USA > Indiana > Montgomery County > History of Montgomery county, Indiana; with personal sketches of representative citizens, Volume II > Part 8
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52
February 4, 1836, he was married to Mary A. Hall, daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Herron) Hall, who was born in New Berry county, South Carolina, June 18, 1807. Her mother died in South Carolina, December 10, 1821, leaving several children. James F. Hall, her brother, was one of the county commissioners that built our court house. Her father and mother were born in Moneheim county, Ireland, and landed at Charleston, South Carolina. in 1765. Two of Grandfather Hall's brothers were soldiers in the Revolutionary war, in Gen. Francis Marion's army, one being an officer.
My parents were married at "Fruit's Corner," in Ripley township, Montgomery county, and moved in the spring of 1836 to the wilds of Clin- ton county, on Wild Cat creek, four miles northeast of Frankfort, on a hundred and sixty acre tract that had been entered from the government.
(53)
834
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, INDIANA.
Here, in a twelve by twelve log cabin they began the battle of life, with wolves and wild-cats for nocturnal serenaders. Father taught school one or more winters in a log school house, with greased paper for window lights, and slabs with wooden legs for seats and slabs for flooring. About that time he was a candidate for the Legislature, on the Whig ticket, from the counties of Clinton and Montgomery, which counties were largely Democratic. He said that it became apparent that he would be elected, when the "Demos" started a falsehood and defeated him. This so disgusted him he would never again be a candidate for office. He was a man of pleasing address, an easy and fluent speaker, invincible in argument, a great reader and of good memory. An honest man, detesting hypocrisy. He was a member of the Friends church, but having that broad catholicity, characteristic of his bene- volent spirit. In his latter years, when "moved" he frequently preached to the Friends. He passed to the spirit life from his home in Darlington, June 23, 1869, when nearly seventy years of age ; his ashes repose in Odd Fellows beautiful cemetery. Three children made glad my father's Clinton county home: Thomas J., born April 2, 1837: Joanna M., born November 25, 1839: Nancy E., born August 1, 1842. Joanna departed this life February 13, 1865. in her twenty-sixth year, from cerebro-spinal meningitis, the re- sult of exposure while teaching school. Nancy E. was married to Joseph Binford. December 19, 1861, and resides in Crawfordsville.
My mother was a noble, thoughtful woman, devoted to her home and family. A devout Presbyterian and she passed to spirit life November 3. 1886, and her dust rests beside father's in lovely Odd Fellows cemetery. Her father deserves mention in this connection. He had convictions that slavery was wrong, but he could not free them in South Carolina, as it was against the law, so he told them to look around and choose their masters without breaking families. This they did. Then he removed to Butler county, Ohio, and remained there about two years, when, with his children, Thomas, John A., James F., Mary A., Elizabeth, Nancy and Henry L., he came to Ripley township, this county, the now "Fruit's Corner," in 1829, and purchased a large farm and died there in 1848, and is buried in the old cemetery, one- half mile west of Yountsville. For fifty years he was a ruling elder in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian church. He was a very conscientious man.
We now return to the Griffith history. Townsend Griffith, a brother of my father, was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, April 4. 1801, and came to Crawfordsville in 1822 and was married to Mahala Catterlin, No- vember 1, 1827; she was the daughter of Ephriam Catterlin, a pioneer settler
835
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, INDIANA.
near the town. Townsend was prominent in the early development of the county, both in politics and civic offices. He was an whole-souled man, hos- pitable,genial and jolly, with the proverbial latch-string always on the out- side. In the summer of 1852 he made a business trip to Minnesota and died of cholera June 2, 1852, at Galena, Illinois, on his return trip. After a time his remains were brought home and rest in the Masonic cemetery. To them were born-Matilda, one of the first children born in Crawfordsville, and who married Benjamin F. Galey. Mr. Galey died many years ago, and Mrs. Galey passed away only recently, in her eighty-fifth year. Sarah A. married George Worbington, of a prominent family here, and who died many years ago. She is living, and is the mother of Benjamin and Charley Worbington ; Ephraim C. and Amanda (twins), born January 5, 1833. Amanda married Morgan Snook, a son of Dr. Henry Snook, who was one of the pioneer phy- sicians here and a brother-in-law of Dr. Samuel B. Morgan, a leading physi- cian here in the early days.
248933
Ephraim married Mary J. Brassfield, February 14, 1855; his wife was born August 5. 1837. He died February II, 1901, and was noted for his hustling business abilities and did an extensive mechanical contracting busi- ness. Mrs. Griffith is living with her son, Howard, in the enjoyment of good health. To them were born: George, the architect; Frank E., who died young : William Douglass married Agnes A. Walsh, December 14. 1910; Howard E. and Birdie, all of Crawfordsville.
Ephriam Griffith was full of civic pride, and the citizens appreciated his efforts by electing him councilman and again a member of the school board, which positions he worthily filled.
Now back to the family of Townsend: Mary, who married Charles Bowen, for many years editor of the Crawfordsville Review, both have passed to future life, leaving two children-Arthur and Clara ; she is married and resides in Kansas. Rebecca, who died in infancy. Abraham, who lived to manhood and was thrown from a horse and killed. John Warner, who was an express messenger from Indianapolis to St. Louis, and was killed in a railroad wreck. He was married and his widow lives in Indianapolis. Sam- uel Morgan (named for their Doctor), who died in infancy. George, son of Ephriam and Mary Griffith, was married to Ida M. Caster, March IO, 1880. He was born in Crawfordsville, March 12, 1856. William Douglass, born June 22, 1861 ; Frank E., born June 9, 1858; Howard E., born Decem- ber 30, 1876.
Two sons were born to George and Ida Griffith-Claude and Karl.
836
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, INDIANA.
Claude married Helen Nolan and has one son. Karl is married and lives in Urbana, Illinois, and has four daughters.
Rev. Thomas Griffith, a cousin of my father, was the first Methodist minister in Crawfordsville. He preached in a small frame church, where the present Methodist Episcopal church stands. He married Lucy Daniels, and was a brother-in-law of John Crawford, a pioneer merchant here. He was acting postmaster during Major Elston's term of office. Their sons were John and Thomas B. John was a druggist and died many years ago. Thomas was a brave soldier in the famous Eighty-sixth Indiana Infantry in the war of the Rebellion. After the war he married Amanda Wilhite, October 15, 1864, by whom was born William Griffith. Thomas B. died thirty years ago, and his remains lie in Masonic cemetery.
The Rev. Thomas Griffith's grave is in the old town cemetery unknown and unmarked, the most neglected public cemetery in Montgomery county.
Amos Griffith, my grandfather's brother, went to Warren county in 1830 and married an Indian woman with a large land inheritance. My father visited them about 1832, and their home was a model of cleanliness. No children were born to them. Further of his history, I know nothing.
I have now given a brief and truthful history of the Griffith family, of which I am a descendant, which will connect the past with the future, and which I hope may be maintained by some future historian.
I am not without pride for family history.
WILLIAM R. COLEMAN.
The business man who rises above his fellows does so by taking advan- tage of conditions which others overlook or fail to grasp. This has been very largely the case with William R. Coleman. In all that constitutes true manhood and good citizenship he is a worthy example and none stands higher than he in the esteem and confidence in the circles in which he moves. His career has been characterized by duty well performed, by faithfulness to every trust reposed in him, by industry, thrift, and wisely directed efforts, which has resulted in the accumulation of a comfortable share of this world's goods, be- sides earning a reputation which has never been clouded by the commission of unworthy acts.
Mr. Coleman was born in Union township, Montgomery county, on September 7, 1869. He is a son of Henderson J. and Deborah (Edwards)
837
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, INDIANA.
Coleman. The father was born in Scott county, Indiana, January 14, 1829, a son of John and Mary ( Jacobs) Coleman. His parents came to Scott county from Franklin county, Indiana, and lived there until 1833 when they came to Montgomery county, locating in Union township, where they spent the rest of their lives on a farm, the father dying in April, 1874 at the age of eighty-four years and the mother's death occurred in 1864 at the age of sixty- eight years. Henderson J. Coleman received a good common school educa- tion, and he began life for himself by teaching school. He enjoyed the distinction of being the champion penman of his county. Later he turned his attention to farming which he continued through life with success, also studied to be a veterinary physician, and he practiced for a period of twenty-five years, becoming one of the best known veterinaries in this section of the state. It was his custom to buy diseased and disabled horses and cure them, selling them for handsome profits. In 1880 he gave up his farm of one hundred and sixty-eight acres and devoted all his time and attention to veterinary work. He had the confidence of all the farmers for he did his work well and con- scientiously. He was a Republican, and fraternally was a Mason. His death occurred in 1905. He and Deborah Edwards were married in Mont- gomery county on September 16, 1856. She was born on March 6, 1833 and is still living, making her home with the subject of this sketch.
William R. Coleman, well known druggist of Crawfordsville, was edu- cated in the common schools of his native county and he spent two years in Wabash College. He finished his education as a pharmacist in Chicago, graduating there in 1891. He returned to Crawfordsville and worked for Smith & Myers, later worked as clerk in drug stores in Cincinnati and Indi- anapolis, for a few years, then returned to Crawfordsville, and worked for R. C. Smith, later for J. H. Whitneck. In 1898 he began the drug business in Crawfordsville for himself on North Green street, remaining there three years, then purchased his present place in the Crawford Hotel block, in 1901, and has since successfully conducted the same, enjoying a large and ever grow- ing trade with the city and surrounding country, always keeping a large and carefully selected stock of modern drugs and drug sundries, his store being a neat, attractive and well kept one. In 1904 he associated with the United Drug Company, manufacturers of the Rexall remedies. He carries a large line of the same, in connection with a full stock of prescription drugs and patent medicines.
Fraternally, Mr. Coleman is a member of the Masonic Order, including the Council, also the Improved Order of Red Men, the Patriotic Order Sons
838
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, INDIANA.
of America, also Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Politically, he is a Progressive, and in religious matters a Baptist.
Mr. Coleman was married in November, 1893 to Mabel Smith, a native of Kentucky, and after a brief and happy married life, she was called to her rest in the spring of 1904.
CHARLES E. BUTLER.
Under a popular form of government like that of the United States, where the democratic idea of equality is as fully developed as the present im- perfect condition of mankind will permit, we expect as its legitimate result the triumph of individual worth and energy over all the competition that wealth and class may array against them. Here the avenues of wealth and distinction are fully opened to all, which fact enhances rather than detracts from the merits of those whose energy and integrity have triumphed over all obstacles intervening between humble position and the attainment of those ends. Obscurity and labor, at no time dishonorable, never assume more at- tractive features than when the former appears as the nurse of those virtues which the latter, by years of honest and persevering effort, transplants to a higher and richer soil; hence the biographer of those men of sterling worth whose active enterprise has won for them the distinction, pre-eminence and commanding influence in the society in which they move must be replete with facts which should encourage and instruct the young. Such a man is Charles E. Butler, well known citizen of Crawfordsville, who has done as much, if not more, than any other man to encourage better methods of farming in Montgomery county, and by the exercise of those talents and characteristics which were cultivated from his youth, has reached an honorable position in the public mind and earned the respect and high esteem of his fellow citizens.
Mr. Butler was born March 7, 1866, in Franklin township, Montgom- ery county. He is a son of Mahlon and Eunice (Lacy) Butler. The father was born on January 27, 1821, in Virginia, coming to Indiana at the early age of six months, and in 1834 he came with the rest, of the family to Mont- gomery county. They settled in Franklin township, in a Quaker community, and among them was organized the Friends church in that township. The father of the subject spent the rest of his life in that township and there fol- lowed general farming. There he built a house ready for his bride, a gentle, kind and true Christian woman, whom he brought from Rush county, In- diana, and in that same house the father and mother of the subject always
839
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, INDIANA.
lived after coming to this county, until her death, on June 27, 1902. Mahlon Butler owned a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres, on which he car- ried on general farming and stock raising. Politically, he was a Reublican, but he never held office, being a dignified, quiet home man and a steady-going Quaker. His death occurred on March 5, 1904. His family consisted of five children, of whom Charles E., of this sketch, is the only one living, he having been the youngest of the family; the others were Emiline, Emily, Jennie and Lindley M., all deceased.
Charles E. Butler grew to manhood on the home farm and there he assisted with the general work of the farm. He received his early education in the common schools and the high school, and later was a student in Wa- bash College.
On October 10, 1888, he married Hallie L. Mount, who was born in Montgomery county, Franklin township, on August 18, 1868. She is a daughter of James A. and Catherine (Boyd) Mount. He was born March 23, 1843, and his death occurred on January 16, 1901. His wife was born in 1849, and her death occurred on July 6, 1905. James A. Mount became governor of Indiana, and was one of the most popular and efficient executives the state has ever had. A complete sketch of this distinguished man appears on other pages of this work. Mrs. Butler received a good education in the common schools here, later attended a college in Kentucky, from which she was graduated. She is a lady of culture and refinement and has always been popular with a wide circle of friends.
To Mr. and Mrs. Butler three children have been born, namely : Everett, born on August 18, 1891, graduated from Crawfordsville high school, and is at present farming ; Lois, born July 6, 1897, is attending high school; Gladys, born September 4, 1900, is also in school at Crawfordsville.
Mr. Butler has spent nearly all his life on the farm in Franklin township. He has made general farming and stock raising his chief life work and he has succeeded beyond the average agriculturalist, partly because he has made a more careful study of modern methods of tilling the soil, and partly because he has applied himself persistently and assiduously to whatever task he has had in hand. Mr. and Mrs. Butler's farm includes the two original Mount and Butler homesteads. It is deemed by them a privilege and responsibility to have in their possession these sacred spots, wrought into them, as there is, so much of the life of their loved ones. The scenes of their happy childhood days filled with memories of self-sacrificing, devoted parents, where the bravest struggles of hardships were met and conquered and the days of beau- tiful home life and happiness were passed. They are the owners of one of
840
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, INDIANA.
the finest, best-improved and most productive farms in Montgomery county, consisting of four hundred and fifty-five acres in Franklin township, all being cultivated or consisting of the best blue grass pastures. Here is carried on a general line of farming and stock raising, some excellent grades of live stock being found about his place at all seasons. He raises and feeds stock of all kinds for the market, shipping large numbers of fat cattle, hogs and sheep each year. He has a commodious and comfortable dwelling of modern style on his farm, where they spend their summers, also an excellent group of outbuildings. But they spend their winters in Crawfordsville, on account of school facilities, owning a beautiful home at 708 East Main street.
Politically, Mr. Butler is a Republican, and while he has always been loyal in his support of the party and been actively engaged in politics, he has never sought or held office, preferring to devote his attention exclusively to his large farming and stock raising industries. For years he has been offi- cially identified with the Farmers' Institute work of the county. He is presi- dent of the Better Farming Association of Montgomery county, and for two years has been president of the Agricultural Society of Montgomery County. He is at present secretary of the State Farmers' Congress of Indiana. He has filled these important positions in a manner that has reflected much credit upon himself and to the eminent satisfaction of all concerned. He has done a great work in encouraging better and more scientific methods in general farming and stock raising and is regarded as an authority on modern twen- tieth century methods, and his advice is frequently sought along these lines and is invariably followed with gratifying results.
Mr. Butler is a member of the Knights of Pythias of Crawfordsville, and religiously holds membership with the Center Presbyterian church here.
FORGISON GRAHAM McINTIRE.
One of the leading citizens of Montgomery county is Forgison Graham McIntire, for a long lapse of years one of our most enterprising agricul- turists, manufacturers and business men. Mr. McIntire is a public-spirited man in all that the term implies, being ever interested in enterprises tending to promote the general welfare and has withheld his support from no move- ment for the good of the locality so long honored by his residence. His per- sonal relations with his fellow men have ever been mutually pleasant and
FORGISON G. MCINTIRE
841
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, INDIANA.
agreeable, and he is highly regarded by all, being easily approached, obliging and straightforward in all the relations of life.
Mr. McIntire, who is the scion of one of the worthy old pioneer families of Montgomery county, members of which have figured prominently in the upbuilding of the same for more than three-quarters of a century, was born in Wayne township, this county, January 21, 1841. He is a son of John and Eliza (Burbridge) McIntire. The father was born on January 20, 1807, near Harper's Ferry, Virginia. The family later moved to Kentucky, and in the early twenties came on to Montgomery county, Indiana, settling in Wayne township, when this country was a wilderness and settlers were few. Here John McIntire entered one hundred and sixty acres from the government, in 1829, and up to 1910 the same was kept in the family. His father, Jacob McIntire, bought one hundred and sixty acres in the same township. John cleared his farm and worked it with gratifying results until 1850, when his death occurred. Politically, he was a Whig and was a deacon in the Baptist church. In 1830 he married Eliza Burbridge. She was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, February 2, 1815, and when a child accompanied her family, in 1823, to Montgomery county, Indiana, her parents settling near the farm of Henry Oldfield, who was the first settler of Montgomery county. The father, Wil- liam Burbridge, entered three hundred and twenty acres of land there which he developed into a good farm, and thereon he built, in 1827, the first brick house ever erected in this county. The same is still standing and is in use. The late Mrs. McIntire carried the brick with which to build the same. Wm. Burbridge was elected to the office of associate judge of the county, and he served the people most faithfully and acceptably. He was very influential in public affairs and was one of the substantial and leading men of the county. At one time he owned a large extent of valuable property on West Market street, Crawfordsville. His death occurred in 1868.
The death of Mrs. John McIntire occurred on January 3, 1903.
Ten children were born to John McIntire and wife, three of whom are living, namely : Forgison G., of this review ; Rachael, wife of C. D. Cruse, of Crawfordsville; and Emma, of Crawfordsville.
Forgison G. McIntire received what education he could in the common schools of his native vicinity in those early days, and at the age of fourteen years he took charge of the home farm, and continued to operate the same with skill and gratifying results until 1864, when he proved his patriotism, by enlisting in Company H, One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Indiana Volunteer
842
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, INDIANA.
Infantry, and he served very faithfully, principally in garrison duty, until he was mustered out the following October.
Returning to the farm he continued to operate the same with his usual success until 1872. He prospered and purchased various farms in different parts of the county, which he operated on an extensive scale until 1885 when he moved to Crawfordsville, where he went into the fence manufacturing business, which he continued for a period of fifteen years, building up an extensive and lucrative business and enjoying an excellent trade all over the country. While on the farm he engaged in the threshing business and he still is interested in that line of work. He has shown himself to be a capable business man and has carried to successful completion whatever he has at- tempted. He is today one of the solid financial men of Crawfordsville.
Mr. McIntire has always taken an abiding interest in public matters, especially as affecting Montgomery county. He was twice elected assessor of Union township, serving from 1900 to 1908, in a manner that reflected much credit upon himself and to the eminent satisfaction of all concerned. In 1909 he was elected to the city council of Crawfordsville, and is now president of the improvement board of that body, which is quite an important office, and he is filling the same in a commendable manner. He is also chair- man of the board of public schools and buildings. He is a member of the counts and claims commission. He belongs to McPherson Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and has been a member of the Masonic Order for the past fifty-two years. Politically he is a Republican, and in religious matters is a Baptist.
Mr. McIntire was married on March 28, 1872 to Rhoda May Utterback, who was born in Wayne township, this county, on adjoining farm from that of the McIntires, the date of her birth being August 1, 1840. She was a daughter of Harmon and Eliza (Wilson) Utterback, a well known and highly respected family, early settlers here. The father was a native of Ohio, born there in 1811.
The death of Mrs. McIntire occurred on October 23, 1885.
To Forgison G. McIntire and wife were born four children, namely : Georgia, wife of W. A. Whittington, of Crawfordsville; Verna Laura, who is the wife of W. H. Schleppy, of Los Angeles, California; Selma May, wife of William Saunders, of Tacoma, Washington; Harmon A., a printer of Crawfordsville.
843
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, INDIANA.
CAPT. W. B. CARR.
Who will gainsay that a citizen of this country ever wore a greater badge of honor than the distinction of having suffered and bled in the service of the Union, for its preservation, during the great conflict between the states. It is a worthy inheritance that ought to be highly esteemed by all succeeding gener- ations. But the ranks of the old phalanx, as heroic as those which followed the vaunted plume of Caesar, Hannibal or Alexander, are fast falling before the only foe they cannot meet, the King of Terrors, and ere long none will be left to recount the thrilling experiences of that sanguinary time. In the meantime, while they are still with us, let us pay them suitable honor for their sacrifices, sufferings and patriotism. One of this number is Capt. W. B. Carr, one of Montgomery county's well known men and public-spirited citi- zens, who, for many years, ranked among our progressive general farmers, but who is now living in honorable retirement, spending his declining years in quiet.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.