Greene County Biography Ref. Page

ARCH AIKMAN, Trustee of Washington Township, is a native Hoosier, born in Daviess County in 1836, a son of Hugh and Ada (Williams) Aikman. Hugh Aikman was born in Daviess County, Ind., in the year 1812, and is said to be the first male white child born on the West Fork of White River. His wife was born in the same county, in 1814, and their early life was passed amidst the Indians, wild animals, and in participating in the discomforts of pioneer life. Arch Aikman was raised on a farm, and when twenty years old began working at the house carpenter and joiner's trade on his own responsibility. In 1870, he embarked in undertaking at Lyons, which has since been his occupation. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Plummer, his first wife, in 1858, and three children were the result of their union--William, Effie and Ada. The mother died in 1877, and for his present wife Mr. Aikman selected Savillia Edwards, by whom he is the father of three children--Lillie, Grace and Arch. Mr. Aikman is a member of the Odd Fellows brotherhood, and he and wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1880, he was first elected Township Trustee, and in 1882 was re-elected.

"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.
WASHINGTON TWP.
PAGE 423
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn

ROBERT A. J. BENEFIEL, M. D., is a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, where he was born September 22, 1829, the youngest of eleven children of Robert and Mary (White) Benefiel. With his parents he settled in Knox County, Ind., where he lived until 1848, when he joined the regular army, Company B, Third Regiment United States Cavalry, but the Mexican war, for which he enlisted, ending soon after, he received his discharge July 10,1848. Returning to Indiana, he settled at Carlisle, in Sullivan County, where he read medicine for a time, and in 1853 graduated at the Ohio Medical College. In November, 1853, he was married to Sarah P. Johnson, of Knox County, by whom he is the father of ten children, five now living: Jacob W., Caleb W., Robert M., Thomas B. and Leona L. In November, 1854, he located at Scotland and has lived in Greene County ever since. On December 19, 1871, his wife died, and on April 8, 1880, he was again married, to Mrs. Mary J. (Hawkins) Hagaman, who bore him two children--Lulu B. and Alpha O. His last wife died September 3,1883. Dr. Benefiel is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Marco, and of the Blue Lodge in Masonry. Having been in the practice of medicine for over thirty years, he has been very successful, and looks with satisfaction upon his past record.

JAMES CARPENTER, a prosperous merchant at Lyons, and a descendent of one of the pioneer families of Greene County, was born in the township where he yet resides in 1844. He is one of three surviving children in a family of nine born to John and Mahala (Simmons) Carpenter, both of whom were natives of Indiana and who located in Greene County as early as 1826,participating in all the hardships and inconveniences of pioneer life. John Carpenter departed this life in 1861, and his widow in 1874. James passed his youth and early manhood on the home farm and attending the public schools. He began clerking, after farming for himself for some time, but in 1876 embarked in merchandising at Lyons with R. M. Gilbert as parnter. At the end of about four years, he became the firm's successor. At present he has a partner, and they carry a well-assorted stock amounting ot over $5,000. Besides his interest in this property, Mr. Carpenter owns forty acres of land and several town lots in Lyons. He is a Democrat in political sentiment and is one of the county's best citizens. In 1880, he was united in marriage with Miss Allie Hornbeck.

JAMES P. DENTON. Among those who volunteered their services from Greene County in the suppression of the rebellion, and bravely fought and valiantly suffered for their country's cause, was he whose name forms the subject for this notice. Born in the year 1841 in Indiana, his early life was passed on his parents' farm, and when twenty years old became a member of Company B, Twenty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry. After being in the engagements at Winchester, Antietam, Cedar Mountain, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and Resaca, he received a severe wound in the hand at Dallas, Ga., resulting in the loss of four fingers, and leaving him a cripple for life. For this disability he is drawing $24 per month pension. After sereving in the war three and one-half years, he was discharged by reason of disability, since when he has engaged in farming and clerking. Mr. Denton is one of six children, three yet living, born to Nicholas T.and Anna (Smiley) Denton. He was liberally educated in the common schools and in 1872 was married to Miss Mary Dagley, to which union two children were born, but none living. He and wife are members of the Christian Church, and are among the best people of Lyons.

ISAAC HALSTEAD, an ex-hotel keeper at Lyons, but at present retired from active pursuits, was born in the State of New York in the year 1811, and is one of two surviving children in a family of eight, born to A. and M. M. Halstead, who were also natives of New York. His father was a Democrat in politics, and an honorable and upright citizen. He died in1860, preceded by his wife two years. Isaac Halstead learned the tanner's trade of his father, but his life has been passed in various pursuits, among which is farming, working at his trade, milling, merchandising and keeping hotel. In 1858, he located in Newberry, where for two years he carried on merchandising with a reasonable degree of success. His is now living a retired life in Lyons, where he owns property to the value of $3,000. Miss Elizabeth M. Terwilliger became his wife in 1833, and four of their ten children are yet living--Martha E., David N., Sarah C. and Abraham M. Mr. and Mrs. Halstead are members of long standing in the Christian Church, and as the shades of the sunset of life fall on their heads, they can look backward over a life of usefulness, without remorse or regret.

REV. JAMES B. HAMILTON, a well-known man in Greene County, was born October 16, 1820, in Washington County, Ind. His parents Archibald and Susannah (Bridges) Hamilton, were natives of North Carolina; were married in 1808, became the parents of five children, three of whom are yet living, and in 1817 became residents of the county where the subject of this sketch was born. James B. was raised on a farm, and in 1840 was wedded to Miss Elizabeth W. Rice, a native of Kentucky, who died in 1854, the mother of five children--Emmons R., Cyrus N., Elisha Asbury, Mollie and Susannah. All are living, and the oldest, since 1873, has been in Washington Territory. Mr. Hamilton married Miss Euphrasia Stuckey in 1855, and by her is the father of two children--Ida M. and Elizabeth A. Early in life, Mr. Hamilton experienced religion, and believing that many souls were yet to be saved, he applied, and was admitted a member of the Indiana Methodist Episcopal Conference. He has pursued his ministerial labors in various portions of the State, and at present his location is at Edwardsport and Oaktown. While at Linton, Greene County, during a portion of the late war, and being a man of pronounced Union sentiments, he was unmercifully assailed by rebel sympathizers, and threatened violence of numerous kinds. Notwithstanding these troubles, he continued his labors as honestly and conscientiously as before. For a time he was out in the service, as Chaplain of the Thirty-first Indiana Volunteers. In politics, Mr. Hamilton is a Republican, and in Masonry has passed through the different degrees, until at present he is a Sir Knight of the Commandery at Louisville. He owns a good farm of 200 acres in Washington Township, this county, and where known is universally respected.

JOHN A. HAWKINS, farmer and stock-raiser, was born near where he now resides, in Washington Township, October 15,1848, and is one of four living children in a family of eight born to Jonathan and Elizabeth (Aikman) Hawkins, who came from Daviess County to Greene County, Ind., in 1847, where they died in about 1871 and 1878 respectively, members of long standing in the Methodist Episcopal Church. John A. Hawkins was reared in his native county, receiving in youth but a common school education, and on attaining his majority began doing for himself. He selected farming as his vocation, through life, as did his father before him, and is the present owner of 123 acres of good farming and grazing land. In 1872, he was united in marriage with Miss Louisa Casey, who was born in Tennessee, May 25,1849, a daughter of Dempsy and Dicy Casey, and by her is the father of three daughters, named Ida Belle, Dicy Elizabeth and Louisa. Mr. Hawkins is an enterprising and progressive citizen, a Republican in politics, and himself and wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church.

DR. JOSEPH MULLANE, a successful physician of Greene County, is a native of the city of New York, born in the year 1855. His father was a native of Ireland, but crossed the Atlantic to theUnited States in about 1840, and began working at the cabinet trade. He was married at Cincinnati to Ellen Sullivan , by Archbishop Purcell, and to them four children were born, all living but one. Mr. Mullane was a man in every sense of the word, and loyal to the cause of his adopted country. In 1861, he volunteered his services to aid in the suppression of the rebellion, and was captured, incarcerated in Andersonville Prison, where, after enduring the agony and sufferings of Southern prison life, for a time, expired, as it were, upon the altar of his country. Dr. Joseph Mullane became a resident of Indiana in 1865, and when sixteen years old began reading medicine with Dr. Short, of Springville. He attended one term of lectures at the Miami Medical College, Cincinnati, Ohio, and one term at the Central Medical College, Indianapolis, Ind., graduating from the last-named institution in 1881. Since 1877, he has been practicing his profession, and at Lyons he has secured a lucrative practice. Dr. Mullane is a progressive citizen, a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity and the Christian Church.

JAMES H. QUILLIN, one of six surviving children in a family of thirteen, was born in Greene County, Ind., in the year 1843, and is a son of William and Nancy (Stone) Quillin, natives respectively of Kentucky and Indiana. He aided his parents on the home farm until seventeen years old, and in May, 1861, enlisted in Company D, Fourteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in which he served as private until March 23, 1862, when he became disabled by a gunshot wound through his leg. He was discharged by reason of disability, but in September, 1863, after recovery, he re-enlisted, becoming a member of Battery C, Second Indiana Artillery. In this he served until the war was virtually ended, but for six months after its close was detained on garrison duty at Fort Morgan, in Alabama. Mr. Quillin saw much hard service during the late war, and was a participant in the battle of Winchester, siege of the Spanish Fort, and the capture of Mobile. He was wedded to Miss J. Waggoner, in 1868, who died in June, 1873, leaving four children--Samuel, Rachel, Nancy and Noah V. In 1875, he married his present wife, and they are among the first families of Washington Township. For the past two and one half years, Mr. Quillin has conducted a successful drug trade at Lyons. His stock is carefully selected, and in value amounts to about $2,000. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and in politics a Democrat from principle, the remainder of his family being Republicans.

FRANKLIN RAMSEY, of Washington Township, was born January 26, 1839, in Columbiana County, Ohio, and is one of four children of Samuel and Margaret A. (Orr) Ramsey. Franklin Ramsey came to Greene County, Ind., in March, 1854, with his father's family, and settled in Stafford Township, where he received a common school education, such as the log schoolhouse of that day afforded. He enlisted for the late war, in Company C, of the Twenty-first Regiment Indiana Infantry, where he served over four years, and received an honorable discharge January 22, 1866. He was engaged in the following battles; Baton Rouge, Port Hudson and Spanish Fort and others. Since the war, Mr. Ramsey has engaged in farming, and for seven years bought grain at Marco. He moved to Washington Township in November,1880, and has lived there ever since. In September, 1880, he was married to Mrs. Eliza J. (Denny) West, by whom he is the father of one son, Frank. As a Democrat in politics, he has been Trustee of Stafford Township, and in 1882 was the candidate for his party for County Clerk. He ran much ahead of his ticket, only failing of election by seventeen votes. He is a member of both the Subordinate Lodge and Encampment of I. O. O. F. at Worthington. He owns 320 acres of land in Washington Township, and 180 acres in Knox County, Ind.,, and is one of the progressive and enterprising citizens of Greene County.

BENJAMIN F. REID, one of the best and most successful farmers of Washington Township, was born in Greene County, Ohio, May 1, 1824, and is a son of John and Sallie W. (Sterrett) Reid, who were natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Kentucky, and of Scotch-Irish descent. John Reid was among the first settlers of Greene County, Ohio, and his general occupation through life was farming and working at the carpenter's trade. He died in November, 1871, followed by his widow in April, 1876. Benjamin F. was reared and educated in his native county, the first thrity years of his life being passed in aiding his parents on the home farm. He rented the old homestead upon which he resided, engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1875, when he removed to Indiana and located on his present place in Greene County. At the present, he owns 480 acres of fine farming and grazing land, upon which he has comfortable and commodious buildings, which reflect not only credit upon himself but on the township as well. Mr. Reid has never aspired for political honors, although he is well posted on all the leading political issues of the day. In politics, he is a Republican, but previous to the organization of that party, his influence and support were cast in favor of the Whig party. Miss Elizabeth Harbeson became his wife on the 28th of December, 1853, and to them six children have been born--Addison Y., Anna Belle, Frank H. and Joanna L., living, and John William and Eva F. (deceased). Mrs. Reid is a daughter of William and Mary (McMillan) Harbeson, who were natives respectively of Chester District, S. C., and Ireland, the latter coming to the United States when sixteen years old. Mr. Reid and family are members of the Presbyterian Church, and are among the best citizens of Greene County.

J. A. M. ROSS. Among the pioneer families of Indiana was that of Hugh S. and Sarah (Miller) Ross, who removed from Kentucky, their native State, to Indiana previous to the Territory being admitted into the sisterhood of States. Hugh S. Ross served his country faithfully in the war of 1812, and on his removal from Kentucky settled on Clarke's grant or what is now Clarke County, Ind. J. A. M. Ross was born in Jefferson County, Ind., in the year 1818, and when five years old came with his parents to Greene County, where he has ever since resided. He began farming for himself when twenty-three years old, but afterward engaged in school teaching, which profession he followed for thirty years with the best of success. One of the important epochs connected with his life and one that will seem incredible to the rising generation, was his paying for forty aacres of good land in Stafford Township with the proceeds derived from the sale of coon skins captured in two months. Mr. Ross is one of the few remaining of our old pioneers and is universally respected. He owns valuable property in Greene County and a substantial brick residence in Lyons. He was married in 1841 to Miss Charlotte Hail, who came with her parents from Virginia to Greene County, Ind., in 1828. Eight children have blessed their union, only the following named yet living: George T., John M., Charles H., Sarah E. and Irene. In politics, Mr. Ross is a Democrat, as was also his father before him, and for the past forty-five years he and wife have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

SIMEON SMITH, a native Hoosier, was born in Jackson County March 16, 1839, and is one of twelve children, six yet living, born to Henry G. and Eliza M. (Settles) Smith, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. In about 1835, the family came to Indiana from the Blue Grass State, and located where Henry G. yet resides in Jackson County. From this place he moved to Salem in 1842, making that his home fourteen years, after which he returned to his old home where he has since resided and where his wife died in January,1873. Mr. Smith is an old steamboat engineer, having served in that capacity on the Ohio River four years, but his principal occupation through life has been farming. Simeon Smith was raised a farmer, in his earlier years, having an academic education. At twenty-one years of age, he began doing for himself, and in 1863 came to Greene County, Ind., locating in Washington Township. He subsequently moved to Newberry, thence back to the farm, thence to Washington, thence to Bloomfield and lastly to where he now resides. Mr. Smith is one of the successful farmers and stock-raisers of Greene County; is the owner of a well-improved and well-stocked farm of a total of 558 acres, and in politics is a Democrat. In March, 1863, Miss Matilda Carr became his wife, Mrs. Smith being born in Lawrence County, Ind., June 5, 1840, the daughter of George W. and Elizabeth (Brown) Carr, who were natives respectively of Indiana and Kentucky.

DR. W. H. H. ASBURY, son of W. D. and Elizabeth (Bowman) Asbury, is a native of Kentucky, as were also his parents, his birth occuring August 5, 1840, in Fleming County. When nine years old, he removed with his parents to Sullivan County, Ind., where he was reared and educated, his schooling being finished at Farmersburg Seminary. He was employed in school teaching for about three years, afterward going to Centerville, Vigo County, and beginning the study of medicine under the tuition of Dr. Hollingsworth. In 1868, he took a course of lectures at the Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati, but did not graduate until attending a second course in 1875. Dr. Asbury is one of Greene County's best physicians, and previous to his location at Jasonville, in 1876, he carried on a good practice, at different times, in Centerville, Freedom, Sandborn and Middletown. While at Freedom, his marriage, on the 1st of September, 1870, with Miss Ludie Landrum, was solemnized, and to this union have been born three children--Mary L., Pearl and Lulu. Mrs. Asbury was born in Owen County, Ind., July 22, 1850, a daughter of R. B. and S. J. Landrum, who were natives respectively of Virginia and Indiana. Dr. Asbury is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and although a Democrat in politics is inclined in his belief to the doctrines of the National Greenback party.

"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.
WRIGHT TWP.
PAGE 428
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn

GEORGE BAUGHMAN, son of Jacob and Margaret M. (Houser) Baughman, was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, July 6, 1833. His parents were natives of Maryland and Virginia respectively, but removed to Coshocton County, Ohio, at an early day, where they became known as one of the best and wealthiest families of that portion of the country. Jacob Baughman departed this life in March, 1876, but his widow still survives him and resides in Coshocton County. George Baughman was raised a farmer, in youth securing a fair education. In 1854, he moved west to the Hoosier State and settled in Greene County on his present place inWright Township, giving $1.25 and $2.50 per acre for a quarter-section. He immediately began improving this property, and as his means increased, would add to what he already had, so that by economy and industry, he now owns a valuable farm of 440 acres. He is one of the best citizens Wright Township ever had, and his influence has been greatly felt in the advancement of educational and religious matters of the community. He has taught school in the neighborhood for a number of terms, and from his own individual mans contributed largely in the erection of the New Lebanon Church, which is both a blessing and an ornament to the township. In 1863, he became a private in Company A, One Hundred and Fifteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, serving as such eight months, when he was changed to Company B, Fifty-third Indiana Volunteers, being finally discharged at Louisville, Ky., July 21, 1865. Mr. Baughman was married May 5,1855, to Miss Emily Larr, who was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, June 25,1832, a daughter of David and Nancy (Miller) Larr, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Virginia. Mrs. Baughman came with her parents to Greene County, Ind., when thirteen years old, and by Mr. Baughman is the mother of eight living children--Miriam M., William E., Matilda N., Mary D., George A., Jacob, Emma S. and David, and one deceased, Margaret E. Mr. Baughman is one of the representatives of what a poor boy can do under adverse circumstances. On his arrival, he had only one horse--blind--sent to him from Ohio by his father, and 5 cents in money. The latter was used to defray postage on a letter to his old mother, and for this, if no other reason, Mr. Baughman is rewarded with prosperity for his filial devotion.

"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.
WRIGHT TWP.
PAGE 428
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn

JOHN BLEDSOE is a son of David and Elizabeth (Groves) Bledsoe, both of whom were natives of North Carolina, from whence they removed to Eastern Tennessee at an early day, and from there to Greene County, Ind., in 1837, where Mr. Bledsoe died in August,1877. John Blesoe is a native of East Tennessee, where he was born June 5, 1820, and is of Dutch and Scottish descent. When seventeen years of age, he came with his parents to Indiana, shortly after which he located a "claim," and began improving. In 1861, he erected a mill, and this he yet operates in conjunction with farming. Mr. Bledsoe is one of the progressive men of his locality, is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and a Democrat in politics. In 1840, he was elected Constable of his township, serving as such five years, the succeeding two years holding the office of District Trustee. In 1856, he was elected Justice of the Peace, in which capacity he served until the winter of 1857-58, when he was elected Doorkeeper in the House of Representatives. Mr. Bledsoe has been twice married, his first wife being Nancy Eveans, to whom he was married in Greene County in April, 1839. Mrs.Bledsoe was a member of the family of Walter and Rachel (Jones) Eveans, who were natives of Tennessee. She became the mother of nine children, whose names are William, Mary, Sallie, Isaac W., Elizabeth, David H., Rebecca A., Rachel C. and James A. The mother died August 1,1877, and May 28, 1879, Mr. Bledsoe and Mrs. Lyda M. Watkins were married, in Sullivan County. Mrs. Bledsoe was born on the 14th of September, 1837, and both husband and wife are membersw of the Missionary Baptist Church.

"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.
WRIGHT TWP.
PAGE 429
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn

Deb Murray