History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Montgomery County - Union Twp.

E. A. Wilhite, tailor, Crawfordsville, who has spent nearly all his years in Montgomery county, was born January 1, 1820, in Jefferson county, Kentucky. He is a son of Simeon and Mary (Funk) Wilhite, who came to Crawfordsville in 1824, and shortly after settled south of the then ''log city" of a few houses, where, in 1839, Simeon departed this life, and was followed by his wife in 1833. E. A. Wilhite received the training and schooling of a pioneer's boy, and can well remember the log school-house with its slab seats and window of greased paper for light, the absence of desks, and especially the primitive "master." At the age of ten years he began to use the needle, and has followed tailoring ever since, being now one of the most thoroughly experienced workmen in the city. For over thirty years he has worked in his present shop. By economy and industry and fair dealing he has accumulated a little fortune of $15,000 or $20,000. Mr. Wilhite has a peculiar passion for music, having been connected with the Crawfordsville band ever since 1840, and still loves the recreation. In 1840 he played at the Tippecanoe battle-ground celebration, and again in 1876. Mr. Wilhite was a whig during the time of that party, and with the advent of republicanism he adopted its principles. He has been twice married; first to Ada J. Blankenship, of Crawfordsville, who died leaving one son, James Q. W., to survive her; and second, to Dr. Mary H. Holloway, of the same city. The fruits of the last marriage have been seven children: three deceased, Edgar, Ella N. and Fred; and four living, Edwin L., Mary E., Stanton L. and Bertha J. Mrs. Wilhite is a daughter of Washington and Elizabeth (King) Holloway, the former of whom is now living in Crawfordsville at the age of eighty years. Mrs. Wilhite attended school sufficient to fit herself for teaching, which she followed four years. In 1854 she entered Penn Medical University, from which she graduated in 1856. She was educated here at the expense of J. Edgar Thomson, one of the members of the original board of incorporation of that college, and a wealthy gentleman of Philadelphia. Mrs. Wilhite was the first lady from Indiana to graduate in a medical school. Leaving her Alma Mater June 2, she nailed her sign where it is still to be seen, on the 22d of that same month, 1856. She emphatically asserts she has solved the problem that a woman can be a "wife, mother, and physician." During her practice she has given instruction to two students: Mrs. Wood, who afterward graduated at Penn Medial University, and was then engaged as lady physician in foreign lands by the Home and Foreign Mission, and Mrs. Wilson, who now holds three diplomas and is doing an extensive practice in Terre Haute, Indiana. Mrs. Wilhite is also an ardent supporter in woman's rights, and fully expects to see the day when woman may vote for those who make laws to govern her, and when doctors will counsel one another without distinction in regard to sex.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Montgomery County - Union Twp.

David H. Remley, farmer, Crawfordsville, Indiana, was born December 21, 1844, on the farm upon which he now lives. His father, John Remley, was born May 21, 1800. At the age of twelve his father died, and at the age of fifteen he was apprenticed to Richard Skinner, of Lebanon, Ohio, to learn the tanner's trade. Here he remained five years, at the expiration of which time he worked by the month until the spring of 1824, when he walked from Ohio to Indiana, and purchased eighty acres of land of Mr. Stitt, west of Crawfordsville, and after planting three acres of corn returned to Ohio on foot. The family have in their possession a cane Mr. Remley used in walking to this county, with the date of his walk upon it. After his return to Ohio he worked about a month, and was married March 3, 1825, to Sarah McCain, near Lebanon, Ohio. Her father, James McCain, was a native of New Jersey, but finally moved to Ohio, and died there in 1824. Her mother, Ann (Dill) McCain, was a native of Kentucky, and died in 1845. They became the parents of eleven children, seven of whom are living. Elizabeth A. is living with her mother on the home farm, and was born November 23, 1826, and has been a consistent member of the Presbyterian church for thirty years. Mr. Remley joined the Presbyterian church in February, 1841, and was one of its elders for more than twenty years. Mrs. Remley has also been a member since 1841. He was a whig, and at the founding of the republican party joined that organization. Mrs. Remley, accompanied by her uncle, William McCain, and two cousins, came to Indiana. There were but two horses in the company, and these were rode by Mrs. Remley and her uncle, the journey taking eight days. Mr. Remley loaded his goods upon a flat-boat at Hamilton, Ohio, on the Miami river, and shipped them to Terre Haute. He then walked to this city, engaged a team of oxen, hauled them to the present homestead, and arranged them in a 10x18 log cabin with the door swinging out, previously erected by Mr. Stitt near the south line of the farm. Mr. Remley being a tanner by trade, located upon this tract of land on account of the springs. He soon built a cabin and established a tan-yard, where he continued to do a splendid business until 1858. Three or four years after settling on his place Mr. Remley erected a hewed-log cabin, but just as it was completed it caught fire and burned to the ground. He soon commenced the building of two rooms of the present brick house, which the family occupied as soon as finished. In 1840 he made some additions, as he did also in 1855, and here resided until his death, January 2, 1879, at which time he owned over 2,000 acres of land. Having commenced life as a poor boy, he gained his fortune through economy and industry. His was an honest, active, and Christian life, and when death separated him from this world he left to mourn his departure a family who loved him dearly, and numerous friends and neighbors who ever held him in the highest esteem. David H. attended the district school until his twentieth year, and lived with his parents until his marriage, March 10, 1870, to Elizabeth A. Busenbark. They have one child, James Edgar, born September 29, 1871. Mr. Remley is now farming the old homestead. He and his wife have been members of the Presbyterian church since February 24, 1878. He is now one of the deacons of that society, and a staunch republican, casting his first presidential vote for Gen. Grant.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Montgomery County - Union Twp.

James E. Dunn, farmer and stock raiser, Crawfordsville, was born May 7, 1817, in Madison county, Kentucky, on a farm ten miles south of Richmond. His father, Nathaniel A., was born near Danville, Kentucky, February 27, 1790. At the age of seventeen he learned the tanner's trade with Alexander Logan, in Lexington, Kentucky, where he remained four years. He then volunteered as a ranger in the war of 1812, under his brother, Capt. Williamson Dunn. After his return he married, September 6, 1814, Sophia W. Irvine, who was born January 25, 1794, in Madison county. Her father, Benjamin Irvine, was a native of Virginia, and emigrated to Kentucky in 1800. They were the parents of nine children, seven of whom are living. He was a member of the First Presbyterian church of Crawfordsville, and at the time of his death was one of its elders. His wife was also a member of the same denomination. He was formerly a whig, but joined the republican party at its birth. After his marriage he settled upon a farm, and in connection with it run a tan-yard for eight years, and October 17, 1825, reached Montgomery county, intending to effect a permanent settlement, having visited this section of country three times before. He located on what is now known as the west end of Main street, where he purchased twenty-seven acres and soon erected a tan-yard, being among the first in the county. Here he lived until his death, July 22, 1875. His wife died June 25, 1870. James E. lived with his parents until his twenty-first year, when he began life for himself as clerk for Beasley & Odell, at which place he remained four years. He was then engaged in various enterprises for some years. In the fall of 1844 he was employed by Newton Darlington to assist in his dry-goods store for over two years. His next step was that of a civil engineer, in which capacity he assisted in surveying the La Fayette and Indianapolis railroad. At the completion of this work he was engaged as a clerk in La Fayette about six months, when he returned to Crawfordsville, and was again employed on the engineer corps of the Crawfordsville & La Fayette railroad. November 22, 1849, he was married to Matilda Burbridge, daughter of Judge William Burbridge, who emigrated from Kentucky to Montgomery county in 1823. They are the parents of six children: Emma E., who is married to Charles Gerrard; William A., at present in California; Samuel L., Fannie M., Walter G. and George G. After his marriage he was engaged as clerk two years in Sperry's mill, and after another year in the city commenced farming one and a half miles south of Crawfordsville. He moved upon his farm in 1855, and in the fall of 1858 sold it and returned to the city, where he busied himself clerking in a hardware store for about two years, and for Campbell & Harter one year. In 1863 he moved to Thorntown, where he clerked in the hardware store of R. M. Lafollette one and a half years, at the expiration of which time he moved to Crawfordsville, and there kept house until the death of his father. November 15, 1877, he moved to his present home of eighty-three acres, a fine farm and well improved, with a two-story frame dwelling 30 x 34 and an 24x42. He was a participant in the chase after Morgan in 1863, and is a firm believer in the doctrine as advocated and sustained by the republican party, casting his first presidential vote for Gen. Harrison in 1840.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Montgomery County - Union Twp.

William McLaughlin, farmer, Whitesville, was born April 6, 1829, on Sec. 22, and in the following June moved with his parents upon the farm he now resides on and owns. His father, James McLaughlin, was born March 11, 1798, and is a native of Pennsylvania. He had, however, when a boy, emigrated with his parents to Hamilton county, Ohio, and settled upon a farm. Here he was constantly and busily engaged until he commenced learning the trade of a blacksmith, which, owing to poor health, he followed only a short time, when he began work as a farm hand, to which his entire attention was turned until his emigration to the Hoosier State in 1826. Mr. McLaughlin had previously visited Montgomery county and "spied out the land," on foot. He returned to Ohio and soon made a permanent location, first entering the eighty acres now owned by David. H. Davidson and occupied by Tillman Howard. After coming to this county he was employed by William Burbridge for some months, and also by Thomas Lamson. He, however, entered land in the S. 1/2 Sec. 23, upon which his son William now lives. This tract of land he cleared, and in 1829 built the 19 x 21 house still standing and occupied, and in 1843 erected the second, where he died June 13, 1878, and was buried at Finley chapel, a universally respected and esteemed citizen. June 19, 1828, he was marred in Union township to Jane Brenton, daughter of Samuel and Margaret Brenton. She died September 9, 1848, and was buried at the same place as her husband. They were the parents of but one child, William, who has during the whole of his life lived upon the homestead, working in partnership with his father unti1 his death, at which time he obtained complete control of the property. He now is in possession of a farm of 280 acres of well improved and good tillable land. Mr. McLaughlin received such an education at the district school as a diligent student might acquire in those pioneer days. This has been supplemented by extensive reading, both in history, biography and general reading matter. He is a democrat, casting his first presidential vote for Franklin Pierce in 1852.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Montgomery County - Union Twp.

Henry Liter, farmer and stock raiser, Crawfordsville, was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, on a farm near Paris, March 19, 1805. His father, Henry Liter, was born on a farm in Pennsylvania, and emigrated to Kentucky in the early days and located in Bourbon county, where he purchased a farm of sixty acres, which, to his great surprise, was claimed by a person holding an earlier title, and such were the conditions that he was compelled to buy the property a second time in order to retain it. Here he lived until his death in January 1864. In Bourbon county he was married to Katie Boyers, and became the father of five children, only one of whom is living: Nancy, Mary, Catherine, Joseph, and Henry. After the death of his first wife Mr. Liter married Mary Ament, of Bourbon county, and became the father of seven other children, six of whom are living: Mathias, Ament, Adam, Elizabeth, Eliza, Lucinda, and Matilda. He was a Presbyterian and a strong whig, being an ardent supporter of Kentucky's great orator, Henry Clay. His son, Henry, remained at home until past twenty-one, and April 19, 1826, he was married to Celina Sidener, in Fayette county, Kentucky, daughter of Jacob and Mary Sidener. She died August 15, 1829, leaving two children, Kittie Ann, who died in Iowa, and Celina, who was married to Joseph S. Swindler. After his marriage he cropped one season with his father, after which time he removed to Fayette county, where he was engaged in farming four years. After the death of his first wife, in 1838, he came to this county with his uncle and married Mary Ruffner, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Sidener) Ruffner, who was born May 1, 1809, in Bourbon county, Kentucky. They are the parents of nine children: Martha J., Norris, Martin Henry, Elizabeth Noggle, Mathias A., Harriet Weykle, Rosanna Watson, William, Mary Brown, and Joseph. The latter two are dead. Martin H. was in the late war and was a good soldier. October 5, 1834, Mr. Liter arrived at his father-in-law's house in this county, and October 6, upon eighty acres of his present farm of 404 acres, well improved, in a 14x16 cabin, that was situated just east of the corner of his present dwelling. Here he lived, after making some additions, four years, when it caught fire and burned to the ground, destroying all the furniture and burning Mr. Liter's feet in an awful manner. In nine days, however, by the assistance of kind neighbors, they were living in an 18 x 23 story-and-a-half frame house, only partly completed, and here lived until the summer of 1855, when he moved into hig 20 x 48 with an L 28 x 32, including porch, brick house which at the time of its completion was said to be the best finished two-story residence in the country. He is a member of the Christian church, as is also his wife. He assisted in laying the sills under the Crawfordsville church, and contributed largely to its support. He is a firm believer in the doctrines of the republican party and cast his first presidential vote for the silver-tongued Clay.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Montgomery County - Union Twp.

Thomas J. Hole, superintendent of Poor farm, Crawfordsville. This large-hearted social gentleman is the eldest of eleven children, and was born on a farm in Montgomery county, Ohio, April 14, 1839. His father, John Hole, was a native of Montgomery county, Ohio, where he died August 1871. At the age of eighteen he learned the coopers trade, near Woodburn, of Elisha Hopkins, following the same for six or seven years, then began farming and engaged in running a saw-mill situated upon his place, until his decease. His education was of a limited character. He married Eliza J. Benson, in Delaware county, Indiana. She is still living on the home farm surrounded by three of her children. She is a member of the Baptist church, as was also her husband, who was formerly a whig, finally associating himself with the republicans when they championed the negro's cause. Thomas J. lived with his parents until he reached his twenty-third year, when he tried the fortunes of the world for himself. March 27, 1862, he was married to Elizabeth Lightcap, in Dayton, Ohio, by the Rev. David Winters, and they are now the parents of seven children, six of whom are living: Cynthia J., John Henry, Eliza Ann, Charles D., William F., Walter, and Ida. Solomon Lightcap died near Miamisburg, Ohio, in the fall of 1862. His wife, Catharine (Smith) Lightcap, is still living near Germantown, a member of the German Reform church. After his marriage Thomas J. engaged in farming in Montgomery county, Ohio, and after three years of fair success moved to Montgomery county, Indiana, and settled upon John Townsley's place as a renter. At the expiration of one year's time he purchased twenty acres and moved upon it and here remained, farming this and other rented property until in March, 1874, when he was appointed by the commissioners as superintendent of the Poor farm, and as such officer has filled the position with honor to himself and credit to the county. They now have on hand, through his careful and economical management, 1,000 bushels of wheat, 125 head of hogs; 300 bushels of potatoes, 10 tons of hay, and 1,800 bushels of corn. He is a member of the Missionary Baptist church, as is also his wife. April, 1864, he enlisted at Columbus, Ohio, for 100 days, as a member of' Co. I, 131st Ohio Vol. Inf., and was mustered out at the same place August 27, 1864. He is a republican, casting his first presidential vote for the heroic and martyred Lincoln.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Montgomery County - Union Twp.

James Lee & Brother, grocers, Crawfordsville, began business in 1863 in the building now occupied by Peter Somerville. In 1864 they built the store room No. 3, 20x80, in which they carried on the grocery trade till 1878, when they erected their present building, 22x65. Beginning, they carried but a light stock, but now transact a business of about $25,000 per year. For some time they engaged in the wholesale trade, but the years of the panic compelled them to diminish their stock on account of the failures among their debtors. Their father, in an early day, went from Kentucky to Ohio and married, then in 1822 moved to Montgomery county, bringing his wife and two children. The family settled about two and a half miles northeast of Crawfordsville, on 360 acres of land. Mr. Lee became very popular in the democratic party. He was associate judge for seven years, being on the bench at the same time as Judges Stitt and Naylor, and also represented the county in the legislature. He was a man with but little "book-learning," yet practical and successful in his business. He was a member of the Regular Baptist church, and was the chief among the organizers of the first church in Montgomery county. He died in 1855, at the age of sixty-five. His wife, Priscilla (Long) Lee, was a native of Butler county, Ohio. They had eight children, six of whom are living. James, the senior partner, was born August 8, 1835, on the old Lee farm in Montgomery county, experiencing a farmer's life till 1853, when he went to California and engaged in mining and lumbering, also was awhile in the hotel business. Returning in 1860, he began business in Crawfordsville, and during 1861 and 1863 traded in horses, since which time he has been with his brother in their present trade. He is strictly democratic, and served six years as county commissioner, during which time the court-house, costing $35,000, was built, and all the streams bridged with iron bridges. He has been twice married: first to Martha Hutton, in 1847, of Virginia, who died in 1848; and second to Mary A. Bunch, of Kentucky. They have two children. Mrs. Lee is a member of the Missionary Baptist church. Mr. Lee is said to be the oldest living white inhabitant born in Montgomery county. David Lee, the other member of the firm, was born April 13, 1833, on the home farm, and raised a farmer. He was married in 1860, to Mahala Courtney, daughter of Mrs. Rebecca Jones, of Crawfordsville. They have six children. Mr. Lee is also a democrat, but quiet in the political arena.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Montgomery County - Union Twp.

Meredith Rountree, retired, Crawfordsville, was born May 13, 1814, in Orange county, North Carolina. His parents, Charles and Sarah (Hayes) Rountree, were born, raised and married in Armaugh county, Ireland. They came to America in 1806, landing at New Castle, Delaware, and thence went direct to North Carolina. There they farmed seventeen years, then six years in Butler county, Ohio, and in 1827 came to Montgomery county and settled in Ripley township, where the elder Rountree entered 160 acres of land in the N.W. 1/4 Sec. 24. Here the pioneers built the log hut, cleared the farm , and tilled the land, with but few to molest them. He was a stalwart republican and taught his boys the same grand principles for which he voted. Prior to republicanism he had been a whig. Both he and wife were members of the Methodist church. He died at the age of eighty-four years, and his wife followed him in two years afterward at the age of eighty-six years. Both were interred in the Alamo cemetery. The son, Meredith Rountree, learned well the significance of the word toil, and but little of the word school. He aided his father until his majority, when his father gave him 300 acres of land. With this start Mr. Rountree began for himself. By perseverance, industry and care he added to his possessions until in 1865 he was able to retire from hard labor owning 640 acres, 500 of which were under cultivation. Since retiring he has disposed of his farm until he now has but 240 acres. Mr. Rountree was marrried September 6, 1840, to Melinda Mann, of Mercer county, Illinois. They had four children: Rhoda A., Henry Clay, Sarah E. and Daniel Webster. All are deceased except the last named. Mrs. Rountree died March 27, 1871. Mr. Rountree was next married to Mrs. Mary. A. McClellan, of Crawfordsville, January 1, 1878. His eldest son, Henry C., served his time in the civil war, and died at Jeffersonville, Indiana, on his way home. His youngest son is now a member of the firm of Myers & Rountree, in the dry-goods business in Crawfordsville. Mr. Rountree owns considerable property in the city.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Montgomery County - Union Twp.

George W. Conrad, farmer, Darlington, was born in Preble county, Ohio, August 14, 1827, and is the son of James and Mahala Conrad. James Conrad, with his family, settled on Sugar creek, in Union township, in 1827. He came with six other families from Ohio. They were fourteen days on the road, and had to cut their own way through the woods part of the time, the country being then nearly all wild. The subject of this sketch began farming for himself when twenty-four years old, in limited circumstances. He now has 214 acres eight miles northeast of Crawfordsville, raising stock and grain. He was married in 1852, and has six children living: Sarah E., Emma J., Joanna, James Wallace, Emory E. and John Clinton. Mr. Conrad is a republican, strong and true, a successful farmer and a good citizen.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Montgomery County - Union Twp.

S. H. Gregg & Son, dealers in hardware and implements, Crawfordsville. The senior member of the firm, Samuel H. Gregg, was born in Montgomery county, June 11, 1827, and lived on the farm unti1he was twenty-four years old. He then entered as a partner in the first hardware store in Crawfordsville, and has ever since continued in that business. He is a member of the Methodist church, and was married, the first time, in 1847, to Sarah L. Christman, who died in 1861. He was married the second time in 1871, to Sarah J. Munns. She is also a member of the Methodist church. The junior member of the firm, Orpheus M. Gregg, was born October 7, 1848. He has always lived in this county, with the exception of about one year spent in California. He graduated with the class of 1870 in the classical course of Wabash College. He was married in 1874 to Julia Mills, daughter of Prof. C. Mills. They have two children, both boys. Mr. and Mrs. O. M. Gregg are both members of the Center Presbyterian church. Mr. Gregg is treasurer of the city school board, and in politics is a republican. "Gregg and Son" are honorable gentlemen, have a large store, a large corps of clerks, and are doing an extensive business.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Montgomery County - Union Twp.

John Breaks, farmer and stock feeder, Crawfordsville. His father emigrated from England in 1817. He came to Wayne county, Indiana. Here he married Jane Beard, and in 1823 brought his family to this county. He attended the first land sales at Crawfordsville, where he purchased three "eighties." These are now owned by Alvin Harrison and Richard Breaks. His wife died February 16, 1835, aged thirty-two. He lived to be eighty years old, and died in 1870. Our subject was born in this township December 14, 1832. He was raised a cultivator of the soil, and has devoted all his life to that vocation. November 21, 1854, he married Caroline Groenendyke, who was born June 20, 1836. Her parents, Peter and Hannah (Beard) came from Wayne county, this state, to Union township, in 1827. Her mother was from North Carolina. Her father was a native of New York, and died in 1854, aged fifty-four years. Mr. and Mrs. Breaks have had ten children born to them: John B., October 29, 1855; Sarah Ann, December 8, 1857, died June 16, 1867; James Richard, March 13, 1860; Amos Gilbert, April 20, 1862; Ida May, March 27, 1864; William Thomas, August 28, 1866, died March 25, 1867; Mary Beard, January 16, 1868, died August 24, 1869; Albert Lewis, September 14, 1869, died February 24, 1871; Edith Caroline, December 19, 1871, and Luther Zwingle, March 5, 1879. James is a senior in the classical course at Wabash College. John is a jeweler, business in Crawfordsville. The parents have been professors of religion thirty years. Mr. Breaks owns a valuable farm of 804 acres, lying in Union township, mostly improved, and valued at $40,000. He is a staunch republican, and gave his first vote for president for John C. Fremont, in 1856.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Montgomery County - Union Twp.

Edwin Quick, farmer, Crawfordsville, is of German descent on the paternal side. His great-grandfather first settled in Westchester county, New York. Leaving a son and a daughter there, he moved to the Mohawk and raised another family of children, among whom was Thomas Quick, a famous hunter. The Indians murdered a near relation of his, and he dedicated himself to the work of vengeance. In the contest between the red and the white men he pursued the work of killing Indians with remorseless energy. His exploits sound like legendary tales, or the creations of weird romance. It is related that on one occasion, while splitting a log, a party of seven Indians, looking for him with the purpose of taking his life, came suddenly upon him and demanded to have him pointed out to them. He agreed to accede to their request when he should have the log rived, and asked them to assist him. Ranging themselves on either side and taking hold with their hands, at the right juncture of the stratagem he instantly knocked out the wedge and brained every one of them with a dab. The subject of this sketch was born in Westchester county, New York, August 28, 1805. In 1816 his parents, Elijah and Sally (Reynolds) Quick, came down from the headwaters of the Alleghany on a flat-boat, and settled near Cleavetown, just above Lawrenceburg, on the Big Miami. This was in the neighborhood of Gen. Harrison's home, and during the residence of the family there he worked more or less for Judge Short, the general's son-in-law; and an older sister, living at the present time in Terre Haute, was employed in the general's own family. In 1824 Mr. Quick came to Montgomery county with James Bryant, who had been here and entered land and was now moving his family. They arrived on the 19th of October. After Bryant’s house was up Mr. Quick, in company with James Turner, a man thoroughly acquainted with woodcraft, went through the dense woods and trackless country on foot to Terre Haute; and after visiting there awhile with his brother Richard, returned and hired to Bryant for one year for $65 - $15 to be taken in " store pay" and the rest in a land office money-gold, silver, and United States scrip. After the corn was ''made" that season he went back to Ohio and brought out Bryant’s father and his family. Next year he took a job of cutting, rolling, and burning the logs and brash on five acres of Bryant's land for all the corn he could raise on the cleared ground. He was considerably stimulated by the thought that he was for working for himself, but the outcome was not satisfactory in adding to his gains. But he managed about this time to enter eighty acres of land, and then went to work for Major William Crooks, who owned a saw and grist mill where Snyder's mill stands, at Yountsville, receiving, the first year, one-fourth of the net profits of the business and his board. The second year he got one-half, and operated the mills alone. This was not exactly a signal financial success. About 1828 his father moved with his family to this place. He now gave his attention to clearing his land and making a home. Taking a supply of Johnny cakes and a frying pan with him he would go from his father's house on Monday morning and spend the whole week in the woods chopping down timber, without seeing a man, and subsisting on corn-bread and wild meat. In 1830 he went to New York with a power of attorney from his father to collect several hundred dollars due him. He traveled a large part of the distance on horseback and the remainder by boat. Immediately on his return, the same year, he was married to Abigal Ball, by whom he had seven children: Nathaniel, Stebbens, Martha Ann, now Mrs. William Teeter of White county; Sarah Ellen, wife of Henry Wildman, living near Bement, Illinois; Huldah, who was married to John Utterback, and died leaving three children; Margaret Jane, who married Omar Mason, became the mother of six children and died; and Albert J. Mrs. Quick died September 30, 1846, and Mr. Quick took for his second wife, in the March following, Mary W. Groenendyke. She bore him three children: Alice C., now Mrs. George Widener; Hannah A., wife of Samuel Bratton, of Iowa, and Amos B. This wife died September 15, 1853. Mr. Quick celebrated his third marriage with Elizabeth B. Bennett, January 15, 1856. He came to this county a poor, ragged boy; today he owns 400 acres of land lying in a body where he lives, less five acres he has donated to the new Christian church called Liberty chapel. He has a1so 200 acres in Coal Creek township, and 320 in Iowa. Fifty years ago Mr. Quick joined the Missionary Baptists; the society becoming divided, he united with the Free Will Baptists, who in time drifted into the Christian denomination. By this church, at the head of Coal creek, in this county, Mr. Quick was ordained a minister June 13, 1847. For nearly thirty years he has been in the active work of the ministry, and in the whole time has not received a dollar as pay. He has made several liberal donations of money, the principal of which have been $508 to Liberty chapel and $500 to the Christian Publishing Company of Dayton, Ohio. He holds two shares of stock of $100 each in Union Merom College, and four shares of $50 each in the New Albany and Salem railroad.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Montgomery County - Union Twp.

Among the pioneer settlers in this county was Mr. Randolph Davis and family, Mr. Davis having emigrated in his youth from the State of New Jersey to Ohio, where he was united in marriage with Miss Abigail Hoel, of Butler county, who was also born in New Jersey. Removed from Butler county, Ohio, to Montgomery county, Indiana, in the year 1896, and settled in the almost unbroken forest of Brown township. The first family residence was in a rude log cabin, roofed with boards and floored with puncheons, then occupied for some time without any chimney. The fire for cooking being placed against the logs at the side or end of the cabin, where the chimney was to be built, an opening was thus gradually burned out, and then a chimney of sticks and mud was erected and completed, with mud back, jambs and hearth. The cracks between the logs were filled with the same material, of which there was an abundant supply. The cabin now completed was found to be quite comfortable and convenient, answering admirably the purposes of kitchen, dining-room, bed-room, sitting room and parlor. Having none of the modern invention, such as stoves, for cooking, Mrs. Davis, as all the pioneer women did, baked corn-dodgers on the skillet and pone in the big oven. The same table, though not of the extension pattern, suited well for both kitchen and dining-room. Other furniture, such as chairs and stools, was plain, unvarnished and substantial. The bedsteads had each one post, and neither the mark of chisel, plane, screw or nail about them. Instead of an-organ or piano the parlor was furnished with a well-made and rich-toned instrument of the spinning-wheel variety. A flax-brake, scutching-board and knife, a hatchel, wheel and loom, constituted a complete outfit for a first-class domestic manufactory of coarse and fine linens, convertible into trousers, shirts, sheets, table-cloths, towels, etc. Mr. Davis being a man of energy and will, as well as muscular force, soon made an opening in the woods, which was enlarged from year to year until a farm yielding abundant crops of grain and grass was opened up. He possessed some military genius and taste, and took an active part in some of the first military organizations in the county, holding for years the rank and title of major. Mr. and Mrs. Davis raised a family of four sons and three daughters. The boys, Isaac, Jacob, Thompson and John, received such home training on the farm as qualified them for future success in life. After many years of varied success in business and trade, Jacob died at Crawfordsville in 1876. Isaac, Thompson and John are still living in this county, successfully engaged in farming and trading in stock.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Montgomery County - Union Twp.

John L. Davis, farmer and stock raiser, Crawfordsville, is descended from Welsh ancestry. His parents were natives of New Jersey. His father, Randolph Davis, married Abigail Hoel in Butler county, Ohio, and in the autumn of 1826 removed to this county and improved a homestead on Indian creek, in Brown township, on Sec. 13, T. 18, R 5. The mother is yet living at this place, and has passed several years in her fifth score. The first day after the arrival of the family the men in the company built a cabin, which they all occupied at night. A fire was kindled against the green logs, where the fire-place was soon after made, and the forked flames smiled with a glow of comfort on the new home and its happy inmates. A deer, killed by one of the men, was hung up in a corner. Here it was that the subject of this biography was born April 4, 1831. He was the sixth child of his parents. His early life was occupied with the usual employments of that period, such as farming and clearing land; and he wrung meanwhile a common school education from the scanty privileges of the time. He married Miss Eliza E. Van Cleve, daughter of George W. and Margery (Benefiel) Van Cleve, who were natives of Kentucky, and were married in Shelby county, of that state, in 1826. Mrs. Davis was born on the farm where she resides December 24, 1834. Her parents were Presbyterians, and she has been a communicant in the Old School Presbyterian church since her childhood. Three children have blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Davis: George E., born December 8, 1862; Little Harry, April 13, 1864, died August 30, 1864, and Margery S., November 8, 1866. Mr. Davis is a prominent representative of the Mystic Tie in Montgomery county. He was made a Master Mason in Montgomery Lodge, No. 50, June 11, 1852; a Royal Arch Mason in Crawfordsville Chapter, No. 40, July 30, 1857; received the council degrees in Montgomery Council, No. 34, May 5, 1869, and attained the honorable position of a Knight Templar in Greencastle Commandery, No. 11, November 11, 1870. He is a charter member of Crawfordsville Commandery, No. 25; was the first treasurer, and except one year has held that office continuously since. He has attended three triennial conclaves of the Knights Templar: the first at Baltimore in 1871, the second in Cleveland in 1877, and the third in Chicago in 1880. Mr. Davis owns a valuable farm pleasantly situated about four miles south of Crawfordsville, on the Terre Haute turnpike. His real estate comprises 460 acres, 220 being under plow and the rest in meadow and pasture. This fine property, valued at $34,000, has been accumulated mainly by his own hard labor and business industry. His superb private residence, one of the best in the county, was erected in 1875 at a cost of $6,000. Exclusive of cellar and attic, it contains fifteen handsome rooms. On New Year's eve, 1879, Mr. and Mrs. Davis entertained at their home upward of forty, including Knights Templar, their wives, and others. An elegant supper was spread before a brilliant assemblage of guests, and the affair throughout was too enjoyable not to be conspicuous for a long time in the pleasing recollections of all who were present on that occasion.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Montgomery County - Union Twp.

Henry Crawford (deceased). Montgomery county desires to keep in remembrance her honored dead. Among her early pioneers the name of Henry Crawford is prominent. To him, with others in that early day, the "present" is indebted for many of the elements of strength that place Crawfordsville on the high business, intellectual, and moral plain she now occupies. Henry Crawford was born in Charleston, Virginia, December 15, 1802, and was the son of Alexander and Catharine Crawford. His father was a native of Ireland, and his mother of Union City, Pennsylvania. She died when he was a boy, in Lebanon, Ohio, where the family were living at the time. In 1827 he came to Crawfordsville, where he was constantly engaged in mercantile pursuits till within a few years of his death. He early opened a store and kept a general stock on the ground now occupied by the Nutt hotel, and about 1830 moved his store and stock to the spot in which the present Crawford store stands, first door east of the court-house. On that spot he made his reputation as a business man. To sell and buy goods was a pleasure to him, and by close attention and care, by strict integrity and faithfulness to promises, he became a successful merchant. Those early days tried the courage of a young man. Then six weeks were required in which to make the trip to New York for goods; now only a few days. In 1843 he united with the Center Presbyterian church, and became one of the most liberal and earnest supporters of the Gospel. Mr. Crawford also took an earnest interest in the Wabash College and all progressive measures. A little more than a year before his death sickness prostrated him, and it seemed impossible for him to rally. At last, surrounded by his friends and loved ones, he passed from the toils and pleasures of earth April 2, 1878, after fifty-one years of residence in Crawfordsville. Mr. Crawford was a whig in the times of that party, and with the rise of republicanism he espoused its principles, though he never sought political distinction yet was earnest in his political opinions. He was twice married: first to Mary Cochran, by whom there is one surviving son, Henry E.; his second marriage took place in 1841, this time to Lydia M. Marshall, daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth Marshall, of Dunbarton, New Hampshire. Mr. Crawford left a second family, consisting of a wife and two children, Clara R. and Charles M., now proprietor of the stone front dry-goods store just east of the court-house.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Montgomery County - Union Twp.

Joab Elliot, retired; Crawfordsville, now a man of seventy-three years, has spent his life in Indiana. He has seen the state grow as he grew to manhood, and as he has grown gray has beheld his state continue to develop. His father was a native of Randolph county, North Carolina, and in 1806 made a trip to Indiana territory and purchased 160 acres of land in the twelve-mile purchase. In the following year he moved his family in a four-horse wagon a distance of 700 miles, from Tennessee to his lately purchased farm. Stopping over night in a log-cabin just within the Indiana border, and within six miles of their destination, where all was wild and only wild animal or wilder savage broke the silence, a child was born November 18, 1807, and they called his name Joab. This was on Green's Fork, one and a half miles northwest of the present city of Richmond. They soon settled on their frontier home and there in the then Far West they lived several years. Here Joab was raised with few other companions than nature furnishes where civilized foot has never yet trod. The Elliots lived within the bounds of the friendly Indians; but just beyond, the whoop of hostile foes rent the air, and made the forest more weird. Forts or block-houses were built on the Elliot farm, in which the few whites of the region took refuge. In 1811 they experienced the earthquake of that time, and which Tecumseh threatened the Indians of the south when they refused to join him in the attempt to exterminate the whites. This was a peculiar occurrence and the Indians imagined it was the fulfillment of the chief's threat. The war of 1812 brought the bloodthirsty savage closer to the threshold of the pioneer. The Elliots, becoming tired of risking danger, moved to Warren county in 1813, where they remained three years. Then Mr. Elliot went to Cincinnati, and with five families took a flat-boat for Jefferson county, after wandering considerably he settled eight miles south of Terre Haute. The head of the family ceased the toils of earth May 30, 1821, at the age of fifty-six years. His wife had died November 26, 1819. The boy Joab was left parentless, yet hardships were not new to him. While among the red men he became quite efficient in the use of the Indian language. Many a time he has been carried on the back of John Green, the chief of the friendly tribe, and he relates with freshness and vigor thrilling incidents of his early days. His brother served in the war of 1812. His people in early times were Quakers. His grandfather being called upon to fight by the Tories during Revolutionary times refused, on account of his religious scruples, whereupon the Tories tied him to a tree and gave him his choice to fight or die. He preferred death to a violation of his oath. The Tories arranged themselves in line sixty steps distance, preparatory to shooting the steadfast man. All was ready when a son of the doomed man, and brother to Joab's father, interfered with these words: "Men, if you must shoot anyone, shoot me, as father has a family to support." Saying this, the brave son placed himself in front of his father to shelter him. Even the Tory heart was moved, and both father and son were allowed to live. After the death of his parents, Joab lived with, his brother in Ohio, but in 1828 he made Montgomery county his permanent home and bought eighty acres, the W. 1/2 of N.E. 1/4 Sec. 23, Ripley township. There he married, December 31, 1829, Susan Mann, the daughter of an early settler. He built the old-time log hut and around the crackling fire did he and Susan muse and think of the roof left and that which they yet would build. The years hastened on and no family was born to them to fill the space around the board, but their hearts went out to the needy, and eight children have found homes within their doors, but one of whom (Nettie Elliot, or Jennet Sprag) is now at home. Mr. Elliot was partly raised by her great-grandfather. About 1857 Mr. and Mrs. Elliot moved from their farm to Crawfordsville, and in 1874 made their residence where Mr. Elliot, with their adopted daughter, Nettie, now live. Mrs. Elliot having died April 17, 1876, at the age of sixty-three years, after a life well spent. At her table the present Hon. M. D. White had boarded many years, and he was pleased to call her mother; also, John White, now of Danville, Illinois, became as one of the family under her roof. With her husband she was a member of the Christian church. Mr. Elliot was an early whig in politics, but for many years he has ever been found true to republicanism and in his old age loves his party. Joab Elliot is one of Indiana's oldest living children.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Montgomery County - Union Twp.

William Hartman, retired, Crawfordsville, was born in Virginia, January 12, 1804, on a farm, and had only a limited education. He is the son of John and Mary Hartman. They come to Clark county, Indiana, in 1814. Mr. Hartman served nearly seven years in Clark county in the tanning and currying business, and in 1828 he settled in the city of Crawfordsville. For many years he was engaged in the grocery and dry-goods trade. When he came to this city he was afoot and alone. He has been very successful and is now living in private life enjoying the fruits of his labors. He has been a Mason since 1836, and is a republican. He was married the first time in 1829, to Elizabeth Lee. His second marriage was in 1847, to Martha A. Shanklin. They have four children living. Two of their sons, Samuel L. and David W., were in the army, Samuel having raised an artillery company from this place. Mrs. Hartman had a son, John A., who was a lieutenent in the army and at Pittsburg Landing. The other children are William A. and Martha A. Mrs. Hartman is a member of the New School Baptist church.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Montgomery County - Union Twp.

Jesse W. Cumberland, justice of the peace, Crawfordsville, is a son of Martin and Ann (French) Cumberland, and was born August 9, 1835, in Hamilton county, Ohio. His father was a native of Baltimore, Maryland, and in the fall of 1825 he made a trip west for the purpose of buying land. He entered 160 acres, and being in need of meat for his journey home, started in search of deer. He succeeded in shooting a deer, but ere he could find shelter from the bitter cold was frozen to death. He left a wife and four children. In 1828 Mrs. Cumberland moved to Crawfordsville, bringing three children, among whom was Jesse, and leaving one child in the east. Here she took in washing and supported her family as best she could until they were able to care for themselves. She died in l860, at the age of sixty-five years. Under these trying circumstances, and the meager advantages of those days, Jesse received but little education. When seven years old he went to live with Hamilton Barnes, of Lockport, Indiana, with whom he stayed two years. He was then adopted by Dr. Grimes, with whom he lived until fourteen years of age, at Delphi, when on account of very poor health he returned and lived with his mother, who in the meantime had been married to Samuel Fisher. He immediately began improving and became quite stout and well. When twenty-one years of age he began manufacturing wagons, which he followed for four or five years in Crawfordsville, then opened the first hardware and agricultural implement store in the city, which he kept for twenty years. Quitting this he engaged in the pork business, with John W. Blair, three years, and during the war he speculated and lost all. Since the war he has spent some time in the hotel business, and has also manufactured tile for several years. In 1878 Mr. Cumberland was elected justice of the peace. He is a very strong republican and temperance man. He votes for no man that drinks liquor or believes in state rights. He is a good citizen and well known throughout the county as a man of good judgment and fair decisions. He was married January 31, 1849, to Margaret A. Speed, of Crawfordsville. She was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and her parents came to America when she was three years old. Mr. and Mrs. Cumberland have a pleasant family of four children: Mary E., a graduate of the Crawfordsville Seminary, has taught six years in the city schools of La Fayette, and in 1880 went to Massachusetts, where she studied French, receiving a diploma attesting her proficiency in that language, and entered an eastern college to complete her education; Frank S., a carriage trimmer and master mechanic; Eva, a graduate of the Crawfordsville high school, and quite noted for her musical talent, both vocal and instrumental; and Lew, a student at Wabash College, and a workman in the coffin factory during vacations. They are a happy family.

History of Fountain County, Indiana
by H. W. Beckwith
Published by H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Chicago, in 1881
Montgomery County - Union Twp.