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 42
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 42
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SASSER SULLIVAN is the son of Josiah and Patience Sul- livan, who were natives of North Carolina, where the father was born in 1798 and the mother in 1805. They came to Indiana in 1852 and located on a farm in Pike County where the father died in 1881. Our subject was born in North Carolina January 29, 1828. When eighteen years old he enlisted in Company K., Third Kentucky Regiment, of the Mexican war, and served until its close. In September, 1848, he married Abigail Brock, of Kentucky, and to them seven children were born: John V. (deceased ), William H., George W., Mary Patience, Jesse J., and two who died in infancy. Mrs. Sullivan died December 26, 1864, and two years later he married Laura B. Richardson, who bore him seven children: Sarah E., Etta (deceased), Armilda J., Wade R., Abigail, Richard R., and Ethan Allen. At the break- ing out of the war Mr. Sullivan enlisted in Company G. Fifty- eighth Indiana Volunteers. In about a year he was promoted to the position of lieutenant, but he resigned his office, returned home and organized Company H of the Eightieth Regiment. He fought in many of the most bloody conflicts on record: Pitts-
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burg Landing, Perryville and the entire Georgia campaign and many others. He at different times held the offices of captain and sergeant; he is a Democrat, and his family belong to the Baptist Church; he has served twice as real estate appraiser of Pike County, several times as township assessor and three years as township trustee.
JAMES SURVANT, a well to do farmer of Marion Town- ship, is a son of William and Jane Survant. The parents were natives of Kentucky, where they lived and died. They were the parents of eight children, four of whom are living. William was a successful farmer and stock raiser. James was born in the birthplace of his parents April 13, 1827, and on the 18th of Sep- tember, 1851, Catharine J. Pipes, a native of the "Blue Grass" State, became his wife. They became the parents of eleven chil- dren-seven sons and four daughters: William W., James A. Joseph H. Levi J., Richard B. (deceased), Mary J., wife of Brace Bruner, George T., Martha E. (wife of John Nelson ), Sallie C., Caleb A. and Hettie L. On the 20th of October, 1883, Mrs. Survant died very suddenly. She appeared as well as usual when arising, and attended to her household duties, when without a word of warning, she suddenly fell dead. The cause of her sudden death was heart disease. Mr. Survant is a Democrat and an old settler and successful farmer of Marion Township. He and family belong to the General Baptist Church.
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.
GEORGE M. ABBET, merchant at Otwell, Ind., is a native of Jefferson Township, where he was born, November 26, 1838. He is the fourth of eleven children born to the marriage of Ed- win Abbet and Susan Adams. The former was a native of South Carolina, and came to this State and county in company with his parents when quite young. They made their first settlement in Jefferson Township, where they and the most of their descend- ants have always remained residents. Our subject's father is still living, but owing to an illness that occurred in 1883, his mind has become enfeebled. George was reared on a farm and remained at home with, and assisted his parents until he was twenty-five years old, when he married Sarah Perkins, November 30, 1863. Mr. Abbet's occupation up to May, 1884, was farming, but since that time he has been engaged in the mercantile busi- ness, but still continues to cultivate his farm of 118 acres. In
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his business he carries a stock worth about $1,500, and has a good and paying trade. His political views are Democratic.
JOHN F. CLARK is a native of Belmont County, Ohio. where he was born December 23, 1822. He is a son of Zacha- riah and Edith ( McNichols ) Clark, who were natives of Mary- land and Virginia, respectively. Our subject was reared in Bel- mont, Muskingum and Guernsey Counties. His mother died when he was four years old, and his father when he was ten years old. He then lived for some time with a cousin, and afterward inade his home with his elder brothers. Owing to the backward state of school systems at that time, his education is somewhat limited. November 20, 1849, his marriage with Margaret Gard- ner was solemnized, and to their union twelve children were born. of whom these are now living: Isaac W., Henry H., Selvinns R., Mary, Newton W. and Alice (twins), Ellen, Elizabeth E. and John N. Mr. Clark enlisted in the Home Guards for five years, and May 2, 1864, at the urgent call of his country. he went to the front, and served for four and a half months. His occupa- tion has always been farming, in which he has been quite successful. He owns 105 acres of well improved land. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics he is a Prohibitionist, believing in a total abolishment of the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors of every de- scription.
WILLIAM COX was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, Sep- tember 14, 1816, and is a son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Cooper) Cox, who were natives of Maryland. From there they moved to Kentucky, then to Ohio, and finally to Indiana, about 1820. The father was a farmer by occupation, and was in very good circumstances. William's educational advantages were quite limited. He remained at home until twenty years old, when he began working for himself, and at one time owned a farm of 840 acres, but by presenting his children with land at different times, he now owns only 335 acres. December 22, 1536, Anna Fisher became his wife, and bore him ten children, these now living: Jane, wife of W. Lindsey; Elizabeth, wife of Henry Aust; Matilda, wife of Albert Ashby : Alfred; Rebecca Anne, wife of Jesse W .; Thomas and William. Mr. Cox has always been a Democrat in politics, and served as justice of the peace in Dubois County, for five years.
MOSES L. CHAPPELL is the seventh in a family of ten children born to Jacob and Rachel ( Lane) Chappell. He was born near Petersburg, Pike Co., Ind., April 24, 1822. His par- ents were from the eastern part of North Carolina, and came to Indiana about 1815, during the early settlement of the State. The father was a farmer in moderate circumstances, and died
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April 25. 1846. The mother died in 1875, at the ripe old age of ninety years. Our subject was raised on a farm, and had very limited educational advantages, but since becoming grown he has educated himself by self exertion. At the age of nineteen years he began farming for himself on rented places, and about four years later he married Nancy D. Freelend, of Daviess County. They became the parents of ten children: Elvira D., Adaline O., Rachel E., Mary A., Milton S., Demphard, Moses E., Martha A., James F. and George W. At the breaking out of the war he en- listed as a recruit in Company I, Fifty-eighth Indiana Volunteers September 12, 1862, and served until June 13, 1865, when he was discharged. He was at Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge,
and took part in many skirmishes. On coming home from the war he began farming on some land his wife had purchased while he was in the army. He has been quite successful, and now owns 125 acres of very fine land. Mr. Chappell and wife are members of the Methodist Protestant Church, and he has been a zealous Republican, and has been since the organization of that party; previous to that time, a Whig. Five of his children are in Nebraska, two are married and living near home, and three yet reside under the paternal roof.
CAPT. WILLIAM E. CHAPPELL was born in Pike County, Ind., September 22, 1834. Stephen and Hannah ( Miller) Chap- pell were the parents of seven children, our subject being the eldest in the family. The father was of Scotch descent, and was born at Petersburg in a block-house used as a fort against Indian attacks. At the time of his birth his father was absent participating in the battle of Tippecanoe. April 22, 1873, the father passed from among the living. The mother is yet living near Algiers. She is Dutch descent, and was born in Pennsylvania. William passed the life of the average farmer boy, and received but little school- ing. On attaining his majority he married and began farming. He has been quite successful in that business, and now owns 901 acres of good land. He was married, March 6, 1856, to Eliza- beth Case, and they became the parents of nine children. Mr. Chappell is a Mason and a member of the I. O. O. F., and I. O. of R. M. In the last named order he holds the office of Great Prophet in the State Great Council. October 13, 1861, he en- listed in Company I, Fifty-eighth Indiana Volunteers as first lieutenant, and was soon promoted to the rank of captain. He was at Stone River, Chickamauga, and in Sherman's march to the sea. He is a National in politics, and is one of the prom- inent men of Pike County.
DAVID DEMOTTE was born in Pike County, Ind., Febru- ary 13, 1832, and is the next youngest in a family of six children born to Lawrence and Phoebe (Banty) Demotte, who were natives
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of Kentucky, and came to this State and county about 1825. and made their first settlement about a mile south of our subject's present place of abode. The mother died when David was quite young. After a time the father's mind became enferbted, and he was a source of great care to David and a younger brother, who had remained at home. Owing mainly to this our subject received a limited education. October 19, 1859, his marriage with Sarah Green was solemnized. and to their union six children have been born, of which these five are now living: Martha, John (who married Nancy Stillwell). Charlotte. Elizabeth and Sallie. By occupation Mr. Demotte has always been a farmer, and has been quite successful. He owns 248 acres of well im- proved land. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics he has always been a Republican, and en- joys the respect and esteem of all who know him.
McCRELLIS GRAY, a prominent citizen of Otwell, Ind., was born November 13, 1828, and is the tenth in a family of twelve children born to William and Keziah ( Ball ) Gray, who were na- tives of Virginia and came to this State and county in 1811. They first settled in what is now Washington Township, from whence they removed to the place where our subject was born. The father served with Gen. Harrison in the war of 1812. McCrellis assisted his parents on the farm until he attained the age of twenty-seven years. In Angust, 1854, his marriage with Emily Traylor was solemnized, and to their union three children were born, only one of whom is now living, Oliver H. In Decem- ber. 1861, Mr. Gray's wife died, and fifteen years later he was mar- ried to Lucy M. Montgomery. They have three children: Edmund, Lelia and Maggie B. Mr. Gray has been twice engaged in the mercantile business and now superintends his farm. He has been very successful and is the owner of 1,100 acres of land. He belongs to the Masonie fraternity and is a Democrat in politics. He has been thrice elected to the office of county treasurer and served almost one full term in the same position by appointment. His re-election to the same office may be taken as an indication of the honesty and efficiency with which he filled that position.
RICHARD W. HARRIS, M. D .. a prominent physician of like County, Ind., was born in Spencer County, Ind., October 28, 1850. His parents, William G. and Isabel ( MeKune ) Harris, are natives, respectively, of Alexandria, Va., and Nelson County, Ky. When quite a small lad, William went to Philadelphia, where he was apprenticed to a cabinet-maker. He pursued his trade in Ken- tucky for some time, when he married and came with his wife to Spencer County. Ind .. about 1843. Here they lived until 1865, when they moved to Huntingburgh, Ind., and have since made their home there, with the exception of a few years. The Doctor
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was raised on a farm and received a limited education. When twenty-one years old he began teaching, going to school and reading medicine, and in the winter of 1875-76 he attended the Kentucky Medical College and graduated from that institution in 1877. He then located in Algiers, where he has since been snc- cessfully practicing his profession. He has been very successful and is said to have the largest practice of any physician in the county. June 8, 1879. he married Lonella A. Lett, daughter of Isaac and Mary ( Traylor) Lett. They became the parents of four children, three now living: Maude M., John W., Audie (de- ceased ) and Sallie. The Doctor is a member of the I. O. O. F. and I. O. R. M. He is a leading Democrat of the county and has been honored with the office of township trustee, elected in 1884. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
WILLIAM H. KELSO was born February 26, 1831, in Knox- ville, Dubois Co .. Ind. His parents, Andrew F. and Susan- nah E. ( Hargrave) Kelso, were the parents of fourteen children, of whom our subject was the eldest. They were natives of South and North Carolina, and of Scotch and English descent, respect- ively. The father came to Indiana in 1817 and the mother a year later. Andrew always followed the life of a farmer; his death occurred July 12, 1872. The mother still lives in Ireland, Dubois Co., Ind. Our subject was raised on a farm and his edu- cational advantages were quite limited. He remained at home assisting his parents on the farm until he attained his majority, when he purchased land in Dubois County and farmed there for sixteen years. He then sold out and bought the farm where he now lives. He has been very successful in his vocation and now owns 215 acres of very good land. He was married November 18, 1852, to Nancy A. Chappell, to whom four children were born: Leila (deceased wife of James Chew), Jemimah A. (Capehart), Andrew H. and Susannah. Mr. Kelso and wife and the three eldest children are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, he having been one of its elders for twenty-nine years. He is an enthusiastic Republican and always has been since the organization of that party. Before that time he was a Whig. His wife's parents were Josiah and Jemimah (Grayson) Chap- pell, who were natives, respectively, of North Carolina and Vir- ginia, and came to Indiana at a very early period. The wife was born April 13. 1833, and was the third in a family of five children.
JOHN A. LETT, father of Isaac Lett, was born in Kentucky, September 11, 1809. His parents were Randall and Sarah (Tyndall) Lett, who were natives of Georgia and came to Ken- tueky and lived there till Jolm A. was four years old, when they came to Pike County. Ind. When twenty-two years okl our sub-
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ject married Mary Thomas, October 20, 1831. He began life for himself with little or nothing, but has owned 260 acres of the very best land. He and wife are the parents of ten children, eight now living. His wife died September 15, 1866, and Sep- tember 19. 1867, he next married Elizabeth Randerson, who died of cancer February 8. 1885, leaving two children. He is a Re- publican and member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has in his possession a compass, a powder horn, and a flint and steel which his grandfather carried in the Revolutionary war.
LEWIS E. LETT was born in Pike County. Ind., July 22, 1833. He is a son of John A. and Mary ( Thomas) Lett and was raised on a farm. He received his education in the old log schoolhouse of those times. When nineteen years old he went to Oregon where he remained about eight years. when he returned to the Hoosier State and has been a successful farmer ever since. He owns 185 acres of very good land. well improved. June 13. 1861. he married Angeline Anderson, They are the parents of eight living children: Izetta, Oswald A., Ariel. Zelia, Orris E., Myrtie, Elmer O. and Auta. Mr. Lett is a Democrat and a Mason. In February, 1565, he enlisted in Company K., One Hundred and Fifty-second Indiana Volunteers, and was out till September, when the regiment was discharged. The first Lett came to the United States very early. He was very poor and his passage was paid by a man in North Carolina for whom he worked some time in pay- ment. This was the great-great-grandfather of our subject. The great-grandfather was a Revolutionary soldier and served seven years in that war. The grandfather came to Indiana in 1514 and five of his children are yet living, John A., the father of our subject, being one of them.
ISAAC R. LETT was born in Pike County, Ind., September 15. 1835. He is a son of John A. and Mary ( Thomas) Lett. He was reared on a farm and received a limited education. When twenty-one years old he married and began farming on the place where he now lives. He commenced life a poor boy but now owns 200 acres of very fine land, and is one of the leading farmers of the county. He was married. October 15, 1856, to Mary Jane Traylor, and they became the parents of seven children, six now living: Louella (wife of Dr. R. W. Harris), Emma T. (wife of Stephen R. Chappell), Effic ( wife of Erastus Thomas). Orlan W .. Martha M. and Sarah E. Mrs. Lett died March 13, 1875, and April 23, 1876, he married Eliza Smith. He is a Mason and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically a Dem- oerat and always has been, but very liberal in his views.
JAMES MCLAUGHLIN is a native of Madison County. Ohio, where he was born April 7, 1520. He is the next eldest of five children born to Robert and Barbara MeLaughlin; the
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HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
former was of Scotch and the latter of German extraction. James was reared in his native and Fayette Counties. His father died when he was but nine years of age and his mother remarried, and in the year 1835 removed to Floyd County, this State, where our subject lived until the year 1849, when he came to Pike County, and purchased forty acres of land about one mile east of his present place of residence. September 11, 1849, he was married to Lucinda Anderson, and to them were born nine children, seven of whom are living: George M., John A., Mary J., Lana A., Evart, Barbara F. and Arra G. Mr. MeLaughlin has always followed the occupation of farming. He owns 150 acres of well- improved land and is very comfortably situated. He and wife are worthy members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. and he is a Democrat.
WILLIAM SMITH may be mentioned among the prominent citizens of Jefferson Township. He was born in Guernsey Coun- ty, Ohio, June 15, 1817, and is the eldest of thirteen children of Daniel and Elizabeth (Harris) Smith, who came from Virginia. and were of Scotch and German extraction. William was raised to nearly manhood's estate in Guernsey and Knox Counties, Ohio, and received a limited education owing to the poor facilities of that day. He worked as a farm laborer for about fifteen months, and with the money he had saved during that time he entered a tract of 120 acres of land in Vinton County. Ohio. Immediately after his marriage with Emma Randall, November IS, 1541, he removed to his farm. They became the parents of four children, two now living: Isaac and Emma. Mrs. Smith died March 8, 1846, and August 18, of the same year, he wedded Lydia Mashur. They had ten children, only seven now living: George H., Nancy, James, Ellen, John, Mary and Clinton. In the year 1870 he came to Indiana and purchased the farm where he now lives. He has been very successful and owns 160 acres of well- improved land. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he having been a member for over forty years. He is a Republican and has always taken an active interest in the political affairs of the county and has held numerous township offices.
JESSE W. THOMAS was born in Washington Township, Pike C'o .. Ind., January 1, 1852, and is a son of Isaac T. and Susan (Chew) Thomas, who were the parents of six children. The father, who was a farmer by occupation, came from Ken- tucky to this State, when very young. He located in Pike Coun- ty. where he became a prominent citizen. His death occurred August 20, 1884. The mother is still living near Petersburg. Our subject was raised on a farm and received a common school education. When twenty-three years old he began farming for
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himself and has been very successful in that business, owning 290 acres of good land. December 20, 1875, Rebecca Anne Cox. became his wife. Four children were born to them: Mattie M. Otis L., Susannah and one who died in infancy. Mr. Thomas has always been a Democrat in politics. He takes great interes in political affairs and is a prominent young farmer of the county.
LOGAN TOWNSHIP.
ANDREW ATKINSON, a prominent old citizen of Logal Township, Pike Co., Ind., was born in Rowan County, N. C. August 20, 1817, and is the oldest of ten children born to James and Mary (Berry ) Atkinson. The family migrated to thi State and county in January, 1827, and made a settlement i Clay Township, and a year later moved to Logan Township wher. they remained until their deaths. James taught several terms o school after coming here, but turned nearly his entire attention to farming. Andrew remaining with his parents until nearly twenty-seven years old. May 22, 1843, he married Esther Wyatt, and to their union twelve children were born, ten of whom are living: Amon H., Marion J., Mary A., Louisa, Elizabeth, Esther, Evalene, Andrew W., Rosa B. and Oma. Mr. Atkinson has been very successful in farming and owns 185 acres of good land. He and wife are members of the United Brethren Church, and he has been a Republican since the organization of that party, and has been honored with an election to the office of township trustee.
DR. THOMAS W. BASINGER, a native of Perry County, Ind .. was born May 6. 1854. He is the oldest of five children born to Joseph S. and Philadelphia ( Chewning ) Basinger, who were born in Kentucky and Indiana respectively. The father when about six years old came with his parents to Indiana and located in Perry County, where he has since continued to reside. During the Rebellion he served for nearly two years in the Eighty-first Regiment Indiana Volunteers. Our subject's mother died in May. 1863, when the father married again in August, 1864. His second wife was Elizabeth (Dyer ) Lanman, by whom he is the father of eight children. Thomas W. was reared at home and received his education in the common and graded schools, and when twenty years old hegan teaching school, continuing at that work about six years, meanwhile studying medicine. He attended the medical department of the University of Louisville, Ky .. dur-
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ing the session of 1878 and 1879. He practiced his profession in Perry County, and in 1850 attended the Kentucky School of Medicine from which he received his diploma. He came to Oatsville, Ind., in 1ss1. and has practiced his profession. Sep- tember 14, 1876, he and Mary Van Winkle were united in ma' riage, and to them five children were born, only two of whom pre living: Ida M., born March 22, 1879, and Homer A., born November 25. 1883. Both husband and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is a member of the I. O. O. F. In politics he is a Republican and is one of the best physici- - in the county.
LEWIS BECK, SR., a well to do farmer of Logan Township, Pike Co .. Ind., and a native of the adjoining county of Gibson. was born February 8, 1815, and is the sixth in a family of nine children born to Henry and Catherine (Young ) Beck, who were natives of North Carolina and came to this State from Tennessee about 1812. A short time subsequent to our subject's birth th .. removed from Gibson County to Pike County, where they lived until their deaths. Lewis remained at home and assisted his father on the farm until he was about twenty-four years old. He received a limited education in the primitive log schoolhouse of his d . He was married to Mary Helsley in December. 1838; they be- came the parents of three children: Daniel, Alfred and one de- ceased. October 9. 1864, Mrs. Beck was called to her long home and December 3. 1865, Mr. Beck's nuptials with Mary ( Lamb ; McGillem were celebrated. He has always been a farmer. and is the owner of 206 acres of well-improved land. He and wife are members of the Regular Baptist Church. He is a Democrat, and has been honored with an election to the office of township trust . .
JAMES W. HILLMAN was born in Clay Township, Co. Ind., July 6, 1845. He is a member of one of the old. families in the county. His grandfather was Henry Hillman. who came to Pike County about 1820. The father, Daniel Hill- man, was a farmer and was twice married. His first wife was Mary A. Lane, who died in 1848, leaving six children, of whon our subject is the youngest. The father afterward married Rachel ( Wright ) Price, by whom he was the father of six children. He died April 29, 1874. James W. was reared at home and received a common school education. At the breaking out of the war. when only seventeen years old, he enlisted in Company G, Sixty- fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry in 1862, and was mustered out in 1865. He took a worthy part in the battles of Nashville, Re- saca, Allatoona, Kenesaw Mountain, Dallas, and the siege of Atlanta and numerous lesser engagements. After his return from the army he worked by the month for a year or two, and then bought sixty acres of the farm where he now lives. He has added to it
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