LAWRENCE COUNTY

THE PEOPLE

John W. Acoam

Lawrence county was not lacking in loyalty during the dark days of the Rebellion, when the ship of state was almost stranded on the rocks of disunion, but contributed her full quota of brave and valiant men to assist in preserving the integrity of the government, prominent among whom was the well known gentleman and enterprising citizen whose name appears at the head of this review. Loyal to his country in its hour of peril and extremity, as was demonstrated on many bloody battle fields, he has ever been its staunch supporter in times of peace, and today there are few ex-soldiers of the county as widely and favorably known and none that can boast of a more honorable record. The ranks of the noble organization to which he belonged in the days of his youth are fast being decimated by the one invincible foe, and it is fitting that in every publication of the nature of this volume special tribute be paid to those who served during the greatest civil war known to history.

John W. Acoam was born on May 15, 1841, in Bedford, Indiana, and is a son of Joseph and Catherine (Wilder) Acoam, the father a native of Virginia and the mother of Kentucky. They came to Lawrence county, Indiana, about 1832, and settled at Bedford, where the father followed his trade, that of harness and saddle making. He was an industrious and honest man, and during his residence here he gained a high standing in the esteem of his fellow citizens. His death occurred at Bedford in 1849, at the early age of thirty-six years, and he was survived over half a century by his widow, who died in 1902 at the advanced age of eighty-five years. She was an ear

R. A. AKIN, M. D.

The man who devotes his talents and energies to the noble work of ministering to the ills and alleviating the sufferings of humanity is pursuing a calling which in dignity, importance and beneficial results is second to none other. If true to his profession and earnest in his efforts to enlarge his sphere of usefulness, he is indeed a benefactor of his kind, for to him more than to any other man are intrusted the safety, the comfort, and, in many instances, the lives of those who place themselves under his care and profit by his services. It is gratifying to note in the series of personal sketches appearing in this work that there remain identified with the professional, public and civic affairs of Monroe county many who are native sons of the county and who are ably maintaining the prestige of honored names.

R. A. Akin was born at Bloomington, Indiana, on March 7, 1880, and is the son of George W. and Laura (Ridge) Akin. The father, who was born in Parke county, Indiana, was a carpenter and farmer and a man of good character and high standing in his community. He and his wife both died in Monroe county in 1910, the father having been retired from active pursuits for some time prior to his death. He was a Democrat in politics and, though not active in public affairs, he took intelligent interest in the current events of the day. He and his wife were the parents of two children, the subject of this sketch and Ida E.

R. A. Akin received a good common school education and then entered the State University, where he graduated in 1906. Having determined to take up the practice of medicine for his life pursuit, he then matriculated in the Indiana University School of Medicine, where he was graduated in 1908 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He immediately entered upon the active practice of his profession at Bedford, but a short time afterward he removed to Gary, Indiana, where he remained until 1909, when he came to Bloomington and has since continued here in the active practice of medicine and surgery. His well equipped offices are located in the Allen block, and, though one of the younger physicians of Bloomington, he is already in command of a goodly share of the local patronage. He is a general practitioner, though he has achieved unusual success in surgery, having handled successfully a number of very important cases and having assisted Dr. Harris in nearly all of the latter's important work. Dr. Akin possesses a pleasing personality, which has won for him many warm friends throughout the community and he is entirely deserving of the eminent standing he has secured, both professionally and socially. He is a member of the Monroe County Medical Society, of which he is secretary and treasurer, and also belongs to the Indiana State Medical Society. Politically, he is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, though his professional duties preclude his taking a very important part in public affairs. Fraternally he belongs to Lodge No. 446, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, in Bloomington, and takes a keen interest in the work of this fraternity.

HERSCHEL ERNEST BAKER

The office of biography is not to give voice to a man's modest estimate of himself and his accomplishments, but rather to leave upon the record the verdict establishing his character by the consensus of opinion on the part of his neighbors and fellow citizens. In touching upon the life history of the subject of this sketch the writer aims to avoid fulsome encomium and extravagant praise; yet he desires to hold up for consideration those facts which have shown the distinction of a true, useful and honorable life—a life characterized by perseverance, energy, broad charity and well defined purpose. To do this will be but to reiterate the dictum pronounced upon the man by the people who have known him long and well.

Herschel Ernest Baker, who owns a fine farm in Indian Creek township, Lawrence county, Indiana, and is numbered among the progressive and public- spirited citizens of that community, was born near Pekin, Washington county, Indiana, on July 30, 1888, and is the son of Willard H. and Ollie May (Caudle) Baker. The father, who was born on a farm near Pekin, Indiana, on March 29, 1863, received a good public school education and followed farming during his active years, though at one time he was foreman in a stone mill at Bedford, Indiana. Politically, he was a Democrat. His death occurred at Bedford on March 28, 1913. His wife, who also was born at Pekin, Washington county, Indiana, died on June 12, 1906. They were both earnest and consistent members of the church of Christ. They were the parents of five children, namely: Herschel Ernest, born July 30, 1888; Clitice Pearl, July 26, 1891; Helen Fern, June 23, 1894; Charles Lemmon, November 14, 1900, and Lloyd Andrew, March 23, 1905. All of these children are living.

The subject of this sketch spent his early years on a farm in Clark county, Indiana, near Sellersburg, and received his education in the public schools at that place and in the business college at Bedford. He is the owner of two hundred and thirty acres of splendid land in Indian Creek township, having about one hundred and thirty acres under cultivation. He carries on general agriculture, raising all the crops common to this latitude and has met with excellent success in his calling. He owns a comfortable and attractive residence, commodious and well arranged barns, while the well kept condition of the premises indicate the owner to be a man of good taste and sound judgment.

On July 17, 1912, the subject of this sketch was united in marriage to Blanche Cox, who was born on December 5, 1886, and who was one of four children born to their parents, the others being Alex, who is represented elsewhere in this work; Minnie, who became the wife of Preston Mavity, and Ida, the wife of Cyrus Wilking. To Mr. and Mrs. Baker has been born one child, Willard Henry. Mr. and Mrs. Baker are consistent and active members of the Church of Christ, to which they give a liberal support, and in every relation of life they have been honored and useful members of the community. They move in the best social circles of the locality in which they live, and because of their upright lives and sterling integrity they are deservedly popular among their acquaintances.

JOHN S. BAILEY

The venerable gentleman whose career is briefly sketched in the following lines is one of the older residents of Bedford and his life has been such as to gain the confidence and good will of the people of his community and to make him well and favorably known throughout the county of which he has so long been an honored citizen. In the highest sense of the term he is a self-made man and as such has met with success in material things such as few attain and made a record which may be studied with profit by the young men of the rising generation.

John S. Bailey was born on September 10, 1831, on his father's farm six miles north of Bedford, Indiana, and has therefore been a participant in and an eye witness of the wonderful development which has characterized this section of the state during the last few decades. He is the son of Levi and Catherine (Holman) Bailey, the father a native of Indiana and the mother of Woodford county, Kentucky. The subject's paternal grandfather, Charles Bailey, was a native of Hagerstown, Pennsylvania. In boyhood he was bound out, but ran away and came to Louisville. At this time there were only seven houses there. He was a great hunter and woodsman and in order to find available locations he settled on Lost River, in Orange county, Indiana, where he remained several years. Later he located six miles north of Bedford, where he took up government land and lived until 1847, when he moved to Sullivan county, this state. He married a Miss Smith, a native of Kentucky, who died in Sullivan county, and eventually he went to Linn county, Iowa, where his death occurred. He was the father of the following children: John, Levi; Gideon, who was a doctor, and after he moved to Iowa was appointed a marshal; Harrison, Joseph, Lena, Rebecca, Sallie and Ann. Levi Bailey had few opportunities for securing an education and his early years were devoted to agricultural pursuits and stock raising. These lines of effort developed a large business and he eventually became noted as a shipper, having sent twenty-one boat loads of pork and wheat on flat boats to New Orleans. He built his own boats and was successful in all his undertakings, at one time owning fourteen hundred acres of land six miles north of Bedford. He was a Democrat in politics and was well known throughout the community where he lived. His death occurred in 1854 and his wife died in 1844.

The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools of his home neighborhood, remaining under the parental roof until he had attained his majority. He lived on the home farm north of Bedford until about the time of the breaking out of the Civil war, when he went to Sullivan county, Indiana, where he remained until about a year after the war closed. He then bought ninety acres of land located two and one-half miles east of Bedford, where he remained two years and then traded that for a farm in Guthrie township. He was very successful in his farming- operations, acquiring several other farms located at different places in the county and he devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits until 1912, when he retired from active business life and moved to Bedford, where he now resides. Persistent industry and sound business methods characterized his career and in all his relations with his fellow men his dealings were marked by the strictest integrity and fairness, so that at all times he enjoyed the confidence of all who were associated with him in any way.

On July 9, 1862, Mr. Bailey enlisted at Madison, Indiana, in Company A, Sixty-seventh Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which he took part in the battles of Munfordville, Kentucky; Chickasaw Bayou, Mississippi; Arkansas Post, Arkansas; Grand Gulf, Port Gibson, Raymond, Champion's Hill, Big Black River Bridge, siege and capture of Vicksburg, and Jackson, Mississippi; Apelousas and Grand Coteau, Louisiana; Matagorda Bay, Texas; Grand Ecore, Saline Cross Roads, Moresfield, Cane River Crossing, Cane River, Alexandria, Hunt's Plantation, Dunn's Bayou, Bayou DeLamora, Avayletes Prairie, Yellow Bayou, Old River and Anhapologa Bayou, Louisiana ; Ft. Gaines, Fort Morgan, Pollard and Ft. Blakely, Alabama. He was honorably discharged in August, 1865. He is now a member of the Grand Army Post No. 247, at Bedford.

Mr. Bailey has been married three times, first in the spring of 1852 to Mary Ramsey, of Bedford, Indiana, who died in 1862. In August, 1866, he married Margaret Malotte, of Bedford, Indiana, whose death occurred in February, 1906. and on November 19, 1908, he married Mary E. Scott, the widow of Reuben B. Scott, of Bedford, a farmer whose death had occurred in 1906. Mr. Scott was a prominent man in his community and had served as representative in the Legislature from Lawrence county. Mrs. Bailey is the daughter of John W. Miller, who married Susan J. Udderback, both of whom were natives of Kentucky, who came to Lawrence county and settled four and a quarter miles northeast of Bedford, where he conducted farming operations and also worked at his trade as a cabinet-maker. He died on February 3, 1857, and his wife died on July 16. 1881. They were members of the Christian church and were the parents of two children: Elijah H., who died in 1896, was a farmer, and Mary E., the wife of the subject. To Mr. Bailey's first union were born two children, Oscar, who is a carpenter and farmer at Woodmond, Oklahoma, and Austin, a carpenter who died in 1887. To the subject's second union were born the following children: Frank, a member of the hardware firm of Bailey & Pittman of Bedford. He married Hester Dodd, and they have two children, Roy and Mary; Homer, who was a soldier in the Spanish-American war, died of typhoid fever during that war; Fred C, in the transfer business at Bedford, married Mabel Julian, and they have two children, Joy and John S.; Lillian is the wife of Fay Hamilton, of Greencastle, Indiana, and they have five children. Glen, Gene, Louisa, Lowell and Francis; Emma C. is the wife of Wesley Ramsey, of Seattle, Washington, and they have four children, Ivan, Irene, Mary and John; Lee, a shoe and clothing merchant at Bedford, married Grace Owen; Robert M., who is a druggist at Martinsville, Indiana, married Mabel Dill, and they have one child, Margaret A.

Fraternally, Mr. Bailey is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Bedford, while his religious connections are with the Christian church, of which he is a faithful and earnest member. He enjoys a wide and favorable acquaintance throughout the county and everywhere he is held in high esteem by those who know him.

HOLLIS HENRY CHASE

Whether the elements of success in this life are innate attributes of the individual or whether they are quickened by a process of circumstantial development, it is impossible to clearly determine. Yet the study of a successful life, whatever the field of endeavor, is none the less interesting and profitable by reason of the existence of this same uncertainty. In the life record of Hollis H. Chase, who for many years has been identified with various interests in Lawrence county, Indiana, we find many qualities in his make-up that always gain definite success in any career if properly directed. The splendid success which has crowned his efforts has been directly traceable to the salient points in his character, for he started in life at the bottom of the ladder, which he mounted unaided. He comes of a splendid American family, one that has always been strong for right living and industrious habits, for education and morality, for loyalty to the national government, and for all that contributes to the welfare of a community, and, because of his success in life and his high personal character, he is clearly entitled to specific mention in the annals of his county.

Hollis H. Chase is descended from a long line of sturdy progenitors, his paternal genealogy, briefly stated, being as follows: (I) Thomas Chase, of Hundrich, in the parish of Chesham, county of Bucks, England.

(II) Richard Chase, baptized August 3, 1542; married Joan Bishop, April 16, 1564.

(III) Aquila, sixth child of Richard and Joan (Bishop) Chase, was baptized on August 14, 1580. His wife's given name was Sarah.

(IV) Aquila. son of Aquila and Sarah Chase, was born in 1618, and was one of the first settlers of Hampton, 1636-9. He married Anne, daughter of John Wheeler. About 1646 he removed to Newbury and made many voyages from there as master. His will was dated September 19, 1670, and his death occurred on December 27, 1670. John Wheeler came to America in the "Mary and John" in' 1634. His wife, Anne, died on August 15, 1662, at New- bury. In his will, dated 1668, he mentions sons in Salisbury, Wilts county, England.

(V) Daniel, the tenth child of Aquila and Anne Chase, was born on December 9, 1661, and became a wheelwright. On August 25, 1683, he married Martha Kemball. His death occurred in Newbury February 8, 1707. Richard Kemball, of Rattlesden, Suffold county, England, came in the "Elizabeth" in 1634, settling in Watertown, Massachusetts, where he was made a freeman on May 6, 1635. He later went to Ipswich. He married Ursula Scott, daughter of Henry Scott, from Rattlesden, and his wife, Martha Whatlock. Richard Kemball died June 22, 1675, and his wife on March i, 1676. Their son Henry was baptized August 12, 1615, at Rattlesden, England. He came with his father in 1634, and married, about 1640, Mary, daughter of John and Mary Wyatt, who came in the same ship with Henry and his father. Henry died in Wenham in 1676 and his wife died August 12, 1672. Their twelfth child was Martha, who was born on August 18, 1664. In 1710 Widow Martha (Kemball) Chase became the wife of Josiah Heath, of Haverhill, Massachusetts.

(VI) Isaac, the first son and fourth child of Daniel and Martha (Kemball) Chase, was born on January 19, 1691. On October 29, 1710, he married Hannah Berry, who died of cancer on May 8. 1771. His death occurred on February 27, 1786, aged ninety-one years, one month and eight days. Isaac Chase removed to Sutton March 2, 1722. He is said to have bought of the Indians six hundred acres of land in Sutton for forty pounds sterling and a gallon of rum.

(VII) Timothy, the third son of Isaac and Hannah (Berry) Chase, was born February 12, 1719, probably in Newbury. He married Leah Robbins. He removed to Townshend, Vermont, and died in Royalston, Massachusetts.

Leah Robbins' ancestral line is as follows: Henry Adams, of England, whose son, Thomas, was born in 1612, and married in 1642 to Mary Blackmore. To the latter union was born Jonathan on January 6, 1646, who married Leah Gould, born May 6, 1663, daughter of Francis and Rose Gould. Lydia, daughter of Jonathan and Leah Adams, was born April 2, 1691, and, on August 6, 1713. was married to Thomas Robbins, born probably in 1680. The last-named was a son of Robert Robbins, born in 1645, and Mary Maxwell, born in 1650, and who were married in 1670. To Thomas and Lydia Robbins was born Leah Robbins on April 25, 1718.

(VIII) Henry, son of Timothy and Leah (Robbins) Chase, was born in 1746, probably in Sutton or Upton. In 1775 he was living in Upton and served "in Captain Batchelor's company, Colonel Joseph Read's regiment. He was one of the eight months' men who served in and around Boston in 1775;" was with the army at Bunker Hill, and on the i6th he went home. His son Bazaleel, grandfather to the subject of this sketch, was born on the day of the battle and he returned to the army the following day; other records say he was in the battle. His three elder children were probably born in Sutton or Upton. Tradition in the family is that he removed to Townshend, Vermont, from Sutton in 1776, and that he settled in Townshend, near the line of Newfane, where he resided on the south side of West river for some time and until the birth of a child, upon which interesting occasion there was such a freshet that the "family doctor was unable to cross, and that he then made a vow that if the waters ever subsided he would remove to the north side of the river, and did so." He purchased, in October, 1783, the farm about three miles northeast of Townshend village and remained thereon until his death, December 12, 1831. It is also tradition in the family that when he lived south of the river one child was born to him, which died young and was buried in the cemetery in the vicinity. There is a tradition also that when he came to Townshend it was from Swansey, New Hampshire. He was the grantor in seventeen deeds of land in Townshend and grantee in fourteen In 1784 he was in a militia company under Capt. Josiah Fish, called out in Windham county to subdue the rebellious New Yorkers at or near Gtiilford and Brattleboro. He was a lieutenant, probably in the militia. He married Hepsibah Walker, daughter of Obadiah Walker (and his wife, Hepsibah Shumway), of Douglas, Massachusetts, who afterwards removed to Royalston. The date of the marriage is unknown. To Henry and Hepsibah Chase were born the following children: (i) Abagall, born July 18, 1766, died October 15, 1853. Was twice married, first to Amasa Wheelock on November 27. 1780,, and, second, to her cousin, Enoch Chase. (2) Henry, Jr., born October 24, 1767, died November 19, 1849. O" November 27, 1788, he married Irene Wheelock, who was born in 1769, and died June 24, 1848. (3) Edith, born July 15, 1770, died in August, 1848. She married Charles Kim- ball about 1785-6. (4) Elias, born probably about 1772, died prior to July 24, 1806. On April 4, 1792, he married Phoebe Gould, and sometime prior to 1804 married Lucy Pierce, nee Cheney. (5) Bazaleel (IX) is referred to specifically in later paragraphs. (6) Hepsibah, born 1780-1, died July 6, 1867, aged sixty-six years. On May 3, 1801, she married Ebenezer Johnson, who was born on February 14, 1777. (7) Electa, born 1783-4, died August 9, 1867, aged eighty-three years. She became the wife of William Fisher. (8) Sardis Riley, born May 18, 1788, died February 24 or 26, 1863, in Washington, Indiana. He married Persis Paine.

(IX) Bazaleel Chase, the sixth in order of birth of the above children, and grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born at Sutton or Upton on June 17, 1775, the day of the battle of Bunker Hill. He was a farmer, laborer and mechanic, spending his life at various places, including Jamaica (and probably some part in Townshend), Windham county, and Andover, Windsor county, Vermont. Politically, he was a Whig. His death occurred at Andover, Vermont, on July 26, 1854, at the age of seventy-nine years. On May 13, 1801, he married Susannah Taft, a direct line relative of ex-President William H. Taft, and to them were born the following children: Hib- bard T., (X) Balis, Alanson B., Elliott C, Sardis R., Winifred, who married Henry Whitman, and Welthy, who married Amos Howard. None of these children are now living. The mother of these children died at Andover or Jamaica, Vermont, September 10, 1854, at the age of seventy-three years.

(X) Balis Chase, father of the subject of this sketch, was born at Jamaica, Vermont, on December 13, 1807, and was there reared. He attended the public schools during a term of two months each winter. During his school days he worked out for his board and clothes, and during about four to six months of the year he received from six to ten dollars a month for his labor. He thus worked and saved until he had accumulated six hundred dollars, when he married. He was a teamster and followed contracting and farming in Chester and Andover, Vermont, and was a man of good character and respectable standing in his community. His death occurred at Andover on April 29, 1887, at the age of eighty years. Balis Chase married Sarah Howard, who was born at Andover, Vermont, the daughter of David and Cynthia (Grossman) Howard. Her father was an extensive and prosperous farmer on "Howard Hill," Andover, near whose home the first school house in the town was built. He died at Andover on December 25, 1869, aged eighty-eight years. His wife died February 2, 1841, aged fifty-seven years. Their children, all of whom are deceased, were as follows: Elmira, Dr. C. W. Chandler, Lois, Sarah (Mrs. Balis Chase, and mother of the subject of this sketch) ; Cynthia, Rosina, Henry and Elias. These children were all active and capable in their various departments of life, and one, Elias, was a prominent and successful physician and surgeon at Akron, Ohio, where his, death occurred. To Balis and Sarah Chase were born the following children: (i) Albert Balis Chase, who died at the age of five years. (2) David Howard Chase, born September 17, 1833, died at the age of fifty-one years, after a successful and useful career as a physician. He married Rebecca Ann Burton, who also is deceased. (3) Hollis Henry Chase (XI), the immediate subject of this review. (4) Sarah Elizabeth Chase, born April 7, 1840, became the wife of Commodore Perry Williams, now deceased, and she lives at Mt. Olive, near Williams, Indiana. (5) Clement Balis Chase, born October i, 1844, is a farmer at Simonsville, Vermont. He first married Emma Zora Stootley, and, after her death, Alice Haseltine. (6) Laurin Whiting Chase, born April 28, 1851, died at the age of eighteen years, unmarried. The mother of these children, at the age of seventy-five years, came from her Vermont home to Lawrence county, Indiana, to visit her children who were residing here, and, while at the home of the subject of this sketch, her death occurred about a week after her arrival.

(XI) Hollis Henry Chase was born at Andover, Windsor county, Vermont, on October n, 1836, and spent his early years amid the rough, stony and precipitous hills of that locality, the residents of which had long been characterized by sturdiness, honesty, industry and patriotism. Of the early settlers of Andover, eighteen were in the war of the Revolution, and when the call was made for volunteers for the war of 1812 twenty-five of its citizens enlisted, two of whom had served in the Revolutionary struggle. The town first voted to pay the men five dollars each, but subsequently increased this amount to ten dollars per month. Alvin Adams, the founder of the Adams Express Company, and Rev. William S. Balch, the noted traveler and author and eminent Universalist minister, were reared in Andover, near the subject's boyhood home, he being acquainted with both families, and it has been his pleasure to hear Dr. Balch preach.

Mr. Chase secured his elementary education in the district schools, supplementing this by attendance at Chester Academy, Chester, Vermont. At the age of about seventeen years Mr. Chase engaged in teaching school in North Springfield, Vermont, during the winter months, his summers being devoted to farm work. Mr. Chase relates that when he engaged to teach the school, the director contracted to pay him seventeen or twenty dollars a month, according to his success, the director to be the judge. At the end of the term, while taking him home in his sleigh, the director inquired as to how much he owed. Mr. Chase replied, "You know the agreement." To the latter's great gratification, the director said, "I shall pay you the twenty dollars per month." Eventually, desiring a field of larger and better opportunities. Mr Chase came to Indiana, locating first at Washington, where he found employment in a marble shop. Here he was employed by the piece and for a time he did not make enough to pay his board, but, in the course of time, he became so ex^ pert in his work that the most important work was intrusted to him and he was thus enabled to earn good wages. He boarded with a relative and paid four dollars a week for his board. Then, for a while Mr. Chase engaged in teaching school in Martin and Lawrence counties, this state, after which he engaged with A. J. Johnson, publisher, of Brooklyn, New York, to introduce his large atlas in the state of Delaware, securing changes and corrections of the surveys for the maps, and introducing and canvassing for the work. Subsequently he returned west and resumed teaching, being engaged in Lawrence county, Indiana, and Stanford, Kentucky. While at the latter place Abraham Lincoln was elected to the Presidency, and soon afterwards Mr. Chase returned to Indiana and enlisted as a private in Company K, Forty- ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was made first sergeant and served with his command about two years, when he was detailed for duty in the office of the military commander at Indianapolis, Colonel J. S. Simonson, where he remained until finally discharged from the service. During the years since those eventful days Mr. Chase has been variously engaged, as a teacher some, but principally as a farmer and stock raiser. He has been successful in his efforts and is now the owner of three hundred acres of good land along White river, with some property interests in Akron, Ohio. His life has been a strenuous one until recent years, and his success has been due solely to his perseverance and well directed efforts. He is now residing in the attractive town of Williams, where he has ever been found in support of such measures as have promised to benefit the community.

Politically, Mr. Chase has always supported the Republican party and, though not a seeker after public office, he has served his township efficiently as supervisor of roads for many years, as school director for six or eight years, and as secretary of the advisory board of Spice Valley township for over twelve years, being still the incumbent of the latter position. His only fraternal affiliations are with the Grand Army of the Republic.

On July 15, 1863, while connected with the military commander's office at Indianapolis, Mr. Chase was married to Susan Williams, who was born on September 24, 1838, near what is now Williams, Lawrence county, Indiana, the daughter of Richard and Abigail (Kern) Williams. Richard Williams was born in Sevier county, Tennessee, on August 16, 1806, and died in Lawrence county, Indiana, on August 10, 1880, in the seventy-fourth year of his age. He was an extensive farmer, owned several farms of valuable land along White river, and was highly respected in the community of his residence. His wife was a native of Bourbon county, Kentucky, and died in the eighty-second year of her age. They were the parents of the following children : Ahenioam, Commodore Perry and Mahala are deceased; Canaan was twice married, first to Jane Hastings, and, after her death, to Miranda Mosier; Susan, wife of Hollis H. Chase; Rebecca is the widow of Jacob Bossert; Cornelia is the widow of A. D. Hinshaw; Tilghman H. married Josie McClung, now deceased; Olevia J. became the wife of James Leonard, of Portland, Oregon; William M. married Flora Short, and after her death he married Kate Williams.

To Mr. and Mrs, Chase have been born the following children: (i) Abbie Sarah, who was born at Andover, Vermont, September 12, 1864, married David M. Monical, miller and dealer in flour, grain, feed and coal, at Williams, Indiana, and they have one child, Lela. (2) Laurin Sardis, born November 12, 1869, is a prosperous farmer of White river land near Williams, he was married, but his wife died, leaving no issue. (3) Lizzie B., born August 19, 1873, became the wife of Hannibal E. Monical, a lumber dealer in St. Petersburg, Florida, and merchandise interests at Williams, Indiana. They have one child, Cecil Chase Monical, now seventeen years old and attending school. (4) Anna Flora, born July 20, 1876, married Samuel R. Short, a farmer near Williams, and they have four children, Ermel L., Cora C., Ava S. and Morris C.

Mr. and Mrs. Chase are earnest members of the Church of Christ, as are their children, sons-in-law and two grandchildren, D. M. Monical being an elder and H. E. Monical a deacon in the church at Williams. Mr. Chase has ever been true to every trust reposed in him and, because of his genuine worth and splendid qualities of character, he is clearly entitled to representation in this work.

Dr. James Morton Callahan

Thomas Callahan, Isaac Callahan

Thomas Callahan, was born in November, 1777, married Betsey Martin (1798), and, after successive emigrations to Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana (where he was engaged in teaching), died February 2, 1852, and was buried at "Old Union" Church, in Lawrence county, Indiana. His grandfather, Isaac Callahan, born in Pennsylvania, December 14, 1805, was married in Kentucky in 1825 to Jane (or Virginia) Boyd (born September 29, 1806), whose father John was born at Martinsburg, Virginia, in 1760, and married Nancy Martin there. In 1828 he moved with his wife and two children to Lawrence county, Indiana, where after rearing a large family he died February 26, 1883, and was buried at Shiloh Church, five miles west of Bedford.

HOWARD CHITTY

Lawrence county, Indiana, has been especially favored in the personnel of its newspaper men, and among the representatives of this profession in this county is the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this sketch, who is publisher and editor of the Commercial at Mitchell. Here through the years he has not only gained a distinct business success for himself, but he has through his personal influence by voice and pen stood for the best things in the community life with the result that he not only has gained prestige as an active, aggressive and successful business man, but as one of the best citizens of the community in the largest sense of the word.

Mr. Chitty was born on December 6, 1867, about three miles north of Mitchell on the farm owned by his parents, James B. and Elizabeth C. (Crawford) Chitty, both of whom were natives and lifelong residents of Lawrence county. The father was for many years a druggist, but later followed carpentering until his death, which occurred on September 2, 1913. His mother, who is still living, makes her home on a farm two miles west of Mitchell. To these parents were born five children, namely: Harry C., of Molson, Washington; Howard, the immediate subject of this sketch; Homer R., of Spokane, Washington; Herbert, who died in infancy; Madge died at the age of four years. James B. Chitty was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church from the time he was eighteen years old, and was a man of splendid character and high personal attainments. Fraternally, he was a member of the Masonic order, and in his daily life endeavored to exemplify the sublime precepts of that time-honored fraternity.

Howard Chitty received his education in the country schools of his home neighborhood and at the age of sixteen years he went into the office of the Chronicle at Alibene, Kansas, where he learned the printing trade, being employed there until July, 1886, when he went to Wakeeney, Kansas, where he remained for nine months and was then for seven years at Dighton, that state. In 1897 Mr. Chitty returned to Lawrence county, and, in partnership with H. E. Woolheater, bought the Mitchell Commercial, one of the popular and progressive newspapers -of Lawrence county, which they conducted together until 1900, when Mr. Chitty bought his partner's interest in the enterprise and has since conducted it alone. The Commercial, which is Republican in politics, is the oldest newspaper in Lawrence county, and through the years of its existence it has wielded a healthful influence on the life of the community. Mr. Chitty has maintained the prestige of this sheet and has enlivened its columns so that today it is a welcome visitor in the hundreds of homes into which it enters. It is a splendid advertising medium and as a business investment it has proven all that Mr. Chitty expected of it. On September 9, 1890, Mr. Chitty was married to Anna B. Limpus, a native of Missouri, and to them have been born four children: Mildred, deceased, Lelah, Park and Lillian. Politically, Mr. Chitty is a Republican, and, fraternally, a member of the Masonic order, while his religious connection is with the Christian church, of which he is a deacon. Genial in disposition, he is a popular member of the circles in which he moves.

Samuel J. Crawford

Samuel J. Crawford, the third state governor of Kansas, was born in Lawrence county. Indiana. April 15.1835. He read law, and was admitted to the bar in 1858. In 1859 he came to Kansas and settled at Garnett. December 6. 1859. he was elected a member of the first state legislature. This body assembled in March, 1861. and after six weeks' service he resigned to enter the army. He raised a company and was commissioned captain of company E. Second Kansas infantry, was assigned to command of troop A, Second Kansas cavalry, in March, 1862, and later of a battalion in same regiment ; December 6, 1863, he was mustered as colonel of the Second Kansas colored, or the Eighty-third U. S. colored infantry, and resigned December 2, 1864, and was promoted brigadier-general by brevet, March 13. 1865. His military record is that of one of the most brilliant and active officers in the service. In 1864 he was elected governor, and in December resigned from the army to be inaugurated in January, 1865. He served two terms as governor, and in 1868, two months before his term expired, again resigned to accept the colonelcy of the Nineteenth Kansas. He served many years as state agent at Washington, and settled and collected claims to a large amount for the state. He owns a farm near Baxter Springs, where he spends his summers, and his winters are given to work in Washington. November 27. 1866, he married Miss Belle Chase of Topeka.

HENRY CLAY DUNCAN

Henry Clay Duncan was born in Lawrence county, Indiana, January 16, 1845, and in 1864 came to Bloomington to attend Indiana University. He went to school for a short time and then enlisted in the 136th Indiana Volunteers. He served until the regiment was mustered out and then returned to Bloomington and finished his college course, graduating in 1868. His parents were William and Mary Malott Duncan, who moved from Kentucky to Lawrence county. He was the youngest of eight children. After graduation Judge Duncan went to Bedford and entered the law office of Moses F. Dunn, in 1872, becoming a law partner of Mr. Dunn. Judge Duncan was always a strong Republican and from the start of his career took an' active part in politics. His first office was in 1869, when he was enrolling clerk in the Indiana Legislature. In 1874 he returned to Bloomington and became a law partner of the late John W. Buskirk, which terminated by the death of Mr. Buskirk. In 1888 he formed a partnership with Mr. Ira C. Batman, which lasted until the date of his death. In 1880 he was elected as prosecuting attorney for the counties of Monroe, Lawrence, Orange and Martin. In 1894 he was elected as State senator from the counties of Monroe, Bartholomew and Brown. At that session of the Legislature he earned an enviable repu- 'tation. It was largely through his efforts that the old State Prison at Jeffersonville was abolished and the present Indiana Reformatory established. In recognition of his efforts, the Governor appointed Mr. Duncan a member of the Reformatory Board.

After being State senator and upon the death of Judge Pearson, the Governor appointed Mr. Duncan judge of the Tenth Judicial Circuit to fill out the unexpired term. Since that time he has served as city attorney of Bloomington, and county attorney of Monroe County. He was a life long member and for years an elder in the Christian church and took an active part in the work, at tending church regularly and often participating at different services. He was a member of the G. A. R. and during his college days was affiliated with the Sigma Chi fraternity.

Judge Duncan's life was a long and successful one in all ways. For years, as a lawyer, he ranked as one of the leading members of that profession of the State; as a public servant he performed his duties faithfully and well; as a citizen he took an active interest in the promotion of good citizenship; as a church member he took an intense interest in Christian work and as a husband and father he was ideal. He died at his home in Bloomington, Ind., January 30, 1911, survived by his widow and four children. His death is mourned by all who knew him, and the profession generally.

GEORGE B. JACKSON

Agriculture has been an honored vocation from the earliest ages and as a usual thing men of honorable and humane impulses, as well as those of energy and thrift, have been patrons of husbandry. The free out-of-door life of the farm has a decided tendency to foster and develop that independence of mind and self-reliance which characterizes true manhood and no truer blessing can befall a boy than to be reared in close touch with nature in the healthful, life-inspiring labor of the fields. It has always been the fruitful soil from which have sprung the moral bone and sinew of the country, and the majority of our nation's great warriors, renowned statesmen and distinguished men of letters were born on the farm and were indebted largely to its early influence for the distinction which they have attained.who was a farmer by vocation, was a veteran of the war of 1812. To him and his wife were born the following children : Nathaniel, who spent his entire life in Kentucky; John T.. father of the subject of this sketch; Thomas, living at Cannelsburg, Indiana: James, who was killed during the war at Pittsboro; Lizzie, who became the wife of George Devault, of Cannelsburg, Indiana, and Catherine. John T. Jackson received only a common school education and in young manhood came to the state of Indiana. He learned the blacksmith's trade and was an expert workman. On October 30, 1853, he married at Leesville, Indiana, Eerella Holland, who was born September 4, 1836. a daughter of John and Eureta (Sutherland) Holland, the father a native of Tennessee and the mother of Upper Canada. John Holland came to Indiana with his parents, William and Fetney (Magby) Holland, and they first settled at Bono, Indiana, of which place Mr. Holland was one of the first merchants. Later they moved to Leesville, where Mr. Holland's wife died and he later went to Texas, where his death occurred. He was a merchant and land owner and was favorably known wherever he lived. Their children were John, William A., Melinda, Phoebe. Melinda the second, Phoebe the second, Eliza and Xancy. John Holland died on October 25, 1875, at the age of seventy-one years, having been born in Tennessee on December 30, 1814. He was the eldest son of William Holland, who died in Texas and who was one of the first settlers of Mill Creek, Washington county. He was a successful merchant and public-spirited citizen. William and John Holland, a brother, were partners in the mercantile business and were well and favorably known. John Holland was a kind hearted and charitable man, giving liberally to all who were in needy circumstances. He was a kind father, faith fu! husband and accommodating neighbor and was an example of right living in his community. His wife was born on December 7, 1816, and died on March 14, 1903. They were the parents of the following children: John R., deceased, who was a merchant at Leesville, Indiana; Thomas, who died young; Fetney. deceased; Melinda, deceased, who became the wife of William H. Smith, both now deceased; W. R., a merchant at Leesville, Indiana, now deceased; and Berella. the widow of John T. Jackson, who lives at Leesville, and is the only survivor of this family. As before stated, John T. Jackson was a blacksmith by trade and for many years conducted a shop at Leesville. Indiana, where he made plows and wagons for the early settlers in that community. He also followed farming and was . a useful citizen in the community. He was a Democrat in politics and acted in the councils of his party, was widely known throughout that locality and highly respected by all who knew him. His wife was a member of the Baptist church. To them were born ten children, namely: Annie E., now deceased, who was the wife of J. L. Crawford, and they had a daughter, Maude; Olethia Bell lives in Indianapolis, Indiana; Charles S., a furniture dealer at Bedford; John A., a farmer in Shawswick township, Lawrence county; James H. lived and died in Reno county, Kansas, where he was a well known and popular educator; George B.; Thomas E., a salesman, lives at Memphis, Tennessee; William R., a machinist, died at the age of forty-two years; Annie is the wife of Lee Murray, of Bedford, Indiana; Flora is the wife of Wallace Owen, of Bedford, Indiana; Lizzie Gertrude died young.

George B. Jackson was reared under the parental roof, securing his elementary education in the district schools of his home neighborhood and subsequently attending a normal school for three years. He was then with W. R. and W. A. Holland in business at Leesville, Indiana, about six years and later was with W. A. Holland's sons, T. A and F. W., under the firm name of Jackson & Holland, Leesville, for about three years. Selling out his interest there in 1899, Mr. Jackson has since confined his attention to his home farm, in which he has met with abundant success, the conduct of his business being characterized by good judgment and hard work. He owns two hundred and three acres of valuable land at Leesville, and in addition to the raising of general crops he also gives a good deal of attention to the breeding and raising of live stock, which he has found to be a valuable adjunct to agriculture.

Politically, Mr. Jackson has always given his ardent support to the Democratic party and was elected trustee of his township, giving a satisfactory administration of the duties of that office. He is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to Lodge No. 161, and is also a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Bedford.

On May 27, 1886, Mr. Jackson married Addie M. Dodds, of Lawrence county, the daughter of Samuel and Sophia (Kindred) Dodds, both also natives of Lawrence county, where the father followed fanning during the active portion of his life, but is now deceased, being survived by his widow. To Mr. and Mrs. Jackson has been born a son, George Herbert, born December 10, 1900. Mr. Jackson is a man of wide and accurate information on the current questions of the clay, being a close reader and a keen observer of men and events, and during all the years of his residence here he has consistently enjoyed the friendship and esteem of all who know him. Though successful in his private affairs he is also interested in the welfare of the community and gives his unreserved support to every enterprise looking to the advancement of the welfare of his fellows.

HOME

sources: History of Lawrence and Monroe counties, Indiana By B.F. Bowen & Co;Indiana University: Its History from 1820, when Founded, to 1890;History of Hancock County, Indiana: by John H. Binford

All data on this website is © Copyright 2009 by Genealogy Trails with full rights reserved for original submitters