My Genealogy Hound

Francis Marion Greathouse. To have attained so notable a record as did Captain Greathouse in connection with his service during the Civil war would prove sufficient to give precedence and reputation to any man, were this to represent the sum total of his efforts; but Francis Marion Greathouse is a man of distinct individuality, broad mental ken and strong initiative, who has been a leader in his township and the county as well. Captain Greathouse was born on his father’s farm in Point township, Posey county, Indiana, April 10, 1840. He is the third child born to George Washington and Martha N. (Harshman) Greathouse. The family is of German descent, was founded in America previous to the war for independence, and in Posey county by David Greathouse, a, native of Pennsylvania, who settled in what is now Point township prior to 1818, in which year is recorded his original land entry. He took an active part in the affairs incident to the early settlement of the county, acquired extensive land holdings and was one of the most influential men of his time and section. He married Sarah Callender, also born in Pennsylvania. They were the parents of four sons: Sampson, born December 8, 1808, who died February 2, 1887; George Washington, the father of Captain Greathouse, born July 4, 1810, who died February 4, 1843; John, born 1812, who died in 1842, and Lorenzo Dow, born 1818, who died in 1883. George Washington Greathouse was reared on his father’s farm and followed the occupation of farmer. He was known among the men of his time for his integrity and high ideals, was a tireless worker and successful in his business undertakings. He was a builder-up of his properties, which during the pioneer period of the development of the county required hard labor and untiring energy. He married on June 14, 1832, Martha N. Harshman, the daughter of George and Dorcas Harshman, one of Posey county’s early settlers, whose homestead was in Prairie Settlement. She was born in Virginia on January 8, 1815. Mr. Greathouse died on the fourteenth of February, 1843, and his wife on February 8, 1872. They were the parents of the following children: Sarah C., born May 6, 1833, and who died March 6, 1880. She married Joel Redmond, a farmer of Posey county. Julia, the second child, born January 17, 1835, married Thomas French, a prominent farmer of Lynn township, and is at the age of seventy-eight, enjoying the sunset years of life, surrounded by her grandchildren (see sketch of Raymond French). Matilda, the youngest child, born June 14, 1842, married Andrew Alexander, a man of sterling worth and intellectual ability, by which union, in 1864, her only child, Rosamond, was born. She became the wife of Dr. G. R. Peckempaugh, a prominent physician of Mt. Vernon, now a resident of Evansville. Mrs. Alexander was a woman of broad education, possessed intellectual ability of a high order and gained extended reputation as an author. She was the founder of the Alexandrian Library of Mt. Vernon (see chapter on Libraries), which she endowed liberally. Her death occurred on April 22, 1892; her husband on November 13, 1866. Francis Marion Greathouse, the third child born to George W. and Martha Greathouse, was reared on his father’s farm, attended the schools of his district and assisted in the carrying on of the farm work until the breaking out of the Civil war. In July, 1861, he enlisted in Company H, First Indiana cavalry, and upon its organization was elected first sergeant. He was several times promoted for meritorious service and valor. He was commissioned second lieutenant December 18, 1861 and first lieutenant June 6, 1863. He was mustered out on September 12, 1864. He was with his regiment in the battles of Fredericktown, Mo., December 16, 1861; Helena, Ark., July 4, 1863; Pine Bluff, Ark., October 25, 1863; Mt. Elba, Ark., March 27, 1864, and Mark’s Mills, Ark., April 25, 1864. It was during the time when he was detailed on scout duty that Lieutenant Greathouse won his greatest renown as a soldier, his work in this line of warfare being of the highest value to the Union cause, and was the result of careful planning and brilliant execution. His most conspicuous service, in point of value to the cause of the Union, was that of the Longview expedition, March 26, 1864, in which he was the ranking officer. The following extract from the official report of Col. Powell Clayton, dated Headquarters, Pine Bluff, Ark., April 1, 1864, concerns the results of this expedition: “The Longview raid reflects the highest credit to Lieutenants Greathouse and Young, and for brilliancy and success is almost without a parallel. One hundred men, fifty from the First Indiana and fifty from the Fifth Kansas cavalry, marched forty miles into the enemy’s country, captured and destroyed a train of thirty-five wagons loaded with stores of great value to the enemy, their paymaster’s safe containing over sixty thousand dollars, destroyed their pontoon bridge over the Saline river, captured and brought to Mt. Elba 260 prisoners, 300 horses and mules and a large number of contrabands; all including the march of eighty miles to Longview and return in the surprising short space of twenty-four hours.” There was not a man lost or a gun fired in accomplishing this capture. Lieutenant Greathouse was in command of his company from July, 1863, until mustered out, his captain being on detached service. He was detailed on scout duty in October, 1863, and served in this capacity until mustered out. His services while in this branch of duty were such as to win for him high commendation from his superior officers, and the results obtained by him were such as to place him among the foremost scouts of the Union army. On conclusion of his military service, Lieutenant Greathouse returned to his family home in Point township and resumed the care of the farm property. In 1872 he purchased land in Lynn township, where he has since resided. His holdings total 400 acres, the improvements are substantial and the farm is well stocked. He has realized a substantial success as an agriculturist, is one of the influential men of Posey county, where he is known for his high ideals, integrity and broad mindedness. He has taken an active part in support of those measures which have had in view the welfare and betterment of the community. He is a Republican. Political office has never appealed to him, and though often urged to accept nomination he has never permitted his name to go before a convention. He is a member of Harrow Post, No. 491, Grand Army of the Republic. On October 30, 1870, Captain Greathouse married Miss Maggie T. French, a daughter of James T. French, a farmer of Lynn township, and member of one of the oldest pioneer families of Posey county. She was born on August 15, 1845. Of the children born to Captain and Mrs. Greathouse, four are living, viz.: Cora, born August 14, 1871, the wife of James Bundy, of Lynn township; George Howard, born February 20, 1875, a hotel proprietor of Chicago, Ill.; Bertie, born October 19, 1879, the wife of Prof. C. J. Nelson, a teacher in the Mt. Vernon public schools, and Horace Elwood, born September 23, 1884, who resides with his parents and has the active management of his father’s farm properties. A daughter, Grace, born May 22, 1873, a young lady of great personal charm, died on December 28, 1906.