USA > Indiana > Shelby County > History of Shelby 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 57
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but shortly afterward they returned to this county, and again set- tled in Hendricks Township. Two years later, or in 1871, they re- moved to Tipton County, in this State. In 1873, they returned to this county and located, temporarily, in Addison Township. They removed to Brandywine Township, and settled upon the farm they now occupy, in the spring of 1874. The life occupation of Mr. Boals has been that of a farmer, and as such he has had good success. He and wife are the parents of eight children as follows: Mary B., born December IS, I85S: Samuel E., born January 19, 1861, died December 3, 1863; Thomas M., born October 11, 1863; Hattie L., born December 3, 1866; Albert W., born December 22, 1868; Sadie E., born June 16, 1871; Martha J., born February 15, 1875, died January 20, 1883, and a son that died in infancy, unnamed. Mr. and Mrs. Boals are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, the former is a staunch Democrat. He is an industrious farmer, and he and wife are among the worthy and es- teemed citizens of the township. They have a fine farm of about eighty acres, sixty of which are in an excellent state of cultivation. Their farm is fitted up with a very handsome frame residence, which, with other substantial improvements, makes it one of the most desirable locations in the county.
GEORGE W. BRYAN, an industrious farmer of Brandywine Township, and one of her honored citizens, was born in Pendleton County, Ky., September 30, 1844. He was the youngest of eleven children, eight sons and three daughters, born to Hampton and Margaret (Gosney) Bryan, both natives of Campbell County, Ky., the former of whom was born in 1796, and died September 20, 1844. The latter, who was the daughter of Benjamin Gosney, was born August 5, ISO3. His seven brothers were: William E., Benjamin L., Daniel B., Zachariah G., Napoleon B., John S., and Joseph H., of whom Zachariah G., John S. and Joseph H. are de- ceased. His three sisters were: Nancy M., Mary M. and Min- erva R., all of whom are living. As will be seen above, the father of our subject died before the latter was born. When he was yet a child about two years old his widowed mother removed to Camp- bell County, Ky., where was reared upon a farm. He attended the district school in winter, in which he received the rudiments of an education. At sixteen years of age he took up the avocation of a teacher and at that time taught two terms. At the age of eighteen or in February, 1863, he entered the service of the Confederate Army in Company C, First Kentucky Battalion, Mounted Riflemen, with which he served until the 7th day of the following October, when he was taken prisoner at Shelbyville, Tenn. After an im- prisonment of seventeen months at Camp Morton, Indianapolis, he
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was given his freedom, after which he remained for some time in this State. He returned to Campbell County, Ky., in the spring of 1866, and resumed the avocation of a farmer and school teacher. He continued to teach in winter and farm in summer, until the spring of 1870, when he returned to this State and during one sum- mer he was engaged in private study at Franklin, Johnson County. During the two winters that followed he taught school in that county. His marriage to Mary E. Murphy occurred March 21, 1872. She was born in Hendricks Township, this county, October 21, 1847. She was the daughter of Samuel and Sophia E. (Vaughan) Murphy, the former a native of Lycoming County, Penn., of Irish descent, and the latter a native of Preble County, Ohio, of English descent. Her paternal grandparents were John and Jane (Porter) Murphy who were natives of Ireland. Her maternal grandparents were Thomas and Sarah (Slayback) Vaughan, the former a native of England, and the latter a native of New Jersey. Mrs. Bryan had two brothers, and five sisters, as follows: Sarah J., John T., Martha E., Annie J., George S., Ora J., Nellie R., of whom Sarah J., Annie J. and Ora J., are deceased. Immediately after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Bryan, located upon a farm in Hendricks Township, this county. A year later they removed to Brandywine Township, in which they have ever since resided. They are the parents ot one child, Bertha S., born April 7, 1874. Since his marriage Mr. Bryan has given his entire attention to his farm ex- cepting two winters, during which he taught school in Hendricks Township. He and wife and daughter, Bertha, are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics the former is a Demo- crat. He is an enterprising, intelligent and successful farmer, and he and wife are worthy and esteemed citizens. They have a hand- some farm of eighty acres, about fifty-five acres of which is in a high state of cultivation. Their farm is fitted up with a nice resi- dence, which, with other substantial improvements makes a very de- sirable location.
THOMAS B. CAREY, one of the industrious farmers of Brandy- wine Township, was born near Wheeling, in Brooke County, West Virginia, May 4, 1839. He was the oldest of four children, one son and three daughters, born to Thomas V., and Margaret E. (Lee) Carey, the latter of whom was a relation of the illustrious General Robert E. Lee. His parents were natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania, respectively, the former of Scotch-Irish and the latter of German descent. In IS50, he accompanied his parents to this State, and located with them in the town of Edinburg. Two years later the family came to Shelby County, and located at Fair- land, then a little hamlet of perhaps a half dozen houses. There
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the father and mother spent the rest of their lives, their respective deaths occurring May 14, 1856, and August 11, 1854. Left an or- phan at this early age and penniless at that, the prospects for a bright future were very discouraging to young Thomas. How- ever, he made the most of his surroundings, and with willing hands as his only capital, he went to work, and spent the greater portion of his youth working upon a farm in summer and endeavoring to secure an education in winter. During this time he also worked some at the carpenter's trade, to which he was naturally inclined. He has always possessed a great deal of natural tact and genius, and to secure a knowledge of carpentry as he did, without any in- struction, was but little trouble to him. In April, 1861, he entered the service of the Union Army, in Company H, 16th Indiana Vol- unteer Infantry, commanded by Captain William Judkins. He en- tered as a private, but at the organization of the company was chosen Third Sergeant, and shortly thereafter was promoted to the rank of Orderly Sergeant, which position he held until the mus- tering out of the company at Washington, D. C., in May, 1862. He then returned to Shelby County and assisted in recruiting and organizing Company F, Seventieth Indiana Volunteer Infan- try, which entered the service under command of Gen. Harrison. Mr. Carey was first chosen a Second Lieutenant, but when the company was mustered in at Indianapolis he was commissioned as Second Lieutenant. With this he served until in August, 1864, when, owing to the uncongeniality existing between him and Gen. Harrison, he resigned, returned again to this county, and in the winter of 1864, he recruited the Ninth Indiana Cavalry Com- pany. Of this he was chosen Captain, but in consequence of an attack of erysipleas he was incapacitated for duty and when his health was restored he entered as a private in Company G, One Hundred and Forty-eighth Indiana Infantry, with which he served until the close of the war. He then returned to Fairland and accepted a position as salesman in a general store. He also worked at the trades of carpenter and painter occasionally. He was married April 5, 1868, to Susan E. Reed, a native of this county, and daughter of Isham and Irene (Ray) Reed. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Carey resided for two years upon a farm in Brandy- wine Township. The former taught school in winter. He resumed his position as salesman in the store at Fairland in IS70, and in 1872 he was elected a Justice of the Peacc and was re-elected in 1876, but in the fall of that year he resigned the office to accept the posi- tion of Deputy Sheriff of Shelby County. In the meantime his marriage relation was severed by the death of his wife February 27, 1876. After serving two years as Deputy Sheriff, he was
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employed as salesman in the local agricultural implement trade. Two years later he entered the employ of Walter A. Wood for whom he traveled as salesman four years. On the first day of November, 1885, he was united in mariage to Sarah J. Holmes, a native of Moral Township, this county, born February 22, 1840. She was the youngest of five children, two sons and three daughters, born to George W. and Sarah (Floyd) Holmes, the former a native of Broom County, N. Y., and the latter a native of Madison County, Ky., both of English descent. The first marriage of Mr. Carey resulted in the birth of three children: Charles G., May I., and Maggie B., all of whom are living. Mr. Carey is a member of the F. & A. M. Lodge, and a staunch Democrat in politics. He and wife have a good farm of 160 acres and a comfortable home where they reside in a quiet, happy way. They are among the worthy and esteemed citizens of the township.
JOSEPH L. CARSON. ex-Auditor of Shelby County, Ind., was born in Marion County, Ind., October 7, 1836, and is the son of Alexan- der and Mary (Wells) Carson - he is a native of Ohio, and she of Kentucky - who settled in Marion County about 1828. Joseph L. was the fifth in a family of six children, and, his mother dying in Marion County when he was but four years old, his father was married to Mary Morphew, to whom were born six children. When Joseph L. was thirteen years old, his parents moved to Tip- ton County, Ind., where he lived three years, then returned to Mar- ion County, where he grew to manhood. His father died in Clinton County, of this State. In 1864, Mr. Carson came to Shelby County, settling in Fairland, where he engaged in general mer- chandising and grain dealing, which he carried on until the close of 1877, when he sold out his business and interests therein. During his residence at Fairland, he filled the office of Justice of the Peace ten years. He was married in Marion County, Ind., March 8, 1864, to Nancy Smith, daughter of Samuel and Agnes Smith, natives of Kentucky: Mrs. Carson was born in Marion County, Ind., and has two children. She is a member of the Baptist, and her husband of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, also of the A. O. U. W., and politically a staunch Democrat, believing that the principles of that party are conducive to the stability and perpetuation of a free government. In 1878, Mr. Carson was elected on the Democratic ticket, Auditor of Shelby County, Ind., taking his seat September 1, 1879. He was a careful and painstaking official, and after the expiration of his term of office he returned to Fairland, where his home has ever since been. In 1885, he again engaged in merchandising and the grain business which he has continued to the present time. In May,
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1887, he was appointed by Gov. Gray, President of the Board of Benevolent Institutions of the State, a position he now fills. Mr. Carson is one of the county's leading citizens, and this public recog- nition of his services is well merited. His portrait appears in this volume.
DANIEL T. CULBERTSON, one of the prominent citizens of Fair- land, was born in Wayne County, Ind., May 24, 1817. He was the sixth of twelve children born to Robert and Rebecca (King) Culbertson, the former a native of New Castle County, Delaware, and the latter a native of Louden County, Virginia, of Scotch and English descent, respectively. Our subject was reared upon a farm in his native county, and at seventeen years of age he entered White Water College, of Centreville, Wayne County, where he completed a classical course, graduating at twenty-one years of age. In the meantime he had taken up the avocation of a teacher, having taught two terms before entering college. On completing his education he resumed the business of teaching and thus con- tinued for five years. During that time he devoted his spare moments to the study of law, and at the age of twenty-two he was admitted to the bar. He entered upon the practice in Centreville, and continued until 1845, when he located upon a farm and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He thus continued in Wayne County until IS63, when he located in Olive Hill of that county, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits and also acted in the ca- pacity of postmaster and railroad agent. In 1867, he sold out and after spending some time visiting with relatives in Virginia and Kentucky, he came to Shelby County, in 1868, and located in Fair- land, a resident of which he has been ever since. He was married January 17, 1839, to Martha Hoover, a native of Wayne County, and his former school mate. She was born March 17, ISIS, and was the daughter of Henry and Susannah ( Clark ) Hoover, both natives of North Carolina. The death of Mrs. Culbertson occurred October 22, 1867, and on the 17th day of November, 1868, he was married to Mrs. Martha Smith, daughter of Alexander and Sarah ( Tallbot) Bridgland, and was born in Campbell County, Va., August 3, 1830. The first marriage of Mr. Culbertson re- sulted in the birth of five children, Thomas J., Louisa A., Martha S., John F. and Anna J., of whom John F. and Anna J. died, each one aged about eighteen years.
He and his present wife are the parents of two children, Lillie D. and Carrie M., both living. Mr. and Mrs. Cullbertson are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, the former is a Democrat. While a resident of Wayne County he served as Justice of the Peace five years. In the fall of 1852, he was the candidate of his party for the office of
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County Treasurer, and reduced an opposing majority from 2,500 down to sixty-three which reflects very creditably upon his stand- ing in that county. In 1876, he was elected one of the Commis- sioners of Shelby County and served one term, during which time the county court was remodeled and fitted up to its present good condition. In 1882, he was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace and served four years. In all of his official capacities he has discharged his duties with credit to himself and satisfaction to the public. He is now acting as Deputy Prosecutor of Brandywine and Sugar Creek Townships. He is now in the seventieth year of his age, and would easily pass for a man of fifty-five. He is an influential man and he and wife are worthy and esteemed citizens. In ISSo, Mr. Culbertson performed the duties of Census Taker in Brandywine Township, and his report proved to be perfectly true in every particular.
ELZY ENSMINGER, a prominent young farmer of Brandywine Township, and the present Trustee of that township, was born in Liberty Township, this county, June 24, 1850. He was the oldest of five children born to St. Clair and Sarah ( Wilson ) Ensminger, with whom he remained working upon the farm until he reached the age of twenty, when he took up the vocation of a school teacher. He taught in all, six consecutive terms with good success. He was married March 16, 1873, to Martha E. Hilligoss, a native of Rush County, this State, born July 21, 1849, and daughter of Jacob Hilligoss, who also was a native of Rush County. Mr. and Mrs. Ensminger continued to reside upon a farm in Van Buren Township for six years after their marriage, and in 1879, they re- moved to Brandywine Township, and settled upon a farm in Sec- tion 35, where they have ever since resided. They are the parents of five children, Oscar, Nellie, Urban, and a son and daughter that died in infancy unnamed. The son was the twin brother of Nellie, and the daughter was the twin sister of Urban. Mr. Ensminger is a member of the F. & A. M. Lodge, and a staunch Democrat in politics. While a resident of Van Buren Township, he held the
office of Assessor one term. He was elected Trustee of Brandy- wine Township in the spring of 1884, and was re-elected in the spring of 1886. He owns a farm of eighty-three acres, nearly all of which is in a good state of cultivation. He is an industrious and successful farmer, a trustworthy official, and a first class citizen.
WILLIAM A. EWING, an industrious young farmer of Brandy- wine Township, was born in the township in which he resides, February 16, 1848. He was the oldest of six children, three sons and three daughters born to James A. and Sarah ( Allen) Ewing, both natives of Hamilton County, Ohio, the former of Dutch and
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Scotch-Irish descent, and the latter of English descent. His parents were married in their native county in 1844, and shortly afterward they came to this county and settled in Brandywine Township, where the father died March 15, 1870, and where the mother still resides. His brothers are: John C. and James R., both of whom are living. His sisters are: Sarah J., Mary E. and Elizabeth E., all of whom are living. As yet, but one death has occurred in the family, which is that of the father. The subject of this sketch was reared upon his father's farm. He continued upon the old home place until the time of his marriage, which occurred March 27, 1872, when Eliza Watts became his wife. She was also born in Brandywine Township, the date being September 17, 1850. She was the daughter of Morgan and Elizabeth (Judd) Watts, who came to this county with their respective parents in an early day. Immediately after the marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Ewing located upon the farm they now occupy, and which is a part of the one upon which the former was born. The life occupation of Mr. Ewing has been that of a farmer, and as such he has been reasonably success- ful. He and wife are the parents of two children, both sons. They are William F., born January 22, 1875, and Charles M., born July 9, 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Ewing are members of the Methodist Protestant Church. Politically, Mr. Ewing is in favor of the prin- ciples of the United Labor Party. He has served as Assessor of his township, one term. He owns a small farm of about twenty- eight acres, nearly all of which is in cultivation. He is an honest, upright man, and a No. I citizen.
ANTHONY A. FRAKER, of Brandwine Township, was born in the City of Wilmington, Delaware, February 3, 1834. He was the second of six children, four sons and two daughters, born to Anthony and Hannah (Preston) Fraker, the former of whom was born in Oberhoff, Switzerland, November 27, 1799, and emigrated to America with his mother, in 1816. After an eventful voyage of ninety days, they landed at New Castle, near Philadelphia, on New Year's Day, 1817. He remained with the man who paid his pas- sage seven years, after which he spent two years in Philadelphia. He then spent one winter in New Orleans, after which he returned to Wilmington, Delaware, and there was married to Hannah Pres- ton. She died twelve years later, leaving to his care four small children. With these he emigrated to Indiana, and settled in Brown County. He afterward moved to Johnson County, five miles north of Franklin, where he was married to Sarah Anderson. He moved to Shelby County in 1865, where he has ever since resided except three years during which he was a resident of Edin- burg, where his second wife died. He now makes his home with the
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subject of this sketch, and though in the eighty-eighth year of his age he is enjoying good health and still works at the trade of a carpet weaver, which has been the chief vocation of his life. The paternal grandparents of our subject were: Joseph and Anna (Taylor) Fraker. His maternal grandparents were, Isaac and Sarah (Cartwell) Preston, the former a native of Ireland, and the latter a native of Delaware. His three brothers were Joseph, Isaac and Daniel, the last two of whom are de- ceased. His two sisters were Sarah and Mary, the former of whom is deceased. His mother was born in Pennsylvania. He was about fifteen years old when his father came to this State and settled in Brown County. About three years later they removed to Johnson County. There our subject was married to Melissa . Bishop, October 6, 1859. She was born in Brandywine Township, this county, June 5, 1839, and was the daughter of Isaac and Weighty (Tilson) Bishop, both natives of Virginia. Her paternal grandparents were: John B. and Rhoda Bishop. Her maternal grandparents were: Thomas and Eunice Tilson. She had six broth- ers and four sisters, as follows: Ransom, Mary A., Marcy, Stephen, Rhoda, John B., Eunice E .. David, William H., and Lewis C., of whom, Ransom, Mary A., Rhoda, Eunice E., and David, are de- ceased. Immediately after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Fraker located in Brandywine Township, in which they have ever since re- sided. Since his marriage, Mr. Fraker has given his entire atten- tion to farming, in which pursuit he has had good success. Heand wife are the parents of five children: Florence A., born Jan- uary 6, 1861; Lillie B., born April 6, 1863, died April 26, 1866: Maggie M., born December 29, 1866, died December 18, 1870; Minnie I., born February 19, 1874, and Clarence T., born July 26, 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Fraker are members of the Baptist Church. In politics the former is an ardent Republican. He owns a hand- . some little farm of fifty-one acres, nearly all of which is under cul- tivation. He is an industrious farmer, and he and wife are among the worthy and esteemed citizens of the township.
PHILIP GEPHART, an old and honored citizen of Brandywine Township, is a native of Montgomery County, Ohio, born October 3, 1829. He was the sixth of eleven children-seven sons and four daughters-born to John and Julia Ann Gephart, both natives of Lancaster County, Pa., of German descent. He spent his boy- hood upon a farm in his native county. At fifteen years of age he began to learn the trade of a shoemaker. This was finished in due time and received his attention for six years. December 27, IS5I, he was married in his native county to Judith A. Pomeroy, a native of Henry County, Va., born April 8, 1832, and daughter of
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Thomas and Judith (Fifer) Pomeroy, the former a native Connec- ticut, and the latter a native of Virginia, of French and English descent, respectively. For seven years after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Gephart resided upon a farm in Montgomery County, Ohio. In 1858, they came to this county and located upon the farm they now occupy near Fairland. They are the parents of five children, as follows: Florence, born February 8, 1853, died August 17, 1853: Agnes J., born March 18, 1854, died July 29, 1854: Julia Ann, born February 20, 1855: Charles T., born June 21, 1857. and George H., born August 22, 1859. Mr. and Mrs. Gephart are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics the former is a staunch Democrat. He is the owner of 200 acres of excellent land, about three-fourths of which is in a high state of cultivation. He is an industrious and successful farmer, and he and wife are worthy and esteemed citizens.
WILLIAM GOODWIN, a prominent farmer and honored citizen of Brandywine Township, was born in Hendricks Township, this county, July 31, 1829. He was the eldest of nine children, three sons and six daughters, born to James and Patsy (Landingham) Goodwin, the former a native of Butler County, Ohio, of English and Irish descent, and the latter a native of North Carolina, of English descent. His father, James Goodwin, came to this county with his father, mother and one sister, in I822, and settled in Hen- dricks Township. His paternal grandparents were John and Mar-
tha Goodwin. His two brothers are John and Martin, both of whom are living. His six sisters were: Elizabeth, Amanda, Eliza, Mary, Maria and Celia, all of whom are deceased, except Maria, who is the wife of Lewis Ray, of Shelby Township. The sub- ject of this sketch was reared upon his father's farm, and at twelve years of age he accompanied his parents to Addison Township, where he continued with them until his marriage, which occurred December 21, 1854. His wife was Sarah, daughter of Zebedee and Martha (Pierce) Ray, both natives of North Car- olina. Mrs. Goodwin was born in Addison Township, this county, January 19, 1839. She had seven brothers as follows: Reuben, William, Simeon, Alfred, Hudson, Martin M. and Edward, all of whom are living except Reuben. She had three sisters: Jincey, Elizabeth and Eliza, of whom Elizabeth only is living. The pater- nal grandparents of Mrs. Goodwin were Hudson and Margaret (Byerly) Ray, both natives of North Carolina. Her maternal grandparents were John and Clarissa Pierce, both of whom were also natives of North Carolina. Immediately after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin located upon a farm in Hendricks Town- ship. Two years later they removed to Brandywine Township,
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