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

JEFFERSON HAWKINS of Tobinsport, Perry County, is a native of Breckenridge County, Ky., born April 1, 1829. He is the fifth son in a family of twelve children, born to Silas and Polly (Kiphart) Hawkins, natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania respectively. They were married in Jefferson County, Ky., and about 1835 moved to Cloverport in the same State, where they remained until 1851. In that year they removed to Arkansas, where they passed the remainder of their lives. Jefferson Hawkins was reared at home, receiving only three months' instruction in school. December 20, 1850, he married a Miss Tobin, a native of the county, and located on land inherited by his wife. Mrs. Hawkins died March 28, 1856, leaving two children, Deborah (wife of Alexander Van Winkle) and Joseph S. September 15, of the same year he married Mary A. Adams, who bore him seven children, only two of whom Alfred and Thomas J., are living. She died and he chose for his third and last wife Emma Reynolds, by whom he is the father of four children, Reuben, James, Frederick and an infant. Mr. Hawkins is a member of the Baptist Church and his wife is a Methodist.

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

HENRY A. HUFF, is one of a family of fifteen children born to Henry and Sallie Ann (Williams) Huff, his birth occurring in this county October 15, 1850. The father was a native of Breckenridge County, Ky., and the mother of Crawford County, Ind. They were married in the last named county and soon after came to Perry County, where the father followed farming and merchandising. The mother died in January 1851, and the father in February, 1860. Henry A., lived with his father until the latter's death, without a mother's love and training. He then lived with his relations until the age of fourteen, when he began battling with life alone. He hired out as a laborer and continued thus seven years, receiving no school of consequence unti lhe was twenty years old. October 14, 1873, he was united in marriage with Malissa, daughter of Samuel and Jane Webb, and to them five children have been born: Mary E., John A., Wilson, Samuel D. and William H. Mr. Huff has gradually saved and bought land until he now owns a good comfortabe home. He is a Republican and his wife is a member of the Baptist Church.

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

JOHN F. JONES, of Rome, was born in Crawford County, Ind., February 11, 1847. His father, John Jones, when ten years old came with his parents from Nelson County, Ky., to Crawford County, Ind., where he grew to manhood and married Jane Able, also a native of Nelson County. He was the father of nine sons and four daughters. John F. received little or no education in his youth. After becoming of age he followed farming and flat-boating until his marriage, when he located on the old homestead, buying the shares of some of the other heirs to the estate. He remained there until 1882, when he sold his farm and went West with the intention of locating, but finding no place to suit him hi returned to this county and bought property at Rome, where he now lives. October 6, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, Seventeenth Regiment Indiana Mounted Infantry, with which regiment he served until mustered out August 10, 1865. He participated in the siege of Atlanta, the battle of Chickamauga, and numerous minor engagements. August 29, 1852, Lizzie Stevens a native of Crawford County, Ind., became his wife, and by him the mother of two children, both of whom are deceased.

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

PHILIP KLEIN, one of the pioneer German settlers of Perry County, was born in Prussia, December 6, 1827. He grew to manhood in his native country, receiving a fair German education. At the age of fourteen he began learning the cabinet-maker's trade, and served a three-years' apprenticeship. He then worked as journeyman for five years, when he left his native country and came to the United States, locating at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he remained until 1851. In that year he bought forty acres of land uon which he has since resided, and to which he has added until now he has 360 acres. Mr. Klein is one of the best and most enterprising farmers in the township. In politics he has been a life-long Democrat, having cast his first ballot for Franklin Pierce. Himself and wife are members of the Methodist Church. He was married in May, 1850, to Louisa Stoeler, a native of Prussia, by whom he is the father of ten children. Those living are Louisa (wife of John Dekinder), Kate (wife of Andrew Loesch), Anna (wfie of Louis Fuchs), Lizzie (wfie of David Schiller), Mary and Albert. Mr. Klein is one of a family of six children born to Jacob and Catharine (Ulrich) Klein, both of whom were natives of Prussia, where they passed their lives upon a farm. The former died in the summer of 1874 and the latter in the spring of 1880.

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

WILLIAM FLOYD MASON was born in this county January 21, 1830, and is one of a family of seven children of John and Sarah (Elkins) Mason, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Maine. The father's birth occured about the year 1797. When a young man, yet single, he went to Pike County, Indiana, near Petersburg, where he farmed until about 1824, when he came to Perry County, locating on the present site of Cannelton. Here he followed farming, flat-boating, etc., and about the year 1826 or 1827 married Mrs. Sarah (Elkins) Webb, widow of Asa Webb. This lady bore him four children. After marriage John Mason continued farming and boating, and early in the thirties engaged in the coal business at the county seat. He introduced the first railroad system in all this region of the country, extending the track fromhis mines to the river, having secured the plans from the East. He was one of the first to bring coal to the notice of steamboat men as a steam producer, and is said to have been the first man to introduce coal as fuel in New Orleans. He was full of energy, was judicious yet venturesome, possessed great penetration and forethought, was thoroughly moral and honest, was singularly kind-hearted and benevolent, and in time lost much of the considerable property he accumulated inpayig the debts of others for whom he had gone security. He retired from active business about 1850. He died in May, 1875, lamented by all who knew him. His wife had died before him in June, 1864. William F. was reared by his parents. He completed the common school course, and in 1851 attended the State University, Bloomington, and soon afterward entered the Commercial Business College, Cincinnati, Ohio, from which institution he graduated and received a diploma in 1852. In April, 1853, he married, and his wife bore him one child, Sarah E. After his marriage, Mr. Mason entered the mercantile business, also bought wheat, ground and shipped it, and supplied a large home demand. A year later he sold the mill, and then engaged in farming in Kentucky, continuing until about 1858, then engaged in merchandising at Newburgh, Ind. In 1862 he came to this county, locating on his present farm, where he has since remained. He owns a splendid farm and one of the handsomest residences in southern Indiana. Mr. Mason is one of the self-reliant and progressive men of the county. He has passed through the school of experience, and comes out self-made, enterprising, honest and prominent. In politics he is a Democrat, and he is a member of the Masonic fraternity. The county has no better citizen. Since the death of his first wife he has been twice married, and has by his second wife two living children, and by his third and present wife five.

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

JOHN McFALL was born in Hancock County, Ky., October 15, 1820, and is the third child of six boys and seven girls of John and Elizabeth (Young) McFall, the father a native of Virginia and the mother of Kentucky. The father when a boy came to this county, and finally married in Kentucky; and in 1835 moved to Crawford County, Ind. A few years later he came to Boyer's Bottom, this county, but in 1848 bought a quarter section in Tobin's Bottom. The father, in 1810 occupied a fort on Blue river with others as a protection against the Indians, and was only a few days too late to take part in the battle of Tippecanoe in 1811, being on the way. He died in 1865, honored and respected, his wife having preceded him July 2, 1844. Our subject remained with his father until the age of thirty years. January 1, 1850, he married Dorinda, daughter of Hoyt and Frances Humphrey, and to them nine children were born, four now living: Hoyt, Waldo, Peter and Lydia Belle, wife of William Little. He began farming for himself after marriage, and about 1853 bought a grist-mill, which he operated in connection with his farm for about eight years. He now owns sixty-four acres on section 17. August 9, 1878, Mrs. McFall died, since which Mr. McFall has lived with his son Hoyt. He is well respected, is a Republican, and was reared a Baptist.

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

OSBORN McKINNEY was born in Beaufort County, N.C., August 26, 1828, being the third son of six boys and four girls born to John and Sarah (Bates) McKinney, both natives of North Carolina. In about 1842 the father, a farmer, moved to Knox County, Ky., and two years later came to Polk's Bottom. About fourteen or fifteen years later he moved to Calhoun County, Ill., and remained until his death, 1860. His wife preceded him about a year before. Osborn came to this county at the age of fifteen, and from that date until his twenty-secnd year worked as a laborer. Upon reaching his majority, he began for himself and flat-boated for about ten years. January 11, 1859, he married Sarah J., daughter of Henry and Kate (Peckinpaugh) Huff, and to them nine children were born, John H., Louisa (wife of John R. Hyde), Dora A. (wife of Robert Armstrong), Martha E., Mary E., James A., Emma E., Stella M. and Jennie G. Louisa lives in Montgomery County, Kas.; the others are in Tobin Township. Mr. McKinney has followed farming and now owns 210 acres. He has an orchard of 772 apple trees and expects to increase to 2,000. He is a Republican, and was reared a Methodist. His wife belongs to the same church. The family is well known and universally respected.

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

GEORGE NOLD was born in Prussia, April, 1827, and is one of six children born to Henry and Matilda (Reother) Nold, also natives of Prussia, where they lived upon a farm. George left his native country at the early age of thirteen, and came to the United States, locating at Louisville, Ky., where he learned the shoemaker's trade. In April, 1845, he married Mary Seller, a native of the same country as himself. He then worked at his trade in Louisville and Cannelton, Perry County, Ind., for about seven years, when, owing to ill-health, he abandoned his trade, and sought the country. By his own industry and his wife's economy he had succeeded in saving a small amount of money, which enabled him to buy 120 acres of government land. He settled on the land which is in Tobin Township, and has since resided upon it. In politics he has always been a Democrat, having cast his first vote for James K. Polk. Both he and wife are members of the Catholic Church. They have had a family of nine children, eight of whom are now living, namely, Frances (wfie of Nicholas Mitchell), Sophia (wife of Theodore Arnold), George, Mary (wife of Louis Eberly), John, Caroline (wfie of Andrew Schenbargler), Lena (wife of Samuel Grayson), and Louisa.

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

FRANCIS M. POLK, the most prominent horticulturist of Perry County, was born in the county, April 8, 1830. His father, Thomas Polk, a native of Kentucky, came to Perry County when a youth, and located in the bottoms which now bear his name, being one of the first white persons to settle there. He married Melvina Ryan, a native of New York, by whom he is the father of two boys and one girl. Until his retirement he was engaged in farming, and was also for many years in the nursery business. He is now living on the place where he first settled, at the advanced age of eighty-two years. His wife is seventy-eight years of age. Francis M. received only a limited education in youth, and remained at home working the farm for several years after attaining his majority. He then rented property until 1868, when he went into the nursery business, in connection with his farmwork, taking into partnership John C. Shoemaker, now editor of the Indianapolis Sentinel. They conducted the business for four years, when Mr. Shoemaker withdrew. He then continued four years longer, but the enterprise not proving successful abandoned it. He has since given his attention to fruit raising, and now has one of the best orchards in the State. He has about 3,000 apple trees, 50 pear trees, 30 cherry trees, 5 acres in raspberries, and 8 acres in strawberries. Mr. Polk is Vice-President of the Indiana Horticultural Society of the first fruit district, and is thoroughly posted on all points connected with the cultivation of fruits.

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

WILLIAM R. POLK is a grandson of Charles Polk, one of the earliest settlers of Perry County, who entered a large tract of land in what is now known as Polk's Bottom. James Polk, the father of William R., married Charlotte Humphrey, and located on the old homestead, of which he fell heir to 100 acres. He reared a family of three sons and five daughters, to whom the subject of this sketch is the eldest son. William R. received a common school education in youth, and remained at home working on the farm until the opening of the Rebellion, when, October 12, 1861, he enlisted in Company L, Third Kentucky Cavalry. He served his country faithfully until receiving his discharge, January 14, 1865. After his return home he rented his father's farm for upwards of ten years, and at the latter's death he located upon the portion which he inherited. He continued farming until 1880, when he turned his attention to the nursery business, and the following year formed a partnership with his brother Edwin, the firm being known as Polk Bros. October 1, 1868, he married Eliza Gilbert, who died October 1, 1875, leaving a family of five children: Bertha, Anna, Mary, Eliza and Jacie. Politically Mr. Polk is a Republican, and is the present assessor of the township. He is a member of the G.A.R. and of the Baptist Church. He was born in Tobin Township, July 14, 1839.

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

EDWIN POLK was born July 25, 857, in this county, the youngest son of a family of three boys and five girls, of James and Charlotte (Humphrey) Polk, both of whom were natives of this country. The father followed the occupations of carpentering and farming during life, and was an upright, industrious man. His death occurred June 23, 1873. His wife died July 14, 1862. Edwin passed his youth without noteworthy event on his father's farm, securing limited education. In 1875 he went to Illinois, remaining three years, then returning to this county. August 22, 1880, he married Anna L. Stowers, a native of Breckenridge County, Ky., who has borne him three children: James L., Katie and Monnie L. In 1881 he entered into partnership with his brother, in the nursery business. They now have 100,000 apple trees, 1,000 peach trees, 500 pear trees, 500 cherry trees, 2,000 grape vines and four acres of strawberry plants. He is a prominent young man, is a Republican, and he and wife are members of the Baptist Church.

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

WILLIAM V. REYNOLDS, merchant of Rome, was born in Hardin County, Ky., September 15, 1820, and is the eldest of a family of eight children born to the marriage of William R. Reynolds and Sarah J. Tower, who were natives of Rhode Island and Massachusetts respectively. The father followed the carpenter's trade in his younger days, and later was engaged in flat-boating on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. At the time of his marriage he lived in Hardin County, Ky., and in 1825 removed to Leavenworth, Crawford Co., Ind., where he lived for about twenty-five years. He then came to Rome, Perry County, where he resided until his death in the fall of 1866. His widow died in October, three years later. William V. Reynolds came to Indiana with his parents, and at the age of twelve began work as a flat-boatman on the river. Four years later he had been so successful that he was able to buy a boat of his own, on which he transported all kinds of produce to the South. Ten years later he turned his attention to buying dry goods and groceries, running from two to eight boats. In 1851 he located at Rome, where he has since been engaged in the general merchandise business, with various partners, and a portion of the time by himself. The firm was first Reynolds & Gardner,then Reynolds & Huckaby, Reynolds & Connor, W.V. Reynolds, Reynolds & Carey, and Reynolds & Ackarman, the present firm. September 15, 1848, Mr. Reynolds was united in marriage, with Mary Frisbie, a native of this county, who died the following May. April 15 1850, he married Elizabeth A. Gardner, who died August 23, 1884, leaving three children, Mary V. (wife of Isaac Bennett), Samuel G. and Clara A. (wife of Henry Ackarman). In connection with his store Mr. Reynolds also operated a tannery for upwards of five years, which was one of the most extensive establishments of the kind in southern Indiana. Politically he is a Republican, and is one of the most enterprising and successful business men in the county.

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

JAMES H.C. ROBINSON, one of the leading farmers of Tobin Township, was born in this county November 24, 1833. He is the second son in a family of five boys and one girl, born to the marriage of Henry H. Robinson and Margaret Axton. The father lived in Kentucky at the time of his marriage, but a few years after came to Perry County, where he lived until his death, which occurred May 11, 1847. His widow survived him until March 11, 1870. James was reared at home, and on account of meager facilities received but a limited education. After leaving home he flat-boated on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers for a time. January 23, 1870, he married Lisetta Thomas, a native of Prussia, and to their union have been born six children: Adda V., Henry W., Alma N., William H., Charles and Arthur H. After marriage he located on the old homestead, and in 1879 he bought the farm where he has since resided. In politics he is a Republican, and both he and wife are members of the Universalist Church.

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

HENDERSON T. ROBINSON, proprietor of hotel at Rome, is a native of the county, born November 10, 1840, and is one of a family of five sons and one daughter, born to Henry H. and Margaret (Axton) Robinson. When he was seven years old, his father was murdered while in a canoe on the Ohio River, and he was reared by his mother, with whom he continued to live until he was married, when he located onthe old homestead, sixty acres of which he inherited. After living there five years he moved to Troy Township, where he remained about four years. In 1878 he returned to his native township and followed farming until 1885, when he came to Rome, bought a house and opened a hotel. He keeps a good house, and the traveler who becomes his guest is sure to be pleased with the entertainment afforded. November 29, 1869, he was united in marriage with Jemima Tettrick, a native of Breckenridge County, Ky., born March 20, 1853. They have four children now living: Etie L., born July 26, 1870; Mettie E., born May 11, 1872; Mabel, born February 24, 1876; Judelle, born November 30, 182.

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

HORACE E. RAFF, one of the early pioneers of Perry County, was born in Breckenridge County, Ky., May 6, 1814, and is the second son of a family of twelve children born to the marriage of Charles Raff and Edie Mallory, both of whom were natives of Delaware County, N.Y. In 1811 they came to Perry County and located near the river in Tobin Township. November 5, 1834, the father was accidently killed, and the mother died about five years later. Horace E. remained at home working on the farm until 1833, when he began flat-boating on the river, which he continued for about two years. May 7, 1835, he was united in marriage with Nancy Brough, a native of the county, after which they settled on land deeded them by his father-in-law. In April, 1838, Mrs. Raff died, and July 26 of the same year he married Mary Gregory, a native of Fayette County, Ky., by whom he is the father of six children, four of whom, Martha A. (wife of Lewis Connor), Francis L., Edward and George are living. He also reared Napoleon B. Sanders, whom he took into his family in 1861. Edward and Francis L. were in the army during the late Rebellion. The former was in active service for over four years, and the latter one year, having been discharged on account of disability from an accident received at Lebanon, Ky. Mr. Raff and his entire family are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.

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

HOWARD M. ROYAL, Principal of the Rome Normal School, is a native of Cannelton, Perry Co., Ind., born December 2, 1856. His father, Richard Royal, who is a native of Kentucky, followed farming until he was upward of thirty years of age, when he abandoned it and entered the ministry of the United Brethern Church. He soon after, however, embraced the Missionary Baptist doctrine, which he has preached for about forty years. He married Elizabeth Miller, a native of Indiana, by whomhe is the father of four sons and two daughters. Howard M. was reared at home, and having completed the common school branches, at the age of eighteen he entered the teacher's profession. After teaching for five terms, he was not satisfied with his educational acquirements, and accordingly he entered the Indiana State Normal at Terre Haute in 1879. He remained one term, and then taught the following winter. August 15, 180, his marriage with Marry H. Batson was celebrated, and his wife being a teacher, the following month both went to Terre Haute, where they remained a year. In the winter of 1882 both taught in Anderson Township, this county, since whch they have been engaged in teaching at Rome. Each spring and summer they conduct a normal term, which has become very popular with the teachers of the county, as is evidenced by the annually increased attendance. Mr. and Mrs. Royal are wide-awake, thorough and conscientious teachers, and are held in high esteem by their pupils and the community. They have two children, Mry J. and Earl H.

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