"Counties of Morgan, Monroe & Brown, IN - Washington Township and Nashville" - published in 1884 by F.A. Battey & Co.

WILLIAM WESLEY BROWNING, editor of the Brown County Democrat, was born in Lawrence County, Ind., July 1, 1831, and is the eldest of hte nine children of Amasa and Mary (Winfrey) Browning, natives of Tennesse, and of English extraction. W.W. Browning was reared to farming, and attended the public schools, from which he learned sufficient to become a teacher. After his majority, he was engaged in mercantile business at Heltonville and a Smithville for about four years. In 1855-56, he studied law under ex-Gov. Dunning, of Bloomington; then removed to Bedford, practiced one year, and March 4, 1858, came to Nashville. Was a partner with Hon. James G. Hester, who was elected Judge in 1873. Mr. Browning continued the law until November 1, 1883, when he began work in the Clerk's office of this county. June 11, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, Twenty-second Indiana Regiment; was through the Missouri campaign, took typoid fever and came home. In the spring of 1862, he enlisted 500 men, and was elected Captain of Campany D, in the Eighty-second Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry; was injured by an exploding shell at the battle of Resaca, soon after which he resigned. In 1870, he was elected Representative of this and Jackson County in the General Assembly, and was tendered the same in 1872, but refused. He has been a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church sixteen years, for four of which he was an itinerent. He is now Deputy Clerk and editor of the Democrat. Mr. Browning has been twice married, his first wife being Lucinda Daytoe, who died April 23, 1878, leaving one child. July 1, 1878, he wedded Martha M. Watkins. Mr. Browning was Prosecuting Attorney of the Ninth Judicial District in 1874.

"Counties of Morgan, Monroe & Brown, IN - Washington Township and Nashville" - published in 1884 by F.A. Battey & Co.

JOHN B. CALVIN, dealer in hardware, furniture, undertaker's supplies, etc., was born in this county February 15, 1855, and is the eighth of the nine in family of Timothy D. and Mary (Middleton) Calvin, the former a native of Ohio, the latter of Indiana, and respectively of English and Irish descent. Timothy D. Calvin moved hither in 8154, and followed the tanning business for a number of years. John B. Calvin worked alike on the farm and in the tanyard until he reached manhood, when he engaged in the harness business with his brother on a joint capital of $100. The business grew so fast, however, they were compelled to build a larger place to house their increasing stock, and now they have one of the best stores in the county. January 28, 1878, he married Miss Carisadie Reddick, which union was graced by two children, only one of whom lived to be named - Dennis J. (born May 17, 1882). Mr. Calvin is a stanch Democrat in politics, but withal an amiable gentleman and honored citizen; also a practical business man and successful merchant.

"Counties of Morgan, Monroe & Brown, IN - Washington Township and Nashville" - published in 1884 by F.A. Battey & Co.

JOHN W. CARTER, teacher, was born May 29, 1851, in Belmont County, Ohio, and is the fourth in the family of Ephraim and Nancy (Willison) Carter, the former a native of New Jersey, the latter of Pennsylvania, and respectively of Scotch and German extraction. John W. came to this county came to this county with his parents when two years old. Here he was reared, and here they made their home, where he remained until he became of age, at which period he attended the Central Normal School at Danville, and later that at Valparaiso, which fitted him to be a teacher, which profession he entered upon in 1871, in Morgan County. He has taught nine terms in this county, and is an energetic and efficient instructor. During summer he assists his father in his farm work, and is a good manager and agriculturist. He is politically a Democrat, a public-spirited, influential citizen, and one of the coming men of this portion of the commonwealth.

"Counties of Morgan, Monroe & Brown, IN - Washington Township and Nashville" - published in 1884 by F.A. Battey & Co.

ISAAC CHAFIN, County Recorder, is a native of this county, was born October 11, 1849, and is the sixth of eight children born to Sarah and James (Hall) Chafin, both natives of Kentucky, who moved hither about 1843, remained a short time, then moved to Missouri, and came again to this county, where Mr. Chafin died about 1853. Isaac Chafin was reared as a farmer, attended the common schools, and one year at Clear Springs, after which he commenced teaching. February 14, 1878, he married Miss Mary C. Woods, a native of this county, and to them have been born three children - John B., Herma E. and Sarah I. Mr. Chafin is owner of a good farm, one best adapted to stock-raising, but making a comfortable home. He has also some property in Nashville. He is a Democrat; was elcted Recorder of this county in 1876, and re-elected in 1880. He is a public-spirited and liberal citizen; also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and Mrs. Chafin is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church.

"Counties of Morgan, Monroe & Brown, IN - Washington Township and Nashville" - published in 1884 by F.A. Battey & Co.

ABRAHAM T. CLARK, farmer, was born in Fayette County, Penn., November 9, 1818, and is a member of the family of Enos and Anna Clark; the former a native of Maryland, the latter of Pennsylvania. Abraham T. Clark acquired a good education in his birth State, and when nineteen years of age moved with his father to Ohio, and afterward traveled through several States and Territories. At the age of thirty-two, he married Miss Jane, daughter of Edward and Jane Broom, and a native of Ohio, and by this union were produced ten children, of which number are living six sons and one daughter. Mr. Clark has been a member of the Board of Education and Justice of the Peace. In 1858, he came to this county, and purchased a farm in this township, where he now resides in comfort and independence. He is a Master Mason, of Lodge 135, and an esteemed and trusted citizen.

"Counties of Morgan, Monroe & Brown, IN - Washington Township and Nashville" - published in 1884 by F.A. Battey & Co.

BENJAMIN CLARK is a native of this county, came into this life November 6, 1863, a son of Abraham T. Clark, and engaged in saw milling in the eastern part of this township, having one of the best mills of the county, and doing a large business. He is an advocate of Democracy and temperance, and among the most prominent young men of the county.

"Counties of Morgan, Monroe & Brown, IN - Washington Township and Nashville" - published in 1884 by F.A. Battey & Co.

JUDGE RICHARD L. COFFEY was born in Monroe County, Ind., May 7, 1835. He is the eldest son and the fourth child of the seven children born to Lewis and Hariette E. (Powell) Coffey, natives of North Carolina. He was reared on a farm three miles west of Ellettsville, and received the rudiments of his education in the district schools. In the fall of 1850, he entered Franklin College, at Franklin, Ind., studied two years; then clerked for Helton & Dodds, general merchants of Bloomington, Ind. Fromt he fall of 1853 to the fall of 1854, he taught school in Owen County, and in November, 1854, married Margaret, daughter of Lorance Lytton, a pioneer of Spencer, Ind. To this union was born one child - Annie E. He then farmed in Monroe County until the death of his wife, which occurred in January, 1857. Soon after this event he traded his farm for land in Iowa; at once went there; remained a short time, and then went to Gentry County, Mo., where he taught school one term, returning to Monroe County, Ind., and teaching during the winter of 1857-58. In the spring of 1858, he entered the law office of Gov. Paris C. Dunning; was admitted to the bar in the fall of the same year; entered the Law Department of the State University, and graduated March 1, 1859. He immediately went back to Gentry County, Mo.; taught school until the spring of 1861, and then entered upon the practice of law in waht was know as Smithville, Mo., where he was soon appointed Commissioner of Worth County, to settle the affairs between it and Gentry County, the two having just been divided. In the fall of 1861, he returned to Owen County and taught school until the spring of 1864, when he married Martha F., daughter of E.F. Faulkner. During the winter of 1864-65, he taught school in Nashville, and also entered in legal practice. In the spring of 1865, his wife died. December 7, 1865, he married Julia M., daughter of Dr. William M. and Lucy J. Mason, early settlers of Nashville. By this marriage, he became the father of four children - William, J. Hill, Lucy and Richard. He was shortly appointed by Gov. Baker Common Pleas Judge of the district composed of Shelby, Johnson, Morgan, Monroe and Brown Counties, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Judge Wollen; at the general election, in 1870, was elected, and in 1872 re-elected to fill said office, which he filled until it was abolished by the Legislature. In 1878, he was elected Senator for the district composed of Brown and Bartholomew Counties; served four years, and then resumed the practice of the law. In 1876, he was commissioned, by Gov. Hendricks, Marshal, in and for the Third Congressional District, Indiana, and charged with the duties required by an at entitled "An act to provide for electing Electors for President and Vice President of the United States," approved May 20, 1852. He also served as a member of the State Democratic Central Committee, from June, 1870, to June, 1872. He is at present Town School Trustee, and has filled the position eight years. While Senator, in 1879, he was on the following committees: Elections, Organization of Courts, Banks, Phraseology (Chairman), Arrangement, Enrollment of Bills, Unfinished Business, and also on the Joint Standing Committee on Enrolled Bills; in 1881, on Organization of Courts, Banks, Federal Regulations, Rights and Privileges of the Inhabitants of the States, and on Legislative Apportionment. Judge Coffey is a Freemason, an Odd Fellow, and a member of the Presbyterian Church.

"Counties of Morgan, Monroe & Brown, IN - Washington Township and Nashville" - published in 1884 by F.A. Battey & Co.

GEORGE W. CORNELIUS was born December 29, 1838, in Wayne County, Ind., and is the third of the ten children of Benjamin and Letitia (Wilson) Cornelius, the former a native of Virginia, the latter of Kentucky, and both now deceased. George W. Cornelius was reared on a farm, obtained a fair education, and, with his parents, came to this county in 1856. February 13, 1861, he married Miss Susan J. Pogue, a native of this county. In 1876, Mr. Cornelius moved to Nashville, was elected Trustee of Washington Township, and re-elected in 1878. In 1879, he commenced the mercantile business, in which he is yet engaged, and also is Treasurer of the School Board. He is owner of eighty acres, some town property, and a half interest in a drug and grocery store with T.D. Calvin. Mr. Cornelius is a liberal Democrat and a valued citizen.

"Counties of Morgan, Monroe & Brown, IN - Washington Township and Nashville" - published in 1884 by F.A. Battey & Co.

TIMOTHY D. CALVIN was born June 28, 1858, in this county, a son of Timothy D. and Mary (Middleton) Calvin, the former a native of Ohio, the latter of Illinois. Our subject grew to manhood in this town, attended school at Bloomington and Terre Haute, and has taught eight terms of school in this county. November 14, 1880, he purchased a drug store, where he keeps a good line of general wares. In 1879, he began a hardware store with his brother, but sold his interest to his father afterward, and devotes his energies and time to his present business. November 19, 1880, he married Miss Linda Ferguson, from which alliance has sprung two children - Notie and Otis W. Mr. Calvin has a cozy farm of forty acres, also a good town property. He is a Democrat and a worthy citizen; Mrs. Calvin is a member of the M.E. Church.

"Counties of Morgan, Monroe & Brown, IN - Washington Township and Nashville" - published in 1884 by F.A. Battey & Co.

WILLIAM L. COX, attorney at law, was born July 28, 1838, in Monroe County, Ind., and is the second son of John B. and Barbara (Ledgerwood) Cox, natives of East Tennessee. John B. Cox was born in 1812, moved to Monroe County in 1828, and is now residing in Benton Township. He is owner of 280 acres; is a Missionary Baptist minister since 1838, and has preached in this and adjacent counties. He was married a second time, the bride being Miss Martha Moser, with an issue of ten children. William L. Cox was reared a farmer, attended school and became a teacher; afterward attended college at Bloomington for one year, and in 1864 began his studies in law with W.H. Bainbridge, and was the same year appointed school examiner, in the intervening time continuing the study of law. September, 1867, he resigned his position and was elected Clerk of the Circuit Court of this county, re-elected in 1870 and held the same until 1875, when he engaged in practice as a lawyer, making probate and civil cases a specialty. October 18, 1866, he married Miss Parmelia Bartholomew, which union produced four sons - George W., Nathaniel D., William Fuller and an infant. MR. Cox is a member of the Masonic Order up to the Royal Arch, a Democrat, and he and wife are members of the Prsbyterian Church.

"Counties of Morgan, Monroe & Brown, IN - Washington Township and Nashville" - published in 1884 by F.A. Battey & Co.

WILLIAM DAY, grocer and Trustee of Washington Township, was born January 27, 1838, in Delaware County, Ohio, and is the first son of Cresley and Celinda (Reynolds) Day, both natives of Ohio and now deceased. William Day was reared to farming, which he followed in his birth State, and in 1873, located near Nashville. October, 1861, he enlisted in Company F, Sixty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, served three years and three months, and was at Shiloh, Perryville and Stone River, where he received a flesh wound in the shoulder. Rejoining his regiment, he fought at Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Dalton, Resaca, and the Atlanta campaign, being discharged December 15, 1864. October 15, 1865, he married Miss Viola A. Serels, which union was crowned by five children - Nettie B., Ettie D., Eva J., Ellie M. and Neoma A. November, 1882, he moved to this town and engaged in his present business, in which he has a good trade, carries a large stock and has been very successful. Mr. Day is a member of the G.A.R., of the Republican party; was eleccted Trustee of Washington Township in 1880, and is an upright, esteemed citizen. Mr. and Mrs. Day are members of the Christian Church.

"Counties of Morgan, Monroe & Brown, IN - Washington Township and Nashville" - published in 1884 by F.A. Battey & Co.

JOHN DEIST, farmer, is a native of Germany, was born February 14, 1833, whose parents were Conrad and Mary S. Deist, both of them natives of Germany and of German extraction. Conrad Deist was engaged on a farm until 1814, at which time he became a soldier in the wars of that period between France and his native land, part of the service being spent on land as a husbandman. He was mainly a herder, and died January 3, 1872, aged seventy-seven, a member of the Reformed Church, as was his wife. John Deist obtained a good education in the fatherland, remained at home until he was twenty, when he emigrated to New York, remained two years, moved to Wheeling, W. Va., thence to Ohio, where he lived for ten years, and finally to this county, where he purchased a farm and still resides. February 25, 1857, he married Elizabeth Claus, a native of Pittsburgh, Penn., by which union they were given one son and three daughters. Mrs. Deist left the world April 7, 1862. After this event Mr. Deist wedded Louisa C. Faber, of Ohio, which union was honored by three sons and four daughters, of whom Henry C. Deist is one of the ablest of the county's teachers. Mr. Deist is a Democrat, has served as County Commissioner, and he and lady are members of the Presbyterian Church.

"Counties of Morgan, Monroe & Brown, IN - Washington Township and Nashville" - published in 1884 by F.A. Battey & Co.

ALEXANDER DUNCAN, farmer, is a native of Stokes County, N.C.; was born January 29, 1815, the son of Alamanda and Susanna (Vaughn) Duncan, natives respectively of Virginia and North Carolina. The father of our subject learned the occupation of shoe-making, and followed the same forty years, but after marriage he engaged in farming and so continued until his decease. Our subject worked for his father on the farm until he was united in wedlock, which event took place November 17, 1837, the bride being Sarah F. Reddick, a native of the "Old North State." To this union were granted fourteen children, of whom two sons and eight daughters are living. In 1839, he moved to this State, and remained some time in Fayette County; then moved to Marion County, where he resided twenty years, and thence to this county, March 23, 1860, where he purchased a farm and made a home. Mr. Duncan is a time-honored member of the Freemasons, and one of the oldest citizens of the county toward which he has done so much. He is now in his seventieth years, and a greatly esteemed citizen.

"Counties of Morgan, Monroe & Brown, IN - Washington Township and Nashville" - published in 1884 by F.A. Battey & Co.

HON. W.C. Duncan is a son of Alexander Duncan and Sarah F. Duncan, both of whom are still living at their old home, six miles southwest of Nashville, reared and married in North Carolina; after this marriage they removed to Indiana, settling for a time in Fayette County; soon thereafter they removed to Marion County, where W.C. Duncan was born on the 24th of June, 1851, and is the ninth child in a family of fourteen children, consisting of five boys and nine girls. On the 23d of March, 1860, with his father's family, he came to Brown County and settled upon a farm six miles southwest of Nashville. Here he was brought up in habits of industry, honesty and frugality. He early evinced a desire for knowledge, and obatined the rudiments of a good education in the common schools, as taught in District No. 11, of Washington Township. He commenced teaching in the common schools of the county at the age of eighteen, and continued to teach and labor upon the farm until the 24th of June, 1871, when, having accumulated enough money to pay his way for a considerable time in school, he was examined and admitted to the Freshman class in the Indiana State University at Bloomington. He attended college regularly for more than two years, until, after entering and attending one term of his junior year, he was again compelled to seek employment as a teacher to supply himself with the necessary funs to further prosecute his studies. But while out of college he continued to study, and before the end of the year returned, and with his class passed examination, and entered the Senior class. Graduating in 1875, for one year he engaged in teaching, and returned in 1876, and entered the Law Department. But in the winter of 1877, he again taught school for a term. In the spring of 1877, he re-entered upon the study of his chosen profession, the law, in the office of Richard L. Coffey, in Nashville. Here he continued until the winter of 1878, when he entered upon the practice, in partnership with W.W. Browning, at Nashville. On the 23d day of April, 1878, he was nominated by the Democracy of the Ninth Judicial Circuit for Prosecuting Attorney for the counties of Bartholomew and Brown, and in October following was elected to that office, and entered upon his duties on the 22d day of October, 1879. During most of his term of office he resided in Bartholomew County, and became largely and favorably known to the people of that county. In November, 1881, after the expiration of his term of office, he again resumed regular practice at Nashville, and on the 17th of June, 1882, he was nominated by the Democrats of Bartholomew, Brown and Monroe, as a candidate for State Senator, and after one of the most heated campaigns ever known, was in the fall of that year elected State Senator, and was a member of the Legislature of 1883, in which he distinguished himself by his industry, courage and integrity. His votes will all be found consistently in favor of a strict construction of the constitution; of the largest amount of personal liberty of the citizens consistent with the public good; of liberal support of the State's great charities and benevolent institutions and universities, and other educational facilities. He was likewise always found as earnestly opposing jobs, schemes, subsidies and all repressive legislation. Although next to the youngest member of the Senate of 1883, he was accorded recognition as one of the most determined and energetic members of that body. Mr. Duncan is the senior member of the firm of Duncan & Percifield, now engaged in the practice of law in Nashville. On July 26, 1880, he was married to Jennie Buskirk, a daughter of Michael Buskirk, now of Clay County, Ind. Two little girls - Edith and Jessie - have been born of this union. Mr. Duncan claims for himself nothing but the ability and willingness to work with devoted energy for whatever cause he may espouse. He is the architect of his own fortune, and is in every sense a self-made man. He is a man of strong convictions and firm friendship. If at times he appears reticent and unwilling to express his prefereneces, it is not because he lacks courage or convictions. He always abides his time. He never fritters away his opportunities. Mr. Duncan is now but thirty-two years of age, and few men so young have accomplished so much as he, or seen so much of life and honor.

"Counties of Morgan, Monroe & Brown, IN - Washington Township and Nashville" - published in 1884 by F.A. Battey & Co.

WILLIAM GEARY, miller, first saw the light of earth in this county; was born June 20, 1854, and is a son of Josephus and Betsey (Stump) Geary, both natives of Kentucky, and respectively of English and English-Irish descent. Mrs. Betsey Geary is yet living, aged fifty-seven, and a devoted member of the Christian Church. William Geary received a very limited education in boyhood, and when fourteen years of age he commenced working in a mill, and in this occupation he has since been engaged. March 20, 1879, he married Mary E. Shepard, daughter of Richard and Sarah Sheperd, and a native of Belmont County, Ohio. As a result of this union, three children have been born to them - one son and two daughters. Mr. Geary is now operating a flouring-mill and a saw-mill, and both very successfully. He is one of the leading citizens and representative men of the township.

"Counties of Morgan, Monroe & Brown, IN - Washington Township and Nashville" - published in 1884 by F.A. Battey & Co.

CHARLES GENOLIN is a native of this township; was born May 10, 1862, and is a son of John Genolin, of Marseilles, France, born 1812, who emigrated during boyhood to the United States, and August 10, 1840, married, in Connecticut, Elizabeth Clark, and they located in this county in 1851, where Mr. Genolin engaged in trade and died April 24, 1874. He was an affectionate father and husband, and a worthy citizen. Charles Genolin was reared to manhood in his birthtown, and has been engaged in various branches of business, he having natural executive ability, and being a born merchant. With a small inheritance from his father's estate, he has made his way to a position of pride and prosperity. He is a member of the Democratic party and an active politician, a correspondent for several local newspapers, and is a promising young man with a cloudless future.

"Counties of Morgan, Monroe & Brown, IN - Washington Township and Nashville" - published in 1884 by F.A. Battey & Co.

JOHN F. GENOLIN, M.D., is the fourth of ten children of John and Elizabeth (Clark) Genolin, the former a native of France, the latter of Ireland, who located in this county in the early time, where Mr. Genolin was successfully engaged in the mercantile business until 1874, when he left the world; Mrs. Genolin now resides in Nashville. Dr. John F. Genolin was born in Nashville, Ind., July 18, 1854, where he attended school and assisted his father until his majority, at which time he entered the office of Dr. Phillips, at Nashville, and assiduously devoted himself to the study of medicine. Two years later, he entered the Vanderbilt Medical University, whence he graduated in 1877, with the ad eundem degree of doctor of medicine. He then opened an office in Nashville, and has continued the practice successfully, his consultation business being especially large. September 15, 1881, he married Miss Susie E. Walton, a native of Ohio, a marriage which gave issue to two children - Verna and an infant. Dr. Genolin is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and an uncompromising Republican. In 1880, he was commissioned Postmaster at Nashville, but resigned in 1882. He is an esteemed and honored citizen.

"Counties of Morgan, Monroe & Brown, IN - Washington Township and Nashville" - published in 1884 by F.A. Battey & Co.