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 61
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 61
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 61
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
D ANIEL S. TREVEY resides on Section 36, Adams Township, Parke County, and is a son of Joseph and Rebecca (Strickler) Trevey. He was born in Rockbridge County, Va., October 15, 1829. Joseph Trevey is also a native of Virginia, was born July 9, 1795, and the son of Joseph Trevey, who was also born in Virginia and probably fought in the Revolu- tionary War, going as a drummer boy, but was afterward appointed to the rank of Drum Major.
The father of our subject was reared in his na- tive place, where he was given such education as could be obtained at that time in the primitive schools. After his marriage to Miss Strickler he engaged in keeping what is now known as the old Red House Hotel, which is located between Lex- ington and Fairfield in the Shenandoah Valley. Here he carried on his business for twenty-five years, when he closed out and purchased a farm of four hundred acres on North River, which is the present site of Rockbridge, Bath, Va. He lived there nutil his death, which occurred September 7, 1859. To Mr. and Mrs. Trevey were born four children, all of whom reached their majority. Those deceased are Jacob, who died in the prime of life and was a physician; Mary, who married James Randolph, and after his decease was mar- ried to Doctor Cross. She died in Virginia. Dur- ing his lifetime Mr. Trevey was very successful in his enterprises and accumulated much property, which be kept in a well-cultivated condition.
Daniel Trevey has one sister, Mrs. Virginia Harding, who is the wife of Doctor Harding, of California. He was educated in the country schools, where he received a fair education, in the meantime devoting a portion of his attention to farm work. He chose for a companion in life Miss Mary A. Crist, of Augusta County, Va. This lady is the youngest daughter of Abraham Crist, who was a farmer and blacksmith by trade. After his marriage Mr. Trevey moved to Rockbridge County, thence to Augusta County, where he lived until the fall of 1865, at the end of which time he came to Parke County, and located five miles north of Rockville, Washington Township. Here he en- gaged in farming for about two years, when he moved to a farm near Rockville, and there re-
mained for a period of three years. At the expi- ration of this time he located on a farm belonging to Dr. Rice, where heremained until about 1877. At this time he took up his abode on his present farm, and there lived for three or four years, when he moved to an adjoining farm where he remained for three years, at the end of which time he perma- nently located on the place where he now resides.
Mr. Trevey has been the father of six children, of whom but one is now living, Blanch, who was educated in the schools of Rockville and graduated in 1889. When but a child she developed a talent for music, and as her father, also, was a musician he took great pride in sending Miss Blanch to New York City where she studied and improved her talents in that line. She is also taking vocal culture and is now employed in one of the Re- formed Lutheran Churches of that city as the first soprano. She has also gained distinction by sing- ing in the Metropolitan Opera House and the Seventh Regiment Armory of the great Metropo- lis, where she is making a splendid career for her- self, singing in company with Emma Juch and Anna Burch, of whom the papers of that city and vicinity speak in the highest terms of praise.
Another sister of Mr. Trevey who is now de- ceased was the wife of H. H. Rice, who is at present engaged in pharmacy in Rockville. This gentleman was educated in the high school of Terre Haute and the Waveland Academy, and soon commenced in his profession at Rockville, where he continued for three years. At the end of this time he engaged in farming, which industry he has followed ever since. His wife, who was a member of the Presbyterian Church and a faithful member of the Congregation, died November 20, 1883. She left two children-Wallace T. and Harrison M. - who are both at home. Politically. Mr. Trevy is a supporter of the Democratic party and a good worker in the Presbyterian Church of this place, as was also his father before him.
E NOCH EARL, who has made farming his life long calling, and is one of the sturdy, practi- cal supporters of the great agricultural in- terests of Montgomery County, was born
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in 1834 on Section 14, Wayne Township, on the old family homestead which is his present resi- dence. He is a son of John Earl, who is one of the early settlers of this part of Indiana, and who is still living on the scene of his pioneer labors, dis- tinguished as the second oldest man in the county.
The venerable John Earl was born in the state of New Jersey, September 28, 1798, and, although he has attained the remarkable age of ninety-five years, he is hale and hardy, and retains both his physical and mental faculties to a wonderful de- gree. In early manhood he married Sarah Sayre, a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, and a branch of old Kentucky stock. In 1827 Mr. Earl jour- neyed into this state with oxen, and a cart that contained all his and his wife's earthly possessions. With the cheerful help of his good wife he erected a cabin, not a nail entering into the construction of the building, and in that humble abode they began their new pioneer life. Then commenced the hand-to-hand struggle with adverse circum- stances, in which he came off conquerer, as he was industrious in his habits, was endowed with never- failing energy, and had the staying qualities which so often win the race. After settling on his land he had but sixty-two cents left, and with that small sum he bought five hens from a neighboring settler, and a rooster was thrown in, and these constituted his only stock besides his oxen. He worked with a will to clear and culti- vate his land, and in due time had a fertile farm as the result of his labors. The evening of life finds him in the enjoyment of the fruits of his early toil, able to point to a worthy record as a man and a citizen who is respected by the people to whom he has been a familiar figure since their earliest remembrance.
Mr. Earl is one of four children born to his parents. His eldest brother, Benjamin Pierson Earl, was born in Wayne Township on the old homestead, and married Sarah Westall; Pheba, born December 24, 1836, married Washington J. McCalester of Hillsborough; Elizabeth, born May 15, 1839, married John A. McCallister, and both are dead.
Euoch Earl was reared to the life of a farmer, and early adopted the calling as his own. He has
done very well from a financial standpoint, and is comfortably well off. His farm is under a high state of tillage, and an excellent grade of stock grazes in its pastures. The buildings are sub- stantial and afford ample conveniences for all pur- poses. Mr. Earl enjoys a high reputation as a man of unswerving integrity, and he and his wife are among the most useful members of the Christian Church, toward the expenses of which they con- tribute liberally of their means. Three of their daughters belong to the same church and two act as teachers in the Sunday-school. The elder Earl is also interested in the church, with which he has held close relations as a consistent member some sixty years. The whole family are ardent Repub- licans, and stand firmly by their colors.
Our subject was married at Crawfordsville, in 1863, to Mrs. Elisa Peed, daughter of William and Hannah (Dawson) Peed, their marriage taking place at Crawfordsville. They have three children: Howard, who was born January 7, 1865, mar- ried L. Rainy, and lives on the old homestead; Phebe, who was born March 23, 1866, and is a school-teacher, and Sarah, who was born March 8, 1869. Mrs. Earl's daughter by her first marriage, Mary Little, who resides with her, was born in 1855.
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OHNSON COLLINGS. Among the worthy citizens and honored pioneers of Parke County, no one is more entitled to a repre- sentation in this record of those who have made the county what it is to-day, one of the best in the state, than he of whom we write. Mr. Collings has been thoroughly identified with her best interests, having endeavored in every possible manner to promote the county's welfare. He is a leading farmer of Union Township, his home being on Section 3. He is now retired from the active cares of farm life, though superintending his place, which comprises one hundred and sixty acres. For a half century he has been a member of the Predestinarian Presbyterian Church, having been clerk for twenty-two years and a trustee for thirty-five years. In 1875 he superintended the building of the present church structure in Greene
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Township and has ever been actively engaged in the work of its various departments.
Mr. Collings was born in Shelby County, Ky., near Shelbyville, the county seat, August 10, 1822. His grandfather, William Collings, was born in New England and was of Irish descent. Our sub- ject's father, Zebulon, was born in Shelby County in 1802, in which county the latter's wife was born two years later. Her maiden name was Sarah Johnson. Her father, Lanty, was a native of the Keystone State and of Irish descent.
After the marriage of our subject's parents, in Shelby County, they removed to a farm in this county, landing here in 1835. The father pur- chased land, the very place where Mr. Collings now lives, buying it second-hand. There was no house on the place, therefore Mr. Collings was obliged to put up a log house, which is still stand- ing on the farm, a relic of former days. The par- ents passed their remaining days on the farm, the mother dying at the age of forty-six, her husband surviving her many years, and passing away at the age of eighty-eight years. They were the parents of seven children, four daughters and three sons, all of whom grew to adult years. Of these, Johnson was the first in order of birth, the others being as follows: William J., of Greene Township; Nancy Jane, wife of Jesse Mattox, of Danville, Ill .; Mary, deceased; Rebecca, widow of John Darr, of III .; Francis, deceased; and George W., of Wichita, Kans.
Johnson Collings was a lad of thirteen years when he removed with his parents to Parke County. He attended the log school-house of the period, and as soon as large enough assisted his father in clearing the land, remaining with him until twenty-two years of age. In 1844 he was united in wedlock to Mary Doggett, a native of Kentucky, her birth having occurred in Shelby County in 1826. She came with her parents to this county in the year 1828. After his marriage Mr. Collings located on a rented farm in Greene Township, on which he made his home for two years, at the expiration of which time he removed to Keokuk County, Iowa, where he purchased a farm, improved the same and lived there for five years. Returning to Parke County at the end of
that time he bought the old homestead where he now resides. For about thirty years he devoted himself to its cultivation and improvement and was rewarded by having a farm model in every respect.
To Mr. Collings and his amiable wife have been born thirteen children, all but one of whom lived to mature years. The eldest, James, died at the age of seven months. The others are as follows: William N. who is a resident of Greene Town- ship, Parke County; Sarah Ann, now deceased, wife of A. Collings, of Marshall; Isaac, of Greene Township; Martha Jane and Mary K., deceased; Rebecca, wife of James Collings, of Union Town- ship; George and Frances B., deceased; Levisa, wife of Thomas Marshall, of Coxville, Ind. ; Eliza B. and Wesley, deceased; and Walter H., who is married and resides on the old homestead. The mother of these children is a pleasant and ami- able lady, one who has many friends in this lo- cality and is noted for her skill as a housewife and cook. She has been a great help to her bus- band and it is largely due to her cheerful spirit and counsel that he has been so successful in his varions undertakings. Politically Mr. Collings is a supporter of the Democratic party.
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OHN PENCE. This prominent resident of Raccoon Township, Parke County, was born January 9, 1833, near Eaton, which is the county seat of Preble County, Ohio. He was the youngest of three brothers, and the next to the youngest of a family of eight children. Phoebe, the eldest, married Thomas Fudge, and since his death she has made her home with a daughter in Morgan County, Ind. Nimrod mar- ried Elizabeth Kesling and died at the old home- stead about 1887, leaving a large family of chil- dren, all of whom remain in Ohio. Lucinda became the wife of William Riesinger, of Preble County, Ohio. Daniel married Catherine Fudge, and died in Preble County about 1860. Rebecca, Mrs. Joseph Crain, resides near Lebanon, Warren County, Ohio. Rachel married Edward Crain, and they also make their home in Warren County.
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Mary. the youngest child, married Asa Riggs, and died in Vermillion County, Ind., about 1881.
The parents of this family were Henry and Mary (Harshman) Pence. The father was born in Rockingham County, Va., about 1784, and was one of three brothers, Peter, William and Henry. The grandfather of our subject, John Pence, was born in Virginia, and there he died in 1822 at an advanced age. The Pence family is of German extraction, but it is not known how far back the family history dates in this country, nor the name of the first emigrant across the broad Atlantic. Grandfather Pence was a large planter and slave- owner in the Old Dominion, and after his death his three sons went to Butler County, Ohio, and later made settlement in Preble County, where they all survived to a good old age.
Near the close of the War of 1812 the father of our subject enlisted, but, the war coming to an end, he saw no active service. The early members of the Pence family were all Lutherans in relig- ious belief, and were sturdy, upright men, but of limited education. The Harshman family was an old Virginian family, and of German descent. The mother of our subject was born in the Old Domin ion about 1797, and died in Preble County, Ohio, in January, 1842. Her father was a planter and slave-holder in Virginia, as was her brother Jerry, who also enlisted in the War of 1812, but saw no active warfare. Her father died in Virginia. Her mother died in Parke County, Ind. In religious belief they were ardent supporters of the doctrines of the Lutheran Church.
John Pence, our subject, grew to manhood on his father's farm and received but a limited com- mon-school education. In 1856, in Ohio, he mar- ried Miss Mary Agnes Gilpin, who was born in Clinton County, Ohio, a daughter of Joseph and Phobe (Swerer) Gilpin. Her Grandfather Gilpin was an Irishunan by birth, but early in life came to this country, and died in Clinton County, Ohio. The Swerer family is of German extraction, and some of the members early settled in New Jersey. The grandfather of Mrs. Pence came to Butler County, Ohio, in an early day, and died in Preble County at the age of eighty five. The father of Mrs. Pence died when she was only two years old,
leaving two children, Mary Agnes and Enos. The latter was a soldier in the late war, and was taken prisoner and confined at Libby. The mother of Mrs. Pence married again, and after the death of her second husband made her home with our sub- ject, where she died in 1882. The Gilpins were all Quakers, and a brother of the father of Mrs. Pence, Henry by name, was a prominent Quaker preacher. The religious sympathies of the Swerer family were with the Christian Church.
Mr. Pence continued to live in Ohio until 1859, when he came to Parke County and first settled in Adams Township. Later he purchased a farm in Raccoon Township, adjoining the town of Catlin, where he lived until two years ago. He then, in 1891, formed a partnership with M. H. Case in the stock business and assumed the management of Mr. Case's eight-hundred-acre farın, located near Bridgetou. So far as we can trace, the Pence family have always adhered to Democratic princi- ples, and John is no exception to the rule. So- cially, he is a Mason. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Christian Church, and he has served as Elder for many years.
Seven children have been boru of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Pence. William married Maggie Ernest, and is now a merchant in Catlin. He re- ceived an excellent education at Terre Haute, and engaged in teaching school for five years. Thomas married Mattie McLain, and resides on the farm with his father. The other children are: Mary, Charlie, Elmer, Frank and Daniel. The position occupied by the family iu social circles is one of prominence and influence, and they are highly regarded throughout the community.
*****
F N. JOHNSON. Waveland is somewhat noted for the representative southern fami- lies who in 1854 located in this portion of Indiana. Among the many who left the sunny south to push their fortunes amid the en- terprising industries of the northern country was the Johnson family. Barnett Ristine Johnson and Roberta (North) Johnson were born in Kentucky, the former in 1810 and the latter in 1821. They
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grew to manhood and womanhood in that state, and it was there that the acquaintance of child- hood ripened into the affection of more mature years and they became man and wife. The result of this union was a family of six children, one of whom is the subject of this sketch.
Unlike many of his boy hood's friends and neigh- bors, Mr. Johnson received a collegiate education, and the fact that he made good use of his time and the money expended on his mental cultivation is quite evident to all who may hold conversation with him. Upon leaving Waveland College our subject concluded to learn something of the prac- tical life not to be found iu books, and with this end in view spent considerable of his time in a blacksmith shop. After acquiring a certain amount of useful knowledge in this branch of in- dustry he learned the carpenter's trade and pur- sued this vocation for a number of years. In the year 1873 Mr. Johnson entered the field of mer- chandise, and meeting with more than ordinary success in this field he followed this business for eight years, after which time he received an offer for his business and sold out.
In the fall of 1878 Mr. Johnson was elected on the Democratic ticket to the office of County Treasurer, an office he filled creditably to himself and satisfactorily to his constituents. After com- pleting his term as County Treasurer, Mr. Johnson next turned his attention to the need of a bank in Waveland, and in the year 1882 he, in company with W. H. Durham, of Crawfordsville; C. H. Johnson, a brother, assistant cashier, and T. L. Hanna, of Waveland, established a private bank- ing institution in Waveland, of which F. N. John- son was cashier.
Mr. Johnson's first wife was Miss Julia F. Dur- ham, who died after becoming the mother of two children, Henry F. and John C. The lady who became his second wife was Miss Mary V. Wiley, a daughter of Dr. Ryland F. Brown, of Indianap- olis, who has also borne our subject two children, Thomas B. and Theodore N., twins. Mrs. Johnson is a lady of most atfable and courteous manners. Both she and her husband are active members of the Christian Church, of which body her father was a prominent minister. She is justly proud of
the record made by her father, Dr. Brown, he having preached his fifty-second consecutive Easter sermon, a record few men can show.
Dr. Brown's name will ever be held in kind- ly remembrance as one who has contributed his full quota to the growth and advancement of the cause he espoused so many years ago, and as a man who has always reflected credit on the profes- sion he chose to adorn. He has always taken an active part in the politics of the community. He is a Democrat, first, last and all the time, and stands by his party through evil and good report. He has filled the office of President of the Wave- land School Board for fifteen years, and the cause of education has no more eloquent disciple than he. Noted for his business ability, commended for his integrity, emulated for the manner in which he has conducted the affairs of his life, Mr. Johnson ranks with the best citizens of Waveland, and enjoys the friendship and good will of friends and acquaintances alike.
**
F FREDERICK W. LEATHERMAN, who is Trustee of Adams Township, Parke County, makes his home in Rockville, and is en- gaged in buying and shipping cattle, hogs and sheep. He does quite au extensive business in this line, shipping to Chicago, Buffalo and eastern points. Mr. Leatherman was born six miles west of Greencastle, in Putnam County, Ind., December 8, 1853, and is a son of Wash- ington Leatherman, whose birth occurred in the same county about the year 1825. Our subject's paternal grandfather, John, was a native of Penn- sylvania and migrated to Indiana when quite a young man, being one of the first settlers of Put- nam County. He was also one of the pioneer preachers of the Baptist denomination in these parts. As in the early days pastoral work in the west was far from remunerative and as he had a large family, he entered land of the government and devoted much of his attention to agricultural pursuits.
Our subject's father was the eldest son in his father's family and was reared to manhood on
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the old homestead. He took for his wife Miss Seaba Swinford, who was also a native of Putnam County, and the daughter of an early settler in that region. After his marriage, Mr. Leatherman, Sr., bought a farm in the same township in which he had been brought up, the place being partly improved. To its further cultivation and devel- opment he devoted himself for many years, and made it his home until the death of his wife in 1885. He then rented his farm and went to Colorado, where he is still living, though well along in years.
Frederick W. Leatherman had three brothers and three sisters, of whom two brothers and one sister only are still living. He was reared to man's estate in Clinton Township, and there mar- ried Miss Maggie Perkins, who died in the year 1883. She was the mother of four children: Mande, Claude, Myrtle and Ivy, who are still liv- ing at home. After his marriage Mr. Leather- man engaged in farming for many years, and for about twelve years was engaged mainly in shipping stock. As an agricultorist he was very successful, but he has preferred to buy and sell rather than to raise cattle and farm products.
For his second wife Mr. Leatherman married Mrs. Jennie Wysong, who was a daughter of Will- ian Brown, a pioneer of that county. In March, 1885, Mrs. Leatherman was called to her final rest. In 1883 Mr. Leatherman settled in Rock- ville, Parke County, and here occurred his mar- riage in 1887 with Miss Emma Strain. This lady, daughter of one of the worthy citizens of this county, departed this life in 1890. Some time afterward Miss Mary Hessler became the wife of Mr. Leatherman. Her father, Grandville Hessler, was a well-known and prosperous farmer of Parke County.
Mr. Leatherman is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, and though not desirous of political honors, he was elected Trustee of Adams Township in the spring of 1891, his term to run for four years. He is a believer in good schools and teachers, and it is largely to his influence that the salary of teachers in this vicinity has been in- creased, for it is his opinion that a good one should
receive just remuneration, while a poor teacher is dear at any price. Fraternally, Mr. Leatherman is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and relig- iously belongs to the Methodist Church, of which his wife is also a member. He has ever borne his part in the upbuilding and development of the community, and for his faithful performance of the duties devolving upon him as a citizen he is deserving of all credit.
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H ARRY T. FICKEN is a very successful photographer of Rockville, and one of the leading business men of the county. He was born, in 1857, in Lawrenceburg, Ind., and was reared in New Orleans, La., where he re- mained until he was eight years old. At this time he left home and went to Evansville, Ind., where he remained a short time, when he went to Sey- mour, sojourned there about three years, and then went to Pittsburg. Subsequently he located in Cleveland, Ohio, where he lived with his father until reaching his eighteenth year.
The father of our subject was the Rev. John Ficken, a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was also a Major of the Louisiana Tiger of the state militia before the war. At the breaking out of this strife he was compelled to join the Confederate forces, but on the first opportunity, which presented itself at the battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862, he purposely surrendered himself as a prisoner of war to the Union forces, immediately taking the oath of allegiance to the North, and served until the close of the war, during which time he reached the rank of Major, honorably dis- charging his duties as such.
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