USA > Indiana > Pike County > History of Pike and Dubois counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, with biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc. : together with an extended history of the Northwest, the Indiana Territory, and the state of Indiana > Part 37
USA > Indiana > Dubois County > History of Pike and Dubois counties, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, with biographical sketches, reminiscences, notes, etc. : together with an extended history of the Northwest, the Indiana Territory, and the state of Indiana > Part 37
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JOHN O. M. SELBY, a well to do farmer of Pike County, Ind., is a native of the county, born October 28, 1826. He is the eldest in a family of nine children, all of whom are now living. His father, Richard Selby, when a boy came with his parents to this county before 1807. They located in Madison Township, where they continued to live until the disturbances of the Indians previous to the war of 1812, caused them to return to Kentucky. In 1818 they again came to Pike County, and located in Madison Township, where Richard lived until 1833. In that year he re- moved to the farm now owned by L. G. Selby where his death occurred in August, 1869. His widow survived him until October
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HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
7, 1883. John O. M. Selby was raised at home where he re- mained until his marriage, after which he settled on the farm where he has since resided. It was then covered with the original forest, but by hard work he cleared and improved the farm, and is now the owner of 390 acres of good land. December 14. 184>. he was united in marriage with Jemima A. Robinson, who died February 9, 1870, leaving four children: Sebastian, George P. C. Ulysess G. and Abraham L. August 30, 1870, he married Sarah A. ( Pipes ) Brumfield. a native of Kentucky. Mr. Selby is a member of the General Baptist Church. and his wife of the Christian Church. In politics he is a member of the National Greenback Party.
SAMUEL H. STUCKY. a prominent farmer of Pike Coun- ty, Ind., is a native of the county. born March 25, 1833. He is the eighth of twelve children born to the marriage of Frederick Stucky and Elizabeth Love, natives of Breckinridge County, Ky .. and North Carolina, respectively. The father, at the age of eighteen, in 1814, came to Knox County. Ind., and later removed to Martin County, where he was married. In 1830 he came to Pike County and located in Petersburg and engaged in running a tannery with his father, continuing for two vears. He then entered a traet of land which he owned until 1849. when on account of having to pay some security debts he sold it. He afterward bought a farm just south of town, where he lived until his death in May, 1968, the mother died in 1856, Samnel H. was reared at home, receiving bis e Incation in Peters- burg. At the age of eighteen he learned the blacksmith's trade which he followed for five years. He then worked on his father's farm until in September, 1861. when he enlisted as a min- sician in the band of the Twenty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry with which regiment he served one year. In July, 1863, he enrolled in Company A, Ninety-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry as a private but served as a musician until July. 1865, when the regiment was mustered out. He was in the Atlanta campaign and was present at the battles of Franklin. Nashville, and numerous lesser engagements. After the war he returned home and again engaged in farming. He is now the owner of 240 acres of land and raises and deals quite extensively in stock, especially hogs. In September. 1866. he was united in marriage with Amanda ( Ent ) Lamb, and to their union have been born three children. only one of whom, Pearl. is now living. Mrs. Stucky has one son, Leslie Lamb, by her former marriage. Both Mr. Stucky and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In polities he is a Republican, is a stockholder in the Pike County Agricultural Society, and is general superintendent of the grounds.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
J. M. SHANDY was born in Floyd County. Innl .. Octobe; 27. 1832. He is the fifth of ten children born to the marriage of Jacob Shandy and Nancy Rendleman. both natives of the "Old North State." About two years after marriage they removed to Floyd County. Ind .. where they resided for eight years. They next resided in Madison Township. Dubois County, until 1853. when they went to Missouri. They continued to live there until their deaths. The father died January 26, 1881. and the mother on the 5th of the preceding November. J. M. Shandy received his education in the schools of Dubois County. After marriage he removed to Pike County and settled on a farm near where he now lives. In 1867. he opened a coal mine on his farm which he continued to work for about twelve years. This was the first shaft sunk in the county. In 1874 he opened a general merchan- dise store which he conducted for about ten years. January 6. 1553 he was united in marriage with Hester A. Decker, a daugh- ter of Rev. John A. Decker, a prominent pioneer preacher. Their union has been blessed with four children: Fletcher A .. Orlando ( .. Charles V. and Mahala F. ( deceased ), who married James Dunbar. Both Mr. Shandy and wife are members of the Methodist Church. In politics he is a Republican.
CHARLES SCHAEFER, proprietor of the Pike Hotel, and retail liquor dealer. Petersburg. Ind .. is a native of Hessen-Darm- stadt, Germany, born August 15. 1837. His parents, Haartman Schaefer and Frederika Stark passed their lives in the "Father- land." Charles was reared at home, receiving such an education as is common in Germany. At the age of fourteen he began to learn the baker's trade, continuing in his native country until 1857 when he came to the United States, and located in New York City. He worked at his trade there for two years, when he went to Cincinnati. Ohio, where he remained with his brother who was in the hotel and saloon business, for a few months. In April, 1861, at the first call for troops he joined Company F. Ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which regiment he served until mustered out at Kingston. Ga., in June. 1864. He was present at the bat- tles of Cheat Mountain, Cornifex Ferry. Mill Spring, Chicka- mauga, Missionary Ridge. Dalton and numerous engagements of less note. A few months after leaving the army, he came to Petersburg and opened a bakery which he conducted for about four- teen years. He was also at one time engaged in running a livery and feed stable, and in working a farm adjoining town, in addi- tion to his present occupation, By close attention to business, he has accumulated a competency, and is recognized as one of the most honorable, and npright citizens of the town. October 23, 1865, he married Maggie Obel, and to their union have been born eight children. Those now living are John C., William, Fred- erika. Henry H. and Bertha.
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HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
JAMES SHAWHAN, president of the Citizens State Bank, at Petersburg, Ind., was born in Pike County, December 18, 1823, and is a son of Joseph Shawhan who was born in Kentucky and came to Pike County in 1821, and located on a farm in Clay Township, where he lived about ten years and then resided in Madison Township about forty years. He underwent all the hardships incident to pioneer life in the wilderness, but became quite wealthy. Later he moved to Petersburg where he died January 14, 1881. Mrs. Shawhan whose maiden name was Elizabeth Lownsdale was a native of Kentucky, she shared all the hardships and privations of her husband and died in this county in 1852. Our subject received little or no education in boyhood but now has a good education owing to his active busi- ness life. In 1848 he purchased a farm in Clay Township on which he resided until 1866 when he removed to Washington, Ind., where he engaged in the livery business one year, and then came to Petersburg and engaged first in stock trading two years and then the hardware, stove and tinware business in which he has re- mained ever since. He has a large and fine stock of goods and controls a large trade in town and county. In 1848 he married Virginia Carr who died May 15, 1875, having borne two children: Margaret Elisabeth (wife of C. F. Boonshot) and Mary Belle. In 1878 he married Malinda Morrison, native of Pike County. In politics Mr. Shawhan is a Republican. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and he is a Mason and a suc- cessful business man and has always taken an active interest in all public and private enterprises. In 1874 his son-in-law, C. F. Boonshot became his partner in business.
WILLIAM J. SHRODE, sheriff of Pike County, Ind., was born in Warrick County, October 8, 1837, being one of six chil- dren born to Henry and Mary ( Bradley ) Shrode. The father was a native of Warrick County where he married and raised his family. In 1866 he moved to Iowa where he now resides. The mother died in Warrick County about 1855. The father has a second wife. Our subject received an ordinary education in his boyhood days, at the age of eighteen he left home and began farming for himself in Pike County. In 1862 he enlisted in Company B, Ninety-first Indiana Volunteers and served his country gallantly and faithfully for three years. At the close of the war he came to Pike County and located on a farm in Lockart Township where he purchased a farm and resided until November, 1884, when he assumed the duties of his present office. He is a Democrat in politics and was elected sheriff by this party. In 1857 he mar- ried Sarah A. Hunsacker, a native of Warrick County. They have seven children, four living: Mary E., wife of Richard Tre- ault. Joseph F., Amanda M. and Sarah E. Mr. Shrode and wife
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BIOGRAPIIICAL SKETCIIES.
are General Baptists and he is well liked and respected as an offi- cer and a citizen. His children have all been teachers in the county schools.
WILLIAM F. TOWNSEND, attorney of Petersburg, Ind., is a son of John F. and Mary E. (Taylor) Townsend, natives of East Tennessee and Indiana, respectively. The father, when a lad of six or seven years of age, came to Indiana with his parents in 1830 and located at Troy. Here he married and raised his fam- ily, following a farmer's life. March 21, 1866, he came with his family to Pike County, and located at White Sulphur Springs, where he farmed and engaged in the tobacco and mercantile busi- ness until November, 1877, when he removed to Kansas, where he now resides. The mother died when William F. was about six years old. The father took for his second wife Emily Julian. He has eight children by this marriage. Our subject was born January 10, 1851, and was reared in Spencer County on a farm. At the age of twenty-one he began teaching school, continuing at that business until 1877. In February of the next year he came to Petersburg and started a newspaper called the National Venti- lator, which was in the interest of the Greenback party. He con- ducted that paper nine months, and finding that it proved unsuc- cessful financially he sold out and edited the Pike County Demo- crat one year. In the meantime he had given the study of law some attention and entered into partnership with W. S. Hurst, and established a law practice continuing one year, when he prac- ticed his profession alone until 1881, when he became one of the firm known as Ely. Townsend & Fleener. November 3, 1874, he married Lidie E. Stucky, a native of Daviess County, Ind. They became the parents of five children: Minnie, Frederick F., Capi- tola. Leonora, and Clarence (deceased). Mr. Townsend is a Democrat and takes an active part in polities. He was one of the Democratic State canvassers in 1880. In 1978 he was a candidate for the State Legislature on the Greenback ticket, but was defeated owing to the hopeless minority of the party. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. Mr. Townsend has been a very successful lawyer and is a worthy citizen of Pike County. In 1884 he was pres- idential elector for the First Congressional District.
JASPER WILLIS, a native of North Carolina, was born No- vember 5, 1825. He is the eldest of eleven children born to the marriage of Maxwell Willis and Jane Miller, also natives of North ('arolina. from which State in 1536 they came to Pike County and lived on various farins, finally locating on the farm where Mrs. Willis still lives. The father died March 10, 1856. Jasper was reared at home, receiving such an education as was afforded by the pioneer schools in the country. After his marriage he rented land for three years, and then bought forty acres of the farm where
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HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
William Selby now lives. In 1864 he sold the farm which he had increased to 160 acres, and removed to Logan Township. After a four years' residence there he bought the farm upon which he now resides. He has been quite successful in his busi- ness and is now the owner of 440 acres of good land. March 6, 1846, he was joined in marriage with Sarah E. Dean, a native of Kentucky. Of the thirteen children born to them, nine are now living, they are: Beverly, William E., Charles L., George M., Cordelia, Maria, now Mrs. Jesse Richardson, Lovisa, Catharine and Elizabeth. Both Mr. Willis and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and are highly respected by the com- munity in which they live.
JOHN W. WILSON, attorney of Petersburg. Ind., was born in Grayson County, Ky., April 17, 1847. His parents, Vincent and Anna (Davis) Wilson, were also natives of Kentucky, where they lived and died. Our subject received a limited education, and when thirteen years old, he came to Indiana and worked at manual labor in Spencer County, and in the meantime began pre- paring himself for teaching, and followed that occupation a year or two. In 1867, he went to Missouri, but returned the same year, and the next year moved to Bartholomew County, Ind., where he attended school, and graduated from Hartsville Univer- sity. In 1872, he went to Warrick County and taught school, and worked as deputy county recorder one year. In 1873, he came to Petersburg and took charge of the public schools two years, and at the same time studied law. In 1876, he was admitted to the Pike County bar, and has since been very suc- cessful in the practice of his profession. January 1, 1878, he married Kate Longbotham, a native of Evansville, Ind. They have two children: Frank and John M. He is a Republican in politics, and was candidate in 1884, for judge of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit, but owing to the hopeless minority of his party, he was defeated. He is a Mason and a member of the I. O. O. F. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and bears the repu- tation of being a proficient and energetic member of the legal profession. He was chairman of the Republican Central Com- mittee three years, and has been city attorney at times for four or five years.
SIMEON L. WILSON, dentist, of Petersburg, Ind., was born in Jefferson County, Ind., September 17. 1841. His parents, John C. and Anna Jane ( Reynolds) Wilson, were natives also of Jefferson County. Simeon L., in conjunction with the duties of a farmer boy, attended the district schools, obtaining a fair education. When twenty years old, he began keeping a hotel in Madison, which business he followed about one year. He then studied medicine in Jennings County, Ind.
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for two years, and later began the practice of medicine in south- ern Indiana, continuing at that four years. In 1868, he turned his attention to dentistry, in which profession he has remained ever since. By constant study and much practice, he has thoroughly mastered this profession. In February, 1884, he came to Petersburg and established his dental office, and has met with well-deserved success, having acquired the leading practice in town and county. In 1878, he married Dicie Craw- ford, his present wife. They have two children: Daisy M. and Nelson H. He is also the father of four living children by a former marriage. He is a Democrat, and belongs to the I. O. O. F. He is an efficient and successful operator in dentistry, and a good citizen of the county.
PATOKA TOWNSHIP.
JAMES ASHBY is & son of Benjamin and Margaret ( Bur- dett) Ashby. In 1813 they were married, and soon after came to this township, locating in Patoka Township, where he lived until his death in 1880. The mother died about 1860. Our subject had very poor advantages for education, having to walk three miles to school and recite to a teacher who amused himself by reading a newspaper while hearing classes recite. When twenty- one years old, he began hiring out among the farmers, and soon after inheriting 80 acres of land from his father, he built his first log-house and began farming for himself. In time, he became the possessor of 278 acres of land, of which 87 acres are under cultivation. April 26, 1853, Cynthia Atkins, born January 26. 1833, became his wife, and to their union, four children were born: America J., Mary C., George B. and Everett. America and Mary are the wives of Edward Pickard and George B. Hean. respectively. Mr. Ashby is a Democrat of long standing, and cast his first vote for Polk.
WASHINGTON ASHBY was born in Pike County, Ind .. October 26, 1834, and is a son of Benjamin and Margaret ( Ber- dett) Ashby. His educational advantages were poor, but he has since acquired a very good business education. When he was twenty years old, he began flat-boating from Winslow to New Orleans, making five trips in all. In 1858, he began clearing the farm of eighty acres where he yet lives, and has now sixty- five acres of it under good cultivation. February 20, 1862, he took for his life companion, Charlotte T. Coleman, born Novem-
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HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
ber 9. 1841, daughter of John and Maria (Thickston) Cole- man. They are the parents of two children: Ida E. and JJohn B. Ida is one of the successful young teachers of Pike County. Mr. Ashby is a Democrat and cast his first vote for Buchanan. He is a successful farmer, and a wide-awake and enterprising citizen.
GEORGE B. ASHBY is a son of James and Cynthia ( Atkis- son ) Ashby, and was born May 15, 1859, in Pike County, Ind. In early life he attended the common schools, and at the age of sixteen years left home, and took a trip to Arkansas and Texas. where he remained about a year, working on the farm, carrying mail, etc. Returning home he farmed during the summer, and . attended school in the winter; he attended the Petersburg schools one term, and then began teaching, which business he followed three years. In the spring of 1879 he took the com- mercial and teachers' course at Valparaiso. He then taught school again, and in 1881 set up a drug store in Winslow, con- tinning eighteen months. He then went to Albany, N. Y., and clerked in a drug store, and shortly after moved to Cohoes, and then to Alabama, where he was stock receiver in the cold-blast furnace. In August, 1883, he returned, and again began a drug store in Winslow, where he is now doing a lively business. De- cember 22, 1881, he married Willimina Hisgen, a native of New York. They are the parents of one child, Bernice. Mr. Ashby is a member of the Presbyterian Church. In June, 1885, he was elected justice of the peace. He is a Democrat, having cast his first vote for Hancock. He is a successful business man, and is much esteemed by all.
DANIEL C. BARRETT, a stanch Democrat and prominent citizen of Patoka Township, Pike Co .. Ind., was born August 10, 1830, where Oakland City now stands. His parents, Richard and Mary (Black ) Barrett, were natives of South Carolina and Georgia, respectively, and came to Gibson County in childhood, and here they married and lived, farming on the present site of Oakland City. In 1844 they came to Pike County. Here the father died, in 1850, the mother having passed away in 1849. At the age of twenty Daniel C. began farming where the streets and squares of Oakland City now are. In 1850 he purchased a farm of sixty acres in Pike County, but sold it soon after and purchased sixty-two acres where he now lives. He now owns 120 acres of land. and has 106 acres under cultivation. Septem- ber 21, 1851, Martha Wiggs, born in 1834, became his wife. To them were born four children: Mary E., Sarah F., Esther M. and Judith H. Mary is the wife of Peter Hoover, a rising young physician of the West, and Sarah was married on the same day as her sister, to Jerome Beeler, one of the leading physicians
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
of Boonville. Husband and wife and the first three children are members of the General Baptist Church. In November, 1861, Mr. Barrett enlisted in Company D, Fifty-eighth Indiana Infant- ry. At Stone River, Chickamauga and the siege of Atlanta, he fought among the bravest of the brave. He was also with Sher- man on his march to the sea. While at Stone River he was struck by a ball, which produced a lasting injury, and for which he now receives a pension of $4 per month. He was tendered the position of captain, but rejected it, not wishing to serve under his colonel. He served over three years, and was discharged January 1, 1865.
JAMES M. BEARDSLEY, M. D., is the son of John and Sela (Thompson ) Beardsley, who were born in Illinois and In- diana, respectively. The father yet lives, and farms on the same place he bought when he first came to the county. James M., the subject of this sketch, was born in Warrick County, Ind., January 2, 1850, and received the advantages of a common school education. When eighteen years old he attended three terms of school at the Oakland Institute, and afterward taught seven terms of school in Dubois and Warrick Counties. In 1877 he took an extended trip through the West, and walked over 276 miles across the Rocky Mountains. On returning he began studying medicine under Dr. McMahan, of Huntingburgh, Ind., and in 1878 took a term of lectures at the Ohio Medical College, and the following year attended the Kentucky School of Medicine, where he graduated in 1880 among the first in his class. In 1581 he located in Winslow, and December 14, of the next year, he married Maria Martin, born June 22, 1862; daughter of Thomas and Mary (Traylor) Martin. They have one child, John T. Dr. Beardsley is a Republican, and cast his first vote for Grant. He has been highly successful as a physician, and is a wide-awake and enterprising man.
BEARDSLEY BROS., one of the leading firms of Winslow, Ind., established their business in 1884. John D., the senior member of the firm, was born December 10, 1856, in Warrick County, Ind., and at the age of twenty-four, having learned the carpenter's trade he began to work for himself, following the occupation of carpentering until 1884, when he and his brother. 1. W., purchased the stock of furniture formerly owned by J. W. Whitman. John is a Republican and cast his first vote for Hayes. January 22, 1885, he married Florence Carter, born May 5, 1865, and daughter of Andrew and Jaue ( Urcery ) Carter. George W., the junior member of the firm of Beardsley Bros., was born October 25, 1860, in Warrick County: he lived with his father about three years in Arkansas, and then returned and entered the store with his brother. May 24, 1855, he wedded
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HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY
Idla Revuierson. daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Hammens } Reynierson. John and George are enterprising young men and are bound to succeed. Their parents, James M. and Lucy J. ( Dutton ) Beardsley were natives of Indiana. the father born in [$30. in Warrick County, and the mother born in Pike County in 1538. They live at present in Lawrence County. Ind., where the father follows saw-milling as an occupation.
NEWTON BRENTON, one of the pioneer settlers of Pike County, Ind .. was born February 28, 1817. near Petersburg. His educational advantages were limited but by contact with business life he has acquired a good. practical business education. At the age of eighteen he went South as a common laborer and later returned and followed clerking and various other occupations until 1851. when he commenced selling groceries in Winslow. carrying on this business as one of the partners of the firm known as Brenton & Winslow, until 1884. when the firm dissolved part- nership and Mr. Brenton retired from business. February 20. 1842, he wedded Julia A. Masters and after the brief space of five months she died August 26, 1842. October 6. 1>44. Nancy Coleman became his second wife and to them were born eight children: Byron, Theodore, Julia A., Emily F .. Sarah A .. Mary M .. Clara and Elmer E. Byron, Julia, Emily and Mary are the only ones now living. On the 16th of April. 1864, his second wife was called to her long home, and July 26. of the same year he married Margaret Spencer, born December 11. 1822. Both are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Brenton was postmaster of Winslow for about four years during the war; he is a Republican, and cast his first vote for Gen. Harrison: he is the oldest citizen of Winslow. save one. William Winslow Hathaway, and is an esteemed friend and neighbor and is now enjoying the fruits of his previous labor.
BYRON BRENTON. the eldest child of Newton and Nancy A. ( Coleman ) Brenton, was born in Winslow. Pike County, Ind .. September 22, 1845. He attended the common schools in his neighborhood and completed his education by taking the merean- tile course in the Evansville Commercial College. After com- pleting his course he began merchandising in Winslow in 1866. and with the exception of about five years he has carried on that business ever since. In 1870 he was called by the people to fill the office of township trustee, which position he held to the satis- faction of the people for six years. In 1976 he was elected sheriff of Pike County, and held the office two years, giving the best of satisfaction. During that time he and family made their home in Petersburg, but since that time have lived in the quiet little village of Arthur. May 26, 1867, Mattie, daughter of James and Liza A. ( Hargrave ) Edmonson, became his wife. She was
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