USA > Indiana > Fountain County > Portrait and biographical record of Montgomery, Parke and Fountain counties, Indiana : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens : together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 14
USA > Indiana > Montgomery County > Portrait and biographical record of Montgomery, Parke and Fountain counties, Indiana : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens : together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 14
USA > Indiana > Parke County > Portrait and biographical record of Montgomery, Parke and Fountain counties, Indiana : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens : together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 14
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Our subject lived in Washington County until he reached his ninth year, receiving his educa- tion in the subscription schools of that early day, where he obtained a fair knowledge of books. He remained with his mother until his marriage, which was celebrated September 30, 1847. The lady of his choice was Miss Jane R. Steel, who was the daughter of Nathaniel Steel, a farmer of Parke County, who had emigrated here from Virginia about 1833. Mrs. Spencer, the wife of our sub- ject, was born in Virginia January 31, 1828. She was reared in her native State, and was about five
years old when she came West with her parents. One child came to bless this union, Nathaniel, who lives in this township and is a farmer and carpenter by occupation. The good wife and mother passed away at her home August 10, 1848.
On the 12th of February, 1851, Mr. Spencer was united in marriage with Catherine, a daughter of Jacob Westbrook, who lived in Monroe Coun- ty, near Bloomington, this State, and was a na- tive of South Carolina, coming to Monroe County in 1833. Catherine was born October 28, 1827, and was but six years old when her parents emi- grated to Indiana. After his first marriage Mr. Spencer located on the Big Raccoon, where he re- mained from the spring of 1848 to 1865, when he removed to the farm where he now lives. To himself and wife were born six children, five of whom are still living, viz .: William W., a resi- dent of Crawford County, Ill., where he is en- gaged in farming; Tilamen R., who resides in Russell Township, Putnam County, this State; James A. and Alexander (twins), the former liv- ing in Carthage, Mo., where he is engaged in the stock trade, and the latter a stock-dealer in Craw- ford County, Ill .; and Mary, wife of J. W. Ramsey, a resident of this township. Sarah Elizabeth died at the age of four months.
Mr. Spencer owned two hundred and seventy acres of finely cultivated land, but recently di- vided a portion of it among his children, keeping one hundred and ten acres for himself, and he has since purchased forty-five acres more, making a total of one hundred and fifty-five acres for his own farming purposes. He has given all his chil- dren a good school education, besides about $2,800 apiece as a start in life. This includes the ex- penses of their education. He is a general farmer and stock-raiser, and has been keeping some fine horses, four of which he sold at $100 each when two years old. Politically, Mr. Spencer was reared a Democrat and Abolitionist, but when the Re- publican party was formed he cast his ballot for its candidates till St. John was nominated, since which time he has been a strong Prohibitionist. He has always been a very stanch temperance man and is in favor of the principles of the Prohibi- tion platform, Ile was a candidate for County
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Commissioner on the Prohibition ticket, but was defeated. In religious life he and his wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church, and he has served as an Elder since 1865.
OHN CLARK HUTTON, Treasurer of Mont- gomery County, Ind., is a genial and effi- cient officer of the people in the respon- sible position he now occupies. There is no office in a county where a man of entire trust- worthiness, integrity and ability is more needed than in that of Treasurer, as the finances and funds are placed in his hands for safe keeping, and he is the medium through which thousands of dollars are paid for defraying expenses and meet- ing appropriations.
The subject of this sketch was born in Union, Montgomery County, Ind., August 3, 1849, and is the son of Jacob and Lydia (Clark) Hutton, the the former of whom still resides on his farm in Montgomery County. John Hutton is the eldest in the family of seven children, four of whom are living. He was reared on the farm until reaching his eighteenth year, receiving a common-school education. He was intelligent and ambitious, and therefore entered Wabash College, where he was a student for three years. Some of the pleasantest memories of his life cluster around the days spent within these walls, but on account of failing health he was obliged to give up his plans in re- gard to there completing his education.
When the health of Mr. Hutton had become re- established he entered the dry-goods store of C. M. Crawford, where he remained for a period of thir- teen years. From August, 1883, until August, 1887, he served faithfully as Deputy-Sheriff under the administration of Alexander Hunter. The year 1888 was spent in Lower California, where he traveled for the Gulf Gold-Mining Company, in whose employ he was. After his return from the far West, he became identified with the dry-goods house of D. W. Rountree, where he remained un-
til he was elected in November, 1890, to his pres- ent office on the Democratic ticket. His oppo- nent was A. F. Ramsey, our subject being elected by a majority of three hundred and sixty votes. He assumed the duties of the office September 1, 1891. Mr. Hntton has been one of the party or- ganizers in this locality for some time, and has always been active in local affairs.
The marriage of our subject was celebrated May 20, 1873, with Miss Anna Townsend, of Akron, Ohio, daughter of Ferris and Belinda Townsend, and their union has been blessed with three chil- dren: Birde (deceased), Mabel and Joy. Mr. and Mrs. Hutton dispense a gracions hospi- tality at their pleasant home on Wabash Avenue. Fraternally, our subject belongs to Lodge No. 223, I. O. O. F., in which he has passed all the chairs, and to Bayard Lodge, K. P. He is in the prime of life, full of energy and life, and is conducting the affairs of his office faithfully and to the full satisfaction of his constituents and many friends.
HOMAS H. OVERPECK is a leading agri- culturist and a man of influence in Adams Township. His residence is on section 32, and in company with his brother-in-law he owns three hundred and twenty acres. Though he devotes considerable attention to general farming, he is particularly interested in handling and raising fine Galloway cattle, having all of his stock registered. For the past eight years he has been devoted to this branch of business, has stic- ceeded remarkably well, and has gained a good reputation among the stockmen of this neighbor- hood.
Our subject is the son of Valentine Overpeek, who was born in Virginia, and when only nine years of age emigrated with his parents to Cin- cinnati. His youth was passed in Butler County, Ohio, where was celebrated his marriage with Miss Martha, a daughter of Daniel Harshman, a native
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of Germany. Mrs. Overpeck's birth occurred in Rockingham County, Va., and with her parents she emigrated to Ohio when in her sixteenth year. After her marriage, she and her husband con- tinued to live in Butler County until 1832. The latter entered the land which is now the home of our subject, and which at that time was in a per- fectly wild condition. He afterward entered one hundred and sixty acres in Adams Township, on section 24, and later became the owner of forty acres on section 29, and at the time of his death owned altogether about five hundred acres. It was in 1858 that he departed this life, his wife surviving him nearly thirty years. He was one of the first settlers of the township. Politically, he was a Democrat, and, religiously, was an active worker and member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Thomas H. Overpeck is one of seven children, of whom four still survive. Ilis brother John is also a resident of this township, while his sister Mattie is the wife of D. II. Lollis, of Meredocia, Ill., and his sister Nancy is the wife of S. R. Beal, of this township. Our subject was born on the old homestead, January 22, 1836, and received his education in the old log schoolhouse of the period. On arriving at maturity he married Cynthia Ann, danghter of Abel Ball. She was born in Adams Township, where her family were early residents.
Soon after his marriage, Mr. Overpeck located on the place which has ever since been his home. lIe has six children, Ella J., Mary A., Frank L., Charles, George and Pearl 11. The father is a strong Democrat and an active worker in politi- cal circles. Ile is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is now one of the Trustees and was formerly a Steward. His wife holds membership with the Baptist Church. Fra- ternally, our subject is a member of Catlin Lodge No. 402, A. F. & A. M., and belongs to the Royal Arch Masons at Rockville, in which he is Past Master, in 1889 being sent as a delegate to the Grand Lodge at Indianapolis.
The fine farm belonging to Mr. Overpeck com- prises three hundred and twenty acres, which are all located in Adams Township, with the sole excep- tion of a piece of twenty aeres which lies in Rac- coon Township. A part of his land is thickly
timbered, but the remainder is fertile and under good cultivation. In addition to this, he is the owner of a half-section of land in Nodaway County, Mo., which is also well improved, and is rented by the owner. Also one hundred and twenty acres on sections 26, 27 and 29, Adams Township.
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H. GILLUM, M. D .. is a practicing physi- cian and surgeon at Rockville, Parke County. Ile is an intelligent and well- informed gentleman, both along the lines of his profession and in general information, and has been for some time a correspondent for the Chicago Times and for the Indianapolis Sentinel. This city has been the field of his business career since June, 1873, and he has a large practice in the county. llis opinion is held in the highest respect in regard to all cases requiring skill and unusual care, and he is frequently called in consultation with other physicians. lle is a man of literary taste and abil- ity, having written a great deal for newspapers and medical journals. For a number of years he was surgeon for the T. II. & L. R. R., and holds the same position with the Vandalia Line, which runs through this place. He is Health Officer of Rock- ville, and altogether holds a place in the respect of the populace which is a truly enviable one.
Dr. Gillum was born in Greenville, Augusta County, Va., November 22, 1847, being the son of Dr. P. G. Gillum, who was a native of Albemarle County, Va., his birth having occurred near Char- lottesville in 1818. The family originally came to the United States from England, our subject's grandfather, James Gillum, having been one of the early settlers of Albemarle County, Va., where he became an extensive planter and slave-owner. Dr. P. G. was the youngest son in a family of five children, and was graduated from the medical de- partment of the Virginia University, and later from the Jefferson Medical College, in Philadelphia.
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After that event he returned to his native county, where he began his practice. He married Miss Mary L., youngest daugliter of Col. Thomas Jack- son, who was a prominent farmer of Augusta County, Va., and who was Sheriff of the county when it comprised nearly one-half of the State of West Virginia. He acquired his rank of Colonel in the War of 1812. After his marriage, Dr. Gil- lum, Sr., continued in the practice of medicine un- til he was drowned. While crossing a bridge, his horse became frightened and backed off into the water, and in this manner did death come to one of the most popular and prominent physicians in Virginia at that time. He was a supporter of the Democratic party. Great credit is due to him as the introducer of the modern treatment of typhoid and similar fevers.
The subject of this sketch was reared in the vil- lage of Greenville, and in 1867 he entered the university of Virginia, being graduated from the medical department. The following year he was graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore. Though only fourteen years of age at the breaking out of the war, he entered the Confederate service in Staunton, Va., and participated in important battles of the war, surrendering with Gen. Lee at Appomattox Court House. It was subsequent to this that he pursued his medical course, and after graduating, as previously mentioned, he returned to his birth- place, engaging there in practice until 1873, at which time he removed to Rockville.
The Doctor was united in marriage, February 17, 1874, with Miss Rebecca M., daughter of James Randolph. Mrs. Gillnm was born in Virginia, where she lived until the fall of 1865, when she came to this county with her stepfather. To the Doctor and his estimable wife has been born one son, John Randolph, who is now attending school. In regard to politics, our subject is a Democrat, and in 1888 was a candidate for Congress. He has been a member of the Democratic State Com- mittee, for twelve years has been Chairman of the County Committee, and has also served as Chair- man of the Congressional Committee, being one of the most active Democrats of this county. He organized the first Parke County Medical Society,
which was formed in 1874, since which time he has been its Secretary almost without interruption. In addition to this he also belongs to the Indiana State Medical Society, being a delegate to the same in 1874. For two terms he was a member of the City Council, and is popular among the Repub- licans as well as among the supporters of his own party. Another fact which speaks well for him as a man is that lie is much esteemed by the Union soldiers of this locality, though he was in the Con- federate service.
Socially, he is a member of the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, is a Royal Arch Mason and a Knight of Pythias, having been Grand Chancellor of this State, and first presiding officer of his lodge, and he was a representative of the Supreme Lodge of the World which met for the first time at Detroit, and next in New Orleans. For one term the Doctor served as Master in the Masonic lodge of Rockville.
B
OHN H. COCHIRAN, well known for many years as a successful and extensive agricul- turist, ably managing a magnificent farm of nine hundred acres, has now retired from active farming duties, but he still resides upon the homestead, which is pleasantly located in Madison Township, Montgomery County, Ind. Mr. Coch- ran was born in Fountain County, where Vee- dersburgh now stands, in 1825. His parents were among the early settlers of the State, but they were both natives of Virginia. His paternal grandfather was of Scotch parentage, but was reared in the South, where the father of our snb- ject was born about 1773.
Coming with the advancing tide of emigration to the Northwest, he located in the new State of Indiana, and was successful in maintaining his family and gathering together a valuable estate. John H. was the youngest in the family of seven children who brightened the pioneer home of
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William and Deborah (Custer) Cochran. One lit- tle one passed away in early life, but six survived to adult age. Margaret became the wife of John Wilson, of Crawfordsville; James married, and died in Medina, Ohio, leaving a family; Logan is now residing at Veedersburgh, Ind .; Mary was united in marriage with Henry Crawford, of Craw- fordsville; Amanda is the wife of William War- den, of Ohio; Jacob died in youth; and John. H., our subject, completes the list.
In 1851, Mr. Cochran married Miss Diana More- house, a daughter of William Morehouse, a pio- neer settler of Indiana, who removed with his family from Ohio to the Hoosier State in 1833. Mr. Morehouse was a native of the Old Country, and was born and reared in Ireland. The success of many of his fellow-countrymen in the "land of the free" determined him to sail for America. lIe made his home in Baltimore and married there. His wife bore the maiden name of Catherine Min- cher. Mr. and Mrs. Morehouse located in Cin- cinnati, Ohio, and remained there for a time, but were induced to try the farther West, and settled permanently in Montgomery County, Ind. In their pleasant home their seven children were trained to habits of industry, and each and all had the advantage of such schooling as the new coun- try could afford.
Mrs. Cochran was the eldest of the family. Her brothers and sister are Calvin, now of Champaign County, Ill .; Robert, deceased; Benjamin, a resi- dent of St. Louis, Mo .; Hiram, of Monticello; . Jane, the wife of Jesse Barcus, of northern Illinois; and William, who died in White County, Ind. Our subject and his wife began their housekeeping upon the homestead which has sheltered them ever since. The large body of well-tilled land which Mr. Cochran so diligently cultivated was partly an inheritance, but many of the acres have been added to the original legacy by the careful management and thrift of the young heir, who entered into possession when he had scarcely at- tained to manhood. Mr. and Mrs. Cochran are the parents of three children, two sons and one daugh- ter. Catherine D. is the wife of Sylvester Morris; the sons are John L. and Louis W. All reside on the home farm, near the residence of their parents.
Surrounded by old friends and neighbors, enjoy- ing the society of their children and their chil- dren's families, and secure in a comfortable con- petenee, which enables them to aid others less for- tunate, our subject and his partner in life's joys and sorrows may tranquilly look back upon a well-spent life and rejoice in much deserved pros- perity.
Mr. Cochran is always interested in national affairs and the local conduct of positions of trust. Ever since the formation of the Republican party, he has been one of its strong advocates, and al- ways voted the ticket until 1885, when he identi- fied himself with the army of Prohibitionists.
C
ANIEL LEWIS, President of the People's Bank. at Darlington, has long been rec- ognized as one of the most progressive and enterprising citizens of Montgomery County, Ind. As station agent of the Vandalia Railroad since 1883, he has won a host of friends for himself and the line he represents, by unvary- ing affability and a prompt attention to business. In 1891 he increased his cares and income by en- tering into a partnership with Albert Cox in a general merchandise store, which has met with liberal patronage, and is proving a most success- ful business venture.
Our subject was named in honor of his grand- father, Daniel Lewis, whose father and grandfa- ther were named respectively Richard and James. The family is of old Revolutionary stock, and came originally from Wales, in the early part of the eighteenth century. Among the distinguished members of the family of which our subject is a descendant was Francis Lewis, an American Rev- olutionary statesman, born in Llandaff, Glamor- ganshire, Wales, in March, 1713. At the age of twenty-two years he emigrated to New York, and there engaged in commercial pursuits. At the outbreak of the Revolution he was elected to the Continental Congress, and in May, 1775, he took
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nis seat in that body as one of the delegates from New York. He was an intrepid and daring man, and at the surrender of Ft. Oswego was taken prisoner, and narrowly escaped death by the sav- age Indians. He survived the perils of the war, and signed the Declaration of Independence, and with the exception of one short interval continued to be a member of Congress until April, 1779.
Some of the ancestors of Mr. Lewis were num- bered among the early settlers of Philadelphia and the surrounding country, but his father, now deceased, was born in the neighboring State of Ohio, and was a native of Xenia. His birth occurred in 1809, and he remained the greater portion of his life in his native State. After arriving at years of maturity, he married, and had a family of three daughters, Melinda, Catherine and Cynthia. William Lewis removed to Montgomery County, Ind., in 1851, and in 1855 married a second wife, by whom he had five children, two of whom only lived to mature age. These two were his sons, William, and Daniel, our subject. The father and mother, whose maiden name was Mary A. Larsh, were highly respected by all who knew them, and and in the death of Mr. Lewis the county lost a valued citizen.
Born in Montgomery County in 1862, Daniel Lewis received an excellent education in the pub- lic schools, and early in life engaged in business. In 1883, he was united in marriage to Miss Alice Ditamore, an attractive and most estimable lady. Their bright little daughter, Mamie Il., is their only child, and the sunshine of their pleasant home. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis are both deeply interested in public and local affairs of the day, and are active in social and benevolent enterprises, always aiding to the extent of their ability in all good work which presents itself to their ready attention. Mr. Lewis is fraternally associated with the Free Masons, and is also connected with the Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a worthy mem- ber of the respective lodges located in Darlington. Our subject is naturally a very busy man, his mani- fold duties requiring much time and attention, but the energy and ability with which he con- duets his daily business have made him an im- portant factor in the best interests of the county.
Mr. Lewis, though in the early prime of manhood, has well improved his opportunities in life, is now an honored citizen, and will not fail in com- ing years to serve in any position of public trust as faithfully as did his revered ancestors so many years ago.
LBERT F. MALLOY, M. D., is a promi- nent and successful physician of the vil- lage of Bridgeton, Raccoon Township, Parke County. He was born at Loretto, Pa., August 16, 1865, and is the eldest living in a family of ten children, six boys and four girls, born to Michael and Annie (Bradley) Malloy. He is of Scotch-Irish ancestry, Grandmother Malloy having been born in Ireland, and iu early life came to America and settled in the locality where our subject was born. The father of our subjeet was born in the Keystone State, but the mother's family were genuine Scotch people; she, however, was born in Pennsylvania. No extended history of them can be given here, for the facts before the writer are too meagre to furnish a history of the family.
Michael Malloy believed in giving his children a good education, so our subject had a good foundation for his future studies when he left home to prepare himself for the active and ardu- ous life of a physician. Up to this time he knew but little about work, for his early boyhood days were spent in Aloysius Academy, in which he con- tinued his studies, finishing the course at St. Francis' College. His supply of ready money had stopped and he was denied the privilege of attend- ing a college in Montreal, Canada, but with a will and determination that caused him to langh in the face of misfortune he persevered, and now we find in the person of young Dr. Malloy an example of energy, diligence, pluck and determination. At one time in his life he was a foreman in the great Carnegie Steel Works, at Braddock, Pa., which oc- cupation he was following in order to prosecute his medical studies; again we find him studying
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under Dr. L. F. Worthly, of Glasgow, Pa .; next with Dr. H. F. Rice, of Hastings, Pa .; and subse- quently he entered the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery. During his vacations he worked with Dr. G. H. Sloan, of Carrolltown, Pa., and after years of hard' study he finally completed his work at Cincinnati, by taking special courses. In the winter of 1891, he came to Bridgeton, with no intention of locating, but after remaining here for a time he found there was an opening for a Doctor, and soon afterward he opened up an office and commenced his practice. By strictly attend- ing to all the wants of his patients in this commu- nity he has worked up a very large practice, in which he is deserving of praise and credit. Poli- tically, Mr. Malloy is a stanch Democrat and is of the Catholic faith.
S IMPSON MONTGOMERY, a retired farmer and honored citizen of Linden, has been a resident of Montgomery County, Ind., for three-score years and six. Born within the borders of the State, in Jefferson County in 1816, he has been an eye-witness of the wonderful develop- ment of Indiana from an almost unbroken wilder- ness to a magnificent and far-reaching landscape, closely dotted with highly cultivated farms and thriving villages. From childhood always busily engaged in the active duties of life, our subject found but little time for rest or recreation ; his ab- sences from home were few and undesired, but when our country called him to the battlefield the ties of home and family could not restrain him from quickly responding to the summons.
Integrity, courage and patriotism were the di- rect inheritance of Simpson Montgomery from a long line of carnest, sturdy ancestors. His grand- father, Alexander Montgomery, was born in Ire- land, but came to America before the War of the Revolution began. The young Irishman eagerly espoused the cause of the struggling colonists, and gave his ready aid in the fight for liberty. Peace
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