Owen County Biography Ref. Page

LAWRENCE ADAMS, is a native of Ireland and was born April 22, 1804. His parents, John and Annie (Byron) Adams, were also natives of Ireland. His father came to America in 1820, but returned to Ireland five years later, where he died in 1830. The mother died in 1812 at her native place. Lawrence is the youngest in a family of fifteen children, he began learning blacksmithing in Strasberg, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. After staying there for ten years, he came to Spencer, where he worked at is trade and ran a small confectionary for six years; after which time he returned to Pennsylvania. In 1837, he was married to Mary Blair a native of Ireland. By this union there was one child--Maria J, who died in July of 1841. The mother died January 4, 1882. After his marriage he returned to Spencer, worked at his trade for many years and also ran a confectionary. For the last few years, he has retired, and is now living with his adopted son, Solomon Fouts, an energetic carpenter of Spencer. Mr. Adams has reared and educated five orphan children, which fact plainly shows that he is possessed of rare goodness and kindness of heart. He has been for many years a consistent and active member of the Presbyterian Church. He is highly esteemed by all who know him.

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 824

BENJAMIN E. ALLISON, farmer, a native of Owen County, was born in Spencer, August 5, 1837. His parents, Noah and Mary T (Boswell) Allison, natives of Maryland and Kentucky respectively, came to Indiana in 1817, and located in Monroe County, where they lived on a farm for a few years, afterward engaging in the general merchandise business in Martinsville; thence in a short time removing to Spencer, Owen County, where in 1878, the father died, the mother having been dead many years. Benjamin is next to the youngest in a family of thirteen children, and being reared in Spencer he received a good education in the town schools. In 1856, he began farming for himself. He was Road Supervisor for several years in Washington township, has been School Director for fifteen years and is present filling his second term of office as Township Assessor. In 1858, he was married to Mary J. Browning, daughter of David Browning, ex-clerk of Monroe County. By this union there were three children-- Harriet C (deceased), Mary J and David B. His wife died in 1868, and in 1872 he married Helen C. Vanmeter of Franklin County, IN. They have two children--George E and Lawrence. Mr Allison is a member of the K. of H., of the K. and L. of H., and assisted in organizing the Grand Lodge of Indiana. He is a member of the Methodist Church and is farming 359 acres of the best land in Owen County.

THOMAS ALLSPAUGH, farmer, is a native of Putnam County, Ind, where he was born July 20, 1861 and is the second child of Peter and Maggie Allspaugh, both of English extraction. Thomas was reared in Owen County where he attended the public schools, and received training as a farmer. January 19, 1881, he married Josie, daughter of Daniel R. and Isabella (Currier) Been, respectively of English and Irish extraction. Since his marriage Mr. Allspaugh has prospered in his affairs being now possesser of 160 acres of highly cultivated land, with all necessary improvements and appointments, and also one of the best residences in the township. Mr. Allspaugh is one of the leading and most promising farmers in the township, a greatly respected citizen and an active 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
TAYLOR TOWNSHIP IN OWEN CO., IN.
PAGE 956

WESLEY ALVERSON, is a native of Kentucky. He was born in Garrard County May 2, 1810 and is the youngest of three children born to Pleasant and Nancy (Overstreet) Alverson. His parents were natives of Virginia and went to Kentucky, where they purchased a farm in Garrard County and remained there for some time. His father was a Methodist minister and stayed but a short time in any one place. His death occurred in Breckenridge county, KY. Wesley was reared in Garrard and Jessamine counties in KY, where his education was attained and all the advantages of those days were his. At the age of eighteen years, he was married to Sabina McArley, daughter of Moses McArley. After his marriage, Mr. Alverson lived in Kentucky for five years and then came to Indiana, locating in Owen county where he farmed for three years. In 1836, he purchased the grist mill on Mill Creek, which was destoyed by fire in 1865 and in the following year he erected the stone edifice which more than takes the place of the old one. In connection with the mill, he farmed to some extent, and has for some time been engaged in the stock trade quite extensively. His wife died in March, 1878, leaving him with seven children: Elizabeth P; William T; Mary A; Cassandra; Samuel H; Nancy J; and Moses J. Mr Alverson is a member of the Methodist Church and a staunch Republican.

GEORGE R. BABBS, a native of Washington County, Ind, was born July 25, 1848. His parents, Alex and Lucinda (Carter) Babbs, early in life came to Indiana from Virginia and located in Washington County. They afterward moved to Illinois, where his mother died in 1858. The subject of this sketch is the second child of a large family, and being left an orphan at the age of fifteen years, he enlisted under Capt. Freid in Company H, One Hundred and Thirty Seventh Indiana Volunteers, and in October, 1864 he enlisted for one year in Company F, Sixth Indiana Volunteers, unter Capt McMillan. After the close of the war in 1865, he returned to Spencer and assisted in the survey of the I & V Railroad, and was afterward made foreman for a number of years in Schwitzer's Stone Quarries. In March, 1883, he purchased the saloon of Heck & Co., and has made it one of the coziest neatest little places for refreshments in Spencer. He was married in August, 1866, to Nancy J. Thomas, daughter of Wilson and Polly Thomas, citizens of Spencer. They have had two children. Mr. Babbs is an active member of the Republican party and has served as Town Trustee one year. He is a member of the I.O.O.F., of the K of P., Lodge No. 99, and of the Grand Army of the Republic.

ISAAC A. BLEDSOE, of Farmers, was born February 14, 1854 in Sullivan County, Indiana and is the sixth of the family of Isaac and Nancy (Shrakes) Bledsoe. He was early thrown upon his own resources, his parents having both died when he was but a youth, and made his home with his half brother, Pleasant Bledsoe, until he was eighteen years of age, then left, but returned to his home after a little time, and remained until he was twenty two years old; he then moved to Freedom and formed a partnership with his brother in the saw mill business. This mill they sold, came to Farmers and established their present successful business. September 5, 1878, Mr Bledsoe married Miss Laura A. Johnson, a native of this county, by which union they had three children-Effie C; Pleasant and Bonnie B. Mr. Bledsoe is a member of the order of Odd Fellows, an energetic business man and an ardent Democrat. Mrs. Bledsoe is a member 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
FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP IN OWEN CO., IN.
PAGE 918

ELIHU C. BROWN, is a native of Clay Township, Owen Co., Ind., is the sixth son of David and Sarah (Litton) Brown of North Carolina and was born March 15, 1840. So far in life he has been a farmer. His education, which was limited to the elementary studies, was acquired at the public schools of his neighborhood. March 16, 1861, he was married in Monroe County, Ind., to Sarah Hansford, by whom he has had born to him seven children--Uriah H, Ninnie Belle, Verma Dell, Luella, Oscar, Stella Blanch and Ida May. Mr. Brown owns a nice farm of eighty five acres upon which he lives but a few hundred years from the house in which he was born. In politics, he is an uncompromising Democrat, and for President of the United States his first vote was cast for S. A. Douglas. Subject is a self made man, and is one of Clay Township's very best citizens.

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
CLAY TOWNSHIP IN OWEN CO., IN.
PAGE 930

JEREMIAH CLINE, is the eldest son of Miles and Susan Cline, natives of North Carolina. He was born in Washington Township, Owen County, February 28, 1832. He lived at home until he had attained his majority, after which he worked with different farmers for four years in his native county. He spent three years of his life in Monroe County, and the remainder in Owen County. He at present resides in Spencer, successfully engaged in the saloon business. His parents are dead, the mother having died in 1846. In 1878, he came to Spencer; was teamster for two years, and afterward worked on the Indianapolis & Vincennes Railroad for about three years. He was Supervisor in Washington Township for two years in 1876 and 1877. He was married July 24, 1856 to Elizabeth E. Wampler. By this union there are four children--William E; Joseph H; Carrie and George B. Mr. Cline is a member of the Democratic party and an active worker in its ranks.

RUFUS CLINE, farmer, was born in Lincoln County, North Carolina, July 16, 1822. He was the sixth in a family of eleven children. His parents Phillip and Elizabeth (Abernathy) Cline, natives of North Carolina, came to Indiana in 1829, and settled on a farm about four miles east of Spencer. His father died on a farm near the one on which he first located when he came to Owen County. Rufus Cline received an ordinary education in the district schools and when twenty five years of age he was married to Nancy A. Waldron, daughter of Lewis Waldron, a pioneer of Monroe County. After his marriage, he began farming about three miles east of Spencer. In 1847, he purchased eighty acres of land, and five years later he purchased sixty fives acres more and at present has about 200 acres in all of as good land as there is in the county. He ran a saw mill for about four years and then again went to farming. He is a Democrat, politically, and both he and his wife are members of the Separate Baptist Church. They have two children--Emily C. and Rufus H.

STEWART COATS, farmer and stock raiser, is the third of the five children of Frederick and Susanna (Scott) Coats; the former a native of New York, the latter of Connecticut, and respectively of English and Scotch descent. Stewart was born in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, October 1, 1806; was reared on the farm, and when thirteen years old emigrated with his mother and step-father to this state, locating in Jackson County, where his step-father died about 1825. In the year 1841, Mr Coats moved to this township, then but a waste of land, where he now holds 120 acres in good improvement and high cultivation, also well stocked and with comfortable residence, etc. Mr. Coats has been thrice married--first to Emily Perry, who gave birth to two children, one of whom is living; Lorinda. Second--to Rachel Arnold, who gave birth to six children; Lorenzo D; Nelson S; Amanda M; Edwin; Frederick and Stephen (deceased), third to Hannah Harris, who gave birth to eight children; Sylvester; Emily (deceased); Rachel; John H; Margaret J; William A; Robert M; and Mary F. (deceased). Mr. Coats gave his first Presidential ballot for Gen. Jackson in 1828, and has held the office of Justice of the Peace in this township. He is a highly respected citizen, and a member 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
MARION TOWNSHIP IN OWEN CO., IN.
PAGE 909

WILLIAM P. COCHRAN, farmer and stock raiser, was born in this township, November 25, 1844, and is the seventh of eight children born to Campbell and Jane (Whitey) Cochran, the former a native of East Tennessee and the latter of North Carolina and of English and German extraction. He was reared on a farm, and received a common school education, but not satisfied with this he attended a graded school at Centre Point, Clay county and also one at Spencer. Receiving a certificate as teacher, he followed that vocation for twelve terms with success, but never lost the interest he took in tilling the soil. When of age, he began his life's business for himself, his father having given him a garm of forty acres, to which he has added eighty and he is a wide awake business man and a skillful agriculturist, he has with his present start a promising future. He is an energetic Democrat, having voted with that party ever since he reached his majority.

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 955

ARCHELAUS COFFEY, an old citizen and farmer of Clay Township, Owen County,Ind., eldest son of James and Hannah (ALLOWAY-STRANGE) Coffey, of North Carolina, was born in Wilkes County, that State, March 1, 1810. He camewith his parents into Indiana in the year 1834, and located in Monroe County,where he lived until 1860, removing thence into Owen County, where he purchasedthe land upon which he has since resided. He was reared upon a farm, andeducated at the subscription schools of his native state. January 23, 1834, he was married, in Ashe County, N. C., to Rachel WILSON, who bore him eleven children - an infant died not named; Sallie Ann; JamesD.; John W.; Jonathan, deceased; William A.; Zacariah, deceased; Noah; Joseph M.; George M. and Levi W. With the exception of a small inheritance from the estate of his father, who died in 1869, subject has been dependent upon his own labors for the competency he has acquired. He owns a finefarm of 200 acres, nearly all in cultivation, well improved, stocked andfully equipped with the necessary agricultural implements and machinery.Though upward of seventy years of age, he enjoys good health, is in possession of all his faculties, keeps mind and body occupied, and bids fair to live yet many years of usefulness in a community where he is universally known and esteemed.

DATA ENTRY: Glorianne Fahs
"HISTORY OF OWEN COUNTY 1884" CHARLES BLANCHARD, EDITOR. CHICAGO: F. A. BATTEY & CO. PUBLISHERS. 1884. F. A. BATTEY. F. W. TEPPLE
CLAY TOWNSHIP IN OWEN CO., IN.
PAGE 931

JOHN J. COOPER, Justice of the Peace, is a native of Kentucky, born June 2, 1818. His parents John and Polly (Wilson) Cooper, lived in Wayne County, Ky. The father died there in the year 1823. The mother came to Owen County, Ind., with John in 1830; she died in 1878/ After eight years residence in Owen County, the mother rented a farm in Monroe County to which place our subject accompanied her, remaining one year. He then returned to Owen County, and was married in October of the same year 1839, to Elizabeth McDonald, daughter of William and Ruth McDonald, respected citizens of Owen County. After his marriage, Mr. Cooper farmed in the summer and taught school in the winter for ten years. In 1850, he was elected County Auditor on the Whig ticket, and his first term of service being satisfactory, he was re-elected in 1852 and has faithfully filled the office during the second term. He then went into the general mechandise business in which he continued for many years. He was appointed Justice of the Peace, and still holds that office. In 1881, he was appointed agent of the Adams Express Company at Spencer and has won the position which he is quite competent to fill. During his life he has been quite a politician. He has held all the minor offices. He was Trustee for ten years; he has been County Commissioner, Supervisor and Constable. He has been an active member of the Christian Church forty two years and is a member of the A.F & A.M. and of the I.O.O.F. fraternities.

DAVID A. CRISS, pioneer stock raiser and farmer, was born in Virginia January 12, 1814, and is the eighth of the fourteen children born to John and Sarah (Tolan) Criss, natives of Virginia and respectively of German and Irish descent. David was reared a farmer and received the usual schooling of the day. February 25, 1836, he was married to Elizabeth Graham, a native of Ohio and to this union was born eleven children, of which number four are yet living. Mary Ann, Sarah (Mrs Troth), Harmon and David Monroe. In 1845, Mr. Criss moved to Indiana and located in this township, made a home and subsequently a valuable farm, which was then only a waste. He now owns 120 acres of well cultivated land; his improvements consist of residence barns,orchards, fencing and a good supply of stock. Mr. Criss gave his first ballot for William H. Harrison, but in now a member of the National Greenback Party, and has served his township as Trustee. He is a much esteemed citizen, a man who has made his way alone and unaided. He and his wife are member of the Church of the Saints.

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 963

SAMUEL W. CULVER, farmer, is the youngest son of James and Nancy (BRAY) Culver, of Maryland and Kentucky respectively, and of Irish descent. He was born in Vevay, Ind., September 18, 1830. His parents came into Owen County in the year 1850, and with the exception of about three years, he has since made his home in Clay Township. December, 1851, he was married to Elizabeth MILLS, by whom he has had born to him five children -- Nancy Jane (deceased), Marietta, John William, Melvin Ellsworth and Minnie Maud. Our subject and wife are both members of the Missionary Baptist Church, with membership at Spencer, Ind. Mr. C. was reared upon a farm, and received the rudiments of an English education at the neighborhood schools. He owns a nice farm of forty acres, nearly all in cultivation, and well-improved. He has fought the battles of life unaided, except by his ever patient, Christian wife. He educates his children, votes the Democratic ticket, is a good citizen, a kind neighbor, and enjoys the esteem of the people among whom he has spent most of his life.

DATA ENTRY: Glorianne Fahs
"HISTORY OF OWEN COUNTY 1884" CHARLES BLANCHARD, EDITOR. CHICAGO: F. A. BATTEY & CO. PUBLISHERS. 1884. F. A. BATTEY. F. W. TEPPLE
CLAY TOWNSHIP IN OWEN CO., IN.
PAGE 931

C.M. DAGGETT is the junior of the firm of Blinn & Daggett, at Daggett this township. The firm are dealers in manufacturers of sawed felloes, wagon and plow wood stock, car timber, flooring, siding, etc, quartered oak and sycamore of which the last two the firm make a specialty. C.M. Daggett came to Jefferson township and built a saw mill and has increased the business each year until today the firm have a large and successful trade. They have also a planing mill in connection. Mr. Daggett is one of the representative business men of Indiana and enjoys the confidence of all classes. The station where this business is located is named in his honor and the town is now doing considerable business. Mr. Daggett, although a resident of Terre Haute, has taken an active interest in Clay and Owen County and his business relations are largely in these counties.

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
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP IN OWEN CO., IN.
PAGE 905

ALFRED C. DEAN, deceased was born in Dearborn county, Indiana November 24, 1831 and died in Clay township, Owen county, Indiana on June 26, 1883. He was the youngest of eight children born to Noah and Sarah (Ellett) Dean, natives of Maryland, and who settled in Dearborn county in a very early day. At the death of his father, which occurred January 25, 1845, Alfred C. Dean removed to Ellettsville, in Monroe county and there followed the carpenter's trade till the year of 1859. September 14, 1856 he was married to Sophronia E. Jackson, who bore him five children--Homer H; Mary B; Emma F (deceased); Ida J and William H. From 1859-1862, he followed farming in Monroe county, whence he removed to Owen county and for the four years following, plied his trade of carpenter in Clay Township, where he spent the remainder of his life and where his widow, a good Christian woman, yet lives. Our subject was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a Master Mason, and in politics an earnest 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
CLAY TOWNSHIP IN OWEN CO., IN.
PAGE 932

ORRIS T. DICKERSON, is a native of Owen County, born January 23, 1851. His parents, Buckner and Mary E. (Wood) Dickerson, emigrated to Owen County, Ind., from Kentucky in 1829, and located in Washington Township. They shortly afterward removed to Morgan Township; located and remained there for some time, and at present reside in Spencer. Our subject is the youngest in a family of seven children, and was reared in Washington Township where he was educated at the district schools, and attended three terms at the Spencer Schools. In 1867, he commenced trading in stock and farming, and is so engaged at present. He was united by marriage, July 1, 1871, to Mary M. Workman, daughter of Otho and Catherine Workman, old settlers of Owen County. By this union there have been four children, three of whom are living. Mr Dickerson was elected Auditor of Owen County, November 7, 1882 on the Democratic ticket and took upon himself the duties of that office Novmeber 7, 1883. He is a member of the K. of H., of the K & L of H., and of the A.F. & A. M. He has been a consistent member of the Christian Church for several years.

FREBORN DUNKIN, one of the oldest pioneers of Owen County was born August 30, 1802 in the state of New York and is the third of the nine children of John and Jemima (Thomas) Dunkin. Freborn was reared on a farm and obtained but a scanty education due to the meager opportunities of the time. In 1818, he emigrated with his parents to Clark County, Indiana whence after three years they moved to this county, where both parents gave up their lives. September 11, 1825, he married Charity Johns, of this county, which union was crowned with sixteen children, eight of whom are living. After his wedding Mr Dunkin settled on a small tract of wild land given to him by his father, but has now 273 acres in this township, containing the graves of his own and his wife's parents, all buried near his dwelling. On coming hither in the early time, his nearest neighbor was a mile distant, and they subsisted almost wholly on wild game. Mr. Dunkin is higly regarded in his community, is a life-long Democrat and much venerated 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 952

Deb Murray