Gibson County, Indiana - Biographical sketches, 1914 (part 4 of 20)

From the time of his marriage in 1881 until his death, May 23, igoo, James Albert Tichenor was engaged in agricultural pursuits in Patoka township. He was one of the largest and most successful farmers in Gibson county and, in addition to general farming, devoted much time and attention to raising high grade live stock. He was a public-spirited man and gave much time and means to promoting any cause that had as its object ultimate benefit to his community. He took a great deal of interest in the Gibson County Fair Association, and did much to make it a high class exhibit. He was influential in political circles and from 1894 to 1898 was chairman of the Republican central committee. His religious affiliation was with the Presbyterian church, to which he gave liberally of his means. To Mr. Tichenor and wife were born two daughters, Mabel E. and Maude. Both of these daughters are well educated. After attending the grades and high school in Princeton, Mabel E. was graduated at Indiana University at Bloomington, later attending Vassar College for Women, from which she was graduated in 1910. She has been an instructor in mathematics in the Princeton high schools for the past six years. She toured Europe in 19 12. Maude, the second daughter, is the wife of James Paul Weatherspoon, to whom she was united in marriage February i, 191 1. She is also a graduate of the Princeton high school and attended Indiana University and takes an active interest in many clubs and various societies, in addition to her home duties. Mr. Weatherspoon is engaged in farming.

"An honest man is the noblest work of God," and no higher praise can be given a man than the simple statement that he measured up to the full stature of manhood. Such a hfe was that of James Albert Tichenor, well rounded, full and complete in every relation of life, his memory and influence a vital, living thing in the hearts and minds of those with whom he came in contact.

Charles B. Swinney

The youngest newspaper man in Gibson county, Indiana, and one of the youngest in the state is Charles B. Swinney, the editor of the Fort Branch Times, which he established in October, 1911. Mr. Swinney was born August 12, 1888, in Lincoln City, Indiana, the son of Crutcher C. and Jennie (Wright) Swinney, both natives (jf Indiana. His father died in October, 1893, and his mother is still living.

Charles B. Swinney was educated in the public schools of Fort Branch, and when a chance was offered to learn the newspaper business he readily accepted the opportunity. While still a boy he started in the printing office of C. B. Speer, editor of the Herald, at Fort Branch, Indiana. He then worked for a time in the Courier-Journal office at Louisville, Kentuck\'. and in 191 1, at the age of twenty-three, established the Fort Branch Times, and has continued as editor and manager of this weekly paper since that time. He also has a large job printing business and is rapidly coming to the front as an enterprising newspaper man.

Mr. Swinney was married on November 30. 1912, at Fort Branch, Indiana, to Alice E. Polk, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W^illiam C. Polk, and to this union there has been born one son, .Jack William, who was born November 21, 1912. Mr. Swinney is a Democrat in politics and in his paper he espouses the principles of that party in an able and fearless manner. The Polk family, of which Mrs. Swinney is a member, is one of the most prominent families, not only of this county, but of southern Indiana during the early history of the state. Mr. Swinney's grandfather. Merit Swinney, was -I leading physician of Spencer county, Indiana, for many years, although later in life he went to Evansville, where he was engaged in the grocery business.

Mr. Swinney is at the threshold of a long and useful career as a newspaper man and. with the energy and ability which he has shown thus far in the conduct of his paper, he bids fair to become a man of influence in his county. A good newspaper is the means of doing an iiicalculalile amount of good, and the standard which has been set by Mr. Swinney shows that he is a public-spirited citizen, who wants to put his newspaper on the right side of all public questions.

John J. Mollis

Among the strong and influential citizens of Gibson county the record of whose lives has become an essential part of the hist(^'ry of this section, the man whose name appears above occupies a prominent place and for years he has exerted a beneficial influence in the locality where he resides. His chief characteristics are keenness of perception, a tireless energy, honesty of purpose and motive, and every-day common sense, which have enabled him not only to advance his own interests, but also largely contribute to the moral and material advancement of the community.

John J. Hollis, than whom no farmer in Patoka township, Gibson county, Indiana, enjoys a higher degree of popular confidence and regard, was born about three and one-half miles south of Princeton on the old Hollis homestead on April lo, 1838, and is the son of Othniel Hollis, who was born in 1807, in Raleigh, North Carolina. Othniel Hollis lived in North Carolina until he was seventeen years of age, when he came to Gibson county where he had an uncle, Bazil Brown, engaged in the hotel business in Princeton. His wife was iVlicha Ann Steward, a native of Maryland, born in 1809. She lived to be sixty years of age and died on the farm near Princeton. She was one of the charter members of the Cimiberland Baptist church at Princeton, and was a consistent member throughout her life. Othniel Hollis worked on farms in different parts of Gibson county for a while and later purchased eighty acres of wild land about two and one-half miles south of Princeton, which he cleared and put into good shape. He purchased a little later forty additional acres lying about one-half mile southeast of his original tract and on this he built a home, where the family lived for several years. In later vears he bought a home on South Main street in Princeton, and after the death of his wife made his home with the subject of this sketch for a time. He died in 1882, at the age of seventy-four. For many years he was a faithful member of the Liberty congregation of the Regular Baptist church, east of Fort Branch, Indiana. Othniel Hollis and wife were the parents of nine children, namely: The first child was an infant which they lost: Fannie Elizabeth and Robert Alexander, both deceased; John J., the immediate sub- ject of this sketch; Ellen, widow of Joseph Ashmead, of Terre Haute, Indiana; Bartlett B. ; an infant; a little daughter, Sarah, and Louisa, aged seventeen, all dead, and Gorilla, lixing with her Ijrother Bartlett B. in Patoka township.

John J. Hollis had ^-ery little opportunity for schooling when a youth, and worked quite hard with his father on the home place. He remained at home until the beginning of the Civil war, when, in October, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Fifty-eighth Regiment Indiana \'olunteer Infantry, and served to January of 1865. He left on December 13, 1861, going to Louisville, Kentucky, and was in the battle of Chickamauga and, on account of weak eyes as a result of measles, he was relegated to cook for his mess. He was four times wounded. On September 19, 1863, he was shot through the right foot, was also shot through the left leg, a shot which struck him in the left hip passed out through the right hip and he was also hit in the spine by a spent ball. He was taken to the field hospital on the next day and for fifteen days was held a prisoner near Murfreesboro. During this time all he had to eat was cockle and wheat and after fifteen days he was sent back to the Union lines. He had to lay on his face on a blanket thrown over a pile of stone for a long time. Four months later he got home and was disabled for a long time.

On October 12, 1866, Mr. Hollis was united in marriage to Sarah Skelton, of Gibson county, who died in 1907. They were the parents of two children, Ella, who died aged two years, eight months and eight days, and Othniel, who died at the age of twenty months. Mr. and Mrs. Hollis have a foster son, William R. Knowles, whom they took when a boy six years old. He married Eva Gorley and they are farmers in Patoka township. After returning from the army, Mr. Hollis bought eighty acres of the old original Hollis homestead, which he still owns. He was also engaged in the furniture business in Princeton for several years. Also at one time he had lived in Posey county, Indiana, and for about four years they were in Owensxille. In 1881 they left the old farm homestead and he bought his present home in Princeton, on the corner of South Main and Pinkney streets.

Mr. Hollis is a man of delightful personality who counts his friends by scores. His life principles have been such as to win for him the confidence and respect of all and he has ever sought to better the community in which he made his home. He is a charter member of Archer Post No. 28, Grand Armv of the Republic. At the age of eighteen years he united with the (32)

Enon General Baptist church and has ever been a faithful and consistent member of same. His has been a clean, honest, open life, helpful to all and an excellent example to those with whom he comes in contact.

Samuel Hugh Archer

There are individuals in nearly every community who, by reason of pronounced ability and force of character, rise above the heads of the masses and command the unbounded esteem of their fellow men. Characterized by perseverance and a directing spirit, two virtues that never fail, such men always make their presence felt and the vigor of their strong personality serves as a stimulus and incentive to the young and rising generation. To this energetic and enterprising class the subject of this review very properly belongs. Having never been seized with the roaming desires that have led many of Gibson county's young men to other fields of endeavor and other states, where they have sought their fortunes, Mr. Archer has devoted his life to industries at home and has succeeded remarkably well, as we shall see by a study of his life's history.

Samuel Hugh Archer was born October 14, 1833, in Patoka township, Gibson county, Indiana, the son of John and Catherine (McMullen) Archer, the father a native of South Carolina and the mother of Kentucky. The paternal grandfather of the subject was Thomas Archer, who married a Miss McCalley in South Carolina, and Thomas was a son of Robert xA.rcher. In 1806 or 1807 Samuel Hugh Archer's father, grandfather and great-grandfather, John, Thomas and Robert, came from South Carolina through to Indiana in wagons, stopping on their way for a brief period in Tennessee. On arriving in the Hoosier state, after the long, tiresome and dangerous journey, they settled in White River township, Gibson county, for a time and later purchased the land known as Captain Hopkins' place, which at that time was a virgin forest of heavy timber.

Robert Archer, the great-grandfather of the subject, gave to the Presljyterian church some land to make the Archer cemetery, this burial ground thus acquiring its name from the family and having been laid out over one hundred and ten years ago. Robert was a Revolutionary soldier and was a cripple. He died in his sixty-fifth year. His sister, a widow. Mrs. Boyd, was the first person interred in the Archer cemetery. To Robert Archer and wife were born six children. Rose, Nancy, Mary, Ebbie, Thomas and William.

Thomas Archer, as a \oung man, acquired one hundred and sixty acres of land in Patoka township, two miles northwest of Princeton, securing this tract from the government. He was a farmer and stock raiser and was a very successful man. In later life he sold his farm and bought six acres north of Princeton, but later returned to the old home place, where his death occurred. He was the father of the following children ; ( i ) Robert li\ed all his life in Patoka township and was a farmer and stock raiser. (2) John lived in Gibson county and was a gunsmith and locksmith by trade. In 1850 he settled on land south of Princeton where the .Southern railroad shops are now located. The tract was covered with heavy timber, much of which had been blown down, the land comprising one hundred and sixty-eight acres. In the clearing of this place the subject of this sketch assisted. John, who was first a Whig and later a Republican, was a well known and highly respected man in his community, a member of the Reformed Presbyterian church, while his wife was a charter member of the Methodist I-^piscopal church. He died in 1865 and his wife in 1872. (3) Samuel, at the age of sixteen, started clerking in the store of Robert Stockwell at Princeton and later was made a partner in the firm, eventually buying Mr. Stockwell out. Later moving to Evansville, Indiana, Samuel, in partnership with John Alackey, engaged in the wholesale dry goods business, also engaging in banking. He was married to May Snethen and died in his eightieth year. (4) David lived in Princeton, where he was a clothing merchant for many years, also being interested in farming operations. He married Martha McCalley. (5) Beasey educated himself in the State University, and died at the age of twenty-six. (6) Thomas lived in Evansville, Indiana. He was an engineer of high ability, and ran the first engine on the Evans\ille & Terre Haute railroad out of Evansville sixty years ago. He was twice marrie<l. (8) Mary married John Munford, a farmer, and lived in Princeton. (9) Sarah died at the age of thirty years. Of the above named children, Robert married Louisa, the widow of Brown Woods, who was killed in the battle of Resaca on May 14, 1862. She lived in Princeton. To Robert and his wife was born a son, Robert A. On Robert's death she again married, becoming the wife of George Miller and they have two sons. Dr. C. A. Miller, of Princeton, and Archibald, who died in the Philippine Islands while in the emplo}' of the government as a teacher.

John Archer, the suliject's father, was the jiarent of the folldwing children: (l) William, who was Ixirn in 1S28 and lived in Gibson county all his life, was a member of the Eightieth Indiana \'olunteer Infantrv and was killed in the battle of Resaca. He was the husband of Jane King, who now lives in Princeton, and they had one child, William, who is a farmer at Montrose, Colorado. (2) James Wilson lived at home until his death, at the age of twenty-three. (3) Samuel, the subject. (4) Theodore Beasey lived at home until he reached the age of seventeen, when he enlisted in the Thirtythird Indiana Volunteer Infantry. While in his country's service he died from exposure, in 1863. He was buried in the Archer cemetery. (5 ) Sarah M., who is deceased, was the wife of Hugh Cairns. (6) Rachael Ann died young. (7) Margaretta also died young.

The children of Samuel Archer and wife were : Anne, living near Portland, Oregon: Lucy, also living near Portland, Oregon; Charles Archer, D. D. S., is located in Portland, where he deals in dental supplies. He is married and has a son, Samuel. To David Archer and wife were born two children, Beasey and Elizabeth, of Princeton.

Thomas Archer, by his first marriage, was the father of three children: Fulton is deceased ; Elzine is one of the oldest engineers on the Evansville & Terre Haute railroad, having been in its service for the last thirty years. He is married; Mary is unmarried and lives in California.

John and Mary (Munford) Archer were the parents of the following children: Riley, who was married, died at the age of twenty-eight; Harvey, deceased, was a graduate of the State University and taught school. He was married to a Miss Emery, and she also is now deceased; William, deceased, was a member of the Fifty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry during the Civil war and was wounded at Murfreesboro. After the war he lived in Gibson county and married a Miss McRoberts. He left two children on his death, John, who lives in Princeton, and Anne, also living in Princeton, and the widow of a Mr. Sabins.

Samuel Hugh Archer, the subject of this review, received his early education in the primitive schools of pioneer times. He was compelled to go three or four miles to the little log school house, following blazed trails through the forest, the children riding through the dense woods three on a horse. The subject lived at home until he reached the age ol twenty-two, . when he and a brother, William, borrowed money and went to the river bottoms to engage in the raising of corn. They found a ready market at thirty cents a bushel and were soon enabled to pay off their debt. Remaining at this business for four years, Mr. Archer next went to the state of Kentucky and sold fanning mills for two years, after which he returned to the old home place and he and his brother William farmed it until the brother enlisted in the Union army. Samuel remained at the home to take care of the family and the farm, and after the parents died he was appointed administrator and settled the estate. After their deaths he lived in Princeton for two years antl then purchased one hundred and ten acres of land known as the Potter place. In the spring of 1871 he was united in marriage to Elizabeth O. I^obb, of Gibson county, and this union has been blessed with the following children : Lluella married William Wyman, who is traffic manager for a railroad company in Chicago; Mary is at home; Franklin married Elizabeth Gray and is farming on the home place; Sarah is at home; two died in infancy. In the years 1879 and 1880 Mr. Archer Imilt his present splendid home and his place, w^hich now comprises two hundred and six acres, is one of the finest in Patoka township.

A progressive farmer and stock breeder, tlie subject has de\oted much attention to the raising of fine stock, specializing in Short lli)rn and Jersey cattle and Chester White, Berkshire, Poland China and Duruc Jersey Red hogs, also raising general purpose horses and mules.

In 1858 the Gibson County Fair .Association was organized and Mr. Archer was one of the incorporators, the association being reorganized in 1864. ^Ir. .Archer served as assistant superintendent, later as superintendent and eventually as general superintendent for eight years and as a director for fifteen years. He has always taken a deep interest in movements for the betterment of Gibson county in any line. A faithful member of the United Presbyterian church in Princeton, he has taken a great interest in its welfare.

Mr. Archer has taken an especial interest in the upkeep of Archer cemetery, having added many improvements to it, among these being a fine iron fence and a gravel road leading to the burial place. The care of the grounds of this beautiful resting jjlace of the dead has been a pleasant task for him and the beautv of these are the result of his solicitude.

Richard B. H.M.I.Ock

It was remarked by a celebrated moralist and liiographer lliat "there has scarcely passed a life of which a judicious and faithful narrative would not have been useful," and especially is this true wlien tlie life under review is one that has closed its earthly career and permits the biograjjher to view the life as a whole and get a prospectus scarce!}- possible in the life of a living man. Richard B. Hallock, the honored subject of this memoir, was one of the worthy citizens of Princeton in an early day and by his business ability, honor and integrity, coupled with a winning personality, he did much to advance the social and business welfare of this community. It was he who opened the first drug store in Princeton, on the south side of the square, and he was also the genial host of the hostelry known as the Hallock House, at whose hospitable board many of the famous visitors to Princeton sat down in early days.

Richard B. Hallock was born March 15, 18 15, and died September i, 1895. His birth place was Tuckerton, Burlington county, New Jersey, and he was a son of the Rev. John Hallock and Lydia. his second wife. They were both natives of Tuckerton, where the Rev. Mr. Hallock was a preacher of the Quaker faith. After the death of his wife, Mr. Hallock, together with three maiden sisters and his three sons, came west and located in Illinois, south of Friendsville and near Alt. Carmel. Here they had considerable land, which they farmed, and they also had a general store and in addition manufactured castor oil. One of the sons moved to Evansville, Indiana, where he died. The father also later lived in Evansville, and it was at that point his death occurred. Aaron, another son, lived at Mt. Carmel, Illinois. The Rev. John Hallock was a fine man, quite prominent and well known in his day.

The third son who came with the father was Richard B., the subject of this sketch. He received his early education in the public schools. He first acquired the trade of a cabinet-maker and later became a druggist. He was in the drug business in New York state and also in Philadelphia, and he and his brothers, Allen C. and James, were in the drug business in New York City before ihe father and sons came to Illinois, and were associated with the rest of the family in the manufacture of castor oil. In addition to their other business interests, they operated flat boats on the river, going as far as New Orleans, where they disposed of the produce that formed their cargo. The father and his three sons were men of importance in their community and were widely known. After coming to Princeton, Richard B. Hallock operated his drug store in various locations until his retirement in 1888.

In April, 1844, Mr. Hallock was united in marriage to Malinda Parmenter, of .Mbion, Illinois. She was the daughter of Isaac and Sarah (Ulter) Parmenter, originally of Mt. Carmel. The father was a farmer and was one of the leading men in the Indian war, ranking as colonel. His death was due to a bullet wound in the foreliead received during one ol the numerous skirmishes. It was after his marriage that Mr. Ilallock came to Princeton and here they resided during many years, endearing themselves to all. Mrs. Hallock was an exceptionally fine woman, and was the pionceer nurse of Gibson county. For a while she was second matron of the Orphans' Home at Princeton, where her great heart found an outlet for its wonderful store of motherly love. Soon after their arrival in Princeton, Mr. and Mrs. Hallock identified themselves with the Cumberland Presbyterian church and during the remainder of their lives gave much of their time and means to further its influence on the community. Into the ideal home these two worthy ones made, ten children were born, three of whom, Lydia, Amy and Eliza, died in early infancy; Harry died at the age of ele\en, John at the age of thirtythree, and Charles at the age of forty-five. Sarah lives in Pasadena, California, the widow of the Rev. J. E. Jenkins, who filled the pulpit of the Cumberland Presbyterian church in Princeton for thirty-three years. To their union were born four children, Mary, Minnie, Catherine and .\miie. Richard, one of the sons of this excellent family, was a teacher in the schools of Gibson county for fourteen years and is now in the directory business at Peoria, Illinois. He remains unmarried. The two remaining children, Malinda and William E.. have always remained in the old home. Both were educated in the schools of Princeton and in the year 1886 William E. began the manufacture of brooms and is still engaged in that business at No. 527 South Gibson street. Also for the past twent)--five years he has propagated sweet potato sets for the spring plantings antl this business has assumed consideral)le proportions, so that now he supplies almost the whole of Gibson county. William E.'s political sympathies are with the Republican ])arty, as were those of his honored father, and he and his sister Malinda are members of the First Presbyterian church. The family is well and widely known throughout the country, having contributed in no small way to its advancement along various lines.

The influence of such a life as that of ivichard P.. Hallock cannot be estimated Ijy any earthly standard. His friends and associates know him in his outward life as a man of sterling worth, one whose every wish it was to advance the cause of humanity, and needless to say there were many helpful and beautiful deeds recorded to his credit of which the world knew nothing. His was a life that measured up to the full stature of manhood, and in saying that, there is nothing more that can be added.

Capt. Charles Brownlee

Few men in the city of Princeton, Gibson county, Indiana, are so widely and favorably known as the worthy gentleman whose name initiates this paragraph. He is one of those strong and influential citizens whose lives become an essential part of the history of a community, and for years his name has been synonymous with all that constitutes an honorable and upright manhood. Tireless energy, keen perception and honesty of purpose, combined with every-day common sense, are among his chief characteristics, and while advancing his own individual success he has largely promoted the moral and material welfare of his community.

Captain Charles Brownlee was born in the house in Princeton where he .yet resides, on January 17, 1S39, the son of John anrl Jane (Harrington) Brownlee. The father was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, December 18, 1794, and the mother in North Carolina January 15, 1804. To the parents of the subject were born eleven children, namely: George, deceased, was born August 12, 1828: William, born February 18, 1830; James, born August 17, 1834; Hugh, born December 12, 1836; Charles; Catherine, born March I, 1841 ; Thomas, born .\ugust 22,. 1843; John, born -Vugust 1846; Alex, born January 23, 1849; one child died in infancy.

The subject's father was a merchant, as was also his father before him, they having started in business together in 181 1, and the business has been in the family for over a century, having beeen handed down through four generations. Grandfather Harrington was the lirst judge in Gibson county.

The subject of this review enlisted in the Eightieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry on August 11, 1862, under Captain Simmonson, and was elected second lieutenant by the members of his company, in which position he served for one month, when he was promoted to the captaincy, holding that ofifice until the practical end of the war, resigning on account of ill health in 1864. Four of the subject's brothers were in the Union army and all served honorably through that conflict and returned to their homes. The command in which Captain Brownlee was an officer was engaged in a number of the biggest battles of that sanguinary conflict, also taking part in many lesser engagements. They took part in the battle of Perry ville, were in the fighting in eastern Tennessee and were with General Burnsides at Kingston and Morristown, acciuitting themselves with great credit to their state and nation. Captain Brownlee, in recalling the terribly cold winter through which they passed in eastern Tennessee, remarks that in order to kee]) warm "they burned up all the rails in that part of the state." On returning home from the service of his country' the subject resumed the mercantile business, in which he was engaged the rest of his life up to the time of his retirement in February, 191 1.

The subject's father was a private in J. W. Crockett's Kentuck)' volunteer regiment, while his grandfather Harrington and two sons fought in the battle of Tippecanoe, one of the sons, James, being killed in that battle.

Captain Brownlee has been thrice married. In 1874 he was united in matrimon)' to Sallie Hall, and to this union were liorn two children, Paul, who is conducting a store, and Therese, who married Charles Smith, of Dyersburg, Tennessee. In 1882 the subject's second marriage occurred, this time to Mariah Hall, a sister of his first wife. One child blessed this union, Cornelia, who is now an artist in the city of Chicago. Captain Brownlee married Charlotte Lockhart, his present wife, in 1889, and to them has been born a son, Allan Lockhart, who is attending Purdue University at Lafayette. Indiana.

The Brownlee family has lived in the present home since 1834, it being one of the oldest and best constructed houses in the county. It contains a good old-fashioned fireplace, the rooms are large, and it is indeed a fine old home, situated on a hill and commanding a splendid view.

Having cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln, Captain Brownlee has ever since allied himself with the Republican party. A member of the city council, he has given the best thought to matters of interest to his home city. His mother was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and was one of the organizers of the first church of that denomination in Princeton. Captain Brownlee is an honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic.

Robert M. Morton

The biographies of enterprising men, e.^ipocially of gnixl men, are instructive as guides and incentives to others. The examples they furnish of patient purpose and steadfast integrity strongly illustrate what is in the power of each to accomplish. Some men belong to n<> exclusive class in life, apparently insurmountable obstacles ha\e in many instances awakened their dormant faculties and served as a stimulus to carry them to ultimate success, if not renown. The instances of success in the face of adverse fate would almost seem to justifv the conclusion that self-reliance, with a half chance.

can accomplish any object. The Hfe of Robert M. Morton, well known throughout Gibson county, is an example in point, for by his individual efforts and close adherence to his every duty he has overcome the obstacles encountered on the highway of life and is now very comfortably fixed regarding this world's goods and has at the same time won a reputation for right living among his fellow men.

Robert M. Morton is a native of Gibson county, Indiana, born November 23, 1845, o" ^ farm near Oakland City. He is the son of Alexander and Susan J. (McConnell) Morton. Alexander Morton was born in Chester district, South Carolina, and his wife Susan was a native of Ohio. The father of Alexander Morton was Thomas, a native of South Carolina, who married Margaret Bell of that state. Early in their married life, they, in company with several other families, went westward and settled near Knoxville, Tennessee. They only made a crop or two there and, being dissatisfied with the location, journeyed on until they reached Gibson county, Indiana. The Morton family obtained ground near Summerville. It was all in virgin forest, but, undaunted, they set about the laborious task of reclaiming the broad acres from the grip of the wilderness. A clearing was soon made in which the pioneer cabin was erected, and there the balance of their lives was passed. Thomas was killed in a runaway accident and the wife remained on the homestead until her death. Thomas Morton and wife were the parents of eight children, namely : Alexander, father of the immediate subject of this sketch; Thomas, John, Elizabeth, Nancy, Mary, Robert and Donald C.

Alexander Morton remained at his father's home until his marriage to Susan J. McConnell, at which time he obtained a tract of wild land adjoining the farm of his father, and here he endured the hardships of the pioneers while they were clearing their ground and putting in the first crops. He died comparatively young, at the age of forty-five years, and the wife continued to reside on the farm until she had raised the family, when she moved to Princeton, where she died. They were the parents of six children : Robert M., the subject of this sketch, was the oldest; Patrick Henry, a farmer residing in Livermore, Kentucky ; David, deceased ; Margaret, residing in Princeton, is the widow of Reuben Seibert; Mary, wife of John Jones, a farmer in Washington township, this county, and the youngest is Nancy, also residing in Washington township, and the widow of James Lowe. Alexander Morton and wife were members of the Covenanter church and Wxed fully consistent with the tenets of their faith.

boyhood and on August i6, 1861, at the age of sixteen years, he enlisted in Company F, Thirty-third Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until June i, 1864. He enlisted at Princeton and was first sent to Indianapolis where the regiment was organized and was then sent into Tennessee and joined the Army of the Cumberland. He remained with that command until the close of the war. After the expiration of his first enlistment, he promptly re-enlisted in the same company and regiment until he was mustered out July 21, 1865. On Jul\' 20. 1864, at reach Tree Creek, Georgia, he was shot through the right hip and was cunlined to the hospital for eleven months. He was taken a prisoner south of Franklin, Tennessee, on .\pril 9, 1863, and was within the confines of Libby prison for thirt\- days, at which time his exchange was effected. After the close of the war, he returned to his home in Gibson county, where he engaged in agricultural work and also attended school. He fitted himself for a school teacher and followed this vocation for five winters.

On October 21, 1869, Mr. Morton was united in marriage to Xancy E. Alurphy, of Gibson county, daughter of William L. and Margaret (McConnell) Murphy. After his marriage, he was engaged in farming in different parts of Gibson county, and gave up this line of work in 1878, when he settled in Princeton, where he has since resided. He has engaged in various lines of industry, among them being carpentry, general contracting, saw-mill and lumber business and also operated a threshing machine. In 1891 Mr. Morton built his present commodious home at No. 1235 South Main street, Princeton, where a hearty welcome always awaits his many friends.

Mr. Morton is a member of Archer Post No. 28, Grand .\rmy of the Republic, at Princeton, and is also a consistent member of the Presbyterian church, to which he gives liberal support. Mr. and Mrs. Morton are the parents of three children, the oldest of whom is Oliver P., who is engaged in the restaurant business in Princeton. His wife was Maud lowing and they are the parents of three children, Jennie, Ro.sa Belle and lunmaline. Another son, LeRoy, is connected with the police dejiartment of the city of Evansville, Indiana. He married Mary Hamilton and to tlicir union one son has been born, Cecil R. The daughter of the family, Cordelia, is the wife of R. E. Herring of Moberly, Missouri, and they are the ])arents of two children, Robert Earl and Lawrence

Some one has said that the story of any life is well worth the reading and surely this is particularly true of the life of a good man. Highly interesting and edifying it would doubtless be to know of the hidden battles waged from time to time, but all the world can see is the life as a whole. Robert M. Morton is a man who stands high in the estimation of his associates, is well known and highly respected by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, and this is a fitting tribute to his sterling character.

John Riley Ervin

Indefatigable industry, sound business judgment and wise management have been the elements which have contributed to the success achieved by John R. Ervin, for many years an enterprising and progressive farmer of Patoka township, Gibson county, Indiana, but who has now retired and re- .sides in Princeton. His farming lands have always been well improved and highly producti\e, being numbered among the best farms of the township, and, because of his high character and unquestioned integrity, he enjoys to a marked degree the sincere respect of the community. In addition to a general line of farming, Mr. Ervin has always paid particular attention to his live stock and has taken much interest in his good breeds of horses, mules, cattle, sheep, Poland China hogs, etc.

John Riley Ervin, one of the older citizens of Gibson county, who has always enjoyed the high regard of all, was born March 13, 1834, one mile southwest of Princeton, a son of Robert and Martha (Stormont) Ervin. the latter being an aunt of Col. Gil R. Stormont. Robert Ervin was a native of Ireland and was brought to this country by his parents in 1804, when a little child of but three years. He is a son of Charles and Jane Ervin, and upon reaching America they located in Chester district. South Carolina, where they lived until 183 1. Charles died in South Carolina, and in the year above mentioned the mother, with her four children, Ellen, Isabelle, Robert and Nancy, came to Gibson county. Robert, father of the immediate subject of this sketch, had married Miss Stormont in South Carolina before coming to Indiana. After arriving in Gibson county he obtained one hundred and sixty acres of wild land in Patoka township, heavily timbered with almost everything native to this section, and proceeded to make a home. He later purchased one hundred and sixty additional acres. The first house they had was a small cabin in the clearing and was made of poles. In this they lived until a frame house was completed in 1832. He had been a merchant in South Carolina, but always followed the vocation of farming after coming to Indi- ana. His death occurred in i8-J7 and that ni his wife in iSbi. Originally he was a Whig in politics, and when the Repuhlican party came into e.xistence his sympathies went that way. 'Sir. and Mrs. Robert Ervin were consistent members of the Presbyterian church and in that faith they reared their family of six children, namely: Margaret, deceased wife nf John Iv Little, who lived south of Princeton; James Madden, deceased, who was a prosperous farmer and married Margaret Mum ford; John R., the immediate subject of this sketch; Jane Catherine, deceased wife of Calvin Woods, of Patoka township: Robert Harshaw, who was in Company A, Eighteenth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantr}-, took sick and died at Chattanooga. Tennessee: Nancy Ellen, wife of George W. Shopbell, of Princeton, and .Martha Amanda, deceased.

John Riley Ervin had but a limited schooling in his ynuth. owing to the limited circumstances of his parents and the meager opixirtunities at best, and as a boy he worked hard, being kept at home to help clear the farm. He remained at home with his mother to the age of twenty-six years and on January 20, 1859, was united in marriage to Sarah A. Finney, born near Princeton on what is known as the Hester farm. She is a daughter of John K. and Lorena (Morgan) Finney, she a native of Indiana and he of Kentucky. The parents of John K. Finney were James and Jane (Makemson) ' Finney, natives of Virginia. They had gone into Kentucky at an early day and on into Gibson county, Indiana, in 1814, locating just south of Princeton, where they passed the remainder of their lives. John K. Finney lived on his father's old place until he retired in 1S84, when he moved to Princeton and died at the age of seventy-two. His wife lived to be seventy-three years of age. They are the parents of se\eral children, namel\- : Nancy J., deceased wife of Milton Munford, who is still living in Princeton ; James Henry, who is a carpenter in Los Angeles, California; Minerva, the wife of George Shull, of Fort Branch. Indiana: Charles, deceased: John S., living in Bellville, Illinois; Martha E., wife of Robert McClerkin, of Los .Vngeles, California; Isabelle, who died at the age of nineteen, and Robert, who resides in Nashville, Tennessee. Mrs. John R. Erv-in was the second child of her parents in the order of birth.

After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Ervin made their home on a part of the father's old place, making all of the improvements on it. Here a splendid barn, forty-four by ninety feet, burned on .April 31, 1905. and was rebuilt the same year. In September. 1893, Mr. Ervin retired from the active operation of his farm and located at No. 214 East Pinkney street. Princeton, where they have since resided. Mr. and Mrs. Ervin are well known throughout the county and are highly esteemed by all. Their home bears an air of hospitality enjoyed by many. Both are members of the United Presbyterian church and Mr. Ervin is a Republican. While he has always taken an active interest in politics, he has never aspired to office. He is a man well preserved for his age and is blessed with a remarkable memory. Mary Alice, oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ervin, is the wife of Henry Lewis Binkley, of Princeton, and to them has been born one daughter. Hazel. Robert, a son, farms Mr. Ervin's land, and he and his wife (formerly Anna Spore) are the parents of four children, Glenn, Gladys, Edith and Ruth. The third child is Charles Elmer, a successful dentist, located at Sixth and Main streets, Terre Haute, Indiana, for the past twenty years. He married Agnes McMinn and to their union have been born two children, Arthur and Mildred. All of Mr. Ervin's children have received excellent educations. Throughout his life Mr. Ervin has aimed for the liest in whatever he has undertaken and thus he has been able to accomplish much and well deserves his peaceful old age, happy in the knowledge of past accomplishments, his home a center for his family of younger generations. Such lives and homes are the "salt of the earth" and their l^eiiign influence is carried far and wide.

Nathaniel Hitch

The biographies of enterprising men, especially of good men, are instructive as guides and incentives to others. The examples they furnish of patient purpose and steadfast integrity strongly illustrate what is in the power of each to accomplish. Some men belong to no exclusive class in life; apparently insurmountable obstacles have in many instances awakened their dormant faculties and served as a stimulus to carry them to ultimate renown. The instances of success in the face of adverse fate would seem almost to justify the conclusion that self-reliance, with a half chance, can accomplish any reasonalile object. The gentleman whose life history is herewith outlined is a man who has lived to good purpose and achieved a splendid success. By a straightforward and commendable course he has made his way to a respectable position in the world, winning the hearty admiration of the people of his community and earning the reputation of being an enterprising, progressive man of affairs which the public has not been slow to rcognize and appreciate.

Nathaniel Hitch was born one mile north of Patoka, Gibson county, Indiana, October 29, 1842, the son of Edward W. and Mary (McMullen) Hitch, he a native of Delaware and she of Kentucky. The Hitch family was of English stock, and Edward W. was a son of Sovern Hitch, of England, who came early to America and located in Bridgeville, near Wilmington. Delaware, where he was the owner and proprietor of the "Bull's i-'ye." a famous tavern, which he conducted until his death. To him were born the following children: Henry lived in Bridgeville, Delaware: Edward ^V., the subject's father; Zachariah was an early settler and farmer near Patoka. Gibson county; Mary lived near Bowling Green. Kentucky.

Edward W. Hitch, the subject's father, secured a \ery meager education in the crude schools of his boyhood days, being an orphan, and at the age of twenty he struck out toward the west to make his own way. Coming first to Cincinnati, he purchased a boat and went down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to Natchez, Mississippi, where he secured a job cutting cord wood. Later, obtaining a flat boat, the subject's father traveled far up and down the river selling wood, and in time acquired another boat, making trips as far down the Mississippi as New Orleans. After engaging in this business for some time he sold out, and as he was returning north on a steamboat he was taken down with yellow fever, but managed to survive that terrible scourge. On his recovery he came to Gibson county and obtained a piece of wild land one mile north of Patoka, where he set about making a home, clearing the land, erecting a cabin and planting crops. Here he lived the remainder of his life, devoting his time to agriculture and stock raising, becoming a man of prominence in his community. He died in his eighty-fourth year, while his wife passed away at the age of eighty-six. In early life he was an old-line Whig, but later became a Democrat. He and his wife were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. To them were born the following children : Nathaniel ; William Henry, a farmer at Princeton ; Mary is the widow of William G. Cunningham and lives at Patoka: Vincent, a farmer and logger at Patoka; Millie lives at Patoka; Nicholas B. is a farmer at Wheatland. Indiana; Emma J. was the wife of John Trippert and both are deceased; Edward is a retired farmer living at Princeton.

The early education of Nathaniel Hitch was acquired in a primitive pay school. He lived at home until he reached his twentieth year, and then traveled in many parts of the South and West. He taught school in Missouri for a while and was engaged in different businesses. The subject was twice married, first to Touisa Collins, of Missouri, and to this union was born one child William E., who is a druggist in Wheatland, Indiana, and who married

Florence Key. The subject's first wife died in Patoka. His second marriage was to Ellen (Robb) Steelman, of White River township, Gibson county, the daughter of David Rol^b, one of the prominent pioneers of this county. To this union were born seven children, namely: Lluella married George G. Curtner, of Lafayette, Indiana; Chauncy, a graduate of Purdue University, is a druggist at Lafa3'ette, Indiana; Forest C. is in the barber business at Chattanooga, Tennessee; Clarence lives in Lafayette, Indiana, and is a traveling salesman; Othniel is also a traveling salesman of Lafayette, Indiana; Purvis is a plumber at Evansville, Indiana; Paul, who is attending school, is living at home. He attended Culver Military Academy in 191 1.

In 1866 Mr. Flitch returned to Gibson county for a brief period, and then traveled through the West for some time. Returning in 1879, he purchased land near Patoka and engaged in farming and stock raising. He dealt extensively in land in that vicinity and in White River township, and still owns land in the latter townhsip. In 19 10 he removed to Princeton and located at his present home at No. 903 North Main street, where he is now residing in honorable retirement.

Mr. Hitch is a well-read and well-posted man and is highly respected in his community. Always taking an active interest in politics, he is allied with the Progressive party. In matters of religious belief, he has been a member of the Methodist church for manv vears.

Isaac A. Lockwood

The biographies of the representative men of a county bring to light many hidden treasures of mind, character and courage, well calculated to arouse the pride of their family and of the community, and it is a source of regret that the people are not more familiar with the personal history of such men, in the ranks of whom may be found tillers of the soil, mechanics, teachers, as well as lawyers, physicians, bankers and members of other vocations and professions. The subject of this sketch is distinctively one of the leading citizens of Gibson county, and as such has made his influence felt among his fellow men and earned a name for enterprise, integrity and honor that entitles him to worthy notice in a work of the nature of this volume.

Isaac A. Lockwood was born June 19, 1842, near Fort Branch, Gibson countv, Indiana, the son of Stephen and Phoebe Tucker, who were born, reared and married in New York City. The subject's parents, together with two families nametl Parrett and Evans, came west at an early date, and first located at the place where Evansville, Indiana, now stands. The latter part of their journey was made by means of flat boats on the river. At the time they arrived at their stopping place there was but one cabin standin.s; on the site of the present city of seventy thousand population. Stephen Lockwood secured eighty acres of land in what is now the main business section of the city, where he put up a log cabin and established a home, later conducting a store. About this time the state was 'completed from Evansville to Vincennes, and the subject's father sold his land and store and remoxed to Gibson county, locating near Fort Branch, on Pigeon creek. Here he erected a home and a water-power saw-mill, and about 1834 entered a large tract of land, on which he cut the first timber used in Princeton. Tie died in 1847 his wife passed away in 1875. He was a very active and successful business man and made a great deal of money in the buying and selling of horses, purchasing the animals in the north and taking them on flat boats to New Orleans, where there was always a ready market at good prices. Tt is related that on his last trip down the river lie was the loser of a consideralile .sum through accepting depreciated currency for his horses. On his return he stopped at Nashville, Tennessee, for a night, and on seeking to settle his bill for lodging was informed by the hotel man that his money was almost worthless, its face value having dropped then to twenty-five cents on the dollar. Steplien Lockwood died of winter fever while yet in the prime of life. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. To them were born the following children : Phoebe was born in New York Citv and died at the age of sixteen; James T., who was also born in New York City, was a prominent and wealthy farmer in Gibson county; Susan, deceased, was born in Indiana and married Thomas Dickson; John, who was a farmer at Fort Branch, died in 191 1 ; Martha, who died in 11)09, was the wife of Nemaw Picou, who went into the Confederate army and ne\er returned; Sarah, deceased, was the wife of Nehemiali Garrison; Isaac A.; Phoebe Ann, deceased, married !'>;ink Sherm:ni and thev lived in Codatt, \\'isconsin.

Isaac A. Lockwood received but little edncation in the subscription school, earlv in life being compelled to do a man's part in the work on the home place, helping his mother to keep the family together after the death of his father. On June 12, 1862. the subject enlisted in Company B, Fiftyeighth Indiana Volunteer Infantrv. at Princeton, and. after being outfitted (33) and drilled at Indianapolis, the company joined its regiment at Bardstown, Kentucky, and was attached to the Army of the Cumberland, taking part in all the engagements in which that army corps was engaged. On September 19, 1863, Mr. Lockwood was wounded during the battle of Chickamauga, being shot through the lungs and ribs, and in his injured condition he was caiitured by the Confederates, being kept prisoner for fourteen days under the worst possible circumstances. The prisoners' beds were piles of stone covered with brush and they were fed on the ground wheat and cockle so well remembered by those who were unfortunate enough to have been "guests" of the South. Later Mr. Lockwood was exchanged and sent to the Union lines under a flag of truce. He was first taken to Chattanooga and housed in an old brick warehouse, and no beds or bedding being provided, the subject, ye'- suffering terribly from his wound, was compelled to lie on the damp floor, and he recalls that when he awoke in the morning he could hardly move. He was in the hospital at Chattanooga for fifty days and was then taken with many other wounded soldiers to a point across the river from Bridgeport, Alabama, where they laid out in the woi^k fur five days, then being loaded into box cars. Five weary da\s were ci)nsiune<l in reaching Murfreesboro, where the train was'stopi^ed to take off the dead and those not expected to live. Mr. Lockwood being in the latter class and not far from the former. For thirty days the subject remained at Mnrfreesboro, and then was able to take advantage of a thirty days' furlough and return home, reaching home on Christmas eve. However, his troubles were not at an end, for three days later he was taken down with small-pox and was confined to his bed for fortv da}'s. On his recovery he reported to Camp Chase, Ohio, was exchanged and joined the army again, being thereafter in the great Atlanta camj^aign with Sherman on his "march to the sea." A participant in the Grand Review at Washington. D. C, the subject received an honorable discharge June 12, 1S65, at Indianapolis, and returned to his home.

On March 13, 1866, Mr. Lockwood was united in marriage to Sue M. Foreman, of Baltimore, IMaryland, the tlaughter of J. T. Foreman. Mrs. Lockwood's father, in 1859, traded two steamboats and all the other propertv he possessed for tliree thousand acres of land near Tallahassee, Tennessee, which he had never seen, some of it settled by squatters. Here he Iniilt a fine home and made many improvements, and continued to live until in 1863, after the battle of Stone's River, he and his family left the estate and came to Gibson county, Indiana. ^Ir. Foreman was a strong sympathizer with the Union cause, and he never went back to claim the land, nor have any of his heirs. The family secured a lar^c tract of land near Fort I'.ranch called the Sol Revis farm and here the\ passe.l the rest of their days, the father of Airs. Lc^kwood dying on this i.lacc, as tlid also his wife. The subject's wife died January ij . i8S(). after hearing' to Mr. Lockwood the following children: l'hoel>e Josephine died in infancy; .\nna Luella married Stephen Thomas and they lixe northwest of (ireencastle. Indiana; Stephen VV. and Francis \\. died in infanc)-; Aland is comkicting manicuring and hair dressing parlors at i'rinceton: h.lla is the wife of Joseph Kern, of Princeton; William Rodgers is in the hutcher business at livansville. Indiana; xAllen died in infancy.

F'ollowing his marriage, Mr. Lt)ckwood engaged in farming near Fort Branch, continuing there until 1871. and after spending a year in Patoka removed to Evansville, where for eighteen years he followed the. vocation of carpenter and contractor. In 1890 he came to I'rinceton and helped build the Southern railroad shops. For the last eight years he has Jiad the Gibson county agency for the medicines and soaps of T. M. Sayman, of St, Louis, and has built up a very remunerative Inisiness in this line.

Air. Lockwood is a remarkabl}' well [ireserved man for his age, is active and keeps fully posted on current e\ents. his up-to-date and progressive ideas and methods having made him a nirui wIionc advice is often sought by his many friends. He is a member of .\rciier I'ost, Grand .\rmy of the Republic, at Princeton, and belongs to the Methodist Fpisco])al church.

It is not an easy task to (lescril)e ade(|uately a man who lia> led nently active and busy life and who has attained a position of relative di tinction in the community in which his interests were allied. I'.ut biography finds its most perfect justification ntverlheless, in the tracing aii'l recording of such a life history. It is, then, with a full ai)preciation of all that is demanded and of the painstaking scrutin\- that must be accorded each statement, and yet with a feeling of satisfaction, that the writer essays the task of touching briefly upon the details of such a record as was that of the gentleman whose name heads this paragraph, who, though long since passed over that "dark river," yet still lives in the memories of his fellow men as one who lived well his life.

great-grandfather, Jeremiah Ashcraft, removed in an early day from Pennsylvania to Kentucky and located in Grayson county, where he purchased land for his three sons, Jacob, John and Daniel. x-Vfter thus giving them a start in life, the great-grandfather of the subject started back to the Keystone state, but on the way was attacked and killed by Indians.

Daniel Ashcraft was the grandfather of the subject. He was ,a soldier in the border wars during the Indian troubles and was twice wounded, his wife also being wounded once. He was born March 13, 1768, and died June 5, 1842. He married Sarah Dye October 18, 1793. She was born March 21, 1775, and died September 17, 1845.

One 'of the sons of Daniel Ashcraft was Jediah, the father of the subject. Jediah was born December 12, 1794. He married Ann Wilson, of Grayson county, Kentucky, I'^ebruary 10, 1820, she having been born October 19, 1797. They were the parents of four sons and five daughters and were early setlers in Gibson county. Their children were : Elizabeth, who married a Mr. Lamb; Emily is the wife of Lewis Laws; Benjamin Keith; James and Joseph, who settled in Illinois; Eliza, deceased, never married; Thomas located in Illinois; one daughter died in infancy.

Although the subject received a very limited education, he hail become, by constant reading and observation, quite a scholarly man, his remarkable memory being a great help to him in his readings. Early in life he went with his parents to Richland county, Illinois, and settled ten miles southeast of Olney, where he worked out for several years. On August 21, i860, Mr. Ashcraft was married to Tirzah M. Stewart, of White River township, Gibson county, Indiana, a daughter of Rev. Samuel A. and Lucinda (Howe) Stewart. Rev. Samuel A. Stewart was born in Virginia, and after living in Grayson county, Kentucky, for a period, came to this county and settled in White River township, entering virgin land from the government. In addition to cultivating his land, which comprised one hundred acres, he was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. His death occurred on the home place, while his wife died in Princeton. Perhaps the most dominant and notable characteristic of Mrs. Ashcraft's father was his fidelity to truth and honor. He invariably sought the things that were "honest and of good report." In the training of his children no precepts were so constantly or so urgently insisted upon as those which concern sound and worthy character. He taught that honor and truthfulness were of such commanding worth that self interests should never under any circumstances set them aside. These principles were the standards by which he estimated men and to which he religiously held himself. Whatever else he might do or fail to do, he meant to be in all his actions right before his Creator and his fellow men. His life was an inspiration to all who knew him, and iiis memory remains to his friends and surviving children as a blessed lienediction of a noble and upright character. While advancing his individual interests, he never lost sight of his obligations to the community in general, and during his mature life he held a hgh place in the confidence and esteem of all who knew him.

To the parents of Mrs. Ashcraft were born eleven children : Elizabeth, deceased, was the wife of Andrew Milburn; William S. is deceased; Thomas, who was a farmer in White River township, married Susan Hudelson and both are now deceased; Robert died young; Tirzah. the subject's wife; John Wesley, deceased, was a farmer and a soldier in the Civil war. He married Emma Lawrence, who is now living in White River township; Mary J., the widow of Frank Taylor, a Civil war veteran, Uves in Princeton ; Nathaniel Floyd, who was also in the army, married Addie Lennox : Sarah Ellen, Rachael and Lucien died young.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Ashcraft li\ed in Richland ccninty, Illinois, for ten years, and then came to Gibson county, Indiana, and located on the old Stewart homestead in White River township, taking care of Mrs. Stewart in her old age. After her death they continued on the home place until their removal to Princeton, where the subject died on March 17. 1897.

While never seeking public office, Mr. Ashcraft was interested in the success of the Democratic party, while his religious affiliation was with the Methodist Episcopal church. His widow, who was born June 20, 1S33, is an estimable lady and is very well known in Princeton and Gibson county. She is very well preserved for her age and is a plea.sing woman to converse with. She has done a great deal of hair art work and some painting, her habit being to always be busy.

Luther Benson

The gentleman whose name appears at the head of this biographical review needs no introduction to the people of Gibson county, since his entire life has been spent here, a life devoted not only to the fostering of his own interests, but also to the welfare of the community at large. An honorable representative of one of the esteemed families of his community and a gentleman of high character and worthy ambitions, he has filled no small place in the public view, as the important official positions he has held bear witness.

He is a splendid type of the intelligent, up-to-date, self-made American in the full sense of the term, a man of the people, with their interests at heart. As a citizen he is progressive and abreast of the times in all that concerns the common weal. Although a partisan, with strong convictions and well defined opinions on questions on which men and parties divide, he has the esteem and confidence of the people of the community and his friends are in number as his acquaintances, regardless of party ties.

Luther Benson, the subject of this sketch, was born January 25, 1877, the son of Sylvester and Nancy A. (Ewing) Benson. Sylvester Benson was born in Montgomery township, Gibson county, July 10. 1823, and has remained in this county since, he now being its oldest living resident, having reached the age of ninety. During his long lifetime he has followed agriculture for a livelihood. He served three terms as a county commissioner, being elected in 1876, 1879 and 1882, and was a member of the board when the present court house was built. His wife died March 10, 1899. They were the parents of eight children, of whom seven survive : William C. lives in Owensville; James E., Benjamin F. and Jphn G. are farmers, and live northwest t^LQwensville; Mrs. Margaret Johifeort lives in Centralia, Illinois; Mrs. - p,p Lilly Scot? 'lives on the old home place; Luther. The subject's grandfather,''"^ J ^ William Benson, came to Gibson county from Kentucky at an early date. I o ' V

Luther Benson was educated in the common schools of Montgomery township and the Owensville high school, this being supplemented by a course in Indiana University. Deciding on the practice of law for his life work, he began the study of that profession, and was admitted to the bar in 1900, since that time having been actively engaged in his profession, being highly respected, not only for his brilliant legal attainments, but for his intense interest in all that will advance the interests of his community.

On April 5, 1899, Mr. Benson was united in marriage with Gertrude Johnson, daughter of Henry Johnson, of Owensville. This union has been blessed by the birth of two daughters, Pauline and Mary.

The subject has always taken a deep interest in political affairs and was a member of the Indiana Legislature in the session of 1906-7, having been elected on the Republican ticket, during which term he was active in behalf of many good measures and his services as a legislator were highly appreciated by his constituents. Mr. Benson is now allied with the Progressive party.

The Benson family on the paternal side came from good old Irish stock, the great-grandfather, James Benson, having left the Emerald Isle and emi- grated to America before the Revolutionary war, and in that struggle he was a soldier under General Washington. He settled in Pennsylvania and resided in that state until 1787, when he removed to Miller's Station, Bourbon county, Kentucky, where he lived until his death. He married Mary Taylor, who was born at Little York, Pennsylvania, in 1760, and she died in Gibson county, Indiana. They were the parents of a large family of children, but none is now living. Sylvester P.enson, father of the subject, was born July 10, 1823, and learned the trade of wheelwright with his ratnen' He remained at home until the fall of 1845, when his father gave him eighty acres of land, only se\-en acres of which were improved. Dexoting himself industriously to the cultivation and development of his holdings, the subject's father was so successful in his management of affairs that he eventually became one of the largest land owners in the county. He was married July 10, 1867, to Nancy Ann Ewing, who was born in Jasper, Dubois county, Indiana, the daughter of Moses and Nancy ( Stillwell) Ewing. Judging from the eminently worthy record of Mr. Benson in the past and the fact that he is only in the prime of life, the future for him will evidently be replete witli honor and greater success than he has yet achieved.

James P. Cox

A man whose influence has been potent for the promotion and dissemination of the literature of the General Baptist church is James I'. Co.x. who is now editor of the Baptist Messenger, of Owensvillc, Indiana. He was born in Posey county, Indiana, October 5, 1859, the son n{ Josliua and Caroline (Britton) Cox, his father being a native of Indiana and his mother of Kentucky. Mr. Cox received his common school education in Posey county, and early in life entered a printing office to learn the practical side of i)rinting. After qualifying as a printer he traveled for some years in the West and South as a journeyman printer, settling permanently in Owensville, Indiana, in 1887, where he established the Baptist Messenger, a weekly Baptist pajier, which covers several states. In addition to his editorial duties as manager of the church paper, he also ])ublished the Gibson Comity Star, a local paper, for about fifteen years. In 1914 he sold this local organ to the ])resent owner, but still continues as editor of the Baptist Me.fsenger.

Mr. Cox has always been very active in the affairs of the General Baptist church, and has held various offices in this denomination. He is now secretary of the General Association of General Baptists, also of Liberty Association of General Baptists, as well as secretary of the board of trustees of Oakland City College, which is managed by this church. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Tribe of Ben-Hur. Mr. Cox has been a leader in the affairs of his church for many years and his counsel and advice are frecjuently sought by the members of his denomination. His paper has a wide circulation among the members of this church and is recognized as one of the leading church papers of the country.

Mr. Cox was married in 1900 to Sabra Barton, the daughter of John and Isabel (Barnes) Barton, of \^anderburg county, Indiana. They are the parents of three children. Mr. Cox also has a daughter by a former marriage.

Albert Mills

Agriculture has been an honored vocation from the earliest ages and as a usual thing men of honorable and humane impulses, as well as those of energy and thrift, have been patrons of husbandry. The free out-of-door life of the farmer has a decided tendency to foster and develop that independence of mind and self-reliance which characterizes true manhood and no truer blessing can befall a boy than to be reared in close touch with nature in the healthful, life-inspiring labor of the fields. It has always been the fruitful soil from which have sprung the moral bone and sinew of the country, and the majority of our nation's great warriors, renowned statesmen and distinguished men of letters were born on the farm and were indebted largely to its early influence for the distinction which they have attained.

Albert Mills, who was born about five miles east of Princeton. Gibson county, Indiana, on May 5, 1843, ^^as the son of Durston and Louisa (Stapleton) Mills. Durston Mills was born on June 5, 1804, in Kennebec county, Maine, and was married on December 16, 1827, to Louisa Stapleton, who was born on April 28, 1808, in Robinson county, Tennessee. The subject's paternal grandfather, James Mills, was born in Kennebec county, Maine, in 1767, and married Rachel Courson. who was born in Maine in 1769, their marriage occurring in 1789. Their children were Effie, born

James Mills, with his wife and children. left Maine in October. 1810. and came to Indiana in 1811. the long and tiresome journey from Maine being they came by boat to Evansville. then known as Smith\-ille. thence by wagon to Gibson county, settling four miles west of Princeton, on what is known as the Hudelson farm. They lived there for a while, but. on account of milk sickness, they moved to White Oak Hills, four miles east of Princeton, where James Mills bought eight hundred acres nf timber land. Here he cleared a place, put up a' frame building, in which they started to make a home and clear the land. Eventually they located on what is now known as the Hyslop farm on the Patoka river, where they spent the remaining years of their lives, their deaths occurring as the result of milk sickness. Mr. Mills was a deacon in the Quaker church and a man well known and highly respected. The subject's father was married in November, 1827, and soon afterwards located on one hundred and twenty acres of land in what is now Center township, Gibson county, which he improved and developed into a good farm and which he operated until his death, which occurred on May 14, 1875, being survived by his widow, who died in 1882. He was a cabinetmaker by trade and also a farmer, and built many flat boats on the Patoka river at Wheeling, being one of the first to engage in that work there. He was one of the leading agriculturists of his time in Gibson county and assisted in the organization of the agricultural society here in the early days. He was a Whig in politics during his early years, but on the organization of the Republican party he cast his fortunes with that party. His children were as follows: Berrilla, born March 14, 1829. and a twin, who died in infancy; the former married Joseph Greek; Adelia, born February 14. 183 1. became the wife of Charles King; Cecelia Ann. born September 2. 1832, became the wife of Henry Bucklin; Zelissa. born November 8. 1833, l)ecame the wife of Samuel Greek; Byron, born January 6. 1835, married Mary Jane Curry: Horace Ames, born November 20. 1838. died at the age of eighteen years; Elvira, born August 15, 1840, died unmarried: All)ert and Almena, twins, born May 5, 1843; the latter became the wife of Edgar ^Nlills; John and Mary, twins, born November 19, 1846; John was married twice, first to a Miss Paul and, second, to Fannie King; ]\Iary became the wife of Lewis Olds! Those living of these children are All)ert, the sul)ject of this sketch: John, who is

The subject of this sketch was deprived of many opportunities for securing education in his youth, the only school in the neighborhood being one of the typical log subscription schools of that period. He lived on the paternal homestead until 1865, when, after his marriage, he and his w'ife located on a farm in Center township, one and one-half miles northeast of his father's old home. There he obtained eighty acres of land known as the Weidenbach farm, which he cleared and improved, and which he made his home until 1870, when he moved to Princeton. He was elected constable of Patoka township, in which position he served four years and was then interested in the saw-mill business for twenty-five years, also following carpenter work about ten years. He has been employed by the Southern Railroad Company at their shops for the past ten years, and is numbered among their most faithful and efficient employes.

On September 20, 1865, Mr. Mills married Polly Ann Yeager, who was born in Center township, Gibson county, Indiana, the daughter of J. V. and Polly Duncan Yeager. These parents, who were both born and reared in Virginia, came in an early day to Gibson county, Indiana, settling in Center township. Mrs. Mills' paternal grandfather, Daniel Yeager, settled near Owensville, Indiana, where he successfully conducted a farm. His son, J. V., also obtained a tract of wild land in Center township, which he cleared and where he established his permanent home. He died on his uncle Nicholas Yeager's old homestead near Owensville. He was three times married, his second marriage being with Catherine Taylor, and his third wife was Mrs. Elizabeth (Johnson) McCIeary, the widow of Willis McClear}-. To J. V. Yeager's first marriage were born the following children : Nancy, the widow of Chesterfield Woolsy, w'ho lives near Owensville; Chatty, who became the wife of Samuel Mauck, of near Owensville, and both are now deceased; Greenljerry was a soldier in the Civil war, serving for two years with Company B, Fifty-eighth Regiment Indiana A'olunteer Infantry, and later being a memljer of the First Indiana .Cavalry. He later l^ecame a farmer in Ringold, Texas. He married Sallie Creek. To Albert Mills and wife the following children have been born : Clarence R., who was chief clerk for the roadmaster of the Southern- Railroad Company, married Mantha Redmond, and his death occurred on March 27, 1912. His widow now makes her home at New Albany, Indiana. They had two children, Helen and Mildred; Ida M. is at home with her parents; Hortense became the wife of John F. Ligon, of

Williamson, \\'est \"irginia, and they have two children, Norman !'. and John F., Jr.; Rollin married Willie iMarie Mayheld, of Walnut Springs, Texas, a mechanic for the Southern Railroad Company, and thev have one child, Kollin \'incent; Hazel, the wife of Ronald E. Mangrum. ut l'itts1)urg, Kansas, and they have two children, Margaret E. and Ronald M.

Reverting to the subject's ancestral history, it is stated that his maternal grandmother, Louisa (Stapleton) Mills, was a daughter of Jcjshua Stapleton, who was born on January 28, 1782, and who married Elizabeth Elmore, whose birth occurred on July 100, 178S. They came from Robinson county, Tennessee, to Gibson county, Indiana, in 1816, settling five miles east of Princeton in the woods, where they obtained a tract of wild land and here they established their permanent home, the father following the pursuit of farming here until his death. To ihem were burn the folldwing children: Louisa, the subject's mother; Polly, born May 7, 1810: Thirza, burn March 9, 1812; Catherine, born April 5, 1S1-I ; Alinerva, born April 21, 1816: llannah, born July 13, 1818; Elizabeth, born August 28, 1820: Alexander D., born January 2Q, 1823; Travis E., born April 22, 1825; i^achel. born Xovember 13, 1827, and Amanda, born October 5, 1830.

Politically, Albert Mills was a stanch supporter of the Republican party up to 1884. when he cast his vote for James G. Blaine for President, but since that time he has been aligned with the Prohibition party, of which he is an enthusiastic supporter, belie\ing that the temperance question is the greatest issue now before the American people. Religiously, he ant! his wife are members of the United Presbyterian church at Princeton. Mr. Mills is a member of Archer Post, Grand Army of the Repnlilic, at Princeton, of which he is a charter member, his connection with this organization being particularly consistent from the fact that on October 21, 1861, he enlisted in defense of his country as a private in Company B, Fift\'-eighth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, at Princeton. The command went by boat to Louisville, Kentucky, and then on to the front, taking part in the battles of La \'ergne. Stone's River, and at Chickamauga, Tennessee, on September 20, 1863, where Mr. Mills was captured and taken to Richmond, being confined first in Libby prison and later in the I'eniberton building. In November. 1863, he was taken to Danville, Virginia, and ke]>t a jjrisoner there until Mav. 1864, and was confined in the notorious .\ndersonville prison until September loth of that year, when he was taken to Charleston, South Carolina, and kept a prisoner at the Race Course near that point until November 7, 1864. when he was taken to Florence, South

Carolina, remaining there until February 22, 1865. From that point he was taken first to VVihnington, North CaroHna, and thence to Goldsboro, that state, and on February 27, 1865, was paroled. While ^t Wilmington, North Carolina, Mr. Mills was taken very sick with swamp fever and was in the hospital from February until April. He was honorably discharged from the service on April 10, 1865, after an experience of more than ordinary privations and hardships, having been a prisoner of war and in prison seventeen months and six days. Of these experiences he retains a vivid memory and recounts in an interesting manner his experiences in Southern prison pens and stockades. Despite the tremendous hardships undergone by him, he is remarkably well preserved physically, and is keenly alive to passing events, keeping in close touch with the current issues of the day. For some time Mr. Mills has been weather observer for Gibson county. He is widely known throughout this locality and is held in high esteem by all who know him.

Louis Wirth

Dividing his time between the pursuit of agriculture and the management of a grain elevator, Louis Wirth naturally leads a very busy life, but as he is the possessor of a large amount of energy and perseverance he seems to derive pleasure from the fact that he is kept so busy. Mr. Wirth traces his lineage on both sides of the family back to the land of the Kaiser and the thrift and frugal habits which characterize all of our German population are found in him. He is a man who has known what it is to take disappointments and discouragements and yet through it all he has maintained his optimistic nature and today stands as one of the prosperous citizens of Gibson county.

Louis Wirth, the son of Nicholas and Fredericka (Stolpp) Wirth, was born November 6, 1866, in Baltimore, Maryland. His father was a native of Germany and came to this country when a young man and settled in Baltimore, where he was married. His wife's parents also were natives of Germany. Nicholas Wirth was a tinner by trade and during a long and busy life he was compelled by the force of circumstances to change his place of residence several times in order to obtain employment. In i860 he moved from Baltimore to Gibson county, and located near Fort Branch on a farm. Previous to his coming to Gibson county he worked in an oyster canning fac- tory as a tinner at Baltimore, and was also in the employ of the United States government as a tinner. After he lost his place in the government service he came to Gibson county, Indiana. He was more than an ordinary tinner; in fact, he was a positive genius at the work. The government recognized his ability in this line and made him a foreman at Galveston, Texas, with a gang of men under his employ and paid him a salary of seven dollars a day. He invented the first ice cream freezer which had a turning paddle in it, and several other minor inventions, none of which, however, netted him the financial returns which he deserved. Before coming to Gibson county the first time Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Wirth had one child, Lula, who was born in Baltimore and died at the age of four years. The second child, Mrs. Catherine Brothers, who lives about four miles east of Fort Branch, was born in Gibson county, and after her birth the family moved back to Baltimore, where the third child, Mrs. Caroline Woods, of Gibson county, was born. The next child was born on the second return to Gibson county from Maryland. This child, Fredericka Cannavan, now lives on a farm in Patoka township. His fortunes turned again and for the third time the family returned to Baltimore from Gibson county, and there the fifth child, Louis, the immediate subject of this brief sketch, was born in 1866. Some time later Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Wirth again moved back to Indiana, settling in Pike county, where the sixth and seventh children, Charles W. and Josei)h, were born. Charles W. is a farmer living two and one-half miles northwest of Buckskin, Indiana; Joseph died in infancy. Some time after the l)irth of the two last named children, the family moved to Gibson county, where the eighth child, Nicholas, was born, and he now lives on the old home place near Fort Branch, where his father died March 21, 1895, his wife surviving him until June 7, 1907. Thus ends the career of Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Wirth, who were good, substantial German citizens, rearing a large family and doing their full duty toward their home and the nation throughout their whole career. The fact that when Air. \\^irth was out of work in one place he had that he was a man of more than ordinary ability and certainl\- more than the courage to go to some other place in order to secure employment, shows ordinary courage.

Louis Wirth, as may be seen from the foregoing account, must have inherited some of the wonderful stamina and perseverance whicli characterized his parents and a review of his life shows this to be the fact. He was educated in common schools and completed the course in the Fort Branch high school in Gibson county. His boyhood days were spent on the farm where he learned the science of farming in a very practical manner. When he became twenty-five years of age he married and immediately moved onto a farm and started to make his fortune. After working on the farm for three years, he moved to Haubstadt and clerked in a store there for three or four months, but seeing a better chance of success on the farm, he returned to his agricultural pursuits. In August, 1899, he went to work for the Cumberland Telephone Company at Nashville, Tennessee, and learned all of the intricacies of this business. Within a short time he came back to Indiana and took charge of the telephone exchange at Boonville, whei^e he remained for one year. He then returned to his farm, where he worked with a will for the next ti\e \ears, getting his farm into a high state of cultivation and adding to it. He inherited forty acres of land from his father, and by his thrift and economical way of living he added another forty acres to this. After a prosperous li\e }ears on the farm he received an opportunity of taking control of the Evansville Melrose Milling Company, having worked prior for the Princeton Elevator Company, and shortly afterward was transferred to the grain elevator at King's Station in his home county. The company sold this elevator and he then went to the Weese Welborn Company, of Princeton, where he has continued in charge for the past nine years. During all of this time he has lived on his own farm and has had general management of it. He rents out his fields and in this way keeps a close supervision upon everything that is done on his farm. Pie now has a fine home, good barns and outbuildings and his farm is in first class condition in every particular.

Louis Wirth was married June 2, 1891, to Lillie Olmstadt. the daughter of S. L. and Martha (Montgomery) Olmstadt, both of her parents being natives of Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. A'Virth are the parents of two children, one who died in infancy, and Gladys, born June 2^, 1904. Air. ^Virth, in bis political affiliations, has always identified himself with the Democratic party, but has always confined his political activities to the casting of his \'ote at all elections. Fraternallv, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America at Princeton. He is a member of the Christian church at Princeton and his wife of the General Baptist church at White church, near Princeton. Mr. Wirth is one of the best known of the German citizens of Gibson county, and his career has been without a blemish in every respect. He is a pleasant man to meet, possessing sociable qualities and bears a reputation for honesty throughout the county.

A review of the life of the honored and lamented subject of this sketch must of necessity be brief and general in its character. To enter fully into the interesting details of his career, touching the struggles of his early manhood and successes of later days, would far transcend the limits of this article. He filled a large place in the ranks of the enterprising and public-spirited men of his day and generation and the luster of his deeds and the memories which attach to his name and character form no inconsiderable chapter in the history of the community where he did his work and achieved his success. Sufficient is submitted, we believe, to prove him entitled to the honorable position he long occupied among the bra\e and energetic self-made men of Indiana, who by enterprise and unswerving integrity forged to the front despite all opposition and won for the grand old Hoosier state a place second to none in the bright constellation comprising the Union of American states. That he did his part nobly and well cannot be gainsaid, and. though dead, he yet speaketh in the work which he accomplished and in the many kindly deeds and wholesome influence which not only his friends, but the community as well, prize as a grateful heritage.

John K. Iving was born in Gibson county, Indiana, October 30, 1833, and died at his home in Princeton on September j, 191 1. He was a son of John and Sarah (Kirkman) Iving, his father a native of North Carolina, his mother an orphan who was reared by Judge Henry Hopkins, the man who gave the land for the site of the present city of Princeton. The original King family came from Virginia. Samuel Iving, the father of John Iving, came from North Carolina to Indiana and settled in Gibson county near Fort Branch when that place was only an Indian jiost. At that time the father of the subject of this sketch was a babe in arms. Here he was reared to manhood and here married Sarah Kirkman in 18 18 and immediately after their marriage they entered governmenl land near King's St-ilion. To Air. and Mrs. John King were born ten children, only two of whom are living, Henry, who lives at Mitchell, Smith Dakota, and Jane wlm li\es with John K. King's widow. The other eight children are as follows; George W., born in i8jo; Nancy Ann, 1821 ; Samuel, 1823; Robert, 1825: William, 1827: Caroline, 1831 ; John K., 1833: Henry, 1835: Louisa. 1839: James, 1840.

John K. King received a very limited education, his schooling being confined to the district schools. He was reared to the life of a farmer and followed that occupation throughout his life. .\t the outbreak oi the Civil war he enlisted in Company A, Eightieth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served throughout the entire war as a private. He saw service in some of the hardest fought battles of that memorable struggle, and was wounded at the battle of Resaca, Georgia. Immediately after the close of the war he returned to Gibson county, where he was married in 1866 to Helen Hopkins, and bought his father's farm from the rest of the heirs and continued to operate this farm until he retired from active life in 1897 and moved to Princeton. To Mr. and Mrs. John K. King were born four children, all of whom are living in the city of Princeton at the present time, Charles K., J. Herbert, Roy P. and Mrs. Ruth Mulhall.

Throughout his long life Mr. King was a stanch supporter of the Republican party and was a prominent figure in the local campaigns of his party. He was never an applicant for public office, but upon one occasion he was induced to accept the office of township assessor and discharged the duties of that office in Patoka township to the entire satisfaction of his fellow citizens. The only organization with which he was connected in a fraternal way was the Grand Army of the Republic, and in this he took a great deal of interest. His religious affiliations were with the Methodist Episcopal church. It is needless to say that Mr. King worked hard and honorably and the reputation which he enjoyed as one of the public-spirited citizens of his locality was honestly earned, and his name will ever be linked with that of the community so long honored by his citizenship and whose interests had no more zealous and sympathetic supporter. He lived a life of which his children may well be proud and it is to their credit that they are carrying forward nobly the work which characterized the whole life of their father and are doing their full share towards elevating the miiral and civic life of their community.

Mrs. Sarah A. Youngman

Wholly devoted to home and domestic duties, doing through all the best years of her life the lowly but sacred work that comes within her sphere, there is not much to record concerning the average woman. And yet, what station so dignified, what relation so loving and endearing, what offices so holy, tender and ennobling as those of home-making wifehood and motherhood. A man's equal in every qualification except the physical, and his superior in the gentle, tender and loving amenities of life, she fully merits a much larger notice than she urdinaril}- receives, and tlie writer of these lines is optimistic enough to indulge in the prediction that in no distant future she will receive due credit for the important part she acts in life's great drama and be accorded her proper place in history and biography. The foregoing lines are prompted by a review of the life of one of Princeton's grand old ladies, Mrs. Sarah A. Youngman, who is numbered among the most respected and esteemed residents of this favored community.

George Forbes, father of Mrs. Youngman, was born in Ireland. W'hen a young man he came to America, and finally took up his abode in Princeton, being one of the pioneers of the community. He was engaged in farming all of his life. His wife was Ann Kirkman, and to them were born six children ; Jane, who married Logan Gathway, both <leceased : Elizabeth, who became the wife of Alexander Span, and both are now dead : ]\Iary, who married David Snyder, both deceased ; Abner, the sole son of the family, who never married. He was a farmer; Emily, who became the wife of Warren Hmlspeth, and both have died; Sarah Ann (Mrs. "^'oungman) was the third child, and was born in Princeton on October 22, 1827. Mrs. George Forbes was a great worker in the Methodist Episcopal church and reared her family in strict accordance with its tenets. Her death occurred in 1842, the same year as that of her husband.

Mrs. Youngman's first husband was Lewis Carpenter. Their marriage was solemnized December 27, 1849, and he died in 1852. By trade he was a plasterer and bricklayer. One child came to this union, William Louis, a blacksmith of Princeton, Indiana, whose first wife was Dora Spain. His second wife was Lillie Williams, and to them have been born three children, Louis, Nellie and Lucille.

In 1854 Mrs. Youngman was married to William Thurston, a merchant of Pennsylvania. One child was Ijurn to this union, Emma Jane, who is the wife of Charles Small, of Evansville, Indiana. In February, 1S67, she was married to Jacob C. Youngman, of I'rinceton, Gibson county, Indiana. He was engaged in the real estate business. He went to California later, and there died. One daughter, Katherine, was born to this union June 3, 1S68, who is one of the leading nuisic teachers of Princeton and makes her home with her mother.

Mrs. Youngman has always been an advocate of the highest and best in womanhood and, despite her advanced age, retains her mental and physical faculties to a marked degree, honored and respected by all who know her. f34)

She was an active business woman for many years, having engaged in the millinery business for a period of twenty-five years, also conducting a hotel for many years. In the year 1876 she retired from active business life, having made a great success of her undertakings. Mrs. Youngman is now the oldest living woman who was born in Gibson county, Indiana.