USA > Indiana > Posey County > History of Posey County, Indiana : from the earliest times 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 47
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58
547
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
GEORGE W. BUCKLIN, M. D., was born in Princeton, Gibson County, Ind., May 14, 1850. He is a son of Horace M. and Elmira (Maxam) Bucklin, and is of both Germam and Irish extraction. His father, Horace M. Bucklin, was born in 1811, in Pawtucket, R .I., and his mother in Buffalo, N. Y., in 1817. In about 1830 the Bucklin family came to Indiana and settled in Gibson County. The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood days upon the farm, attending as occasion afforded opportunity the district school. At the age of eighteen he began his academic education at Princeton, after completing which he taught school four years. In 1876 he began the study of medicine at Prince- ton under the instruction of Dr. S. E. Munford, and during the winters of 1877-78 and 1878-79 he attended medical lectures at Bellevue Hospital and Medical College, New York, graduating February 27, 1879. He located at New Harmony, Ind., April 10, 1879, and has ever since continued here the practice of his profes- sion, and is so far the only graduate of Bellevue College in the county. He is also one of the most thorough physicians in the county, and his practice has equaled his expectations. He is a member of the State Medical Association, is a member of the A. O. of U. W., and also of the Republican party. He is emi- nently a self-made man and a most courteous gentleman. Dr. Bucklin was married, May 1, 1879, to Miss Emma Wright, daughter of Amos Wright of Warrick County.
CHARLES CHADWICK, proprietor of the New Harmony Ferry, was born in New Hampshire, February 20, 1842, a son of James and Mary F. (Piper) Chadwick, and of English descent. His father was born near Manchester, England, and came to America in 1830. For a number of years he lived in Cleveland, Ohio, but in 1835 came to Posey County, and engaged in the saddlery business, in which he continued until 1862. From this time until his death in 1865 he was engaged in general merchan- dising. Mrs. Chadwick was born at Athol, Mass. Her first marriage was with Simeon Dexter in 1838, with whom she lived about two years when Mr. Dexter died, and in 1840 she wedded the father of our subject. To them were born five children, Charles being the eldest. He obtained his education in the New Harmony schools. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, Ninety-First Indiana Volunteer Infantry, serving thirty-five
548
HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY.
months. He was at Atlanta, Cumberland Gap, Nashville, and a the close of the war was in North Carolina; he was discharged in 1865. After the war he was engaged in merchandising, continuing two years. In 1873 he purchased and has since run the New Har- mony Ferry. In 1882 he built the steamboat "John R. Hugo" for ferry purposes, but finding her too expensive, has since used her for freight; he owns 200 acres of good land, is a prominent citizen, a Republican, an Odd Fellow, and a member of the town council; he was married, October 23, 1880, to Miss Helen Robb, who was born in Posey County in 1860. They have two chil- dren: Robb C., born March 26, 1883, and Nellie, born May 15, 1885.
HORATIO C. COOPER, of the firm of Vinton & Cooper, was born at St. Paul, Minn., in 1862. He is a son of Hon. Horatio and Laura (Moore) Cooper, and of English descent. Hon. Ho- ratio Cooper was one of the leading early business men of New Harmony, dealing in pork and merchandise in New Harmony and Evansville for a number of years. John Cooper, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, came from England to what is now Posey County at an early day. He was a farmer and an early school teacher, and his death occurred here in 1880. Hon. Ho- ratio went to St. Paul, Minn., about 1860, and there remained until his death in 1864. His remains were brought to Posey County for interment, and now repose with those of his kindred in the New Harmony Cemetery. He had served as a member of the Indiana General Assembly. The Cooper family has long been prominent in the county, and has done its part in contribut- ing to the general prosperity. The mother of our subject was born in 1840. After the death of her first husband she married Charles Linck, who died in 1868, and Mrs. Linck now resides in Evansville. The subject of this sketch attended the public schools at Evansville, and afterward came to Posey County, where he was engaged in farming one year. He has made two trips to the Pacific coast. He has a 160 acre farm near Red Wing, Minn., and in August, 1885, engaged in the jewelry busi- ness in partnership with Albert Vinton. Mr. Cooper is a Repub- lican, and one of the prominent young men of New Harmony.
JOHN CORBIN, a native of Posey County, Ind., and one of New Harmony's most enterprising and influential citizens, was
549
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
born March 20, 1840. He is the youngest son in a family of six children born to John and Margaret (Gibson) Corbin, the former born in Pennsylvania in 1805, and the latter in the same State in 1813. In 1832 the family settled at Farmersville, Posey Co., Ind., but twelve years later moved to New Harmony, from whence the father removed to California in 1850, where he died in 1867. The mother died in Posey County in 1842. John Cor- bin attended the common schools in youth, and in 1854 went to California, making the trip in six months. In 1858 he returned to Indiana, and the year following entered Asbury University, where he remained until April, 1861. Heartily espousing the Union cause he became a member of the Asbury Guards, a col- lege organization, and which afterward became a part of the Sixteenth Indiana Regiment. After serving one year he returned home and assisted in raising Company A, of which he was elected second lieutenant. In 1862 he was commissioned first lieutenant, and early in 1864 was promoted to the captaincy of his company. In September, 1866, he was honorably discharged from the service. Capt. Corbin embarked in the milling business at New Harmony in 1867, at which he was continuously engaged until the mill was destroyed by fire in 1885. He is now engaged in the ranching and stock raising business in Greenwood County, Kas. He was married, January 13, 1869, to Mary A. Truscott, and four children is the issue to their union: Laura L., John, Marcia V. and Helen M. Mr. Corbin is a Republican in politics. Briefly speaking, he is a self-made man. Beginning for himself at about ten years of age he has made life a success financially, and has won distinction as a soldier and private citizen.
JOHN B. ELLIOTT, farmer and fruit grower, was born about one mile northeast of New Harmony, Ind., July 27, 1836, and is a son of John and Mary Ann (Bennett) Elliott. The father was born at Farnham, England, February 11, 1801, immi- grated to America in 1830 and settled at New Harmony, Ind. Was married, February 11, 1834, to Mary Ann Bennett, who bore him six children, three of whom yet live. He died December 10, 1864, an honored and respected citizen. His widow, who was born in Surrey County, England, February 27, 1815, immigrated with her parents to this country in 1818, her father, David H., having been a noted Methodist minister. James Elliott, the
550
HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY.
paternal grandfather of John B., came from England, his native country, to this in 1818, first settling at Evansville, but later removing to New Harmony became a member of Number Three Society in the Owen community, in which he held a prominent position. John B. Elliott, the immediate subject of this biogra- phy, passed his boyhood on the farm and attending the public schools. He attended school at Evansville one year, one year at the Indiana State University, and one year at the Western Military Institute at Drennon Springs, Ky., and Syree Springs, Tenn. In 1854 he assisted in surveying a route for the M. & L .- R. R. R., but in 1855 engaged in stock business. In 1856 was placed in charge of his father's farm and mill, and in 1858 and 1859 was engaged in merchandising. November 11, 1858, he wedded Helen A., daughter of Virgil and Martha D. Soper, who was born in this township February 9, 1838, and died August 19, 1883. Seven children were born to them, as follows: William V., Lena, Elmer E., Marcy, John S., Annie and Morton. The first named is dead. Mr. Elliott is one of the county's most progressive citizens, is an Odd Fellow and a Republican. He was one of the leading spirits in the establishment of the Posey County Agricultural Society, and has held the position of presi- dent of that organization two terms.
THOMAS S. FORD, dealer in fine wines and liquors, is a native of Frederick County, Va. He is a son of William T. and Kate Ford, of English and French ancestry, and the second in a family of eight children. He came with his parents to Kentucky in about 1861. For some time he worked in a tobacco factory, and then clerked in a store. Subsequently he began the practice of dentistry, following this profession some years. Since 1871 he has resided in New Harmony, at first clerking in a store, but May 22, 1883, he engaged in his present business, in which he has been successful. He is a Democrat in politics, and an active worker for that party's success. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. Lodge No. 87. He has many friends and is well connected, and he is the architect of his own success. Mr. Ford was mar- ried, July 2, 1878, to Miss Joseph Walz, daughter of the Hon. John Walz, of New Harmony. Of three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Ford, two survive, viz .: Bessie and Leroy; Katie being the name of the one that died.
551
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
ACHILLES EMERY FRETAGEOT was born in Paris, France, October 24, 1813, and received a liberal education. He came to New Harmony in 1826, after which date to the time of his death, which occurred March 1, 1873, a period of over forty- seven years, he was a resident of New Harmony, and closely iden- tified with its prosperity and history. Possessing an active tem- perament, his life from boyhood was one of industry and great usefulness. Passing a business life of nearly half a century, he has left a name unsullied by a single blemish. Honest, truthful, gen- erous and kind in his dealings with his fellow-men had made him esteemed by all who knew him. Mr. Fretageot was a very faithful and zealous Odd Fellow, having been for nearly twenty-one years an honored member of New Harmony Lodge No. 87, I. O. O. F., and for many years treasurer of that lodge. At the time of his death he was also treasurer of the Posey County Agricultural Society, a position he had held for twelve years, and was county commissioner elect, having been chosen to the last named office at the October election in 1872, his popularity and usefulness being then recognized, as the opposing party placed no candidate in the field and printed his name on all the tickets. This recog- nition of his merits was worthy of the man. In his youth and young manhood he was a true and trusted friend and counselor of Alexander McClure and Thomas Say. Mr. McClure entrusted the funds and founding of the Workingmen's Institute Library of New Harmony largely to Mr. Fretageot. Their friend- ship began in Paris, France, during Mr. McClure's residence at that city as commissioner of the United States for settlements of claims of American citizens, being known as "The French Spoliation Claims Commissioner." The friendship thus formed between the boy and man was never disturbed and remained un- broken until death. A complete history of Mr. Fretageot includes the history of Posey County, and of New Harmony from 1826 to 1873. Born on the banks of the Seine, he passed the useful part of his life on the Wabash; born in an empire, he died in a repub- lic; born a subject, he died a sovereign, peer of the noblest and best; he died as he had lived-an honest man. He was the father of twelve children, six of whom were born of his first wife, Miss Cecelia Noell, and six of his second wife, Miss Mary Alexan- der. His eldest son Alexander M. was a brave soldier, and
552
HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY.
among the first to enlist in the First Regiment of Indiana Caval- ry, serving in Company C, of that command as a private soldier until his death in the service at Helena, Ark., September 7, 1862. A. H. Fretageot, merchant, New Harmony, Ind., and Oliver N. Fretageot, clerk of the circuit court of Posey County, Ind., are the sole survivors of the male members of the Fretageot family in this country and Europe.
JAMES HINSON, one of the leading farmers of Posey County, was born in Wayne County, N. C,, October 1, 1835, the son of John and Smithy (Ward) Hinson, and of English origin. Mr. Hinson is the eldest in a family of three children. His parents were born in Wayne County, N. C., and his father died there in 1843. James came with his widowed mother to Posey County, Ind., in 1854, and in 1877 his mother died. He was reared on the farm, and in 1854 began farming for himself. In 1857 he bought his present farm consisting of 120 acres of well improved land. Mr. Hinson was married, November 10, 1864, to Miss Elizabeth Schnee, a native of Lynn Township, daughter of Cyrus and Agnes (Goad) Schnee. Three children were born to them, named James H., Mattie and Mollie E. He is a Republi- can, and was made an Odd Fellow in 1872.
WILLIAM M. HOLTON, M. D., of New Harmony, was born in Westminster, Vt., July 15, 1827, and in 1835 removed with his people to McDonough County, Ill., where he was reared. In 1849 he went to New York City, and after reading medicine in the office of Prof. Willard Parker, he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons of that city, which graduated him March 11, 1852. After one year's practice in New York, he returned to Illinois, and in 1859 moved to Stewartsville, Posey Co., Ind. In November, 1861, he joined the Sixtieth Regiment of Indiana Volunteers, and was made second lieutenant of Com- pany B. In 1862 Gov. Morton caused him to be transferred to the Twenty-fifth Regiment, of which he was made assistant sur- geon, but owing to ill health he was compelled to relinquish his position shortly after the fall of Corinth. In March, 1863, he settled at New Harmony and resumed the practice of his profes- sion, at which he has been very successful. He is deeply inter- ested in all that pertains to his profession, and for a number of years has belonged to the State Medical Society and the Ameri-
Of rentrans
555
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
can Medical Association. March 14, 1853, Dr. Holton and Car- oline E. Cuyler, of Elizabethtown, N. Y., were united in mar- riage. Mrs. Holton died March 8, 1873, after bearing eight chil- dren, seven of whom survive her. For his present wife Dr. Hol- ton married Mary Fretageot, July 4, 1875. He is a Republican in politics, and a member of the I. O. O. F.
JOHN R. HUGO, one of the very few old settlers of New Harmony living, was born in the county of Cornwall, England, January 30, 1814. He was a son of Edward and Amy (Read) Hugo. The family went originally from France to England, having been driven thence during religious persecutions. Ed- ward Hugo was born in England in 1774, and Mrs. Hugo also in England in 1784. The family came to America in 1819, landing in Baltimore, Md., whence they came by wagon to Pittsburgh, Penn. In the spring of 1826 they came by flat-boat to what was then known as McFaddin's Bluff, and thence to New Harmony, the father having died, however, near Pittsburgh in 1822. At the time of the removal the family consisted of the widowed mother and seven children. Mrs. Hugo died in 1873. The sub- ject of this sketch before he was thirteen years old began serv- ing an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade, which lasted him until he was nineteen years old. He followed this trade until 1848, and afterward for about twenty years he was engaged in steam-boating, and for the same length of time owned the New Harmony Ferry. From 1868 to 1872 he was engaged in mer- chandising. He has been a member of the I. O. O. F. since 1849, and is the only charter member living here of New Harmony Lodge No. 87. In 1838 he joined the General Baptist Church in Gibson County, Ind., remaining a member of that body until the fall of 1845, when by letter he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church in New Harmony, of which he still remains a member. Politically he is a Republican, and is one of the prominent old settlers living in the county, and is one of the old fashioned gentleman. Mr. Hugo was married, August 25, 1835, to Miss Jane McAllister, of Evansville, by whom he had four children, only one of whom is now living, viz .: William H. Mrs. H. go died March 11, 1846. Mr. Hugo married again, De- cember 3, 1846, Miss Jane K. Craddock, a native of Wabash County, Ill. By this marriage there are three children living,
19
556
HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY.
viz .: Jane, Amy and John K. Mrs. Hugo died December 13, 1853, and Mr. Hugo was married the third time, December 26, 1854, to Mrs. Rachael Griffith, of Pittsburgh, Penn, by whom he had four children, viz .: Jenkin T., Thomas R., May and Racie. Mrs. Hugo died December 10, 1871, and the fourth and last marriage of Mr. Hugo was solemnized November 3, 1872, to Mrs. Elizabeth Craddock, a native of England, who came to America in 1834.
B. PROCTOR HUME, farmer and fine stock raiser, was born where he now resides, in Harmony Township, April 8, 1861. He is a representative of an early family. He is a son of W. W. Hume and Emily J. Hume, whose maiden name was Taylor. He is the youngest of this family, His father was born near Cov- ington, Ky., October 19, 1821, and his mother was born August 20, 1833. His father came to Posey County when quite a young man and settled in Harmony Township, where he resided until recently. He was three times married. The subject of this sketch grew to manhood on the farm. At the age of sixteen he began farming for himself. and now owns 160 acres of fine farm- ing land. He lives on the old Hume homestead. For some years he has been giving attention to the raising of fine hogs and cattle-poland-china hogs, and short-horn cattle. He now has the largest herd of short-horns in the county. Mr. Hume is a good farmer and an enterprising citizen. In politics he is a Democrat. He was married March 19, 1880, to Miss Anna Stallings, a native of Posey County, and daughter of Calvin and Mary Stallings. Mr. and Mrs. Hume have one child, Margie, born March 18, 1882.
HENRY HUNSDON, general merchant, notary public, at- torney at law and advocate of United States pension claims, is a native of Hertford, England, having been born November 30, 1835. He is a son of Henry and Sarah (Mumford) Hunsdon. His parents were born, lived and died in England, both dying while he was a mere boy. His education up to the time when he was thirteen years old, was received at an English charity school. At that time at the request of Thomas Mumford, Sr., he came to America, and almost directly to New Harmony. With Thomas Mumford, Sr., he lived about one year, at the end of which pe- riod he was engaged by Mr. Mumford to clerk in his store.
557
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Young Henry remained in this position ten years. In 1863, he engaged in the general merchandising business, forming a part- nership with John Cooper, Jr. This partnership lasted until the death of Mr. Cooper in 1874. Since this time, Mr. Hunsdon has remained alone, and, being a practical man, has built up a successful and extensive business. For twelve years past he has been engaged in the prosecution of pension claims. He was ad- mitted to the bar in this county in 1883, is a first-class office law- yer, and does an extensive business in the preparation of legal papers. He was commissioned a notary public in 1874, and has ever since held the office. Mr. Hunsdon is a conspicuous exam- ple of a self-made man. Thrown on his own resources in child- hood he has won his present position, and earned his success by his own unaided efforts. He was married in 1857, to Miss Louisa J. Woods, of Louisville, Ky. They have three children: George A., Nelson S. and Marion. Mr. Hunsdon has been a member of the I. O. O. F., since 1878.
JOHN HUNTER, farmer and stock raiser, son of William and Margaret (Nash) Hunter, was born in Posey County, Sep- tember 21, 1825. He is of English and Irish descent, and the fourth in a family of seven children. The father of our subject came from Pennsylvania to what is now Posey County in 1815, and was thus one of the early pioneers of the county. He was a farmer by occupation, bought his land of the Harmony Dutch, and died in this county when our subject was about ten years old. The mother of our subject was born in Pennsylvania, and came to this State in 1815, and has resided here ever since. John Hunter was brought up on the farm upon which he now resides. When quite young he attended school three months each year for a few years. He has always lived on the old homestead, has more than 400 acres of fine farming land, and is one of the lead- ing farmers of Harmony Township. Prior to the war of the Rebellion, he was a Democrat, but since that he has been a Re- publican. In February 1850, he was married to Miss Lucinda Wade, born in Posey County in 1830, and a daughter of Isaac M. and Sarah Wade. Mr. and Mrs. Hunter have six children viz .: William W., Mary J., Sarah, Virginia A., John N. and Martha B.
558
HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY.
CAMMA R. JOHNSON is a pioneer farmer born in Johnson County, N. C., in 1816, the son of Richard and Nancy (Sawyer) Johnson, is of Irish descent and the second of four children. His father was also born in North Carolina in 1784, and died in Arkansas in 1828, while on his way to Posey County, Ind. Camma R. Johnson came to Posey County, Ind., in 1828, was reared on the farm as a "bound boy," from the age of twelve to twenty-one years, by a man whose name was John Osley. He began life for himself at the age of twenty-one; for five years he worked at various kinds of employment and then began farming. For some years he lived on "Cut-off " Island, and then removed to his present place of residence, now owning 210 acres of good land. Mr. Johnson is an excellent farmer, a man of limited knowledge of books but of good judgment and practical sense. He was married in 1839 to Rachel Staley, of Pennsylvania. Of nine children born to their union seven still live: Richard, Virgil, Anna E., Haywood, Rigdon, Sidney E. and Louis E. Mrs. Johnson died in June, 1884. Politically Mr. Johnson is a Democrat. He has twenty-three grandchildren and three great- grandchildren. Mr. Johnson has always borne the reputation of an honorable man.
J. N. JOHNSON, retired farmer, was born in Nelson County, Ky., in 1826. He is a son of Elias and Sarah (Whitehead) Johnson, and of English and Irish extraction. His father was born near Raleigh; N. C., in 1792, and his mother in Virginia in 1796. The former when a young man immigrated to Kentucky where he remained until 1832, when he came to Posey County, Ind. He lived on a farm until his death in 1860, Mrs. Johnson having died two years before. The subject of this sketch is next to the youngest in a family of eight. He remained on the farm with his father until nearly twenty years of age, when he began life for himself. In 1848 he commenced farming and followed agricultural pursuits until 1880, when he retired. He now owns 724 acres of finely improved land. Mr. Johnson is an honorable and honored citizen, and one of the leading men of the county. Politically he is a Republican. In 1878 he was a candidate for sheriff, carrying his own town and township which are usually Democratic, and being defeated in the county by only 232 votes. He was married in 1848 to Miss Mary Stallings, a native of Posey
559
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
County, Ind. They have had two children, one of whom survives, Martha W. Mrs. Johnson died August 17, 1880.
THOMAS J. JOHNSON, county surveyor, was born where he now resides, January 11, 1845. He is a son of Moses and Eliza- beth (Johnson) Johnson, and is of English and Irish descent. His father was born in Posey County in 1817, and his mother in Hardin County, Ky., in 1813. His paternal grandfather, Thomas H. Johnson, was born in Franklin County, N. C., in 1787, and immigrated to this Territory in 1812, where he remained about six years. He then went to Hardin County, Ky., and remained until 1830, when he returned to Posey County, Ind. His death occurred in Clay County, Ill., in 1869. His maternal grandfather was Elias Johnson, also a native of North Carolina, born in 1789, and died in Posey County in 1860. The father of the subject of this sketch was the first elected county surveyor of Posey County in 1854. He was again elected in 1872, and died in office May 9, 1874. He was a man of much general information, gaining his knowledge through his own exertions. He was a prominent citizen and much respected by the entire community. The mother of our subject still resides on the old home farm. He himself was raised on the farm and attended the common schools. In 1863 he entered the State University at Bloomington, remain- ing two years. In the winter of 1864-65 he attended a course of law lectures at the University by Judge Bicknell. In 1870 he was admitted to the Posey County bar and practiced law for some time. In 1870 he was elected surveyor of Posey County and served one term, and was subsequently appointed to fill the vacancy in that office caused by his father's death. He is a prominent Democrat and takes an active part in local politics. His long service in the office of county surveyor is merely indicative of the fact that he is one of the most reliable surveyors the county has ever had. He was married in 1869 to Mrs. Elizabeth C. Barrett, formerly Miss Miller of Posey County, and a daughter of John Miller. Mrs. Johnson died December 17, 1881. She was a most estimable woman, and a devoted member of the Christian Church.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.