eight children: Per- melin. Emily. Elijah. Henry C .. Grem. T .. Siral E .. Rhoda E. and

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Elmer E. Elijab, Henry C. and Green T. served in the late Civil war. Elijah went out with the Twenty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infan- try. Company G. but was transferred to a colored regiment as First Lieutenant. and died while serving his country. Henry C. was also a member of Company G, Twenty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was at Fort Blakeley and participated in a number of other engage- ments. He served until the war closed. Green T. went out with the One Hundred and Seventeenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. serving one hundred days. Mr. Wright is one of the best farmers in the county. In politics he is a Republican : prior to the organization of which party he had always been a Whig. He is the Republican candidate for County Commissioner, a position he is eminently qualified to fill. He is also a Mason. and has ever taken a great interest in all projects which had for their object the country's good. He took an active part in sustaining the boys in the field during the war, and is one of the leading and influen- tial citizens of the county.

HENRY C. WRIGHT was born in Marion Township, Lawrence Co .. Ind .. December 31, 1844. He was raised on the farm and received a common school education. After the war, in which he served with gallantry, he returned home and engaged in agricultural pursuits, to which he has since devoted his life. He owns a farm of 150 acres. He was united in marriage with Miss Clara A. Murray, January 20, 1872. She was born in Marion Township. Lawrence Co., Ind., April 6, 1854, and i- a daughter of Isaac and Sophia A. (Hall) Murray. To this union have been born three children-Otto. Robert and Homer. Henry C. is a Republican in politics, and a member of the G. A. R. order. He has always aimed to keep good stock, and has some of the finest in the county. He takes great interest in educational matters and is a highly respected, public-spirited citizen. Messrs. Aaron and Henry C. Wright have the best short-horn cattle in this section of the State. They have spared no pains nor expense in promoting the cattle interests of the county, and to them is due a large share of the praise bestowed upon the cattle-growers of this section for the fine cattle raised.

JONATHAN H. WRIGHT was born in Orleans, Orange Co., Ind .. December 17. 1842. He was the son of Washington and Martha A. (Griffith) Wright; former a native of Kentucky, latter of New York. They were married in Washington County. Ind., and raised a family of eight children. The father of Washington Wright was named Jonathan, who, in 1815. in the fall of the year, settled in Orange County. Washington Wright tanght school and clerked in a country store when a young man. He was an Ohl Line Whig; was a man of ability and very progressive. He died in Orange County. June 17, 1556. His wife still survives him. re-idling on the old homestead. Jonathan H. Wright passed his boyhood days on the farm: received a common school education. Enlisted in Company G. Twenty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served three years: participated in numerous engagements. the principal one Iwing that of Shiloh. Three brothers -- William H., James H. and Elijab M., the two former of whom died-were also in their country's service. After the war Jonathan joined the family in Orange County. and engaged in agricultural pursuits, which he has since followed. In 1>>I he purchased the farm upon which he now resides, and moved from Orange County to occupy it. It contains 250 acres, the amount paid therfor having been almost entirely accumulated by himself. On January

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17. 1867, he was married to Miss Polly J. Hardman, who was born in Orange County, Ind., April, 1843. To them have been born two children: Harry W. and Orra C. In politics Mr. Wright is a Republican. He is a member of the Christian Church; also of the G. A. R. order. He is well known, highly respected, and takes great interest in educational affairs and public enterprises.

INDIAN CREEK TOWNSHIP.

ABNER ARMSTRONG is a native of the township, where he yet resides, born January 20, 1828. James Armstrong, his father, was born in the year 1800, and when this county was yet new made settlement within its borders, and died in 1866. The early life of Abner Armstrong was passed upon the farm of his parents and in attendance upon the dis. trict schools of that day, and since 1849 he has been doing for himself. It is only necessary to add that Mr. Armstrong now owns over 1, 400 acres of good land, besides other valuable property, to show that he has made this life a success. He not only is one of the county's wealthiest citizens but one of its most enterprising as well. taking advanced steps in the welfare of all landable public enterprises, and contributing liberally from his means to this end. In 1SS1 he completed the erection of a fine, large, frame dwelling on his place, which is the best residence in the township, and reflects credit upon himself as its architect. His marriage with Miss Jeannette Boone, a native of Indiana, and the daughter of Col. Noah and Jane (Rhodes) Boone, who were natives of Pulaski County, Ky., was solemnized in 1852. and five children have blessed them, named: Alvin B., Walter (deceased), Daniel (deceased). Flora F. and Laura C. In politics Mr. Armstrong is an unswerving Republican, formerly a Whig, casting his first Presidential ballot for Gen. Winfield Scott. In 1878 he was elected Township Trustee, and in ISSI was appointed to that office to fill an unexpired terin. Both he and wife are members of the Christian Church.

HORACE N. ARMSTRONG was born October S. 1552. a sou of W. S. and Clementine (Boone) Armstrong. He is a native of Indian Creek Township, this county, the eldest living in a family of six children, and is of Scotch-Irish descent. He was reared to manhood on his parents' farm secured a good common school education in youth, and has taught both in the district schools and vocal music. In 1873 he located where he now lives, and where he owns 200 acres of good farming and grazing land. To his marriage with Miss Martha E. Tincher, which occurred in 1972. Que child was born, named Opal. The mother dying in August. 1596. Mr. Armstrong married Miss Matilda Hermon, a native of Muskingum County. Ohio. in 1877. To this marriage two children have been born -Edgar and Wesley C. Mr. Armstrong and wife are members of the Christian Church. and he is a Republican in politics,

JACOB BOSSERT was born in Germany in IS3, son of John and Christiana (Zigler) Bossert: is the third in a family of five children. Mr. Bossert came to America in 1957. and settled in the old Pennsyl. vania State, and there remained two years, and then came to Indiana

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and located in Bedford. Lawrence County, where he remained about ten vears. and then removed to bis present place in Indian Creek Township. The major part of the life of Mr. Bossert has been spent at carpentering. and as an architect he has had few superiors in Lawrence County. For several years Mr. Bossert has been giving his entire attention to agri. culture and stock-raising. He owns more than 200 acres of well improved land, and in addition he has control of the famous Williams farm. Mr. Bossert was married in 1867 to Miss Macena R. Williams, a native of Lawrence County. To this union bave been born three children. viz. : Lydia. Katie and Perry. The subject of this mention enlisted in the United States Army in May, 1862, in Company A, Sixty-seventh Indiana Volunteers, and after being prisoner of war twice, and serving his country three years. he was honorably discharged in 1965 at Galves- ton, Tex. Mr. and Mrs. Bossert are members of the Christian Church. and he is one of Lawrence County's best men. He was a firm and true friend of Bartemus Williams. He is one of the successful men of Law. rence County, and is a Republican.

HENRY COX. farmer and stock-raiser, was born November 17, 1833. in Indian Creek Township, Lawrence Co., Ind., son of Alexander and Zibah (Adamson) Cox, and is of Irish-German extraction. Mr. Cox remained at home and worked on the farm for his father until about twenty seven years of age, when he began farming and stock-raising for himself. He was united in 'marriage to Miss Emily J. Kern, also a native of Lawrence County, daughter of Benjamin Kern. The year 1936 marks this event. They have the following children: Minnie M., Idis and Alex. Mr. Cox is one of the leading farmers of Indian Creek Township. and he now has 700 acres of land, and the same is in a high state of cultivation, save 150 acres which is yet in timber. On this farm there is one of the best as well as one of the most complete farm resi- dences in the county. It is a frame with a front 45x18 feet, and au L 40x27 feet built in 1878, at a cost of $5,000. In 1863 Mr. Cox settled where he now resides. He is a stanch Republican and cast his tirst Presidential ballot for John C. Fremont. For twelve years he has held an official position in the Christian Church. Mrs. Cox is also a member of that denomination. Mr. Cox enjoys more than an ordinary e lucation and he is manifesting much interest in the education of his children. He is one of the representative and highly respected men of Lawrence County.

BURGESS COX. farmer and Justice of the Peace, was born in Law. rence County, Ind., July 30, 1538, son of G. W. and Eliza (Etchison) Cox. and is of English descent. The father of Mr. Cox was born in North Carolina and came to Indiana at a very early day, and was among the pioneers of Indian Creek Township. Our subject was yet in his childhood when his parents were deceased, and he was placed to live with his grandfather, and at fourteen years was bound to an uncle, and with him lived until his twenty- first year, at which time he began life for him. self. His marriage took place in 1559 to Miss Rebecca Adamson, a native of Lawrener County. Four children blessed this union, two of whom survive their mother, who died in IS79. Mr. Cox was married again the same year to Mrs. Caroline Sentney (nee Shor). Mr. Cox set. tled where he now resides in 1570. and here he has nearly 200 acres of well improved land. He is a Republican. In 1876 he was elected Justice of the Peace for Indian Creek Township. re-elected in 1550 and

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re-elected over again in 1882. He is a member of the Christian Church. and Mrs. Cox is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has been a resident of the county almost half a century.

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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 36

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