Biography Index

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 Genealogy Trails of

Jackson County Indiana

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WILLIAM CLINTON VAUGHN, oldest son of Stokley and Amanda Vaughn was born July 10, 1850 near Freetown, IN in Jackson Co. Clint grew up into a very bright and intelligent young man. He secured a good education, taught several schools in his early twenties and enlisted in the US Army in 1875. He was the principal musician in the Fifth Infantry Band.  General Nelson A (?) Miles was Commander when the news of the Custer Massacre at Fort Levenworth. On July 4, 1876 the Fifth was ordered to Montana to capture Sitting Bull and his Sioux. The Fifth Infantry left at once but the band didn't go until in September. The Sioux was captured and brought to the hastily built Fort Keogh on the banks of Yellowstone.   A crudely built town named Miles City sprang up 3 miles east of the Fort across the river.  Sargent  Vaughn obtained a furlough and was married to Miss Emma Upton at Leavenworth on April 1, 1899. He brought his bride to Fort Keogh. He then received an honorable discharge and moved to Miles City.  There their son, Donald Upton Vaughn, was born on Dec 30, 1880 in a two room log cabin on a day when the spirit thermometers registered 56 degrees. The child was the first white child born in Miles City. Later the family moved east and Clinton was on the police force in St Paul (?) and Chicago.  In later years he and his wife separated and obtained a divorce. He then joined the regular army and served a term of 3 years.  He later met and married Miss Laura Shipp, who was a school teacher in St Louis MO. To this union one son, Thomas, was born. Clinton was Chief of Police in St Louis for many years.  In the summer months twin boys, Don and Tom, would spend their vacation on their grandfather's farm in Polk township in Indiana. But in later years Clint and Laura separated; she taking Tom with her. Therefore, the brothers grew up to be almost strangers as Don lived with his grandparents and Tom lived with his mother and moved to Texas.  Clint spent several months in his parental home with his sister, Srepta Waldrip. He later joined the U.S. Army again and was in Mexico and Philippine Islands for a number of years.  When his health began to fail he went to the Soldiers home at Marion, IN and remained there until his death on Oct 2 1912. He passed away and was buried in the Soldiers burial lot at Marion.  Clint was a very handsome man, standing 6 feet 2 inches, weighing 230 lbs, yet so built as not to seem overly large. He was the oldest of 12 children. During his stay in the Soldiers Home he was a Drum Major for several years. He also served as a Quarter Master in the Army. His hobby was music and army life. William Clinton Vaughn died 7/16/1945.  His son Don didn't have a very pleasant young life as he was deprived of his home and mother's care. His father being away so much, Don and his cousin, Lawrence, roamed the hills of Polk Township and their grandfather's farm.  When he grew to manhood he had his father's desire for a soldiers life so he joined the regular army and served several years.  He met and married Clara Johnson of Clear Creek and to this union were born two daughters, Mabel, Aug 6, 1909, Ruth, September 16, 1912. Don worked for the Monon Railroad Co for many years and is now retired.  Tom grew into manhood, married and was the father of one daughter. He and Don seldom visited and therefore, his father's people knew but little about his life.  On May 16, 1941 Tom lost his life in an automobile accident and was buried in Lubbock, Texas. He was 55 years old. (Contributed by Phyllis Phillips OnlyonePhyl@aol.com )

WRIGHT VERMILYA, merchant, Brownstown Township, was born in Jackson County, Ind., August 11, 1843, and is the fourth child born to Solon and Mary (Wiley) Vermilya. The former came with his parents from New York State, to Washington County, Ind., in 1816; he soon afterward married and settled on a farm near Brownstown, where he lived until his death, which occurred in about the year 1848, his widow surviving him only a few years. Our subject being thus doubly orphaned at the early age of eight years. He came to Brownstown and engaged as clerk with George V. Benton, who was one of the most successful merchants in southern Indiana. He remained with him as clerk until1868, when he engaged in business as a member of the firm of Benton & Vermilya. He has occupied his present place of business since 1870, where he has carried on a flourishing business in general merchandise. He was married, in September, 1869, to Josephine Miller, daughter of Joseph Miller, one of the most prominent farmers and early settlers of the county. By this marriage seven children have been born, five of whom are living: Edwin, Joseph, Clyde, Earl, Ray, Lillie and Wright are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Vermilya are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, he is a Republican, and as such has rendered invaluable service to the party. He was four times elected city treasurer.  - History of Jackson County, Indiana by  Brant and Fuller, Chicago, 1886, Pages  627 - 628

VALENTINE VOGEL, a prosperous farmer residing a mile south of Seymour, in Jackson Township, was born November 2,1820, in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany. His father, Valentine Vogel, Sr., was a native of Frankfurt-on-the-Main, Germany; was reared in Hesse-Darmstadt; was a gunsmith by occupation; served in the war under Napoleon I, and when seventeen years of age he participated in the battle of Waterloo. In 1837 he immigrated to America, settling in Dearborn County, this State, and died about the year 1848. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Catharine Seipp. After attending the common schools of his native land and growing up to the age of twenty-two years, Mr. Vogel, of this sketch, engaged to learn the trade of a butcher, which he afterward followed in Cincinnati, Lawrenceburg and New Richmond, Ohio. Three years prior to this, however, he followed the river, serving as watchman between New Orleans and Cincinnati, St. Louis and Pittsburgh. He is now a substantial farmer of this county, at the point above indicated, and owns 375 acres of good land. August 18, 1845, is the date of Mr. Vogel's marriage to Dora Dressendorfer, and they have had nine children, seven of whom are living, namely: John Lewis, Mary Ann, Eliza Clara, Emma Susan, Jesse Cary, Fannie M. and Valentine S. The deceased are George W. and Martha.  Mr. and Mrs. V. are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Vogel in his political sentiments is counted a member of the Republican Party. .-- History of Jackson County, Indiana by Brant and Fuller, Chicago, 1886, Page 727