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 41
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 41
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WILLIAM B. MALOTT was born in Pike County, Ind., June 3, 1823, and is a son of Elijah and Celia ( Kinman ) Malott. The father was of French extraction and was born April 10. 1796, in Jefferson County, Ky. When a young man nineteen or twenty years of age he left his native State and came to Pike County, where he married and purchased 200 acres of land, where he yet lives. He was one of the first white settlers in the county and came here when the Indians were very numerous and he and family were compelled to seek protection in a block-house. The mother was of German lineage and was born in Georgia, August [3,1804, she died on her birthday in 1872. Subject received a lim- ited education owing to the newness of the country and the ab- sence of free schools. October 3, 1544. he wedded Cynthia Ann Lewis, daughter of Stephen and Elizabeth Lewis. She was born June 26. 1826, in Gibson County, Ind. They became the par- ents of six children: Perry ( deceased ), Clinton, Elizabeth, wite of John McAtee, Rozellar ( wife of William Jones), Jackson and Grant. Mr. Malott is an energetic and shrewd business man and owns 295 acres of excellent land, furnished with good buildings. In polities he is a Republican and cast his first vote for Zachary Taylor. In 1844 he was nominated and elected township trustee but resigned in favor of Reason Malott. His wife is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church.
RICHARD MORGAN is the sixth of eight children born to Joseph C. and Sarah ( Frederick ) Morgan. He was born August 4. 1836 in the township where he now lives. His father was born July 30. 1791 in New Jersey. Here he was raised and
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followed the occupations of farming and blacksmithing. came to Indiana after he was grown and lived in Pike County until his death which occurred February 28. 1969. The mother was born in the very western part of Pike County. February 20. 1809, and died May 17. 1877. Richard was raised on a farm and had very limited edneational advantages. When twenty-one years old he began farming for himself but made his home with his parents until after he was thirty years old. His father died about this time and he remained but a short time with his mother. September 7. 1870, Margaret Me Atee, daughter of Benjamin and Ellen ( Decker ) McAtee, became his wife. To their union two children were born: Florence, born January 24, 1874. died June 2, 1884. Arvilla Alice, born October 4. 1876. Mr. Morgan's wife died September 26, 1978 and September 7. 1980. Caroline, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Burkhart became his wife. They have one child, Rufus, born June 22, 1881. The wife was born April 6, IS49. In polities Mr. Morgan is a Democrat and always has been. His father was one of three brothers who came to Indiana from New Jersey. All of them are now dead and there are but Richard and one sister living of the father's family. One of the brothers lived an old bachelor and the other raised a large family in Knox County.
MARCUS L. REED, an enterprising farmer of Madison Township, Pike Co., Ind., was born in the county were he now lives. December 5, 1839. and is one of a family of eight children born to Green B. and Virginia ( Withers) Reed. The father was of German descent and was born in Washington County. Ky .. June 10. 1810. When only eight years old, he left his native State and came with his parents to Indiana, locating in Pike County, and followed farming as an occupation. At the time of his marriage, he lived in said county and soon after entered 240 acres in Section 29, Madison Township, where he set- tled and remained until his death in February, 1>>4. His wife was of German descent and was born August S. 1909. in Indiana and died September 25, 1991. Our subject was reared at home. receiving his education in the district schools. April 19, 1997. Amanda Shaffer. born January 1956. daughter of Levi and Cath- arine Shaffer, became his wife. They have one childt. Ora Vir ginia. After marriage they lived for one year in Warrick County. and then returned to Madison Township, Pike County where they have sinee lived. They own sixty-five acres of land and are b. ng well. In polities he is a Democrat and cast his Erst vos for Stephen A. Douglas.
MARCELLUS M. REED is a son of Green anu Virginia ( Withers ) Reed. ( See sketch of Marcus Reed. ) He was born on the place where he now lives September 15, 1848. He was
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HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
mais il on the farm and received a good education in the common school. He remained with his father and worked on the home farm until he was thirty-three years old. when he married and went to housekeeping in the same house with his father, whose leath occurred February 23, 1883. Since that time he has owned 105 acres of the home farm. He has succeeded well and his farm well improved. October 26, 1582, he was united in marriage io Laura. daughter of George W. and Carrie ( Miley ) Smith. Mr. and Mrs. Reed are the parents of two children: Ralph B., born July 26, 1883, and Hiram C., born December 18, 1884, and died when about three weeks old. Our subject is a zealous Dem- ocrat, and was raised as such. The mother's parents were born and raised near Petersburg. The father is deceased, but the mother is still living on the farm.
REV. JEFFERSON W. RICHARDSON was born June 24. 1829, in Warrick County, Ind., and is a son of Edward P. and Eliza (Fleener ) Richardson. The father was of Irish-English descent and was born October 2, 1806. He was the youngest of nineteen children. Eight of his brothers took an active part in the battle of New Orleans. He farmed on the okl homestead until his death. in October, 1831. The mother was of Dutch-Irish lineage, born September 2, 1809. After her husband's death she married again. Her death occurred September 5, 1576. The father died when our subject was but two years old. Owing to the disadvantages that surrounded him, his education was very limited. He was taught to read and write by his first wife, and at the present time he is a man of good education and excellent business qualities. He has been married four times. His first wife was Mary Fer- gerson, at whose death there were loft six children, as fol- lows: Edward P., Margaret A .. James F .. Eliza, Matilda J. and William J. He married Missouri Tucker in May. 1865, born April 10, 1843, by whom he is the father of one child named Mary. His wife died in 1868 aud in January, 1869, he married Margaret Sprinkle, born in November, 1834. She died in De- cember, 1873, leaving a daughter. Cyrena. June 7 of the next year he led to Hymen's altar Caroline Gladish, born October 2. 1858. After Mr. Richardson's first marriage he purchased 160 acres of land in Monroe Township. In 1859 he laid out the village of Pleasantville. He is a Democrat and has held the office of justice of the peace eight years, and was a member of the State Legislature two years. from 1864 to 1866. In 1870 he was elected county clerk and moved to Petersburg. In 1877 he was appointed t asurer to fill an unexpired term, and was re-elected in 1878. At the close of the term he returned to his farm, where he has remained ever since. Mr. Richardson commenced preaching in 1866 and in 1872 was ordained as a Regular Baptist minister, and has had charge of three churches ever since that time.
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
HARRISON H. SMITH is a son of Onias and Mary Wyett ) Smith, and was born August 23, 1838. in Pike County, Ind. The father was a native of North Carolina, born in 1805. In 1>10 he came with his parents to Pike County, Ind., and his father entered a large tract of land near Petersburg. He was a surveyor by occupation and worked at that business in North Car- olina and also after coming to Indiana. He laid out the town of Petersburg and also surveyed numerous tracts throughout Pike and the adjoining counties. Our subject's father, Onias, married in Pike County. and afterward bought property near Petersburg. where he located and remained as a tiller of the soil until his death, which occurrel in September. 1869. The mother was born in Kentucky and came to Indiana with her parents when a sinall chill. She is yet living and is over seventy-five years of age. Harrison H. małe his home with his parents until he was twenty-six years old. September, 1964, he married Nancy Jane B wwman. daughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth Bowman. She was born November 14. 1>45, in Illinois. They have four chil- dren living. named Rollin P., Cordelia, Onias and Emmet. Mr. Smith farmed on a rented place for over a year and then bought fifty-nine acres near Petersburg. where he lived for about four years and then sold out and purchased 100 acres in Madison Township. He has added ninety-three acres to this, and has one of the best farms in Pike County. He is a Democrat in politics. and east his first vote for Stephen A. Douglas.
JOHN G. SNIDER. a native of North Carolina, was born April 20, 1822. He is a son of Adam and Christina Snider, who wore the parents of seven children, our subject being the fifth. The parents were natives of the same State as our subject and were of German descent. In 1931 they moved to Pike County. Ind .. and located on a farm in Malison Township. where they both died. the father in 1876. and the mother in 1864. The father was a farmer and blacksmith. John G was raised on a farm in his native State and after his parents' removal to this State he still remained with them. When about thirty years old he began working for himself at the blacksmith's trade, continu- ing in that business abont eight years, and then began farming. He owns fifty-one acres of very rich. river bottom land. It is nearly all under cultivation and viells from sixty to seventy-five bushels of corn, twenty-five to thirty bushels of wheat, and forty to fifty bushels of oats to the acre. Although his land is some- times inundated and his crops lost. yet one year of good fortune compensates for his losses. Mr. Saidor has never married. and for the last thirty years has bara kooping house for himself. He has been a Whig and Republican all his life and has served one term as coroner of the county.
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HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
BURWELL J. STEWART was born in Petersburg, Ind., August 25, 1818, and is said to have been the first child boro on the site of that town. His parents were Thomas and Ehzabeth (Simonton ) Stewart. The father was previously married to Rachel Wright, by whom he is the father of one child, now liv- ing in Kansas. Thomas was born in Virginia, and raised in Warren County. Ky. When a young man he was a volunteer in the war of 1512, and was sent into Pike County, Ind., and liking the country he resolved to locate there. which he did some time after marrying his first wife. They came on pack horses. and settled on a farm in the above named county. The father filled a number of different offices, and was a member of the State Leg- islature about nine terms. He died November 6, 1850. The mother was born in North Carolina, but was raised in Ohio. She came to Indiana, when quite young. Her death occurred December 24, 1848. Our subject was raised on the old home- stead. and now owns part of the old place. His education is somewhat limited, but he was aided very much in his studies by Maj. John McIntyre. About 1836 he began flat-boating. and went to New Orleans every winter. June 5, 1845, he married Hemmer Ann Catt, and they became the parents of eight children, two dying in infancy. Six sons were raised to manhood, but only five are now living: Lawrence W. (deceased ), Alexander L., John T., Stephen A. D., Robert M. and Clarence P. Mr. Stewart is a Democrat. His eldest son. Lawrence, now deceased, was a cripple from childhood. He ac- quired a good education, and graduated from the State Normal. He was elected to the Legislature in 1876-77, and was county superintendent of schools of Pike County two terms, his death occurring while in office. The other sons are farmers, and are doing well, financially. The two youngest are yet at home.
JOHN L. SUMNER was born in Perry County, Ind., No- vember 26, 1861. He is a son of Lewis A. and Elizabeth (Shoe- maker ) Sumner, who were the parents of two children, our sub- ject being the younger. The other son, Millard F., now lives near John L. The parents were natives of Perry County, and lived there some time after their marriage. They then moved to Kansas, where they remained about two years, and then came back to their old home. The father enlisted in the army in 1861, and died while in the service. He was a farmer, and in ordinary circumstances, financially. Our subject was raised with his mother, who married D. W. Gladish, and moved to Pike County, Ind., where she still lives. When about twenty-one years old John L. left home, and began working for himself. He purchased seventy-five acres where he now lives, and has about half of it under good cultivation. He has a fine frame residence,
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and is doing well, from a financial stand-point. February 18, 1883, he married Alice E. Wheeler, daughter of William A. and Mary Wheeler, of Perry County, Ind. In politics John L. is a Republican, and was raised as such.
MARION TOWNSHIP.
PERRY C. ABBOT, an enterprising farmer of Marion Town- ship, Pike Co., Ind., is a son of Lenhart and Hannah Abbot. Lenhart was born in Clark County, Ind., in 1815, and his wife in Muhlenburgh County, Ky., in 1817. They were married in Pike County, and their union was blessed with nine children, six of whom are yet living. The parents are yet living in Pike County, and are in comparative good health for old people. The subject of our sketch was born July 25, 1851, in Pike County, and remained with his parents until twenty years old, when he began working for himself. January 11, 1874, he married Lucinda C. Tolten, a native of the same county as himself, and they became the parents of five children-two sons and three daughters: Cyrus, McDonald, Cora, Lillie and Cordelia. Mr. Abbot has a thorough knowledge of the common school branches, and is well- versed in the studies of algebra, Latin, rhetoric and natural phil- osophy. He has been a teacher in the public schools of Iowa and Indiana for sixteen years. He is a Democrat and notary public. Besides the occupation of teaching school, he is engaged in farm- ing in which he has succeeded fairly.
WILLIAM T. ANDERSON was born in Dubois County. Ind., December 13, 1833, and is a son of Andrew and Mary Anderson, who were natives of Mercer County, Ky. The mother died in 1844, and the father took for his second wife Obedience Williams, of Kentucky. They are among the old pioneer settlers of Indiana, who came here in 1816. He married in Indiana, and settled on a farm in Dubois County, where both parents died. Our subject remained with his parents until he attained the age of eighteen years, when he began working for himself. January 10, 1856, he took for his life companion, Nancy Jones, of Laurel County, Ky., and they became the parents of nine children: Sebastian, Mary Josephine (deceased), Ella (deceased), Clora. (wife of Zeno Hobbs), Andrew and Amanda (twins), May, William Beecher and Eva. Mr. Anderson and family are earnest workers in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and aid by their influ-
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HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
ence and money, all enterprises for the public good. Mr. Ander- son is a Republican. and was county commissioner of Pike Count- ty for three years. He is a successful farmer, and a worthy and useful citizen.
DR. LEROY BROADWELL is the son of Henry and Eliza- beth Broadwell. The mother was born in Virginia, and the father in North Carolina in 1792. He served in the war of 1812, and was one of the old pioneer settlers of Indiana, coming here it a very early day; he endured many of the hardships incident to pioneer life. His death occurred in his native State in 1870. The subject of our sketch was born in Warrick County, Ind., July 21, 1834. He remained with his parents until eighteen years old. when he left home and traveled in Minnesota, Iowa and the Western Territories, and finally returned to Indiana. July 1, 1861, he enlisted in the war as a volunteer soldier in Com- pany A, First Indiana Cavalry, and was in the severe conflicts of Fredericktown, Mo. and Helena and Little Rock. Ark. In October. 1861, he was taken prisoner and remained such for one year, when he was exchanged. He immediately entered the service again, and soon rose to the rank of captain. He returned home in 1864, and three years later, on the 4th of April, was married to Eliza- beth B. Burton, of Gibson County, Ind. They became the parents of seven children-one son and six daughters: Alfaretta, Lucinda Estella, Henry Burton, Emily Kate, Clara Ellen, Nancy Bell and Maggie David, Dr. Broadwell received his medical education in the university at Ann Arbor, Mich. In 1882, he abandoned the practice of medicine on account of ill-health, and engaged in farming. In politics he is a farmer, and a respected and promi- nent citizen of Marion Township.
THOMAS J. J. COOKE is the son of Thomas H. and Mary Cooke. The father was born in Gloucestershire, England, in 1775, and the mother in Fayette County, Ky., in 1777. They were married in Lexington, Ky., and to their union six children were born, only three of whom are living. The mother died in 1828, and two years after her death the father remarried, his sec- ond wife being Priscilla Pierson, of Kentucky. They have four living children. The father departed this life in 1845. Our sub- ject was born August 17, 1826, in Fayette County, Ky., and June 18, 1850, Mary J. Deuberry became his wife. Her death occurred March 23, 1870, and five years later he married Jane M. Eaton, of Pike County. To them were born three children: Edward E., (deceased), Thomas H. and Cecelia E. Mr. Cooke's political views are Republican. He was a soldier in the late war, and was in Company H. Eightieth Indiana Infantry, and in an engage- ment was wounded by a musket ball. He received his discharge March 21. 1865, and since that time 1.^e been a successful farmer.
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JAMES M. DEARING is a son of John and Polly Dearing, who were natives of Virginia and Kentucky, respectively. They were married in the mother's native State, and followed farming as an occupation. The father's death occurred in 1863 and the mother's in 1823. Our subject was born April 6, 1815, in Wash- ington County, Ky., and came to Indiana and settled on a farm in Marion Township, Pike County, and began his career as a tiller of the soil. In 1842, Elizabeth Jane Thomas, a native of Vir- ginia, became his life companion and the mother of eight chil- dren- four sons and four daughters: Isaiah, Mary ( deceased ). James (deceased ). Maria. Robert (deceased ), Margaret, Louisa and John. Mr. Dearing's education is very limited, but all the family can read and write. They are members of the Methodist Church, and his political views are Republican. He is a success- ful farmer and one of the old pioneer settlers, and a prominent and respected citizen of his township.
ELIJAH E. RICHARDSON is the son of John and Mary Richardson, who were natives of Kentucky, born in 1809 and 1812, respectively. In 1537 they removed to Illinois, remaining one year, and then settled on a farm near Petersburg, where his wife died in 1844. Three years later he visited Kentucky with his four children, and while there married Lucinda B. Hollon, his present wife. They became the parents of seven children. Soon after his second marriage he returned to Petersburg and sold his farm and then lived in Kentucky, three years after which he again lived in Pike County, Ind. At the present time they are living in Huntingburgh. Our subject was born March 11. 1836, and on the 19th of November, 1860, he married Mary Clyde, who bore him one son, John T. In 1862 she died, and five years later he married Elizabeth Rodarmel. They are the parents of four sons and one daughter: Ida A., William L., Joseph E., Elvis O. (deceased) and Nathan A. In 1862 he enlisted in Company H, Eightieth Indiana Infantry. He was in many severe conflicts and was twice severely wounded and had to be sent to the hospital, where he was exposed to the small-pox. He was then sent to Quincy, Ill., and confined in the pest house for six weeks. His right eye was injured by the disease, but he again returned to the service, and was captured in 1863 by Morgan's men and remained a parole prisoner until the following May, when he was exchanged and returned to the service. He received his discharge in April, 1865. Since that time he has been a farmer. He and family belong to the Baptist Church, and he is a member of the G. A. R. and a National in politics.
JAMES RISLEY is a son of John and Margaret Risley. The father was a native of New Jersey and the mother of Vir- ginia. They were married in the mother's native country, and
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HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
their union resulted in nine children. They moved from Virginia to Kentucky and finally came to Pike County, Ind., where the father and mother died. James Risley was born at Petersburg. Pike Co .. Ind., June 7, 1811; at that time. however, there was no town on the present site of Petersburg. At the age of nineteen years he married Martha Miller, of Ohio, September 7. 1831. and their union was blessed with eight children: Maria. Hannah, Eunice, Margareth, Polly, Lafayette, Martha (wife of Phillip D. Allburn ) and Eliza; all are dead except Martha. Mr. Risley has a limited English education and he and wife belong to the General Baptist Church. In politics he is a liberal voter and has served as township trustee for one year. He and wife have been married fifty-four years. and are now enjoying the fruits of their early labor and the esteem and respect of all who know them. The little town of Velpen is built on a farm once owned by James Risley.
WILLIAM RISLEY, son of John and Margaret Risley (see sketch of James Risley ), was born July 13, 1814. in Pike County. Ind., and was raised on a farm. November 5, 1840, he married Mary McCarty, of Daviess County, Ind., and they became the par- ents of seven children: Jackson: Harrison, killed in the army: Perry; Hattie, deceased; Amanda, wife of William Dillon; one died in infancy. and Hulda, deceased. December 4, 1852, his wife was called from among the living, and, in 1854, he married Martha Corn, who died one year after marriage. leaving one child, Franklin. April 23, 1863, he took for his third wife Nancy Bolin, of Dubois County, Their union was blessed with twelve children: Major, Louisa ( deceased ), Eli. Abraham Lincoln. Lear, Frederick, Clara. Ricka. Walter, Delpha. Posey and one unnamed who died in infancy. Mr. Risley's education is some- what limited; he is a Republican in politics, a successful farmer and respected and prominent citizen of Marion Township.
JACKSON RISLEY is the son of William and Mary Risley. natives of Indiana. The father was born in 1814 and the mother in 1824. They were married in Daviess County, the mother's birthplace, and finally settled in Pike County and began tilling the soil. The father still lives, but the mother died December 14. 1852. Jackson, our subject, was born October 19, 1841, in Pike County. When twenty years old he enlisted in the civil war and served in Company G, Forty-second Indiana Infantry. He served from September 21, 1861, till in August, 1865, and fought in the battles of Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Buzzard's Roost. Kenesaw Mountain, Lookout Mountain. where he was wounded in the foot by a musket ball. and also at Atlanta, Bentonville and Black River, N. ('. January 11, 1866, he married Tabitha Ann Wallace, of Daviess County, Ind., aud they became
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the parents of these children: William F. Mary Etta, Melissa May, Dora Ann (deceased), Amy Blanche, Fannie Orta, Grace Gertrude (deceased), Leroy Harrison, Laura Ella. Mr. Risley and family are members of the Methodist Church and he is a Republican and a successful farmer of Marion Township.
JONAS ROBINSON is the eldest son in a family of nine children, four of whom are living at the present time. The father, Stephen Robinson, was born in New York City in 1804, and died in Pike County, Ind., in 1848. His wife, Elizabeth Robinson, was born May 1, 1805, in east Tennessee. They were married in Perry County, Ind., and afterward settled in Pike County, where the mother died in 1875. The subject of our sketch was born in Perry County, August 4, 1828. After his father's death he remained with his mother until he was twenty- four years of age and assisted her in every way that he could. November 23, 1853, he married Rebecca J. Dickson, of Dubois, County, and they became the parents of five children: Martha E., Marcus E., Mary E., Marion E. and Nancy I. At the breaking out of the civil war he enlisted in Company C, Fifty-eighth Indiana In- fantry. He participated in the battles of Stone River, Chicka- mauga, Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge; he was appointed sergeant and served in that capacity until the close of the war; he and family are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and he is a Republican. In 1872 he began dealing in leaf tobacco; he has a good farm which contains coal and silver in considerable quantities. His wife was called from among the living July 15, 1885.
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