In 1820 the Soloman family came to Indiana, and settled in Jackson County, and there remained two years, then removed to Orange County, where they remained three years, and then removed to Spencer County, Ky., and lived near Taylorsville, the county seat, until 1832, when on the 5th of March, they arrived in this county, and settled on a farm four miles southeast of Washington. By occupation the father of Uncle David was a farmer, and shoe-maker, and was also a soldier in the war of 1812.
He remained in Daviess County about fifteen years, and then remvoed to Wisconsin, where he died about 1858. The mother also died in that State in 1853. Mr. Soloman lived with his parents until he arrived at manhood's years, and then learned the wagon-maker's trade, at which he is very skillful, and has since continued in that business. He has been a resident of this county fifty-three years.
Mr. Soloman was married, in 1832, to Miss Sarah CARNAHAN, by whom he had seven children, one of whom survives, viz.: John. Mrs. Soloman died in 1843, and Mrs. Soloman was married again the same year to Miss Elizabeth LOGAN. To this marriage were born two children--one still lives, viz.: Samuel D. Mrs. Soloman died February 27, 1881, and Mr. Soloman was married the same year to Mrs. Sophia J. SUMPTER, a native of Dayton, Ohio, born in 1830, daughter of Alexander and Elizabeth WOOD. Her father was born in Connecticut in 1805, and her mother in South Carolina in 1800. Mrs. Soloman was first married, in 1851, to Hudson BURROWS, a native of Louisville, Ky. He was a Mexican soldier, and died at Leavenworth, Kas., in 1858. She was again married, in 1862, to Dr. W. H. Sumpter, a native of Kentucky, born in 1838, and died in 1876. She married her present husband in 1881.
Mr. Soloman was formerly a Whig, and is now a Republican. He had two sons in the late war. In 1841 he joined the Christian Church, of which he was a member seventeen years, and then united with the Presbyterian Church. He was elected county commissioner in 1860, and served three years. Subsequently he was elected trustee of Washington Township, and served one year. Physically he yet seems in the prime of life, and "though he is passing into the sere and yellow leaf, his years sit lightly upon him." He is a man with many friends, few enemies, and in whom every one has the most implicit confidence. His word is as good as his note. The history of Daviess County
would be incomplete wihout the sketch of this eminent Christian gentleman.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"A HISTORY OF KNOX AND DAVIESS COUNTIES, INDIANA" 1886 GOODSPEED PUBLISHING COMPANY, CHICAGO
DAVIESS COUNTY, IN. WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP PAGE 799
FRANKLIN SMEAD is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was born December 18, 1832. His parents were Wesley and Cornelia Smead. The father was born in Whitehall, New York State, and was reared there and in Poughkeepsie. He was born in 1800, and at the age of eighteen went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and engaged in the drug business, accumulating wealth rapidly, and eventually became one of the prominent men of the city, and a wealthy banker. In 1857 the bank suspended, and he went back to Poughkeepsie, and at one time was worth $500,000, but lost nearly all his property in 1857. The mother was born in Connecticut, and in early life went to Cincinnati, Ohio. She died in 1838, and the father in 1871.
Our subject was reared in Cincinnati, Ohio, and received a good education, both mercantile and classical. After attaining his majority he began farming in Illinois, and continued in that State until 1872, when he moved onto his present farm. He devotes the most of his time to the culture of bees and fruits, and the rearing of cattle. He owns 120 acres of exceptionallly fine land near Washington, on which is erected a fine two-story residence.
In 1864 he was married to Sarah E. SNEATH, a native of New Jersey, who immigrated to Illinois before the war. To them were born eleven children, two of whom died in infancy: Stella, Ida M., Minnie, Pearl, Llewellyn, Clarence, Harry, Daniel and Mabel. Those deceased were Alexander and Edith. Mr. Smead has always been a Republican, and is a prominent farmer. Mrs. Smead is a member of the church.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"A HISTORY OF KNOX AND DAVIESS COUNTIES, INDIANA" 1886 GOODSPEED PUBLISHING COMPANY, CHICAGO
DAVIESS COUNTY, IN. WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP PAGE 798
WILLIAM SHANKS, ex-county surveyor and farmer, is a native of Fayette County, Penn., born June 29, 1827, son of John and Sarah (JORDAN) Shanks, and is of German-Irish extraction. Of four cihldren, he is the third. His father was born in north Pennsylvania in 1801, and the mother in 1802, in the same State. His grandfather was William Shanks, also a Pennsylvanian, and died in his native State in 1842.
The father of our subject came to Daviess County in 1837, and entered 160 acres of land. He also followed the tanner's trade. He returned to Pennsylvania in 1838, and there remained until 1846, when he removed with his family to Daviess County, Ind., and settled in Washington Township, and here died in the fall of 1852. The mother of our subject died in 1883.
Our subject remained at home and worked for his father until he was twenty-three years of age, when he taught school three terms. In 1849 he was appointed deputy surveyor, and served two years. In 1852 he went to California and engaged in mining, but returned in the spring of 1856 and began farming. In 1858 he settled where he now lives. He owns 326 acres of land, of which 226 acres are in a fine state of cultivation. In 1868 he was elected county surveyor of Daviess County, and re-elected in 1872.
He was married, in 1857, to Miss Catherine GRAHAM, a native of Pike County, Ind., born October 31, 1827, daughter of John and Ann M. Graham. Her father was born in Scotland in 1779, and her mother in Maryland in 1801. They have three children: Anna M. and Sarah E. (twins), born February, 1861, and John G., born 1862. Mr. Shanks is a Republican, and owns one of the best farms in Washington Township.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"A HISTORY OF KNOX AND DAVIESS COUNTIES, INDIANA" 1886 GOODSPEED PUBLISHING COMPANY, CHICAGO
DAVIESS COUNTY, IN. WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP PAGE 797
JOHN A. SCUDDER, M. D., Washington, Ind., was born in Daviess County November 1,1832, and is the eldest of a family of five children born to Jacob F. and Matilda (ARRELL) Scudder, natives, respectively, of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. His father came to Daviess Coutny with his father, John A. Scudder, in 1819. The latter named was a physician and surgeon in the Revolutionary war, and was among the first of any note to follow the profession in Daviess County.
Jacob F. Scudder was raised in this county, and was engaged in farming and in flat-boating to New Orleans at an early day. He was one of the enterprising and successful farmers of this time, was a Whig in politics, and died on his farm in Veal Township, May 31, 1844. His widow subsequently married William F. WOOD, and they both still live in the county.
The subject of this sketch was brought up on the farm, and secured the same knd of education obtained by other young men of that day. At the age of twenty-two he began the study of medicine with Dr. S. W. PECK, now a practicing physician of Washington, attended lectures, and graduated at the Miami Medical College at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1857. He then returned to Washington and began here the practice of medicine, which he has ever since contnued with more than ordinary success.
He served as surgeon in the Sixty-fifth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry two years during the war of the Rebellion. In politics he is a Republican, is a member of the I.O.O.F., of the K. of H. and of the G.A.R. Dr. Scudder was married, in 1859, to Helen S. VAN TREES, daughter of Col. John Van Trees, by whom he has had seven children, five of whom are still living, as follows: Charles P., a practicing physician; Tillie F., Laura G, Anna and David.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"A HISTORY OF KNOX AND DAVIESS COUNTIES, INDIANA" 1886 GOODSPEED PUBLISHING COMPANY, CHICAGO
DAVIESS COUNTY, IN. WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP PAGE 796
FRANCIS RUGGLESS is the eldest of seven children born to Jacob Ruggless, who was born in Kentucky in 1803, and of Welsh parentage. The mother was also born in Kentucky. They moved to Indiana in 1811 and were among the very early settlers of that unbroken country.
Our subject was born February 1, 1824, and was reared on the place where he was born. He secured such education as could then be obtained, and at the age of eighteen began working for himself at milling at the old PALMER Mill he having helped build the same in 1844. He continued in the milling business thirty-four years.
September 12, 1847, he was united in matrimony to Miss A. MARTIN, daughter of A. and Nancy Martin. To them were born these children: Nancy, Jacob, Elizabeth, Sarah and Clay. All are deceased except Nancy and Jacob. Mrs. Ruggless died December 1, 1854, and February 3, 1859, he was married to Nancy J. FRAIM, daughter of George and Nancy (HASKINS) Fraim. To them were born these children: Alice, Eva, Henrietta (are deceased), John M., James L., Francis, William D., Nathan, Laura, Edith.
In 1881 Mr. Ruggless removed to the farm where he now lives. In Janaury,1865, he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Forty-third Indiana Volunteers, and served nine months. He was discharged at Nashville and mustered out at Indianapolis. He is a Republican and cast his first vote for Harrison. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"A HISTORY OF KNOX AND DAVIESS COUNTIES, INDIANA" 1886 GOODSPEED PUBLISHING COMPANY, CHICAGO
DAVIESS COUNTY, IN. WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP PAGE 796
JOHN A. RODARMEL, of Washington, Daviess County, was born in Washington, December 2, 1848, bieng one of a family of seven children born to Samuel A. and Lucinda (BALL) Rodarmel, natives, respectively, of Pennsylvania and Ohio. Samuel A. Rodarmel was born June 10, 1810, and was married to Miss Lucinda BALL February 22, 1832. Miss Ball was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, February 22, 1812. The former was of German parentage, the latter of Scotch. Samuel A. Rodarmel came to Daviess County in 1825 or 1826 from Pennsylvania, locating in Washington Township with his father, John Rodarmel. After his marriage he removed to Washington and engaged in the cabinet-making and undertaking business, which he continued until 1863, when he was appointed postmaster of Washington. This position he retained until his death from small-pox April 14, 1864.
The subject of this sketch was brought up in Washington with his parents and secured a limited education. At the age of ten he began learning the printer's trade with S. F. HORRALL, of Washington, in the old Telegraph office. He mastered his trade in that office an in those of other local papers, and also in the office of the Evansville Journal. In 1865 he accepted a position with the Gazette and in 1868 bought an interest in the paper, which he held until 1870, when he sold out, still however, remaining with the paper. In 1882 he purchased an interest in the paper, which he still retains, and has charge of the composing-room and job-room of the company.
In politics Mr. Rodarmel is a Republican, and is a member of the Encampment of the I.O.R.M. He was married, in 1875, to Miss Frances MEREDITH, daughter of Squire B. T. Meredith, by whom he has five children--three sons and two daughters.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"A HISTORY OF KNOX AND DAVIESS COUNTIES, INDIANA" 1886 GOODSPEED PUBLISHING COMPANY, CHICAGO
DAVIESS COUNTY, IN. WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP PAGE 795
J. H. RIGHT was born in Daviess County February 6, 1820, and is one of four children born to James C. and Sarah (HAWKINS) Right. His father was born in South Carolina, and immigrated to Indiana in 1809 and the mother several years later. They settled in Daviess County, where the subject of this sketch now lives, and were among the very early settlers, and were obliged to protect themselves from the Indians by taking refuge in forts. When our subject was twenty-three years of age his father died, and he then resided with his mother until twenty-seven years old.
April 28, 1846, he was married to Caroline WALKER, daughter of George and Catherine Walker, natives of Kentucky. Mr. Right rented ground until 1858, when he settled on his present farm. To them were born these children: James F., G. W., John W., Thomas E., Francis B., Mary E., A. E., Carrie and Ella. Five are deceased.
Mr. Right has always been a farmer and now owns eighty-three acres
of land. He and wife have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church for thrity-one years. He is a Republcian and cast his first vote for Buchanan. He is self-educated and is an excellent citizen of the county.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"A HISTORY OF KNOX AND DAVIESS COUNTIES, INDIANA" 1886 GOODSPEED PUBLISHING COMPANY, CHICAGO
DAVIESS COUNTY, IN. WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP PAGE 794
NATHAN G. READ, a well-known citizen of Daviess County, was born in this county March 30, 1842, and is the youngest of a family of three sons and four daughters born to Nathan and Martha (WEAVER) Read, natives, respectively, of Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. The former came to Daviess County at an early day, and led a long, useful, and honorable life upon his farm to the time of his death in March, 1859. The latter died in 1848.
The subject of this sketch was reared on his father's farm, and secured an ordinary education. At the age of twenty-one he accepted the position of deputy county auditor under his brother, Richard N., serving in that capacity until November, 1867, when he was elected to the position of auditor, and served two terms. In 1876 he was elected sheriff of the county, and served one term of two years. After retiring from the office of sheriff he was engaged for three years in the general merchandising business in Washington. Mr. Read is an unswerving Democrat in politics, and has always been true to the interests of his party, as his repeated election to office shows.
In October, 1884, he accepted the position of deputy treasurer of Daviess County under Richard H. GREENWOOD, and has almost entire charge of the office. He is a member of the city school board, and is generally recognized as one of the most enterprising citizens of the county. He was married, January 21, 1878, to Mrs. Fannie McCULLOUGH, by whom he has two sons: Robert Nathan and Lewis I. Read.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"A HISTORY OF KNOX AND DAVIESS COUNTIES, INDIANA" 1886 GOODSPEED PUBLISHING COMPANY, CHICAGO
DAVIESS COUNTY, IN. WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP PAGE 794
ABRAHAM PERKINS, farmer, was born in Daviess County, Ind., August 31, 1842, and was the seventh of ten children born to Alfred and Rebecca (ELLISON) Perkins, who were born in the "Blue-grass State," and came to Indiana during its very early settlement. Here they married and lived the remainder of their lives, following the independent lives of farmers. They became quite well to do, and were influential citizens of the county.
Our subject had limited educational advantages, and at the age of fourteen began working about as a farm hand. July 3, 1861, when he was nearly nineteen years old, he enlisted in Company I, Twenty-fourth Indiana Volunteers, and was mustered out in October, 1864. He was slightly wounded in each arm, but was never off duty a day while in the service. After his return from the army he began farming in Knox County, continuing until 1869, when he purchased the land he now lives upon (120 acres).
August 9, 1866,
he was united in marriage to Amanda McDONALD, born in the county March 6, 1844, daughter of Francis and Asenath McDonald, early settlers of the county. The wife is a member of the Christian Church, and Mr. Perkins is a warm Republican in politics, and is one of the successful and enterprising farmers of the county.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"A HISTORY OF KNOX AND DAVIESS COUNTIES, INDIANA" 1886 GOODSPEED PUBLISHING COMPANY, CHICAGO
DAVIESS COUNTY, IN. WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP PAGE 793
Dr. Harvey Taylor is a native of Kentucky, born April 10, 1821, son of John and Malinda Woodall Taylor. The father was born in Virginia in 1795. he was a farmer, and died in Kentucky about 1850. The mother was born in 1799 and died about 1854. Our subject obtained the education of the average farmer's boy, and when nineteen years old began working for himself. April 10, 1842, he married Elizabeth Davis, born in 1817. She died in 1880, leaving one child, James S. In 1846 Dr. Taylor began the study of medicine with Dr. John Hill, of Bloomington, IN, remaining with him one year. After a two years' study with Dr. Matthew Fee he began practicing his profession in Daviess Co, IN, meeting with good success. In 1875 he took a course of lectures at the medical college of Indiana, and graduated from that institution the same year. During the war, he was a strong Union man, and served in company C, Fourteenth Indiana Volunteers. He was promoted
to first lieutenant of Company F, and remained with that company four years. He then joined Company I, sixty-fifth Indiana Infantry, and took an active part in many of the principal battles of the war. In 1875-1876 he represented Daviess County int he State Legislature. He owned 250 acres of land, and was a Democrat politically and member of the F. & A. M.
Submitted by: Shirley Platt
Submitted by: John D. McMullen
History of the Catholic Church in Indiana. (Logansport, Ind.: Bowen, 1898.)
Vol. 2, p76
JOSIAH C. PALMER, a very prominent farmer of Daviess County, Ind., is the eldest of Andrew C. and Margaret (ENNIS) Palmer's children. Our subject's grandfather, Richard Palmer, was one of the three men who first settled in the forks of White River. He came from South Carolina, and settled about two miles west of Washington, on the State road. He was the first sheriff of Daviess County. The father was reared on a farm, and followed the occupation of farming for himself about six years, when he moved to Maysville, and was nine years at work building a water-mill, the first in the county. This mill ground grain for five counties for a number of years. He was very prosperous financially, and was a Democrat in his political views. He died in June, 1855. The mother, also a native of the county, survived him until August, 1869.
The immediate subject of this sketch was born December 18, 1830. He was reared by his parents until nineteen years of age, and secured a limited education. At that age he took a western trip, traveling to California, where he was engaged in mining about two years. He then returned home and purchased his present farm, where he has continued very successfully ever since. He owns 800 acres of very fine and well improved land, nearly all under cultivation, also an elegant two-story residence.
May 18, 1852, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Ann WILLIMAN, born in Ohio in 1836, and coming to Indiana when but one year old. She is a daughter of Hiram and Margery (CRAWFORD) Williman, pioneers of the county. They became the parents of fourteen children; two died in infancy, and one at the age of fourteen years. Those living are Laura A., Andrew C., Hiram L., Elizabeth A., Glenn D., Charles M., William H., Mary M., Walter F., Franklin and Seth. Since 1860 Mr. Palmer has been a Republican; previous to that time a Democrat. He
is a good citizen, and one who has the respect of all. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"A HISTORY OF KNOX AND DAVIESS COUNTIES, INDIANA" 1886 GOODSPEED PUBLISHING COMPANY, CHICAGO
DAVIESS COUNTY, IN. WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP PAGE 792
JOHN T. NEAL, of the firm of Neal & ESKRIDGE, dry goods and grocery merchants, of Washington, Ind., was born in Lawrence County, Ill., April 2, 1857, and is a son of Francis and Lucinda M. (STAUGNER) Neal, natives of Missouri and Kentucky, respectively. John T. was raised in his native county until he was nine years old, when his father was killed in the war of the Rebellion. He then moved with his mother to Grayson County, Ky., and remained there until his mother's death in 1869.
He was then adopted by Julius N. ESKRIDGE, a citizen of Grayson County, Ky., and secured a good education in the common schools. He clerked in the mercantile business for his guardian for three years, and then clerked for other firms until 1880, when he engaged in the grocery business for himself in Caneyville, Ky., continuing there until the summer of 1882, when he removed to this city and engaged in his present business, with S. C. Eskridge as partner. They have met with well deserved success, and carry a full and select line of goods.
October 14, 1880, Mr. Neal was united in matrimoney to Fannie M. ESKRIDGE, a daughter of Elijah R. Eskridge, of this city. They have one child,a daughter, named Sadie L. Mr. Neal is a Democrat, and a member of the K. of P., and a successful and enterprising young business man of this city.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"A HISTORY OF KNOX AND DAVIESS COUNTIES, INDIANA" 1886 GOODSPEED PUBLISHING COMPANY, CHICAGO
DAVIESS COUNTY, IN. WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP PAGE 792
FRANK A. MYERS, editor and manager of the Washington Gazette, was born near Strasburg, Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, December 28, 1848, being a son of the Rev. Abaslom and Nancy (GORSAGE) Myers, both natives of Ohio. His parents removed to Daviess County in 1861, the father locating first in Van Buren Township, and soon after in Barr Township, where he purchased a farm upon which he still resides.
The subject of this sketch was reared with his parents, secured a good literary education, and graduated from the Hartsville (Indiana) Univeristy in 1875. During his attendance at this University he started a newspaper called the Literary Ensign, conducting it until he left college, and selling it at that time. He also taught school in this county in order to secure means to enable him to finish his educatiion. He made teaching his profession from 1875 to 1878, when, on account of faiing health, he relinquished the profession of teaching, and became city editor of the Columbus (Indiana) Daily Republican, a position which he retained one year. Then in order to recuperate his health he acted one year as traveling salesman.
In February, 1882, he came to Washington, Daviess County, and purchased an interest in the Gazette, assuming the position of editor and manager, and has since performed the duties of these positions in an able and satisfactory manner. Mr. Myers is a stanch Republican, and his paper is devoted to the interests of that party, advocating its principles in an able and fearless manner.
He was married, December 28, 1882, to Miss Ella ELLIOT, a native of Knox County, Ind. Mr. Myers is a member of the I.O.O.F. He is of German descent on his father's side,a nd of English and German on his mother's side.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"A HISTORY OF KNOX AND DAVIESS COUNTIES, INDIANA" 1886 GOODSPEED PUBLISHING COMPANY, CHICAGO
DAVIESS COUNTY, IN. WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP PAGE 791
CAPT. SAMUEL H. MULHOLLAND, of Washington, was born in Wyandotte County, Ohio, February 25, 1836, being one of a family of seven children born to Richard and Margaret (HARMON) Mulholland, natives, respectively, of Pennsylvania and Virginia. Samuel H. was brought up by his parents in his native county, and there secured a fair English education. At the age of seventeen he learned the cabinet-making business, and worked at the trade until he was twenty years of age.
He then left the parental roof and came to Washington, where he started a cabinet-maker's shop. One year later he took in as partner John MATTINGLY, and they continued in the business with a fair measure of success until the breaking out of the war, when Mr. Mulholland organized Company I, Sixty-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served as captain of the company during the entire period of the war. After the close of the war he returned to Washington Township and engaged in farming until 1878, when he removed to Washington, and assisted in organizing the Washington Furniture Company, and managed its business one year.
He then opened a sales-room for furniture, and has conducted this business successfully ever since. Capt. Mulholland is a sound , consistent Republican, and has taken an active part in politics. He was elected trustee of Washington Township in 1870, and was re-elected in 1872. He was again elected in 1878, and served one more term in a faithful and efficient manner. He served as member of city council during 1883 and 1884. He is a Royal Arch Mason, is a member of the K. of H., and of the G.A.R., and is justly regarded as an enterprising and successful business man, and as a moral and upright citizen.
Mr. Mulholland was married, in November, 1868, to Ellen KIDWELL, a native of Daviess County, by whom he has three children, named Martha A., Sarah J., and Stella.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"A HISTORY OF KNOX AND DAVIESS COUNTIES, INDIANA" 1886 GOODSPEED PUBLISHING COMPANY, CHICAGO
DAVIESS COUNTY, IN. WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP PAGE 790