Union Township
Perry County, Indiana
ROBERT ASH, merchant at Mount Pleasant, is a native of Kentucky, born January 25, 1829, and is one of a iamily of eleven children born to Benjamin and Hannah (Fig) Ash, also natives of Kentucky. The father was a cabinet-maker in the early part of his life, but later was engaged in farming. In 1861 he came to Indiana and located in Orange County, where he remained for about fifteen years, when he removed to Crawford County. He died in the latter county about 1870 at the age of seventy-five, and his wife followed about six months later at the age of sixty-nine. Robert was reared at home, receiving a common school education. After attaining his majority he worked at various kinds of work until July 31, 1852, when he married Mary Jarboe, a native of Perry County. He then bought a farm in Leopold Township, and began his career as a farmer. He has owned and worked various farm, in that township, having at one time 200 acres. He now owns only eighty acres. In 1885 he opened the store at Mount Pleasant, which he still conducts. He is the father of eight children, of whom five are living, named James, Mary Josephine (wife of George Basinger) William, Elizabeth (wife of Hiram Morgan) and George.
S. N. BADGER, a well-to-do farmer of Union Township, was born in Knox County, Ind., January 20, 1837, and is one of six children born to the marriage of William Badger and Nancy Biddle. The father came from one of the Eastern States to Knox County, Ind., where he married, and lived in Vincennes until his death in 1837. His widow, after a few years, moved to Warrick County, and later came to this county, where she died in May, 1877. The subject of this memoir was deprived of a father’s care when an infant, and at the age of eleven years he hired to a farmer for 10 cents per day, his wages helping to support his mother and the other members of the family. He continued to work as a day laborer for several years. He made his home with his mother as long as he remained single, and after his marriage she lived with him. February 25, 1855, he wedded Roxanna Ramsey, and located on land in Union Township, which he entered. Mr. Badger is a successful farmer, and a shrewd financial manager; is now the owner of 783 acres of land, after having given eighty acres to each of three sons. He is a Republican in politics, and is a member of the Knights of Honor. He is the father of ten children: Solomon A., William C., W. Grant, Thomas E., Sanford, Roxanna, Elijah, Julia A., Lincoln and Nancy B.
J. B. BENNETT, M. D., Derby, is the son of James M. Bennett, a well known Babtist minister, now retired and living at Louisville, Ky. The elder Bennett was born in Jamestown, Va., and removed to Kentucky when a youth. He married Rebecca Iglehart, of Baltimore, Md., and by her is the father of five children. He labored in Kentucky for over twenty years, and was in Illinois for about sixteen years. He was retired from active work in 1884. Dr. J. B. Bennett received a good general education, and at the age of seventeen began the study of medicine under Dr. Shackleford. He attended the Kentucky school of medicine at Louisville, during the session of 1865-66, and afterward taught school for two winters in this county. May 17, 1868, he married Belle Anson, a daughter of Jerome Anson, and located soon after at Derby. Dr. Bennett, by his professional skill and gentlemanly qualities, has become a general favorite in the community in which he resides. March 10, 1872, Mrs. Bennett died, and April 30, 1873, he was united in marriage with Susan O’Neal, by whom he is the father of three children: Wallace, Mollie, Nellie. He is also the father of one child, Charles, by his former marriage. Dr. Bennett was born in Ohio County, Ky., September 8, 1844.
SCOTT CUNNINGHAM, retail liquor dealer at Derby, was born April 6, 18)18, in Breckinridge County, Ky., and is one of three children born to Joel D. and Jane (Barr) Cunningham. His parents were both natives of the Blue Grass State, and were among its most worthy people. The father followed farming and flat-boating until his death, January 30, 1872. The mother is yet living on the old homestead, aged fifty-seven years. The subject of this biography was reared in his native county, where he was educated in the common schools. December 5, 1867, he wedded Anna O’Neal, a native of Patterson, N. J., and after this farmed the old place in partnership with his father until the latter’s death. He then managed the farm until March, 1881, when he came to Derby, Ind., and for thirteen months and a half clerked in the store of H. C. Hargis. Since that time he has been engaged in the retail liquor trade. In politics he is a Democrat, having cast his first presidential ballot for Horace Greeley, and is a member of the K. of H. To him and wife three children have been born, named Charles E., George H. and Annie Bessie.
SYLVESTER ELDER is a son of Joseph Elder, a native of Kentucky, who, when a youth came to Perry County, where he married Mary Miller, and lived upon a farm until his death, which occurred in April, 1863. He reared a family of nine children, the mother of whom is yet living, in her sixty-sixth year. Sylvester was reared at home and received only a limited education. At the age of eighteen he enlisted in Company K, Eighty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry for three years, or during the war. He took part in the battles of Chickamauga, Franklin and Jonesboro, and was with Sherman on his “March to the Sea.” He remained in the field until hostilities ceased, receiving his discharge June 13, 1865. April 30,1867, he wedded Sarah J. Jarboe, and rented a farm for one year. In the spring of 1868 he bought a farm, where he remained about six years. He then removed to the farm where he has since resided. He has added to his first purchase until he now owns 320 acres. Both Mr. Elder and his wife .were reared in the Catholic faith. They have a family of seven children, Mary M., Alta A., Emma, James A., Elizabeth, Susan L. and Joseph S.
SAMUEL J. GROOM, merchant at Dexter, was born May 23,1852, in Jefferson County, Ky., and is one of nine sons born to William H. and Louisa (Stowers) Groom, who were parents of ten children. The father was a native of the Old Dominion, and when thirteen years old was bound out to the blacksmith trade. Not liking it he ran away and followed farming and merchandising through life. He is yet living, being a successful farmer, but his wife died in the summer of 1864. Samuel J. Groom was reared and educated in his native county, making his home with his parents until he attained majority. February 5, 1879, Miss Jennie J. Sanders, a native of Jefferson County, Ky., became his wife, and to their union two children have been born—Luella anil Carrie Edith. Our subject farmed and merchandised in Hardin County, Ky., after marriage, for nearly three years, and the year following resided in his native county. In 1883 he purchased eighty acres of land in Section 23, Union Township, this county, where he has since resided, engaged in farming and merchandising. In 1883 ho was appointed postmaster at Dexter. He is a Democrat and an enterprising and progressive young man of Perry County.
HENRY C. HARGIS, merchant at Derby, was born in Perry County, Ind., September 30, 1844, and is one in a family of three sons and one daughter, born to Thomas and Sarah Letitia (Webb) Hargis, both of whom were also natives of this county. The father followed farming, flat-boating and merchandising mostly through life, and died at Derby, Ind., February 4, 1853, followed by his widow May 24, 1854. Henry C. Hargis was thus left an orphan at the age of ten years, and without the care and affection of a parent, and with only himself to rely upon, he grew to manhood. He was raised by his uncle, John Hargis, receiving but a common education, and in September, 1861, while yet a boy, enlisted for the suppression of the Rebellion, in Company D, Thirtyfifth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He served his country faithfully through tjie battle of Stone River, and numerous other engagements, was five times wounded—once through the lower lobe of the left lung, twice in the muscles of the left leg, once in the right knee cap, and once in the right hip—and in March, 1863, was honorably discharged by reason of disability. After returning from the service he was engaged in the retail liquor trade three years, and since then has been engaged in general merchandising. He began with but limited stock and capital, but energy and a good knowledge of business have brought him both of these requisites. Since about 1870 he has also been Derby’s postmaster. He is a Republican and a Knight of Honor. He was married February 25, 1865, to Mary E., daughter of John and Susan O’Neal, by whom he is father of six children, those now living: Mary Eliza, James H., Winfield Scott, Martha and Thomas C.
JOHN T. HARLAN, a native of Breckinridge County, Ky., was born December 21, 1832, and is one of thirteen children in the family of John and Mary (Farmer) Harlan. The father came to this county, where he married and lived a few years, after which he returned to his native State. In 1846 or 1847 he again came to the county and bought a farm, where he remained until his death, January 30, 1853. His wife had died in June, ten years previous to that time. John T. received but little instruction in school. He remained at home until after the death of his parents, and after that took care of one sister and three brothers until they were able to support themselves. About 1853 he bought the homestead farm, where he has since resided. He now has 305 acres of land, with fair improvements. May 24, 1853, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Wheatley, a daughter of Martin and Ellen Wheatley, born December 4, 1835. They have six children : Mary Ellen (wife of John Ray), Emma, Susan (wife of Alfred Kincaid), Letitia, Cordelia and William M.
JOHN E. HARP, a successful and enterprising farmer, now owning 295 acres of good land, was born in Perry County, Ind., November 25, 1828, and is one of four children of John and Tracy (Capp) Harp, the former being a native of Virginia and the latter of Kentucky. His parents were married in the latter State, and were among the old pioneers of this locality. The father was four times married, and was the father of sixteen children. He died in 1858, preceded by our subject’s mother about 1830. John E. Harp, at eleven years of age, began making his home with Jesse Martin, remaining five years. Since that age he has been battling with the realities of life entirely on his own responsibility. November 27, 1848, he wedded Maria Masterson, whose parents were William and Celia Masterson, and to them were born twelve children, these now living : Aaron, born January 9, 1851; Abner, May 10,1853; John, May 11, 1855; Lyda, September 1, 1863; Edward, February 7, 1867, and Samuel, December 7, 1872. After marriage Mr. Harp rented land in this township, buying his first forty acres in 1852. Since then, by frugality and industry, he has accumulated property, until he now owns his present valuable property. In politics he is a Democrat, and from 1870 to 1882 was the efficient justice of the peace for Union Township.
WILLAM H. JONES, a successful farmer now owning 155 acres of nicely improved land in Section 27 of this township, was born in Barren County, Ky., April 24, 1830. He is one of two sons and two daughters born to Thompson and Margaret (Gilliland) Jones, both natives of the same county as himself. Thompson Jones was a wheelwright by trade, having followed that occupation nine years in Hendricks County, Ind., two years in Clark County, and then farmed in the last named county two years. From that time until his death, which occurred the spring of 1866, he was employed as a ship carpenter at New Albany. Our subject’s mother resides with her son Charles C. in Floyd County, and is seventy-seven years old. William H. Jones received but a limited education, and until twenty-seven years old made his home with his parents. He learned ship carpentering, and from 1852 to 1857 followed that trade on the river, November 1 of the latter year he wedded Adaline McConnel, a native of Allegheny City, Penn., and in 1859 moved to Perry County, Ind., and rented his present place. Two years later he purchased the farm and is now pleasantly situated thereon. He began his political career by voting for Franklin Pierce, and since then has always adhered to the Democratic party. He belongs to the K. of H., and he and wife are the parents of six children, of which these three are the only ones now living: Mollie M., A. V. and Eliza.
SAMUEL KING, a prosperous and prominent farmer, was born October 16, 182l, in Allegheny County, Penn., and is one of five sons and an equal number of daughters born to the marriage of John W. King and Nancy Shaw, both natives of New England. John W. King was captain of a sea vessel, trading between eastern ports and the West India Islands. He was married in New York State and in about 1810 moved to the birth-place of our subject, where he farmed until his death, which occurred about the year 1844. His widow died in 1871. Samuel King began working in a brick-yard when only fourteen years old, continuing the same four years, and in 1839 began the ship and boat-builder’s trade. He made that his occupation for about twenty-five years with fair success. In 1863 he bought a saw-mill at Caunelton, Ind., and there built two boats by contract, afterward completing two more. In 1884 he moved from Cannelton to his present place in Section 26, Union Township, where he now resides. He is conservative in his political views, is an Ancient Odd Fellow and is one of the county’s best citizens and an enterprising farmer. October 16, 1867, Rachel, daughter of Nicholas and Ann Vaughan, became his wife, and to them two children were born— Sherley and Rachel—the latter dying in infancy. The mother died March 12, 1871.
GEORGE KOOHNS, a native of Prussia, was born in January, 1839. He came to the United States with his father, John G. Koohns, in 1845, and located near Buffalo, N. Y. His mother died when he was an infant and he remained with his father until the latter’s death, which occurred in March, 1858. In September, 1863, he married Delphin Domos, a native of France, and the following November he enlisted in Company M, Eighth New York Heavy Artillery. He took part in the battle of the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, Malvern Hill and other engagements of less note. While on a march from Petersburg to Malvern Hill, he received a sun stroke from which he has never recovered. In 1866 he came to this county and with his brother-in-law bought a farm near Cannelton, where he remained several years. In December, 1874, he married Barbara (Shaffer) Schaad, by whom he is the father of three children, Lissie, Mary and John G. Since his marriage he has been engaged in farming in Union Township, and now has a farm of 240 acres. Both he and wife are members of the Catholic Church. In politics he is a Democrat.
SOLOMON A. MITCHELL, one of the leading merchants of Derby, was born in the county of which he is now a resident February 7, 1847, being one in a family of four sons and four daughters of Solomon and Cassandra (Biddle) Mitchell, who were natives of Breckinridge County, Ky. Solomon Mitchell, Sr., was brought to this county when an infant, consequently he was among the first pioneers of this locality. He farmed in youth, but after marriage erected the first house in Derby and worked at the cooper’s trade in conjunction with farming. He died September 27, 1882, preceded by his wife March 12,1873. The subject of this sketch received a common education, and until nineteen years old remained with his parents on the home place. He began teaching school at the above age, continuing the same eleven successive winters, including, also, a few summer terms. April 30, 1873, Susan, daughter of Harrison and Angelina Wilcoxson, became his wife and by him the mother of three children: J. A., Paul C. and I. M. In May, 1878, Mr. Mitchell began merchandising in Derby, and beginning with but limited means, has succeeded in building up a good trade and increasing his stock and improving his surroundings in various ways. Although a Republican in politics he is not radically so, preferring to vote for man and measure instead of adhering to party prejudices. He is of the Catholic faith and his wife is a Protestant.
LEONARD L. MITCHELL, farmer and mechanic, was born near Derby, Perry Co., Ind., October 25, 1849, and is one of eleven children in the family of John B. and Mary A. (Yates) Mitchell, both natives of this county. The father who is a farmer and mechanic lived on the same tract of land for sixty years. In 1873 he went to Missouri, where he remained eight years, at the end of which time he returned to the place of his birth. He has been three times married, and is the father of fourteen children. Leonard L, received a common school education, and remained at home working on the farm until becoming of age. After marriage he located on a farm in Tobin Township, where he remained one year. He was then engaged in building flat-boats, wagon-making and blacksmithing, at Brewer’s Landing and Tobinsport until 1881, when he bought the farm of 120 acres, upon which he has since resided. He still continues to work at his trade in connection with his farming. February 11, 1872, he married Phoebe A. Mosby, a daughter of Charles Mosby, born April 30, 1850. They have two children, Zoa Belle and Ella Jane.
MICHAEL MOGAN, Esq., commissioner of Perry County, was born in Meade County, Ky., August 11, 1833. He was reared at home, but on account of the meager facilities, received only a limited education. At the age of sixteen he began flat-boating on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, and continued for several years. November 6, 1860, he married Mary E. Avis and located on the farm where he has since resided. Mr. Mogan began life a poor boy, but by energy, industry and close attention to business, he has accumulated considerable property, and is now the owner of 997 acres of land. In politics he is a Democrat, and is one of the leading men of his party in this county. He was for many years justice of the peace, has been trustee of the township, and is now serving his second term as county commissioner. Both he and wife aro members of the Catholic Church. They have nine children, John H., a druggist in Derby, William M., Mary V., Janie, Stella, Charles, George and Francis. Mr. Mogan is a son of Edward Mogan, a native of Ireland, who came to the United States when a youth and located in Louisville, Ky. He married Jane Brown and began his career as a farmer in Nelson County, the same State, where he remained about five years. He then resided in Meade County until about 1842, when he came to this county and bought a farm of 120 acres in Leopold Township, where he lived until his death in August 27, 1857. His widow died in July, 1849.
DR. JOSEPHUS MYERS of Rono, is, as were also his parents, a native of Perry County, Ind. He was born November 18, 1850, being one of the five children of Isaac W. and Elizabeth Myers. The father was a successful farmer and a life-long resident of the county, having died July 29, 1863, on his farm near Little Oil Creek. The mother preceded her husband about the year 1853. Having been cast upon his own resources at an age when boys most need the fostering care of a parent, our subject’s early life was filled with many of the adversities orphans usually receive. After his father’s death he lived with his uncle William about fifteen years, assisting on the farm, and working out at times for neighboring farmers. In 1870 he began school teaching, continuing that profession about four years, in the meantime having begun the study of medicine. He was under the instruction of Dr. L. H. Murphy for two or three years, and in 1875 entered the medical department of the Louisville University, which graduated him in June 1877. For three years after graduation, Dr. Myers practiced at Rono, and from that time to 1882 was located at Derby. Since then he has been in Rono, where he has a good and successful practice. As an independent Republican in politics he was elected township trustee in 1884, and is the present incumbent of that office. March 7, 1882, Dr. Myers married Anna G. Smith, a native of Louisville, Ky., and by her is the father of two children, Belle and John L.
JAMES H. RIDDLE was born in Crawford County, Ind., June 24, 1827, and is one of ten children in the family of John and Mary (Baker) Riddle, natives of Maryland and Kentucky respectively. The father served as a soldier in the war of 1812, and immediately afterward went to Kentucky where he married. He removed to Indiana and located in Crawford County, and later came to Perry County, where he bought a farm upon which he lived until his death in October, 1838. The mother remained on the farm with the children until she too died September 4, 1857. James H. was an infant when his parents came to Perry County. He remained at home with his mother until becoming of age, when he assumed control of the farm, and in connection followed flat-boating during the winter. About 1855 the homestead was divided and he received 120 acres for his portion. He has added to this until he now has a farm of 200 acres, well improved. February 12, 1856, he was united in marriage with Catharine Goad, a daughter of William Goad. They have four children, Jesse W. (now editor of the Hendricks County Republican), Betty, John W. and Clora C. In politics Mr. Riddle is a Republican, and was formerly a Whig, having cast his first vote for Zachary Taylor.
JOHN SPENCER, one of the enterprising and progressive young men of Union Township, was born May 5, 1857, in Perry County, Ind., and is one in a family of eight children, six sons and two daughters, born to the marriage of Jarred Spencer and Susan Aloy, the former being a native of Kentucky and the latter of this county. At the time of his marriage Jarred Spencer was living in Perry County, and for about eighteen years resided in Anderson Township, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1873 lie purchased a farm in Section 25, Union Township, where he died January 14, 1882. Mrs. Spencer is yet living on the home farm in this township. John Spencer was reared to manhood by his parents, receiving only a common school education, and October 7, 1880, united in matrimony with Mary, daughter of Leonard and Martha Metz, by whom he is the father of two children, named Nora and Frederick. Since marriage Mr. Spencer has been farming on the old place and as a farmer he takes much pride in the improvement of his property, which is one of the best farms in the township. He is a Democrat in politics, and an honorable, upright citizen.
Source: History of Warrick, Spencer, and Perry Counties, Indiana: Goodspeed Bros 1885