USA > Indiana > Rush County > History of Rush County, Indiana, from the earliest time to the present, with biographical sketches, notes, etc., together with a short history of the Northwest, the Indiana territory, and the State of Indiana > Part 51
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DR. JOHN M. CLARK, deceased, whose portrait appears else- where, was a native of Guilford County, N. C., born August 16, IS15, and was the son of Jonathan and Ruth (Morman) Clark. He was raised upon a farm in his native county, and while yet a mere boy he exhibited a strong inclination to books. His taste for reading was so great that not unfrequently his books would accompany him to the field, where, while resting his physical body he would store his mind with useful information that would be of practical value to him in future years. In his early manhood he began to prepare himself for the medical profession, and in 1840, he graduated in the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, Pa. For one year following his graduation he occupied a situation in the Philadel- phia Dispensary. He then returned to his native county and en- tered upon his professional labors and soon won for himself an ex- tensive practice. In June, 1849, Dr. Clark removed with his family to Rush County, and located in Carthage, where the prac- tice of his profession occupied the greater part of his time until the date of his death. He soon became one of the leading physicians of the county, and for a period of twenty years his practice was very extensive. In his later years the impaired state of his hear- ing somewhat interfered with his professional duties, although he did not entirely abandon them until his earthly career was ended. He was recognized as a careful and conscientious practitioner and was kind and indulgent, alike, to both the rich and the poor. Dur- ing all of those years of his medical practice he continued to pursue his literary studies, and in addition to a knowledge of Greek and Latin, he became familiar with the German language,and was a ready reader of French, Spanish, Italian, Hebrew and Arabic languages. He was also a great student of the Scriptures, and read them in both Hebrew and Greek. From his early years he was in opinion and sentiment in sympathy with the Friends' Church, in which he had a birthright. Though liberal toward others he was himself a conservative Friend, using that term in its true and better sense. He possessed a natural faculty for writing poetry, and many of his productions of this kind have been greatly admired; yet his diffi- dence and humility or absence of self-esteem were such that, shrink- ing from notoriety, he preserved only a small portion of his writings.
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He died September 6, 1887. He married, August 9, 1842, Miss Eunice A. Hill, a native of Randolph County, N. C., born Decem- ber 9, 1823, being the daughter of Samuel and Mary (Branson) Hill, both of whom were natives of North Carolina, of English descent. She grew to womanhood in her native county. She is a member of the Friends' Church, and is the mother of an only child, a sketch of whom is given below. Mary M. Clark, only child of Dr. John M. and Eunice A. Clark, was born in Guilford County, N. C. August 14, 1844. She accompanied her parents to Carthage, this county, in 1849, where her maidenhood was spent with them. In the fall of 1858, she entered a Friends' boarding school at Union Springs, Cayuga County, N. Y., where she remained one year. She then entered Earlham College, where she finished the Junior
year. Afterward she became a student in the Indiana State Nor- mal School at Terre Haute, where one year was spent in diligent study. She was married February I, ISSI, to Thomas Dryden, who is a native of Jefferson County, this State, and who is now a merchant and who resides in Hamilton County, Ohio. Her mar- riage has resulted in the birth of one child: Mary E., who was born March 14, 1882. Mrs. Dryden is also a member of the Friends' Church.
CYRUS B. Cox is a native of Ripley Township, born April 22, 1827, being the son of Benjamin and Mary (Price) Cox, both of whom were natives of North Carolina, of English descent. He was reared upon a farm and received in the district school a knowl- edge of the ordinary branches of learning. At the age of twenty- two he turned his attention to the carpenter's trade to which it was directed at that time about three years, or until his first marriage, which occurred September 15, 1852. The lady that became his wife was Miss Sarah Haskitt, who was born in Hancock County, October 29, 1833, being the daughter of Silas and Milla Ilaskitt. After their marriage they settled in Hancock County, where for one year Mr. Cox was engaged at saw milling and farming. In the fall of 1853, he moved to a farm near Richmond, where for a per- iod of eighteen months he farmed and worked at his trade. In 1855, he returned to Hancock County, but in the spring of 1856. he moved his family to Ripley Township, in which he resided three years, giving his attention chiefly to his trade. His first wife died December 7, 1857, and on the 24th of May, 1859, he was married to Miss Mary Binford, a native of Ripley Township, born in 1837, and daughter of William and Mary (Jessup) Binford. For eight years after this marriage Mr. Cox resided in Shelby County, this State, where his attention was given to farming. In the fall of 1867, he returned to Ripley Township, in which he has ever since
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resided. His second wife died September IS, IS73. On the 23rd of December, 1874, he was married to Miss Phebe Lamb, who is a native of Hancock County, born November 3, IS41. Her par- ents, Phineas and Huldah (Bundy) Lamb, were natives of North Carolina, of English descent. In all, Mr. Cox is the father of eight children, as follows: Benjamin F., James P., Albert T., Charles S., Annetta, Sarah, Michael and Mary P., of whom the first three were by his first marriage, the next four by his second, and the last one by his third marriage. The children are all living except Albert T., who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Cox are mem- bers of the Friends' Church. He owns 100 acres of land, about four-fifths of which is in cultivation. Politically, Mr. Cox formerly affiliated with the Whig party. In IS54, he helped to organize the Republican party of Wayne County. In 1856, he voted for the first Republican candidate for President, and he has ardently sup- ported Republican principles ever since.
F. J. DRAKE, M. D., of Carthage, is a native of Switzerland County, Ind., born December 10, 1847, being the son of Dillard R. and Almena (Sisson) Drake, who were respectively natives of Ohio and Switzerland counties, Ind., both of English descent. His mother died when he was but three years old, and two years later his father married Mrs. Hevila Palmer, who was to him a mother during the rest of his minority. He continued to make his home with his parents until he was twenty-one years of age. At the age of twenty he became a student in Moore's Hill College, and for a period of five years he attended that institution and taught school alternately. His marriage occurred April 3, 1873, to Miss Emma J. Isgrigg, who was the daughter of Dr. Nathan Isgrigg, of Moore's Hill, Ind. She was born in that place July 4, IS52. For two years after his marriage, Dr. Drake was employed as salesman in a gen- eral store in Vevay, this State. He then moved to Indianapolis, and entered upon the study of medicine, receiving his instruction from the faculty of the Indiana Medical College. He took his first course of lectures in that institution during the winter of 1876-7. In the spring of 1877, he entered upon his professional labors in Hendricks County, this State. During the winter of 1880-SI, he took a second course of lectures in the Medical College of Indiana, graduating in March of the latter year. In May, ISSI, he came to Rush County, and he has since been actively and successfully en- gaged in his professional labors in Carthage and vicinity. He is the father of two children: Dellceine and Edwin, both of whom are living. Our subject and wife are members of the Friends' Church. In politics, the Doctor is a Republican. He possesses a good knowledge of his profession, is a very successful practitioner,
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and though young, he already has a rank among the successful physicians of the county.
JOHN B. EARNEST, who has been a resident of Ripley Town- ship for fifty-four years, was born in Green County, Tenn., De- cember 25, 1817. He was the son of Henry F. and Hannah (Bitner) Earnest, who were also natives of Green County, Tenn., both of German descent. His father was the son of Felix Earnest, and his mother was the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Hatler) Bitner, who were natives of Pennsylvania. When he was four years old his parents removed to Levere County, Tenn., where the father died October 17, 1827. In 1833, he accompanied his widowed mother to Rush County, and the family settled upon the farm where our subject now resides in Ripley Township. The mother died April 18, 1877. Our subject was married October 27, 1842, to Miss Marzella Draper, who was born in Southampton . County, Va., April 16, 1823. She was the daughter of Thomas and Mary (Turner) Draper. Her father was the son of Ephraim and Elizabeth Draper, and her mother was the daughter of Joseph Turner. Ever since their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Earnest have continued to reside upon the old Earnest homestead, where the for- mer has always pursued the avocation of a farmer. He owns a handsome farm of 290 acres, over 200 of which are in cultivation. He and wife have had seven children, as follows: Ira D., born January 27, 1844: John W., born December 5, 1846; Henry M., born August 10, 1850; Joseph E., born March 17, 1852: Albert N., born October 9, 1854; Roland H., born November 23, 1856, and Francis M., born January 5, 1859. As will be seen, all their chil- dren are sons. They are all living and married. Our subject and his wife and most of their children are members of the Christian Church. In politics, Mr. Earnest is a Democrat.
JAMES M. FORBIS, farmer, is a native of Guilford County, N. C., born October 1, 1848. He was the son of Madison and Elizabeth (Gilbreth) Forbis, both of whom were also natives of Guilford County, N. C., of English descent. His father was the son of John and Mary J. Forbis, and his mother was the daughter of James and Mary Gilbreth, all of whom were natives of North Carolina. In 1859, he accompanied his parents to Adams County, Ills .. and four years later they returned eastward to this State, and located in Hamilton County, where he was employed for two years in his father's saw mill. In about 1865, they removed to Henry County, and a year later they located in Knightstown. They remained in Henry County altogether eleven years, during which time he worked in his father's saw mill. In about 1872, they went to Cumberland County, Ills., and eight months later they removed to
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Indianapolis. A year later our subject came to Rush County, and on the 10th day of May, 1874, he was married to Miss Sarah A. Haskitt, who was born in Ripley Township, November 24, 1853, being the daughter of Henry and Maria (Coffin) Haskitt, both of whom were natives of North Carolina, the former of Perquimons County, and the latter of Guilford County. Her father was the son of John and Mila ( Holloway) Haskitt, and her mother was the daughter of Zachariah and Phebe (Starbuck) Coffin, who were natives of the Islands of Newfoundland and Nantucket, respectively. Ever since their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Forbis have occupied their present home, where the former has pursued the avocation of a farmer. He and wife have a farm of 340 acres, about 250 of which are in cultivation. They are the parents of three children: Leona, born July 6, 1875; Ada M., born November 25, 1877: Eve J., born April 25, ISSI, all of whom are living. Our subject and wife are members of the Friends' Church. In politics, the former is a Republican.
MRS. RACHEL M. FOUST, of Ripley Township, is a native of Ripley County, Ind., born December 31, IS25. She was the daughter of Enoch and Cynthia Ann Isgrigg. Her father was the son of Daniel and Rachel Isgrigg, who were natives of Kentucky. Her mother was the daughter of Nathan and Elizabeth Lynn, who were also natives of the State of Kentucky. When she was but five years old, her father died and her mother afterward married John Bussell. When she was twelve years old, she accompanied her mother and stepfather to this county, and for a few years. or until her marriage, she resided with them in Ripley Township. She was married August 6, 1840, to Henry C. Foust, who was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, August 4, 1820, being the son of Philip and Elizabeth (Cash) Foust, who were natives of the State of Vir- ginia. Immediately after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Foust lo- cated where the latter now resides in Ripley Township, where Mr. Foust pursued the avocation of a farmer until the date of his death, which occurred August 1, 1866. Since then Mrs. Foust has been a widow. In all, she is the mother of nine children: Nathan J., Mary E., Francis M., Emily J., Owen C., Ann M., Margaret L., Charles H. and Lucy O., all of whom are living except Ann M., who was born November 7, 1851, and who died August 29, ISS7. Mrs. Foust is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She has a farm of ninety-five acres, most of which is in cultivation.
BENJAMIN FOUST, who is one of the substantial farmers of Rush County, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, in Novem- ber, 1830, being the son of George and Catharine (Vance) Foust, who were natives of Virginia and Ohio, respectively. His father
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was the son of Lewis and Barbara (Bowman) Foust, who were natives of Virginia. His mother was the daughter of John and Barbara (Smith) Vance. Both his paternal and maternal great. grandparents were natives of Germany. When he was a young child less than two years old his parents came to Rush County and became early settlers of Ripley Township, in which his early life was spent assisting to clear and cultivate the farm, on which his mother died, January 4, 1839, and on which his father still contin- ues to reside. When he reached maturity, he engaged at farming for himself, and he has ever since pursued that avocation in Ripley Township. In this connection he has had good success. He owns a farm of seventy-three acres, nearly all of which is in cultivation. It contains a splendid barn and an elegant brick residence, which, with its natural facilities, makes a very desirable location. When Mr. Foust began life for himself he had nothing; his only capital was willing hands and a mental capacity to direct them with pru- dence. With these he went to work, and the present state of his circumstances reflects very creditably upon his industry and good management. He was married March 1, 1855, to Miss Cornelia E. Reid, who was born in Marion County, this State, November 3, 1835, being the daughter of John B. E. and Elizabeth (Wolfe) Reid, who were natives of South Carolina and Scott County, Ky., respectively. Her father was the son of Archibald and Martha ( Alexander ) Reid, and her mother was the daughter of Jacob and Euphemia (Cannon) Wolfe, who were natives of Maryland and Delaware, respectively. Her parents settled in Marion County in 1830. Her father died there, August 25, 1838, and her mother af- terward married John Addison, who died November 14, 1859. She still survives and lives in Knightstown. Mr. and Mrs. Foust have had five children, as follows: The first was a son, that was born April 12, 1857, and died unnamed; the second is Laura A., born July 30, 1858; and Ida C., born March 20, 1860, died Octo- ber 2, 1865; Emma G., born September 9, 1869, and Earl R., born August 24, 1871, died September 19, 1871. Mrs. Foust is a mem- ber of the Christian Church. In politics, Mr. Foust is an uncom- promising Democrat.
SAMUEL GATES, who is an esteemed pioneer of Ripley Town- ship, is a native of Ross County, Ohio, born March 3, 1823, being the son of John and Mary (Weaver) Gates, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia, respectively; and who were both of German descent. His father was the son of John Gates, and his mother was the daughter of Leonard and Mary (Schaffer) Weaver. When he was but four years old his parents removed from Ross County, Ohio, to Rush County, Ind., and became early settlers of
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Ripley Township. That was in the fall of 1826. The father and mother spent the rest of their lives in Ripley, the latter dying March 21, 1858, and the former dying January 24, 1868. The subject of this sketch spent his early life assisting to clear and cul- tivate his father's farm in summer, and attending the district school in winter. The school advantages in those days were, however, quite limited, consequently his education was quite limited. By observation and reading he has somewhat mitigated the lack of early training, and he is now possessed of a good practical educa- tion, and one that fits him for the affairs of domestic life. He was married at the age of twenty-four, on December 23, 1847, to Miss Sarah Phelps, who is a native of Randolph County, N. C., born October 11, 1823, and who was the daughter of Jonathan and Su- sannah (Henley) Phelps, both of whom were also natives of Ran- dolph County, N. C., and both were of English descent. Her father was the son of Jonathan and Mary (Prevo) Phelps, and her mother was the daughter of Joseph and Peninnah (Morgan) Henley. Her parents emigrated to Rush County in 1828 and settled in Ripley Township, where both spent the rest of their lives, the mother dying August 1, 1847, and the father dying January 17, 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Gates entered upon their married life upon a farm in Ripley Township, and their home has been in that town- ship ever since. They have occupied their present home since the fall of 1869. The life occupation of Mr. Gates has been farming, and in this connection he has earned a rank among the substantial and well-to-do farmers of the county. In all he owns nearly 300 acres of excellent land, about ISo of which are in cultivation. His home farm is fitted up with a splendid barn and an elegant brick residence, which, united with other improvements and natural facil- ities, makes it one of the most attractive places in Rush County. Mr. and Mrs. Gates have had three children, as follows: Amos F., born August 28, 1848; Charles F., born May 22, 1850, and Susan- nah, who was born August 25, 1852, and died October 26, 1861. Our subject and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, Mr. Gates is a Republican. He has been an industrious man, and there is probably no one who is entitled to more credit for the present excellent condition of the county than he.
ISAAC T. GATES, a native-born citizen of Ripley Township, was born near where he now resides, February 20, 1828, being the son of John and Mary (Weaver) Gates, both of whom were born in Pennsylvania. He was reared upon his father's farm, and at twenty- one years of age he was married to Miss Jemima Cofield, who was born in Wayne County, Ind., June 20, 1832, being the daugh- ter of John Cofield. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Gates
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settled upon a farm in Ripley Township, on which they resided at that time three years. They then removed to Hancock County. About two years later they removed to Madison County, Iowa. A few months later they returned to Ripley Township, and settled where he now resides. A year or so later they again settled in Hancock County, but returned again to the old homestead in Rip- ley Township, about two years later, and he has continued to oc- cupy it ever since. His chief occupation has been farming, though he has, in connection with this, given considerable attention to the manufacture of brick. His first wife died in May, 1872. On the 2nd day of February, 1876, Mr. Gates was married to Mrs. Katie J. Macy, who is a native of Randolph County, N. C., born Decem- ber 20, 1830. She was the daughter of Eliab and Mary Jackson, who also were natives of Randolph County, N. C. Her father was the son of Jacob and Martha (Thornburg) Jackson. Her mother was the daughter of William and Sarah Gauset. On the 6th of March, 1851, she was married to Henry A. Macy, who was born in North Carolina, being the son of Henry and Rachel (Armfield) Macy. Mr. Macy became a Union soldier, and was lost in 1863, while in the service. By his first wife, Mr. Gates had seven children: Ithamar S., Alonzo, John H., Margaret Ann, Charlotte E., Edith M. and Mary L., all of whom are living. Our subject and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, the former is an uncompromising Republican. He owns 100 acres of land, about seventy of which are in cultivation.
CLARKSON GAUSE, of Ripley Township, is a native of Wayne County, Ind., born December 20, 1849, being the son of Nathan and Ann (Cox) Gause, who were natives of Ohio and Wayne counties, Ind., respectively. When he was thirteen years old, his parents removed to Marion County, but a year later, they removed to Henry County, where his youth was spent upon a farm. At twenty-four years of age, he became a teacher in the public school, and altogether he has taught five winters. His labors in that capacity were entirely performed in Henry and Hancock counties. He was married in Henry County, July 1, 1875, to Miss Mary R. Millikan, who was born in Henry County, April 8, 1854, being the daughter of Nathan and Priscilla (Christy ) Millikan, both of whom were natives of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Gause began their married life in Henry County, but at the end of two years they removed to Rush County, and settled in Ripley Township, in which place they have resided ever since. They first settled upon a farm in the northwest part of the township. Three years later they removed to Wayne County, and after a residence of a year there upon a
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farm, they returned to Ripley Township, and settled in Carthage, where for two years Mr. Gause conducted a livery business. For two years following this his attention was given to trading. In the fall of 1886, he moved his family to their present home one mile and a half west of Carthage where Mr. Gause is the owner of a farm. In addition to the management of his farm, he has during the past year devoted considerable time to the study of works of a veterinary character, and it is his present intention to devote his un- divided attention to this branch of surgery, for which his knowl- edge of the horse peculiarly adapts him. He has always had a particular fondness for the handling of horses, and this natural in- clination, united with a careful study of their treatment, is sufficient to warrant his success in the practice of veterinary surgery. He and wife are the parents of two children: Estella and Helen, both of whom are living. Our subject is a member of the Friends' Church. In politics, he is an ardent Republican. He is a man of intelligence, and will fill with credit any station to which his atten- tion may be directed.
GEORGE JAMES THOMAS O'BRIEN GWYNNE, late of Carthage, this county, was born near Strabane, County Tyrone, North Ireland, February 20, 1820, and was the son of John and Catharine Gwynne, 1 of whom the latter died when he was very young. His boyhood was chiefly spent at the home of his brother, William Gwynne, whose partner he afterward became in the extensive manufacture of linen goods, and in the banking business. Their manufacturing interests were of such magnitude as to give employment to 500 operatives. In IS47, Mr. Gwynne came to America, and during the two years which followed, he resided at Shelbyville, Ind. In 1849, he came to Rush County, in which he resided until the date of his death, September 4, 1884, and in which he became familiarly known as O'Brien Gwynne. Locating at Carthage, he turned his atten- tion to mercantile pursuits, and for probably more than a quarter of a century he was a member of the firm of Gwynne, Johnson & Co., who conducted a large general store. He was very successful in business, and when he died he left an estate valued at $100,000. He was very kind to the poor, and his charitable deeds were many. He took great interest in the improvement of his town, and there is probably no one to whom Carthage is more deeply indebted for its present neat and cleanly appearance than to Mr. Gwynne. Full of wit and good humor his genial nature won for him many friends. In politics, he was formerly a Democrat and continued to be such until the outbreak of the late war. From that time to the date of his death, he was an ardent supporter of the Republican party.
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He served as Trustee of Ripley Township for fourteen years and also served for a time as Treasurer of the Carthage School Board. He died a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
FESTUS HALL, son of Samuel A. and Allida ( Hoes ) Hall, was born in Jackson County, Ohio, February, 18OS. He married Maria A. Abernathy, June 17, 1845. Maria is the daughter of John and Lavinia (Logan) Abernathy, natives of Virginia. Mr. Hall's father was a native of Connecticut, near New Haven. He came to Ohio in 1790: here he remained thirty-three years, and afterward moved to Hancock County, where he died in 1835. Festus, at the age of twenty-two, entered eighty acres of land in Hancock County, and purchased eighty acres of land in Rush County. He bought and sold several times, and in 1855 he bought the farm on which he resided during the rest of his life, having built a most comfortable and commodious brick residence in 1870. When a lad, the subject of this sketch had but few advantages for securing an education, the pioneer school house and the teacher of those days were not always sufficient to inspire the young people with much zeal for prosecuting their studies. In 1829, Mr. Hall attended a short term of school in Rushville, and while there wit- nessed the execution of Swanson. In 1858, he was the Republican candidate for Representative from Rush County and was elected by a decided majority. He was in the Legislature with Dr. Stanley Cooper, of Noble Township, this county. His children are: Euse- bius (deceased), John Chalmers, William A., Frank L. and Ilattie Lavinia (deceased). Mrs. Hall's father and mother came to Rush County, Center Township, in 1839, and owned the farm just south of the Soldiers' Orphans' Home, known as the Abernathy farm, which now belongs to the estate of Festus Hall. In 1838, he was tax collector for Rush County, and traveled about from house to house collecting the taxes. On January 3, 1880, our subject laid down the battle of life, having been in delicate health for several months. He had served his time and his people well, was univer- sally respected, a kind neighbor and a good friend. His widow, and son William still live on the old farm, made hallowed by so many cherished memories.
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