History of Lawrence, Orange and Washington Counties, Indiana
copyright 1884 Goodspeed Brothers and Company, Chicago
Data Entry by Diana Flynn

ADAM SEARS
Was born in Nicholas County, Ky., in 1818, son of David and Anna (Kern) Sears, and is of German extraction. The father of Mr. Sears was born in North Carolina in 1792, and when ten years of age removed to Kentucky, and there remained until 1818, when he with his family immigrated to Indiana, and effected a settlement in Lawrence County. Here the father of Mr. Sears resided until his demise. The subject of this mention settled where he now and since has resided in 1839, and this same year was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Wright, a native of Washington County, Ind. To this marriage were born thirteen children, the following of whom are living: Melissa J., Tabitha E., Peter W., David L., Ambrose K., Nancy E., Arley R., and Ulysses G. Mr. Sears now has 320 acres of well improved land. He is a Republican, but cast his first Presidential vote for the Democratic nominee. Mr. Sears is one of the pioneers of Lawrence County. Mr. and Mrs. Sears are members of the Christian Church. He has been a successful farmer, and is one of the well-to-do citizens of his township.

History of Lawrence, Orange and Washington Counties, Indiana
copyright 1884 Goodspeed Brothers and Company, Chicago
Data Entry by Diana Flynn

SAMUEL G. HOSKINS
Was born in Marion Township, Lawrence County, Ind., December 28, 1851, the youngest of seven children, born to Joshua M. and Mary (Wood) Hoskins, natives respectively of North Carolina and Indiana, he born February 2, 1811, still living; she November 28, 1818, and dying May 11, 1861. Subject was reared in his native county, and completed his education under Prof. Funk, at Mitchell, in 1870, after which he turned his attention to farming for ten years. In 1882 he purchased his present place, a suburban residence with five acres, where he has since resided, engaged in the sewing machine trade. October 13, 1872, he was married to Miss Lucinda E. Alexander, born in Washington County, Ind., June 18, 1854, daughter of Elijah and R. (Overton) Alexander, and three children have been born to them: Cora P., Eddie E. and Albert. Family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and Mr. Hoskins is a Republican. Our subject was principally reared and educated by his uncle, Mr. Edwin Wood, one of the venerable pioneers of Marion Township., and whose biographical sketch appears in this work.

History of Lawrence, Orange and Washington Counties, Indiana
copyright 1884 Goodspeed Brothers and Company, Chicago
Data Entry by Diana Flynn

DANIEL R. HOSTETLER
Is a native of Bono Township, this county (Lawrence County, Ind.), born April 26, 1848, son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Chasteen) Hostetler. The father was born in this county in 1822, and the mother in Washington County. Jonas Hostetler came from Kentucky to Bono Township in 1821. One of eight children was Samuel, the father of Daniel R. Samuel and wife had a family of nine children, of whom six were reared. He farmed and operated a saw mill in Lawrence County sixteen years. He was a soldier in the Second Indiana Regiment Mexican war, which regiment was hotly engaged at the battle of Buena Vista. In the last war he was First Lieutenant of Company B, One Hundred and Forty-fifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He died in 1882, preceded a few years by his wife. Daniel was reared on the farm and in the mill at hard work, and with but few advantages. He enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Forty-fifth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until the troops were mustered out. In 1871 he married Hulda S. Pendergrast, who was born in this county in 1850. They have five children: Oscar, Ollie, Oma, Ambrose and Malcom. Mr. Hostetler owns 200 acres of land (Marion Township, Lawrence County). Much of his time has been spent in saw-milling. He is a Mason and a Republican, and a prominent man.

History of Lawrence, Orange and Washington Counties, Indiana
copyright 1884 Goodspeed Brothers and Company, Chicago
Data Entry by Diana Flynn

JONATHAN A. WRIGHT
Was born in Orleans, Orange Co., Ind., December 17, 1842. He was the son of Washington and Martha A. (Griffith) Wright; former a native of Kentucky, latter of New York. They were married in Washington County, Ind., and raised a family of eight children. The father of Washington Wright was named Jonathan, who, in 1815, in the fall of the year, settled in Orange County. Washington Wright taught school and clerked in a country store when a young man. He was an old Line Whig; was a man of ability and very progressive. He died in Orange County, June 17, 1856. His wife still survives him, residing on the old homestead. Jonathan H. Wright passed his boyhood days on the farm; received a common school education. Enlisted in Company G, Twenty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served three years; participated in numerous engagements, the principal one being that of Shiloh. Three brothers--William H., James H. and Elijah M, the two former of whom died--were also in their country's service. After the war Jonathan joined the family in Orange County, and engaged in agricultural pursuits, which he has since followed. In 1881 he purchased the farm upon which he now resided, and moved from Orange County to occupy it. It contains 250 acres (Marion Township, Lawrence County, Ind.), the amount paid therefore having been almost entirely accumulated by himself. On January 17, 1867, he was married to Miss Polly J. Hardman, who was born in Orange County, Ind., April, 1843. To them have been born two children: Harry W. and Orra C. In politics Mr. Wright is a Republican. He is a member of the Christian Church; also of the G.A.R. order. He is well known, highly respected, and takes great interest in educational affairs and public enterprises.

History of Lawrence, Orange and Washington Counties, Indiana
copyright 1884 Goodspeed Brothers and Company, Chicago
Data Entry by Diana Flynn

EDWARD R. GEORGE
Farmer, was born in Washington County, Ind., March 2, 1819, being the oldest of eight children born to James and Martha (Hinkle) George, the father being a native of Kentucky, settling in Washington County in the year 1818, a farmer by occupation; he died in June, 1871, a devout Christian. Subject received a limited education and remained at home assisting his parents till he was twenty-two years of age. December 11, 1845, he married Arrena Hopkins, and to this union have been born three children, one only living--Epsie--aged twenty-one years. Mrs. George is a native of Wayne County, Ky., and came with her parents to this State about the year 1828. The occupation of subject has always been farming, and he now owns over 300 acres of good land. He has also owned and sold several stone quarries. He is a member of the Christian Church, and a Republican. He has filled the office of Township Trustee quite creditably.

History of Lawrence, Orange and Washington Counties, Indiana
copyright 1884 Goodspeed Brothers and Company, Chicago
Data Entry by Diana Flynn

ROBERT H. ELLISON
Was born in Bono Township, this county, April 4, 1839, and is one of the following four children, yet living, born to James and Polly (Hamilton) Ellison: James H., Robert H., Elizabeth J. and Mary A. The parents were natives of Kentucky, from whence they emigrated to what is now Washington County, Ind., in the year 1809, and from there removed to the birthplace of our subject about eleven years later. Robert H. resided with his parents until his marriage December 9, 1862, with Miss Nancy, daughter of Benjamin and Eupha (White) Newkirk, after which he engaged in farming and rearing stock for himself. By industry he has secured a comfortable home and a farm of 305 acres of good land, besides other property. Mr. Ellison is a member of the I. O. O. F. and Masonic fraternities; is a Democrat in politics, and has served the citizens of Pleasant Run Township three terms as Trustee, with credit and satisfaction. Mrs. Ellison is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church; is a native of Indiana as were also her parents, and is one of the following named family of two children that are yet living: David and Nancy. By Mr. Ellison she has had three children, named: Polly A., Elnora and Oscar B.

History of Lawrence, Orange and Washington Counties, Indiana
copyright 1884 Goodspeed Brothers and Company, Chicago
Data Entry by Diana Flynn

WILLIAM T. ELLISON
Is the third son of eleven children of James H. and Mary A. (Breckenridge) Ellison, and was born August 16, 1849, in the county where he now resides. His father was born in Washington County, Ind., in the year 1819, and his mother was a native of Kentucky. William T. Ellison secured a good practical education in youth, and remained with his parents until the death of his father, in about 1867. At that age he began the study of medicine with Dr. May with whom he remained for some time, and then graduated at the Belview Medical College with distinction. He embarked in the practice of his profession in the State of Illinois, but two years later located at Heltonville, where he has established a comfortable business which is steadily increasing. February 4, 1879, he was married to Miss Cora E. Houston, by whom he became the father of one son--Spencer--that died eight days after birth. Mrs. Ellison is a member of the Christian Church. Dr. Ellison is one of Lawrence County's progressive men; is a Democrat in politics and an able physician.

History of Lawrence, Orange and Washington Counties, Indiana
copyright 1884 Goodspeed Brothers and Company, Chicago
Data Entry by Diana Flynn

ALEXANDER H. DUNIHUE
One of Bedford's oldest merchants and most respected citizens, was born at Marietta, Ohio, April 26, 1807, and is the oldest and only survivor of a family of eight children born to Daniel and Abigail (Pool) Dunihue, and is a grandson of Daniel O'Donoghue who was a native of Northern Ireland, where he was identified with the Protestant religion. The latter emigrated to the United States at an early day and here the family name became changed to Dunihue. The father of Alexander H. removed from Marietta, Ohio, to near Columbus, in 1814, and from there three years later to what is now Carroll County, Ky. The fall of 1818, they settled at Paoli, Ind., but several months afterward moved to Livonia, in Washington County, where, after a residence of four years, they removed to Mooresville. In 1833 the family settled in Bedford, where Mr. Dunihue died in 1850, preceded by his wife in 1846. Alexander H. Dunihue received the greater part of his education in a high school at Livonia, taught by Rev. W. W. Martin, a distinguished Presbyterian minister. While at Greenville, Maj. Isaac Steward induced him to begin clerking in his store at 25 cents per day, and voluntarily increased it to 37 1/2 cents, then 50 cents and in 1826 sent him to take charge of a branch store at Bedford at $87.50 and board and clothing per year. The second year he received with his board and clothes $150, and the third year $250, which at that time was enormous wages. During the third year the store was sold, after which he was employed by Daughton & Co., of New Albany to dispose of a $7,000 stock of goods at the mouth of Salt Creek, in Lawrence County. In 1830, he began clerking in the store of Col William McLane, at Bedford, with whom he remained four years at $250 per annum; then accepted a position int he office of Register of Lands at Indianapolis, at much higher wages. In July, 1834, Mr. Dunihue returned to Bedford and was accepted as a partner by Col. McLane, and in 1836, Ann McLane, his partner's daughter, became his wife. Since 1834--fifty years--Mr. Dunihue has been constantly and actively engaged in business in Bedford for himself, and at present is connected with one of the town's best business houses, known as Dunihue & Sons. During this long and eventful career he has made considerable money and lost considerable, but out of the debris he has saved sufficient to keep himself and wife the remainder of his days in peace and plenty. Mrs. Dunihue was born at Orleans, Ind., in 1816, and for forty-eight years has been a member of the Presbyterian Church. During his life, Mr. Dunihue has made fourteen different trips to New Orleans, ten times on flat boats. In politics he is a Republican, formerly a Whig, and there is no man more intimately connected with the history of Bedford than is Alexander H. Dunihue.

History of Lawrence, Orange and Washington Counties, Indiana
copyright 1884 Goodspeed Brothers and Company, Chicago
Data Entry by Diana Flynn

ELI M. WRIGHT
Eli M. Wright, farmer, of Washington county, Indiana, was born on the farm where he has since lived in Washington township, three miles southwest of Salem, July 7, 1849. He is a son of Adam H. and Elizabeth (Collier) Wright, the former also born on the same farm in 1824. Adam H. Wright was a brother of Philbird Marion Wright, and included in the sketch of the latter's life is a record of the earlier Wright families. The property on which Eli M. Wright makes his home, containing some one hundred and fifty-seven acres, has never been out of the possession of the Wright family. His grandfather entered it from the government and passed his remaining days on it, while his father's entire life was passed there, and Eli M. Wright bids fair to number out his days on the old home place, dear to the memory of the entire family. Adam H. Wright gave most of the active years of his life to farming the home place and also engaged in saw-milling. During the latter forties he had a sash saw-mill operated by water power from Blue river and continued there until 1857, when he rented the mill and he and his brother, Marion, operated a portable saw-mill for two or three years. Elizabeth Collier, wife of Adam H. Wright, was born about eight miles west of Salem, in Vernon township, on the place where Lewis Carter resides at present. She was a daughter of James and Sarah (Lockwood) Collier, the former coming with his parents to this section from the present site of Lexington, Kentucky. The family settled in the western part of Washington county and Indians were numerous about them. There were also many wild animals and when the mother of the family milked the cows, James had to stand over her with a rifle to drive away the panthers and other prowling beasts. There were no schools which the lad might attend and he got his education by studying at night in company with his mother while she operated her spinning wheel, all in the flickering light of the candle or tallow dip. He chose as his wife Sarah, or "Sally" Lockwood, who came here with her people from North Carolina. Eli M. Wright is the eldest of a family of four children, the others being W. B., Mary C., widow of George Hageman, and a child who died in infancy. Adam Wright died in 1901 and his wife preceded him a few years, passing away in 1890. Eli M. Wright has been engaged in farming the home place all the active years of his life, and assisted his father until the time of his death. In 1902 Mr. Wright built the house in which he lives on the southern part of the farm. This is a comfortable dwelling and both it and the land testify to the care and thriftiness of the owner. In the summer of 1892 Mr. Wright suffered a sunstroke and for four years he was compelled to give up his farm work. During those years he traded in live stock, but so far recovered as to be albe to resume his duties as agriculturist. On February 28, 1908, Eli M. Wright married Stella Spaulding, born about two miles south of her present home, a daughter of Silas and Celia (Simpson) Spaulding. Silas Spaulding was born on March 27, 1838, in Washington township, south of Salem. He is a son of Landrum and Elizabeth (Jackson) Spaulding, the former of whom came to this section from Kentucky when a young man, while Elizabeth Jackson was brought here from Virginia by her parents. Landrum Spaulding was a farmer most of his life, but he was a shoemaker by trade and in those days all shoes were made to order. Silas Spaulding has lived all his life in Washington county, engaged in farming for many years. He retired from the active duties of life some time ago and now resides on a small farm of twenty-five and one-half acres in the northern part of Pierce township. Silas Spaulding was married on May 10, 1861, to Celia Simpson, born in Washington county, a daughter of Obadiah and Cynthia (Nolan) Simpson, both of whom were born in North Carolina, where they married and soon afterwards came to this county, locating in the western part of Pierce township, where they passed their remaining days and both lie buried in the Wilson graveyard near their old home. Silas Spaulding and wife are the parents of two sons and two daughters, the eldest of the family being Stella Florence, wife of the subject of this sketch; George B. McClellan, of Salem; Henry F. Franklin, also of Salem, and Melissa Aldora, wife of Frank Wingler, living near her father's home. Silas Spaulding was a member of Company C, Fifty-eighth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served throughout the Civil War. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, at Salem. Mr. Spaulding is a Democrat, but never aspired to office.

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, INDIANA ITS PEOPLE, INDUSTRIES AND INSTITUTIONS, By Warder W. Stevens.
With Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families. Illustrated 1916 B. F. Bowen & Company, Inc. Indianapolis, Indiana
Data Entry by Diana Flynn

LEWIS S. BOWLES
Was born at French Lick Springs, in Orange County, December 8, 1834. He is one of three children, all sons, born to Thomas C. and Anna (Patton) Bowles, who came from Maryland in an early day, and located in Washington County, Ind. Thomas C. Bowles, while a young man, went South, and for several years had charge of an extensive plantation. Upon his return North he settled in Orange County a short time, but soon after in Washington County; his death occurred in 1840. Lewis S. began the study of medicine in 1850, with Dr. T. C. Kelso, at Livonia, in Washington. County. After attending a course of lectures at the University of Louisville, Ky., he began the practice at French Lick Springs, which he continued for eighteen months, then went to Fredericksburg. In 1865 he located at Paoli, and the following year began doing a retail drug trade, with a stock valued at about $2,200. In this Dr. Bowles has been more than ordinarily successful, and he now has one of the most complete stocks of drugs and druggist's sundries kept in southern Indiana, and is valued at about $15,000. He owns about 800 acres of land, and in 1874 built the finest residence in Orange County. His marriage with Miss Lizzie Andrews of Fredericksburg, Ind., was solemnized September 25, 1861, and to their union two children have been born, named William T. and James A. He is an ardent Democrat in politics and a member of the Blue Lodge in Masonry. Dr. Bowles has made his own way in life beginning the practice of his profession with $25 of borrowed capital. he is now one of the wealthy and influential men of the county. He has been one of the School Trustees of Paoli for several years and is now a fifth owner in the Orange County Agricultural Association, of which he has been Superintendent ever since its organization in the spring of 1883.

History of Lawrence, Orange and Washington Counties, Indiana
copyright 1884 Goodspeed Brothers and Company, Chicago
Data Entry by Diana Flynn

GRANT F. WRIGHT
Of Washington township, Washington county, Indiana, is of pioneer stock and is one of the excellent farmer of this section. He was born on July 3, 1868, on the farm where he now resides with his father, Philbird Marion Wright. Philbird Marion Wright was born in September 17, 1832, and is the youngest of three children born to Eli and Elizabeth (Bower) Wright. Eli Wright was born on September 5, 1795, and was the son of Philbird and Molly (Sears) Wright. Philbird Wright was born on March 29, 1768, and was the son of Richard Wright, who came to America from England in the early days. He had five sons: William, Philbird, Amos, Richard, Jr., and Hugh. Amos had five sons also, who were all ministers and noted for their ability. Their names were John, Peter, Joshua, Levi and Amos, Jr. John Wright was one for the forters at Ft. Hill, and one of his children, Elvira, was born in the fort in 1813, and lived her entire life within sight of the fort. She had three brothers and one sister; David, Ransom, Jacob and Nancy. Jacob Wright preached the dedication sermon at Ft. Hill on October 1, 1860. Philbird Wright, son of Richard Wright, who was the first of his family to settle in America, married Molly Sears and they located on the farm once owned by Harry Denny but now in the possession of Henry Roberts. Molly (Sears) Wright was born on February 13, 1776. They were the parents of eleven children: Nancy, born on February 13, 1794; Eli, September 5, 1795; Evans, July 18, 1797; Sarah, September 14, 1799; Barbara, November, 1801; Elizabeth, November, 1803; Katherine, January 5, 1805; Delilah, born on February 10, 1809; John, Absalom, Celia (Ratts) and Polly. The mother of these children died on September 10, 1830 and her husband married Elizabeth Beck on November 15, 1832. Philbird Wright immigrated to Indiana from North Carolina about 1809. Eli Wright and his wife, Elizabeth (Bower) Wright were the parents of three children: Adam H., who died in 1901; Caroline, wife of James Brewer, who died in 1898, and Philbird Marion. Eli Wright built and operated one of the first grist-mills in the township. He died of cholera on June 14, 1833, and his wife, in 1847. Philbird Marion Wright received his education in a log school house, located about two miles south of Salem, Indiana, and later became a school teacher. The school which he attended had a large fireplace and the seats were split logs. His first teacher was Prof. James G. May. Philbird Marion married Elizabeth Wiseman in 1863 and they became the parents of two children, Cora, who died in 1903 and Grant, who now resides with his father. The mother died in 1905. Philbird Marion Wright has lived on his present farm for more than sixty years. His wife was born on August 21, 1831, in Washington county, Indiana, and was the daughter of Jacob and Polly (Ratts) Wiseman. Her marriage was solemnized on May 28, 1863. Jacob Wiseman was a native of North Carolina and it was there that he was married to Mary Magdalene Ratts. He was a music teacher. They became the parents of these children; James, Henry, Newton, Mary, Elizabeth, Sarah, Amanda, Margaret, Malinda and several more who died in infancy. Grant Wright was reared on the farm where he now lives with his father, Philbird M. Wright, and was educated in the township schools. Also in the graded school at Salem, Indiana, and in May's academy. He is an active Democrat and a member of the Church of Christ at Ft. Hill Chapel. The farm which he cultivates consists of two hundred and sixty-seven acres, fifty acres of which are in timber. This farm is known as "Riverside Farm" and is situated in an excellent location. Cora, the sister of Grant Wright, who was born on September 22, 1872, and who died on July 2, 1903. During her lifetime she was recognized as a writer of attainment and contributed to many newspapers and magazines. She was a cultured writer and her death interrupted what promised to be a career in field of literature.

CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, INDIANA ITS PEOPLE, INDUSTRIES AND INSTITUTIONS, By Warder W. Stevens.
With Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families. Illustrated 1916 B. F. Bowen & Company, Inc. Indianapolis, Indiana
Data Entry by Diana Flynn