Fayette Township
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MARY ARMSTRONG, New Goshen, was born in Virginia, February 26, 1836, and is the daughter of William and Katie (FELLERS) ARMSTRONG, natives of Virginia, who emigrated to the Indian reserve in 1837, then to Tippecanoe county, and then to Terre Haute, Vigo county, Indiana. There Mr. ARMSTRONG followed the carpenter's trade. The subject of this sketch was educated in Vigo county, and received a common education. She was married to John DENAHIE, January 20, 1857. By this union she had three children: William M., Mary E., who died October 7, 1860, and John A. Her second marriage was to Volinie P. HUTCHINSON, November 25, 1862. From the second union she had five children: Clara B., Sarah A., Frank, George L. and Volinie. Her first husband died October 7, 1860, and Mr. HUTCHINSON March 12, 1872. She was left in good circumstances, with a farm of 315 acres, well improved.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES, Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Fayette Twp. - p. 452

THOMAS BEAUCHAMP, farmer, Terre Haute, was born in Vigo county, Indiana, August 30, 1832, and is the son of Noah and Francis (RANSDELL) BEAUCHAMP, natives of Kentucky, who emigrated in 1831 to Vigo county, Indiana. The father of Noah BEAUCHAMP was in the Black Hawk war, and his grandfather, on his mother's side, was in the battle of Tippecanoe, where he had two horses shot under him and had his left thumb shot off. Mr. Thomas BEAUCHAMP received only a common education under the select system. His youth was spent on a farm, which occupation he has followed since. He was married to Elizabeth J. PENNINGTON January 15, 1856, and by this union they have five children, Hannah F., Thomas H., Sarah E., Charles, and Martha, of whom two are dead. He has one son, Thomas, who at the age of seventeen weighed 245 pounds. Mr. BEAUCHAMP commenced in limited circumstances and now owns a nice farm of 102 acres, with a fine young orchard just commencing bearing. Politically he is a national.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES, Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Fayette Twp. - pp. 449-450

WILLIAM M. BIRD, farmer, Sanford, was born in Vigo county, Indiana, June 2, 1862, and is the son of Thomas and Eliza BIRD. His father is a native of Ireland and his mother of Vigo county, Indiana. His father is an enterprising farmer, and owns a fine farm near Sanford. It is one of the finest wheat farms in the State of Indiana. The subject of this sketch was educated in Vigo county, and as yet has but a common school education, but he is preparing to become a ripe scholar. He is afflicted to some extent, and therefore will have to utilize the benefits of an education. He spends all of his spare time in reading good books. He is a member of the Catholic church of the St. Mary's diocese.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES, Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Fayette Twp. - pp. 456-457

JAMES M. BOLTON, farmer, New Goshen, was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, October 25, 1844. His parents were James and Sarah (HORN) BOLTON, who were natives of Virginia. His father commenced life as a blacksmith, but changed from blacksmithing to farming, and in 1855 came with his family to Vigo county, Indiana, settling near New Goshen. Here he became a large dealer in real estate, and was always remarkably successful in all operations. He died September 19, 1877. His son James, the subject of this sketch, received a common school education, and grew up to manhood on the farm. He was married February, 1874, to Sarah C. WHITSEL, daughter of Jacob and Susan (BROWN) WHITSEL, natives of Virginia. By this marriage they had two children: James M. and Harvey J. His wife died February 1, 1877. He belongs to the A.F. and A.M., New Goshen Lodge, and is also a member of the A.O.U.W. at the same place. He is a democrat. He is the only living descendant of his father's family, and inherits from his father the large farm where he lives with his mother. They also have lands in Kansas and Virginia.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES, Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Fayette Twp. - pp. 455-456

OTTMAR DREHER, farmer and grape grower, New Goshen, was born in Germany November 16, 1832, and is the son of Balthaser and Mary DREHER. He was educated in his native country, receiving a common education. He learned the cooper's trade with his father, and then he learned the brewer's trade, working at the latter until he emigrated to the United States, which was in 1853. He landed in New York city, and there worked at both trades until 1854, and then he came to Vigo county, Indiana, where he has been engaged in coopering, farming and cultivating grape vines, of which he has some 2,500 good bearing ones. He is an experienced wine-maker, and keeps a supply of good, pure wine in store. He was married to Pollena MILLER August 22, 1856, and by this union they have had seven children: Dollz J., Sophie A., William, Charles, Lewis, Mary, and Joseph. They are both members of the Catholic church. They commenced poor and now own twenty acres of good land, and ten town lots at Durkee's ferry. Politically he is a democrat.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES, Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Fayette Twp. - p. 455

JAMES M. DUCK, farmer, Sanford, was born in Edgar county, Illinois, November 15, 1844, and is the son of Josiah and Louretta (HILL) DUCK, the father a native of Kentucky and the mother of North Carolina. Mr. DUCK was educated in Edgar county, Illinois, and received a common education. His youth was spent on a farm until he enlisted in Co. A, 7th Ill. Cav., in 1861. He took part in thirteen engagements, the most prominent of which were the battles of Corinth, siege of Corinth, Fort Hudson, and the Grierson raid. He escaped without a wound, and was mustered out at Springfield, Illinois, October 15, 1864. He has been assessor of Fayette township three years, and is a member of the A.F. and A.M., No. 330, and of the Ancient Workingmen, No. 59. He was married to Drucilla FUQUA, April 15, 1865. They have had one child. Mrs. DUCK is the daughter of David and Isabel (WILSON) FUQUA, natives of Virginia, who moved to Johnson county, and then to Vigo county, Indiana. Mr. FUQUA was a celebrated hunter in his day. He has been in company with hunters where one would tie a rope to his legs and go into a bear's den, and the others would draw him out when he had killed his game. He is a shoemaker by trade, and the father of twelve children. Mr. DUCK commenced poor, but by his economy he now owns forty acres of choice land in Sec. 22.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES, Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Fayette Twp. - pp. 447-448

CALVIN W. FULMER, farmer, St. Mary's, was born February 26, 1843, in Stark county, Ohio. He is the son of Joseph FULMER and Elizabeth (SAWVEL) FULMER, both natives of Pennsylvania, whose parents came to the United States from Germany in 1725. A few years back they held a reunion in Pennsylvania and there were some 500 persons there of the FULMER family. The youth of Calvin W. FULMER was spent on a farm and going to school, where he received a common education. He came to Vigo county in 1864, and was married to Mary A. REGAN April 18, 1872. She is the daughter of Patrick and Rosa A. (RICE) REGAN. By this union they have had three children: Anna, Agnes and Mary. His wife's parents were natives of Ireland, and she was born December 11, 1841, in Indiana. He received the nomination, in 1880, for township trustee of Fayette. He commenced poor and now owns a fine farm of 160 acres. He is a democrat in politics.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES, Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Fayette Twp. - pp. 457-458

JACOB A. HAY, farmer, New Goshen, was born in Shenandoah county, Virginia, September 2, 1821. His parents moved to Vigo county in 1829, when the country was a wilderness. He received only a common education, as his youth was spent on a farm and in taking produce down the river on a flat-boat to New Orleans. He was married first to Martha MICKELBERG, in September, 1846. They had six children. His wife died in 1861. He was again married, this time to Miley THOMPSON, in October, 1867. By this last union they have had five children. Mr. HAY has poor health, and in consequence has spent much time in traveling over the western and southern states. When he commenced in life he was in limited circumstances, but by close economy he now owns 420 acres of well improved land.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES, Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Fayette Twp. - p. 449

JAMES M. HICK, blacksmith and ferryman, New Goshen, was born in Knox county, Tennessee, October 2, 1817, and is the son of Hiram and Dicy (DOVER) HICK, natives of Ireland and Scotland. They moved to Greene county, Indiana, July 29, 1832. James M. HICK was educated in Greene county, Indiana. His youth was spent on a farm till 1839, when he commenced to learn the blacksmith's trade, which he has followed ever since. He also runs a first-class ferry-boat across the Wabash river, known as the Durkee's ferry. He enlisted in the 2d Ind. in 1847, under Col. BOWELS, and was in the siege of Palo Alto. He says it was here that the Indiana soldiers were branded as cowards by Jefferson DAVIS. He again enlisted, in 1864, in the 133d Ind. Vols. He was discharged the same year. He was married first to Mary SPARKS, July 29, 1842, and his second marriage was to Mary M. HOLMES, February 24, 1850. His third wife was MARY M. THATCHER. By this last union he is the father of five children, two of whom are dead. His third wife was born May 9, 1832. She is the daughter of John and Elizabeth (WOOD) CARR. She received her education in the Terre Haute common school. She has been married twice, first to David THATCHER, June 20, 1846, and her second husband was James M. HICK. Mr. HICK commenced life as a poor boy and now owns property in the village of Ticumseh, a nice and good dwelling, and also owns and controls the ferry, and is well fixed. They are members of the United Brethren church.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES, Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Fayette Twp. - pp. 453-454

JOHN S. KOONCE, farmer, New Goshen, the son of Peter and Elizabeth (PALMER) KOONCE, was born in Augusta county, Virginia, September 27, 1826. He received an inferior education, as the belief was prevalent where he lived that education made rascals. His youth was spent on a farm, yet, after growing up to manhood, he has spent much time in the cultivation of his mind. His parents settled in Vigo county, Indiana, in 1854, and our subject remained with his parents until he was thirty years old. He has been assessor four years. The subject of this sketch was married to Eliza M. RHYAN May 21, 1857. They have had four children: Baxter L., Mary E.L., Minnie A. and Arden H., all living at home. Mr. KOONCE commenced in limited circumstances, and is now the owner of a fine farm of 260 acres, with good buildings, fine orchard and vineyard. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren church, and in politics he is a republican.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES, Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Fayette Twp. - p. 455

LEMUEL LONGHEAD, farmer, St Mary's, was born in Warren county, Virginia, Feb 7 1829. He is the son of Thomas and Rebecca A. (CONRAD) LONGHEAD. His father is a native of Delaware and his mother of Virginia. They moved to Paris, Edgar county, Illinois, and then to Vigo county, Indiana, in 1835. The youth of Mr. LONGHEAD was spent on a farm and going to school. He received a good education and followed teaching from 1850 to 1860. Since then he has followed farming, and he now owns a fine farm in Vigo county of 240 acres, and another of 217 in Missouri. He has been trustee one term. He was married to Sarah MALONE December 3, 1872. The have had one child, Thomas, born September 15, 1873. His wife is the daughter of Andrew and Sarah (BURNHAM) HOOD. Her father was a native of Tennessee, and his mother of Kentucky. In politics Mr. LONGHEAD is a democrat.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES, Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Fayette Twp. - p. 450

JOHN W. MINNIK, merchant, New Goshen, was born in Vigo county, Indiana, January 6, 1854, and is the son of Noah J. and Mary J. (WHITLOCK) MINNIK, who were married April 22, 1845, and were natives of Rockingham county, Virginia. By their union they had nine children, three of whom are dead. The father of John W. learned the blacksmith's trade, and he worked at the same as long as strength and age would admit, and he has been local minister of the United Brethren church for twenty years. The subject of this sketch spent his youth on a farm until he was eighteen years old. He was educated in Vigo county, and received a common education after his eighteenth year. Then he went into a store as clerk, and worked on a farm until he was able to stock a store himself, and now he has a nice supply of all kinds of goods and notions. In politics he is a republican.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES, Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Fayette Twp. - pp. 454-455

G.B. OWEN, blacksmith and wagon-maker, New Goshen, was born in Lawrence county, Indiana, December 19, 1834. He is the son of J.C. and Sally (GAINEY) OWEN, who emigrated from Kentucky to Indiana in 1816. He was educated in Lawrence county, receiving a common education. He also learned the blacksmith and wagon-maker's trade, and being an excellent workman he has followed this occupation ever since. He moved with his mother to Vigo county, Indiana, in 1837, and settled in New Goshen, where he now has a fine shop and good trade. He has a good home worth about $2,500. He was married to Cerina J. BUTNER January 31, 1861. By this union they have had six children: one died while young, Minnie G., born November 16, 1874. He has held the office of trustee of Fayette two terms. His wife died August 8, 1874. They are members of the United Brethren church. Politically he is a republican.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES, Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Fayette Twp. - p. 456

WILLIAM G. PENNINGTON, farmer, Sanford, was born in Vigo county, Indiana, January 8, 1836. His parents were Henry and Hannah (GANNON) PENNINGTON, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Kentucky. They came to Vigo county in 1820, and settled where the subject of this sketch now lives. He received a common education, attending school at Terre Haute and the neighboring district schools. Up to the age of twenty-four he spent his life mainly in farming and teaching school. February 14, 1860, he was married to Martha WILES, daughter of Joseph and Margaret (RAY) WILES. He is the father of nine children: Joseph H., George A., Mary, Emma, Eva, Violie, and Rose, living, and two dead. In politics he is a national. He began life in limited circumstances, but by his industry, honesty and good management he has acquired a fine farm of 234 acres, well improved.

HISTORY OF VIGO AND PARKE COUNTIES, Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
H.W. Beckwith - 1880
Fayette Twp. - p. 448

View a history of Fayette Township.

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