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

WILLIAM S. WALKER, SR.
A prominent old citizen of Franklin Township, is a native of Virginia, where he was born in January, 1804, being the third in a family of four children born to William and Jane (Burton) Walker. When oursubject was about three years of age his father died and his mother moved to Kentucky, and married a second time. When William S. had attained the age of twenty-two, he removed to Indiana, and settled in the township in which he now lives, of which, since that time, he has been a constant resident. In early life he had very limited opportunities for obtaining an education, receiving scarcely any. In March, 1824, his marriage with Louise Lefler was solemnized, and to their union eighteen children have been born, of which these are now living: Mary J., now Mrs. Benjamin Brim; Thomas, who married Julia May; Sarah A., wife of Benjamin F. Smith; Nancy E., unmarried; James, who married Phoebe A. Goss; William S., whose consort was Melissa Robinson; Elizabeth, now Mrs. James Williams; Lucinda, wife of Richard Elrod, and Benjamin, whose present wife is Lydia A. Nelson. Our subject's occupation has been principally farming, and he has been quite successful in that pursuit. He now owns 160 acres of land. Mr. and Mrs. Walker are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he is a Democrat.

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

GEORGE WILLIAMS
A prominent citizen of Franklin Township, was a native of North Carolina, where he was born August 1, 1815, being the third in a family of nine children born to Thomas and Lydia (Norman) Williams, who were also natives of North Carolina, and came to this State about the year 1823, and first settled in Washington Township, about one and one-half miles south of Salem; after which time, with the exception of three years when they lived in Harrison County, they were residents of this county until the date of their death. George remained at home and assisted his parents on the farm until he attained the age to twenty-two years. He received a limited education in the primitive log schoolhouses of his day. January 17, 1839, his marriage with Sarah A. Hall was solemnized, and to their union eleven children have been born, of which these eight are now living: Elizabeth, now Mrs. John S. Rutherford; Amanda, wife of James Bridgewater; Henrietta, consort of Wesley Rutherford; Francis M., who married Susanna Weller; Eliza J., now Mrs. Solomon Garrison; Erastus, whose wife was Emma Brim, and Martha E., wife of Henry Ashabrenner. His occupation has always been farming. He superintended the county farm for a period of fifteen years. He has been very successful in life. He now owns 475 acres of improved land, raising stock quite extensively. Mr. Williams belongs to the Masonic and Odd Fellow fraternities, and himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, and he formerly took an active part in the political affairs of his community, having served the people one term as Justice of the Peace.

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

HON. JOHN A. BOWMAN
Was a native of Blount County, Tenn., where he was born April 7, 1818, being the next oldest in a family of eleven children born to John and Catharine (Bowerman) Bowman, who were natives respectively of Virginia and Pennsylvania, and they emigrated to this State about the year 1830, and first settled on the Walnut Ridge, in Monroe Township, and remained there until the death of Mr. Bowman, Sr., which occurred some fifteen years later. Our subject remained at home and assisted his parents on the farm until he attained the age of eighteen years. He then started for Louisiana on a flat-boat, remaining there a period of two years, then returned to Washington County, and purchased a farm in the vicinity of his parents' abode. Prior to reaching the age of eighteen he was apprenticed to learn the cabinet-making trade for two and one-half years. He placed his widowed mother and her two children upon the farm, and engaged in trafficking and dealing in stock between here and New Orleans, in which business he remained until the breaking out of the civil war. Since the war he has made several trips South, but he does not make them with any regularity. January 17, 1881, his marriage with Mary J. (Davis) Howell was solemnized. By her former marriage Mrs. Bowman had one child--Flora E. Mr. Bowman is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He owns 924 acres of land, all situated in Washington County, and is one of the stockholders in the Salem, and is also stockholder in the New Albany, Banking Companies. He served the people as a member of the State Legislature in the Lower House for two terms, and eight years in the State Senate.

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

JOSHUA CROW
A prominent citizen and native of Polk Township, was born February 4, 1830, being the youngest in a family of twelve children born to Joshua and Martha (Skean) Crow, who were natives of North Carolina, and came to this State in the year 1821, and settled on the farm now owned and occupied by our subject. Mr. Crow, Sr., died December, 1848, and Mrs. Crow April, 1868. Joshua, Jr., has always lived at the old homestead. He received a limited education in the primitive log schoolhouse of his day. November 15, 1858, his marriage with Emma Bixler was solemnized. His occupation has always been farming, and he has been quite successful in that pursuit. He now owns 130 acres, mostly improved land. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity at Providence. Mr. and Mrs. Crow are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he is a Democrat and he takes a good live interest in the political affairs of the community in which he lives. He has served the people as Township Assessor for twenty-two years.

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

STEPHEN ELROD
one of Washington County's earliest settlers, was a native of North Carolina; was born in the year 1793, and came to this county and State in the year 1816, first locating in Jackson Township. His marriage with Elizabeth Wyman took place about one year later, who bore him thirteen children, of which eleven are now living. William, the oldest in the family, was born January 11, 1818, and remained at home and assisted his parents on the farm until he attained the age of twenty-five years. He received a limited education in the primitive log-schoolhouses of his day. April 9, 1843, his marriage with Mary A. Noblitt was solemnized, and to their union fifteen children have been born, of whom these eight are now living: John W., who married Elizabeth Dudley; Eliza J., now Mrs. James F. Ervin; Albert N., whose wife was Linnie Morris; Sarah E., wife of Jesse B. Davis; Emma A., consort of Benjamin F. Fitzpatrick; Dora B., unmarried; Chapman, who married Rachel L. Sturdevant, and Ishmael W., unmarried. William's occupation through life has been farming, at which he has been very successful. He now owns 300 acres of well improved land. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity at New Providence. In politics he is a stanch Democrat and he formerly took quite a live interest in the political affairs of the community in which he lives, having served as Township Trustee one term. His death occurred June 29, 1847. Eli, the eighth child, was born July 23, 1830. He remained on the old homestead farm until the death of his parents, his father having died as above given, and his mother January 2, 1852. He received a common school education such as the facilities of the day afforded. November 11, 1854, the nuptials of his marriage with Luanna J. Dudley were celebrated, and to their union eight children have been born, of which these seven are now living: James W., who married Ella Gray; Willard W., Edward L., Hester, Greeley, Stephen B. and Lizzie. His occupation, like his brother, has always been farming, and he has been very successful. He is a Democrat, has been Township Trustee, and owns 215 acres of land.

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

JOHN GILL
A prominent citizen of Polk Township, is a native of Ireland, where he was born in the year 1821, the younger of two children born to Patrick and Sarah (Tool) Gill, who were also natives of Ireland. John remained at home and assisted his parents on the farm until he attained his majority. He received a common school education and at the age of twenty-one he started for America and first settled in New Orleans, where he remained for a period of six months. He then went to St. Louis, staying there three months; thence to Cairo for five months; when he went to Natchez for six months and one winter at Memphis, when he lived at Cincinnati five years, when he moved to Indiana, Washington County, since which time he has resided here. January 1, 1854, his marriage with Bridget Whelan was solemnized, and to their union ten children have been born, of which these four are now living: Patrick, who married Lilly Martin; James, John and Sarah. Our subject's occupation has been principally farming, and he has been very successful in that pursuit, now owning 350 acres of well improved land. He also raises stock quite extensively. Mr. and Mrs. Gill are members of the Catholic Church. In politics he is a stanch Democrat and he takes a good lively interest in the political affairs of the community in which he lives.

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

DANIEL W. GRAY
A prominent citizen and native of Polk Township, was born November 18, 1818, being the sixth child in a family of nine children born to Samuel and Catherine (McKinley) Gray, who were both natives of Kentucky, where their marriage took place. They came to this State in the year 1812, and settled on the farm now owned and occupied by our subject. Daniel remained at home and assisted his parents on the farm until he attained his majority, and received what was for those days a good common school education in the primitive log schoolhouses of his time. November 15, 1841, his marriage with Martha A. Overton was solemnized, and to their union nine children were born, of which these six are now living: David C., who married Caroline Terrell; Samuel H., whose wife was Dora Elrod; James P., whose consort was Harriet Crow; Franklin P., who married Ada Burns; Charles B., and Martha E., wife of Joseph W. Elrod. Our subject's occupation has always been farming, and he has been quite successful, as he now owns 324 acres of well improved land. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. April 2, 1878, Mr. Gray suffered loss by the death of his beloved wife. In politics he is a stanch Democrat and he takes a good live interest in the political affairs of the county in which he lives. He is the present incumbent of the office of County Commissioner.

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

FREDERICK HAFLEY
A prominent citizen and native of Polk Township, was born December 24, 1824, the fifth in a family os six children born to John and Margaret (Davis) Hafley, who wee natives respectively of Maryland and Virginia, and came to this State about the year 1809. They settled at Pekin, where the father engaged in blacksmithing fourteen years. At the end of that time they moved about three miles north of Pekin, to a farm where they lived until his death, in October, 1875. Frederick remained at home and assisted his parents on the farm until he attained the age of twenty-five years. He received a common school education such as the facilities of his day afforded. October 18, 1849, his marriage with Rebecca Stalker was solemnized, and to their union three children have been born, of which these two are now living: Margaret P., unmarried; Rachel J., now Mrs. Yancy C. Helton. Our subject's occupation has always been farming, and he has been reasonable successful. He now owns 160 acres of the old homestead of land. Mr. Hafley and family are members of the Baptist Church. In politics he has been a lifelong Democrat, and when called upon will be found a warm advocate of the principles of that party.

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

WILLIAM JOHNSON
A prominent citizen of Polk Township, is a native of Kentucky, where he was born December 20, 1822, and is the third in a family of six children born to William and Mary (Alvis) Johnson, who were natives respectively of Kentucky and Virginia, and came to this State in the year 1832, and settled near where our subject now resides. William, Jr., remained at home and assisted his parents on the farm until he attained the age of twenty-five years, receiving a limited education in the subscription schools of his day. November 11, 1847, his marriage with Elizabeth Elrod was solemnized, and to their union eight children were born, of which these five are now living: Sarah J., now Mrs. William Wells; Mary I., wife of N. H. Gray; Luanna E., consort of A. J. Brock; John W., unmarried, and Elizabeth C., now Mrs. Dennis McKinley. April 5, 1863, Mr. Johnson suffered the bereavement of losing his beloved wife. December 28, 1865, his nuptials with Mary A. (Wells) Baggerly were celebrated. Our subject's occupation has always been farming, and he has been quite successful in that pursuit. He now owns 410 acres, the greater part of which is yet in timber. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are members of the Christian Church. In politics he has been a life-long Democrat.

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

CHRISTOPHER MORRIS
A prominent old citizen of Polk Township, was a native of Rowan County, N.C., where he was born January 8, 1813, being the fourth in a family of seven children born to Christopher and Nancy (Porter) Morris, who were natives of North Carolina and Maryland respectively, and who came to this State in the year 1817, settling in Clark County. Christopher, Jr., remained at home and assisted his parents on the farm until he attained the age of twenty-five years. He received a limited education in the primitive log schoolhouses of his day. In the year 1838 he removed to this county and settled on the farm where he now lives. In February, 1838, his marriage with Ruth Crow was solemnized, and to their union the following named children have been born: Martha J., now Mrs. Ezekiel Wilson; John T., who married Mollie Layman; Linnie E., wife of Albert N. Elrod; Lebert, unmarried, and Philene, consort of Emanuel Wright. Last two were twins. Our subject's occupation has always been farming, and he has been quite successful; now owns about 375 acres of well-improved land. Mr. Morris is a member of the Methodist Episcopal, his wife of the Christian Church. In politics he is a Democrat.

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

RICHARD NEWLON
(deceased), one of Polk Townships most prominent citizens, was a native of Kentucky, where he was born November 13, 1806, to William and Nancy Newlon, who came to this State about the year 1818, and settled in what is now Franklin Township. When young he received a very good education. February 8, 1833, he married Sarah Coleman, who bore him eleven children, of whom but three are now living: Mary A., now Mrs. Dennis Brewer; Lucy J., wife of McWeddle, and Samuel, who married Sarah Cartwright. His occupation was principally farming, at which he made a decided success, owning at the time of his death 500 acres of land, beside having amassed quite a large personal estate. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for about thirty years prior to his death, and also belonged to the Masonic fraternity. He died April 18, 1884, of cancer, which had bothered him for several years. In politics he was a Republican and could always be found a warm advocate of the principles of that party. July 8, 1863, he was grieved by the death of his beloved wife, Sarah A. September 6, 1869, Mary Cartwright became his second wife. Samuel now occupies and owns the old homestead, 160 acres of the old tract.

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

HENRY PLOTT
A prominent citizen of Polk Township,is a native of Virginia, where he was born September 21, 1832, being the oldest in a family of eleven children born to Simon and Rebecca (Link) Plott, who were also natives of Virginia, and came to this State about the year 1835, and settled in the vicinity of the present abode of our subject. Henry remained at home and assisted his parents on the farm until he attained the age of twenty years. He received what was for those days a common school education. November 20, 1854, his marriage with Sarah E. Motsinger was solemnized, and to their union seven children have been born, of which these five are now living: Rebecca M., now Mrs. Albert Souders; Chloe A., wife of Nelson L. Sonders; Ada M., consort of Columbus Wyatt; Oscar M. and Eddie S. Our subject's occupation has always been farming, and he has been quite successful. He now owns 200 acres of improved land. In politics he is a Democrat, and he takes an interest in the political affairs of the community in which he lives.

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

GEORGE M. SPURGEON
A prominent citizen of Polk Township, was a native of Russell County, Ky., where he was born April 20, 1825, being the youngest in a family of nine children born to Eli and Rachel (Newcomb) Spurgeon, who were natives of North Carolina and Maryland respectively, and came to this State in December of the year 1828, settling on the farm now owned by our subject. George has always lived on the old homestead farm. His mother died September 5, 1848, and his father November 16, 1857. He received in early life a limited education, such as the facilities of his day afforded. January 30, 1845, his marriage with Evaline Leonard was solemnized, and to their union the following named four children have been born: Franklin, who married Cora Blake; Perry, whose wife was Caroline Jackson; Newton, unmarried; Paris, whose consort was Jane E. Cramer. Our subject's occupation has always been farming, and he has been very successful in that pursuit. He now owns 170 acres of well-improved land. He makes a specialty of raising large fruits. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, but is now demit from the Salem Lodge. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, and interests himself in the political affairs of the community in which he lives. He served as Township Assessor one term.

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

JOHN TASH
A prominent citizen and native of Polk Township, was born October 30, 1821, being the sixth child in a family of ten children born to John and Sarah (Stanley) Tash, who were natives of North Carolina, and came to this State in the year 1816 and settled on the farm now owned and occupied by our subject. John, Jr., remained on the old homestead all his life, being the support of his widowed mother to whose care he was left when but ten years of age. He received a common school education such as the facilities of his day afforded. November 9, 1847, his marriage with Anna Bixler was solemnized, and to this union four children were born, of which these three are now living: Emma J., now Mrs. Jasper N. Thompson; Francis M., whose present wife is Laura Rodman; Mary E., wife of James A. Packwood. August 16, 1858, Mr. Tash was bereaved of his beloved wife. October 9, 1871, Lizzie Buchanan became his second wife, and one child blessed their union May 16, 1877, Bertha M., and June 1, 1877, he was again compelled to witness the death of his wife. His occupation has always been farming, and he has been quite successful in that pursuit. He now owns 320 acres of well-improved land. Mr. Tash is a member of the Christian Church at Pekin, and he always contributes liberally to the support of that institution. In politics he is a Democrat.

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

ALLEN WYATT
A prominent old citizen of Polk Township, is a native of Davis County, N.C., where he was born July 8, 1810, being the next oldest in a family of six children born to Allen and Nancy (Brooks) Wyatt, who were natives of North Carolina and Virginia respectively, and who came to this State in the year 1814, arriving in this county December 24 of that year, and first settled in what is now Pierce Township. At the age of sixteen years our subject's father died, he remained at home until he attained his majority. He received a limited education, such as was to be obtained in the primitive log-schoolhouse of his day. December 6, 1830, his marriage with Millie Spurgeon was solemnized, and to their union eight children have been born, of which these six are now living: Samantha, now Mrs. Francis Sturdevant; Ezekiel, who married Susan Snyder; Rachel, wife of Jacob Terrell; Commodore B., whose wife was Emily Rickard; Columbus N., who married Ada M. Plott, and Amanda, widow of Benjamin F. Williams. Our subject's occupation has always been farming, and he has been quite successful in that pursuit. He now owns 190 acres of improved land. Mr. and Mrs. Wyatt are members of the Baptist Church. In politics he is a Democrat. Some years ago, under the old law, he was Treasurer of the township, and also served a term as Township Clerk.

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

JOHN ELLIOTT
When a young man learned the blacksmith's and wagon-maker's trade of George Smith, at Mill Point, with whom he afterward worked in partnership until 1868. He then spent a few months in Holt and Jasper Counties, Missouri. In March, 1869, he returned to Washington County and bought the farm of 180 acres where he now lives. He now has 480 acres in Monroe and Jefferson Townships. He also still continues to work at his trade when it does not interfere with his farming. In July, 1863, he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Seventeenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which regiment he served mostly in Tennessee, until mustered out at Indianapolis in February, 1864. Mr. Elliott was born in Monroe Township, July 17, 1836, being one of four children born to John and Mary (Stuart) Elliott, the latter a native of Virginia, and the former of South Carolina, from which States, when young, they came with their parents to Washington County, Ind., where they lived the remainder of their lives. He died September 27, 1864. John Elliott, the subject of this sketch, chose for his companion Margaret Haley, daughter of David and Catharine (Persinger) Haley, to whom he was married February 18, 1870. They have two children--David and Kate.

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