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Vermillion County Genealogy

Biographical and Historical Record of Vermillion County, Indiana


510 - History of Vermillion County

sas. James A. White was reared on a frontier farm, and had but limited educational advantages, being unable to write when he was twenty-one years old. He came to Vermillion County in August, 1832, and settled near where he now lives. He lived in a tent two months, until he could get a house built. He has cleared and improved his land and now owns one of the best farms in the township. Mr. White was married January 27, 1831, to Martha R. Elder, a native of Pennsylvania, daughter of David Elder. To them have been born eleven children, seven of whom are living -- Orville J., Florence E., Rienza M., James A., Jr., Pique, Serena, and Dr. Charles M. Two, Maria L. and William Franklin, died after reaching maturity and two died in childhood. William was a soldier during the war of the Rebellion and gave his life in defense of his country's honor.

HIRAM HELT, one of the old and respected pioneers of Helt Township who is now deceased, was born in the same township on section 28, where he was living at the time of his death, the date of his birth being May 1, 1824. His father, Michael Helt, was one of the early pioneers of the county. Our subject was reared a farmer, receiving in his youth such educational advantages as the pioneer log cabin subscription schools of that early day afforded. He went to California during the gold excitement, where he mined for three years, after which he returned to Vermillion County. March 18, 1860, he was married to Mrs. Mary Langston, widow of John Milton Langston, and daughter of John Skidmore. Of the four children born to this union two are living Alma E. and Ulysses M. The former married William J. Russell, of Helt Township, and has one child named Quincey Lee. Mrs. Helt had two children by her first marriage -- John Franklin and Sarah J., deceased wife of Huston Southard, who left at her death three children named Roy, Emma and Dolly. Mr. Helt was an active and successful farmer, and followed agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred March 15, 1876. He was a man of strict integrity, honorable in all his dealings, and by his genial manners and cordial disposition made many friends.

ADAM PEARMAN, contractor and builder, residing on section 35, Helt Township, Vermillion County, was born in the same township, May 7, 1844, a son of John and Rachel (Dinsmore) Pearman, the father being a native of Hardin County, Kentucky, born September 27, 1817. His father, Sebert Pearman, was also a Kentuckian by birth, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. He came with his family to Vermillion County, in 1829, the father of our subject, being at that time but twelve years of age. He settled right in the woods when animals and Indians were the principal inhabitants of the surrounding country, and here they passed through privation and hardship incident to pioneer life. The family came to the county in a wagon drawn by two yoke of oxen, fording the White and Wabash rivers. Their nearest milling point was Eugene, a distance of sixteen miles from their home. Sebert Pearman was a millwright, and during one winter he operated the mill at Eugene. The mill on Big Vermillion River near Danville was built by him. Adam Pearman, the subject of this sketch, passed his youth in assisting his father with the work of his farm, and attending the schools

Biographical Sketches - 511

of his neighborhood where he received a fair common-school education. He served in the war of the Rebellion, enlisting in Company I, Fourteenth Indiana Infantry. He remained with that company over a year when it was consolidated with companies E and H, Twentieth Indiana Infantry, at the battle of Richmond, Kentucky, where our subject was captured. He was paroled on the field, and soon after went into camp at Terre Haute, Indiana. He is now a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. September 8, 1871, he was married to Miss Martha Long, a daughter of John Long, of Bloomingdale, Indiana. They have three children -- J. Curry, Oscar and James Walter. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian church. His parents were also members of the same denomination. They were the parents of nine children, of whom only two are living at the present time -- Samuel and Adam. Samuel married Margaret Lowe, and Adam. Samuel married Margaret Lowe, and has four children, named Nora, Thomas, Effie and Bessie. He makes his home in Nemaha County, Kansas. Henry C., a brother of our subject, was killed at the battle of the Wilderness while serving his country in the late war.

CAPTAIN TIPTON, of Eugene Township, came to this point when there were no roads, no towns nor people between, near the Ohio line and the Wabash River, the only guide being the compass. He was a tall, broad-shouldered, erect, soldierly man, florid complexion, his auburn hair sadly thinned in his old age. He was a scout to General Wayne, after the sad defeat of Sinclair and others in Ohio. He often pierced the hostile lines of the Indians and brought back information that none but the most cunning and bravest could accomplish or do. He was always active in good acts at home, and died full of years.

COLUMBUS C. HEDGES, farmer and tile manufacturer, residing on section 25, Clinton Township, was born at the pioneer home of his parents, William and Pamelia (Alden) Hedges, in Clinton Township, April 19, 1836. His parents were natives of Otsego County, New York. When but eighteen years of age, in 1819, the father was in Vermillion County, Indiana, on a Government survey. After his marriage, probably in the year 1824, he became a resident of the county, and not long afterward settled on section 25, Clinton Township. He was an active and energetic man, and built and operated a saw-mill, one of the pioneer mills of the county, on Brouillett's Creek. He died at Clinton, October 24, 1873. His widow is still living. Of their large family the following children still survive -- Mrs. Irene Shew, Mrs. Mary A. Shew, Mrs. Alma Shew, Noah, and Columbus C., our subject, all residing in Clinton Township. Columbus C. has always lived in Clinton Township, his present home being a part of the large estate which his father left at his death. He was married in 1858 to Miss Sarah E. Funkhouser, a native of Vigo County, Indiana, and a daughter of Isaac E. Funhouser [sic]. The children born to them are as follows -- Mrs. Emma Tice, living in Arkansas; Martha died aged fourteen years; Albert died in infancy; Mrs. Eva Beard, also deceased; William H., living near his parents in Clinton Township; Carrie, at home; Mrs. Nettie M. Welker, of Edgar County, Illinois; and Sadie, Ollie B., Ina D., Alden F., Berdella, Mary and Lota, all living at home. Mr. Hedges established