JEFFERSON COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES
Taken from Biographical and Historical Souvenir
of
Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott and Washington
Published by John M. Gresham & Company
1889
D - G
WilliamW. Demaree, farmer, was born in Jefferson county, November 3, 1839. He is a son of Eilliam Underwood and Marietta (Wagner) Demaree, natives of Kentucky and New Jersey.
There were three generations of the family who settled, at early dates in this century, in Jefferson County, vis: Samuel the father, who came in 1812, and entered a large tract of land, Daniel, his son, and William U., a grandson. Daniel came from Shelby County, Ky., bringing his son William U., with him, who was but a boy at the time. William U., the father of William W., lived until November 1880 when he died. He built the Madison and Canaan Turnpike principally himself, and was regarded as one of the most enterprising and progressive farmers in Jefferson County. The land upon which Mr. Demaree, the subject of this sketch, now lives was entered by his great-grandfather Samuel Demaree.
The Demaree family was well represented in the army in all the wars of this country, Mr. William W. Demaree being on of the representatives in the late war, enlisting in Co. A, 55th Reg. Ind. Vol. Inf., for three months in 1862, and was out over four months. Since the war Mr. Demaree has engaged in farming.
He is the superintendent and treasurer of the Madison and Canaan Turnpike Company, and has been since his father's death.
He was married to Miss Susan E. Lee, of Jefferson County, in 1876. They have five children: Hattie, Maud, Marietta, Anna E., Ida May and William Buford. Mr. Demaree owns 200 acres of valuable land.
Thomas Dow was born February 22, 1844, in Jefferson County. His parents were William and Agnes (Scott) Dow; they were natives of Scotland, and came to the United States in 1818. Both are dead; his father died in 1872, aged seventy-one.
Mr. Dow was raised upon a farm, and lived there until 1874, when he came to Madison and engaged in the agricultural implement business, in which he continued for one year. In 1875 he formed a partnership with Mr. E. P. Brown, in the lumber trade, which business he is still in.
They have been making walnut lumber a specialty. They have lately bought a large saw-mill and lumber yard, covering the block of ground between Front and Second, and Plum and Vernon streets, and are operating that in connection with their other yard. Their office is on Mulberry street.
Mr. Dow was married in 1874 to Miss Minnie Witherspoon, of Switzerland County, Indiana. He has four living children: Thomas C., Willie S., James E. and Ella M. Mr. Dow is a member of the Masonic order.
Isaac C. Earhart is the son of John and Sarah (Wood) Earhart. His father was a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother of New Jersey. They moved to Ohio in 1799 and settled near Fort Washington, now Cincinnati; they then moved to Williamsburg, Clermont County, Ohio, where the subject of this sketch was born on July 24, 1824; from this place they moved to Newtown, Hamilton County, same State, in 1826, and from Newtown to Jefferson County, Ind., to a place known as McCellands Mills, in 1837.
John Earhart was a carpenter by trade, and Isaac, the son, learned the same trade with his father. The father died in 1869, February 16, at the age of 89; was born October 20, 1780. His mother was born in 1778, and died November 30, 1859, at the age of 81.
The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools of Ohio and Indiana. He worked at his trade and farming until 1855, when he bought James Park's saw-mill in Republican township, and ran it until 1862, when he sold it.
He then went into farming and worked at that until 1866 in this township, when he bought the Jordan saw-mill, also in this township, and ran that for two years. He sold that and bought the Kent Mills, and ran that for eight years, when he sold it and went into farming again on what was known as the Marshall farm. He continued on this farm for four or five years, when he sold it and bought the Paris flouring mills at Paris, Jennings County; this was in 1883, when he moved to Paris and continuted to run that mill for three years. On account of the health of his wife he came back to Republican township, Jefferson County, and took charge of the Kent flouring and saw mills, where he is still engaged in business, doing a large sawing business.
He was married December 24, 1845 to Miss Rowena Hays, daughter of Samuel Hays, a farmer of this county. She died giving birth to a boy baby, who lived only eight days, on January 9, 1847. Mr. Earhart was married again February 6, 1848, to Miss Isabella Jones, the daughter of Thomas Jones, a prominent farmer of this township, by whom he had one child, Albert. Albert is married to Miss Jane Kelley, and has five children.
He was elected Justice of the Peace of Smyrna township in 1849, and served but a short time and resigned. Ind 1858 or '59 was elected Township Trustee of Republican township, and served until 1864. He was the Democratic nominee for County Auditor in 1872, and was beaten by only 180 votes, the Repulican majority being then 800 in the county. In 1878 was the Democratic nominee for Sheriff of the county, and was beaten by ballot box stuffing.
Mr. Earhart is still a strong Democrat, always has voted that ticket, and will continue to do so, so long as the Republican platform is not as good as the Democrat.
Hiram Francisco, Sr., is a farmer, but on princely scale. He owns and farms 1,800 acres of land in one body. He is one fo the most influential and advanced farmers in the county and wholly self-made.
He was born in Auburn, Cayuga county, N.Y., and was the son of David and Persis (Morley) Francisco, who were natives of New Jersey and Massachusetts respectively. The name of Francisco is of Spanish origin.
The subject of this sketch was reared upon a farm. He commenced life for himself, chopped cordwood to get money to come to Indiana, in 1840. Was agent for three years for a clock firm and wheat-fan firm, both selling and collecting for same; then he sold clocks for fifteen years for himself, and since then has been a farmer and extensive trader, principally in live stock, and is a natural, or born trader.
He settled on the place where he now lives in 1843; it is well improved in all points, and is as fine a farm as there is in the county, and is well stocked with registered stock and cattle. Howns in all eleven farms.
Mr. Francisco was married, in 1843, to Miss Mary McNutt, of Switzerland county, Ind. They have four children: Oliver, Annie, George and Hiram.
In 1870 Mr. Francisco was nominated by the Democratic party of this county for the State Senate, and overcame 700 Republican majority, being elected by a majority of seventy-two over Col. W.T. Friedley. He was the first Democratic Senator elected from Jefferson County for thwenty-five years previous to that time, and there has not been one elected since by the Democratic party.
Hiram Francisco, Jr., attorney and counselor at law, Madison Ind., is a native of Jefferson County, and was born January 28, 1851. He was brought up on a farm, attended the common schools of the county; also attended a private school in Shelby county, Ky., in 1866-67.
In 1869 he commenced reading law in the office of Harrington & Korby, of Madison, Ind. He was admitted to the bar in 1872, and in 1874 began the practice at Indianapolis, with Mr. Harrington as a partner, and remained there for one year, and in 1875 returned to Jefferson County. Ind 1877 he came to Madison, and resumed the practice of law there.
In 1878 formed a partnership with E.G. Leland, under the firm name of Leland & Francisco. This firm continued until February, 1880, when Mr. Francisco formed a partnership with Capt. A.D. Vansodol, under the firm name of Vanosdol & Francisco; they are still together, and is one of the strongest law firms in the county.
Mr. Francisco is a member of the K. of P.
He was married, in 1877, to Miss Louisa Otto, daugher of Mrs. Annia M. Otto, of Madison Ind. They have five children, all girls; Mary, Helen, Louisa, Martha and Georgia.
His father and mother are Hiram and Mary (McNutt) Francisco, of Wirt, Jefferson county, Ind.
Thomas J. Francisco is a native of Jefferson county; was born in Madison township, Jan. 4, 1839, and was brought up in the city and attended the city schools.
His parents were Alonzo and Ursula (Ellison) Francisco. His father was born in Cincinnati, O., and raised there. His mother was born in New Jersey, but was raised in Ohio. They came to Indiana and located at Madison in 1837, where they have lived ever since. His father died September 20, 1885, aged seventy. His mother is still living, in her sixty-ninth year. His father was a butcher.
Mr. Francisco, after leaving school, went to work for Mr. James Middleton, in order to learn the trade of burchering, and continued with him until 1864.
In the same year he started in business for himself, having to borrow the money to start on, and has continued in this business, and from a financial standpoint has been a success ever since.
Mr. Francisco owns a handsome residences just outside the city limits, and a farm of one hundred acres, on the Graham Road, four miles from town. He is engaged pretty largely in feeding stock on this farm, carrying an average of one hundred cattle during the winter. He is one of the thorough business men of Jefferson county, and deserves his success as the result of his labors.
Mr. Francisco was married, February 20, 1861, to Miss Mary A. Grensling, a native of Madison. They have three children: Annie L., Gilbert E. and Maud L.
Mr. Francisco joined the I.O.O.F. at the age of twenty-one years. Is also a member of the Masonic order.
Capt. Rufus Gale, farmer, Monroe township, the subject of this sketch, was born in Madison in 1831. His father Elmore Gale, was born in Massachusetts, Nov. 18, 1795. He came to Madison on a raft, in Nov., 1813, and was therefore on of the early settlers of the city and county. Elmore Gale and his father Rufus Gale (who was a native of New Hampshire, born in 1771, and was a great bee fancier), settled on a farm which is now a part of the lower end of the city of Madison. He married Miss Elizabeth Brown, who was the daughter of Thomas Brown, a native of Maryland, who was an early settler of Madison in the pork business. Capt. Gale was raised in the city of Madison, and attended the common schools of the place. He enlisted in the United States service, in the 6th Reg. Ind. Vols. in the three months' service; was among the first sworn in the State; was mustered in as first lieutenant of Co. R, and served as much till the close of the term. He then re-enlisted in the 39th Reg. Ind. Vols. (8th Cavalry) in September, 1861; he was mustered in captain of Co. H, and served until August, 1865, and was with his regiment in all of the principal battles of the regiment. The most noted of these campaigns was with Gen. Sherman, from Shiloh of North Carolina, know as the march to the sea. The regiment was Gen. Sherman's escort at the time of Gen. Johnson's surrender. After the war Capt. Gayle returned home, and was elected County Auditor of Jefferson county, and served two terms. After his second term as Auditor expired he engaged in farming in Monroe township, where he still resides upon his farm of 160 acres of well-improved land.
In 1870 he was married to Miss Harriet M. Sering, daughter of John G. Sering, one of the early inhabitants of Madison. Mr. Sering was one of the first greensware merchants of this city. He and his father-in-law, Mr. John Mellen, where the first firm who dealt exclusively in china, glass and greensware. Mr. Sering was Clerk of the county for many years.
Nicholas Gasaway (deceased) was born November 1, 1806, in Clark County, Ind., near the Gasaway Church, the second Methodist society formed in the State.
December 22, 1831, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Jackson, of Jefferson county, Ind. He removed to this county and located in Smyrna township in 1832, where he continued to reside during the remainder of his life.
He was converted and joined the church when only seventeen years old, under the ministry of Rev. James Armstrong, at Shiloh, on Kent Circuit. Many a Methodist preacher remembers the genial face and hearty welcome of this good brother. His home was ever open for the itinerant, when the best was always brought out to grace the occasion. In the theology of Methodism he was well read,---it was his study. New and novel notions found no place in his belief. What the bible taught, as interpreted by Wesley, Fletcher, Clark, Watson, he took as the basis of his belief, and conformed his life to it. To the young minister he was a safe counselor and warm friend. Many of the ministers who, at different times, found rest at his home, also found they could obtain the soundest of instruction from the man of God.
He served the church in the capacity of steward for twenty years, and for forty-two years he was a constant reader of the Western Christian Advocate.
He died in 1879, at the age of 72 years. He left a widow and seven children, three boys and four firls---Elmore Y., Wilber F., Charles D., Margaret, Mary, Louisa and Clara. Elmore Y. is married and living in Chicago, where he is agent of the Pacific Express Company.
Wilber F. is married and farming in Kansas. Charlie D. is living in Chicago, and is agent of the American Express Company. Margaret is living in Grand Forks, Dak., with her son Miles E. Harbin. Louisa is married to E. L. Smalley, a layer, and is living in Waverly, Iowa. Clara is married to L.C. Tate, a marble dealer at Bloomfield, Ind. Mary is unmarried, and lives on the old home-place, which consists of ninety-two acres of fine land, situated just north of Volga.
Mrs. Gasaway, widow of Nicholas, died in 1883.
Nicholas Gasaway was school trustee for many years, and was a kind father and a devoted husband.
Marcus Aurelius Gavitt was born in Madison, Indiana, June 27, 1824, son of M.A. and Elizabeth (Handy) Gavitt. He was brought up in the city, and attended the Presbyterian Sabbath-school. About all of his scholastic education was obtained there. His father was of French origin; his mother was a Pennsylvania Dutch woman.
His father died in 1842, at the age of forty-four years. His mother died in 1835, at thrity-seven years of age. When only ten years of age he commenced to make his own living. His first venture was driving oxen. The next he apprenticed himself to learn the confectionery and bakery business in 1837, at which he continued for five years.
In 1842 he went into a dry goods and grocery house as a clerk, and remained one year. The he hired himself as a teamster, and drove a team for six years for one man. In 1849 he commenced driving a dray on his own account, and continued this for one year.
In 1856 was elected City Marshall on the Democratic ticket, and served one year. In 1857 was appointed on the police force of the city, and continued in that place until 1861; was then appointed City Marshall, to fill a vacancy caused by the Marshal, Mr. John Gerber, volunteering as a soldier in the war of the Rebellion. Served as a Marshall for three months, when he resigned, to join the army himself.
In 1861 he went into the 24th Ind. Inf. Vols., and was soon after commissioned Quartermaster of the regiment. Served until May, 1864, when he resigned his commission; coming home entered the auctioneering business, which he has constantly engaged in ever since, excepting the years 1875 and 1876, when he was Sheriff of Jefferson county. He was elected on the Democratic ticket; at that time the Republican majority in the county was 450---his majority was sixty-six.
Mr. Gavitt was married in 1849 to Miss Clara Denning, of Jefferson County. She died in 1856, leaving two children---Julia and Howard. He married again in 1857, to Miss Emeline Vorhees, who died in November, 1888, leaving two children---Clara and Ida. Clara is married to John Vogelsang, and lives in Chicago. All of his children are still living.
Charles H. George is a native of Jefferson county, and was born December 4, 1849. He is the son of Thomas D. and Elizabeth (Clark) George, natives of Trimble county, Ky., and Cincinnati, Ohio, respectively.
His grandfather Milton George, came from Kentucky and settled in Madison township, Jefferson county, in 1830.
His maternal grandfather, Capt. Samuel Clark, is a native of Baltimore, Md.; he came to Madison, Ind., in 1831. He was a steamboat captain on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, and lost his life by the explosion of the boilers of the "Gen. Brown," November 25, 1838.
Thomas D. George, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Trimble county, Ky., and died November 15, 1869, at the age of 45 years. He was a man honored by those who knew him, and was prominent in his own township, holding township offices at one time. He was actively engaged in the Baptist ministry during the last fifteen years of his life.
Thomas George, great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was one of the early settlers of Madison, having taught school there. He was a Revolutionary soldier. Mrs. E. Heorge, the mother of Charles H. George, was one of the earliest pupils of the Lower Seminary at Madison, Mr. Reynolds being the teacher. Mr. C.H. George owns 179 acres of land.
Bruce Gillespie was born February 26, 1831, in Dearborn county, Ind. He is the son of Robert and Margaret (Robertson) Gillespie, natives of Scotland. Robert Gillespie was born in Leith, educated in Edinburg, at the School of Medicine. He was a classmate of Dr. Wm. Davidson, who practiced medicine for many years in the city of Madison. Margaret Gillespie was born at the Frith of Forth. They were married in Scotland, and came to the United States in 1819, and settled in Dearborn county, now Ohio county, Ind. They raised nine children. Dr. Gillespie bought a half section of land, and made a home for his family on the Frontier. He was the pioneer Doctor of that country, and lived to see the wild woods of his early home converted into peaceful homes, and towns and villages of Christian people taking the place of wandering tribes of savages. He died in 1846. The subject of our sketch was raised on a farm, and educated in the common schools. He worked at machinery and gun-making in his younger days, and still does that kind of work along with farming. In 1857 he was married to Miss Laura A. Gould, whose father, Samuel Gould was a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1797. In 1805 he moved to the State of New York, and settled near Seneca Lake, where he learned the trade of tanner. In 1818 he emigrated to the White Water Valley in Indiana; there he married Nancy Wiley, in 1822. In 1836 he removed to Ohio county, Ind. In 1860 he removed to Osgood, Ripley county, Ind., where he remained the rest of his life. He died in 1882. In 1815 he worked at the same shop with Gen. W. H. Harrison. Bruce and Laura Gillespie are the parents of six children: William R., who graduated at the Ohio Medical College in 1887, and is now practicing in Rising Sun. Ohio county---he married Miss Bina Shiverly, of Deerfield, Mo.; Nellie, married to Dr. Firth, of Madison, Ind., and now practicing at Deerfield Mo.; Mary C., married to John Land, living in Deerfield Mo.; John B., who lives in Washington Territory; Stephen B., and George W., who are both at home.
Bruce Gillespie owns a fine farm of 135 acres of well-improved land.
Green B. Giltner, Lancaster township, lives on a little farm of twenty acres, which he owns, that lies adjacent to the town of Lancaster, in Lancaster township. He is highly esteemed by his neighbors, as is evinced by the fact of electing him township trustee in the year 1886, and re-electing him in 1888. He is a good citizen and an upright, moral man, and a member of the Baptist Church.
He was born November 17, 1846, in Smyrna township, Jefferson County; attended the schools of that township; whas married in 1869 to Miss Ella Spielman, of that township; was elected trustee of the township in 1872; elected justice of the peace in that township in 1876, and lived in that township until 1878. He then removed to Lancaster township, wher he still resides. He has six living children three boys and three girls; Leora, Thomas D., Flors, Myra C., Philip and Robert E. He enlisted on the 26th day of September, 1861, in Co. D, Fiftieth Regiment Indiana Volunteers, and served till the 9th of June, 1862, when he was discharged on account of disability. He is a member of the G.A.R. He was appointed Notary Public for Lancaster township in 1879, but resigned this office in the spring of 1886, when he was elected trustee of the township. His parents were Philip and Nancy Jane (Conway) Giltner. His father was born in Bourbon county Ky., but raised in Hunter's Bottom, Trimble county, Ky.: he came to Indiana when about 21 years old, and settled on a farm in Smyrna township, Jefferson county, wher he now lives. His mother was a native of Indiana, and is now living. Mr. G.B. Giltner is a Republican.
Joseph R. Gorgas, photographer, a native of Westmoreland county, Pa., was born Feb. 7, 1829. His parents were William and Ann Gorgas, who were natives of Pennsylvania. His father died in 1845, at the age of 56 years. His mother died at the age of 87 years, at her home in Pennsylvania.
Mr. Gorgas learned the business of photography in Pittsburgh, Pa. He came to Madison, Ind., in 1853, and engaged as clerk in the dry goods store of Mr. Irby Smith, where he remained for about three months.
He then opened a gallery for photographing, and has continued in that business ever since in Madison, whith the exception of about three years, during which time he made an extended trip through the South on a floating photograph gallery.
He subsequently returned to Madison, Ind., and re-established himself in his business. He has built up a fine trade in this line, having the best in the city. He is a superior artist in his line and deserves the great popularity which is now his.
In 1865 he married Miss Delphina Verry, daughter of Mr. John Veryy, an old citizen of Madison. He has one child Anna, who is the wife of MR. Edward E. Powell, also of Madison.
Mr. Gorgas is a member of the I.O.O.F. and Knights of Pythias, and is Captain of the Madison Division, No. 10 of K. of P. He has held this office for two years.
George W. Graston, dealer in flour, grain, lumber and timber, Dupont, Lancaster township, Jefferson County, Ind., and proprietor of the Dupont Flour and Saw-Mill. Mr. Graston was born in Silver Creek Township, Clark county, September 20, 1834. He was brought up in Clark County until he was sixteen years of age, when he went to Jennings county and remained there until 1854 engaged in farming. In 1854 he went to Shelby County Ind., wher he engaged in farming for two years, and in the latter part of 1856 returned to Jennings county, and engaged in the milling business. He remained in this mill for two years, and then came to Jefferson county September 1, 1858, where he has been ever since, engaged in the lumber and milling business.
On December 15, 1858, he was married to Miss Minerva C. Corya, daughter of Isaac Corya, a farmer of this county. They have a family of seven living children, five girls and two boys, vis: Luella, Mary I., Michael E., Perry A., Laura A., Minnie and Eva. Ella is married to John Dunn, and engineer on the O. & M. R.R., and lives at Deputy, Ind. Perry and Mike are both married; Mike lives in Dupont, Perry lives in Newport, Ky.
Mr. Graston is the son of William and Catherine (Hitch) Graston, who were natives of Knox county, Tenn., and came to Indiana in 1829, and settled in Silver Creek township, Clark County. They came on horseback, and brought all their wordly goods with them, also on horseback. Mr. William Graston was a blacksmith by trade. He died in Missouri in June, 1876. His wife died in 1842, at the age of forty years.
The subject of this sketch commenced his life without any money, and by energy and industry has made a good living, raised a nice family, and is still doing well. The mill he wons at present is of the roller process, and he does the best work and makes good flour. He is also the largest farmer in the township, having raised in 1886 one hundred acres of corn.
Mr. Graston has built up a large trade in his line of business and employs more men than any other person in the township. He pays out more money for hired help and does more to help the people. He has bought, paid for and shipped $12,000 worth of wheat since harvest; in 1887 he cut over 1,000,000 feet of lumber. Mr. Graston is a member of the M.E. Church and is superintendent of the Sunday-school, and also a trustee of the church and one of the stewards of his church.
He is a member of the I.O.O.F. and of the Masonic Order; and is an inflexible Democrat in politics.
Rev. Louis Gueguen, Rector of St. Michael's Church, Madison, Ind. Father Gueguen is a native of France, and was born February 25, 1834, near Rostrenen, Department of Cotes du Nord. He graduated from the Ecclesiastieal College of Plouguernevel in 1855, and went through the theological course at St. Briene, the seat of the Department, in the years from 1855 to 1859.
He came to the United States in 1859, having, before leaving France, received the order of deacon, and was ordained as priest in Vincennes, Ind. on the 8th day of December of the same year, by Bishop De St. Palais, by whose solicitation he came to this country. After ordination he was appointed as assistant to the Rev. H. DuPontavice, at Madison, Ind., with whom he stayed the better part of one year, when he was called to Washington, Daviess county, Ind., where he was stationed for only a few months. From there he was appointed pastor of a congregation in Floyd county, near New Albandy, wher he stayed nearly three years, when he came, at the call of his ecclesiastical superior, to the City of New Albany, where he had charge of the Church of the Holy Trinity for a short time.
From New Albany he was appointed, in 1864, as pastor of a congregation at Loogotee, Martin county, Ind., and attending from there two country churches--one in Martin and one in Daviess county---besides having a smaller congregation in Martin county. Being relieved from two these churches after eighteen months of service, he was retained at the Loogootee and St. Marin Churches, together, for nineteen years. At both of these places he was inftrumental in buildng churches; and at Logootee he built a parsonage.
In 1885 he was appointed rector of St. Michael's Church in Madison, Ind., wher he has been for over three years.
The school in connection with Sr. Michael's is managed by the Sisters of Providence; the attendance is about 150 pupils.
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