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 65
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 65
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 65
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E LZEY ROBBINS is an example of the self- made man who, having commenced on the lowest rounds of the ladder leading to suc- cess, has steadily, year by year, risen in the scale, until he is now justly numbered among the extensive and leading agriculturists of Parke
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County. He was once the fortunate possessor of four hundred acres of desirable land, which he bas given to his children, his home being situated on Section 22, Sugar Creek Township. Soon after his marriage, in 1845, he was obliged to begin ou a rented farm, hauling all his earthly effects to it on a one- horse sleigh. For over thirty years Mr. Robbins and his estimable wife, who has truly been a helpmeet to him, have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The paternal grandparents of our subject were James and Elizabeth (Yont) Robbins, the former a native of Germany. After his marriage he came to the United States, following agricultural pursuits in Randolph County, N. C. He had four children: Eli, Enoch, Hayman and Molly, wife of Eli Newland, of Illinois. When our sub- ject's father was only a boy he was deprived by death of his father, after which event his mother became the wife of a Mr. Curtis, and had two sons: Emsley and Ennis, the latter of whom went to Illinois.
When Eli Robbins was only eleven years old he was bound out to John Reddish and lived with him for ten years, or until reaching his majority. He learned the tanner's trade, which calling he never followed afterward. When twenty-five years old he married the daughter of Nathan and Sarah (Sumner) Hoggett, who were old style Quakers. Our subject is one of eleven children, he being the second son. In order of birth the others are as follows: Linley, deceased; James, deceased; Hoggett; William and Enoch, deceased; Newland; Sarah; Elizabeth and Mary, deceased, and Abigail.
When our subject's father started out to make his way in the world he began by working for farmers by the month or year. At length he became the owner of a good farm and property but, by going security for a man, lost everything. After that misfortune he removed with his family to east Tennessee, where he lived several years, and then going to the Prairie State soon after de- parted this life. He was a Jacksonian Democrat.
Until reaching his majority Elzey Robbins re- mained at home with his parents and then com- menced working as a farm hand. About 1838 he
came to Parke County, working for several years at whatever he could find to do to earn an honest living. He split rails for fifty cents per hundred, in that particular resembling our country's great President, Abraham Lincoln. He also worked as a blacksmith for $8 per month. In 1845 he mar- ried Nancy Carter, who was a daughter of John and Hannah (Holliday) Carter. Seven sons have blessed their union, all bright, intelligent young men, who, having been given good educations, are now taking a leading part in the actual busi- ness of life. Their names are as follows: John E., James G., Joshua M., William P., Soloman F., Andrew A., and one who died in infancy. Like their father they are all defenders of the Republican party and principles, and are patriotic citizens.
ACOB E. SMITH is Postmaster of Judson, Parke County, where he runs a grocery store, and has been a resident for the past fifteen years. He was born in Ohio, May 20, 1838, and is the son of Henry and Matilda (Carmichael) Smith. The former was in turn a son of John and Mary (Black) Smith. John Smith was a na- tive of England and emigrated to America in his childhood, during the old colonial days settling first in Connecticut and later removing to western Pennsylvania. His brothers were in the Revolu- tionary War, while his wife's brother was in com- mand of a Pennsylvania regiment at Hull's sur- render in Detroit. Our subject's maternal grand- mother's brother participated in the Revolutionary War and was in all the principal battles of the Delaware Valley, crossing that river with Wash- ington, and was also in Valley Forge for two win- ters with that famous commander. In the War of 1812 the family was represented by two of our subject's uncles, one of whom was on Lake Erie with Commodore Perry.
Our subject's father was born and grew to man- hood in the Keystone State. His father was a blacksmith by trade and also kept a tavern on the Old National Pike. He had three sons and five daughters. The former all rose to good positions
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in their various professions, one being a civil engi- neer, one a lawyer, and one a physician. One of these participated in the Mexican War, and one was for some time a successful merchant in Cin- cinnati. Their father was a Jeffersonian Democrat and died at the age of eighty-one years. Soon after attaining his majority our subject's father went to Knox County, Ohio, where he worked for an uncle, Benjamin Smith, in his blacksmith shop, having previously learned the trade of his father. He worked at this business until his marriage, two years later, soon after which event he located in the wilderness where the village of Mount Gilead, Ohio, now stands. He erected the second house in the place and started a blacksmith shop. When several years had passed away he was obliged to abandon his trade on account of being hurt while shoeing a horse.
In 1837 Henry Smith moved to a farm two miles north of the place where our subject's birth took place. In 1850 he located six miles northeast of West Unity, Fulton County, and at the end of three years moved to his own farm, in Williams County of the same state. In 1864 he became a resident of Hillsdale County, Mich., where he lived until he was called to his final rest in 1881 at the age of eighty-one years. His wife survived him about one year. She was formerly Miss Ma- tilda, daughter of Jacob and Rachel (Elston) Car- michael. They had eight children: John W .; J. E .; Rachel, wife of Jacob Lozier; Matilda J., Mrs. William Garrison; William H., who was in the Union Army, dying from the effects of a wound received at Paris, Ky. ; Margaret, deceased, wife of James Bailey; Albert, deceased; and Sarah, Mrs. William Wissman. The parents and family were all members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church. Politically Henry Smith was in early life a Democrat, but became affiliated with the Re- publican party in 1855.
Jacob E. Smith remained under the parental roof until his twenty-sixth year, when he married Margaret A., daughter of George and Lydia (Kearns) Lawson, both natives of Pennsylvania, while the daughter was born in Ohio. They were the parents of six children, three dying in infancy and the others being as follows: George H., Frank
E. and Lydia, wife of Samuel Burford. Mr. Smith commenced his business career by carrying on a farm in Hillsdale County, Mich., until the war. During 1864-65 he was a member of Com- pany I, Eleventh Michigan Infantry, under Gen. Thomas, but he was never wounded or taken prisoner.
After the cessation of hostilities Mr. Smith re- turned home, sold his farm in Michigan, and then coming to Indiana, settled in Morgan County in a thickly timbered section and went into the sawmill and lumber business. He continued that ocenpa- tion until 1872, when he came to Parke County, and has here been engaged in the same vocation. He has been very successful in his business 'enter- prises and may be justly numbered among the leading commercial men of this community. Re- ligiously both he and his estimable wife have held membership with the Christian Church for many years past, and take great interest in its work. Mr. Smith is a member of Lodge No. 518, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Judson, and of Hob- son Post, Grand Army of the Republic of Mar- shall.
B ENJAMIN OLIVER is a son of one of the very first settlers of Montgomery County, is a native of its soil, and is to-day one of its progressive, wide-awake young farmers, whose farm, on Section 16, Union Township, is thoroughly equipped for practical farming and stock-raising, and is well kept up in all respects.
Mr. Oliver was born June 17, 1853, on the farm near Whitesville that his father had reclaimed from the primeval forests of Indiana. The father of our subject was Elias Oliver, who was born in Douglas County, Ohio, in 1802, was reared amid its primitive scenes, and in 1824 became one of the advanced guard of resolute, hardy pioneers who came to this county to open it up to settlement. He bought a tract of government land and estab- lished himself in the woods among the Indiaus. He cleared his land and made a comfortable home, in which he died in 1857 when scarcely past mid- dle age.
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Mrs. Elias Oliver departed this life in 1865. She bore the maiden name of Dicy Flathers and was a daughter of Benjamin Flathers, who was one of the first settlers of the county, coming here in 1824, and he was a prominent farmer in his day. Crawfordsville had but two or three houses within its precincts and there were but few other settlements here at that time. The parents of our subject reared six children, all of whom are living: Mary Ann, who is the widow of Harvey Stewart, and lives in Vermilion County, Ill .; Minerva, wife of Thomas Slaens of this county; G. S., a resident of this county; Dicy, the wife of J. F. Shadwick, who resides near Mace; Elizabeth, the wife of J. R. Gwinn, a farmer in Oregon, and Benjamin.
Benjamin Oliver was left an orphan at the age of twelve years and then became an inmate of the family of James B. Mack, by whom he was reared and with whom he remained until he was twenty- two years old. He early became proficient in all kinds of farming and after his marriage he settled down to agricultural pursuits on his own account, buying his farm of his wife's step-father. It com- prises ninety-two acres of fertile soil, which is under the best of cultivation, and Mr. Oliver has made many substantial improvements that have greatly increased the value of the place since it came into his possession. He has the fences all in good order, has remodeled the dwelling and has a good class of buildings.
The marriage of Mr. Oliver with Miss Julia Brown was celebrated in December, 1875, at the home of the bride's step-father. Mrs. Oliver is the only survivor of the three children of William and Margaret Brown, of whom she was the young- est. Her father was one of the pioneers of this county, coming here in 1832 or 1833. Mr. and Mrs. Oliver have a pleasant, cheerful home abound- ing in hospitality and they have many friends who are attracted to them by their personal merits. Mr. Oliver is one of the stalwart young Repub- licans of the county, and, as a good citizen should, takes an intelligent interest in politics. He is a member of the Montgomery County Farmers' Council, which meets at Crawfordsville every three months.
0 G. HARLAN is a retired farmer who is still making his home on the farm, on Section 9, Union Township, Parke County, on which he located soon after his marriage. That was over fifty years ago, and for nearly that length of time did Mr. Harlan actively engage in carrying on the farm. He has been active in all good works and has a host of warm friends who have been drawn to him by his qualities of manly worth and integrity.
Mr. Harlan was born in Warren County, Ohio, forty miles north of Cincinnati. The date of that important event was November 5, 1822. Our sub- ject's father, Samuel Harlan, was a native of North Carolina, and when a child settled in Ken- tucky with his father. The latter built a mill, which was taken away from him on account of its being on Union land. After this injustice he re- moved to Ohio, when it was a wilderness, taking up land. Twelve other families went with him from Kentucky, making settlements in the Buckeye State. Our subject's father remained with his parents until he was of age, and in 1829 came to Parke County; Ind., where he secured some land of the Government on Section 9, Union Township. He moved his family into a log cabin, remaining there for many years. He lived to a good old age, his death occurring in his ninety-third year while he was on a visit to Kansas.
The mother of O. G. Harlan was, before her marriage, Bethsheba Nutt. She was born in War- ren County, Ohio, and attained the age of seventy- six years. Her father, Aaron Nutt, was a merchant in the Buckeye State. In the family are twelve children, he of whom we write being the fifth in order of birth. His brothers and sisters all grew to manhood and womanhood, but of the number only one is now living, Mary, Mrs. Mitchell, of Vermilion County, Ill.
When a lad of seven years Mr. Harlan first set foot in Parke County, settling in the thickly tim- bered wilderness with his parents and attending the old-fashioned log school-house with its attend- ant discomforts. He remained under the parentat roof until after his father's death. In the year 1842 he was united in the bonds of matrimony
Robert Clark
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with Aseneth Hunt, of Hendricks, who was born in North Carolina. This marriage has been blessed with the following children: Drusilla, Samuel, Itha- mer, Milton, James and Aaron. In addition to these children Mr. and Mrs. Harlan have given a home to twelve orphans, for which they are certainly de- serving of great credit, as that is a piece of prac- tical philanthropy and usefulness which is worthy of praise. Politically Mr. Harlan is affiliated with the Republican party.
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R OBERT CLARK is a prosperous farmer of Washington Township, Parke County, where he owns a homestead of about two hundred acres on Section 24. He was born in Rutherford County, Tenn., March 22, 1828, and is a son of Eli L. and America (Nance) Clark. Our subject's paternal grandparents were Jesse and Martha Clark. The former was born in North Carolina, in which state he was reared to manhood, having but limited educational priv- ileges. Being early inured to farm life, it is little wonder that he adopted that calling for his life work. After marrying in his native state he then emigrated to Rutherford County, Tenn., where he had a small farm. Some years later, in 1825, he again removed, becoming a resident of Parke County, where he was one of the honored early settlers. He entered land of the Government, and in the course of time became the owner of a farm of about five hundred acres, some two miles south of where our subject now lives. His family com- prised seven children, who grew to mature years but have long since all passed away. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and politically was a Jackson Democrat. He reached the ad- vanced age of ninety years, but his wife departed this life many years previously.
Eli L. Clark, our subject's father, was born in Tennessee in the year 1800 and was there brought up on his father's farm. He came with his parents to Indiana, prior to which time, however, he had been married. As his father before him, he fol- lowed agricultural pursuits and became the owner of one hundred and eighty acres of land in this 27
county, most of which he improved. He reared a family of eleven children, of whom our subject is the eldest. Three of the family circle have been called from this life and the remaining ones are as follows: Jesse, Elizabeth, Martha, Amanda, Mary, America and Sarah. The father held to the faith of the Presbyterian Church, but as there was no organization near his home he was necessarily dropped from the membership. He used his right of franchise in favor of the Democratic party. His death occurred in 1864, his wife surviving him un- til 1878.
Robert Clark's school days were passed in the primitive log school-house of former years, which was of the rudest description. In his youth he learned the carpenter's trade and followed it for about ten years. He remained at home until reaching his twenty-ninth year, but had made his own livelihood for a number of years previons to that time. In 1857, March 26, he wedded Miss Amanda Brownell, who is a native of the Buckeye State, and soon after he purchased his farm, which is still his place of abode and which was then only partly improved. He has devoted himself to its proper cultivation and management with admira- ble results.
Mr. Clark and his estimable wife are identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and politic- ally the former is a Democrat. Mrs. Clark's grandfather was a soldier in the War of 1812, and two of her uncles participated in the Mexican War. Ten children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Clark. Three of these died in childhood and the others are as follows: Nelson B., a teacher at Judson; Emma, Mrs. Dr. J. T. Ball; Carrie, wife of George H. Barnes; Josephine; Mattie; Howard B., a student at La Fayette, and Amanda Laverne.
H ENRY H. CLORE owns one of the finest residences in the northern part of Parke County, which is situated on his finely im - proved farm on Section 1, Sngar Creek Township. He is a native son of the county, having been born in Howard Township in 1849.
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His parents are Howard and Margaret (Deer) Clore, the former born in Boone County, Ky., in the year 1819.
Grandfather, Israel Clore, was of German de- scent. The two brothers of his wife served in the War of 1812. Israel Clore, soon after his mar- riage, removed to Boone County, Ky., where he bought land and settled at a very early day. Of his children, two are still living, namely Howard and Simeon, who lives in Montgomery County, Ind. The others were Joel and Melinda, Lucinda, Uriel and Berryman. The last two died within the last year.
In 1837 the father of Israel Clore removed to Indiana, locating in Montgomery County. He had also made a number of trips to this state, where he entered land of the Government. He was a hard worker and whenever he could get a little money ahead he would come to Indiana and enter land, sometimes walking all the way from Boone County. He was drafted for the War of 1812, but hired a substitute. His death occurred August 18, 1854, and that of his wife April 17, 1870. He was first a Jacksonian Democrat, and afterward became a Whig. He was a member of the Hard Shell Baptist Church. To each of his children he gave a good farm of about one hundred and sixty acres.
Howard Clore was educated in the subscription schools of Kentucky, which he never attended more than six days after he was ten years old. On December 12, 1839, he married Margaret Deer, whose father, John Deer, was a native of Virginia, removed to Kentucky, and finally located in Mont- gomery County, Ind., where he entered land at an early day. Mrs. Clore was born in Boone County, Ky., and died November 6, 1856. After his first marriage Mr. Clore located on the farm which he now operates on Section 16, Howard Township, Parke County. No improvements had then been placed upon the farm, which has since been de- veloped entirely by him. In 1868 he built the large and imposing house where he now lives. Before this his home had been an old-fashioned double log house. His farm comprises five hundred and twenty acres, which with the exception of forty acres, is all in one body.
On New Year's Day, 1859, Howard Clore was again married, the lady of his choice being Sarah Deer, a sister of his first wife. After her death he married Mrs. Elizabeth Frame. He had eleven children by his first union, and five by his second wife. Those that are living are as follows: Amanda Ellen, who lives at home; Henry Harrison, the subject of this sketch; Sarah L., Howard, Jr., who is a large farmer in Lucas County, Iowa; and Whitfield, who is engaged in partnership with his brother Howard in stock-raising in Lucas County, where they have eight hundred and fifty acres of land. In 1852 Mr. Clore went to Iowa, and en- tered about seven hundred acres of land.
Mr. Clore, Sr., has his farm superintended by another, and is not actively engaged himself, on account of his age. He has one of the finest farms in the county, all upland. He has a large amount of stock on the place and in the past has raised considerable for the market. His home was built at a cost of $8,000 in the year 1868. Mr. Clore is honored by all who know him, and, though not a church member, has a strong love for everything relating to religion, especially that inclining toward Universalism.
Henry H. Clore received a district school educa- tion in Howard Township, where he resided until shortly before his marriage, which occurred in his twentieth year, the lady being Miss Susanna M. daughter of Franklin and Sarah (Sowers) Myers. Mrs. Clore was born in Jackson Township, Fount- ain County, Ind., where her parents were early settlers. They were both natives of North Caro- lina. Six children have blessed the union of our subject and wife, their names being as follows: Franklin F., Lillie M., Lydia J., Otha E., Bessie B. and Bertha.
Soon after his marriage Henry Clore removed to Lucas County, Iowa, where his father had entered two hundred and seventy-nine acres. This he car- ried on and resided upon it for four years, but, becoming dissatisfied, returned to Indiana, settling first in Montgomery County, and afterward re- moving to his present farm, which comprises one hundred and seventy-eight acres. The owner is especially interested in stock-raising, and keeps a
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fine variety of good animals. He erected a beautiful home on his place, which is the abode of hospi- tality and good cheer. Politically he is a sup- porter of the Republican party.
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L AWRENCE COX, deceased. "The deeds of men live after them," so it is but just that the deeds of the man whose name heads this sketch should be recorded for the benefit of his posterity. His life was such that the future generations of the name will with pride read its history. Mr. Cox was born in north- ern Ireland, October 8, 1800, and came to America in 1819 a poor boy; but with a determination that was characteristic of the man he set about making for himself fame and fortune. With industry for his motto he plodded up the rugged hill that leads to success. He was a man of a limited education but with a large store of general knowledge and good business tact. He first located in Butler County, Ohio, where he remained a short time and then came to Parke County, Ind., where he pur- chased a small tract of land, which is now a por- tion of a large estate he left at his death.
Mr. Cox was a shrewd trader and bought and sold property, each time he made a trade adding to his possessions, and at the time of his death, November 18, 1867, his estate was one of the larg- est and finest in the township. He was a member of the Methodist Church and lived an upright, honest, Christian life. A Republican in politics, he gave but little attention to political matters and never held any office of note in his county. Mr. Cox first married Nancy Kalley, who bore him a number of children, five of whom are now deceased, namely; Lavina, Daniel, Mary Ann, Eliza Jane and John Thomas Lawrence. James, who is a prominent farmer of Vigo County, has filled many prominent offices and is at present County Com- missioner. Lawrence was a soldier in the late war, in which he served three years and died in the hospital at Nashville. Reuben is a prominent farmer in Florida Township, Parke County. Nancy is living on the estate with her stepmother. The mother of these children died September 8,
1853, and their father married in 1858 a widow, whose maiden name was Eliza Keller. This lady was born in Pennsylvania to Jacob Keller, who went to Ohio when she was a child, and died there in 1837. She was the third child in order of birth in a family of fourteen children, and is now the only surviving member of that family. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Cox has remained a widow and is spending her declining years on the comfortable homestead prepared for her by her beloved husband.
OHN HUXFORD. Among the wealthy men of this county is Mr. Huxford, whose life we are proud to place before our readers as one of the representative class of Florida Town- ship, Parke County. Mr. Huxford was born in Reserve Township, Pake County, twelve miles north of where he now resides, October 24, 1836. He is the sixth in order of birth of a family of ten children, born to Charles Willie and Margaret (Reden) Hux- ford. His father was born in Connecticut, July 4, 1802, and was a son of William Huxford, who was also a native of the Nutmeg state and of English ancestry. There is a tradition that in the days of the Revolution three Huxford brothers fled from England and settled in the New England States, and from one of these brothers the present family of the name originates.
The grandfather of our subject was in his early life a blacksmith, having first emigrated to Butler County, Ohio, and later, in 1824, moved to Parke County, where he settled in Reserve Township. So far as can be learned he had two sons, the father of John, and Cyrus. The latter was a blacksmith by trade and went to Iowa. The mother of Mr. Huxford was the daughter of William Reden, who was a native of Pennsylvania, but early went to Ohio, where he located, and when the War of 1812 broke out enlisted. He was known to have been in the battle of New Orleans, after which he was never again heard from. Mrs. Huxford was born September, 1807, and had two sisters-Cathrine, who married Benjamin Daily, and Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Holmes.
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