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 52
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JOHN RAMSEY is a son of Annias and Mary (Cole) Ram- sey, and was born March 27, 1840. The father was of Irish descent and was born in Kentucky May 3, 1811. He came with his parents to Posey County when only six years old. Here he lived about fifteen years and then moved to Missouri, but remained there only three months, when he returned to "Hoosierdom " and spent the remainder of his days on his farm in Robb Township, Posey County. He died July 14, 1883. The mother was born in 1821, and is now residing with her children. Our subject attended the district schools where he obtained a fair education. June 13, 1875, he married Caroline Huebner, daughter of Lawrence and Elizabeth (Hien) Huebner, born May 3, 1849. They have two children, named Ada Elizabeth and Philip Martin. After marriage Mr. Ramsey purchased 160 acres of land where he settled and has since lived. He began his career as a farmer with no property save two horses and a wagon, but by energy and business ability now owns a fine farm. He is a Democrat and his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
FRANCIS M. REEVES, an enterprising farmer of Robb Township, Posey Co., Ind., was born in the county where he now resides April 18, 1833, and is one of eleven children born to the marriage of Richard H. Reeves and Jane Owens. The father was of Scotch birth and was born in the State of Kentucky August 4, 1806, and followed the occupation of farming. He was married in Posey County December 13, 1827. His death occurred April 4, 1863. The mother was of Irish descent," born in Posey County and died April 12, 1860. Our subject remained at home, working on the farm until he was twenty-two years of age. In September, 1854, he married Martha A. Overton, daughter of Cornelius and Nancy Overton. She was born in November, 1832, and became the mother of four children: Sophronia, Felix M., Laura M. and Serilla P. After our sub- ject's marriage he lived on rented farms until 1876, when he purchased eighty acres of land in Robb Township, where he
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located and has since lived. He is industrious and is well spoken of by all who know him. He is a Republican in polities and is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
JOHN W. ROBB, merchant of Stewartsville, Ind., may be mentioned as one of the leading citizens of the county. He was born in the county where he now resides October 23, 1816, and is the youngest son of a family of ten sons and three daughters born to Thomas and Lyda (Waller) Robb. The father, who was born in the "Emerald Isle " August 10, 1769, came with his parents to the United States when an infant, and located in Washington County, Ky., where he began his career as a tiller of the soil. April 23, 1795, he married Lydia Waller, who was of Scotch lineage, born in Kentucky February 21, 1777. In 1808 they came to Indiana, which was then a Territory, and located in what is now Posey County. He purchased 160 acres of land in Robb Township, said township being named in his honor. The deed was given and signed by Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States, and James Madison, Secretary of State, and is now in the possession of our subject. Thomas was one of the first settlers of the county, and was ready and willing to ride ten or twelve miles to assist his neighbors in any way. He met a violent death June 24, 1818, being thrown from his horse and unable to extricate his foot was dragged to death. The mother's death occurred February 13, 1867, at the age of ninety years. When our subject was but two years old his father died. He received the greater part of his education in the pioneer schoolhouse. July 24, 1844, he married Mary Montgomery, born August 24, 1819, in Indiana. She is a daughter of James and Nancy Mont- gomery, and became the mother of eleven children: Lenora A., wife of F. M. Welborn; America M., wife of Edward Carr; Eliza J., deceased; Laura E., deceased; Minerva A., deceased; Mary Alice, wife of Dr. F. H. Kelly; Ida P., wife of John Hyne; John E., deceased; Leroy T .; James F. A., and William P. Our sub- ject resided on the home place for eight years after marriage and then moved to Stewartsville, where he has since lived. In 1847 he began merchandising in the village and has met with marked success. He is one of the most enterprising business men of the county, and is identified with it in its prosperity. He is one of its largest land holders and owns over 3,000 acres of land, 1,155
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acres being in Posey County and the rest in Gibson County. He and two other men are the only ones now living who were born in the township before Indiana was organized as a State. He expects to soon close out his store and retire from active business life. November 8, 1863, his wife died and since that time he has lived with his children. He is a Democrat in politics, and was postmaster of Stewartsville for twenty-three years. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and his wife was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
J. F. A. ROBB, a wide-awake young farmer residing near Stewartsville, Ind., was born August 4, 1860. He is a son of John W. and Mary (Montgomery) Robb, whose sketch is given in this work. He was reared without a mother's care, she having died when he was but three years of age. He attended the graded school at Stewartsville, and made his home with his father until attaining his majority. April 30, 1881, he was united in matri- mony to Lucretia, daughter of Theophilus and Lucretia Defur. Her birth occurred February 23, 1863, in Posey County. They have two children: Mary, born July 27, 1883, and Royal born November 15, 1884. Mr. Robb is an industrious young farmer, and owns 150 acres of land. He is a Democrat, and cast his first vote for Grover Cleveland.
WILLIAM P. ROBB, was born in Stewartsville, Ind., July 15, 1862, son of John W. and Mary (Montgomery) Robb. His mother died when he was but sixteen months old, but he remained with his father until twenty years of age. He acquired his early education in the Stewartsville schools, and attended the Evans- ville Commercial College, and completed his course in two months and eighteen days, making an average of 99.8. September 13, 1883, he married Emma Rutledge, daughter of Dr. John C. and Elizabeth (Stewart) Rutledge. Mrs. Robb was born December 31, 1859, in Poseyville, Ind. They have one child, named Ralph. William P. remained with his father in the store until Septem- ber, 1885, when he moved to a farm two miles north of Stewarts- ville where he has since resided. He is doing well as a farmer, and bids fair to rank among the first farmers of the county. He is a Democrat, and cast his first vote for Cleveland in 1884.
THOMAS T. ROBERTS, farmer and stock raiser, son of the old settlers of Posey County, was born March 30, 1818, in Robb
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Township, and is a son of John and Nancy (Cox) Roberts. He is of Scotch and English extraction. His father was born in Halifax County, Va., August 3, 1780, and his mother in South Carolina, November 25, 1782. The father of Mr. Roberts, when a young man, immigrated to Todd County, Ky., and there re- mained until 1808, when he came to what is now Posey County, settled within the present limits of Robb Township, and there died October 11, 1874. The mother of our subject died in 1856. Mr. Roberts was raised on the farm upon which he now resides in Robb Township. He helped to clear from the green more than 100 acres of land, and lived at home with his parents until he was about fifty years of age. He now owns the old Roberts home- stead, and has in the aggregate over 300 acres of fine farming land well improved, showing him to be an enterprising and suc- cessful farmer. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, Sixtieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was at Vicksburg, Ya- zoo and Port Mumfordsville, where he was taken prisoner, and held five months. He was honorably discharged from the service in July, 1865. After the war he returned to the farm, and has since been one of the leading farmers of Robb Township. He was married, April 22, 1875, to Miss Sarah H. Norton, a native of Vanderburg County, Ind. Mrs. Roberts died November 16, 1877, and Mr. Roberts was married the second time to Mrs. Anna E. Schnee, formerly Miss Schnee, also a native of Vanderburg Coun- ty, Ind. Mr. Roberts is a Democrat in politics, and Mrs. Roberts is a member of the Regular Baptist Church.
JOHN F. SHELTON is a native of Mason County, Ky., born November 20, 1823. His father, John Shelton, was of Dutch- French descent, born in Virginia, May, 5, 1797, and when four- teen years old went to Mason County, Ky., where he lived at the time of his marriage. In 1824 he moved to Fort Branch, Ind., where he remained one year, and then moved to Vanderburg County, where he purchased 240 acres of land, and lived until his death November 8, 1857. He was among the first settlers of southern Indiana, and was of a very benevolent disposition. The mother was of English lineage, born August 11, 1798, in Ken- tucky, and died March 11, 1847. Our subject received his edu- cation in the log schoolhouse of primitive days and was compelled to submit to many hardships. He attended school only about
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three months during the year, and owing to the scarcity of the "almighty dollar," went barefooted until the snow fell. At the age of eighteen years he assumed control of the farm, but re- ceived no remuneration for his services. July 25, 1850, he mar- ried Sophronia B. Merritt, born July 29, 1832, in Indiana. They have three children: LeRoy C. (deceased), Sophronia E. (de-
ceased) and Wilmina. Mr. Shelton started in life with 80 acres of land, but soon after traded it for 72 acres in Robb Town- ship, which he afterward increased to 190 acres. His wife died September 3, 1858, and September 15, 1859, he married Mary Cavett, born November 3, 1830. They have three children: James A., Penelope A. and Ella Gertrude. Mr. Shelton is a Republican and a member of the I. O. O. F., and has been a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for forty years.
THOMAS D. SHELTON is a native of Indiana born April 1, 1837. He is one of ten children born to John and Catharine (Finch) Shelton. Thomas attended the common schools in his boyhood days and made his home with his parents until he was twenty years old. At that time his father died, and he made his home with his brother George W. for three years. February 14, 1860, he led to Hymen's altar Keziah Murphy, who was born Feb- ruary 2, 1839, in Posey County. She is a daughter of Aaron and Amelia Murphy and became the mother of four children: named George M. (deceased), James A. (deceased), Flora and Jesse. After his marriage Mr. Shelton located on the old home- stead in Vanderburg County where he remained one year. He then moved to Posey County and purchased land in Smith Township, but sold out in 1871 and purchased his present farm of about eighty-five acres. His land is very fertile, and by his energy he has cleared it of timber and has erected good buildings, and ad- ded many other improvements. He is a Democrat and member of the A. O. U. W. and of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
FRANK M. SMITH is a son of Thomas and Hannah (Mur- fitt) Smith, and was born in Warrick County, Ind., February 22, 1853. He received a common school education and remained with his people until reaching his majority. He then went to St Paul, Minn., and worked at the carpenter trade for nearly two years, when he returned to "Hoosierdom," and in 1881 came to Poseyville and entered into partnership with George W. Stallings
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in a livery and feed stable, also dealing in agricultural imple- ments. At the end of one year Mr. Smith purchased Mr. Stall- ings' interest and about the same time took Thomas Davis as equal partner. They soon after sold out and established an un- dertaking and furniture store. In 1883 our subject bought Davis' interest and has since carried on the business with marked suc- cess. In politics he is a Republican, casting his first vote for R. B. Hayes. His parents were born in England in 1809 and 1820 respectively. His father came to the United States and located in Warrick County, Ind. He is a prominent farmer and at one time owned 400 acres of land, but has given much of his prop- erty to his children.
GEORGE TRETHEWAY was born June 15, 1843, in Corn- wall, England, and is one of fifteen children of Thomas and Ann (Culum) Tretheway. George, together with a brother and sister, came to America in 1854, under the guardianship of a friend of their father, and came directly to New Harmony, Ind. Our subject worked on the farm until the war broke out, when he en- listed, at the age of seventeen, in Company A, Twenty-fifth In- diana Infantry, and served three years. He was in the battles of Fort Henry, Fort Donelson and Shiloh, and many minor engage- ments. He received his discharge at Louisville, Ky., in 1864, and in February, 1865, re-enlisted in Company A, Fourth United States Volunteers, and served for one year. After his return home in 1866 he resumed farming, but owing to a wound received in the battle of Shiloh was forced to abandon agricultural pursuits, and accordingly moved to New Harmony and began working at the wagon-maker's trade. In 1869 he moved to Stewartsville, where he has since lived. In politics he is a Republican and cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and was married, July 26, 1868, to Alice Baldwin, daughter of George and Maria Baldwin, born July 26, 1848. They have six children: Bertha, Alice, Nora, Maria, Georgiana and George Edgar.
GEORGE J. WATERS, banker, of Poseyville, Ind., was born in the place where he now resides February 20, 1863, and is the only son in a family of four children born to John L. and Caro- line S. (Jaquess) Waters. The father was of Irish lineage and was born in 1825 in Gibson County, Ind. He followed the mer-
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cantile business in Poseyville and also carried on farming near the village. He died February 7, 1874. The mother is of French and Scotch extraction and was born April 3, 1827. Subject was reared at home. He finished the common school branches at Poseyville and then took the complete high school course at Evans- ville, and later attended the Valparaiso Business College one term. He then worked for his uncle, V. P. Bozeman, two years in buying grain; at the end of which he entered into partnership with the same party in the banking business, he being cashier. They are doing a good business, and the bank bids fair to become one of the leading ones in the county. George W. is a Re- publican and cast his first vote for James G. Blaine.
GEORGE W. WELBORN, M. D. of Stewartsville, Ind. was born March 17, 1844, in Evansville, Ind., where he was reared and received his early education. In 1859 he entered the Asbury University, now DePauw College, at Greencastle, Ind., where he remained until the Rebellion broke out. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company B, Sixtieth Indiana Infantry, and served three years, participating in many hot skirmishes. He received his discharge June 30, 1865. After returning from the war he began clerking in a drug store in Evansville, but at the end of six months entered into partnership with an uncle in the boot and shoe business .. Two years later he sold his interest and came to Stewartsville and began farming. October 27, 1867, he married Martha Stinnett, born July 29, 1845, in Kentucky. They have four children: William W., Annie A., James Y. and Helen A. George W. began his medical studies while in the army and in 1875 quit farming and gave his entire attention to medicine. He took a two years' course in the Evansville Medical College graduating in 1877. He has since practiced his profession in Stewartsville and has met with flattering success. He owns con- siderable property in the village. He is a Democrat and a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F. The parents of our subject were Dr. Will- iam W. and Hannah ( Walker) Welborn, natives of Indiana and Ohio respectively. The father was a physician and surgeon and obtained his medical, education in Evansville. His death oc- curred in that city in 1871.
LEROY WILLIAMS is a son of John and Elizabeth ( Allen) Williams. The father was born in North Carolina and came to
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Posey County, Ind., where he became the possessor of 460 acres of land. The mother was of Scotch descent and was born near Bowling Green, Ky. Her husband died in Vanderburg County and about 1857, and she married Charles Whiting of Posey County, and since that time has been a resident of Cynthiana. Our sub- ject was born in Vanderburg County, February 22, 1844, and came with his mother to Posey County and obtained his early educa- tion in the high schools of Cynthiana and Owensville. August 12, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, Eightieth Indiana Infantry, and served three years. He took an active part in the battles of Perryville, Fort Anderson, Wilmington and numerous minor en- gagements. After his return from the war he attended the State University at Bloomington, Ind., for two years, and in 1868 commenced the study of law at Evansville, and was admitted to the bar in 1869. November 16, 1871, he married Eliza E. Fletchall, who was born July 16, 1849, in Posey County. They have two children: Numa N. and Curran A. Mr. Williams has . resided in Poseyville since his marriage and is engaged in till- ing the soil. He is a stanch Democrat in politics and in 1883 was elected to the Legislature, serving two years. He is a mem- ber of the Christian Church and his wife is a Baptist.
G. B. YOUNG is one of thirteen children born to John and Elizabeth (O'Neal) Young, and was born August 2, 1826, in Posey County, Ind. Our subject made his home with his parents until his marriage, which occurred August 31, 1849, to Berthenia St. Clair, who was born in Sullivan County, Ind., in 1825. Their marriage was blessed with six children, named Hester Ann (de- ceased), Elizabeth Jane, who lives in Smith Township; William Walker (deceased), Joseph Lane (deceased), Thomas Benton, who is a physician in Poseyville, and John Bailey. About a year after marriage Mr. Young and wife located on an eighty acre farm near the old homestead and where he now lives. He now owns 180 acres. He has a fine dwelling-house and is very comfortably situated. He moved to Poseyville in 1881, but three years later returned to the farm. He is a Democrat and he and wife are members of the General Baptist Church. His parents were born in Virginia and North Carolina, in 1803 and 1800, and died in 1870 and 1874, respectively. The father was a farmer
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and came with his parents to Indiana in 1810. At the time of his death he owned 280 acres of land in Smith Township.
THOMAS B. YOUNG, M. D. was born in Posey County, Ind., April 14, 1858, son of Grenberry and Barthenia (St. Clair) Young. He completed his common school education and also took a rudi- mentary course in the higher branches in the Cynthiana High School. He began studying medicine with Dr. Cosby, of Cyn- thiana in 1874 and continued with him one year, when he entered the School of Medicine, at Louisville, Ky., remaining five months. In September of the same year he entered the Louisville Medical College, graduating in February, 1876. He then attended the Vanderbilt University, at Nashville, Tenn., for four months. In the fall of 1876 he entered the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cin- cinnati, Ohio, graduating January 26, 1877. He then returned home and began practicing his profession. November 26, 1878, he married Della Cale, born August 7, 1859. To them have been born one child, Morris C. His wife died August 31, 1881. Dr. Young has a thorough knowledge of his profession and has suc- ceeded in building up an excellent practice. He is a leading business man of the town, and is quite well to do in worldly goods, owning eleven houses and lots and twenty-two vacant lots in the town, besides property in Stewartsville. He is a Demo- crat, and October 11, 1884, was appointed trustee of Robb Town- ship to fill an unexpired term.
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HISTORY OF POSEY COUNTY.
SMITH TOWNSHIP.
ELMER M. BATES is a son of David and Catherine (Mc- Clure) Bates, who were natives of Ohio, where the father was born in 1833, and the mother in 1829. When only nineteen years old the father began the practice of medicine, and has con- tinued in that profession ever since. Soon after marriage he came to this State, and remained in Huntington County for one year, when he immigrated to Richland County, Ill. Here the mother died in 1871. The father married his second wife while in that county, and shortly after moved to Sumner, Ill., and there married his third wife. He is now living in Bonham, Fannin Co., Tex., where he conducts an infirmary, and is doing well, financial- ly. Our subject was born in Huntington County, Ind., in 1863. He received very poor educational advantages, but has acquired a good practical education from contact with business life. When only sixteen years old he began working for himself, taking sole charge of a drug store at Fort Branch. In 1882 he moved to Cynthiana, where he is doing a good business. In 1885 he was married to Laura F. Whitson, daughter of John E. and Elizabeth ( Wilson) Whitson. Mr. Bates is a rising young Democrat of Posey County, and cast his first vote for Cleveland. Mrs. Bates is a member of the Christian Church, and he is a member of the Pharmaceutical Association.
JAMES W. BERRIDGE, merchant, of Cynthiana, Ind., is a son of Joseph and Sarah (Grooms) Berridge, who are natives of Huntingdonshire, England, where the father was born, in 1810, and the mother in 1811. They were married in their native land, where they lived until 1840. They then embarked for the United States. They were eleven weeks on the journey, and landed in New Orleans. Coming to Evansville they settled on a farm, which they worked very successfully until a few years ago, when they moved to the city to spend their declining years. Both still live, at a ripe old age. Our subject was born in 1842, in Evans-
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ville. When he was twenty years old he began clerking in Ad- ams Express office, continuing there eighteen months, when he worked about the same length of time for Lyon & Semonin, wholesale clothing house. For fifteen years he was traveling salesman for Loewenthal & Co., wholesale clothiers, of Evans- ville. By close attention to business and good management he accumulated enough of the "almighty dollars" to begin business in Cynthiana. He has now one of the best selected stocks in town, and is doing well. He has a good store-house and first-class dwelling. In 1868 he married Hattie Cross, born in 1847 in England, daughter of William and Mahala (Davis) Cross. Mr. and Mrs. Berridge are the parents of three children: Albert, Joseph E. and Willoughby. Joseph is a wide-awake young salesman in his father's store. Mr. Berridge is a stanch Repub- lican, and cast his first vote for Lincoln. He and wife are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
WILLIAM T. BOYLE and his ancestors, as far back as can be traced, have been successful farmers. His father and grand- father were stanch Democrats. The father cast his first vote for Jackson, and William for Seymour. Our subject's parents are Robert and Nancy (Eaton) Boyle, who were born in the Blue Grass State, in 1805 and 1807, respectively. They came to this State in early times, and married in 1825. In connection with farming Mr. Boyle worked at the shot-maker's trade during the winter months. The mother died in 1868, but the father still lives with his son, William. The grandparents of our subject were John and Mary (Hughs) Boyle. They were natives of Pennsylvania, where they were married, and moved to Kentucky in 1820. The grandfather's death occurred in 1824, and the grandmother's in 1835. The great-grandfather was a native of the "Emerald Isle," and came to America with his family, and settled in Pennsylvania. William T. was born in Smith Town- ship, Posey County, in 1847. When twenty-four years old he took for his companion through life Maria H. Calvert, born in Vanderburg County, Ind., in 1850, daughter of Leroy and Penel- ope (Shelton) Calvert. They have three children: Otis E., Indie E. and John C. Mr. Boyle and all his people are members of the Christian Church.
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JAMES F. BOYLE is a native of Posey County, Ind., born in 1849, son of Robert and Nancy (Eaton) Boyle. In boyhood he attended the common schools, and later received instruction at Fort Branch. At the age of twenty-one he began farming for himself on the home farm in connection with his brother William. They farmed together for some time, when a division was made, and James received 116 acres for his share. By hard work and good management he has increased his farm to 144 acres, of which 116 acres are under a good state of cultivation. In 1872, Mr. Boyle took for his life companion, Elizabeth A. Endicott, born in 1855, in Robb Township, Posey County, and daughter of Joseph and Polly A. (Fletchall) Endicott. They became the parents of three children: Joseph E. Nancy E. and Ethel E. Both husband and wife are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Boyle is a supporter of Democratic principles, and cast his first vote for Horace Greeley. He has been quite successful in business enterprises, and is one of the rising farmers of the neighborhood.
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