INDIANA GENEALOGY EXPRESS

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PARKE COUNTY,
INDIANA
HISTORY & GENEALOGY

HISTORY OF PARKE COUNTY, INDIANA
(Source:  History of Vigo & Parke County, Indiana - Chicago: H. H. Hill & N. Iddings, 1880, 1310 pgs.
(Transcribed by Sharon Wick)

BIOGRAPHIES OF ADAMS TOWNSHIP
NOTE:  These biographies contain many other names than are listed below.  To find out if a person you are searching for, do a "Control F" to search the contents of this page.
Biographies will be transcribed upon request

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ADAMS, Harvey 119
ALLEN, James A. 118
BANTLEY, James L. 157
BEADLE, James W. 132
BEADLE, John Hanson 127
BOARDMAN, Thomas 146
BOGUE, Eli 156
BOYD, Harrison 117
BOYD, Lewis 140
BRADFIELD, Edward 140
BRYANT, William Perkins 106
BURROUGHS, James Greene 164
COCHRAN, James H. 157
COLE, Oscar A. 149
CONNELLY, Jesse B. 121
COX, John B. 141
CRAIG, William H. 160
CRAIN, John G., Hon. 135
CUMMINGS, William P. 120
DAVIS, Samuel T. 124
DOWD, John B., Capt. 151
FISHER, Daniel D. 115
FISHER, Lewis W. 142
FULWIDER, John 135
FUSON, Stephen K. 162
GREEN, John 116
HARGRAVE, William H. 158
HARRISON, Wilburn P. 144
HOWARD, D. S. 167
HOWARD, Tilghman, 101
HUNNELL, Jacob S. 161
HUNT, Elwood 131
HUNT, John F. D. 144
JERDON, Joseph H. 139
JOHNSTON, James T. 153
KIRKMAN, Samuel 159
LAMBERT, Benjamin F. 112
MARSHALL, Emmet Filmore 143
MARSHALL, Mahlon W. 123
McCUNE, Wallace W. 123
McEWEN, James 113
McEWEN, Robert B. 114
McMILLEN, William L. 119
MEACHAM, John J. 116
MEREDITH, Thomas 166
MORRIS, Cephas 107
MULL, William D. 126
MURPHY, Clinton 155
PRICE, G. C. 125
PUETT, Alexander 112
PUETT, Samuel Duncan 133
QUINLAN, Cornelius 166
RICE, Thomas N. 140
ROACH, Addison L. 108
RYAN, Martin 142
SKELTON, Samuel L. 159
SLAVENS, Henry 107
SMITH, George P. 152
SMITH, Samuel W. 150
STARK, David W. 116
STEELE, George K. 110
STROUSE, David 134
TENBROOK, William 120
THOMAS, Patrick 155
WARD, Greenberry 113
WELCH, Frank 145
WHITE, Ared F. 130
WHITE, William J. 139
WILSON, John, Jr. 165
WOODARD, Solomon B. 122
HARVEY ADAMS, farmer, Rockville, was born in Ross county, Ohio, July 6, 1825, and is the son of Philip and Mary L. (Chestnut) 'Adams.  His father was born in Virginia in 1783, and died in Parke county, Indiana, in 8145.  He moved to Ohio before the war of 1812.  In 1830 he moved to Vigo county, Indiana, and in 1835 moved to Parke county.  He served in the war of 1812, and was a member of  the Methodist church, and in politics was an old line whig.  His mother was born in 1795 and died in 1863.  Mr. Adams had only the common school education of his day, and although he did not have the education of the schools, yet he obtained a practical education that has enabled him to become the wealthiest farmer in Adams township.  Mr. Adams began farming for himself in1846, with but little capital.  He was married August 15, 1848, to Miss Elizabeth A. Caruthers, who was born in 1827.  They have had nine children:  Joseph D., who has attended school at Bloomingdale Academy and has taught school in the fall and winter for eight or nine years; Emma I., who has taught school, and has attended the Bloomingdale Academy and the State Normal at Terre Haute, intending to graduate; Anna L., who died May 12, 1876; Lewis E., Lucy A. (the last two are twins), John M., who attended Bloomingdale Academy and taught school for a number or terms; and Mary E., who is the wife of Josephus OTT.  Mr. ADAMS now has about 2,000 acres of land, about 900 acres of which is in good cultivation, and the remainder is good woods and pasture land.  Upon the place where he lives he built, in 1859, a large, fine slate roof dwelling houe, at a cost of about $5,000.  Mr. Adams has raised grain and stock largely.
JAMES A. ALLEN, farmer, Rockville, is one of the respected men of Adams township, and was born in Parke county Apr. 7, 1833.  His father James ALLEN was born in Wythe county, Virginia, Oct. 15, 1803, and died March 8, 1876.  He settled in Parke county in 1825.  He was left an orphan at twelve years of age, without money, but by industry and good management he became a wealthy farmer.  During the early days of Indiana he endured many hardships, and passed through many trying and interesting experiences, but he lived to see what was then a wilderness become the abode of civilization.  Mr. ALLEN's mother, Mary (CARUTHERS), was born Dec. 1, 1810, and died Nov. 19, 1877.  She was the daughter of John CARUTHERS, of Ohio.  Mr. ALLEN had the advantages of the common school for an education.  He began farming for himself in the spring of 1854, and was married Mar. 25, 1858, to Mary Jane OTT.  She was born May 26, 1836, in Augusta county, Virginia.  They have had five children:  Oscar M., born Dec. 19, 1859, died Sept. 28, 1860; James E., Dec. 4, 1860; Cora B., July 8, 1865, and died May 26, 1866; Frank S., July 30, 1869, and Homer O., Sept. 5, 1873.  Mr. and Mrs. ALLEN are both members of the Presbyterian church of Rockville.  Mr. ALLEN was a Mason fifteen years, and in politics is a republican.  He is a successful farmer, an enterprising citizen, and has reached his present condition by hard labor and good management.
JAMES L. BANTLEY, farmer, Rockville, was born in Virginia in 1822, and is the son of George and Ann M. (Hogue) Bantley.  His father was a cooper by trade; a Methodist class-leader till his death, and in politics was a democrat.  While living in Virginia Mr. Bantley conducted a tannery for another man.   He lived near and learned his trade of William Taylor, the noted preacher and theologian.  The southern government took charge of the tannery establishment during the war, and employed him to conduct it.  His first marriage was November 5, 1846.  The children by this marriage were:  John R., Cyrus, Edward A., who died March 14, 1875; Virginia E., who died November 21, 1864;  Dorman M., died June 22, 1862;  William L. and Gorder P.  His first wife died Nov. 13, 1864.  There are also two other children dead: Lillie R. and Mary A.  His second marriage was October 21, 1867.  His wife was born Apr. 5, 1839.  By this marriage they have two children living:  Stalard B. and Wallace G.  Mr. Bantley suffered considerable loss by the depreciation of southern paper money, and came to Rockville in 1865 with only $1.25 in his pocket; but he went to work, and is now in comfortable circumstances.
JAMES W. BEADLE, farmer, Rockville, was born in Parke County, July 8, 1844, and is the son of James W. and Elizabeth (Bright) Beadle.  Mr. Beadle had the advantages of the common school and the Rockville High school for an education.  July 29, 1862, Mr. Beadle enlisted in the 78th Ind. Vols., and one month afterward he was captured by the guerrillas.  He was immediately paroled, and came home and attended the Rockville high school that winter, and in the spring was exchanged.  July 4, 1863, he reenlisted in the 115th Ind. Vols.  He was mustered into service at Camp Karrington, Indianapolis, and remained there about two months guarding rebel prisoners.  Just before his regiment left Indianapolis Mr. Beadle took sick, but afterward joined it at Cumberland Gap.  The greater part of the winter of 1863-4 he was sick with the measles.  Mr. Beadle served in the 90th Army Corps, commanded by Gen. Burnside, and was mustered out in February 1864.  May 6, 1864, he enlisted in the one-hundred days service, and was discharged in the fall of the same year.  He came ome and attended school until January 1, when he enlisted in the navy for two years, and served until the close of the war.  In the spring of 1866 Mr. Beadle went into the drug business at Evansville, Indiana, and continued there until the fall of 1869.  In the spring of 1870 he went to Dakota Territory, and engaged in land surveying about three years, when he returned to Parke County.  He was married June 10, 1875, to Miss Bell Tenbrook, who was born Jan. 9, 1856, in Parke county.  They have three children:  Edward P., Clara M. and John F.  Mr. Beadle is a successful farmer and resides on the old homestead.  He is a member of A. O. U. W., is a great reader, and is politics is a republican.  He votes to maintain the Union, which he fought to save.  His father, James Ward Beadle, was born in Jefferson county, Kentucky, near the city of Louisville, September 30, 1806.  In 1820 he moved with his father to Clark county, Indiana.  He afterward returned to Kentucky and was married to Miss Elizabeth Bright.  She was the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Burroughs) Bright, and was born March 12, 1805.  Her ancestors settled in America in very early times.  Her father cut down the first tree where the city of Washington now stands.  He did duty in the war of 1812, and sank his boat in the Chesapeake Bay at Norfolk, to keep it from being captured by the British.  Mrs. Beadle is a member of the Methodist church, and lives with her son, James W. Beadle.  Her father lived to be ninety-five years old, and her mother ninety-four.  Mr. and Mrs. Beadle had nine children:  Catherine A., Mary E., Laura V., William H., John H., Fred. R., James W., Edward T. and Sarah E.  In February, 1837, Mr. Beadle moved to Parke county, and for ten or twelve years did business in Howard, farming, pork packing, dealing in dry goods and groceries, and shipping to New Orleans.  In 1848 he was elected sheriff of Parke county.  He served two terms and made an efficient officer.  He also held the offices of justice of the peace and county commissioner for a number of years.  He had four sons in the great rebellion.  Mr. Beadle died April 18, 1879.  He was a member of the Methodist church, a republican, and a Mason for many years.  Mr. Beadle was a man of positive convictions, strongly attached to his family and friends, and had extensive information, wide experience, and was an active and useful member of society.
JOHN HANSON BEADLE, author, and editor and proprietor of the "Rockville Tribune," Rockville, second son of James Ward and Elizabeth Beadle, was born March 14, 1840, on a farm two miles east of Waterman, in Liberty township, this county.  At a very early age he was attacked by the ague, which was then the curse of the Wabash country; with this disease he languished an entire year, and was finally left with an enfeebled constitution.  For this reason his personal tastes were indulged rather more than those of most children, and as he early showed a remarkable aptitude for books and papers he acquired the reputation of an "odd child."  He learned to read so young that he has no recollection of the matter, and at the age of seven was among the advanced scholars of the district school.  His memory was then considered marvelous, and being somewhat indulged he used to spend whole days reading, or rambling in the woods and reciting little poems and stories he had read.  At the age of ten years he committed the entire New Testament to memory, besides the Book of Job, most of the Psalms, and other portions of the Old Testament.  This power of memory continued in full activity till about the age of sixteen; then it disappeared almost at once, and since that time, though very good, his memory is not at all phenomenal.  At the age of nine he had completed the studies then pursued inthe common schools, and his father, being desirous to educate his children more thoroughly, obtained the nomination of the whigs for sheriff; he was elected and the family removed to Rockville.  In three years John  and his elder brother, William, had completed the high school course - then not as full as now - and were prepared for college.  But John was still of a delicate constitution, and it was decided that his days of study were over.  At the age of thirteen he was removed to the farm near Rockville, and spent the next five years in farm labor and driving stock, attending school only two winter terms in Rockville.  Having meanwhile grown stout and apparently rugged he became eager for a college course; and in October, 1857, he and his brother William entered as freshmen at Ann Harbor, Michigan.  His health, at no time really robust, broke down in the second year, and for awhile his friends despaired of his recovery.  He at length rallied, and when able to travel returned home.  After a short visit he started on a tour through Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, and Minnesota, traveling largely on foot and paying his way by farm-labor, teaming, selling books, etc.  After a brief sojourn in Minnesota his health was so much restored that he returned to college.  After the breaking out of the war he made an extensive tour through New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Ohio.  On  his return he enlisted as a private in Co. A, 31st Ind. Vols., and served until after the fall of Fort Donelson, when exposure brought on a disease of the lungs and he barely escaped death.  The next four years he traveled, taught school, and studied law; and in 1866 located, as he supposed, permanently in Evansville in the practice of his profession.  Again his health failed, and in 1868 he started for California, the next winter corresponding with the Cincinnati "Commercial" from Salt Lake City.  These letters, signed "Beadle" (racy and original), attracted wide notice, and established for him a reputation which placed him in the front rank of the newspaper correspondents of our land.  During his residence in Utah he edited the Salt Lake "Reporter" a year.  This was a gentile sheet, the only one in the territory, and under his editorial control was soon recognized as one of the sprightliest and most effective journals in the west, and by the "Saints" as a rapier to Mormanism.  He next traveled constantly for several years in the western states and territories as the correspondent of the Cincinnati "Commercial," "Western World," and other papers, at the same time collecting material for his books.  The first of these was his "Life in Utah," published early in 1870.  This is a history of Mormonism, and the most complete and valuable book on the subject that has ever been written.  It found an immense sale, showing its great popularity - over 80,000 copies having been sold.  It has been said by another that the work "reflects great honor on the writer from the clear, impartial statement of the rise, progress and workings of Mormonism, acquired only by the most hard and patient labor; and from the forcible and interesting style in which it is written, will deservedly rank it among the reliable histories of our land."  On December 25, 1872, Mr. Beadle was married to Miss Jennie Cole, of Evansville, a lady who adds to quiet, social charms a rare development of the moral sensibilities.  This union was happy for Mr. Beadle, not only in securing a partner whose grace and tenderness would fill his home with the sunshine of domestic happiness, but whose qualifications otherwise lend ready assistance in his intellectual labors.  In 1874 an interest in mining took Mr. Beadle, with his wife and child, to Colorado, where he worked and traveled that season.  Then he went to Utah and was appointed clerk of the supreme court.  This position he held till August 1875, when he resigned and went to New York city.  There he wrote various articles for the magazines, and served as Wall-street reporter for the "Daily Graphic."  Early in 1876 he accepted the position of Columbus (Ohio) correspondent of the Cincinnati - Gazette." retaining the same two years; during the time he made two lengthy tours in the south for that Journal.  Growing weary of the life of a wandering scribe, in 1878 he settled in Rockville, and bought the "Rockville Tribune," a paper which he is at this time publishing.  In addition to his editorial work he is performing a variety of literary labor.  In 1877 he published "Western Wilds" - a history of seven years' travel and residence in the Far West.  Besides his correspondence Mr. Beadle is widely known for his books and various short articles: among them, "Then Darwinian Genesis," a little satire, which has been repeatedly published both in Europe and America; the "Centennial State," etc.  Mr. Beadle's acquirements are of a high order.  His talents, made conspicuous by great memory, remarkable powers of observation and generalization, and an unusually versatile style, have brought him prominently before the reading world as a writer of signal promise, and laid the foundation for a career of usefulness and fame in the empire of letters.  He is still a young man, and the public have every reason to hope that they may be refreshed for many years to come from the fountains of his inspiring pen, and that he may add greatly to his very gratifying success and reputation.
THOMAS BOARDMAN, shoemaker, Rockville, was born in Manchester, England, Feb. 9, 1826.  He came with his parents, Thomas and Alice (Aspinal) Boardman, to New York in 1832.  His father was a woolen manufacturer, and settled in that city, where the family lived several years.  The subject of this sketch began the shoemaker's trade there, but before he had finished it they removed to Steubenville, Ohio, then to Lisbon, and next to Salem,  From here Thomas returned to Steubenville, and when he was done with learning his trade he went to Elkton to help his father run a woolen factory which he had bought.  He quit the factory in 1847 and came to Parke county, arriving at Morlan's mill, on the Little Raccoon, on May 1.  He settled and lived on Sand creek a couple of years, farming and working at his trade; he then moved to New Discovery, and in like manner worked two or three years from thence he went to Rocky Fork, near Mansfield, and lived until 1856, when he and his brother Joseph and Ashford Mankins formed a partnership and kept a general store at Piattsville.  Mr. Boardman kept the  Boardman kept the post-office at that point.  In the spring of 1858 he sold out and made a journey with his family in a two-horse wagon to New York, stopping along the way to visit relations.  The trip occupied four weeks.  His father and mother had previously returned to New York and settled at Poughkeepsie.  In the fall he sold his team and returned by rail, and took up his residence at Rockville, where he has lived to this date.  For three or four years he carried on a boot and shoe establishment, manufacturing much of his stock, and keeping several workmen for that purpose.  He next embarked in the grocery trade, to which he added a meat market, taking Henry Craft as a partner in the latter.  This partnership was summarily dissolved by Craft's being killed in a quarrel with Washington Painter, who shot him.  After a few years Mr. Boardman resumed work at his trade, and has not departed from that since.  He was married at New Lisbon, Ohio, in 1846, to Edna Hann, who was born July 10, 1829.  They have had nine children:  Sarah Catharine, now dead; Alice, Amanda, Mary Ann, Joseph Henry, Julia, who is deceased; Andrew, dead; Thomas, deceased; Edna, May, and William.  Mr. Boardman and nearly all his family are members of the Christian church.  He has filled all the stations from janitor to pastor, and has indeed been most efficient in all the relations he has borne to the church, and faithful to her every trust and interest.  Mr. Boardman has two brothers, Andrew and Samuel, lawyers, who reside in New York city and are eminent in their profession.  It was Judge Andrew Boardman, it will be remembered, who presided on the trial of Stokes for the killing of Fisk.  The Boardman family on both sides are remarkable for their longevity.  His father died June 23, 1869, aged 83, and his mother May 6, 1880, aged 90.  His grandfather Boardman lived to be 101 years old, and his grandfather Aspinal 110.
ELI BOGUE, farmer, Rockville, is the son of William and Rebecca (Cook) Bogue, and was born in Vermilion county, Illinois, October 12, 1840.  Mr. Bogue's father was a Friend Quaker, a republican, and a farmer.  Mr. Bogue lived in Illinois till 1861.  In 1859 he made a trip through Iowa.  He enlisted in Co. K, 37th Ill. Vols., and was mustered into service at Camp Washington, Chicago, Illinois, and proceeded at once to St. Louis.  He fought at Muddy Creek, where the Union forces captured 1,400 prisoners.  This battle was commanded by Gen. Pope.  His company was then placed under the command of Gen. Fremont.  Mr. Bogue also fought in the battle of Pea Ridge.  His regiment took boats, went down the Mississippi river to the siege of Vicksburg; then up the Yazoo, in North Carolina; then to New Orleans, across the Gulf; and he was mustered out at Springfield, Illinois, after three years of service for his country.  While in the army he was offered promotion on account of good conduct.  He made a good record as a soldier.  May 13, 1867, he was married to Miss Rebecca Newlin.  She was born in 1848.  They have three children:  Richard H., Almetta and William N.  Mr. Boyd is a Friend Quaker, and a republican; he votes as he shot.  He is an industrious and successful farmer.
HARRISON BOYD, farmer, Rockville, was born in Tennessee May 28, 1819, and is the son of William B. BOYD.  The latter was born in Albermarle count, Virginia.  He was a farmer, a Methodist, and democrat.  In 1833 the subject of this sketch went with his parents to Hendricks county, Indiana, and in 1835 settled in Parke county.  Mr. BOYD was married Nov. 3, 1846, to Miss Rebecca LEWIS, who was born in Ohio May 30, 1822, and is the daughter of Jason and Nancy (ASHFORD) LEWIS.  Their children are:  James M., who married Miss Margaret McCAMPBELL; Ann L., Lewis, who is a farmer and school teacher; William, Mary E., Albert H., and Eldridge.  His son James taught school several terms, and attended school at Farmersburg and graduated from the first medical college in Philadelphia.  Before attending school he read in the office of Dr. CROSS, of Rockville.  He is now a practicing physician in Harveysburg, Fountain county, Indiana.  Mr. BOYD commenced farming for himself in 1840, in poor circumstances.  He now owns a good farm of 134 acres, for which he paid $50 per acre, and upon which he is preparing to build a new house.  Mr. BOYD and wife are members of the Methodist church.  Mr. BOYD is a democrat in politics, and is a man who believes in progress and improvement.  He is an honest, hard working, good natured gentleman.
EDWARD BRADFIELD, farmer, Rockville, was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, Aug. 1, 1841, and is the son of William and Sarah Bradfield,  Mr. Bradfield had a common-school education and also attended Bloomington Academy two terms.  He was married to Sarah J. Cox December 8, 1867.  She was born May 5, 1846, and is the daughter of John B. and Mary (Mayfield) Cox.  They hae four children:  William A., Reason E., Minnie J. and Seth.  Mr. Bradfield's father died April 26, 1862.  His father was an elder in the Christian church, and in politics was a whig and afterward a republican.  Mr. Bradfield began life in limited circumstances, but now has a good farm, upon which he is building a fine new slate-roof dwelling-house.  Mr. Bradfield taught school in his own district for eight terms in succession.  He has taught, in all, twelve winters and two summers.  The fact that he taught so long in his own district is a standing proof of his success as a teacher.  He took an active part in getting the gravel road that runs past his place, thus evincing his wisdom and enterprise.  He is a member of the Christian church, and in politics is a nationalist.  He is a man of careful and judicious judgment.
WILLIAM PERKINS BRYANT was born in Mercer county, Kentucky, August 3, 1806.  His mother died when he was quite young; afterward his father moved to Shakertown, where young Bryant remained till he was eighteen.  Not liking the customs of the Shakers, he left his family and went to Lancaster; he was entirely without means, but while here he managed to study law, and in 1825 arrived in Indiana.  Whether he came directly to Parke county is not known but only a short time could have elapsed till he was settled in Rockville.  When the Black Hawk war broke out he volunteered and served throughout the campaign, a circumstance which greatly increased his reputation.  Immediately on his return he went back to Lancaster, Kentucky and married his cousin, Maria BRYANT and then elected prosecuting attorney, which was a considerable office at that time, as the circuit embraced a large territory extending from Vincennes to Fort Wayne; and attorneys who attended the courts made long journeys and were away from home weeks and months engrossed with their practice.  He was a circuit judge two or three terms; about 1838 he formed a partnership with Gen. HOWARD.  Up to 1840 he had been a whig, but in that year he joined the democrats.  Gen. HOWARD was a democratic candidate for governor against Samuel BIGGER, which was probably the motive for the change.  That year the democrats were swept from power, and his partner failed of election.  When they were reinstated Judge BRYANT was rewarded by President POLK with the appointment of chief justice of Oregon.  The judge was at this time broken down in fortune, and while residing in Oregon improved the occasion to better his circumstances.  Gen Joseph LANE, of Indiana, was then governor of the territory, and the two engaged together in lumbering, and when Judge Bryant returned to the states his losses were fully repaired.  Near the close of his life he aspired again to be circuit judge, but was beaten for the office by Judge COWAN.  Judge BRYANT was large of stature and had a splendid physique; in disposition he displayed the characteristic fiery temper of the south, and had hardly better command of it than the representative southron; but he was a kind-hearted man, liberal in his views, and a respecter though not a professor of religion.  He was a cultured gentleman, forcible but not pleasant speaker, and was well read in the law.  He died Oct. 10, 1860.
JAMES H. COCHRAN, hotel keeper, Rockville, was born near Princeton, in Gibson county, Indiana, Apr. 12 1819.  He was the oldest child of William and Elizabeth (Colvin) Cochran.  His father died when he was thirteen years old.  He partly learned the wagon-maker's trade, but not liking it, when to carpentering.  For many years at first he did but little at either.  About 1845, his health failing, he began clerking in a hotel at Princeton, Indiana, for William H. Boicourt, and continued in his employ until after the latter removed to Evansville, in 1850.  He then went into the grocery business in the same place.  In little over a year he sold out and went to Mount Carmel, Illinois, where he ran a hotel upward of a year, when he came back to Evansville and opened the "Railroad House."  He kept this until 1855, when, his wife having died, he quit the business and engaged again with Boicourt as hotel clerk.  His first marriage was with Miss Mary Anderson, Dec. 25, 1850.  She died July 16, 1854.  He was married again Oct. 3, 1855, this time to Margaret Deere.  Two children were the issue of the first union:  Alice A., wife of Joseph Hunt, of Buena Vista, Colorado, and Morris J., dealer in mining claims in Colorado.  By the last marriage there have been the following children:  Millard F., dead; Kate M., dead; Laura B., Jennie, John W., William S., dead; Rosa B., dead; and Charlie F.  Shortly after his second marriage Mr. Cochran went into the employ of the Evansville & Crawfordsville Railroad Company as general passenger agent.  In Dec., 1863, he quit the service of the company, and bought an interest in the Parke House, in Rockville.  He ran this, in company with Thomas Williamson, till July, 1868, when he rented his hotel and bought a stock of books and stationery, and in the spring of 1869, having sold his hotel property, he moved his goods to Evansville, and going into speculations, broke up.  It was then that he realized the advantage of being a tradesman.  He returned at once to his plane and saw, and kept close companionship with his tools till 1873, when he left Evansville for Montezuma, where he was in the hotel business till 1878.  At that time he came to Rockville, and has since ran the "Central House."  Mr. Cochran joined the Methodist denomination.  He has been Sunday-school superintendent, class-leader, trustee, and is now an elder.  His wife is a member of the same society.  He has been an Odd-Fellow since 1847, and has filled all the eelective offices in the subordinate lodge.  Politically he is firmly grounded in republican principles.
DANIEL D. FISHER, farmer, Rockville, was born in Brown county, Ohio, Sept. 17, 1817, and is the son of George and Hannah FISHER.  His father was a blacksmith by trade, and was born in Pennsylvania, and died din 1848.  He was in the war of 1812.  His mother was a member of the Presbyterian church.  Owing to the defective common-school system Mr. FISHER, had a very limited education.  In 1829 he came to Parke county.  He was married Oct. 23, 1844, to Mary A. MARSHALL.  They had nine children by this marriage:  Theodore M., Oliver P., Victoria, John, Sarah L., Charles E., George F., Samuel L. and Rovilla.  Mr. FISHER began farming in 1844, with not much capital.  He now has a well improved farm of 160 acres.  His son Theodore M.  was in the army.  He enlisted Dec. 24, 1863, in Co. F, 126th reg., 11th Ind. Vol. Cav.  He served until the close of the war.  Mr. FISHER has traveled through Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, and has visited Niagara Falls, crossed the great lakes, and traveled in Canada.  Mr. FISHER is a republican, and a highly respected gentleman.
JOHN GREEN, farmer, Rockville, was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, March 11, 1812.  His father, Gravener GREEN, was a farmer, and was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, Oct. 26, 1783.  His mother, Ruth GREEN, was born Feb. 26, 1791, and died in 1859.  His father and mother were married Nov. 23, 1809.  Their children are:  Joel GREEN; Jessie, wife of L. G. Whitehead; Minerva, wife of James R. LAMBERT, residing in Indianapolis; Susan, John, Lucy, Ruth, Nancy and Syntha.  Ruth married Jefferson RITCHES, and Lucy was married to Perry SMITH Dec. 8, 1872.  He was born in Parke county Feb. 14, 1836.  He is a hard-working and energetic farmer, and in politics is a democrat.  Syntha was married to Samuel H. BURKS, Aug. 7, 1873.  He was born Oct. 8, 1850, in Putnam county, Indiana.  Mr. GREEN moved to Orange county, Indiana, in the fall of 1816, and lived there until 1830, when he moved to his present residence.  He began life for himself in Parke county when the country was all a wild, woody wilderness.  He has nothing but his axe on his shoulder, and now he has a large farm in 188 acres, all in good condition, as the result of his strong arm and tireless energy.  In the early days, when Mr. GREEN was in the strength and prime of his young manhood, he was noted for his great skill as a hunter, and the wild deer, turkey and other game were the numerous victims of his hunting sports.
TILGHMAN ASHURST HOWARD
BENJAMIN F. LAMBERT, farmer, Rockville, was born in Kentucky, July 7, 1821, and is the son of Benjamin and Sarah (MARTIN) LAMBERT.  His father was a Baptist preacher, and was born in 1776, and died July 30, 1857.  At two years of age Mr. Lambert moved with his family to Parke county.  He began farming for himself in 1844, with not very much property, but by hard work and good calculation he has reached his present condition.  His first marriage was to Sarah HISE.  She died July 27, 1861.  By this marriage there were born eight children:  John R., who is now dead; he enlisted in the last call for troops and served two years, till the close of the war.  The other children were:  Rosanna, wife of Benjamin F. HAYWORTH, residing in Vermilion county, Illinois; Aaron M., who died April 2, 1874; James A., Mary E., who was married to Gaven D. ANDERSON, October 20, 1870; Daniel F., who died July 27, 1856; Sarah J., who was married to James H. COX, October 11, 1876, and died April 14, 1880, and William F.  Mr. LAMBERT's second marriage was to Lucy J. MORING, April 18, 1867.  The children by this marriage are:  Francis F., who died Sept. 21, 1876, and Letite E.  Mr. LAMBERT has been a successful farmer, and in politics is a republican.  He and his wife are both members of the Christian church, and are highly respected by the community in which they live.
JAMES McEWEN
ROBERT B. McEWEN
CEPHUS MORRIS, brother of Judge Morris, was an early lawyer in the place.  WILLIAM T. NOEL, the first law student in the county, was prominent in this time; he was the leader of the whig party in Parke county.  He did not do much in the law; he finally went to Crawfordsville, and was appointed registrar of the land office.  He died there.  Another man noted in this day, and not deficient in energy, ambition and strength of will, was JOHN G. DAVIS.  He was the second clerk of Parke county, and held the office twenty-six years; from 1852 to 1860 he was the representative in congress, and was one of the first movers in favor of the transcontinental railway.  His progressive qualities were the notable features of his character, and while he had not so high an order of intellect as HOWARD, or even BRYANT, he possessed considerable more natural force than either.  Among the earliest settlers who attained to prominence was AUSTIN M. PRATT, who died a year or two since.  He was a man of very decided character, and his life was checkered with stirring scenes.  He filled various stations of public responsibility - sheriff, treasurer, canal trustee and state senator.
     Among all the shining galaxy it will be admitted that none can contest the first place with Howard; but McGAUGHEY stands next to the noble line.  He was diminutive in size, and wanting in the weight and commanding nobility of Howard, but possessed unequaled shrewdness, was fully as talented, and even more brilliant.  Could the animated political contests of forty years ago be reproduced with the intellectual gladiators in the stormy areana, the surpassing genius and thrilling eloquence of Ned McGAUGHEY would be seen swaying the passions and excitements of the hour, controlling the surging tide of debate, and challenging the delighted admiration and solid respect of every class.  He came to Rockville before 1840, a stripling looking young man, was elected prosecuting attorney, and as such officer was one of the counsel in the BEECHAM trial.  Opposed to him were HOWARD and WRIGHT, the former greatly distinguished for his oratorical ability, and the latter enjoying a reputation at the bar and in the council for his searching powers of investigation.  His celebrated plea, which is now, after an interval of forty years, pronounced by all who heard it was wonderful effort, at once brought him into prominence.  In politics he was an ardent whig, and had contests with WRIGHT for a seat in congress, and both lost and won.  His reputation steadily increased; but in 1852 he went to California and died shortly after his arrival.
ALEXANDER PUETT, farmer, Rockville, the youngest son of Coleman and Judy (MOORE) PUETT, was born in Burke county, North Carolina, January 15, 1809.  In 1815 his parents removed to Monroe county, Indiana, and in March, 1825, to Park county, settling three miles northwest of Rockville.  Three years afterward Mr. PUETT made his residence where he now lives, on the outer limits of the corporation.  He is one of the very few early settlers of Parke county now living; and his memory of remote occurrences is quite distinct and vivid.  We are indebted to him for some notes of information which appear in the township history, and which were not accessible elsewhere.  Mr. PUETT was married August 20, 1834, to Minerva STRAIN.  By his wife he had four children: Mary Jane, who became the wife of John ALLEN, and died Sept. 9, 1871; Charlotte, relict of Harvey LOWRY; Shelby C., and Lucy Minerva, wife of William OVERMAN.  Mrs. PUETT died May 30, 1848, and on November 12, 1850, Mr. PUETT celebrated his second marriage with Miss Margaret Ellen ALLEN, a cousin to the Rev. William Y. ALLEN.  She was born Dec. 22, 1822, near Shelbyville, Kentucky, and came with her widowed mother to Parke county in 1828.  She has been a member of the Presbyterian church since 1838.  Mr. PUETT has as always confined himself to farming, and raising and dealing in stock, in which he has done a successful business.  He owned at one time 1,000 acres of land, but has now divided the larger part of it among his children.  He retains 130 acres, adjoining Rockville, the estimated value of which is $13,000, and 160 acres on the Little Raccoon, valued at $5,000.  Mr. PUETT has always belong to that honored school of politics known as Jackson democracy, and he signalized his devotion to this political faith by casting his first vote for "Old Hickory." 
 
ADDISON L. ROACH, son of Dr. Roach, started up in practice with the late Judge Samuel F. MAXWELL, both of whom studied law in the office of General HOWARD, about 1840, and then formed a partnership.  Roach is now one of the supreme judges of Indiana, and resides at Indianapolis.  Thomas H. NELSON, ex-minister to Chili and Mexico, came from Kentucky about the same date.  James M. ALLEN, brother of Dr. ALLEN, and Judge John G. CRAIN began practice of the law here about 1845.  They commenced poor boys, and rose to wealth and eminence.  They were in partnership several years.  ALLEN moved to Lawrenceburg near the beginning of the war; CRAIN was appointed collector of internal revenue by Lincoln, and went to Terre Haute to reside.  He died lately.  Samuel MAGILL, of Terre Haute, settled in Rockville about 1848, and was clerk of the court eight years.  Before this he had been a clerk in the post-office department at Washington.  Judge Elias S. TERRY, of Danville, Illinois, acquired some distinction here as a lawyer twenty-five or thirty years ago.  About the same date John M. McLAUGHLIN was here and practiced two or three years.
     Coming down to the present time there are now in Rockville David H. MAXWELL, the oldest practicing attorney in the place, who came from Bloomington, Indiana, in 1845; and Hon. Thomas N. RICE, who entered the work of the profession in 1853.  Though these have not quite "come down from the former generation,"  still they are connecting links between the earlier and the later periods in the history of the bar.  In the ranks of the younger professionals are to be found Ared F. WHITE; Hon. James T. JOHNSON, of the firm of RICE & JOHNSON; Samuel D. PUETT; George W. COLLIGNS, prosecuting attorney; Elwood HUNT, of the firm of WHITE & HUNT; Capt. J. B. DOWD; James F. CLARK and Henry DANIELS.  David ROACH, now of Crawfordsville, was located here from 1874 to 1876, and was prosecuting attorney.  Frederick HUMPHREYS came in 1876, and was here a year or two.
     That those young men endowed with much native force of character. who were early inured mark and become distinguished in their community as citizens cannot escape attention.  As illustrating this in a quiet way Parke county furnishes no more conspicuous example than the subject of this sketch, Alexander McCUNE, of Rockville, who was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, January 16, 1806.  His ancestors were Scotch-Irish Presbyterians, who settled in Pennsylvania in colonial times.  His mother's maiden name was Prudence LAUGHLIN.  His father, Robert, died when he was young.  Early in 1821 Mrs. McCUNE started for the Far West with her family of six children.  The oldest was at this time about twenty years of age.  They came across the mountains to Pittsburgh, where they bought a boat, in which the family were transported to Madison; from thence they were conveyed in a hired wagon to Terre Haute, arriving there at the beginning of July.  Relations named THOMPSON had preceded them in the spring and settled near Eugene.  By these friends they were removed to a place once known as Walkertown, but now called Numa, in the southeast corner of Parke county.  At this time the country where they settled was an unbroken wilderness.  Settlers began to gather around them, and it was not long until young ALEXANDER was able to find work as a laborer.  For many years it was the custom to flat-boat most of the produce to New Orleans.  The building of the boats gave much employment, and at this our subject was a considerable time engaged.  His lessons, taken at a tender age in a hardy school, produced in him habits of thrift and industry which have covered his whole life with domestic worth and usefulness.  As a boatman he made thirty-five trips to the Crescent City, returning in various ways, requiring great endurance.  Mr. McCUNE and Samuel LOWRY associating themselves together in 1832, built a small carding mill at Mecca.   Subsequently they erected others, improving and enlarging each as their increasing capital would allow, until in the last they realized a first-class woolen cloth factory.  Afterward they built a large flouring establishment, known everywhere as the Mecca mill.  Mr. McCUNE is one of the oldest temperance men in Parke county, having taken as early as 1835 a firm stand against the unholy traffic in intoxicating liquors and the ruinous use of them.  His marriage with Rosilla CHANEY occurred August 28, 1829.  She was born Sept. 1, 1808.  They have had six children, two of whom, a son and a daughter, are dead.  The survivors, Henry C. George W., William W. and Samuel, all reside in this county.  The latter is cashier of the National Bank of Rockville.  During the war Henry  was sutler of the 71st Ind. Vols.; William was a captain in the same regiment; George was surgeon of the 14th, and Benjamin, deceased, was also in the military service.  Mr. McCUNE has led a busy life. having been largely engaged in boat building, milling, in buying and selling produce and stock, and in farming.  For a long time he did an extensive business in packing and shipping pork to New Orleans.  He has always displayed great energy and sagacity in business, and been conspicuously successful throughout.  He has been a useful citizen in a broad sense, and of far more service to the people than the present generation are aware of.  Mr. McCUNE lived in Mecca from 1832 till 1860, when he removed to Lima, Livingston county, New York, and resided there until 1878, returning then to Parke county and settling in Rockville.  Mr. and Mrs. McCUNE are Presbyterians in faith, and in politics the former is republican.  He is one of the largest stockholders in the National Bank of Rockville, has been a director since its organization untl recently, and was for some years president.  From a poor boy he has grown to be one of the wealthiest citizens of Parke county, and is widely and most favorably known.  The motives of such men can always abe studied and their methods imitated with profit.
COL. HENRY SLAVENS was a contemporary of these men, and came to Rockville about the same time (as Wm. P. Bryant), from Mount Sterling, Kentucky.  He was a sharp, shrewd man, but indolent and indifferent to business.  He plead law some, but caring more for sport and pastime than for serious occupation he trifled away the better part of his life in transitory pleasures and died poor.  He served in the Black Hawk war, and for some years was a magistrate in Rockville.  At one time he was editor and proprietor of the county paper, then a whig organ.
GEN. GEORGE K. STEELE was the son of Samuel and Mary STEELE, and was born near Springfield, Ohio, Nov. 25, 1808.  At an early age he moved with his parents to Greene county, Ohio, and in 1821 came to Parke county, Indiana, settling near where Portland mills now stands.  Here he assisted his father and brothers in clearing a farm till 1825.  After this, for awhile, he taught school, and from this time to 1828 was clerk in the prosperous store of Col. Moses ROBBINS, in Rossville.  During this time he made a trip each spring to New Orleans in charge of flat-boats.  In 1829 he established a store at Mansfield, continuing in this business entirely, except when engaged in public business, until 1838, when he became owner of the Mansfield mills, which he ran in connection with his store till 1846.  He then disposed of his property and moved to Rockville.  In 1835 Gen. STEELEwas chosen to represent Parke county in the state legislature and state senate.  He was a friend of education, agriculture, and all benevolent institutions.  He voted for JACKSON, and upon the birth of the whig party became one of  its adherents, and thus remained until the organization of the republican party, when he joined it.  He was a delegate to each national republican convention.  He was influential in the nomination of Abraham LINCOLN in 1860.  He was a great admirer of Gen. GRANT and Gen. STEELE, moved to Rockville in 1846 he engaged in mercantile pursuits for three years.  He then assisted in the establishment of the Parke County Bank, of which he was chosen president, and annually reelected to this position till 1863, when this bank was merged into the First National Bank of Rockville.  He was again chosen as its president and held in position until 1871, when he declined to hold it longer.  He took an active interest in all the railroads in the county, especially the present road running through Rockville, which was completed by his assistance and he was chosen superintendent of the Rockville division of the road.  At the outbreak of the War, in 1861, Gen. STEELE, being a member of the senate, took a decided stand for the Union.  He offered resolutions against neutrality, which were sent to the President of the United States and governors of all the states.  A motion was made in the senate to print 2,000 copies of Gov. MORTON's first message and 2,000 copies of Washington's farewell address.  Gen. Steele moved to amend the motion by adding 2,000 copies of JACKSON's proclamation on nullification.  The amendment was adopted.  Seen representatives and six senators were appointed to meet LINCOLN, at the state line and welcome him to Indiana.  Gen. STEELE was chosen president of the committee, and to make the address of welcome.  His speech and pointed, eloquent and appropriate.  At the commencement of the war Gen. STEELE was offered the command of a regiment, but, owning to ill health and severe affliction in his family, was compelled to decline the honor.  In the fall of 1861 he served with the regiment for a time, but on account of ill health resigned the commission and returned home.  Soon after this Gov. MORTON appointed him as a member of this staff, with the commission of colonel, which he held till the close of the war.  Gen. STEELE was a man of wide experience, extensive information, untiring energy energy, active public spirit and patriotic devotion of his country.  He became wealthy and did, perhaps, more than any other man of his day for Parke county.  He died in Terre Haute May 7, 1879, where he had resided for three years.
 
 
GREENBERRY WARD, farmer, Rockville, was born in Woodford county, Kentucky, Sept. 1, 1800.  His father was born in Rockbridge county, Virginia, Oct. 1, 1770, and died Feb. 10, 1840, in Parke county.  His mother was born in Virginia, Oct. 13, 1770, and died Jan. 11,1857, in this county.  Mr. WARD had a common school education, and lived in Harrison county, Kentucky, until he was twenty-one years old, when he moved with his father to Fayette county, Indiana.  In 1826 he came to Parke county, and settled about four miles south of his present residence.  From 1867 to 1870 he was pecuniarily interested in the mercantile business with his son-in-law, William H. HARDING, of Rockville.  Mr. WARD is a republican.  He and his wife have been members of the Methodist church since 1829.  They are among the pioneer settlers of this community, and have seen the face of nature changed from a wilderness, inhabited by wild beasts and Indians, into a garden of beauty.  Mr. and Mrs. WARD are enjoying a green old age, and can look back over lives well spent in useful labor and christian endeavor.  Their children are:  William N., who died March 1847; James A., who died Jan. 10, 1832, and Adeline E., who was married to Willialm H. HARDING, Jan. 29, 1856, and now resides in Rockville. 
 
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