Johnson County, Indiana - Chapter 6, 1888 (part 2 of 2)

Thomas M. Robison, a farmer of Clark Township, is a native of Johnson County, Ind., and is the son of Thomas and Jane M. (Clark) Robison. The father was born in Fleming County, Ky., August 18, 1797; and died in Johnson Countv, Ind., February 8, 1836. The mother was born in Muhlenberg County, Ky., September 8, 1807. Unto the marriage of these parents were born five children, namely: Sarah, born October 3, 1827; Andrew C, January 18, 1829; Alexander, December 1, 1830; Annie, October 26, 1832; Thomas M., June 21, 1834. Their parents came to Indiana, and settled in Monroe County, in 1825. In 1829, they removed to Johnson County, and settled in Clark Township, where he was elected justice of peace, which )ffice he held until his death. The father's death occurred February 8, 1836. He was among the pioneer settlers of the county, bnL lived but a short period after his settling in this county. Of the abc re five children only two are living, namely our subject and 1 eirter. Thomas was reared on a farm, and received a limited ( ducation in the pioneer log schoolhouse. This education was received under disadvantages, for when our subject was a youth, school terms were short and poorly taught, and he attended a part of only six winter terms. By close observation and study throughout life he has become conversant on general subjects. At the age of sixteen years he began the battle of life for himself. He served an apprenticeship at the -wagonmakers trade: which he followed four years, and in 1854, emigrated to California, where he remained for two years, and then returned to his native county, where he was married, in 1856, to Miss Ann E. Holmes, daughter of Giles and Martha Holmes. Mrs. Robison was born in Warren County, Ohio, February 23, 1835. The issues of the above marriage, are two children, namely: Eugene A., born May 30, 1857, and a deceased child, unnamed, April 6, 1870. Eugene A. is a teacher, having taught ten successful terms in the public schools. Since Mr. Robison"s marriage, he has resided in Clark Township, and has been actively engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is now a prosperous citizen, owning and cultivating a well improved farm of 120 acres. He and wife are members of the Christian Church, of which he has been a member since 1851, and she, since 1859. In politics he is an ardent republican, casting his first presidential vote for A. Eincoln. He has been a progressive citizen, and has held several positions of honor and trust. During the war he was an enrolling officer in Clark Township. He has served his township as its assessor for two years, was once elected justice of peace, but resigned. At one time he became the republican candidate for county commissioner, and cut a majority of over 500 against him, down to 283, thus demonstrating the high esteem in which his fellow citizens hold him. In regard to churches, schools, and all laudable improvements, he has been friendly, and has been characterized as an industrious, and enterprising, as well as progressive citizen.

William Rouse was born in Shelby County, June 29, 1838, and is a son of Nathaniel and Lucinda (Francis) Rouse; the former was born in Kentucky, in 1799, and died in Shelby County, in 1844; the latter was born in Kentucky in 1809, and died October 21, 1884. Our subject's early life was spent on the farm. He. received a common school education, and began the battle of life* for himself at the age of eighteen years, and worked on a farm, nearly two years. He was united in marriage to Elizabeth Hoop, February 7, 1858. She was the daughter of Ferguson and Nellie (Doble) Hoop. Mrs. Rouse was born in Shelby County, February 4, 1S42. To this union the following children were born: Edward, born October 29, 1S59; Oscar, November 8, i860; Frank, April 4, 1863; unnamed (deceased), March 6, 1865; Abner, November 24, 1869; Frederick, February 22, 1876. Of these, all are living except Edward and the unnamed. Mr. and Mrs. Roul are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. For a number of years he was treasurer in the church. Mr. Rouse is a Mason. In politics, he is a republican. He now owns 205 acres of well improved land, and for a number of years has been dealing in stock. John W. Smith, one of the old pioneers of Johnson County, was born in Floyd County, Ind., October 7, 1828, and is the son of Adam and Mary (Dale) Smith. The father was a native of Germany. Our subject was the second of a family of three children. He left Floyd County about 1836, and removed to Rush County, Ind., where he remained six years, removing to Shelby County, where he remained two years, and then returned to Rush County, where he remained one year, going thence to Johnson County, this state, and settling on the farm on which he now lives. During his early life he had no opportunity whatever to attend school, and it was not until after his marriage that he spent his first day as a pupil in a school-room, and then only attended one month. He has always been fond of reading, and he has somewhat mitigated the lack of an early education, and is now a well informed man. He now owns 200 acres of land, of which 100 acres are well improved. He was married to Mis^ Harriet McKee, August 10, 1847, and this union was blessed with the following children: Rose A., April 24, 1848; George W., November 24, 1849; Elizabeth W., January 10, 1851; John A., January 21, 1854; Elijah W., January 2, 1858; Maria P., February 13, i860; Jacob H., August 1, 1862, and James A., October 10, 1864. In politics, Mr. Smith has always been a democrat, casting his first presidential vote for James Buchanan. He served his township as constable for six years. He was elected justice of the peace, but declined to serve. His chief occupation has been farming. In connection with this pursuit, he has given considerable attention to the culture of bees.

Omar Spencer, a prosperous and industrious farmer and stockraiser of Clark Township, Johnson County, was born February 21, 1835, he is a son of Lyman and Sarah (Turner) Spencer; the former was a native of New York, and was born December 7, 1798, of English descent, and died July 7, 1872; the latter was a native of Pennsylvania, and was born April 13, 1797, of Irish descent, and died July 19, 1S51. To their union the following children were born: Sarah A. (deceased), April 10, 1828; John T. (deceased), August 19, 1830; Robert P. (deceased), September 25, 1832. Omar, February 21, 1835; Samuel J. (deceased), October 12, i837\andMaggie M., February 2, 1839. i^t the age of fouryears, our subject was placed in the family of his uncle, Parker Spencer, who reared him to manhood. During his boyhood and youth he worked upon the farm in summer, and attended the district school in winter.

He received a good common school education ; and is conversant upon all subjects of general interest. At the age of twenty-one years he began life for himself as a farmer, which pursuit he has continued through life, and in connection with farming he has also made a specialty of raising short-horn cattle. March n, 1858, he was united in marriage to Mary E. Halfaker, daughter of Jacob and Ruth (Campbell) Halfaker. She was born February 5, 1837. Their union was blessed with the following children: Maggie E. (deceased), April 5, 1859; Lyman, December 29, i860; Kate, February 18, 1S63; Grafton, February 11, 1870, and Omar, November 22, 1871. On January 12, 1887, Mr. Spencer was united in a second marriage, with Mrs. Anna Phemister, a daughter of S. T. and Mary (Wiemer) Pierson. She is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. His first wife was a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Spencer now owns 480 acres of choice land in Johnson County, about 400 of which are under a high state of cultivation. In politics, he is an ardent republican.

John C. Springer, a farmer and stock-raiser of Clark Township, Johnson County was born December 15, 1838. He is a son of Cordnan and Orpha (Webb) Springer, both of whom were of Swedish descent. The father was born in Kentucky about 1800, and died in Johnson County about 1872. The mother was born in Kentucky about 1800, and is still living. Our subject's early life was spent on the farm. He served an apprenticeship at the miller's trade, which he followed about thirty years. He received a liberal education, attending the Franklin College. September 24, 1863, he wras united in marriage to Louisa J. Davidson, a daughter of Calip and Lockey (Jones) Davidson, and to this union the following children were born: Eva A., August, 1865; Rose L., July, 1870; John A. (deceased) April, 1873. The mother of these children was born in 1835. Mr. Springer is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and the Masonic order. In politics, he is a republican. He now owns 157 acres of well-improved land.

James W. Terman, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of Clark Township, was born in Muskegeon County, Ohio, February 10, 1834, a son of John and Ann (Jones) Terman; the former was born in Maryland in 1793, and was of Scotch-Irish descent. He was in the War of 181 2. A peculiar incident happened by which he entered this war. He had a neighbor of whom he thought a great deal, who was drafted, and the man was crying to think he had to leave his family, when Mr. Terman volunteered to go in his place, if they would take him, he being only eighteen years of age at the time, and arrangements being made, he took the place of his friend and served with credit to the close of the war. He died in 1869. The mother was born in Virginia, in 1799, and died in 187 1. Our subject came with his parents from Ohio in 1847, and settled in Bartholomew County, this state, where he remained seven years, thence to Shelby County, where he remained one year, then to Johnson County, and settled in Clark Township on the farm where he now lives. He received a good common school education. At the age of nineteen years he began life for himself as a farmer. On October 12, 1854, he was united in marriage to Martha Cutsinger, a daughter of William and Parthena (Deupree) Cutsinger; the former was born in 181 3, and came to this state when only nine years of age, is of German descent; the latter was born in 1814. To this union the following children were born: James A., deceased; Elizabeth, June 26, 1857; Martha P., April 10, 1859; Emma A., January 13, 1861; Flora E., April 4, 1863; James W., February 22, 1865; Joseph E., June 9, 1867; James A., deceased; Omar, deceased; Ida, November 9, 1872; Sarah, deceased; Lewis M., February 15, 1877; Bertha, February 5, 1879, and Jessie Blanche, June 15, 1881. The mother of these children was born September 29, 1837, in Shelby County. He and wife are members of the Christian Church. In politics, he is an ardent republican, casting his first vote for John C. Fremont. He was chosen by his party in convention, as their candidate for trustee in the spring election of 1888; he ran against an opposing majority of twenty-five, and reduced it to eleven votes. He now owns 210 acres of well improved land.

Stephen W. Tilson, farmer, was born in Franklin Township, Johnson County, October 22, 1834, the son of Lemuel and Sidney (Crow) Tilson; the former was a son of Thomas Tilson, and was born about 1804, and died about 1872. The latter was born about 1802, and died about 1866. Our subject's early life was spent on a farm in Johnson County. He received a good common school education, and attended Franklin College two terms. Was a music teacher for about three years, giving it his whole attention. At the age of twenty-one years he began life for himself as a farmer, and occasionally worked at the carpenter's trade. During Morgan's raid in Indiana, he was with the company that guarded the city of Madison. November 25, 1856, he was united in marriage to Susan Ballard, a daughter of Taylor and Nancy (Fitzpatrick) Ballard; the father was assassinated on January 15, 1885; the mother was born in 1806, and died March 6, 1883. This union was blessed with the following children: Alferetta, born September 1, 1857; Romeo S., December 29, 1858; Indiana, September 6, i860; Luella, March 13, 1862; Jessie, deceased, February 10, 1864; twin boys, unnamed, one of whom is deceased, September 22, 1865;

Eldon, June 4, 1S67: Flora, Februaiy 19, 1869: Mack, August 29, 1871; Julia Dot, May 27. 1S73, and Lemuel B., April 3, 1875. The mother of these children was born October 3, 1834. She is a member of the Methodist Church : the husband and eight children are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. In politics, he belongs to the union labor part}-. He has served his township as justice of the peace about one year.

James F. Webb, a farmer of Johnson County, was born April 29, 1842, and is a son of Zachariah and Nancy A. (Huff) Webb. The former was born in Kentucky, April 9, 180S; the latter was born in Ohio, April 22, 1813, and died January 15, 1886. Our subject's early life was spent on the farm. He received a common school education, and at the age of twenty-one years, began life for himself. On January 14, 1868, he was united in marriage to Mary A. Beard, daughter of William and Mary J. (Tucker) Beard. The father was born January 23, 1820, and died Julv 15, 1867; the mother was born December 5, 1823. To this union the following children were born: Cora E., born November 17, 1868; Guilford, September 9, 1871; Wallace, September 12, 1873. The mother of these children was born September 22, 1849, an<^ ^s a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Our subject now owns 300 acres of good land in Johnson County, Ind., and forty acres in Shelby County. Of the 300 acres, 150 are now under cultivation.

Sarah A. White, widow of James A. White, was born February 16, 1835. She is a daughter of James and Lucretia (Vaught) Patterson. Her husband was a son of James and Mary (Grubbs) White. Mrs. White was reared in Johnson County. She received a common school education. Early in the fifties she was married to James A. White. To this union the following children were born: Martin C, January 22, 1852; Alonzo, August 22, 1854; Thomas, February 12, 1857; Mary, October 22, i860; Sylvester, January 12, 1863; Samuel, February 10, 1865; Rachel, September 12, 1867; Charles, November 3, 1869; Stella, deceased, Julv 17, 1872; Vida, November 5, 1873. The father of these children departed this life, May 30, 1873. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church. She now owns 120 acres of well improved land.

Andrew J. Williams, a native of Johnson Count)-, lnd., was born October 4, 1850, and is a son of James and Juda (Wheeler) Williams. The father was a native of Overton County, Tenn.; was born December 23, 1811; the mother is a native of Adair County, Ky., and was born in 18 16. Our subject's early life was spent on the farm. He received a common school education. He was educated for the law, being a student with Judge Williamson, of Des Moines, Iowa, and was admitted to the bar about 1875. He removed to St. Joseph, Mo., and remained there in the practice of his profession two years, when he returned to Des Moines, and remained there three years. He then returned to Indiana, and settled in Johnson County. September 21, 1880, he was united in marriage to Miss Serena E. Beard, a daughter of John W. and Nancy (Farmbrough) Beard. This union was blessed with the following children : John F., born September 19, 1881; Thurlow W., December 4, 1882; James C. (deceased), February 5, 1884; Fleetsvood P., April 15, 1885; Nellie L., August 3, 1886, and Lulu M., January 23, 1888. The mother of these children was born April 2, 1855. At the age of seventeen years, he began the battle of life for himself, by teaching school in Indiana three winter terms, and then went to Iowa where he taught two winter terms. He then went to Kansas, taught one winter term, and returned to Indiana, and commenced dealing in poultry, shipping to New York city. He remained in this business one year, and then returned tp Iowa. His wife is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church. In politics, Mr. Williams is a republican, casting his tirst presidential vote for Hayes and Wheeler. He now owns 360 acres of good land.

Henry Williams, one of the prosperous farmers of Clark Township, was born November 22, 1841, in Fayette Count)-, Ind., and is a son of Joel D. and Frances (Walker) Williams; the former was born in Ohio, December 27, 1812, and was of English descent; the mother was born in Ohio, in 1S10, and died in 1879. Our subject emigrated with his parents, at the age of two years, to Madison County, and remained there about six years, going thence to Johnson County, where he has resided ever since. He received a good common school education, and at the age of twenty, he began life for himself. November 6, 1861, he was united in marriage to Serena Johnson, a daughter of James and Martha (Cawthorn), Johnson, both natives of Kentucky; the father was born about 1802, and died about 1844; the m°ther was born in 1804, and died in 1888. To this marriage the following children were born: Emma A. (deceased), February 10, 1863; Charles G., March 4, 1865; Dora B., August 10, 1867; Elmer, March 10, 1870; Olive M., Julv 27, 1872; Walter, September 26, 1874; unnamed son, deceased. The mother of these children was born June 26, 1842. He and wife are both members of the Missionary Baptist Church. In politics, he is a republican, casting his rirst presidential vote for Lincoln. He now owns 427 acres of tine land, of which there are 350 acres under a high state of cultivation. He makes short-horn cattle a specialty. He served his township as trustee four years.

this count}', and is the son of John S. and Catharine (Huffer) Yoke. His father was born in Harrison Count}-, Ky., about the year 1801, and by occupation was a farmer. His mother was born about the year 1S14. The marriage of his parents resulted in the birth of eight children, of whom the following three are living: James S., born March 22, 1843; Jonathan W., born in 1845, and Ellen, in 1847. John S. Yoke removed with his family from Kentucky to Shelby County, this state, in 1833. In the same year he entered land in Johnson County, to which he removed in 1840. The subject of this sketch remained with his parents until he reached the age of twenty-one. In summer he worked upon a farm, and in winter attended the district school, receiving a fair knowledge of the ordinary branches of learning. January 9, 1864, he entered the service of the Union Army, in Company H, Ninth Indiana Cavalry, One Hundred and Twenty-first Regiment, and was mustered in at Indianapolis, under Capt. J. H. Fanjuhar. He served until the close of the war, and discharged his duties in a manner becoming a loyal soldier. He then returned to this county, and has ever since devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits in Clark Township. He owns a farm of 108 acres, which is in a good state of improvement, and sixty acres of which are in cultivation. On the 16th day of October, 1872, he was married to Miss Missouri Virginia Halfaker. She was born in Johnson County, May 23, 1852, and was the daughter of Jacob and Ruth (Campbell) Halfaker, the former of whom was born in Washington County, Va., in 1802, and the latter in Ohio, in 181 2. Her mother came with her parents to this state in 1829. The family first settled in Bartholomew County, but in 1837, they removed to Johnson County. Our subject and wife are the parents of three children: Ellen E., born July 16, 1874; Jonn Jacob, January 27, 1876, and James M., October 4, 1884, all of whom are now living. Mr. and Mrs. Yoke are members of the Christian Church, the former, who is now a deacon in the church, became a member in 1870, and the latter in 1863. In politics, Mr. Yoke supports the principles of the republican party, having cast his first vote for Lincoln. Mr. Yoke is one of the industrious farmers of his township.

Jonathan W. Yoke, a young and energetic farmer of Clark Township, was born in Johnson County, October 14, 1845, son of John S. and Catherine (Huffer) Yoke. The father was born in Harrison County, Ky., about 1801, and was by occupation a farmer. The mother was born about 1814. The marriage of his parents resulted in the birth of eight children, of whom the following three are living: James S., born March 22, 1843; Jonathan W., and Ellen, 1847. Our subject was reared on a farm. He received a good common school education, and in 1865 entered Purdy's Commercial College at Indianapolis, graduating the same year. He remained with, and took care of his parents until their death. November 3, 1875, ^e was united in marriage with Isabell Moore, a daughter of John and Sarah (Bowser) Moore, born March 3, 1845. This union was blessed with the following children: Sarah B., born November 20, 1876; John J., July 11, 1878; Catherine M., May 30, 18S0; Thomas E., July 8, 1882; Charles A., April 8, 1884; Walter C, September 7, 1886. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. In politics he is a republican. He owns 303 acres of good land in Clark Township, 150 of which are under cultivation. He makes a specialty of short-horn cattle.