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 69
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mother and stepfather to Rush County, and located with them in Rushville Township, where his youth was spent upon a farm. When he became of age he took up the vocation of a farmer for himself, and thus continued in Rushville Township until 1868, when he removed to a farm in Walker Township. In 1873, he moved his family to Rushville, in which place he has ever since re- sided. Since then his attention has been given to the management of his farming interests in the vicinity of Rushville. He was mar- ried September 24, 1868, to Miss Jennie A. Taylor, a native of Walker Township, this county, born September 25, 1852, and daughter of Thomas and Emily (Cassidy) Taylor, both na- tives of Fleming County, Ky. Her mother was the daughter of Francis and Jane (Inlow) Cassidy, both natives of Kentucky, of Irish descent. Francis Cassidy was the son of Capt. Cassidy, a noted frontiersman and Indian fighter of Kentucky, and who after- ward served as a member of the Legislature in that State. Mr. and Mrs. Simms are the parents of two children: Daisy F., born April 17, 1873, and Eva, born December 24, ISS4, both of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Simms are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, the former is a Republican. Be- sides his handsome residence property in Rushville, Mr. Simms is the owner of a good farm in Center Township, to the management of which his whole attention is given.
BENJAMIN L. SMITHI, a prominent attorney of Rushville, was born in Union Township, this county, November 29, 1835. He is the son of Ebenezer and Polly A. (Hadden) Smith, who set- tled in Rush County in 1834. Mr. Smith lived on a farm until 1853, when he entered Asbury University at Greencastle, and there obtained a classical education. Upon the completion of his university course he commenced the study of law in the office of Delaney R. Eckles, at Greencastle, and a year later was admitted to the Putnam County Bar. The practice of his profession was at once begun at Columbus, Ind., and there continued until July, 1862, when he enlisted as a private in Company D, Sixty-seventh Indiana Volunteers. His abilities were such that he soon became Second Lieutenant, then First Lieutenant, and at length Captain of his company, which rank he held when mustered out at the close of the war. When his country no longer demanded his services he immediately returned to the practice of his profession, but choosing a new field of labor remained for two years in the city of New Orleans. In March, 1867, he returned to the north and settled in Rushville, where he has since been an honored and successful member of the Bar. He was first married July 29, 1858, to Laura Reynolds, daughter of Joshua and Diana Reynolds, then of Co-
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lumbus, Ind. Mrs. Smith died June 30, 1871, leaving one child, a daughter, Cora E. The second marriage of Mr. Smith was con- summated November 4, 1873, when Alice W. Wilson, daughter of the pioneers, William and Elizabeth Wilson, became his wife. This union has been blessed with two children: Donald L. and Erema P., both of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the Presbyterian Church. The former is a member of the F. & A. M., K. of P., and G. A. R. lodges, a Director in the Rush County Na- tional Bank, and in politics a Democrat. He is a man of affairs with a diversity of talent that has given him an enviable reputation not limited by the confines of his own county. In recognition of his mental and moral worth, Gov. Gray appointed Mr. Smith Pres- ident of the Board of Trustees of the Soldiers' Orphans' Home at Knightstown, Ind., and the wisdom of the Governor's choice has been amply proved. In July, 1886, the buildings of the institution were destroyed by fire, and with laudable zeal and public spirit, without awaiting the action of the Legislature respecting the ap- propriations that, might be necessary to defray the expenses incur- red, Mr. Smith and his associates at once commenced and vigorously prosecuted the work of reconstruction. The importance of the work done by Mr. Smith and his especial fitness therefor, are recog- nized by all patriotic citizens, and it is gratifying to know that the meed of praise which is so justly his due, is not being withheld.
JESSE J. SPANN .- Prominent among the deceased members of the Rush County Bar, is Hon. Jesse J. Spann. He was born in Madison, Ind., in 1843, and died in Rushville, Ind., February 22, 1887. When a small boy his father died, and in the course of time his mother married again. Soon afterward the family removed to Shelbyville, Ind., where Mr. Spann spent his boyhood and youth, receiving a limited education. They removed from Shelbyville to Rock Island, Ills., and Mr. Spann was employed in coal mining and steam-boating until the breaking out of the war in April, 1861, when he entered the service as a private in one of the Illinois reg- iments. Immediately after the expiration of his term of three months, he entered the service as a private in the Fourth Illinois Cavalry, and served in that regiment for three and one-half years. While in the service he participated in the battles of Belmont, Forts Donaldson and Henry, Shiloh and Corinth, the siege of Vicksburg, and a great many minor engagements. He was as good and brave a soldier as ever lived, so they say who served with him. After the close of the war he paid Capt. P. J. Beachbard, of this city a visit, and while here resolved to make Rushville his future home. This was in the fall of 1864. Shortly after locating here he en- gaged in the grain and mercantile business, and continued in that
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business until 1870. He then began the study of law in the office of John W. Study, and in the fall of 1871 was admitted to the Bar. His success as a lawyer was almost phenomenal, and took front rank almost from the beginning among the ablest men of the Bar. His services were always in demand in important jury cases, both civil and criminal. In 1880, he was elected to the Indiana State Senate for a term of four years, representing the Counties of Rush, Fayette and Union. He was considered the leader on the Re- publican side. After the expiration of his term in the Senate, he was actively engaged in the practice of his profession, until within six weeks of his death. His last great speech was made in the "Kennedy Murder Trial." In December, 1865, he was mar- ried to Miss Jerusha Pugh, daughter of the late Rue Pugh, Esq. To this union were born three daughters, namely: Permelia A., Jessie E., and Winifred Pugh, all of whom are living with their mother, who resides in a comfortable house on Ruth Street.
CHARLES S. SPRITZ was born in the city of Cincinnati, Oc- tober 23, 1857, being the son of Harris and Sarah (Strouse ) Spritz, the former a native of Poland, and the latter a native of Bavaria. His boyhood and youth were spent in Cincinnati, where he attended school, and at the age of fourteen he entered the clothing business in the capacity of a clerk. At nineteen he was promoted to the position of book-keeper for his employers, and thus continued three years. In July, 1879, he entered the law office of S. F. Cary, where he was a student at law until in May, of 1880, and during that time he also attended law-school in Cincinnati. He was ad- mitted to the Bar in the spring of 1880, and went to Indianapolis where he entered into a law partnership with C. P. Jacobs. Ile continued to practice his profession three years, after which here- turned to Cincinnati and took a position as book-keeper in a whole- sale clothing house. In August, 1886, he came to Rushville and engaged in mercantile pursuits in partnership with John A. Walsh, the firm name being Spritz & Walsh. He was married October 23, 188I, to Tillie Levy, of Cincinnati, and by her he has two chil- dren: Ruth and Sylvia. Our subject is a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge, and a Democrat in politics.
JOHN A. SPURRIER, jeweler, was born in Morristown, Shelby County, Ind., February 17, 1847. He was the oldest of seven children, three sons and four daughters, born to Joseph and Cyn- thia A. (Holden) Spurrier, who now reside in Arlington, this county. His early life was chiefly spent in his native town where he attended school in winter, and indulged in the pastimes incident to youth in summer. At the age of seventeen he began the study of music, and after three years of close application he became a
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teacher of both vocal and instrumental music, in which capacity he continued for about fifteen years. In the meantime he came to Rushville, in 1873, a resident of which he has been ever since. On the Ist day of August, ISS3, he purchased the jewelry and music store he now owns, and to it his entire attention has been given ever since. He was married July 7, 1868, to Mary Agnes Dailey, a native of Fayette County, Ind., born October 1, 1851. She was the daughter of Dr. Jesse and Miriam (Gray) Dailey, both of whom are natives of Fayette County, Ind., where they still reside. Mr. and Mis. Spurrier are the parents of five children, as follows: Lowell M., born September 11, 1869; Leona May, born March 29, 1872; Ida A., born September 1, 1878; Whitelaw Reid, born November 22, ISSO, and Hazel D., born January 24, 1886. Our subject, his wife and two eldest children are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Spurrier is a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge, and, in politics, he is a Democrat. He is an enterprising, progressive and reliable business man.
SIMEON H. STEWART, an enterprising farmer, was born in Rush County, February 2, 1826, the son of Thomas and Caroline (West) Stewart, and is of English descent. His father was born in Kentucky, and died in Hamilton County, Ind., in IS62. His mother was also a Kentuckian, and died in Rush County about 1863. Our subject was the third of eleven children, five of whom are living. He was raised on a farm, and it was then known as the woods of the township. He was a student at the Webb school house. He began working for himself at the age of twenty-six years. He settled where he now lives in 1854. He owns ninety- three acres of land in this county, and eighty-two acres in Hamilton County, and also some property in Circleville. August 23, 1854, Mr. Stewart was married to Miss Charlotte T. Newbold, who was born in this county in November, 1833, the daughter of Francis and Elizabeth Newbold. Her father was born in Virginia, and died in this township in 1854. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart were blessed with eight children, viz .: Robert F., Sidney C., Armilda, Cynthia B., Lysander W., Alonzo L., Marshall, and Fannie. Mr. Stewart is a staunch Republican, and has always showed an active interest in that party. In ISSo, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and served four years. The entire family are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Stewart has resided in this county sixty- one years, while his wife has resided here for fifty-four years.
JOHN W. STUDY, attorney, was born in Randolph County, Ind., September 19, 1844. He is the son of Levi and Sarah (Ballen- ger) Study, natives of Maryland and Virginia, respectively, the former of German, and the latter of English descent. He was
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reared upon a farm in his native county. At the age of eighteen he began teaching school, and taught two winters. In April, 1864, , he entered Company F, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Indiana Regiment, with which he served about six months. For two years following this he was employed by the Pennsylvania Central Railroad Co., in different capacities. In the latter part of 1867, he entered upon the study of law and engaged in the insurance business in Union City, Ind., in which two capacities he continued until the spring of 1869, when he went to Centerville, Wayne Co., and there he studied law in the office of Henry C. Fox, nine months. He then came to Rushville, and here he has given his entire atten- tion to the practice of law. His marriage occurred April 20, 1870, when Miss Sue Brown became his wife. By her he has had four children: Winslow, Corry, Woody, and Charles B., of whom, Winslow and Corry are dead. In politics, Mr. Study is an ardent Republican, and takes a lively interest in the success of his party.
ALFRED SWAIN, one of Rush County's old pioneers, and an hon- ored and worthy citizen of Rushville, was born in Union Co., Ind., September 22, 1825. He was the youngest of four children, three sons and one daughter, born to Thomas and Lydia ( Folger ) Swain, both natives of North Carolina, of English descent. His father was the son of Joseph and Jedidah (Macy) Swain, both natives of Nantucket Island. His mother was the daughter of Latham and Matilda (Worth) Folger, both of whom were also born on Nan- tucket Island. His two brothers were Franklin F. and Alonzo, both of whom are deceased. His sister's name is Elvira, who is now the widow of Isaac Barnard, and resides in Clarke Co., Iowa. When he was seven years old, his parents removed to Rush County and located in the woods of Posey Township, where our subject spent his boyhood and early youth assisting to clear and cultivate his father's farm. His mother died when he was eight years old, after which he continued with his father upon the farm until the latter's death, which occurred January 7, 1846. For about six years thereafter our subject was variously employed, but chiefly as a farm-hand and as a clerk. In January, 1852, he engaged in general merchandising in Manilla, this county. On the 31st day of December, 1852, he had the misfortune of having his store and entire stock destroyed by fire, a loss which Mr. Swain sorely felt, as it was wholly uninsured. For some four or five years thereaf- ter he was engaged as salesman in a store at Manilla, and other- wise employed, after which he spent a period of about five years upon the old homestead, in Posey Township. In 1864, he opened up a country store in Posey Township, which he conducted about four years and a half. He then removed to Arlington, where his
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attention was given to mercantile pursuits until 1874. In January, , 1875, he came to Rushville, a resident of which he has been ever since. For about seven years after locating here he dealt in lum- ber. Since 1881, he has had no regular pursuit, but has been lead- ing the life of a retired citizen. His first marriage occurred Sep- tember 16, 1852, when Miss Laurinda Barnard became his wife. She was born in Union Co., Ind., July 17, 1825, and was the daugh- ter of Jethro and Sally (Gardner ) Barnard, both natives of North Carolina. Mrs. Laurinda Swain died March 18, 1874, and August 1, 1875, Mr. Swain was married to Miss Rhoda E. Barnard, a younger sister of his first wife, who was born in Union County, this State, April 3, 1837. Mr. Swain's first marriage resulted in the birth of three children, as follows: Alva H., born April 26, 1854; Clara E., born October 30, 1856, and Rosa E., born July 15, 1859, died August 23, 1863. Mr. and Mrs. Swain are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The former has been a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge over thirty-five years. In poli- tics, he is an ardent Republican. His first presidential vote was cast for Martin Van Buren in 1848. Since 1856, he has been an ardent supporter of the principles of the Republican party. He served as Assessor of Posey Township one term, and served this county as Real Estate Appraiser, one term.
DANIEL L. THOMAS was born in Walker Township, this county, March 9, 1842. He was the third of five children-four sons and one daughter-born to George and Sidney ( Walker) Thomas, both natives of Lewis County, Ky. The former, who was the son of Daniel and Mary (McQueen) Thomas, was born in November, 1805. The latter was the daughter of William and Margaret (Elliott) Walker, and was born March 5, 1807. His parents were married in their native county October 9, 1828. In October, 1832, they came to Rush County and located upon a farm in Walker Township, where both spent the rest of their lives, the father dying October 31, 1863, and the mother February 24, 1884. The three brothers of our subject were William W., born in Lewis County, Ky., November 16, 1829, died in Plattsmouth, Neb., Sep- tember 8, 1857; George W., born July 15, 1844, and John Q., born August 18, 1845. His sister's name is Mary M., who was born April 9, 1838, married to William M. Alexander, in 1861. Our subject was reared upon a farm in Walker Township. At the age of nineteen he entered the Northwestern Christian University, of Indianapolis, and attended during the session of 1861 and '62. In August, 1862, he entered the service of the Union Army, in Com- pany D, Sixty-eighth Indiana Infantry, with which he served until the close of the war. He participated in the battle of Chickamauga,
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during which, on the 20th day of September, 1863, he was wounded by a cannon ball that rebounded from the ground and struck him upon the right shoulder, which rendered him unfit for duty until in April, 1864, when he rejoined his regiment and served until the close of the war. For two years following the war Mr. Thomas was engaged at farming in Walker Township. In the fall of 1867 he re-entered the University at Indianapolis, where he completed a full classical course, graduating in 1871. From 1871 to 1874 he was engaged in the ministry of the Christian Church, and during a portion of the time was stationed at Leavenworth, Kans. In 1874, he entered the law department of the Northwestern Christian University, from which he graduated in 1875. Since then the chief occupation of Mr. Thomas has been that of a farmer and breeder of fine stock. He was married, October 12, 1865, to Amanda C. Moore, daughter of Presley and Rhoda (English ) Moore, both natives of Bath County, Ky. She was born in Rush- ville Township, this county, June 11, 1843. Her parents were married in their native county, in 1822, and came to Rush County in 1833. Our subject and his wife are faithful members of the Christian Church. The former is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, the G. A. R. and the K. of L. orders, and in politics he has heretofore affiliated with the Republican party. In more recent years Mr. Thomas has given considerable attention to the raising of fine stock, and in this connection he has won an enviable reputation. He has also gained considerable reputation as a writer, and at present he is editor of The Hog, a journal devoted to swine, and which is published in Chicago semi-monthly. He is at present President of the Indiana Trotting and Pacing Horse Breeders' As- sociation, and he is Vice-President of the National Swine Breeders' Association. He is an enterprising and progressive man.
WILLIAM E. WALLACE, one of the proprietors of the Rushville Jacksonian, was born in Rushville, August 29, 1851. His parents were Thomas and Eliza Wallace, the former of whom was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, October 8, 1810, and the latter at Lawrence- burg, Ind., September 3, 1819. They were married in May, 1837. Thomas Wallace served an apprenticeship at the printer's trade in Cincinnati, Ohio, and, after completing it, he came to Rushville, where he engaged in the publication of the Whig, in company with Samuel Davis, a brother-in-law. He was one of the pioneer editors of the county, and was a man with large influence for good. He served as County Treasurer two terms, and then resumed the newspaper business, which he continued until 1861. In that year he enlisted in the Union Army, but his death occurred in 1862, after only a few months' service. William E. is the fourth in a family of
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seven children. After his father's death, he made his home with an uncle, J. D. Carmichael, in Indianapolis, where he attended for a time the public schools. On account of his health, he was com- pelled to relinquish his studies, and he returned to his home in Rushville. He began the printing business in the office of Conde & Shumm, a business that has been his almost constant vocation from that time to this. In December, 1872, with Mr. Conde, he commenced publishing the facksonian, which had been suspended about six months. In July, of the following year, the interest of Conde was purchased by George H. Puntenney, and the firm of Puntenney & Wallace has very successfully continued the publica- tion of the facksonian to the present time. April 7, 1874, Mr. Wallace was united in matrimony to Clara E. Miner. Of their four children, but two survived the mother, who died June 29, 1884. For his second wife, Mr. Wallace married Lizzie E. Moffett, daugh- ter of Theophilus Moffett, of Rushville.
JOHN A. WALSH was born in Cincinnati, July 26, 1863. He was the son of John W. and Emma (Kendall) Walsh, the former a na- tive of Ireland, and the latter a native of England. He was reared in his native city, during which time he attended the public school. At the age of seventeen he entered the clothing business and fol- lowed the cutting trade until he reached the age of twenty-three. In August, 1886, he came to Rushville, where he has since been one of the proprietors of a clothing and gents' furnishing store. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge, and in politics, is a Democrat.
ISAAC WEBB, one of the leading farmers of Rushville Town- ship, was born where he now resides, April 8, 1841, and is the youngest son of five living children, born to Cuthbert and Hannah (Knotts) Webb, and is of English descent. Cuthbert Webb was born in Virginia, September 17, ISOI, and was the ninth in a family of twelve children, and was a son of Cuthbert and Polly (Jerral) Webb. The family on coming to America first settled in New England and then removed to Virginia, and were among the pio- neers of that old commonwealth, and later, the family came west- ward and settled in Ohio. The family came to Rush County as early as 1821, and first settled in Posey Township, and five years later removed to Rushville Township, where the father of Isaac Webb, at a good old age died, respected by all who knew him. He was a pioneer of Rush County. He was in the active days of his life one of the most industrious and energetic men the county ever had. In politics, he was an ardent Republican, having formerly been an old time Whig. The mother of Isaac Webb was born in Delaware, May 10, 1804, and died in Rush County, July 18, 1868.
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The subject here treated was raised on the old Webb homestead where he now lives. He was a pupil at the country schools, and took up the business of life for himself at twenty years of age. His occupation is that of a farmer, and in IS71 he settled where he now lives, and owns 160 acres of well improved land. His mar- riage occurred August 31, 1865, to Miss Margaret E. Ellison, who died February 27, 1884. To that marriage are these children, viz .: Larue, born May 15, 1869; Guy, born August 4, 1873; Carl, born July 25, 1878, and Chester, born August 27, 1880. Mr. Webb was united in marriage, February 17, 1886, to Miss Mary M. Lowe, born April 25, 1854, at Clarksburg, Decatur County, Ind. She is a daughter of William and Fannie ( Pritchard) Lowe. Her father was born in Virginia in 1810, and died in 1878, at Marysville, Mo., and the mother of Mrs. Webb was born in Ken- tucky in 1821, and now resides in Decatur County, Ind. To this second marriage relation is one child, viz .: Norah, born November 14, 1886. Politically, Mr. Webb is a firm friend of the Republican party and cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln. Mrs. Webb is a member of the Christian Church.
NATIIN WEEKS, Treasurer of Rush County, was born in . Henry County, Indiana, March 19, 1841. He was the son of Ben- jamin and Winnifred (Copeland) Weeks, both natives of North Carolina, the former of English descent. He was reared upon a farm in his native county. In September, 1861, he enlisted in Com- pany D, Thirty-sixth Indiana Volunteers, with which he served until the battle of Shiloh, when, upon the last day of the fight, he was wounded with a ball in the left thigh. After lying on the bat- tlefield three days, he was placed upon a boat that brought him to Evansville, thence to his home in Henry County. He had re- gained the use of his limb at the expiration of nine months, and he then engaged in the harness business in Greensboro, Henry Co. He continued in that business in that place and Cadiz, Henry Co., until 1873, when he came to Carthage, this county, and there con- ducted a meat market four years. In 1877, he opened a meat mar- ket in Rushville, which he conducted about nine years. In the fall of 1886, he was elected by the Republicans to the office of County Treasurer, and assumed the duties of that position December 1, 1886. He was married October 4, 1863, to Martha C. C. Macy, who was born in North Carolina in 1843, and daughter of Lorenzo Dow and Rachel (Rogers) Macy, the former a native of Nantucket Island, and the latter a native of North Carolina. Mr. Weeks is the father of two children: Ulysses L. and George F., both living. Mr. and Mrs. Weeks are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The former is a member of the I. O. O. F., the G. A. R.,
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