Andrew
Fife
Andrew Fife was born in Louisville,
KY. Aug. 29, 1841, and is a son of John & Elizabeth Wright Fife;
the former a native of IN., and the latter of Germany, but came to
America with her parents when quite young, she died in 1885, at an
advanced age. The elder Fife, though a farmer, was also a river man and
followed steam boating at intervals, and while his children were yet
small he died suddenly of cholera. He married Elizabeth Wright, and to
them were born 3 children, of which Andrew Fife, this subject was
eldest. Andrew Fife, after the death of his father, secured a home with
his uncle, Henry C. Wright, where he continued to reside until he was
grown, and thus was reared on a farm, receiving such education as the
times afforded. When the war broke out he entered the service of the
government, and first was employed as a teamster. After following this
branch of the service nearly a year, he returned home and enlisted in
the 49th Regiment 3rd IN, Calvary, Co. M. march 23, 1862, and was
discharged July 25, 1865, at the expiration of his term of service.
Among the engagements he was in were: Greenville, TN. Chickamauga,
Macon, GA. Marietta, Louisville, GA. Savannah, Goldsboro, N.C. and went
with Sherman in his “March to the Sea.” Was one of Sherman’s escorts at
the surrender of Col. Joe Johnson. After the close of the war he
returned to his home in Harrison Co. and resumed the plow. He was
married Oct. 22, 1867, to Miss Elizabeth Brower, a daughter of Solomon
Brower, formerly of Hamilton Co., Ohio, and was born Dec. 6, 1846. To
Mr. & Mrs. Fife were born 8 children, Stella. Born Apr. 3, 1869;
Annie Jan. 27, 1871; William J. Nov. 15, 1873; Charles Dec. 22, 1876;
Perry Jan. 13, 1880; Alice march 20, 1882; John Apr. 23, 1884 &
Alvey, Jan. 4, 1888. Annie died Apr. 12, 1871, and William J. died Dec.
31, 1873. Mr. is a well respected citizen and thorough and prosperous
farmer.
Abraham
Fleshman
Abraham Fleshman, a prominent farmer
of Washington Township, Harrison Co. was born Sept, 19, 1825, and is a
son of Ephriam & Rosanna Sonner Fleshman, natives of VA. The former
emigrated to KY., in 1804, where he lived 2 years, then removed to
Harrison Co. IN., where the remainder of his life was spent. He raised
a family of 5 children, of which Abraham, the subject was the 3rd. In
1850 Mr. Fleshman was married to Miss Mary Jane Burford, a native of
IN. They had had 6 children, George W.; Lyman S.; Simon
E.; Arthur C.; Charles L.; and Aquilla D. George W. &
Simon E. are dead. Lyman S. is a merchant at Mauckport; Arthur C. is
teacher; Charles L. is attending school at Lebanon and Aquilla is at
home on the farm.
Mr. & Mrs. Fleshman are consistent members of the Methodist Church
at Mauckport.
Henry
Clay Fouts M.D.
Henry Clay Fouts M.D. was born at
Bradford, Harrison Co. IN, Oct. 21, 1843. After attaining a good
comm0on school education, in 1864, he began the study of medicine under
Dr. Joseph Ellis of Bradford. He attended his 1st course of medical
lectures at Miami College, Cincinnati, Ohio, and graduated from the
medical department of the University of Louisville, Mar. 4, 1870.
In the following year begun his practice in Orange Co. IN, and a year
later removed to Lanesville where he has succeeded in building up a
very fine practice.
He has twice been married, Oct. 8, 1865 to Miss Eliza Ellis, daughter
of Dr. John Ellis of Hardinsburg, Washington Co. IN. her death occurred
in 1881, leaving him with 3 children: Carrie M., Charles V., and Iola
E. His second wife was Miss Ella Cravens, to whom he was married June
12, 1887, is a daughter of James A. Cravens, a prominent farmer and an
ex-congressmen residing near Hardinsburg.
Dr. Fouts’ father was David Fouts, a North Carolinian by birth, and
came to Harrison Co. in 1816. He was born in 1803 and died in 1883. His
mother was Miss Belinda Burns. His farm of 225 acres near Hardinsburg,
is fine and well improved land.
Harvey
Frakes
Harvey Frakes was born in this county
Jan. 27,1824, and is a son of Conrad & Margaret Priestland Frakes,
natives of IN., and KY. Respectively; former died here in 1836, and his
widow 1863. Harvey Frakes, whose name stands at the head of this sketch
was the youngest of 9 children born to his parents. His early life was
spent on the farm, and he attended the schools of the neighborhood. At
the age of 14 he was apprenticed to John Frakes, his older brother, to
learn the cooper’s trade. He served out his time and followed the
business, together with farming, until reaching manhood, when on the
23rd of Aug. 1849 he married to Miss Ella Lemmon, a daughter of Elias
& Mary Fando Lemmon, th4e former an Indiana native and the latter a
Kentuckian. Elias Lemmon followed flat boating a good deal, and in Dec.
1847, he fell from a flat boat below Baton Rouge, LA., and was drowned.
His widow died in Apr. 1863. In Dec. 1861, Harvey Frakes enlisted in
Co. K 59th Vol. Infantry. He veteranized in 1863, and served until the
close of the war, being discharged July 17, 1865. He then returned home
and resumed farming. Mr. & Mrs. Frakes have had 10 children, Mary
S., Martha E., Sarah C. , Emma L., Ralph E., Anna B., Ola M., Ada L.,
Sue K., Otto M., all of whom are living
John
A. Fravel
John A Fravel was born in Harrison
Co. March 13, 1824, and is a son of William & Elizabeth Weaver
Fravel, both natives of VA. And from Shenandoah County. They came to
Indiana and settled in Harrison Co. in the latter part of 1824, when
John A. Fravel, the subject was just an infant. The elder Fravel was a
blacksmith by trade, and carried on a shop here for years, and also
followed farming to some extent.
John A. Fravel, the subject of this sketch, was reared on a farm and
educated in the common schools, which were then not nearly so thorough
as they are now. He was married June 26, 1856 to Rebecca Duley a
daughter of John & Rebecca Duley, natives of KY. They have had 7
children,
Mary E., William E., John Henry, Charles E., Cora E., James W., and
Nora A. The 3 eldest Mary William & John are married. Mr. Fravel
owns 160 acres of well improved land.
He raises considerable stock and also devotes some attention to stock
raising. He is a member of the United Brethren Church.
John
L. Frank
John L. Frank, a farmer and fruit
grower of Washington Township, was born in Harrison Co., Aug. 14, 1827,
and is a son of George & Catherine Hardsaw Frank, and is a grandson
of Martin frank, one of the prominent pioneers of the county, coming in
1812 from Rowan Co. North Carolina, where he was born. His maternal
grandfather, John Hardsaw, was a native of the same county in 1809,
locating on a farm in Washington township, where he continued to farm
till his death in 1858. George frank was born in North Carolina, was
hatter by trade, but soon gave up work at his trade after coming to the
county, choosing farming as an occupation, and continued up to his
death in 1854. he reared a family of 11 children. Julia A., Eliza,
William T., Catherine & Ambrose are deceased. Ambrose was a surgeon
in 66th Indiana Vols. and was killed before Atlanta Aug. 11, 1864. John
L. Andrew J. martin & George W. are the living children. John L.
Frank was married to Margaret Brandenburg, a daughter of David
Brandenburg, a member of a prominent KY. Family, and settled in
Harrison County from that State many years ago.
Mr. & Mrs. Frank have had born to them 15 children of whom 10 are
living: J.C. a lawyer at York, Neb. Belle, Charles F. a lawyer at
Hollyoke, CA. Abraham L. Wallace, Anna Hannah, Catherine, John L. and
Amanda G.
Mr. Frank has held the office of township assessor for 2 terms. He was
a member in the original organization of the school board, and served
as clerk in that body for 2 consecutive terms, and for the
congressional district organization he also served 2 years. From 1865
to 1869, Mr. Frank held the office of township trustee. He is a member
of the I.O.O.F. # 529 Lodge New Amsterdam, and a member of the Knights
of Honor Lodge #506 at New Amsterdam, and is a member of the M.E.
Church. A Republican in politics. His farm contains 160 acres, 60 acres
of which being in a fruit orchard.
Col.
George W. Friedley
Col. George W. Friedley, Attorney for
Louisville, New Albany & Chicago Railroad, was born in Harrison Co.
IN. Jan 1, 1840. He was a son of John M. & Sophia Thestund
Friedley. His father was a farmer, of German descent, and emigrated
from KY to IN., in 1816. George W. Friedley, received his early
education in the ordinary schools of Harrison Co. and afterward at the
Hartsville University, from which he graduated at the age of 20, after
taking a full scientific course. On leaving the University he commenced
reading law with Judge John R. Morrledge, of Clorinda, Iowa. After
studying 2 years, the war breaking out, he entered the army as a
private in Co.K. 4th Iowa Infantry. He was immediately elected first
lieutenant and served 1 year, when he was compelled to resign on
account of ill health, returning to Indiana. In May 1862, he entered
the 67th IN. Infantry, was elected Captain of Co. T, of that regiment,
and from that time was actively engaged until the close of the war,
serving with distinction throughout. During the 47 days siege at
Vicksburg he was at the capture of Jackson. The 13th Army Corps, to
which he belonged, was then transferred to the Army of the Gulf. At the
close of the Vicksburg campaign the colonel of the regiment was
mustered out on account of absence, and Capt. Friedley, although the
youngest Captain in the regiment, was elected in his place. The colonel
afterward returning, however was reinstated. He was then on the Gulf,
in the Red River campaign, at the siege and capture of Fort Gaines and
Fort Blakely, the last pitched battle of the war, Apr. 9, 1865; a
consequence of the fall was the capture of Mobile. He then, with the
regiment, marched to TX, and was mustered out at the close of the war.,
in August following. He returned to Indiana in the fall, and settled in
Bedford in the practice of law, where he remained up to 1884, when he
was appointed to his present important position, and has since resided
in Lafayette, IN. and has since given his entire time to the road. Col.
Friedley was noted as one of the most celebrated commercial lawyers in
Indiana. In 1870 he was elected to the lower house of the Legislature
and served on the Judiciary Committee of the House during that session.
With others, he induced 34 members to resign, thereby frustrating a
measure brought by the Democratic Party to defeat Governor Morton. In
1872 he was elected to the senate, over Judge Frank Wilson, deceased,
for Monroe and Lawrence counties, designated “The University District”
At the special sessions of the Legislature convened in Nov. following,
there being a vacancy in the office of Lieutenant Gov., he was elected
President of the Senate. He served through a term of 4 years as
Senator. In the campaign of 1876 he was chairman of the Republican
State Central Committee, and in 1880 delegate at large at the Chicago
Convention. In politics he was an ardent Republican. In person he
presented an imposing appearance, being 6 feet 3 inches in height and
well built and proportioned. He was a ready speaker. He was married Jan
16, 1867 to Miss Edith M. Kelly, daughter of one of the oldest and most
prominent merchants of Bedford. They had 4 daughters. Such is the
history of one of Indiana’s truly representative men. His death
occurred at Bloomington, in Feb. 1889.
Major
Wetherford Funk
Major Wetherford Funk is a son of
Reuben & Lucinda Spencer Funk and was born Oct. 29, 1849. His
father was of German descent, was a farmer by occupation, a man of
sterling traits of character and moral worth, always taking advanced
ground upon questions of agricultural pursuits and educational
questions, was the old VA. stock, his parents having emigrated from
that State directly to Indiana in its early history.
His mother , Lucinda Spencer, was of English descent, and a daughter of
James Spence Esq. who was prominent in the political history of his
county and State, and was a leading farmer of his time.
Hon. M.W. Funk, the subject of this sketch, was reared upon the old
homestead in Crawford Co. and spent his early life upon the farm, and
engaged in agricultural pursuits and attending common schools of his
native county until, at age 17, he began to teach in the common
schools. But early in life such tasted was displayed for literary
pursuits, that at the age of 18 he quit the farm and used the means
procured as teacher to defray the necessary expenses of a collegiate
education, and at once entered the State University at Bloomington, and
completed in that institution the Select Literary Course and graduated
from the Law Department, with honor and distinction in 1875. In debt
for part of the money spent in his education, but not discouraged,
young Funk was immediately after graduating, admitted to the bar in
Corydon, and earnestly entered upon the practice of his chosen
profession, that of the Law. By hard work and close application he rose
rapidly into public favor and distinction at the bar, until in 1882, he
was nominated by the Democratic Party, on sharp competition, for
Prosecuting Attorney of the 3rd Judicial Circuit of Indiana and was
elected to that office by a landslide majority, and nominated and
re-elected in 1884.
In this office Mr. Funk found the time in which to display the gift of
oratory, and natural and acquired ability as a lawyer that he is so
well known to possess often times in the important criminal cases of
that period being pitted alone against the ablest advocates of the
district and State but always fearless in the discharge of his
official duty, able in debater, resolute and courageous in actions, has
been unusually successful in the prosecution of criminals.
When he retired from that office in 1886, he had won for himself a
reputation as a lawyer that placed him at once as head of the
profession in the district and State, and now holds a high place in
their esteem and confidence of all good people.
Mr. Funk is now a member of the bar of the Supreme Court of Indiana and
the United States District Court, and enjoys a large and lucrative
practice in his own and other district courts of Southern Indiana &
Louisville, KY.
Until after the election of 1876, Mr. Funk was in politics a
Republican, but what he terms, the Presidential steal of that year
caused him to change his politics, and is now and has been since that
year a prominent in Democrat councils, always taking an active part in
the canvass upon the stump. His name is now the only one prominently
mentioned for Judge of the 3rd Judicial Circuit of Indiana, as the
successor of Hon. Wm. T. Zenor.
His eminent and admirable qualifications and fitness for this high and
honorable position, as well as the fact that he will be nominated and
elected, is now generally conceded.
He was married June 18,1876 to Miss Annice C. Wyman, of Martinsville,
Washington, Co. Indiana a lady of rare attainments and social worth.
They with their daughter Fannie aged 10 years own and occupy the most
elegant and newly furnished residence in the beautiful little town of
Corydon, their adopted home
Dr.
Zachary T. Funk
Dr. Zachary T. Funk, was born June
29, 1847 in Crawford Co. IN. His parents are Reuben & Lucinda
Spencer Funk, were also natives of Crawford Co. the father being a
farmer. The family was originally from VA. migrated from that state to
KY., thence to Indiana.
Dr. Z.T. funk, after receiving a common school education in the
neighborhood in which he was born and reared, attended the State
University to junior year, and graduated from Ohio State Normal
college, at Lebanon, Ohio, Business College.
He studied medicine under Dr. Hazelwood, of Valeene, Orange County, IN.
graduating from KY., school of Medicine in 1876.
He began the practice of his profession in Dubois Co. He removed to
Georgetown, Floyd Co. and from there to Harrison Co. in 1877,
practicing his profession at Elizabeth for 10 years.
In Nov. 1886, he was elected treasurer of Harrison Co. as a Republican,
over Patrick Griffin, by 126 majority, and served in that capacity for
2 years.
He is a member of the I.O.O.F., highly esteemed for his abilities in
the medical profession, very popular among the people, and a faithful,
competent public official. In 1877, Dr. Funk was united in marriage to
Miss Mary Summers, of Georgetown, Floyd Co. IN.
He was a member of Company F., 59th Indiana Infantry, during the war of
the Rebellion, enlisting in 1864, and serving until the close of the
war. He was in the battle of Kinston, N.C. and in a number of small
engagements.
James
R. Funk
James R. Funk, lawyer, was born in
Crawford Co. In. Dec. 30,1847, and is a son of John J. & Nancy
Spencer Funk, the latter a daughter of James Spencer, of South
Carolina, and a pioneer of Indiana. The subject’s paternal grandfather,
John funk, was a Virginian, and settled in Crawford, Co. in a very
early day. James R. Funk, the subject of this sketch, was reared
on a farm until 15 years of old, when he enlisted in the 6th Indiana
Regiment, as a private. The regiment was known as the “Border Guards”
and was out on duty some 6 months. Mr. Funk received a liberal
education. After taking a commercial course at Lebanon, Ohio, he
entered the State University, at Bloomington, where he spent 2 years,
and one year in the law department, from which he graduated in 1876 in
law. He began practice at once at Fredricksburg, IN. where he remained
about 6 years, then removed to Corydon and formed a co-partnership with
Mr. Major W. Funk. They have one of the finest and best furnished law
offices in the State of IN., and have a large and lucrative practice.
Mr. Funk was married in 1876, to Miss Ella House, of North Lewisburg,
Ohio. They have 4 children. He is a member of the Masonic order, and a
staunch member of the Republican party.
W.E.
Funkhouser
W.E. Funkhouser, an influential
farmer of Heath Township, is a descendant of good old Virginian
families. He was born in Harrison Co. Apr. 7, 1850. His parents David
& Malinda Wiseman Funkhouser, were both born in Harrison Co, and
the father of David Funkhouser was among the earliest settlers in the
county, coming as early as 1815 from VA., and here combined farming and
blacksmithing as his vocation which he continued till his death in 1829.
David Funkhouser was born in 1819; is one of the leading farmers of the
county.
He stands well as a citizen and is a leading member in the Christian
Church. His maternal grandfather, William Wiseman, also a Virginian by
birth, and located in the county about 1819, he was a leading farmer of
his day and a consistent member of the M.E. Church. His death occurred
in 1863.
Wm. E. Funkhouser was reared on the farm, educated in the schools of
the county, and was married in 1881 to Miss Bessie Frank, daughter of
Thomas Frank, a prominent farmer of the county, a member of the M.E.
Church. Mr. Frank’s death occurred in 1879. Of this marriage 4 children
are living: Frank, Elmer, Belle, and Rose.
Mr. Funkhouser’s farm of 150 acres is located 3 miles northwest of
Mauckport, where he resides. He is a member of the Congregational
Church, and is also a member of the Knights of Honor.
E.A.
Grable
E.A. Grable was born in Harrison Co.
Indiana July 10, 1834, and is a son of David Grable, who was born in
VA.,in 1818, came to this county among the earliest settlers. His
mother Patie French was also a native of VA., and received but limited
educational advantages. All the education David Grable received was at
a little log school house close to Corydon. The subject E. A. Grable,
was raised on a farm, and has followed it all his life. He pays
considerable attention to stock raising, viz: horses, mules hogs. He
was married mar. 8, 1861, to Miss L.C. Peters, born and raised in the
county, and a daughter of Frederick & Caroline Peters. They have 3
children living, Benjamin H. Joan H. & Ada L.
Mr. Grable owns 170 acres of fine farming land which he has well
improved, has a good residence and fine barn. He is an earnest
Christian, and both he and his wife are members of the Methodist
church. He is an honest and enterprising citizen.
Col.
Ben Q. A. Gresham
Col. Ben Q. A. Gresham, a brother of
Judge Walter Q. Gresham, and a hero of 2 wars, was born on a farmer
near the village of Lanesville, Harrison Co. Indiana Sept. 21, 1826. He
grew to manhood on the farm, and received a knowledge of the text
books taught in the country schools of that day. In June 1846, he
enlisted in Co. I, the 2nd Indiana Infantry, Mexican army, and
was elected orderly of his company. He was discharged in June 1847,
having enlisted for 1 year. He fought with his regiment at the battle
of Beuna Vista. At the expiration of his service in the army he
returned home and learned the millwright and carpenter business. In
connection with his farming interest he continued in these callings
until the breaking out of the rebellion in 1861. in July of that year,
he joined Co. B. 3rd Indiana Calvary, as a private soldier. In the
following month he was elected first Lieutenant of his company. He
arrived with his company at Washington City, Sept. 3, 1861, and was
immediately ordered to VA., thence to MD., and subsequently ordered to
Mill stone Landing on the Pulaski River, and while there was engaged in
picket duty and scouting and was very successful in capturing military
stores, cavalry horses, etc. At this point Co. Gresham was promoted to
the captaincy of his company. He participated with his company in the
battles of Antietam, Chancellorsville, and at the last battle he was
severely wounded. After being restored to health he was transferred to
the Cavalry Bureau and remained in the department during the Winter’s
of 1863, and 1864. Here, in the latter year, he received 2 promotions,
major and later Lieutenant Colonel of the 10th IN. Calvary, and was
assigned to duty at Pulaski, TN. he was engaged in all battles of that
section, and on Dec. 17th of 1864, was again wounded near Franklin TN.
His final discharge from the army was at Cincinnati, the day Lincoln
was assassinated. Such are the salient pints in Co. Gresham’s military
career. He was married to Miss Sarah Harbison, of the county in Oct.
1852, and they have 6 children: Lucy, Annie: Oscar: Amy; Joyce and
Jonathan W.
Col. Gresham is the son of William & Sarah Davis Grehsam. His
father William Gresham was born in KY. And removed to this county in
1806, and while performing his duties as Sheriff of this county, was
killed Feb. 17, 1833. His maternal grandfather was an uncle of
Jefferson Davis, ex-President of the Southern Confederacy. Col Gresham
has been unable for work since the war, from the wounds he received. He
is at present holding office of Township Assessor of his township.
Vachel Hancock was born about 1768 in
Virginia, the son of John and Sarah Hancock. The Virginia IGI lists the
marriage of John and Sarah in 1767. It also lists a son, John, born
about 1770. The family moved to Randolph County, Hilisborough
District, North Carolina sometime between 1772 and 1787.
On 23 September 1787 John Hancock made a will that was probated in
March 1788 in Randolph county. The will left one-half of the land to
Vachel and the other half to John. Vachel was married to Elizabeth in
1788 in Randolph County. The 1790 Census for Randolph County shows
Vachel as a head of house with one young son. Next door was his mother,
Sarah, with one male over 16 (evidently John) still at home. The 1800
Census shows both John and Vachel still in Randolph County. By this
time Vachel has five sons and two daughters. In 1810 John was still in
Randolph County but Vachel was not.
Vachel began acquiring land in the Indiana Territory as early as 1807.
The records of the Jeffersonvifle Land Office contain eleven entries
between 7 October 1807 and 20 August 1817 that show that he acquired
1,871 acres in Harrison and Clark Counties. When Floyd County was
created in 1819 his property became a part of Floyd County. Vachel died
intestate about 1819. We have his estate papers. We also have the
estate papers of Sarah Hancock, apparently his mother, dated 1821 and
also filed in Floyd County.
Vachel and Elizabeth had about ten children. Patsy, born about 1790,
was married 8 February 1809 to Caleb Newman in Harrison County,
Indiana. This was the first marriage recorded in Hairison County. Caleb
Newman later became County Recorder for Floyd County. John, born 1792,
married Mary French 7 January 1813. Thomas, born 1795, married
Elizabeth Watson 12 June 1818.
In 1819 John Hancock (another John Hancock) and his wife, Jane Skeen,
along with their large extended family - some of whom were grown and
married - moved from Wilson County, Tennessee to Harrison County,
Indiana where they established the Hancock Settlement in Blue River
Township. Hancock’s Chapel was built in 1820. This family acquired
substantial acreage in Harrison County during the next few years. (Jane
Skeen Hancock had two sisters living nearby in Polk Township,
Washington County. Martha Skeen was married to Joshua Crow and Sarah
Skeen was married to John Wilson.)
No relationship between Vachel and John has been established. The two
families were neighbors although Vachel died about the time John
arrived in Harrison County. John Hancock was born in 1769 in Bute
County (which became Franidin), NC. Vachel was born in 1768 and lived
in Randolph County, NC. No connection has been found between these two
families in North Carolina or Indiana. It would seem likely that some
descendants of both families are still living in Southern Indiana at
this time.
(Some Southern Indiana (Harrison County) Pioneers
Submitted by Arvil D. Hancock)
