Knight Township Biographies

Township Histories & Biographies

Knight Township, Vanderburgh County, Indiana
History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana. Brant & Fuller. 1889

History — Biographies

Henry H. Barnett, ex-trustee of Knight Township, was born in this Township December 31, 1846, the son of Humphrey and Emily R. (Caldwell) Barnett. His father was born April 5, 1811, in this Township, and was married to Emily R. Caldwell, April 12, 1838. He and two other men were killed by a stroke of lightning, in Knight Township, while moving a threshing machine, August 19, 1850. The mother was born in Kentucky, March 2, 1820. She was married to Nathaniel J. James, July 12, 1853, and died in 1866. The early life of Henry H. Barnett was spent in his native Township, and in early manhood he adopted the vocation of a farmer. He has in connection with farming, dealt in live stock for a number of years past. He was married October 8, 1872, to Victoria Harper, a native of Knight Township, born about 1853, daughter of David and Elizabeth (Fields) Harper. She died January 18, 1877, and on May 21, 1878, Mr. Barnett was married to Nellie E. Harper, a sister of his first wife, born in Knight Township, April, 1859. She died September 23, 1887. Mr. Barnett is the father of five children: Harry D. (deceased), Ivy M., Charles H., Nellie, and Russell, of whom the last four are the children of his second wife. In 1882, he was elected assessor, which position he resigned in 1884, to accept the office of Township trustee. He was re-elected to this latter office in 1886, and has lately retired from six years' creditable service.

Source:
History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana
Brant & Fuller, c.1889
Pages 629-630

George D. Bowen, proprietor of the Crescent City Nursery, was born in County of Norfolk, England, October 6, 1837, the son of John and Harriet (Burton) Bowen, who spent their entire lives in that country. As early as twelve years of age he became employed in a nursery, and he has made the nursery work the vocation of his life. When seventeen years old he emigrated to America, and at Rochester, N. Y., worked in a nursery from two to three years. He then j went to Eaton Rapids, Mich., and was a partner in a nursery about two years. In the fall of 1858 he returned to Rochester, where he entered into a contract with ex-Mayor William Baker and his brother, Conrad Baker, in pursuance of which in November, 1858, he came to this County and established a nursery, which he conducted until 1863. It was styled the Crescent City Nursery by Gov. Baker in the spring of 1859. In 1863 Mr. Bowen became the proprietor of the, nursery himself, and he has developed it into one of the best nurseries in the state, and his reputation is not confined to Vanderburgh County. He was married February 16, 1859, to Elizabeth Jackson, who was born in Daviess County, this state. Their marriage has resulted in the birth of one child, William C. Bowen, now ten years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Bowen are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the A. O. U. W., and in politics is a republican. Mr. Bowen has the respect and Confidence of his fellowmen, and all of his dealings have been characterized by integrity.

Source:
History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana
Brant & Fuller, c.1889
Page 630

John J. Byrne, trustee of Knight Township, was born in Beaver County, Penn., March 2,, 1832. He is the son of Michael and Eleanor (O'Brien) Byrne, both natives of County Kerry, Ireland. His father was born in 1800, and was the son of Daniel and Mary Byrne. The father and mother emigrated to America in 1824, and located in Beaver County, Penn., but when John was about twelve years old, they removed to Allegheny County. He was married in Allegheny County, Penn., March 13, 1862, to Margaret Riddle. She was born in that County July 12, 1837, and is the daughter of Samuel and Jane (Turner) Riddle. Her father was born May 4, 1794, son of Samuel and Jane Riddle. Her mother was the daughter of Samuel and Anna (Ewing) Turner, who came across the Allegheny mountains on horseback in a very early day. A pair of baskets was suspended across the horse's back in the form of saddle-bags, and in these baskets the children found a place to ride. For one year after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Byrne resided on a farm in Allegheny County. In 1863 they emigrated to Vanderburgh County. They moved to their present home on the Washington Avenue road, section 35, in November, 1887. Mr. Byrne owns in all 140 acres of land, 100 of which lie in Knight Township, and the remainder in Warrick County. The wife of Mr. Byrne is a member of the Christian Church, and he is a member of the Catholic Church. In 1888 he was elected trustee, raising his party's majority from thirty-six to seventy-three.

Source:
History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana
Brant & Fuller, c.1889
Page 630

G. Webster Clark was born in Posey County, this state, August 16, 1855, the son of Erastus A. and Sallie A. (Grant) Clark, the latter of whom was a second cousin of Gen. U. S. Grant. In 1861 his parents removed to Gibson County, and a year later located in Evansville, where, until he was a man, the subject of this sketch remained. During his boyhood and youth he was variously employed. At twenty years of age, on August 15, 1875, he was married to Miss Ann D. Knapp. She was born on the farm where she and her husband now reside, November 12, 1858, the daughter of William D. and Margaret A. (Housley) Knapp, the former of whom was born in Natchez, Miss., and the latter in Warrick County. Her father was the son of Artemus Knapp, once a prominent business man of Natchez, who died there of yellow fever prior to the war. Mr. and Mrs. Clark began housekeeping on the farm they now occupy. In November, 1884, they removed to Evansville, where for about two years he was engaged in the grocery trade. In 1886 they returned to their farm of fifty-three and one-third acres. They have four children: Vashti L., Lizzie A. (deceased), William A. and Rosa A. Mr. and Mrs. Clark are members of the Christian Church.

Source:
History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana
Brant & Fuller, c.1889
Pages 630-633

Maj. Francis M. Ewing was born in Knox County, this state, November 6, 1836, the son of Robert W. and Temperance M. (Cook) Ewing, who were respectively natives of Kentucky and Tennessee. His father was born February 22, 1808, the son of Robert and Elizabeth (Booker) Ewing, both natives of Virginia. Robert Ewing was the son of James and Sarah (Edwards) Ewing. The Ewing family, of which the major is a descendant, fled from Scotland during the time of the persecution of the Protestants by the Catholics. They settled on the Foyle in Ireland, near Londonderry, where they suffered in common with others, all the horrors of the famous siege of that city some ten or twelve years prior to the American revolution. Three brothers, named James, Alexander and Samuel, emigrated and settled in Virginia. Francis M. Ewing is a descendant of the first-named James Ewing, who is his great-grandfather. His mother was born October 10, 1808, the daughter of Joshua Cook. She was married to Robert W. Ewing May 20, 1827. When Francis was eight years old his parents removed from Knox to Sullivan County, this state, and at fifteen years of age he accompanied his parents to Edgar County, Ill., and located in the town of Paris. Shortly afterward the family removed to Wapello County, Iowa, where his mother died. His father then returned with his children to Paris, Ill., in the vicinity of which Francis remained until the year 1861. In addition to a district school education, he was a student in an academy at Paris, Ill., two years. In April, 1861, he became a volunteer soldier and was mustered as a private in Company E, Twelfth Illinois infantry, with which he served until July 20, 1863, when he was promoted to the rank of captain and was placed in command of Company B, Fifty-fifth United States colored infantry. September 19,1865, he was promoted to the rank of major. He was honorably discharged at Baton Rouge, La., October 12, 1865. He performed faithful service at Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Shiloh and the siege and battle of Corinth. In the engagement at Guntown, Miss., June 10, 1864, he received a painful, though not dangerous, gunshot wound in the left lower limb. The ball lodged between the tibia and fibula bones, from which place it has never been extracted. For two years after the war he was engaged in the cotton business at Vicksburg. Late in 1867, he went to Kansas, where he resided for five years, the greater part of the time in Neosho County, where he conducted farming interests. In July, 1872, he came to Evansville. During three years he was traveling salesman for a wholesale grocery house, and during two years he conducted a retail grocery store. In January, 1877, he removed to his present home in Knight Township. His attention since 1877 has been given to farming and the dairy business. December 16, 1869, Mr. Ewing was married to Mrs. Nancy Caroline Phar. She was born in this County, October 25, 1841, the daughter of Humphrey and Emily R. Barnett. She was married to Jonathan Phar January 28, 1864. He died September 16, 1867. Mr. and Mrs. Ewing have had six children: Estella M., Nettie E., Charlotte T., Grace (deceased), Walter L., Carrie and Bessie. Mr. and Mrs. Ewing are members of the First Baptist Church, of which their children, Estella, Nettie and Charlotte are also members. Mr. Ewing is a member of the Masonic and G.A.R. lodges.

Source:
History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana
Brant & Fuller, c.1889
Pages 633-634

Samuel R. Fickas was born on the farm he now occupies December 11, 1828, son of John and Hannah (Barnett) Fickas, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania and the latter in this County. His father was born about 1795, and was the son of Adam and Eve Fickas. His mother was born in the year 1800, daughter of Humphrey and Nancy Barnett, the former of whom was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and afterward became one of the earliest settlers in this part of Indiana. John Fickas served in the war of 1812, and was present at the battle of New Orleans. He died in Knight Township August 4, 1862. His wife survived him until the 2nd of the following November. The early life of Samuel was spent on the old homestead. In 1849 he went to California, where for two years he worked at mining. He then returned to Knight Township, but in 1853, went to Oregon. In the fall of 1854 he removed from Oregon to California. During his residence in those states his chief occupation was mining. In January, 1858, he again returned to Knight Township. After 1858 his undivided attention was given to farming, and in this connection he has been very successful. He owns 320 acres of good land in Knight Township, about 250 of which are in cultivation. In October, 1852, Mr. Fickas was married to Nancy E. James, also a native of this Township, the daughter of William and Winnie (Lane) James. She died in Oregon City, Ore., June 3, 1853. His second marriage was June 3, 1859, to Miss Sarah James, a cousin of his first wife, and daughter of Nathaniel and Ruth (Parker) James. She died September 8, 1873, and on the 6th day of October, 1877, Mr. Fickas was married to Miss Elizabeth Ann Schofield. She was born in Vincennes, Knox County, January 20,1837, and is the daughter of Richard and Mary Mills Schofield. Her father was born in Rochdale, England, August 22, 1810, son of John and Elizabeth (Clegg) Schofield. Her mother was born in Unsworth, England, May 2, 1814, daughter of Robert and Hannah (Woods) Mills. Her father came to America at seventeen years of age, and her mother came in 1819. When Mrs. Fickas was born her father was manager of Bonner's Cotton factory at Vincennes. In 1861 her parents came to Vanderburgh County, and located in Knight Township. Her mother died June 12, 1865, and her father, February 26, 1878. By his second wife Mr. Fickas became the father of five children: John (deceased), Ruth J., Sarah E., Edna and Clara (twins), Clara (deceased). By his present wife Mr. Fickas was the father of one child, Russell O. (deceased). Mrs. Fickas is a member of the Episcopal Church. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and is an Odd Fellow.

Source:
History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana
Brant & Fuller, c.1889
Page 634

John Peter Graf was born in Germany, August 7, 1830, the son of Phillip David and Margaret (Bittinger) Graf. He came with his parents to America in 1837. The family landed at New Orleans, where they remained nearly a year. They then proceeded to Cincinnati, where they lived three or four years. Afterward they settled on a farm in Clark County, about 1841. There Mr. Graf was married, November 15, 1860, to Mary Catharine Kramb. She is a native of Germany, born March 15, 1842, daughter of Phillip Henry and Mary Catharine (Webber) Kramb, the former of whom died when Catharine was but four years old. Her mother came with her children to America in 1858. For about three years after his marriage Mr. Graf worked at coopering in Clark County. In about 1865 he became the proprietor of an eating saloon in Jeffersonville. In October, 1866, he removed with his family to Evansville and engaged in the grocery business, to which he gave his attention for about thirteen years. In November, 1878, he and family removed to their present beautiful home, one mile east of the city. He and wife have had nine children: David (deceased), George (deceased), Philip (deceased), Emma M., John (deceased), Katie V., Ida C, Lutie M. and Henry C. Mr. and Mrs. Graf are members of the Lutheran Church.

Source:
History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana
Brant & Fuller, c.1889
Pages 634

Samuel Grainger was born on a farm three miles east of Evansville, April 6, 1835, son of Ira P. and Phoebe J. (Brumfield) Grainger, the former of whom was born in Sumner County, Tenn., in 1809, and the latter is a native of Kentucky. He grew to manhood on the old homestead in Knight Township. In February, 1857, he was married to Jennie Gibson, the daughter of Robert Gibson. She died March 1, 1858. August 26, 1860, Mr. Grainger was married to Frances M. Barnett. She is also a native of Knight Township, who was born on the farm where she now lives, October 14, 1845. She is the daughter of Joseph and Abigail (Gillett) Barnett. Mr. Grainger has spent his entire life in Knight Township, with the exception of two years, — from the spring of 1884 to 1886 — during which he was a resident of Evansville. He has been extensively engaged in the growing of potatoes, having crops as great as 16,000 bushels in a single year. He is the father of eleven children: Jennie F., Mary (deceased), Ira P., James W., Charles (deceased), Henry H. (deceased), Carlos (deceased), Samuel R., Esther, George C, and Maggie O. Mr. Grainger is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows lodges. He has served his Township as constable one year, as assessor fourteen years, and as trustee seven and one-half years; in all capacities in a faithful manner. The parents of Mrs. Grainger were both born in Knight Township. Mrs. Grainger owns a farm of 101 1/2 acres, all of which is in cultivation. She is a good manager and a worthy and esteemed lady.

Source:
History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana
Brant & Fuller, c.1889
Page 634

John James was born near his present home, May 26,1826. He is the son of Henry and Nancy (Barnett) James, the former of whom was born in Virginia. His father and mother were married in this County and settled on the farm where he was born in a very early day. His mother died there May 28, 1830. His father afterward married Mrs. Cynthia Shultz, with whom he moved to Henry County, Iowa. In the spring of 1846 he returned on a visit to this County and died at the home of his son, Hon. Nathaniel J. James, on April 2. John James was married to Martha J. Ringer, August 8, 1850. She was born in Kentucky, January 11, 1831, daughter of Michael and Martha Ringer. The sole occupation of his life has been farming, and he is now one of the wealthiest farmers and most extensive freeholders in Vanderburgh County. He owns 619 acres of good land in Knight Township. His home farm contains 300 acres, about all of which is in cultivation. The first wife of Mr. James died April 23, 1878. On the 5th day of September, 1878, Mr. James was married to Mary Frances Dewees. She was born in Jackson County, W. Va., July 3, 1858, and is the daughter of John and Sarah (Davault) Dewees, both natives of West Virginia. The first marriage of Mr. James resulted in the birth of three children: John J., Henry and Frances M. (deceased). Mr. James and his present wife have had two children: Arthur and Winnie. Mr. and Mrs James are members of the Christian Church.

Source:
History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana
Brant & Fuller, c.1889
Pages 635-636

Alexander Maddux was born in Meade County, Ky., May 7, 1820, the son of Thomas Maddux, who was a native of Green Brier County, Va. The mother died when he was but seven weeks old. His father afterward married Elizabeth Boesinger. When he was fourteen years old he accompanied his father and stepmother to Perry County, Ind., where his stepmother died about six years later. Shortly after the death of Mrs. Maddux, her husband returned with his children to Kentucky, and located at Cloverport, where he died within a year or so. For a year or two after his father's death, Mr. Maddux farmed in Perry County, this state. About 1845 he went to Clay County, Mo., where, during the winter of 1845-6, he taught school, then he returned to Kentucky, and attended school at Hardensburg. He was then a clerk in a general store at Stevensport about one year, and in 1847 entered the employ of Dr. James Graves, of Louisville, with whom he was engaged as traveling salesman three years. February 14, 1850, he was married to Susan Edmond; she was born in this County, May 9, 1822, the daughter of John Edmond, who was a native of Somerset County, Penn., Mr. and Mrs. Maddux lived on a farm in Union Township, this County, for a period of fourteen years, and during the first seven years he was extensively engaged in supplying wood to the Ohio River steamboats. In March, 1863, Mr. Maddux removed to Evansville, where he resided about twenty years. His attention during that time was given to his farming interests, which were very extensive, and to the renting of various properties which he owned in the city. In January, 1882, he removed to his present elegant home, one mile east of the city. He owns at this time about 500 acres of farm land in Vanderburgh County. He is also the owner of a number of valuable properties in Evansville, the rentals of which bring him a considerable income. Mr. Maddux and wife have an only child, whose name is Talitha J. She was born December 20, 1852, and was married September 23, 1872, to John J. Brose, by whom she is the mother of two children: Susie B. and Effie M. Mr. Brose was born April 7, 1844, and died July 1, 1878. Mr. Maddux is a member of the Baptist Church and of the I.O.O.F. Besides serving as justice of the peace he has served as a member of the board of County commissioners one term.

Source:
History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana
Brant & Fuller, c.1889
Page 636

Robert A. Pollock was born in Scotland, April 2, 1840, the son of James and Elizabeth (Gray) Pollock, with whom he came to America when he was between two and three years old. His father was born near Glasgow, Scotland. They found a home in the province of Ontario, where Robert grew to manhood. His father was a blacksmith by trade, and also owned a farm. In addition to a good common school education, he completed a course in a commercial college at Toronto. About 1863 he came to the United States, and after a few weeks at Pithole City, Pa., came to Vevay, Ind., where for three years he had charge of the wharf-boat. He was then in the employ, first, of John and William Charlton, and afterward of W. B. Owen, and it was his duty to attend to the business of the American Express company. During this time, however, he spent the winter of 1865-6, in the city of New Orleans. In the spring of 1867, he left Vevay and passed the following summer in Cincinnati. In the fall of 1867 he went back to Northumberland County, Ontario, and in 1868 visited Buffalo, N. Y., Cincinnati, O., Vevay, Ind., and Hamilton, O. In November, 1868, he came from Vevay to Vanderburgh County, and soon afterward purchased a farm in Knight Township. Here he settled, and he has since given his attention to farming. Mr. Pollock was married on New Year's day, 1871, to Elizabeth H. Aiken. She was born in Knight Township, March 7, 1851, the daughter of Moses and Nancy J. (Fickas) Aiken. Their marriage has resulted in the birth of seven children: Mamie J., Ella M., deceased, Mora D., Cicero D., and Cora A. Mrs. Pollock is a member of the Christian Church; he is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

Source:
History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana
Brant & Fuller, c.1889
Pages 636-637

Henry B. Smyth was born in Evansville, March 21, 1849, the son of Thomas D. and Mary L. (Rowley) Smyth, the former of whom was born in the County Monaghan, Ireland, in 1824, and the latter in the city of Evansville. At the age of fifteen he became a student in Behme's Commercial College, of Evansville, in which he obtained a good knowledge of book-keeping. In March, 1864, his parents removed to Knight Township, and settled on the farm where he now resides, in section 24. This has been his home ever since. He helped to clear and cultivate the farm until 1871, and in connection with his father, engaged in the manufacture of tile. The firm continued under the name of Thomas D. Smyth & Son, until it was dissolved by the death of his father on the 14th of May, 1880. Since then Henry B. has conducted the business alone. He has also in connection with the manufacture of tile, controlled extensive farming interests. His farm of 176 acres contains a handsome residence and other substantial improvements. There is probably not another farm in Vanderburgh County upon which so much work has been done in the way of under-drainage. It now has between six and seven miles o,f tile drainage, to which additional lines are added each year. Mr. Smyth was married March 13, 1872, to Emma J. Stroud. She was born in Union Township, this County, March 16, 1854, the daughter of Benjamin Franklin and Sarah J. (Cloud) Stroud. Mr. and Mrs. Smyth have had five children: Harry B., Richard G., Helen M. (deceased), Mabel C, and Clarence B. Mrs. Smyth is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. In 1880 he was elected trustee of Knight Township. He served one term to the entire satisfaction of the public.

Source:
History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana
Brant & Fuller, c.1889
Page 637

Hon. Jesse M. Stone, born in Genesee (now Wyoming) County, N. Y., August 3, 1825, is the son of Bela and Sarah M. (Heacox) Stone, the former of whom was born at Greenville, on the Hudson River, and the latter near Canandaigua, N. Y. When he was three years old his parents removed to Rochester, N. Y. His father was a blacksmith by trade, which vocation he pursued in various places in the western part of the state of New York. At nineteen years of age Jesse M. Stone became employed with an older brother in Rochester, who was a manufacturer of steel springs. He entered upon a course in the commercial college of George W. Eastman, and after he attained a high degree of proficiency with the pen he became the assistant of Mr. Eastman, and for some time thereafter he was engaged at teaching writing at different places in New York; also studied in an academy at Canandaigua. In 1847 he came to Illinois by way of the lakes and reached Waukegan on July 4. He joined his father's family in McHenry County, Ill., but during the winter taught a writing school in Racine, Wis. He then returned to Woodstock, McHenry County, and for some time acted as deputy County recorder, afterward taking a position as clerk in a store, being so engaged until the fall of 1851, when he went to St. Paul, Minn. There he was employed in the recorder's office, and afterward as bookkeeper and clerk for John R. Irvine. He became the partner of Mr. Irvine and with him was engaged in the real estate and banking business until the latter part of 1858. In the summer of 1859 he went to Fort Abercrombie, on the Red River of the North, where he was afterward appointed sutler. In June, 1862, he purchased a stock of goods in St. Louis and went to Memphis, Tenn., where he had intended to retail them. He soon disposed of the stock, however, but remained in Memphis, where he conducted a bakery until the fall of 1863. In December, 1863, he leased a plantation of 4,000 acres, 2,500 of which were under cultivation, on the west bank of the Mississippi River in.northern Louisiana. He afterward leased two other plantations in Concordia parish, La., and during the season of 1864 he controlled the three. His cotton crop during that year covered over 2,000 acres and he had over 700 acres of corn. Early in 1865 he became a controlling partner in a wholesale grocery store in New Orleans, in which he retained an interest until 1868, when he sold to one of his partners and purchased a plantation in Madison County, Miss., upon which he resided until 1875. In the fall of 1869 he was elected a member of the Mississippi legislature and served three consecutive terms. In the fall of 1875 he came to Vanderburgh County. His chief attention for a number of years past has been given to the lumber business. Mr. Stone was married September 10, 1851, to Miss Elizabeth Stone, who was born in Rome, N. Y., May 30, 1833, the daughter of Jesse M. and Mary Stone. Their marriage has resulted in the birth of seven children: Dakota H. (deceased), Lizzie M., Jesse M. (deceased), Harry B., Lulu, Franklin B., and Charles H. Mrs. Stone is a member of the Cumberland Church.

Source:
History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana
Brant & Fuller, c.1889
Pages 637-638

William R. Vann was born in Center Township, July 28, 1830, the son of Absalom and Delight (Comstock) Vann, who were respectively natives of South Carolina and Connecticut. Mrs. Vann had been previously the wife of Oliver H. Williams, to whom she was married in Connecticut. Absalom Vann settled in Henderson County, Ky., opposite, and a little above, Evansville, in the year 1806. He served in the war of 1812, after which he came to Vanderburgh County, where he spent the rest of his life. Mr. Vann died January 8, 1845, and his wife on the 5th of March of the same year. She had been a Church member over forty years. When Absalom was between one and two years old, his parents removed from Center to Knight Township, and located on the farm he now occupies. He was married March 22,1855, to Mrs. Ellen Carney, born in Washington County, Ohio, October 3, 1832, the daughter of Jonathan and Mary (Racer) Middleswart. She was married September 6, 1849, to Andrew J. Carney, who died in February, 1854. Mr. and Mrs. Vann have had three children: Olive S., George L. and Ernest E. (deceased). By her first husband Mrs. Vann had two children: Eugene M. (deceased), and Mary F., who was accidentally shot by a man who was firing at a hawk. Mr. and Mrs. Vann are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He has served his Township as justice of the peace for twenty-five years. He became a member of a temperance society in 1847, and has ever since been a total abstainer.

Source:
History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana
Brant & Fuller, c.1889
Pages 638-639

Township Histories & Biographies

Return to A Little Vanderburgh County History