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 70
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genealogy back to his grandfather, Thomas White, who was native of Ireland, his birthplace being near the line of Scotland. He emigrated to the United States and reared a family, among whom was Benjamin White, native of Pennsylvania, and father of our subject, who also reared a family of twelve children, and for many years was a resident of Greene county, Ohio, and the native place of Wm. S., who was born March 6, 1817, and migrated to Indiana in 1831 with his parents, and settled in Clarke township, Montgomery county. His father there en- tered land from the government, and became one of the successful and respected farmers of the county. The early advantages of Wm. S., so far as education was concerned, were limited to sixteen days of school- ing. Early in life he began learning the trade of a carpenter from his father, and has since, in connection with farming, done about $25,000 of business in this line. In 1838 Mr. White bought his present farm, which was then a piece of wild timber land, and which he has since converted into one of the best 360-acre farmns in Scott township. De- cember 24, 1836, Mr. White was married to Miss Amy, daughter of George Watkins, one of the old and prominent pioneers of the county. They have reared a family of twelve children, seven of whom are liv- ing: Israel H., Elizabeth J., Geo. W., Susanna M., Alice, John B. and Emma C. Benj. F. died in the service of his country at Smoky Town, Maryland, his body being brought home for burial.
James A. Skelton, farmer, New Market, was born in Kentucky, July 30, 1825. At the age of seven years he, with his widowed mother and her family of six children, emigrated to Brown township, Montgomery county, Indiana. Soon after she came, not being able to buy a home for her family, she put them out to be raised by others, and James, the subject of this sketch, found his home with Mr. Wil- liam Gott, Esq., with whom he lived till the age of twenty-one years, after which he began for himself by working out by the month. This he followed but one year, and December 12, 1847, he married Miss Rebecca Wilkinson, a native of Ohio, and born March 4, 1820. She came to this county in 1844. They have a family of four children, all of whom are married : Kezia E., wife of William F. Britton ; Mar gery E., wife of Marcus W. Smith ; Margaret A., wife of Henry C. Elliott, and Sarah E. E., wife of John W. Faust. Mr. Skelton is now living on his neat little home of eighty acres, and engaged in farming. His parents, Powell and Elizabeth (Gott) Skelton, are dead, his father dying in Kentucky, and his mother in this county in 1841.
Daniel Arnold, farmer and stock raiser, one of the early pioneers, was born near Finn Castle, Virginia, December 12, 1808. His early youth, till the age of twenty-three years, was spent with his parents,
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employed at farm labor, a business he has successfully followed through life. In October, 1830, he married Miss Nancy Myers, who was born in Virginia. After his marriage Mr. Arnold engaged in farming with his father-in-law, in his native state, one year, after which he rented a farm one year, and in 1832 came to Clarke township, Montgomery county, Indiana. There his father-in-law bought him a farm of 194 acres of land. This he partly improved, living on it eight years ; he then sold out and removed to Seott township and bought the farm on which he now lives, about two miles northwest of Ladoga. This farm of 320 acres he has well improved, and is worth about $18,- 000. After the death of his first wife Mr. Arnold married Miss Fran- ces Pefley, daughter of Mr. Samuel Pefley, Esq. She died, and for his third wife he married Margaret Maltby, with whom he is now liv- ing. By his first wife he has three children living : David, Mary (wife of Samuel Graybill), and Henry, and a son William, who was killed in Virginia, while nobly defending the flag of his country. To Mr. James F. Harney the family acknowledge their life-long gratitude for his kindness in going direct to the front, and at the risk of his life, securing the body and bringing it home for burial. By his second wife Mr. Arnold has three children living: Samuel, George R. and John B.
James E. Welch, blacksmith, Parkersburg, the old-time and pres- ent blacksmith of Parkersburg, is one to whom many thanks are given in consideration of his opening his great store-house of knowledge con- cerning the early history of this part of Scott township; for without the information given by him this part of the work would have been quite incomplete. He was born in Fleming county, Kentucky, De- cember 13, 1822, and with his parents, Mr. Noble and Lydia A. (Se- crest) Welch, removed, in the autumn of 1825, to Monroe county, Indiana, but soon after went to Owen county, where he remained one year, and then went to Putnam county, and there lived till the fall of 1833, when he came to Parkersburg, Montgomery county, Indiana, and bought a farm from one of the first pioneers, part of which he soon after laid out in lots, and which made a part of the village of Parkersburg. His educational advantages were limited, but with a determined will and a love for reading he has become a man of some considerable knowledge of general history, and is the equal of, if he is not superior to, many who have enjoyed greater educational advan- tages. In 1840 he went to Gosport, Indiana, and engaged there in learning the trade he now follows, after which he made a trip to Iowa on horse-back, via Bloomington and Burlington, in company with an uncle, Mr. R. M. Secrest, taking with them a drove of cattle. . After
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his return to Parkersburg he permanently located, and engaged in the business of blacksmithing. May 1, 1853, he married Miss Elizabeth T. daughter of Mr. Henry and Letitia Branock. She was born in Ken- tucky, October 10, 1832. They have six children : Sarah E., Noble H., James R., Lydia A., Charles S. and William M. Politically Mr. Welch is a republican, though he was formerly a democrat, and only when he considered they abandoned their first principles he left the party.
Marcus D. L. Long, farmer, Ladoga, son of William D. and Rhoda H. (Clark) Long, was born in Shelby county, Kentucky, November 1, 1832. In about 1836 he with his mother and infant brother came to this county, his father having died in January 1834. His early youth was spent in farming, and to a limited extent attending school. Being an orphan boy his education was of a necessity much neglected, but by a rigid observation and wide reading he has become quite familiar and well posted as regards business and current literature. At about the age of twenty be began life for himself by working out by the month. When twenty-six years old he purchased his present home farm, and on January 3, 1861, at the age of twenty-eight, he married Miss Melvina Lafollett, who was born January 19, 1839, and died May 11, 1876. One child, the product of this union, is dead. May 25, 1876, he mar- ried Miss Lydia E. Frank, a native of Putnam county, Indiana, who was born February 28, 1839. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank, are both dead. Mr. Long is now the happy possessor of 160 acres of land situated two and one-fourth miles east of Parkersburg, on Raccoon creek, well improved and under a high state of cultivation, and was made and saved by his own hard labor, economy, and close application to business. In June, 1844, his mother married Nicholas West, one of Putnam county's well-to-do and influential farmers and stock raisers, respected by all, and revered as one of the leading citizens of the county. But a sad fate was waiting this magnanimous soul. November 24, 1864, he was murdered withont cause at the hands of Henry L. Dick- son, a brother of Mr. West's first wife. They had been life-long friends, and knew each other only as brothers. But Dickson had become insane upon the political questions of the day. The presidential election of that year had just been decided. The spirit of every Union man was fired to a flaming heat. The war was still raging in all its fury. The success of the armies was uppermost in every person's mind. The result of battles was discussed in a most ardent manner until every one's mind was filled with excitement. The night referred to above, Dick- son had wrought himself up to such a pitch he was ungovernable, while laboring under the hallucination that his democratic friends, on account
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of his having voted contrary to his former principles, which were dem- ocratic, had become his avowed enemies, and that these and the armies of the south were constantly watching him, seeking the destruction of his life and property. His wife was a good, honest, earnest christian, and as such had many times tried to convert him, until his sanity upon re- ligious topics was sometimes questioned. The evening in question Mr. West was called in to try and quiet him, which he succeeded in doing as far as outward appearances indicated. But about 11 o'clock Dickson, unobserved by Mr. West, drew a revolver and shot him in the abdomen, from the effects of which he died about 6 o'clock the following morning, surrounded by his weeping wife and two step-sons. Dickson was immediately taken before the proper authorities, tried, and sent to the hospital for the insane at Indianapolis, where he still re- mains a hopeless case.
Joseph Wasson, farmer and stock raiser, Parkersburg, is a son of Samuel and Susanah (McLeod) Wasson, and was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, October 12, 1828. In the fall of 1835 he, with his parents, emigrated in a four-horse wagon to what is now Brown town- ship, Montgomery county, Indiana, occupying twelve days in making the trip. His advantages as regards education were very limited during his early youth, though after he arrived at his majority he attended a graded school, after which he entered his brother's store at Parkersburg as clerk. November 25, 1852, he married Miss Susan A., daughter of John and Sarah (Sewel) Frame. She was born June 24, 1834, and is a native of Kentucky, and came with her parents to this county in its early history. They have four children : Cordelia J., John C. and Minnie. Mr. Wasson now owns a neat little farm of 115 acres one mile north of Parkersburg, on which is laid out the private family cem- etery of the Wassons and Frames. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church the last twenty-one years; is its present class-leader, and has aided largely in building up and supporting the church through its early history. Mr. Wasson is, politically, a republican.
William Myers, retired farmer, Ladoga, came with his parents, John and Catharine (Hontz) Myers, to this township from Virginia in 1833. He was born on September 4, 1816, in the old hilly state of Virginia. At the time they settled in Montgomery county their market for many years was La Fayette, or to points on the Ohio river through a wild tim- bered country, without roads or bridges, winding through the forests, crossing, or rather fording, streams at the safest places. On October 20, 1836, he married Miss Lydia Harshbarger, a native of Virginia, who came to this county far back in its early history. Mr. Myers, like his father, was reared a farmer, which business he always followed. In
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1852 he built the fine brick residence where he now lives, on the county road one mile west of Ladoga. He is now spending his declining years in his comfortable home, made by a life of honest toil. He has six children living : Saloma C., Elizabeth A., Daniel A., Amanda E., Mary L. and Susan A. His father died in 1842, at the honored old age of seventy-seven years, after an industrious life of honest labor. His mother died in 1850. He has nineteen grandchildren, and is one of the representative men of Scott township.
Francis M. Watkins, farmer and stock raiser, New Market, is a son of Daniel and Nancy (Kelsey) Watkins, who came and settled in the north part of Scott township in 1827, and was among the first of the early pioneers there. He bought a half-section of land, cleared a large part of it, and reared a family of ten children. He was one of the early Methodist preachers in this part of Montgomery county, and did much in the way of establishing and permanently building up the society in this part of the county, and having a good home it was always the home of the preachers. He died in March 1873, after a life of useful- ness and honest toil, loved and respected by all. Mrs. Watkins died in March 1878. Our subject, Francis M., the seventh of the family, was born January 29, 1837, in Scott township, and like his father was reared a farmer, and was educated in the common schools. Being in Illinois at the outbreak of the rebellion, he enlisted at Chicago in Co. G, 37th Ill. Vol. Inf. He participated in the battle of Pea Ridge, where he was wounded in the shoulder, but not so severely but that he kept his place in the ranks till the battle was won, and had the ball extracted at night. In this memorable battle over half their regiment was lost in killed and wounded, after which they were for some time engaged in a destructive warfare with guerrillas and bushwhackers. He was in the great battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, at the siege of Vicksburg, and at the capture of Yazoo City. From there he went with his regi- ment to the Rio Grande, where he remained till discharged and sent to Chicago, where he was mustered out of service after three years and three months' active soldiering for his country's flag. He at once re- turned to Montgomery county, Indiana, and engaged in farming on the old home farm. September 24, 1867, he married Miss Mary A. Lash- ley, who died August 20, 1878. Angust 7, 1879, he married for his second wife Mrs. Nancy Davis, who was born in Brown township August 8, 1835, and is a daughter of Mr. Thomas Glenn. By his first wife Mr. Watkins has two children : Hattie E. and Nettie C. Mrs. Watkins has by her former husband one child, James T. Mr. Watkins is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, while Mrs. Watkins is a member of the Missionary Baptist church.
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
David Arnold, farmer, Ladoga, is a son of David and Nancy (Myers) Arnold, and was born in Scott township in 1837, and like his father was reared a farmer. His advantages for education were rather limited, yet such as was to be obtained in the pioneer log-cabin schools, car- ried on on the subscription principle, he received. In 1862 he married Miss Rebecca Ann Grider, who died in 1872. For his second wife he married Martha Gish, a native of Virginia, who is one of those excel- lent ladies who always contribute to home's happiness. He has six children : Thomas and William by his first wife, and Daniel, Charlie,. Henry, and Homer, by his second. He owns a very neat and beautiful little farm of eighty acres two miles north of Ladoga. His father came here from Virginia far back in this county's history. He owns 320 acres of land. Mr. Arnold is educating his family as becomes a faithful parent.
Daniel Busenbark, farmer, New Market, is a son of William and Eliza (Leigh) Busenbark. He was born in Butler county, Ohio, Oc- tober 13, 1831, and came to Union township with his parents Septem- ber 1833. He, like his father, was reared a farmer, and enjoyed but a limited means of education, coming to a new country in infancy, where was only the pioneer subscription school. His father died in 1836, and thus he was left in early life in care of his mother. At the age of eighteen he began for himself by working out by the month till he earned money enough to buy a team. He then rented the old farm from his mother, one year, then removed to Scott township, bought a farm of eighty acres, and has, by economy, industry and close attention to business, paid for and improved it in a way that reflects credit on its owner. About four years after his marriage his wife died, and he married for his second wife Hannah L., daughter of Car- son and Cinthy (Craig) Wray, who was born in Montgomery county, Indiana. Their children are Mary E., William W., Francis C. and Eliza J. Mr. Busenbark is one of those men who by honesty and fair dealing has gained the confidence of his friends and neighbors.
David M. Harshbarger, farmer and graded stock raiser, Ladoga, is a son of Mr. Samuel and Elizabeth (Myers) Harshbarger, who came to this township from Virginia with their family in 1837, though he came here in 1831, and entered land in Secs. 34 and 35, T. 17, R. 4 W., on his farm. Here he lived, and reared a thrifty and industrious family, and died at the honorable old age of seventy-two years. Mrs. Harsh- barger died in 1850. David was born in Scott township, on the old farm, and in the same house where he now lives, February 4, 1842, and was reared to a farmer's life. January 27, 1870, he married Miss Sarah A., daughter of William F. and Mary A. (Hostetter) Davidson. She was born in Union township, Montgomery county, Indiana, July
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30, 1845. They have three children : Clara A., Saloma B. and Cora E. He is now actively engaged in farming and stock raising, and has for the last few years turned his attention to the breeding and rais- ing of graded short-horns, and is feeding yearly about a car load of fine export steers. In fact, his stock farm and house (which is a fine brick) reflect great credit on their proprietor. He is a democrat, as was also his father, though he was always opposed to slavery, and for that reason left Virginia and came to the free state of Indiana.
Samuel P. Forgey, retired farmer, Whitesville, was born in Mont- gomery county, Kentucky, March 22, 1819, and came with his parents, James and Jane (Vanscoyae) Forgey, to Putnam county, Indiana, when eight years old. Coming to a new country, his education was very limited, yet, having a determined will, he applied himself to reading and observation, and has become one of the well posted men of the county. December 17, 1840, he married Miss Mahala O., daugh- ter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Olliver) Magill. She was born February 1, 1821, in Franklin county, Kentucky. In 1843 he removed to his present home farm in the northeast part of Scott township, enjoying the fruits of his labor and industry. He has five children living: James S. (now in Kansas, engaged in farming) enlisted in Co. B, 10th Ind. Vol. Inf., and faithfully served his country in the dark days of rebellion ; Elizabeth J., wife of George L. Mills, who was also a sol- dier through the war, serving in Co. K, 11th Cav., 126th Ind. Vols .; John P. is in Kansas, and George W. and Henry C. are at home, all engaged in farming. Judging from the neat and thrifty appearance of the farm and its improvements, they are industrious and enterprising young men. Politically they are republicans, and the parents are members of the Methodist church.
Thomas J. Armstrong, farmer and graded stock raiser, Parkers- burg, was born in Scott township, April 2, 1843, and, like his father, was reared a farmer. His education was received mostly at the com- mon country schools, and he attended the Ladoga Seminary six months. At a little less than nineteen years of age he volunteered his services to his country, and March 3, 1862, became a member of ยท Co. G, 26th Ind. Vol. Inf. The first battle he engaged in was New Tonia, Missouri. Soon after followed the terrible battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas; there his regiment lost over half their men in about two hours. It is due to the credit of Mr. Armstrong to say that he was out about four years, and constantly with his regiment, being home but once, then on a veteran furlough, and was honorably dis- charged February 1866. He at once returned home and engaged in farming, and November 20, 1866, he married Miss Susan E., daughter
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of James and Malinda S. (Parker) Secrest. She was born in Scott town- ship, September 12, 1847. They have two children living: Mary A. and Leo. Besides farming Mr. Armstrong is now actively engaged in stock raising; for the last three years, however, he has turned his at- tention to graded stock breeding and raising short-horned cattle, Clids- dale horses, Cotswold sheep, and Jersey red swine. His farm and home is half a mile north of Parkersburg. His parents, Mr. Am- brose W. and Eliza J. (Drennon) Armstrong, came to this county far back in its early history.
John H. Goodbar, farmer and stock raiser, Ladoga, is a son of Har- vey and Louisa (Lockridge) Goodbar, who came to this county from Kentucky in 1829, traveling then, as did others, with horses and wagon, driving their milch cows with them, occupying sixteen days in making the trip. Mr Goodbar was a most estimable citizen, and died in early life. Mrs. Goodbar is living. Of their four children three are living: Elizabeth, Albert, and John H. The subject of this sketch was born June 1, 1843, in Scott township and, like his father, was reared a farmer, and educated in the pioneer log cabin. About the age of fifteen years he began farming for himself, taking charge of the old homestead. He now owns 240 acres of good and well improved land, and is actively engaged in farming and stock raising, making raising and dealing in cattle a specialty, as he considers grazing and feeding cattle a more intelligent branch of farming than raising grain for sale. He was for several years engaged in buying and shipping stock to Chicago. March 24, 1864, he married Miss Livia, daughter of Mr. Isaac Dollis, Esq., of Louisville, Kentucky. She was born in 1843.
William Johnson, farmer and stock raiser, Ladoga. As far back in the history of Scott township as 1831 came Mr. Alfred and his wife Marga- ret (Dollis) Johnson from Mason county, Kentucky. He was born and they were married in Kentucky ; she was born in New Jersey. Coming as they did in the fall of the year, ground was wet (there being no roads), and they were three weeks making the trip. After arriving they began making arrangements for wintering, and improving their new home. Mr. Johnson died in 1850, and Mrs. Johnson is still living in the old home with her son George and one daughter. She is a smart and intelligent lady for one of her age. Her youngest son, William, the subject of this sketch, is living on a farm adjoining. He was born on the old farm near the center of the township, May 7, 1845. Five years after his birth his father died, and he was reared by his mother, and en- gaged in farming and attending school till the age of twenty, when he entered the Ladoga Seminary and pursued a commercial course six
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months of each year for five years, working on the farm between times, after which he devoted his time to farming and dealing in stock. April 8, 1873, he married Miss Mary A., daughter of Robert and Susan E. (Oliver) Webb; she was born in Hamilton county, Indiana. They have three children : Robert A., George H. and Gracie E. (twins). Mr. Johnson is now devoting most of his time to buying and shipping stock of all kinds, having last year shipped 56 car loads, hav- paid out for stock in Montgomery and adjoining counties some $75,- 000. The county commissioners, a few years ago, appointed him assessor, after which he was elected to fill the same position by the people two terms. Himself and wife are members of the Baptist church at Ladoga. He is at present, superintendent of the Sabbath- school at the center school-house, and politically is a sound republican.
Nathaniel G. Kesler, farmer and stock raiser, Ladoga, the present gentlemanly trustee of Scott township, is a son of Mr. Benjamin and Elizabeth (Graybill) Kesler. He was born in Botetourt county, Vir- ginia, January 8, 1838, and in 1847, with his parents, came to Scott township, Montgomery county, Indiana. His father, by hard work and close attention to business, has made a large property, and is now living on his fine farm of 350 acres, just north of Ladoga, and each of his five sons are owners of good farms. Nathaniel's farm contains 207 acres, and he has just built on it a very fine and comfortable little residence. September 13, 1866, he married Miss Mary E., daughter of Mr. Sam- uel and Elizabeth (Myers) Harshbarger, early pioneers of Scott town- ship, the place of her birth and rearing. They have five children : Louie L., Samuel B., William H., Sarah A. and John M. Mr. Kesler is one of the leading men of his township, and is engaged in farming and stock raising, as well as filling the positions of trust elected to by his friends and constituents.
William R. Frame, farmer and stock raiser, Parkersburg. Old uncle William Frame came to this township as early as 1828. He was one of those men of sterling worth who, when they enter a new country, at once begin to look after its moral and religious interests. William Robert Frame, the subject of this sketch, is his grandson and was born on September 6, 1851, in Scott township, and was, like his father and grandfather, reared a farmer. During his youth he received a fair common school education. He was married June 24, 1875, to Miss Mary A., daughter of Mr. Thomas S. and Mary A. (Points) Doyle, and was born in this county August 22, 1858. They have two children : Charley W., and Minnie A., a very intelligent child, in Feb- ruary 1880, became afflicted with spinal disease, and now, in August 1880, is unable to walk, though her parents are using every means
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