INDIANA GENEALOGY EXPRESS

a part of Genealogy Express
 

Welcome to
VIGO COUNTY, INDIANA
History & Genealogy

Source:
HISTORY OF
VIGO & PARKE COUNTIES
Together With Historic Notes on the Wabash Valley
Gleaned from Early Authors, Old Maps and Manuscripts,
Private and Official Correspondence, and other
Out-of-the-Way Sources
By H. W. Beckwith
of the Danville Bar; Corresponding Member of the Historical Societies of Wisconsin and Chicago
- MAP WITH ILLUSTRATIONS -
Chicago:
H. H. Hill and N. Iddings, Publishers

1880.

 1310 pgs.
(Transcribed by Sharon Wick)

PRAIRIETON TOWNSHIP
pg. 458

     This is a fractional township, on account of its location on the river, which runs diagonally across the sections from northeast to southwest.  The land is very rich, being mostly prairie and bottom, and peculiarly adapted to corn, especially along the river.  The southeast part of the township is somewhat rolling and is more or less sandy, yet the whole township is one of the richest and most productive in the county.  The land lying in Secs. 2, 3, 4, 34, 35, 36, 25, 26, 27, 23, 24, 14 and 13 is almost proof against drouth or wet seasons, as it is composed of a sandy loam which expels the surplus moisture and retains a sufficient quantity to mature crops.  The low bottom land along the river is subject to overflow whenever the Wabash rises to full banks; although the bottom land lying in Secs. 1, 4, 5 and 6 is protected by the big levee, and when there is no overflow of the river-bottoms the corn crop is very large, sometimes yielding as high as seventy-five to eighty bushels per acre.  The wheat crop, and others usually, is generally good.  There is only one stream of importance besides the Wabash.  Honey creek, which derives its name from the fact of there being agreat many wild bees found along its banks at an early day.  There are several anecdotes related about the naming of this stream.  One is as follows: A hunter was outhunting on the banks of this stream, and after tramping for some time became weary and lay down to rest himself, and after awhile began to look about him as he lay on his back, when he discovered seven bee trees before he got up.  Another story, probably the correct one, is told by Mr. Wm. R. Bentley, son of old Elisha Bentley, one of the first settlers, who relates that his father, Elisha Bentley, was one of the scouts of Gen. Wm. Henry Harrison's army, and as he was on the way to the Black Hawk war he and several others left the camp (Gen. Harrison had encamped for the night on the banks of this stream), contrary to orders, for a hunt, and finding a bee tree proceeded to fell it, and as it fell it went into the stream and broke open, scattering the honey out into the stream, which floated away on the water, on seeing which the party named it Honey creek.  The stream enters the township in the southeast corner of Sec. 13, T. 11, R. 10 W., running nearly south for half a mile, thence southwest across Secs. 24, 26, 34 and 33, emptying into the Wabash in the south

Page 459 -
part of Sec. 33, T. 10 N., R. 10 W.  There is an old bed of the stream which leaves the creek in the west part of Sec. 24, running west into Sec. 23, thence south to the south line of the section, thence west and northwest to the Wabash in Sec. 22, leaving about 2,000 acres that forms an island in high water, as the water from the Wabash sets up the old bed to the main stream and thence down that stream to the mouth of the creek.  The township is bounded on the north and west by the Wabash river, on the east by Honey Creek township, and on the south by Prairie Creek township.
     Among the first settlers that came to this township may be mentioned David M. Jones, James Wilson, Moses Hoggatt, Enoch Harlan, old Jeremiah Hayworth, Ezra Jones and some others who came as early as 1816, or before.  David M. Jones settled on the farm now owned by Harvey E. Bently.  He was a rough pioneer, but a man of some influence; he was sent to the legislature from Vigo county.  James Wilson lived about half a mile from the residence of James Ferguson.  Moses Hoggatt entered a section of land where the town of Prairieton is built; he divided his land among his children at his death.  Enoch Harlan came to the township in 1816, and settled on Sec. 1, in the southeast part ofthe township, where he still resides. He is one of the oldest men in the township, being nearly eighty years of age.  Old Jeremiah Hayworth settled in Sec. 36, one mile south of the town of Prairieton, and lived in a log cabin, part of which is now standing.  He was a great hunter; he and old Enoch Harlan were cronies, and spent much of their time hunting and trapping, in which pursuit they were very successful.  Enoch has now the first clock that was brought to Prairieton township, an old full-length wooden one.  The Hayworths are quite numerous in the township.  Ezra Jones and William Winters came about the same time, in 1816, and Mr. Jones entered eighty acres of the farm that Dr. J. W. Ogle now owns; also William Winters entered alarge tract of land, including the J. W. Ogle farm, but not being able to pay for it turned it over to the settlers.  Old Jeremiah Raymond entered a large tract of bottom land in the southern part of the township, but has been dead many years, and the land has been bought up by a number of men and is divided into small farms.  James Strain was here at an early day and lived on the bottom land in Sec. 6.  His son, John Strain, was a captain of the militia, and the settlers used to meet at their general muster to train, and the barn yard and part of Dr. Ogle's farm used to be the old muster ground.  Capt. Strain, when in the United States service as a common soldier, was sentenced to be shot for sleeping while on duty, and it is stated of him that he had been brought out for the purpose and was seated on

Page 460 -
his coffin, when a reprieve came from the commander-in-chief just in time to save his life.
     There was a large increase of the population in 1817 and 1818.  Among those who came in about that time were Thomas Ferguson and family, who settled on Sec. 2; Otis Jones, at Greenfield Bayou; Elisha Bentley, on Sec. 34; Geo. Southard, John Thompson, Sandford Hayworth, the Montgomerys, Joseph Benight, Joseph Thayer, John Cox, a blacksmith, James Lee and family, the Paddocks, old Moses Reynolds and brothers David and Robert, Amos P. Balch, Gen. Henry French, Henry T. Irish, Ralph White and others.  John Campbell had a child stolen by the Indians, who was not recovered, although his father spent a large part of his means and years of time searching for him.
     Mr. Alford Hale, a son of Bradford Hale, now occupies the farm formerly owned by his father.  He can recollect when he had to go to Terre Haute to vote, and the parties each set out a barrel of whisky, one labeled Democratic the other Whig, and as a man voted so he was entitled to a drink.  He cast his first vote for Gen. Jackson.  The township of Prairieton at first was attached to Sugar Creek township, and settlers had to cross the Wabash river to vote.  Afterward it was cut off from Sugar Creek and joined to Honey Creek township, then it was set off by itself, and a strip of land across the north end of Prairie Creek township, one mile wide, was cut off from that township and joined to Prairieton, which shape it retains at present.
     The village of Prairieton was for a long time called Hoggat's store.  It was platted and laid out in 1836 by Robert Hoggat.   There was an effort made on the part of the citizens of the township to have it laid out in a rectangular form, but Mr. Hoggatt persisted in his plan, and, as he owned all the land that lay within the plat of town save what had been sold as village lots, he succeeded in establishing the plat of the town in the irregular form that it now assumes.  The town was incorporated in1870.  Among the first to do business here were Moses Hoggatt, his son Robert Hoggatt, B. Ogle, Marks, Harrison Bryant, and John BellJ. A. Foote, who is now in business in Terre Haute, kept one of the best stores that was ever in the town.  Ewing Isbell kept a stock of groceries.
     There has never been a licensed saloon in the place, and there is now no place where liquor is retailed by the glass.  The population of the village of Prairieton is about 250, and of the township 1,021.  There is but one colored person it the township, Mrs. Eliza T. Davis, who is very old.
     There is a fine graded school at Prairieton.  The school-house was

Page 461 -
built in 1870, and is 42×54 feet and three stories high.  Two stories are devoted to the school, and the third story was built by the A. F. and A. M., and is used as a hall by that order.  The cost of the building was $4,184.80.  The school attendance is about 100.  There are three grades.  Mr. Chas. W. Finney took charge of the school as principal in 1871, and retained the position until the fall of 1879, when Mr. J. A. Boyer, of Terre Haute, assumed the office as principal, which position he continues to hold.
     The first school in the township was taught by Duncas Darrow, in a house built about 1820 in the north part of the town.  Soon after other schools were started in private houses, one on the bottoms in the south part of the township, one at Greenfield Bayou, taught by Mr. Joseph Thayer.  A log school-house was built near where the New Harmony church now stands; afterward it was removed and a brick school house was built in its place.   Both are now gone, the brick one having been taken down many years ago.  There are now five districts in the township. The cost of the school-houses ranges from $500 to $4,184.80.
     The township officers before the year 1859 consisted of three trustees, a clerk, justice of the peace and constable.  The first trustees of which there is any record were Moses Reynolds and Wm. R. BentleyJacob Shirley was first clerk, and the first justice of the peace was either Ashley Harris or Archibald Davidson, for both filled that office at a very early day.
     The first church of the denomination of United Brethren was first organized in the southeast part of the township, in what was known as the Brush school-house, somewhere about the year 1857.  The first preacher was the Rev. Mr. HedgeJames Paige now has charge of this church and the circuit.  They have no church building, and hold their meetings in the school-house, but are making preparations to build.  The church has a membership of about sixty.  Another church of this denomination was organized in the village of Prairieton, in the fall of 1865, by A. J. Nugent, pastor, Jeremiah Hayworth and wife, Elizabeth Hayworth, Sarah St. John, W. D. Malone, and Lydia Shirley.  The building they now occupy was built by the Methodist church about 1838 or 1840.  It was sold to the United Brethren church in 1866.  The first membership was small, but it increased rapidly until it numbered some 150.  Of late years there has been a falling off of members from various causes.
     The first church building that was built in the township of Prairieton was by the Methodists, in 1838 or 1840.  It was afterward sold to the United Brethren church somewhere about 1866.  They then bought a church that had been built by the Presbyterians in 1860, but

Page 462 -
was not finished.  The Methodists finished it, and it was dedicated Apr. 29, 1866. The first pastor was the Rev. G. W. Bower.  W. E. Davis is now on the circuit.
     The council to organize the New Harmony Baptist church was called to meet Jan. 31, 1852.  It was called from the churches of Terre Haute, Salem, Mt. Zion, Union, Friendly Grove, and Fairbanks.  Elder Asa Frakes was elected moderator, and John E. Bell clerk.  Letters from eight brethren and sisters were presented: James H. Cowan and wife, Nancy Johnson, Andrew and Gracia Ann McPheron, Joseph McDonald, Thomas McPheron and wife.  From that, its organization, the church grew rapidly, until it reached a membership of 135.  There has also been a Sunday-school connected with the church until within a year past.  Of late years the membership of the church has fallen off, until the present attendance is only from twenty to twenty-five, and they have no pastor or regular stated meetings.  The church building is about 30×40 feet in size.  It was built in the year 1858, and dedicated in the fall of 1859, and cost about $800.
     The Society of Friends (or Quakers) was probably the first church organized in the township, as some of the first settlers that came to this and adjoining township were members of that society, among whom were the Hoggatts, the Reynolds, the Durhams, the Coxes, the Joneses, the Nobletts, and others.  The first meetings were held in 1818 or 1819, in a log house in the north part of the town of Prairieton, which was built for a winter school.  A log church was afterward built in 1820, on the township line between Honey Creek and Prairieton townships.  There was a split in the church about 1830, some calling themselves the orthodox, and the others styled themselves Quakers or the Society of Friends.  They were called heretics and were disowned by the orthodox party.  In consequence of these dissensions the society has diminished in numbers; the children of members have married out of the church, and in consequence have been read out of the society, so that now no meetings are held, and the church as a church has ceased to exist.  The church building was destroyed a long time ago, and they have now no church.
     Lodge No. 178, A. F. and A. M., was organized in Prairieton, in 1871.  The first officers were: Henry Fortune, W. M.; M. S. Gunn, S. W.; James Myers, J. W.; S. S. Henderson, treasurer; G. W. Finney, secretary; Thomas Robertson, S. D.; G. W. Krusan, J. D.; B. F. Flesher, Steward; J. B. Walker, Tiler.  The charter was granted May 29, 1872.  The membership at first consisted of only the officers, but the order has grown steadily, and although there have been some deaths and dimits, as well as some removals, the membership now

Page 463 -
numbers forty-six.  They built a third story to the high school building in Prairieton, which they use as their hall.  The present officers are: S. S. Henderson, W. M.; J. M. Hunt, S. W.; F. M. Matherly, J. W.; Geo. C. Clem, treasurer; O. M. Curry, secretary; J. W. Reynolds, S. D.; T. D. Simmons, J. D.; E. E. Glover and J. M. Risley, stewards; John De Baun, tiler; L. E. Carson, chaplain.  The order is in a flourishing condition, and is one of the permanent institutions of the township.
     The date of the first charter of Prairieton Lodge, No. 16, Α. Ο. U. W., was June 17, 1876.  Afterward another charter was granted of the date of Nov. 14, 1876.  The names of charter members are: Joseph Reynolds, P. W. M.; Sturgis Yeley, M. W.; C. D. McPheron, G. F.; Geo. F. Neff, O.; Jacob Woods, recorder; Lewis Hahn, financier; John Manhart, receiver; Wm. Wigginton, G.; Levi Dawson, I. W.; W. P. Kramer, O. W.: and Ferdinand Volkers.  The lodge was organized by G. W. Hill, G. M. W., and John T. Francis, grand recorder.  The membership has been as high as thirty, but at present it is but ten.  The present officers are: G. W. Kruzan, M. W.; J. W. Reynolds, P. M. W.; T. D. Simmons, recorder; J. T. Reynolds, receiver; Ferdinand Volkers, financier ; O. M. Curry, G. F.; Alfred Kruzan, O.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

     Enoch Harlan, farmer, Prairieton, was born in Davis county, North Carolina, Dec. 19, 1800.  He came to Prairieton township in 1816, where he has since resided with the exception of several visits made to North Carolina, Parke county, Indiana, and Missouri.  He now lives one and a half miles south of Prairieton. 
His wife, formerly Miss Catharine Pope, was born in Davis county, North Carolina, and came to Indiana in 1820 and married Mr. Harlan two years afterward.  She was an industrious and exemplary woman and a member of the Baptist church.  She died at the age of sixty years.  They raised a family of six children, five of whom are living.  He was always a democrat.  He now lives on the 200 acres he entered from the government.  He has been a member of the Baptist church for forty years.  He was present at a treaty with the Indians in Parke county, Indiana, and joined the Indians in feasting, drinking, and had a big spree.  He was in the Black Hawk war.  Mr. Harlan now has the first clock that was brought to this township, an old wooden one.  He also recollects about the Indians stealing the child of John Campbell, who lived on the prairie east of Prairieton.  Mr. Campbell spent much time and nearly all his means searching for his child, but never found it.  Mr. Harlan and old Jeremiah Hayworth Sr. killed the first wild bear

Page 464 -
in Vigo county, about half a mile from Mr. Harlan's present residence.  He has lived on his farm about sixty years, and recollects when the tall timber about his house, that is now fifty to seventy-five feet in height, was only five to six feet high.  He is now very feeble, and soon another one of the old pioneers will be gone from our midst.

     Joseph Liston, deceased, was born in the year 1792 and died in 1875 at the age of eighty-three.  He first married in the State of Ohio, and moved to Prairie Creek township, Vigo county, Indiana, in 1816.  He moved his family and household goods from Ohio to Indiana on horseback, by putting his household goods on one horse and two boys on the top of the goods, while his wife rode another horse, with one child tied on behind and another one in her lap, while he footed it and brought up the rear.  He was a farmer by occupation.  He embraced religion in 1810, and was baptized by the Rev. Isaac McCoy, afterward a missionary among the Indians. He had a family of seventeen children (sixteen by his first wife and one by his second wife, whom he married in 1844), twelve of whom lived and married.  He had a son killed in the war of the rebellion, in Tennessee, under Capt. Puckett.  He is said to have plowed the first furrow on Fort Harrison prairie, and was undoubtedly one of the first who came into Vigo county.

     William C. Risley, a farmer by occupation, was born in Green Bay City, Wisconsin, Mar. 15, 1847.  He came to Prairieton township in the fall of 1865.  He has a wife and one child, and has lost three children.  He owns a good farm of 100 acres, and he is fast making a pleasant home of it.  He is a young man of steady habits and persevering industry.  His father, Levi Risley, was a carpenter and joiner, and removed a number of times, taking his son William with him to Abingdon, Iowa, St. Paul, Minn., New Orleans, Rushville, Ind, Terre Haute, Ind, and again to Abingdon, Iowa, where he worked at his trade till he died, in the winter of 1855.  William C. was married in August, 1870, to Miss Martha B. Bushel, of Vigo county, who was born in Nelson county, Kentucky, in 1805, and was married in 1822 to Wm. T. Lloyd, who removed to Sullivan county, Indiana, in 1824, where she lived with him twelve years, when he died, leaving wife and seven children.  She remained a widow ten years, and was then married to Joseph Liston, whom she survives.  She now lives two miles southeast of Prairieton; was seventy-four years of age October 1879.  She has raised a family of eight children, four of whom are living in Vigo county, Indiana.  She is a remarkable woman, being able now at the age of seventy-four to read without glasses.

     Alford Hale, farmer, Prairieton, Indiana, was born in Miami county

Page 465 - 
Ohio, Aug. 8, 1813.  His father, Bradford Hale, came to Scott county, Indiana, when Alford was quite young, where he lived five years.  His father removed to Honey Creek Prairie, near Prairieton, in the fall of 1823.  He intended to go to Illinois when he started, but at that time the Wabash river was the boundary line between the whites and the Indians, so he was compelled to stop on the Indiana side, and was the first to settle on Sec. 33. Afterward he removed to Sec. 34, where he died, and his son Alford Hale has ever since made it his home.  Alford Hale was married Apr. 20, 1843, to Miss Eliza Ann Angel, a daughter of Dexter Angel, who lived several miles farther down the river, and who afterward went back to New York state and died there.  She was born Sept. 26, 1822, in a house that then stood where the Wabash river now runs, on Sec. 6, which belonged to her grandfather, old Joseph Benight.  The river has gradually encroached on the land, washing it away from time to time until it has changed its course very much from what it was sixty years ago.  Mr. and Mrs. Hale have had six children: Bradford, Sarah C., Almira, Dexter M., James R. W. and Alford J.  The two girls died in infancy and the boys are still living.  Bradford was a volunteer in the war for the Union, and was wounded in the leg and taken prisoner by the rebels Jan. 19, 1865, and was held three months, and was then paroled and set free.  He was in the service one year, and was in several battles.   He now lives in the State of Kansas.  Mr. Hale has always been a farmer, and has never held office except school trustee.  He has never made much of a military record, although he used to meet at muster and train, and even offered his services in the Black Hawk war, but they were not required and he returned home.  At first he had to go to Terre Haute, ten miles, to vote, and voted there two years, when the county was divided, and Prairieton township was then joined to Sugar Creek.  Mr. and Mrs. Hale have been prominent members of the Methodist church, he for thirty and she for forty years, and they are honored members of society.  Her great-grandfather was a colonel in the revolutionary war, and all her relations on her father's side lived and died in York state.  Mr. and Mrs. Hale now live on the same farm in Sec. 34, and they have a comfortable home. Their children are doing for themselves except one, the youngest, who lives at home with them.

     Samuel Haworth, deceased, late husband of Mary Haworth, was born near Prairieton, Jan. 22, 1824, and died Sept. 17, 1873, aged forty-nine years.  He has always lived in Prairieton township, and was married Dec. 25, 1849, to Miss Mary Myers.  He left a wife and seven children, five of whom are now living.  He was a minister of the United Brethren church, and was on his circuit for about 

Page 466 -
a year, and filled all of his appointments, but his health, which never was very good, soon gave way, and he was called home to his reward.  His widow, Mrs. Mary Hayworth, still lives on the old homestead.  She was formerly Miss Mary Myers, and was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, May 2, 1828.  She removed with her father to Ohio at six years of age, and from there to Prairieton, Indiana, at thirteen years of age.  She was married to Samuel Hayworth, Dec. 25, 1849.  She has been an honored member of the United Brethren church for twenty-seven years.  She now lives three miles south of the town of Prairieton, in a comfortable home.

     Alfred Kruzan, farmer, Prairieton, living on Sec.1, Prairieton township, was born in Lost Creek township in 1829, and moved on the farm on which he now lives in 1853.  He was married in 1864 to Miss Margaret Wheatley, of Vigo county, Indiana.  They have now a family of nine children, all living.  His father, Isaac Kruzan, is now living in Lost Creek township, Vigo county, Indiana, and is nearly seventy-four years of age.  His mother is dead.  He is a member of the A. O. U. W.

     Lawrence S. Ball, physician, Prairieton, was born in Terre Haute, Vigo county, Indiana, Mar. 15, 1829, and made that place his home until 1855.  He was educated at the Western Military Institute, at Georgetown, Kentucky, under the Hon. James G. Blaine, of Maine, who was a professor in the institute, it being an institution of learning and discipline.  Hon. Bushrod Johnson was also a teacher, and Prof. Hopkins, from West Point.  Mr. Ball first commenced study at Georgetown in 1846, and remained there until 1849.  In 1853 he attended the medical college at Cincinnati, Ohio, and graduated in 1855, since which time he has been engaged in the practice of medicine at Prairieton.  He is permanently located at Prairieton, and keeps the post-office, and in connection with that keeps a stock of drugs, notions, and groceries.  He was married at York, Clark county, Illinois, in May 1855, to Miss Frances Burr, of New York, a daughter of Robert H. Burr, a distant relative of Aaron Burr.  They have a family of four children, two boys and two girls, all at home but the eldest, who is at Kansas City.  Their names are: Edward H., Agnes Preston, and Bertrand.  His first wife died in April 1876, and is buried at Prairieton.  He was married again in 1878, to Miss Clara Kelsey, of Evansville, Indiana, a daughter of Loring Kelsey, a prominent farmer of that county.  He went into the United States service for three months, as captain of Co. F, 54th Ind. Vol. Inf.   He served four months, and returned home with his company at the end of their service.  He is an honored member of the Methodist church.  He has never been an aspirant for office.  His father, Dr. Edward V. Ball, was born in Hanover, New York, in

Page 467 -
February 1800, and came to Crawford county, Illinois, in 1817, and lived there a number of years.  He commenced the study of medicine under a Dr. Shuler, and practiced medicine for nearly fifty years.   He removed to Terre Haute about 1826, and was married in 1828 to Miss Sarah E. Richardson, a daughter of Joseph Richardson, and a sister of Berkly Richardson, who died recently in the city of Terre Haute.  Dr. Edward V.Ball raised a family of four children: Lawrence S., the subject of this sketch; Caroline, who was married to the Rev. Wm. M. Chever, of Kansas City, who is dead now; Mary, who is now the wife of Chas. Peddle, of Terre Haute, and MatildaDr. E. V. Ball died March 1873, and was buried in Woodlawn cemetery.  His wife is still living in Terre Haute.

     Abel Hardin Isbell, deceased, was born in Nelson county, Kentucky, Nov. 23, 1820.  He died in Prairieton township, Jan. 25, 1878.  His father was born in North Carolina, and his mother in Virginia.  Both are dead.  Abel H. Isbell came to Vigo county when quite young and settled in Prairieton, where he resided until he died.  He was a member of the 85th reg, Ind. Vol. Inf., under Capt. Ball, and served his country faithfully.  He was a strong political partisan in the republican ranks.  He was a member of the Methodist church, and an exemplary man.  He received a serious injury by a kick in the face from a horse about a year before his death, which tended to hasten his death.  He was noted for his benevolent acts and charity.  He never had children of his own: still he raised a family of seven, three girls and four boys, friendless orphans.  He used to raise large crops of corn and boat it down to New Orleans by flatboat.

     Lydia Isbell, widow of Abel H. Isbell, was born in Hardin county, Kentucky, Dec. 22, 1826.  Her father was born in Maryland, and died Aug. 1, 1868, and her mother was born in Virginia, and died in May 1849.  Mrs. Lydia Isbell now lives on the farm just south of the town of Prairieton, which is one of the beautiful farms that abound in this part of the county.  She is a member of the Methodist church, and is warmly, devoted to the cause of temperance and other good works.

     Charles Dudley Benight lives on the bank of the Wabash, on Secs. 33 and 34 of Prairieton township. He is a son of C. N. Benight, of Terre Haute, and was born in Prairieton township, Aug. 31, 1854.  He was educated in Terre Haute, and took a course in Garvin's Commercial College.  He was married in February, 1878, to Miss Hattie B. Miller, of Terre Haute. His father and some other relatives came to Prairieton at an early day, and prepared the land for cultivation by their children.

Page 468 -

     David C., or, as he is familiarly called, Cary McPheron, farmer, Prairieton, was born and raised on the farm he now occupies.  He married, at Prairieton, Miss Hattie Rowe, a daughter of John M. Rowe, an intelligent and social lady.  His father, Andrew McPheron, was born in Tennessee, emigrated to Ohio when a child and came to Prairieton at an early day.  He first walked from Champaign county, Ohio, to Edgar county, Illinois, and back.  He then rode out on horse back and returned to Ohio on foot.  He subsequently rode a good horse and came with about $275 in money and settled in Prairieton.  He was married in 1849 to Mrs. Gracia Ann Bethys, the widow of Marvin Bethys.  He died Jan. 16, 1871.  His wife is living and resides in the city of Terre Haute.

     James Harlan, farmer, Prairieton, was born in Prairieton township, Vigo county, Indiana, Jan. 24, 1835.  He has always lived in this township, with the exception of two or three years.  He was married Mar. 6, 1861, to Miss Sarah Herrington, a lady of Vigo county, Indiana, who died three years afterward.  He was again married, Dec. 6, 1870, to Miss Harriett Mullikin, also of Vigo county, Indiana. He has a family of four children.  He owns a good farm of 285 acres in the southeast part of the township, which though new he is fast making a pleasant home, and if he lives he will be one of the substantial and well-to-do farmers of Vigo county.  He left his father's home with only six dollars in his pocket, and he has by indomitable energy succeeded in laying the foundation of a fine home, having bought and paid for his farm and is making preparation for the erection of a fine residence and other necessary buildings, which when completed will be an ornament to that part of the township.  Such men as Mr. Harlan are always a blessing to the country, as they by their example always exert an influence for good on the rising generation and those of their neighbors who are not endowed by nature with such executive ability.

     John Copeland Jr., farmer, Prairieton, resides on his farm in Sec. 25, half a mile east of the town of Prairieton.  He was born Nov. 6, 1820, near Greensborough, Henry county, Indiana.  His father, John Copeland Sr., was born in North Carolina and came to Indiana before it was a state and settled where Wayne county now is.  He removed to Henry county, and from there he removed to Prairieton in 1837.  He taught two terms of school in Prairieton.  He was a farmer, and died in 1869.  He was a member of the Society of Friends.  John C. Jr., came to Prairieton with his father in 1837, where he has lived ever since.  He was a member of the Society of Friends, but on marrying out of the church he was read out of the society.  He has never been an office seeker.  He has been married three times.  His

Page 469 -
first wife was Miss Ellen Hess, of Vigo county, who is now deceased.  His second marriage was to Miss Samira Morris, of Vigo county.  She also died, and he was then married to Mrs. Elizabeth Moore, who is now living with him.  He has had four children, three boys and one girl, who married a Wm. Miles, and now lives at Pendleton, Indiana.  His son, Marion Copeland, volunteered and served three months in the late war.  He reënlisted in the 2d Ill. Cav., serving nearly two years.  His two other boys live at home and help to work the farm.

     F. W. Romine, farmer, Prairieton, was born in Vigo county, Indiana, Mar. 21, 1838, and has lived in the county ever since.  He was married Aug. 15, 1869, to Miss Mary A. Steadman, a daughter of Jefferson Steadman, of Morgan county, Ohio.  She came to Terre Haute, Indiana, and was brought up by Dr. Bell, of Terre Haute.  They have only moved three times since they went to keeping house, and are now living on a small farm of forty acres in the northwest corner of Sec. 2.  They have four children, three boys and one girl: James Bell, Emily Alice, Wm. David and Thomas D.  They have also adopted a son of Benjamin Romine, who lost his wife a short time ago.  He has been a member of the United Brethren church for seventeen years and is considered an honorable citizen.  He has always been a farmer.  His brother, Samuel Romine, was a volunteer in the 85th reg. Ind. Vol. Inf.; was in thirty-two battles of the war and had his hat rim cut off and the letters U. S. shot off his belt and his canteen shot from him; he was also severely injured by being run over by an ambulance, which has proved to be a permanent disability and for which he receives from the government a pension.  F. W. Romine has met with some severe losses, but has come through safely and is now in comfortable circumstances.

     Livingston Isbell, deceased, was born in Barren county, Kentucky, Feb. 22, 1825.  He was one of five brothers, whose names were: Henderson, Abel Harding, Livingston, John, and EwingLivingston came to Indiana with his parents when a boy.  He was first married to a Miss Mary Reynolds, and she died in 1851.  He afterward married a Miss Sarah Myers, of Vigo county, in December 1853.  He lived near Prairieton, and followed farming principally.  He enlisted in the 43d Ind. Vol. Inf., in October 1861, and served seven months, when he was discharged for disability and died two years after coming home from the war, from disease contracted while in the service.  His second wife is still living and resides in Terre Haute.  Livingston became the father of four children by the first marriage and three by the second, one of whom, Edward Isbell, lives in Prairieton.  He was born Nov.  22, 1855, near the town, and has always lived in the township

Page 470 -
of Prairieton.  He was married Feb. 12, 1880, to Miss Adelia Lydia Mobley, of Prairieton, a daughter of Geo. W. and Celia MobleyGeo. W. Mobley and Celia Bishop were married Nov. 14, 1853.  Mr. Mobley died Mar. 29, 1865, and his wife Celia Nov. 2, 1860.  Their daughter, Adelia Lydia, was born May 24, 1858.  The five brothers all lived in the township of Prairieton, but are all dead.

     Mr. Jacob Ogle, Sr. and his wife Sarah, the parents of Jacob W. Ogle, physician and farmer, Prairieton, were born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, he in 1791 and she in 1790.  He was married in 1811 to Miss Sarah Baty.  He entered land from the government near Indianapolis, in 1813.  He came from Perry county, Pennsylvania, to Ohio in 1812.  They had a family of eight children:
Thirza S., William B., Martha L., Jacob W., the subject of this sketch, Sarah, and Elisabeth M.; two died in infancy.  Martha died in 1843 and william B. in 1872; the rest are living.  Jacob W. Ogle Jr. settled in Prairieton township in April 1839.  She was married in December, 1851, to the youngest daughter of Thomas Ferguson, who came to the township in youngest daughter of Thomas Ferguson, who came to the township in 1817.  They have had six children, three boys and three girls.  The eldest, a boy, died, and the remainder are living at home.  Mrs. Ogle, a genial and sociable lady, has been disabled by rheumatism for six years or more, and has not been able to walk or work, but is remarkably patient under her affliction.  Dr. J. W. Ogle received his education at Oxford or Miami University, in Ohio, and then attended the Ohio Medical Institute at Cincinnati, in 1848.  He afterward graduated at Rush Medical College, at Chicago.  He has practiced medicine a number of years, but his time now is chiefly devoted to farming.  He has a fine farm of 320 acres in one body, and owns in all about 500 acres. He has never been a military man, an office-holder or an office-seeker.

     Hamilton J. Benight, farmer, Prairieton, lives on Sec. 6, Prairieton township.  He was born in Prairieton township Oct. 31, 1839, and is the son of C. N. Benight, of Terre Haute, Indiana.  He has spent most of his life in Vigo county, Indiana.  He was a volunteer in the 85th reg. Ind. Inf., under Capt. Brant, and served nearly  three years, or to the end of the war.  He was with the army at Nashville, Tennessee, Goldsboro, North Carolina, and other places in the south; was promoted to the office of first sergeant of Co. E.  He was married in July, 1867, to Miss Hannah A. Jones, who was born in Vermilion county, Illinois, in 1848, and came to Terre Haute in 1868.  After marriage they went to Kansas and spent five years.  Returning in 1873, he settled on the farm where they now live.  His grand father, Joseph A. Benight, came from New York state and settled on this farm in 1818.  Mr. Benight lost his whole crop in 1875 by the August

Page 471 -
flood, which stripped nearly all of the settlers on the bottoms of their crops.

     Robert G. Reynolds, farmer, Prairieton, now lives one mile north of Honey Creek, on the river road from Prairieton to Terre Haute.  He was born on the farm just south of where he now lives in 1842.  He has lived on his farm of eighty-five acres since 1869.  He has a good farm, which will always produce a crop, being composed of a loamy sand which resists the drouth or floods.  In fact, the lands lying in what is known as the Pocket, near Prairieton, and adjacent to Honey Creek, are the finest lands in Indiana.  Mr. Reynolds is a sober, steady, industrious farmer; has a pleasant family, and is laying the foundation for a sure competency in old age.  His father, Moses Reynolds, was born in Randolph county, North Carolina, in 1810; came to Indiana in 1820, and settled where David Reynolds now lives.  He died in 1872, leaving a son, Robert, and a daughter, who is now the wife of John Allison Pugh, who lives just south of the city of Terre Haute.  Moses Reynolds was married twice, and he and both of his wives are now dead.  He was one of the early pioneers who endured the privations and perils of life on the frontier.

     John de Baun, miller and farmer, Prairieton, was born in Mercer county, Kentucky, Nov. 25, 1821.  He removed from Kentucky to Sullivan county, Indiana, in 1830, where he lived till 1845, when he removed to Prairie Creek township, and lived for a number of years about three and a half miles south of Prairieton.  He removed in 1860 to the farm he now occupies, just south of the village of Prairieton, where he has since made his home. He was married Jan. 17, 1843, to Miss Elisabeth Trueblood, a daughter of Benoni Trueblood, who was born in Camden county, North Carolina, about 1790, and came to Indiana in 1828.  He was a Baptist minister, and died May 10, 1863.  John De Baun has a family of a wife and seven children living, three sons and four daughters.  His eldest son died.  He owns and operates the steam flouring-mill at Prairieton, and has been in the milling business for about twenty-three years; was formerly a farmer, and now runs a small farm in connection with milling.  He has a fine home in a beautiful location; is also an honored member of the Masonic order, and has been an officer in the society for a long time.  He is one of the solid men of Prairieton.  One of his sons is married and lives in his residence near the mill, and assists his father in the milling business.  Mrs. John De Baun received a serious injury a short time ago by falling down a cellar hatchway.

     Harvey E. Bentley,  farmer, Prairieton, was born in Prairieton township, on the farm now occupied by his father, W. R. Bentley, and he

Page 472 -
has lived here all his life.  His father, William Ransford Bentley, who was a son of old Elisha Bentley, who came to the country in 1817 and entered the land that is now occupied by W. R. Bentley, now lives on the old homestead, and has a fine home.  He was married in 1838, at the age of twenty-two years, to Miss Sarah Cornell, of Vigo county, who died Oct. 28, 1853.  He was married a second time, to Miss Sarah Carrithers, of Vigo county, who was born in Sullivan county, Indiana.  She died Feb. 28, 1874.  His third marriage was to Miss Mary Carson, of Vigo county, a daughter of the Rev. L. E. Carson, of Prairieton.  He is considered one of the wealthiest farmers of Prairieton township.  His son, Harvey E. Bentley, now occupies the farm formerly owned by Maj. Jones, who rented the farm to Willis Simmons for a number of years.  The house burned in the night-time, and the family barely escaped with their lives, and he has erected a fine residence and outbuildings, and his farm is one of the finest in the township.  He was married Oct. 19, 1862, to Miss Emma E. Farmer, a daughter of Wm. Farmer, who formerly lived on the farın adjoining, in the same section, No. 3, and who died some years ago.  Mrs. Bentley was born July 26, 1843, in Park county, Indiana, and came with her parents to Prairieton township in 1858.  Mr. Bentley and wife have succeeded in building for themselves a nice home, and have 168 acres in fine cultivation.  They have five children: William F., Sarah E., Horace E., Frank and Otto, aged respectively fifteen, thirteen, ten, six and four years.  He and his wife have been members of the Missionary Baptist church for five years.  He has been, and is now, one of the successful farmers, as he puts into practical effect a rotation of crops which almost always proves to be a success when rightly managed.  He has never been a political or military aspirant, and as he seems to combine a close application to business together with a rigid economy in expenditures and a contentment with himself and home, he is sure of an abundant success.

     James G. Norman, farmer, Prairieton,was bornin Spencercounty, Kentucky, Dec. 17, 1805.  He removed from Kentucky to Indiana in January 1846, and moved on the farm he now occupies in the fall of 1846.  His family off our children are all dead but one daughter.  He is pleasantly located in the southeast part of the township, on a farm of 110 acres.  At the time of the Mexican war Mr. Norman belonged to a company of light infantry in Taylorsville, Shelby county, Kentucky, and was ordered out to go to the war, but volunteers coming in so plentifully, the light infantry was sent home without participating in the war.  The country was full of wild game when Mr. Norman came to Indiana, and he has enjoyed the life of a sportsman, often bag-

Page 473 -
ging as high as four deer per day.  An incident in the life of Mr. Norman is perhaps worth relating.  On one occasion, in company with Jeremiah Hayworth and Samuel Hayworth, he was going to town, when it was found out that neither of the company had any money, and they began to speculate as to how they could get their regular drinks.  One of the company, however, had ingenuity equal to the occasion.  Riding up to the fence he shouldered a couple of fence stakes.  When asked what he was going to do with them he said he was going to sell them and buy his drinks.  No sooner was this said than the whole company shouldered fence stakes, and when they arrived at town proceeded to sell them, and obtained what nearly all pioneer frontiersmen considered as necessary as food and clothing.  Mr. Norman and wife have been exemplary members of the United Brethren church for twenty-two years.  In the year 1879 Mr. Norman and wife made a transfer of their farm to Stephen H. Watts and wife, with the condition that Mr. and Mrs. Watts should care for them while living and bury them at death.  Mr. Watts and wife seem to be worthy and honored members of society, and richly deserve the favor shown them by Mr. Norman, as they have proved by the interest they have taken in the care of the old folks and the farm that the confidence has not been misplaced.

     Benjamin N. Rowe, farmer, Prairieton, is a son of John M. Rowe, who lived for many years in Prairieton, and was a stock dealer, and well-to-do in the world.  His house was the home of all traveling ministers, and many times have the hospitalities of his house been ffreely tendered to not only ministers, but wayfarers and others.  He was the father of Mrs. Hattie McPheron, wife of David C. McPheron.  He died in April 2, 1869, aged fifty-three years, and his wife May 5, 1877.  Benjamin N. Rowe, has lived in Vigo county nearly all his life.  He volunteered in the 85th Ind. Vol. Inf., under Capt. Brant, and served eighteen months, or until the war closed.  He came home without a hurt.  He was with Gen. Sherman in his famous march to the sea.  He was married Aug. 1, 1869, to Miss Jennie E. Ridge, of Vigo county, and they have a family of five children.

     Thomas McPheron, deceased, brother of Andrew McPheron and husband of Mrs. Virginia McPheron, was born in Green county, Tennessee, Feb. 5, 1815, three miles from Greenville City.  He moved to Allen county, Ohio, in 1831, and was married to Miss Nancy Coon, of Allen county, Ohio, who died eighteen months afterward, leaving one child, a daughter, Nancy E. McPheron, who still lives in West Newton, Ohio, and is married to a man by the name of Hughes

Page 474 -
Mr. McPheron
afterward moved to Miami county, Ohio, where he was married Feb. 27, 1847, to Miss Rhoda J. Pence, a cousin of Dr. Allen Pence, of Terre Haute, Indiana.  He moved to Prairieton, Indiana, in 1853, and his wife died July 21, 1862, aged forty-two years.  He was again married, this time to Miss Virginia Bennett, of Sullivan county, Indiana, Apr. 16, 1863.  His children by his second wife are:  Thomas A., Eli, Maria, William, Carry, Henrietta and Harriett; and by his third wife:  Mary, Florence, Rosa and James.  Six of these are dead: William, Cary, Henrietta, Harriet, Rosa and James.  He was a member and a deacon of the Missionary Baptist church for many years, and was respected by all who knew him.  He died Mar. 28, 1869, at his home one and a half miles southwest of Prairieton, where his third wife, who survives him, still lives.  She was born Sept. 3, 1828, near Merom, Sullivan county, Indiana.  She came to Prairieton in 1863, soon after her marriage, where she has since resided.  She has a fine farm of about 150 acres, which she, with the assistance of her children, has successfully managed since her husband's death, and they have a good home, surrounded by the comforts of life.  Her health has always been good.  She has been a member of the Methodist church for many years.  Her stepson, Thomas A. McPheron, is a young man of steady habits, and an important factor in the successful management of the farm.

     Thomas Robertson, farmer, Prairieton, was born in Butler county, Ohio, in 1834.  His father, Lane Robertson, who now lives about one mile east of his son Thomas, came from Ohio to Hancock county, Indiana, when Thomas was four years old, and Thomas lived there until August 1858, when he removed to Prairieton township.  He has lived in the township since 1861, but was absent for several years.  He was married May 23, 1861, to Miss Eliza Jane Simmons, a daughter of Willis Simmons, formerly of Prairieton township, but now a resident of the State of Kansas.  Mr. Robertson commenced to learn the carpenter's trade when fourteen years of age, and followed it till twenty-six years old, since which time he has been a farmer, carpenter, and one year he tried brick-making in Terre Haute, when he lost about $1,500, owing to the decline in the price of brick.  He had paid his workmen the high rate of wages with the expectation that the price of brick would remain as when he commenced to manufacture.  The price fell from $7 to $5 per thousand, and he became a loser, and after that he returned to the farm.  He owns 300 acres of the richest bottom land in the southwest part of the township.  He has 265 acres in crops and the remainder in grass, and it is all under fence.  He lost his entire crop during the high water of August 1875, which destroyed

Page 475 -
nearly all of the crops on the bottom land.  He has never held office in the public service.  He is an honored member of Prairieton Lodge, No. 178, A. F. and A. M., and has held a high position in the order, and is one of the organizers of the lodge.  Up to 1873 his health was good, but he was attacked by the sciatic rheumatism, since which his health has not been the best.  Mr. and Mrs. Robertson have four children living, and they have lost four.  Those living are two boys and two girls.  Mr. Robertson is a genial, social gentleman, and one with whom a person feels at home at all times.

     Isaac Bryant, farmer, Prairieton, lives on Sec. 5, in Prairieton township.  He was born in Washington county, Ohio, May 18, 1813.  His father was born in Harrison county, Virginia, near the Potomac river, and removed to Tippecanoe county, Indiana, where he died aged seventy-five years.  His mother came from England when a child, and died at the age of eighty-five years.  Isaac Bryant moved to Clark county, Illinois, in 1843, where he bought nearly 500 acres of land, which he afterward sold out in small parcels to the Germans.  He lived there about twenty years, when he moved to the farm on which he now lives.  He went to Kansas in 1862, and bought 400 acres of land which he afterward sold.  He now owns only 180 acres in Sec. 5, Prairieton township, having disposed of the remainder to his children.  He had two sons in the war of the rebellion, one of whom, Samuel Bryant, his oldest, died with the yellow fever; the other one, Madison M. Bryant, was shot in the knee, and now draws a pension from the government.  Mr. Bryant has been a member of the Methodist church for forty years.  He was married in Champaign county, Ohio, Mar. 11, 1837, to Miss Elisabeth Hayes, and has raised a family of five children, all married.  During his life he has received several severe injuries, still his general health has been good.  He lost 200 acres of corn in August, 1875, by the overflowing of the Wabash bottoms.  His wife died May 14, 1875, of erysipelas.

     Isaac B. Haworth, merchant and farmer, Prairieton, was born in Jefferson county, East Tennessee, Dec. 27, 1809.  He went to Georgetown, Vermilion county, Illinois, in the spring of 1827, and returned to Tennessee in the fall of the same year.  He afterward came again to Vermilion county, Illinois, the same winter, and remained there till 1862, when he removed to Prairieton, Vigo county, Indiana, and has made that place his residence ever since.  He was importuned by his father many times to return to Tennessee and assist him in starting a spinning factory, but he chose to remain in the north, and he went into partnership with his brother-in-law, Benjamin Canaday, in Georgetown, Illinois, and sold goods for a number of years.  He finally

Page 476 -
sold out his business and residence at Georgetown, and came to Prairieton, Indiana.  He was married, in the fall of 1844, to Miss Mary Walker, a daughter of William Walker, who lived south of Terre Haute, on the Prairieton road.  They have had four children, three of whom are living: Alice, Jane, and William WalkerOscar died.  Since coming to Prairieton Mr. Haworth has followed farming part of the time, but he was afflicted with the rheumatism for some time, which finally turned into the dropsy, from which he has suffered more or less, and he has been obliged to abandon hard labor.  He and his wife live in town, but own a nice farm, from which they derive a revenue.  He is a member of Terre Haute Encampment, I. O. O. F., and is also a member of the Methodist church.  He has never held office or had anything to do with military life.

     Thomas G. Drake, physician, Prairieton, was born in Sullivan county in 1836.  His father, Preston G. Drake, was born in Warren county, Kentucky, about the year 1800, and came to Indiana some where about 1820.  He came direct to Vigo county, where he was married to Miss Nancy Ferguson, a daughter of Thomas and Elisabeth Ferguson.  He engaged in teaching school for several years.  He entered land in Sullivan county, Indiana, and removed there and lived till 1849, when he went to Terre Haute and remained a few months.  He traded for property east of Merom, Sullivan county, and removed there and made that his home until he died.  His first wife died some time in 1840, and he was married again in 1842, to Miss Susan Bryant, of Vigo county, who was after the death of Mr. Drake, which occurred in 1840, while on a visit to Kentucky, married to Joseph E. Jones, a brother of old Jimmy Jones, of Vigo county.  Joseph Jones died in 1863, and his wife Susan died in 1855.  She left two children: Delia, who was married to James Kelly, and lives at Sullivan, and the other, Etta Ellen, who married a Mr. Davis, and removed to the State of Texas.  Thomas G. Drake lived at Sullivan for about ten years, and then came to Terre Haute.  After leaving home he went to Bowling Green and studied the languages under Prof. Pillsbury, a highly accomplished teacher.  After that he came to Terre Haute and read medicine with Dr. Geo. W. Clippinger.  He afterward studied medicine and graduated at Chicago, Illinois, in the winter of 1861-62.  He then came to Prairieton, where he has since lived.  He was married Oct. 8, 1862, to Miss Eliza J. Ferguson, a cousin on his mother's side, and a daughter of James and Mary Ferguson, who live just south of Prairieton.  Mr. Drake has a family of four children: James F., Thomas A., Mary N. and Guthred.  They lost one, Thomas P., who was one year old.  Mr. Drake has made the practice of medicine his life-work. He

Page 477 -
bought the old Robert Hoggatt farm of over 300 acres of the wife and daughter of Mr. Hoggatt, who now live in Illinois, and he has made some accessions to his farm, so that he has now one of the finest farms in Prairieton township.  The Hoggatt farm has only changed hands from the government to the Hoggatts, and from them to Dr. Drake.  He and his wife are members of the close communion Baptist church, and are honored and respected citizens.

     Lewis Evans Carson, physician, Prairieton, was born in Highland county, Ohio, Dec. 20, 1824, and was educated in Petersburg, Ohio.  He lived in Hamilton county until twenty-two years of age.  He married a Miss Mary E. Jermen in September 1847, and in the same year he removed to Madison, Indiana.  From there he removed to Martinsville, Morgan county, Indiana.  He studied medicine first in the city of Madison, and continued the study two years after going to Martinsville.  While living there he was licensed to exhort in the Methodist church; three years after was licensed to preach, and three years after that entered the Indiana conference, and was first sent to the New Albany circuit; in 1859 he was sent to the Hardinsburg circuit, and at the close of the second year at Hardinsburg was elected chaplain of the 38th reg. Ind. Vol. Inf. and served in that capacity for three years.  He was with the regiment from the battle of Perryville, Kentucky, to the taking of Atlanta.  He was at the battles of Stone River, Hoover's Gap, Shelbyville, Tullahoma, Chickamauga, where he came near being captured by the confederate troops, as the hospital was between the rebels and the United States forces during the battle; Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, and all those hard-fought battles on the route to Atlanta.  He returned in the fall of 1864, and entered the work of the ministry by being appointed to the Bloomfield circuit.  From there he went to Fredericksburg, in the fall of 1867; then was sent to New Albany and remained two years; then to Salem, Washington county, for two years, and came to Prairieton in 1872 and remained three years.  After that he went to Evansville for one year, where he had charge of the Engle-street church.  He returned then to Prairieton, where he has since been engaged in the practice of medicine.  His first wife died at Hardinsburg, Indiana, in 1860, leaving two children, one of whom, Mary Virginia, is now the wife of Wm. R. Bentley, of Prairieton township, and the other one is the wife of Dr. J. C. Mason, formerly of Bloomfield, but now of Annapolis, Indiana.  In 1861 Mr. Carson was again married, to Miss Annie E. Graham, by whom he has had six children, three boys and three girls; the girls are all dead and the boys live at home.  He is a member of the A. F. and A. M., I.O.O.F., the Grangers and the Good Templars.  He is also a

Page 478 -
member of the Vigo County Medical Society and the Esculpian Society.  He was a successful minister, having taken into the church over 2,000 members while engaged as a Methodist preacher.  He also organized what they called the army church of the 38th reg., which was nonsectarian.  His fahter, Silas Carson, was born in Stokes county, North Carolina about 1796; went to Ohio with his parents in 1812-13, and settled in Highland county, and lived and died in that county, June 3, 1836.  He was a very fine scholar,  being a fine mathematician and penman, and was a genius in the way of mechanics, showing great ingenuity in the manufacture of guns and otehr kinds of mechanism.  He married a Miss Sarah Davis, of that county, about 1821, a daughter of John and Jane Davis of that county.  They had five children, one of whom, a boy, died young of scarlet fever; the others, Eliza, Lewis E., AllenTrumbull and Silas are living; Eliza in Henry county, Iowa; Allen in Howard county, Indiana, and Silas at Martinsville, Indiana, where he is a justice of the peace and mayor of the town of Martinsville.   The wife of Silas Carson Sr. is still living at Russiaville, Howard County, Indiana, and is seventy-nine years old.   L. E. Carson's great grandfather and the famous pathfinder Kit Carson's grandfather were brothers and came from the north of Ireland and are Scotch and Irish.

     William Kelley Flesher, farmer, Prairieton, was born in West Virginia May 28, 1824.  He removed to Defiance county, Ohio.  Afterward he came to Prairieton township in 1867, where he has since resided.  His grandfather was an old revolultionary soldier and did good service in the cause of liberty.   His father was born and raised good service in the cause of liberty.  His father was born and raised in Lewis county, Virginia, and died in Rome, West Virginia; he was a farmer by occupation.  His mother was also a native of Virginia.  Wm. K. is a farmer.  He has one brother and four sisters.  He is a member of the Masonic fraternity at Prairieton.  He lost his first wife by the spotted fever, Apr. 29,1873, and was again married, to Mrs. Mary Ann Clark, Aug. 9, 1877.  By his first marriage he had a family of ten children, two of whom died young; the rest, four boys and four girls, are living.  One son and three of his daughters are married, and the remainder of the children live at home with their parents.  His last wife, Mrs. Clark, was formerly a Miss Mary Ann Johnson.  She first married Mr. Carlisle Reed Clark, who was born in York state, July 23, 1813, and came to Indiana when quite young, and lived and died in Prairieton township; died Nov. 5, 1864, leaving one child, Joseph Carlisle Reed Clark, who also lives at home with his mother.  Mr. Flesher has a farm of nearly 200 acres, one of the most fertile farms in the township, and his home is one of the most quiet, pleasant and agreeable ones that is to be found in the county.  

Page 479 -

     Jacob Hornor, farmer, Prairieton, was born in Washington county, Indiana, Nov. 20, 1836.  He spent his youth and life in that county till after the war.  He has lived in Vigo county since 1875, and lost all of his crop in the high water of 1875. He was a volunteer in the 66th reg. Ind. Inf. and served thirteen months.  He was wounded in the hip and discharged for disability.  He was in several battles, among which maybe named the battles of Ringgold, Snake Gap, Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Kingston, Dallas, Pine Mountain, Allatoona, and many others.  He was wounded at Van Wert, Georgia.  He is a member of the I.O.O.F.  He and his wife are members of the Methodist church.  He was married in 1865 to Miss Margaret N. Lightner, of Illinois, formerly from New Albany, Indiana.

     James Albert Ridge was born near Covington, Indiana, and lived there a number of years and then came with his father to Prairieton a number of years ago and has since made this township his home.  He is a young man of steady habits and is located on a beautiful farm north of the town of Prairieton.  He married a Miss Cox, daughter of Jackson Cox, now living on the west side of the Wabash river west of the town of Prairieton.

 

NOTES:

 


 



 
CLICK HERE to RETURN to
VIGO COUNTY
INDEX PAGE
CLICK HERE to RETURN to
INDIANA GENEALOGY EXPRESS
INDEX PAGE
GENEALOGY EXPRESS
Free Genealogy Research is My Mission
This website has been created by Sharon Wick exclusively for Genealogy Express
All Rights Reserved 2019©