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 15
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 15
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 15
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having been declared, he devoted his time to home and family. He was thrice married. His first wife, who did not long survive, left him one son, John A. His second union in the bonds of matrimony gave to his care a family of five children, of whom Alexander, the father of our subject, was fourth in number.
Alexander, named in honor of his father, was born in Shelby County, Ky., in which State his parents had settled at an early day. When he was but a little boy, the pioneer household journeyed to Scott County, Ind. They remained there for a time, but in 1826 located permanently in Craw- fordsville. At the advanced age of ninety-five years, Grandfather Montgomery married his third wife, and removed to Iowa, in which State the en- terprising and venerable citizen passed away, leav- ing to his descendants the enviable record of a busy, useful, upright life.
During the residence of the family in Scott County, Alexander, the son, was united in mar- riage to Miss Annie Herrod. The parents of our subject lived for some time in Jefferson County, but when Simpson was about ten years of age they came to Montgomery County and settled in Craw- fordsville, where the mother died. Mr. Mont- gomery was then the father of seven children; he afterward married a second wife, who brought him three children, making the number of his family that he raised to maturity ten in all. Father Montgomery died in Linden. He was always known to be a man of courage and resolution. Be- fore war was formally declared in 1812, he fought ' bravely in the battle of Tippecanoe, and through- out his life was an ardent defender of the right.
Simpson Montgomery had but crude advantages for education in the early schools, but he lost no opportunity to improve his knowledge, and when a mere boy became self-sustaining, receiving fre- quently the hard-earned payment of but twenty- five cents a day. In 1838 Miss Orpha McCrea be- came his wife. Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery are the parents of three children: George W., of Silver- wood; Annie A., who married Frank R. Rams- del, and died in Texas, leaving three children; and William B., the youngest child, now a busi- ness man of Linden. This son of our subject was
yours Truly James & Johnston
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finely educated in the State University, afterward studied law and was admitted to the Bar. Father and son were closely united in the bonds of pat- riotism, and in the hour of need, when brave men were rushing to the front, Simpson Montgomery and William B., side by side, devoted themselves to the service of the Union, enlisting in 1862 in Company E, Seventy-second Regiment, Indiana Volunteers. Actively engaged in martial duties until the close of the war, living constantly amid scenes of peril and death, menaced by danger on every side, they finally witnessed the closing scenes of victory, and were honorably discharged from the service.
The war ended, our subject returned to his home and happy family, and immediately resumed the management of his farm. For a few years he in- dustriously pursued the routine of work demanded in successful agriculture, and then, retiring from the farm, located in Linden, in which village he still resides. Mr. Montgomery has a host of friends and acquaintances, as might well be expected of so early a pioncer. His interest in the conduct of the Government he aided to sustain has never abated, and he is a firm supporter of the Republican party.
b ON. JAMES T. JOHNSTON is the junior member of the legal firm of Rice & John- ston, at Rockville. Ile was born in Put- nam County, Ind., January 19, 1839, and when he was two years old was orphaned by the death of his mother. The father afterward mar- ried again and by his second union six children were born. He died when our subject was a mere lad, and the responsibility of carrying on the home farm afterward fell upon his young shoul- ders.
At the opening of the war, Mr. Jolinston was preparing for college, but Lincoln's call for three hundred thousand volunteers forever put an end to all aspirations in that direction. He enlisted as a private in Company C, Seventy-first Indiana, afterward the Sixth Indiana, Cavalry, and four
weeks later we find him fighting in the unequal and desperate engagement at Richmond, Ky. Be- ing surrounded by the enemy, Gen. Nelson and the troops were forced to cut their way out. In December, 1863, Mr. Johnston participated in the battle of Muldraugh's Hill, where the Union forces made a most stubborn resistance for one day, but were obliged to capitulate.
In 1863 several hundred prisoners, Union men who had been conscripted into the Southern service from East Tennessee, volunteered in the Federal army. By request of the officers, Gen. Burnside issued a special order in August of that year pro- moting James T. Johnston to the position of Sec- ond Lieutenant. He then took command of the Eighth Tennessee Cavalry, which was composed of the aforesaid prisoners. From the day of the appointment he was in regular command of his company, the Captain and the First Lieutenant having been detailed on other duty. The com- pany being familiar with the topography of East Tennessee were sent in advance as scouts. It was a most desperate service, and the men were com- monly said to have "fought with halters around their necks."
In one engagement on the Holston, Lieut. John- ston, with only twenty-five men, received a volley which killed seven horses and wounded eleven. He himself received a ball in the wrist, and his horse, having been shot through the heart, fell dead under him. During all the East Tennessee campaign, his company was in the advance, and was the first to enter Knoxville. After the siege of Knoxville the Eighth and Tenth Tennessee Cavalries were consolidated, and our subject was offered a position in another command. Being, however, exhausted with sickness and the hard- ships incident to service, he concluded to resign and enjoy the well-earned rest.
As soon as Mr. Johnston's health was restored he again enlisted, becoming a member of Company F, One Hundred and Thirty-third Indiana Infan- try, and was mustered in for one hundred days' ser- vice. The most of this time he filled the position of Commissary-Sergeant. At the expiration of his term of service, he re-enlisted, this time in Company C, One Hundred and Forty-ninth Ind-
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iana Infantry, under Lieut .- Col. W. D. Mull. Soon afterward he was appointed by Gov. Morton as First Lieutenant and Assistant-Quartermaster, and remained with his command until September 27, 1865, when he was honorably discharged at the close of hostilities.
While on the farm, Mr. Johnston had employed his leisure in the study of law. He now took a full course with Williamson & Daggy, of Green- castle, Ind., and in 1866 located in Rockville as their resident partner. Three years later he formed a partnership with the Hon. T. N. Rice, which firm is still in existence. In 1866, Mr. Johnston was elected Prosecuting Attorney for the Common Pleas District, comprising Parke, Vigo and Sullivan Counties. Two years later he was chosen Representative from Parke County to the Legislature, where he filled that responsible po- sition with efficiency and success.
In 1872, Mr. Johnston was elector on the Grant ticket for his district, and made a thorough can- vass of his territory. The citizens of Parke and Ver- million Counties honored him in 1874 by electing him to the State Senate, where, as in other positions to which he was called, he served with credit to him- self and to the general satisfaction of his constit- uents. While in the House he was the leader of the Republican party, and as the Democrats were in the majority he had to conduct many a battle on parliamentary tactics, and always acquitted himself with consummate skill, winning the hearty encomiums of his party.
In 1884, Mr. Johnston made the race for Con- gress, and was elected by a majority of three hun- dred and fifty-four. Two years later he was re- elected by eleven hundred and fifty-six majority, in a district that usually gave a Democratic ma- jority of one thousand. During bis first term as Congressman he served as a member of the Com- mittee on War Claims, and was in the thickest of the Congressional fights over the Southern war claims. During his second term of office oceurred the famous contest between Tobin and Carlyle over the Speakership, and our subject was chosen by the Republican caucus as a member of the Com- mittee on Elections, in which responsible position he served with distinguished ability.
In the White-Lawry contest, Mr. Johnston man- aged the case for Mr. White. The majority of the committee, being Democrats, favored Lawry, and the Republicans gave their influence to the sup- port of White. Mr. Johnston made the closing debate in the case and secured .the victory for White. In 1888 he was again a candidate for Congress, but was defeated by a majority of about fifty-three. It may be stated of him, however, that, although defeated, he ran far ahead of his ticket, and received many more votes than the Presidential elector. In addition to the active part he has taken as a public official, he has been prominent in every campaign, and his services have been utilized often by the Republican State Central Committee.
Since his retirement from Congress, Mr. Johns- ton has devoted himself to his legal practice and the management of his farms, one of which is lo- cated in Putnam County, Ind., and the other in Edgar County, Ill. He owns altogether about four hundred and fifty acres of land, all well im- proved and in a good state of cultivation. Soci- ally, he has been identified with the Masonic fra- ternity since his initiation at the age of twenty- one. He has been a member of the Grand Army of the Republic since its organization, and served as Commander of Post No. 9 for three successive years, and April 7, 1893, was elected Department Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic for the Department of Indiana. He was a delegate to the National Encampment three times, and once filled the position of delegate to the State- at-Large.
In February of 1866, Mr. Johnston married Miss Mattie M. Morrison, who died November 14, 1872, leaving an infant daughter. The second marriage of our subject occurred in November, 1873, and united him with Miss Lucy, daughter of Dr. George l'. Daly, one of the oldest physicians of Parke County. Financially, Mr. Johnston is well-to-do and the owner of valuable property, including his residence in Rockville. His life is well worthy the emulation of the young, for through persever- ance and energy he has gained success, and is prominent both in professional and social circles. Upon starting out in life for himself, he was not
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only without money, but was burdened by a debt of $1,000, which his father, having gone security for a friend, was called upon, but was nnable, to pay. The debt was liquidated by Mr. Johnston and his brothers after he had commenced the prac- tice of law.
The law firm of Rice & Johnston bas a very exten- sive practice and is usually represented, as clients for plaintiff or defendant, in every important case in the county. They have been associated in prac- tice since 1869, and their relations have always been of an amicable nature. Their knowledge of legal technicalities is widely known, and their opinion concerning important questions always carries weight.
AMES G. JOHNSON, a prominent and widely known citizen of Montgomery Coun- ty, is engaged in business as a general mer- chant of Fredericksburg. A native of But- ler County, Ohio, his birth occurred September 1, 1837. His father, Jesse R. Johnson, was born in the same county in 1816, and was reared in one of its pioneer homes. He was married there to Mary, daughter of James Wheat, who was a shoemaker at West Chester. Both the paternal and mater- nal grandfathers of our subject served in the War of 1812. Mr. Johnson continued to live in his na- tive county until 1855, when he came to Indiana, and for some years he resided in Walnut Township. He subsequently removed from Montgomery Coun- ty to Hendricks County, and there he and his wife spent their remaining days, the father dying in 1873, his death occurring in June, and hers in Oct- ober, 1890. They had a family of six children, three of whom are still living: our subject; Oscar B., a physician at Lizton, who is prominent in pol- itics, and was a delegate to the Chicago Democratic convention of June, 1892; and Emma A., widow of S. B. Richmond. Louisa died at the age of fourteen; Mary Ellen died in infancy; and Thomas J. sacrificed his life on the altar of his country
during the war. dying soon after he came out of the army. The father was a man of high religious principles, and was a member of the Presbyterian Church, in whose upbuilding he was a zealous worker, as well as taking an active interest in the Sunday-school. Ile was prominent in local poli- tics as a Democrat, and he also figured in public life as Trustee of Walnut Township, and as Asses- sor during his residence here, and after his removal to Hendricks County he held the latter office there.
Our subject remained with his parents until he was twenty-one, and then he entered upon his suc- cessful career. He first gave his attention to farming on rented land for some five years, and then bought a farin in Walnut Township, upon which he lived some eight years. Selling that place, he bought eighty acres of land, and made it his home for the next six years. Coming to Fred- ericksburg February 13, 1877, he bas been a resi- dent of the village ever since, and has proved a val- uable addition to its citizenship. He was engaged in the management of a Grange store at first, and after he had thoroughly mastered every detail of the business he bought the store, in which he car- ried on business until 1881, when he built his present commodious and well-fitted-up store. He carries a large and well-assorted line of goods adapted to a general trade, and has an extensive custom.
Mr. Johnson was married June 1, 1858, to Miss Mary J., daughter of Andrew Loop, of this village. She is a lady of prepossessing appearance and pleasing personality, and is true in every rela- tion as wife, mother and friend. Her marriage, with our subject brought them five children, of whom three have died: Charles M., Minnie and Louella M. Two children are spared to be the stay and comfort of their declining years: Ida E. and William. The former is the wife of V. E. Livengood, a prominent lawyer of Covington, who was Superintendent of the schools of that city five years. William is an intelligent young farmer, who is operating his father's farm of eighty acres. He married Miss Minnie E. Dice, a daughter of William A. Dice.
Our subject is a public-spirited, progressive citi- zen, who has always encouraged all enterprises
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looking to the development of the county, and he has been conspicuous in the administration of civic affairs, his fellow-citizens having confidence in his business acumen and executive ability, and fully appreciating the rectitude of his character. He is a strong Democrat, and has a social reputa- tion as an astute politician, his counsels being val- ued by his party, and he has been a delegate to State conventions regularly for the past twenty- five years. He has held various important offices of trust. He was Postmaster in this village four and a-half years, was Trustee of Walnut Town- ship three years, and was Assessor for a like term of years. In 1869 he was a member of the Indiana State Legislature, taking part in the pro- ceedings of both the general and special sessions as the Representative of his district. He has been administrator of estates and guardian in several cases in this township, and has always proved true to his trust. He belongs to the Horse Thief Protective Association, and is always ready to lend a hand in the interests of law and order. He is influential in religious matters as one of the fore- most members of the Presbyterian Church, of which he was an Elder, and he is also Clerk of the Session in that church.
ASPER N. DAVIDSON. The name of Davidson is inseparably linked with the fortunes of Montgomery County from the early days of its settlement, when William Fleming Davidson came here with his bride to found a home and identified himself with its sturdy, self-sacrificing, industrious pioneers, to the present time, when his son of whom we write is one of its most influential and hon- ored citizens, whose practical work as a progressive farmer has materially contributed to its growth and prosperity, and whose enlightened and gener- ous public spirit has advanced its welfare in other directions. He is the proprietor of Summit Farm, a beautiful place, perfeet in its arrangements and
appointments, and advantageously situated on section 35, South Union Township.
Our subject is a native of Montgomery County, born February 5, 1834, in one of the pioneer homes of South Union Township, and he has always lived within a mile of his birthplace. He is a descendant in a direct line on the paternal side of some Scotch people who emigrated from their na- tive land to Pennsylvania prior to the Revolution. Seven brothers of this name fought for independ- ence in the struggle of the colonists for freedom from the mother country, and all returned to their homes uninjured, to found families in various parts of the Union which their valor had helped to establish. The great-grandfather of our subject was one of the number. He married Margaret Coch- ran Fleming, and their son, our subject's grand- father, was born in Pennsylvania, and became a school teacher. Ile married Mary Lattimour, of a fine French family, and they had seven children, one of whom was William Fleming, the father of our subject.
William Fleming Davidson was born in Erie County, Pa., June 21, 1798, and was fairly cdn- cated for a boy of that time. Ile became a farmer, and first located in Butler County, Ohio, when he began life for himself, and there he found his first love. Early in 1828 he walked to this county from Ohio, and selected land on seetion 34, town- ship 18 north, range 4 west, now known as Union Township. The money paid for his first land had been earned at the rate of $9 per month. Returning to Ohio for his promised bride, Miss Any Amanda Schnorf, they were married in War- ren County, that State, September 11, 1828. She was born December 10, 1810, and was one of the eleven children, ten daughters and one son, of Ja- cob and Rachel Schnorf, who spent their last years in Covington, Fountain County, this State, where several of their daughters married. Jacob Schnorf's father emigrated to this country some time during the last century from Germany, where he had owned a farm on the Rhine. Mrs. Davidson's great-grandfather, Bailey, was one of the early settlers of Ohio. He built a rude cabin on the Miami River, that was primitively furnished and had a quilt for a door. Ile subsequently removed
i
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to Terre Haute, Ind., where he died. His only child, Catharine, married Abel Cook, who was killed by the Indians at the mouth of the Licking River, opposite the present site of Cincinnati, he having taken his gun thither for repairs, and he was scalped by the savages after starting home. He left his widow with two children: Abel, whose posterity live near Frankfort, Ky .; and Rachel, wife of Jacob Schnorf, as before mentioned.
William Davidson brought his young wife to their new home in the forest wilds of this county after their marriage. He walked while she rode on horseback, with her treasured china cups, sau- cers and plates in her lap, and clothing and linen behind. They experienced the usual trials and hardships of life on the frontier, bearing them with exemplary cheerfulness, and she bravely bore her share of the burdens of the day until death claimed her, July 17, 1838, while yet a young woman, She was the mother of four children, Cynthia M., Ann Eliza, Jasper N. and William Marion, all of whom died in childhood except Jasper. The father remarried, Mary Hostetter becoming his wife, and nine children were born of that union. He passed away February 1, 1864. He was a man of firm convictions and strict in- tegrity, and, respected by all, he dwells in the mem- ory of his children as a kind father and type of true manhood.
Jasper N. Davidson, to whom these lines princi- pally refer, is a gentleman of sound culture, and of liberal views, and has well-defined opinions on all subjects of general interest. He attended the dis- trict school in his boyhood, generally during the winter term, which usually lasted three months, and he has supplemented the education thus ob- tained by extensive reading and keen observation of men and things. Reared a farmer, he settled on a rugged timber tract, the highest surveyed spot in Montgomery County. Nevertheless, after the forest was conquered, it needed drainage, and Mr. Davidson has over nine miles of tile on less than half a section of land. This farm, once a swamp, is now one of the first, as to improvements and production, in the county. April 16, 1863, the house that the family originally occupied was burned with its contents, but another was built in
its stead the same year. In 1875 that cottage was replaced by a commodious residenec, which stands on the top of a knoll, whence the name of " Sum- mit Farm." Surrounded by nearly an acre of forest trees, their shade affords a pleasant retreat in which to spend the hours of rest and recreation.
The marriage of our subject to Miss Levanda J. Huff occurred March 27, 1862. Mrs. Davidson was born in Mercer County, Ky., May 27, 1844, and is a daughter of Abraham and Julia (Brass- field) Huff, who were born respectively March 7, 1821, and October 25, 1822, in Woodford County, Ky., and were married November 28, 1840. They also have one son, George, a resident of Chicago, Abraham lluff's grandfather was a native of Wales, whence he emigrated to this country, and settled in New Jersey, where his son Peter, Abra- ham's father, was born. In early life Peter moved to Harrodsburg, Ky., and was there mar- ried to Jerusha Van Arsdall, who was descended from a line of English ancestry. Mrs. Davidson's maternal grandfather was George Brassfield, wlio was of English parentage, and a soldier in the War of 1812. Sophia Cotton, his wife, was a descendant of the well-known Adams family of Massachusetts, and died March 12, 1887, at the age of eighty-three The Huffs came to Indiana in 1849, and have since been residents of the State. The daughter Levanda was educated principally at Crawfords- ville Seminary. Her marriage with our subject has been hallowed to them by the birth of two children: Julia, born April 2, 1863; and William A., born August 27, 1867, who is engaged with his father in the breeding of pedigreed stock. The daughter attended the Central Normal School three years, and subsequently married James M. Waugh, December 11, 1889. Mr. Waugh is a civil engineer, a native of Montgomery County, and a resident of Crawfordsville.
The subject of this sketch is a man of affairs, gifted with good judgment, a rare stock of com- mon-sense, and a far-reaching public spirit. Ably seconded by his wife in all things, theirs is a true marriage, and they have founded an ideal home. It has always been supplied with the best current literature, besides a standard library, which has kept the family in touch with the world, while
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enjoying the independence of country life. Read- ing and a free interchange of ideas add much to the pleasure of this home, which is the central thought of all its members, who extend to all friends a gracious hospitality. Childhood, fostered by loving, intelligent care, has there developed into a manhood and womanhood which can never outlive the precious influence of the dear old home. It is said that, so far as history can trace, on either side there has been no intemperance in the family, even the use of tobacco being eschewed, save in one instance.
Politically, Mr. Davidson was reared a Demo- crat, but he has steadily believed in a protective tariff, and opposes any inflation of the currency. He also believes that only two great parties can survive, and that they are needed to maintain the balance necessary for the perpetuation of our Republic. In religion, our subject is non-sectarian, though from a Presbyterian family, and believes in the right to individual opinion and interpretation of the Scriptures, guided by care and reverence. Ile thinks sectarianism as commonly preached a stum- bling block in the path of Christianity and in the way of many who would otherwise seek the church. llaving in his own life witnessed a wonderful ad- vance in liberality and unity of effort, he believes the future will dissipate creeds and bring about an amalgamation of sects more conducive to the sal- vation of humanity than the present methods. He holds a man a Christian who follows Christian precepts, whether he can accept the tenets prescribed by man or not.
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