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 70
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 70
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SAMUEL R. HENRY, merchant, of Ellsworth, Ind., born January 13. 1856, is a native of east Tennessee. His parents. Cicero and Martha ( Rutherford ) Henry, were born and raised in: Tennessee and came to Indiana in 1870, settling in Orange County In 1878 they moved to Dubois County. where the father became a tiller of the soil. His death occurred in 1879. The mother re- turned to Newport, Tenn., and has since kept hotel. Samuel R. received but little schooling. but owing to natural abilities he has acquired a good business education. He worked on a farm for some time after reaching his majority and then engaged in gen- eral merchandising in Ellsworth. In 1881 he bought eighty acres of land and began farming, which work he continued till Febru- ary, 1885, when he again began the mercantile business, with Lafayette Ellis as partner. He was married, October 5, 1879, to Elizabeth M. Kendall, to whom were born two children: Ellis M. and Maggie E. In politics Mr. Henry is a Republican and al- ways has been. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
JAMES M. ELLIS, born June 30, 1842, in Dubois County. Ind., is a son of Marvin and Permelia (Roberts) Ellis. His educational advantages were quite limited. When nineteen years old he began working on a farm in Knox County for one season, and then enlisted in Company A, Forty-ninth Indiana Volunteers, September 25, 1861; was mustered out February 4, 1864, and re-enlisted and served till the close of the war. He was before Vicksburg in all the battles and was severely wounded at Cham- pion Hill, and still suffers from the wound. Coming home from the war he began working on the farm. He now owns 160 acres of land mostly under cultivation. In connection with farming
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he runs a general merchandise store at Ellsworth. He has been very successful in both undertakings. He has been in the mercantile business since 1878. He was married, July 28, 1864, to Mary A. Beaty. To them were born six children-five now living: Marvin, Elliot E., Ida E., Thomas G. and Joseph. Mr. Ellis is a Republican and has been postmaster at Ellsworth since 1878. He and family are members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church.
LEVI K. ELLIS was born October 17, 1846, in Dubois County, Ind. His parents were Marvin and Parmelia (Roberts) Ellis, who were natives respectively of Indiana and Kentucky. The father, who was a well respected farmer, died in 1873, and the mother in June 22, of the same year. Our subject passed his boyhood hard at work on the farm. At the age of twenty he started in life for himself, farming on part of his father's land. He remained here until his father's death, when he fell heir to part of the farm. He has made farming his occupation and now owns eighty-five acres of good land-fifty acres under cultivation and the rest in timber land. When the war broke out he enlisted in Company E, Forty-third Indiana Volunteers. June. 1865, he was discharged. He is a Republican, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and has been three times married; first in 1866, to Ruth Russell-result, one child, Charles W. She died in 1868. To his second marriage, with Mary Brown, which was solemnized in 1868, three children were born, two now living: Permelia A. and Samuel M. This wife died in 1873, when he took for his third wife Nancy Riley, to whom were born four children, two now living: James T. and William C. His present wife was born in Orange County, Ind.
ISAAC HARMON, a native of Dubois County, Ind., is a son of Jacob and Mary (Clarke) Harmon, and was born January 19, 1826. The parents were natives respectively of Virginia and Kentucky, and lived alternately in Harrison and Dubois Counties, moving four times. The father died in Dubois County Decem- ber 27, 1870, the mother died in 1858. Isaac received a limited education in the log schoolhouses of early times, most of his edu- cation being acquired since grown. He worked for some years on a farm and then engaged in running a carding-mill, at which he continued one year. The father then bought a farm, and the son followed farming and running a peddling wagon. He also ran a blacksmith shop for some time in Newton Stewart, Ind. February 6, 1865, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-third Indiana Volunteers, and was out till June, when he was dis- charged, owing to disability caused by measles. He has been farming the greater part of the time since coming from the war. He was married, in 1851, to Nancy A. Roberts. To them were
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born sir children, three living. The wife died in 1871, and in November, of the same year, he married Violet (Johnson) Kelley, the result of this union being five children, four now living. Mr. Harmon is a Democrat in politics, and was elected justice of the peace in 1882.
GEORGE HASENOUR, native of the Blue Grass State, was born August 15, 1841. His parents, Martin and Tharsila Hase- nour, were natives of Germany and came to this country in 1838, and after living in several places, finally settled in Dubois County, Ind., where the father bought a farm of 200 acres and began tilling the soil. Here our subject was raised to manhood, receiv- ing but an ordinary education, and when twenty years old en- listed in Company I, Forty-ninth Indiana Volunteers. He was discharged in the winter of 1863-64, having been wounded at Champion Hill. He was at Cumberland Gap and the first attack on Vicksburg. In the second fight at Vicksburg he was quite severely wounded and had to be discharged. He now receives a pension. Coming from the war, he attended school for some time and then began to "teach the young idea." He continued at this work about three years, then began the general merchan- dise business at Celestine, handling a complete line of goods. Besides this property, he owns 320 acres of good farming land. He was married October 15, 1867, to Rofina Schnous, to whom were born seven children. Mr. Hasenour is a Democrat, and he and family are members of the Catholic Church.
JOHN W. KELLAMS, a prominent farmer of Dubois County, Ind., was born October 24, 1839. His parents, Pleasant and Mary (Conley) Kellams, natives of Kentucky, were the par- ents of thirteen children. The father was a farmer all his life and was among the early settlers of Hall Township. The mother died November 1, and the father November 5, 1882. Our sub- ject received a limited education owing to the undeveloped school system of that period. At the age of twenty years he went to Knox County, Ind., and worked on a farm for one year. He then went on a flat-boat trip to New Orleans, and worked about in this manner for a year or so and when the war broke out, enlisted in Company A, Forty-ninth Indiana Volunteers, and was discharged in 1864. He participated in the. battles of Cumberland Gap, Memphis, in all the Gohts' before Vicksburg. Thompson's Hill and Champion Hill, and others of lesser note. Coming home from the war he bought forty acres of land and began tilling the soil. He has been very successful, now owning 443 acres of land, 130 under good cultivation. December 16, 1866 he mar- ried Mary Roberts, who has borne him five children: Wilbur, Charles, George, Lizzie and Rosa. He is a Democrat, and he and wife belong to the Methodist Church.
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HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
WESLEY KELLAMS, farmer, was born March 12, 1849, in Dubois County; Ind. He attended the district schools in youth, was raised on a farm and on attaining majority began working for himself on the farm where he now lives. He purchased 140 acres of very rich bottom land and has forty acres under culti- vation and the rest timber land. He is also engaged in the saw- log business, running logs down the Patoka River. His marriage occurred November 1, 1873, to Diana Harman, the result of their union being seven children, six now living: Isaac A., Pleasant S., Mary E., Lillie A., Omer H. and Grover C. He has been a Democrat all his life and is a brother of John W. Kellams ( see his sketch for father's history). Mr. Kellams is an excellent citizen and good business man.
JACOB H. SENG of Celestine, Ind., is the oldest of twelve children born to Louis and Elizabeth ( Hoffmann ) Leng. The father and mother were both natives of Germany. and came to the United States, settling in Indiana. where the father worked on the first railroad in this State. They still live in Dubois County where the father owns about 260 acres of land. Here our sub- ject spent his boyhood and at the age of eighteen years, began working for himself, learning the blacksmith's trade. He worked at this business for about twelve years and then engaged in general merchandising in Celestine, at which he has continued ever since. He also has a farm of 120 acres which he runs in connection with his store. May 5, 1874, he married Elizabeth Buchart. To them were born five children, three now living: Katie M., John L. and Frank J. In politics Mr. Leng is a Democrat and an earnest worker for his party. In 1884 he was elected trustee of Hall Township and is now serving in that capacity. He and family are members of the Catholic Church.
ANTHONY MILLER, son of Charles and Caroline Miller, was born February 24, 1819, in Germany. The father was wealthy, owning a fine farm and was a farmer and weaver. When our subject was two years old his mother died; he remained with his father in Germany, where he was well educated, until he was nineteen years old when he came to America in 1839, landing at Baltimore. He was eighty-two days on the journey owing to severe storms. He worked as a weaver until February, 1840, when he came to Dubois County and worked in brickyards. In 1853 he began his career as a farmer and has succeeded well, now owning eighty acres of good land. He was married in Jan- uary, 1844, to Clara Ward, who was born and raised in Germany. They were the parents of nine children-only five of whom are now living: Anthony F., Charles, Leopold, Mathias and Frank. The wife came to the United States when only fourteen years old, in 1839. Mr. Miller is a Democrat and he and family are mem- bers of the Catholic Church.
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THOMAS J. NOLAN, teacher and farmer, was born Sep- tember 27. 1844, in Warrick County, Ind., son of Timothy and Elizabeth (Stukey) Nolan, the father a native of Ireland and the mother of Ohio. Timothy Nolan came to America in 1839; after about four years of unsettled life settled in Warrick County, where he afterward married. He died February 18, 1881, and the mother in 1873. Thomas J. received a very limited educa- tion, knowing nothing of arithmetic until after twenty-one years of age, but by his own unwearied efforts he has now a good edu- cation and has been a teacher ever since 1869, meeting with excellent success. At the age of seventeen he enlisted in Com- pany A. Forty-ninth Indiana Volunteers and at .the end of the vear was transferred to the artillery service and served three years. He participated in the battles of Cumberland Gap; Port Gibson. Champion Hill, seige and surrender of Vicksburg and numerous other engagements. At the close of the war he began teaching and working on a farm which he had purchased in White River bottom. He now owns 108 acres of rich bottom land and is do- ing well. He was married, September 24, 1871, to Elizabeth Ellis, who has borne him eight children, seven now living: El- mer E. (deceased) and Elda J., who were twins; Verner, Florin. Oscar, James and Charles (twins), and an infant. In politics Mr. Nolan is a Republican, and has been notary public since 1883. He and wife are members of the Methodist Church.
EGID SCHNAUS. farmer, was born August 29, 1843, im Germany. He came with his parents, John and Mary Schnaus, to the United States in 1836. They landed at New Orleans, and afterward located in Dubois County, Ind., where they have since lived. The father has been a farmer all his life, and his som Egid, follows the same vocation. His advantages for an education were limited, but his natural abilities overbalance this. He remained with his parents until twenty-two years old, when he launched out in business for himself, hauling goods from Celes- tine to New Albany and Troy, in which occupation he continued for nearly three years. He then began farming on 160 acres of land, forty acres being given him by his father, and is very suc- cessful. He also owns a one-half interest in the Celestine Saw- mill. November 9, 1869, he married Mary Buchart, daughter of Edward Buchart, the result of this union being six children: Caroline, Lizzie, Joseph, Anna, Rosina and Allius. He and his family are members of the Catholic Church, and he is a Democrat.
JACOB SANG, Sr., was born December 26, 1828, in Wheel- ing. W. Va., son of Francis and Mary (Hildebrand) Sang, who came from Germany to America in 1827. They were eleven weeks on the journey, the vessel having been shattered by a storm when
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in sight of land and driven out to sea, taking them about five weeks to get back. They were out of water and provisions for nearly a week, and were almost starved when they reached land. They lived for some time in Wheeling, then in Cincinnati, then in Madison, Ind., and finally moved to Celestine, where they began farming and have since lived. The father died in 1863; the mother still lives with our subject on the old home farm. Jacob followed carpentering for some time, but now tills his farm of 120 acres. He was married, April 16, 1856, to Barbara Nodler. They became the parents of eleven children, nine now living. He is a Republican and worked hard for his party in the State election. . He has been subjected to some annoyance on account of his political belief. but he stands firmly by his party. He was in Government service in time of war. but was enlisted as a regular soldier.
JOHN SCHAAF was born May 15, 1834, in Nassau, Ger- many, son of Frederick and Barbara ( Opper ) Schaaf, who were the parents of four children, and came to America in 1854, set- tling in Harrison Township, Dubois Co., Ind. The father died in 1883 and the mother in 1867. John remained in Germany with his father till the age of sixteen years. He received a good education in his fatherland, and attended night schools in Ameri- ca for about two months. He worked at cabinet-making before and after coming to America, and at the age of twenty-five he started a shop of his own at Lanesville. Harrison Co., Ind .. remaining there four or five years. In 1870 he moved to Celes- tine and engaged in the same business. Two years later he be- gan dealing in furniture. He is now a carpenter, cabinet-maker and furniture dealer, the only one in Celestine. He was married in 1858 to Theresa Lygast, to whom were born six children: John A., Andrew H., Mary T., Mary A., George E. and Conrad A. The four youngest are at home. The second one is attending St. Meinrad's Seminary with the intention of becoming a priest. Mr. Schaaf is a Democrat in polities, and he and his family are mem- bers of the Catholic Church.
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COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP.
JACKSON BRIDGES, a prominent citizen of Columbia fownship, Dubois Co., Ind., was born January 31, 1849, and is the eldest son of Edmond and Alsada ( Pulse) Bridges, who were born in the South. About the year 1883 they located in Colum- bia Township, where the mother died March 28, 1883, after spending a useful life. Our subject received a good common school education and lived with his parents, on the farm, until his marriage to Miss Sylvina M. Putnam, September 12, 1866. Mrs. Bridges is a daughter of Sylvester and Elizabeth (Pixley) Putnam, of Lawrence County, Ill., and was born February 1, 1848. She has presented Mr. Bridges with seven children: Sylvester (deceased), William E., Charley E., Mary (deceased), Nellie, Elizabeth E. and Sadie Florence. Mr. Bridges is a lead- ing and active farmer, and owns 160 acres of well improved land. He is a warm Republican, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church and worthy citizens.
RILEY BURTON was born in Lawrence County, Ind., March 1, 1838, he being the second son of Younger and Mary (Higginbotham) Burton, who were natives of North Carolina and Georgia, respectively. They were married in Louisville, Ky., and soon after settled in Lawrence County, Ind., about 1834, where they remained until 1856, and then moved to Dubois County and located in Columbia Township, where they now reside. Our sub- ject was reared and educated by his parents and remained at home until his marriage, which occurred September 14, 1884. He married Bell Pullom, daughter of Horner and Martha Pul- lom, of Orange County, Ind. Mr. Burton is an enterprising farmer and stock raiser and owns 426 acres of good land, mostly well improved with good substantial buildings. In politics he is a warm Democrat and was elected township trustee in the spring of 1884, on the Democratic ticket, which office he still holds to the satisfaction of the people. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
WILLIAM COLLINS, who was born February 8, 1029, is a son of William and Elizabeth ( Wineinger) Collins, who were natives of Tennessee, where they were also married. They im- migrated to Indiana in early times, and settled in Columbia Township, Dubois County, in 1826, where they afterward lived. The father was an earnest member of the Regular Baptist
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HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
Church, and an excellent citizen. Our subject received such edu- cation as could be obtained in the schools of his boyhood, and re- mained at home aiding his father on the farm until his marriage with Christina Wineinger, June 3, 1849. To them were born these children: Mary M , Felix, John, Timanza ( wife of Nicholas Howe), Sarah and Betsey. Mr. Collins, by good management and industry, owns a good property of 160 acres of excellent land with good buildings and improvements. He is a stanch Democrat and a prominent and useful citizen.
NELSON HARRIS, a prominent citizen of Columbus Town- ship, Dubois Co., Ind., and native of the same, was born Septem- ber 5, 1848: he was the eldest child in a family of three-Nelson. America and Basil B .- born to William and Hester ( Simmons ) Harris, natives of Kentucky and Indiana. They were married in Dubois County, where they made their home and where the father died. The mother yet lives on the old place with our subject. The father served four terms as township trustee, and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a Republican in politics. Our subject received a limited education, and has al- ways remained on the home farm. March 3, 1870, he was mar- ried to Charity Weaver, born May 12, 1855. daughter of Wesley and Elizabeth (Haymer) Weaver. To them were born five chil- dren: William N., Sarah E., Mary E., Solomon E. and Albert D. Mr. Harris owns 240 acres of land, well improved, and is an industrious farmer, well known, and respected by his neighbors. He is a Republican in politics.
GEORGE W. KESTERSON, a prominent young farmer of Columbia Township, Dubois Co., Ind., was born August 6, 1861; he is the only child of Alfred and Martha E. (Beaty ) Kesterson, who were born and married in Dubois County, where they re- mained until the Rebellion, when Mr. Kesterson enlisted in Com- pany G., Forty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry; he was killed in battle, at Perryville, Ky., October 8, 1862; the mother married John W. Simmons, who is now deceased, and still resides in Columbia Township. Our subject, George W., made his home with his mother and step-father, and received a good common school education. He was married, March 9, 1881, to Miss Lucinda Nicholson, daughter of Joseph H. and Elizabeth (Coon- rad) Nicholson. To them were born three children: Charles C., William F. and Ida E. Mrs. Kesterson was born November 13, 1863. They own a good farm of eighty acres, and are energetic and enterprising young people. Mr. Kesterson is a Democrat in politics.
DAVID C. LANE was born September 20, 1846, and was one of a family of three children-Jesse A., Henry and David C .- born to Mordica and Mary ( Allen) Lane, natives, respectively,
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of North Carolina and Tennessee. They were married in Orange County, Ind., where they remained until 1879, when they moved to Dubois County, Ind., and lived there until their deaths. The mother was an earnest and useful member of the Christian Church. Our subject was reared and educated by his parents, and remained at home until his marriage, which occurred June 11. 1863; his wife was Miss Mary McGrew, daughter of Wash- ington and Susan ( Archer) McGrew, of Orange County, Ind. Eight children were born to this union: William M., Emma J., Lavina, Andrew, Zerilda, Martha, Sarah A. and Charley H. Mrs. Lane was born in 1845, and is a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Lane owns 340 acres of ex- cellent land, well improved, and is a good farmer and stock raiser, and by energy and industry has acquired all his property since his marriage.
WILLIAM A. LINE, M. D .. was born January 12, 1844, and is a son of John and Phœbe ( Pierson ) Line, who were natives of Tennessee and Indiana, respectively. The father's parents came from England and settled in Tennessee. Our subject's father made his home in Orange County, Ind., where he died in 1854. He was a colonel in the State militia, and county surveyor of Or- ange County, and filled several other minor offices. His wife still resides on the old farm in Orange County and is a member of the Baptist Church. Our subject was educated by his parents and remained with them until his marriage. At the age of eighteen he began the study of medicine with Drs. Schoonover and Ellis of Hardinsburg, Ind. About two years after he entered the med- ical college of Louisville, Ky., where he remained one term. Re- turning home he was united in marriage to Margaret Ellis, De- eember, 1864. To them were born two children: John C. and William M. For his second wife he took Mrs. Mary ( Radcliffe ) Young, and to their union three children were born: Mary, Fran- cis and August. His wife dying January 1, 1881, he married Jennie Wininger, August 8, 1881. Dr. Line began practicing medicine in the town of Hillham in 1865, where he remained until 1883. Since then he has given up his profession to some extent and is now running a general store, and is doing a thriving business. He owns 200 acres of land, well improved. The Doctor is a Democrat in politics, and is one of the central committee of Dubois County, and he is well and favorably known in his neigh- borhood. His present wife belongs to the Baptist Church.
THOMAS MCCUNE, a native of Kentucky, born March 7, 1829, is the youngest in a family of twelve children born to James and Keziah McCune. The father came to Orange County, Ind., in 1832, and later came to Dubois County where he died. His wife was a member of the Baptist Church and died in Law-
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HISTORY OF DUBOIS COUNTY.
rence County. Our subject was left an orphan when about twelve years of age and made his way as best he could. working by the day and month until his marriage to Miss Lucinda Par- sons, April 5, 1850. She is a daughter of Robert and Jane Par- sons, and is the mother of nine children: Jane (deceased ;. Mary, Elizabeth, Sarah A. (deceased ). Lucinda. Missouri, Viola, Rob- ert and James. Mr. McCune owns eighty acres of land. wel lim- proved, and is a good substantial citizen of Dubois County. In politics he is a warm Democrat, and his wife is a member of the Christian Church.
DAVID S. MORGAN was born August 5, 1834. in Orange County, Ind., and is the eldest son in a family of ten children born to Samuel G. and Mary (Taylor ) Morgan, natives respec- tively of North Carolina and Indiana. They were married in Or- ange County, Ind., and resided there the rest of their lives. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which the father was a minister for about fifty years. Our subject re- eived a liberal education and made his home with his parents until his marriage. October 19, 1853, he led to Hymen's altar Adaline McPheron, to whom one son was born, namely: Will- am. Mrs. Morgan was born February 17, 1838, and died Sep- tember 12, 1854. For his second wife Mr. Morgan took Rachel Horton, April 20, 1854, who has presented him with eleven chil- Iren: Alfred, Samuel, John J., Fidella E., Mary E .. Milly J., David G., Charles, Adaline I., Rachel M. and Pleasant. Mr. Morgan owns 245 acres of good land mostly under cultivation, and is a Republican in politics. In the late war he enlisted in Company G, Forty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. and served his country for over three years. He is well and favorably known throughout the county, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Courch.
JOHN W. NICHOLSON, a native of Orange County. Ind., was born December 7, 1836. He is the eldest son in a family of eleven children born to Harvey and Maria (Connel ) Nicholson, natives of North Carolina and Indiana, respectively. They set- tled in Orange County, and, about 1840, located in Dubois County, Columbia Township, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The father held the office of county com- missioner two terms, and was township trustee under the old school law. The subject of our sketch received as fair an educa- tion as could be obtained in the schools of his boyhood, and January 31, 1861, he was united in marriage to Catherine Mc- Iver, born January 20, 1831, and daughter of Kenneth and Elizabeth (Cox) McIver. To this union seven children were born: Benjamin F., Attosey H., Thomas S., John W., Joseph S. and two children deceased. Mr. Nicholson owns forty acres
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