My Genealogy Hound

Eugene W. Nash, one of New Harmony’s representative business men, and descendant of a pioneer family of Posey county, was born five miles east of New Harmony, May 12, 1862. He is a son of Andrew and Julia (Smith) Nash, the former a native of Butler county, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Kentucky. Andrew Nash was a son of Jesse and Sarah (Cavett) Nash, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of Ireland. Jesse Nash came to New Harmony with his family from Butler county, Pennsylvania, in 1815. They came down the Ohio river on a flat boat. He and George Rapp were close friends back in Pennsylvania, and he was induced by Rapp’s glowing accounts of the possibilities in Posey county to emigrate here with his family. He bought his first land from George Rapp and this same farm is still owned by his descendants. Jesse Nash was a cabinet maker, but devoted the latter part of his life to farming. He was a conscientious, hard working man, and took a live interest in the affairs of his time. He was an old-time Whig. He died in 1844, aged eighty-two years, and was survived by his wife two years, who was also eighty-two at the time of her death. Andrew Nash, father of Eugene, came to Posey county with his parents in 1815. In early life he was a shoe maker, but later a farmer, and spent his life in Harmony township. He was one of a family of seven children, all of whom are now deceased. They all lived to ripe old ages. Three of the sisters passed the ninety-third milestone. Andrew Nash died April 24, 1900, aged ninety-one. His wife departed this life October 8, 1899, aged eighty-two. They were the parents of ten children: George, deceased; William, deceased; Mary, married James H. Cox, Stewartsville; John, resides on the old homestead; Edward, deceased; Martha, deceased; Nancy, married William J. Johnson, Harmony township; James, Harmony township; Andrew, Harmony township, and Eugene W., the subject of this review. Eugene Nash was reared on the old homestead in Harmony township, educated in the district schools and the Poseyville High School. He remained on the farm until he was twenty-eight years old, when he came to New Harmony and engaged in the furniture and undertaking business, from 1890 to 1900. At this time he sold his furniture business, but continued in the undertaking business, and is still engaged in that occupation. He is also interested in the general insurance business. Mr. Nash has been twice married. On October 30, 1889, he was married to Aquilla, daughter of Dr. John J. Grigsby, of Petersburg, Ind. Two children were born to this union: Hercia and Kenneth. Mrs. Nash died May 25, 1900. September 15, 1909, Mr. Nash married Miss Emma, a daughter of Col. Charles C. Screeder, of Evansville, Ind. Politically Mr. Nash has always been identified with the Republican party and is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, and holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. He is one of the substantial business men of Posey county.