Greene County Biography Ref. Page

REV. SAMUEL N. MILLER, deceased, was born in Cumberland County, Penn., in February, 1810, a son of John and Anna (Neidigh) Miller, who were also natives of the Keystone State, and directly descended from German ancestors. The family removed to Wayne County, Ohio, at an early day, where John Miller died. His widow afterward came to Indiana where she died. Samuel N. was married in about 1838, to Hannah Phillips and in about 1850, came to Greene County, Ind., locating on Section 26, in Highland Township, where their son William H., now resides. Mr. Miller was an ordained minister in the Church of God, and he confined his attention almost exclusively to ministerial labors in Greene and neighboring counties, until his death in May, 1872. Mrs Miller died in March, 1877. They were the parents of eight children, all of whom lived to be married and the parents of a family, and only one is now dead. With the exception of two that live in Wayne County, Iowa, all live in Greene county, Ind. William H. Miller, one of the above children, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, January 31, 1848; came with his parents to where he at present resides, and here he was raised and educated. At nineteen years of age, he began working at the carpenter's trade, but two years later embarked in farming, which has since been his occupation. November 15,1874, Miss Ella Knox became his wife, and by her he is the father of four children--Thaddeus, Claude, Burton and Bernice. Mrs. Miller was born at Quincy, Owen County, Ind., in July, 1857, and is a daughter of Isaac and Nancy (Sanders) Knox. Mr. Miller is a Republican in politics, an intelligent and enterprising citizen, and is the owner of the old Miller homestead, which consists of 120 acres of good land.

"HISTORY OF GREENE AND SULLIVAN COUNTIES, STATE OF INDIANA, FROM THE EARLIEST TIME TO THE PRESENT; TOGETHER WITH INTERESTING BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, REMINISCENCES, NOTES, ETC." CHICAGO: GOODSPEED BROS. & CO., PUBLISHERS. 1884.
HIGHLAND TWP.
PAGE 419
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn

WILSON M. OWEN, who was born in Greene County, Ind., March 22, 1825, is one of five children of Josiah and Polly (Phillips) Owen, who were among the earliest pioneers to Greene County. His education is meager, and was gained amid the disadvantages of frontier life in log schoolhouses. Lucinda Miller, a native of Shelby County, Ky., whence she came to Greene County in 1842, became his wife February 22,1847, and to their union five children have been born--Thomas J., Nancy E., David A., Benjamin T. and Joseph A., all living. Mr. Owen began life a poor boy, and by hard work and honest dealing has acquired a farm of 129 acres, of which ninety acres are under a good state of cultivation. In politics, he says he was born and raised a Democrat, and expects to die as one. As a hard worker and honest dealer, he maintains a high reputation among his neighbors. Mrs. Owen is one of a family of fifteen children, of whom Thompson and Mary (Ubank) Miller were the parents. She is a member of the Baptist Church at Concord. Together, they are enjoying the evening of life surrounded by its comforts, and sharing the good will and opinion of all around them.

THOMAS C. OWEN, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Highland Township, this county, January 25, 1852, and is the oldest son in a family of seven children, five of whom are yet living, born to John G. and Margaret (Mock) Owen. John G. Owen was the first white child born in Greene County, his birth occurring in Highland Township August 8, 1818. His parents, John H. and Susannah (Elrod) Owen, came from North Carolina to near Paoli, Ind., in 1817, and from there to the birthplace of John G. shortly before he was born. He selected farming for his occupation, as did his father before him, and although a man of but limited education, he became sufficiently versed in public affairs to fill the office of County Commissioner to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. He married Margaret Mock October 9, 1845, and they lived happily together until his death April 19, 1876. Mr.Owen was a man universally respected and beloved by all who knew him, and whose purity of character and benevolence was the pride of his family and neighbores. Thomas C. Owen is one of the progressive men of his township. He was married November 10, 1875, to Miss Josephine Stalcup, who was born near where she now resides, September 22, 1855, a daughter of George B. Stalcup, appropriate mention of whom is made in the sketch devoted to the Stalcup family. To Thomas C. Owen and wife two daughters--Maud and Mary--have been born. Mr.Owen is a Republican in politics, a member of the K. of P. fraternity, and is the owner of a good farm of 250 acres.

THOMAS PICKARD was born in Chatham County, N. C., March 1, 1812, but when sixteen years old removed with his parents, Henry and Nancy (Petty) Pickard, to Smith County, Tenn. In 1831, he came to Greene County, Ind., and settled in Highland Township, which at that time was a wild and unsettled country. Until his marriage with Lucretia Johnson in 1834, he made his home with his parents, but since then has been doing for himself. Although he began life a poor boy, by industry and economy, and with the aid of a loyal and loving wife, he struggled along with the adversities of life until he accumulated a competency. The 300 acres he secured, he has deeded to his children, although it is under his control until his death. His wife, who was in every sense of the word a helpmeet, was motherly in her regard for the friendless and possessed of many of the virtues that were characteristic to our pioneer women. She died September 25, 1873, and lies sleeping in the family burying ground. By Mr. Pickard she was the mother of five sons and five daughters, all of whom were raised to years of maturity, and seven of whom are yet living. These chldren were: Josephus, Emily J., James, Isaac, Thomas J., Bluford, Mary, Lucretia, Ellen and Hester Ann. Mr. Pickard is one of the few remaining of our old pioneers; has been a life-long Democrat, is a member of the Christian Church, and has liberally contributed from his means in the support of all laudable public enterprises. Now, as the evening of his life is drawing toward its close, he can cast a retrospective look backward over his past life--a life fruitful of years of sowing and reaping, of want and plenty, and toil and privations--and with his more than threescore and ten years has no regrets for the past, but plenty of hopes for the future. He has gained many friends and few enemies, and it is earneslty hoped that he will continue to live many years in the full enjoyment of a well-spent life.

STALCUP FAMILY. Among the early pioneers of northern Greene County, none became more widely known than the Stalcups. Isaac Stalcup was the progenitor of that name and his advent within the county's present boundaries, was some time during the year 1817, his location being on Section 26, Township 8, Range 4 west. He was a native of North Caroloina, and he and wife are said to have been the parents of twenty-one children. James Stalcup, deceased, who became widely known in the early history of the township, was a son of Isaac, and was born August 22, 1786, in the same county as his father. While in Tennessee in 1812, he married Margaret Marlin, and in 1819 came to Greene County, this State (or what was then Greene County), and settled first near the present site of Worthington, but afterward removed to Highland Township, where, by his honorable conduct and neighborly ways, he acquired many warm and steadfast friends. He was a hard working and economical citizen and a credit to the township. He died in 1872, followed by his widow a year later. They were the parents of this family: George, Catharine, Isaac, Elizabeth, Rebecca, William B. H., Maria L. and Elvira J. Of these, the following named are deceased: George, Elizabeth, Rebecca and Maria L. George B. Stalcup, of the above, and the oldest child in the family, was born March 6, 1814, in Tennessee; came with his parents to Indiana; was married, in August, 1834, to Mary Buckner, who was born June 6, 1813, in North Carolina, and came with her parents to Greene County when yet a small child. Of the fourteen children born to them, only two daughters are the survivors. These are Mary (Mrs. Jacob Bucher) and Josephine (Mrs. Thomas C. Owen). George B. Stalcup died October 31,1880, and his widow November 12, 1883. Catharine, or "Aunt Katy," as she is more familiarly known, is the second born in the family of James Stalcup. She is a native of Tennessee, her birth occurring January 26, 1816. She was married to John Jones, a native of South Carolina, March 26, 1835, by whom she had two children, only one--Mrs. Margaret Howe, of Worthington--being the only survivor. Mr. Jones died December 8, 1838, and two years later his widow became Mrs. Benjamin C. Ballard. Four years later, she was again left a widow with two children by her second husband, as follows: John J. and Ellen (Mrs. D. H. Wylie). Mrs. Ballard deserves no small amount of credit for the success she has made in life. She was widowed both times with heavy burdens to be borne, with small children to care for, and pecuniary embarrassments to overcome, but under these discouraging features she went to work with determination, and this is the resulf: Besides rearing and amply educating her own children, she has extended the hand of charity liberally to other children in a like manner. She and son own upward of 900 acres of some of Greene County's best land, and they are considered among the best of Highland Township's citizens. William B. H. Stalcup, the sixth born of the children of James Stalcup, is a native of the township and county where he now resides, his birth occurring April 6, 1828. His marriage with Susan R. Ballard was solemnized in 1848, and two children were the result of this union--Benjamin and one that died in infancy unnamed. The mother was born in Shelby County, Ky., July 5, 1831. Benjamin Stalcup was born September 5, 1849, and October 5, 1870, Miss Ella R. Osborn became his wife. Bertha C. is their only living offspring. Benjamin has been a teacher in the schools of Greene County for a number of terms, and besides being well informed on the leading topics of the day, he is enterprising and one of the county's promising young men. The Stalcup family are descended from Swiss ancestors but for many generations they have been residents of the United States. As a class of people they have devoted the greater part of their lives to farming and with but few exceptions they have always lived on the frontier, where their strength and skill as frontiersmen have served them with homes, even rude though it may have been. In politics, as in religious matters, they are independent, each individual member adhering to his own views, and they are universally capable of supporting their ideas with sound logic and reasoning. For further particulars of the Stalcup family, refer to the historical department.

REUBEN SMITH, a well-to-do farmer, living in Section 17, was born in Spencer County, Ky., August 1, 1823, and is a son of Morgan and Elizabeth (Jeems) Smith, with whom he removed to Floyd County, Ind., when about two years old, where he was raised to seventeen years of age. His mother dying in about 1840, his father remarried and moved to Missourri, after which Reuben returned to his native State, where he married Eliza Roberts, on November 19, 1843. In November, 1847, he and family moved to Greene County, Ind., and purchasing eighty acres of pre-empted land on Section 21, in Highland Township, there located and engaged in farming. In November, 1864, they moved to where they now live, which has since been their home. Mr. Smith is an industrious citizen, and by hard work and economy he and wife have accumulated a goodly share of this world's goods. At one time he owned two hundred and fifty acres of land, but of this he now only owns ninety acres, having given the remainder to his children. For nine months and six days Mr. Smith served his country in the late war as a member of Company A, Twenty-fifth Indiana Infantry. He joined Sherman's army at Atlanta, and with him marched to the sea, thence to the Carolinas and finally participated in the grand review at Washington. He was discharged at Indianapolis in July, 1865. His grandfather, Reuben Smith, was a commissioned officer in the Revolutionary war, and during that sanguinary struggle fought over the same ground as did our subject in the rebellion. Mr. Smith is a Republican and he and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, Mrs. Smith having belonged to that denomination for over forty-one years. Nine children have been the fruit of their union, whose names are: John W., (deceased), two that died in infancy unnamed, Mary E. (deceased), Nimrod C., James C., Irene L., Jennie and Armstead (deceased). The mother is a native of Jefferson County, Ky., born February 12, 1821, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Lane) Roberts. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are among the first families of their township.

WILLIAM C. BENNETT, nurseryman and farmer, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, in 1844, and is one of five living children in a family of seven born to Macabus and Eleanor (Wishard) Bennett. father dying in 1853, Mrs. Bennett, with the remainder of the family, removed to Greene County, Ind., in 1854, and here William C. was principally raised and educated. At sixteen years of age, he began for himself, and his labors have met with deserved success. He now owns 420 acres of land and one of the best nurseries in Indiana. His stock is of the best, and is carefully selected. It consists of the best and hardiest varieties of trees, which, being grown in the soil of Greene County, renders the stock much more desirable for people living in Southern Indiana than that furnished by foreign nurseries. Mr. Bennett is one of the reliable men of the county, and is universally respected as an honorable citizen. He married Miss Jennie B. Phillips in 1877, and three children have been born to them--Effie A., Angie L. and Cora M.

"HISTORY OF GREENE AND SULLIVAN COUNTIES, STATE OF INDIANA, FROM THE EARLIEST TIME TO THE PRESENT; TOGETHER WITH INTERESTING BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, REMINISCENCES, NOTES, ETC." CHICAGO: GOODSPEED BROS. & CO., PUBLISHERS. 1884.
TAYLOR TWP.
PAGE 381
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn

SAMUEL BLACKMORE, a well-to-do citizen of Scotland, is a native of the "Buckeye State," born in 1829. He was liberally educated in the common schools, was raised on a farm, and when eighteen years old started on life's voyage as a steamboat hand on the Ohio River. At the end of three years, he left the water, and in 1850 came to Greene County, Ind., where he has since resided. For thirty-three years, he has been a resident of Taylor Township, and by a life of industry and good management has accumulated considerable property. Besides owning valuable property in Scotland, where he is established in merchandising, he owns 320 acres of good farming and grazing land in Taylor Township, and 620 acres in Kansas. Mr. Blackmore is one of the reliable men of the county; is a Democrat in politics, and was married in 1851 to Miss Matilda Mackall, by whom he is the father of nine children--Thomas D., Benoni W., Caroline V., George F., John M., Charles S., Napoleon B., Samuel F. and Cora E. For a sketch of his parents, see the biography of Mr. Blackmore's three brothers.

"HISTORY OF GREENE AND SULLIVAN COUNTIES, STATE OF INDIANA, FROM THE EARLIEST TIME TO THE PRESENT; TOGETHER WITH INTERESTING BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, REMINISCENCES, NOTES, ETC." CHICAGO: GOODSPEED BROS. & CO., PUBLISHERS. 1884.
TAYLOR TWP.
PAGE 382
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn

GEORGE W., CHARLES and JAMES BLACKMORE, sons of Benoni and Eleanor (Mackall) Blackmore, are among the most prosperous citizens of Greene County, and are pleasantly situated in Taylor Township, where they own 2,300 acres of excellent land, on which they are engaged extensively in farming and stock-raising. They came with their parents to Greene County in 1850, where the father died in 1870, followed by his widow five years later. They were the parents of ten children, seven yet living, and one (Samuel) is appropriately mentioned elsewhere in this work. The three brothers whose name form the subject of this notice all live together on their large farm. James is the only one married, his wife being Miss Margaret E. Geddes. Their nuptials were celebrated in 1861, and to their union six children have been born--Charles A., Elizabeth J., George D., Samuel, Ella J. and Carrie E.

"HISTORY OF GREENE AND SULLIVAN COUNTIES, STATE OF INDIANA, FROM THE EARLIEST TIME TO THE PRESENT; TOGETHER WITH INTERESTING BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, REMINISCENCES, NOTES, ETC." CHICAGO: GOODSPEED BROS. & CO., PUBLISHERS. 1884.
TAYLOR TWP.
PAGE 382
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn

CAPT. WILLIAM BOUGH, a veteran of the Mexican war and the rebellion, was born in Bath County, Ky., November 14,1823, and is a son of Frederick and Rebecca (Sexson) Bough, who settled in Highland Township, Greene County, Ind., in 1827. Frederick Bough was a farmer, and died in 1876, but his widow yet survives him, and resides near Scotland at eighty years of age. From the time he was twenty-one years old, William Bough has been doing for himself, and in this time has accumulated land to the amount of over 200 acres. On this he resides and his attention is largely occupied in rearing blooded horses and cattle, besides looking after his large farm. His military experience was in joining Company E, Second Indiana Volunteers, in June, 1846, and participating in the battles of Buena Vista, where he was severely wounded through the right shoulder by a musket ball, and a part of the engagement at Monterey. In 1861, he helped recruit Company C, Twenty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry, but from the ranks was commissioned First Lieutenant on the 29th of July of the same year. He was in the battles of Baton Rouge and Port Hudson; and a remarkable exploit of his was in the spring of 1862, when he was put in command of twelve men, and detailed to guard a railroad bridge not far from New Orleans, With two men he crossed a bayou to an island on a reconnoitering expedition, and discovered over a score of rebels encamped in a canebrake guarding two dismounted pieces of artillery. It being dark, and these three men being armed with breech-loading carbines, they made a dash on the enemy through the underbrush, yelling, shooting and re-loading, and making such a noise that they were evidently mistaken for a full-fledged company. The rebels fled in dismay, while the victors hurried the captured pieces back to where the remainder of the detachment was stationed. These two guns were six pounder Spanish pieces, and were the identical ones Mr. Bough helped capture at Monterey in 1846. He was ordered to confiscate mules to draw these pieces, which, on being properly manned, was placed in command as a light artillery which received the appellation of the "Jackass Battery." The winter of 1863-64, Mr. Bough reenlisted, was veteranized, and December 9, 1863, was commissioned Captain of his company. He served through the battles of Mobile and the Spansh Fort, at the latter being in command of four 64-pounder howitzers. Besides the above mentioned engagement in which he was an active participant, Capt. Bough saw much other hard service which space prevents publishing, but among which was his capture with twelve men of the blockade runner "Fox," or properly know as the "Hartford." He remained in the service until January 10,1866, when he was discharged at Indianapolis, in command of the regiment. Capt. Bough is an old wheel-horse of the Republican party, and is one of the county's best citizens. He was married, March 29, 1844, to Mary Ann Hoffman, who died February 2,1881, without issue. Although no children were born to them, they reared and educated several orphan children, to whom they were the same as parents.

"HISTORY OF GREENE AND SULLIVAN COUNTIES, STATE OF INDIANA, FROM THE EARLIEST TIME TO THE PRESENT; TOGETHER WITH INTERESTING BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, REMINISCENCES, NOTES, ETC." CHICAGO: GOODSPEED BROS. & CO., PUBLISHERS. 1884.
TAYLOR TWP.
PAGE 382
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn

DR. WILLIAM H. BURKE, Scotland, was born in Martinsville, Morgan County, Ind., January 4, 1851. By the removal of his parents, William H. and Martha (Dayhuff) Burke, to Putnam County, he was here largely raised. William H. Burke, Sr., was an attorney, and practiced his profession largely in Greene and Putnam Counties, until his death at Bloomfield. Dr. Burke began the practice of medicine at the age of twenty-two years, with Dr. A. J. Dunnington, of Cloverdale, and March, 1881, graduated from the Fort Wayne College of Medicine. In 1878, he became a resident of Greene County, and is now located at Scotland, where he has acquired a lucrative practice and where he and family are universally respected. Aside from his profession, Dr. Burke received but ordinary schooling advantages. As was his father, he is a Republican in politics. To his marriage with Miss Flora A., daughter of Dr. H. G. and Rhoda Dyer, of Cloverdale, one child has been born--Elfleda, born October 1,1875, in Owen County.

"HISTORY OF GREENE AND SULLIVAN COUNTIES, STATE OF INDIANA, FROM THE EARLIEST TIME TO THE PRESENT; TOGETHER WITH INTERESTING BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, REMINISCENCES, NOTES, ETC." CHICAGO: GOODSPEED BROS. & CO., PUBLISHERS. 1884.
TAYLOR TWP.
PAGE 382
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn

DANIEL M. BYNUM was born in Cass Township, Greene County, Ind., December 30, 1846. His father, John V. Bynum, was a native of North Carolina, and came with is parents to Greene County, Ind., in 1818, he at that time being only four years old. He was raised in a manner comparative with those early times, and in about 1841 married Rebecca O'Neil, to which union nine children were born, five of whom yet live. The father died August 5, 1876, but Mrs. Bynum is now living on the old homestead. David M. Bynum received only a common schooling, and until twenty years old assisted his parents on the home farm. May 25, 1872, he was united in marriage with Miss Lois E. Gilbert, a native of Ohio, and by her is the father of six children, only these--Haddie M., Mina O. and Huldah--yet living. Mr. Bynum is one of the progressive men of Greene County, as well as one of is substantial citizens. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., is a Democrat, and owns a fine farm of 400 acres where he now resides, in Taylor Township. In 1876, he was selected by his party as the nominee for County Sheriff, and although the county is Republican, was elected by a majority of twenty-two votes. In 1878, he was re-elected by a majority of 231 ballots.

"HISTORY OF GREENE AND SULLIVAN COUNTIES, STATE OF INDIANA, FROM THE EARLIEST TIME TO THE PRESENT; TOGETHER WITH INTERESTING BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, REMINISCENCES, NOTES, ETC." CHICAGO: GOODSPEED BROS. & CO., PUBLISHERS. 1884.
TAYLOR TWP.
PAGE 383
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn

LINCOLN CHANEY, son of Samuel and Keziah (Flater) Chaney, and grandson of Thomas and Nancy (Frye) Chaney, was born in Greene County, Ind., in 1861. His father settled in Greene County in 1845, and he and his wife were the parents of twelve children. They are yet living on the old homestead, and are among the best citizens of Richland Township. Lincoln Chaney was raised on the farm of his parents, received a fair education when a boy, and by persistent plunk and industry has established himself as one of the promising young men of the county. He began as a merchant at Mineral City in 1872, with a capital of $250. By judicious investments, he has from time to time increased his stock as his means would allow, until he at present is worth about $1,500. Besides having a good general store, Mr. Chaney is engaged in mining and the sale of coal. He is a Republican in politics, and a young man destined to make his mark.

"HISTORY OF GREENE AND SULLIVAN COUNTIES, STATE OF INDIANA, FROM THE EARLIEST TIME TO THE PRESENT; TOGETHER WITH INTERESTING BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, REMINISCENCES, NOTES, ETC." CHICAGO: GOODSPEED BROS. & CO., PUBLISHERS. 1884.
TAYLOR TWP.
PAGE 384
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn

ANDREW J. DICKEY, a native of Ohio, was born in 1826, and is a son of Wilson S. and Elizabeth (Riley) Dickey, who settled in Greene County in 1852, and where his father died seven years later. His mother yet lives in the "Buckeye State," and she is a daughter of Nancy Riley, who was a long resident of this county, but who moved back to Ohio in 1880 where she died a few weeks later at the advanced age of one hundred and two years. Andrew J. Dickey began working at blacksmithing and engineering when twenty years old, but for the past thirty-one years he has resided three miles east of Scotland, where he is operating one of the successful flouring mills of the county. He secured only an ordinary schooling in youth, but by self-study has become one of the well-posted men of Taylor Township. He was married in 1850 to Miss Margaret J. Logan, by whom he is the father of two children--Elza R. and Lillie J. He married his second and present wife, Miss Louisa Crush, in 1864, and eight children have crowned their union, only the following named yet living: Francis A., Cynthia E., John H., Ida, Clara E., Samuel T. and Emma M.

"HISTORY OF GREENE AND SULLIVAN COUNTIES, STATE OF INDIANA, FROM THE EARLIEST TIME TO THE PRESENT; TOGETHER WITH INTERESTING BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, REMINISCENCES, NOTES, ETC." CHICAGO: GOODSPEED BROS. & CO., PUBLISHERS. 1884.
TAYLOR TWP.
PAGE 384
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn

Deb Murray