Marion County IN

Biography of Ira M. Mulliken

Ira M. Mulliken, born December 17, 1865, in Champaign County, Illinois, was a prominent business figure in Newman. After training in carpentry and embalming, he joined Mike, Miller & Co. in Charleston until 1896. He then partnered with James Barr, managing a hardware and undertaking business. Mulliken was actively involved in the community as a member of the I.O.O.F., Masonic fraternity, and served as clerk of the school board. He married Ida A. Allison and had one daughter, Frances Marie.

Slave Narrative of John Eubanks & Family

John Eubanks, born June 6, 1836, in Kentucky, was the last surviving Civil War veteran from Gary, Indiana. Born into slavery, he worked on the Everrett plantation and gained freedom by enlisting in the Union army. Post-war, he married in 1866 and had twelve children. Eubanks participated in notable battles, including the defense against General Morgan. By 1937, he was living with his daughter, experiencing health challenges but retaining a strong family legacy, with many grandchildren pursuing education. He aims to reach 100 years old, following his family’s longevity.

Slave Narrative of Mittie Blakeley

Mittie Blakeley, born in 1858 in Oxford, Missouri, shared her experiences as an ex-slave during an interview in Indianapolis. Raised alongside white children, she performed light chores and was treated kindly compared to her older siblings, who faced harsh punishment. Blakeley recounted the brutality inflicted on slaves, recalling a horrific beating that resulted in death. She also mentioned the secret dances held by slaves, highlighting the fear of overseers. Despite her painful memories, she expressed sympathy for those who suffered worse treatment, noting her current comfortable living situation.

Slave Narrative of Rosaline Rogers

Rosaline Rogers, born in South Carolina in 1827, recounted her experiences as a slave under various masters, including a particularly harsh one, Dr. Rice Rogers. Sold at eleven, she faced severe conditions on plantations, with meager food and inadequate clothing. With fourteen children at the Civil War’s start, she chose to remain on the plantation post-war for her family’s unity. Mrs. Rogers, now 110, reflects on the painful separation from her family and attributes her longevity to her faith in God.

Slave Narrative of John H. Gibson

John Henry Gibson, an ex-slave born in Scott County, North Carolina, provides an account of his life during his interview with Anna Pritchett. His kind masters, John Henry Bidding and his son Joseph, significantly shaped his experiences. After the Civil War, Gibson moved to Indianapolis with a white man named Luster but later returned South to marry before settling permanently in Indianapolis. Though nearly blind and uncertain of his age, Gibson expresses pride in his name, honoring his former master.

Slave Narrative of John W. Fields

John W. Fields, born March 27, 1848, in Owensburg, Kentucky, narrates his life as an ex-slave during the Civil War period. Separated from his family at six due to his owner’s death, he endured harsh conditions and exploitation throughout his childhood. Despite the challenges of slavery and later ignorance of his freedom, Fields persevered, eventually joining the Union Army and establishing a respectable life in Lafayette, Indiana. He became a community leader and a member of the Baptist Church, embodying resilience and moral integrity.

Slave Narrative of Sarah C. Colbert

The interview with Sarah Colbert, an ex-slave born in 1855 in Allen County, Kentucky, reveals her family’s struggles under slavery. Her father, Isaac Carpenter, faced severe mistreatment and eventually escaped his harsh conditions through clever tactics. Colbert recounts her grandfather’s quest for freedom and the superstitions surrounding witchcraft in their community. Now residing in Indianapolis with her daughter, Sarah reflects fondly on her past, expressing gratitude and pride in her family’s legacy. The interview provides insight into the resilience and resourcefulness of enslaved individuals.

Slave Narrative of Julia Bowman

Julia Bowman, born in Woodford County, Kentucky, in 1850, was interviewed in Indianapolis, Indiana, by Anna Pritchett as part of the Federal Writers Project. She described her life as a slave under the kind master Joel W. Twyman, emphasizing the family’s generosity toward their slaves, who were treated as kin. Bowman lived in the Twyman household from age six until the abolition of slavery, and she reflected on the difficulties of her current life compared to her experiences during slavery. She cherishes the Twyman family Bible that records her birth.

Slave Narrative of Joseph Mosley

Joseph Mosley, born March 15, 1853, in Kentucky, recalls his experiences as a slave under Tim Mosley, a notorious slave trader. He describes the brutal conditions of being chained with other slaves, overseen by armed guards. After being separated from his family, he faced harsh treatment and scarcity. At age 13, he received his first clothes and shoes on Christmas, symbolizing his newfound freedom, which he didn’t initially understand. The family later settled in Indianapolis, where Mosley lived until paralyzed and reliant on a small pension.

Slave Narrative of George Washington Buckner

Dr. George Washington Buckner, born on December 1, 1852, in Kentucky, shares his experiences as an ex-slave and later a city doctor in Evansville, Indiana. His narrative highlights the harsh conditions of slavery, family separations, and the influence of the Civil War. Buckner emphasizes the importance of education, recounting his struggles and determination to advance from teaching to becoming a physician. Appointed minister to Liberia in 1913, he reflects on the challenges faced by African Americans and the need for social and educational progress in the community.

Slave Narrative of William M. Quinn

William M. Quinn, born in Hardin County, Kentucky, was a slave until the age of ten, when he and his family were freed after the Civil War. They were considered “gift slaves,” never meant to be sold, and he recalls receiving payment for work, a rarity among slaves. Quinn described his master, Steve Stone, as kind, contrasting with harsher treatment experienced by others. After emancipation, Quinn’s family stayed with the Stones, who treated them well, while his father remained enslaved due to his owner’s disbelief in the North’s victory.

Slave Narrative of Callie Bracey

Callie Bracey recounts her mother, Louise Terrell’s, experiences as a slave purchased by Andy Ramblet in Mississippi. Louise worked tirelessly from dawn until after dark, preparing meals and enduring harsh conditions, including frostbite on her feet. The Ramblets restricted contact with other slaves and allowed only limited church attendance. Despite the hardships, Bracey, now a widow with a grandchild, expresses pride in her ownership of a home, contrasting her current situation with her mother’s difficult life.

Slave Narrative of Robert McKinley

Robert McKinley, born in 1849 in Stanley County, North Carolina, was a slave of Arnold Parker. Despite the cruelty of his master, McKinley was protected by Parker’s daughter, Jane Alice, who taught him to read and write. He witnessed numerous atrocities, including the beating of his mother. After the Civil War, the family adopted the McKinley name. McKinley now lives in Indianapolis as an herb doctor, reflecting on a simpler past and expressing concern for the rapid pace of modern life.

Slave Narrative of Betty Jones

In an interview conducted by Lauana Creel, Betty Jones, an ex-slave born in Henderson, Kentucky, recounts her life under the ownership of John Alvis. She reflects on her childhood memories, noting the emotional toll of seeing friends sold away. The Alvis family kept their slaves together, and Betty married John R. Jones, another former slave. Now residing in Evansville, she shares recollections of the town’s evolution and her simple beliefs about life and death. Betty longs to return to her birthplace, yet remains resigned to her current circumstances.

Slave Narrative of Lizzie Johnson

Lizzie Johnson, 65, recounts the struggles of her father, Arthur Locklear, who was born in North Carolina in 1822 and faced significant hardships in the South. Driven by the desire for a better future for their children, Locklear and a group of families journeyed north in 1852, taking six weeks to reach their destination. Johnson highlights the importance her father placed on education, even as many faced brutal consequences for attempting to learn. She reflects on her parents’ values and critiques the moral decline she sees in her generation.

Biography of Eugene Henry Harms

Eugene Henry Harms, born on May 16, 1883, in St. Louis, succeeded his father’s legacy as president and treasurer of the Hesse Envelope Lithograph Company. After receiving a comprehensive education, including a Master of Arts from Washington University, he became president of Walther College before leading the successful business. Married to Hulda Lange, they had two children. A Republican with independent local views, Harms is an active member of various civic organizations and the Bethel Lutheran Church, promoting community welfare.

Biography of David Milton Boyd

David Milton Boyd, born August 1, 1878, in Indianapolis, Indiana, served as secretary of the Traffic Motor Truck Corporation in St. Louis. Educated at Smith Academy and Yale University, he began his career with the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad and later managed various transportation companies. In 1909, he joined the T. B. Boyd Furnishing Goods Company, becoming instrumental in its growth. Married to Josephine Drake, Boyd was active in community affairs, including the board of education and various wartime efforts, and is a member of several clubs.