Greene County Biography Ref. Page

JOHN D. ALEXANDER, State's Attorney for the Fourteenth Judical Circuit, was born in Bloomington, Ind., February 6, 1839, and came with his parents, William and Martha L. (Dunn) Alexander, to Greene County in 1843, where he was raised to manhood. William Alexander was a physician, which profession engaged his attention until his retirement from active life in 1867, after which he removed from the eastern part of the county to Bloomfield, where he died in 1871, aged seventy-seven years. His widow died in 1883, aged eighty-seven years. Both were natives of Kentucky, but their parents were from the Old Dominion. John D., after receiving the benefits to be derived from the common schools, entered the classical course of the State University, graduating in 1861. August 18, 1862, he enlisted as private in Company E, Ninety-seventh Indiana Volunteers, and on the company's organization was appointed Orderly Sergeant. In February, 1863, he was advance to Second Lieutenant, and December 15, 1864, was promoted to the Captaincy of Company D, Ninety-seventh Regiment. In April, 1865, Gen. Logan appointed him Acting Assistant Inspector General of the Second Brigade, First Division, Fifteenth Army Corps, which remained his official duties until being mustered out of service June 9, 1865. Capt. Alexander was a participant in the battles of Vicksburg, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Griswoldville, Ga., Savannah, Columbia and Bentonville. After the war, he took a six months course at the Law Department of the Michigan State University, subsequently practicing his profession one year at Bedford, and the remainder of the time being engaged in a like pursuit at Bloomfield. In 1880, he was elected Prosecuting Attorney for the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit, and in 1882 re-elected to this position, the State Legislature of 1882-83 changing the circuit to the Fourteenth. Capt. Alexander is a Republican in politics, and at present is a member of the law firm of Alexander & Letsinger

"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.
RICHLAND TWP.
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Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn

S. W. AXTELL, Superintendent of the schools of Greene County is one of three surviving children in a family of five born to George R. and Amanda (Farnham) Axtell, appropriate mention of whom is made elsewhere in this work. The genealogy of this family is traced back in England as early as 1535, to one John Akstyle, a member of a religious order in Hertfordshire. Thomas Axtell, baptized at Berkhamstead, England, January 26, 1619, was undoubtedly the progenitor of the name in the United States. The following are the names of the heads of the different families in a direct line of descent from the Axtell last mentioned, together with their respective births: Henry, born in 1641; Daniel, 1673; Thomas, 1727; Thomas, 1750; Thomas, 1797; George R., May 10, 1825. The last on this list is the father of the subject of this memoir, and is a prosperous farmer of Beech Creek Township. S. W. Axtell was born in Knox County, Ohio, June 17, 1850, and when six years old removed with his parents to Greene County, Ind., locating in Beech Creek Township, where he was raised, and largely educated. After attending the best schools afforded in the county, he entered the State University the term of 1871-72, and in July, 1874, graduated from the law department of that institution. The same month of his graduation, he located for the practice of his profession in Bloomfield, and has ever since resided here, being at present a member of the well-known legal firm of Pickens, Axtell & Moffett. For several years Mr.Axtell has been at work perfecting a complete set of abstracts of title for lands in Greene County, and is now prepared to furnish anything in his line. He is a Democrat, and in 1876 was elected County Superintendent, which position he has ever since held, making one of the best Superintendents the county ever had. Through many obstacles and against the advice of older heads, he undertook the system of grading the schools of the county, and has made it a flattering success. In a like manner, he was successful in perfecting the graduation system, which he claims is not a fabric woven in the loom of fancy, but a complete system of common-sense plans. Mr. Axtell, at one time, was the candidate of his party for State's Attorney, but owing to a Republican majority in the district, suffered defeat. His marriage with Miss Mary J. Gray was solemnized February 16, 1861, and by her is the father of this family: Aden F., deceased, G. W., Ilie M., Casper B., Edna M. and Nita Vera. The parents are members of the Christian Church.

G. W. BEARD, editor of the Bloomfield News, is a native of the Hoosier State, born December 28, 1836, in Harrison County. He was one of six sons and two daughters born to the marriage of Jesse Beard and Charlotte Bullock, who were natives respectively of Virginia and Georgia, and of Irish-Scotch descent. G. W. was raised in his native county to manhood, receiving the greater part of his education from the common schools, and when about sixteen years old was apprenticed to the printer's trade on the Western Argus, of Corydon. For eight years, he was employed on the mechanical part of this periodical, then became editor and proprietor, continuing as such until the breaking-out of the rebellion. August 22, 1861, he enrolled his name as a private in Company B, Third Indiana Cavalry, and was an active participant in the battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness and numerous other engagements, amounting in all to 120. May 11, 1864, while on Sheridan's raid to Richmond, he received a severe grape-shot wound in the left hip. September 7, 1864, he was honorably discharged from the service, wearing, as a mark of honor, a Sergeant's chevron. For one season, Mr.Beard farmed in Lawrence County; then engaged in mercantile business in Greene County, which he continued until 1874, afterward farming five years or thereabouts. Since 1879, he has resided in Bloomfield, engaged in jouralism. Miss Angie Broaddus became his wife on the 8th of February, 1864, and to their union have been born six children--Lena, Broaddus, Jennie, Stannard, Daisy and Georgia. The mother is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Beard is one of the prominent Republicans of the county, and through the News is doing valuable work for his party. He issues a bright, attractive paper weekly, filled with able editorals and spicy local news, which is fast becoming the weekly visitor of all the better families of Greene County.

EVAN A. BONHAM, Sheriff of Greene County and a native of Wright Township, was born June 10, 1852, and is a son of David Bonham, appropriate mention of whom is made elsewhere in this work. After receiving a preliminary educaton in his native township, Evan A. attended the seminary at Sullivan one year, then in company with a brother, William A., took an extended trip through the West and Southwest. In 1871, he entered Judsonian University, in White County, Ark., his brother the same year purchasing forty acres of land there for the purpose of embarking in fruit-raising. William A. is yet residing there, and operates a farm of 170 acres, 110 of which are devoted exclusively to fruit-raising. In 1872, Evan A. returned to Greene County and embarked in saw-milling and farmng in Wright and Stockton Townships. In 1874 and a part of 1875, he was an attendant at Franklin College, but in 1876 was a student at the Newbury Normal School, where he prepared for the teacher's profession. The latter occupation served to engage his attention for six years, and during Mr. Bonham's pedagogical career, he met with deserved success. April 27, 1871, he was married to Miss Winnie E. Hicks, a native of Iowa, and a teacher of five years' experience in Greene County, and one son has blessed their union--Leon J., born October 28, 1881. Mr. Bonham is a Republican in politics, a member of the Baptist Church--as is also Mrs. Bonham--and is one of the best Sheriffs ever Greene County had. He was elected to ths office in 1882, and is filling its requirements to the entire satisfaction of all concerned.

DAVID BUTCHER, deceased, ex-Treasurer of Greene County, was one of eight children born to Richard and Rebecca (Boruff) Butcher. His father dying when he was eleven years old, the burden in caring for the family fell on his shoulders, and at this critical period he embarked in his struggle for a home and an honored name. He was enabled to secure only a limited schooling, but by diligence in after years secured a good, practical education. On leaving the farm, he went to Bloomington, there learning wagon-making, and in 1850 married Carrie Finley, who bore him two children, only one--David F.--yet living. In 1854, the mother died, after which Mr. Butcher moved to Sullivan and worked at his trade until his removal to Bloomfield in 1856. At this place, he embarked in the drug trade, at which he continued until he sold out to enter upon the duties of County Treasurer, to which position he had been duly elected, and after one term of two years he was re-elected, serving in all four years. Mr. Butcher was an honest citizen, an obliging neighbor, and a loving husband and father. He was well-known and universally respected for his many sterling qualities, his pureness of heart and simplicity of manners. He was twice married, his widow having been Mina V. Hopkins, a native of Ireland, by whom he was the father of three children--John V. (deceased), Stella and Cora. Mr. Butcher was a member of the Christian Church and the Masonic fraternity, and a Democrat in politics.

SAMUEL R. CAVINS was born in Green County, Ky., in 1792. Before he was of age, he went to Vincennes, and remained there several years. While at Vincennes, he went on a hunting excursion (about the year 1813) up White River, and the party landed in Greene County, just above the mouth of Richland Creek, near the old Indian graveyard. After that he returned to Kentucky. In 1814, he entered the army as a substitute, and served under Gen. Jackson, at the battle of New Orleans. In 1822, he returned to Indiana again and settled in Monroe Couunty near Harmony. In 1825, he moved toLawrence County, near Springville. He moved to Greene County in 1827, and settled on Indian Creek, near Owensburg. In the year 1833, he settled on a farm in Richland Township, adjoining the farm of David Heaton. In 1835, he moved to Bloomfield, and resided there until his death, which was in 1864. In 1828, he was elected Associate Judge of the Circuit Court, and held the office until 1834, when he resigned. He was Assessor for the east side of White River for the year 1834. In 1835, he was elected Clerk, and entered upon the duties of the office in 1835, and held the office continously until 1855. He raised nine children to be grown, and had several to die in infancy. He was well known throughout the county for his hospitatily and liberality, and especially remembered for the numerious instances in which he befriended the poor. Through well advanced in years at the time of the last war, there was no man in the county, of any age more active or loyal. He was Draft Commissioner, and was so energetic that more than once was in imminent danger of serious personal injury.

COL. ADEN G. CAVINS was born in Lawrence County, Ind., October 24, 1827, and is a son of Samuel R. Cavins. He received in youth only such schooling as was obtainable at that early day, and his litereary education was completed with three years' instruction at Asbury University. He afterward read law, and graduated from the Law Department of the State Univesity in 1849. He then practiced his profession in Bloomfield until 1858, when he removed to Nebraska City, Neb., remaining there two years, and representing his locality in the Lower House of the Legislature. In 1861, he returned to Greene County, the same year recruiting a company for the Fifty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was commissioned Captain of Company E in November of the same year. Capt. Cavins was with Pope on his expedition to New Madrid in the spring of 1862, and after the evacuation of Island No. 10 went with his regiment to Pittsburg Landing, and was present at the siege of Corinth. For distinguished services, Gov. Morton in 1862 commissioned him Major of the Ninety-seventh Indiana Volunteers, and while at Holly Springs in December of the same year, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel of his regiment. After participating in the siege of Vicksburg, he was in the engagement at Jackson, Miss., where his horse was killed by a cannon ball from the enemy. Col. Cavins was actively engaged at Mission Ridge, from whence his command moved to the relief of Burnside at Knoxville, which was one of the hardest campaigns of the rebellion. Succeeding this, he was an active participant in the battles of Resaca, Dallas, New Hope Church, and June 15, 1864, his command captured 700 of the enemy, including a large part of the Thirty-first Alabama Regiment, with field and staff officers. He led his regiment at Kenesaw Mountain, and at Atlanta his command again gained renown by capturing the Fifth Confederate Tennessee Regiment, which killed the gallant McPherson. Col. Cavins was also in the engagements at Ezra Chapel, on the right of Atlanta and Jonesboro. He remained in command of the Ninety-seventh from Goldsboro until its arrival at Washington City, where he was mustered our as Colonel. Since that time, he has been actively engaged in the practice of law at Bloomfield, standing second to none at the bar of Greene County. He is a stanch Republican, and in 1880 was Presidential Elector for the second Congressional District. In 1851, he was married to Julia Taylor, who died in 1854, leaving two sons, only one (Edward) yet living. To his second marriage with Matilda Livingston, eight children have been born--William L., Hugh L., Josephine, Lelia, Adan L., Francis L. Margaret, and Lee (deceased). Mrs. Cavins is a daughter of Hugh L. Livingston, a pioneer lawyer of Indiana, who was descended from an old and honored family.

COL. E. H. C. CAVINS, a native of Greene County, Ind., was born in Jackson Township April 16, 1832, and was raised to manhood in Bloomfield, where he acquired his early education. He afterward took a two years' course at Asbury University, then read law with his brother, Adan G., and in 1853 graduated from the Law Department of the State University. He then began the practice of law in Bloomfield, and in 1858 served as a member of the State Legislature. In the spring of 1861, he recruited Company D; was mustered into service as Captain of this company, which went out as a part of the Fourteenth Indiana Volunteers. They were first under McClellan and Rosecrans in West Virginia, but in 1862 were with Gen. Shields in the Shenandoah Valley campaign and the battle of Winchester. They were then transferred to the Army of the Potomac, and became a part of the Second Army Corps, which covered the retreat from the Peninsula and from second Bull Run. In August, 1862, Capt. Cavins was advanced to Major of the Fourteenth, and the fall of this year participated in the battle of Antietam, where he was wounded in the left hand, and shortly after which he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. He commanded his regiment at Fredericksburg, and from the official reports, the dead from the Fourteenth laid nearest the enemy's works. Chancellorsville and Gettysburg were the next important battles in which Col. Cavins was engaged, succeeded by Morton's Ford, where he commanded two regiments and where his horse was shot under him. Shortly after this, he returned to Indiana to recruit his regiment, and on reporting for duty at Washington was assigned command of a provisional brigade, detached from the Army of the Potomac, of which he continued in command during the remainder of his term of service, which culminated in the battle of Cold Harbor. In 1864, he was commissioned Colonel, and June 2, 1864, received his final discharge. He was then made Adjutant General for the Southern Division of the State, under Gen. Hughes, and served as such during the remainder of the war. During the rebellion, Col. Cavins participated in over fifty pitched battles and skirmishes. Since then, he has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession at Bloomfield, where he has attained a prominent position at the bar of Greene County. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, a Republican, and a Royal Arch Mason. To his marriage with Miss Ann M. Downing, solemnized October 23, 1855, four children have been born--Samuel R., Carrie Belle, Ida L. and Susie F. The mother was born March, 1836, in Greene County, and is a daughter of the old pioneer, Alexander Downing.

JOHN J. CLIFFT, a native of Kentucky, born February 22, 1837, is one of seven children, born to Thomas and Melinda (Jones) Clifft, natives respectively of Tennessee and Kentucky, and maternally of Dutch descent. The family removed to Monroe County, Ind., in 1838, and settled near the Greene County line, making these two counties their home until the death of Thomas Clifft, in the latter county, May 18, 1861, age fifty-nine years. His widow afterward married a Mr. Clark, and died in Illinois in about 1874. John J. Clifft was raised a farmer; receicving but limited advantages, and on attaining his majority started in life for himself. During the holidays of 1861 and 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company B, Sixtieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, the first battle of his company being Munfordville, where the greater part of the Sixieth Regiment was captured by Gen. Morgan's command. At the time of this battle, Mr. Clifft was sick at the Louisville hospital with typhoid fever and consequently escaped capture. He was an active participant in the battle of Walnut Hills before the siege of Vicksburg, and all through this remarkable siege, being wounded June 3, 1863, in the left shoulder, from the effects of which he is yet a sufferer. He was next in the engagement at Grand Coteau Prairie, where he recieved his second wound, which was much more severe than the former one, it being through the right shoulder and side, leaving a gaping and terribly lacerated wound. Not receiving immediate attention and being unable to help himself, his wound attracted flies in abundance, and erelong it was swarming with maggots. For about four weeks he was in the hospital; then, although not really able to do so, rejoined his regiment and remained in active service until his discharge in April, 1865. After the war, he farmed and worked at the stone-mason's trade in Greene County until July, 1883, when he came to Mineral City, and in partnership with R. Haywood started a general store which they have since continued. Mr. Clifft is a member of the National party, the I. O. O. F.; and was married in 1867, to Rhoda Ann Minks, by whom he is the father of six children: Mary E., Ida M. (deceased), Nora A., William L., James W. and Thursia J.

DR. S. C. CRAVENS, the oldest established physician of Bloomfield, was born in Jefferson County, Ind., January 3,1839, and is descended from English and Irish ancestors, his parents being John C. and Nancy M. Cravens. His early education was obtained at Hanover, and in 1861 came to Greene County and began teaching school in Daviess County, at the same time devoting his spare hours to the study of medicine. In 1863, he continued these studies under the direction of Dr. J. N. Conley, and the session of 1863 and 1864 attended Rush Medical College at Chicago, after which he was associated in the practice of his profession with his preceptor. The term of 1865 and 1866, he returned to Rush College and graduated, and for one year, beginning in February, 1869, he was in partnership with Dr. Gray. In 1870, he took a course of instruction at Long Island College Hospital, New York, receiving the ad eundem degree, and has ever since been intimately connected with the medical history of Greene County. For a time, he was associated with his brother, Dr. T. A. Cravens, but in 1881 this connection was severed, and the same year our subject took a post-graduate course at Rush; since then he has ben practicing in partnership with Dr. Rankin, and this firm ranks among the first practitioners of the county. Dr. Cravens is an enterprising and esteemed citizen, and is connected with some of the leading organizations of Bloomfield. He was married to Mary L. Routt, in 1866, and they are the parents of four living children.

R.E. EVELEIGH, Postmaster and druggist, is a native of Bloomfield, born August 31, 1848. After attending the public schools of his native town, he entered the scientific course of the State University in 1867, graduating in 1869. For a period, he was employed in clerking, but in October, 1875, he embarked in business on his own responsibility in Bloomfield, with a stock of drugs and books valued at about $1,000. He has ever since continued this line of business, and owing to his increase in trade has been enabled to establish one of the most successful mercantile houses in Bloomfield. At present, his stock consits of upward of $5,000 worth of drugs and books, and his annual sales will reach about $15,000. Mr. Eveleigh is a member of the fraternity of Odd Fellows, is a Republican in politics, and in October, 1875, was appointed Postmaster at Bloomfield, a position he yet occupies.

A. J. FAUCETT was born in Orange County, N. C., October 31, 1816, and when eighteen years old removed with his parents, George and Elizabeth (Killion) Faucett, to Orange County, Ind., where the parents continued to reside until their respective deaths. Family tradition hath it that the name came originally from England, but at the battle of the Boyne they becme residents of Ireland, whence William Fausett (who spelled the family name with an "s")- grandfather of A. J., emigrated to North Carolina during the eigheenth century. Being strongly opposed to slavery, led to the removal of the family of George Faucett to Indiana. A. J. Faucett received but little educational or other advantages, and his youthful days were passed on a farm. November 1,1838, he married Almira D. Fellows, a daughter of Col. Levi Fellows, who settled in Greene County in 1819. In 1839, he and wife removed to the farm on which Mr. Faucett now resides, and building a small frame house, began clearing and farming. When rebellion was threatening to overthrow our country in 1861, he assisted raising Company E, Fifty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in whcih he became a private, and with which he remained until being honorably discharged at Goldsboro, N. C., in April, 1865. He was a participant in some of the hardest campaigns and most hotly contested battles of the rebellion, among the latter being, New Madrid, Island No. 10, Corinth, Vicksburg, Mission Ridge, Savannah, Columbia and Bentonville, besides numerous minor skirmishes and engagements. He was commissioned First Lieutenant of Company E on the 6th of September, 1863, and owning to the Captain's resignation the fall of 1864, he commanded the company until the close of the war. Since then, Mr. Faucett has been engaged in farming and milling in Greene County. To his marriage was born this family: George W. (was a volunteer of Company D, Fourteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry; was wounded at the Wilderness, and died of this wound at Fredericksburg, Va.), Levi J., Theodore, Austin D., Mary J., Caroline E., Celestia, Hattie and Schuyler. Of the above, all are dead except Levi J. and Celestia. The mother died October 7,1869. Mr. Faucett is a master Mason, a Republican, and is the owner of 308 acres of good land in Richland Township.

Deb Murray