BINGHAM-Alexander - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Alexander BINGHAM, farmer, Steam Corner, was born in Fleming Co KY June 8, 1822. His father, William Bingham emigrated from Ireland in 1814 to NY then KY. He made a trip to New Orleans and walked back to Ky. There he married Nancy Hawkins. In 1829 they moved to Montgomery County, Indiana settling three miles north of Wayneotwn where he bought 80 acres of land. He was a schoolt eacher, which business he mostly followed. He died Oct 30, 1843. HIs wife died July 4, 1833. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They had several children of whom 3 are living. Alexander received a very limited education. In 1838 he was apprenticed to learn the cabinet trade and served 2 years. He then went to KY where he followed this trade 3 years. In 1843 he returned to Indiana and followed his trade. He attended school in the winter of 1846-7, at Pleasant Hill. July 19, 1847, Mr. Bingham was married to Catharine Crane, daughter of Silas and Ruth Sayers Crane. She was born in Butler Co Ohio Feb 2, 1831. After marriage he settled at Pleasant Hill and remained till 1851, when he located at Waynetown and sold goods. Meeting with reverses, he again followed his trade, mostly carpentering. In 1856 he came into Fountain County to raise a house for one McKnight, making his home with Peter Muraphey. Oct 27, 1856, his wife died, leaving two children, William W. and Caroline A. She was a Methodist and is buried at Pleasant Hill. Mr. Bingham bought 80 acres of land in Mill Creek Township. In 1857, May 14, he was married to Jane Savage, daughter of Alanson Savage. She was born in Sandusky Co Ohio Nov 23, 1835, and died Aug 9, 1867. After his second marriage, he settle dhis farm. This he sold and bought 120 acres where he lives. This he improved. In 1869 he was burned out, but immediately rebuilt. In his second family were two children: George F. and James. Mr. Bingham was next married to Hester J. Crane Pond, April 9, 1869. She was born in Fountain County, Indiana Aug 21, 1845. She has one child, William C. Pond. Mr. Bnigham added to his farm till he owned 254 acres, the result of his own toil and good management. He used to be a democrat, but became a charter member of the Republican party and is still radical. In 1876 he was the nominee for representative, but was beaten by the combined democratic and greenback vote. He has experienced all the haps and mishaps incident to a career from poverty to reasonable success.