Baker
Township, Morgan County Indiana
TRANSCRIBED FROM THE BOOK COUNTIES OF MORGAN,
MONROE & BROWN,
INDIANA. HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL 1884
I. C. BAKER is a native of
Kentucky, was born June 10, 1828, and is the eldest of the family of
James H. and Nancy (Kemper) Baker, natives of Kentucky, and of English
and German descent, respectively, who removed to Morgan County, Ind., and located in Baker
Township until 1839, when they
moved to Monroe County and occupied land entered by Mr. Baker
previously. In 1847,
they moved to a farm near Martinsville, then to Paragon about 1855, and finally to Gosport about 1865,
where Mr. Baker died. I. C. Baker remained on the home far until he was
nineteen years old, when he left to learn cabinet making. He worked by
day and studied by night, thereby making up for neglect of education in
boyhood. After finishing this trade, he worked as a journeyman, often
until 10 o'clock at night, until 1853, being considered a master
workman. July 1, 1852, he married Cinderella, daughter of Isaac and Lodicea
(Maskel) Rogers, which union
gave issue to nine children, of whom five remain - Salem A., Charles F., Jesse B. (now Mrs. Pierson), Maggie B.
and Anna L. August 15, 1862, Mr. Baker enlisted in Company H, Seventy
ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was assigned to the Army of the
Cumberland. In 1862, during a grand review, he became exhausted, from which
effect he has never recovered; he also suffered from blindness following
impure vaccination, and was
discharged August 11, 1863. Since returning home, being unable to do
hard labor, he has followed
wagon making. Mr. and Mrs. Baker are members of the Christian Church.
E. B. BUSKIRK is a native of this
township, was born September 30, 1859, and is the eldest of the seven children comprising
the family of Bennet Van and Arvy (Smith) Buskirk, the former a native of this
township, born in the same house as our subject, the latter of Georgia. E. B. Buskirk
was brought up a farmer, and received some education from the common schools, which he
attended by times until sixteen years old. In 1876, he went to Texas, and engaged in buffalo
hunting and herding cattle for about two years, and later followed the same line in
Nebraska. In the winter of 1880-81, he took a departure for Wyoming Territory, and
worked on a ranch near Cheyenne, and engaged in herding on the Platte River until the
year 1883, at which period he returned to his father's home in this township. In
politics, he is a Republican.
WILLIAM H. FARR, enterprising young
farmer and stock raiser, is a native of this township, was born March 23, 1861, and is
the youngest of the twelve children of Jefferson and Sarah (Miller) Farr,
natives of Kentucky and of English extraction. William H. passed his youth, between
attendance at school and assisting at farming; he remained with his parents until August
31, 1879, when he married Mary J., daughter of Presley and Louisa (Hodges)
Johnson, and to this union were bestowed two children, Elmer Edgar (deceased) and
Roscoe. Mr. Farr is the owner of 160 acres of highly cultivated land, with
much necessary stock and implements, also a comfortable dwelling house, barns and the
like. Mr. Farr is a liberal and esteemed citizen, a Republican and a member of the
Baptist, while his wife united to the Christian Church.
JONATHAN H. HENRY, stock raiser and
farmer, was born August 3, 1831, in Clark County, Ohio, and is the fifth of
the nine children of Hamilton and Rebecca (Dalrymple) Henry, natives respectively
of Kentucky and South Carolina. Jonathan was reared on a farm, and attended two
terms of select school in Fayette County, Ohio. His father died in 1842,
whereupon he assisted is mother, and also taught during the winter. December 3,
1857, he married Miss Anna, daughter of Elder James and Ellen (Rider) Simpson, of
England, who emigrated to this country and purchased land in Ohio, where they died;
Mr. Simpson was a Baptist minister. Three children followed this union, John
C. (deceased), James H. and Ella N.; they have also one by adoption,
Juniata. After his marriage, Mr. Henry taught two terms of school; then took charge
of a Christian Church in Harrison, Ohio, for two years; thence he moved to
Martinsville, Ind., in 1863, where he had a church; thence to Gosport, in charge of a church for six
years, and also for a time in business. In 1875, he moved to where his home now is,
but was some time in Martinsville, and acted as Deputy Treasurer, and as Trustee
two years. He has a fair farm of 120 acres, with good buildings, stocking and
various improvements. In addition to preaching, he served as County Examiner
two years. In 1879, he was elected Trustee of Gosport, and afterward as a
member of the School Board. Mr. Henry is a member of the Masonic fraternity, a
Republican and a highly regarded citizen.
DR. WILLIAM N. HODGES was born on
the section on which he now lives October 22, 1836, and is the fourth of
the twelve children of John and
Lucy (Newlin) Hodges, the former a native of Indiana, born 1810.
The grandfather of our
subject, Thomas Hodges, emigrated to Washington County, Ind., about 1808, and his great
grandfather was a soldier of
the Revolutionary war. John
Hodges came to this county in 1830, and died in this township September 7,
1856; he was a pioneer, and owned about 1,000 acres, most of which was
improved. Dr. Hodges was reared on a farm. After studying medicine,
and graduating from the Cincinnati Medical School, he located at
Edwardsport, Ind., in 1866, as a
practitioner, after which he traveled
extensively until 1871, when he
returned home and engaged in farming. October 1, 1871, he married
Mary A. Baker, which union
produced five children, Louisa A., John L., Joseph H., Lucy and Rachel C. Dr. Hodges'
farm is well stocked, cultivated, improved and appointed, and embraces 300
acres. In August, 1862, he
enlisted in Company H, Seventy ninth
Indiana Volunteers, and served
in most of the battles of the Southwest. He was discharged June 7, 1865. Dr. Hodges is a Freemason, a
Republican, and has served as
Justice of the Peace and County Coroner. He and wife are members
of the Christian Church.
JOHN P. HYNDS, stock raiser and
farmer, was born June 10, 1854, in Jefferson Township, Morgan County, and is
the youngest of the eight
children of William and Susanna (Landford) Hynds. He was reared on a farm, and remained until manhood.
June 10, 1874, he married Nancy
C. Hodges, of this county, a union which produced four children Emma,
Susanna E. (deceased), William T.
(deceased), and Lilly B. Mr. Hynds is the possessor of 127 acres, eighty
seven acres of which lie on White River bottom, and all of which is in good
improvement; the additions
are a fine residence, with barns, outhouses and the like. Mr.
Hynds has succeeded well in
life, notwithstanding may losses; having lost at times his house and barns, valued at
$1,500. He is an active Republican, and has served one term as
Assessor. He and wife are consistent and esteemed members of the
Baptist Church, as well as
liberal and benevolent neighbors and friends.
PRESLEY JOHNSON, stock raiser and
farmer, was born August 15, 1835, in Monroe County, Ind., and is the fourth of
the family of Joab and Elizabeth (Smith) Johnson, natives of Tennessee, who
emigrated to this State in 1832, settled in Monroe County and entered and improved 240
acres, and where Mr. Johnson died October 12, 1846. After the death of
his father, our subject labored on the home farm, as a consequence of which his educational
advantages were spare. January 20, 1859, he married Miss Louisa, daughter of John
and Lucy (Newton) Hodges, to which union were bestowed two children, Mary
Jane and Jarvis J. Mr. Johnson was elected Trustee of this township for two terms of
two years each. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and in politics is a
Democrat. In 1867, he settled near where he now resides on a proprietary farm of 256 acres, well
cultivated, improved, and stocked with short-horn cattle. He is now mainly
engaged in raising stock, and is comfortably situated, having given to his children and sold
about 200 acres. Mr. Johnson is an enterprising
and esteemed citizen, and, with his
wife, a member of the Christian Church.
ISAAC LAFAVER was born in Virginia
in 1801. He is the third of the eight children of Abraham and Mary (Brock) Lafaver,
natives of Virginia, the former of French and the latter of Dutch descent. Isaac
was reared on a farm. His parents moved to Wayne County, Ky., about 1806, where he attended
the primitive schools of that time. About the year 1816, his parents moved to this
State and settled in Washington County, where they entered 300, and cleared 100 acres
thereof. About 1823, they came to this county, entered land in this township, where
Abraham Lafaver died in 1840. October 23, 1823, Isaac married Mary, daughter of Michael
Cooper, a soldier of the Revolution. To this union were born nine children, John,
Jacob, James, Isaac, Mary, Louisa, Nancy, Lovina and Abraham (deceased). In 1824,
our subject came to this county, entered eighty acres on White River bottoms, and forty where
he now resides. To this, he has added 100 acres, since purchased. This land is
well stocked, cultivated and improved, with good orchards. In 1826, Mr. Lafaver
moved to this township. He has been a worthily successful man; has served nine years
as Justice of the Peace, and is a Democrat, having given his first vote for Gen.
Jackson. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as was his wife, who died in 1880, aged
seventy five years.
JAMES LEMON is a native of Johnson
County, Ind., was born February 6, 1847, and is the second of the five children of
William P. and Lucinda Lemon, natives respectively of Kentucky and Indiana, and of Dutch and
English descent. James moved to Gosport with his parents in 1860, but returned to
Johnson County in 1871, and worked at carpentering and farming. October 5, 1873,
he married Miss Cynthia, daughter of Malachi and Sarah Collier, by which union they had
three children, William E., Ira Francis and Thomas J. After marriage, Mr. Lemon moved
to this county, and purchased twenty acres, in good cultivation, and with good dwelling and
some improvements. July 17, 1863, he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Fifteenth
Indiana Volunteer Infantry, which regiment joined the Army of Cumberland. He
was discharged March, 1864, and re-enlisted January, 1865, in Company C, One Hundred
and Forty ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry; was stationed at Nashville and
Decatur, and finally discharged November, 1865. Mr. Lemon is a Democrat, and a much respected
citizen. Mrs. Lemon is a member of the Baptist Church.
JOHN WESLEY LEONARD, stock raiser
and farmer, was born September 26, 1850, in Fayetteville, Ind., and is the
youngest chid of Isaac and Lucy (Culver) Leonard, respectively of German and French
descent. Mrs. Leonard had been previously married to Mr. John Dunning, and was
mother of two children. Our subject was reared on a farm, his parents having moved to
Owen County, Ind., when he was one year of age, where they purchased a farm and
resided about six years; this they sold and removed to near Spencer, where they remained
until the spring of 1865; this land they likewise sold, and removed to near Martinsville,
where John resided until May 27, 1874, when he married Eliza M., daughter of James and
Eleanor (Peter) Maxwell, natives of Indiana. The fruits of this union were two
children Nora M. and Minnie Iolia. Mr. Leonard has a farm of 102 acres, containing a good
dwelling, barns and other buildings, and which is well cultivated, stocked and improved,
the whole a result of successful farming and judicious management. Mr. Leonard
has been twice elected Justice of the Peace, and is now serving as Trustee. He is a
member of the Masonic fraternity and an active Democrat.
BARBARA A. MARTIN is a native of
North Carolina, and was born December 24, 1828. Her parents (John W. and Mary
A. Warren Miller) emigrated to Morgan County, Ind., where, January 28, 1849,
she was united in marriage to Dr. Isaac Martin, a native of Monroe County,
who died about 1873, having been
the father of nine children, four of whom are living, William A., John
M., Mary S. (Mrs. Russell) and
James L. The parents of Dr. Martin were early settlers of Monroe County, and had traded
considerably with the Indians.
JOHN MCDANIEL was born January,
1834, in Pulaski County, Ky., and is the fifth of the nine children of John and Unia
Elizabeth (Littlejohn) McDaniel, natives of Kentucky, and of Scotch and Irish
descent. John, our subject, was reared to the plow, and in 1852 came to this county, lived
with an uncle and worked by the month for several years. About 1858, he lived
in Missouri and Kansas, and afterward was employed to drive a cattle team across the
plains. From Salt Lake he assisted in driving one thousand head of cattle to
California, where he engaged in farming by the month, but soon afterward returned to his
present location. April 1, 1862, he enlisted in Company H, Thirty third Indiana Volunteer
Infantry, the regiment marching immediately to join the Army of the Cumberland, which
took part at the battles of Franklin, Cumberland Gap, the Atlanta campaign and the march
through Georgia. While in the hospital, his regiment was captured, by the enemy, and
he was thereafter assigned to the heavy artillery, in which he remained for ten
months, and was discharged April, 1865. January 11, 1866, he married Mary A., daughter of
James and Ellen Martin, which union was cemented by six children, James H.,
William Franklin, John E., Clinton H., Kelle B. and Ella J. Mr. McDaniel is owner of
eighty acres, being a good farm and comfortable home. He is a member of the G. A. R., and of
the Baptist Church, also an active Republican.
MARY A. MILLER, one of the oldest
settlers of Morgan county, was born in North Carolina, January, 1800, a daughter of
Robert and Catherine (Troutman) Warren, also natives of North Carolina. Our
subject married to John W. Miller, a wagon maker, who afterward abandoned this trade and
became a farmer. Their union was made happy by eleven children, Robert A.
(who perished in the late war), John M., Catherine E. (Mrs. Maxley), Barbara A.
(Mrs. Martin), Susan (deceased), Betsy L. (deceased), Henry W. (died in the late
war), Mary A. (Mrs. Harvey), Peter C., Zelny (deceased), and Eliza A. (Mrs.
Hickson). Mr. and Mrs. Miller moved to Morgan County about 47 years ago and purchased
land on White River bottoms, but afterward moved to the hills. Mr. Miller was
about one year older than she, and died about 1869, having cleared a good farm. Mrs.
Miller owns 220 acres of good land, with a comfortable house and productive orchard.
Mr. Miller was a member of the Baptist Church, as has been Mrs. Miller for nearly fifty
years.
SARAH C. REGESTER is a native of
Monroe County, Ohio, was born December 30, 1843, and is the fifth of the seven
children of Thomas and Catherine (Lewis) Gray, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and
Virginia, and both of English extraction. The father of our subject was a Quaker, and
shortly subsequent to his marriage, moved to Harrisville, Ohio, where he labored as a
tanner, and a few years later purchased a farm in Harrison County, whither he moved, and
on which he resided for about fifteen years. While there a reward of $2,000 was
offered for his and one of his neighbor's heads, in consequence of advocating the
anti-slavery movement. He was counseled to remain on this side of the slavery line, but,
being a man of strong determination, gave no heed thereto, remaking that, were he slain, a
thousand would rise in his place. And so he removed to Jay County, Ind., about 1858,
where he purchased a farm, remaining until his departure for Iowa, where he and his
wife are now living with a daughter. Mrs. Sarah Regester has been twice married,
first to John Sumption, with a gift of three children, Mary E. (Mrs. Robbins), Eva I.
and Mercy Ann (Mrs. Rice). Mr. Sumption died December 21,1865. Her second
marriage, November 11, 1869, was to Robert Regester, with an issue of one child,
John F. When alive, Mr. Regester was in the hotel business in Jay County, and
died September 16, 1881. In 1882, with her two
children, she removed to Morgan
County and purchased 76 acres, for the purpose of cultivating fruit and having a
congenial home. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
JOHN H. THOMAS was born in Spencer,
Ind., December 13, 1840, and is the seventh of the thirteen children of Alvin
and Jane (Christison) Thomas, natives of Kentucky, and of Irish descent.
John H. Thomas was bred to the farming profession, but received little education, inasmuch
as his father died when he was eleven years old, and his services were required to assist
the family. July 6, 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Twenty first Regiment Indiana
Volunteers, in which he was engaged at Baton Rouge, where he was wounded in the left thigh,
and at the siege of Port Hudson. In consequence of his wound he was discharged June,
1864. December 5, 1869, he married N. Frances, daughter of James M. and Elizabeth
Campbell, which union was followed by seven children, Nettie, James Madison, Cynthia,
Mary, Bessie, John A. and Jane. Mr. Thomas is the proprietor of 102 acres of good
farming land, which is well stocked, cultivated and improved, and containing a good dwelling
house. He is a strong Republican in political faith, and he and wife are members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church.
E. M. WAMPLER, farmer and stock
raiser, was born August 26, 1853, in Monroe County, Ind., and is the sixth of the ten
children of Andrew and Margaret (Cowden) Wampler, natives of Virginia, and of
German descent. Our subject was reared a farmer, yet received some education from the
public schools. When of age, he went to McLean County, Ill., and thence to Daviess
County, Ind., where he remained fifteen months,
and then returned to Monroe County to
engage in farming. April 12, 1877, he married Mollie, daughter of Madison and Elizabeth
Huston. To this union were born four children, Homer M., Lora Estella, James C. and
Maud E. Since his marriage, Mr. Wampler has farmed in this county, first on
rented land, and moved to his present place in 1881; this comprises 256 acres, all in good
cultivation and improvement, with valuable stock and a fine orchard. Mr. Wampler is a
promising young man and a Democrat in political views.
ABRAHAM WEAVER, stock raiser and
farmer, is a native of this township, was born November 21, 1830, and is the fourth
of the five children born to John and Elizabeth (Davis) Weaver, natives of Wythe
County, Va., and of German and English descent respectively, who came to Indiana in 1830
and entered land in Monroe County. Abraham was reared on a farm, attended school
but a short time, working closely for his father. November 5, 1857, he
married Mary Jane, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Languell, a union which was followed by
four children, Cyrus, John T., Henry Washington Halleck and George
McClelland. Mrs. Weaver died September 13, 1865, and December 12, 1866, he wedded Nancy
S., daughter of David and Eliza (McCown) Allen. To this union were born
three children, James S., Daniel Vorhees (deceased) and Albert Homer. Mr. Weaver has
taken two degrees in Masonry. He has 400 acres of excellent land, which is under fine
cultivation and well stocked; also improved by a comfortable residence. Mr. Weaver
has been generally successful, having lost $6,000 by misplaced confidence. In
politics, he is a Democrat.
HENRY W. H. WEAVER, an enterprising
young farmer and stock raiser, is a native of this township, was born September 8,
1862, and is the third of the seven children of Abe and Mary A. (Languell) Weaver, natives
respectively of Virginia and Indiana, and both of Dutch descent. Henry was bred to
the independent profession of agriculture, and obtained the rudiments of an education at the
public schools. November 13, 1881, he married Miss Matilda, daughter of Stephen and
Ellen (Leller) Bolin, natives of the State of Indiana. Mr. Weaver is the owner of forty acres of
timber land in Monroe County. He is a much- esteemed gentleman, a Democrat in
political classification, and a promising farmer.
JOHN C. WILSON, farmer, is a native
of Owen County, Ind., was born January 24, 1841, and is the second of the four
children of Thomas and Orphy Wilson, natives respectively of Kentucky and North
Carolina, and of German and Irish extraction. John C. labored on the home farm during
summer, and attended subscription school during winter. His father was one of
the early settlers of Monroe County, who there entered land, and afterward moved to Owen
County, where he entered 300 acres near Gosport, and where he died May 24,1883,
aged eighty six years. He had also entered about 1,000 acres in Jasper County, Ill.,
which he bestowed among his children. May, 1861, our subject married Catherine,
daughter of Jefferson and Sarah Farr, a union cemented by seven children, five of whom
are living, Albert J., Frances (Mrs. Hodges), Joseph P., Thomas O., and John
Otto. During the war, Mr. Wilson enlisted in Company F, Twenty ninth Indiana Volunteer
Infantry, and served until July, 1865, when he returned to his home farm and remained until
October, 1879, when he removed to his present abode. Mrs. Wilson died January,
1880, and on September 13 he married Mrs. Guy. Mr. Wilson owns 365 acres of fruitful
land, on which has been found a vein of gold, yielding $300 to the ton, becoming richer
as descent is made. His farm is well improved, cultivated and valuable, bearing some of
the largest poplar and tulip trees in the State, one so large as to admit of a vehicle,
horse and driver when hollowed out. He and wife are members of the Christian Church.