USA > Indiana > Posey County > History of Posey County, Indiana > Part 40
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for its hospitality. Mr. Reister and his wife are generous in their sup- port of the various churches and charities in Cynthiana.
Francis Marion Greathouse .- To have attained so notable a record as. did Captain Greathouse in connection with his service during the Civil war would prove sufficient to give precedence and reputation to any man, were this to represent the sum total of his efforts; but Francis Marion Greathouse is a man of distinct individuality, broad mental ken and strong initiative, who has been a leader in his township and the county as well. Captain Greathouse was born on his father's farm in Point town- ship, Posey county, Indiana, April 10, 1840. He is the third child born to George Washington and Martha N. (Harshman) Greathouse. The fam- ily is of German descent, was founded in America previous to the war for independence, and in Posey county by David Greathouse, a native of Pennsylvania, who settled in what is now Point township prior to 1818, in which year is recorded his original land entry. He took an active part in the affairs incident to the early settlement of the county, acquired ex- tensive land holdings and was one of the most influential men of his time and section. He married Sarah Callender, also born in Pennsyl- vania. They were the parents of four sons : Sampson, born December 8, 1808, who died February 2, 1887; George Washington, the father of Cap- tain Greathouse, born July 4, 1810, who died February 4, 1843; John, born 1812, who died in 1842, and Lorenzo Dow, born 1818, who died in 1883. George Washington Greathouse was reared on his father's farm and followed the occupation of farmer. He was known among the men of his time for his integrity and high ideals, was a tireless worker and successful in his business undertakings. He was a builder-up of his properties, which during the pioneer period of the development of the county required hard labor and untiring energy. He married on June 14, 1832, Martha N. Harshman, the daughter of George and Dorcas Harsh- man, one of Posey county's early settlers, whose homestead was in Prairie Settlement. She was born in Virginia on January 8, 1815. Mr. Greathouse died on the fourteenth of February, 1843, and his wife on February 8, 1872. They were the parents of the following children: Sarah C., born May 6, 1833, and who died March 6, 1880. She married Joel Redmond, a farmer of Posey county. Julia, the second child, born January 17, 1835, married Thomas French, a prominent farmer of Lynn township, and is at the age of seventy-eight, enjoying the sunset years of life, surrounded by her grandchildren (see sketch of Raymond French). Matilda, the youngest child, born June 14, 1842, married An- drew Alexander, a man of sterling worth and intellectual ability, by which union, in 1864, her only child, Rosamond, was born. She be- came the wife of Dr. G. R. Peckempaugh, a prominent physician of Mt. Vernon, now a resident of Evansville. Mrs. Alexander was a woman of broad education, possessed intellectual ability of a high order and gained
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extended reputation as an author. She was the founder of the Alexan- drian Library of Mt. Vernon (see chapter on Libraries), which she en- dowed liberally. Her death occurred on April 22, 1892; her husband on November 13, 1866. Francis Marion Greathouse, the third child born to George W. and Martha Greathouse, was reared on his father's farm, attended the schools of his district and assisted in the carrying on of the farm work until the breaking out of the Civil war. In July, 1861, he en- listed in Company H, First Indiana cavalry, and upon its organization was elected first sergeant. He was several times promoted for meri- torious service and valor. He was commissioned second lieutenant De- cember 18, 1861, and first lieutenant June 6, 1863. He was mustered out on September 12, 1864. He was with his regiment in the battles of Fred- ericktown, Mo., December 16, 1861 ; Helena, Ark., July 4, 1863 ; Pine Bluff, Ark., October 25, 1863; Mt. Elba, Ark., March 27, 1864, and Mark's Mills, Ark., April 25, 1864. It was during the time when he was de- tailed on scout duty that Lieutenant Greathouse won his greatest re- nown as a soldier, his work in this line of warfare being of the highest value to the Union cause, and was the result of careful planning and brilliant execution. His most conspicuous service, in point of value to the cause of the Union, was that of the Longview expedition, March 26, 1864, in which he was the ranking officer. The following extract from the ofifcial report of Col. Powell Clayton, dated Headquarters, Pine Bluff, Ark., April 1, 1864, concerns the results of this expedition: "The Longview raid reflects the highest credit to Lieutenants Greathouse and Young, and for brilliancy and success is almost without a parallel. One hundred men, fifty from the First Indiana and fifty from the Fifth Kan- sas cavalry, marched forty miles into the enemy's country, captured and destroyed a train of thirty-five wagons loaded with stores of great value to the enemy, their paymaster's safe containing over sixty thousand dol- lars, destroyed their pontoon bridge over the Saline river, captured and brought to Mt. Elba 260 prisoners, 300 horses and mules and a large number of contrabands ; all including the march of eighty miles to Long- view and return in the surprising short space of twenty-four hours." There was not a man lost or a gun fired in accomplishing this capture. Lieutenant Greathouse was in command of his company from July, 1863, until mustered out, his captain being on detached service. He was de- tailed on scout duty in October, 1863, and served in this capacity until mustered out. His services while in this branch of duty were such as to win for him high commendation from his superior officers, and the re- sults obtained by him were such as to place him among the foremost scouts of the Union army. On conclusion of his military service, Lieu- tenant Greathouse returned to his family home in Point township and resumed the care of the farm property. In 1872 he purchased land in Lynn township, where he has since resided. His holdings total 400 acres,
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the improvements are substantial and the farm is well stocked. He has realized a substantial success as an agriculturist, is one of the influential men of Posey county, where he is known for his high ideals, integrity and broad mindedness. He has taken an active part in support of those meas- ures which have had in view the welfare and betterment of the commu- nity. He is a Republican. Political office has never appealed to him, and though often urged to accept nomination he has never permitted his name to go before a convention. He is a member of Harrow Post, No. 491, Grand Army of the Republic. On October 30, 1870, Captain Great- house married Miss Maggie T. French, a daughter of James T. French, a farmer of Lynn township, and member of one of the oldest pioneer fam- ilies of Posey county. She was born on August 15, 1845. Of the chil- dren born to Captain and Mrs. Greathouse, four are living, viz .: Cora, born August 14, 1871, the wife of James Bundy, of Lynn township; George Howard, born February 20, 1875, a hotel proprietor of Chicago, Ill. ; Bertie, born October 19, 1879, the wife of Prof. C. J. Nelson, a teacher in the Mt. Vernon public schools, and Horace Elwood, born September 23, 1884, who resides with his parents and has the active management of his father's farm properties. A daughter, Grace, born May 22, 1873, a young lady of great personal charm, died on December 28, 1906.
Frederick Wolfinger, successful farmer, extensive land owner and veteran of the Civil war, was born on his father's farm in Marrs town- ship, Posey county, Indiana, June 4, 1841, the son of John Wolfinger, a pioneer settler of that township and a native of Germany. There were six children in the family, all of whom, including the subject of this sketch, are deceased. The others were: John, Lewis, Charles, George and Elizabeth. John Wolfinger and his sons were important factors in the agricultural development of Marrs township, possessed energy, were thrifty, and enjoyed the esteem of their neighbors. Frederick Wolfinger was reared on the farm of his father, assisted in its carrying on, and secured his education in the district schools of his native township. Lincoln's call for volunteers found him ready for his country's defense and he enlisted in the Tenth Indiana cavalry. With his regiment he participated in many important engagements but was never wounded. His service in the Union cause covered a period of three years, and his record was excellent. On conclusion of his military service he returned to Posey county and engaged in farming and remained in this field of endeavor until 1902, when he retired from active labor and became a resident of the city of Mt. Vernon, his place of residence until his death, which occurred on November 9, 1909. As a farmer, Frederick Wol- finger was one of the most progressive and successful men of his section of Posey county. As a man of affairs, he was equally prominent. He possessed financial judgment, was an expert judge of land values and
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productiveness, seemed to sense the knock of opportunity and avail him- self of it, and withal, possessed thrift. He was throughout his lifetime a buyer of farm lands and became the owner of a number of choice farm properties. Public office never appealed to him. He was a member of Mt. Vernon Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and of the General Baptist church. Mr. Wolfinger married, on December 16, 1868, Miss Nancy Benner, who was born in Marrs township, Posey county, on December 9, 1850, the daughter of John and Mary (Mills) Benner. Her father was a native of Germany, who came to America with his parents when but three years of age. He was a prosperous farmer of Marrs township. His wife was born in Black township and her parents were pioneer settlers in Posey county. Mr. Wolfinger is survived by his widow and the following children, viz .: Mary Elizabeth, born Octo- ber 2, 1869, the wife of Robert Dixon, of Mt. Vernon; Joseph Welborn, born October 24, 1871; Otis Alvin, born June 20, 1878; James Arthur, born November 24, 1880, graduates of Lockyear's Commercial College, Evansville, and all three prosperous farmers of Marrs township ; Fred B., born September 20, 1889, a graduate of Mt. Vernon High School, class of 1910, ticket agent of the Louisville & Nashville Railway at Mt. Ver- non, Ill .; and Eleanor, born June 2, 1894, who graduated from the Mt. Vernon High School with the class of 1913. The third child of Mr. and Mrs. Wolfinger, a son, died in infancy.
Martin Golden, New Harmony. The venerable white haired gen- tleman whose name introduces this personal review, represents that type of mankind whom we all stop by the wayside to observe and ad- mire. Mr. Golden is an actor of the old school, who for years shed his light on the American stage, furnishing instructive amusement to hun- dreds of delighted audiences. When he was in the prime of manly vigor his contemporaries were such men as Edwin Booth, Lawrence. Barrett, and many others with whom he was associated, which almost causes the student to reflect on that epoch as the second Elizabethan age of the English drama. Mr. Golden knew well most of the actors of his time, and played with many of them, and he treasures many pleasant memories of the stage folk, great and near-great of his time. Our sub- ject is a native of Ireland, born at Cork Hill, Parish of Screen, Novem- vember 10, 1835. His parents were William Golden and Catharine Dunn, also natives of Ireland. Martin was one of a family of ten chil- dren, two of whom are now living: Thomas F., a druggist in New York, and Martin. The Golden family embarked for America in 1846, some of the older sons having preceded the other members several years. It seems that they were beset by one misfortune after another. The mother died during the voyage and was buried at sea. Shortly after the family reached Quebec the father was taken ill and died. After the death of his father Martin and a brother were sent to New
Martin Golden
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Orleans to live with an older brother, who was a druggist there. Upon arriving at New Orleans they learned that the brother in New Orleans had died two weeks previously with yellow fever. He then went to live with a cousin there, where he remained and attended school until 1849. Then, at the age of fourteen, he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he secured employment in a wholesale dry goods store. From there he went to Hamilton, Ohio, and worked for a contractor as bookkeeper and timekeeper. In 1851 he returned to New Orleans, and during the next two years two of his brothers died there from yellow fever. In 1854 he decided to leave New Orleans and went to New York, where he had a brother and sister. After reaching New York and seeking his brother and sister he met a New Orleans acquaintance, Charles Gleason, treasurer of the St. Charles theater, New Orleans. Young Golden returned to New Orleans with him and accepted the position of doorkeeper at the St. Charles theater. He was very much interested in stage life and his position gave him an opportunity to meet many actors. He got dramatic books and applied himself to study. He became acquainted with Mr. Benedict De Barr, manager of the St. Charles theater, who booked young Golden for the princely salary of six dollars per week. This was in the fall of 1855, and the com- pany opened the season at St. Louis in "The Hunch Back" with Miss Annette Inse as leading lady. Golden was assigned to take the char- acter of "Holdwell." This was the beginning of his stage career and he made good from that minute, and remained with De Barr in New Orleans and St. Louis until the war broke out in 1861. He then came north and played in all the principal cities with marked success and was associated with many of the great actors of the time. He organized a traveling company, which he managed for several years. Later he took the management of Carter's play, "The Fast Mail," which he managed several years with great financial success. He has managed opera houses, and played entire seasons in no less than a dozen differ- ent large cities throughout the country. Mr. Golden was united in mar- riage, August 25, 1861, to Miss Emma Isabella Llewellyn, a native of St. Louis, Mo. Mrs. Golden was a talented actress and played with her husband in the principal cities of the United States for years, until on account of her health she was obliged to give up the stage. To Mr. and Mrs. Golden were born four children: Martin T., born at Cleve- land, Ohio, May 30, 1862, a leading business man of New Harmony ; William E., born in New Harmony, June 9, 1865, a prominent educator of New York, and now principal of the Polytechnic Institute of that city ; Grace, born in the Fontleroy House, November 14, 1867, and died November 14, 1903. She was an operatic singer of National fame. Her untimely death was universally mourned and was a severe blow to her immediate family and many friends; Frances Llewellyn, born Septem-
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ber 7, 1877, at New Harmony. She, too, is an accomplished actress, well known on the American stage. Mr. Golden is a member of the Catholic church. He has had an active and eventful career, filled with many fond recollections and very few regrets. He is now spending the peaceful days of a ripe old age surrounded by his loved ones and enjoying the present to the fullness thereof, as well as the pleasant memories of a life well spent.
Raymond A. French-In the development of the agricultural re- sources of Posey county, which has placed her in the front rank among her sister counties of the State, it is probable no one family has been more numerously represented or has been of more material value in this development than that of which our subject is a worthy representative. The French family dates its founding in the county from the settlement of Doris French, who entered on land in what is now Lynn township in 1807. He was a native of Kentucky, born July 10, 1792. He married on March 17, 1818, Sarah Thomas, born October 9, 1801, who came to . Posey county with her parents in 1814. Doris French was not only one of the first to settle in the county but was one of the most influential men among the pioneers, the leader of his section, and amassed, for his time, a comfortable fortune. His death occurred on August 28, 1855, and that of his wife on September 8, 1885. They were the parents of the following children: Zedoc, born September 19, 1819; James Thomas, born January 7, 1822 ; Samuel, born March 10, 1825; Maria, born October 4, 1827; Lardner Clark, born February 28, 1830; Ralph, born December 26, 1832; Thomas, born March 10, 1835, the grandfather of our subject, and Mary, born December 10, 1837. Thomas French attended the coun- try schools of his neighborhood, assisted his father in the clearing of his forest covered land, farmed and incidentally underwent the hardships common to the lot of the early settlers. In 1855, when but twenty years of age, he married Angelina Calkins, who lived but thirteen months after her marriage. On March 15, 1857, he married Julia A. Greathouse, a daughter of George W. and Martha (Harshman) Greathouse (see sketch of F. M. Greathouse). In 1855 Mr. French purchased the farm now operated by his grandson. As a man among men, bearing his due share in connection with the practical activities and responsibilities of a work-a-day world, he was successful, but, over and above all, he gained a deep knowledge of the wellsprings from which emerge the stream of human motive and action. He was a man of high ideals, broad mind, and took an active interest in the questions of his time. He was a Re- publican in his political views, and though active in the interests of his party, was not inclined toward political office. His charities were many. Measures having for their object the welfare of the community received his active support. He loved the fields and flowers. He was a home builder. He believed in the sacredness of the hearth. He passed to his
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reward on March 11, 1910. To do justice to his memory within the limits of an article of this nature would be impossible, but in even touching the more salient points there may come objective lesson and incentive and thus a tribute of appreciation. His widow, aged seventy-eight, survives him and resides on the old homestead to which she came as a bride in 1857. They were the parents of one child, a son, Gustave French, born February II, 1858. Gustave French acquired his education in the schools of Posey county. He was taught farming by his father, assisted in the carrying on of his farm properties and resided with him until his death, which occurred on June 6, 1891. While shooting squirrels among the trees in front of the farm residence his gun exploded, causing injuries from which he died. He married on February 23, 1882, Victoria Al- bright, a daughter of John T. and Mary (Jones) Albright, of Lynn town- ship. They were the parents of two children: Raymond A., the subject of this sketch, and Gladys, born August 26, 1885. The widow and daughter are residents of Mt. Vernon. Raymond A. French was born on the family farm in 'Lynn township on April 5, 1883. After completing a course in the public schools of Posey county, he attended Columbia Col- lege, Evansville. In 1901 he sought employment in the West. Some two years were spent with cattle outfits in Wyoming and Utah, one year with a railroad constructing company. In 1904 he reached Seattle and se- cured the position of mail clerk on a steamer plying between that city and Victoria, B. C. In 1905 he resigned this position to accept that of freight clerk on a steamer plying between Seattle and Skagway, Alaska, and re- mained in this employment until 1908, when he returned to Posey county and took the management of the family farm properties. A student and close observer, his travels in the West and Northwest gave him opportu- nity for investigating at close range the scientific methods of farming in use there. He has applied the knowledge gained to the operation of his properties with satisfactory results. The French farms are well stocked, the improvements are modern and that order which only comes from system prevails in the conduct of carrying on. Mr. French married on January 15, 1907, Miss Katherine Gallick, a daughter of John Gallick, a native of Austria, who is a resident of Ossining, N. Y. She was born at Miva, province of Nitra, Austria-Hungary, on November 24, 1886. Mr. and Mrs. French are the parents of three children: Allen Raymond, born March 8, 1908; Doris Gustave, born September 9, 1909, and Ruth Anna, born March 9, 1913. The family attend the Episcopal church. Mr. French is one of the pushing, progressive men of the county, ener- getic and unassuming. He is in all respects a high type of the virile American and a worthy descendant of his pioneer ancestors. He is a member of New Harmony Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.
Frederick Pierce Leonard, of Mt. Vernon, who holds an enviable place among his colleagues at law, has been a member of the Posey county bar
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for the past thirty-three years and this long period of efficient service in the legal profession and of public-spirited citizenship, entitles him to distinctive recognition in this publication. Mr. Leonard was born in Mt. Vernon, Ind., November 4, 1858, the son of Charles Frederick and Mary E. (Pierce) Leonard, the former a native of Bristol, R. I., and the latter of the State of Maine. Charles F. Leonard, the first of the family to settle in Indiana, came to Posey county about 1834, and located in Mt. Vernon, where he engaged in business and became one of the most successful and influential merchants of the county. He was an active and potent factor in the development of the city and took a prominent part in the political life of the county. He was a Repub- lican, contributed generously in support of the campaigns of his party, but was not inclined toward public office. He was married twice. His first wife was Lucretia Knowles, a native of Connecticut, who died in Mt. Vernon in 1850, a victim of the cholera epidemic of that year. Of this union, five children were born, but one of whom is living, viz., Anna, the wife of Edward P. Elliott of Washington, D. C. Those deceased are: Mary, who married James F. Welborn of Denver, Colo .; Charles, Isaac, and William. The second wife of Mr. Leonard was Miss Mary E. Pierce, who was born in Maine. Five children were born to this union, viz .: Lucretia, who died in infancy ; Martha, the wife of James B. Tate, of Evansville, Ind .; Frederick P., the subject of this article; Mark T. of Chicago, Ill., and Augustus H., deceased. Mr. Leonard died on March 31, 1884, aged eighty years, and Mrs. Leonard on July 1, 1913, aged eighty-nine years and three months. Both Mr. Leonard and his wife were exceptionally active, mentally and physically, for persons of their advanced age. Each possessed the esteem which comes from honorable living, and the affection which slowly develops from unselfish works. Frederick Pierce Leonard received his early educational disci- pline in the schools of Mt. Vernon, was graduated from its high school with the class of 1875, and subsequently entered the literary department of the Indiana State University, from which he received his Bachelor of Arts degree with the class of 1878. He next entered the law department of the University of Michigan and was graduated, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws, a member of the class of 1881. On completion of his law studies he returned to Mt. Vernon and engaged in the practice of his profession. During the thirty-three years in which he has been a member of the Posey county bar he has had as associates, Judge Louden, who was with him for five years, and Judge Clements, now judge of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit, who remained with him for five years. His practice has been extensive, both as to the number and the character of the suits tried. He possesses an analytical mind, power of concentration, and an unswerving industry, and his briefs are marked for their directness and lucidity of expression. He has appeared in con-
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nection with the most important litigations in both the State and federal courts and is recognized as one of the most able lawyers of southern Indiana. Public office has never appealed to him, although he never neglects in the least his civic duties and obligations. He is a Repub- lican. In local affairs he has always taken an active part, is independent as to party, and has served for one term as mayor of Mt. Vernon. Mr. Leonard married on October 26, 1892, Miss Easter Harrow, of Mt. Vernon. They are the parents of four children, viz .: Mark (de- ceased), Juliette, Frederick and John H. Mrs. Leonard is a woman of broad culture and popular in the social circles of the city in which she is a leader. The family residence, in which Mr. Leonard was born, is known for its gracious hospitality.
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