History of Lawrence, Orange, and Washington counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, together with interesting biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc, Part 37

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 37
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 37
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 37

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).

JOHN H. FAUCETT. M. D., is a native of Orange County. Ind .. born September. IS40. son of William and Mary A. (Higgins, Faucett. and is of English origin. The father of Dr. Faucett was a native of North Carolina, and his mother was born in Tennessee. The parents of Dr. Fancett immigrated to Indiana in 1$20. and'settled in Orange County. and here his father died in IS4S. The early life of the subject of this mention was spent in service for his mother and attending the district -chool. In 1561 Dr. Fancett enlisted in the United States Army, in Com pany K. Forty-ninth Indiana Volunteers. He was at the siege of Vicks- lawrg. where he was wounded. He was honorably di-charged in 1963. In 1866 Dr. Fancett began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. Riley. near Kecksville. Martin Co .. Ind. In 1874 he graduated from the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis, but prior to this date had done some medical practice. He first located at Trinity Springs. Martin Co., Iud., where he remained until 1576. when he came to Fayetteville, Lawrence County. and here be continnes in the regular practice of his profession. in which he has been very successful. The marriage of Dr. Faucett occurred in 1876 to Miss Ida Leonard. a native of Martin County. Ind .. daughter of Samuel Leonard. Mrs. Faucett died in ISS0. Dr. Faucett is a Republican and one of the leading physicians of his county.

J. G. FERGUSON was born May 25. 1\32. in Perry Township, Lawrence Co .. Ind., son of Ralston and Letitia (Armstrong, Fergu- son. He is next to the eldest in a family of twelve children and is of Scotch-Irish extraction. The father of our subject was born in Laurel County. Ky., and when eight years of age came to Greene County. Ind .. in company with his parents. Mr. Ferguson was united in marriage in 1450 to Miss Tabitha Cos. To this union were born two children, viz .: C'anaan and Nettie. Mrs. Ferguson died in 1870. and the subject of this sketch was married again in 1571 to Mrs. Martha Rainbolt, who was deceased in IS75; and Mr. Ferguson was a third time married, in 1579, to Mrs. Sarah Smith. Mr. Ferguson began life properly for him- self at a not very early day in his existence. He worked five years by the month on the farm. For nineteen years he has been engaged in farming and stock-raising. at which he has been most successful. He Low possesses more than 300 acres of well improved land. In ISSo he built his present residence: the same is a frame. and cost abont 82,000. He is one of the unswerving Republicans of Indian Creek Township and cast his first Presidential vote for John C. Fremont. Mr. Ferguson is one of the enterprising men of Lawrence County and one of its most public- spirited citizens. He has been a resident of this county more than half a century.

JOHN HAYS was born in Hamilton County, Ohio. in 1>18; son of Moses and Sarah ( Barnes; Hays, and is of Scotch- German origin. The father of Mr. Hays was a native of Virginia. and his mother was born in Pennsylvania. His paternal grandfather was David Hays, a native of Ireland, who came to America prior to the Revolutionary war, in which he was a soldier during its entire continuance. The parents of Mr. Hays came to Indiana in 1\19 and made settlement in Washington County. The early life of our subject was spent in dat boating and 'rading on the rivers of the Ohio and Mississippi valleys. He was mar

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ried in 1845, to Miss Sabrina Rains, a native of Lawrence County. To this marriage were born eight children. Mrs. Hays died in 1875. Io 1573 Mr. Havs removed from Washington to Lawrence and settled where be new lives. He has 400 acres of land. He is an earnest Republican and cast his first Presidential vote for Harrison. The father of Mr. Have was an 1912 soldier. Mr. Have is a member of the Christian Church. He is a successful farmer and a leading citizen of his neigh- borhood.

HENRY INMAN, an old pioneer, was born in Orange County, Ind .. in 1\]\: sou of Thomas and Priscilla (Sanders) Inman. He is the fourth in a family of eight children and is of English blood. The father of Mr. Inman was born and raised in North Carolina. His paternal grandfather was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, and was wounded at the battle of King's Mountain. About 1812 the parents of Mr. Inman came to the territory that now composes Indiana. When the subject of this sketch was fifteen years of age he came with his parents to Lawrence County. where bis father died in 1835. Mr. Inman was married in 1830 to Mi -- Sarah Mitchell, a native of Lawrence County. This marriage wa- blessed with thirteen children, ten of whom are living. In 1839 Mir. Inman made a settlement near where he now lives. By occupation he has been a life-long farmer and now owns nearly 400 acres of well improved land. He has a good house and barn. He is one of the men who has cleared bis farm from the unbroken wilderness. He is a Demo. cral. though in local matters he supports the best men. He had two sons and three sons in-law in the late war. The first cabin in which Mir. and Mrs. Inman lived was 12x18 feet, built of round logs and had a stick chimney, puncheon floor and a clap-board door. Mr. and Mrs. Inman have long been members of the Baptist Church and are among the leading old settlers of Indian Creek Township.

NATHAN JACKSON, a pioneer of this county, was born May 6, 1Sus, in the Old Dominion. His parents were John and Nancy (Farmer) Jackson. the former a native of England, from whence he emigrated to the United States, stopping for a time at the city of Baltimore, where he was married, then removing to Virginia, where he died at a ripe old age. In 182% Nathan Jackson and Miss Martha Potter, a native of North Car- olina. were married, and two years later they emigrated West, where they expected to build a home in the new country. They came to Lawrence County. Ind .. and made settlement near where they now reside, and Law. rence County has ever since been their home. By a life of industry Mr. Jackson has accumulated 450 acres of land. In the acquisition of this Mrs Jackson has been an efficient helpmeet, sharing with her husband all the hardships and adversities of pioneer life. Mr. Jackson is a Democrat, and his wife is a member of long standing in the Christian Church. Ten children have blessed their marriage, six of whom are yet living.

WILLIAM I. JORDAN, Township Trustee, and general merchant of Fayetteville, is a native of the town where he is now doing business. his binh occurring November 16, 1853. He is the eldest in a family of three children born to Thomas and Elizabeth (Hodge) Jordan, and at twenty-one years of age began doing business for himself. For a num- ber of years he was engaged in saw milling, but in 1851 he began mer- chandising at Fayetteville, where he has ever since continued. In 1875 hi- marriage with Miss Emina Wall, a native of England, was solemnized.

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and two children have been born to them, named Iva L and Goldy. In politics Mr. Jordan is a stanch Democrat. casting his first ballot for Samuel J. Tilden. In ISS4 he was elected Trustee of Indian Creek Town - ship by a majority of ninety-eight votes.

ALBERT KERN was born in Indian Creek Township, Lawrence Co .. Ind., January 15, 1920, son of Elder Abraham and Susan (Wilson) Kern, and is of German.Irish origin. The father of Mr. Kern was born in Nicholas County, Ky., in 1786, and came to Lawrence County in 1816. He was one of the pioneer preachers of the Hoosier State, and founder of what was long known as White River Union Church. The only remuneration he ever received for his services in the ministry was 25 cents, and that was forced upon him. His death occurred in 1858. The vear 1840 dates the marriage of the subject of this mention to Miss Elizabeth Hutton, a native of Lawrence County, boru in 1820, daughter of Abel and Auzy Hutton, whose maiden name was Denson. To this union were born twelve children. In 1840 Mr. Kern settled where he now is, and has since resided. Here he owns 360 acres of well improved land, and the greater part of which he cleared from the unbroken forest. As a fariner he is one of the most successful as well as one of the best in his township. He is a prominent Republican, and cast his first Presi- dential vote for Harrison. These people are among the pioneers of Law. rence County, and as citizens none stand higher. Mrs. Kern is a mem- ber of the Christian Church, and a most amiable Christian lady.

A. J. KERN was born in Lawrence County, June 9. 1829, son of Elder Abraham and Susan Kern, whose maiden name was Wilson. The father of Mr. Kern was one of the pioneer ministers of this county. He emigrated from Kentucky to Lawrence County on a sled. The subject of this mention is one of a numerous family, and is of German. Irish origin. At eighteen years of age he commenced life for himself. His marriage occurred in 1848. to Miss Melinda Rains, daughter of John Rains, ex-County Commissioner of Lawrence County. To this union there are six children: William H., James D., Elcaney, Vine, Decy and Samuel F. The first of these children is a Christian minister, and located at Harrison, Ohio. In IS51 Mr. Kern made a settlement on his present farm, which consists of 651 acres. He has a splendid residence which was built in 1881, and cost $2,000, and a barn erected the same year that cost $1,000. He is a Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Kern are members of the Christian Church. By energy and economy Mr. Kern has been suc. cessful in life, and is now in very comfortable circumstances. He is one of the leading stock-raisers of the county. and a much esteemed citizen in his community.

ELDER MARTIN A. KERN (deceased) was born in Lawrence County. Ind., August 20. 1837, son of Alexander and Nancy Kern. and was of English-German lineage. He was married. in 1565, to Miss Nancy J. Sears, with whom he lived until 1571. when Mrs. Kern ded. and the next year he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Armstrong, daughter of Ari and Mary Armstrong. old pioneers of Lawrence County. Mrs. Kern was born in 1545 in Perry Township. To Mr. and Mrs. Kern were born the following children: Grace. Mirth. Faith, Charity. May and Kent K. In 1573 Mr. Kern settled where Mrs. Kern now resides, and here he lived until his death, which occurred in 1583. He possessed more than an ordinary education, which he acquired mainly through his own efforts. Politically he was a firm Republican. In IS82 he was

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elected Justice of the Peace in Indian Creek Township. For about ten years he was a minister of the Christian Church. Mrs. Kern is also a member of that church. Mr. Kern was successful in life, and was one of the most prominent men of his neighborhood. Mrs. Kern now resides on the homestead, which consists of more than 200 acres of fairly well improved land.

DAVID L. KERN. Among the most prominent and successful farmers and stock-raisers of Lawrence County is the subject of this biography, who was born in Indian Creek Township in 1842, son of Albert and Elizabeth (Hntton) Kern, and is of German-Irish lineage. Mr. Kern remained at home and labored on the farm for his father until twenty- five years of age. His marriage took place in 1867 to Miss Emily Williams, a native of Lawrence County, born 1847. daughter of Dixon and Cynthia Williams. To this household have been born three children: Norman. Oretus and Lola. In 1869 Mr. Kern settled where he now resides. His farm now consists of 170 acres. One hundred and thirty acres Mr. Kern cleared from the unbroken forest. He has about seventy. five acres in the White River Valley. In 1870 Mr. Kern erected his present residence, which is a substantial frame, with a front 40x16 feet. and an L ISx16 feet, and cost $1,600. Mr. Kern is a Republican. and cast his first Presidential vote for Lincoln. Mr. and Mrs. Kern are mem. bers of the Christian Church. He is an enterprising citizen, and one of the highly respected men of his neighborhood.

JOHN E. LACKEY was born in Indian Creek Township, Lawrence Co .. Ind .. May 26. 1835. and is a son of Thomas and Nancy (Sbort) Lackey, who were of English. Irish origin. When Lawrence County was first being settled and when everything was new, Thomas Lackey minigrated from Kentucky and settled in Indian Creek Township, where, after a long life of nsefulness. he died in 1858. In 1870 the marriage of John E. Lackey with Miss Mary V. Pitt, who was born in this county in 1>54. a daughter of John C. and Sallie Pitt, was solemnized. and the four children born to them are: Orley. Norma. Otis (deceased) and Earl. In politics Mr. Lackey is a Republican: is the owner of 416 acres of land. and he and wife are members of the Christian Church. In about 1800 be came into possession of the old Lackey homestead. which is one of the best farms in the township, and where Mr. Lackey has resided alinost half a century.

OBED LAMB was born in Lawrence County, Ind .. December 3. 1\35, son of Isaiah and Christiana (Fredrick) Lamb, and is of English- German lineage. The father of Mr. Lamb was born in North Carolina, and his mother was of Virginian birth. The parents of Mr. Lamb emi. grated to Indiana about 1820, and settled in Indian Creek Township, Lawrence County. Here his father was deceased in ISTS. The Lamb family emigrated from England on account of religious persecution, atel +ffected a settlement in the Carolinas. The subject of this biog- raphy was united in marriage to Miss H. R. E. Adamson in 1559. They have children as follows: Charles W., Florence M., Anna L., John C. and Pearl S. In 1860 Mr. Lamb settled where he now resides, and here he lia- 305 acres of well improved land. As a farmer he has been suc. ce -- ful, and is one of the best tillers of the soil in his neighborhood. Politically he is a Republican. He is of thorough temperance princi- ple- and advocates prohibition. Mr. and Mrs. Lamb are members of the Christian Church. and he ba- hell au official position in that church

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for fifteen years. Since 1564 Mr. Lamb has been engaged in bee cul- ture, in which science he is thoroughly posted. He possesses a fair common school education, and is one of the principal men of the township.

HOLLAND F. PITMAN, farmer and stock.grower. is a native of Indian Creek Township, Lawrence Co., Ind., born in 1833, son of Hol- land and Elizabeth (McNeal) Pitman, of German. Irish origin. and is the ninth in a numerous family. His father was born in Woodford County, Ky .. in 1793. and his mother in the same county. but four years later. The parents of our subject came to Lawrence County about 1824. but the father of Mr. Pitman was in the county in 1818 and made a land entry, but then returned to his native State. The Pitman family made a settlement four and one-half miles west of Bedford. The father of Mr. Pitman died in 1834. His mother is vet living. and is about ninety years of age. The subject of this mention was married in 1862 to Miss Rachel J. Cox, also a native of Indian Creek Township, daughter of Alexander Cox. Mr. Pitman is one of the leading farmers of his town. ship, and has at present 385 acres of well improved land. In 1870 he settled where he now lives; here he has valuable improvements. In 1SS1 Mr. Pitman began giving some attention to bee culture. As an apiarist he has been very successful. Mr. Pitman is an earnest supporter of the Republican party. and. like his father, has always been a rigid anti- slavery man. Mr. and Mrs. Pitman have long been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

WILLIAM C. PITMAN is a native of Lawrence County, Ind . born March 19, 1835, son of Holland and Elizabeth (McNeal) Pitman: is the tenth in a family of eleven children, and is of German-Irish de-cent. When the subject of this mention was twenty-one years of age he began the battle of life for himself. He was married in 1800 to Miss Phebe A. Kern, daughter of Benjamin and Nancy J. Kern. They have eleven children, as follows: Holland C., Alice E .. William W., Loretta. Alva H .. Maggie E .. Jennie M .. Benjamin F., Frederick. Walter A. and Nel- lie. In 1860 Mr. Pitman settled in the vicinity in which he has since and now resides. He has 250 acres of moderately well improved land. In 1861 Mr. Pitman began stock-raising and dealing, and this be bas since continued. He handles about 500 head of cattle per annum. For some years he has been giving much attention to thoroughbred stock. He is a Republican, and cast his first Presidential vote for Fremont. at which time there were only six votes of that kind in Indian Creek Town- ship. Mrs. Pitman is a member of the Christian Church, and Mr. Pit- man is by faith a Methodist. For twenty-five years the subject of this mention bas been one of the leading and public-spirited men of Law. rence County.

BENJAMIN H. POTTER, a descendant of one of the pioneer fami- lies of Lawrence County, Indiana, was here born May 12. 1532. He is the third in a family of eight children born to Jobn and Mary (Dornell) Potter, both of whom were natives of North Carolina, their respective births occurring in 1503 and 1802. In 1830 these parents removed to this county, settling in Indian Creek Township where both pas-ed the remainder of their days. The early life of Benjamin H. wa- passed upon the farm of hi- parents. and when old enough he turned much of his attention to flat-boating. In 1854 he settled on the farm where he now live-, which by diligence and economy now amounts to 22:0 acres.

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He began life's battle a poor boy. and emphatically is a self-made man. In politics he is a Republican, while both he and his wife belong to the Christian Church. Mr. Potter and Miss Nancy Owens were united in wedlock in 1852. two sons-Oscar and John L. - being the result of their union. Mrs. Potter's mother, one of the pioneer women of Indiana, is vet living at the advanced age of ninety years.

ADAM SEARS was born in Nicholas County, Ky., in IS18, son of David and Anna (Kern) Sears, and is of German extraction. The father of Mr. Sears was born in North Carolina in 1792. and when ten years of age removed to Kentucky, and there remained until 1818, when he with his family immigrated to Indiana, and effected a settlement in Lawrence County. Here the father of Mr. Sears resided until his demise. The «nhject of this mention settled where he now and since has resided in 1839, and this same year was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Wright, a native of Washington County, Ind. To this marriage were born thirteen children, the following of whom are living: Melissa J .. Tabitha E., Peter W., David L., Ambrose K., Nancy E., Arley R., and Ulysses G. Mr. Sears now bas 320 acres of well improved land. He is a Republican, but cast his first Presidential vote for the Democratic nom. inee. Mr. Sears is one of the pioneers of Lawrence County. Mr. and Mr -. Sears are members of the Christian Church. He has been a success. ful farmer. and is one of the well-to-do citizens of his township.

JOHN M. SEARS was born in Lawrence County, Ind., April 23. 1556, a son of William and Phebe (Cox) Sears, who were of English- German descent. At nineteen years of age he began doing for himself. and in June. 1976, in company with W. I. Jordan. embarked in general merchandising at Fayetteville. This partnership only lasted until Angust of the same year. when Mr. Sears purchased his partner's interest, since when he has conducted business alone. He keeps a large and well assorted stock of general merchandise, and has established a profitable trade. In politics he is n Republican, casting his first Presi- dential vote for Gen. Garfield in 1850. In 1582 he was the successful nominee of his party for the office of Township Trustee, serving one teria to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. and erecting two schoolhouses. He takes an active interest in educational matters of all kinds and is recognized as one of the county's progressive young men. He is a mem- leer of the Christian Church.

J. M. SELLERS, the next youngest in a family of ten children. boro to Edward and Amelia (Stanton) Sellers. is a native of Laurel County. Ky. : his birth occurring February 2. 1826. When only four years of age li was brought by his parents to Lawrence County. Ind, and he was reared und educated in Indian Creek Township, and has always made it his home. To bis marriage with Miss Julina Sears, which occurred in 1445, a family was born, the following five children yet living : John D .. Minerva. Adam. Rachel and Ila. The mother dying in 1550. Mr. Sellers married for his second wife MIrs. (Cox) Embree, a widow lady. with this family: William. Elizabeth. Mary and John. Mr. Sellers is one of the well-to-do and well posted farmers of the county, owning upward of a section of good land. As a Republican in politics he ha- always been ontspoken in his party's best interest, which in 1884 hon- vred him as its candidate for County Commissioner. For forty years he has been a member of the Christian Church, and his wife for thirty. eight years.

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W. S. SENTNEY, general merchant. is a native of Greene County, Ind., born in 1854. son of John and Charlotte (Sullivan) Sentney, and is of English. Irish extraction. The greater part of the life of our subject has been spent at work on the farm, but in 1882 he began general mer- chandising at Silverville. Ind .. which be now runs in connection with his farm. He engaged in the dry goods business in partnership with L. J. Baker. which union continued six months. when Mr. Sentney assumed sole control of the business, in which he still continnes. and has invested a.bont 84.000. The stock is well selected. and consists principally of dry goods. clothing. boots. shoes, drugs, etc. MIr. Sentney was married in 1574 to Miss Clementine Baker. a native of Lawrence County. To this marriage have been born two children. viz .: Clara and Lewis. Mr. Sent- ney has 150 acres of well improved land. The same is a portion of what was long known as the L. J. Baker farm. Mr. Sentney is a Republican, and cast his first Presidential vote for Hayes, and they are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Sentney is one of the self made young men of his township. and is one of the most enterprising and suc. cessful.

HARVEY VOYLES. M. D .. was born in Washington County. Ind., in 1949, son of William and Elizabeth (Ryte) Voyles, and is of Welsh origin. The early life of Dr. Voyles was given to attendance at the com. mou schools, and in service for his father on the farm. His literary edu- cation was confined. in addition to the common school. to the Salem Academy at Salem. Washington Co .. Ind .. and the State University at Bloomington. In JS;4 Dr. Voyles began thestudy of medicine. in the office of Dr. James B. Wilson. at Salem. Ind .. and afterward attended lectures at the Medical Department of the Louisville University. from which he graduated in 1577. and immediately began the practice of bis profession at South Boston. Washington Co .. Ind. where he remained two years, and then located at Trinity Sjaings. Martin Co .. Ind .. and there remained three years, and then came to Fayetteville. Lawrence County. where he has since been in active practice. A- a practitioner of medicine he has been successful. Politically he i- a Republican. and cast his first Presidential vote for U. S. Grant. Dr. Voyles is one of the leading young physicians of sontbern Indiana.

BARTEMU'S WILLIAMS deceased was a native of Lawrence County, Ind .. born in 1525. - on of Isaac and Amelia Gibbon-) Will. iams, and was of Scotch lineage. He was descended from a long line of prominent ancestry, and his ancestors were pioneers of the Hoosier Com. monwealth. By occupation he was a tiller of the soil and a stock-grower and trader. He po-sessed about 1.Buacres of valuable land. and was one of the most extensive and practical farmers in Lawrence County. He erected one of the most extensive and expensive residences that the county has ever known. The bone cost about $15,000. The subject of this memoir was three times married -- fir-1. to Mis- Rebecca Armstrong: second. to Miss Angeline Hammersly. and third. to Miss Rachel McDonald. n native of Davies- County, Indiana. and a niece of Judge David McDonald, of Indiana. By the second wife there was one child, viz. : Isaac. and as follows by the last wife: Cornelia. Zipporah. Richard G. and Bartonus L. The subject of this mention was all uncompromising Republican, and always ninnifested great interest in the success of that party. In Isos Mr. Willians nuited with the Christian Church, in which he lived a consistent no mber until his death. He was

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one of the most public-spirited men of Lawrence County, and one of the most enterprising. He was extensively known as the poor man's friend. . By his death, which took place in June, 1SS2, the county lost one of its best representative men, and his community a dear friend and neighbor. At the time of his death he was worth about $50,000.

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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 37

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