EDWARD HOWARD

Edward Howard, a well-respected member of St. Simon's parish, and foreman in the boiler department of the B. & O. S. W. railway shops, at Washington, Ind., was born at Maysville, Ky., February 2, 1853, a son of James and Sabrina (Crayhan) Howard. His parents were neighbors in County Galway, Ireland, and in their early life came to this country and married here.They located in Kentucky, but in 1885 moved to North Madison, Ind., where they remained ten years; in 1866 they moved to Hannibal, Mo., whence, after a two years' residence, they moved to Quincy, Ill., there they remained two years, and then went to Keokuk, Ia., where they both died, the father August 15, 1886, and the mother June 8, 1895. They were parents of seven children, of whom our subject was the eldest. They were members of St. Peter's church at Keokuk.

Edward Howard was educated in the parochial schools, and early in life learned the trade of boiler making, which he has since followed. His first employment was at Quincy, Ill., for one year, after which he went to Keokuk, where he was employed for three years. Afterward he spent two years at Indianapolis, and then a year at Terre Haute. In 1876 he went to Vincennes, and in 1882 was promoted to be foreman in the boiler shops of the B. & O. S.W. Railway. In 1889, he was transferred to Washington and has since satisfactorily filled a similar position in the shops here.

He was married at Vincennes, July 1, 1880, to Miss Alice Stephens, who was born in Martin county, Ind., April 30, 1859. They have had the following children: Mary A., deceased; James; Irene; Huldah; Helen; John, deceased; Catherine, and Marie. Politically Mr. Howard is democrat.

Submitted by: John D. McMullen
History of the Catholic Church in Indiana. (Logansport, Ind.: Bowen, 1898.)
Vol. 2, p76


WILLIAM C. WILLEFORD, M. D., one of the leading doctors of Barr Township, Daviess Co., Ind., is a son of George A. and Minerva (HOGAN) Willeford, who were born in Virginia and Tennessee in 1802 and 1808, respectively. The father went to Tennessee when quite young, where he married and lived until 1837, when he moved to Illinois. He was a machinist by trade and during the war constructed a cotton gin from his own model, but the greater part of his life was spent in farming. He died in 1877 and the mother in 1883.

Our subject, William C., was born in Illinois in 1849. He attended the common schools when quite young and later the high school at Marion, Ill. He clerked about two years in a drug store and was in the recorder's office for the three following years. He devoted much of his spare moments to the study of medicine and in 1873-74 took a term of lectures in the Chicago Medical College, and after practicing about seven years completed his medical course in the College of Indiana in 1881. The same year he located in Montgomery where he has since remained, meeting with good success in the practice of his profession. He operated a drug store for about four years, but finding that his practice required his entire attention he sold out his drugs.

He has held the positions of county and township physician and was postmaster of Montgomery for over three years. He is a strong supporter of Republican principles and cast his first vote for Grant.

In 1876 he was married to Louisa WILEY, born in 1854, in the same county as himself. To their union were born these children: Laura, George A., Edna and Anna.

Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"A HISTORY OF KNOX AND DAVIESS COUNTIES, INDIANA" 1886 GOODSPEED PUBLISHING COMPANY, CHICAGO
DAVIESS COUNTY, IN. BARR TOWNSHIP PAGE 835


JOHN R. WEDDING. Lloyd Wedding, our subject's father, was born in Maryland in 1793, and moved with his father to Kentucky in 1811, where he married Anne L. RANEY, in 1817. She was born in 1799. They came to Daviess County, Ind., in 1818, where they located on forty acres of timber land. At a later period he purchased the farm where John now lives, and there spent the remainder of his days. He was a merchant the last thirteen years of his life and was constable and magistrate of Barr Township for five years. He died in 1863 and the mother three years later.

John R. Wedding was born in 1819 in what was then Daviess County. He received poor educational advantages, but on reaching manhood he again attended school and thus obtained a fair education. When twenty-nine years old he rented a farm, and after working in this way for about five years he purchased 120 acres of land. Some time later he sold his farm and moved on the old homestead and cared for his parents until their deaths.

In 1846 he married Elizabeth KIDWELL, born in 1820, who bore him these children: Lloyd, Nicholas, Theodore, George, Emily, Mary, Louisa, John, Arnold, Francis and Elizabeth. All of the sons are farmers. In 1873 Mrs. Wedding and Emily died and in the early part of 1874 Mary also died.

In 1875 Mr. Wedding married Sarah (MORGAN) ADKINS, born in 1834. She is a member of the Catholic Church. Mr. Wedding served as justice of the peace for twelve years, and in 1876 was chosed to fill the position of county commissioner. He is a Democrat though he voted the Whig ticket until 1856.

Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"A HISTORY OF KNOX AND DAVIESS COUNTIES, INDIANA" 1886 GOODSPEED PUBLISHING COMPANY, CHICAGO
DAVIESS COUNTY, IN. BARR TOWNSHIP PAGE 834


ANDREW J. VEST was born in 1844 in Greene County, Ind. He remained at home until sixteen years old, when he began to work his own way in the world and worked by the month for about a year. In 1861 he enlisted in Company B, Twenty-seventh Indiana Infantry and fought for the preservation of the Union for three years. He was at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, and in that famous series of battles from Ringgold to Atlanta. At the battle of Winchester he was taken prisoner and for four months was an inhabitant of the loathsome prisons of the South.

After his return home he attended school for some time, and in 1865 was married to Miss J. PARSONS, born in Daviess County, Ind., in 1846, daughter of Dr. I. J. and Mary (PATTERSON) Parsons. Mr. and Mrs. Vest became the parents of these eight children: Mary, John, Olive, Susan, May, Martha, James and Edith.

Both husband and wife are members of the Christian Church and he is a Republican. He purchased his first forty acres in 1867, but now owns 240 acres. His parents were Andrew J. and Elizabeth (WILSON) Vest, natives of Virginia and Tennessee, born in 1815 and 1818, and died in 1845 and 1873, respectively.

Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"A HISTORY OF KNOX AND DAVIESS COUNTIES, INDIANA" 1886 GOODSPEED PUBLISHING COMPANY, CHICAGO
DAVIESS COUNTY, IN. BARR TOWNSHIP PAGE 834


ELIJAH TODD is a son of Nathan and Esther V. (HOOKS) Todd, natives of Virginia, where they married and lived until 1810, when they came West, traveling through Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois, but three years later returned to Virginia, and there spent the remainder of their lives. The father was a farmer, and was also quite a noted hunter and Indian fighter.

Elijah was born in Virginia in 1817. He received no educational advantages, for during the winter seasons the schools were too distant to permit his attending, and during the summer his services were needed at home. When seventeen years old he began working for himself. He joined his brother in Illinois, and with him worked on the Mississippi River and its tributaries for about three years. After coming to this State, in 1840, he worked on flat-boats, and made twenty-one trips to New Orleans. While working on the Mississippi in 1838, he was one of the men who took Jackson to New Orleans to celebrate the battle fought by him at that place.

Mr. Todd owns 127 acres of good land, and in 1844 was married to Senath BURRASS, who bore him seven children: Elizabeth, Susan, James, Mary A., John, George and Rebecca. Both parents are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Todd was one of the most distinguished hunters of his township, and killed numerous buffalo, bear, wolves, deer, turkeys and panther.

Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"A HISTORY OF KNOX AND DAVIESS COUNTIES, INDIANA" 1886 GOODSPEED PUBLISHING COMPANY, CHICAGO
DAVIESS COUNTY, IN. BARR TOWNSHIP PAGE 833


ANDREW SOEDER is a native of Bavaria, Germany, where he was born in 1825. His parents, John and Anna (FAULSTICH) Soeder, were born in the same place in 1798 and 1800, respectively. The father served sixteen years in the regular army of Germany as musician. He died in 1842, and the mother in 1855.

Our subject was educated in the German schools, and in 1856 he bade adieu to home and native land and embarked for the United States. He worked by the month in Switzerland County, Ind., for over two years, and then he and his brother purchased 120 acres of very poor land. He soon after purchased his brother's share, and later sold out the entire farm at a good profit, and in 1870 came to Daviess County, where he bought 113 acres of the farm where he now lives, since increased to 277 acres.

In 1851 he was married, in Germany, to Mary ROST, born in 1832, who bore him thirteen children: Monika, Andrew, Ferdinand, Barbara, Joseph, John, Anna, Regina, Mary, Paul, Simon, Rosa and Lawrence. All the family are members of the Catholic Church, and Mr. Soeder is a Democrat. He has been quite prosperous and is much respected by his friends and neighbors.

Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"A HISTORY OF KNOX AND DAVIESS COUNTIES, INDIANA" 1886 GOODSPEED PUBLISHING COMPANY, CHICAGO
DAVIESS COUNTY, IN. BARR TOWNSHIP PAGE 833


SYLVESTER SMITH was born in Daviess County, Ind., in 1823, and is a son of James and Martha (MATTINGLY) Smith. He received a limited education, and at the age of twenty began as a farmer on a rented place. Some three years later he purchased twenty acres of timber land, on which he built his first log house. He now owns a good frame dwelling, surrounded by 409 acres of very fine land.

In 1843 he married Martha A. GOOTEE, born in 1825, who bore him fifteen children: James, William, John, Martha, Sarah, William, Barbara, Charles, Marion, George, Thomas, Lee, Francis, Catherine and Augusta. The family are members of the Catholic Church.

Mr. Smith deals extensively in stock, and during the last four years has given almost his entire attention to stock trading. In 1874 he purchased a thoroughbred Norman horse at a cost of $2,750, and in 1883 purchased another which cost $1,800. He has held positions of director, vice-president and superintendent of the Martin County Fair Association. He is a Democrat, and as a farmer has been very successful.

Mrs. Smith is a daughter of Silas and Barbara (WALKER) Gootee, who were born in Kentucky. They both died in 1848, within four weeks of each other.

Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"A HISTORY OF KNOX AND DAVIESS COUNTIES, INDIANA" 1886 GOODSPEED PUBLISHING COMPANY, CHICAGO
DAVIESS COUNTY, IN. BARR TOWNSHIP PAGE 832


ROBERT A. SHIRCLIFF is a son of Thomas and Catherine (CISSEL) Shircliff. The parents were natives of Kentucky, the father born in 1803 and the mother in 1806. The father was a farmer, and owned 420 acres of land. He died in 1857, and the mother in 1863. Robert was born in Daviess County, Ind., in 1832, and had only the advantages of the old-time subscription schools, but improved every opportunity in order to acquire a better education. He taught school two terms and received 87 1/2 cents per day. Since that time he has given his attention to farming. In 1855 he purchased 100 acres of land, which by industry he has increased to 350 acres.

In 1857 he wedded Mary E. SUMMERS, born in 1836, daughter of Benjamin and Catharine (NALLEY) Summers. To Mr. and Mrs. Shircliff eleven children were born: Catherine A., Sarah A., Thomas K., Benjamin, Joseph R., Vincent, Mary, Robert, John, Basil and Philip. The family are Catholics. Mr. Shircliff is a Democrat, and for two years during the war served as justice of the peace.

Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"A HISTORY OF KNOX AND DAVIESS COUNTIES, INDIANA" 1886 GOODSPEED PUBLISHING COMPANY, CHICAGO
DAVIESS COUNTY, IN. BARR TOWNSHIP PAGE 832


SAMUEL J. SCOTT, druggist, of Montgomery, Ind., is a son of Thomas J. and Elizabeth (KENNEDY) Scott, and was born in Wayne County, Ky. At the age of fifteen years he began the battle of life for himself, working as a farm laborer. About four years later he entered the dry goods store of J. C. MONTGOMERY as salesman, continuing at that occupation for about fifteen years, the greater part of the time being spent in a drug store. In 1883 he began selling drugs on his own responsibility, carrying a $2,000 stock of goods.

In 1877 he was married to Anna DOANE, who bore him three children: Florence E., John and James. Since 1880 Mr. Scott has been clerk of the town of Montgomery, and has filled that position very creditably. He is a leading Republican of the township, and cast his first vote for Grant. He is a good business man, ever ready to aid the poor and distressed, and is well fixed financially.

His father was a native of Kentucky and his mother of Virginia. They were maried and lived in Kentucky until the war, when they were compelled to leave that State by the persecution of the rebels, as the father was a strong Union man. They came to Indiana, locating in Daviess County, where the father followed the occupation of farming, and also worked at the stone-cutter's trade to some extent. At his death he left about 1,500 acres of land in Kentucky to be divided among his four children. The father's death occurred in 1865, and the mother's in Pike County, in 1885.

Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"A HISTORY OF KNOX AND DAVIESS COUNTIES, INDIANA" 1886 GOODSPEED PUBLISHING COMPANY, CHICAGO
DAVIESS COUNTY, IN. BARR TOWNSHIP PAGE 831


MICHAEL SAUSE is a son of James and Ellen (STOKES) Sause, natives of County Tipperary, Ireland. They came to America in 1838, and located on eighty ares of land in Daviess County, Ind. The father died in 1852, and the mother in 1857. Michael was born in the same county as his parents, in 1826. His educational advantages were limited to the common schools, both in the old country and America. When nineteen years old he purchased forty acres of land, and at the death of his father fell heir to eighty acres more. At a later date he sold his land and purchased his present farm of 160 acres, since increased to 240 acres.

In 1852 he married Margaret DOWNEY, born in Ireland in 1834. Her father was also a native of the Emeral Isle, and in 1845 came to America, locating in Pennsylvania. He died in 1846, and the mother, in Indiana, in 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Sause became the parents of eight children: Mary O., Alice, Catharine, James T., Agnes, Margaret H., Matthew M. and Michael R. All the family are members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Sause is a Democrat, and cast his first vote for Cass.

Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"A HISTORY OF KNOX AND DAVIESS COUNTIES, INDIANA" 1886 GOODSPEED PUBLISHING COMPANY, CHICAGO
DAVIESS COUNTY, IN. BARR TOWNSHIP PAGE 830


JEREMIAH RANEY. James Raney, the father of our subject, was born in Kentucky in 1809. When nine years old he came with his parents to Martin County, Ind., where he grew to manhood, and lived for nearly sixty-four years on the same farm. He was a farmer, and owned at one time 1,000 acres of land. He married Mary HOLLAND, born in Ireland in 1820. He died in 1882. Subject was born in Martin County in 1843, and aided his father on the farm until twenty-seven years old.

In 1870 he led to the hymeneal altar Elizabeth A., daughter of Joseph and Rose Anne (HAYDEN) ARVIN. She was born in 1847, and bore her husband six children: James, Helen, Mary, Charles, Anne and Margaret.

All the family are Catholics, and Mr. Raney is a stanch Democrat. He received eighty acres of land from his father, and purchased forty more, but soon after sold out, and purchased 147 acres in this county, on which he built a residence. His house caught fire and was consumed shortly after, and after building another house he found he was in debt $1,900. By industry and good management he has increased his farm to 213 acres. He keeps a strict account of all receipts and expenditures, and at the end of each year takes an invoice of all stock, implements, growing grain, etc.

Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"A HISTORY OF KNOX AND DAVIESS COUNTIES, INDIANA" 1886 GOODSPEED PUBLISHING COMPANY, CHICAGO
DAVIESS COUNTY, IN. BARR TOWNSHIP PAGE 830


HENRY P. HERR

Henry P. Herr, a native of Washington, Daviess County, Ind., was born May 13, 1874, and is the only child of Henry and Mary E. (Nephesy) Herr, the former of whom was a native of Germany and died in Washington the same year in which subject was born; the latter is a native of America, of Irish parentage, is now remarried and resides in Washington, Ind. The father was an earnest Catholic in religion and in politics was a democrat.

Henry P. Herr attended the parochial school until nine year sold, then the common school until thirteen, and then returned to the parochial school, which he quit at the age of seventeen, being thus quite well educated. He learned the boilermaker's trade, which he followed until January, 1897, when he bought a half interest in the boot and shoe establishment owned by his step father, G.W. Osman. The firm carries and extensive stock of fine footwear and also handles furs. The family all belong to Saint Simon's Parish, and Mr. Herr is also a member of the Young Men's institute. He is a young man of enterprise and honesty, has a good start in business, and has before him a promising future.The mother of subject, by her marriage with G. W. Osman has seven children.

Submitted by: John D. McMullen
History of the Catholic Church in Indiana. (Logansport, Ind.: Bowen, 1898.)
Vol. 2, p76


JUDSON PURCELL is a son of Jesse and Martha (SMALL) Purcell, natives of this county. The father, who was born in 1823, was a farmer, and died in 1885, and the mother in 1866. Judson's grandfather, Purcell, came to Daviess County in 1808, and located in Washington Township, where the old fort stood, which he helped build. He lived to be over ninety-five years old. Judson was born in 1852, and was educated in the common schools. When twenty-one years old he began the battle of life for himself, and worked at various occupations for a number of years.

In 1874 he was married to Elizabeth DAVIS, born in 1852, daughter of Milton and Mary (ROBINSON) Davis. Mr. and Mrs. Purcell have six children: William D., Mary J., Anna B., Maria, Sarah and Jesse.

Mrs. Purcell is a member of the Christian Church, and her husband is a stanch Republican, and cast his first vote for Hayes. By hard work and good management they own 118 acres of very good land.

Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"A HISTORY OF KNOX AND DAVIESS COUNTIES, INDIANA" 1886 GOODSPEED PUBLISHING COMPANY, CHICAGO
DAVIESS COUNTY, IN. BARR TOWNSHIP PAGE 830


JOHN W. PERKINS, hardware merchant at Montgomery, Ind., was born in the county where he now resides, in 1830. His educational advantages were limited, and he assisted his father on the farm until twenty years of age, when he married Kittie M. DICKERSON, born in 1832, daughter of Zadok and Elizabeth (COLE) Dickerson. To Mr. and Mrs. Perkins ten children were born: Joseph P., Martha E., Mary L., Zadok, John W., Isaac D., David M., Robert, Lizzie and Abram C.

In 1854 Mr. Perkins purchased his first eighty acres of land, and after farming it several years sold out and rented land until 1874, when he purchased the farm pre-empted by his grandfather, where he resided until 1882. He then moved to Montgomery and engaged in the hotel business for one year. Since that time he has been proprietor of the "Perkins Hardware Store." He has prospered in his business enterprises, and now owns a good store, dwelling-house and three lots.

In 1862 he enlisted in Company E, Twenty-seventh Indiana Infantry, and fought bravely for the Union until he was honorably discharged in 1863. His parents, John and Eleanor (JONES) Perkins, were born in Bourbon County, Ky., the father in 1790 and the mother in 1796. They came to Daviess County, Ind., when it was an almost unbroken wilderness. Here the father farmed in summer and operated a distillery in winter. His death occurred in 1872 and the mother's in 1871.

Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"A HISTORY OF KNOX AND DAVIESS COUNTIES, INDIANA" 1886 GOODSPEED PUBLISHING COMPANY, CHICAGO
DAVIESS COUNTY, IN. BARR TOWNSHIP PAGE 829


Diana Flynn
"A HISTORY OF KNOX AND DAVIESS COUNTIES, INDIANA" 1886 GOODSPEED PUBLISHING COMPANY, CHICAGO
DAVIESS COUNTY, IN. BARR TOWNSHIP PAGE 828


JAMES O'DONAGHUE may be mentioned as one of the prominent farmers of Daviess County, Ind. He is a son of James and Mary (TOONEY) O'Donaghue, and was born in 1848. He received the advantage of the common schools, and when twenty-seven years old, his father having died, he took charge of the home farm of 235 acres, which he has farmed successfully ever since.

In 1874 he was married to Bridget BRADLEY, a native of Daviess County, born about 1855, daughter of Francis and Ann (KELLEY) Bradley. Mr. and Mrs. O'Donaghue are the parents of these six children: Mary, Anna, Hannah, James, Francis and Timothy. The family are members of the Catholic Church.

Our subject is a stanch Democrat, and cast his first vote for Greeley. He owns one of the best farms in the township, and is one who takes an active interest in all that concerns the welfare of the community.

Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"A HISTORY OF KNOX AND DAVIESS COUNTIES, INDIANA" 1886 GOODSPEED PUBLISHING COMPANY, CHICAGO
DAVIESS COUNTY, IN. BARR TOWNSHIP PAGE 828


FATHER T. O'DONAGHUE, pastor of St. Mary's Church, is a son of James and Mary (TOONEY) O'Donaghue, who were born in Cork County, Ireland. Some time after their marriage they came to New York City, where they lived about two years and then moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1840 they came to Daviess County, Ind., where they spent the remainder of their days in agricultural pursuits. They were the parents of ten children: Johanna, Mary, Margaret (deceased), Amelia, John (deceased), Timothy, James, Dennis, Michael (deceased) and Nora.

Johanna, Mary and Nora belong to the sisterhood of the Benedictine order, Amelia to the Sisters of Providence, and Dennis is pastor of the St. Patrick's Church at Indianapolis. All the family are members of the Catholic Church. The father's death occurred in 1874. The mother is yet living, at the age of seventy-five, and resides with our subject, who was born in Daviess County in 1844. He attended the common schools, and also the college at Bardstown, Ky., for three years, and eventually finished his course at St. Meinrad's College in Spencer County, Ind., graduating in 1878. He then took charge of the church at Montezuma, Ind., for two years, and then came to St. Mary's, where he has remained ever since.

Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"A HISTORY OF KNOX AND DAVIESS COUNTIES, INDIANA" 1886 GOODSPEED PUBLISHING COMPANY, CHICAGO
DAVIESS COUNTY, IN. BARR TOWNSHIP PAGE 827


GEORGE E. NORRIS, one of the prominent farmers of Daviess County, Ind., is a native of the county where he now resides, born in 1831. His parents, John D. and Elizabeth (HAYS) Norris, were natives of Kentucky and Maryland, respectively, both born in 1808. They were married about 1829 in Daviess County, where they followed the lives of farmers. The mother died in 1854, and the father in 1880.

Our subject's boyhood days were spent on the farm and in attending the district schools. At the age of twenty-one he began farming for himself on a rented place, continuing about fifteen years. He then purchased seventy-eight acres of land, and since that time he and his two boys have increased their farm to 340 acres. Besides this he owns a saw-mill and some very valuable machinery.

In 1851 he was married to Julia A. KIDWELL, born in Kentucky in 1836, daughter of Thomas and Theresa (ARVIN) Kidwell. They became the parents of these children: John, James, Martha, Sarah, Theresa, Francis, Susan, Louis, George, Thomas, Mary, and an infant. The family are Catholic, and Mr. Norris is a Democrat, and cast his first vote for Buchanan.

Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"A HISTORY OF KNOX AND DAVIESS COUNTIES, INDIANA" 1886 GOODSPEED PUBLISHING COMPANY, CHICAGO
DAVIESS COUNTY, IN. BARR TOWNSHIP PAGE 827