Clinton County, Indiana - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 15 of those read), 1886 (part 3 of 3)

Captain James E. Southard, mechanic at Frankfort, was born in that place March 29, 18i6. Aaron and Nancy (Lemmon) Southard, his parents, are represented by a sketch on another page. Mr. Southard was sent to school at Waverly when he was twelve years of age and was a pupil at the academy there three years. On his return home he became his father's assistant on the farm, and was occupied as such until he became a soldier of the Union. He enlisted December 29, 1863. He entered the regular army of the United States as a private in Company H, Third Battalion Eighteenth United States Infantry, enlisting for five years. He was, however, in military service for a longer period, receiving his discharge February 17, 1869, at Salt Lake City. He served under Generals Fremont, Harney and Angier, and was promoted to the grade of First Corporal. He was engaged in the action of Little Laramie, Wilson Creek (where General Lyon was killed) and at Pea Ridge. He was witli Captain Hill when that officer was engaged in the chase of Quantrell and his band of guerrillas. From the latter portion of the year 1865 he was on duty on the plains having headquarters at Salt Lake City, under Lieutenant-Colonel "W". H. Lewis, who met his death in the Bad Lands of Wyoming Territory, at the hands of the Indians. Captain Southard is one of thirty-seven who survived the Indian massacre at Fort Phil Kearney in 1866, of which there are but five now living. He was also in the massacre of Indians on Snake River under General Harney in 1867, and took part in numerous other encounters with the redskins during the period of his connection with the military service of his country. He was on provost duty at Salt Lake City through the bloody campaign of the Mormons in ^66, '67 and '68. On one occasion he personally served a warrant on the great Brigham himself, arresting him as an accessory to the assassination of Dr. Robinson. After his discharge he returned to Frankfort and engaged in the business of a plasterer in which he has since operated and as a contractor. He holds his title by virtue of his posi- tion of chief of a local military organization raised through his efforts in 1871, known as the "Sherman Guards," and belonging to the Third Indiana Kegiment. He was elected by the members of the company and commissioned by Governor James Williams. Captain Southard is a Eepublican of decided views. He has been married three times.

Daniel Lockwood Staekey was born in "Washington Township, Clinton County, Indiana, November 27, 1837, a son of John and Frances (Rash) Starkey, who were natives of Maryland and Delaware respectively. They came to this county in 1829 when the father entered land from the Government which he improved, and is still living on the same land with his son John W., and is now eighty-six years of age. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for twenty-five years. The mother of our subject died in the year 1858. She was a member of the same church as her husband from her girlhood. Daniel L. Starkey was reared a farmer, which vocation he followed till he enlisted in the late war, in August, 1862, as a private of Company I, Eighty-sixth Indiana Infantry, to serve three years. He received a gunshot wound through the right lung at the battle of Stone River, Tennessee, on account of which he was discharged at Nashville, February 28, 1863. After his discharge he returned to Clinton, where for two years he was unable to work on account of his wound. In 1866 he became associated with James I. Miller, and engaged in manufacturing lumber in Clinton County with a portable sawmill, he acting as engineer. They carried on business together under the firm name of Miller & Starkey, for twelve years, when the partnership was dissolved in 1878, since which time Mr Starkey has been engaged in running stationary engines. Mr. Starkey was first married January 27, 1859, to Miss Emily Williams, who died while he was in the army, her death taking place November 17, 1862. She left one son - John F., an engineer on the Chicago & Alton Railway. Mr. Starkey was again married April 3, 1863, in Washington Township, to Mrs. Isabel (Stephenson) Brafford, and to this union were born three children - Curtis, an engineer in the Salome Hotel, at Sandusky, Ohio; Olie, wife of Monroe Maudy, and Emma, living at home. Mrs. Starkey died at Frankfort, May 3, 1880. She had one son, James M. Brafford, by her former husband, who is now manager of the Western Union Telegraph ofiice at Frankfort. For his present wife Mr. Starkey married Mrs. Louisa (McQuisten) Nevitt, at Frankfort, August 11,

1882. Mr. Starkey is a member of Clinton Lodge, No. 54, A. F. & A. M., in which he has served as junior deacon and junior warden. He is also a comrade of Stone Eiver Post, No. 65, G. A. R. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party.

Amos Stotter, dealer in furniture at Frankfort, was born in that place August 21, 1839. His parents were both natives of Pennsylvania. His father, Abraham Stotter, is deceased. His mother was Catherine Byers previous to her marriage. They were of German extraction. They removed to Frankfort in 1830, where the father pursued his business as a tailor until his death, which occurred in 1867. The mother is still living and resides in the township of Clinton, Warren County, Indiana. Mr. Stotter was reared in the place of his birth, and when about sixteen years of age he began to work at chair-making, in which occupation he was employed until April, 1861. He was a few months past his majority when the civil war was upon the Government of his country, and, in response to the first call for troops for the nation's defense, he enlisted as a private soldier. He enrolled in Company 0, Tenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, for a service of three months. In November following he re-enlisted in Company A, Sixty-third Indiana Infantry, to serve three years, or during the continuance of the war. He was mustered out of the military service of the United States at Indianapolis in May, 1865. His term of enrollment had expired and he was holding the rank of Orderly Sergeant, which post he had occupied two years. He was involved in the actions at Rich Mountain, Bull Run (2d), and accompanied Sherman in his campaign to Atlanta, taking part in the engagements at Columbia, Franklin and Nashville. He was also at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, in which he was taken sick and was relieved from active duty. He was in the hospital at Nashville three mouths, rejoining his command at Pulaski, Tennessee, in November, 1864. On receiving honorable discharge, he returned to Frankfort, and embarked in the business enterprise which has since occupied his attention. February 19, 1867, his marriage to Miss Sarah E. Morris took place at Frankfort. They are the parents of four children - Effie, Nellie, Elizabeth and Harry Linn.

John Alexander Temple, dealer in agricultural implements at Frankfort, was born in Owen Township, Clinton County, September 12, 1832, and is the son of John Temple, who was a native of Pennsylvania. The latter was of Scotch-Irish extraction and settled in Clinton County in 1830. He died in the township where he located in 1834. His wife, Diana (Berry) Temple, was also a native of the Keystone State, and was of the same nationality as her husband. She was his survivor for a period of twenty years, her deatli occurring in 1854, of cholera. Mr. Temple commenced an apprenticeship at the trade of a blacksmith when he arrived at the age of fourteen years, going for that purpose to Kossville, in Clinton County. He was compelled to abandon the project from injury to the eyes. He passed about eight years in the capacity of a farm assistant, and at the end of that time he assumed charge of the homestead belonging to his mother, brother and sister and self. He continued to conduct its affairs until 1872, when he removed to Frankfort and engaged in teaming for a time. He also operated as a road contractor and street commissioner in that city, and was thus occupied until 1878, when he embarked in the business in which he is still engaged. In political persuasion he is a Democrat. He has served in the several capacities of assessor and constable. May 15, 1856, he was married to Miss Eliza Jane Addison. She is the daughter of William and Drusilla (Shepherd) Addison. The parents of Mrs. Temple are early settlers in Indiana, and in Clinton County. Mr. and Mrs. Temple have two children. Jessie Zerilda is the wife of Charles Lee, of Frankfort. Drusilla Jane married Curtis Harmon, of the same place. The ladies of the family are members of the Christian cliurch. Mr. Temple is connected in membership with the Masonic fraternity at Frankfort.

Amos M. Thatcher, carpenter and joiner, Frankfort, Indiana, was born in Center Township, near Frankfort, March 12, 1848, a son of George W. and Julia (Miner) Thatcher. He remained on the home farm until his fifteenth year, when, in April, 1863, he enlisted in the three months' service, and was assigned to Company H, One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Indiana Infantry. He served five months when he was discharged, and in April, 1865, again enlisted, and was assigned to Company F, One Hundred and Fiftyfourth Infantry. He served until August of the same year, when, the war closing, he was discharged. His regiment was stationed in Tennessee and Virginia the greater part of the time; After his return home he learned the marble cutter's trade, at which he worked until 1873, when he abandoned it and learned the carpenter and joiner's trade. October 2, 1870, Mr. Thatcher was married at Frankfort to Miss Linnie Fish, daughter of John C. and Sarah (Catterlin) Fish. They have three children - George C,

George W. Thatcher was born in Augusta, Bracken County, Kentucky, in 1809, of German descent, and when four years of age was taken by his parents to Preble County, Ohio, where he was reared and lived until 1831, when he came to Clinton County, Indiana. Frankfort at that time was a hamlet of a few log cabins, and the present site of the court-honse was a pond, on which he frequently shot wild ducks. He engaged in farming for about twenty years, and since then has been variously employed, having been for the past sixteen j'ears sexton in the churches of Frankfort. In 1833 he was married in Darke County, Ohio, to Julia Miner, a native of Ohio, of Irish descent. They have had a family of twelve children, seven of whom are living - Dashy, of Hebron, Indiana; John, of Frankfort; Mrs. Margaret Fisher, of Carroll County, Indiana; Jonathan, Amos M. and Halleck, of Frankfort, and Mrs. Anna Strouse, of Indianapolis.

A_NDEEW Albert Thompson, city assessor of Frankfort (current year), was born in Center Township, Clinton County, near Frankfort, in 1849. At the age of eighteen he commenced operations as a farm-hand, working by the month. In 1869 he went to Platte County, Missouri, where he was occupied in the work of a carpenter, and also worked as a farmer until August, 1872. He then began to give his undivided attention to the business of a carpenter and joiner, and found ample employment there for a period of two years. From that date he has operated as a contractor and builder. Politically he is a Republican. In 1884 he was elected assessor in the city of Frankfort and was re-elected in 1886. In January, 1875, he was married in Michigan Township to Miss Margaret J., daughter of Sylvauus Rogers. Her father is an old resident of Clinton County. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have two children - Leonie and Goldie. The parents ai-e members of the Methodist church. Mr. Thompson is a member of the subordinate lodge of Odd Fellows, and also of the encampment at Frankfort. He is connected by membership with Dakota Tribe, I. O. R. M., No. 42, at the place where he resides. He is the only son of Mahlon and Susan (West) Thompson. His father was a native of Virginia, and was of German parentage. He was a pioneer of Clinton County of 1829, and he was a blacksmith by trade. He and his brother Andrew were the first of the craft who built a place of business at Frankfort. The senior Thompson abandoned his trade after a few years, and entered Government land on Kilinore Creek, in Center Township, which he improved into a valuable and handsome farm, on which he continued to reside until 1848. Later he became the owner of a farm in the township of Kirklin, and also in Jackson, living on them until 1861. In that year he died in Jackson Township at the age of seventy-two. In his eai'ly political connections he was a Whig, but became a Republican on the organization of that party. He joined the Methodist church in 1837, and was an ardent worker in the cause of religion all the remainder of his life. He was a class-leader for a period of thirty years. The mother of Mr. Thompson died when he was a child of four years. She was a native of Clinton County, and was a daughter of William and Susan West, pioneers of Clinton County of its earliest period. Mrs. Thompson was a member of the Methodist church from an early age.

James Wesley Tukney was born near Frankfort, Indiana, in Center Township, Clinton County, March 15, 1842. His father died when he was ten years of age, and thus early he was obliged to work for his own support and assist his mother. In August, 1862, he enlisted as a private in the defense of his country, and was assigned to Company I, One Hundredth Indiana Infantry. He served until the close of the war, and was mustered out in June, 1865. He participated in the battles at Vicksburg, Jackson, Black Eiver, Kenesaw Mountain, Resaca, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Sand Creek, Columbia and Raleigh, and was with Sherman on his march to the sea. After his discharge he returned to Frankfort and bought a span of horses and a wagon and engaged in teaming until 1873, and since then has been variously employed. He was married in August, 3 874, to Miss Annie Depse}', of Clinton County. They have had three children; but two are living - Minnie, Ettie and Sally Ann. Mary Mahala died aged three years. Mr. Turney is a member of Stone River Post, No. 65, G. A. R., and now holds the office of officer of the guard.

Jerome Robinson Watson, of the firm of Bayless & Watson, general insurance, real-estate and collection agents at Frankfort, was born at Crawfordsville, Indiana, November 27, 1837. His parents, Abram P. and Mary (Robinson) Watson, both died previous to his tenth year and he was thrown on his own resources at that early age. He obtained work as a farm assistant, and after he was fifteen years of age commenced attendance at the common schools, where he was a pupil for such a portion of each year as his circumstances would permit until he reached his twentieth year. Meanwhile he earned his living by working for his board. In August, 186i, he became a soldier in the service of his country, going to the field as Orderly Sergeant of Company I, One Hundred and Sixteenth Regiment Indiana Infantry. In September following, he was made Second Lieutenant of his company, and was mustered out at the expiration of his term of service in 1865. He was a participant in the engagements at Stone River, Blue Springs and at Walker's Ford, and ia many others of minor importance. Previous to entering the army he obtained a knowledge of the trade of brick-laying, and during the winter seasons, acquired a knowledge of the craft of a printer. After obtaining his discharge from the army he came to his native State and worked at his trades in La Fayette, Frankfort and Lebanon until 1868 when he went to Mi-ssouri. There he operated iii a similar manner until the fall of 1878, when he returned to Frankfort. He worked as a bricklayer until he received an appointment to the position of deputy-sheriff, nnder J. P. Holmes in 1879. He served in the same capacity under Joseph Miller, acting in it through four successive years. In

1884 formed his present business relation with J. Q. Bayless, at which time . they embarked in transactions in real-estate and insurance. The business of the firm was conducted under the style of Bayless & Watson. August 1, 1886, Mr. Bayless sold his interest to T. W. "West, and the firm is now Watson & West. Mr. Watson is a member of Dakota Tribe, No. 42, I. O. R. M., and is a comrade of Stone River Post, JMo. 65, G. A. R. His marriage to Miss Sarah E. Suit took place March 2, 1865. Mrs. Watson is the daughter of .Hon. James F. and Rebecca

William Thomas Weight, deputy clerk of the Clinton Circuit Court, was born near Brownsburg, Rockbridge County, Virginia, March 30, 1848. He was the son of Robert and Eliza (Beard) Wright. His mother dying when he was six years of age he was adopted by his aunt, who resided at Fairfield, Virginia, remaining with her till 1872, and in his youth received an academic education. He then came to Indiana, and for a short time taught school in Montgomery County, at Willow Grove, when he engaged in the mercantile business at Rockville, Parke County. The latter proving an unprofitable enterprise he abandoned it in 1873 and came to Clinton County, and after a short time went to Montgomery County where he taught school till 1874. He then went to Illinois and taught school in Champaign and Piatt counties until April, 1876, when he came to Frankfort, Clinton County, with the intention of teaching school, but was offered and accepted his present position of deputy clerk, serving under Samuel P. Fisher, and his successor, Elwood Avery. He has now filled this position efficiently for eleven years. In his long term of service as deputy clerk Mr. "Wright has won the confidence and esteem of the general public and the attorneys pi-acticing at the Clinton County bar. He is uniformly prompt, courteous and obliging, and always keeps his records in such shape that mistakes are almost unknown. Mr. "Wright was married December 28, 1875, atMadden's Run, Piatt County, Illinois, to Amanda C. Epperson, a daughter of Matthew and Louisa (Howard) Epperson. Mrs. "Wright died at Frankfort, June 23, 1883. She was an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. "Wright is a member of the same denomination. In politics he has always been a Democrat. He is a member of the Odd Fellows order, belonging to Frankfort Lodge, No. 108, and to "Willis "Wright Encampment, No. 36, at Frankfort, and has passed all the chairs in both. He is also a member of Abiah Lodge, Daughters of Eebecca, I. O. O. F., of Frankfort, and of Shield Lodge, No. 71, K. of P.

Johnson Young was born near the village of Jefferson, Clinton County, Indiana, in 1845. He was reared a farmer, remaining on the homestead until manhood. In 1859 he began farming in' Jackson Township, where he lived until 1880, when he rented his farm and went to Iowa for the benefit of his wife's health, remaining there a year. He returned to Clinton County in 1881 and has since lived in Frankfort. He was married April 25, 1867, to Miss Caroline S. Kern, of Thorntown, Boone County, Indiana. They have one child, a daughter - Mary. A son, Lawrence, died in August, 1872, aged three years. Both are members of the Christian church at Antioch. Mr. Young is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Clinton Lodge, No. 54. His parents were among the earliest pioneers of Clinton County. David Young, his father, was born near Frederick, Frederick County, Maryland, in 1801. He was by trade a tanner, and on coming to Clinton County, in 1828, settled near the village of Jefferson, where he worked at his trade in connection with farming. In 1838 he gave up his trade and devoted his entire attention to his farm until 1875, when he retired from the active labors of life and moved to Frankfort, where he died in 1878, aged seventy-seven years. He was one of the founders of the Christian church of Jefferson, of which for many years he was deacon, and his Christian zeal and earnest work were the life of the church. He was married about 1824, near Franklin, Ohio, to Miss Anna Johnson, who died^at Frankfort, November 3, 1885, aged eighty-four years. She was also a member of the Christian church of long standing.