WILLIAM FARR
Another Pioneer Gone
Martinsville Republican: 26 January 1889
William FARR, an early settler, well and favorably known in and around Martinsville, Ind., died Jan 16th, 1889, near the close of his 84th year.
He was born in North Carolina, February 10th, 1805, where he grew to manhood on his father's farm, and at 11 years began to follow the plow, and followed it more or less to the close of life.
On the 24th of Oct., 1826, he was married to Nancy VAN HOY, an estimable young woman, three years his junior.
The glowing accounts of the Northwest, particularily of Indiana, shaped the course of his afterlife. Sometime in February or March, 1827, having dully determined to settle in this State, he and his young wife gathered up their little stock of household goods, consisting of little more than bed and bedding, cooking utensils, chopping ax and gun, a man and a woman's saddle, and started in a two horse wagon. After many days travel through rain and mud, with the ordinary bother and mishaps, met with and overcome, they came to Sugar Creek, this State, where they were stopped by high water and bad roads. Not having yet determined whether they would settle in Shelby or Morgan county, they concluded to take a look at Martinsville, and unhitching and swimming the horses over by the side of a canoe, he mounted his wife on one, himself the other, and headed for Martinsville, arriving here sometime early in April, 1827. A few days after this having determined to make this their future home, he went back and drove the wagon through the almost unbroken forest.
He procured an empty cabin about 1 1/2 miles east of Martinsville, near where Mr. David L. HINE now lives, and "set up housekeeping," after the manner of a "new comer," as they were then called. The furniture probably consisted of a "continental bedstead," three three-legged stools and a puncheon table.
The newness of the settlement and some idea of surrounding conditions will be best understood by stating that, one morning soon after his location, he was strolling up "Skinner's Ridge," a little east of Mr. John HAMMONS' house, and looking in the head of a hollow he saw 14 deer in one gang. So short a time had passed since the coming of the first settler that these timid creatures were comparatively plentiful.
Although Mr. FAIR was a fair hunter and fisherman, and delighted in such sport, it was by "working with his own hands" that he excelled all other men in the kind and quality of his work, as well as in the enormous amount of manual labor he performed. We doubt if another man can be found in Indiana who had plowed as long a furrow, mowed as long a swath, or cradled as many sheaves of grain, or hewed as many feet of timber, or made as many flat-boat oars, as Billy FAIR. And he was equally good in the pork-house or on the flat boat, or at the log rolling or house raising.
As a boatman he had made 23 trips to the mouth of White river, two to Vicksburg and one memorable above all, to New Orleans, when the cholera draped it in mourning. He was there when the death rate ran from 450 to 500 per day and the ghastly corpses were hauled off in drays and carts, and burned without shroud or coffin. He never shrunk from duty because of danger. He was like Lord Nelson in this if nothing else, he did not know what fear was. In short, he possessed all the elements of a true pioneer in a most emminent degree - a large open heart guiding an open hand, a strong body, an untiring industry, always a true friend, a good neighbor and a man of peace. He believed in God and good will to men. He looked to others more than to his own good. Hence he could never have been rich. He helped with might and main to grub and clear, and roll the logs around the streets of Martinsville for years, and plow and plant and saw, and to make a wilderness bloom like a rose, yet few were the roses which fell on his path. He once owned a modest little farm with the usual pioneer improvements - but let it slip, and spent his last 25 years in a very humble home belonging to a friend.
December 30, 1858, his first wife died, having been in feeble health for many years. To them were born two sons and five daughters. Two daughters only survive the father. Mrs. FAIR will be remembered by some old friends as a most cheerful and patient invalid, devoted wife and mother, and exemplary Christian.
Dec. 22, 1860, he married Mrs. Malinda HENDRICKS GARRETT, widow of Joel GARRETT, and sister of the late Thompson HENDRICKS. She has been a most faithful and true helpmate in his declining years. Sharing his reverses and misfortunes without a murmur or complaint and keeping the house full of good cheer.
To them was born one daughter, who with two step-daughters (one long since dead) comprised the second family. There are many grand and some great-grand children here and scattered abroad.
He had been a member of the Christian church the last half of his life, and when able to do so was a very regular attendant.
In politics, he was first a Whig, then a Republican, stepping aside one time only to vote for Gen. Jackson. He cast his first vote at Martinsville on the first Monday in Aug., 1827, his last the first Tuesday in Nov., 1888. He had voted at every intervening election there, save one (at Centerton). And by this, had voted at sixteen consecurtive Presidential elections at Martinsville, which we think no other man living or dead has done or is likely to do.
While he was a man of positive character and strong convictions, he had little of the modern self-conceit and political intolerance of the partisan, and though poor and oftentimes needy indeed, there never was money enough put in the hand of "that enemy of all righteousness, the briber," to haveswerved him from his duty to his country.
He gave his two sons to the service of the war for the Union in his declining years, - the youngest when but a boy; and was always the tried and true friend of the soldier. His country owed him a debt which he could never collect. He had literally worn his life out at hard work for its development, and gave all his sons for its defense, and never a cent had he received except a very little "temporary" relief, while others were checked for their hundreds who were not worthy to unlatch his shoes. But probably it would be difficult to enact pension laws, which would meet all needy conditions that merited attention or foil all of the attempts of the treasury leeches.
That distinguished class of citizens, (for so they appear to me), the pioneers, have nearly all gone. One by one they are gathered home, after the most heroic struggles on the battle field between savage and civil life. The world has grown away from them and the few that remain seem forlorn. The last will soon pass from earth; and of them the busy world will think no more. No marble shaft, pointing skyward, will call to memory their "humble greatness".
They may have little space in the corner of some page of history. That is all. Not one in a hundred thousand of all who have lived on earth are recognized by the historian. God, and he only, keeps the words and works of all. But to return to our old brother's last hour. The last battle between life and death was short and sharp.
That strong frame which had walked the rugged path for nearly 84 years, stoutly resisted the first shock, but the end was near. After 7 days suffering - at times dreadful - there came a lull of 30 minutes or so and calling little Clyde to the bedside, and asking for a sup of water, he took her little hand in his saying "God bless you, grandpa is going to rest."
In one minute that great big heart which never ceased to beat for nearly 84 years, was stilled in death, and the spirit left its tenement of clay, to enter the House not made with hands.
Posted by Debbie Jennings
Mrs. DELILAH FERRAND
SUNDAY 5 April 1906 "Owen County Journal" News
Mrs. DELILAH FERRAND of Morgan county departed this life Saturday March 3. Mrs. Ferrand's maiden name was BALDWIN. She was a sister of Prof. Ira Baldwin and Mrs. Ed Devore of Wayne township. Deceased was born and reared to womanhood in Taylor township this county. The funeral was held Sunday and interment made in Paragon cemetery. Posted by Kathy Bargerhuff
J.O. Finch 7 September 1921 Wednesday Indianapolis Star
Martinsville --J. O. FINCH, 60 years old, of Martinsville is dead at his
home. He suffered a stroke of paralysis Sunday from which he never gained
consciousness. Mr. Finch was born in Crawfordsville, Ind., in 1861, but
spent a greater part of his life in Martinsville, Ind. He is survived by his
wife and two sons, Burl of Indianapolis and Tennyson of this city. The
funeral will be held Thursday morning and burial will be Thursday afternoon
at Darlington, Ind. Posted by Kathy Bargerhuff
MRS. CALVIN FLETCHER DIES
Indianapolis Star dated 28 Nov 1910:
Cared for Wounded in Civil War and Was Active in Charitable Work
Mrs. Emily Beeler Fletcher, widow of the late Calvin Fletcher, after a long and painful illness, passed away at her home in this city Sunday afternoon, Nov 27, at 12:30 o'clock. Mrs. Fletcher was the grandaughter of George Mathews, who was the first settler on White Lick Creek, in Morgan County, in 1820, he having bought a tract of land on which the village of Centerton now stands. She was the daughter of Joseph and Hannah Mathews Beeler and was born Nov. 20, 1828, eight miles southwest of Indianapolis. In her girlhood she attended St. Paul's Academy, which was situated on the present site of Christ Church. One of her teachers was Mrs. Johnson, who afterward became the wife of Sloughton Fletcher Sr.. She was married to Calvin Fletcher Jr. Sept. 18, 1849.
Mrs. Fletcher was intensely patriotic joining in the extensive work of the sanitary commision and taking an active part in all work for relief of the soldiers of the Civil War. She was one of the few women whom Governor Morton asked to go to the front to care for the sick and wounded who were not able to be brought north. She worked in the Nashville and Murfreesboro hospitals several weeks under many disadvantages. She was one of the founders of the Home for Aged and Friendless Women and a devoted worker in the old Benevolent Society.
Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher made their home for a number of years in Spencer, Ind. Mrs. Fletcher traveled extensively both in the country and Europe, having spent the winter 1874-75 in Egypt and the Holy Land. She is survived by four children - - Horace H. and Dr. Calvin L. Fletcher, Mrs. Theodore A. Wagner and Miss Emily Fletcher, all of this city, and a sister, Mrs. Harriet B. Hall. Posted by Kathy Bargerhuff
CHARITY AGNES BEAMAN FOWLER
Abstracted from Brazil Daily Times dated 1 December 1933:
Charity Fowler, widow of two Civil War veterans, died on 1 December at the age of 89 years, 3 months and 21 days. She was born in Owen County, the daughter of Samuel Jr. and Lucinda B. (Rogers) Beaman, natives of North Carolina and Indiana, who had settled in Owen County more than 100 years ago.
Her first marriage was to Moses Hewitt, who died in service. She married again in 1868, to William A. Fowler, who died many years ago.
She was survived by her children, James Hewett, of Saline City, Lewis Benson Hewitt of Saline City, Irene G. (Mrs. William) Shaw of Terre Haute, Laura E. (Mrs. Thomas) Cameron, Bertha May (Mrs. Edward) Liddil, and Charles A. Fowler, of Brazil.
Posted by Glorianne Fahs
MRS. FOWLER'S RITES TO BE HELD TUESDAY
WELL KNOWN RESIDENT PASSED AWAY SUNDAY
AT HOSPITAL
Daily Banner, Greencastle, IN, 20 September 1948, p. 1
Mrs. Orra Lawter Fowler, age 72 years, died early Sunday
morning at the Putnam County Hospital.
Mrs. Fowler was born June 4 1875 at Spartanburg, South
Carolina. After the death of her husband, B.F. Fowler, several
years ago, Mrs. Fowler moved from Parke county to Greencastle.
She was a member of the Baptist church.
Surviving are five daughters Inez Cofer, Greencastle, R.F.D.
Elizabeth Copeland of Indianapolis, Carrie Carmichael, Grace
Nelson, and Flossie Wells, all of Greencastle and one son,
F[l]oyd Fowler, Greencastle, R.F.D., one brother, W.S. Lawter
of Morton and one sister, Mrs. Florence Mason of Parkersburg.
Besides the husband, four children also have preceded her in
death.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock
from the Rector Funeral Home, in charge of the Rev. Ralph
Saunders. Burial will be in the Beech Grove cemetery.
Friends may call at the Rector Funeral Home.
Posted by Debbie Jennings
DR. H. A. FOX 21 June 1917 "The Gosport Reporter" News
(partial article only)
DR. H. A. FOX, 54, one of the most prominent and widely known of Owen county's physicians, died here at his home Sunday morning at three o'clock from cerebral hemorage. Last Thursday Dr. Fox fell a short distance from the door of a corn crib at his barn, striking his left shoulder, and being a very large man, weighing close to two hundred and sixty pounds, the force of the fall was sufficient to tear the ligaments from the bones of his shoulder. He had the injury attended to by a brother physician and although it gave him considerable pain it did not keep him condined to his home and to a great extent he continued Friday and Saturday looking after the health of his patients.
Saturday night he retired at eleven o'clock feeling as well as usual. Shortly after midnight Mrs. Fox was awakened by the labored breathing of the Doctor and attempted to arouse him. Failing, she called their son, Herman, who after vainly trying to arouse his father, called Dr. Willoughby and Dr. Stucky. They in turn, after working over the unconscious man a short time and meeting with no success, called Dr. Allen Pierson, of Spencer, one of Dr. Fox's most intimate friends whom he always called in consultation in cases where he judged such action necessary. Dr. Pierson's efforts to restore Dr. Fox to consciousness were in vain, death terminating the struggle at three o'clock.
Funeral services were conducted from the home Wednesday afternoon at two o'clock, by Rev. W.R.Thom, of the Methodist church, and burial was in Gosport cemetery. He was a member of Gosport Masonic and Knoghts of Pythias Lodges and the funeral services of the orders were observed at the cemetery.
Dr. Fox was born in Bruceville, Knox county. He attended the public schools there, graduating from the University of Vincennes, Indiana, and from Starling Medical College, Columbus, O.
Shortly after graduation from medical college, 1892, he came to Gosport and became associated in the practice of his profession with the late Dr. J.W. Smith.
He leaves the wife, daughter of Dr. Smith, his late professional associate, one son Herman, two brothers and three sisters. The brothers are J. Brad Fox of Gosport, and the Rev. F.M. Fox of Springfield, O., The sisters; Mrs. Eliza Willis of Detroit, Mich., Mrs. A. S. Doak of West Union, O., and Mrs. D.A. Doak of Seaman, O. Posted by Kathy Bargerhuff
CHARLES FRANKLIN 11 September 1918 "Owen County Journal" News
CHARLES FRANKLIN, 51 years old, a resident of Patricksburg, and the Owen county truant officer, died of tuberculosis Wednesday following an illness of some two months. he had failed gradually for over a year but was confined to his bed only a few weeks. Most of his life was spent on the farm until failing health forced him to give up the work. Funeral services were held at Patricksburg Thursday afternoon, Rev. Davison of Spencer officiating. The following is an extract form the obituary.
Charles E. Franklin was born in Owen county Aug 7, 1867, and died in Patricksburg Sept. 4, 1918, aged 51 years and 27 days. He was married to Miss Izola Ritter in December 1889, and to this union eight children were born, all of whom are living. He united with the Christian church near Troy 23 years ago and lived a life consistent with it's teachings. Discarding all other activities of life he elected to follow farming, which he followed until a year ago, when he went to Patricksburg and assumed control of the Rhinehart Hotel
. Posted by Kathy Bargerhuff
PIONEER FATALLY STRICKEN
Indianapolis Star dated 8 February 1910:
Owen County Resident 89, Attacked While doing Chores
Spencer, Ind. Feb. 7, -- Gwin Franklin, 89 years old, was stricken with paralysis at his home here yesterday evening and died at 4 o'clock this morning. He was one of the pioneers of Owen County. He was apparently hale and hearty and was stricken while doing the evening chores. He leaves a widow, one son and one daughter. Posted by Kathy Bargerhuff
OTTIE B. (QUERY) FULFORD Submitted by Mike Rastatter
"Last rites were held Saturday afternoon from the Quincy Methodist Church for 67 year old Mrs. Ottie B. Fulford, who died unexpectedly Thursday at the family home, one mile west of Quincy. The untimely death (August 17, 1961) of the well-known woman came as a sudden shock to her family and wide circle of friends. A lifelong resident of (the) Quincy community, she was born October 17, 1893, the daughter of Mrs. Emma Query of Indianapolis and the late Curt Query of Wallace Junction. She was married to Charles Mc Cammack, who later died, and then was wed to Frank Fulford, who preceded her in death a few years ago...The Rev. Edward Mercer officiated and burial was in the Cloverdale Cemetery."
LEWIS FUNK
Brazil Times, Saturday March 13, 1971 Lewis R. Funk, 82, of Bowling Green, died at 12:55 p.m. Friday in the Clay County Hospital.
Born May 5, 1888, he was the son of Cassius and Mary (Addy) Funk. Mr. Funk had been a lifelong resident of Bowling Green. He was a retired farmer. His first wife, the former Olive Swally, preceded him in death in 1960.
Surviving are the widow, Lena, one daughter, Mrs. Evelyn Wilkinson of Bowling Green, three sons, Joy of Bowling Green, Von, of Miami, Fla., and Doyle of Center Point, two step-daughters, Mrs. Annis Sheeese, of Patricksburg, Mrs. Dorothy Weltz, of Indianapolis, one half-sister, Audry Horn of Coal City, seven grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and four step-grandchildren.
The body was taken to the Rentschler Funeral Home in Center Point, where friends may call after 2 p.m. Sunday.
Funeral services will be conducted from the funeral home at 10:30 a.m. Monday. The Rev. Fred Bolinger will officiate. Burial will follow in the Swalley Cemetery.
Posted by Elaine Foulger
ROY W. FUNK
Brazil Times, Tuesday February 21, 1984 Roy W. Funk, 81, Route 1, Bowling Green, died 6:33 p.m. Monday in the Intensive Care Unit of Clay County Hospital. He was admitted to the hospital Saturday morning after suffering a stroke.
Born in Bowling Green on Feb. 13, 1903, he was a son of the late Allen and Ada Williams Funk. He attended the former Belair school.
He worked for farmers in the area and later became a carpenter. He was employed by contractors A.D. "Red" Stanger, Cunningham Brothers and Luther Erwin. He retired at age 70 and was self-employed.
He was a member of the Carpenter's Union No. 133, Terre Haute, and the former Odd Fellows Lodge at Bowling Green. He attended the Bowling Green United Methodist Church.
A brother, Austin Funk, preceded him in death. On Nov. 29, 1922 he married Esther M. Brady Funk, who survives.
Other survivors include two daughters, Cristene Burch, Seminole, Fla., and Geneva Smith, Indianapolis; two sons, Wilbur Funk, Chesterfield, and Everett Lee Funk, Harmony; a brother, Herman Funk, Route 1, Bowling Green; a nephew, Richard Funk, Greencastle, 17 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and cousins.
Posted by Elaine Foulger
EARL A. FURRY
Obit pencil date above Oct. 31 1951 Earl A. Furry, 55 years old, 1538 East 34th Street, died yesterday at St. Vincent's Hospital. Born in Clay City, Mr Furry lived here 25 years. He was employed at the Claypool, Lincoln and Harrison Hotels and was a repair clerk for the Indianapolis School Board 25 years. He was a member of the Victory Missionary Baptist Church, Millerville Marion Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, Murat Temple, Shrine and American Legion.Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at the Victory Mission Baptish Church. Burial will be in Beach Cemetery at Clay City. Survivors are the widow, Mrs. Alice Furry, a brother, Sheldon Furry, Indianaplis; three sisters, Mrs. Millard Martin, Clay City, Mrs. William Liechty, Clay City and Mrs. Aldo Byers, New Lexington, O.
Posted by Debbie Jennings
SUNDAY