USA > Indiana > Madison County > History of Madison County, Indiana, from 1820 to 1874 : giving a general review of principal events, statistical and historical items, derived from official sources > Part 20
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Mr. P. Has lived on his farm the past four years with the exception of a few months' residence in Anderson. His farm is on the north bank of Fall creek, five miles south of Anderson. He is patentee of a saw set that promises to be of utility, and was granted letters of patent July 16, 1872, and has also made application for a patent on a saw gauge and is awaiting results. In faith Mr. Pomdexter has always been a Universalist and is regarded as a very worthy man. He has always acted with the Democratic party. He is a son of Josephus Poindexter, formerly of Adams township. Mr. P. was married in 1847 to a daughter of Garrett McCallister.
PERSONAL SKETCH OF DR. JOEL PRATT.
DR. PRATT was born in Boston in 1826 and came to the. county when quite a young man. He read medicine at Pendleton with Drs. Cook and Jones, a .. d commenced the practice of his profession at New Columbus, where he con- tinued up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1872. Mr. P. was married to Palmer Patrick's daughter. She died in 1858. They are both buried at Pendleton cemetery. Mr. P. was a noble hearted man, of generous nature and a successful physician. There are but few houses in Adams township which he has not visited in his extensive practice, and he will be remembered in time to come as a most excel- lent man. His nature was such that he did not accumulate much property. The cup, too had its enchantment for him
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and it was to some extent his ruin. He was kind to the poor, and this endeared him to the people, and his goodness can not be eradicated from their affections. In person Mr. P. was a fine looking man. He was five feet eight inches in hight with dark hair and complexion and rather low forehead. He was a member of Ovid Lodge, No. 164, Free and Accepted Masons, and when he died was buried by the Order.
PERSONAL SKETCH OF REV. SAUL REGER.
MR. R. came to Henry county in 1828 ; resided there one year ; came, in the spring of 1829, to Madison county ; set_ tled on Lick creek about midway between Markleville and Pendleton, where he he owned four hundred acres of choice land ; he continued to live there until 1853, when he moved to Missouri. He joined the M. E. Church early in life, and not only became a zealous member, but, later in life, a local preacher of some note. He was just the man for a pioneer life-strong and thorough-going, and of decided character. Mr. R. raised a large family, among whom is Rev. L. D. Reger, of Adams township. We may say of this man that his influence for good will long be appreciated, as he ever moved onward with unfailing energy in the cause he so early advocated. He was not a man of education, but his exam- ple of perseverance was worthy of imitation. Mr. R., in person was large, being in hight about six feet, rather cor- pulant ; his forehead high and complexion fair. He was born in Virginia, and died in Missouri, July 24th, 1867, aged about seventy years.
PERSONAL SKETCH OF DR. T. RYAN.
MR. R. was born in Pennsylvania in 1813. He came to Anderson in 1842 where he engaged in the practice of med-
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icine and soon gained an extensive practice which extended over miles of country. He stood high among professional men throughout the country. Mr. R. was elected a mem- ber of the State legislature in 1846, running against R. N. Williams. During the late war he served as lieutenant colonel and colonel of the 34th Ind. Vols. He was for sev- eral years in the drug business in Anderson, associated with Dr. Crampton. He is now engaged in the boot and shoe trade on the west side of the public square. In person he is about five feet and ten inches in hight with dark skin, black hair and high forehead. He has always acted with the Democratic party and at one time was a prominent can- didate for congress. He is one among the best speakers in the county.
PERSONAL SKETCH OF COL. M. S. ROBINSON.
MR. ROBINSON was born in Ripley county, Ind., in 1832. He became a citizen of Anderson in 1851, and commenced the practice of law in which he has been engaged up to the pres- ent time. He rose rapidly and became a prominent attor- ney, not only at the bar of the county, but at that of the Supreme Court. He was State elector on the Fremont ticket in 1856. He was State prison director in 1860. He was elected State senator from the counties of Madison and Grant, in 1866 over Dr. John Hunt, and served two years with distinction. Mr. M. S. Robinson was elected a member of Congress from the 6th district in 1874 over Edmund John- son, by a majority of 454. Mr. R. has always acted with the Republican party, and is an able advocate of its doctrines. On the breaking out of the rebellion, Mr. Robinson went out as lieutenant-colonel of the 47th Ind. Vols. He was promoted to colonel of the 75th, and breveted brigadier- general. At this writing, Mr. R. has not taken his seat in Congress, and as to his course, we can say nothing. Judging
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the future by the past, we may sefely predict that he will represent his constituents with ability and fidelity. It is a high compliment to one so young to be elected to the Ameri- can Congres, and we trust he will appreciate the compliment and keep himself clear from the rings, monopolies and salary grabbers, which have proved the downfall of so many politi- cal men.
PERSONAL SKETCH OF NATHANIEL RICH- MOND.
MR. RICHMOND came to Pendleton in the year 1820 at the age of twenty-five. He at once became very popular with the people. He entered the ministry as a Baptist preacher. His popularity continued up to the time he left the county, which was about the year 1850. Perhaps in his day there was not a minister of any denomination in the county that stood higher than Mr. R. He preached far and near and commanded large congregations wherever he went. He was a tower of strength and had great influence with the people. He was a son of Nathaniel Richmond and brother of F. M. Richmond and Lorena Eastman spoken of in another part of this work. There is about this family something of an unusual and interesting history. Three of the sons entered the ministry. The parents were of great moral worth and consequently they exerted an influence in moulding the early sentiments of the people. The name of Richmond is inseperably connected with the early history of the county. Mrs. Eastman is the only surviving mem- ber of this pioneer family.
PERSONAL SKETCH OF MANLEY RICHARDS.
THE subject of this sketch was born in Harrison county, Virginia, in 1801 ; came to this county in 1823, locating in Adams township, on the south bank of Fall creek, near where Edwin Trueblood now lives, two miles east of New
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Columbus ; was appointed by Ansel Richmond to be inspector of the first election held in the township; was appointed by Aaron Shaul to collect the first tax, which amounted to $18.25. He has always been an active mem- ber of the M. E. Church, as also his wife, of whom we will give an extended notice in another place. He prided him- self on being a pioneer, attending all of the Old Settlers' meetings, where he rehearses the scenes of his early life. He is always heard with attention and interest, portraying these matters in language which bring to mind these carly trials anew. Mr. R. is at this writing, August, 1874, lying dangerously ill at his daughters, near Menden, on the bank of Lick creek. At his special request, we have given especial notice of his companion, who died April, 1869. He, too, will soon be gathered to his Fathers, " like a shock of corn fully ripe." In person, Mr. R. is rather under the medium size, dark complexion, dark hair and eyes. Mr. R. is closely identified with the early history of Adams town- ship.
PERSONAL SKETCH OF CATHARINE RICHARDS.
MRS. R. was daughter of Peter and Margaret Hardmam ; was born September the 16th, 1798, in Harrison county, Virginia. She was united to Manley Richards in marriage in 1818. In 1823 they emigrated to Madison county, where she continued to live until her death which occurred in 1869. She was a consistent member of the Methodist church and one of the first members of the Pendleton class. She was a woman of strong faith and untiring zeal, faith- ful mother and dutiful wife. Her memory will live, the youth will speak in her praise, when she shall have been dead many years. Especially will she be remembered by the church of which she was an active member. She did not let trifling circumstances prevent her from attending Divine worship. She was always found in her seat, until
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within the last few months of her life, which proved to her that of deep affliction and suffering, falling and breaking a limb from which she never fully recovered. This occurred in July, 1866. During this long interval she was never heard to complain, nor murmur, but seemed to be resigned to her fate. Death came kindly to her relief and her happy spirit took its flight to an unknown world. The life of this woman should be imitated, her virtues practiced, if we would like her share the Crown which was doubtless hers. " And we are glad that she has lived thus long, And glad that she has gone to her reward ;
Nor kindly nature did her wrong
Thus to disengage the vital cord."
PERSONAL SKETCH OF THE LATE T. N. STILWELL.
THE subject of this sketch from his prominent position before the people of the county, and the tragic death which he so lately met, seems to demand more than a passing notice. "Mr. Stilwell had been a citizen of the county twenty years, coming from Ohio when a young man. He at once had the confidence of the people; for as early as 1856 he was elected to the State legislature. When the war broke out he enlisted in defence of his country, going out as quartermaster in the 34th regiment Indiana volunteers; promoted colonel; assisted in organizing the 130th regi- ment ; made war speeches all over the county, and in fact throughout the eleventh congressional district, trom which territory the above regiment was obtained. Just before their departure to the field the Colonel was presented with a fine gold watch by this regin ent as a mark of their confi- dence and esteem. He was elected a member of the 39th congress and served his term creditably. Was appointed by the President as a minister to the republic of Venezuela, S. A., and through him an old claim on that government was adjusted. Returning he built the Stilwell House which will long remain an honor to the city and a mark demon-
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strative of his public spirit. This building is one of the best in Anderson, costing 40,000 dollars.
Mr. S., in connection with his father, was engaged in the banking business in what will be remembered as the citi- zens, then first national, bank, which came to rather an unpleasant termination in November, 1873. In other words it failed, and is now unable to pay its creditors. The last year or two of his life he became reckless, having resorted to the flowing bowl. A little later he had a dis- pute with Mr. John E. Corwin, in regard to some bonds alledged to have been deposited by Mr. Allen Makepeace, and for whose estate Mr. Corwin was administrator, Mr. C. alledging and Mr. S. denying the validity of these bonds, amounting to $14,500.
This was afterwards decided by the court in favor of the Makepeace estate. In this stage of things we find mat- ters on the evening of January 14th, 1874, where we would gladly draw the curtain. But a further duty devolves upon us. On the evening referred to, Mr. S. went to the banking office of Mr. C., on the north side of the square, entered the door with pistol in hand. Mr. C., observing him, leaped over the counter, grappled with Mr. S., whose pistol was discharged, hitting the pocket of Mr. C. The progress of the ball was arrested by a key. Mr. C., still holding on, drew his revolver, shot Mr. S. twice in the head, killing him instantly. It is hardly necessary to say that this caused intense excitement, both being highly connected and respected. Mr. C. gave himself up to the proper authorities; gave bond; a preliminary trial soon fol- lowed, before A. H. Pratt, which was attended with great interest. The defense was represented by Gen. Ben. Harri- son, of Indianapolis, and John A. Harrison, of Anderson ; the prosecution by Maj. J. W. Gordon, of Indianapolis, assisted by Robinson and Lovit, of Anderson. Both sides were ably contested. Perhaps no trial has ever taken place in the county that was watched with such interest. On the third day the trial terminated in the acquittal of Mr. Cor- win; and, while the verdict was not at the time received.
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by all as just, time will, in this case, as it must in all similar ones, give its approval. Though Mr. S. went to his grave somewhat under a cloud, and just in the meridian of life, he will be remembered as a noble hearted man, a kind father and a faithful friend. The city of Anderson lost in him a benefactor, as it was his ambition to make it a live town. We can afford to forget his faults and dwell on his virtues. And whether or not time will overlook the wrongs which led to his untimely end, they ought to be now a timely warning to all to shun the cup which has been indi- rectly the cause of blighting the finest intellect, and bringing many otherwise worthy persons to a premature grave. Mr. S. had a life insurance policy amounting, it is said, to $50,000. He was elected to the Legislature as a Democrat, and to Congress as a Republican. In the campaign of 1872 he acted with the Liberal or Greely party. He was an elo- quent speaker, and had a commanding appearance. In per- son he was of medium size, broad, heavy shoulders, good features and dark hair, and was at the time of his death forty-four years of age. He is buried in the cemetry at Anderson. He leaves an interesting family, well cared for.
PERSONAL SKETCH OF J. T. SWAIN.
THE subject of this sketch was born in North Carolina, and came to Huntsville in the year 1830. He worked at carpentering and cabinet making. In 1812, he was elected justice of the peace, and continued to serve in that capacity up to the day of his death, January 6, 1874, serving thirty- two consecutive years. He was the oldest justice in the county, if not in the State. His farm was adjoining Hunts- ville, where he built a house in 1858. This house was con- sumed by fire in 1872, causing him a loss of $2,000. Though afflicted with poor health, he built again, scarcely complet- ing it before he was taken down with a long sickness from which he never recovered. I first became acquainted with Mr. Swain in 1855; was associated with his family by marriage,
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and consequently became well acquainted with him. Dur- ing the nineteen years acquaintance with Mr. Swain, I never knew an action that would not comport with the strictest sense of honesty and integrity. His long continued public life, if nothing else, would commend his memory to thos- unacquainted with him. Mr. Swain is buried at the ceme. tery at Huntsville, by the side of his wife, who died in 1867 Mr. Swain was about five feet ten inches in hight, of dark skin, high forehead, and projecting eyebrows. At the time of his death, he was fifty-eight years of age.
PERSONAL SKETCH OF WRIGHT SMITH, SR.
MR. S. was born in Virginia, in 1798. He came to Rush county in 1829, and remained there seven years. He then came to Madison county in 1836, first settling in Mon- roe township ; afterwards in Boone, where he continued to live up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1863. Mr. S. was a devoted Methodist, and did much to establish this society in his neighborhood, especially in building a church. He gave the land and principally built the house, which bears his name. He was among the most active tem- perance men, and advocated it when it was not popular in his township. He had the courage to stand up and defend it at all times. He was also a friend and encourager of the Sabbath school. In fact he was on the right side of all moral questions. His memory should be kept green for the sterling qualities and noble ambition which were character- istic of the man. Mr. S. had the entire confidence of the people, serving them as trustee, class leader, etc. His com- panion is yet living, in the eighty-second year of her age. She was worthy of such a husband as she found in Mr. Smith. They raised a large family. Among whom are George and James Smith, and Mrs. Joel McMahan, of Boone, and Captain Joseph T. Smith, of Anderson. One of the above was the first white child born in Boone town- ship. In person, Mr. S. was tall, slim, and dark complec-
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tion, with dark hair. He was buried at the Forrestville cemetery, near his own home.
PERSONAL SKETCH OF ADLIZA SLAUGHTER.
AMONG the comparatively few women whom we will notice in this book, we would not fail to speak of Mrs. Slaughter. She was born in Wayne county, Indiana, in 1816 ; came, with her parents, to the county in 1822. She has lived in the county ever since with the exception of the last few years, during which she has resided at Indianapo- lis. Mrs. Slaughter is the eighth child of Samuel Holliday, who was among the early settlers of the county. She was married to John Slaughter in 1853, when she became a cit- izen of Adams township, and remained there up to the death of Mr. Slaughter, which occurred in January, 1866. Mrs. Slaughter is a lady in every sense of the word; a consistent Christian, and has been a member of the Methodist, Episco- pal church for thirty years. She was, for many years, a mem- ber of the class at Markleville, where I became acquainted with her in 1859. She is the only surviving member of an early and interesting family of whom there was eleven chil- dren.
PERSONAL SKETCH OF JAMES R. SILVER.
MR. S. was born in Warren county, Ohio, in 1827, and came to Pendleton in 1838. He commenced business as a merchant in 1849, and and has continued in the business ever since. Mr. S. has served as master of Madison Lodge No. 44, for three years, and was a charter member of the Chapter at Pendleton. He is now engaged in building, just south of town, one of the finest residences in the county. He also owns a large farm besides the one his residence is on. In 1868, he in connection with Mr. Morris bought a fine storeroom, twenty by seventy on State street, and they
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now occupy it as a place of business. This is one of the best rooms in Pendleton, and is used also for a post office. Mr. S. though a young man, has accumulated a large amount of property. Though he has never been a member of any church, he is in faith a Universalist, and has been associated with that society, and contributed to the build- ing of their church at Pendleton. He has taken an active part in the Fall creek agricultural society. He is a stock- holder, and was president of the society one year.
SKETCH OF THE SHAUL FAMILY.
THIS family came early to the county from Virginia. The older set consist of Saul, John, and Aaron. Each had large families and the result is that there are quite a number of them principally in Green and Fall Creek townships. What we have to say will be mostly confined to the older set, as our acquaintance with the younger portion would not warrant a detailed statement. The first we will notice is John, who was born in Virginia in 1781 and came to the county in 1836, and located two miles west of Pendleton, where he lived up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1854. His wife died in 1855. They are aged respect- ively seventy-three aud sixty-five. They are both buried at the Falls Cemetery. They are the parents of O. B. Shaul, of Green township, a very worthy man. He was born in Ohio in 1825; came with his parents to Green township, and has lived in the same locality ever since. Saul was among the first settlers and came as early as 1820. He was born in Virginia in 1786 and died November, 1864, aged seventy-eight years. His wife died November, 1873. They are both buried at Mt. Carmel Cemetery, four miles southwest of Pendleton, on the Bellefontaine railroad.
Mr. Shaul was county commissioner at an early day, and was universally respected as an upright citizen. Aaron lived south of Anderson, two miles where he lived many years, and where he erected a fine house in the year of 1857. He
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formerly lived at Pendleton, where he was engaged in the tanning business. He died in 1865, and is buried at Kokomo, Indiana. His age was about seventy. His wife died in California, in 1873, while on a visit to her children. Their daughter was the first wife of D. A. Ireland, of Pendleton. Mrs. Sbaul had been but a few months in California when she met with an accident, in which she broke a limb, and from which she never recovered. Mr. and Mrs. Shaul were in many respects alike. Both large, blessed with strong constitutions, and well fitted for a pioneer life. They lived together near forty years. They joined their fortunes and shared the toils and joys alike. One is buried in Indiana, the other sleeps in the Golden State, doubtless on one of the many hills that tower heavenward, where the golden sunlight sparkles in the early morn, and where his rays linger when sinking in the dreamy West.
Upon one of those hills the writer would like to lie down when life's fitful dream is over and there let the balmy breezes and the golden sunlight alternate dwell. Upon some of those hills the writer has wandered and caught the view of the snow-clad mountains of the Sierra, and on the other hand the lovely valley that lies smiling in the distance. Who would not choose a place like this to lie down at last where the tall pines would sing our requiems above. My mind often revisits those hills and valleys. They rush upon my imagination and I fancy that I hear the tall pines sigh and nod, almost conscious of their greatness. But I am wandering away and will return to my subject. While many miles intervene between the remains of this couple their spirits may be blending together where the golden land, spoken of, sinks into nothingness in comparison. It makes very little difference where we fall in the valley or on the mountain top if we gain Heaven at last.
PERSONAL SKETCH OF ANDREW SHANKLIN
AMONG the prominent men of the county, we find Mr. Shanklin to be conspicuous. He was born in Virginia, in
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June, 1805 ; came to Madison county in the year 1830, and located on Foster's Branch two and one-half miles west of Pendleton, in Green township. He was elected justice of the peace in 1840; elected a member of the constitutional convention in 1850, and a member of the legislature in 1852. He was an influential member of the M. E. Church, at whose house meetings were often held in early times. He at one time owned two thousand acres of land, the most of which he bought of Blanding and Wells, at four dol- lars and thirty cents per acre. He had, however, disposed of the most of it previous to his death, excepting the home farm. Mr. S. was highly esteemed as an upright man and of great moral worth. He died in the year 1865 and was buried in the Pendleton cemetery. He was the father of William V. Shanklin, of Stoney Creek, and Mrs. C. E. Goodrich, of Green township. In person, Mr. S. was a large strongly made man, fully six feet high, with dark complex- ion and rough features. His widow is living on the home farm.
PERSONAL SKETCH OF WILLIAM V. SHANKLIN.
MR. S. was born in Virginia, in 1829, and came with his father to Madison county in 1830. He now resides four miles northwest of Pendleton on the Fishersburg pike. Mr. S. was elected justice of the peace in 1856. He owns eight hundred and twenty acres of fine land, where he built in 1869, a fine house and steam mill costing two thousand dollars each ; and is at present engaged in the lumber trade and farming. He was also engaged for two years in pork packing at Pendleton with George R. Boram. Mr. S. is a strong Sunday school man; has served as superintendent of the Sabbath school near his house for a number of years. Served as vice-president of the county Sunday school union ; and was elected president of the same at the annual meeting at Markleville, September, 1873. Mr. S. is the son of Andrew Shanklin, formerly of Green township. Mr.
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Shanklin in person is tall, has a dark skin and high fore- head, and is near six feet in hight. He is an active mem- ber of the M. E. church. Mr. S. is a director and stockholder of the Pendleton and Fishersburg pike.
REV. WILLIAM A. THOMPSON.
MR. THOMPSON was born in Pittsylvania county, in the State of Virginia, on the 12th day of October, 1803. He was married to Mary E. Burger on the 26th day of Septem- ber, 1819, and had thirteen children-eight boys and five girls-of whom eleven grew to be men and women ; eight of which still survive. He removed from the State of Virginia to Wayne county, Indiana, in the spring of 1832, and remained there until the spring of 1839, when he removed to Madison county. He lived here until 1866, when he removed to Sullivan county, where he still resides. He was, by trade, a shoemaker, but when he came to this county he abandoned his trade and chose farming as a busi- ness, most congenial to his nature. In 1828 he joined the Methodist-Episcopal church, and remained a member until 1830, when he joined the Old School Baptist church. On the first Saturday in August, 1830, he preached his first sermon and has continued to preach, without intermission, to this day. He seldom passed a Saturday or Sunday with- out preaching a sermon.
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