CAPT. ADAM LITER, Ohio
County , was born in Bourbon
County , Ky. , July 14, 1822, and is
the sixth of a family of seven children born to Henry and Mary (Ament) Liter,
the former of Pennsylvania and the latter a
native of Kentucky ,
and both of German descent. At a very early age, Henry Liter removed with his
parents to Bourbon County, Ky., the whole country being at that time one vast,
dense cane-brake. The family were among the earliest settlers of the county,
and for protection against the Indians were obliged, with other families, to
live in the fort at Bryant's Station some three years. Here his father, the
grandfather of our subject, bought wild land some four miles from Bryant's
Station, where he subsequently improved a farm, upon which he resided until his
death, and reared a large family of children. Here Henry Liter received his
education, and after attaining his majority he bought wild land near the old
homestead, which he was obliged to pay for twice, in consequence of a defective
title, as did also many of his neighbors; he afterward improved a farm upon
which he resided until his death, which occurred in 1862 at the age of some
eighty or ninety years. He was twice married, rearing a family of twelve
children, eleven of whom attained manhood and womanhood. He was a life long
member of the Presbyterian Church, in which he officiated as deacon for many
years. Capt. Adam Liter received only a very limited education in youth, but
has by his own effort since acquired a fair business education. He was employed
on his father's farm until he was seventeen years of age, when he commenced to
learn the stone-cutter's trade, but after a few months abandoned it and
returned home. Soon after this he went to learn the confectioner's trade,
serving an apprenticeship of three years, after which he followed the trade on
his own account, at Madison, Ind., for five years, when he was compelled to
abandon it on account of failing health, caused by inhaling the fumes of
burning charcoal. He was then engaged in flat-boating for three years, running
hoop-poles and staves down the rivers to New Orleans. This proving
unprofitable, and becoming encumbered, he engaged in steam-boating on the Green
River, at which he was eminently successful until the breaking out of the late
civil war. He with his two boats was then pressed into the Government service.
In 1862 he sold these boats, and in the following year, 1863, built two new
ones, both of which were soon pressed into the Government service and
transformed into war vessels in the tin-clad fleet. For these, however, he was
handsomely remunerated. In 1864 he built another boat, which he sold soon after
the war. The principal part of his steam- boating was on the Green River, from
Bowling Green, Ky., to Evansville, Ind. He was, however, to some extent engaged
in boating on the Wabash, Ohio, and Mississippi Rivers. Before and during the
war, bought four farms on the Green River, in Ohio
County , near South
Carrollton , aggregating about 1,000 acres. He was also the owner
of some eight slaves. Soon after the close of the war he leased a coal mine
near Spottsville, on the Green River, which he operated for about two years. In
1871 he settled on his farm near South Carrollton ,
upon which he now resides and where he has since been extensively engaged in
farming and stock raising. He is one of the most successful farmers in the
county, taking and reading several agricultural journals, and keeping fully
abreast with all modern improvements. He was married July 15, 1846 to Sarah C.
Foster, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio; three children were born to them, two of
whom — sons — are now living. Capt. Liter and wife are members of the United
Baptist Church. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., having three times passed
all the chairs and is now a member of the Grand Lodge of the State of Indiana.
He took bis degrees in Morning Star Lodge No. 7, of Madison, Ind.; afterward
helped to organize Madison Lodge No. 11, of same place, and still later helped
to organize Crescent City Lodge No. 22, of Evansville, Ind., of which he is
still a member. He is a Democrat.
Source: J. H. BATTLE, W H. PERRIN, & G.
C. KNIFFIN 1895
Note: Capt. Adam Liter died 13 May 1908 in Ohio County and is buried in Pine Grove Cemetery, South Carrollton, Muhlenberg County. In the 1880 census he is shown living in Centertown, Ohio County, and in the 1900 census he is shown living with his son, Charles, in Cromwell, Ohio County.
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