McKellar, Kenneth. “Newell Sanders,” in "Tennessee Senators as seen by one of their Successors" Kingsport, Tenn.: Southern Publishers, Inc., 531-547;
Terral, Rufus. Newell Sanders: A Biography. Kingsport, Tenn.: Kingsport Press

MARTIN SCOTT, one of the progressive farmers of Harrison Township was born in Madison County, KY., April 14, 1823 and is the son of Elias and Jemima (Green) Scott, both of English descent. He was reared in Kentucky on a farm till he was seventeen years of age and attended subscription schools when not engaged in the duties incident to farm life. He was married August 29, 1846 to Rachel, daughter of Abraham H. and Rachel (Dickson) Snodgrass, both of English descent. To this union have been born four children-Mary E (deceased), Harriet A. (now Montgomery), Jemima B. (deceased), and Lettie Jane (now Asher). He and his wife both became members of the Methodist Episcopal Church before their marriage and are still members, are are liberal givers to charitable institutions. Our subject is serving his second term as Trustee of Harrison Township. He came to Putnam County, Indiana, with his parents in 1839; thence to Owen County in 1841; lived on a farm till 1865, when he engaged in mercantile business for five years, when he failed. He then engaged in the carpenter's trade for five years and then went back to his farm, where he has remarried ever since, making farm a success. In politics, he is a staunch Republican.

DATA ENTRY: Debbie Jennings
"HISTORY OF OWEN COUNTY 1884" CHARLES BLANCHARD, EDITOR. CHICAGO: F. A. BATTEY & CO. PUBLISHERS. 1884. F. A. BATTEY. F. W. TEPPLE
HARRISON TOWNSHIP IN OWEN CO., IN.
PAGE 961

W.H. SECREST, second child in a family of ten, was born in Owen County, Indiana, March 14, 1853. His father was born near Gosport and lived there until about four years ago, when he died in December. W.H. Secrest was reared on the old home farm until he was eighteen years of age, when he left home to teach school near Stinesville, which he did for several years. He afterward clerked for W.H. Fritts & Son, in Gosport, for about three years, when he removed to Spencer. In 1880, he was elected Constable and filled the office for two years when he was re-elected in 1882 and still holds that position. In February 1882 he went into the saloon business with T. Keene, and is now in the same business with M.F. Branam, Mr. Keene having sold his interest. Mr. Secrest has been extensively engaged in raising hogs for several years, and financially has been quite successful. He is a member of Lodge 192, A.F. & A.M. at Gosport.

DATA ENTRY: Debbie Jennings
"HISTORY OF OWEN COUNTY 1884" CHARLES BLANCHARD, EDITOR. CHICAGO: F. A. BATTEY & CO. PUBLISHERS. 1884. F. A. BATTEY. F. W. TEPPLE
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP IN OWEN CO., IN.
PAGE 866

JOHN S. SPEAR, farmer is the eldest son of Daniel and Nancy (Jarvis) Spear, both natives of Ohio and of Irish and German descent. He was born in Belmont County, Ohio September 18, 1828 and his parents removed to this state and in 1854 our subject settled where he now lives. Mr. Spear was reared a husbandman. March 18, 1851, he married in Guernsey County, Ohio to Elizabeth Burton, which union was favored with nine children--James E; Daniel Mead; Alonzo; Sarah Evaline; Margaret A (deceased); Amanda M (deceased); John B and Phillip J. In 1863, Mr. Spear was elected Assessor of this township served one term and was re-elected in 1872. During the war he enlisted in Company B, Fifty Seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry; served three years and was honorably discharged. He came to this section when the country was a wilderness. He now looks over his cultivated possessions of 451 acres, having considerable improvements, with fine horses, cattle, sheep and hogs. By good management Mr. Spear has acquired a competence and easy living in the coming time. His is a member of the Masonic fraternity, a valued citizen, and he and his wife are members of the Christian Church.

DATA ENTRY: Debbie Jennings
"HISTORY OF OWEN COUNTY 1884" CHARLES BLANCHARD, EDITOR. CHICAGO: F. A. BATTEY & CO. PUBLISHERS. 1884. F. A. BATTEY. F. W. TEPPLE
MORGAN TOWNSHIP IN OWEN CO., IN.
PAGE 949

JOHN H. SPELBRING, farmer and stock raiser, was born on October 3, 1823 in Germany, and is the oldest child now living born to George H and Catherine (Speaker) Spelbring, both natives of Germany. In company with his parents, he came to America in the fall of 1834; settled in the State of Maryland; remained there about one year; removed to Union County, Indiana; remained until the fall of 1841 and then came to Owen County, locating in Jackson Township, where his parents ended their days. John H. Spelbring was reared a farmer and received a common school education. He now has a farm of 382 acres with many of the modern improvements. He has been mostly the architect of his own fortune. He has been for the last twenty years devoting his time in buying and selling stock. He was first united in marriage to Ella Bauman, (deceased), native of Pennsylvania, February 22, 1844, nine children crowned this union--Jacob (deceased in the army), Henry, Catharine, Elizabeth, Benjamin, Samuel, Malinda(deceased), Franklin and an infant not named. He was next united in marriage to Catharine Brown, February 4, 1858. He and his wife are active members of the German Reformed Church. He is an energetic member of the Democrat party, and was elected County Commissioner of Owen County in the fall of 1876 and served one term.

DATA ENTRY: Debbie Jennings
"HISTORY OF OWEN COUNTY 1884" CHARLES BLANCHARD, EDITOR. CHICAGO: F. A. BATTEY & CO. PUBLISHERS. 1884. F. A. BATTEY. F. W. TEPPLE
JACKSON TOWNSHIP IN OWEN CO., IN.
PAGE 957

AMMI B. TODD born in Chautauqua Co., N.Y. Removed with his parents to Ohio at three years of age, later to Owen Co., Ind. and here in 1857. He married here in 1871 to Margaret Thomas, widow of Wm. L. Thomas. By 1st husband had Leila and Harry Thomas.

Submitted by: Dusti
Excerpts from History of State of Nebraska by The Western Historical Company., 1882. CASS COUNTY

WILLIAM A. TRUAX, is a native of Wayne Township, this county; was born January 20, 1832 and is the third of five children born to James and Mariah (Baldwin) Truax. The father came to this county in 1821 and entered government land on which our subject was reared and which he assisted in clearing up. April 8, 1858 William Truax married Levica A. Measel, who came from Kentucky to Indiana in 1856. To their union the following children were born: James (deceased), Fleetwood K, John B, Edward P, Clarence W, Walter S, Delmeda E, Nota W, Ada J, and Dayton H. Mr. Truax has been a member of the Baptist Church since he was eighteen years of age and Mrs Truax of the Christian Church since she was fifteen. Their farm comprises 417 acres, well cultivated and improved with a fine residence, good barn and other outbuildings and an orchard. With the exception of $1700.00 left him at his father's death in 1875, Mr Truax has accumulated all his property through his own industry and good management.

NOTE: As these are my own ancestors I would like to add that they are buried in the Little Mount Cemetery in Wayne Township.

DATA ENTRY: Debbie Jennings
"HISTORY OF OWEN COUNTY 1884" CHARLES BLANCHARD, EDITOR. CHICAGO: F. A. BATTEY & CO. PUBLISHERS. 1884. F. A. BATTEY. F. W. TEPPLE
HARRISON TOWNSHIP IN OWEN CO., IN.
PAGE 962

W.T. WIGAL, was born near Eminence, Morgan Co., Ind., September 13, 1843 the eldest son of William and Anna (Shumaker) Wigal, the former of German and the latter of English descent. Our subject was sent to school during boyhood, and reared to work in the mill of his father. At the age of twenty, he began life for himself by enlisting in Company G, Sixty second Illinois Regiment, during which service he was engaged in several skirmishes, and was discharged in 1865. He was thereafter engaged as engineer in a mill, which he followed for about three years. September 22, 1870, he married Miss Helen A. Young, of Bloomington, Ill., which union was favored with five children--Annabell P, Henry I (deceased) Helen G, Willie M and Don A. Mr. Wigal after marriage, having accumulated about $6000, engaged in milling in which he has been interested in Kentucky, Illinois, and Indiana since that event. He has also a share in a saw mill in Morgan County, and a good property in Quincy. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he has advanced to the degree of the Royal Arch; a Republican in politics and a worthy citizen.

DATA ENTRY: Debbie Jennings
"HISTORY OF OWEN COUNTY 1884" CHARLES BLANCHARD, EDITOR. CHICAGO: F. A. BATTEY & CO. PUBLISHERS. 1884. F. A. BATTEY. F. W. TEPPLE
TAYLOR TOWNSHIP IN OWEN CO., IN.
PAGE 954

EDWARD WILLEY, stock raiser and farmer, was born in Shenandoah County, Virginia, January 2, 1815 and is a son of William and Anna (Butler) Willey, natives respectively of England and Virginia, and of Irish and English descent. Edward attended school in boyhood and was reared to manhood on the farm, soon after which period he married Maria Flemming of Ohio, with an issue of nine children--Mary Ann, (Mrs. Sanders), Lucinda (Mrs. Albright), Elizabeth (Mrs. Rawley), William J. (killed in battle in the Wilderness) Jonathan(deceased), Sarah M(Mrs McClure), Margaret J(Mrs White), John F and Edward(deceased). Mrs. Willey died July 31, 1855, a member of the Christian Church. August 25, 1858, Mr Willey married Elizabeth Grase, widow of Phillip Grase, to which union were born four children--Letitia (Mrs. Rader), Matilda(deceased), Martha L.(Mrs Fultner) and Frances A. (Mrs. Defore). Mr Willey came to Indiana in 1845 and located in this township, where he has made his home and secured a valuable farm of 138 acres, well improved, stocked and cultivated, having begun life without means or assistance, the whole being due to his energy and industry. Mr. Willey is a much esteemed and honored citizen, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

DATA ENTRY: Debbie Jennings
"HISTORY OF OWEN COUNTY 1884" CHARLES BLANCHARD, EDITOR. CHICAGO: F. A. BATTEY & CO. PUBLISHERS. 1884. F. A. BATTEY. F. W. TEPPLE
LAFAYETTE TOWNSHIP IN OWEN CO., IN.
PAGE 966

Grover M(ac) Williams, son of Walter E. and Hulda (McLaren) Williams, was born in Owen Co., Ind., Feb. 22, 1885. Walter E. Williams, son of Solomon Williams, was born in Owen Co., Ind., in 1855. He was a farmer. He died in 1933. His wife, Hulda (McLaren) Williams, who was born in Greene Co., Ind., in 1860, died in 1893. Both are buried in Williams Cemetery, in Owen Co., Ind. Hulda (McLaren) Williams was the dau. of William and Mary (Dyer) McLaren. Williams McLaren, who was born in Pennsylvania, later moved to Greene Co., Ind. Solomon Williams, father of Walter E., and son of William F.,Sr. and Mary (Padgett) Williams, was born at Carlisle, Ind., in 1823. He was a farmer. William F. Williams, Sr.,* father of Solomon Williams, was born at Ft. Knox, Knox Co., Ind. (then Indiana Territory), Dec. 27, 1803. His parents, Frank and Abigail Williams, who were born in New York Stae, moved to Kentucky in early days, and later to Indiana Teritory, settling in what now is Sullivan County. William F. Williams, Sr. moved from Sullivan County to Greene County in 1824, and in 1838 to Owen County, settling on a 150-acre farm. He served as magistrate of Greene County 16 years, and for many years was a mem. of the State Militia. He was a Democrat, and a mem. of the Masonic Lodge, and Protestant Episcopal church. On Dec. 28, 1822, he married Mary Padgett. They were the parents of the following children: (1) Solomon. (2) Daniel. (3) Josiah. (4) William F., Jr. (5) James (6) Jane (7) Elizabeth. Grover M. Williams, the subject of this sketch, attended public schs. in Owen Co., Ind., and in 1904 was graduated from high sch. in Spencer, Ind. He then entered Purdue Univ., where he was graduated in 1908 with a B.S. deg. in electrical engring. He was employed by the Indianapolis, Light, Heat & Power Co. 10 years, and durig World War I was in Civilian Service at Edgewood Arsenal, Edgewood, Maryland. From 1919 to 1924 he was employed by Snider & Rotz, engrs., of Indianapolis, and during 1924 and 1925 was associated with the Illinois Electrical Power Co., of Peoria, Ill. In 1925 he became identified with the Bevington-Williams Engineering Company, an Indianapolis firm, with which he continued until 1939. He served as sec.-teas. of the company, which durig that time became known as Bevington-Williams, Inc. This firm handled mechanical engring. contracts for the following bldgs.: the Scottish Rite Cathedral; William E. Block Co. bldg; Indiana Bell Telephone Co. bldg; Indianapolis Street Railways bldgs.; Central State Hosp.; Logansport (Ind.) State Hospital; Evensville (Ind.) State Hosp.; Ind. Univ. bldgs.; DePauw Univ. bldgs.; and many others. Since 1939 Mr. Williams has been in private practice as a consulting engr. Mr. Williams, who is ind. in politics, is a mem. of the following: Freedom (Ind.) Lodge No. 465, F. and A. M.; Columbia Club; Rotary Club; Indianapolis chapter, Citizen Hist. Assn. (a life member); and First Bapt. church. His favorite recreation is fishing. On apr. 12, 1910, Grover M. Williams married Grace Wallace, dau. of James Bee and Belle (Wilson) Wallace. Mrs. Williams was born in Lafayette, Ind. Mr. and Mrs. Williams are the parents of one child, Mary Isabelle, who was born July 7, 1911. James Bee Wallace, **father of Grace (Wallace) Williams, and son of Adam and Resena (Bee) Wallce, was born in a suburb of Edinburgh, Scotland, Nov. 8 1843. when 8 years of age he came with his parents of the U.S., settling in Cincinnati, Ohio. He sereved a plumber's apprenticeship, and followed this trade the remainder of his life, having estab. his business in Lafayette, Ind., in partnership with his brother William Wallace,** after the Civil War. On Dec. 28, 1870, he married Belle Wilson, and they were the parents of 6 children, the following of whom reached maturity: (1) Jennie. (2) Katherine. (3) Jessie. (4) Grace. (5) George.

William F. Williams, Sen. was born in Fort Knox, Knox county, Indiana, December 27, 1803. His parents moved to what is now Sullivan county, with five other families named, Haddans, Black, Ledgewood, Purcel and Holder, where they lived in Haddon's Fort for three years in the midst of the Indians. Was married to Mary Pagett, December 19, 1822, by whom he had twelve children eight of whom, five sons and three daughters, are now living, and four are dead. All the children are living on adjoining farms, in Franklin and Jefferson townships, Owen county. Their farms contain eighteen hundred and fifty acres of land, lying along White River in Owen and Greene counties. Has had thirty-five grand children, and has been living in Owen county thirty-seven years. He had a good start in the world. When first married hired out for a year to Solomon Wolfe -- an uncle of Jake -- at eight dollars a month; bought two wild steers, broke them and tended the first crop on Government land. Was married in a log cabin where Linton in Greene county now stands.The nearest settlement was ten miles off. The "wedding cake" was made by shelling corn with a wooden mortar and pounding it into meal with an iron wedge. Has lost his good wife and is living on the old farm with his two youngest sons. Feels thankful to the Great Giver that life is still spared him. Used to wear buckskin clothes and do all the grinding on a hand-mill. Mr. Williams was seventy years old last December and claims to be the oldest man now living who was born in the State. He is one of those hardy old pioneers whose life is a complete history, whose beginning dates back for generations, and with men, many of whom have long since passed away from earth. He is one of the few who have been spared to relate the tales of olden times, and now he enjoys the fruits of an easy life of labor and honest dealing -- an abundance of this worlds comforts and the honor respect of his fellow men.

BIOGRAPHY SUBMITTER: Pamela Meyer
SOURCE: OWEN COUNTY JOURNAL 1874-1875