Sullivan County Biography Ref. Page

SAMUEL H. ALKIRE is the first son of six children born to George and Mary (Magill) Alkire, natives respectively of Indiana and Kentucky. The father was born September 5, 1817, and the mother December 7, 1823; the first died November 19, 1880, but the last still lives. The father was buried with Masonic rites in the Alkire Cemetery. Samuel H. was born February 12, 1846, and remained with his parents until the age of twenty-six, receiving a meager education, though sufficient for business. August 25, 1870, he was united in marriage with Miss Martha J., daughter of James and Catharine (McKee) Goodwin. This lady was born April 15, 1848, and has presented her husband with two children--James M., born September 19, 1871, and George W., born March 8, 1876. The latter died September 20, 1879. Mr. Alkire owns eighty acres of excellent land, all well improved. He is a Democrat and a prominent citizen. His father's family are Samuel H., Jane R., John T., William M., Martha and Edward P. His father-in-law's family are George, Sarah E., Thomas, Rachel E., Mary, Martha J., Amos, Alice M., John L. and James C. Martha J. was born iin Coshocton County, Ohio. Her father lies buried in the Sullivan Cemetery. Mr. Alkire and family are highly respectable people.

"HISTORY OF GREENE AND SULLIVAN COUNTIES, STATE OF INDIANA, FROM THE EARLIEST TIME TO THE PRESENT; TOGETHER WITH INTERESTING BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, REMINISCENCES, NOTES, ETC." CHICAGO: GOODSPEED BROS. & CO., PUBLISHERS. 1884.SULLIVAN CO., IN
TURMAN TWP.
PAGE 795

Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn

FELIX P. BEARD was born in Sullivan County March 2, 1835, son of William and Mary (Dunbar) Beard. The father was born in Nelson County, Ky., March 2, 1804, and moved to Sullivan County in 1826. He was a prominent man, serving as County Commissioner six years and holding various township offices with fidelity. He and wife were faithful members of the Christian Church. They had the following family: John T., James A., Stephen P., Charles C., Nancy J. (deceased), Ann E., Mary E. (deceased), Sarah C., Amanda M., Asenath J. and our subject. The mother was born in 1806, and died in 1871. Both father and mother lie buried in the Alkire Cemetery. Felix P., at the age of twenty-one, left his father to begin life for himself. December 25, 1855, he married Melissa J., daughter of Eli and Miriam (Bundy) Dix, and to this marriage was born one child--Mary Isabell, born May 28, 1857. The family live on a fine farm of 210 acres, and are prosperous and happy. Mr. and Mrs. Beard are members of the Christian Church. He is a Democrat, and a successful farmer. The brothers and sisters of Mrs. (Dix) Beard are Joshua E., Caleb E. (deceased), Solomon J., E. Elwood (deceased), Eli W. L., Martha A., Miriam E., Mary M. and Sarah M. Mary I. Beard, daughter of our subject, married G. W. Osborn, November 11, 1875. She has three children, a son born September 15, 1876 (deceased); Jennie G. born July 2, 1879, and Grace J. born August 2,1882. William Beard, father of our subject, died in 1865.

Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn

JOHN T. BEARD, the first son born to William and Mary (Dunbar) Beard, is a native of this county, his birth occurring May 19, 1827. He lived on their farm until of age, securing a fair education, and soon afterward went to Illinois, where he remained about four years and then returned to this county. January 6, 1861, he married Miss Sarah J., daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Morgan) Nesbit, who has borne him four children--Barton W., born August 9, 1863; Olive A., born November 27, 1867; William T., born September 26, 1871, and Bertie H., born September 8, 1873. Much more regarding Mr. Beard's relatives will be found in the biographical sketch of his brother. He has a good farm and a comfortable home, is a Democrat and he and wife are members of the Christian Church. His wife's brothers and sisters are as follows: William O., Lucretia A., Reese M., Sarah J., Eliza A., Armina M., Thomas T. and Campbell O., all of whom lived to be men and women.

Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn

PERRY BROWN, a native of Spencer County, Ky., born May 16, 1822, came when nine years old to Indiana with his mother and step-father, with whom he remained until 1843, securing in the meantime a fair education. At the latter date, he came to Sullivan County. He began life for himself by working for 50 cents a day in trade, or for $8 per month in cash, and so continued until his marriage with Miss Caroline, daughter of Cuthbert and Mary (Rylin) Jewell, August 21,1847. Soon after his marriage, he located on forty acres of canal land, which be bought in 1848. Ten years later, he sold out and bought 120 acres on Sections 13 and 24, where he now lives. His farm is well-improved and one of the best in the township. In his life-time thus far, Mr. Brown has cleared and put under cultivation over 100 acres of timbered land, and is now hale and hearty and in comfortable circumstances. He served in Company I, One Hundred and Forty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, from February, 1865 to October, 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have the following family: Mary C., born July 19, 1848; Amanda J., October 29, 1850; Lydia J., December 27, 1852; Cuthbert, December, 26, 1854; Sarah L. December 4, 1857; Emily A., November 4, 1860; Rosette, May 24, 1862; Ida, August 19, 1867, and Estella, April 4, 1869. The parents are members of the Christian Church, having joined over thirty-five years ago. Mr. Brown is a Republican.

Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn

ROBERT CARRITHERS passed his early years without noteworthy event, continuing with his father until the age of twenty-three, working with his brother in common for lands to be equally divided between them. He was born in Turman Township June 4,1831, and is the second son of seven children born to George and Jane (Weir) Carrithers, the father a native of Kentucky and the mother of Tennessee, and both of Isish extraction. Robert's education was very limited, as opportunites for acquiring the learning of the schools were far inferior to what they are at present. Notwithstanding, this, he secured sufficient education to carry on the ordinary affairs of life, and by industry, ecomony and integrity, now owns 251 acres of fine land and has an unsullied name. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is a Democrat and a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity. His wife, Eliza, daughter of Thomas and Nancy (Daugherty) Gamble, to whom he was married January 9, 1855, was born January 9, 1835, and has borne her husband this family: Alice A., December 18, 1857; Ed G., May 8, 1860; George T., July 18, 1862; James, November 25, 1865; Nancy J., July 21,1869, an an infant December 22, 1873. Of these only Ed G. and George E. are now living. Mr. Carrithers owns a fine property in Graysville. His father was one of the very first settlers of the county, arriving when the Indians were yet occupying the soil and when the woods were full of wild animals.

Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn

DR. JOHN L. DURHAM is the first son of eight children born to Jesse Y. and Martha F. (Tarkington) Durham, natives respectively of Kentucky and Tennessee. The father was of English descent, and emigrated to Montgomery County, Ind., in 1850, where himself and wife still reside, well advanced in years. John L. was born in Boyle County, Ky., October 26, 1844, remaining with his parents until of age, and receiving an academic education. He then engaged in farming, continuing about eight years, and then began the study of medicine with Dr. A. T. Steele, of Waveland, Montgomery County, with whom he read about two years, after which he took two courses of lectures in the Medical Department of the University of Louisville, Ky., graduating in 1879. He commenced the practice at Merom, but about a year and a half later moved to Graysville (January 1, 1881). Here he has since lived and practiced. He practices over a large section of country, has a pleasant home in Graysville, and owns 305 acres of fine, cultivated land, upon which he grazes stock for market. In politics, he is a Democrat. He is a Mason and an Odd Fellow, and he and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. October 5,1881, he married Mrs. Mary M. (Mann) Davis, daughter of James B. and Fidelia (Turman) Mann. No children have been born to this union.

Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn

DANIEL J. HAYDEN, a native of Mercer County, Ky., was born August 28, 1833, the son of John W. and Mary A. (Carey) Hayden, natives of Kentucky. The father was born in 1801, and the mother in 1804; both were exemplary members of the Baptist Church, and both lie buried in the Shelburn Cemetery. Daniel J. remained with his parents until the age of eighteen, when he went to learn the blacksmith's trade, at which he served a full apprenticeship. He was united in marriage with Miss Sarah, daughter of Jacob and Ellamina (Cuppy) Gray, November 6, 1853, and to this union have been born this family: Mary E., born November 9, 1854; Jacob J., born January 21, 1857; William T., born January 17, 1859; Joseph Z., born September 4, 1861; Ulyssus E., born May 1, 1863; Lydia M., born Decumber 3, 1864; Julia E., born May 27, 1866, and Ural E., born July 30, 1868. Mr. Hayden, by hard work, self-denial and judicious management, has a fine farm of 128 1/2 acres, all well improved, and as good as there is in the vicinity. The family are well known and universally respected. He is a Republican and a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity. Mrs. Hayden's mother, who died February 28, 1874, lies buried at the Shelburn cemetery.

Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn

JOSEPH M. HAYDEN was born in Washington County, Ind., May 29, 1845, the fifth son of ten children born to John W. and Mary (Carey) Hayden, natives of Kentucky, and of Scotch-Irish descent. During his youth, Joseph M. worked on his father's farm, receiving a fair education at the old subscription schools, and continuing with his father about three years after his majority, acquiring in the meantime property valued at about $1,600. He came with his parents to Sullivan County in 1860, locating on Turman's Creek. About a year later the Case and the Steele farms were bought; but ten years later Mr. Hayden moved to where he now lives, owning about 213 acres of the best land in the county. This farm is well stocked and improved, and has a fine dwelling built comparatively recently. Mr. Hayden is one of the leading farmers of this county, is a Republican, and himself and wife are members of the Christian Church. In February, 1865, he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Forty- ninth Infantry Regiment, and served until mustered out, September, 1865. November 21,1867, he married Mary C., daughter of C. P. and Caroline (Jewell) Brown, and by her has five children--Josephine, born August 12,1868; Charles E., November 21, 1870; Effie, July 18, 1873; an infant daughter deceased, and Perry A., March 4, 1880.

Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn

GEORGE W. HUNT is the second son of eleven children born to John R. and Hannah (Davidson) Hunt, natives of Kentucky, and was born in Haddon Township, this county, December 23, 1827. His brothers and sisters were Joseph, (George W., our subject), Levi, Sarah Ann, Mary, Meshack, Dory, Elizabeth, John W., James and Martha. The parents moved to Sullivan County probably as early as 1820; were excellent people, members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and were highly respectable. George W. passed his youth in farming, boating and attending school, and after he became a man he taught school in the neighborhood where he lived. March 11, 1858, he married Miss Sarah E., daughter of Woodson and Nancy (Burton) Burks, and to them these children were born--Thomas J., born December 20, 1858; William L., born March 21, 1860; John W., born October 14, 1863; and Edgar S., born February 17, 1866. His wife dying August 9, 1869, he married Mrs. Susan M. Weir, daughter of Nathan and Jane (Roberts) Miles, April 11, 1871, and to this union one child was born--Ida May, born May 12, 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Hunt are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Hunt, at the time of her marriage, had this family by her former husband--Josephine, Walter S., Anna J., John D., C. E. and Harry M. Mr. Hunt is well blessed with this world's goods, owning 240 acres of the township's best land, with comfortable buildings, etc. He has made all by his own labor. He is a Democrat and a prominent man.

Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn

JAMES B. MANN, born in Mercer County, Ky., October 5,1816, the only son of six children of Josiah and Elizabeth (Schooling) Mann, was brought to Indiana by his parents in 1819. The father first located in Gill Township, where he lived until June 4, 1838, when his death occurred. His wife died November 7, 1854, and both lie buried in the Merom Cemetery. James B. in youth was given a fair education for that early day, and when a man commenced the work of life for himself as clerk in the store of Paul & Reed, of Merom. Here he continued two years, making his mother's house his home. In 1845, he had accumulated enough to buy a tract of 335 acres in Turman Township, which he did, the land being the same as that upon which Turman Fort stood during the war of 1812. Here Mr. Mann has since lived and labored. March 24, 1844, he was united in marriage with Miss Fidelia Ann, daughter of Thomas and Lavina (White) Turman, and to this union the following children have been born: Elizabeth, born Janaury 19, 1845; Lavina, born October 31, 1846; Thomas J., born March 12,1848; Mary, born November 22, 1850; James B., born September 26, 1853, and Charles A., born September 2, 1861. Mr. Mann is a Democrat, and as a man and a neighbor has no superior in Sullivan County. His famiy is old, prominent, and stands without reproach.

Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn

WILLIAM O. PINKSTON came from Kentucky to Indiana, then two years old, with his parents, John and Elizabeth Pinkson, the family coming on pack-horses through the woods. John Pinkston was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, an able, pious and God-fearing man, who, it is said, organized the first society, now the Providence Church, the first membership being himself and wife and William Burnett and wife. At the time of his settlement here, Rev. Mr. Pinkston had a family of four children, our subject, born in Garrett County, Ky., April 10, 1827, being one. William O. received but little education at the rude subscription schools, and upon reaching manhood, selected farming as his occupation through life. November 17,1847, he married Miss Irene, daughter of Silas and Lucinda (Gunn) Osborn, and to this union nine children were born, as follows: Ellen S., born September 22, 1848; William C., January 7, 1850; Mary J., December 3, 1852; Elizabeth A., November 24,1854; Lucinda, November 20, 1856: Martha, March 22, 1860; John H., April 27, 1862; Nelson, December 12, 1866; and Emeline, February 12, 1868. Mr. Pinkston, by careful management, industry and economy, now has an excellent farm of 112 acres, which he has obtained wholly since his marriage. Early in 1865, he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and forty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until the expiration of the war. He is one of the leading Republicans of the township, is a man of high honor, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Silas Osborn moved from Kentucky to Washington County, Ind., in 1817, and to Sullivan County in 1819. He was Justice of the Peace, Probate Judge, and represented the county two terms in the Legislature. He was a minister, and it is said preached the first sermon in the county seat--Sullivan. He moved to Iowa in 1849.

Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn

DANIEL CASE, farmer, P. O. Cass, was born in Washington County, Ky., June 25, 1827, second son of James and Elizabeth (Plew) Case, natives of Kentucky. He was married February 3, 1825, and moved to Sullivan County, settling in Curry Township, on what is known as the Judge Hanna farm, in October, 1829. About the year 1850, he moved to what is now known as the Case farm, one mile north of the E. & T. H. depot, Sullivan, in Hamilton Township, where he died, his widow surviving him until March 28, 1881, aged seventy-seven years. Mr. Case enlisted in the army of the Union in October, 1861, serving about one year, and was in four or five battles. Was discharged on account of a disease contracted in the service of his county, and died October 17, 1862. He and his wife now lie buried in the Walls Graveyard, one and one-half miles from Sullivan, in Hamilton Township, Ind. Daniel Case employed his time on the farm and going to subscription schools during the winter season, acquiring only a limited education. At the age of eighteen, young Case commenced to work for Eli Dix, in Fairbanks Township, working two years for himself, when he marrried Miss Lucinda Bundy, December 19, 1847, settling in Turman Township, where he resided until 1859. He was the year after his majority elected Constable under the late Alexander Shields and W. H. Turman, of Turman Township, seving continously in that capacity until October, 1854, when he was elected Township Assessor, holding the office two terms of two years each. In March, 1859, Mr. Case moved on Section 34 in Cass Township, where he now resides. He served as Deputy Sheriff under Matthew McCammon, from November, 1860, until August, 1862, when he enlisted in the Union army August 15, 1862, in the Ninety-seventh Regiment, Company I, Indiana Volunteers, serving until the expiration of the war. He was in thirteen battles, going through to the sea with Sherman, and was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., receiving his final discharge at Indianapolis July 15,1865. In June, 1875, was appointed Justice of the Peace in Cass Township, serving two years under appointment. Then again, in December, 1878, was again appointed, serving until April, 1872.(?) There were no children born to Daniel Case by his first wife, she dying December 3, 1879. He married Mrs. Mary Gambill, December 1, 1880, by whom he has one child--Fannie Case. Mr. Case has eighty acres of highly improved land in Section 34.

Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn

JAMES B. COCHRAN, a farmer, P. O. Cass, is a native of Sullivan County, Ind., born December 11, 1820, one of eight children--seven of whom are now living-- born to William and Tacy (Brodie) Cochran, natives of Kentucky, of English and Irish descent. William Cochran came to Sullivan County in the fall of 1811, where he afterward married about the year 1819. He was a farmer by occupation, dying in the year 1864, and was buried on Farmer's Prairie, in Hamilton Township. James B. Cochran, the subject of this sketch, followed hunting for the greater part of his time until the year 1847, when he married Miss Susan M. Wilson, an estimable young lady of Cass Township. April 15, 1847, commenced to improve his farm of 160 acres in Section 27, building a log house, 16x18. The same spring was elected Justice of the Peace, and took the oath of office May 4, 1859, serving over three years, when he resigned, and moved to Sullivan, continuing there until the fall of 1864, when he returned to the old homestead. Was elected Trustee of Cass Township in April, 1880, which office he now holds. Mr. Cochran has been a stanch Democrat all his life, casting his first vote for James Knox Polk in 1844. Mr. Cochran has spent a great deal of his time and means in the encouragement of all public improvements in his township and county. Mr. Cochran has had born to him eight children--Margaret, Evaline, John Harvey, Elizabeth, William W., Louisa, Edward and Ella, seven of whom are now living, Evaline dying September 18, 1858. Mr. Cochran's advantages for an education were very limited, there being but one school taught in the Township of Cass, by one Harvey Wilson. The benches or seats were made of split timber; the floor was split puncheon, and window-lights were made of greased paper. Young Cochran walked three miles to take his first lessons in orthography, reading and mathematics. Mr. and Mrs. Cochran still retain their youthful vigor to a good degree, having been very diligent and economical, amassing a goodly sum. Mrs. Cochran is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He has never had a lawsuit in his life, has never sued or been sued, or had any altercation with his neighbors during all his years.

Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn

JOHN Y. DODD, farmer, P. O. Sullivan, forth child of John and Nancy (Young) Dodd, natives respectively of Kentucky and Virginia. John Y. Dodd, the subject of this sketch, was born March 20, 1802. Assisting his parents and going to the subscripton school in Lincoln County, Ky., acquiring a good common school education, young Dodd worked on the farm most of his time until his majority, when he emigrated to Indiana in the fall of 1828, settling in Washington County, where he was united in marriage to Miss Ann Depauw, of Salem, daughter of John Depauw, of Washington County, Ind., where he resided until the year 1832, when he moved to Greene County, Ind.; thence to Sullivan County in the year 1834, on the farm where he now lives. There were no children born to this union, Mrs. Depauw(Dodd?) dying August 16, 1874. She was a member of the Christian Church for many years, and lies buried near Palmer's Prairie Church. She was a lady of great personal worth, and esteemed of all who knew her. Mr. Dodd still resides on the old homestead, and resides alone in his declining years. Is an active member of the P. of H., Grange No. 537, Cass Township. Mr. Dodd has a highly improved farm of seventy-one acres, which he is still managing, and is jovial and lively still. He is a great reader, and favoring all public improvements. Mr. Dodd has been a great hunter in his time, killing many deer and wolves, and some panthers and catamounts in this then wild county.

Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn

GEORGE W. HALE, farmer, P. O. Sullivan, second son of Stephen C. and Ann (Howard) Hale, natives of Virginia and Kentucky, and of Irish descent, was born July 29, 1843, and lived with his parents until the age of nineteen, receiving but a limited education. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company I, Ninety-seventh Regiment Indiana Volunteers, and was in the battle of Vicksburg, Jackson, Mission Ridge, Dalton, Resaca, Dallas, New Hope Church, Big Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain, Chattahoochie River, Decatur, Altanta, Lovejoy, Little River, Columbia, Bentonville and Raleigh. Received no wounds, and was discharged by reason of expiration of term of service at Washington, D. C., June 9, 1865. Returned home and was married to Miss Eliza Jane Parks, of Sullivan County, and to this union have been born two children--Francis (deceased) and Flora. His first wife died April 17, 1871; he married Miss Sarah E. Clayton, April 18, 1873, and by this marriage were born five childdren--Mary Ann, John, Charles E., Hattie and George W. (deceased). His second wife dying August 21, 1883, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Cassa A. Parks, of Knox County, Ind. Mr. Hale has a farm of ninety-six acres of good land in Section 9, all well improved. Is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a Democrat.

Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn

Caryn Dubelko