Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"A HISTORY OF KNOX AND DAVIESS COUNTIES, INDIANA" 1886 GOODSPEED PUBLISHING COMPANY, CHICAGO
DAVIESS COUNTY, IN. WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP PAGE 749
JOHN C. BILLHEIMER, attorney at law, was born in Wayne County, Ind., March 3, 1857, being one of five children born to Solomon and Margaret (GEPHAT) Billheimer, both of German descent. The father was a native of Virginia, and the mother of Pennsylvania. The immediate subject of this sketch was raised in the county of his birth, and secured a good education, attending the Northern Indiana Normal School and Business College at Valparaiso, Ind., one and a half years. In his native county he had taught one term of school before attending the Normal College, and afteward he followed that profession for a time. When in his eighteenth year he began the study of law, and at the age of nineteen entered the law office of Brown & Brown, Newcastle, Ind., completing his studies in 1879. In October of that year he located at Washington, Ind., in the practice of his profession, in which he has continued ever since, meeting with good success. His wife, Susan KIMBALL, was also a native of Wayne
County, Ind. Their marriage was solemnized in 1879, and has been blessed with three children: John Leroy, Irving and Charles. Politically he is a Republican. Although he has never aspired to any office of note he has taken some interest in political affairs of the county. He is a member of the I.O.O.F., K. of H., and A.O. of R.M. Both himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. At present he is chairman of the Daviess County Republican Central Committee.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"A HISTORY OF KNOX AND DAVIESS COUNTIES, INDIANA" 1886 GOODSPEED PUBLISHING COMPANY, CHICAGO
DAVIESS COUNTY, IN. WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP PAGE 749
Reuben Robinson is a native of Daviess Co. Indiana ,b. December 31, 1844, son of Elijah G. and Lucretia (Sanford) Robinson, and is of Irish orgin. He is the eldest in a family of seven children. His father was born in Kentucky in 1816 and his mother in the same state in 1818. His paternal grandfather was Elijah Robinson, a native Virginian, who immigrated to Kentucky in early life and from there came to Indiana and located in Daviess Co. He died here in 1845. Our subject's father died in Harrison Twp in dec 1879. Subject was reared on a farm and attended the common schools He began teaching the "young idea" in 1863 and continued that occupation eight years meeting with good success. Later in life he gave his attention to agricultural pursuits. In 1874 he settled on his present farm of 100 acres. He was married in 1869 to Miss Catherine Ax a native of the Buckeye State born in 1850. To their union six children were born, four of whom are livng...John W, Ada, Lattie L, and Lydia.
In politics Mr Robinson is a Democrat. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church.
Submitted by: John D. McMullen
History of Knox and Daviess County Indiana. (Chicago: Goodspeed, 1886.)
STEPHEN BELDING, editor and proprietor of the Daviess County Democrat, was born in Washington, Ind., November 21, 1841, the youngest of ten children born to Stephen and Elizabeth (CLENNY) Belding. His father was a shoe-maker by trade, and later in life was a boot and shoe merchant. His grandfather (Clenny) was a Revolutionary war soldier. At twelve years of age Stephen began the printer's trade in his native town, and after serving his apprenticeship continued the trade until 1859, when he entered the Indiana State University, where he continued two years. In 1861 he purchased the Martin County Herald, which he published at Dover Hill until 1863; then was employed in the Evansville Journal for a time. Until the fall of 1867 he was emplyed on the Cincinnati Commercial, but after that returned to Washington, Ind., and in connection with J. H PALMER, organized the joint stock company that established the Daviess County Democrat. Mr. Belding has ever since been
connected with this enterprise, and through his individuality has won a place of distinction in southern Indiana journalism. Six months after the paper's establishment, Mr. Belding bought the entire stock, and has since been sole proprietor. He is a Democart, and one of Washington's foremost citizens. January 22, 1872, was the celebration of his nuptials with Miss Cora WHITE, 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 748
GAYLORD G. BARTON, attorney at law of Washington, Ind., and native of the county, was born April 11, 1844, son of Gaylord G. and Ann (MURPHY) Barton, natives respectively of New York and Ireland. The father came to this city in May, 1834, where he married and began practicing medicine. His death occurred February 12, 1884. He was an active politician in his day, and was at one time State senator for this district. He was a Democrat in politics, and took an active interest in all public and private enterprises to promote the welfare of the county. He was trustee of the Wabash & Erie Canal a number of years, and was prominently identified with the county medical societies, and was a member of the city school board a number of years. He died in the Catholic faith, after having spent a life of usefulness in the county. The mother died when our subject was a small lad, and the father afterward married Ellen M. MURPHY, a sister of his first wife, who
still survives him. Our subject was raised in this city, and secured a good literary education. At the age of nineteen he began teaching school, and continued this occupation irregularly until 1867, when he accepted a position as deputy in the clerk's office of this county, serving until the fall of 1875, when he entered the law department of the State University at Bloomington, Ind., from which he graduated in 1877. After a trip to Europe he returned to this city the same year and entered upon his professional career, in which he has met with good success. He is a Democrat and was reared in the Catholic faith. He is a reliable practitioner and an upright 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 747
JAMES M. BARR, attorney at law, Washington, Ind., was born in Reeve Township, Daviess County, October 27, 1841, and is one of a family of three sons and four daughters born to John and Julie (BURRISS) Barr, both natives of Kentucky. The father came to this county with his father, James Barr, when he was a lad of eight years, in about 1816, and located in what is now Barr Township, where the father and grandfather of the subject of this sketch spent the greater part of their lives. James M. Barr was raised on the farm with his parents, securing a fair education in the common branches. In 1862 he enlisted in Company D., Eightieth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served in the civil war three years as private and non-commissioned officer. At the close of the war he returned home and followed the life of a farmer until 1880, in Reeve Township, in the meantime studying law. In the year last named he moved to Washington, and being admitted
to the Daviess County bar in 1881, has since been engaged in the practice of the law, meeting with very encouraging success. Mr. Barr is a stanch Republican, and served in Reeve Township as justice of the peace four years. He is a member of the G. A. R. He was married in December, 1866, to Martha ALLEN, a native of Daviess County. They have four children: Ora May, Minnie, Allen and Eva. Both Mr. and Mrs. Barr are members of the Presbyterian Church. John Barr, the father of the subject of this sketch, became a resident of Reeve Township, where he bought a tract of land, which he cleared and improved, undergoing all kinds of hardships in the meantime. He led a long, useful and honorable life, dying in February, 1885. Mrs. Barr died when James M. was a mere child, and John Barr subsequently married Lucy GILLICK, who died about six years since, leaving one child--a son.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"A HISTORY OF KNOX AND DAVIESS COUNTIES, INDIANA" 1886 GOODSPEED PUBLISHING COMPANY, CHICAGO
DAVIESS COUNTY, IN. WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP PAGE 747
E. A. BALDWIN, farmer, of Daviess County, Ind., was born in Vermillion County, Ill., April 28, 1850, and is one of fourteen children, all yet living, born to Jesse W. and Eleanor (HARRIS) Baldwin, who were born in Ohio. A number of years after marriage they moved to Vermillion County, Ill., thence to Chicago, where the father followed real estate agency, and was financially successful. He is yet residing in that city. The father is about eighty-five years of age and the mother ten years younger. Our subject was reared on a farm until nine years old, when he went with his parents to Chicago, where he secured a fair business education. He resided there until about nineteen years old, when he returned to Vermillion County, and about 1873 came to Washington, Ind., and was in the drug business for about nine years. He then went to Montgomery Station and kept a drug store for three years, and then came to his present place of residence. May 1, 1881, he was united in marriage to
Mary C. PROSNER, a native of Licking County, Ohio, born October 14, 1854, daughter of Thomas and Mary (PRICE) Prosner, who were natives of South Wales. To them were born two children, one of whom died at fourteen months old, Willie, and one now three months old, Otto C. The wife owns 165 ares of very fine land, and is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Baldwin is a warm Republican in politics, and is an enterprising young farmer.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"A HISTORY OF KNOX AND DAVIESS COUNTIES, INDIANA" 1886 GOODSPEED PUBLISHING COMPANY, CHICAGO
DAVIESS COUNTY, IN. WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP PAGE 746
JOHN A. BAIR, sheriff of Daviess County, was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, June 11, 1841, and was one of eight children born to John F. and Louisa (KEPLINGER) Bair, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Maryland. The subject of this sketch was brought up by his parents in his native county, and there secured an ordinary English education. He was trained to a farmer's life, and accordingly, in 1862, located on a farm in Wabash County, Ind. In 1865 he returned to his native county, and in the spring of 1866 removed with his parents to Daviess County, and farmed one season in Van Buren Township. In 1867 he married Sidney ZEIGLER, a native of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, whose parents removed to this county some years previously. After his marriage he resided two years in Van Buren Township, farming in summer and teaching school in winter. He then removed to Madison Township, where he lived four years, when he engaged in saw-milling, and continued in this business with good
success until 1884. He was elected by the Democratic party sheriff of Daviess County, which office he is now filling. Mr. Bair has always been an unswerving Democrat. In 1862 he enlisted as a recruit for the Eighty-ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, but was prevented from entering into active service by the capture of the regiment at Mumfordsville, Ky. He was honorably discharged on account of physicial disability, caused by a wound in the right ankle. Mr. Bair is the father of four childrn, three of whom are living: Daniel W., Curtis H. and Ada P. Mr. and Mrs. Bair are both members of the United Brethren Church, and he is justly recognized as one of the enterprising and successful citizens of Daviess 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 746
THOMAS J. AXTELL was born in Washington, Penn., February 3, 1835, and is a son of Thomas and Mary (WEIR) Axtel, both natives of Pennsylvania. The father removed with his family to Knox County, Ind., in 1836, where he engaged in the mercantile business in the town of Bladensburgh, and here our subject was reared. After securing the ordinary English education he began clerking in his father's dry goods store. When sixteen years of age he left home and clerked in Mount Vernon, Ohio, for four years. After taking a trip to Texas he returned to New Albany, Ind., and in the winter of 1859 came to this city and engaged in the dry goods business for himself, continuing until the war broke out, when he sold out his business, and was traveling salesman for A. L. Scoville & Co., of Cincinnati, Ohio, for four years. He then returned to this city, and he and F. M. MYERS formed a partnership in the dry goods business. In 1879 he purchased Mr. Myers' interest, and has since successfully
conducted the business alone. He keeps an excellent stock of goods, and is doing quite well financially. October 16, 1862, he married Edna A. RODARMEL, daughter of Samuel Rodarmel, who was a prominent man of the county. To them were born three children, all of whom are living: Edwin R., Frank F., and Ella E. Mr. Axtel is a warm Republican, and takes an active part in political affairs. He has been a member of the city council, and is now a member of the city school board. He is a Mason, Knight Templar degree, and he and his wife are members 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 745
THE AIKMAN FAMILY. The history of Daviess County, Ind., would be incomplete without a detailed sketch of the above named family; not because they have been holders or aspirants of office, or have urged themselves upon the notice of the citizens of their county, but because from their earliest settlement in this county, in the person of John Aikman, they have been promoters of the advancement and well-being of the community in which they have resided, largely by their liberality, industry, and public enterprise, which, as a whole, are the predominant characteristics of the family. They have represented the county from its very earliest settlement, and have been identified with her in all the progress she has made, and as early pioneers and citizens of a late date, have endured their full share of hardships, and assisted in leveling the sturdy oak, and clearing and developing farms. James Aikman and his descendents constitute one branch of the family. James is the eldest of twelve
children--five brothers and two sisters now living--born to the marriage of John Aikman and Mary BARR. He was born in Bourbon County, Ky., January 7, 1810. Both parents were natives of the "Bluegrass State," and when James was but a small boy, came to Daviess County, Ind., and located on a tract of land, which the father entered, two miles south of Washington. Five years later the family removed to the "sugar land" neighborhood in this township, where they resided until a few years previous to the father's death (which occurred in 1850), when they moved to Washington. John Aikman was a quiet, unassuming man, and accumulated considerable means by his frugal and industrious habits. James secured a limited education, attending in the old log schoolhouse of early times. When twenty-two years old he married Sarah BANTA, a native of Nicholas County, Ky., born January 1, 1814, and began farming for himself. For fifty years he was a tiller of the soil, and succeeded in
accumulating 400 acres of land, one-half of which is under cultivation, and managed by his sons, who reside upon it. In 1874 he and his wife removed to Washington, and have since lived a retired and happy life, surrounded by the comforts their industry has secured. They became the parents of eight children, these five now living: Samuel, Henry, jJhn, Sarah D., and Martha Anne. Mr. Aikman has been a Republican since the organization of the party, and previous to that time was a Whig. He and his wife have been members of the Presbyterian Church for over forty years. He has resided in Daviess County longer than any other living person, so far as is now known. Samuel T. Aikman was born November 2, 1839. He secured a common school education, and married at the age of thirty-nine, locating on part of his father's farm. He was married to Martha CUNNINGHAM in 1878. They have two children: Claud and Maud. Henry Aikman was born January 30, 1842, and securd the same education and
rearing as his brother. February 19, 1867, he was united in marriage to Laura E. BRADFORD, who lived to be the mother of three children, only Clara B. living, and died July 30, 1870. In September, 1873, he was married to Sarah L. WILLIAMS, who bore him six children, these five living: Willie M., Mamie, Gertie, Henry C. and Paul. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. John Aikman was born February 27, 1845, and was reared upon the same farm that Sameul and Henry were. He was married, in 1870, to Permelia ALLEN, who bore him six children: James, John A., Edward T., Grace, Charles, and Sicily. He served in the late war, enlisting in the Forty-second Indiana Volunteers in 1862, and remained in the service two years. The sons are all industrious and prominent farmers, and belong to the Republican party. Sarah L., the elder of the two daughters, was born August 23, 1847, and is now the wife of Simeon COLEMAN, a young farmer living at Topeka, Kas. They were married in 1873, and have two
children: James W. and Jessie A. Martha Anne, the younger daughter, was born July 25, 1849, and yet resides with her parents.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"A HISTORY OF KNOX AND DAVIESS COUNTIES, INDIANA" 1886 GOODSPEED PUBLISHING COMPANY, CHICAGO
DAVIESS COUNTY, IN. WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP PAGE 745
JAMES WHITNEY a native of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, where he was born March 7, 1848, and is one of four sons and four daughters of Amos and Matilda (WRIGHT) Whitney. The father was born in Maine in 1813, and was a farmer and stock speculator. He went with his parents to the "Buckeye State" in 1821, and in 1856 moved to Daviess County, Ind. In nine years' time he went to Cherokee County, Kas., where he died in 1878. The mother was born in Ohio in 1809, and died in Daviess County, Ind., in 1863. James received a common school education, and when six years old came to Indiana. When eighteen years old he began farming for himself, and December 3, 1868, married Elizabeth GOODMAN, daughter of James and Margaret Goodman. She was born in Daviess County, Ind., about 1849. To them were born five children: Joseph (deceased), Dora, (deceased), Mary, James (deceased) and Julia (deceased). Mr. Whitney has led the free and independent life of a farmer until 1878, when he moved to
Knox County, and was ferryman on the White River until 1884, when he moved to Edwardsport and purchased twenty-six acres of land. His wife died November 7, 1879, and his daughter Mary kept house for him until her marriage, in July, 1885, to Edward REEVE. Since that time he has made his home with her. Mr. Whitney is an honest business man, and is a Republican, and cast his first vote for U. S. Grant. He is a Mason.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"A HISTORY OF KNOX AND DAVIESS COUNTIES, INDIANA" 1886 GOODSPEED PUBLISHING COMPANY, CHICAGO
DAVIESS COUNTY, IN. PAGE 496
GEORGE L. SPALDING, M.D., of Sandborn, Ind., was born near Washington, Daviess Co., Ind., October 11, 1851, and is the eldest of twelve children of John and Mary A. (PATE) Spalding, and is of English, Welsh and Irish lineage. The father was born in Daviess County in 1830. He is a farmer, and owns 240 acres of land, and is one of the leading men of the county. He held the position of county treasurer, and made a capable and efficient officer, and accordingly was re-elected to his second term. The mother was born in Martin County in 1832. Our subject received a common school education, and in addition attended the high school at Shoals for eleven months. When seventeen years old he began teaching school, continuing three terms. In the meantime he had begun studying medicine, and was under the direction of Dr. E. C. DYAL, of St. Mary's, Ind., for four years. He studied by himself until 1874, and then began practicing at Owl Prairie, now Elnora, remaining there until 1879,
when he moved to Sandborn, where he has since resided. Dr. Spalding has a good knowledge of his profession, and by his courteous and gentlemanly bearing, and good success in his practice, has won the confidence of the people. He entered the medical department of Butler University in 1880, and remained five months. He is a Democrat in politics, and cast his first vote for Horace Greeley. He and wife are members of the Catholic Church. May 16, 1873, he married Julia A. WADE, daughter of Benjamin A. Wade. She was born in Daviess County, Ind., March 17, 1857, and died March 9, 1875, leaving one child--William T. June 20, 1877, the Doctor married Della CHAMPLIN, who was born in Ripley County, Ind., November 14, 1855. They have three children, viz.: George L., Helen and Mary. The Doctor is a member of the Mississippi Valley Medical Society.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"A HISTORY OF KNOX AND DAVIESS COUNTIES, INDIANA" 1886 GOODSPEED PUBLISHING COMPANY, CHICAGO
DAVIESS COUNTY, IN. PAGE 495
E. G. BON DURANT, freight and ticket agent of the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad at Washington, Ind., was born near Frankfort, Ky., July 10, 1836, and is the second of a family of three children born to Thomas L. and Elizabeth (WOODFILL) Bon Durant, natives, respectively, of Virginia and Kentucky. The father was of French descent, and was supply agent for the Madison & Indianapolis Railroad. He was killed by an accident in 1844. The mother lived until 1882. Our subject was reared to the age of eight years in Kentucky, when he and his parents came to Indiana. He secured a very limited education in the schools of Madison, never attending more than three months. He remained with his mother until 1850, having engaged at telegraphy on the Madison & Indianapolis Railroad, and has ever since been employed in different capacities on that and the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad. He was division superintendent of the east division of the last-maned road for about four years,
beginning in 1869. He was assistant general superintendent of the Jeffersonville, Madison & Indianapolis Railroad for four years. He then returned to the Ohio & Mississippi as master of transportation of the whole line several years, but resigned the position and came to Washington and engaged in the railroad and coal business, acting as railroad agent. He was married, in July, 1860, to Susan C. McGANNON, a native of Jennings County, Ind. To them were born seven children; one died in infancy. Those living are Ella (wife of George WALTER, Jr.), Oliver E., Elva, Fannie, William H. and Daisy C. Mrs. Bon Durant is a member of the Baptist Church, and he is a Mason--Knight Templar degree. Politically he is a Republican.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"A HISTORY OF KNOX AND DAVIESS COUNTIES, INDIANA" 1886 GOODSPEED PUBLISHING COMPANY, CHICAGO
DAVIESS COUNTY, IN. WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP PAGE 751
Hamlet Robinson is a native of Daviess Co Indiana where he was born July 11 , 1846 son of Elijah and Lucretia Sandford Robinson. He grew to manhood on the farm and in early childhood removed with his parents to Harrison Twp and attended the public schools. After attaining his majority he began working for himself and has always followed the life of a farmer with the exception of four years. He settled on his present farm in 1872. He owns 161 acres of good and well-improved land. He has a fine residence and a good barn. In 1868 he married Adelia A. Young, a native of the county, born in 1850. They have seven children as follows: Edwin, Flora, Ephraim, Stella, Frank, Amy M. and John. Prior to 1876 Mr. Robinson was a Republican, but since that time he has been a true and ardent worker of the National party and was one of the first men in the county to advocate the principles and doctrines of that party. He and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Submitted by: John D. McMullen
From: History of Knox and Daviess County Indiana. (Chicago: Goodspeed, 1886.)