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 53
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SAMUEL N. CARTER, farmer, is a son of Rane and Mag- dalene (Chastine) Carter. They were natives of Buckingham County, Va., where the father was born, in 1794, and the mother in 1800. They were married in Kentucky, and soon after came to Posey County, Ind., and settled on a farm near Cynthiana. The father's death occurred in 1873, and the mother's in 1880. Samuel N., our subject, was born in Posey County, in 1837. February 15, 1862, he enlisted in Company B., Sixtieth Indiana Infantry, and was a faithful soldier for three years; he was at the siege of Vicksburg, Arkansas Post, and numerous other engage- ments. During service his eyesight was injured, and as a slight compensation he received a pension of $2 per month. He arose to the rank of sergeant. In 1865 he was married to Sarah J. Bur- ton, born in 1843, daughter of William and Mahala (Kimball) Burton. They are the parents of four children: Lily D., Elmer E., Amy F. and Charley G. Both husband and wife are members of the Christian Church, and he is a warm Republican, and cast his first vote for Lincoln.
DAVID E. CRAIG was born in Vanderburg, County, Ind., in 1834. He is a son of John H. and Sarah (Early) Craig. The father was born in Virginia, in 1796, and while an infant
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was taken to Pennsylvania. On reaching manhood's estate he removed to Kentucky, where he married in 1824. About this time he and family moved to Evansville Ind., where he taught school. They remained in Vanderburg County until 1840, and then moved to Posey County, settling near Mount Vernon. Later they moved to Smith Township, where the father farmed and worked at the shoe-maker's trade until his death, in 1854. He held the office of probate judge for one term, and was also township assessor. The mother still resides with our subject, and is eighty-three years old. When twenty years old, David began farming on the home place, of which he took charge at the death of his father. He was married, in 1862, to Louisiana, daughter of Leland Cleveland. She was born in 1840. To their union nine children were born: Mary L. Thomas S., George H., John N., Walter E., Eva L., Florence L. Jesse E. and Louetta L., all of whom are at home. Mrs. Craig died in 1878. Both husband and wife were members of the Christian Church. Mr. Craig . is one of the leading Republicans of Smith Township, although he voted the Democratic ticket till the breaking out of the war. He started in life with no capital but his hands, but now owns a good farm.
HENRY C. DAUGHERTY is a son of Stephen and Jane (Smith) Daugherty, who were natives of Virginia and Kentucky, respectively. The father came with his parents to Kentucky, when quite young. Here he was married in 1818. In 1834 he brought his family to this State, and located in Gibson County, where the father died in 1867, and the mother the year before. By occupation the father was a farmer, which calling he followed throughout life; his father was a teamster in the Revolutionary war, and his wife's father was a soldier in the same war, and was present at the surrender of Cornwallis. Henry C. was born in Adair County, Ky., in 1830. At the age of twenty-one years he began working at the carpenter's trade, and at the end of three years he abandoned this business and rented the farm where he now lives. In 1864 he purchased 160 acres of his present farm, and has since added twenty-seven acres more. Of this, 137 acres are under cultivation. In 1855 he married Caroline Pollard, born in 1836. They have ten children: Silas P., John T., William L., Elizabeth, Mary L., Maggie, James, Henry W., Carrie and
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Ella F. Mr. and Mrs Daugherty are members of the General Baptist Church, and his political views are Republican; he cast his first vote for Winfield Scott, in Smith Township, in 1856, when there were only four Republican votes cast.
CONRAD GRIES, son of John and Anna M. (Staab) Gries was born near Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1848. His parents were na- tives of Bavaria, Germany, the father born in 1800 and the mother fourteen years later. In 1840 he, with some of his coun- trymen, immigrated to America; he located in our subject's birth- place where he followed gardening for a livelihood. In 1850 he came to Posey County and settled on the farm where Conrad lives. Here he resided until his death in 1866. The mother died in 1854. Conrad received a very good education in both English and German schools. At the death of his father, he and a brother began working the home farm of eighty acres, and two years later he took sole charge. He now owns ninety-seven acres, In 1868 he married Gertrude Oppel, born in 1844. The fruits of this union were five children: Margaret, Kunigunda, Lizzie, Joseph and Mary. After a wedded life of ten years Mrs. Gries died and a year later Mr. Gries married Elizabeth Knaap. They became the parents of three children: John, Conrad and Peter W. Mr. Gries and both his wives were members of the Catholic Church and he is politically a Democrat.
WILLIAM M. HANES is a son of James W. Hanes, who was born in Kentucky and came to Indiana where he was married to Elizabeth Martin. They located in Robinson Township, Posey County, where the father always followed the life of a farmer. They are still living at an advanced age on the old farm. Our subject was born in Posey County in 1844. His educational ad- vantages were very limited, but by contact with business life he has since acquired a good practical education. At the age of twenty-one he began farming for himself on a rented place con- tinuing there seven years when he purchased eighty-one acres of the farm where he now lives. He has since increased this to 133 acres. In 1865 he was married to Elizabeth Williams, born in 1847, daughter of James and Julia A. (McDonald) Williams, born in 1818 and 1826 respectively, and were married in Vander- burg County, Ind., in 1842. They lived in Posey County three years and then moved to Gibson County where the father died in
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1847. Mr. Hanes is a Democrat and cast his first vote for Sey-
mour. He has been a successful farmer and he and wife are members of the Regular Baptist Church, and the parents of these three children: George W., Anna A., and Robert A.
ASBURY C. JAQUESS is a son of Jonathan and Rebecca (Fraizer) Jaquess. The father was born in New Jersey in 1753 and the mother in Maryland in 1762. In 1815 they located in Posey County, Ind., where the father entered 1,400 acres of land. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. His death occurred in
1842 and the mother's seven years later. Asbury C. was born in Kentucky in 1812. At the death of his father he took posses- sion of the home farm of 200 acres. He lived on this place until 1875, when he sold out and moved to Poseyville where he made his home until 1881. Since that time he has lived in Cynthiana. In 1838 he was married to Jane Ashworth, born in 1819, daughter of Moses Ashworth, the first Methodist Episcopal minister appointed on the circuit in Indiaha Territory. Mr. and Mrs. Jaquess became the parents of ten children: George L. and William P. (twins), Mary G., Henry B., Wilber F., Rebecca E., Ogden T., Florence A., Jonathan and Moses (twins). William and Wilber were participants in the late war, the latter fell at Hillsboro, Tenn. William served nearly four years. In 1858 Mrs. Jaquess died, and in 1866 Mr. Jaquess married Jane Smyth, born in 1820, daughter of William Smyth. Two years later she was called from among the living, and since that time he has traveled to a considerable extent. He has been a successful farmer and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
GEORGE W. LOWE, SR., grain merchant of Cynthiana is the son of George and Susan (Endicott) Lowe .. The parents were born in 1794 in the State of Kentucky. They were married in Harrison County, and some years later came to Posey County, Ind., and settled in Smith Township on a farm. George W. was born in 1825 in Smith Township. He received common school advantages, and later, by close application, prepared himself for the profession of teaching. During the summer months he farmed and in the winter taught school. Six or seven years passed away in this manner when he turned his entire attention to farming, continuing at this work until 1864 when he began merchandising as one of the four equal partners in the store
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known as Wilkinson & Co., and later owned a share in a mer- chandise establishment in Fort Branch. They dealt quite exten- sively in grain also, and owing to a sudden decline in wheat they were financially embarrassed. They immediately sold their property and paid off their entire indebtedness. Since that time Mr. Lowe has been buying and selling grain in Cynthiana. In 1848 he wedded Ann E. McConnell, born in 1826, daughter of John and Lucinda (McCrary) McConnell. They became the parents of ten children: Cordelia A., Mary A., Albert E., James M., Ida W., John C., Etna M., George E., Laura E. and Oscar M. Mr. Lowe is a member of the Baptist. Church and a Repub- lican and was notary public for fifteen years.
SILAS H. LOWE, farmer, is a son of. George and Susan (Endicott) Lowe, both of whom were natives of Cynthiana, Ky., and born in 1794. They were married in their native State and shortly after came to this State, locating in Smith Township, Posey County. The father, who followed the life of a farmer, died in 1862 and the mother five years later. Our subject was born in this county in 1835. When twenty-one years old he took charge of the home farm which became his at the death of his father. Sixty acres of it were cleared and under cultivation with the first frame house erected in this part of the county. Mr. Lowe has erected a fine dwelling house and has about eighty- five acres under cultivation. In 1860 he was married to Eliz- abeth Meadows, born in 1842, daughter of Gideon and Nancy (McDonald) Meadows. They have six children: Marshal E., Rosa A., Susan I., Jesse T. M., Silas A. and Clarence E. Rosa is the wife of Alfred Saulmon, a prominent young farmer of the neighborhood. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lowe are members of the Regular Baptist Church, and he is a leading Republican and cast his first vote for Lincoln.
EZEKIEL MARQUIS, the son of Pleasant and Eunice (Wilkins) Marquis, was born in Smith Township, Posey Co., Ind., in 1835. Since the death of his father he has lived the most of the time on the old homestead, caring for his good mother. In 1864 he enlisted in his country's cause, serving in Company F, Forty-fourth Indiana Infantry for nearly a year. He then returned home and resumed his labors on the farm, where he has remained ever since. He has seen fit to spend his life in
Kanzeus michener
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single blessedness, his mother being his house-keeper. He is a stanch Democrat and cast his first vote for Buchanan. As a farmer he has met with moderate success. As a citizen he is much respected by all his acquaintances.
WILLIAM MARQUIS was reared and educated in Posey, his native county, his birth occurring in 1838. At the age of sixteen he began working as a farm laborer at which business he remained for about five years and then began tilling his father's place. He accumulated enough money to buy out the six heirs to the property and became sole proprietor of the home farm. In 1859 he married Josephine Brown, born in 1840, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Hunt) Brown. To their marriage these three children were born: Coretha, Flora and Francis E. Mrs. Marquis died in 1880, and two years subsequently Mr. Marquis married Margaret A. (Stevens) Culley, daughter of James and Janet (Lee) Stevens. She is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Marquis is a Democrat and cast his first vote for Brecken- ridge, His parents were Solomon and Winnie (Alkins) Marquis, natives respectively of North and South Carolina. The father was born in 1801 and died in 1855. The mother died in 1850 in her thirty-eighth year. In early life the father farmed and also raised a great deal of tobacco .. He was an old pioneer of the county.
THOMAS J. MATHEWS, miller, of Cynthiana, Ind., was born in England at Berkshire, on the Thames, in 1855. His parents, Henry and Eliza ( Mason) Mathews, were natives of the same place. They came to America about 1857, landing at New York. They lived successively in Lodi, N. J., Evansville, Ind., Hazelton, Ind., and finally in Owensville, where the father died in 1876. The mother still lives with our subject. When twenty- two years old Thomas began milling for himself in his father's establishment, and at the end of four years he came to Cynthiana, and purchased the mill known as the Cynthiana Mills. He first began business with a partner, but after several changes he be- came sole proprietor in 1885, and is now doing well financially. In 1880 he married Luella Barker, born in 1860, and daughter of Hiram and Eliza (Fitzgerald) Barker. To Mr. and Mrs. Mathews one child was born, who died in infancy. In 1882 Mrs. Mathews passed from among the living, and since that time
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our subject's mother has kept house for him. He is a warm Re- publican, and cast his first vote for Hayes. His whole line of ancestors have been millers, tracing them back to his great-great- great-grandfather, each and all have followed this occupation.
ROBERT MONTGOMERY is a son of Robert and Patience (Marvel) Montgomery, who were natives respectively of Georgia and Delaware. They came to Gibson County, Ind., when quite young, and here they were married. In 1830 they came to Posey County, where the father died in 1844. The mother died in Gib- son County in 1882. Our subject is a native of Posey County, born in 1831. At the age of fourteen he began working for him- self and for thirteen years worked on a farm. He was married to Priscilla Knowles, born in 1836. She is a daughter of. Eddie
and Nancy (Fitzpatrick ) Knowles. Her father was a native of Delaware, and her mother of Georgia. They were married in the latter State, and moved to Gibson County, where they lived on the farm till 1856, when the father died. The mother's death occurred in 1871. To Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery six children were born: Van R., Florence, Lawrence V., Dexter K., Kirt K. and Daisy. Van and Lawrence are prosperous young teach- ers of the county. In politics Mr. Montgomery is a Democrat, and cast his first vote for Buchanan. He has been a hard worker all his life, and now owns 150 acres of good land, about 130 of which are under cultivation. He is one of the county's best citizens, and is much respected by his friends and neighbors.
NELSON McREYNOLDS, one of the old settlers of Posey County, Ind .. is one of ten children born to Samuel and Milbrey (Dement) McReynolds, who were natives of North Carolina, and were born in 1784 and 1786, respectively. In early life they moved to Virginia, and then to Tennessee, where they were mar- ried. After residing there a short time they immigrated to Ken- tucky, and finally in 1817 they came to Posey County, and lo- cated in Smith Township, where they remained till their respect- ive deaths. By occupation the father was a farmer, and held the office of squire ten years, and was associate judge about four- teen years. His death occurred in 1852, and the mother's two years later. Both Mr. McReynolds' grandfathers were Revolu- tionary soldiers. Our subject was born in Posey County in 1819. His education is somewhat limited, as his entire schooling
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amounted to about six months. In 1844 he married Lovina Marvel, born in Gibson County, Ind., in 1824. They are the parents of eight children: William A., Nancy E., Robert W., Mary L., Matilda J., James N., Lucinda F. and John S. John is a successful young teacher of the county, and a graduate of the Evansville Commercial College. Mr. McReynolds is a Democrat and cast his first vote for Polk. He has retired from active life, and is spending his latter days in the village of Cynthiana, and is widely known and respected by all.
DR. DAVID B. MONTGOMERY was born March 26, 1834, on a farm in Montgomery Township, Gibson Co., Ind. He is one of five children born to Samuel and Nancy (Davis) Montgom- ery, three of whom, Dr. Thomas, Newton and Jesse, survive him. His early life on the farm consisted of the usual routine farm work, interspersed each year with a few months at the dis- trict school. When nearing manhood he left the farm, and entered an academy at Newburg, Ind., where he remained two years Upon attaining his majority, he commenced the study of medicine in the office of Dr. John Runcie, of Cynthiana. After a course of study, he entered the Rush Medical College of Chicago, from which institution he graduated with honors in February, 1858. Upon re- ceiving his diploma, he returned and opened an office at Cynthiana, and commenced the practice of his chosen profession. From the beginning, his practice was successful, large and lucrative, and it so continued up to the illness which terminated in his death September 1, 1885. Upon opening his office he was compelled to buy a horse and outfit on credit, having exhausted all his means at college, but at his death he left an estate valued at many thousands of dollars. The Doctor was a man of fine personal appearance, neat in his dress, courteous in his manner and kind and obliging to his friends. During his long practice he never refused the benefit of his medical skill to the deserving poor or turned them empty handed from his door. He was possessed of a strong mind and an indomitable will that could smile in trouble and gather strength by distress. He dared to think, speak and act for himself, doing whatever he believed to be right and caring little for the consequences. He was liberal in his views and viewed all things in the broad and generous sense of liberality. He looked upon religion as a matter of strictly private concern
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in the meddling of which no power had a just right, according to all absolute freedom of religion. being himself a firm believer in the religion of freedom. He believed in human happiness, that the time to be happy is now, and that happiness consisted in mak- ing others happy. With his own ample means le erected in the year 1875, a neat and commodious brick hall, that the amuse- ment-loving people of the community might enjoy the mazy whirl of the dance or while away pleasant hours at the opera. The edifice was christened Byron Hall, in honor of his favorite author, Lord Byron, and was dedicated to "Liberty," the word being painted in conspicuously large letters on the front of the hall, and true to the principles of liberty, the doors have opened to whomsoever asked it without regard to political or re- ligious views. He was twice married, his first wife being Miss Margaret Whiting. This union was consummated June 15, 1860, there being born to them, Ada, now the wife of Samuel Adams, of Francisco, Ind. The union not proving to be an agreeable one, it was dissolved by the court in 1883, after a long and tedious trial. His second wife was Miss Mary Downs, to whom he was joined in marriage September 30, 1883, and with whom he was living at the time of his death. His body rests at Liberty Cemetery, and arrangements are now perfected for an imposing granite monument to mark the last resting place of a manly man who was neither afraid to die or to express the honest convictions of his mind, and who commanded the admiration, warm friendship and love of those who knew him best.
JAMES G. NISBET was born in Cynthiana, Posey Co., Ind., in 1820. His father, James Nisbet, was born in 1785, and in his youth was a playmate of Henry Clay's. He married Hannah Journey in Kentucky in 1808. They came to Posey County in 1818. The father was a tanner and farmer. His death occurred in 1873, and the mother's in 1862. Our subject received but very little schooling, but obtained his education by reading at every spare moment, until now he is one of the best informed men in his community. In 1839 he began merchandising in Cynthiana, but after three years he devoted himself to farming for some time and then engaged in the boot and shoe business at Owens- ville, in which he has been very successful. In 1854 he took a
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trip West for the benefit of his health and became acquainted with the famous John Brown. He was married to Dorcas Bishop in 1839. She was born in 1816 and is a daughter of Joshua and Margaret (Limes) Bishop. They have five children: Mary, Ma- tilda, Joseph, Martha and Louisa. He was a warm anti-slavery man, and in 1861 enlisted in Company C, Sixtieth Indiana Vol- unteers, and served over a year, when he was discharged on ac- count of physical disability, but was in the secret service of the Government until the close of the war. He has the honor of be- ing the first man who advanced the theory of underground drain- age and was the first to put it in practice, for which his neighbors talked of sending him to the insane asylum. He is a member of the Baptist Church and is independent in his political views. He has been a brave and trustworthy soldier, and is one of Posey County's best citizens.
JAMES REDMAN is a son of William and Ann (Clark) Redman, who were natives of Kentucky, where they married and soon after came to Indiana, locating in Gibson County, where the father followed the life of a farmer until his death. Our subject was born in Kentucky in 1821, and owing to the fact that he was obliged to assist his father on the farm, his education is rather limited. When twenty-three years old he began farming for him- self on his father's farm. In 1847 he removed to this county, locating on the farm of 115 acres which he now owns. In 1844 he was married to Eliza J. Kimball, born in 1826, and daughter of Isaac and Phyllis (Lowe) Kimball. Mr. and Mrs. Redman became the parents of nine children: Malissa, Cornelia (deceased), William F. (deceased), Sarah E. (deceased), Wilson E., Henry M. (deceased), Thomas L., Oliver M. and Willimina B. Both husband and wife were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. In 1878 Mrs. Redman died, and since that time Mr. Redman has lived on the home farm with his son Oliver and wife. He owns a tile factory and his sons Wilson and Thomas operate it. He donated $500 to the building of the railroad running through Cynthiana. He is a Republican and cast his first vote for Clay.
PATRICK ROGERS, a farmer of Smith Township, Posey Co., Ind., is a son of Preston C. and Omelia (Calvert) Rogers, natives of Indiana. They were married in Vanderburg County
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and immediately removed to this county, locating near New Har- mony. When the great gold excitement was at its height in 1849, the father went to California to seek his fortune. He remained there for some time and accumulated considerable wealth. About 1855 he sickened and died of a fever, his wife having died about a year before. Our subject was born in Posey County in 1841. He was educated in the district schools and when twenty years old began farming on a rented place. At the end of two years he purchased eighty acres of the farm where he now lives. By in- ¿lustry and good management he increased his farm to 156 acres, 150 of which are under cultivation. In 1861 he married Sarah McConnell, born in 1840. They became the parents of these children: James O., Mary O., Elvie B., Ora C., Flora A. and one unnamed. In 1884 Mrs. Rogers died. She was a faithful and consistent member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. August 12, 1885, Mr. Rogers married Louisa (Young) Williams, born in 1851, and daughter of Robert Williams. She is a mem- ber of the Baptist Church. Mr. Rogers is a Democrat and cast his first vote for McClellan. He has been successful in business enterprises and is a prominent citizen.
JOHN A. RUTTER was born in Posey County, Ind., in 1528. He is a son of Alexander and Elizabeth J. (Davis) Rutter, who were both born in 1798. They came to this county when quite young and here they were married. The father was a farmer and died in 1837. The mother then made several changes of residence and at last located in Gibson County, where she died about 1871. When about twenty years old our subject rented a place and began working for himself. At the end of two years he purchased forty acres of the old homestead, but soon after sold it and purchased eighty acres of land in Vanderburg County, where he lived six years. In 1858 he purchased the farm of fifty acres where he now lives. Magdalene Carter, born in 1827, became his wife in 1848. They are the parents of eight children: Joseph A., William A., Susan J., John W., Amasa W., Friend L., Alex- ander and Eunice. John W. is a rising young physician of Cyn- thiana and a graduate of the Eclectic School of Medicine at Cin- cinnati, Ohio. Amasa is married and living near home. In 1862 Mr. Rutter enlisted in Company F, Eightieth Indiana Infantry, under Capt. R. J. Showers. He was taken with paralysis while
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