HURST, Martin C - Putnam

A woman who enjoys distinctive social prestige in Warren township, Putnam county, where she has hosts of friends who delight in her companionship because of her genial and hospitable disposition, and who has proved herself to be a woman of rare business ability in the successful management of her fine farm, is Mrs. Virginia C. Akers, who is a native of Putnam county, having been born here February 22, 1842, the daughter of John and Mary Gose, an old and well established family of this county, her father being a native of Virginia. Mrs. Akers grew to maturity on her father's old homestead and had the advantage of the common schools. January 19, 1865, she married Martin C. Hurst, born March 15, 1846, the son of Jefferson and Eliza Hurst, the father born in Marion township, Putnam County, March 28, 1824, the son of William and Fannie Hurst, the former a native of Virginia. His parents -came to Putnam County, Indiana, in 1823, being among the first settlers of the county, locating on Deer creek, in Marion township, entering several tracts of land there from the government. Like all pioneers, he endured many hardships and privations and died in 185o. He and his wife were the parents of six children, all now deceased. Mr. Hurst was widely known and highly respected. Politically he was a Democrat and he was a devoted member of the old-school Baptist church. Jefferson Hurst was reared to manhood in this county and received a limited education in the early subscription schools. December 24, 1844, he married Elsie Vowel, and eight children were born to them, namely : Martin C., first husband of Mrs. Akers, of this review ; William, Levi, Squire J., James H., George W., Benjamin F. and Mary, wife of Daniel Moffet. The mother of these children died November 2, 1879, and on September 1, 1891, Jefferson Hurst married Mary E. Tilley, a native of Owen County, Indiana. Two children were born to this union, Joseph B. and Flossie M. Mr. Hurst was a successful farmer; he first settled on a farm in section 36, Greencastle township, and he became the owner of six hundred acres of valuable land and was considered one of the leading agriculturists of the county. He was a member of the old-school Baptist church and served as clerk of the local congregation for many years. His death occurred on September 19, 1888. Martin C. Hurst, his son and first husband of Mrs. Akers, began his married life on a farm given him by his father, near Mt. Meridian, in Jefferson township, and they made this their home for five years, then moved to a farm of one hundred and fourteen acres in section 1, Warren township, and after a few years bought an adjoining eighty, and they moved into a weather-boarded log house, on which they made additions later, and here Mrs. Akers has continued to reside. Mr. Hurst prospered and owned three hundred and fifty acres at his death, which occurred February 4, 1899. He devoted his life to farming and stock raising and he and his wife were members of the Primitive Baptist church. Seven children were born to them : Ida Lee, now Mrs. Dobbs, was born November 25, 1866, married July 28, 1889, and she has had four children, Joel M., Albert Lee, Edgar R. (deceased) and Eugene H. Mr. Dobbs is a farmer in Mill Creek township. Albert W., born November 25, 1868, died January 3, 1888; Walter W., born April. 9, 1871, married Maud May Bryan, May 15, 1892, and they are the parents of four children, Hazel C., Norbert, Caroline and Thomas A. Mr. Hurst is a salesman, living at Columbus, Ohio. Lawrence T. Hurst, born April 22, 1873, married Birdie W. Wright December 24, 1893, and they have one child, H. Kenneth. Mr. Hurst has taught school and engaged in merchandising. The next child was named Edgar, born September 2, 1875, and died November 18, 1877. Paul Hurst, born April 3o, 1879, married Gertrude Cooper; he is engaged in farming and he and his wife are the parents of four children, Victor Ray, Harry H., Alton 0. and Cecil C. Jasper T. Hurst, born February 6, 1882, is also engaged in farming; he married Myrtle Cooper January 14, 1902, and they have the following children : Emmett C., Edgar E., Opal Marie. After the death of her first husband, Mrs. Martin C. Hurst had the management of the home farm and she looked after the same in a businesslike and successful manner. On September 16, 1902, she married Henry S. Akers, a native of Virginia, who came to Indiana October 1, 1868. He was drafted from Franklin County, Virginia, for service in the Confederate army, under Colonel Magruger, of the Fifty-Seventh Regiment, Longstreet's corps, Pickett's division, and he saw service in many of the greatest battles of the war, including Gettysburg, Antietam, Winchester and many of lesser note. Mr. Akers was previously married, his first wife dying April 26, 1884, and twelve children were born to that union, of whom seven survive : Charles J., a Baptist minister, living in the state of Washington; Mrs. Mildred Britton, a farmer in Putnam county, and they have two children, Harvey and Clay ; James C. Akers has remained single and is living in this county ; Mrs. Sarah Jarvis lives in Parke county, Indiana ; Silas Lee, Stock Yards, Indianapolis ; Joseph A. lives in Jasper county; Mrs. Elizabeth C. Angus also lives in Jasper county, Indiana.