JENNINGS COUNTY, INDIANA
BIOGRAPHIES
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REV. ALLEN HILL,
A. pastor of the Baptist Church at Galveston, is a native of Jennings
County, this State, and was born January 10, 1831. His paternal
grandfather, Thomas Hill, was born in the State of New Jersey March
17,1763. He was a soldier in the Eevolutionary war, and continued in
the service until the struggle for independence culminated in the
surrender of Cornwallis, at which he was present. Soon after the war
closed he was married to Mary Stone, by whom lie became the father of
five sons. The third sou, Thomas, and the father of our subject, was
born near the French Broad River, in Tennessee, September 12, 1797.
When four years old his parents removed to Pulaski County, Ky., and in
March, Is 17, they came to this State and located in Jennings County.
Here the elder. Thomas Hill, having been, in 1800, ordained a minister
in the Baptist Church, soon began in his wilderness home to collect the
few settlers in his reach into some one of their cabins and preach to
them the way of salvation. As the result of his labors, a Baptist
Church was organized in the cabin of the younger Thomas Hill in 1822,
the latter becoming a member upon the day of its organization. Thomas
Hill, Jr., was licensed to preach in 1823; was ordained in 1823, and
for over fifty years he gave his whole attention to the ministry. He
died March 24. 1876, after serving one church as its pastor for
thirty-five years, consecutively. His family consisted of three sons
and five daughters, five of whom, two sons and three daughters, are yet
living. The subject of this sketch was the second sou. During his
earlier life he enjoyed only the privileges of a common school, which
he attended during the winter months, having spent the balance of the
time laboring upon the farm. His early school-training was afterward
supplemented by a course of instruction in the Jennings County Academy
and one year's work in Lancaster College and Jefferson College. In
July, 1861, he organized Company H, of the Twenty-seventh Indiana
Volunteer Regiment, and served as its captain one year, when, owing to
the impaired condition of his health he was compelled to resign. In
April, 1863, he located in Illinois, where he resided fourteen years.
In February, 1866, he united with the Little Flock Baptist Church, in
Cumberland County, Ill.; April 4, 1869, he was licensed to preach by
said church, and on January 22,1870, he was ordained, since which time
he has labored continuously in the ministry. In 1874 he was elected
county superintendent in Coles County, Ill., in which capacity he
served three years; when, at the earnest request of the Coffee Creek
Church, in Jennings County, Ind., he resigned his office, returned to
the old homestead in his native county, and took up the work upon which
his father had been engaged for thirty-five years. After serving this
church as pastor for three years he was assigned, by the State Board,
to do missionary work at Vernon and North Vernon. Having received a
call from the Baptist Church, at Galveston, he, in April, 1884, removed
with his family to that place, where he has since resided. February 14,
1850, he was married to Salena H. Hudson, who died January 5, 1854,
having one child—a daughter, three years old—now Mrs. Emmaivtta Dixon,
of North Vernon. February 24, 1856, he was married to Marah E. Malcomb,
by whom he has four children—three sons and one daughter:—all living.
In politics Rev. Hill formerly affiliated with the Republican party,
having cast his first vote for John C. Fremont. Upon the financial
question he voted, for several years, with the National Greenback
party. He now believes that the temperance question overshadows all
others, and is, in sentiment, an uncompromising Prohibitionist.Source: History Of Cass County Indiana By Thomas B. Helm, Brant and Fuller JOHN S. STULL
The Stull family was one of the first to locate in St. Joseph county, and John S. Stull, only a lad of nine years at the time of their arrival, is therefore numbered among the honored pioneers who have not only witnessed the remarkable growth and transformation of the region, but have been important factors in its progress and advancement. He was born in Jennings county, Indiana, November 21.' 1821, while his father, Henry Stull, claimed Pennsylvania as the common wealth of his nativity. He was reared, however, in Virginia, eight miles from his birthplace, and when eight years of age he moved with his parents to West Virginia, or what was then known as New Virginia. After a time he made his way to Indiana, first to Jennings county, and later, sailing down the Ohio on a flat boat, he located in the city of Madison, Indiana, while in 1830, he took up his residence iu St. Joseph county, entering a farm of eighty acres in Portage township, now included in the city limits of South Bend. He afterward traded that farm, and at the time of the first entry, he also entered two hundred and forty acres in Center township of which he cleared a part, his sons later trading some of the land and cleared much of the remainder. During the war of 1812, Henry Stull served as a true and valiant soldier, and at the time of the exchange these loyal soldiers were not furnished with transportation and he walked the entire distance home. His death occurred when he had reached the ripe old age of eighty-six years and four months, and thus passed away one of the brave pioneers of Indiana and St. Joseph county, one who had helped to make this section the beautiful country which it now is. He was a stanch Republican in his political affiliations. In Jefferson county, Indiana, Mr. Henry Stull married Rebecca Hughes, a native of North Carolina, and she was ten years of age at the time of her parents' removal to Madison county, Indiana, where she was reared. They became the parents of eleven children: Martha, deceased; John S., whose name introduces this review; Susan, William H., Samuel C., Lavina, Elizabeth and Hiram Rush, also deceased. Lavina and Hiram Rush dying in infancy; Mary Jane, and Sarah and Julia, deceased. Six of the children were born in Jennings county and the remaining five in St. Joseph county. On the 2d of March, 1857, John S. Stull, whose name introduces this review, was united in marriage to Margaret Locke, a native of Ohio, but reared in St. Joseph county, where her father, George Washington Locke, was one of the earliest pioneers. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Stull, namely: Alice, who died in infancy; Mary, the wife of Charles H. Edwards, a farmer; Grant and George, deceased; and Charles, all of whom were born and reared in Center township of St. Joseph county. On section 26, Center township, Mr. Stull now owns eighty acres of rich and well improved land, and the many valuable and substantial improvements which now adorn the place are the result of his industry and excellent business ability. His political support is also given to the Republican party, while formerly he was a Whig, and as its representative he has served in many of the local offices, as assessor, supervisor, etc., having served in the former office for six years. For twenty years he has also been a member of the Republican County Central Committee, and in that long period has only missed one meeting. In all the varied positions of life which he has been called upon to fill he has been faithful and loyal, and now in his declining days he can look back over the past with little occasion for regret. Source: the History of St. Joseph County Indiana By Timothy Edward Howard JEPTHA DUDLEY NEW
Was born in Vernon, Jennings
county, Indiana, November 28th, A. D. 1830, and is the son of Hickman
and Smyra Ann (Smitha) New. Jethro New, the father of Hickman New, was a native of Delaware and settled early in life in Gallatin county, Kentucky, and in 1822 removed with his family of twelve children to Jennings county, Indiana. Hickman New, now in his eighty-second year, is the youngest and the only survivor of the twelve children. He began life as a cabinet-maker, and until age interrupted his labors was an active minister in the Christian church. He is now well preserved, both physically and mentally. Smyra Ann New, his wife, died in 1879 at the age of seventy years. The subject of this sketch was reared in the town of Vernon and was educated at the Vernon Seminary and at Bethany College, an institution founded by the celebrated Alexander Campbell. After leaving college in 1850, he read law in the office of Lucius Bingham, Esq., at Vernon. The first public office held by him was that of Mayor of his native town, to which he was elected at the age of twenty-two. In 1862 he was elected Commonwealth Attorney for two years, when he was elected Common Pleas Judge for four years, at the end of which term he declined a re-election. He then returned to the practice of his profession, and continued in the same with great success and profit until 1874, when he was elected to the 46th Congress, as a Democrat in a strong Republican district, carrying it by thirteen hundred majority. He was the first and only Democratic candidate for Congress who has ever carried Jefferson and Jennings counties. In 1876 he was unanimously renominated for Congress but declined. In 1878 he was urged to accept the nomination, and did so; and he was elected after the hottest Congressional contest ever known in Indiana in an off year. His majority was four hundred and ninety-one, although the same counties gave the Republican State ticket a decisive majority. In the 44th Congress he was a member of the special committee, appointed to investigate the much talked of real estate pool in the District of Columbia, and out of which grew the celebrated Hallet -Kilbourne contempt ease, in the argument of which Judge New, on the floor of the House, represented the committee. In the same Congress he was one of a special committee sent to New Orleans to investigate the management of the Federal oflices there. He was also, in the same Congress put upon the committee which was sent to Louisiana to inquire mto the vote for Tilden and Hayes; and was, after reaching New Orleans, made chairman of a sub-committee sent to investigate specially the said election in what were called the " bull-dozed parishes." Upon the return of the committee to Washington, Judge New was selected by his Democratic colleagues on the committee to deliver one of the speeches on the Louisiana election, which under the division of time a creed on, belonged to the Democratic side of the House. In the 46th Congress he was made a member of the Judiciary Committee and of the Committee on Expenditures in the Department of Justice. He was also made chairman of the special committee raised to investigate charges preferred against Mr. Seward, our minister to China. He was also on the special committee sent to Cincinnati to investigate the Congressional elections in that city. At the close of the 46th Congress he resumed the practice of his profession and pursued the same actively until 1882, when he was elected Circuit Judge. His term as Judge expired November, 1888. Judge New is now one of the five Supreme Court Commissioners, appointed by the last General Assembly of this State. This commission was created in aid of the Supreme Judges and will continue for four years. He has been spoken of prominently for Governor. He has been successful in the accumulation of property, being one of the largest tax-payers of his county. His family consists of his wife, Sallie (Butler) New, who was a pupil of his in a school taught by him after leaving college; a daughter, Mary, the wife of Dr. William Stemm; Willard New, a very active and promising young attorney, located at Vernon: and Burt New, now a student at Bloomington College, Indiana. PIERSON CONKLING
The subject of this sketch, was one of a family of nine children, of whom six are living at this writing. At the age of ten years his father moved with his family to the country, a few miles from Cincinnati, and engaged in farming with good success until his death. And he followed the same occupation until 1805, when he sold his farm, and in 1868 came to Indiana and engaged in a general merchandise business; first at Nebraska, Indiana, and later in 1874 at North Vernon, where he still resides. He was married in November, 1845, to Miss Abby, daughter of the Rev. J. D. Oonrey, of Butler county, Ohio. She died in 1850, leaving two children, James D., who is in business at Kentland, Indiana, and Anna R., who died at the age of six years. Mr Conkling was married again in 1855 to Miss Sarah J. Travis. They had two children, Elmer P., (dead) and Frank T., who is in business in Greenville, Ohio. Mr. Conkling was married again September 10th, 1872, to his present wife, Miss Martha M. Burke, of Bethel, Ohio. They have no children. He has ever been in active business life, and has been blessed with remarkably good health, and is one of the most progressive business men and enterprising merchants, builders and contractors in the county. LINCOLN DIXON
A prominent young lawyer, North Vernon, Indiana, was born at Vernon, Jennings county, Indiana, February 9th, 1860. His father's native town is Paris, same county and State, where he was born October 26th, 1826. He was a man of prominence in his day. During the war he held the office of Provost Marshal, and was for eight years Sheriff of Jennings county. His death occurred June 10th, 1869. Lincoln Dixon's mother was a Miss Belinda Foster, who was born in Jefferson county, Indiana, November 25th, 1826. Lincoln Dixon's early schooling was received at the Jennings Academy at Vernon, and in 1876 he entered the State University at Bloomington, Indiana, and from there he graduated with honor in 1880. He at once began the study of law, a profession for which he was so well by nature adapted. He was admitted to the bar, began practice and has been successful from the start. In the House of Representatives, session of 1882-83, he was chosen Reading Clerk for that body. In 1884 he was nominated by the Democratic party for Prosecuting Attorney of his Judicial District, the sixth, composed of Jennings, Scott and Ripley counties, the duties of which office he discharged with such great satisfaction to his constituents that he was renominated in 1886, and elected, and again in 1888. In the last election the fight between the parties in the district was very hot and close, and while the Republicans carried the District by two hundred majority, Mr. Dixon was triumphantly elected with a majority of 207. He is an honorable young man, a bright lawyer and a good speaker, and is making a remarkable record. Mr. Dixon was married to Miss Kate Storey, of Ver-non, October 16th, 1884. JOHN D. KIDD
Treasurer of Jennings county, is a native of Butler county, Ohio, where he was born July 23d, 1845. He is a son of Samuel C. and Sarah M. (Chancey) Kidd, natives of Ohio and Maryland. The former located in Jennings county in 1849, on a farm in Sand Creek township, where he was quite a prominent man in local politics, holding a number of township offices at different times. He enlisted in Company B. (137th) regiment of Indiana Infantry, in which he was a corporal. John D. was reared on his father's farm and received his education in the public schools of his neighborhood. He enlisted in the Army in 1863, Co. H. (120th) regiment of Indiana Infantry, and was out twenty-five months, when he was discharged, the war having closed. He took part in the Atlanta campaign, and was in the battle of Franklin—the last severe battle of the war. Since the return of peace he has worked at his trade, serving occasionally in some township office—one time as township assessor. He was elected county treasurer in 1886, on the Republican ticket and re-elected in 1888. Mr. Kidd was married to Miss Sarah Jane Stewart, a daughter of Jonathan Stewart, of Jennings county. They have fh e children, viz: Albion S., John C., Avanel Blanche, Mary Leora and George C. Mr. Kidd is a member of the G. A. R. and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. JOHN OVERMYER
Lawyer and Ex.-Speaker of Indiana House of Representatives, was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, November 18th, 1844, and is a son of George and Harriet (Camp) Overmyer, natives of Ohio, who in 1849 settled on a farm in Jackson county Ind. Here John, the subject, was reared and educated. When sufficiently prepared he entered Asbury University (now DePauw) in September, 1863, from which he graduated in June, 1867. During the last year in college he took up the study of law, and upon leaving college he located in Jennings county, where in February, 1868 he was admitted to the bar to practice law. He is one of the leading lawyers in the county and ranks high in his profession. From 1871 up to 1875 he had for a partner his brother, David Overmyer, who in 1882 removed to Kansas and was a candidate for Congress in fall of 1888. In 1868 John Overmyer was elected to Legislature from Jennings county, and was chairman of committee oil organization of courts. In 1872 and 1873 he was Reading Clerk in Indiana Senate, and in 1875 he was principal Secretary of said Senate. In 1876 he was again elected to the Lower House, and in the sessions, general and special, of 1877, was chosen Speaker of the House. He was elected to Legislature again in 1878, but now his part}- (Republican) being in the minority he was defeated, though unanimously the nominee of his party at both regular and special sessions. In 1882 he was made chairman of the Republican State Central Committee, and held the position two vears: in 1888 he was delegate from the third district to the National Republican Convention and has been thoroughly identified with his party, although not in accord with the policy of opposition to tariff revision and reduction. His political creed is "the greatest good to the greatest number." He believes the world is governed too much—that the laws should be as simple and direct as possibly consistent with public order. He has been a member of the Ex. ecutive Republican State Committee from 1878 to 1886, except in 1880. He is, president of the Jennings County Bank, organized in 1885. He was made its first president and has served in that capacity up to the present time. The institution is a Bank of Discount and Deposit and has a capital of $25,000. Frank E. Little has been his law .partner since 1885. Mr. Overmyer was married October 30th, 1870 to Miss Mary F. Sherfey, of Greencastle. They have two children, Misses Florence and Isabella. JAMES SCHULTHEISS
Was born in Gibson county,
Indiana, September 28th, 1842, and is a son of John and Catharine
(Shaffer) Schultheiss, both born in Germany, the former near Strasburg,
and came to America in 1838, locating in Gibson county, Indiana, and
the latter came to this country with her parents about 1840. James, the
subject, was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of his
county. At the age of eighteen he entered the army under the first call
for troops in the spring of 1861, for three months. He afterward
enlisted for "three years or during the war," and at the end of that
time veteranized and remained in the service until the surrender at
Appomattox closed the struggle. He was in Company G., Sixtieth
Infantry, and saw active service as long as the war lasted, a part of
the time on scout duty. He was in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Stone
River, Arkansas Post, Vicksburg, and at Appomattox. He was in the Red
River expedition under Gen. Banks. Several times entered the enemy's
lines as a spy, and was successful in obtaining the information sought
and of escaping into his own lines. Was taken prisoner half-a-dozen
times or more, but always managed to make his escape. He returned home
at the close of the war and settled in Indianapolis, learned the
carpenter's trade, worked at it six or seven years, then floated around
for a time, living in Knox, Ripley, Spencer counties, etc. Finally, he
settled down in Jennings county, where he has since lived, and where he
owns a farm of seventy acres of well improved land. He was married in
1866 to Miss Malinda Schmidt, born in Strasburg, Germany, and who
came to America with her parents in 1856, settling in Indianapolis. Mr.
and Mrs. Schultheiss have six children, viz: Amelia, August, Mary,
Peter, Louis and George. Mr. Schultheiss is a member of Cox Post G. A.
R., No. 209, Indianapolis.HON GREENE L. SMITH.
The subject of this sketch,
Hon. Greene L. Smith, was born in Meigs county, Ohio, on the Ohio
river, near Pomeroy, September 6th, 1848. He was the son of Harrison
and Eliza L. Smith — nee Alexander — both natives of Ohio. His
grand-parents on both sides were Virginians. His great-grandfather,
Conrad Smith was, a soldier in the army of Virginia in the colonial
days under Gov. Dunmore, and afterwards served for seven years in the
army of the revolution under Gen. Washington, being present at the
surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. His father was a steamboat man on
the Western and Southern rivers. He was educated at Franklin College,
Ind., where he took a two years' course; but his education was more
practical than scientific, acquired chiefly from personal observation.
He began the study of law at Pomeroy, Ohio, in 1865, but his course was
intermitted by school teaching, so that he was not admitted to the bar
of the Common Pleas Court of Jennings county, Ind., until 1867, having
left Ohio and settled in Indiana after he commenced the study of law.
He followed the law as a profession in Jennings county until 1884, when
he was elected by the Democratic party as State Senator for the
counties of Jennings and Jackson. At the session of the Indiana Senate
for 1885- 86, he was chairman of the committee on Enrolled Bills, and
also a member of both the Judiciary and Committee on Banking. At the
close of the session of 1885, he was nominated for President of the
Senate by the Democratic caucus over Senators Weir and Sellers, and at
the session of 1887- 88, made the most notable contest known in the
political history of Indiana for Lieutenant-Governor and President of
the Senate, against Col. R. S. Robinson, Republican, who claimed to
have been elected by the people. Mr. Smith triumphed in this contest,
thus securing the election of Hon. David Turpie to the Senate of the
United States. In 1888, Mr. Smith was a candidate for the Democratic
nomination for Attorney-General, but was defeated by reason of the late
hour in the canvass at which he came out. In January, 1879, he was
united in marriage to Miss Ida J. Shellenberger, of North Vernon, and
two children—Florence and David Turpie—bless the union. In the notable
political campaign of 1888 for the Presidency, Hon. Greene L. Smith
made an effective canvass of Indiana for the re-election of Mr.
Cleveland. Mr. Smith is a member of the Knights of Pythias.Biographical and historical souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison. Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott and Washington Indiana John Gresham & Co. 1889 |
