Benjamin C. CALKIN, of Rising Sun, one of the older of the native residents of Ohio County, was born in 1823 near Rising Sun.  His parents were Elijah and Charlotte (THOMPSON) CALKIN, the former a native of Litchfield, Conn., the latter of Dutchess County, N.Y.  His father remained in his native locality till grown to maturity, and then took up his residence in Dutchess County, where he married, and in 1819 with his family started West, coming by wagon to Pittsburgh, and then down the Ohio River, locating at Rising Sun.  He first settled on a section of land owned by the Browns, adjoining the town, and afterward purchased land in the neighborhood, where he followed agricultural pursuits all the remainder of his life, being an industrious farmer addicted to no bad habits.  He reared a family of nine children:  Sidney (deceased), Emiline, widow of Henry CLORE; Miss Lois; Zoda, widow of Daniel THORN, Rising Sun; Caroline, widow of Thomas GARLAND, Madison, Ind.; David L., a thrifty farmer of Pope County, Ill.; Benjamin C., Rising Sun; Mary Ann, (deceased wife of  Uriah FREEMAN, of Illinois, and Richard (deceased) formerly a farmer of Pope County, Ill., his widow now a resident of Rising Sun.  The father of these died in 1867, in this county, the mother also passing away at the advanced age of eighty-three years.  Benjamin C. CALKIN, whose name introduces this sketch, passed his earlier years on the farm with his parents, being constantly employed in farm labor till his seventeenth year. He then began his flat-boating career, which ended only when his failing health and strength compelled him to retire from the business about 1873.  He dealt in produce, shipping to the Southern markets, and in general met with fair success.  By careful attention to his business, by economy and a great deal of hard labor, he has been able to retire with a reasonable assurance of having a comfortable living during the remainer of his days.  Mr. CALKIN was married, in 1853 to Miss Ann RYLE, daughter of Larkin RYLE of Boone County, Ky., and thy have no children,  They are both members of the Universalist Church, and have the general esteem of their community.

"HISTORY OF DEARBORN AND OHIO COUNTIES, INDIANA-1885"

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James CLARK, Randolph Township, one of the typical pioneers of Ohio County, was born in Virginia in 1810.  He is a son of Robert CLARK, who came to this part of the country with his brother, Isaac CLARK, and was accidentally drowned in the Ohio River between Cincinnati and Rising Sun, leaving a wife and four children; our subject, James being the eldest.  His mother passed away soon after his father's death, and he was reared by his uncle, Isaac.  The latter was also born in Virginia, and married there.  He came West and located for a short time in Ohio, and in 1814, settled in this county, entering the quarter-section of land now owned by William Stopher.  James Clark remained with his uncle till twenty five years of age.  He soon after purchased a portion of his present farm, which now comprises 130 acres, and here he has ever since resided.  The land on which he now lives was entered by John Dixon about 1816, and the log-house, in which Mr. CLARK now lives, was built by Mr. Dixon about 1817-18,  Mr. CLARK has always engaged in farming.  He married Nancy DIXON in 1835.  She was a native of Ohio, and daughter of John and Elizabeth (GARRISON) DIXON, who settled in this county as stated above, and reared a large family, his eldest daughter, Tamson (who afterward married John HUNTER), said to have been the third child born in Cincinnati,  Her father was a soldier of the Revolution, going into that war at the age of sixteen.  He also assisted in erecting Fort Washington at Cincinnati, when that locality was yet a wilderness. To Mr. and Mrs. Clark were born five children; Mary, wife of Thomas JACKSON; William D.; Ellen; Lavina, wife of John T. JOHNSON, residents of Harvey County, Kas., and Sarah J., deceased wife of William L. MONROE.  Mrs. CLARK departed this life April 6, 1881, in her seventy-fourth year, having been married almost fifty years.  Mr. CLARK is still living, and for on of his years is well preserved.  He remembers distinctly when the wolves, deer and bears thickly infested this locality, which he has done his full share toward redeeming from its native wildness.

"HISTORY OF DEARBORN AND OHIO COUNTIES, INDIANA-1885"

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William H. CLORE, senior member of the firm of William CLORE'S Sons, plow manufacturers, Rising Sun, was born in the latter town in 1857. He is a son of William CLORE, a native of Indiana, and grandson of Jeremiah and Sarah (DEER) CLORE, natives of Virginia, who came to Kentucky in 1817, and to this county in 1828.  His grandfather was a farmer all his life, and died about 1880, at the advanced age of ninety-one years, his widow surviving him two years and dying at the same age. His father, William CLORE, was born in 1823, and spent his early life on the farm.  He married Mary McGUFFIN and came to Rising Sun, where he learned the implement trade, and afterward purchased the CLORE Plow manufacturing establishment about 1850, remaining in control of the same til his death in September, 1884. Referring to his death, the Rising Sun Recorder said:  "The death of William Clore, proprietor of the Rising Sun Plow Manufactory, is a public loss.  He was a strictly honest, honorable and warm hearted man; public spirited, and in every way a valuable man to the community.  Since 1847 he has been the manager of the plow factory, and his good judgment and close attention to the needs of farmers, North and South, and the superiority of his implements have given the business a wide notoriety.:  William CLORE, whose name introduces this sketch, was educated in the public schools of Rising Sun, and  since 1876 has been identified with the plow manufacturing business.  He was married in 1882, to Mary B. BUCHANAN, of Ohio County, daughter of Reese A. and Lena (BUSH) BUCHANAN; her father was for many years a merchant of Rising Sun, but now deceased.  They have one child -- Edward.  Harry G. CLORE, junior member of the firm of William CLORE'S Sons, was born in Rising Sun in 1863.  He obtained a practical education in the public schools of his native town, and since 1880 had been engaged in the plow manufacturing business.  The institution is the chief manufacturing establishment of Rising Sun, and is well cared for under its present management.

"HISTORY OF DEARBORN AND OHIO COUNTIES, INDIANA-1885"

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John W. COFIELD, farmer, Cass Township, born in Crittenden County, Ky., June 14, 1826; is a son of Robert and Amanda (WALLINGFORD) COFIELD, he a native of North Carolina, and she of Kentucky.  They were married in Kentucky, and in the spring of 1835, removed to Indiana, and settled in Union Township, Ohio County, on the place where Jesse COOPER now lives, where he died March 8, 1850, in the fiftieth year of his age.  His widow still survives, and resides on the home place, with her daughter, Mrs. Jesse COOPER. In early life Mr. COFIELD followed boating on the river; thence he entered upon farming, which business he followed the balance of his life.  He was a man of industrious habits, possessed of a high moral character, and a most excellent citizen.  He and wife were lifelong members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he as a class leader may years.  He was the father of nine children, all now living, viz.: John W., Robert H., Caroline (now the wife of J. BILLINGSLY), William  W., Margaret and Elizabeth (twins, the former the wife of Jessie COOPER, the latter the wife of L.J. WILSON), Stephen, Eliza ( wife of John HANNAH), and Samuel D. John W., the eldest child, grew to manhood, and April 23, 1848, was married to Clara Rutledge, a daughter of Emmons and Hannah (ROGERS) RUTLEDGE, natives of Ohio, but who, in 1837, removed to Indiana, where he became a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, being in active service, and filling the pulpits on different circuits in several of the counties of southeastern Indiana for thirteen years. His wife died at Brownstown, Jackson County, Ind., in 1837.  Subsequently he married Mrs. Eliza GARNER.  She died, and he married his third wife.  He died at Fairfield, Franklin County, Ind., February 8, 1850, in th forty-fifth year of his age, having been a good and faithful minister, and greatly esteemed by a large circle of acquaintances.  By his first wife he had five children, three now survive:  Harriet, wife of Theodore KESSINGER;; Clara M., and Elizabeth, wife of  Mr. LEET.  By his second wife, he had three children, two now living: Lydia and Susan A., wife of William CROOKER.  Mr. COFIELD and wife had had thirteen children, twelve now survive - Robert E.; William R.;  Mary C. wife of Lewis F. WORKS; Ella F., wife of O. A. WOODS; Hattie S., wife of C. E. ELLIOTT; Stephen K, Charles J., Anna E., John D., Jesse F., Harry D. and Maggie; Atlanta deceased , died in infancy.  Mr. COFIELD started in life poor, but has been very successful, and has a fine farm of 175 acres, with good buildings and improvements.  He has filled many of the offices of his township, was real estate appraiser two terms; county commissioner three years, and is director on the board of agriculture.  He has been a war Democrat, and popular with both parties in his county.  He and wife, have been members of teh Methodist Episcopal Church many years.  He is a charger member of Laughery Lodge No. 246, I. O. O. F., and has passed through all the degrees of the Encampment.

"HISTORY OF DEARBORN AND OHIO COUNTIES, INDIANA-1885"

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Capt. John B. COLES, Rising Sun, one of the leading attorneys of Ohio County, was born in Bloomington, Ill., September 27, 1836.  His parents, Thomas K. and Cynthia (WILBUR) COLES, were natives of Long Island and Dutchess County, N.Y., respectively.  The two families came West in an early day, the latter about 1813, and located in Dearborn County, where the marriage of teh above occurred.  They resided in Wilmington till 1835, when they moved to Illinois, where Mr. COLES died in 1845.  While in this county he was engaged in merchandising, but in Illinois followed agricultural pursuits.  Our subject was a lad of nine years, when his father died.  He soon after returned to this county with his mother and remained here till 1857, when he again moved to Bloomington.  In 1860 he began the study of law, with the firm of Sweat & Orm ( now of Chicago), continuing his reading with this firm about eight months.  He then enlisted in the Eighth Missouri Infantry as private and served four years, participating in many of the heaviest battles of the war, including that of Fort Henry, Shiloh and all the important engagements during Sherman's march to the sea.  He received a severe wound in the left calf at the battle of Vicksburg and served his last year in the quartermaster's department.  February 4, 1863, he was promoted from the ranks to second lieutenant, and on the 24th of the same month was made captain.  He was present at the grand review in Washington, May, 1865, and in the fall of 1866 returned to Indiana, locating in Rising Sun in 1868.  He was here admitted to the bar, and has since engaged here in the practice of his profession.  Mr. COLES was married in 1876 to Fanny A. McADAMS, a daughter of James D. McADAMS, of Cass Township, her father being one of the early settlers of the county.  They have four children: Cynthia, Mary, Robert and Lizzie.  Capt. COLES is a member of Benjamin North Post, G. A. R., which he assisted in organizing and officiated as its first captain.  He ranks among the first of the legal profession in Ohio County, and as a citizen his character is above reproach.

"HISTORY OF DEARBORN AND OHIO COUNTIES, INDIANA-1885"

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William COLTHAR, one of the leading merchants of Rising Sun, Ind., is a native of Brown County, Ohio, where he was born in 1852. He is a son of Jasper and Sarah (SAMMES) COLTHAR, his father having been a farmer and stock dealer in Brown County previous to his death, which occurred about 1857.  His mother is a native of Pennsylvania, and is still living.  Mr. COLTHAR grew to manhood in his native county, where he resided till about twenty-four years of age, gradually building up his business interest, having begun his mercantile trade  a very humble manner.  By dint of hard labor, shrewd management and close attention to his business in all its details, he succeeded in overcoming all obstacles, and soon ranked among the first of the business men of that locality.  In the fall of 1875 he came to Rising SUn and purchased the Hathaway Building, a part of which he now occupies.  Here he placed a stock of general merchandise and soon established a flourishing trade, which by fair dealing he has ever since been able to hold and gradually increase, doing  an annual business of $60,000 to $70,000.  In April of 1884, he disposed  of the dry goods department of his establishment in Rising Sun, and established a branch store at Chanute, Kas., placing a stock of general merchandise valued at $20,000.  Since that time he has confined his trade in this place to the sale of ready-made clothing, ladies' wraps, boots and shoes, hats, caps, etc., carrying a stock of about $14,000, with an annual trade of  $37,000 to $40,000. Mr .COLTHAR may with commendable pride, point to his business success, which indeed has few parallels.  Besides his mercantile interests he owns a good farm in Brown County, Ohio, valued at $4,000; double store-rooms and vacant lot in Rising Sun, valued at  $6,000, and six town lots in Attica, a growing town of Harper County, Kas.  Our subject was married, September 6, 1876, to Laura GILMORE, a native of this county, and a daughter of Thomas H. And Letitia (DOUD) GILMORE.   Her father, a bricklayer by trade, subsequently engaged in the grocery business in this place, served as sheriff of the county several years, and also as one of the associate judges of the probate court of Indiana.  He died in 1864, his widow still surviving.  Mr. and Mrs. COLTHAR have but one child -Jessie.  Mr. COLTHAR has the leading mercantile establishment in the city, and doubtless fully merits the extensive and lucrative trade which he has founded.

"HISTORY OF DEARBORN AND OHIO COUNTIES, INDIANA-1885"

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Simon CONAWAY, merchant and postmaster, Clay Township, was born in Ohio County, Ind., October 6, 1835.  He is the eldest of five children born to John and America (WILSON) CONAWAY.  He was brought up as a farmer, and pursued that occupation until 1860, in which year he opened up a general merchandise store at Guionsville, which he has since conducted.  He was married at Guionsville, in 1865, to Arena C. THATCHER, from whom he was divorced, and December 2, 1881, married to Mrs. Amanda SMITH, by whom he has had born to him two children - twins - viz:  America A. and one who died in infancy.  Mr. CONAWAY was appointed postmaster of Guionsville office in 1872, which he has since held.

"HISTORY OF DEARBORN AND OHIO COUNTIES, INDIANA-1885"

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Jacob COOPER, Randolph Township, son of John and Mary (KULP) COOPER, was born in Ohio County in 1851.  His parents were both natives of Indiana, his father of Ohio County.  His grandfather, Cornelius KULP, settled in this locality in a very early day, coming from Pennsylvania prior to 1820.  His father was a farmer and followed that pursuit all his life.  He purchased forty acres of land after his marriage and resided on the same for a short period when he removed to Iowa.  About one year later he died in this county, while here transacting some business pertaining to his property, about 1856.  His widow who subsequently married James CHAMBERS is still living and is again a widow, her second husband having died in the late war.  By the first marriage six children were born: Charles, Nancy, Winnie, Jacob, Flora and Mary the latter deceased.l  After the father's death the family returned to this county, where our subject Jacob COOPER has since resided.  For a time he worked for wages and made his home with his mother.  He subsequently rented land for some years, and in March, 1883, was appointed superintendent of the Ohio County Infirmary, which institution he has since had charge of, conduction the same in a very satisfactory manner.  He is firm in his discipline yet kind in its exercise, and under his charge the inmates have little reason to complain.  Mr. COOPER was married in 1875 to Sarah FULLER, of this county, daughter of Samuel and Catharine (KITTLE) FULLER, old and esteemed residents of the same.  BY this union were born four children: John W., Pearl, Grace and Hattie.  Mr. COOPER is a member of the I.O.O.F. and a man of sterling qualities as a citizen.

"HISTORY OF DEARBORN AND OHIO COUNTIES, INDIANA-1885"

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The COVINGTONS, of Rising Sun.  The brothers Robert E. and Thomas Covington emigrated from Somerset County, Md., and came to Boone County, Ky., arriving there about the time Gen. Harrison made a call on the governors of  Ohio and Kentucky for re-enforcements, in the war with the Indians and British, in northwestern Ohio, in 1813.  They joined the Kentucky militia called out at that time, and served several months, a part of it being at the siege of Fort Meigs.  Soon after their return from this service, two of their sisters, Eunice, who was married to Henry HAYMAN, and Polly,  who was married to James HAYMAN, came from Maryland and settled in Rising Sun.  This was in 1816.  Robert then made his home in Rising Sun, and Thomas went to the vicinity of Hartford.  Robert was married to Mary FULTON, daughter of Col. Samuel FULTON, January 17, 1819.  He was a carpenter, and built the frame house on the west side of Poplar Street, between Main and Grand Streets, on Lot No. 57, and moved into it the same year.  He died in the same house August 26, 1825, in the thirty-sixth year of his age, having been born October 31, 1789.  His widow occupied the house until July o 26, 1875, when she died in the same room where her husband died, and of the same disease, dysentery, fifty years, lacking one month, to a day, after the death of her husband.  Robert Covington was one of the workers on the first hotel built at Big Bone Spring, then a noted and fashionable watering place, and which was burned in 1819.  Thomas Covington married Polly NICHOLS, a daughter of  Maj. George NICHOLS, who had also served in the Indian wars, about 1819, and lived about one mile east of Hartford.  In that year he sold his farm to Mr. Harpham, and went to the vicinity of Mendoria, Ill., and bought land, with the intention of moving there.  On the eve of his departure for his new home, his eldest son, George N. COVINGTON, was taken sick of a fever and died.  Before he could arrange to start his new home, after such a misfortune he was also taken sick of the fever and died.  The widow decided to remain near her father until her younger sons would be old enough to take charge of the new farm.  Some years afterward the family removed to the Illinois home.

"HISTORY OF DEARBORN AND OHIO COUNTIES, INDIANA-1885"

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S. F. COVINGTON, now residing at Cincinnati, and John B. COVINGTON, of Rising Sun, are the sons of Robert E. and Mary COVINGTON, and the only children, except one son who died in early infancy.  Hon. Samuel F. COVINGTON, who has won considerable distinction in Cincinnati, Ohio, is a native of Rising Sun.  His early boyhood and manhood were passed in the village, as were his maturer years.  He received the benefit of the excellent schools which Rising Sun was fortunate in having, then completed his education at Miami University, located in the town of Oxford, Ohio,  In early life he was employed as a clerk in some of the village stores, for a time was clerk on a steamboat, edited and published a weekly newspaper styled the Rising Sun Blade, and subsequently the Madison Courier.  As editor of the Blade he played a conspicuous part in affecting the division of Dearborn County, and the formation of Ohio County.  In the absence of the sheriff, as deputy, Mr. COVINGTON was the officer who organized the new county, and served as its first auditor.  He later represented the legislative district, composed of the counties of Switzerland and Ohio, in the State Legislature.  He was admitted to the bar at Rising Sun, in 1845.  While a resident of that place, he was for a time engaged in the Ohio River trade, and was connected with the Rising Sun Insurance Company.   His name is identified with the growth and improvement of the city which he yet retains great interest in, and most kindly feeling for her citizens.  To such an extent is this the case that he keeps up his identity with the place, and is probably better posted in the history of Rising Sun and the surrounding country, than any  man in it, as the reader of the foregoing general history may infer from the copious quotations from his writings.  He married his wife in Rising Sun, who was a Miss HAMILTON, a daughter of one of the merchants of the village.  Of Mr. COVINGTON'S more recent life, reference can be found in the chapter on journalism, in the history proper of this volume.

     At the death of a son of Mr. COVINGTON the following in memoriam appeared in one of the Rising Sun papers under date of June 11, 1864:

     "LIEUT. GEORGE B. COVINGTON, adjutant of the Seventeenth Indiana Volunteers (Wilder's Mounted Infantry). was wounded in an engagement near Dallas, Ga., on the 24th of May.  The regiment was forming in the line of battle, and Lieut. COVINGTON was engaged in correcting the line when he was shot by a rebel sharpshooter.  The ball entered the left breast, passed through the left lobe of the lungs and lodged in the spinal column.  The surgeon pronounced the wound inevitably fatal, and the only hope was that he might possibly live to see home.  Wheeler's rebel cavalry had made a raid in the rear of our army, so that he could not be started home till the 30th.  He had to be transported in an ambulance a distance of thirty miles, to Kingston, where he was put on the cars for Chattanooga.  While on the cars, between Dalton and Resaca, on the 1st of June, he died.  The detail which had started home with him had, under instructions of Col. Wilder, in event of death on the way home, the body embalmed at Chattanooga and brought on to Nashville, where they were met by Lieut. COVINGTON'S parents.  The body was brought to this city and interred on the 9th inst.   George B. COVINGTON was born in Rising Sun, March 28, 1845, so that he had but a short time since entered upon his twentieth year.  He first entered service on July 4, 1861, and went to West Virginia with Col. (now General) Hascal, then commanding the Seventeenth.  He afterward returned home, but rejoined the regiment, then under Col. Wiler, September, 1862, and was with Col. Wilder at the several days battle at  Mumfordsville, and was, at the surrender of that place, made a prisoner.  He was exchanged at the same time with Col. Wilder, in November, and proceeded with him to the front, and was in various engagements proceeding the battle of Stone River.  The brigade commanded by Col. Wilder, being mounted, was assigned hazardous duties, and was engaged in a great many skirmishes, some of which, in other times, would be set down as battles of considerable importance.  It was Wilder's brigade that checked the rebel advance at Chickamauga when Davis' and McCook's divisions fell back, and dealt such deadly shots into the rebel lines.  The brigade being armed with Spencer rifles, six-shooters, felt themselves competent to cope with six rebel brigades, and they did even more at Chickamauga.  It was for gallant conduct at this battle that Col. Wilder had Lieut. COVINGTON promoted to the adjutancy of the Seventeenth.  Lieut. COVINGTON fell at his post and in the discharge of his duty.  H made no complaint of  his fate.  During the several days he was detained in starting home, after being wounded, the battles were continued, and he was within hearing the roar of cannon and the rattle of musketry.  He several times remarked that he wished he was able to be with his regiment. He met death calmly and quietly, as he had often braved dangers.  He felt that he was about to die in a holy cause an din the conscientious discharge of a noble duty.  His last words, sent through Col. Wilder to his friends at home, were 'Tell father and mother that I have tried to do my duty, and that I die a Christian soldier.'  The large and solemn concourse that attended his funeral asserts the estimation in which  he was held here, the place of his birth, and the fondness with which his memory will be cherished by those who knew him."  On the day of his funeral at Rising Sun, both the circuit court and the commissioner's court, both of which were in session, adjourned to attend the funeral, , and that, on motion of Judge Downey, suitable testimonial to his character was placed upon the records of the circuit court, and a like testimonial, on motion of Henry Brown, one of the commissioners, was placed upon the records of the commissioner's court.

"HISTORY OF DEARBORN AND OHIO COUNTIES, INDIANA-1885"

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William H. CRAIG, M.D., Rising Sun, is a native of Boyle County, Ky., and son of William and Sarah J. (HANDLEY) CRAIG, the former a native of Rockcastle County, Ky.; the latter of New Jersey.  He was born February 5, 1829. Before William H. was born, his father died.  His mother remarried and died in Oakland , Cal., in July 1884 at the age of seventy-eight years.  Dr. CRAIG'S early years were spent in school at Hanover College, Indiana, and Center College, Danville, Ky.,  On giving up his literary studies, he began the study of medicine with Dr. William Palding, of Danville, Ky., with whom he remained two years.  He then entered the Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, where he spent two years, graduating in 1857.  After two years in Mexico he went to California, in 1859, and began the practice of his profession in the Sacramento County Hospital, where he remained four years, when he removed to San Francisco, where he continued practice till 1866.  At this time he went to South America on a mining expedition in the United States of Columbia and Ecquador, being gone three years.   April 1, 1869, he landed in New York, and in June of the same year came West to Stanford, Ky., where he remained about two years, spending a short time later at Petersburg.  About 1872 he located in Rising Sun, where he is at present engaged in his practice, taking rank among the best practitioners of the place.  Dr. CRAIG was married in December 1869, to  Mary A. CARSON, daughter of Judge William CARSON, of Rock Castle County, Ky., Three children were born to them, all of whom died in infancy.  Mrs. CRAIG passed away March  19, 1872.  The Doctor is a man of rare good sense and principle, and possesses considerable professional skill.  His brother, Gen. James B. CRAIG (deceased since 1880), was one of the most prominent lawyers for New York City.

"HISTORY OF DEARBORN AND OHIO COUNTIES, INDIANA-1885"

SUBMITTED BY: Jackie DeCamp