ITEMS OF INTEREST
February, 2002
The following Clay County histories were used to collect the items of interest below.
A History of Clay County, published in 1909 by William TRAVIS Clay County, Indiana, published in 1984 by the Clay County Historical Society History of Clay County, Indiana, published in 1884 Charles BLANCHARD
ANDERSON— Among the well-known and highly esteemed residents of Dick Johnson Twp. Lieutenant William T. ANDERSON occupies an assured position. A veteran of the Civil War, he is distinguished not only for his own life and work, but for the honored ancestry from which he is descended, being a grandson of Reverend Daniel ANDERSON, one of the first white settlers of Indiana. Rev. ANDERSON, it is thought, was a native of Kentucky. A Methodist preacher and an old-time circuit rider, he located in Monroe County, Indiana, in 1813, and a few years later settled in Owen County……….Vincent ANDERSON, the Lieutenant’s father, was born in Kentucky, July 26, 1813, & was named for his uncle, Vincent ANDERSON…..Pg. 371-2; Travis; V. 2
BANKS—Sylvia May (ABBOTT) CURTIS BANKS was born in Bloomington on January 26, 1923. She worked at I.U. Then she married Harold CURTIS on December 11, 1941, but they were divorced. Later she married Bob BANKS. Pg. 461; Clay County, Indiana 1984
BARNES—An early preacher was Rev. Hugh BARNES, of Owen County, who held services at (John) COOPRIDER’s house (in Harrison Twp.) as early as 1830. Pg. 195; Blanchard
BEATY—(George Ringo) has been twice married; first, April 15, 1841, to Amanda BEATY, who was born January 14, 1820, died April 26, 1856, leaving eight children, all living in Posey Township—Finley and Corrinna, twins, born December 11, 1841; Angeline, March 27, 1844; Warren, February 14, 1846; Morgan H., December 10, 1847; Caroline, December 27, 1849; Elizabeth, July 25, 1852; Allen, July 1, 1855. Pg. 456; Blanchard
BEAUCHAMP—The Harmony Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1855 by Rev. Joseph ASBURY, at the residence of John BEAUCHAMP, who lived in the northern part of the township. At the first meeting the following persons were enrolled as members, viz., Samuel BARNES and wife, Robert CRYER, John BEAUCHAMP and wife, John PARR and wife, and D. J. PELL. Pg. 237; Blanchard
BOWMAN—John WOODS, one of the pioneer farmers of Washington Township, was born in Anderson County, Ky., December 26, 1813, and was the sixth in a family of nine children of Joseph and Keziah (BELL) WOODS, the former a native of Ireland, the latter of Pennsylvania. John married Frances RICE on February 22, 1836. They came to Clay County, Indiana, October 28, 1839, where he entered 200 acres of land near Bowling Green. Five children have been born to them, viz., Kenziah (now CAMPBELL), Anna B. (now BOWMAN), Sally (now CAMERON), Susan (now MARTIN) and William, all living….. Pg. 415; Blanchard
BROWN—V. E. Brown, bookkeeper in one of the leading warehouses of Clay City, was born July 12, 1851, and was the fourth child of Wilkins B. and Selah F. (WILSON) BROWN, the former a native of North Carolina, the latter of Virginia, and of English and Irish extraction…….Pg. 418; Blanchard
BROWN–W. B. BROWN, physician, and also farmer, was born July 10, 1821, in Guilford County, N.C., and was the third child born to Hazel and Mary (CLARK) BROWN, both natives of North Carolina and of Irish and English extraction. Dr. BROWN received a common school education, remaining with his parents and working upon the farm until twenty-one years of age…..In the spring of 1840, he married Selah WILSON. Eight children were born to this marriage, viz., John W., Maria J., Sarah A., Virgil E., James J., Rachel, Roselinda and Levi (deceased). Pg. 418; Blanchard
BROWN—William J. BROWN was born June 13, 1830, in Lawrence County, Indiana, was the third child born to Samuel and Mary (DUTTON) BROWN, both natives of Virginia, and of German descent…. Nine children have been born to them, viz.,: Henry, Clara, Mary C., Ada, Frank, Nellie, Jennie Y., Grace, and James G. Pg. 419; Blanchard
BUTLER—The physicians of the town (Clay City) from the time of its founding (1873) to the present have been : R.A. BALDRIDGE, W.S. DUCAN, C. H. WOLFE, Dr. MCNUTT, D.I. ZOOK, J.F. SMITH, S.P. BURNS, S. L. BROUILLETTE, W.H. BUTLER, R. C. BLACK, Dr. YOUNG, A. MODESITT, Charles COLLINS, John VANHORN, W.H. H. ASBURY. Pg.142; Blanchard
CHASTAIN—Donald MILLER (b. April 22, 1931) married Norma Jane STEWART, daughter of Harley and Edith STEWART. They had three children, Roger Ray, Beverly Kay, and Thomas Dean. Roger married Charlotte CHASTAIN and they had three children, Christa Marie, Scott Berlin, and Kevin Lee. Pg. 316; Clay County, Indiana, 1984
COFFMAN—Volunteered in Clay County 97th Regiment: Aug. 10, 1862 William COFFMAN; died at Memphis, Tenn., Oct. 9, 1863, B. Pg. 370 Blanchard
CRAFTON—Poland the only town in Cass Township, lying within a half mile of the Owen County line, six miles north of Bowling Green, dates its beginning back to 1841, when John B. NEES, John CHANCE, Isaac ANDERSON and James CRAFTON, owners of the lands cornering at the crossing of the roads, contributed to the plat and founded the town-site. Pg. 168; Blanchard
DUGGER—Raymond FAGG married Florence DUGGER and had three children: Jack, Jerry, and Carol. He died in 1976, and is buried in California. Pg. 204; Clay County, Indiana 1984
FRAZIER—Emigrating from Wester Cappein, Prussia, to the United States, Henry G. SCHRORER settled in Washington Township, Clay County, Indiana, in 1833, and a short time after wards sent to Prussia for Miss Ann M. FRAZIER, the young lady to whom he was engaged when he left home. Married soon after arrival, he purchased land on Jordan Creek, and was there employed in improving a farm for awhile. . . .. Pg. 239; Blanchard
GALLOWAY—When twenty-one years of age, Mr. (Isaiah S.) EASTER was married on the 27th of March, 1881, to Miss Rosa Alice FARRIS, who was born in Owen County, Indiana, near Spencer, March 12, 1861, her parents being Philip and Margaret (GALLOWAY) FARRIS, both of whom were natives of Tennessee. Pg. 187; Blanchard
GOBLE—Within the period of thirty days, including the latter part of the month of July and the fore part of the month of August, 1871, Lewis Township lost three of its best citizens— Silas STOUT, Jefferson CRIST and Daniel GOBLE, Sr. In hauling a load of lumber to Hartford, STOUT’s horses became frightened in the neighborhood of Centersville and turned suddenly in the road, upsetting the load of lumber on him, breaking in his chest and so injuring him internally that he survived but a very few days. CRIST, who was GOBLE’s son-in-law, died of disease soon after the death of STOUT….Pg. 468; Blanchard
GRIMES—George W. GRIMES, native of Virginia, born in Loudoun County, October 3, 1826, son of George and Elizabeth GRIMES, who emigrated to Indiana in 1840, son of George and Elizabeth GRIMES, who emigrated to Indiana in 1840, when George, junior, was 14 years of age, locating in Clay County, one mile south of the site of the town of Ashboro. Here, in 1842, were made & burnt the first bricks, & the first brick dwelling house built in the central part of the county. Feb. 19, 1846, George GRIMES, Jr., married Clarissa KENNEDY, who died on the 6th day of August, 1849. On the 26th day of September, 1850, he married Eliza A. ANDERSON, of Parke County…..Pg. 302; Blanchard
HARPER— Warren P. HARPER, sergeant, promoted second lieutenant; member of the 43D Regiment of Clay County. Mustered into service August. 20, 1861. Pg. 363; Travis, Vol. 1
HUFF— Among the prominent and well-known agriculturists of Perry Township is numbered Montervill V. HUFF, whose valuable and well improved homestead is located in section 27, Perry Township. He was born in section 28 of the same township November 22, 1849, a son of William and Mathilda (LIKENS) HUFF, born respectively in Clark County, Virginia, and in Mercer County, that state, and the mother was a daughter of Jonas LIKENS, also from the Old Dominion state. In an early day William and Mathilda HUFF made the journey from Virginia to Ohio on horseback, and a few years later came to Clay County, Indiana, where they entered on one hundred and sixty acres of land in Perry Township, a part prairie and the remainder timberland………Pg. 170; Travis, Vol. 2
HURST— Taken from Necrology: dates of deaths and ages were gleaned from personal knowledge, monuments and other sources, but mainly from announcements in current local press. Ages are given only in full years nearest the actual date of death. F. M. HURST died February 1901, aged 68; Mrs. Jane S. HURST died November 14, 1892, aged 58. Pg. 327; Travis, Vol. 1
JOHNSON—From Necrology: Sylvanus JOHNSON died January 27, 1873, aged 19. George W. JOHNSON died January 8, 1900, aged 20. Jeriah JOHNSON died April 6, 1909, aged 73. James W. JOHNSON died March 21, 1899, aged 49. Mrs. Cora PRYOR JOHNSON died March 19, 1909, aged 40. John J. JOHNSON died April 6, 1896, aged 80. Oliver R. JOHNSON died May 18, 1900. Andrew J. JOHNSON died June 4, 1907, aged 56. Oliver JOHNSON died November 28, 1908, aged 70. Pg. 329-30; Travis, Vol. 1
LLEWELLYN— It was on the 5th of December, 1869, that Mr. (Joseph) CROOKS led to the marriage alter Miss Elizabeth K. LLEWELLYN, who was born in Ohio October 29, 1849, while her parents, Thomas J. and Elizabeth (LEWIS) LLEWELLYN, were both natives of Wales. Pg. 431; Travis, Vol. 2 (See also page 15 of this publication—“Jamestown”.)
MYERS— The first settlers with staying qualities to occupy the ground now covered by the city of Brazil, were James CAMPPBELL, Solomon MYERS, Sr., Samuel MOORE, Jonathan YOCUM and James YOCUM, who were there as early as, or prior to, the year 1834, ten years before the town was founded. … … … MYERS’ (cabin stood) on the elevation southwest of the Vandalia depot, near the residence of William LEAVITT, Sr…..Pg. 15; Travis, Vol. 1
NICHOLAS—John M. NICHOLAS Clay County soldier in 43D Regiment, Company “A”; mustered into service Aug. 20, 1861……..discharged Dec. 22, 1862. Pg. 367; Travis, Vol. 1. From Necrology: Mrs. Eliza NICHOLAS died August 12, 1908, aged 78. Pg. 336; Travis, Vol. 1
NICHOLS— From Necrology: William NICHOLS died December 8, 1887, aged 24. Mrs. Julia NICHOLS died July 18, 1888, aged 73. Pg. 336-337; Travis, Vol. 1
SANDERS—Gaudenchy Dulucky SANDERS, farmer and stock-raiser, the third in the family of William and Rebecca (HUGHES) SANDERS, was born in Clay County, Ind., March 27, 1849. His parents died when he was about one year old, from which time until he was eleven years of age, he lived with his grandfather, and from the public schools learned something of reading and writing. March 1, 1864, he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Thirty-first Regiment Indiana Volunteers (Thirteenth Cavalry), and served until the close of the war….In May, 1864, he was captured, and after three days made his escape while his captors were reveling on the spoils of a distillery. In 1866, he drove wagon teams through Colorado and Montana, and for the succeeding four years he “wacked” bull teams across the plains. He saw Kit CARSON and afterward attended the funeral of that noted scout. He was more than once the bedfellow of the Hon. William F. CODY (Buffalo Bill), enjoyed the acquaintance of the famous W. W. EDWARDS, and was present when the Sioux and Arapahos lifted that hero’s scalp. August 10, 1876, he married Maria M. TERHUNE, with an issue of two children—Martha Ellen and Olga May….Pg. 546; Blanchard
SANDERS—Samuel H. SANDERS, stock-raiser and farmer, is the fifth of the family of Joseph and Edna (BROCK) SANDERS, natives of Indiana and Ohio, and of Irish and German descent respectively. He was born at Lockport, Ind., March 9, 1824, from which point his parents removed to this township in 1832,….. He was reared a farmer and later married Hannah, daughter of Jesse and Susanna NEAL, who left at her death two children—Jesse L. and Edna Sarena (both deceased). ….Two years after the death of his First, he married a second wife, Elizabeth BROCK, which marriage gave issue to eight children, only two survive—Martha and Margaret Lucinda…Pg. 546; Blanchard
SHEPHERD— David SHEPARD, stock-raiser and farmer, is the sixth son of Stephen and Sarah (PORTER) SHEPARD, natives of Kentucky and North Carolina, and of Scotch and Irish descent respectively. David was born in Sullivan County, Indiana, in 1823; his education was wholly neglected, by application and observation he has acquired a practical knowledge of books and business. He resided with his parents until his majority, when he began working on the W & E Canal, and later on a farm in Illinois. In 1853, he returned to this State. March 19, 1854, he married Christina BADDERS, their alliance gave being to eight children—Sarah E., Mary L., William T., Anderson W., Stephen R. (deceased), David A. (deceased), Delanie L. and Henry H. … Pg. 546; Blanchard
SMITH— Ed. W. SMITH was born in Forsyth County, N. C., on July 20, 1843, and spent a part of his youth on a farm, and part in a machine shop, having had only common school advantages until he arrived at maturity, when he was engaged to work in a barrel factory. At the breaking-out of the war of the rebellion, he enlisted, in May, 1861, and was wounded at Winchester, Va. He entered the service as an Orderly for the Colonel of the regiment but was mustered out with the rank of Captain in 1865. ……On January 29, 1869, he was married to Anna PATE, a native of Kentucky. Mrs. SMITH has borne her husband two children, viz.: Jessie A., aged seven years, and Bertha B., aged two years. Mr. SMITH is one of the energetic business men of Brazil, and his industry and business tact have made him the owner of several fine pieces of residence property, in desirable locations….. 386; Blanchard
STEARLEY— George STEARLEY, Sheriff of Clay County, Indiana, was born in Wittenberg, Germany, on Jan. 27, 1848, and is the son of John & Rosanna (BURKHART) STEARLEY, natives of Germany. The father was a weaver by trade, but followed farming after his marriage, and came to this country in 1851. George was reared on a farm, and had no opportunities for an education whatever, but the knowledge he possesses he acquired through his own perseverance, aided by an intellectual and educated wife, since his marriage. He worked for his father until he was twenty-two, then branched out for himself; learned the blacksmith trade at Bowling Green, the then county seat of Clay County, following this business until 1880, when he sold his shop to a younger brother and engaged in the saw mill business, which he still manages. On October 20, 1869, he married Elizabeth DUTEEL, daughter of August and Josephine DUTEEL, of Clay County….. Pg. 387-8; Blanchard
STOUT— Elijah M. STOUT, retired farmer and stock-raiser, is the fourth son of William and Mary (VAN DYKE) STOUT, natives of Virginia, and probably of German-Irish descent. He was born in Spencer County, Ky., on September 14, 1811. He came to this State in 1835 and settled where he now resides. During his youth, he attended school some time and worked upon the farm, and later, April 24, 1832, married Rebecca CRAVESON, by whom he had three children born to him—Eleanor Harriet, Sarah Ann (deceased) and Mary Jane. ….. Pg. 547; Blanchard
VEST— Francis M. MCBRIDE, Marshal of Brazil, was born in Clay County, IN, June 8, 1835, and was the third in a family of four children of David and Rhoda (VEST) MCBRIDE, his father being of Scotch and his mother of French-Irish lineage. Pg. 373; Blanchard
WALKER— Thomas WALKER, a pioneer of Clay County, was born in Hardin County, Ky., June 4, 1815, and in 1822 came to Clay County, Ind., with his mother, uncle and grandfather, entering land where Washington Township now is, where, amid all the hardships of pioneer life, surrounded by savages and wild beasts, Thomas grew to manhood. Losing his father when very young, Thomas lived with his uncle, and owing to the newness of the country and necessity of working, his education was limited. He remained with his uncle until December 3, 1840, when he married to Eleanor JONES. These children were born to this union, viz., John D. (deceased), Mary E. (now RODENBARGER), Harriet I. WALKER. George W., and Daniel L. (deceased). Mr. (Thomas) WALKER’s second marriage occurred March 15, 1860, to Mary Ann CROMWELL. Three children have been born to this marriage, viz., Sarah E. (now RICHARDSON), Cynthia J. (now CULLEN), and David T. Mr. WALKER now lives upon a farm near Bowling Green…… Pg. 414; Blanchard
WELLS— Taken from a partial list of those who were lost in Company D, Seventy-first Regiment, Sixth Cavalry: “Joseph WELLS, died at Nashville May 6, 1865.” Pg. 107; Blanchard
YANT— D. W. YANT, of Poland, died at Calhoun, Kentucky, on January 12, 1862, while serving in the Civil War. Pg. 94; Blanchard