Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. 1884,
Charles Blanchard, F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers
CLEAR CREEK TOWNSHIP, MONROE COUNTY PAGE 658
ALEXANDER S. BAKER, minister of the M. P. Church, was
born February 12, 1827, on the western shore of Maryland,
and is a son of Malden and Liza (Culenbaugh) Baker. Malden
Baker was born September 22, 1802, and was about thirty
years old when he moved to this State and settled on Indian
Creek. He raised the first tobacco raised in the county,
and labored as an ordained local preacher. Alexander S. Baker
was married November 11, 1852, to Sarah A. Johnston, who
died July 11,1865, leaving six children. August 16,1866, he
wedded Mrs. Nancy E. Hagan, a native of Rush County, to which
union were born three children--Elma, Hugh and Henry. Mr. Baker
obtained his education principally by the firelight at home,
continuing his studies long after he was married. Mr. Baker is
a member of the Masonic fraternity of the degree of Royal Arch;
he is also a radical temperance worker, and an esteemed citizen,
and an honorable conscientious gentleman.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn "ivie@tima.com"
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. 1884,
Charles Blanchard, F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers
INDIAN CREEK TOWNSHIP, MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA PAGE 658
ALFRED WRIGHT was born in this township February 11, 1833,
and is the third son of David and Caroline Wright. He received
the rudiments of a good education; and March 7, 1850, married
Eliza Rebecca Boyd. After his marriage, he lived with his father
for some years, when he moved to Illinois, remained a few months,
returned and at the division of his father's land received
forty-one acres. Mr. and Mrs. Wright are leading members of the
Christian Church, of which Mr. Wright is an Elder; they are
parents of eleven children--William E. (deceased), John W.,
Minerva J., Laura A., Mary C. (deceased), Jefferson M., Alfred
Perry, Isaac S., David Grant, James M. and Eliza A. F.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn "ivie@tima.com"
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. 1884,
Charles Blanchard, F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers
INDIAN CREEK TOWNSHIP, MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA PAGE 658
DAVID WRIGHT was born near Utica, Ind., November 16, 1806,
and is the third of the family of James and Elizabeth (Sears)
Wright, who moved to this State in 1816; located in the timber,
which they cleared, and thereby made a home. September 14, 1829,
he married Caroline M., daughter of John and Elizabeth Kutch, by
which union were produced thirteen children--John, James, Alfred,
Levi, Jane, Elizabeth, Euin, Jacob, Nancy, Clarinda, David D.
and two infants, deceased. After marriage, Mr. Wright lived with
his father about a year, when he bought land and lived thereon
for six years, afterward purchasing his present home and farm,
comprising seventy acres of excellent and well improved land, on
which he has since resided. Mrs. Wright died January,1881, and
January, 1882, Mr. Wright married a second wife; they are
members of the Christian Church.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn "ivie@tima.com"
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. 1884,
Charles Blanchard, F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY, MONROE COUNTY PAGE 556
GEORGE A. BUSKIRK (deceased) was born August 10, 1829,
in Monroe County, Ind. He was the son of Abram and Mary A.
Buskirk, who came to Bloomington in 1831. Having finished
his education in the public schools of Bloomington, while
yet a lad he was taken into the office of David Browning,
Clerk of Monroe County Circuit Court. He had entered the
Preparatory Department of the State University, and had
just completed the Freshman year, when the Mexican war
broke out. He enlisted in First Indiana Regiment, at
La Fayette, but was soon afterward transferred to the
third Indian, under Col James H. Lane, and served till
the close of the war, being a participant in the battle
of Buena Vista. On his return to Bloomington, he served in
the office of Jesse Brandon (editor of a Democratic paper),
for two years, thus acquiring a practical knowledge of the
details of the printing business. In 1838, he began the
study of law with Samuel H. Buskirk, soon after which he
entered the Law Department of the State University,
graduating in 1850. He was soon after elected Justice of
the Peace, serving for several years. In 1856, he was
elected Judge of the Court for the district embracing Morgan,
Monroe and Brown Counties, and reelected in 1860, the counties
of Shelby and Johnson having been added. In 1867, he was
selected by the Legislature as Agent of State, and assumed
the control of the funds set aside by the State for the payment
of the State debt, managing the trust with skill and fidelity.
In 1868, he was elected Representative of Monroe County in the
Lower House of General Assembly, and at the regular session in
1869 he was elected speaker, presiding with signal ability over
the deliberations of that body. In 1871, he organized the First
National Bank of Bloomington, and was chosen President by the
Board of Directors. During the last three or four years of his
life, he withdrew from public affairs, devoting himself entirely
to private interests. He was married, August 5, 1854, to Martha
Hardesty, daughter of Samuel and Susanna Hardesty, early pioneers
of Bloomington. He was an active member of the Masonic fraternity
and of the Knights of Pythias. His valuable service during the
war were so appreciated by Gov. Morton that he was appointed
Colonel of the Indiana Legion.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn "ivie@tima.com"
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. 1884,
Charles Blanchard, F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers
GEORGE STIPP, farmer, was born in Lawrence County, Ind.,
November 16, 1824, is the son of John and Maria (Mauk) Stipp.
Mr. Stipp is the fourth in a family of nine children, and is
of German descent. The father of our subject was born in
Kentucky, and his mother in Virginia. About 1817, his father
removed from Kentucky to Lawrence County, Ind., where he
lived until 1856, when he came to Monroe County, where he died
in 1857. Mr. Stipp was married, in 1848, to Miss Mary A.
McPhadden, a native of South Carolina. To this union have been
born four children--William N., Alice E., Edward and Sarah E.
In 1848, Mr. Stipp came to Monroe County, and settled in Clear
Creek Township, and there remained until 1873, when he removed
to where he now lives [Perry Twp.]. Here he has 283 acres of
splendidly improved land. He has a good residence, erected in
1876, at a cost of $2,000. Politically, Mr. Stipp is a
Republican, but was formerly a Democrat, and cast his first
Presidential vote for James K. Polk. Mr. and Mrs. Stipp are
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is an honorable
man, and has the confidence and respect of all who know him.
Data Entry Volunteer: Cyndi Pote "cyndipote@aol.com"
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. 1884,
Charles Blanchard, F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers
RICHLAND TOWNSHIP, MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA PAGE 623
JAMES A. BAKER, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in
Clarke County, Ind., August 20, 1824, and is the eldest of
the family of nine children of JESSE and SARAH (ROBERTSON)
BAKER, natives respectively of South Carolina and Virginia.
Jesse Baker was orphaned when seven years old, and went to
live with an uncle, with whom, in 1815, he came to and
settled in Clarke County, there married, farmed on leased
land until 1831, when he purchased land, and remained
thereon until 1848, at which time he purchased a saw and
grist mill near Utica, managed the same until 1854, and
afterward farmed until his death in 1876, aged seventy-eight
years, his wife having preceded him in 1866. He was a Democrat,
and a member of the Christian Church. James A. Baker worked
for his father and attended school, but obtained the major
part of his education by after-study. In 1846, he enlisted
in Company I, Third Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry;
recruited for the war against Mexico, in which he served one
year, and took part at Buena Vista. After returning, he
engaged in milling with his father, and in 1854 purchased land,
farmed until 1857, after which he bought land near Utica, and
August, 1865, located at his present home, comprising 225
acres of good grass and farm land. Mr. Baker is a hard-working
man, and for thirty years combined his trade of carpentering
with farming and stock-dealing. January 28, 1851, he married
MARGARET A. LITTELL, with an issue of six children--JESSE T.,
REUBEN A. (deceased), SARAH A., CHARLES E., MARY LUELLA and
WILLIAM F. (deceased). Mr. and Mrs. Baker are members of the
Church of Christ.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn "ivie@tima.com"
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. 1884,
Charles Blanchard, F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY, MONROE COUNTY PAGE 555
JOHN B. BUSKIRK, a native of Kentucky, was born
September 5, 1815, in Shelby County. He is eldest son
of Abram and Mary A. (Boswell) Buskirk, natives of
Pennsylvania and Virginia respectively. They came to
Indiana in 1817, and lived in New Albany until 1820,
when they came to Monroe County and settled on a farm
near Bloomington. The father was a stone-mason, and
removing to Bloomington in 1831, followed his trade
for a number of years. He was Associate Judge of the
Bloomington courts for some time. He served as Postmaster
for four years,a nd was Justice of the Peace for several
years. He died in October, 1853. The mother died in 1850.
The subject was reared at home until seventeen years of
age, when he began learning the cabinet-maker's trade
with William McCollough. In 1833, he went to New Albany,
and worked at his trade for two years, when he returned
to Bloomington for some time. Removing thence to Bedford,
he remained for nearly twenty years; he then went to
Orange County, where he engaged in the general merchandise
business for eighteen years, the greater part of which he
acted as Postmaster. Removing thence of Paola, Ind., he
edited the Paola "News". In 1878, he returned to Bloomington,
where he at present resides, sixty-nine years of age. On
January 2, 1840, he was married to Maria H. Ritter, daughter
of John Ritter, a citizen of Kentucky. They have had six
children, five of whom are living--Thomas B., John W.,
Caroline L., Margaret B. and George A. Mr. Buskirk is a
member of the A. F. & A. M. and of the I. O. O. F.
He is a Democrat and a member of the Methodist Church.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn "ivie@tima.com"
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. 1884,
Charles Blanchard, F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY, MONROE COUNTY PAGE 556
JOHN W. BUSKIRK, second son and third child of
John B. and Maria H. (Ritter) Buskirk, natives of
Kentucky, was born on November 20, 1845, in Bedford,
Lawrence Co., Ind. His parents at present reside in
Bloomington, and are spoken of elsewhere in this work.
The subject of this sketch was reared in his native
county until eight years of age, when he went with
his parents to Orange County, and lived until 1859.
He then entered the State University at Bloomington,
remaining for two years. He enlisted in Company G,
Forty-ninth Indiana Volunteers, under Col. John W. Ray.
He served until June, 1863, and took part in the
engagements at Chickasaw Bluffs and Arkansas Post.
He then received an honorable discharge on account of
disability, and in the fall of that year he again
entered college, remaining for two years, and then
went to North America, where he began the study of
law with the Hon. James L. Collins. He continued for
two years, then formed a partnership and practiced for
one year. He then removed to Paoli, and became partner
with his brother, continuing until the spring of 1869,
when he moved to Bloomington, remaining there for two
years with his uncle. He then went into partnership with
Lester L. Norton, and two years later became the partner
of H. C. Duncan, which firm is at present doing a good,
lucrative practice, and it is considered one of Monroe
County's best law firms. He was elected Prosecuting Attorney
for District 8 (Orange, Du Bois, Crawford, Perry and Spencer),
which position he resigned on coming to Bloomington. In 1869,
he was married to Ella A. Broadwell, daughter of Jonathan P.
Broadwell, a prominent citizen of Tippecanoe County, Ind.
They had three children, one of whom is living--Ella A. His
wife died April 30, 1878. Mr. Buskirk is a member of the
I. O. O. F., and of the Democratic State Central Committee.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn "ivie@tima.com"
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. 1884,
Charles Blanchard, F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA PAGE 665
THOMAS J. BROWN is the eldest child of George W.
and Susanna (Wright) Brown, a native of Kentucky, and
was born November 18, 1837. Mr. and Mrs. Brown were
respectively of Irish and German extraction, and both
natives of Kentucky. After living on a farm until 1842,
they moved from the State of their nativity to this
State, and township, and here entered land for a home.
In 1865, they removed to where the former yet lives, his
wife having died some years before. Thomas J. Brown
attended the township schools and remained at home, having
almost the entire support of the family, until his twenty-third
year, his father having long been unable to labor. In 1859,
he married Mrs.Cynthia A. McNeely, a native of Kentucky,
after which events he moved to the farm owned by his wife,
where they still reside, and to which he has added 200 acres,
making an aggregate of 440 acres, one of the best farms in
the township. In connection with agriculture, Mr. Brown has
had a country store for about two years. Mr. Brown is a
life-long Democrat, a worthy citizen, and, with his wife, a
member of the Christian Church.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn "ivie@tima.com"
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. 1884,
Charles Blanchard, F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY, MONROE COUNTY PAGE 552
WILLIAM B. BAKER, born October 22, 1834, in Van Buren
Township, Monroe Co., Ind., is the second son and the sixth
child of Absalom and Harriet (Gentry) Baker. He was reared
in his native township, where he acquired the rudiments of
a good education in the district schools. When twenty years
of age, he purchased a farm of eighty acres in the same
township, continuing for about eight years. In September,
1865, he sold his farm, and removing to Stanford he opened
a general merchandize store,under the firm name of Baker
Bros., which was continued until in 1872, when they sold
out, one year later re-purchasing the same stock. In July,
1881, he moved to Bloomington. He has been County Commissioner
for three years, which position he fills with credit. August
6, 1883, he formed a partnership with C. S. Neeld in the
furniture business, and they are at present doing a lucrative
business under the firm name of Baker & Neeld. He served as
Postmaster at Stanford for several years and as township
Assessor for two years. He was married October 5, 1856, to
Harriet R. Denny, daughter of James H. Denny, a citizen of
Warrick County, Ind. By this union there were four children,
three of whom are living--Florence G., Mary H. and Thomas A.
His wife died November 10, 1865, and he was next married, on
September 27, 1866, to Miss Hannah Yoho, daughter of Samuel
Yoho, at present a citizen of Indian Creek Township, this
county. By this union there has been one child--Birdie O.
Mrs. Baker is a member of the Baptist Church. Politically,
he is a Republican, and a very prominent and influential
member of that party.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn "ivie@tima.com"
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago:
F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 549
ELIAS ABEL, one of the oldest living settlers of Monroe
County, was born in Wythe County, Va., June 7, 1800. He was the
eldest of three children born to Lewis and Hannah (Davis) Abel,
and was reared in a log cabin. His opportunities for gaining
an education were limited altogether to about six months spent
in a log schoolhouse with nothing but the bare ground for a
floor, and greased paper windows. His father dying about the
year 1820, he took care of his mother, who was an invalid, and
by working at days' work for four years he was enabled to save
enough to immigrate to Indiana. After twenty-one days of weary
travel, on the 26th day of August, 1824, he reached the
residence of his brother-in-law, Luke Ward, in Monroe County.
Having nothing to begin on, he worked by the day, until April
28, 1828, when he was married to Hannah Ottwell, daughter of
Naomi Ottwell, a resident of Monroe County. After his marriage,
he farmed in Monroe County until December, 1841, when he re-
moved to Bloomington, to enter upon his duties as County
Treasurer, to which office he had been elected in the preceding
August. He filled this office successfully and with credit to
himself for thirteen years. He then served as Deputy County
Treasurer until October, 1856, when he was elected to represent
Monroe County in the State Legislature, and served during the
winter of 1856-57. After the expiration of his term in office
he again served as Deputy Treasurer until 1862, at which time he
retired from active business life. His wife died in March, 1864.
October 3, 1870, he married to Cerelda Worley, daughter of Isaac
Worley, one of the earliest settlers in Monroe County. Mr. Abel
began on nothing, and has been the recipient of no legacies or
bequests. He is the architect of his own fortune, and by his
industry and energy has acquired a competency. He is at present
enjoying good health, and is still considered one of the "old
wheelhorses" of the Democratic party in Monroe County.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago:
F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 499
BENJAMIN F. ADAMS, is a native of Monroe County, Ind., was
born in Indian Creek Township January 2, 1827. He is the eldest
son born to George and Mary (Freeland) Adams, natives of
Kentucky, who located in Indian Creek Township in 1818. There
the father died July, 1853, and the mother in November, 1871.
When about nineteen years of age, our subject began teaching
school, and continued about two years. For some time following,
he assisted his father on the farm, and when twenty-three years
of age he formed a partnership with William Dudley in the general
merchandise business at Stanford, Van Buren Township, Monroe
County, continuing three years. At the death of his father he
purchased the interests of the other heirs in the old homestead
farm, and engaged in farming until September, 1872, at which
time he removed to Bloomington for the purpose of educating his
children. Here he embarked in the administrator's business, and
at present is the assignee and adminis-trator of many estates.
On the 8th day of May, 1853, he was married to Harriett J. Baker,
daughter of Absalom Baker, an early settler in Monroe County.
His wife dying February 14, 1865, he was married December 8,
1880, to Elizabeth (Betty) Evans, of Mason County, Ky. He was a
charter member of Stanford Lodge, No. 173, A. F. & A. M., and is
an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He served
some time as Councilman, and is at present a member of the City
Board of School Trustees.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago:
F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 550
CAPT. W. M. ALEXANDER was born in Bloomington, Monroe Co.,
Ind., on December 19, 1836. His parents, John H. and Margaret
J. (Clark) Alexander, were natives of Kentucky. They came to
Monroe in an early day and located in Bloomington, where the
father engaged in farming, and ran a mammoth tannery. In July,
1855, his death occurred, the wife having been dead for some
time. Capt. Alexander was the youngest in a family of four
children, and was reared in his native place until after his
mother's death, when he began work by assisting the farmers in
his immediate vicinity, and working at odd jobs. When twenty
years of age, he began herding cattle, which he did both in Iowa
and Minnesota for two years. Returning to Bloomington, he
learned the blacksmith's trade with Seaward & Sons. In the
spring of 1861, he enlisted in Company H, Eighteenth Indiana
Volunteers, under Capt. Charles, and served for about four and a
half years, taking part at Pea Ridge, Black Water, Cotton Plant,
Magnolia Hills (after which battle he was promoted to Second
Lieutenant), Champion Hills, Black River, siege of Vicksburg,
Jackson, Miss., Mustang Island, Tex., Ft. Esperanza, and then
came home on furlough. August 1, 1863, he was sent to the army
of Virginia, and took part in the battles of Richmond,
Winchester, Fisher Hill and Cedar Creek, after which he was
promoted to Captain. November, 1865, he receivd an honorable
discharge at Darien, Ga., and, returning to Bloomington,
followed his trade for a number of years. He then opened a meat
market, and one year later was appointed Deputy Sheriff, which
position he held until the fall of 1876, when he was elected
Sheriff, and two years later was re-elected by quite a large
majority. He then farmed until 1882, when he was elected County
Auditor, which position he at present occupies and fills with
great credit to himself and benefit to the county. Mr.
Alexander is a stanch Republican and a member of the Christian
Church, as is also his wife. He was married Septmber 19, 1868,
to Jennie Burch, a native of Monroe County, by whom there was
one child, which died December, 1880. His wife died one year
and three months after marriage, and he was next married to
Mrs. Jennie Hoover, daughter of Capt. John Sluss, of Monroe
County, on January 7, 1883. Mr. Alexander is a member of the K.
of P., Franklin Lodge, No. 22. He is highly esteemed by all who
know him, both as a citizen and as an official.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago:
F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 550
WILLIAM J. ALLEN, only son of John W. and Fannie J. (Clark)
Allen, was born September 8, 1836, in Putnam County, Ind. He
was reared on a farm in Perry Township, Monroe County, Ind.,
whither he came with his parents when but three months old. In
September, 1850, he entered the State University, and remained
until the death of his father, September 8, 1852. In April,
1853, he came to Bloomington with his mother, and entered the
employ of W. O. Fee, a dry goods merchant, with whom he
remained for nearly a year. March 13, 1854, he went to
California, where he mined until the spring of 1857, when he
returned to Bloomington. Removing thence to Iowa, he remained a
short time. In September, 1857, he was married to Harriet L.
Swearingen, daughter of Charles and Harriet Swearingen,
residents of Monroe County. They had three children--John C.,
Fannie C. and Joseph H. His wife died on November 8, 1865, and
in July following he was married to Eliza J. Allen, daughter of
Robert N. and Elizabeth Allen, of Greencastle, Ind. They have
six children--Robert N., Eliza L., Mary M., William D., Eva O.
and Arthur G. He farmed after his first marriage until the war
broke out in 1862, and then enlisted in Company A, Fifty-fourth
Indiana Light Artillery, serving for three years, taking part in
the battles at Atlanta, Jonesboro and Nashville, and on July 5,
1865, received an honorable discharge. Returning to
Bloomington, he was en-gaged in the stove and tinware business
with M. E. Benegar, afterward with Samuel Osborn, until 1870,
when he purchased the whole stock, and at present does a
lucrative business in stoves, tin and hardware, also
agricultural implements, and all kinds of build-ing material.
Mr. Allen is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, and
politically he is a Republican.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago:
F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 551
DR. A. J. AXTELL, one of the leading physicians in
Bloomington, Monroe Co., Ind., was born October 18, 1827, in
Washington County, Penn., where he was reared until nine years
of age. He then went to Knox County, Ohio, with his parents,
Thomas and Mary (Weir) Axtell, natives of Pennsylvania, entered
the Martinsburg College, attended two years, and afterward
taught school for some time. In 1847, he began to study
medicine with Drs. Connors & Welsh, in Noble County, Ohio,
continuing for three years. In 1850, he entered the regular
practice of his profession there, and four years later removed
to Greene County, Ind., remaining there for nearly twenty
years. In 1873, he came to Bloomington, where he has since been
successfully engaged. In August, 1863, he was elected Captain
of Company A, Ninety-seventh Indiana Volunteers, organized
in Terre Haute, and sent to Memphis, Tenn., where, on account of
ill health, he was compelled to resign. He has served two
years as Coroner of Monroe County. On November 7, 1850, he was
married to Susan M. Gilkerson, daughter of Thomas C. and Sarah
Gilkerson, of Noble County, Ohio. They have had nine children,
seven of whom are living--Charles J., William F., Mattie, Henry
O., Mary B., Harry A. and an infant. Dr. Axtell is Secretary of
a Masonic Lodge, is a Republican, and he and wife are members of
the Methodist Church.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago:
F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 551
HARVEY BAKER was born in Washington Township, Morgan Co.,
Ind., April 11, 1840. His parents, John C. and Elizabeth
(McDaniel) Baker, natives of Kentucky, were married in Morgan
County, and settled on a farm in Washington Township, where
they lived until 1843, when the mother died. The father then
married Mrs. Mckinney, and removed to a farm in Jefferson
Township, whence, in 1852, he went to Baker Township, where he
died in December, 1866. The subject of this sketch was the eld-
est son and child, and was reared in Morgan County, where he was
educated in the district schools. August 26, 1861, he enlisted
in Company H, Thirty-third Indiana Volunteers, under Capt. James
E. Burton, and served for more than two years. He took part in
the engagements at Wild Cat., Ky., and Cumberland Gap, and at
the battle of Thompson's Station, Tenn.; on March 5, 1863, was
wounded in the right leg; was captured and placed in prison in
Columbia, Tenn., from whence he escaped August 6, 1863, and on
account of disability he was mustered out of service September
11. On December 24, 1866, he was married to Martha Holler,
daughter of Jacob B. Lafaver, Methodist preacher. They had
three children, two of whom are living--Newton D. and Jacob O.
He engaged in farming in Baker Township until in 1872, when he
removed to a farm in Monroe County, remaining for seven years.
He then removed to Bloomington, and was appointed Tax Collector,
which position he filled for three years. In March, 1883, he
was appointed Deputy Sheriff, and is at present in the discharge
of his duties. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Paragon
Lodge, No. 406. He is a member of the Christian Church, his
wife of the Methodist Church. Politically, he is a Republican.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago:
F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 552
JOHN BLAIR, farmer, was born in Lincoln County, Tenn., on
July 15, 1819. James Blair, his father, was born in South
Carolina October 25, 1789, and on October 3, 1811, married Jane
(Neill) Smith, who was born in South Carolina in 1780. They came
to Monroe County, and here he farmed until his death, March 26,
1849. Mrs. Blair died April 5, 1854. They had six children.
John Blair's paternal grandfather was a soldier of the Rev-
volution. John was fairly educated, and since 1825 has resided
on the same farm. On October 28, 1843, Mr. Blair married Hannah,
daughter of Robert and Martha (Small) Fullerton. She was born
May 17, 1819. In 1837, her father died, and her mother in 1872.
They were of Irish lineage. Mr. Blair has six children--Martha
J. Owens), Euphemia (Crabb), James N., Emma (Strong), William
S. and Addie L. Mr. and Mrs. Blair belong to the United
Presbyterain Church, and are respected by all who know them.
Mr. Blair was at one time a Whig, but now votes with the
Republicans.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago:
F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 553
W. T. BLAIR, born May 1, 1855, in Bloomington, Monroe Co.,
Ind., is the third son and sixth child born to John and Hannah
(Fullerton) Blair, natives of Tennessee and Ireland respectively.
The parents came to Monroe County in May 1825, and located on a
farm in Bloomington Township, where they at present reside. The
sub-ject of this sketch obtained the rudiments of a good English
education in the district schools. In September, 1876, he
entered the State University at Bloomington, whence he graduated
in June, 1880. After he had completed his education, he en-tered
the employ of W. J. Allen, a hardware merchant, with whom he
remained for three years. On March 31, 1883, he purchased the
stock of boots and shoes owned by C. R. Perdue, and is at
present doing a lucrative business. He was married October 5,
1882, to Miss Julia A. Waldron, daughter of John and Ann Waldron,
old and respected pioneers of Monroe County. They have one
child, William J., born July 9, 1883. They are members of the
United Presbyterian Church. Politically, he is a Republican.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago:
F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 553
PETER BOLENBACHER, farmer, was born in Germany, May 4, 1814, and is the son of
Peter and Margaret (Fairrence) Bolenbacher, natives of Germany. They came to America
in 1832, located first in Maryland, and about 1850 came to Monroe County, where they
died, at the ages respectively of eighty-nine and seventy-eight years. Peter Bolenbacher
came to Maryland with his parents, and there learned the trade of stonemason and brick-
layer, which business he followed for a number of years in that State, and resumed it
again after he came to Monroe County. After some years, he was obliged to retire from
active business. He then settled on eighty acres of land, which he purchased near Bloom-
ington. He is a member of the Christian Church, a member of the Masonic fraternity,
and liberal in politics. Mr. Bolenbacher is strictly temperate in all his habits. In 1855, he
married Rebecca Whisnand, who was born in 1815, and is a member of the Methodist
Church.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago:
F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 553
GEORGE BOLLENBACHER was born in Bavaria, Germany, June 17, 1825. He is the
third son in a family of six children born to Peter and Margaret (Fairrence) Bollenbacher.
In 1832, he came with his parents to America, and located in Maryland. In the public
schools of his native village, and the schools of his neighborhood in Maryland, he obtained
the rudiments of a good English education. When thirteen years of age, he began learning
shoe-making with J. B. Sherer, in Fredericktown, Md., and remained with him seven
years. In April, 1846, he came to Bloomington, Ind., and soon after opened a shoe shop.
In 1859, he built a tannery, which at that time was one of the most extensive business
interests in Bloomington. In 1874, he quit shoe-making, and purchased a one-third in-
terest with J. H. Ryors and George P. Bollenbacher in their spoke factory. In 1881,
J. H. Ryors sold his interest to them, and the business is in a flourishing condition under
the firm name of Bollenbacher & Sons, manufacturers of wagon and carriage spokes
and dealers in hardwood lumber. They have branch factories at Gosport and Guthrie,
Ind., and employ about eighty men. They have a capital of about $60,000 invested, and
their factories have a capacity of about 13,000 spokes per day. Mr. B is also the pro-
prietor of a large shoe store in Bloomington. In 1848, he was married to Margaret
Shawver, daughter of Christopher Shawver, one of the earliest settlers in Monroe
County. The issue of this marriage has been thirteen children, twelve yet living--Lizzie,
George W., Mary, Kate, Julia, Martin C., William P., Caroline, Sallie, Samuel N., Ja-
cob I. and Fannie. He is a member of the Bloomington Lodge, A., F. & A. M., and of
the Lutheran Church. Politically, he is a Democrat.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago:
F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 554
JOHN E. BORLAND was born in Perry Township, Monroe Co., Ind., on August 7,
1834. His parents, Edward and Margaret (Caldwell) Borland, natives of Washington
County, Penn., immigrated to Indiana in 1819, and settled in Bloomington, where the
father followed the carpenter's trade for about five years, and then entered a farm of
320 acres in Perry Township. February 8, 1865, he died. The mother's death occurred
in August, 1877. The subject of this sektch was the third son and sixth child in a family
of ten children, and was reared in his native county, where he received a good education.
When eighteen years of age, he entered the State University, at Bloomington, remaining
a portion of each of four years. In 1856, he began farming for himself in Perry Township,
and by perseverance and industry has secured a competence. September 4, 1872, he
married Emma L. McClellan, daughter of Alexander McClellan, an early settler, and a
prominent citizen of Bloomington. His wife is an active worker in the Presbyterian Chur-
ch. He was for two years Trustee of Perry Township, and for six years Road Supervisor
of Perry Township.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago:
F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 554
S. WALTER BRADFUTE is second son in family, and was born May 18, 1862, near
Xenia, Greene Co., Ohio, where he lived until twelve years of age, and was there edu-
cated. His parents were John and Maggie J. (Collins) Bradfute, the former dying in 1864.
When fourteen years of age, he started the Bloomington Telephone, in partnership with
Frank G. Arnott, and six months later purchased his partner's half interest, and has con-
tinued to run it up to the present writing, having enlarged from the size of note paper to
that of six-column quarto. He attended the high school in Bloomington, as far as Senior
class, the last four years of which time he was conducting his paper. Since fifteen years of
age, he has corresponded for the Cincinnati Commercial-Gazette, and is at present also
representing the Indianapolis Journal, St. Louis Democrat, Chicago Tribune, the Inter
Ocean, Indianapolis Times and the Louisville Commercial, in Monroe County. He is a
member of the United Presbyterian Church, and is corresponding member of the Phi Delta
Theta. Politically, he is a Republican. He was married November 1, 1883, to Flora
Wallingford, daughter of Samuel Wallingford.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago:
F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 554
REV. JEFFERSON E. BRANT was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, February 27,
1837, and is the second child born to Seth and Rachel (Jackson) Brant, natives of West
Virginia. In 1853, he came to Owen County, Ind., and for two years afterward assisted
his father to clear the wilderness. He then earned enough money to enter Asbury Uni-
versity, at Greencastle, whence he graduated in 1860, having two years previoulsly
preached his first sermon. In 1860, he was appointed by the Indiana Conference to a
mission in Clay County, for one year, afterward serving for about ten months near Terre
Haute. In August, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Eighty-fifth Indiana Volunteers, and
was commissioned Captain one year later. He took part in several important encounters,
among which were Resaca, Kingston, Marietta, Dallas Woods, etc., and was in command
of the regiment when Atlanta was captured. On September 1, 1864, he was, for merit-
orious conduct, promoted to Major, afterward participating in the engagements at Bentonville,
Goldsboro and Averysboro, and at Savannah was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel,
January 1, 1865. Five months later, he was mustered out of service, immediately re-
entering the conference and ministry. He has been actively engaged since, and at present
has in charge the Methodist Episcopal Church at Bloomington, where he has been located
since September, 1882. On August 8, 1858, he was married to Mary A. McAllister,
daughter of Dr. MaAllister, of Owen County. By this union there are nine children, four
of whom are living--Anna, Emma, Claude and Arthur. Rev. J. E. Brant is a member of
the A., F. & A. M., the I. O. O. F. and of the G. A. R. Politically, he is a Republican.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago:
F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 555
DR. G. W. BRYAN, second son of John and Mary (McCormick) Bryan, was born
October 1, 1825, in Beaver County, Penn., where he lived until
fifteen years of age. His educational facilities were very
poor, but by per- severance and studiousness he acquired a good
English education. He commenced the tailor's trade with a half-
brother, who died two years later. He then went to Clinton,
Allegheny County, and completed the trade with George T. Hice,
remaining three years. He then worked as journeyman for about
one year in Pennsylvania and Ohio; then came to Indiana, and
opened a shop in Carroll County, continuing about two years.
Returning to Beaver County, Penn., he attended an academy at
Hookstown for about three years; then taught school and studied
medi- cine with Dr. R. A. Moon, for two years. In 1850 and
1851, he attended a course of lectures, at Cleveland, in the
Western Reserve Medical College, and entered the regular
practice in Fayett, Allegheny Co., Penn., where he remained for
two years, at which he took a second course of lectures at
Cleveland, Ohio, in 1853 and 1854; then went to Knox- ville,
Jefferson Co., Ohio, and formed a partnership with Dr.
Hamilton, in the regular practice, continuing with him for one
year. Coming thence to Bloomington in 1855, he entered practice
here, and is at present doing a good business, and is considered
one of her best prac- titioners. In December, 1862, he was
appointed Assistant Surgeon of the Sixty-seventh Indiana
Volunteers, which position he was compelled to resign on account
of ill health. On October 15, 1849, he was married to Miss
Alice Calhoun, daughter of Joseph Calhoun, of Beaver County,
Penn. They have had seven children, three of whom are living--
Florence, Mary and Minnie. Dr. Bryan is a member of the United
Presbyterian Church, and he is politically a Republican.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago:
F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 557
H. C. DUNCAN was born January 16, 1845, in Lawrence County,
Ind. His parents, William and Mary (Malott) Duncan, were
natives of Jefferson County, Ky., where they were married in
1824, and two years later moved to Lawrence County, Ind., where
the father died March 1, 1875; the mother still resides in
Lawrence County. The subject of this sketch is the youngest of
eight children, and was reared in his native county, where he
obtained the rudiments of a good English education. January 1,
1864, he entered the State University, and after remaining for
about three months he enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-
sixth Indiana Volunteers, under Col. John W. Foster, and was
mustered out about October 1, 1864. He re-entered college,
whence he graduated in June, 1868. He then began reading law
with Moses F. Dunn, of Bedford. In 1869, he was appointed
Enrolling Clerk in the Indiana Legislature. In 1872, he formed
a partnership with Mr. Dunn in the regular practice of law. Two
years later, he came to Bloomington, and went into partnership
with John W. Buskirk. In 1880, he was elected Prosecuting
Attorney for the district comprising Monroe, Lawrence, Orange
and Martin Counties. He served for two years. In December,
1872, he was married to Sadie Cummings, daughter of Dr.
Cummings, of Bloomington. They had three children, two of whom
are living--Frank and Mary A. Mr. Duncan is politically a
Republican. He is a Mason and a member of the Christian Church.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago:
F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 557
J. CLINTON CARTER (deceased) was born in Monroe County,
Ind., February 14, 1834. He was fifth son of Thomas and Fannie
(Carter) Carter. He was reared in his native county, where he
was educated in the district schools, afterward attending the
State University in Bloomington for some time. He then began
farming in Perry Township, near his home, on eighty acres,
which, by industry, hard labor and energy, he increased to 160
acres. He was a great sheep and general stock raiser, and
during the last years of his life traded considerably in stock,
beside attend- ing to other business affairs. He was married on
February 9, 1860, to Miss Lou Cron, daughter of Isiah and
Lucretia Cron, respected citizens of Bloomington. To crown the
happiness of his wedded life, three children were born to him.
He was a prominent and highly-respected citizen of his
township, and was honored by being made the Trustee of the same,
holding with great credit this office for several years, and
although not identified with any religious denomination, his
life was full of the true spirit of Christianity. In his own
household, not even the healing influences of time avail to
assuage the pain of separation in the heart of the devoted wife
and loving children, of whom but one is now living--Oliver C.
He was identified with the Republican party, and was as greatly
missed from among the ranks of that party as in the coumjunity
in which he lived. His death occurred June 22, 1866, at his
residence.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago:
F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 558
ISAAC CLAMAN was born in Richland Township, Monroe Co.,
Ind., March 31, 1842. His parents, William and Rebecca
(Whisnand) Claman, natives of West Virginia, came to Indiana in
1837 and 1829 respectively, were married in Bloomington
Township, and settled on a farm in Richland Township, where they
remained until the father's death. The mother still resides in
Monroe County. Isaac is the second son and third child in a
family of seven children, and was reared in Richland Town- ship,
where he obtained a good education in the district schools. When
twenty years of age, he entered the State University at
Bloomington, remaining for two years. After this for some time,
he farmed during the summer, and taught school in the winter.
He afterward gave up school teaching, and farmed exclusively
until August, 1883, when he came to Bloomington. In October,
1882, he was elected Treasurer of Monroe on the Republican
ticket, and has since been engaged in the duties of his office.
On June 1, 1869, he was married to Rosetta C. Franklin, dau-
ghter of Isaac Franklin, a citizen of Missouri. By this union,
there are four children--Eugene B., William R., Jennie B. and
Harvy E. Mr. Claman was Assessor of Richland Township for about
six years, and he and wife are identified with the Christian
Church, and are among its most active workers.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago:
F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 558
J. B. CLARK eldest son of Richard and Martha (Neal) Clark,
natives of Kentucky, was born June 26, 1840, in Salem, Ind.,
where he was reared. He was educated in the graded schools of
Salem, and, when nineteen years of age, entered the employ of
James H. Neal & Co., general merchandise merchants of that
place, remaining with them for two years and a half. He was
next engaged for a short time in Washington, Ind., in the photo-
graph business. Removing thence to Bedford, he continued in the
same business until August 4, 1862, when he enlisted in Company
B, Sixty-sixth Indiana Volunteers, under Capt. J. N. Rodman. He
served for nearly three years, and took part in the following
engagements: Rich- mond, Big Shanty, Tunnel Hill, siege of
Atlanta and Jonesboro, and went clear through with Sherman to
the sea. In July, 1865, he received an honorable discharge and
came to Bloomington, immediately entering the grocery business,
in which he continued for three years quite success- fully. He
then formed a partnership with John C. Orchard, and continued in
the business for five years. In December, 1875, he became
partner of W. W. Wicks, in the dry goods business, and three
years later purchased the whole stock, which he carried alone
for about eighteen months. He then sold out, and went to
farming for two or three years near Bloom- ington. On March 12,
1883, he purchased a stock of groceries, and at present is doing
a lucrative business. He was married, July 7, 1861, to Eliza
Stuart, daughter of William Stuart. They have six children-
William, Laura, Minnie, Lida, Josephine and George. Mr. Clark
is a member of the I. O. O. F. and of the A., F. & A. M.; he
and wife are members of the Methodist Church, and politically he
is a Democrat.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago:
F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 559
RUFUS COATNEY was born August 20, 1827, in Bloomington
Township, Monroe County, Ind. He is a third son and fourth
child of Finney and Mahala (Rogers) Coatney, and was reared in
Monroe County, where he obtained a good education in the
district schools. When sixteen years of age, he began farming
in Salt Creek Township, on a farm of forty acres, which he
entered from the Government, and sold, purchasing a farm of
eighty acres, which he lived on for one year. On September 1,
1849, he was married to Mary J. Smith, daughter of Samuel and
Martha Smith, respected pioneers of Monroe County. By this
union there were two children, one of which is living--Sarah
Ellen, wife of C. H. Showers, of Bloomington. After his
marriage, he continued farming on his eighty acre farm, for four
years, after which he sold it and rented for one year. He then
purchased a farm in Perry Township, Monroe County, to which he
added 220 acres, and at present owns 300 acres of fine farm
land, highly culti- vated. He also owns considerable town
property, having lived in Bloom- ington for three years, and is
at present a prominent citizen of that place. He served one
year as Supervisor of Perry Township. He is a member of the
Christian Church, and politically he is a Republican.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago:
F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 559
JOHN H. COLE, a native of Kentucky, was born in Bourbon
County September 24, 1860. He is the second child and only son
born to Moses and Sarah E. (Neal) Cole, and was reared in Van
Buren Township, Monroe County, Ind., where he obtained the
rudiments of a good English education in the district schools.
When sixteen years of age, he began farming in Van Buren
Township, and two years later, his uncle left him a beautiful
and well-improved farm of 615 acres, where he continued to live
until Jan- uary 1, 1884, when he came to Bloomington. He here
formed a partnership in the livery business with John F. May,
which business is now in a flourishing condition, under the firm
name of May & Cole. He still has the management of his farm,
which he has in a state of excellent culti-vation. He is quite
a stock-trader, and is successful in all business undertakings.
Politically, he is a Democrat, and an influential member of that
party. He is ever ready to assist in any public enterprise, and
is highly esteemed.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago:
F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 559
CHARLES G. CORR was born in Bloomington Township, Monroe
County, Ind., October 25, 1822. His parents, Hugh and Jane
(Goodwin) Corr, natives of Ireland, came to Monroe County in
1820, and settled on a farm in Bloom- ington Township, removing
then to Washington Township. They lived there until the
father's death, which occurred July 16, 1830. The mother at
present resides with the subject in Bloomington, at the advanced
age of ninety-three years. Charles Corr is sixth in a family of
ten children, and was reared in Washington Township, Monroe
County, where he was edu- cated, and after his father's death
attended to the farm until June, 1847, when he enlisted in
Company G, Fourth Indiana Volunteers, in the Mexican war,
serving for one year. He took part in the engagements at
Guamantli and Lisco. On July 3, 1848, he received an honorable
dis- charge, and returned home. In 1850, he began to teach
school, and con- tinued for some time; then began farming on
the old home farm in Washington Township. In 1878, he removed
to Bloomington, to educate his children. He owns 720 acres of
fine land, and oversees his farm, while residing in town. On
February 14, 1852, he was married to Mary J. Canine, a daughter
of Cornelius Canine, a citizen of Crawfordsville, Ind. They
have nine children--Isaac, Edwin, Henry W., an infant, John C.,
Cornelius, Ella, Mary and Lillie M. Mr. Corr is a member of the
Christian Church, and politically is a Democrat.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago:
F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 560
DR. J. F. DODDS, second son and child in a family of eleven
children, born November 1, 1807, was reared in Lincoln Co., KY.
His parents, Samuel and Rachel (Rheinhart) Dodds, natives of
Virginia and Kentucky respectively, came to Bloomington, Monroe
County, Ind., in 1819, where our subject was educated in the
district schools. When twenty years of age, he entered the
State University there, from which he graduated in 1834. He
taught for several years in the University, and for one year in
Cumberland College, Kentucky. In 1839, he began reading med-
icine, and soon after entered the Louisville Medical College.
August, 1840, he entered into a partnership with Dr. Mitchell,
and began the regular practice in Corydon, Ind., where he
remained for five years, constantly busy, in a lucrative
practice. He has been an Elder in the Prsbyterian Church for
several years. From 1862 to 1882, he was Exam- ining Surgeon in
the Pension Department. On December 12, 1838, he was married to
Mary A. Wiley, a daughter of Dr. Samuel Wiley, first Presi- dent
of the State University. They have eight children. Politically,
he is a Republican. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian
Church.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago:
F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 560
CLELLAND F. DODDS was born September 27, 1826, in Monroe
County, Ind. His parents, Samuel and Rachel (Rheinhart) Dodds,
natives of Kentucky, came to Monroe County in 1819, and lived on
the old homestead one mile south of Bloomington, where the
father died in September, 1834. The mother died in November,
1851. The subject of this sketch is the sixth son and youngest
child in family. He was reared at home, where he received a
good common school education. When twenty-one years of age, he
removed to Bloomington, and formed a partnership with A. Helton
in the dry goods business, continuing about two years. In 1857,
he began farming on the old farm, where he remained for ten
years. In 1869, he opened an insurance and real estate office
in connection with farming implements. He is still in the
insurance business for the Hartford Fire Insurance Company, and
also the Phoenix of Brooklyn. In 1865, he was elected County
Commissioner, serving for three years. He served for two years
as Trustee of Perry Township. On March 20, 1878, he was elected
Mayor, to fill the unexpired term of C. W. Henderson (first
Mayor of Bloomington), and re-elected in 1879, also in 1881, and
again in 1883, which office he at present holds, faithful in the
discharge of its duties. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. He
was married July 31,1851, to Mary E. Orchard, of Monore County.
They have twelve children--Mary C., Samuel C., Henry A., Ella
B., Andrew J., William J., Claudius M., Cora L., Cornelius F.,
Carrie C., Mattie M. and Flora. Politically, he is a
Republican, and he and wife are members of the Presbyterian
Church.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago:
F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 560
S. C. DODDS was born January 28, 1854, in Bloomington,
Monroe Co., Ind. His parents are Clelland and Mary E. (Orchard)
Dodds, also natives of Indiana. He was reared in Bloomington,
was educated in the State University, graduated in June, 1875,
and then entered the employ of Newell Sanders, a book dealer,
with whom he remained for one year. On December 4, 1876, he
purchaed the stock of books and ran it for near-ly four years.
He was in the lumber business for one year, and then formed a
partnership with Showers Bros. and Henry Henley, in the
manufacture of chairs, under the firm name of Showers, Dodds &
Co., on October 27, 1881, and one year later Capt. Henry Henley
sold out, and they continued as Showers & Dodds until March
15,1883, when one-third interest was purchased by J. B.
Waldron. The firm name now is Dodds, Waldron & Co. The weekly
manufacture of chairs averages sixty-five dozen, and of center
tables (which addition was made on September 1, 1883) is 1,000.
They have in their employ sixty-five persons, their pay-roll
being from $250 to $300 per week. Mr. Dodds was married, on
October 17, 1878, to Miss Nellie Winters, daughter of George
Winters, a respected citizen of Columbia, Ky. He is a member of
the Presbyterian Church, and is politically a Republican, a good
citizen, and highly respected in his community.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago:
F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 561
J. C. DOLAN one of the most energetic business men of
Bloomington, was born near Montreal, Canada, December 8, 1845.
He was the third son in a family of five children born to John
and Mary (Ryan) Dolan. He was reared in Canada until about five
years of age, when his parents removed to Indiana and located on
a farm in Miami County. In the district schools of that county
our subject began his education, and in the fall of 1867 he
entered upon a commercial course in the college of Notre Dame,
completing it in the spring of 1869. In 1870, he went to Atchi-
son, Kan., remaining there two years as clerk in a wholesale
grocery house. Returning thence to Crawfordsville, Ind., he
engaged in the lumber and stave business, continuing till 1876,
at which time he em- barked in the stave and tie business in
Blomington. In October, 1883, he was appointed manager for the
American Hoop Dressing Company's factory, located at
Bloomington, which employs fifty-five men, and has a capactiy of
15,000 hoops per day. Mr. D. is a firm Catholic, and
politically is a Democrat.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago:
F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 561
HON. JOHN R. EAST was born May 17, 1845, in Indian Creek
Township, Monroe Co., Ind. He is the third son and fourth child
of William and Eveline (Wall) East. His father came to Monroe
County in 1828, and settled in Indian Creek Township. The
subject of this sketch received the rudiments of a common
English education there, and began teaching school when
seventeen years of age. In February, 1864, he enlisted in
Company I, Fifty-ninth Indiana Volunteers, under Capt. Graves,
serving for one year and a half. He took part in the battles at
Altoona and Sheppard's Landing, and marched with Sherman to the
sea. On July 17, 1865, he received an honorable discharge,
having been promoted to the position of Sergeant of his
company. He then returned to his home and to teaching. In
March, 1869, he came to Bloomington, entered the law office of
Judge S. H. Buskirk, and continued until the following fall,
when he entered the Law Department of the State Univeristy, from
which he graduated in February, 1870. He then formed a
partnership with James H. ROGERS (deceased) in the regular
practice, continuing for about nine months, when he assumed the
duties of County Clerk, to which office he had been elected in
the October before. This office he filled suc- cessfully for
four years, and then resumed the practice of law, and had for
his different partners Hon. C. W. Henderson (deceased) and Col.
W. C. L. Taylor, now of La Fayette. In October, 1878, he was
appointed Prosecuting Attorney of the Tenth Judicial District,
and served one year, remaining in the practice alone until 1882,
when he formed a partnership with his brother, William H. East,
and the firm name is East & East. On March 22, 1866, he was
married to Miss Matilda J. Binkley, daughter of Christian and
Rosanna Binkley, respected residents of Monroe County. They
have had six children--George J. (deceased), Rufus H., Mattie
A., William C., John R. (deceased) and Eva I. Mr. East is a
member of the K. of P. and of the G. A. R. He has passed all
the chairs in the I. O. O. F. He is a member of the Methodist
Church, and poli- tically is a Democrat.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago:
F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 562
WILLIAM H. EAST, a native of Monroe County, Ind., was born
June 12, 1852, in Indian Creek Township. His parents, William
and Eveline (Wall) East, natives of North Carolina and
Tennessee. Our subject is the youngest son and child in a
family of seven children, and was reared on the old home farm in
Indian Creek Township. He received a good edu- cation, and at
the age of eighteen he entered the printing office of Thomas
Purcell, and after staying with him for a year he found the
occupation distasteful, and he then commenced teaching school.
He followed this until 1874, when he became Deputy County Clerk,
in which position he served until the expiration of one term in
office. He then began teaching school in the winter and reading
law in the summer, for three years. For the next two years, he
farmed, two miles east of Bloomington. He then taught school
for a year, when he formed a par- tnership with his brother, J.
R. East, in the practice of law, and at present they are doing a
thriving business, under the firm name of East & East. In 1877,
he married Mary A. Conder, a daughter of E. W. Conder, a citizen
of Indian Creek Township. They have two children--Ida M. and
William E. Mr. East is a member of the K. of P., and also of
the Metho- dist Episcopal Church.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago:
F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 562
J. S. FARIS, third son and eighth child of James and Margaret (McDill)
Faris, natives of South Carolina, was born February 11, 1826, in Preble
County, Ohio. His parents moved to Ohio in 1806, where they resided
until 1838, when they came to Indiana, locating on a farm in Monroe
County, near Bloomington. The father died June 17, 1852; the mother,
November 8, 1838. The subject of this sketch was reared and educated
in Monroe County; entered the State University when eighteen years of
age; remained for a year and a half, and then, on account of ill
health, retired from study for awhile. He went again in 1849 and 1850;
afterward took charge of the old home farm for some time, and then came
to Bloomington. He formed a partnership with Mr. Mason in the drug
business, continued for one year, and then was in business for himself
until 1862. He was then prescription clerk in Bloomington for four
years, and was in partnership with J. W. Shoemaker for a number of
years; finally, in September, 1883, he opened a drug store under the
firm name of Faris & Co., which he is now running with great success.
On October 6, 1853, he was married to Eliza J. Hartin, daughter of
Patrick and Nancy Hartin, respected residents of Gibson County, Ind.
By this union there wre nine children, eight of whom are living--
Lottie E., Lillian, Albert V., Eugene M., Ida L., Minnie A., Melville
and Elmer. Mr. Faris is a Republican, and he and wife are members of
the Reformed Presbyterian Church.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago:
F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 562
JAMES B. FARIS, farmer, was born in Monroe County, Ind., on June 5,
1828. He has been a resident of the county all his life, occupying
the farm on which his father settled in 1827. He has been twice
married. His first wife was Sarah Irvin, to whom he was married on
September 11, 1855. She was a daugther of Charles and Sarah (Smith)
Irvin, was born on February 8, 1834, and died on July 9, 1875. Three
children were born to them, viz.: James E., Charles C. and Edward
C. On December 13, 1877, he married Mary C. McCaughan, daughter of
Charles and Nancy (Faris) McCaughan. She was born October 16, 1847.
They have one child living--Earnest. Mr. Faris is one of the sub-
stantial citizens of Monroe County, contributes liberally to charitable
movements, and is a member of the Reformed Presbyterian Church. Rev.
James Faris, first pastor of the the Bethesda Reformed Presbyterian
Church of Bloomington, and father of our subject, was born in South
Carolina in May, 1791, receiving his early education at Columbia (S.
C.) College. At the age of sixteen he joined the church, and began
teaching school; also commenced to prepare for the ministry. Having
accumulated $2,000 within a few years, he came to Bloomington, Ind.,
and purchased 160 acres of unimproved land, which he eventually
improved. In 1827, he was ordained in an old frame church, the first
church of the Covenanters in Illiniois, he having gone there on horse-
back, accompanied by his wife. After a long and useful life, he died
on May 20, 1855. On April 29, 1823, he married Nancy Smith, born in
South Carolina November 2, 1800. She died August 20, 1881. To them
were born ten children, eight of whom are now living, four of them
being ministers of the Gospel, located in different States.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago:
F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 563
E. H. FEE was born in Bloomington Township, Monroe County, Ind., June
18, 1832, and is the youngest of the children of William and Elizabeth
(Orr) Fee. The former was born in Ireland March 3, 1785, and was a son
of Robert Fee, whose family came to South Carolina in 1790, and in 1830
to this county. Robert died in 1841, aged ninety-one years. William
was married, January 2, 1810, to Elizabeth F. Orr, born March 19, 1790;
she died October 24, 1881, and her husband January 24, 1876. They were
both in the communion of the Presbyterian Church, and highly esteemed.
When the Fee family came to Monroe County, they settled on the Graham
farm, which was entered in 1817 by Mr. Graham, and which is timbered
and well watered. E. H. Fee, our subject, has lived in the house in
which he was born all his life. His brother, James P., who was born
March 12, 1829, is now residing with him on the old home farm. During
the years from 1854 to 1876, he was mining in California. The second
steam saw-mill, built in 1835 on the Fee farm, was erected by a Mr.
Sleeper, and owned by William Fee and William Millen. In 1843, they
added a grist mill to the saw mill, and operated it until 1851. Mr.
Fee is a Republican, and a member of the Presbyterian Church.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographi-
cal. Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers,
1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 563
HENRY J. FELTUS was born August 13, 1845, in New York City. He is
the youngest of four sons born to Lambert and Sarah (Colton) Feltus,
and was reared in New York until about nine years of age, when he was
sent to his father, who was then in Cincinnati, Ohio, where in the
public schools he was educated. In January, 1864, he enlisted in Com-
pany C, Thirteenth Indiana Cavalry, under Capt. Stricker. He served
for three years, and took part in the engagements at Mobile, Nashville
and Franklin, Tenn., and also in the "Grierson raid" through the South,
being eighty-two days in the saddle, and in the capture of Montgomery,
Ala., during the most of which time he acted as Sergeant Major. After
the battle at Montgomery, he was commissioned Adjutant, and on November
18, 1865, he received an honorable discharge. He went to Madison, Ind.,
purchased a drug store, and remained there for three years, removing
thence to Terre Haute. After a short time he went to Greencastle, where
he started a weekly newspaper, the Greencastle Star, which he conducted
successfully until 1875, when he sold out and came to Bloomington, where
in October, he started the Bloomington Courier, which at present is the
only Democratic paper in Monroe County, and is in a flourishing condi-
tion. In 1880, Mr. Feltus was elected Councilman of the Third Ward, and
was the first Democrat ever elected to the Council in Bloomington. He
is, and has been for three terms, a member of the Monroe County Democra-
tic Central Committee. In 1879, he was commissioned, by the Governor,
as Captain of the "Monroe Guards," Indiana State Militia. On Feburary
14, 1873, he was united in marriage to Miss Ella Baird, daughter of A.
A. Baird, a citizen of Terre Haute, Ind. By this union there are four
children. Mr. Feltus is Sachem of the I. O. R. M., Adjutant of the G.
A. R. and is an active member of the Episcopal Church. He takes an
active though unselfish interest in all political affairs, laboring
earnestly for the success of his party, and has the confidence and
esteem of all with whom he has been associated.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographi-
cal. Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers,
1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 564
ROBERT C. FOSTER was born August 8, 1831, in Philadelphia, Penn.
He is the eldest in a family of five children born to Nathaniel C.
and Sarah C. (Cavanaugh) Foster, natives of New Jersey. Robert was
reared by his uncle, in Monroe County. He had received a common
English education in the public schools of Philadelphia, and on
coming to Indiana, entered the State University at Bloomington,
Monroe County, in 1844, where he graduated six years later. In the
fall of 1850, he went to Philadelphia, and studied law for two years;
then returned to Indiana, where he was at once elected Deputy Auditor
under William Tarkington, and served until October, 1855, when he
was elected Auditor of Monroe County; in 1859, he was re-elected.
In 1863, he went into the dry goods business, remaining for three
years, and was then elected County Clerk. After serving for four
years, he practiced law for some time. He was elected Cashier of
Bloomington First National Bank shortly after its organization, and
served until the spring of 1880, since which time he has continued in
the practice of his profession. In April, 1883, he was appointed
Deputy Auditor and is at present in the discharge of his duties.
He served as Secretary of the Indiana State University for twenty-
five years. In 1866, he was elected to the Legislature from Monroe
County, and served for one year. He was City School Trustee for
about eight years. Mr. Foster is highly respected as a citizen.
He is an eminent practitioner, and efficient as an officer a man
of true worth and merit. He was married, in 1855, to Agnes E. Mc-
Calla, daughter of Samuel McCalla, a pioneer of Monroe County. He
and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and politically
he is a Republican.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago:
F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 564
HARMON H. FRIEDLEY is the second son and fourth child in a family
of twelve children born to Jacob and Lydia A. (Evans) Friedley. He
was born September 18, 1850, in Harrison County, Ind., and was reared
and educated there. When eighteen years of age, he began teaching
school in Floyd County, continuing for seven years in various places
in Indiana. In 1869, he entered the Central Academy at Muncie, Ind.,
remaining two years, and in 1872 he entered the State University at
Bloomington, Ind., continuing for three years. He then purchased the
Lawrence Gazette at Bedford, which he ran more than a year, increasing
its ciruclation from 250 to 1,000 subscribers. In Bedford he also
entered the law office of the Hon. George W. Friedley, as a student.
In March, 1879, he came back to Bloomington and became junior partner
in the law firm of Friedley, Pearson & Friedley. He is at present
in regular practice and is very successful. He has been Local Attor-
ney for the L., N. A. & C. R. R. since his return to Bloomington, and
in May, 1881, was elected City Attorney, and re-elected in 1883.
He is attorney of the Building Association, also for the Citizen's
Loan Fund & Saving Association of Bloomington. He was married, June
22, 1881, to Sibyl Hinds, daughter of Jesse and Joanna Hinds, prom-
inent citizens of Bloomington. Mr. Friedley is a member of the I.
O. O. F., and member of Chapter and Council of the A., F. & A. M.
He is an active member of the Methodist Church, and is politically
a Republican.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago:
F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 565
RICHARD A. FULK, fourth son and sixth child of Adam and Elizabeth
(Carmichael) Fulk, natives of North Carolina, was born August 11,
1831, in Indian Creek Township, Monroe County, Ind. His parents
were married in 1819, and lived in North Carolina until 1828. They
then came to Indian Creek Township, remaining until 1832. They then
went to Greene County and settled on a farm in Center Township,
where the mother died in 1834. The father then remained there until
1847, and afterward removed to Jasper County, Mo., locating on a
farm, where he died in September, 1851. The subject of this sketch
was reared in Greene and Monroe Counties until 1847, when he went
with his father to Missouri. By his own persistent efforts and a
little assistance in the subscription schools, he obtained the rudi-
ments of a good English education. In 1850, he returned to Monroe
County and farmed in Indian Creek Township for two years. He then
began learning the carpenter's trade in Harrodsburg, and followed it
until 1870, when he was elected Sheriff of Monroe County and served
for two years. At the expiration of his term of office, he entered the
Law Department of the State University at Bloomington, whence he grad-
uated in March, 1873, and at once entered the regualr practice of his
profession. In 1879, he went into office as Auditor of Monroe County,
and served for four years. He then re-entered the regualar practice
of law, and is at present so engaged. In 1868, he was elected Real
Estate Appraiser, and served for two years. He also served as Justice
of the Peace for some time. On January 23, 1855, he was married to
Mary Helton, a daughter of John Helton, a pioneer of Lawrence County,
Ind. They had six children, three of whom are living--Homer L., Lulie
B. and William L. Mr. Fulk is a member of the I. O. O. F., Cecelia
Lodge, No. 166, and of the K. of H. He is also a member of the
Christian Church. Politically, he is a Democrat and a prominent
member of that party.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographi-
cal. Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers,
1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 565
WILLIAM A. GABE, editor and publisher of the Republican Progress at
Bloomington, was born in Bedford, Penn., January 3, 1835, and the
following year was taken by his parents to Ohio, where he was
educated. His journalistic life began with the publication of the
Bedford (Ind.) Independent, which he managed for two years. May 7,
1867, he issued the first number of the Republican Progress, having
purchased the office of the Bloomington Republican from Whitaker
& Walker. During the seventeen years of the existence of the
Progress, it has been steadily growing in circulation and influen-
ce, and is now one of the best newspapers in Southern Indiana.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago:
F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 566
ROBERT GILMORE was born January 7, 1840, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and
is the eldest child of James and Elicia (McLain) Gilmore, natives
of Ireland. His parents were married in Cincinnati in 1839, where,
for twenty-one years, the father followed weaving as a trade.
Removing to Monroe County, Ind., he farmed until his death, which
occurred in September, 1879. His widow at present resides in
Bloomington. The subject of this sketch was reared and educated
in his native place. When eighteen years of age, he began learn-
ing the blacksmith's trade with William Taylor, and remained with
him for about four years. In September, 1862, he enlisted in Bard's
cavalry, and after three months' service, he began working at his
trade, by order of Legislature. In 1867, he came to Monroe County
and farmed for some time in Salt Creek Township, afterward removing
to Bloomington, where he purchased a blacksmith shop, which he ran
for two years. In 1878, he was elected as county Recorder on the
Democratic ticket, which office he creditably filled for four years.
He then opened an insurance office, which he is now engaged in, and
also in the real estate business. In 1870, he was married to Jean-
nette A. Ramsey, a daughter of James Ramsay, a citizen of Kingston,
Ontario, Canada. Mr. Gilmore is Vice Dictator of the K. of H.,
Golden Star Lodge, No. 2066; also a member of the Methodist
Church. Politically, he is a Democrat.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago:
F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 566
JOHN GRAHAM was born November 22, 1844, in Bloomington, Monroe
Co., Ind. His parents, John and Isabella P. (Everett) Graham,
were born in Scotland and Tennessee respectively. They were
married at Kingsport, Tenn., in 1820, and six years later removed
to a farm in Perry Township, this county. Soon after the father
removed to Bloomington and followed his trade of carpenter until
in 1866. He at present resides there at the advanced age of eighty-
five years. Mrs. Isabella Graham died in 1874. The subject of this
sketch is the third son and sixth child, and was reared in Blooming-
ton, where he was educated in the private schools there. He then
entered the State University at Bloomington, whence he graduated
from the law department. In 1870, he was elected Librarian of the
Supreme Court at Indianapolis, and afer serving faithfully for two
years, he returned to Bloomington, where he soon after entered the
regular practice of his profession. In November, 1882, he was elected
Representative of the district comprising Monroe and Brown Counties.
He is now extensively engaged in real estate and in the insurance
business, and also engaged in the practice of his profession. Mr.
Graham is a member of the A., F. & A. M., and is highly respected
as a citizen.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago:
F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 566
ROBERT C. GREEVES, a native of Bloomington, Ind., was born January
26, 1842. He is the eldest son of John J. and Mahala (Carter) Greeves,
natives of Maryland and Virginia respectively. His parents were
married November 2, 1841, in Bloomington, and located there, the
father following the carpenter's trade until 1867. He then began
merchandising, which he continued until 1883. He at present resides
in Bloomington, sixty-seven years of age; the mother is sixty-five
years of age. The subject of this sketch was reared in Bloomington
until twenty-one years of age, when he went to Bloomfield, Ind., and
formed a partnership with C. P. Tuley in the dry goods business,
which they carried on successfully for two and a half years, at
which time he entered the office of Dr. J. G. McPheeters, of Bloom-
ington, and began the study of medicine. After remaining with him
for three years (during which time he took a course of lectures at
Ann Arbor, Mich.), he entered the Medical Department of the State
University of New York, from whence he graduated in March, 1871, re-
turning thence to Bloomington. On account of ill health he was
obliged to give up the practice of his profession, and soon after
he bought an interest in the grocery business with his father. He
continued in this business until Janaury, 1883, when he sold his
interest and was elected City Clerk. He is a member of the A., F.
& A. M., and also of the I. O. O. F. He was married, October 23,
1872, to Anna J. Eveleigh, daughter of Joseph Eveleigh, of Bloom-
field. They had one child--Edward E. (deceased). Mr. Greeves is a
member of the Methodist Church, and politically is a Republican.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago:
F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 567
JOHN L. GRIFFITH (deceased) was born in Shelby County, Ky., on
November 2, 1810, and was a son of John and Deborah (Lewis) Griffith.
John, the father, a native of Wales, came to Jackson County, Ind.,
in 1817, and in 1819 to Monroe County, where he built one of the
first combined grist and saw mills in the county, on what is known
as Griffith Creek. The lumber for the first frame building of Bloom-
ington was sawed at this mill. He was an honest and industrious
citizen, a friend to the poor, and a consistent member of the Baptist
Church. He died in 1865. Our subject came to Monroe County in 1819.
On March 7, 1833, he married Hetty K. Wampler, a native of Wythe
County, Va., and born July 18, 1811. Her father, Joseph Wampler, was
a native of Germany, born in 1774. His wife, Esther Kenser, was born
in 1783. They came to Monroe County in 1822, the father dying in
1846, the mother in 1833. In 1838, our subject moved to the farm of
320 acres, where his widow now resides. He improved this farm, and
lived on it until his death, which occurred in 1872. He was an in-
dustrious farmer, a kind and devoted father, and a loving husband.
His widow, who survives him, is a highly esteemed lady, and a useful
family physician in the locality where she lives. Twelve children
were born to them, viz.: Deborah L. (Gray), Esther (Cox), Melinda C.
(Cox, now deceased), Tillman H. (deceased), Mary E. (Gray), Theresa
A. (Cox), Lucinda J., Louis C., Lucretia E. (deceased), Margaret A.
(deceased) and two dying in infancy.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago:
F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAAGE 567
MAJ. SILAS GRIMES was born November 25,1839, in Clear Creek Township,
Monroe County, Ind., and is the youngest of thirteen children born to
James and Nancy (Woodward) Grimes. His parents were natives of Virginia
and Kentucky respectively; came to Indiana in 1815, and located in
Washington county, and in the following year removed to Monroe County.
His father entered a farm of 160 acres in Clear Creek Township, where
he lived until his death, which occurred November 23,1853. His mother
still resides in Bloomington, at the advanced age of eighty-nine years.
The subject of this sketch was reared in his native township, where he
received a good education, and in April, 1861, he enlisted in Company
K, Fourteenth Indiana Volunteers, under Capt. James Kelly, in the three
months' service. In August of the same year, he enlisted in Company G,
Thirty-first Indiana Infantry, under Capt. Henry L. McCalla, in the
three years' service. He took part in the following engagements: Fort
Donelson, Shiloh, the siege of Corinth, Perryville, Atlanta campaign,
Chickamauga, Murfreesboro, Resaca, Franklin and Nashville. In July,
1865, he was sent to Texas, and stationed at Victoria on post guard
duty, where he remained until January of the following year. He then
returned to Monroe County and engaged in farming on the homestead. In
1880, he was elected Sheriff of the county on the Republican ticket.
Two years later, he was re-elected, and is at present in the faithful
discharge of his duties. On March 12, 1868, he was married to Susan
Gaither, daughter of Perry Gaither, a citizen of Monroe County. They
had eight children, seven of whom are living--Marion L., Perry T.,
John M., Mary E., Nancy E., Irvin L. and Silas T. Mr. Grimes is a
member of the A., F. & A. M., and he and his wife are members of the
M. P. Church.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago:
F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 568
WILLIAM N. HALL, a native of Monroe County, Ind., was born March 20,
1853, four miles north of Bloomington. His parents, Bainbridge and
Elizabeth C. (Houston) Hall, natives of Monroe County, Ind., after
their marriage located on a farm in Richland Township, remaining
for thirty-four years. His mother died Janaury 29, 1875, and his
father at present resides in Bloomington. William is the second son
and child in a family of five children. He was reared and received
a good education in his native county. At the age of eighteen years,
he entered the graded schools in Ellettsville, where he remained for
about two years. In 1873, he was appointed Deputy Postmaster there,
and after serving for a short time entered the employ of Smith & Mc-
Donald, harness-makers of Newark, Greene County, continuing one year.
In the fall of 1874, he returned to the farm in Monroe County, and
five years later he was again appointed to his former position of
Deputy Postmaster at Ellettsville, serving for more than two years.
He was afterward elected by the Republican party Recorder of Monroe
County, and is at present actively engaged in the discharge of his
official duties. He is a member of the I. O. R. M., Arizona Tribe,
No. 52. On July 17, 1874, he was precipitated from a grade on the
Lousiville, New Albany & Chicago Railroad, at Evansville, dislocating
his right hip, which incapaciated him for manual labor. He is a noble
pricipled man, esteemed as a citizen, and efficient as an officer.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago:
F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 568
JOSEPH HALL is the third son and child in a family of five children,
and was born February 11, 1855 in Richland Township, Monroe County,
Ind. His parents, Bainbridge and Elizabeth C. (Houston) Hall, were
born in Monroe County. Joseph was reared in Richland Township until
he attained his majority, receiving meanwhile a good education in the
district schools. In 1876, he entered the employ of a farmer in Bloom-
ington Township, and remained with him for two years, when he was
engaged to work for another farmer. He then went to Montgomery, Ind.,
where he stayed for two years, returning thence to the old home farm.
About two years later, he rented a farm of 187 acres of good land in
Bean Blossom Township, Monroe County, and engaged in agricultural
pursuits for more than two years. He was appointed Deputy Recorder
(to his brother, William N. Hall) of Monroe County, and is at present
in the faithful discharge of the duties devolving upon him. Mr. Hall
is a member of the I. O. R. M., Arizona Tribe, No. 52. He is a Repub-
lican, a liberal citizen, and highly esteemed by all who know him.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 568
DR. JOHN E. HARRIS, ninth son of A. W. R. and Mary J. D. (Johnson)
Harris, natives of Kentucky and Virginia, respectively, was born
January 1, 1847, in Louisville, Ky. His parents were married in
Louisville, where the father came in 1819. For a number of years,
he was book-keeper for Lithee & Wallace. In 1856, he was elected
City Assessor of Louisville, serving until 1873. His death occurred
August 13, 1880. The mother died in 1849. Dr. Harris was reared
and educated in Louisville. In 1863, he entered the laboratory of
Prof. Thomas E. Jenkins, remaining one year. He clerked in a drug
store until 1865, when he formed a partnership with his brother in
that business, and two years later he sold out, soon afterward open-
ing a store of his own. Meanwhile he had been studying medicine,
and in October, 1868, graduated from the University Dispensary, and
school of practical medicine and surgery. He then entered practice
there, afterward attending the University Medical College of Louis-
ville, from which he graduated February 27, 1870. He practiced in
Louisville until October 12, 1876, when he removed to Bloomington,
where he has worked his practice up. On April 24, 1866, he was
married to Alice C. Lawes, daughter of Joseph and Jane Lawes, citi-
zens of Louisville. They have three children--Ella, John G. and
Charles E. Dr. Harris is a member of the K. of H., and of the K.
of P. He is also a member of the Methodist Church, and in politics
is a Republican.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 569
B. HEADLEY was born in Randolph County, Va., February 14, 1822,
and is the son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Wilson) Headley, natives of
Pennsylvania and Virginia. Isaac was a millwright and farmer.
About 1836, he went to Noble County, Ohio, there farmed for a time,
and then came to Brown County, Ind., and died there at the age of
eighty years. B. remained on the farm, going to school until his
twentieth year. He then learned the shoe-maker's trade, and also
worked some at blacksmithing. During the war, he served in the One
Hundred and Sixty-first Ohio Infantry; took part in a skirmish at
Stony Gap, Va., and was honorably discharged. In 1866, Mr. Headley
came to Monroe County, Ind., and settled on a farm two and one-half
miles east of Bloomington, and which consisted of 226 acres, earned
by himself. In about 1842, Mr. Headley married Eunice Morse, of
Washington County. They have had nine children--James M., Isaac W.,
Hilary D., Marcellus J., Hamlin S., Mary, Charley E., Hattie V. and
Benjamin T. Isaac and James served in the Union army in the late
war. Mr. and Mrs. Headley are Methodists, and he is a Republican
politically.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 569
MICHAEL W. HELTON (deceased) was born May 24, 1829, in Lawrence
County, Ind., and was the eldest son of Andrew and Hannah (Woolery)
Helton. He was reared in his native county until eighteen years of
age, and there received the rudiments of an education, removing thence
to Bloomington, where he entered the State University. A few years
later, his parents moved to Bloomington, remaining until their deaths,
which occurred--the father's on April 5, 1874; the mother's April 29,
1870. He was for some time engaged in the dry goods business in
Bloomington. He built the Bloomington City Mills, which he ran for
some time; then opened a title abstract and real estate office; at
the same time he was in the insurance business, which he continued to
carry on until his death, which occurred January 18, 1873, at his
residence in Bloomington, aged forty-three years seven months and
twenty-four days. He had served as Trustee of the State University
for many years. He was married, January 29, 1868, by Prof. Ballentine,
to Mrs. T. L. Carter, in Bloomington, daughter of Isaiah W. and Lu-
cretia Cron, respected citizens of Bloomington. They had two children
--Lewis C. and A. K. He is one of the most active workers in the
Presbyterian Church, and was well known and respected by the entire
community. Though he was much afflicted, yet he was never known to
murmur at his afflictions, and was active and industrious up to the
last two days of his life, it being part of his religion to be always
employed in doing good. He sought the comfort of others more than
his own. He made a profession of religion in the Second Presbyterian
Church of Bloomington, and was an earnest, faithful follower of Christ.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 570
MAJ. HENRY HENLEY, a native of Orange County, Ind., was born October
25, 1826. His parents, Joseph and Sarah (Lindley) Henley, natives of
North Carolina, were married January 11, 1826, in Orange County, and
settled on a farm there, where the father died July, 1848; the mother
died September 23, 1872. The father was a cabinet-maker and lived for
many years near Paoli. The subject of this sketch is the eldest in
family, and was reared at home until twenty years of age, where he
attended school, and received a good education. He then entered
Earlham College at Richmond, Ind., and remained there for one year.
When his father died, he left him in charge of the farm and a saw and
grist mill, which he ran for ten years, when he went to Shoals, Ind.,
formed a partnership with Z. W. Coffin and W. Chenoweth, and continued
until 1871. August 14, 1862, he was appointed Captain of Company A,
Seventeenth Indiana Volunteers, and served for two and a half years.
He was then commissioned Major at Louisville November 17, 1864, and
resigned one month later. He took part in the following engagements:
Munfordville (in which the company was captured and paroled, re-enter-
ing in about fifty days), Hoover's Gap, Tenn., Peach Tree, Chickamauga,
Mission Ridge, Shelbyville and Farmington, Tenn.; Kenesaw Mountain,
Marietta, Flat Rock and Selma, Ala. In 1871, he came from Shoals to
Bloomington to educate his children, and in the fall of 1872 he was
elected County Surveyor, which position he filled for four years.
After the expiration of his term of office, he engaged in civil en-
gineering and patent rights, and is at present so engaged. In 1873,
he purchased the mill at Gosport, and ran it about five years. On
May 11, 1852, he was married to Lydia M. Patton, daughter of Alexander
and Fannie Patton, residents of Orange County. They have three child-
ren--Laura, Joseph and George W. Mr. Henley is a member of the A. F.
& A. M., is a Republican, and he and wife are members of the Methodist
Church.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 570
J. E. HENLEY, eldest son and second child in a family of three child-
ren, was born April 21, 1856, in Orange County, Ind. His parents,
Henry and Lydia M. (Patton) Henley, were natives of Indiana and North
Carolina respectively. The subject of this sketch was reared and edu-
cated in his native place until fifteen years of age, when he came to
Bloomington with his parents. In July, 1875, he graduated from the
State University with high honors. In the following fall, he took the
chair of Greek in Smith's Grove College, Ky., which he filled for one
year. He then was elected City Superintendent of the public schools
for Shoals, Ind., serving for two years. In the spring of 1879, he
was elected City Clerk of Bloomington, and served for two years, during
which time he studied law, and in 1880 he entered the regular practice
here. He formed a partnership with William P. Rogers, and is now
successfully engaged as a practitioner. In November, 1882, he was
elected Prosecuting Attorney for the Tenth Judicial Circuit, comprising
Monroe, Lawrence, Orange and Martin Counties, and is serving at the
present writing. August 8, 1883, he was married to Ida M. Howe, daugh-
ter of Joseph Howe, a resident of Washington Territory. Mr. Henley
is a member of the K. of P., and also of the Methodist Church. He is
a Repbulican, and is highly respected as a citizen, and his legal
advice is greatly sought after.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago:
F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers. 1884.
MONROE CO., IN.
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY.
PAGE 571
WALLACE HIGHT, farmer, was born in Bloomington, Monroe Co., Ind.,
May 28, 1832, and is the fourth child born to John and Elizabeth Hight.
John Hight was a native of Kentucky, and after his marriage came to
Bloomington in 1818. He was a saddler by trade; finally built a tavern,
and in 1836 a grist mill and woolen mill. He built the first flatboat
that went to Salt Creek. He died in 1878, much respected, and his wife
preceded him in about 1868. Wallace was reared on a farm, and at the age
of twenty learned the tanner's trade, in which he continued until the war
broke out, when he had made and mounted a six-pounder bronzed cannon at
his own expense, and on going to Indianapolis received a commission of
Second Lieutenant in the Ninth Indiana Battery. Lieut. Hight took part
in a number of hard-fought battles, and when his time expired, in 1864,
he went out as a sutler until the close of the war. Since his return,
he has engaged in farming. His farm consists of 155 acres. In 1880,
he was census enumerator for this township, and was also the one who
circulated the first petition for building pikes in the county. He has
also aided in petitioning for other improvements. He is a member of the
Masonic fraternity, and a Republican. On February 26, 1852, Mr. Hight
married Emily Hook, who was born in Indiana on September 22, 1832. Mrs.
Hight was a daughter of Thomas and Jane (Dye) Hook, natives of Kentucky,
who settle in Indiana in 1829. Mr. and Mrs. Hight have three children--
Annie J., Mary J. and Wallace. They have also given a home to James
Krohn, an orphan.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago:
F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers. 1884.
MONROE CO., IN.
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY.
PAGE 571
NATHANIEL U. HILL, one of the most prominent and successful citizens
of Bloomington, was born in Clay County, Ind., June 21, 1852. He was the
fourth son of six children born to Abel S. and Almira (Usher) Hill, and
was reared in Brazil, Ind., where he received a good education in the
public schools. When sixteen years of age, he entered the academy at
Lodoga, Ind., where he remained two years. In 1870, he came to Bloomington,
remaining one term in the freshman class of the State University, after
which he spent one year in "Harvard College" at Kokomo, Ind. In the
spring of 1872, he again entered the State Univeristy, where he graduated
with honors in June, 1875, and during the same year, took a junior law
course, graduating in June, 1876. He immediately thereafter began the
regular practice of law at Brazil, continuing until July, 1878, at which
time, he entered the employ of Bryson & Hill, hardware merchants of
Brazil. He remained in their employ until December 31, 1879, when he
was married to Miss Anna M. Buskirk, daughter of George A. Buskirk.
To crown the happiness of this union, there have been born two children
--Nathaniel U. and Philip K. After his marriage, he was prevailed upon
to come to Bloomington and take charge of the settlement of the estate
of his father-in-law (deceased), which was at that time very much com-
plicated, throught litigation and bad management. He was at once elected
a Director of the First Nation Bank, the controlling interest of which
was owned by the estate. In January, 1881, he was elected Vice President
of the bank, and at present is in the discharge of his duties as such.
He successfully settled up the estate, and taking the bank in its weak-
ened condition, occasioned by the "panic," the stock having depleted
until only worth in market 85 cents on the dollar, he, by untiring
energy and industry, succeeded in bringing it to its present thrifty and
substantial condition. The stock is now worth $1.25, and the bank has
accumulated a surplus fund of $20,000, its capital stock being $120,000.
He is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity and a stanch Repub-
lican.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago:
F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers. 1884.
MONROE CO., IN.
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY.
PAGE 572
CLINTON M. HOUSTON, farmer, was born in Bourbon County, Ky., on
September 29, 1828, and is the son of Samuel and Morning (Adams) Houston,
who were natives of Kentucky, and farmers by occupation, which they follow-
ed in their native State until their death. The paternal grandparents of
our subject where natives of North Carolina. They came to Monroe County
in 1828. Here they both died--the grandfather at ninety-two, the grand-
mother at eighty-five years of age. The matenal grandfather was a Revol-
utionary soldier. Our subject's father died in 1838. Mr.Houston is a
self-made man. He received a common school education, and resided on a
farm in Kentucky until 1840, when he came to Monroe County with his mother.
She afterward went to Illinois, where she lived until her death. In 1852,
Mr. H. was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Emsley and Elizabeth (Worley)
Wood. Mrs. H. was born July 5, 1833, on the farm on which she now resides.
Her father was born in Floyd County, Ind., December 16, 1800. Her mother
was born in Highland County, Ohio, on September 30, 1805. They came to
Bloomington among the first settlers. In 1828, he entered the farm now
owned by Mr. Houston. He was considered one of the practical farmers of
Monroe County, and owned at his death, a large tract of unimproved land.
He died on June 7, 1844. His wife died on November 8, 1864. Our subject
and wife are the parents of nine children--Nathaniel C., Richard W.
(deceased), Charles D., Emma E., Emsley C., Samuel F., Luella, Eva and
Maggie dying in infancy. Mr. Houston and wife, are members of the
Christian Church.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago:
F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers. 1884.
MONROE CO., IN.
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY.
PAGE 572
JOSEPH M. HOWE, one of the oldest pioneers of Monroe County now living,
was born in Nicholas County, Ky., June 20, 1805. He is the seventh son
in a family of eleven children born to Samuel and Elizabeth (Showel) Howe,
natives of Maryland. He was reared in Kentucky until nineteen years of age,
when he came to Bloomington, Monroe County, and entered the employ of his
brother, Joshua O. Howe, a merchant of that village. He remained with him
for ten years, at which time he purchased an interest in the business, con-
tinuing for about four years, when he sold his interest. In 1842, he opened
a general merchandise store, continuing about five years. He then erected
a building on the site of the one he now occupies, which was completely des-
troyed by fire in August, 1873. After the destruction of this building, he
erected the present edifice, and taking his son, Alfred R., into partnership,
opened an immense dry goods store, under the firm name of J. M. Howe &
Son, dealers in dry goods, notions, boots and shoes, hats, caps, etc. Mr.
Howe is recognized as one of the most prominent and successful citizens
of Bloomington, and for forty-five years served as Treasurer of the Board of
Trustees of the State University. He has also, for forty years, been Trea-
surer of the Monroe County Bible Society, and for about thirty years an
active and efficient member of the Presbyterian Church. In olden times,
he was a Whig, and at present is a stanch Republican. In 1845, he was
married to Sophia W. Walker, daughter of Judge George Walker, of Athens
County, Ohio. By this union there have been born to them three children,
only one of whom is now living--Albert R., who married, April 10, 1878,
Mary Frazee, daughter of Dr. L. J. Frazee, of Louisville.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago:
F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers. 1884.
MONROE CO., IN.
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY.
PAGE 573
WILLIAM J. JOHNSTON, farmer, was born in South Carolina February
10, 1822, and is the son of Peter and Isabella (Wood) Johnston, natives of
Scotland. Peter was born in 1795, and his wife in 1800. They were married
in Scotland, and in 1820 came to South Carolina, and in November, 1845,
moved to Monroe County, Ind., and settled on part of the farm now owned
by our subject. They were highly respected citizens, and belonged to the
United Presbyterian Church. The father died on January 28, 1874, and the
mother on November 26, 1878. William J. has lived in this county since 1845,
and is a very successful farmer, owning 165 acres of land with good improve-
ments. August 17, 1848, he married Elizabeth, who was born in South Caro-
lina, April 26, 1823, and is a daughter or John and Margaret (Kenedy) White.
Mr. White was born in South Carolina in 1779, and died there Janaury 10,
1839. His wife was a native of Ireland; was born in 1783 and died in St.
Clair County, Ill., September 7, 1858. Mr. and Mrs.Johnston are parents
of four children--Maggie B., born July 22, 1855, now Mrs. Harvey A. Kirk;
Cassie J., born November 9, 1857, now Mrs. C. A. Junkin; M. Alice, born
October 20, 1860; and Ida S. W., born May 13, 1863. The family belong
to the United Presbyterian Church, and are highly respected.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical Biographical.
Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago:
F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers. 1884.
MONROE CO., IN.
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY.
PAGE 573
DAVID STARR JORDAN, Professor of Natural Sciences in Indiana
University, graduated from Cornell University in 1872, with the degree
of Master of Science, and from Indiana University in 1875 with the degree
of Doctor of Medicine. In 1877, Butler University conferred upon him
the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Previous to going to college, his life
was spent on a farm at Gainesville, N. Y., where he was born (Janaury
19, 1851), and was little different from that of other farmer boys except
that he took a livelier interest in the things around him and early learned
to know every fish, fowl and flower within his range. He made his own
way through college by teaching winter school while on the farm, by being
table waiter in a hotel while a freshman, general factotum and floor-sweeper
while a sophomore, and by being awarded in a competitive examination the
privilege of representing his county at Cornell. During the last two years
of his college course, he served as instructor in botany. He gained his
impulse to do original scientific work from being a student under Prof.
Hart, then in the chair of Geology in Cornell. After graduation, he was
elected to the chair of Natural Science in Lombard University, Galesburg,
Ill. After teaching there one year, and a year at Appleton, Wis., he came
to Indiana in 1875. After teaching natural history one year in the Indiana-
polis High School, he was called to fill the chair of Natural History in
Butler University, which place he held until elected to his present position
in 1879. During the summer of 1873, he attended the "Harvard Summer School"
at Penikese, where he availed himself of special instruction under Prof.
Louis Agassiz, who was quick to recognize in him a growing naturalist, and
so recalled him to serve as teacher of botany at Penikese and Cumberland Gap
in the summer schools held there in 1874 and 1875. After Prof. Agassiz's
death, these summer schools were discontinued. Then began, under Prof.
Jordan's direction, the well known "Summer Tramps" for scientific explora-
tion, those of 1876, 1877 and 1878 being confined to interesting sections
of the United States; those of 1879, 1881 and 1883 extending through
the principal countries of Europe. In 1880, as special agent of the United
States Census Bureau, he made a thorough investigation of the marine indus-
tries of the Pacific coast; and as a naturalist associate of the United
States Fish Commission and the United States National Museum, made a full
collection and an exhaustive study of the fish fauna of the same region.
At various times, in the same capacity, he has made valuable collections
on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts and in the West Indies, as well as from
the fresh waters of the United States. The results of these investigations
have taken permanent shape in a "Synopsis of the Fishes of North America"
(an octavo volume of 1,100 pages prepared by Jordan and Gilbert) published
by the United States in 1881; and in upward of 200 technical papers and
memoirs, chiefly on icthyology. His "Manual of Vertebrates" (500 pages,
12mo), first published in 1876, and now in the third edition, includes
much original scientific work aside from that on fishes, and is the first
and only syste matic key to the study of vertebrates, and is regarded as
the best text book yet produced on the subject, being used as such in
Michigan University, Cornell University, and many other univesities and
colleges. In recognition of these acquisitions to knowledge, and as a
testimonial of the value of his services to science, he was awared one
of the three gold medals given to Americans by the London Fisheries Ex-
position in 1883, for excellence in original scientific work.---W. W. S.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biograph-
ical." Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers.
1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 574
MOSES KAHN, the only son of Adolph and Gerturde Kahn, was born in Frauenburg,
France, October 12, 1850. He was reared in his native town, and at twelve yeras of age
entered the public schools in the city of Metz, remaining about four years. In July, 1866,
he came to Bloomington, Monroe County, entered the State University, and continued
one year. He then entered the employ of Isaac Kahn (his uncle), a well-known clothing
merchant of Bloomington, with whom he remained two years; then entered the employ
of Levi Tannenbaum, a clothing merchant, remaining for eight years. In August, 1875,
he formed a partnership with Solomon Tannenbaum in the clothing business, continuing
successfully until March, 1883, when their store was completely destroyed by fire. Mr.
Kahn, being a live business man, in less than a week resumed business, and at present
has an extensive and lucrative trade, and carries a mammoth stock of clothing, gents'
furnishing goods, hats, caps, etc. October 30, 1878, he was married to Miss Celia
Hirsch, daughter of Felix and Emma Hirsch, citizens of Cincinnati, Ohio. To crown the
happiness of their married life, there have been three children born to them--Gertrude,
Felix and Edgar. He is an active member in the order of the K. of P., and at present
fills the chair of Past Sachem of the I. O. R. M., and is Treasurer of the K. of H.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biograph-
ical." Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers.
1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 574
JAMES KELLY, eldest son and fourth child of John and Catharine (Finnegan) Kelly,
was born in 1844, in Sligo, Sligo County, Ireland. He was reared in his native place,
where he was educated on a farm and in the neighborhood. When fifteen years of age,
he came to the United States, and when he landed at Castle Garden, New York City,
he had but 12 cents, and remained there until his sister in Cincinnati, Ohio, sent him
money enough to bring him there. He then went to Greenville, Miss., and was pressed
into service in the confederate army. In May, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Thir-
teenth Arkansas Volunteers, and served for about eighteen months. He took part in
the following engagements: Belmount, Mo., Corinth, Miss., Richmond, Ky (in which
battle he was shot in the left side, and was in the hospital for three months), and Chat-
tanooga, after which engagement he derserted, and came to Bloomington. He then
began learning the currier's trade in a tannery of John Waldron, where he was engaged
for eighteen years. In Decemter, 1883, he opened the saloon, where he is at present
engaged, doing a lucrative business. On October 17, 1867, he was married to Miss
Mary Mahoney, a daughter of Timothy Mahoney, a citizen of Ladoga, Ind. They
have five children--Annie, John, Joseph, James and Katie. Mr. Kelly is a Republican,
and a prominent member of the Catholic Church.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biograph-
ical." Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers.
1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 575
DANIEL KIRKWOOD. "When I die I want to go where Prof. Kirkwood goes,"
was the simple eulogy of one of his admirers. What ever may be said of this senti-
ment, certain it is that during fifty years as a teacher, he has gained from his students
such universal love and admiration as few men enjoy; and while, as a mathematician,
he has made many valuable contributions to science, as a genial, temperate, and
genuine man, he has solved the problem of gracefully growing old. Daniel Kirkwood is
of Scotch-Irish descent, his grandfather coming form Ireland in 1771, and settling in
Delaware. His parents, John and Agnes (Hope) Kirkwood, were both born in this
country. Prof. Kirkwood was born in Harford County, Md., September 27, 1814.
His early life was spent on the farm, his first attendance at school being in his native
county. Having little taste for farming, he entered the York County Academy at York,
Penn., in 1834. He was elected first assistant and mathematical instructor of this ins-
titution in 1838. While here he trained many students in mathematics, one of whom,
Samuel R. Franklin, was lately chosen Superintendent of the Observatory at Washing-
ton. Prof. Kirkwood resigned his position in 1843, to accept the Principalship of the
Lancaster High School, Penn., and a few years later he became Principal of the
Pottsville Academy. In 1845, he was married to Miss Sarah A. McNair, of Newton,
Bucks County, Penn. He was Profssor of Mathematics in Delaware College from 1851
to 1856, the last two years of this period being its President. In the latter year, he ac-
cepted the chair of mathematics in the Indiana Univeristy. He filled the same position
in Washington and Jefferson College, Penn., in 1866 and 1867, when he was recalled
to his former place in Indiana. He received the honorary degree of Master of Arts in
1850, from Washington College, Penn., and Doctor of Laws in 1852, from the Univer-
sity of Pennsylvania. He was elected a member of the American Philosophical Society in
1851, and of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 1853. He
has been a frequent contributor to scientific journals and other papers. He is the author
of a well-known work on "Comets and Meteors," as well as an earlier book on "Meteo-
ric Astronomy." Prof. Kirkwood was first introduced to the scientific world by the
publication, in 1849, of his analogy between the periods of the rotations of the primary
planets. The law announced by him, now known as Kirkwood's Law, was received with
much interest, and was generally regareded as an important discovery supporting the
nebular hypothesis. The law pertains to the revolution of the planets on their axes. Its
exact and formal expression is not inserted here, as Prof. Kirkwood is understood to be
engaged in its revision. When about fifty asteroids were known in the solar system, Prof.
Kirkwood conceived the notion that in those spaces where simple commensurability with
Jupiter occurs, there must be gaps in the asteroid zone. It was then, however, only a
theory, as the number of asteroids sufficeint for its verification were not known. Yet, on
its first announcement it met with favor, and Mr. Proctor, the eminent astronomer, accept-
ing Prof. Kirkwood's notion, wrote in 1870: "We may assume that when many more
asteroids have been discoverd, the law * * * will appear more distinctly.: The number
of asteroids known were then sufficient only to indicate the law, now the number dis-
covered and orbits computed, having reached 235, Prof. Kirkwood has shown that
these gaps actually exist and assigned a physical cause for them. He originally published
his discoveries concerning these chasms in the Proceedings of the American Association
for the Advancement of Science in 1866. Circumstances, however, which need not
here be stated, induced Prof. Kirkwood to give a resume of his discussions in the pro-
ceedings of the American Philosphical Society for 1883. From this paper the following
is taken: "In those parts of the zone of minor plantets, where a simple relation of com-
mensurability would obtain between the period of an asteroid and that of Jupiter, the
original planetary matter was liable to great perturbations. The result of such disturbance
by the powerful mass of Jupiter was the necessary formation of gaps in the asteroid
zone." Prof. Kirkwood was the frist to show that the divisions of Saturn's rigns are due
to the same cause as the gaps in the zone of asteroids. The treatise of Dr. Meyer, of
Geneva, on Saturn's rings, published last year, and leading to the same or a similar
result, is a gratifying confirmation of Prof. Kirkwood's discovery. -- J. S., Indiana
University.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biograph-
ical." Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers.
1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 576
HIRAM LINDLEY, born November 27, 1827, in Orange County, Ind., is the fourth
son and seventh child in a family of nine born to William and Michael (Hallowell) Lindley,
natives of North Carolina and South Carolina respectively. He was reared on a farm near
Paoli, where he received the rudiments of a good English education in a Quaker school.
In 1849, he purchased a water-power saw mill, which he ran for about three years.
He then followed carpentering and farming in Orange County until 1857, when he re-
moved to Paoli, and purchased a drug store. In 1869, he sold out, and for several
years was engaged in various mercantile pursuits in Orange County. Removing thence
to Bloomington, Monroe County he formed a partnership in the drug business with
M. F. Arnold, soon after which he purchased the other half interest, and at present
enjoys a lucrative trade, having a stock of drugs, medicines, paints, oils, varnishes,
stationery and wall paper, etc. He served four years as Assistant United States Asses-
sor, and in 1874 he was Government Storkeeper at McCoy's Distillery on Stamper's
Creek, Orange County. June 23, 1859, he was married to Laura White, daughter of
Dr. C. White, of Paoli. They had seven children--Frank, Edmund, Walter, George,
Mary, Ernest and Anna L. His wife died on April 12, 1878. November 27, 1879,
he married Elizabeth Tureblood, daughter of William and Margaret Trueblood, residents
of Orange County. They have one child, an infant. Mr. Lindley is a Republican,and
he and wife are members of the Quaker Church.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biograph-
ical." Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers.
1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 576
JOHN H. LOUDEN was born Novebmer 24, 1837, in Juniata County, Penn.
His parents, James and Jane (Thompson) Louden, were natives of Ireland, and of
Scotch-Irish extraction. They were reared in Londonderry County, where, in 1829,
they were married, coming to this country four years later. They were in Pennsylvania
for one year, and then came to Indiana, locating in Fayette County, near Connersville,
where the father at present resides, the mother having died in 1846. The father is an
Elder in the Reformed Presbyterian Church, and has done much toward maintaining
its principles. John, the eldest son and child, was reared on the farm, in the winter attend-
ing the district school until eighteen years of age, when he entered Dunlapsville Academy.
He remained for two years, when he came to Bloomington, Monroe County, and entered
the State Univeristy. In 1861 and 1862, he taught school in Vienna, Rush County, dur-
ing the winters, and in the summer of 1862 began reading law with Judge Read, of
Connersville; he also assisted during the same summer in raising a company of volunteers
for the Fifth Indiana Cavalry. He went to Indianapolis with them later on, but, being
taken sick, was obliged to return to his home. In March, 1863, he married Lizzie C.
Hemphill, daughter of James Hemphill. They have two sons and one daughter. In July,
after his marriage, he took his wife to Bloomington, Monroe Co., Ind., with the intention
of completing his studies. He had for some time charge of the Republican, the only
newspaper at that time published in Bloomington. In the meantime, he commenced
reading law with Judge Hughes. In 1863-64, he was in the Law Department of the
State University, and graduated in the spirng of 1864. Immediately being admitted to
the bar, he began the regular practice in Bloomington. He has been in partnership
with Frank Wilson and the Hon. M. F. Dunn, and in February, 1876, he entered into
a partnership with R. W. Miers, which firm still continues. He has never been a can-
didate for office, but devotes himself with the utmost zeal to his profession, and is one
of Indiana's most eminent practitioners.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biograph-
ical." Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers.
1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 577
BENJAMIN MCGEE, one of the oldest and most successful business men of Bloom-
ington, was born in Spencer County, Ky., in 1819. He was the second son in a family
of four children born to William and Charity (Riggs) McGee. When seven years of age,
he was brought by his parents to Spencer, Owen Co., Ind., and while still a boy began
learning the tailoring trade with his step-father, with whom he remained until he was six-
teen years of age, at which time he engaged in the tailoring buisness in Spencer for
himself, continuing successfully for several years. He then fomred a partnership with R.
G. Overstreet in the merchant tailoring and clothing business. In 1852, he came to
Bloomington for his health, and was prevailed upon by his friends to locate here. He
opened a tailor shop, and in 1852 formed a partnership with John W. Davis in the clothing
buisness, running in connection with it a merchant tailoring department. Four years later,
he purchased his partner's interest, and for twenty-eight years has conducted the business
alone, and has at present an immense clothing establishment. His reputation as a suc-
cessful cutter is known far and near, and he has a large foreign trade, sending suits to
Washington, D. C., Eureka Springs, Ark., and many other cities. He married Verlinda
Buskirk, daughter of Abram Buskirk, one of the ealirest pioneers of Monroe County. By
this union there have been born to them five children--Charles E., Florence, Ben A.,
Edward L. and Thomas E. He and his wife are active members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biograph-
ical." Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers.
1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 577
B. A. MCGEE was born Jully 26, 1851, in Bloomington, Monroe Co, Ind. His parents
are Benjamin and Verlinda V. (Buskirk) McGee, natives of Kentukcy and Indiana res-
pectively. Our subject is the second son and third child in family, and was reared in
Bloomington, where he was educated. When sixteen years of age, he entered the
State University, remaining two years. He then entered the Bryant & Stratton Com-
mercial College, at Louisville, whence he graduated in August, 1869. He then went into
his father's clothing store and remained until February, 1874, at which time he entered the
office of Dr. W. F. Allison, dentist, of Bloomington, and began learning dentistry. Oct-
ober 1, 1874, he entered the Ohio College of Dental Surgery, at Cincinnati, where he
stayed till the spirng of 1875, going thence to Louisville. He studied dentistry with Dr.
J. F. Canine, and in September he went to Rockport, Ind., and entered the regular
practice there. In May, 1883, he was elected to the Council; and is at present holding
that position. In September, 1872, he married Alice Norman, daughter of Joseph and
Susan Norman, residents of Lawrence County, Ind. They have three children--Van
Norman, Proctor R. and Alice B. Mr. McGee is a member of the K. of H., and of I.
O. O. F. He is also a member of the Methiodist Church. Politically, he is a Republican.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biograph-
ical." Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers.
1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 578
J. M. MCGEE, a native of Ohio, was born in Caldwell, Noble County, on January
2, 1850. His parents, Andrew and Sarah (Smith) McGee, were born in Pennsylvania
and Ohio respectively. They were married in 1844, in Ohio, and settled on a farm in
Noble County, where they lived until the death of the father, which occured October 11,
1859. The mother still lives on the old homestead. The subject of this sketch is the
second son and third child in a family of seven children, and was reared in his native
county, where he lived until 1861. He then went to live with his uncle for three years,
after which he began working in the oil regions, in which he continued for one year. He
then entered Sharon College, at Sharon, Ohio, remaining for two years. In the fall of
1868, he came to Indiana, and engaged for nine months in the saw mill business. After
leaving the saw mill, he began teaching school in Brown County, afterward teaching in
Brownville, Neb., for eighteen months, and returning to Brown County in 1871. He
was engaged in the drug business for some time in Nashville, and in June, 1873, he was
elected County Superintendent of Brown County Schools. In 1875, he was re-elected,
and two years later came to Bloomington, Monroe County, and engaged in the drug
business again. In June, 1879, he was elected County School Superintendent, re-elected
in 1881, and again in 1883, at present being engaged in the faithful discharge of his duties.
October 12, 1873, he married Eliza Taylor, of Morgan County. She died in April, 1875,
and two years later he married N. E. Buskirk, daughter of William H. Buskirk, the oldest
settler in Monroe County. They have two children, Max and Frank. Mr. McGee is a
member of the A., F. & A. M., and of the K. of H. He is an active member of the Meth-
odist Church, and politically is a Democrat.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biograph-
ical." Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers.
1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 578
REV. WILLIAM POLLOCK MCNARY was born in Washington County, Penn.,
the 16th day of September, 1839. His father's name was William Hill McNary, and his
mother's maiden name Margaret Murray; the daughter of George Murray, of the Murray
Hill farm, two miles east of Cannonsburg. Our subject's ancestry were Scotch-Irish on
both sides of the house. His great-great-grandfather, James McNary, who was the head
of the largest family of McNarys in this country, was born in Scotland about the year
1711. The family came to this country about the year 1760, and settled in York County,
Penn. He had a wife, a daughter and four sons. Three of these sons moved to Washing-
ton County, Penn. John McNary, the grandfather of our subject, who was the eldest son
of John, of York County, brought the family to the new farm in Washington County, after
his father's death, and it is still in the possession of his son James. William Hill McNary,
the father of our subject, was born on the farm mentioned above, on the 26th day of Nov-
ember, 1805. He was an Abolitionist, until that party merged into the Republican party.
He was a member of the Pittsburgh Convention in 1856, at which the Republican party
of Pennsylvania was organized, and was a stanch Republican until his death. Rev. W. P.
McNary, the subject of this sketch, is the third son now living. He spent his boyhood on
the old farm and received his common school education in a little brick schoolhouse on
the home premises. In 1856, he went to an academy at Wilkinsburg, Penn., to prepare
for college, and in 1858 entered the sophomore class in Jefferson College at Cannonsburg,
Penn., where he graduated in the class of 1861. In April, 1862, on the first call for 75,000
troops, he enlisted for the war. His company not getting into camp in time for the first
call, he enlisted for three years in Company D, Tenth Regiment Pennsylvania Reserve
Corps as a private, from which he was promoted to Corporal and then to Sergeant. On
account of bravery on the battle-field, he was promoted by Gov. A. G. Curtin, of Pennsy-
lvania, to the position of Adjutant of the One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment
Pennsylvania Volunteers. This was a nine month's regiment, and its time expired March 2,
1863. He was scarcely home when there was a call for troops for 100 days, to be mus-
terered into United States service for the protection of Pennsylvania against threatened
invasion. He raised a company, of which he was made Captain, and on the forming of a
regiment he was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel of the Fifty-eighty Pennsylvania Militia
for United States service. In this capacity he went out in the campaign against Col. John
Morgan, and was present at the capture o Morgan's forces. He spent the winter of
1863-64, at the theological seminary. During the spring vacation, there was another call
for troops for 100 days, and his old Colonel, J. B. Clark, having raised a regiment, offered
him his old position of Adjutant of the One Hundred and Ninety-third Pennsylvania Vol-
unteers, and in that capacity he served another 100 days in the summer of 1864. In the
Tenth Pennyslvania Reserved Corps, he participated in the battles of Drainsville, Mays-
ville, Cold Harbor or Gainsmills, Chickahominy, Malvern Hill and Antietam. In the One
Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, in the battles of Frederick-
sburg and Chancellorville. Returning to the seminary in the fall of 1864, he finished his
course in March, 1866, and after a short itinerancy became pastor of the United Presby-
terian congregation of Leavenworth, Kan., where he remained until the fall of 1869. In
August, 1870, he became pastor of the United Presbyterian Church of Bloomington, Ind.,
in which capacity he has continued until the present time. In June, 1880, without his
knowledge or consent, he was elected Trustee of the public schools of the city of Bloomington,
which position he held for three years. On the 17th of June, 1880, he was
nominated by the Republican State Convention as Elector for the Eighth Congressional
District of Indiana. During the campaign of that year, he made twenty-two speeches
for Garfield and Arthur, speaking in eight counties of the State. He met with the Elec-
toral College on December 1, 1880, and voted for Garfield and Arthur. On the 27th
of September, 1866, he married Elizabeth Graham, of Wilkinsburg, Allegheny Co., Penn.,
daughter of James Graham, deceased. Mrs. McNary's mother's maiden name was Eliza
Macfarlane. She still lives on the old homestead in Allegheny County, Penn. In Decem-
ber, 1883, Mr. McNary and Rev. A. H. Harshaw formed a partnership for the purpose
of publishing a religious weekly paper at St. Louis, Mo., to be called the Midland, in
which he is now engaged in connection with the pastorate of the church at Bloomington.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biograph-
ical." Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers.
1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 580
DR. J. G. MCPHEETERS, a native of Kentucky, was born in Fayette County January
21, 1811. He is the eldest son of six children born to Charles and Martha (Glass)
McPheeters, natives of Virginia. In 1829, he entered Centre College, at Danville, Ky.,
and one year later came to Madison, Ind., entered a classical school there, and remained
until the spring of 1831, when he came to Bloomington, and entered the State University,
from which he graduated in 1834. During the following year, he taught in the preparatory
department of this institution, then for some time taught a subscription school at Madison,
Ind. Early in 1836, he returned to Kentucky, and for two years engaged in farming on the
old home farm. In 1838, he began the study of medicine with Dr. Lloyd Warfield, of
Lextington, Ky.; after one year returned to Bloomington, Ind., and resumed his studies
with Dr. D. H. Maxwell. Late in 1839, he returned to Lexington, Ky., and entered the
Transylvania Medical College, graduating with honors soon after. In the spring of 1840,
he began the regular practice of medicine at Morgantown, Morgan Co., Ind. The next
year he came to Bloomington, and formed a partnership with Dr. J. D. Maxwell, which
lasted until January, 1850. In August, 1861, he entered the army as Surgeon of the
Fourteenth Indiana Volunteers, and served over three years. Having been kept so
constantly in charge of hospitals in various parts of the South, his heatlth became im-
paired, and on September 16, 1864, he received an honoragle discharge for disability,
returning at once to Bloomington, where he resumed the practice of his profession.
In June, 1836, he was married to Miss Clara M. Dunn, daughter of Samuel Dunn, a
pioneer of Monroe County. He is a prominent member of the Royal Arch Masons,
of the Presbyterian Church, and an old-time Republican.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biograph-
ical." Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers.
1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 580
J. G. MCPHEETERS, JR., was born on August 26, 1839, in Morgan County, Ind.
He is the eldest son and second child of Joseph G. and Clara (Dunn) McPheeters,
natives of Kentucky, The subject of this sketch was reared at home in Bloomington,
where he acqured the rudiments of a good English education in the graded schools of
Bloomington. When seventeen years of age, he entered the State University, where he
remained for five years, but was compelled to quit on account of ill health. In April,
1863, he was appointed Mail Agent on the L., N. A. & C. R. R., running between
La Fayette, Ind., and Louisville, Ky., continuing for two years. On the 22d day of
April, 1875, he was commissioned Postmaster of Bloomington, and is at present so
engaged, faithful in the discharge of the duties devolving upon him. On Janaury 15,
1873, he was married, in Terre Haute, by Rev. E. Frank Howe, to Miss Amelia
B. Collum, a daughter of Orson Barber, a well-known pioneer lawyer of Terre Haute.
Mr. McPheeters served as Chairman of the Republican Central Committee, and has
also served as Secretary for eighteen years. He is a member of the I. O. O. F.,
Cecelia Lodge, No. 166; also of the A., F. & A. M., Monroe Lodge, No. 22,
and of the Presbyterian Church; his wife is a member of the Episcopal Church.
Politically, he is a Republican.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biograph-
ical." Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers.
1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 581
CHARLES H. MCPHEETERS was born March 25, 1846, in Bloomington, Monroe
County, Ind., and is the youngest child of Dr. J. G. and Clara M. (Dunn) McPheeters.
He was reared in Bloomington, where he was educated in the public schools. When
fourteen years of age, he entered the employ of a hardware merchant, with whom he
remained for thirteen years, during which time he worked with him for sixteen months
in Bloomfield, Greene County, Ind. In Janaury, 1871, he became partner of William
Stuart in the hardware business, which firm continued until October, 1883, when Mr.
Stuart sold his interest to J. W. Shoemaker, and the buisness is now being carried on
under the firm name of McPheeters & Shoemaker. In 1871, he was appointed Town
Treasurer, to fill the unexpired term of James Manley, and in 1872 was elected to the
same office. He was re-elected in 1873, and held the office for seven years. On
November 5, 1868, he was united by marriage to Cleopatra Stuart, daughter of William
Stuart. They have two children--Grace and Mary. Mr. McPheeters is a member of the
I. O. O. F., and in politics is a Republican. He and wife are active workers in the Meth-
odist Church.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biograph-
ical." Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers.
1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 581
JAMES F. MANLEY was born October 8, 1840, in Salem, Washington County,
Ind. He is the eldest son and second child of John and Arminda (Tannehill) Manley,
natives of England and North Carolina respectively. He was reared in his native place,
where he was educated, and in August, 1861, enlisted in Company D, Thirty-eighth
Indiana Volunteers, under Capt. James B. Glover. He served nearly two years, and
took part in the fights at Perryville and Stone River, in which last engagement he re-
ceived a gunshot wound in the left arm, necessitating its amputation; he then received
an honoarble discharge. On June 25, 1863, he married Cornelia J. Stuart, daughter
of William Stuart, a respected citizen of Bloomington. One month later, he formed a
partnership with William Stuart in the hardware business, continuing until February,
1871. In 1868, he wa elected Town Treasurer, and served for three years faithfully.
October, 1870, he was elected County Auditor on the Republican ticket, and took
his office in November, 1871. He was re-elected in 1874, and served until November,
1879. He has also served as Deputy County Treasurer for two years, and has now
retired from business. His wife is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
They have two children--Ida M. and John.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biograph-
ical." Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers.
1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 581
JOHN MARTIN, born in Cincinnati, Ohio, December 31, 1836, is the sixth son and
eighth child in a family of twelve children. His parents, Henry and Sarah (Souders)
Martin, where natives of Pennsylvania and New Jersey respectively. His father was
for a number of years a pork packer in Cincinnati, and for fifteen a grocer of that place.
He died there on April 3, 1872. His mother died in June, 1861. The subject of this
sketch was reared in his native place, where he was educated, and when twenty-one
years of age he went to Kansas, remaining for three years. Returning to Cincinnati, he
entered the employ of his uncle, John Savage, a prominent pork packer, with whom he
remained for four years. He then formed a partnership with his brother James in the
tanning business, in which he continued for some time, when he sold out his interest, and
became agent for a sewing machine company, afterward engaging in the manufacture of
lubricators. In 1871, he moved to Martinsville, where he remained for ten years in the
timber business, after which he was with Robert Gilmore, the Recorder of Monroe
County, remaining until the expiration of the term of office. He is now assisting the pre-
sent Recorder of Monroe County. On May 18, 1872, he was married to Lizzie J.
Gilmore, daughter of James and Alicia Gilmore, prominent citizens of Monroe County.
They have two children--Ella S. and Robert. He is an active member of the Republican
party, and is highly respected by all who know him.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biograph-
ical." Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers.
1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 582
DR. JAMES D. MAXWELL, SR., eldest son and third child of David H. and Mary
(Dunn) Maxwell, was born May 19, 1815, near Hanover, Jefferson County, Ind. His
parents were natives of Kentucky, and came to Indiana in 1809, locating in what is
now Jefferson County, where they remained for ten years. Removing then to Monroe
Cunty, they settled on the lot now occupied by the "National House," the father being
the first physician ever in Bloomington. He served as Postmaster for eight years, and
died May 24,1854. His widow died March 18, 1880, at the advanced age of ninety-
three years. David H. Maxwell was a member of the Fist Constitutional Convention
at Corydon, Ind., in 1816 and drew up the constitutuion. He was also Surgeon in Capt.
Dunn's Company in 1812. The subject of this sketch came with his parents to Monroe
County, and eight years later entered the seminary at Bloomington, where he graduated
in the fall of 1833, afterward teaching for two years in a preparatory department in the
college. He then went to Clinton, Miss., and taught for one year, when, returning to
Bloomington, he studied medicine with his father for two years, during which time he
attended a course of lectures at Transylvania Medical College, at Lexington, Ky. Re-
turning thence, he entered into regular practice with his father in Bloomington, and about
one year later formed a partnership with Dr. J. G. McPheeters, continuing for about
nine years, when he dissolved the partnership and has since been in practice alone. He
has been Secrtary and Trustee of the college for the past thirty years. On July 6, 1843,
he was married to Louisa J. Howe, daughter of Joshua O. Howe, a pioneer of Monroe
County. They have ten children--Emma M., Mary E., Howard, Allison, James D.,
D. H., Anna, Louisa A., Fannie B. and Juliette. Dr. Maxwell is a member of the Pres-
byterian Church and politically he is a Republican.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biograph-
ical." Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers.
1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 582
JOHN F. MAY, a native of Monroe County, Ind., was born in Perry Township
February 16, 1828. His parents, David and Sarah (May) May, were married in
Monroe County in April, 1826, and located on a farm in Perry Township, where
they at present reside. The father is eighty years of age, and the mother eighty four.
They were among the earliest settlers in the county. John was the eldest son and
child in a family of six children, and was reared in his native place, where he was
educated in the subscription schools. He afterward entered the State University at
Bloomington, after which he taught school in Perry and Van Buren Townships. On
October 5, 1852, he was married to Elizabeth Campbell, daughter of John and Jennie
Campbell, pioneers of Monroe County. After his marriage, he settled on a farm in
Perry Township, where he remained for five years. He then sold it and purchased a
farm of one hundred and sixty acres, where he farmed for ten years. He was then in
Perry Township for some time, where he finally purchased one hundred and seventy-
five acres of land, which he at present owns. His first wife died on September 24,
1864, and two years later he was married in Bloomington, Ill., to Carolina Force,
daughter of Peter Weed, a citizen of Bloomington. In 1875, he removed to Blooming-
ton, Ind., and followed farming and trading for four years, when he purchased an inter-
est in the livery business with J. C. Worley, and continued until Janaury 1, 1884, when
J. C. Worley sold his interest to John H. Cole, and the business in now under the firm
name of May & Cole. Mr. May and wife are members of the Christian Church. Poli-
tically, he is a Republican, and a prominent member in the party, and highly esteemed
in his community.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biograph-
ical." Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers.
1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 583
ROBERT W. MIERS, eldest son and second child of Thomas S. and Mahala
(Braden) Miers, natives of Indiana, was born January 27, 1848, in Decatur County,
Ind. His father farmed until 1880, when he removd to Greensburg, where he and his
wife at present reside. The subject of this sketch was reared on the old home farm,
and received a good education in the district schools. When sixteen years of age, he
began teaching in Decatur County. During the three succeeding winters, he attended
school at Hartsville, Ind., and in September, 1868, entered the State Univeristy, whence
he graduated in 1871. One year later, he graduated from the law department, and in the
fall following, was admitted to the regular practice at Bloomington. In the spring of 1874,
he became partner of Judge Echols, and one year later was elected Prosecuting Attorney,
on the Democratic ticket, and re-elected in 1878. He was elected to the Legislature soon
after, and subsequently began the pracitce of his profession. He is now in partnership
with J. H. Louden, and has a lucrative practice. On May 9, 1872, he married Miss Belle
Ryors, daughter of Dr. Ryors, ex-President of the State University. They have two
children, Bertha and Daniel K. Mr. Miers is a stanch member of the Republican party,
and is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biograph-
ical." Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers.
1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 583
ELI K. MILLEN, a native of Monroe County, Ind., was born February 26,1837,
two miles north of Bloomington. His parents, James and Hannah (Millen) Millen,
natives of South Carolina, came to Monroe County in 1834, and located on a farm
near Bloomington where the father continued until 1838; afterward moving to Bloom-
ington, but still managing his farm until 1854, when he purchased a general merchandise
stock. He continued in this buisness for sixteen years; then sold out and at present
resides in Bloomington. The subject of this sketch is the youngest of three children, and
was reared in Bloomington. When twelve years of age, he entered preparatory depart-
ment of the State University, and four years later he entered the law department, from
which he graduated in the spring of 1858. In the following fall, he was elected Prosecut-
ing Attorney, for the district comprising Monroe, Morgan and Brown Counties, in which
capacity he served for two years, after which he began the regular practice of law, and
at present is successfully engaged in the same. Mr. Millen is considered one of the best
posted attorneys in Bloomington, and often acts as Special Judge of Monroe County.
He is a member of the K. of P., Franklin Lodge, No. 22, and has filled all the chairs in
this lodge. He is an active politician in the Democratic party, and is highly respected by
all who know him.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana. Historical and Biograph-
ical." Charles Blanchard, Editor. Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers.
1884.
MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 583
C. B. MITCHELL, youngest son of John and Phoebe (Dye) Mitchell, natives of Indiana,
was born December 16, 1858, in Lawrence County, Ind. He was reared in his native
county, where his education began, until his tenth year, when he came with his mother to
Bloomington, and attended the public schools here. In 1874, he entered the employ of
C. P. Tuley, a dry goods merchant, with whom he remained for three years, at which
time he was employed by Clark & Wicks for three years. Late in the fall of 1879, he
purchased one-third interest in the general merchandise business, with W. W. Wicks and
R. M. Gamble, and continued with them in a large dry goods and grocery store for three
years. In Janaury, 1882, Mr. Gamble sold his interest to the other partners of the firm
leaving Wicks & Mitchell. On January 1, 1883, Mr. Mitchell sold his interest to W.
Wicks, and entered the employ of McCord & Aydelott, wholesale hatters of Louisville, as
traveling salesman, of which he has since made quite a success. He is a good, young
buisness man, moral and upright. On July 4, 1883, he was united by marriage to Miss
Anna Couk, a native of New Albany, Ind. Mr. Mitchell is a member of the I. O. O. F., and
is politically a Democrat.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana." 1884. Charles Blanchard, F. A.
Battey & Co., Publishers
MONROE COUNTY, IN.
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 584
JAMES F. MORGAN was born in Harrodsburg, Monroe Co., Ind., March 17, 1855.
His parents, John W. and Mary A. (Gentry) Morgan, are also natives of Monroe County.
They wre married in Monroe County on February 29, 1849, and located on a farm in
Indian Creek Township, where they at present reside. The grandparents or our subject
settled in Indian Creek Township in 1818, and at present live on the same farm of 120
acres which they entered sixty-two years ago, aged respectively eighty-five and seventy-
eight years. The subject of this sketch was the eldest son and second child in a family of
nine children, and was reared on the old home farm until sixteen years of age. He ob-
tained the rudiments of a good education in the district schools; he also attended the
schools at Harrodsburg for one year. He then taught school to make money to enable
him to enter the State University, which he did in September, 1874, remained for one
term, and then resumed taeching. In 1877, he entered the Northern Indiana Normal at
Valparaiso, Ind., whence he graduated in the Teachers' Department in June, 1878. In
the fall following, he was elected Principal of the Stinesville (Ind.) Schools, and resigned
during his second term to accept a better one in the Rockville (Ind.) Schools. In June,
1881, he entered the law office of Buskirk & Duncan, of Bloomington, and in July
following was appointed Deputy Prosecuting Attorney of Monroe County by Judge
Mavity (whose term expired in October, 1881), and was re-appointed by H. C. Duncan,
his successor, and served until October 1,1883. After the expiration of this term of office,
he entered the regular practice of law, and has since been so engaged, and is also exten-
sively engaged in real estate. He is also representing several of the most prominent
insurance companies in the world. Politically, he is a Democrat. He was married
November 13, 1883, to Carrie B. Hamilton, daughter of Henry B. and Margaret J.
Hamilton, residents of Salem, Ind. He and wife are prominent members of society. He
is a member of the Methodist Church, and his wife of the Christian Church.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana." 1884. Charles Blanchard, F. A.
Battey & Co., Publishers
MONROE COUNTY, IN.
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 584
MAJ. JAMES B. MULKY, a native of Indiana, was born on October 4, 1827, in
Crawford County. His parents, James and Elizabeth (Wyman) Mulky, natives of Ken-
tucky, wre married in 1815, and located on a farm in Crawford County, Ind., remaining
until 1834, when they removed to a farm in Washington Township, Monroe County.
The father's death occurred in September, 1851; the mother died in June, 1867. James
B. Mulky is the second son and fifth child in the family. He was reared in Monroe
County, where he attended subscription schools, and when he was sixteen years of age
he went to a school near Milltown, Ind. (to learn English grammar), where he remained
for five months. In May, 1844, he began teaching subscription schools in Owen County,
continuing for nine months. In the January following, he entered the State University
and remained until October, when he went to Georgetown, Ind., and taught school for
some time. He then enlisted in Company A, Seocnd Regiment, Spencer Grays, of New
Albany, for the Mexican war, and served one year. In July, 1847, he received his
discharge and returned home, where he began teaching again in Monroe County, and
three months later he went to Spencer and taught in the old County Seminary for six
months. He went thence to Iowa in May, 1848, and entered 160 acres of land, near
Knoxville, Marion County; returning thence to Spencer, he took charge of his father's
farm. In 1852, he came to Bloomington and entered the drug business, then farmed a
while; afterward, returning to Bloomington, he entered the Law Department in the
State University, whence he graduated. He then formed a partnership with the Hon.
James Hughes, in the regular practice, and one year later, Mr. Hughes being appointed
Judge of the Court of Claims at Washington City, he formed a partnership with Prof.
John Young, with whom he continued for one year. In July, 1861, he was commis-
sioned Colonel fo the Indiana Legion, and in May, 1862, he was appointed Major in
the Fifty-fifth Indiana Volunteers. In February, 1865, he was appointed Provost Mar-
shal of Third Indiana District and served for ten months. He then returned to Bloom-
ington, entered the regular practice, and is at present so engaged, doing a lucrative
business, and is considered one of Monroe County's best practitioners. On May 31,1853,
he was married to Mary J. Coffey, of Monroe County. They have had six children, three
of whom are living--Horace B., James O. and Frank L. Maj. Mulky is a member of the A.,
F. & A. M., and is politically a Republican, but was originally a Whig, and he and wife
are members of the Methodist Church.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana." 1884. Charles Blanchard, F. A.
Battey & Co., Publishers
MONROE COUNTY, IN.
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 585
JAMES OSMAN MULKY is a native of Indiana, born September 15, 1859, in
Bloomington, Monroe County. His parents are Maj. James B. and Mary J. (Coffey)
Mulky. He is the second son and fourth child in a family of six children, and was
reared in Bloomington. He attended school until September, 1877, when he entered
the State University, whence he graduated June 4,1881. He afterward entered the
employ of different dry goods merchants in the city, as clerk, with Wicks & Co. and L.
Fields & Co. On September 10, 1883, he was appointed Assistant Postmaster, and
is at present so engaged. He has been for some time a member of the K. of P. and in
politics he is a Republican. He is a rising young man, and is quite efficient as a public
officer.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana." 1884. Charles Blanchard, F. A.
Battey & Co., Publishers
MONROE COUNTY, IN.
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 585
H. J. NICHOLS is the fourth son of John and Sarah (Miner) Nichols, natives of
Virginia and Kentucky respectively. He was born November 17, 1824, in Shelby
County, Ky., and when two years of age came with his parents to Monroe County,
Ind. They settled in Perry Township, where by energy and industry they made for
themselves a home, and the subject acquired the rudiments of a good English education.
When twenty-one years of age, he began to learn the carpenter's trade, and in a short
time had contracted to build in connection with his farming. In February, 1854, he
came to Bloomington, where he built many of the best residences, besides the city
schoolhouse. He is at present engaged at his trade, of which he has made quite a suc-
cess, being considered one of Monroe County's ablest carpenters. October 26, 1848,
he was married to Rebecca Rogers, daughter of James Rogers, a citizen of Monroe
County. They had six children--Harriet, Victoria, John, James, Morton and an infant.
His wife died on October 15, 1868, and six months later he married Catharine Bray,
by whom there was one child, Claude (deceased). His second wife died on August 12,
1882. On Janaury 3, 1883, he married Jennie McPhetridge. He is a member of the
I. O. O. F. and of the I. O. R. M. Politically, he is a Republican. Himself and wife are
members of the Chirstian Church, and are active workers in its support.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana." 1884. Charles Blanchard, F. A.
Battey & Co., Publishers
MONROE COUNTY, IN.
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 586
SAMUEL M. ORCHARD, a native of Bourbon County, Ky., was born August 11,
1802. He is the second son and fourth child in a family of eleven children, and was
reared and educated in his native place, until he was sixteen years of age. His parents,
Isaac and Margery (Mitchell) Orchard, came to Washington County, Ind., in 1819, and
purchased a farm of 160 acres, where they remained until their deaths. The subject of
this sketch and his brother John then came to Bloomington and started a wool carding
machine on the lot where the "Orchard House" now stands, which they ran from 1823
to 1836, when they sold out. Meanwhile, in 1826, they started in the manufacture of
linseed oil, of which they made quite a success. Ten years later, they started a stage line
from Indianapolis to Leavenworth, and one from New Orleans to Louisville. They also
had a blacksmith shop in Bloomington. They buiilt the old "Temperance Hotel" on Col-
lege avenue. In 1836, the subject began butchering, and in connection with his many
other enterprises continued about twelve years. The two brothers then built the "Or-
chard House," which the subject purchased in 1855; he has since been its proprietor,
but the hotel is at present managed by his son, I. S. Orchard. Mr. Orchard owns sixty
acres of good farm land and considerable city property. He was married in 1830 to
Martha C. McPheeters, daughter of James McPheeters, of Washington County. They
have had nine children, six of whom are living--Elizabeth, John, Emily, Baynard R.,
James and Samuel. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and politically is a
Republican. He is one of Monroe County's oldest settlers and pioneers, and assisted
greatly in the building-up of Bloomington, his present residence.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana." 1884. Charles Blanchard, F. A.
Battey & Co., Publishers
MONROE COUNTY, IN.
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 586
C. R. PERDUE, second son of William and Lydia (Jaring) Perdue, natives of Indiana,
was born May 25,1837, in Washington County, Ind., where he was reared and edu-
cated until sixteen years of age. He entered the Asbury University at Greencastle, re-
maining for one year. He then went to New Albany, where his parents had removed
a short time previously, and entered the public schools, in which he continued for two
years. The following year, he was clerk on the steamer William Baird, on the Ohio
River, and then taught school in Washington County for some time. In the years
1859-60-61-62, he farmed in Harrison County, Ind., afterward being engaged for
some time in the dry goods business at Fredericksburg, Ind., which he sold out in
1865, and went to Harrodsburg, Monroe County, where he remained in the dry goods
business for six years; then engaged in the boot and shoe business there. On March
16, 1883, his building being destroyed by fire, he came to Bloomington, and three
months later formed a partnership with L. S. Fields in the dry goods business, which
is at present in a flourishing condition. Mr. Perdue was married, July 4, 1858, to
Letitia Garriott, daughter of John B. Garriott, of Washington County, Ind. They had
five children. His wife died December 25, 1862, and he was married in June, 1865,
to Emma King, daughter of William King, of Monroe County. They have six children
--Elmer E., Mary I., Cora R., Noble A., and two infants. He is a member of the I.
O. O. F., of the K. of H., and of the Methodist Church. Politically, he is a Republican.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana." 1884. Charles Blanchard, F. A.
Battey & Co., Publishers
MONROE COUNTY, IN.
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 587
MAJ. HENRY F. PERRY was born January 10, 1834, in South Thomaston, Me. He is
second in a family of four children born to Joab and Maria (Butler) Perry, natives of
Maine, and was reared in his native home until twelve years of age. When quite young,
our subject lost his father; his mother then moved to Salem. There he continued studies
already begun, and closed them at Bucksport. He afterward taught school for one year,
and was appointed Deputy Postmaster at Rockland, Me., serving for three years with
great credit to himself. He then acted as collector for the water company there. In Oct-
ober, 1855, he went to Ohio, and taught for some time in Henry County. In the fall of
1856, he entered the Medical Department at Ann Arbor, Mich., and one year later came
to Monroe County, Ind., taught the Ellettsville school, and afterward engaged in the saw
mill and lumber trade there. He was route agent on the D. & M. R. R. for more than one
year, when he enlisted in Company G, Thirty-eighth Indiana Volunteers, under Capt. G.
K. Perry; served for two and a half years, and took part in the following engagements:
Perryville (after which he was promoted to Second Lieutenant), Stone River, Hoover's
Gap, Chickamauga, Resaca, Lost Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta and Jonesboro-
where he was shot through the breast, and lay on the field all night. He finally recoverd
sufficiently to be removed to Ellettsville. He had, previous to this, in June, 1863, been
promoted to First Lieutenant, and one month later, to Captain. While lying in the hos-
pital, he received a commission as Major, for meritorious conduct and in February, 1865,
he was discharged on account of disability. One year later, he opened a stone quarry
near Ellettsville, now known as "Perry Bros.' Steam Stone Works," which partnership
was formed in 1868. He served four years as Auditor of the county. He is a member
of the A., F. & A. M., Ellettsville Lodge, No. 245. He was married on June 13, 1871,
to M. Louise Pennig, a daughter of Ezra and Mariah Pennig, respected citizens of Bloom-
ington. They have four childrn--Adelaide F., Alberta M., Oscar and Orvil. His wife is
a member of the Presybterian Church. Major Perry is politically a Republican, and quite
influential.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana." 1884. Charles Blanchard, F. A.
Battey & Co., Publishers
MONROE COUNTY, IN.
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 587
REV. ALLEN B. PHILPUTT, born in Bedford County, Tenn., on May 6, 1856, is the
second son of Barton and Elizabeth (Bearden) Philputt, natives of Tennessee. He was
reared and educated in Tennessee until twelve years of age, when he came with his parents
to Indiana, and settled in Washington County. In 1872, he was converted, and taken into
the church at Campbellsburg, Ind., and three years later he was ordained a minister of
the Christian Church. In 1876, he entered the State University, graduating four years
later. In 1878, he was appointed pastor of the Christian Church in Bloomington, and is
at present in the faithful discharge of his duties. In 1882, he was elected a member of the
School Board at Bloomington, and still has that position, also serving as President of
the Indiana Christian Sunday School Association. On September 23, 1880, he was mar-
ried to Anna Maxwell, daughter of Dr. James D. Maxwell, of Bloomington. They have
one child, Louise E., born in June, 1881. He is a Republican, politically.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana." 1884. Charles Blanchard, F. A.
Battey & Co., Publishers
MONROE COUNTY, IN.
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 588
JEREMIAH F. PITTMAN, second son and sixth child of Harrison and Jane (Sands)
Pittman, natives of Indiana, was born March 12, 1842, in Orange County, Ind. The father
died in 1879. The mother died in 1849. The subject of this sketch was reared in Orange
County, where he received a common education, and, when fourteen years of age went
to school in Leavenworth, Crawford County, Ind., for one year, returning thence to
Orange County, where he then entered the high schools at Paoli. In the fall of 1861, he
began teaching school, but resigned his position, and enlisted in November, 1861, in
Company F, Fiftieth Indiana Volunteers, under Col. Dunham. Serving for more than three
years, he took part in the following engagements: Munfordville, Parker's Cross Roads,
Little Rock, Saline River and Camden. He was mustered out of service on January 5,
1865, and, returning home, he was elected County Recorder in the following fall. He
served for three years, meanwhile reading law, and at the end of that time he resigned
his position to enter the regualr practice in Bloomington, Monroe County. During the
winter of 1867-68, he attended law school at Bloomington, whence he graduated in
June, 1868. Four years later, he was appointed Prosecuting Attorney of the Tenth Dis-
trict, and served one year. He is at present engaged in practice with Maj. Mulky. In
1881, he was appointed Commissioner of the Monroe County Circuit Court, and is at
present occupying that position. October 15, 1868, he was married to Miss Sarah E.
Williamson, daughter of Judge A. J. Simpson, of Orange County. They have had three
children, two of whom are living--Josephine E. and Richard H. Mr. Pittman is a member
of the K. of P., and he is Dictator in the K. of H. In politics he is a Democrat. His wife
is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana." 1884. Charles Blanchard, F. A.
Battey & Co., Publishers
MONROE COUNTY, IN.
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 588
BENJAMIN ROGERS (deceased) was born near Maysville, Ky., October 24, 1795,
and was the son of Henry and Sarah (Jenkins) Rogers, natives of Pennsylvania and of
English and Welsh extraction. In about 1816, they came to Monroe County from Jack-
son County, Ind., and resided here until their death. Benjamin married, in Jackson
County, Ind., March 4, 1819, Elizabeth, daughter of Ephraim and Mary E. (Redmond)
Arnold, natives of Maryland. Mrs. Rogers was born in Louisville, Ky., December 9,
1798. Mr. Rogers came to Monroe County in February, 1825, and settled on a farm
in Bloomington Township. He was very industrious, and much respected in the com-
munity of which he was an honored member. He departed this life March 12, 1870,
his wife having preceded him on February 6, 1865. Tto Mr. Rogers' marriage were
born nine children--Mary E., Maria L., Ephraim H. (deceased), Frances M. (deceased),
Nancy A. (deceased), Sarah, Benjamin F. (deceased), William A. and one died in
infancy unnamed.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana." 1884. Charles Blanchard, F. A.
Battey & Co., Publishers
MONROE COUNTY, IN.
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 588
WILLIAM A. ROGERS was born in Bloomington Township, Monroe County, Ind., June
19, 1843, and is a son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Arnold) Rogers. Until he was twenty-
four years of age, he lived on the home farm, when he moved to Perry Township, where
he lived for a number of years, but, having a desire to live near the place of his birth, he
returned to Bloomington Township, and purchased seventy-five acres of land adjoining
the old homestead, where he has since resided. Besides this farm in Bloomington Town-
ship, he owns 203 acres in Perry. March 14,1867, he married Eliza, daughter of Alex-
ander and Jane (Hemphill) Henry. Mr. Henry was a native of Ireland, born February 15,
1804, and came to this county in 1835, and in 1841, he married his wife, being Mrs.
McCaw, who was born in South Carolina April 3,1807, and came to this county in 1833.
She now resides with her daughter, Mrs. Rogers, her husband having died December 4,
1882. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers are the parents of four children--Henry A., Ray R., B.
Frank and Levi (deceased). Mrs. R. is a member of the United Presbyterian Church.
Politically, Mr. R. is a Democrat.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana." 1884. Charles Blanchard, F. A.
Battey & Co., Publishers
MONROE COUNTY, IN.
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 589
WILLIAM K. ROGERS, farmer, was born in Jackson County, Ind., October 30, 1820.
His father, James Rogers, was born near Philadelphia, Penn., in 1789. He was a farmer,
and came to Indiana before the war of 1812, settling in Clarke County. Mr. Rogers was
a soldier of that war. While he and a Mr. Beanblossom were in pursuit of some Indian
horse thieves, they came to a creek, which they named Beanblossom, which name it now
bears. His wife, Susana Kindle, was born in Butler County, Ohio, in 1796, and died in
1871, her husband having "gone before" in 1864, both in the communion of the Christian
Church. William K. married, at his majority, Sarah, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth
(Butcher) Boruff, Tennesseans, and members of the Christian Church. They died in this
county. Sarah (Boruff) Rogers was born on August 25, 1821. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers are
parents of eleven children--Henry B. (deceased), Mary E. (Day), Susana (Griffin),
James L., Jennie E. (Myers), Mrs. William Patton (deceased), Samuel B., William P.,
John A. (deceased), George S. (deceased), and Nannie A. He and wife belong to the
Christian Church, and he is a Republican in politics.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana." 1884. Charles Blanchard, F. A.
Battey & Co., Publishers
MONROE COUNTY, IN.
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 589
WILLIAM P. ROGERS was born March 3,1857, in Brown County, Ind. He is the fourth
son and eighth child of William K. and Sarah (Boruff) Rogers, both natives of Monroe and
Jackson Counties, Ind., respectively. The were married in December, 1841, in Monroe
County, by the Rev. James Mathes, and located on a farm, where they remained for five
years. They then removed to Brown County, and farmed until 1875, returning thence to
Monroe County, where they have since resided. The subject of this sketch was reared in
Washington Township, Brown County, where he attended school until sixteen years of
age, when he entered the high school in Bloomington, Monroe County, remaining two
years. During 1875-76, he taught school in Brown County, being compelled to make his
own way. In September, 1876, he entered the State University, remaining three years, and
then began reading law with Buskirk & Duncan. In September, 1879, he formed a part-
nership with E. E. Sadler, in the regular practice, and continued for about one year in
Bloomington, after which he remained alone until the fall of 1881, when he went into part-
nership with J. E. Henley. They have a lucrative praactice. Mr. Rogers was married in
Bloomington, on March 30, 1883, to E. Belle Clark, daughter of William A. Clark, a
prominent and respected citizen of Monroe County. They have one child--Ethel B. In
1881, Mr. Rogers was elected City Treasurer, and was re-elected in 1883, and is in the
faithful discharge of the duties of this office. Both he and his wife are prominent members
of the Christian Church.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana." 1884. Charles Blanchard, F. A.
Battey & Co., Publishers
MONROE COUNTY, IN.
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 589
JAMES M. ROGERS, farmer, was born in Bloomington, Monroe County, Ind., May 2,
1822, and is the son of David and Catharine (Williams) Rogers, natives of Pennsylvania
and Maryland. They came from Ohio to Jackson County, Ind., on account of Indians,
and there lived in a fort for some time. In 1816, Mr. David Rogers came to a farm on
the site of which Bloomington now stands, and with Jonathan Rogers entered land.
David Rogers died in this county, a member of the Christian Church. James M. Rogers
has been a farmer in this county all his life. At the age of twenty-six, he began life for
himself, and in 1848 married Rebecca Pullen, who was born in 1822, and died on May
22, 1870. She had five children, all living--Edward M., Annie F., Lillie C., Addie W.
and Richard L. Mr. Rogers has filled the office of Justice of the Peace, and a number of
minor offices, and is a much respected citizen, and a Republican.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana." 1884. Charles Blanchard, F. A.
Battey & Co., Publishers
MONROE COUNTY, IN.
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 590
I. MILTON ROGERS was born in Perry Township, Monroe County, on September 1,
1830. He is the eighth child born to Aquilla and Rebecca (Rogers) Rogers, natives of
Virginia. His parents came to Monroe County, Ind., in 1818, and located on a farm in
Perry Township, where they lived for twenty-four years, when the father was elected
Probate Judge, and served until 1848, residing in Bloomington. He then returned to his
farm, where in August, 1849, he died. The subject of this sketch was reared on the old
home farm until twelve years of age. Then he came to Bloomington with his parents and
completed his education, which he had begun in the country schools. When seventeen
years of age, he went to Gosport and was employed by W. A. Montgomery, a tailor,
with whom he remained for thirteen months. He then clerked for five years for another
merchant there. He afterward served for two years as book-keeper for William Alexan-
der, and then went to Minnesota, remaining for three and a half years. Returning thence
to Bloomington, he was engaged as clerk in a dry goods store for some time. He was in
a grocery for one year, and was then appointed Deputy Postmaster and served for three
years. In 1869, he was appointed Deputy Treasurer of Monroe County, serving three
years. He was then elected treasure of Monroe County, on the Republican ticket, and
in 1873 was re-elected. After the expiration of this term of office, he was again appoint-
ed Deputy Treasurer, and served for four years. In 1878, he again embarked in the gro-
cery business, continuing for one year. In September, 1883, he was appointed Deputy
Treasurer under Isaac Claman, and is at present so engaged. He is also engaged in farm-
ing 190 acres of Monroe County's best land. On October 11, 1853, he was married to
Emily Smith, a daughter of John C. Smith, a citizen of Clark County. They have had
nine children. Mr. Rogers has been a member of the Christian Church for thirty-three years
and is a prominent and influential citizen.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana." 1884. Charles Blanchard, F. A.
Battey & Co., Publishers
MONROE COUNTY, IN.
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 590
N. B. ROGERS, born in Salt Creek Township, Monroe County, Ind., on April 23,
1842, is the eldest son and child of Aquilla and Mary E. (Rogers) Rogers, and was
reared in his native township until five years of age, when his parents removed to a
farm in Perry Township, where for three years he attended the district schools of the
neighborhood. He then entered the Preparatory Department of the State University,
continuing for about six years. On September 23,1861, he enlisted in Company G,
Second Indiana Cavalry. He served three years and took part in the following enga-
gements: Shiloh, Perryville, Chickamauga, Gallatin; and at Hartsville, Tenn., he was
captured but soon after paroled, and in about six weeks was exchanged, joining his
company again. He then took active part in the battle of Mossy Creek, Kenesaw,
Peach Tree Creek and Cartersville, and on October 7, 1864, he received an honorable
discharge. Returning to Monroe County, he acted as Deputy Sheriff for two years.
He then removed to Lucas County, Iowa, and farmed until 1874, when he again came
to Bloomington, and engaged in the furniture business, continuing for one year. He was
in the grocery business for two years, and in March, 1877, purchased the livery stable
which he at present successfully runs. He was married, December 25, 1866, to Esther
E. Henry, a daughter of Alexander Henry, of Monroe County. They have one child--
Lelia E. His wife died on March 23, 1877. Mr. Rogers is a member of the A., F. & A.
M., and of the G. A. R., and is a Democrat.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana." 1884. Charles Blanchard, F. A.
Battey & Co., Publishers
MONROE COUNTY, IN.
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 591
LEONIDAS D. ROGERS is a native of Indiana, born May 21, 1858, in Perry Township,
Monroe County, and was reared on the old home farm. He is the fourth son and eighth
child in a family of nine children born to Aquilla and Mary E. (Rogers) Rogers. He was
educated in the district schools until fourteen years of age, when he entered the State Uni-
versity at Bloomington, graduating thence six years later with honors. On July 1, 1879, he
entered the Eastman Business College at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., where he graduated on
December 10, 1879. He has taught four terms of school in Brown and Monroe Counties.
On January 1, 1883, he became agent fof the Home Fire Insurance Company of New
York, Standard of London, National of Hartford, and the Old New York Life. He is
quite successful in the business, and is one of Bloomington's most enterprising young men.
He is a member of the I. O. R. M., Arizona Tribe, No. 56; Secretary of the A., F. & A.
M.; Secretary of the I. O. O. F., and is also D. D. G. M. of Herndon Encampment, I.
O. O. F. Politically, he is a Democrat.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana." 1884. Charles Blanchard, F. A.
Battey & Co., Publishers
MONROE COUNTY, IN.
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 591
JAMES RYAN, born in Greene County, Ind., January 1,1847, is the third son of David
and Mary (Payton) Ryan. He came to Monroe County with his parents when but one
year of age; here he grew up to manhood, and although opportunities for education were
very poor, by energy and industry he acquired a good, practical buisness education, and is
a successful financier. When twelve years of age, he began learning the blacksmith trade,
and served an apprenticeship of over two years, at which time he went to Indianapolis and
worked at his trade for more than a year. Returning to Bloomington, he was in the em-
ploy of the L., N. A. & C. R. R., working in varous capacities for more than three years;
then, resuning his trade, followed it in Bloomington for four years. He then opened a
blacksmith shop, which he worked in for some time; sold out; built on College avenue;
sold out again, and finally re-purchased and resumed business for three years. In 1876,
he became partner of William A. Clark, and one year later went to Greencastle, doing
job work for a short time. Returning to Bloomington, he was a partner in the firm of Ryan
& De Vault for one year, and in August, 1881, purchased the half interest, and now does
a good business in genreal blacksmithing and manufacturing wagons, buggies and phae-
tons. He is industious, energetic, and a liberal citizen, highly respected in his community.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana." 1884. Charles Blanchard, F. A.
Battey & Co., Publishers
MONROE COUNTY, IN.
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 591
J. H. RYORS, third son and fourth child in a family of five children born to Alfred and
Louisa (Walker) Ryors, was born March 10, 1849, in Athens County, Ohio. He was
reared in Athens County until seven years of age, moving thence to Kentucky, and
later on coming to Monroe County, Ind., with is mother, his father having died in Ken-
tucky. In 1864, he entered the State University, remaining for four years; then entered
the employ of Joseph Howe, a dry goods merchant, with whom he continued for two
years. He then worked as dry goods clerk, in Logansport for eighteen months. Returning
thence to Bloomington, he again was with Joseph Howe until 1874, when he formed a
partnership with Eugene Turner in the manufacture of spokes, hubs and wagon stock. In
1875, G. W. Bollenbacher purchased a third interest, and it was continued for six months
under the firm name of Ryors, Turner & Co. In 1875, George Bollenbacher purchased
Mr. Turner's interest, and six years later, he sold to Bollenbacher, Mr. Ryors organized
the firm of J. H. Ryors & Co., manuafactures of hubs, spokes and wagon stocks, which
firm is in a flourishing condition, doing a lucrative business; averaging per year 2,444,000
spokes and 94,000 hubs. They have in their employ constantly seventy-five good work-
men. Mr. Ryors is a Democrat, and has been a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity
for some years. He was married on May 13,1874, to Miss Emma Brown, daughter of
William Brown, a citizen of Logansport, Ind. They have three children--Ida B., Warren
B. and Graham. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and among its most
active workers. He is a liberal citizen, and is highly respected in the community.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana." 1884. Charles Blanchard, F. A.
Battey & Co., Publishers
MONROE COUNTY, IN.
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 592
JOHN SANDERS (deceased), father of L. M. Sanders (the worthy proprietor of the
"National House" Bloomington, Ind.), was born October 11, 1792, near Charleston,
S. C., and was of English extraction. His father was a soldier in the war of 1776, and
was captured by the Tories, while out hunting supplies. He, with several comrades,
were given choice between allegiance to the King and being shot. Choosing the latter,
they were confined in prison, and he with a comrade escaped, while the sentinel slept
at night. The subject of this sketch was one of a family of thirteen children, and when
quite small removed with his paretns to Virginia, where he grew to manhood. In 1810,
he was married to Nancy Briscoe, of East Tennessee, and shortly afterward they moved
to Knox County, Ky., where he engaged in farming until 1814; at which time he came to
Indiana, locating in Orange County. A few years later they went ot Bartholomew County,
and in the spirng of 1822, came to Monroe County, locating in Richland Township, on
240 acres of forest land, where he erected a rude log cabin, with no assistance but that
of his wife. They struggled on year after year, until they had finally cleared 640 acres
of good land and added all necessary improvements. Mr. Sanders was a Whig and had
filled some of the minor offices. He and wife were members of the Baptist Church. He
died in 1847, in the fifty-fifth year of his life. His wife died in 1876, when seventy-four
years of age.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana." 1884. Charles Blanchard, F. A.
Battey & Co., Publishers
MONROE COUNTY, IN.
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 592
FRANCIS L. SARE was born May 13, 1851, in Monroe County, Ind. He is the sixth
son and tenth child of Lucian B. and Jane (Carmichael) Sare, natives of Indiana and
North Carolina, respectively. They were married in Monroe County, and settled on a
farm in Indian Creek Township, where they at present reside. The subject of this sketch
was reared on the old home farm, where he obtained the rudiments of a good English edu-
cation in the district schools. When twenty years of age he began to teach school in
Clear Creek Township. He continued for about three years, teaching in the winters and
trading in stock during the summer. He then engaged in the lumber and mill business in
Greene County, and he has since operated in Greene, Lawrence and Monroe Counties.
He is at present successfully engaged as proprietor of two flourishing saw mills, one in
Monroe and the other in Brown County. Mr. Sare is a prominent and an active member
of the Democratic party. He is a liberal citizen, ever ready and willing to assist in any
public undertaking. He is quite successful as a business man, and repected by all who
know him.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana." 1884. Charles Blanchard, F. A.
Battey & Co., Publishers
MONROE COUNTY, IN.
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 593
F. M. SHARP, born in Ellettsville, Monroe County, March 20, 1851, is eldest son of
George W. and Agnes (Ashbrook) Sharp, and was reared in his native place, and edu-
cated in the public schools there, obtaining the knowledge of all the branches necessary to
a business man. When fourteen years of age, he went West, and remained for five years,
working at various things, and then returned to Ellettsville, working for six years in the
stone quarries of that place. Going thence to Indianapolis, he entered the employ of
Graney Bros. as bar-tender, continuing for more than four years. He went thence to Vin-
cennes, and tended bar in the "La Plant House" for ten months; then to Bloomington, and
entered the employ of John E. Taylor, a grocer, with whom he remained one year, and
then went to Ellettsville, where, opening a saloon of his own, he continued until Septem-
ber, 1883. Coming to Bloomington, he opened his present saloon, a neat, tasty, cozy
place, where he enjoys a lucrative business. He was married, October 17, 1875, to
Miss Lida Whaley, a native of Ellettsville. To crown the happiness of their wedded life,
three children have been born to them--Minnie, Earl and an infant. Mr. Sharp is a pro-
minent member of the Presbyterian church.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana." 1884. Charles Blanchard, F. A.
Battey & Co., Publishers
MONROE COUNTY, IN.
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 593
CAPT. J. W. SHOEMAKER was born on September 22, 1841, at La Porte, Ind.
His parents, Daniel and Elizabeth (Keith) Shoemaker, natives of New York and Ohio,
respectively, farmed in La Porte County for about twenty years; the father died there
January 6, 1856; the mother is still living there, sixty-three years of age. Capt. Shoe-
maker is the second son, and was reared on the old home farm in La Porte County,
where he was educated. On July 27, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Twenty-ninth
Indiana Volunteers, and served for four years and seven months. He took part in the
engagements at Pittsburg Landing, Price's Hill, Mo., Grand Gulf and the Wolf River cam-
paign. In March, 1865, he was transferred into Gen. Hancock's corps, and sent to Wash-
ington, D. C., remaining until July, when he was put in charge of the "post" at Madison,
Ind., remaining for four months. Thence he was sent to Indianapolis, and in March, 1866,
received an honorable discharge. One month later he entered the State University, at
Bloomington, where he continued for two years, after which he was in partnership with
J. J. Durand for three years, and then purchased the entire business, which he ran for one
year. He then had another partner for about four years, and was by himself for quite a
while. His store was finally destroyed by fire, after which he became partner in a hard-
ware store, and is so engaged at present, under the firm name of McPheeters & Shoe-
maker. On October 13, 1869, he was married to Edora Stuart, daughter of William
Stuart, a citizen of Bloomington. They have four children--Frank, Frederick, Lynn and
Helen. In May, 1883, he was elected to the City council, and still has that position. Mr.
Shoemaker is politically a Democrat. He is a member of the K. of P. and of the I. O. O.
F. His wife is a member of the Methoidist Episcopal Church.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana." 1884. Charles Blanchard, F. A.
Battey & Co., Publishers
MONROE COUNTY, IN.
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 593
THE SHOWERS BROTHERS, bedstead manufacturers. James D. Showers is the
eldest of seven children born to Charles C. and Elizabeth (Hull) Showers, natives of
Pennsylvania. He was born in Adams County, Ind., on the 11th day of July, 1841, and
when fifteen years of age came to Bloomington with his parents. When but eleven years
old, he began learning the cabinet and turning trade, with his father, and upon their re-
moval to Bloomington, he continued in his father's shop until November 17, 1869. At
this time he formed a partnership with his brother, William N. Showers, and purchased the
business of Showers & Hendricks. April 29, 1878, Charles H., the youngest brother,
was admitted to the firm, and in February of the following year they made a specialty of
the manufacture of bedsteads. On the 31st day of January, 1866, he was married to Miss
Belle Allen, daughter of Thomas Allen, a respected citizen of Greenville, Ohio. To crown
the happiness of this union there have been born three children. Martha E. (died August
28, 1882), Charles T. and Maud A. Mr. S. is at present Past High Priest of the I. O. O. F.
Lodge of Bloomington. He is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and
a stanch Republican.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana." 1884. Charles Blanchard, F. A.
Battey & Co., Publishers
MONROE COUNTY, IN.
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 594
WILLIAM N. SHOWERS, a native of Ohio, was born in Knox County May 28, 1846.
He is the second son and fourth child born to Charles C. and Elizabeth (Hull) Showers.
He was brought by his parents to Bloomington when but ten years of age, immediately
entering the public schools, where he obtained the rudiments of a good English education.
When about sixteen years of age, he began learning the cabinet and turning trade with the
firm of Showers & Hendricks. He remained in their employ until November 17, 1869,
at which time he with his elder brother James purchased the business of Showers & Hen-
dricks, and continued in the general manufacture of furniture and jobbing work until Feb-
ruary, 1879, when they began making a specialty of the manufacture of bedsteads. Dec-
ember 30, 1867, he was married to Lida J. Hanlin, by whom there was born to him one
child, Jennie. His wife dying February 22, 1868, he was next married, October 14,
1869, to Hannah L. Hendricks, daughter of J. H. Hendricks, of Putnam County. Two
bright children have been born to bless this union--Nellie G. and Edward W. He has
filled all the chairs in the Bloomington Lodge, I. O. O. F., and is at present serving as
Past Grand in the subordinate lodge, and Past High Priest in the Encampmant. Has also
been Councilman for eight years, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana." 1884. Charles Blanchard, F. A.
Battey & Co., Publishers
MONROE COUNTY, IN.
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 594
CHARLES H. SHOWERS, son of Charles C. and Elizabeth (Hull) Showers, was born
in Bloomington, Ind., October 12, 1860. When eighteen years of age, he purchased a
one third interest in the cabinet shops, with his brothers. On the 15th day of October,
1880, he was married to Miss Maud Coatney, the only daughter of Rufus Coatney, a
prominent citizen of Bloomington. The issue of this union has been two interesting child-
ren--Earl H. and Beryl M. The present firm was engaged in the general manufacture of
furniture until in February, 1879, when having completed extensive additions to their fac-
tory they embarked in the special manufacture of bedsteads. For a time their business
was conducted on a small scale, but it gradually increased until at present it has a capital
invested of over $100,000, and employs 110 men. It has a capacity for making 1,350
bedsteads per week, and during the past year (1883) sold 36,450 different classes of
bedsteads, at a cost of about $125,000. It is undoubtedly the most extensive manufac-
turing enterprise in Bloomington, and the Showers Brothers deserve a great deal of
credit for the success they have achieved.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana." 1884. Charles Blanchard, F. A.
Battey & Co., Publishers
MONROE COUNTY, IN.
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 595
CAPT. JOHN M. SLUSS (deceased) was born in Winchester, Ky., November 28,
1807, and was the son of Adam and Mary (Spielman) Sluss, natives respectively of
Maryland and Virginia, and of German extraction. At the age of seventeen, entered an
apprenticeship at tailoring for three years; then worked one year as a journeyman. In
1829, he came to Bloomington and opened a shop, which he operated until confinement
told upon his health, when he began trading in stock, which he continued until 1846, when
he raised a company for the Mexican war, and was elected Captain. During his fifteen
months' service, he contracted the illness which resulted in his death, February 25, 1879.
In politics, he was a Whig, and was twice elected Sheriff of Monroe County, and once
to the State Legislature. On the dissolution of the Whig party, he became a Democrat,
was elected Justice of the Peace, and served until his retirement to his farm adjoining
Bloomington, on which he died, aged seventy-one. He was married, May 8, 1828, to
Miss Eliza Hunter, a native of Kentucky and born August 27, 1808. To this union were
born two sons and seven daughters, of whom the sons and five daughters, are still living.
His widow is a member of the Christian Church, of which Capt. Sluss was also a mem-
ber, as well as a member of the Masonic fraternity.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
"Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana." 1884. Charles Blanchard, F. A.
Battey & Co., Publishers
MONROE COUNTY, IN.
BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP AND CITY
PAGE 595
WILLIAM STUART was born January 10, 1816, in Washington County, Ind., and is the
son of William and Ann (Donley) Stuart, natives of Pennsylvania and North Carolina, res-
pectively. The father died in Posey County, Ind., in 1845. The mother died July 5,1865.
The subject of this sketch is the second son and fifth child. There were very few advant-
ages for an education, but by energy and industry, he acquired a knowledge of the English
language, which has assisted him greatly in business affairs. He learned the trade of manu-
facturing farming implements, and in 1838 opened shop in his native county, where he
was successfully engaged for three years. He then went to Salem, Ind., and continued
to work at his trade until 1848, when his health failed, and he was not able to work for
five years. He traveled around the country, selling goods from a wagon, for two years
after he got well, and then went into the general merchandise business in Clear Spring,
Jackson County, Ind., for some time. He sold out, and went into business in Washington
County; afterward in Salem, in the hardware business. In the fall of 1864, he came to
Bloomington, and was in the hardware business here until the fall of 1883, since which
time he has retired. On April 15,1841, he was married to Melinda E. Holstine, daughter
of George Holstine, a citizen of Tennessee. They have had six children--Clem E., Pam-
elia J., Helen, Cleopatra, Amanda E., Isaac W. (deceased). Mr. Stuart is a member of
the Methodist Church, and politically he is a Republican.
Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn
1998 Deb Murray
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