Jackson County Indiana Biographies

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HENRY L. GAISER, proprietor of the Seymour Nursery, is a native of Baden, Germany, born July 15, 1830. He is the eldest of four, born to Andrew and Anna (Linder) Gaiser. His parents died in their native land. Mr. Gaiser received his education in his native country, and at the age of fourteen years he apprenticed himself to learn his present business. He left that country in 1852, and spent two years in France, where he worked at his occupation. In 1854 he immigrated to America. After spending one year in New York and Pennsylvania, he came to Richmond, Ind., where he remained some time. He then went to Henry County, Ind., where he remained two years, and in February, 1862, he came to Seymour, where he engaged in his present successful and extensive business. He bought sixty acres of unimproved land of M. W. Shields, located on Walnut Street and the south end of Chestnut Street, and by his own industry he has brought it up to its present high state of cultivation. He has on his place a fine greenhouse, where he keeps throughout the year plants and flowers of all varieties. The history of horticulture is in intimate relation with the progress of civilization. An acute observer has justly remarked that the esteem in which gardening is held among nations is an un-failing index of the advance they have made in other forms of human progress. The first impulse of man, arising from the darkness of barbarism, is to plant and ameliorate the wild fruits that grow around him, and then flowers by his habitation, appealing to the esthetic impulses of his nature. But it is not until society is improved, commerce extended, and mind itself expanded, that horticulture takes its place among the arts, flourishing wherever there is wealth to encourage or taste to appreciate its charms or excellencies. Horticulture has advanced with civilization, and been kindred with all that adorns, refines and sustains the structure of a solid as well as an elegant society. Mr. Gaiser gives employment to eight or nine men the year around. In 1862 he married an estimable lady, Maria Barnaby, a native of England. By this union there is one child, Annie M. Mr. Gaiser and family are members of the Catholic Church. He is a solid Democrat. .-- History of Jackson County, Indiana by Brant and Fuller, Chicago, 1886, Pages 690 - 691

JAMES W. F. GERRISH, deceased, who was a physician and surgeon of Seymour, was born in Monmouth, Me., February 12, 1831.His father, Ansil Gerrish, was a general merchant and speculator. The Gerrish family was among the early settlers of the New England States, having emigrated there from England in 1632, and became identified with the welfare and growth of the East. During the financial troubles of 1836 and 1837, Dr. Gerrish's father, like many others, became deeply involved, and after spending two years in an unsuccessful attempt to retrieve his for-tunes, left his family and went to Elizabeth, Allegheny Co., Penn., where he taught school for about two years. He then sent for his family, which consisted of his wife and two children, the eldest nine years of age, and in the fall of 1840, the family were again united. Dr. Gerrish, the subject of this sketch had a distinct recollection of the long and tedious journey. He obtained the rudiments of his education in the school taught by his father. While teaching, his father completed the study of medicine which he had begun in his youth, and in a few years re-moved to Paris, Jennings Co., Ind., where he commenced practice. In the early part of 1850, James W. F. Gerrish followed his father to Paris, where, in the same year, they opened a drugstore. The son soon after commenced the study of medicine, in which he became so deeply interested that he resolved to become a physician. He graduated in 1855, and immediately upon re-turning home he commenced practice with his father in Paris. Their co partnership continued with a large and lucrative practice until the death of Dr. Ansil Gerrish, which occurred August 19, 1859, at Portland, Me., while he was traveling for his health, accompanied by his son. Upon the breaking out of the war, Dr. Gerrish was commissioned assistant surgeon, but soon rose to the rank of surgeon, and was assigned for duty with the Sixty-seventh Regiment of Indiana Volunteers. During his army career he held several important positions, at one time having charge of the general hospitals of the. Thirteenth Army Corps, at Vicks-burg. In August of 1864, on account of failing health, he was compelled to resign, and soon after returning north settled in Seymour, Ind. Here by close attention to the wants of the com-munity, he steadily arose in the estimation of the people, until he was regarded one of the leading physicians of this part of the State. He became a member of the State Medical Society and a permanent member of the American Medical Association. In 1877 he was also chosen first vice-president of the Tri-State Medical Society of Kentucky, Illinois and Indiana, and was voted an honorary membership in the Southwestern Kentucky Medical Society. Dr. Gerrish was always a lover of ancient history and in early life had his curiosity aroused by the relics found in the mounds of the Mound-builders, near Marietta, Ohio. He was constantly adding to his collections and at this time very few private citizens of the State have as fine archaeological specimens as can be found in his study. In Dr. Gerrish Indiana had one of the leading spirits in the temperance movement. In the early part of 1877 he espoused the cause, and was immediately chosen president of the Red Ribbon Reform Club, of Seymour, which position he held for some time. Jack-son County owes more to his energy and liberality for the grand success of the work than to any other man. He was not a mono-maniac on the subject of temperance, but believed in moral suasion and man's ability to govern himself. His courtesy and kindness, and wonderful success in the management of the affairs of the Reform Club, endeared him to the hearts of the members. In 1879 he was elected president of the Grand Temperance Council, of Indiana, by delegates from all the State temperance organizations, in recognition of his work. He was married to Miss Maria Robinson, of Elizabeth, Allegheny Co., Penn., in September, 1849. They have had seven children, four of whom are now living. Dr. Gerrish's mother died January 7, 1877. Both parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. DR. .-- History of Jackson County, Indiana by Brant and Fuller, Chicago, 1886, Pages 691 - 693

M. F. GERRISH is a native of Paris, Jennings Co., Ind. The family is a very old one, and of Saxon extraction. Hews born February 27, 1856. His father, Dr. J. W. F. Gerrish, was an old and well-known physician of the State, an extended notice of whom is given in another part of this work. Dr. M.F. Gerrish attended the common schools in his boyhood, and subsequently graduated at the Shields High School, of Seymour, in1877. He entered his father's office as a student in 1872. He attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated in 1881. He also secured the degree of Ph. D. at the same institution. Upon his return to Seymour he entered the office of his father, and immediately engaged in the practice of medicine. Shortly after his matriculation at the University of Pennsylvania he met Miss Violet Molseed, between whom there immediately grew a very strong attachment. Fearing that his father would regard matrimony as an obstruction to the pursuit of his studies, they were married April 3, 1879, but kept the secret from his parents until his graduation. One child has blessed this union. The Doctor is a member of the order of Masons. He is a gentleman of fine literary tastes. Himself and wife are members of the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle. The Doctor is resident surgeon of the Ohio & Mississippi and Jeffersonville, Madison & Indianapolis Railroads. The Doctor, though comparatively a young man, is already taking high rank as a physician and surgeon. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is courteous and refined in his manners, of good physique, and has a brilliant future before him. The Doc-tor is a Republican. .-- History of Jackson County, Indiana by Brant and Fuller, Chicago, 1886, Pages 693 - 694

W. E. GERRISH, D. D. S., was born September 27, 1860, in Paris, Jennings Co., Indiana. His early school ad-vantages were the common schools of his native town. He entered the dental office of Dr. Erwood, of Seymour. He remained here two years. He subsequently attended the dental department of the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated. He returned to Seymour, and engaged in the practice of his profession. He was married, October 3, 1882, to Miss Emma B. Sawyer, of Washington, Ind. One child has been born to this union, J. W. F. Gerrish. The Doctor, in conjunction with his brother, occupies a suite of apartments on Second Street, west of Chestnut, that are the most complete and handsomely appointed offices in Seymour, and are scarcely surpassed in the State. The rooms are handsomely frescoed, containing a large and well-selected library, with elegant book-cases and other furniture. They display a very cultivated taste for antique curiosities. Their collection of Indian relics is very unique, and is the result of great labor and considerable expense. The Doctor is the leading dentist of the city, and enjoys a large and lucrative practice. He has been engaged in practice since 1882. He is a member of the order of K. of P. He is a Democrat in politics. .-- History of Jackson County, Indiana by Brant and Fuller, Chicago, 1886, Page 694

GEORGE W. GIBSON, M. D., one of the leading physicians of the county, and a citizen of Houston, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, July 13, 1838. His parents were Allen and Deborah (Barnes) Gibson, and he is their eldest son. They were of German, Scotch and American extraction, and natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio. George W., in early life, attended the common schools, and after coming to Indiana in 1852, went nearly two years to an Indianapolis school. He located at Nashville, this State, and for two terms taught in Brown County. In 1858he began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. John Carson, where he remained until 1860. At that time he entered the Louisville University. In the spring of 1861 he returned to Brown County and enlisted in the Twenty-second Regiment of Indiana. He served in all the hard fought campaigns for which that regiment was famous. He was mustered out July 24, 1865. Soon after his return to Brown County he was taken sick, and he returned to his old home in Ohio for one year. He then returned to Nashville, and in 1867 he located at Houston, in the practice of his profession, where he has been ever since. He enjoys a good practice and the esteem of those who know him. The Doctor is a member of the Masonic order, and a reliable Democrat in politics. - History of Jackson County, Indiana by Brant and Fuller, Chicago, 1886, Page 743

L. W. GODFREY. The subject of this sketch was born October 6, 1849, in Jackson County. He is a son of Thomas and Catharine (Winscott) Godfrey. Thomas Godfrey, the father of our subject, is a native of Maryland. He has spent his life upon a farm. He was one of the early pioneers of the county, and assisted in preparing much of the present arable land for agriculture. L. W. Godfrey was reared upon a farm, where he remained until his majority. He attended the common schools of his section, where he acquired the rudiments of an education. He was married, February, 1872, to Louisa M. Tinder. Four children have blessed this union, all of whom are now living: Effie, Richard, May and Charles. He is at present engaged in the retail liquor business in Seymour, where he has been established for four years. He is a member of the K. of H. In politics he is a Democrat. .-- History of Jackson County, Indiana by Brant and Fuller, Chicago, 1886, Pages 694 – 695

ALLEN GOSS is another instance, so often observed in our Western country, of a man starting in life with his good health and lessons of frugality his only capital, and becoming a leading citizen in his chosen occupation. He is farming on a large scale, owning about 1,400 acres of land, and shipping annually a great deal of stock. He was born in Owen Township, Jackson County, and is the sixth of a family of eleven children born to Joseph and Darkes A. (Rust) Goss. They came from North Carolina about 1812, and first settled in Washington County, Ind., near the now town of Providence. They are of German descent. Joseph died at his home in Owen Township, in 1851, his companion dying some time before that. Allen took his first lessons on the farm and early learned the secrets of farming well and now annually farms about 700 acres. In 1846 he was married to Martha M. Hall, daughter of Stewart Hall, of Brownstown Town-ship. To them were born two children: Margaret M. and Darkes A. Mrs. Goss died in 1858, and in 1859 Mr. Goss married Sylvia E. Overman, to whom have been born three children: Oliver M., Arva M. and Floyd A. Mr. Goss is a member of the Democratic Party. He has never been in public life, and never wanted to be. He fortunately knew his calling and made no mistake, as many do in that respect. History of Jackson County, Indiana by Brant and Fuller, Chicago, 1886, Pages 636 – 637

HENRY E. GREGG, like many of southern Indiana, comes from Kentucky ancestry, his parents, Henry and Margaret (Ed-wards) Gregg, coming in an early day to Kentucky, Pulaski County, then to Indiana, settling in Jackson County, where Henry E. was born May 14, 1836, in Owen Township. His mother, Margaret Gregg, is still living, in her eighty-third year; his father dying some years ago. Henry E. was born and raised on a farm, and is a farmer by occupation. He owns 150 acres of land in Carr Township. He has never been in official life. He is a Democrat in politics. In 1859 he was married to Rosa C. Cummings, daughter of James and Delila (Johnson) Cummings. To them have been born thirteen children: Mary E., Louisa E., Margaret D.,Manerva B., Charity M., Mariah, Ethel, Lillian, James and an infant not named; three being deceased. Mr. Gregg's early ancestry were of Welsh and German origin, who were a very enterprising and intelligent people, from whom he has inherited his chief traits of character. He takes a deep interest in his com-munity, and is respected by all who know him. History of Jackson County, Indiana by Brant and Fuller, Chicago, 1886, Page 637

DR. JAMES H. GREEN, of Seymour, is a native of Jefferson County, Ind., born December 19, 1824. His parents were Abram and Hannah Green, natives of Tennessee and Ohio respectively. Dr. Green's early education was limited; his mother having died while he was yet young he was thrown upon his own resources, and consequently had no advantages for schooling. He left home with but 25 cents, and but one suit of clothes, that being of very cheap material and home-made. He went to Louisville, and without a cent in his pocket, having spent the 25 cents on his way, he set out in quest of work, first applying to James McCrung, a merchant of that city, who was so favorably impressed with the honest face of young Green, that he gave him employment. He commenced blacking boots, but was soon given a clerkship, and after a short time was by his employer sent to college at Bloomington, Ind., where he remained for three years. Leaving the college he entered the office of Hon. David McClure, of Scottsburg, where he read medicine until 1846, at which date he entered the medical college at Louisville, and later attended lectures at the Ohio Medical College, from which institution he graduated in 1856, then located at Dudleytown, in which com-munity the greater part of his professional labors have been per-formed. In 1864 he was elected county treasurer and re-elected in 1866. In 1870 he came to Seymour, where he has since lived. In 1847 Dr. Green was married to Miss Emily Barnes, and this union has been blessed by eight children: Dr. William, Norman L., Nellie, Ollie, Frank, Ida and James. .-- History of Jackson County, Indiana by Brant and Fuller, Chicago, 1886, Page 695

DR. WILLIAM O. GREEN, of Washington Township, is the first son of J. H. and Emily (Barnes) Green, and was born October 23, 1849 in Jackson County. His youth was spent upon the farm and at school, being a pupil at the Clear Spring Academy, and three years at the State University at Bloomington, completing his sophomore year at the latter institution. Commencing the study of medicine in 1871, he graduate in 1873, receiving his diploma from the Louisville (Ky.) Medical College. Subsequently, after undergoing a competitive examination, he was placed upon the staff of the hospital surgeons, where he remained six months, thus qualifying himself for his chosen calling in an unusual degree. Dr. Green is still unmarried. In his political sentiments he sympathizes with the Democratic Party, and in his social relations he is a Royal Arch Mason. - History of Jackson County, Indiana by Brant and Fuller, Chicago, 1886, Page 760

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