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 38
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 38
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born January 28, 1845, in Petersburg, and she and Mr. Brenton are the parents of two children: Nellie and Fred, both of whom are at home. In polities Mr. Brenton is an active and enthusiastic Repub- lican, and cast his first vote for Grant. As a business man he is quite successful, having started in life with comparatively nothing, he has arisen to the ownership of a good store in Winslow, besides a comfortable home and forty acres of land at Arthur. In connec- tion with the mercantile business he also trades in stock and land. He has done much toward furthering public enterprise and is a useful citizen.
JAMES CARTER was born in Kentucky, August 23, 1827. and is the son of Jesse and Sarah ( Elder ) Carter, who were born in the Blue Grass State, the father in 1801 and the mother in 1×02. Jesse Carter was a farmer and shoe-maker, and came to Pike County. Ind .. in 1848, locating near Winslow. He afterward moved to the town, where he died in 1880. A year later his widow followed him to the grave. Our subject began working for himself when nineteen years old. In 1857 he purchased fifty acres of the farm where he now lives. He now owns 190 acres of excellent farming land. He was married to Candus Davis, April 11, 1847. She is a daughter of Jesse and Nancy Davis. and was born January 7. 1832. They became the parents of eight children: John W., Jesse T .. James MI. (deceased ), David N .. Sarah N .. Mary C., Henry T. and Warren S. Mr. Carter was a soldier in the late war and enlisted in Company I. One Hundred and Forty-Third Indiana Infantry. After serving nine months he returned home, bearing an honorable discharge. He is a warm Republican and cast his first vote for Taylor. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church, and excellent neigh- bors and friends.
BLUFORD S. COLEMAN, farmer, is a son of Jom and Maria (Thiekston ) Coleman. who were born in 1501 and 1806. respectively. and came to this country very early and followed the occupation of farming. The father died in 1851 and the mother in 1844. They were the parents of seven children: Perlina, Malissa, Emeline, Bluford S., Elizabeth. Charlotte and Sarah E. Our subject was born on the 20th of February, 1836. When sixteen years old he began working for himself and followed the various allings of clerking. carpentering, blacksmithing, painting, and finally settled down to farming on the place where he now lives. April 4. 1860, he married Mary E. Shields, born October 6, 1834. in Ohio. daughter of William and Mary Shields. William was born in 1795 and Mary in ISOS. The father clerked in a store in Cincinnati, Ohio, for some time, where he also kept boarding house. In 1858 while on a trip to Virginia he was suddenly taken ill and died. His widow lived till 1866. Mr. and
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HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
Mrs. Coleman are members of the General Baptist Church. and he is a leading Republican and cast his first vote for Lincoln. For three years he was on the police force in Cincinnati, but on coming to this State has made farming his occupation, at which he has been quite successful.
ROBERT CROMWELL, deceased, was born in 1830, and in early life learned the blacksmith's trade, at which he worked for some time in Winslow; at the breaking out of the war, he, being a strong Union man, offered his services in behalf of his country. and enlisted in Company G, Fifty-eighth Indiana Infantry, and served his country faithfully for nearly four years. By gallant conduct on the field he was promoted to the position of first lieutenant. As his life companion he chose Mary E. Curtis, born August 30, 1832, daughter of William D. and Margaret ( Birdwell ) Curtis. To their union seven children were born: Frank (deceased). Anna, Maggie B., Oliver (deceased ). Ida (deceased ), Orpha and Emma. Both husband and wife were members of the Methodist Church, and he was a Republican. In 1871 his death occurred as a result of a wound received in the battle of Chickamauga. August 10, 1878, his widow married John Crow, born in 1813, one of the early settlers of Pike County. Mr. Crow had been married twice before; first to Johanna Alexander and then to Mrs. Eliza (Butler) Selby. The fruits of the first marriage were eight children: Arnetta, Charles M., Daniel. Isaac P .. Louisa, Richard M., Robert M. and Hosea. Mr. Crow is the oldest Democrat in the county, having cast his first vote for Van Buren. In 1840 he purchased eighty acres of timber land on which he built a commodious log house. By untiring energy he now owns 213 acres of good farming land.
GIBSON CROSS was born October 15. 1841, in Pike County, Ind., and is a son of Joseph and Epsy D. ( Kinman) Cross, natives of Kentucky and Indiana, respectively. Mr. Cross came to this county in 1829, where he was married. He followed the life of a farmer and in connection with that acted as justice of the peace for two years prior to his death, which occurred in 1884. the mother having passed away in 1849. Gibson, the subject of this sketch, when twenty years old, volunteered his services for his country, and enlisted in Company G, Fifty-eighth Indiana Infantry, and was in many of the principal battles of the war. He was a brave soldier and served his country faithfully for three years. January 10, 1867, he married Priscilla Ander- son, who died ten months after her marriage. October 15, 1868. he took for the second wife. Betsey A. Kinman, born December 20, 1×50, and daughter of Burrell and Nancy Kinman. Mr. and Mrs. Cross became the parents of four children: Oliver. Rufus A., Gibson T. and Lillie B. Both parents are members of the Bap-
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tist Church. and Mr. Cross is a leading Republican. having east his first vote for Lincoln. He owns a fine farm of 140 acres and is a well to do citizen.
JOHN B. T. DEARING, a farmer of Patoka Township, Pike .o., Ind., was born March 31. 1842, in Kentucky, and is a son of William and Elizabeth ( Morton ) Dearing. The parents came from the Blue Grass State to Pike County about 1844. Here the father died in 1852 and the mother in 1869. When twelve years old John B. T. was bound out to John Selby with whom he staid until he was nineteen years old, he then enlisted in Company 1, Forty-second Indiana Infantry. He was at Perry- ville, Stone River, Chickamauga, and was with Sherman on his march to the sea. He served his country faithfully and well for nearly four years and from a private was raised to the office of first lieutenant. November 23, 1565. he was married to Bettie A. Selby, born June 11, 1849 in Pike County, and they became the parents of two children: Larentus S. and William P. Mr. Dearing's political views are Republican, having cast his first vote for Grant. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church and he is a successful farmer, owning 212 acres of good land.
SAMUEL F. DEDMAN is a son of William and Jane (Carder) Dedman, who were born in Kentucky and Virginia, re- spectively. The father was a hatter by trade and followed that occupation for many years, but on coming to this county in 1820, he farmed in connection with his trade. His death occurred about 1858: the mother dying several years later. The sub- jeet of our sketch was born in Patoka Township, Pike Co., Ind., January 9, 1524, and when eighteen years old began work- ing for himself in a mill. Later he began farming on rented places, and in about three years he had accumulated enough money to purchase forty acres of land. By hard work and good management he now owns 258 acres of good land, $175 of which are cleared and furnished with good buildings. June 11, 1846, Ellen M. Dunham, born October 1, 1829, became his wife. Her parents are Charles and Maria (Campbell) Dun- ham. Mr. and Mrs. Dedman are the parents of six children: Zachariah T., Rufns D., Rowene N., Maria, John Q. and Willard E. In 1865, Mr. Dedman enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Forty-sixth Indiara Infantry and served his country faith- fully for eight months. In politics he is a Republican, having cast his first vote for Harrison. He has succeeded well as a farmer and is now enjoying the fruits of his labor.
CAPT. NATHAN EVANS, one of the early citizens of Wins- low, Ind., is a son of James M. and Louise (Curtis) Evans. The father was born near Murfreesboro, Tenn., and the mother at Tompkinsville, Ky. About 1844 he came to this county and
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followed school teaching. carpentering, cabinet-making. shoe- making tund milling. He lived in Winslow until 1564. when he lossed from among the living. His widow still lives and is th. . wife of Maston Holland. Nathan was born in Harrison County. Ind .. July 27. 1839. When the cloud of rebellion rose threaten- ingly in the South. he shouldered his musket and enliste:I in Com- pany G. Fifty-eighth Indiana Infantry, July 26. 1861. At Stone River. Chickamauga and Mission Ridge. he. with the other heroes of Company G. fonght bravely for the preservation of the Union. After a veteran furlough of thirty days he rejoined his corps and went on that long and perilous march to Savannah. In July. 1862, he was commissioned first lientenant. and three months later he arose to the position of captain. He was honor- ably discharged in Is65 after nearly four years' faithful service. For injuries received in the war he receives. as a slight compen- sation. $17 per month. From the families of three Evans brothers, eleven Union soldiers were furnished. Mr. Evans is a member of the G. A. R., and is a stanch Republi- can, but cast his first vote for Douglas. March 24. 1864. he wedded Paralee Crane, born May 18. 1846, daughter of Henry H. and Frances (Broyles ) Crane. They are the parents of four children: Laura, Robert, Helen and Lee. In 1875 Mr. Evans was chosen justice of the peace, which office he ably filled for four years. He is a good carpenter and contractor and stands high in the opinion of all.
CHARLES FETTINGER, senior member of the firm Fet- tinger & Beasley. is a son of George and Harriet (Hillman ) Fettinger, natives of South Carolina. The father followed coop- ering and at the same time worked a large farm. At different times he held the offices of justice. assessor, and county commis- sioner. During his second term of office, his death occurred in February, 1883. Charles, our subject, was born in Pike County, Ind., August 6, 1847. On attaining his majority, he began work- ing for himself, farming on a rented place. After five years he bought a farm of forty acres which he worked until 1879, when he took charge of the county asylum where he remained two years. At the expiration of this time he entered the grocery business in Winslow, continuing six months. when he purchased a half interest in the livery and feed stable. his present business. In 1871, Mary Martin became his wife, and to this union two children were born: Opha M., and Lovie C. For two terms Mr. Fettinger filled the office of county assessor and filled it satisfac- torily. He is a Democrat and an enterprising business man. His wife is a member of the Baptist Church.
WILLIAM GRANT, outside manager of the Ayrshire Coal Mines, is the son of James and Elizabeth (Shaw) Grant.
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They were natives of Invernesshire, Scotland. where the father was born in 1799 and the mother in 1502: the father is a merchant and has followed that business for sixty-seven years. They both live in the old country and are hale and hearty. Our subject was born in his parents native place October 11. 1847. He received good educational advantages, gradu- ating from the grammar school in his native shire: at the age of nineteen he began book-keeping in a hardware store in Glasgow. Scotland. and in 1867 he came to this country and landed at New York, where he was book-keeper for a railroad company till 1878. when he came to this county and State and worked for one year on the farm, and in ISSO entered upon his present duties. An- gust 10, 1974, he married Mary, daughter of Henry and Sarah (Files of Kentucky, and they are the parents of three children: Anna Bella, William Shaw and H. B. S. Mr. Grant is a warm Republi- can and cast his first vote for Grant. As a business man he is very successful, and he and wife are much respected by all. They are worthy citizens and ac. ommodating neighbors.
WILLIAM WINSLOW HATHAWAY, after whom the town of Winslow was named, is a son of John and Elizabeth (Traylor ) Hathaway. John was a native of Massachusetts and a miller by trade, having built one of the first mills in Pike County, and op- erated it until his death, a period of about thirty years. William was born in the town which now bears his name, April 17, 1837. At the age of seventeen he began working for himself on his farm of 100 acres. In 1578 he began the drug business in Arthur in commection with farming and ran the store three years. He is a good carpenter and has worked at the trade, off and on, for four years. In December, 1855, he married Sarah Reel, who bore him one child. Emeline. For his second wife he took Maria Pancake, and they became the parents of two children: John and or+ unnamed. January 1. 1852, he married his third wife, Eliz- abeth Crow, born December 23, 1535, and daughter of William and Mary ( Shaw ) Crow. In 1576, Mr. Hathaway was elected to the office of justice of the peace, and filled the position with abil- ity for four years. In politics he is a Republican, having cast his first vote for Lincoln. During the war, he twice went to Evansville and offered his services for his country, but was rejected on account of disabilites. He and wife are much respected by their acquaintances as neighbors and friends.
EMBREE HATHAWAY, a well to do farmer of Pike Coun tv. Ind .. is the son of John and Elizabeth ( Traylor ) Hathaway. Embree was born in Pike County, June 24, 1545, and during his boyhood days had very poor advantages for schooling. By con- tact with business life he has now a very good practical education. He lived with his widowed mother until he was twenty-five years
12
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HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
old, when he began merchandising in Winslow as one of the equal partners in the store of Hathaway & Whitman. about the years later he sold his interest in the store and worked on his farm or two years when he went to Arthur and kept a general merchandise store for six years. He then returned to the farm and commenced raising bees, and is carrying on the business quite extensively. July 10, 1870, he married Sibyl Maxan, born in 1850, after the brief space of five years his wife died leaving one child, Will- iam. May 29 of the next year he wedded Eliza Gwartney, born September 16, 1958, to this union four children were born: Min- nie, Frank. Denny and Fred. Mr. Hathaway has always been a Republican and east his first vote for Grant.
LERIGHT HOUCHIN is a son of Jesse and Elizabeth (Clifford ) Houchin. The father was born May 17, 1798, in Ken- tucky, and the mother, a native of the same State, was born in 1796. Soon after their marriage they moved to Gibson County, Ind., and located in Pike County in 1827. They lived three years near Honey Springs, and then moved to Lockhart Town- ship, where the father died in 1861. The mother lived till 1872. Our subjeet was born October 25, 1825, in Gibson County. Ind .. and in early life received but little schooling, never having
attended more than seven months. When twenty-one years old he began clearing up a farm for himself, but not being satisfied with his surroundings he sold out and bought 160 acres of the farm on which he now lives. He now owns 775 acres of land. 340 under cultivation. October 25, 1846, Sarah Davis became his wife. She was born February 11. 1827. and is the daughter of Jesse and Nancy ( Mason ) Davis. Her father was one of the heroes who fought at the battle of New Orleans. Her mother. born in 1797, still lives. To Mr. and Mrs. Houebin three chil- dren were born: Devore C., Theodore P., and Commodore D .. all of whom are married. settled in the neighborhood and doing well. Mr. Houchin is a Republican and cast his first vote for Clay. He and wife and son, Commodore, belong to the Baptist Church.
THOMAS A. JOHNSON, a prominent farmer of Pike Coun- ty, is a son of Robert and Caroline ( McClanhan ) Johnson, and was born in Pike County, Ind., December 17, 1852. On attain- ing his majority he began working for himself on his father's farm. For a year he kept "bach," and June 3, 1875, he was mar- ried to America Whitman, born February 22, 1855, in Pike County. She is a daughter of Job R. and Palina ( Hunt) Whit- man. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are Festus E., Cora F., Flora B. and Mattie M. Mr. Johnson is a wide-awake young Republican and east his first vote for Gen. Grant. He re- ceived sixty aeres of land from his father and by industry and
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economy he now owns 120 acres, of which about seventy are cleared and cultivated. In all his enterprises he has been very successful and is now on the road to become a wealthy and popu- lar citizen.
RICHARD H. KINMAN, merchant, Hosmer, Ind., is the son of Burrell and Nancy (Selby) Kinman. He was born in Pike County, Ind .. June 25. 1854, and when a lad, received in- struction in the common schools. When twenty-two years old he began working for himself on his farm of 120 acres, on which he lived until in July, 1885, when he moved to Hosmer, and en- gaged in the mercantile business, buying a half interest in the dry goods and grocery store, known under the title of Kinman & Kinman. In addition to this Mr. Kinman is freight agent at Hosmer. September 28, 1876, he wedded Mary A. Troutman, born December 28, 1858. Four children were born to their union: Nancy E., Ira B., Israel P. H. and Oscar E. Mr. Kinman is one of the leading young Republicans of the township, having east his first vote for Haves. He is a successful and well known business man and is much respected by all.
ROBERT LAUDER, general superintendent of the Ayrshire Coal Mines, is the son of Thomas and Agnes ( McKnight) Lau- der, who were natives of Ayrshire, Scotland, where his father worked as a miner until 1873, when he came to America and located in Illinois where he died in 1879. The mother came to this country a year later than her husband and yet lives in Illi- nois. Robert was born September 3, 1838, in Scotland and as he began working in the mines when only eleven years old, he received a very limited education. In 1868 he came to this country and mined for three years in Illinois and afterward be- came superintendent of some mines in that State, then he worked some mines of his own in Kentucky and finally in 1879 he opened the Ingleton Mines. In 1883 he became superintendent of the Ayrshire Mines and has filled that position ever since. June 30. 1860, he was married to Margaret Hewitson, born January 25, 1841, and they became the parents of eleven children: Ann D. ( deceased ), Agnes McKnight, Mary, Margaret (deceased), Thomas, William H .. Robert (deceased ), Margaret, Robert, Anna D. and Janie H. Agnes and Mary are married to miners and the two sons Thomas and William are engineers at the mines. Mr. Lau- der has been postmaster of Ingle for three years. He owns thir- teen acres in town lots besides a good eighty acre farm. He originated the idea of manufacturing coke at the mines. He sent some that he had made to some of the principal cities and it was pronounced first class, they have now eight furnaces and promise to do an extensive business. Mr. Lauder and wife are members of the Established Church of Scotland and he is a Republican and cast his first vote for Hayes.
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HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
ALONZO MARTIN, merchant of Winslow, is the son of Thomas and Mary (Traylor) Martin. The father was born in Kentucky, August 5, 1813, and the mother in Pike County, Ind .. May 24, 1823. They were married in this county and located in Petersburg where Thomas worked at blacksmithing for about five years and then moved on a farm where he remained ten or eleven years. After moving to Winslow, he followed successfuly milling, blacksmithing and merchandising. November 21, 1884, he, at the ripe old age of seventy-one years, passed from among the liv- ing. Our subject was born September 7, 1845, in Pike County where he received the advantages of the common schools, and when so small that he was unable to strike the anvil without standing on a box, he began to work at his father's trade. When sixteen years old he began working in the tobacco business at which he continued three years, meeting with fair success. March 29, 1864. he volunteered his services for the Nation's weal, and enlisted in Company G, Fifty-eighth Indiana Infantry and served for sixteen months. On his returning from the army, he received a one-fourth interest in his father's store and in 1868 he purchased his father's interest, thereby becoming sole proprietor. Mary E. Edmondson, born June 20, 1849, became his wife November 29, 1866, and to their union five children were born: Harry, Charley, Ralph and two unnamed. Only Charley and Ralph are now liv- ing. In 1876 Mr. Martin was elected to the office of trustee of Patoka Township and filled the position ably for about four years. After an interval of four years he was again elected to fill the office. Under his supervision the condition of the schools has constantly been bettered. He commenced life a poor boy, but now owns a good store and is well respected by all who know him. He is a leading Republican, having cast his first vote for U. S. Grant.
HON. GEORGE W. MASSEY, one of the prominent farmers of Patoka Township, Pike Co., Ind., is a son of Joshua J. and Harriet M. (Smith ) Massey. They were natives of Queen Anne County, Md., where the father was born February 16, 1795, and the mother, November 11, 1797. They were married the 13th of March, 1821, and lived in Maryland until 1840, when they came to Evansville, Ind., and lived for three years in Terre Haute. Finally in 1843, they settled on the farm where George now lives. They purchased 160 acres of timber land, cleared off a spot and built their first log house. The father's death occurred October 18, 1844, and his widow's December 8, 1857. Our subject was born in his parents' native county, March 26, 1823, and when eighteen years old, commenced learning the carpenter's trade in Terre Haute, remaining there two years. and then came to this county with his father, and worked on
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the farm, which occupation he has followed ever since. He inherited eighty acres of land from his father's estate, and by reonomy and hard work, he now owns 320 acres, 220 of which are under cultivation, and furnished with excellent buildings. May 6. 1858, he took for his life companion, Lucretia Bowlen, born February 24, 1830, and daughter of Jarret and Mary J. ( Rusk ) Bowlen. They became the parents of six children: James J., Horace H .. William M., Charlotte L .. Harriet M. and (George W., all of whom are deceased except Harriet. About 1653. Mr. Massey was elected township trustee. filling the office three years. In 1856, he was called by the unanimous voice of the people of his county to represent them in the State Legis- lature as a member of the House. For three sessions he filled that responsible position with great credit to himself. About a year after his retirement from that office, he was appointed to till a vacancy as county commissioner, and at the expiration of that term, was re-elected to the position for two terms. He has tilled all the positions of trust and honor with great ability. and to the entire satisfaction of the people. It may be said of him, that he has never sought for office, and has never spent a cent, directly or indirectly, to influenee a man to support him with his vote, but he has been chosen unanimously by the peo- ple. He is a leading Demoerat of Pike County, and cast his first vote for Polk. His life has been an entire success, and he is known and respected throughout this portion of the State.
WILLIS F. McCOY, merchant, of Winslow, Pike Co., Ind., is a son of Stark and Marinda ( Kelsey ) McCoy, who were natives of Warren County, Ky., where the father was born about 1828. He followed farming in his native State until 1857, when he moved to Illinois. He took several trips to Missouri, Kansas and Arkansas, but always returned to the Sueker State where he still lives, being married to Celia MeKinzie, his first wife having died in 1858. Willis was born in Warren County, Ky., December 25, 1851. The education he received in boyhood was very limited, and up to the age of twenty-one, the only school book he possessed, was an old "blue- baek" spelling book. He was unable to write his own name, but by continued exertion and ambition, he has now a very good business education. He followed the occupation of farm- ing in Illinois, until 1881, when he came to this country. A year later, he purchased a stock of drugs of G. B. Ashby. and commeneed the drug business in Winslow, January 12, 1SX2. Lucinda Aust, born May 24, 1847. in Kentucky, became his wife, and to their union one child was born, Mary May. Mr. McCoy is a Democrat. and east his first vote for Tilden. He is an excellent eitizen and successful business man.
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