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

JOHN CODY was born in Thibadeauxville, La., January 1, 1845, and is one of seven children in the family of John and Mary (English) Cody, both natives of Ireland. The father, who was a book-keeper and merchant, came when a young man to the United States, and located in Cincinnati, where he was married, and worked as a book-keeper for about ten years. He then went to Louisiana, where he kept a hotel, and was contractor for building a levee along the Mississippi. Owing to the failure of his health, he came North and located at Leopold in this county where he bought a farm, and for a short time also ran a general merchandise store. The subject of this sketch remained at home with his mother until he was twenty-five years old. At the age of twenty-two he entered the teacher's profession, and has taught continuously for eighteen winters, always meeting with good success. May 13, 1875, he married Emma Whitmarsh, by whom he is the father of seven children. Those now living are Edna Lillian, Emma Belle, John Floyd, and an infant. He is now living on a farm in Tobin Township. In politics he is a Democrat, and a member of the Masonic fraternity.

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

JOHN TIPTON CONNOR, one of the early pioneers of Perry County, is one of a family of two boys and four girls born to Samuel and Nancy (Hyde) Connor. His father who had been previously married in Breckenridge County, Ky., came to Perry County, Ind., in 1806, and bought a farm in Tobin Township. About 1819 his wife died and he married the mother of our subject of our subject the following year. He was engaged in farming in the county until his death, with the exception of four years, when he was employed in mercantile pursuits at Rome and Troy. For a number of years he was a member of the Territorial Legislature, and was one of the leading men in this part of the State. He died in 1864. His widow is still living at the advanced age of eighty-six years. John T. was reared at home, receiving only a limited education in youth. September 5 1848, he married Sarah M. Robinson, a native of the county, and located on land given him by his father near Rome, where he has since resided. For a number of years he also had a one-half interest in a general mercandise store at Rome, and in a tannery near that place. February 20, 1873, Mrs. Connor died leaving a family of six children, Lucy F. (wife of Joshua H. Groves), Orval E., Eva G. (wife of Clarence Wheeler), Albert R., Ellen I, and Mabel L. October 23, 1882, Mr. Connor was married to Mrs. Kate Parker, a native of Harrison County, Ind. He and wife are members of the Methodist Church. In politics he is very liberal, but is inclined to accept the principles of the Republican party.

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

ABRAHAM CRIST, a native of Perry County, was born December 12 1844, and is one of a family of seven sons and three daughters born to Hiram and Louisa (Hiley) Crist, also natives of this county, where they passed their lives upon a farm in Tobin Township. The mother died about 1855 and the father May 9, 1871. Abraham was reared at home and received a common school education. While yet a boy ony seventeen years old, he enlisted, July 28, 1862, in Company M, Eighth Regiment Kentucky Cavalry. He participated in numerous skirmishes, but his principal duty waas in guarding forts. September 17, 1863, owing to ill-health, he was discharged at Lebanon, Ky., and he returned home. He soon recuperated sufficiently to re-enter the service, which he did, by enlisting in Company I, One Hundred and Forty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, February 15, 1865. He served with this regiment until discharged August 5, of the same year. September 30, 1866, he was united in marriage with Sarah E. Mosby, a daughter of Charles A. and Jane Mosby. He has since been engaged in farming in Tobin Township. In 1874 he bought fifty-three acres upon which he now resides, and to which he has added eighty acres. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and of the Universalist Church, of which his wife is also a member. He has two children now living: Charles Albert and Eva May.

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

URIAH CUMMINGS, a son of Uriah Cummings (see sketch of Isaiah Cummings), was born in Perry County, Ind., July 24, 1814. He was reared at home, receiving only a limited education in youth. At the death of his father he assumed control of the home farm, buying the shares of the remaining heirs to the estate. April 17, 1832, he married Mary Ramsey, who died October 24, 1840, having borne him four children, only one of whom is now living. April 29, 1841, he was joined in marriage with Maria Sandage, a daughter of Thomas Sandage, and to their union were born ten children. Two, Margaret M. (wife of Allen Groves), and Alexander W., are now living. Mrs. Cummings died December 29, 1880, and he chose for his third wife Ellen (Yates) Stevens, whom he wedded August 23, 1881. Mr. Cummings has passed his entire life upon the same farm. He is known throughout the township as an honest, upright man, and is highly esteemed by all who know him. He is a member of the Universalist Church, and his wife of the Catholic Church. In politics he is a Republican, and was formerly a Whig.

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

ISAIAH CUMMINGS, one of the native ioneers of Perry County, was born February 19, 1823. He is one of a family of four sons and seven daughters born to the marriage of Uriah Cummings and Sarah Lanman, both of whom were natives of the "Old Dominion". The father, when a youth, removed to Kentucky, where he married, and in 1809 or 1810 came to this county. He located on land entered by his father, Thomas Cummings, which is now known as Cummings' Bottom. About 1815 he built a saw and grist-mill on Poison Creek, known as Cummings' Mill, which he conducted until about 1829, when he returned to his farm and erected a store. This business he conducted until his death, which occurred July 30, 1831. When the county seat was removed from Troy to Rome he gave forty acres of land to the county upon which to erect the public buildings, with the condition that the land should revert to his heirs when the latter place ceased to be the county seat. Upon the removal of the county seat to Cannelton the heirs claimed the property, but by some technicality their claim was defeated. Isaiah Cummings remained at home until he was fourteen years of age, when he began the battle of life. He followed flat-boating, and worked on a farm for several years, and in 1847 taught a term of school. In May, 1846, he enlisted in the Sixth Regiment Louisiana Volunteers for the Mexican war, but before they reached the scene of hostilities the Rio Grande campaign was at an end, and the greater part of the regiment returned home. March 22, 1849, he married Nancy Butler, a daughter of Abel Butler, and located upon land previously purchased, where he has since resided. He now owns a farm of 140 acres of good land. February 20, 1870, his wife died, having borne him fourteen children, six of whom are living. They are William B., Isaiah, Ira G., James L., Julia F. (now Mrs. Henry Shoemaker), and Savannah J. (now Mrs. Samuel Hargis). May 20, 1873, he was married to Sarah (Elder) Bullard, a native of Perry County. Politically, Mr. Cummings is a Republican, and previous to the formation of that party was a Whig, having cast his first vote for Henry Clay. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Universalist Church. His wife is a Catholic.

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

JACOB DAUM, a native of Prussia, was born March 18, 1841, being a son of George Daum (see sketch of Charles Daum). When he was two years old his parents came to America, and he remained at home with them until reaching his majority. After his marriage he bought eighty acres of land on Section 21, Tobin Township, where he has since resided. Mr. Daum is an energetic, industrious farmer, and is highly respected by the community in which he lives. In politics he is very liberal, always voting for principle rather than party, although he is inclined to favor the Democratic ideas. December 13, 1861, he was united in marriage with Catharine Petersohn, a daughter of Henry and Catharine Petersohn. Their union has been blessed with eight children, seven of whom are now living. They are Catharine Elizabeth, Margaret (now Mrs. Hnery Sumner), Eliza, Lema, Henry J., John Frederick and Mary Ann.

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

CHARLES DAUM, one of the enterprising citizens of Tobin Township, is a native of Perry County, born November 11, 1851. He is the fourth son in a family of seven sons and three daughters born to George and Elizabeth Daum, both of whom were natives of Prussia. In 1841 they came to the United States and located near Rome, Perry Co., Ind., where they bought a farm of forty acres. The father, who was a shoemaker, worked at his trade in connection with farming for about fifteen years, when he sold that farm and bought the one upon which they now reside. Charles remained at home until he was nineteen years old, when, in 1870, he went to Rome and served a two years' apprenticeship to a blacksmith. After working one year at Tobinsport he built a shop on his father's farm, and began work on his own responsibility, which he continued with good success for nine years. He has since, with the exception of one year, been engaged in famring on land which he bought in 1877, and where he now lives. June 30, 1875, he was united in marriage with Louisa Feix, a native of Cannelton, Ind. Four children are the fruits of this union, three of whom, Henry W., Anna E. and Dora D., are living. Both he and wife are members of the Lutheran Church.

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

STEWARD T. FINCH was born in Perry County, Ind., December 26, 1826, and is the fourth son of a family of seven sons and three daughters born to the marriage of Phillip and Elizabeth (Claycomb) Finch (see sketch of Abraham Finch). Steward T. was reared at home, receiving a common school education. He worked on the farm for his father until attaining his majority, with the exception of a short time when he was employed as a clerk in a store at Cloverport, Ky. In 1848 he entered the teacher's profession, teaching three years with good success. January 9, 1851, he was married to Zerelda Tobin, a native of the county, and who bore him two children, Phillip T. and John, both deceased. After marriage he located on a farm in Tobin Township, and four years later removed to the homestead farm with his mother, where he has since resided, with the exception of a few months in 1876, when he lived in New Madrid, Mo. In 1863 he again began teaching, and taught four terms with his former good success. May 24, 1854, Mrs. Finch died, after which he lived with his sister and mother, until the latter's death. He now lives with a tenant. In politics he is a Democrat, and is highly respected as an industrious farmer, and a good neighbor.

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

ABRAHAM FINCH, a pioneer farmer, was born in this county January 13, 1830. He is a son of Phillip Finch, who followed the business of farming all his life. The latter was born in Kentucky, but at the ttime of his marriage to Elizabeth Claycomb, was a resident of Perry County. He bought a farm of 110 acres in Tobin Township, where he lived until his death, which occurred April 30, 1850. His widow survived him more than twenty years, having died March 7, 1873. Abraham received a common school education in youth, and remained at home taking care of his mother for several years after his father's death. January 4, 1866, he married Roxanna (Tobin) England, a native of the county. He then located on the home farm which, in company with his brother, he bought. In 1873 he built a dwelling on land inherited by his wife where he has since resided. December 31, 1883, his house with all its contents was burned, and in the summer of 1884 he erected his present handsome residence. Both Mr. Finch and wife are members of the Methodist Church. James S. England, a son of his wife, was married July 31, 1879, to Grace McCollum, of Cannelton, and now lives on the same tract of land as our subject, but in an adjoining house.

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

MARTIN FRANK was born June 16, 1834, in Harrison County, Ind., and is the fifth son of a family of eight boys and three girls of George and Catharine (Hardsan) Frank, the former a native of South Carolina, and the latter of North Carolina. His father followed farming as an occupation, and left his native home when a young man, and went to Harrison County, where he was married in his twenties. He entered 500 acres in the last named county. He remained there until his death, which occurred May, 1852, in his sixty-first year. The mother died January 11, 1849, in her fiftieth year. The subject of our sketch was reared at home until he was fourteen years of age, when he left and commenced for himself. He had in his possessions a checked shirt and tow-linen pantaloons, and had an empty pocket. He took a job of chopping 40 cords of wood at 40 cents per cord. After completing, he started for Marion County, Mo., going by boat. He hired out as a laborer on a farm, working for $8 per month, for eight months, at the end of which he returned to his native county, and went to school during the winter. He continued thus several years, then flat-boated six years. In 1857 he hired out as pilot on the "Eclipse", making semi-monthly trips from Louisville to New Orleans, which he followed until 1860. The same year, March 6, he married Amanda E. Hoyne, native of Perry County, Ind., to whom three children were born, two of whom are now living, named Blanche A., and Harry Sidney. After marriage he bought 80 acres of land in Section 20, Tobin Township, for $2,500, where he located and where he has since lived. After he farmed one year, he resumed piloting on the river; was present at the surrender of Vicksburg, at Fort Donelson when it was taken, and near Arkansaw Post when it was surrendered. The day after the battle of Fort Donelson he was on the battle-field where he picked up a rebel sword, which he has at the present time. His boat carried dispatches to Gen. Grant. He continued as pilot until the close of the war, when he abandoned the water and returned to the farm, where he has since lived. In 1857 he bought 175 acres of land in Calaway County, Mo., for $1,350. He retained it eighteen months when he sold it for $1,700. He is a Democrat in politics.

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

CHARLES FUCHS, one of the prominent farmers of Tobin Township, is a native of Prussia, born December 19, 1836. His father, Charles Fuchs, who is a farmer, came to the United States with his family in 1848 and located in this county, where he bought 120 acres in Tobin Township. He is now living with his son at the advanced age of seventy-two years. He married Susan C. Yager, who died October 3, 1866, having borne him three children. The subject of this sketch came to America with his parents when he was eleven years old. September 23, 1861, he married Anna Weidman, a native of Switzerland, after which he rented his father's farm for six years. He then moved to New Albany, where he was engaged in the dairy business for three years. In 1872 he bought the farm of 300 acres where he has since resided. Mr. Fuchs is an enterprising and successful farmer, and is highly respected by all who know him. March 25, 1879, Mrs. Fuchs died, leaving a family of eight children: Caroline (Wife of Henry Ungerecht), Christian D., Charles, Edward, Rosa, Louisa, Peter and Joannah.

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

CASPER S. GARDNER was born August 7, 1851, in Rome, Perry Co., Ind., and is the only son of three children of Casper and Drusilla (Thompson) Gardner, both of whom were natives of this county. His father followed merchandising, flat-boating and farming for a living. At the time of his marriage he lived on his native place, and continued working in and around Rome and on the river until death. He died of consumption November, 1851, in his twenty-eighth year. The mother married Stephen Welch about five years afterward, and is now living four miles northeast of Derby. The subject of this sketch was reared at home. April 11, 1875, he married Josephine Polk, daughter of Stephen Polk, to whom four children were born, named Hugh T., Augustus C., Casper S. and Anna D. After marriage he located on thirty-five acres in Section 28, Tobin Township, which he inherited by the death of his father, where he has since lived. In 1884 he bought thirty-five acres, which was a part of the old place owned by his father. He also owns 100 acres in Section 24, Union Township. Mr. Gardner is a young man, fully up with the modern ideas of cultivating and enriching the soil. In politics he is a Democrat. In 1884 he was elected as trustee of Tobin Township by thirty majority, thus forcibly illustrating his popularity. The township is Republican.

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

REV. HENRY GROVES, a native of Perry County was born November 4 1826, being one of a family of three children born to John and Mary (Cart) Groves, the former a native of Hawkins County, Tenn., and the latter of Breckenridge County, Ky. John Groves came to Perry County about 1811 with his father, who entered a large tract of land since known as Groves' Bottom. The former after his marriage in 1825, settled on a tract of 175 acres which he inherited from his father. Upon this in 1845 he erected a large brick dwelling house, at that time the finest in the township. Here he contined to reside until his death, which occurred on April 26, 1858. His wife died February 1, 1855. Henry Groves, the subject of this sketch, received but a limited education in youth, owning to the scarcity of schools and teachers. He remained at home until his marriage, when he located on his father's old place and has since lived in the house erected by his father. Mr. Groves inherited his father's qualities of economy, industry and business enterprise, and is now the owner of 485 acres of land. For many years he has been an ordained minister in the Universalist Church, his work being chiefly in Crawford and Perry Counties. April 9, 1848, he married Emily E. Tate, who died March 28, 1883, leaving three children: Letitia A. (Wife of James Anderson), Allen H. and Mary V.

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

QUINTILIAN K. GROVES, merchant at Tobinsport, was born in this county April 4, 1855, the youngest son of a family of nine boys and two girls of Samuel T. and Eliza K. (Huckaby) Groves, the father a native of Perry County, and the mother of Breckinridge, Ky. The father was a prosperous farmer, who also followed merchandising. He lived in this township until 1859 when he moved to northeastern Missouri and emained two years, suffering a loss of $10,000 on his goods, etc. during one of the rebel raids. He then returned to ths county, where he died December 7, 1872, aged fifty-six years, respected by all. The mother is yet livng. Our subject was reared without prominent event, receiving an academic education at Rome. He began doing for himself at the age of sixteen, engaging in teaching and farming. December 24, 1874, he married Nancy E. Tobin who has borne him four children, Robert T., Mary J., Samuel and Thomas. After his marriage Mr. Groves farmed in Polk's Bottom nearly eight years and then engaged in merchandising at Tobinsport, continuing farming. He is a Republican, has been justice of the peace and is one of the county's best citizens. His wife belongs to the Baptist Church.

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

JACOB HARDING, a native pioneer of Perry County, was born August 3, 1829, and is the fifth son in a family of six sons and four girls born to the marriage of Samuel Harding and Margaret Van Winkle, both natives of Nelson County, Ky. They came to this county about 1820 and located in Tobin Township where they accumulated quite an amount of property. The father in his youth was very fond of fishing and hunting, but when he became the possessor of land, gave his entire attention to tilling the soil. He was a man of sterling qualities, upright in all his dealings, and was highly esteemed by all who knew him. He died in August, 1861, at the age of seventy-five, and his wife followed him to the grave in February, 1864, also in her seventy-fifth year. Jacob was reared at home, receiving only a limited education, owing to the sparcely settled condition of the country and consequently meager educational facilities. February 25, 1849, he married Harriet Gilliland, a native of the county, and located on a farm where he lived until 1852, when he bought 160 acres of land upon which he has since resided. In 1866 his dwelling was destroyed by fire but he erected another as soon as circumstances would permit. He now owns a farm of 280 acres. He is the father of thirteen children, eleven of whom are living. They are John S. now living on a farm in Kansas, Margaret (wife of Isaac Hyde), James T., Jessie F., William V., Phoebe A. (wife of Elmer Osborne), Lucy J. (wife of William Jones), Sarah Elizabeth, America, Daniel and Norman.

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

JAMES A. HARGIS a native pioneer of Perry County, was born June 16, 1834 and is a son of John Hargis. (See sketch of John A. Hargis.) His father died when he was only four years old. He remained at home working on the farm for his mother until he reached manhood. After his marriage which took place January 12, 1858, he bought a house and lot in Derby where he resided five years, engaged in farming and flat-boating. In 1863 he bought the old homestead consisting of 180 acres which he owned and worked for about eight years. He then sold it and bought the farm of ninety-five acres upon which he has since resided. By industry and close attention to business he has added to it until he now owns 230 acres. He is a Republican, and is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He chose for a wife Cassandra Mitchell, a daughter of Solomon and Cassandra Mitchell, and to their union have been born eleven children, nine of whom are now living. They are James A., Charle E., John F., Albert C., Stella, Curtis M., Emory S., Lulu J. and Joseph H. The first named is living at Derby and the remainder are at home.

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

JOHN A. HARGIS, a farmer of Tobin Township, is a native of the county, born June 16, 1839, and is one of twelve children in the family of John and Nancy (Allen) Hargis, both natives of Kentucky. The father came to Perry County, and after his marriage, entered a tract of land on Section 13, Tobin Township, which owing to some mistake in locating it, he lost after having made considerable improvements on it. He then bought 120 acres in the same township where he lived unitl his death on October 27, 1838. He owned and ran a grist-mill, and when he died had 320 acres of land. His widow survived him until June, 1878. John A. was reared at home, but without a father's care and guidance, the latter having died before our subject was born. He remained with his mother working on the farm until his marriage, after which he rented land until the beginning of the war. August 11, 1862, he enlisted in Company G, Eighty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry, for three years or during the war. He participated in the battles of Stone River, Chickamauga, Resaca and Pine Mountain. In the last named engagement his right arm was broken by the bursting of a shell and he was placed in the hospital at Chattanooga, and later at Nashville. After a short furlough home, he returned to his regiment and served until hostilities ceased, receiving his discharge June 13, 1865. Since the war he has been engaged in farming in Tobin Township. In politics he is a Republican, and a member of the G.A.R. June 13, 1858, he married Jane Boyle, a daughter of James Boyle, and to their union have been born seven children. Those living are Ursula (wife of E.H. Groves), Melissa J. (wife of S.D. Groves), Nancy M., Anna B., James and Jenette.

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