GREENWOOD-Harley - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Harley GREENWOOD, retired, Attica, was born in Bethel, Oxford county, Maine, April 18, 1800. His father's christian name was Nathaniel, and his mother's maiden name was Mary MASON. He obtained a good education, and when about twenty years of age left home in company with a younger brother, both seeking their fortunes in the world. They started with $20 apiece in silver, which had been given them by their parents. Mr. GREENWOOD still has in his possession the little purse which his mother presented him when he was leaving. They were controlled by no definite plan, but drifted to Boston and New York; going into New Jersey, stopped and remained there some time teaching school. From here they went to Virginia, arriving there on horseback and continued school teaching. His brother finally read medicine, and in a few years went to Indiana, where he practiced a little while and then quit the profession for merchandising. He located at Rob Roy, in Fountain county. At that date this point was one of growing importance; and when the older brother arrived in the fall of 1831 it was the largest place between Indianapolis and Chicago. Our subject had a little money when he got here and at once invested it in the store in company with his brother, whom he found already engaged in trade. The county was very sickly at this early period, and the latter was stricken by disease and died in 1833. It had been the intention of the two to erect a flouring-mill, and Mr. GREENWOOD, acting in accordance with the original purpose, built at Rob Roy the first one of any consequence ever raised in the county. A pair of "raccoon burrs" had been doing a little work there before this time. This "corn-cracker" stood on the first "eighty" that he bought. Mr. GREENWOOD now turned his attention wholly to this business and to farming. Milling became very profitable. Money was very scarce, and exchanges were carried on chiefly by barter; the merchants sold goods and took their pay mostly in wheat. Four and a half bushels made a barrel of flour; but the merchants were willing to give five bushels, furnish the barrel, and pay fifty cents, and take an article that would pass in New Orleans for two thirds superfine; and it would have been a miracle had a miller been found who was loth to take it. For many years Mr. GREENWOOD operated extensively, and in the meantime accumulated a handsome property. At one time he had upward of 1,100 acres of land. In 1872 he sold 600 acres for $30,500, and his landed estate now compromises 540 acres. He sold the mill in 1865 to A.A. GREENWOOD and F.W. MCCOUGHTRY. In 1833 Mr. GREENWOOD returned on horseback to the valley of Virginia, and in March was married to Miss Frances DAVIS. She died in November, 1837, and the following year he went again to Virginia and brought away a second wife in the person of Miss Fanny TIMBERLAKE. By the first marriage were born two children, which died in infancy. Mr. GREENWOOD has been a leading citizen of Fountain county, a man to whom the people always went for counsel and to transact legal and other business for them. Probably no other did as much business as administrator and guardian as he; he has had as many as thirty children under his charge at a time. His commercial honor and financial integrity were always of the highest order, and inspired the soundest confidence. Under the circumstances it was impossible for him altogether to escape office holding. He was county commissioner, probate judge, and justice of the peace. When the citizens of Shawnee township were subscribing money to raise substitutes during the rebellion Mr. GREENWOOD offered to give $1,000 more than any other man, and did so, paying $2,000. The amount raised was $16,000. The democrats would not be satisfied to send any other than him to Indianapolis to hire the men and disburse the funds, so he went as agent for the township. When he sold a part of his farm, in 1872, he removed to Attica, where he has since lived in retirement. Politically he is a republican. Both he and his wife have been members of the Presbyterian church thirty years. In 1836 Mr. GREENWOOD returned to his native home to see his dying mother, but she died before he reached there. In 1867 he paid another visit to his birthplace.