Columbia Township

Columbia Township

the early days this locality abounded in game, and even after the advent of the first settlers the Indians mily resort hither on hunting and trappin expeditions in the fall and winter seasons, Hours wer was appointed inmpector of the election a large nunbor having killed along its banks that olii i ix boundes on the north by Patoka River, | Bear Creek derived its nun

[n peaks and hills which ari yond Wits two miles distint, Seuthwanl are Kennedy Snake Kuoh and Pigeons Summit, nine mi to the east Harbison's Hill within left his Tennessee h re which he both. role, sp behind. They traveled thin «d mine was struck. way for a while, and finally, he had an purposes is trade for an old Dearborn wagon; the bal ether portions trip they rode in it. The first ground broken by him the coal, after reaching this county, was with a de of this part of the county and his first crop of corn was tended with one ox. is given in the chapter on Geology. Farmer aud wife reared family of ten children who In the northern part along the Patoka River is a b womanhood. John A. is the eldest broad expanse of lowland, most of which is covered

In politics he was an old line Whig, He died over | the settlement of anew country. He and his wife were thirty-five years ago, at the age of sixty-three years. + both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

At the timo of his death considerable specie was stored | in an old trunk in one of the bed rooms, and two nights after the funeral had taken place, the house was entered and the trunk broken open and the money stolen, In those days money and valuables were kept in a more careless manner than now. 'The thieves escaped for the time being, and a few months after the occurrence, Dr. Lewis, of Princeton, then ou n business trip to New helped to discover two men who were sus pected of being the parties, and who had hurriedly left Gibson County, He caused their arrest, they wore Drought back, tried, and one of them sent to the peni. tentiary. The widow of Me. Farmer survived bim bout thirty years, Sho was for many years a member of the Baptist Church

John A., tho won of John and Elizabeth Farmer, was bor in this county on the 31st of May, 1998, His feduention was such ax could be obtained nt the common schools of the neighborhood. Ho has for yours I engaged in farming and sock trading, Me wns a | dier in the Inte war. His first wife was Martin J. Reavis, She war the daughter of Logan Reavis, one | of the ently nettles of Gibson County. the fruits | of that union, Mr. Farmer and wife hud born to thom | seven children, three sons anil four daughters; two chil dron aro deceased, After the donth of his test wife Mr. Farmor married Mrs. Mary E. Wallace, ner Aw the bote of that marriage they huve one son. Mr. Farmer bs in wetive Republican, und filled the ofice of constable for about twenty yours in the township in which he resides. | hiv Mr. Farmer, in tho your 1814, and wetlol in this township, whore ho lente up and mudo a His wife's was Amelia, 'They rented a ple, Mr. Dill is spoken of ns having boon u very strong | athletic pencenblo und friendly, but bravo nnd gouerows to fault, He would not take an insult when intentionally given, but would fight, old settlers termed it, "at the drop of n hat," m yonr 1860. His wife's death occurred n few yeuts prior. 'They are both buried at the old Forsythe graveyard- Mr. Dill was an old lino Whig aud Republican, und an opponent of the institution of slavery. During his carly residence in Tennessee he witnessed some slight depredations committed by the Indians, and after arr

Ferris Farmer was u son of John Farmer by his first wife. Ho and his three sisters were born in Middle Tennessee and they came here with their futher in 1814. On the 24th of January, 1899, Ferris Farmer married Lucretia Dill. She was born March 26, 1820. They had born to them a family of nine children, in the order of their ages, vizi - Minerva Jane, married J. W. Skelton; she is now dead. Mary A. died in infancy. Embree C. lives at the old homestead. Philomen J. deceased, Jolm Lu, decensed. Malisan A., the wife of Joseph M. Lahce. They reside in Kansas. Maletes A., wife of Harrison Fields, residents of Center Town- 'hip, and Joseph F., who lives short distance from the old home place. Mr. Farmor and wife were members of the M. E, Church; in politica he was à Whig and Republican His death took plazo on the 26th of February, 1801. His widow survived him until Aug. 6, 1867. ner, during life, was wn nective and energetic

Her father's relativ the Crow family, are among the pioneers of the county Mr, Farmer nnd wife have lind a family of six childre four of whom are dend, 'Those living are Eunice A. and Embree C, Farmer, Jr. In politics he is identifed with thie Republican party, and is one of the farmers and stock-raisera of Columbia Township. About 1818 came William Hopkins and famil They lived here several yours, then settled in the neighborhood of Princeton, Other early settlers were Adam

In 1830 the venerable William Hargrove, wife and family settled in Columbia a mile east of Onkland, where he lived until his death, which took place in 1816 or '47. His wife died the same Mr. Hargrove and wifo roared n family of fourteen children and several of his deseendants became prom of the county. M. G. C. Hargrove, om sides near Oakland, A grandson, William L. Har grove, exsheriff of Gibson County, lives in Oakland, Ho is the son of Jacob W. Hargrove. Further mention of this family is made in the Pioneer chapter. The Cockrum family are also identified with the early history of this township. Col. James W. Cockrum became a. citizen of Gibson County in 1818, settled on farm at what is now Francisco, and in 1827 purchased the farm vention of whom is made on another page of this houk, in the d Pioneers, Andrew was born at the 'old homestead near Owensville, in this eomnty, on the 19th day of February, 1825, and his early eduention was stich as could he obtained in the district school of that period, He remained with his parents, assisting 'on the farm, wntil the 84 of September, 1910, when he was married to Elvira, the daughter of John Wallace, By this union they have had one son ters deccm Willi nm. - a lawyer at Princeton, Jaars En t physician at Cy ana, Povey Conny, this stato, und Mas Norn, residing at home. There are very few parent special Tam: who have uteeuded so well us Al, Culo in giving tee children the benoffr of an education und making profesional For a that, Mr, aud Mrs. members of th Cumberland Presby. terion Chel, Unt sleequently they joined the Meth Episcopal Church, wd he was itm mental in building the chureh about n mile went fin ronidenee, He bel ofc of justice of tho penca foe venil yeu ud is among dw trepa of the con, tuagh He hus er Inc ann of poit cal union. On tho breaking of the Inte war le enlist in Company A, Filty-eih Regiment Juliana Wolter und partigipatod in many hund-fenght hut. " er til us Tli wf Siow Wer

Jul Wolle und family bo among tie ely erlernt he eomuty, Tle was of paros ti Vul, and ms with Mie parent to Vini to married Frances Taylor iu die sear 1405, afie which he and M» beide rowed w Ohio County, Kentucky, where he engi in milling em Creek, Mo was al by trade u carpenter nml cabinet maker, In year 1929 ho migrate with Ma family to County, ad settled in Une cd aix place which a now abun (o a hall milon went ings Staion, Tine of the E & T. IE IY 'The family lived. there for maler of years, th rancisco, where by dint of omnee they elenred und made another In 1855 ho moved to Section 28, Township 2 Sonth, Range 9, where he resided until his death, which took place on the 4th of October, 1825, aged seventy-three yeurs, widow survived over a year and di ib, at the age of sixty-nine 'They reared a lunge family of children, vite: - Nancy, Fraukli beth, Robert, John T., Willian, J

Warrick C d., the lutter to Kent Wallace und wife were both members o t Episcopal Church and he was for many yours n elas loader, He was a Whig and Republican, wud being strongly opposed to the institution of aluvery it wus the n of hiv leaving Kentucky. Mo was alsin hotanie doctor and was suecessful in the practi Hong his main occupation was that of a farrier Sohn Wallace, u son of John Wallace, was born in. Ohio County, Kentucky, in tho year 1816, and came to this county with his parenta, he was married three. times, His first wife was Naney King, 'The isu of that nnion was two children, Charles and Frances, both decensed. The wife was Nancy Taylor, Ono hid 1, John W. Walluce, who was a soldier im the lute war, is married and in farming and lives on Section 28, Mr. Wallace third wile was Julia Ann Reavis. As the fruits of this marriage they hu six children, three of whom are deut and three living, viz.: - Alexunder Ca, Corelin T. who married Aminda A. Foley, he i former md om Section 28, nd. Priscilla, the wife of Powers, ly reside at the old home place, |. Wallace died at the old homstend, Section 23, | of. April, 1990; bis widow still survives hi father, Willian ix nde in Ce ter Township.) Mr. Wall ly lifo vasa member 'of thu Methodist Episcopal Church, afterwards became of the United Brethren Church. Two of hix sons, Charles and John Wr, were soldiers in the lute wa The former diol wt The Dold family as it will he observes, though not pioners of the township, yet throuzh intetu urea some of the old resident families, have become idi fied here, and it is therefore proper that we make tiom of thom. John W. Dodd was n native of Ad County, Mlinois, born April à, 1920. After he grew to wulo he moved to Gibson County, and settled Fort Bra y the 5th of February, 19416, ihe was the daughter of George She was born in Baden, As will bo observed, the By family were Germans." In 1882 they emigrated to this country, landing at Baltimore, and in that city Mr. Byer and one daughter died. His widow married John G. Weller and they moved in 1397 to the neighborhood of Fort Branch in Gibson County. Mr. Dad wife had a family of thirteen children, five of whom are eeeasel. Those living, in the order of their births are, Samuel, resident of this county; Elizabeth Ana, wife of Thomas J. Catharine M., wife of Silas Harper, now living in Wabash County, John L; Emily J., wife of Joseph F. Farmor: Joseph E., James W., and George Fletcher Dodd. Mr. Dodd was a carpenter hy trade, but also curried on farming at the place where hin widow now resides. D.

f May, 1820, and came to Gibson parents in the year 1827. His fu "Thomas Williams and his mother's maiden name was Margaret Eston. She was a daughter of Samuel Eston. Thomas Williazas nnd his fu Township on Nash Creek southwest of Priuccto Thomas Williams' family consisted of nine children the onder of their uges, Simul A. was the third child. His wife died Aug. 1, 1817. He survived her until J uly 18, 1875. His death occurred at Princeton. Samnel A. Williams married Frances J. Wallace April 27, 1843. She Mr. Williams and wife have had a family of forte remarkable fact tat they are all stil

His son, Thoms J. Wilson, wus bora in Gibson County June 21, 1845. He was. soldier in the late war, mber of Company D, One Hnndred and Twentieth Regiment Indiuna Volunteers, uud participated in all the battles in which his regiment took a part. Dee. 31, 1869, ho married Elizabeth Dodd. She was the daughter of John W. Dodd - above mentioned. He and his wife ure both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They buve five children living. He is ope of the enterprising farmers of the towusl Un d tie in this township be monif: - James M. Steel is a native of y, born in the year 1881. Heis a farmer and stock raiser and a resident of Section 34. He married Priscilla Barrett. Martin A. Steel was also 1885. He married Elizabeth

Baldwin. He is a farmer and resident of Section 26. Archibald O'Neal was an early settler. He came here in 1899. He was a Tennessean by birth. He died April 25, 1841. His vocation was that of a farmer. His widow, who afterward married Hugh Watt, is still living and resides on the old home farm. She isa native of Lawrenceburg, Ohio, and came to this county in 1839. William J. Summers, a farmer and resident of Section 19, was born in this county in 1896. His frst wife was Cassander Heron. She died in August, 1863. His present wife is Mary Peed, me- Deadman. James Kennedy, Irishman by birth, becam a res dent here in 1848. His wife is Jane Martin. She was born in Gibson County in 1883 and is a memberof one of the early families. John V. Kell was bom in Chester District, South Carolina, in 1897. The names of bis parents were James and Jane (Sproule) Kell. His father was born in the year 1800; his mother in 1796. They were also natives of the state above men tioned. In 1827 they removed to Gibson County and settled a mile southwest of Princeton. Six years later removed to Wabash County, where the elder Kell died. The family returned to this county, and Mrs. Kell died in 1854. On the of September, 1849, John Y. murried Jane M. Gillespie. To them have been born six children. His wife died Feb. 16, 1876. He subsequently married Harriet Hooper, nre Skelton. Me. Kell has for many years been an elder of the U. P. Church, and is one of the well-to-do farmers of this township. William Nossett was born in Frederick County, Va., Nov. 6, 1818. Came here in 1815 and settled at Somers, near where Oakland now is, and established a blacksmith shop. Followed the trade two years then removed to near where he now resides. He 'was married Sept. 5, 1885, to Elizabeth Johnson. From this union were eight children. Mrs. Nossett died Oct. 12, 1855. The pareuts of our subjest were William Nossett and Delilah (Hickle) Nossett. They ha nine children - six boys and three girls. The old homestead was located ten miles from Winchestor, Va. All the children are deceased except William, who now, at the age of seventy-one years, is still engaged in farming in this township. Another resident is Martha Jane Eskew, whose first husband was Samuel J. Wakeland, and present husband John Eskew. Mr. Wateland died June 1, 1859. She was born in Warrick County, Tnd., and came here in 1859. John Eskew is a Kentuckian and became a resident in 1819. This township originally extended to the south line of the county 'and also comprised a portion of Center, and the early settlers living in those portions are mentioned in the sketches of those townships. Some of the early officers in Columbia, between the years 1825-99, were John Farmer, justice of the peace and James W. Cockrum, inspector of election for 1825 to 1826, and Thomas Potts and James Skelton"were constables from 1826 to

1829. Samnel Baldwin and Jacob Skelton were over: seers of the poor in 1825-26, The west y Brown and William Pearson had charge of the poor, and the same year Silas Edrington was appointed in. spector of elections. In 1828 William Devi 'MeDill attended to the wants of the poor, James Skelton and Silas Edrington sume ofice. In 1823 John Hargrove spector of elections and James W. Cockrum in 1829, and the same year Samuel Whitsitt was appointed constable, Cohmbia Township is well supplied with schools and churches and plenty of wagon roads, and her railroad facilities are as good as any other town ship in the county. The Louisville, Evansville & St. Lonis Railroad (Air Line) enters the township on Se tion 17, erossen the "Straight "Line at Oakland and leaves the township on Section 15 on the west. 'The 1 & E. R. Ra, familiarly "Straight Line" enters Columbia on the so 5 anl ex tends in a due northeasterly direction through the township, crossing the Patoka River om Section 3 Township 10, Tange M, At the city of Oakland i crosses the "Air Line is situated on the south bank of the Patoka River, he proprietors were William Carpenter amd Lame They Inid ont the town in March, 1851, on . Township 1, Ramse 8, and Section 6, Town Range 8. Iwas herethat the old Wabash & Ei id state rond crussed the Patoka River. Dongola was Haid ont with road st fonr to seventy-six feet wide. the town south of the river wis laid ont à public square. The mmes of the prineipal streets were Columbia, Locust, Chery, Canal, Walnut, Main and Mulberry. For a while this place bid town, Several business homses were established here, and for a few penes consid done is situated on a beatiful viuinenee, and commande an extensive view of the surrounding country, and is 19. tel in the midst of a rieh farming district, It has ample railroad facilities, the Lomisville, Evansville & St Louis, aud Indianapolis & Exmwville Ruilronds eros each other at this place, svi mann. fucturers and shippers direet communication with the principal cities and marts of trade, east and west nnd south. With these advantages und its h location, its prosperons growth simply a matter of time. It is twenty-sev northeast from Evansville, ninetf-u Louisville, 136 cast of St. L from Indianapolis. One of tl is, who sold his place in 1827 to Col. ues W. Cockrum. The place was afterward better known as the old Hargrove farm. Cockrum resided there until 1898, then went south and engaged im steamboating. In 1835 he returned and bought the land on which the greater part of Onkland now stands from Richard Barrett, his brother-in-law, who was living in a small enbin that stood abot one hundred feet northwest of where the Air Line sand house now stands. He lived in it for several years. Mr. Cockrum built two heavy hewed log cabins, built after the old style, with a large entry between. It stoo few yards west of where Abraham Cole now lives, n the First Baptist Church, where he and farmed a portion of the land that Oakland new stands on during the remainder of his life. His deth occurred in November, 1875. Another prominently identified with the early history of the place was Jacob W. Har grove, one of the founders of the town. He livel on his farm, cast of town, from early boyhood up to the time of his death, He was a Dor in leaf t» reco, a merchant, produce ant stock trader: also a miller. Tu 1855 the first stow grist wall was built by a stock company, consisting of James W. Cockrum, Jacob W. Hu 1.6. ©. Hargrove, Edward Crow, Willium M. Cockrum und Charles T. Shannon, It cost, when cor pleted, $8,000, und stood on what would now bo the morth part of town, on Mill Street fronting the railroad. Ti had four of burrs, The mill proved to be an un profitable investment, the county not then being im proved enonzh to support sneh a burge mill. Tt burned gether with n lange woolen factory, 'The same year Jacoh W. Hargrove and James W. Cock rum Imilt the first støre room. Tt stood a little north of the publie well, on Main Street, They establisho general country store, and it was the first stock of goods there. The stock cost $3 The Wabash was dao operation Dn Ta point to and a half miles worth of Oakland at the town of Dongola, on the Patoka Hiver. This wax the shipping point at that time for this community, At this tims considerable work had been done the Straight Line Railrond, and it was suppose that the world be completed very soon, nt its projectors became involved, hence they were compelled, in 1856, to suspend Imsinens entirely, and the work was aban a Messrs, Cockrum amd. Hargrove did an exten sive lines for those times ax merchants and ge traders, besides shipping flat boat loads of pork, vorn and flour out of the Patoka and Wabush Rivers. Piarren. Onkland was laid out hy James W. Cockrum and Warrick Hargrove, on art of the south st and part of the southeast quarters of Section 18, Township 2 senth, Range M. The streets und alleys "The plat was filed for record. on the 15th of

January, 1856, since which time several additions have been added to the original town. It was Oal land on account of the beautiful oak grove which eov. ered a portion of the site. From and after the town wis aid out it began to grow, and for the last ten years has incrensed quite rapidly in population an] wealth. The first blacksmith shop carried on here wis by Solomon Harris, in 1856, and the first carriage and wagon shop was established in 1857 by Franklin M. Rose. Jams MeCuin built the first cooper shop im 1857. It was operated in connection with the mill. It stood on the grounds now ocenpied by George Pritchett house. The barrels were then by staves and heading being split from the tree. person born

Mr. N. C. Crister opened the fiet furniture nud cabinet shop in the building wow owned by Mr. T. Robinson, on Main Street, in 1857. Considerable tobacco ws in 1857 Willinu M. Coekrar compres establish he grounds. where h dence now stands, and that year shipped two h hogshienda of tobacco om the canal from Dongola, on iude a large profit

Church stan the first eh meeting of thin society was held July 15, Jacob. Speer pastor, bat the church was 1950. It ix said that the first well dug the yanl of Vickers. t was dug in 1999, first physician whe practiced medicine in Oakland was Dr. William R. Leister, father of Dr. W. L. Leis- Me eame from Warrick settled here in 1971 the Independent was established, which wax the first newspaper here. The first school-house built was in IMO. The building is now used for a dwellul stands on the east side of Grove Street, taught the first sch 50-61, The present ig two stories in height, was erected hy a terprisimg citizens in 1964-09, at a cost of abont $4,000, It was called the Oakland Institute, and was ^ subscription school. The first superintendent was Prof. Lee Tomlin. Not proving to be a profitable inves was sold to the township in 1977, to be sed us a public school building. (For some of the data on the history of Oakland, we are indebted to an article published by N. A. Spillman, editor Oakland Enterprise.)

Maxcracronmo Exrenrrses. - The Columbia Mills among the important manufacturing enterprises of | the city. The building is a frame structure with three | stories and a stone basement, in size 40x80 feet, with boiler and engine room of brick 80440 feet. It is fitted up with the Stevens' roller process, and bas a capacity of 300 barrels of flour per day. There is also one run of bubrs for grinding corn meal. The mill was completed im 1889, and is now operated by the Columbia Milling Company, formed Aug: 6, 1883, and composed of John M. Klench, Allen Gray and William C. Rob- | Enote were completed in October, 1879, by the | present proprietors, Crow & Williams. The capacity | of this mill for making flour is sixty barrels per day.

'The barrel and stave heading factory of William M. Cockrum and Sons, located on the line of the Air Line Railroad, was built in 1882, and has a capacity of 25, staves, 25,000 set of hending per day, and they turn 'out 150 barrels per day. There is also a saw-mill oporated in connection with the business. The Oakland City Slack Barrel aud Heading Works was established in the spring of 1888, by Dryden, Conner and. MeClellem. It was quite an extensive establishment and was burned down in June, 1884.

Tile and Brick Works owned and operated by G. M. | Emerson, are located west of the Columbia Mill. TI | works comprise the Itest improvements and iv an im.

Robinson. Leeds, Doughty, manufacturer of grain cradles. David Ingle, proprietor of Ingle and Ayrshire nii Puoroonaruen. - John Foote. ano Tonacco Mexcuaxrs. - E. E. Bell, W. E.

'The Cockrum family uf Gibson County are of Seotch descent, and among the very early settlers of this part. of Indinun. Col. James W. Cockrum, the father of William M., was born in North Carolina in 1799. From there he removed to Tennessee, and in 1816 came to Gibson County, Ind. He settled near Francisco (the farm now owned by Capt. C. C. Whiting), but soon after removed to a farm east of Oakland, where he 4 for many years, He subsequently removed on a fura where the town of Oakland now stands, where he remained until his death in 1875. He was in the early * training day" colonel of the militia, and he wore the title with becoming dignity ever after. He was u man 'of umusval intelligence and business capacity, and for ten years followed stenmboating on the lower rivers, He the owner of two steamboats, and also owned amil ran a grent number of flat bonta that carried produce to New Orleans and other Southern leurly to him that the basis npon which it rest the future security of our free institutions wax the general knowledge and education of the masses, and that a free and liberal system of schools was the best safeguard of our liberties. 'Therefore any propon that direction found in him an en st supporter. Ho believed thut the masses could not he educated too The Oakland Institute stands ns a mor educational enterprise and liberality in legislature, first in 1848 aud agai an active promoter and one of the first directors of the Air Lino Railroad. He was a firm temperance man, and with the aid of his two sons kept Oakland free from saloons until 1881.

Mr. Cockrum was twice married. His first wife was Sarah Barrett, a native of South Carolina. By that 'union is James M. Cockrum the sole survivor. He was born in 1828. He followed the bent of his father's mind in regard to educational matters, and has done much for the schools of bis vicinity. He was also 'among the first business men of Oakland. In 1861 he abandoned mercantile pursuits and promptly shouldered his musket and went to the front in the defense of the imperiled liberties of his country. After the war he re-engaged in merchandising, and subsequently studied law and engaged in real estate business, in which he still continues. After the death of his wife Col. James W. Cockrum married Judah P. Barrett, sister of his first wife and daughter of William Barrett. Col. William M. is the only survivor of that union. He was bom Dec. 8, 1887, on the old Cockrum homestead, now the center of Oakland City. He is a self-made man, 'There was but poor opportunity in his youth for receiving an education. At the breaking out of the late war he enlisted in Company F of the Forty-second Regi- with his regiment, and continued in the service until the close of the war. In the battle of Chickamauga he was desperately wounded, an ball passing throngh. his body at the hips. He was captured lying on the battle field and taken to Libby prison, where his wound received insufficient treatment at the hands of rebel surgeons, After suffering untold miseries his rugged and strong frame brought him throngh but left for Me, In his younger years be engaged E brother in a general store and produce busi ie. They dealt very largely in pork and leaf tobacco, After the war he engaged in agricultural pursuits, and ater in stave manufacturing. Col Cockrum in respecta is a typical western man, imbued with that vim, enterprise and push so characteristic of the free sons of the West. He has done more, perhaps, to build up the town of Oakland than any other resident. On the Sth of October, 1866, he was united in m miage to Miss Lucretin, daughter of John and Mary y Neil) Harper. She is also of Scotch-Irish descent. ue children have been born to them. Their names in the order of their birth are: - John B., who is a lawyer and member of the law firm of Handy, Arm strong & Cockram, of Boonville, in Warrick County, the leading law firm in that county; Ella Clara C., who is the wife of T. M. Campbell; Willie, dead: Oliver M., Zoe, Mary, James W. and M. Cockrum. Mrs. Cockrum is a very earnest worker in the cause of Christianity, a member of the General Baptist Church, 'and does all she can to promote and forward the interest of that religious denomination. Politically Col. Cockrum has, since-casting his first vote, been an ardent Republican.

family are the descendants of that hardy and remarkable race of men known as Scotch-Irish." McGowan, the grent grandfather of the present family, was à native of the north of Ireland, bom of Protestant parentage. He was one of the Irish patriots that joined O'Connell and the ill-fated Emmet in the uprising to free Ireland from thetyranny of England. To escape imprisonment Mr. McGowan fled to America and settled in the Caro- Jinas and there died. Of his offspring was David, the grundiather of Willian J. He moved to Pulaski County, Kv, and there raised a large f abo of Scotch-Irish ancestry. were ten sons and two daughters. The fourth son was ` father of Doctor McGowan. He was born in Pulaski County, Ky., in 1794, and there died May 8, 1892, aged eighty-eight years. He wan volunteer in the Indian wars in 1812. Mr. Haynes, the maternal grandfather, was a soldier under Gen. Jackson and was in the battle of New Orlenus. Samuel was twice married. His first wife was Martha Back, She died leaving four sons and four daughters. Mr. McGowan rently married Mary Haynes, daughter of Johu and Margery Haynes. She was bor in Wayne Ky. and is yet living ou the old MeGowan homestead. By this latter union there were eleven children - six sons and five daughters. William J. the eldest of the children by the latter marriage. He was born Oct, 1, 1888, He was raised on the farm and eduented yin Wayne County. He read medicine under Dr. W.W. D. Lair, of Russell County, Ky., and soon after entered the med- ical department of the University of Louisville and graduated therefrom in 1848 with the degree of M. D. He commenced the practice in Mintonville, Cusey County, Ky., and continued there until in April, 1808, when he came to Princeton, in this county, and prac ticed there for several months. During his stay there he went to Memphis and Vicksburg in obedience to a call from Gov. Morton for physicians to attend the

1808, he came to Oakland City and here he hus re mained to the present. On the 26th of October, 1855, he married Miss Delila J. Rainey, danghter of Nelson Ellen (Crisp) Rainey. Mrs. MeGownn was horn in Wayne County, Ky. parents were of Scotch-Irish descent, natives of the Carolinas, and from there removed to Kentucky. Five children have been born to Mr. aud Mrs. McGowan, one living Joh W., who is a physician and graduate of the medical department of ville Univesity. Both the doctor and hin embers of the Christi zealous Mason aud a member of the subordinate lodges, a Knight Templar and member of the Consistory of Ancient Scottish Rite Masonry. He holds membership with Onkland City Lodge, No. 476, Princeton Chapter, B. A. M., No. 75, Vincennes Com: mandery, K. T., No. 20, Indiana Consistory No, 8, P

R. S. Politically he is n Democrat. In 1870 ho represented Gibson County in the legislature. While a member of that body he was chairman of the e

The Mason family are of Seotch ances Mason, the grandfather of George C., was a native of otland and emigrated to A Winchester, W. Va., where ried Elizabeth Martin, daughter of John and Jane (Steel) Martin. She was a mative of Gibson County. Her parents were of Irish descent and her father a ative of South Carolina and her mother of Kentad Mrs. Mason died Nov. IZ, 1883, There were ten children the offspring of the union of Rezin and Elizabeti (Martin) Mason, seven of whom are still living. G the eldest of the family. He was born in Gibson County, Ind., Jan, 21, 1948. His primary ed- Mention was received in the district schools of his neighborhood, His father dying while he was yet young, he being the eldest, the care and responsibilities of the family, in a great measure, devolved upon há li presented hi ng such an education. schools us he desired; but by self eulture he himself us a tench absequently entered the State University at Bloomington and pursued a classical remained in thet institution for two years.

He then engaged in teaching and wasat different times principal of the high school at Fort Branch, Hazleton, and associate principal of the Oakland normal school. He determined to study medicine and adopt that profession as the business of his life, and with this idea in sw, commenced the study in the office of Drs. Dow & Genung, of Fort + He soon after entered the Miami Medical College at Cincinnati and took one full course, then the next season entered the Indiana Medical College st Indianapolis and graduated from that institution with the degree of M. D. In 1879 he commence the practice in Oakland, where he still continues. is a member of the Gibson County and Tri-State Medical Societies. On the 17th of July, 1873, he married Miss Elizabeth Henderson, daughter of W. and Jane Henderson. She is a native of Ohio, Two children have been born to them, whos names are Gertie and Gracie Mason. Both he and his wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church. Politically he is a zealous Republican. In 1880 he was elected to represut. Gibson County in the state legislature, and while a member of that body served on several important committees, one of which was the Ways and Means Committee. He at present is president of the school board of Oakland City. He is philanthropic and is always eager to take hold of anything 'that will entrance the interests of the public.

Editor and proprietor of the Oakland Futerprise, was bom in Gi diana, Sept. 25, 1853. The Spillmans on the patertal side are of German descent.

day. He was a physician and practiced medicine in Columbia Township. When the war broke out he enlisted in Company G, of the Fifty-eighth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He entered as a private and rose through the intermediate grades to exptain of the e During his term of service he contracted chronic diarrhea and was honorably discharged from the service on account of the disease, in the latter part of 1862, und died from its effects the following year. He married Martha Hanks, native of Warrick County,

Ind. She still survives her husband and a resident of this county. Nicholas A. is the eldest of three chi dren. He was reared in the con is education year. At that period he went to Princeton and apprenticed himself to the printers trade. He served three years on newspaper work and fonr years learning job work in the office of the Clarion. After that time he worked in different offices in the county and at Evansville. The greater portion of the time, nearly four years, he was in the Drmorrat office in Princeton. the 34 day of July. 1880, he went to Oakland and established the Oakland Enterprise, whieh he still continues He is a Republican in polities,

On the 20th of December, 1878 he was united in wedlock to Miss Mary Coleman, native of Tennessee, but a resident of Princeton at the time of her marriage. Three children have been bora to them whose names, in the order of their Wirth. are: - Arthur K., Carl C. and Nettie Maud Spillman. He is a member of the Masonic Order and holds membership with Oakland City Lodge, No. 467, and the beneficiary order of A. 0. U. W., Princeton Lodge No. 76.

William L. Hargrove

'The Hargrove family were pioneers in this section of the state. William Hargrove, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was of Dutch descent and a ive of South Carolina. He moved from there t Kentucky, and in November, 1808, came to the Territory of Indiana and settled on a tract of land now owned by Robert Mitchell. He married Sallie Jasper. Of that union was Jacob Warrick Hargrove, the father of William L. He was born in Warrick County, Ind., in 1821, and there grew to manhood und moved to a farm mile east of Oakland city, where he died, April 5, 1879. In his life he was an active mun, carrying on n | large business of different kinds. The firm of Hargrove

& Trippet, pork stock shippers, was widely known, as was also the mercantile firm of Hargrove & Cockrina. He the first business house in the city of Oakland. He engaged extensively in live stock busimess and farming - im short, was the life and energy of Oakland and vicinity. He married Mrs. America JGarret, wor Cockrum. She was born near the village of Francisco. By ber formor marriaze she hud two E amed Mary C., wife of Jahn J. Walker, of Rockville, Ind. By her union 'with J. W. Hargrove there were five children, who bave survived the purents. Their names are William L. Martin, wife of A. P. Strain, Frances C. A. Steel, Jacob W. and Laura A., wife of George E Burbauk subject of this sketch was wis County, X.C. son, Jolm Jarrett, was a native of the same place. Me came. to Warrick County, Tud., in 1812. He followed mercantile pursuits at Millersburg, and subsequently at Lynuville and there died in June, 1882. He Margaret Rough, a native of N

County. Lawrence W. is the fourth in a family of niue. children. He was born in Warrick County, In 11, 1845. He received a liberal education in the district schools and several terms in the Northwestern Christian University, at Indianapolis. After his school

County. On the 27th of December, 1871, he was united in marriage to Miss Aggbella Stewart Donald, danghtor of Hon. Alexander C. and Nancy K. (Duncan) Donald. Mr. Donald was a Scotchman by birth, and a distinguished lawyer anl advocate known throughont the state of Indiana. There have been four children born to Mr. aud Mrs. Hargrove, whose names in the order of their birth are Donald, America B., William T. and y irgrove is most soundly indoctrinated with the tenets and principles of the Democratic party. He's an active and zealous member of that political organization, and has followed its wavering fortunes through good and evil report from the time he cast his first vote to the present. In 1878 his fidelity to his party and worth as a man and citizen received. honorable recognition by being nominated and elected sheriff of Gibson County. In 1830 he was nominated by acclamation, but was defeated by thirty-five votes, although he ran one hundred and forty votes ahead oí his ticket. In 1882 he was again a candidate, and the election resulted in a tie vote, but owing to a miscount opponent, and a certificate wax issued to him. Mr. Hargrove secured a recount which showed the result to be a tie, but as the certificate ha alrexly been issued to Mr. Chambers, Mr. Wargrose's only re- 'course was to contest the election, which he declined to do, as it involved too much time and trouble. He, however, in these elections, demonstrated that he was n strong and popular candidate in whom his party had

the of May, 1867, he married Miss Minerva, daughter of Samel and Anna Hart, a native of Warrick County, Ind. ildren have been born to them. TI

Source changes here: from History of Gibson County, Indiana : Her People, Industries and Institutions, with Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families, by Stormont, Gil R, published 1914; 880 words in this source stream.

Columbia Township

At the September term, 1823. the Gibson county board of justices created Columbia township, and the first election was held on the October following.

This township is bounded on the north by the Patoka river, on the east by Pike county, south by Barton township and west by Center. Coal and stone are found in various quantities throughout this township. The lantl is rich and productive and is drained by the Patoka river and its tributaries, including Keg and Bear creeks, Bucks, Hurricane, South fork of the Patoka and Turkey creeks.

Early .Settlements

The earlv settlers of Columbia township subsisted largely on the game which was then plentiful in the surrounding forest. Bears were very numerous and many of them were killed.

John Farmer, a native of the Old Dominion, was one of the earliest settlers of the township. He was a farmer and had the distinction of introducing the first Durham cattle and Berkshire hogs into this locality. Philemon Dill, a Scotch-Irishman from Tennessee, came to this township in 1814, and his family is still prominent in Oakland City and vicinity. William Hopkins and family, John Wallace, James M. Steel, William J. Summers, William Nossett, James W. Cockrum, Samuel Baldwin, Jacob Skelton were others among the pioneers of this section.

Oakland City

Situated at the crossing of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois and the Southern Railroads, the town of Oakland City has grown to be the second town in the county, in size, commercial standards and importance. The present population is two thousand three hundred and seventy, and it is an incorporated town, the town having been made such in 1885.

Jesse Houchins was one of the earliest known residents in this town, followed by many others whose families are yet identified with the interests of Oakland. The first steam grist-mill was built in 1855 by a stock company, and cost eight thousand dollars. Jacob W. Hargrove and James W. Cockrum built the first store room. Cockrum and Warrick platted the town on January 15, 1856, and since then there have been many additions made. Solomon Harris had the first blacksmith shop, Franklin Rose the first wagon shop, these during the year 1857. The first person born in the present city limits was D. C. Barrett, in 1827. W. M. Cockrum and J. W. Hargrove opened the first harness shop, also a shoe shop. X. C. Crister had the first furniture and cabinet shop. The Oakland cemetery was laid out in 1855 by James W. Cockrum. The first resident physician of Oakland was Dr. William R. Leister. The Independent of 1871 was the first newspaper. The first school house was constructed in i860, and J. M. Henderson was the first teacher. Among the early manufactures which flourished and up to 1885, were the Columbia Mills, the agle Mills, barrel and stave heading factory, tile and brick works.

The present officers of Oakland City are : Councilmen, Fred Schrentrup, Rudolph P. Smith. Elwood Burkhardt; clerk-treasurer is Ed. Redman; and the marshal is Ellis Montgomery. The town owns a town hall, which was built in 191 1 at a cost of $3,550. There are twelve men and one chief ip the fire department, which is maintained by actual fire runs. There is one combination wagon in the equipment. The city owns its own water company, which is named the Oakland City Water Company, supplying the town from an artificial lake. The company organized in 1903, and the plant is worth $40,000. The Oakland City Electric Light and Power Company, incorporated, is valued at $32,000. Light is supplied about five hundred patrons, and thirty-two street lights are kept. The city pays an annual sum of about two thousand dollars to the corporation.

The First National Bank was organized in 1889, and reorganized in 1909. The first officers were J. J. Murphy, president; J. F. VanZandt, vicepresident; W. L. West, cashier. The first capital was $25,000. The present officers are: W. L. West, president; L. J. Deutsch, vice-president; Alvin Wilson, cashier. The capital is $50,000, the surplus, $6,000, and the deposits, $375,500.

The Columbia State Bank was organized in 1903, with a capital of $25,000. The first officers were John D. Kell, president; J. W. Skeavington, vice-president; C. A. Simon, cashier. The present capital is the same, also the officers, with the exception of cashier, who is now W. T. Creek. The surplus is $9,000, and the deposits, $160,000. The liank building was erected in 1903, and cost $2,000.

While the Miscellaneous chapter speaks of the platting of this place, it is well here to refer to the fact that it was platted by James W. Cockrum and Warrick Hargrove, on part of the southwest and part of the southeast quarters of section 18, township 2, range 8. The streets and alleys are wide. This plat was filed of record January 15, 1856. It was originally known and recorded as Oakland on accotmt of the beautiful grove of oaks which covered a portion of its site. But later it was changed to Oakland City, there being another Oakland postoffice in Indiana already.

Other chapters speak in detail of schools, churches and lodges, hence will not here be inserted, but suffice to say these are all well represented in this modern little city in the "Kingdom of Gibson."