ALBERT G. DAWSON, Sr., an early pioneer of Spencer County, Ind., was born June 16, 1816, in Clermont County, Ohio, and is the third son in the family of eight boys and five girls, born to Joseph and Nancy (Miseltoe) Dawson, both natives of Virginia, in which State they were married. Soon after their marriage they removed to Clermont County, Ohio, where they lived upward of thirty years. They then removed to Hamilton County, Ohio, where they passed the remainder of their lives, with the exception of one year spent in Spencer County, Ind. The former died about 1852, and his wife four years earlier. Albert G. Dawson, Sr., received his education in the primitive log-schoolhouse of the frontier. In his twenty-second year he came to Spencer County, Ind., and rented land of Samuel Hammond, living in a small hut on the present site of Grandview. November 22, 1838, his marriage with Permelia Adams was solemnized. Five children were born to them, none of whom are now living. In 1840 he bought the farm where he now lives. About two years later he commenced flat-boating on the Ohio and Mississippi. He was the owner of the boats, running two and three during the winter season. He was in New Orleans when President Lincoln delivered his first inaugural address. He made only one trip after the war. Mrs. Dawson died July 11, 1852, and January 23, of the next year, he married Caroline Fagin, who died March 28, 1854. One child was born to this union. November 11, 1855, he married Cynthia A. Burkhart, a native of Spencer County, Ind. To them thirteen children have been born, nine of whom, Millard F., Albert G., Isabella (now Mrs. Alber Byrne), Christopher C., Laura, Ella (now Mrs. Wesley Tuton), Mary E, Cora A. and Franklin C., are living. Mr. Dawson has a good farm, well improved, and is well known as an honest and upright citizen.

"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Hammond Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885


MATHEW DOYLE, when a small boy, came with his parents to the United States from Ireland. He remained at home working on the farm until attaining his majority. In May, 1864, he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, as an 100-days' man. After receiving his discharge he returned home, and resumed farming, at which he has since continued with the exception of one year, when he was in Iowa and Minnesota, employed as an insurance agent. September 22, 1869, he was united in marriage with Lou Hancock, a native of Spencer County, Ind., to whom four children were born, two of whom, Oscar and Anna, are living. Mrs. Doyle died October 6, 1876, and on June 22, 1883, he was again married to Mamie Rue, a native of Floyd County, Ind. One child - Walter - has been born to this union. Mr. Doyle has a good farm, and is one of the enterprising men of the county. He was born October 6, 1840, being the third son in a family of five sons and one daughter in the family of Martin and Catharine (Norton) Doyle. His father followed the business of farming in his native country until 1848, when, with his family, he removed to America, locating in Harrison County, Ind. He remained in that county six years. He then came to Spencer County, after stopping one year in Floyd County. His death occurred in February, 1865. His wife died the year previous, in January.

"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Hammond Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885


CHARLES B. DUCKWALL, an enterprising farmer of Hammond Township, bought 393 acres of land on Sections 27 and 28, and located on it in 1880. He has since improved his farm very much, and now has one of the best places in the county. In May, 1882, he was joined in wedlock with Mary B. Anderson. To this union one child - Walter - has been born. Mr. Duckwall was born June 14, 1853, in New Albany, Ind., and is the only son in the family of three boys and five girls, born to David and Emma (Jones) Duckwall, natives of Virginia, and Indiana respectively. The former, at the time of his marriage, resided at Louisville, Ky., and was the proprietor of a boat supply and grain house. He continued in this business for upward of twenty-five years, meeting with marked success. In 1875 he abandoned the boat supply business, in which he is at present engaged. He is one of the leading business men of Louisville.

"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Hammond Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885


AUGUSTUS C. EICEMAN, of Grandview, was born October 7, 1854, in Floyd County, Ind., and is the third son in the family of Augustus and Catharine (Rue) Eiceman, the former a native of Hanover, Germany, and the latter of Indiana. At the time of their marriage they lived near New Albany, Ind., where they remained about six years. They then came to Spencer County, and located on a farm in Hammond Township. In 1881, having, through misfortune become insolvent, he removed to Mississippi County, Mo., where he still lives. Mrs. Eiceman died April 29, 1877. Augustus was reared at home, receiving a practical education. November 12, 1876, he was united in married with Mary F. Lanman, a native of Spencer County, Ind. He then bought a farm of thirty-two acres, to which he has since added twenty-six acres. He also has a good house and three acres in Grandview, where he resides. In politics he is a Democrat. He is a member of the A.F. & A.M.; also a member of the Lutheran Church. His wife is a member of the Baptist Church. They have three children: Catharine, Daniel R. and William M.

"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Hammond Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885


JAMES L. EGNEW, one of the enterprising farmers of Hammond Township, was born in Spencer County, Ind., September 28, 1856. He remained at home working on the farm until his marriage, which occurred December 14, 1876. He was married to Miss L. Shimer, a native of Spencer County. After marriage he rented his father-in-law's farm for two years. He then bought forty acres of land on Section 25 in Hammond Township, to which he had added, until now he has 160 acres. He has four children: Emma, Melvia, Cora and Ottawa. Mr. Egnew is the oldest child in a family of four boys and two girls born to Anthony and Emeline (Pearson) Egnew, natives of Kentucky and Ohio respectively. They still live on a farm in Clay Township, this county.

"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Hammond Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885


CAPT. CHARLES S. FINCH was born in Clinton County, N.Y., April 9, 1818, being the oldest son of Henry Finch. He came to Spencer County with the family. He received a limited education by the fireside at night. After his mother's death he was left nearly penniless, with the care of his brothers and sisters devolving upon him. He followed the carpenter's and cabinet-maker's trade in Rockport. In 1842 he was elected Justice of the Peace. He also taught school in the town. At the breaking out of the Mexican war he went as first-lieutenant of Company E, Fourth Indiana Regiment, with which he served until the close of the war. He then followed the carpenter's trade and school-teaching at Rockport until 1851, when he came to Grandview and built the first steam saw-mill in the town. Later he engaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1861 he went into the army as captain of Company D, Twenty-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, serving three years in that capacity. Wehn the regiment veteranized, he, being disabled, was compelled to return home. Since the war he has attended to his duties as a magistrate, and has also been an active attorney in securing pensions. May 15, 1849, he married Sarah E. Hammond, who died September 20, 1884, leaving three children: Samuel D., Sarah A. (the wife of Henry Rue) and Margaret. Mr. Finch is a member of the I.O.O.F. and G.A.R. fraternities, and is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal CHurch, of which his wife was also a zealous member.

"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Hammond Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885


JAMES CLINTON FINCH, a merchant of Grandview, was born in Ashtabula County, Ohio, April 15, 1830. He was one of eight children born to Henry and Delsina (Partridge) Finch, natives of New York and Massachusetts, respectively. The father, who was a hatter, followed his trade in Ohio and Michigan, and is supposed to have died in the latter State, the family never hearing from him after 1837. The mother and children came to Spencer County, Ind., in 1837, and the following spring located on a farm in Ohio Township. Mrs. Finch died about 1840, and soon after his mother's death James C., with his brothers and sisters, removed to Rockport, where he worked at various occupations in order to support himself. At the age of fifteen he went ot Princeton to learn the saddler's trade, but becoming dissatisfied returned in less than a year, and worked as a farm hand until 1847, when he enlisted as a musician in the Mexican war, but served as a private soldier until shortly before the close of the war, when he was discharged on account of disability. He then returned to Spencer County and clerked in stores at Rockport, and flat-boated on the river until 1851. After working for a time in a saw-mill erected by his brother, he went in 1852, as a gold seeker to California, where he remained three years. Returning, he engaged in the grocery business with such good success that he added dry goods in 1858. In 1873 he sold his store and was engaged in the leaf tobacco business until 1882, when he re-purchased the store. This he conducted until January 1, 1884, when it passed into the hands of his son and son-in-law. May 15, 1856, he married Margaret Nevitt, a native of Hancock County, Ky. Eight children were born to this union, three of whom, Flora F. (now Mrs. L.F. Gage), James H. and William C. are now living. Mr. Finch and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is a member of the A.F. & A.M.

"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Hammond Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885


WILLIAM H. FORSYTHE, a son of Joseph and Jane (Pierce) Forsythe, was born in Marion County, Ky., March 2, 1831, being the fourth in a family of seven children. The father, who was a blacksmith, followed his trade in Kentucky until 1833, when he came to Indiana and located on a farm in Perry County, where he died when William H. was about seven years of age. His wife afterward married again. She died in Troy Township, Perry County, in 1876. William H. was reared on the farm in Perry County, receiving but little education in his boyhood days, but acquired a good practical business education in later years by his own efforts. At the age of eighteen he began to learn the carpenter's trade, which he followed in Perry and Spencer Counties for ten years. In 1854 he came to Grandview. After abandoning his trade he clerked on the wharf-boat and in a store for several years. In 1873 he engaged in the general merchandise business in a small frame building on the site of his present commodious brick business block, which he erected in 1880. He has one of the largest stocks of goods in his line in the town, and does a good business. July 2, 1861, he married Margaret C. Anderson, a native of Perry County, Ind. They have four children: Samuel, Ida, Joseph and William H. In politics Mr. Forsythe is a Republican, and although he hs never been an aspirant for political honors he has taken an active interest in local and national political affairs. Himself and wife have long been leading members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Hammond Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885


EDWARD B. HAINS, a native of Lewis County, Ky., was brn December 19, 1813, being next to the oldest in a family of nine children born to Joseph and Elizabeth (Wallingsford) Hains, natives of Kentucky and Maryland respectively. At the age of thirteen he removed with his parents to Lawrence County, Ohio, where he lived until 1845, when he came to Spencer County. He received a limited education, partly in his native State and partly in Ohio. He has always followed the business of farming, in which he has been quite successful. He now has an improved farm of 120 acres. In politics he has always been a Republican, and formerly manifested a live interest in politial affairs. August 7, 1836, he was joined in wedlock with Adeline Robinson, and to their union ten children were born. Edward, who married Jane Putnam; Mary, widow of Joseph T. Masterson, and Adeline are the only survivors of that number. Three sons served in the United States Army during the Rebellion.

"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Hammond Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885


LEVI HAINES, a native of Lawrence County, Ohio, was born April 27, 1830, being the youngest in a family of nine children born to Joseph and Elizabeth (Wallingsford) Haines. Levi was reared in his native county, where he remained at home helping his mother until he was twenty-five years of age. His father died when he was only eighteen months old. In 1855 he came to Spencer County, Ind., where he has been a resident with the exception of about two and a half years, when he lived in Warrick County. March 6, 1858, his marriage with Mahala Sargent was solemnized. December 14, 1863, he enlisted in Company C, Fifty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which regiment he served until August 2, 1865, when he received his discharge. He participated in all the important engagements from Atlanta to Raleigh, N.C. Mr. Haines and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He also belongs to the G.A.R. In politics he has been a life-long Republican, and has held several civil offices.

"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Hammond Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885


EDWARD W. HANCOCK, a native of Worcester County, Md., was born January 7, 1831, being the eldest of eleven children in the family of Robert and Mary (Tinley) Hancock, also natives of Maryland, and of English descent. When Edward was but five years of age his parents removed from his native county to Clermont County, Ohio, where they remained until 1854. He was reared on the farm and remained at home until his marriage to Mary Behymer, which occurred September 20, 1854. Two weeks later they started for Spencer County, where in due time they arrived. He has since been engaged in farming. He now has 100 acres of good land, and has given 120 acres to his sons. He has four children: Levias, who married Lizzie Cotton; William R., who married Lizzie Hopkins; Belvia, wife of A.W. Sharp, and Lizze, now Mrs. A. Floyd. One child is deceased. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church. In politics he is a Republican, and a man respected by all who know him.

"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Hammond Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885


JOHN JEFFERY was born in England December 4, 1826, the fifth in a family of eleven children born to John and Mary (Kirk) Jeffery. He was reared in his native country, where he remained at home and assisted his parents on the farm until he attained the age of twenty-six years. In 1853 he came to America and located in Ohio, where he remained 1861. He then came to Spencer County, where he has since resided. He has always followed farming as an occupation. Politically he is a Democrat, but is an ardent advocate of temperance principles. December 10, 1850, his marriage with Ann Ward was celebrated, and to their union two children were born. In December, 1853, Mrs. Jeffery died, and the following March his nuptials with Naomi Berten were celebrated. They have had eight children, seven of whom are now living: Robert, William H., who married Tina Banks, John D., Sarah A., Thomas W., James C. and Charles L.

"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Hammond Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885


THE JOHN FAMILY is one of the old and well=known families of the county. James John (deceased), was a native of Clermont County, Ohio, where he was born April 9, 1809. He was the oldest son of a family of nine children. His father was Thomas John. His parents about 1800 removed to Clermont County, where he was reared, and remained until 1854, when he came to Spencer County. He was united in marriage with Sarah Witham, by whom is the father of the following children: Thomas L., born March 31, 1836; Mary A. (deceased); Benjamin B., born January 7, 1840; Alonzo A., born December 9, 1841; Lorenzo D., born March 21, 1844; Martin T., born August 22, 1846, and Emily A., born December 18, 1849. Benjamin B., at the age of fourteen came with his parents to Spencer County. He received a common school education in this and his native State. January 1, 1865, his marriage with Hester S. Sutton was solemnized, and to their union seven children have been born. Those living are Logan M., Emma F., Harrison H., Esther M., Bertha K. and Forrest W. Mr. John was reared as a farmer, which vocation he followed until 1859, when he learned the plasterer's trade. July 4, 1861, he enlisted in Company F, Twenty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until July 28, 1864, when he was honorably discharged. He participated in the battles of Thompson Hil, Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hills, Big Black River, the siege of Vicksburg and many minor engagements. In 1868 he began reading medicine with A.J. Smith with whom he continued the study for two years. In the winters of 1869-70 he attended a course of lectures at the Eclectice Medical Institute of Cincinnati. In 1870 he formed a partnership with A.J. Smith, which lasted one year. He was afterward located successively at Huffman's Mills and Buffalo. In 1878 he came to his present location, where he has a good practice. Both he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He also belongs to the G.A.R. Martin T., the next youngest in the family, was eight years of age when his parents came to Spencer County. At the age of sixteen, in company with his brother Lorenzo D., enlisted in Company K, Fourth Indiana Cavalry, with which he served about three years. He was present at the battles of Chickamauga, Dandridge, Strawberry Plains, and being in the cavalry was in numerous skirmishes. Of this family there were five brothers in the service, all os whom served about three years, and came home without a scratch. February 7, 1868, he was united in marriage with Maria F. Hancock. Four children have been born to them, only one, of whom Maggie B. is living. John and wife are members of the Baptist Church, and he, of the G.A.R. Politically he is a Republican, and is the trustee of Hammond Township.

"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Hammond Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885


WILLIAM E. KNIGHT, editor and proprietor of the Grandview Monitor, is a native of Cannelton, Perry Co., Ind., born August 6, 1845, being the third of a family of four (two sons and two daughters). His parents, William and Lydia A. (Webb) Knight, are natives of Massachusetts and Indiana respectively. The former, who is a carpenter by trade, came to Perry County, Ind., about the year 1838 and has lived in Cannelton ever since, with the exception of brief residences in Illinois and in Cincinnati. He is at present foreman in the wood-worling department of the Indiana Cotton Mills. William E. Knight was reared in the town of his birth, receiving a fair education in the common schools. At the age of fifteen he entered the office of the Cannelton Register, where he remained until he had learned the printer's trade. In 1869, in partnership with Dr. W.E. Lawrence, he bought the Grandview Monitor. A year later he purchased the Doctor's interest and conducted the paper until 1873, when he went to Peabody, Kan., and engaged in a mercantile business. He however soon after returned to Grandview and conducted the Monitor until 1876, when he again sold out and went to Cannelton, where he spent about eight months as editor of the Enquirer and Reporter. He then sold his interest to his partner, Mr. Underwood, and returned to Grandview, where he has since efficiently and successfully conducted the Monitor. October 16, 1869, Mr. Knight was united in marriage to Anna R. Livengood, a native of Jefferson County, Ky., and a daughter of Jacob B. Livengood, of Grandview. Three children have been born to this union: Mary Lydia, William W. and Sarah Elizabeth.

"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Hammond Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885


CHARLES W. LAMAR, a native of Grandview, was born December 1, 1847, being the youngest child in the family of Alfred Lamar. He received a fair education in the schools of the town and remained at home until 1864, when he enlisted in the United States navy, serving on the Mississippi and its tributaries until the close of the war. After his return home, he took a commercial course in Bryant & Stratton's Business College at Cincinnati. He then with his father followed flat-boating for about three years, but meeting with reverses he accepted a position with a Louisville wholesale drug house, as traveling salesman. In 1872 he engaged in the confectionery business in Grandview. Six months later he added a stock of groceries, and continued in this business with good success until his building was burned in 1883. He then continued business in rented property until the fall of 1884, when he moved into the new brick building which he erected upon the site of the burnt building. He carried a good stock and has a large trade. On October 20, 170, he married Anna B. Shannon, a native of Kentucky. They have four children: Luella L., Kate L., Barbara B. and Julia Clyde. Mrs. Lamar died in June, 1883, leaving a record of a Christian life well spent. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which church Mr. Lamar is also a member.

"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Hammond Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885


SAMUEL W. LAMPING, merchant of Grandview, was born in Harrison County, Ind., December 10, 1843. He is the only surviving member of a large family of children born to Herman H. and Flora A. (Sibert) Lamping, native of Germany and Indiana respectively. The former came to the United States when he was a young man and located in Corydon, Ind., where he was married, and followed mercantile pursuits until his death in 1861. Samuel W. was reared principally in the county of his birth, receiving a common school education. In August, 1861, he enlisted in Company K, Thirty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which he served two years, when he was discharged on account of failing health. After his return from the war he lived at home until 1864, when he came to Grandview, and accepted a position in a drug store. In 1867 he engaged in the wharf-boat and produce business, which he continued with fair success until 1879. He then engaged in his present business in which he has a good trade. In 1866 he married Mary L. Anderson, who died five years later, leaving one child, Lawrence F. In 1874 he married Mary E. Butler. Four sons, George B., Evart, Clifton L. and Samuel G., have been born to them, all of whom are living. In politics Mr. Lamping is a Republican. He has taken an active interest in the political affairs of the county. In November, 1882, he was elected Treasurer of Spencer County, which office he filled acceptably and efficiently for one term, and was a candidate for re-election, but was defeated with the entire ticket. He is a member of the A.F. & A.M., K. of P. and G.A.R.; and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His wife belongs to the Baptist Church.

"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Hammond Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885


MORGAN L. LEVI, a prominent citizen of Hammond Township, was born in Ripley County, Ind., January 14 1832, being the eighth in a family fourteen children, born to Isaac and Rachel (Ewing) Levi, natives respectively of Kentucky and Ohio. Morgan was reared in his native county, where he remained and assisted his parents until he was twenty-five years of age. In 1857 he started westward with the intention of going to Iowa, but visited Spencer County while on his way, and was induced to locate, where he has ever since remained. November 27, 1865, his marriage with Rachel Craig was solemnized, and to their union have been born seven children: James C., Clarinda (wife of William Snyder), Mary B., Alfred, Alpha, Oliver P. and Charles. Mr. Levi has always been a successful farmer. He now owns 105 acres of well improved land, all of which he has made since coming to the county. In politics he has been a life-long Republican.

"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Hammond Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885


WILLIAM T. MAY, one of the early pioneers of Hammond Township, was born April 9, 1831, in Daviess County, Ky. He is the third son in the family of twelve boys and six girls, born to William and Maria May, both natives of Kentucky. His father, a lawyer and farmer, came to Spencer County in 1839, and was one of the leading members of the Rockport bar for upward of twenty years. In 1840 he assessed Spencer County, and six years afterward was judge of teh Probate Court. He afterward lived for several years in Warren County, Ill. In 1865 he returned to Spencer County, and located on a farm in Hammond Township, where he remained until his death, August 14, 1876. His wife died in 1836. William T. May received a common school education. After attaining his majority he purchased a shingle machine, and followed the business of shingle-making with marked success for several years. November 2, 1856, he married Nancy Donham, a native of Ohio, to whom five children, Robert, Emma E., Sabina R., Cora D. and Clara, have been born. After marriage he bought forty acres of land where he now lives. He taught school for a number of winters, but abandoned it on account of low wages. Mr. May is an enterprising farmer, who keeps himself abreast with the times. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and his wife of the United Brethern Church.

"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Hammond Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885


Deb Murray