USA > Indiana > Montgomery County > History of Montgomery County, together with historic notes on the Wabash Valley; gleaned from early authors, old maps and manuscripts, private and official correspondence, and other authentic sources > Part 56
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Alfred Dickey, senior partner of the firm of Dickey & Brewer, city bookstore, Crawfordsville, was born in Jackson township, Shelby county, Indiana, June 10, 1846, and is the son of Robert and Doratha (Allen) Dickey. The former was born in Pennsylvania, and the latter in New Jersey. The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood on the farm, with but meagre advantages of education and personal advance- ment. After he was twelve years old he lived with his uncle, C. M. Allen, or his uncle's son-in-law, and paid his own way almost entirely, attending school part of the time in winters. May 31, 1862, he en- listed in Co. H, 54th Ind. Vols., and served until September 27. 1862, when he was discharged, his term of service having expired. Septem- ber 28, 1863, he reënlisted in Bat. M, 1st Ind. heavy artillery, for three years, and was in the service until January 21, 1866. After the war
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Mr. Dickey taught school, and attended college at Brookville until his health failed him, when, July 1, 1871, he came to the city of Craw- fordsville and engaged in the book business, in which business he has ever since been very successfully engaged. Since May 10, 1876, he has been city treasurer. During the year 1878 he was grand chancellor of the Knights of Pythias for the State of Indiana, and now holds the position of supreme representative. He is a member of the Masonic and Odd-Fellows fraternities. July 17, 1870, Mr. Dickey was married to Miss Margeretta Brewer, and they have one child, Alfred E., who was born June 15, 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Dickey are both members of the Methodist church. In politics Mr. Dickey is an ardent defender and supporter of the principles and motives of the republican party. Although a successful business man Mr. Dickey does not narrow his mind solely to business, but takes an active part in politics, reads widely in literature, and holds progressive ideas upon the questions of the age.
W. H. Taylor, M.D., physician and surgeon, Crawfordsville, was born in Virginia, and settled in the city of Crawfordsville in 1872. He has been one of the leading physicians of this city, and is a very prom- inent citizen, both as a literary and political man. He is a prominent literary light in the State of Indiana, having made many prose and poetical contributions to the press. His prose articles have mostly been upon medical subjects. He is an eminent democrat and Mason.
M. P. Wolfe, county recorder, Crawfordsville, who is one of Mont- gomery's efficient and honorable county officers, was born in Fountain county, Indiana, November 28, 1841. He is the son of Henry and Jane Wolfe, who were among the earlier settlers of Fountain county, and who, in 1857, moved to Montgomery county and settled on Sec. 31, of Brown township. There Marvin P. grew to man's estate, and received such education as the schools of that vicinity afforded. He succeeded in acquiring a good business education by taking a thorough course and graduating from the Indianapolis Business College. In 1869 he came to Crawfordsville and engaged in the dry-goods business in the capacity of a salesman. This business brought him in contact with the people, who, in the fall of 1876, elected him to the office of recorder of Montgomery county. In August, of 1877, he entered upon the active discharge of his duties, in the discharge of which he has pleased the democratic party so well they have nominated him for reelection. Mr. Wolfe is a member of Crawfordsville Commandery No. 25, of the Order of A. F. and A. M. February 18, 1869, he mar- ried Mrs. Mary C. Cowan, by whom he has two children, Manie and Arthur. He also has two step-daughters, Misses Effie and Mand Cowan.
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Zachariah Williams (colored), whitewasher and calciminer, Craw- fordsville, was born August 11, 1841, in Lebanon, Kentucky, and is a son of Moses and Ellen Williams. His father was a native of Ken- tucky and a slave. His mother's father was an Indian chief, and she was also a slave. Moses and Ellen Williams were liberated during the war, but died in Kentucky before they had tasted the fair fruits of freedom. Zachariah became a waiter on a boat when a boy. When at New Orleans he decided to be his own boss, so he escaped and came north to Springfield, Illinois, in 1855, and engaged in a hotel. In 1861 he went south, and was hired as a waiter in Gen. Hood's southern army. Leaving the south he went to Chicago, and there he * enlisted, in 1862, in Co. F, 81st Ill. reg., under Samuel Campbell and Colonel Rogers. He fought at Vicksburg, Little Rock, Mobile, Nash- ville, Frankfort, Guntown. At the last named place he was chased by five rebels all day, and was shot at by them as many as fifty times, but he escaped. He was at Memphis and Chattanooga ; was taken sick at Chattanooga and sent to Chicago. He soon returned to Vicksburg and went to Texas. He was in the Red River expedition, and was finally discharged after serving three years and one month. He then lived some time in Chicago, and next in New Albany, Indiana, where he was engaged in the baggage-room of a railroad company. He next made his home in Crawfordsville. He was porter in the Crain Hotel for five years. For seven years he kept a restaurant. His present business is whitewashing and calcimining. Mr. Williams has traveled all over the United States, and has been to Mexico and three times to Canada. He has amassed a fortune, owning property in Rockville, Jamestown, Crawfordsville and Indianapolis. He is a republican and contributes largely to further his party principles. He is steward and trustee in the African M. E. church. He is also a Mason and an Odd Fellow. He was married May 16, 1871, to Maria Bulger, of Ripley, Ohio. Her father bought himself free and then worked and bought his wife and five children free before the war. She is also a Methodist. Mr. and Mrs. Williams' home is the stopping place for all notable visitors of their race who come to Crawfordsville, and Mr. Williams is widely known and has great influence with his people at home and abroad.
David N. Heath was born May 11, 1820, in South Carolina, and is the son of Joseph and Rebecca (Jackson) Heath, both natives of the same state. His parents were large planters and owned from 150 to 175 negroes. They were members of the Old Baptist church. His father died when he, David, was an infant. He had been a life-long democrat of the Calhoun stripe. David N. Heath left his native state in 1837, and went to Boyle county, Kentucky, and at-
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tended common school, then Center College, at Danville. Septem- ber 29, 1841, he was married to Mary J. Walker, daughter of Har- rison Walker, from Culpepper county, Virginia. She was born in 1823. Her father was a plain, stern Virginian, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church over sixty years, and died in Craw- fordsville in 1868, at the age of eighty-three, never having been sick a day in his life. He had been a whig and a republican. He came to Putnam county, Indiana, in 1859, and to Crawfordsville in 1867. He was a great reader, a lover of history and devoted to his bible. Her mother, Katy (Thomas) Walker, a native of Ken- tucky, still lives at the age of eighty-seven. Mr. and Mrs. Heath have four children : Mahala C., Henrietta C., James I. and Maria L. Both are members of the Methodist church. Mr. Heath was a whig prior to the war, but since has been an active democrat. His business career has been a varied one, sometimes fortunate and sometimes disastrous. From 1850 to 1855, with his brother, he dealt in mules and horses as extensively as any other two men over the mountains. In connection with G. F. Lee, of Boyle county, Ken- tucky, he undertook to monopolize the sugar mule trade in New Orleans, but failed. In 1859 he moved to Greencastle, Indiana, and engaged in the livery business. He bought 107 extra fine horses and ninety-three fine mules in Kentucky, walked them over the mountains to South Carolina, and the war coming on he sold twenty- four for cash and the rest on time. The latter he lost altogether by the war. During the rebellion he bought and sold government pro- visions, and at its close he went to Bourbon county, Kentucky, and settled. From thence he, with W. F. Jinkins, of Indianapolis, went to Montgomery county, Alabama, and planted 1,050 acres of cotton and 450 acres of corn. In this speculation they lost about $38,000 in one year. He then traded in mules and horses in Ken- tucky and sold in Columbus, Mississippi, till 1873, when he came to Crawfordsville. Here he opened a private stable and bought and shipped horses to New York for two years, then engaged in the livery business in Chicago, where he again lost all he had. He re- turned to Crawfordsville and continued to buy and ship horses. In July 15, 1880, he leased the boarding, feed and sale stable on Pyke street, at which place he is now doing business. Mr. Heath is a member of the order of Masons.
Capt. John B. Pence, superintendent gas company, Crawfords- ville, was born in Frankfort, Clinton county, Indiana, August 29, 1833. His father was a farmer, and he worked on the farm in the summer to make money to pay his way in school during the winter.
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He attended Hanover College two terms, and Asbury University about one year. At the age of twenty-one he began clerking in the dry-goods store of P. S. Kelley, in Frankfort. He continued with him about one year and a half and then went into the dry-goods business for himself, and thus continued till the outbreak of the war. In the fall of 1861 he recruited Co. E, for the 40th Ind. reg., of which company he was made captain. He remained in the army about one year, and then resigned on account of ill-health. The principal engagement that he was in was the siege of Corinth. After the war he began in the drug business in Frankfort and con- tinued until 1874, when he settled in Crawfordsville, and has ever since been superintendent of the gas company. Mr. Pence has traveled considerably in the different parts of the United States. In polities he is an ardent republican. He was married September 16, 1856, to Miss Sallie E. Kelley, daughter of P. S. Kelley, his old employer. Mr. and Mrs. Pence are both members of the Center Presbyterian church of this city.
William J. Mitchell, merchant tailor, Crawfordsville, was born June 13, 1834, in Ramsey, Huntingtonshire, England, and is the son of Henry and Mary (Jackson) Mitchell. Both parents were born and raised in the same shire. His father is a carpenter by trade and is now in Arkansas. His mother died in 1865 in her native land. William J. spent his youth as an apprentice with Thomas Winter- ton, at Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire, with whom he stayed for four years. He then worked eighteen months at his trade in London. Leaving England he served nine months in the Crimean war, and was wounded at the battle of Balaklava, fought October 26, 1854. Returning home Mr. Mitchell resumed his trade. He cut for Fred Breacher, of London, for three years ; for Myers & Mortimer, two and a half years ; for Carey, of Nottingham, three years ; then went back to London and cut for the British Clothing Company for some time. In 1863 he came to America and cut for Bell Bros., of New York city, eighteen months; then for G. W. Jones, in Rome, New York, one year; for Ball & Co., at Grand Rapids, nine months ; spent six months in Cincinnati, and was in business with S. S. Caughey, at Shelbyville, one year. Mr. Mitchell was then in busi- . ness in Rockville, Indiana, two years, and in 1874 opened a mer- chant tailoring establishment in Crawfordsville, where he is now en- gaged in a large business.
Rev. John E. Steele, minister, Crawfordsville, was born June 21, 1850, and is the son of Benjaman F. and Jane (Coovert) Steele. His father was born in 1817, in Baltimore, and is still living. He is a
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mechanic, and was in the employ of the United States government three years during the late war, and was in the battle of Nashville. He is a member of the Methodist church, the Temple of Honor, and in politics is a republican. His mother (Jane) was born in Preble county, Ohio, in 1820, is a member of the Methodist church, and is still living. The subject of this sketch began for himself when eleven years old, and had a common school education. He took a three- years classical course in the Asbury University of Greencastle, and graduated in the Battle-Ground Collegiate Institute. He began the ministry in 1874, in La Fayette, preaching first in Pittsburg, Carroll county, Indiana. Since then he has preached on the " Burnettsville Circuit," White county; at Harmony and Knightsville, Clay county; at Chauncy, La Fayette county, and in September, 1879, that he might pursue his classical studies to better advantage, came to the " Crawfordsville Circuit." Mr. Steele went into the ministry from a firm conviction of duty and love for the Master. * He has had flat- tering offers in other departments of labor, but none have induced him to leave his chosen field. He is a diligent student, prepares well his sermons, and delivers them without manuscript. His ministry has been blessed by the salvation of souls, and the upbuilding of each charge where he has labored. From 1869 to 1872 he taught school, being principal of the schools in Camden, Carroll county; Rossville, Clinton county, and Transitville, Tippecanoe county. His career as a teacher was very satisfactory, and successful to himself and those for whom he taught.
George L. Markley, blacksmith and wagon-maker, Crawfordsville, was born March 30, 1855, in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, and is the son of Abraham and Susan Markley. Both died in 1862, leav- ing George on the cold charities of the world. He lived with his uncle until sixteen years of age, then served three years' apprentice- ship in the blacksmith shop of his brother-in-law, George W. Nyce, of Towamencin township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. He next engaged in a carriage shop at Lynlexintgon, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and in 1874 came to Crawfordsville, and was employed for some time as bridge-carpenter on the Indianapolis, Bloomington & Western railroad. He then began work for Charles Murphey, and in six months bought a half interest of Mr. Murphey and carried on the blacksmithing with him until 1876, when he became sole proprie- tor. His trade has increased, until now he employs five hands. Be- sides owning the blacksmith shop he has a half interest in the wagon shop adjoining, which he bought in 1880, the firm being known as Smith & Markley. They manufacture wagons, and do other heavy
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wood-work, while Mr. Markley conducts the blacksmithing in a shop about 42×150. His trade during the last year has been as much as in the three previous years, which proves success. Mr. Markley is a strong republican and an Odd-Fellow. He was married March 18, 1877, to Eva I. Swift, daughter of A. Swift, of Pesu, Indiana. She was born June 15, 1856. Mr. Markley's grandfather Markley fought in the war of 1812. By energy and perseverance Mr. Markley has made his way.
Josephus L. Fordice, tailor, Crawfordsville, was born May 3, 1823, in Miami county, Ohio. He lived on the farm until he was seven- teen years old, and then learned his trade. In 1845 he began busi- ness for himself in New Carlisle, and remained there until 1852, when he came to Greencastle and entering as partner in a dry-goods store. In 1861 he met with severe reverses, owing to the dishonesty of his partner. While in Greencastle he served one term as city council- man. In the spring of 1875 he settled in Crawfordsville, and has done a good business. He has been a Mason nineteen years, an elder in the Presbyterian church for twenty-five years, is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and a republican. He was married Octo- ber 1, 1846, to Elizabeth Sloan. They have one son, and one daughter, Sarah L. She and her mother are both members of the First Presbyterian church.
Rev. Wesley E. Bates, pastor Missionary Baptist church, Craw- fordsville, was born in Champion, Jefferson county, New York, April 20, 1843. His mother, Hannah E. Bates, was born in 1819, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and is still living. His father, Alden S. Bates, was born near Montpelier, Vermont, in 1803, is a harness-maker and farmer, and is still living. He lived in Champion, New York, about thirty years. The subject of this sketch lived in the town of his birth until he was eleven years old, when he went with his parents upon a farm. He had a good common school education and also attended a select school. He clerked in a store about one year, and traveled for a business house about the same length of time. August 5, 1862, he enlisted as a bugler in Co. D, 10th N. Y. Art. His regiment was placed at Fort Richmond, Staten Island, in defense of New York. They remained there about one year, and were then placed in the defense of Wash- ington for about a year. They then went into the field as infantry at Cold Harbor, Virginia. His regiment captured battery No. 5 at the siege of Petersburg, in advance of the army. During this time, for about three months, he did duty as one of the "stretcher corps." After the siege of Petersburg they went back to the defense of Wash-
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ington for about a month, and then went with Sheridan into the val- ley of the Shenandoah, where they were principally engaged in guarding supply trains. During this time he was in the battle of Cedar Creek, October 19, 1864, where the union army was rescued from defeat by Gen. Sheridan, who made his famous ride from Win- chester, which has been immortalized by Thomas Buchanan Read, in his poem titled "Sheridan's Ride." Mr. Bates was a member of the brass band ; and his regiment was sent back to Martinsburg for supplies ; the band was left in the front and was surprised by the rebels. Mr. Bates got separated from his regiment and remained thus from Wednesday to Saturday. They went into winter quarters at Winchester. That winter his regiment was in the provisional division, and also manned the James and Appomattox rivers. He was in the line that stormed Petersburg, April 2, 1865, and after they went into the city he was a member of the best band out of three that were with that portion of the army. He was mustered out at Sackett's Harbor, New York, July 7, 1865. After the war Mr. Bates engaged in farming for two years. In 1868 he was con- verted and united with the Baptist church. This entirely changed the nature of his life work. He went to Belleville, where he spent one year in preparation for college. In 1869 he entered Madison University, New York, and graduated in 1873 in the full classical course. HIe had only one year preparatory and graduated fifth in scholarship, out of a class of thirty-eight. He then entered Hamil- ton Theological Seminary, from which he graduated in June 1875. During all the time he was in college and the Theological Seminary, and in vacations, he supplied the pulpits for neighboring churches. He was ordained September 28, 1875, and located as pastor of the Baptist church at Lanark, Carroll county, Illinois. His pastorate in this place was quite a successful one, and on leaving it there was a decided increase in the number of its members. The first winter he was there he had a revival by which thirty-three united with the church. In 1878 he took charge of the church at Fort Dodge, Iowa, where he had a prosperous pastorate. While there he did mission- ary work throughout a large part of the state. He was appointed president of the Webster County Sunday School Convention, and took great interest in the state work of his denomination. July 1, 1880, Mr. Bates came to the city of Crawfordsville. He has begun his work here under favorable auspices. He has awakened a relig- ious interest among his people, his congregations have increased and he has made friends with all whom he has met. Mr. Bates is a hard working, diligent student. He reads widely from all departments of
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literature and thought. He sometimes reads his sermons, but gen- erally speaks extemporaneously, after careful preparation. Mr. Bates was married March 27, 1866, to Miss Josepa J. Locklin, of Champion, New York. She was born September 20, 1844, and is a member of the Baptist church. Her love and sympathy for her husband and his work strengthen him in his labor of love and fill their home with happiness.
Rev. Wellington E. Loucks, pastor of the First Presbyterian church of Crawfordsville, was born in Peoria, Illinois, October 12, 1854. His father. Judge Wellington Loucks, was born in New York, near Albany. He attended Hanover College, Indiana, and Oxford College, Ohio. He emigrated from New York to Detroit, Michigan, and in 1835 settled in Peoria, where he was a very successful mer- chant for a time. during which he read law. He began the practice of law and was elected judge of Peoria county, which position he held eight years. He has ever since been one of the leading lawyers
of Peoria. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, and an active Sabbath-school worker. Mr. Louck's mother, Rebecca A. Loucks, is a member of the Presbyterian church, and early taught her children the rudiments of education, and those moral and re- ligious principles that have guided them in life. At seven years of age the subject of this sketch entered the intermediate department of the city schools of Peoria, and graduated in the complete course in the class of 1873. After graduating he began teaching school, and continued reading medicine with Dr. J. C. Fry. In June, 1873, he was converted and joined the First Presbyterian church of Peoria, which changed his whole course of action. He immediately resolved upon the ministry, which he had hitherto tried to avoid, and began the study of theology under Jonathan Edwards, D.D., now pro- fessor of theology in Danville Seminary, Kentucky, but then pastor of the First Presbyterian church of Peoria. The interest shown him by Dr. Edwards was of great value to him in unfolding the princi- ples of a correct theology. Mr. Loncks was married January 21, 1875, to Miss Emma R. Johnson, of Peoria, and in March moved to Madison, Indiana, for the purpose of graduating in Hanover College. He became connected with the Y. C. A. S., and worked in the great revival of 1875 in southern Indiana, going from city to city. That fall he was taken very sick and came near losing his life. Upon re- covery, fearing that the demands of christian work in that place would interfere with his college work, he removed to Crawfordsville in November 1875, and entered Wabash College, beginning with the lowest preparatory class in Greek, and graduated in the regular
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classical course with the class of 1877. In 1876 he took charge of the Darlington and Bethel churches. In April, 1877, he was licensed to preach, and ordained for the Presbyterian ministry by the presbytery of Crawfordsville at an adjourned meeting at Dar- lington October 11, 1877. He remained pastor of the Darlington and Bethel churches until September 1, 1879, when he received a call from the Presbyterian church at Bloomfield, Iowa, and from the First Presbyterian church of Crawfordsville. He took charge of the
latter church, of which he is still pastor. In 1879 he was elected stated clerk of the presbytery of Crawfordsville. Mr. Louck's min- istry has been successful in the building up and increasing the membership of each church where he has labored. He is a man of strong convictions, an ardent believer in the good old doctrines of Calvinism, and preaches the truth as he understands it. He is held in high esteem by his brethren, and his standing with the church and the world is in the highest degree favorable to his reputation. He writes his sermons but delivers them without manuscript or notes. So accurate and wonderful is his memory that nothing he reads escapes him. He has a passion for music, also the study of elocution. He has a well selected library to which he is constantly adding. His sermons are characterized by beautiful language, apt illustration, accurate expression, breadth of thought, and a correct delineation of the motives of human nature, the springs of human action, and an application to the wants of human life. There have been born to him three children : Myra A., Edward W., and Ruth. The last one died in infancy. Mr. Loucks has an amiable and lovely wife, who assists and sympathizes with him in his labors, makes many warm friends, and fills his home with the sunshine of love.
Dr. Fred. F. Montague, physician and surgeon, Crawfordsville, was born in Erie county, Ohio, June 18, 1840. He lived there till eleven years old, then, with his parents, made an overland trip to California, staying there three years, then returned by water to and settled in Detroit, Michigan, where he lived until he came to Crawfordsville. He had a common school education, and attended Oberlin College two years, 1856 and 1857. He then clerked in a drug store, and has ever since been connected with the drug business. In 1862 the doc- tor enlisted in the 4th Mich. Cav. as hospital steward, and served in this capacity three years. The experience gained in this service has been of much value to him in his profession. He was in the battles of Perryville and Stone River; at this battle he was captured and immediately paroled. The doctor is a graduate of the American Eclectic College, and has attended the surgical school at Indianapolis.
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