A portrait and biographical record of Boone, Clinton and Hendricks Counties, Ind. : containing biographical sketches of many prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all of the presidents of the United States, and biographies of the governors of Indiana, Part 101

Author:
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : A.W. Bowen & Co.
Number of Pages: 1080

USA > Indiana > Boone County > A portrait and biographical record of Boone, Clinton and Hendricks Counties, Ind. : containing biographical sketches of many prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all of the presidents of the United States, and biographies of the governors of Indiana > Part 101
USA > Indiana > Clinton County > A portrait and biographical record of Boone, Clinton and Hendricks Counties, Ind. : containing biographical sketches of many prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all of the presidents of the United States, and biographies of the governors of Indiana > Part 101
USA > Indiana > Hendricks County > A portrait and biographical record of Boone, Clinton and Hendricks Counties, Ind. : containing biographical sketches of many prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all of the presidents of the United States, and biographies of the governors of Indiana > Part 101

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Belle Isle and later to Andersonville; he was honorably discharged from the service January 13, 1865, and is now a member of Antietam post, No. 163, G. A. R., at Jamestown. Mr. Gossett is also engaged in farming. His daughter, Mrs. Lamb, was likewise formerly engaged in teaching in Eel River township. To the happy union of Mr. and Mrs. Lamb has been born one child, Loren W. Mr. Lamb has a tidy farm of eighty acres, improved with a substantial modern dwelling and spacious barn, and everything about the premises de- notes the presence of an experienced and skill- ful manager. Fraternally Mr. Lamb is a member of Luther lodge, No 227, I. O. O. F., at Jamestown, and socially he and wife stand very high in the esteem of their friends and neighbors.

A ARON V. HESTER, a pioneer farmer of Eel River township, Hendricks county, Ind., and a veteran of the Mexican war, was born in Fleming county, Ky., June 6, 1823, and descends from a colonial family that antedates the Revolu- tionary war. His great-grandfather, John Hester, caine to America from Germany and settled in Kentucky contemporaneously with Daniel Boone. His death took place in Flem- ing county. His brother, named Jacob, was captured by the Indians and burned at the stake. The grandfather of our subject, also named John, and son of the John first named, was born in Nicholas county, Ky. He married Margaret Gilbert, and in 1837 he came to In- diana and settled in Morgan county, where he engaged in farming. He was a democrat in politics, and died in the faith of the Presby- terian church, of which he was an elder. Adam Hester, son of the last-named John, and father of Aaron V. Hester, was also born in Fleming county, Ky., was a substantial

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farmer, a republican in politics and a Presby- terian in his religious faith. He married Ann M. VanZandt, daughter of Aaron and Marga- ret (Keith) Van Zandt, and the children born to this marriage were named, in the order of birth, as follows: Aaron V., Eliza J., Manda, John, James W., Levi, Isaac, Margaret and James M. The mother of this family died in July, 1862, and the father survied until August 2, 1882.

Aaron V. Hester, the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this biographical notice, was reared to farming, but also learned the trade of cabinet-making and carpentering His literary education was acquired in the primitive and antiquated log school-house of his early day, but this he supplemented with hard study at home and by a close observance of events as they passed before him in after days. His earliest mark in life, however, was made by his enlistment, in June, 1846, in com- pany D, First regiment of Indiana volunteers, for the Mexican war. He reached the scene of conflict, via the Mississippi river, across the Gulf of Mexico in a sailing vessel, and by a march to Monterey, Mexico, the details of which glorious battle the general reader is fully acquainted with. In this march over the mountains Mr. Hester underwent many thrill- ing and dangerous advertures and saw a great deal of new country, and, to him, strange and peculiar people. He was, however. seized with the plague of the country, the slow fever, from which it took him over a year to recover. After all the turmoil and strife incident to the glorious struggle, Mr. Hester was honorably discharged, in July, 1847, and now receives a pension of eight dollars per month for his gal -. lant services. September 4. 1858, Mr. Hester married Miss Sarah McDaniel, daughter of Judson and Sarah (Carrington) McDaniel, to which union were born the following children: Mary C., Nora L., Melvina. Manda M., Hat-

tie, Eva and Evert, of whom Mary C. and Evert are deceased. Mrs. Hester was a de- vout member of the Christian church, in the faith of which she was called from earth, Jan- uary 4, 1874, leaving to her loving husband the care of their offspring, for whom he has fulfilled all the duties of a dual parent. He has given the children good educations and trained them in the graces of the Christian church, of which he is himself a pillar. Be- sides having worked for nearly fourteen years at the trade of carpenter, Mr. Hester has given much attention to farming, and is now the owner of eighty acres of fertile land, which he keeps under a state of good cultivation. He has won the respect and regard of his neigh- bors and friends, and is viewed as a model citizen by all who know him.

HOMPSON HENRY, a very thriving farmer of Eel River township, Hen- dricks county, Ind., was born in Montgomery county, Ind., August 16, 1839. The name is of German origin, and in that language was spelled Harry. The grand- father of Thompson, our subject, was a soldier for eight years in the Revolutionary war, and also served as a captain in the Black Hawk war. He married Susan Miller, and among the children born to this union was George, a native of Scott county, Ky., who married Elizabeth Herrington, a daughter of John and Margaret Herrington, who were among the earliest settlers of Montgomery county, Ind., and who cleared out a farin from the forest. They were the parents of the following chil- dren: Thompson, Susan M., Lydia, Eliza- beth, John W. and James R. The father of this family was a noted democrat, and in religion was an ardent Baptist, as well as a highly respected citizen. Susan Henry, sis- ter of Thompson Henry's father, during the

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OF HENDRICKS COUNTY.

early days of the residence of the family in. Kentucky, was captured by Indians and never again heard of.

Thompson Henry, after a preliminary edu- cation in the common schools, attended the Danville high-school one year, and then en- gaged in the profession of teaching for five years, of which period two years were devoted to one school. Mr. Henry was married April 18, 1867, to Miss Esteline Jessee, daughter of Samuel and Margaret (Porter) Jessee, early settlers of Boone county and owners of 400 acres of good land. They underwent the usual hardships pertaining to frontier life and also encountered its dangers and adventures. One day, as he returned from a clearing, Mr. Jessee was called to, by his wife, that a bear was in the front door, whereon Mr. Jessee came through a window on the other side of the house and with his trusty rifle converted Mr. Bear into the proper material for steaks and other savory viands. The children born to the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Henry were named as follows: Mary J., George, Oliver A., Alice C., Effie L., Mattie A., Freeda, Rhetta and Gretty. Mr. Henry's farm now comprises eighty-five acres, and he also owns an interest in a valua- ble Percheron Norman horse.

Mr. Henry had quite a war experience, having enlisted May 1, 1862, in company G, Fifty-fifth regiment, Indiana volunteer in- fantry; was next in company L, Third Indiana cavalry, and was later transferred to company A, Eighth Indiana cavalry. At the battle of Richmond, Ky., he was severely wounded, and has never yet recovered from the effects of his wound; he took part also in the battles of Blue Springs, Tenn., Chucky Bend, Moonstown, Walker's Ford, and Little River; also in the fight near Knoxville, Tenn., having been in twenty-eight battles in all. For many months, also, he acted as scout and courier for Col. Jackson, who at that time was acting brigadier

general. He was in many dangerous predica- ments and had many thrilling experiences, all his scouting having been done necessarily in the night. He witnessed the surrender of the rebel Johnston, and remained in active service in North Carolina until his honorable discharge in August, 1865. Mr. Henry is post com- mander of Antitam post, No. 162, G. A. R., at Jamestown, and in politics he is a strong re- publican. He is a devout Methodist in his church membership and has been honored by his congregation with the offices of trustee and and steward. Socially he and family stand with the best. people of Eel River township.

RESTON PENNINGTON, a substan- tial and progressive farmer of Eel River township, Hendricks county, Ind., is a native of the place, and was born November 10, 1837. His grandfather, Abel Pennington, was born in North Carolina, of English descent, and was a farmer in his native state, but later moved to Kentucky, where he became a breeder of horses. In his old age he came to Indiana and located in Hendricks county, but died in Clinton county. His son, Hampton Pennington, the father of Preston, our subject, was born in North Caro- lina in 1802, but was married in Kentucky to Miss Nancy Dent, daughter of Walter and Nancy (Prater) Dent, who came to Indiana in 1824, the year Hendricks county was organ- ized, and settled herein, when there were but six families in the entire neighborhood, with no roads nor improvements of any kind, but plenty of Indians and wild animals. He was a licensed Baptist preacher, and he and wife were charter members of the Union church. He died June 8, 1841, and was followed to the grave by his widow July 26, 1878. They were of sterling Christian character and noted for their numerous acts of benevolence. Their

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children were ten in number, and were named, in order of birth, as follows: Susan, Levi, Saulsbury, David, Minatree, Nancy W., Dru- silla P., Preston, Mary A., and Sarah H .

Preston Pennington, like his forefathers, was reared to the pursuit of agriculture. He was married January 13, 1878, to Miss Martha J. Otterman, daughter of Henry and Albina (Utterback) Otterman, and to this union were born three children: Albina B., Henry R. (deceased), and Otha M. Mrs. Pennington was a devout member of the Christian church and an crnament to society, but was untimely called away December 11, 1893. Mr. Pen- nington is the owner of 162 acres of fertile and well improved land, all of which he has made by his own labor and economy since 1878. For eighteen years he has been suc- cessfully engaged in the manufacture of tile and is considered to be one of the most useful and progressive citizens of Eel River township.

ILLIAM J. ADAMS, a native of Hendricks county, Ind., was born December 21, 1835. His grand- father, Thomas Adams, was a farmer of Nicholas county, Ky., and at the time of his death was the owner of a good farm of 160 acres. Solomon Adams, son of Thomas and father of William J. Adams, was born in Nicholas county, Ky., January 19, 1799, but when a young man moved to Switzerland county, Ind., and married Miss Nancy Griffith, a daughter of Jackson and Catherine (Sigman) Griffith, and in 1828 came to Hendricks coun- ty and entered a farm four miles west of Dan- ville, which he converted into a good home of eighty acres. Mr. Adams was a strong repub- lican and was three times elected township as- sessor and one time township trustee, and was, indeed, quite active in local political affairs. To Solomon Adams and wife were born the

following children; John G , Mary, Catherine, .William J., Thomas J., James M., Gabriel H., Joshua G., Hiram F., Caleb F. and Thaddeus S. The father of this family died June 9, 1863, and the mother July 2, of the same year, They were charter members of the Christian church at Lizton, in which Mr. Adams also held the office of deacon, and both were known for their readiness in aiding the sick and dis- tressed.

William J. Adams, the gentleman whose name opens this biographical sketch, secured a very fair education at the pioneer school-house of his early day and was reared to the occupa- tion of farming. He married July 26, 1863, Miss Emily Leach, daughter of John and Nancy (Dale) Leach, to which marriage were born two children: John S. and Thomas, both deceased. Mrs. Adams was called to her final rest February 28, 1868, dying a devout mem- ber of the Christian church. The second mar- riage of Mr. Adamrs took place October 27, 1869, to Mrs. Priscilla J. Kursey, widow of John Kursey, who was a son of Edward and Annie (King) Kursey. The parents of Mrs. Priscilla J. Adams were John and Margaret (Clark) Owens, highly respected residents of Eel River township and consistent members of the Methodist church. To the second mar- riage of Mr. Adams have been born four chil- dren, viz .: Ora J., Luella, Hother and Carrie. Mr. Adams is a stanch republican in his poli- tics and for sixteen years has served as justice of the peace in a most satisfactory manner, and has been honored by his party for a re- nomination for the same office.

NDREW J. ROSS, a practical and well-to-do farmer of Eel River town- ship, Hendricks county, Ind., was born January 8, 1849, and has always been employed in agricultural pursuits. He is 1

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OF HENDRICKS COUNTY.

of Scotch descent through his great-grandfath- er on the paternal side. His grandfather, John Ross, was born in Pennsylvania, later became a resident of Ohio, and finally became one of the earliest settlers of Hendericks county, Ind. He was famed as a hunter in his day, and deer and bear were abundant and ready prey for his flint-lock rifle. His son, Joseph H. Ross, the father of Andrew J., was born in Ohio in 1817, where he attended school for about six months. He married Susan Green, daughter of Elijah and Ann Green. The father of Elijah Green was a major of volunteers in the war of 1812, and by trade was a shoemak- er. The children born to Joseph H. and Susan (Green) Ross were named, in order of birth, as follows: Mary J., Smith, Martha, Andrew J., Horace and Alva. After marriage, Joseph H. Ross and wife came from Ohio to Indiana and entered eighty acres of land in Hendricks county. They had forty cents left in cash, an old horse, and a" very few necces- sary articles of household furniture. They put up a log cabin, however, and by boring holes in the wall and driving in pegs, made a found- ation for their bed. Mr. Ross then went man- fully to work, and developed a fine farm, which at his death, in March, 1891, comprised 152 acres. The brother of Andrew J. Ross, Smith Ross, was a volunteer in company A, Fifty-third Indiana infantry, and died in the Evansville hospital. Mrs. Ross, the mother, is still living and is a devout member of the Christian church.

Andrew J. Ross married Miss Sarah Wood, daughter of Harvey Wood, now a farmer of Center township, Hendricks county, Ind., and there have been born to this union the follow- ing children, in the order named: Elmer, Susan, Bessie. Besides his fertile farm of seventy acres, Mr. Ross is the owner of a fine drove of registered Berkshire hogs, whose numbers and description may be found in Vol.

I, National Birkshire Register, of the particu- car breed of swine Mr. Ross is a great admirer and is enthusiastic in his praise of its many ex- cellent qualities. In politics, Mr. Ross is an ardent republican, and, with his wife and two elder children, is a member of the Christian church. Fraternally he is a member of Luther lodge, No. 227, I. O. O. F., and of James- town encampment, No. 140, in which he has passed all the chairs.

HARLES W. DAVIS is one of the progressive, substantial and self-made young citizens of North Salem, Eel River township, Hendricks county, Ind. His grandfather, Nathan Davis, was a citizen of Kentucky, but was one of the early settlers of Hendricks county, Ind., where he entered and improved a farm. He married a Miss Kidd. . Their son, Robert Franklin Davis, the father of Charles W., was born in Kentucky, and was reared to farming, receiv- ing a good common education. Later he learned harness-making, and followed it as a vocation through life. He married Miss Mol- lie Burk, and to this union were born the fol- lowing children: Ida I., deceased ; Charles W. and Frank E. In religion both parents were ardent members of the Christian church, and in politics Mr. Davis was a republican. Both are now deceased.

Charles W. Davis was born in Ladoga, Montgomery county, Ind., July 13, 1859. As he lost his father when he was still small, and his mother having moved to Missouri, he was thrown on his own resources for a livelihood. At the age of ten years he aban- doned the farm and engaged in a flour-mill ; before he was grown he operated a mill on his own responsibility, and, being successful, he retired from the business ten years later, and engaged in exchange and wheat buying, and

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

later has operated a lumber yard at North Salem; he is also the senior member of the firm of Davis, Steward & Co., bankers at North Salem, and senior member of the firm of Davis, Gill & Co., saw-mill and lumber operators of North Salem. . Mr. Davis was united in the bonds of matrimony, October 23, 1881, with Miss Eva M. Hadley, daughter of Edmund and Sarah A. (Reagan) Hadley, and this happy marriage has been blessed by the birth of two children: Frank E. and Lottie M. Mr. and Mrs. Davis are devout members of the Christian church, and fraternally Mr. Davis is a member of North Salem lodge, No. 142, F. & A. M., and of the K. of P. lodge, No. 291. He is a public-spirited gentleman, is interested in the progress of education, and socially he and family move in the best circles of the township, by whom they are held in the highest esteem.

EORGE W. HEDGE, township trus- tee of Eel River township, Hendricks county, Ind., is a native of this town- ship, and was born March 24, 1837. His grandfather, William Hedge, was a prom- inent farmer of Pulaski county, Va., and was of English descent. He was, however, one of the pioneers of Hendricks county, Ind., where he entered a tract of land and became a sub- stantial farmer. His wife bore the maiden name of Lucinda Godby. David Hedge, son of William and Lucinda Hedge, and father of George W., our subject, was born in Pulaski county, Va., but was yet a young man when he came to Hendricks county, Ind., in com- pany with his father. Here he entered 160 acres of government land and hewed from the forest a comfortable home. He married Ke- turah Proctor, daughter of James B. and Eliz- abeth (Tendor) Proctor, and to this union were born the following children: George W., James

H., Harriet J., Paulina F., Sarah F., John H., William G., Oliver P., Coleman, David, Charles C., Lee R. and Cora E.

George W. Hedge was educated in an old- fashioned log school-house, the style of edifice used for school purposes in the pioneer days of home-spun clothing, pancakes, venison, bear meat and wild turkey. After quitting school, Mr. Hedge taught two terms in similar build- ings, but he was reared a farmer, and farming has been his vocation until the present time. He now owns a fertile farm of ninety-two acres, well-improved, with every modern con- venience. In politics Mr. Hedge is a demo- crat, has been elected township trustee by his party, and is now filling the office for the fifth year. He is a public-spirited citizen, a pro- gressive farmer, is interested in the advance- ment of the schools of his township, and has witnessed the greater part of the improve- ments placed on the farms of Hendricks coun- ty. He was married. December 14, 1869, to Miss Mattie J. Davis, daughter of Jesse and Minerva (Zimmerman) Davis. Mr. Davis is now eighty-eight years old, is hale and hearty, and is one of the oldest pioneers of the town- ship. He makes his home with his daughter, and is a consistent member of the Christian church. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Hedge were named as follows: Homer V., Jesse D. (deceased), Stanley L. and Charley (deceased).

HARLES A. HEDGE, junior mem- ber of the firm of Davis, Gill & Co., proprieters of the saw-mill at North Salem, Eel River township, Hendricks county, Ind., and dealers in hard and soft lumber, is a native of the county and was born March 5, 1862. His grandfather. William Hedge, was a native of Pulaski county, Va., but was one of the early settlers of Hendricks county, Ind. He married Lucinda Godby in

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OF HENDRICKS COUNTY.

Virginia, and died shortly after coming to Marion township, Hendricks county, Ind., about the year 1828, his widow surviving, however, until 1858, when she also passed away, after having seen her twelve children married and settled in homes of their own. This family of twelve were named: James, Mrs. Perlina Farmer, George, Mrs. Mary Wright, John, David, Mrs. Melinda Robbins, Mrs. Anna Gibson, Crockett, Harrison, Ander- son and Mrs. Lucinda Bales. Both these parents were pious members of the Christian church. Anderson Hedge, son of William and Lucinda (Godby) Hedge, was born in Virginia November 23, 1823, and at the age of five years was brought to Indiana by his parents. He grew to manhood in Marion township, Hendricks county, and was married, August 29, 1846, to Leah Dodd, a native of Floyd county, Va., born July 14, 1824, daughter of John P. and Sarah Dodd, also early settlers of Marion township, Hendricks county, Ind. About a year after his marriage, Mr. Hedge bought, in the fall of 1847, eighty acres of his present farm: in 1856 he added 120 acres to his original purchase, and at one time, before dividing with his children, was the possessor of 260 acres. The original log cabin long ago gave place to a fine modern residence, and the forest to cultivated fields, and in 1884 Mr. Hedge embarked in a new enterprise; he built a dam across a small stream that ran across one corner of his farm and stocked the pond thus formed with about 1, 500 German carp, which have increased most prolifically and yielded a good profit. To the marriage of Anderson Hedge and wife have been born six children: James- M., died in 1860, aged six- teen months: Charles H., born in 1862, mar- ried Mollie Gill; Otie, born in 1865, married Linnie Wright; Sarah C., died in 1866, aged nineteen years; John W., died in 1866, aged seventeen years, and Clara P., died in 1878,

aged twenty-eight. The last named was the wife of John G. Ridpath, and left two children: John William and Sarah A. In politics Ander- son Hedge is a stanch democrat and has cast all his votes in the same precinct. He is a Freemason and is in the strictest sense an honorable man.

Charles A. Hedge, until within the past few months, has lived on the same farm. He received a good education, and married, as intimated, Miss Mollie E. Gill, daughter of James and Jane (Williams) Gill; James Gill, now deceased was formerly a farmer and me- chanic of Eel River township. The marriage of Charles A. Hedge and wife has been blessed with three children, named: Arta J., Ivis L. and Emma C. Mr. Hedge is now completing an elegantly finished modern dwelling in North Salem for the accommodation of his interest- ing family. He and wife are devout members of the Christian church, in which he formerly held the office of deacon, and which he aids financially and by every other means in his power. Politically he is democrat. He is public spirited and progressive and takes great interest in educational matters. He has been successful as a business man, and has a bright future before him in the community in which he stands so high.

S AMUEL T. SHULTZ is one of the substantial and one of the progressive citizen farmers of Middle township, Hendricks county, Ind. His grand- father, John H. Shultz, emigrated from Ger- many and settled in Forsyth county, N. C., where he successfully engaged in farming and where he reared his family, who, with himself, were members of the Moravian church. Both parents died in North Carolina. Christian Thomas Shultz, son of above and father of our subject, was born in Forsyth county, N.

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

C., March 31, 1805, he grew up on his father's plantation, and received a good common edu- cation in the district schools. He married Christina Shultz, daughter of Louis Mickey, a plantation and slave-owner of Forsyth coun- ty. To Mr. and Mrs. Shultz children were born in the following order : Junius A. (de- ceased), Henrietta D., Manda W. (deceased), John H., Samuel T., and Augustus. The father and mother were married in Forsyth county and lived and died on the old home- stead farm, consisting of 192 acres. He was a Jackson democrat and both very devont members of the Moravian church. He died May 18, 1882, and his wife in September, 1882, sadly missed, as they were favorably known.

Samuel T. Shultz, our subject, and son of above, was born on the old farm in Forsyth county, N. C., August 6, 1844, and has been engaged in farming and in the timber trade all his life. He attended school in an old ante- bellum cabin of North Carolina and secured a fair education. On account of the canscrip- tion he enlisted in company L, Thirty-third North Carolina infantry, Gen. "Stonewall " Jackson commander, and fought in North Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Mary- land; at the battle of Chancellorsville he was shot through his coat at the shoulder while stooping down; if he had been standing it would have been a fatal shot. At Gettys- burg he was in the main line and experienced hard fighting. After that he skirmished many weeks and was shot by a spent ball but not dangerously hurt. He eventually effected his escape from the southern army and reached the norther lines; was protected, and sent to Zionsville, Ind., by the Union army in - the early part of 1865. Our subject was at heart a Union man.

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Author: Publication date: 1895 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : A.W. Bowen & Co. Number of Pages: 1080

Author:
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : A.W. Bowen & Co.
Number of Pages: 1080