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 103

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 103
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 103
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 103

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EORGE W. LEAK, JR., a successful and favorably known teacher of Liz- ton, Hendricks county, Ind., was born in Union township, Hendricks county, October 7, 1858. His grandfather, William Leak, was a native of Virginia, but came to Hendricks county in its early history and entered and cleared up a farm of 160 acres from the primitive forest, and made a good home and established a fine reputation as a citizen. Both he and wife were consistent

members of the Christian church and both passed away in that faith. Their son, Thomas J. Leak, the father of our subject, was born in Kentucky, was a mere child when his father and family settled in Hendricks county, Ind., and here he was reared to farming, an occupa- tion he has continuously followed until the present time, becoming thoroughly identified with the growth of the township and county. He married Mrs. Eliza A., widow of William Lewis and daughter of Samuel D. and Eliza (Bolton) Waters, and his marriage has been blessed with the following children: George W., William E., Samuel O., Florence E. and Charlie C. The father is a stanch repulican in politics, and in religion is a deacon in the Christian church, of which denomination his wife was also a member, and in which faith she fell to seep January 26, 1890, her demise being a sad blow to the home circle, to the church, and to her neighbors.

George W. Leak received a fine classical education at Danville Normal college and at the State Normal college, and during his fifteen years of constant success as an instructor has kept well abreast of the progress and demands of our school system. In the demand for his services as a teacher he has given such satis- faction that he has taught six consecutive terms in one district and four in another, a record of which any teacher may justly feel proud, more particularly as his services were sought for by the patrons of the school. In politics Mr. Leak is an ardent republican, and has been honored by an election this fall to the office of township trustee, being the first of his party to be chosen for that position in seven yehrs, the people feeling that he thor- oughly understands the needs of the school system. November 22d, 1885, Mr. Leak was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Kirtley, who was born May 16, 1868, and is a daugh- ter of William A. and Sarah B. (Haggard)

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

Kirtley, the father having formerly been ,a farmer of Union township and a republican in politics. The mother is a member of the Christian church, and resides in a neat cottage of her own in Lizton, highly respected. Mr. Kirtley was also a valiant soldier in the late Civil war, having enlisted, August -20, 1862, in company D, Fourteenth Kentucky cavalry. He was captured at Mount Sterling, Ky., and sent to a rebel prison, and this confinement, together with the exposures incident to mili- tary life, so impaired his health that he lived but a few years after his return. He left the following children: Martha, James N., Wil- liam H., Mary E., Sarah M. and Charles O. The children that have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Leak were Bonnie A., Fernie B. (de- ceased), and Lowell R. Mr. and Mrs. Leak are members of the Christian church, in which Mr. Leak has been a deacon and is now an elder; he is also assistant Sabbath-school superintendent, but was formerly superintend- ent, and is still very active in his church and Sunday-school work. He is fully qualified for the position he has been called upon to fill, is an upright citizen, and he and family enjoy in full the respect of the community.

IEUT. JAMES A. SHIRLEY, of Pecksburg, Hendricks county, Ind., is one of the officers of the Civil war, who served through the entire strug- gle. He is a native of Harrison county, Ky., and is the son of William T. and Mary (Worrel) Shirley. The great-grandfather of our sub- ject, Richard Shirley, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and was burned at the stake by the Indians in New York or Penn- sylvania.

James A. Shirley was born September 26, 1830, and received a good common education

for his day. He had come to Indiana with his father, William T. Shirley, in 1832, who set- tled in Monroe county; in 1839, came to Hen- dricks county and settled in Liberty township. James A. learned the trade of a carpenter and house painter and grainer, and in 1854 married, at Belleville, Priscilla Jackson, and settled at Clayton, when he enlisted on July 6, 1861, in company E, Twenty-first Indiana infantry, and was transferred to the First Indiana heavy "artillery in March, 1863, and veteranized in January, 1864, in the same organization, and served until January 22, 1866, and was honor- ably discharged at Indianapolis, having been mustered out January 10, 1866, at Baton Rouge, La. From March, 1862, to March, 1865. Mr. Shirley was color bearer of his regi- ment and carried the colors at the battle of Baton Rouge, where the spear-head was shot off the flag-staff. He was next at New Or- leans, under Gen. Banks; in October, 1862, his company was put on a gun-boat to serve in the bayous of Louisiana and the gulf coast, on scouting duty, and in this line of duty was in many skirmises and did good service; he was next transferred to the heavy artillery and was in a battle with Gen. Dick Taylor, called the battle of Corney's Bridge, on Bayon Teche. He was in charge of the gun-deck on the gun- boat Diana, and the tackle of one of the guns being out of order, he got under the gun to make repairs, and it was loaded and discharged before he could get out, and the concussion rendered him sensless and injured his eye-sight so that he became nearly blind-one eye being now entirely covered with a cataract.

On May 24, 1863, he was in the siege at Port Hudson, during which time he was under fire with his company forty-five days, and had the honor to fire the first shot from a land battery at the port. On the surrender of Port Hudson he was taken sick, and the following October his eyes became inflamed and he laid

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OF HENDRICKS COUNTY.

six weeks at Baton Rouge in a dark tent. The latter part of 1863 he was detailed as ordnance sergeant at Fort Williams, Baton Rouge, and remained there until he went to New Orleans to veteranize in January, 1864. He was home on furlough sixty days, and was commissioned lieutenant. His service after this was at Baton Rouge until the surrender of Kirby Smith. On October 17, 1864. he was mustered as first lieutenant, and had charge of dismantling the two rebel forts at Alexandria. In May, 1865, his company was ordered to Alexandria, La., where he was sick ten days, and was detailed assistant paroling officer, served until September, and assisted in paroling Kirby Smith's army. On October 7, 1865, he left Alexandria and went to Baton Rouge, and was detailed from his company to command the One Hundred and Sixty-fourth company, Second battalion, Veterans' Reserve corps, and commanded this company two months, and mustered them out, and this con- cluded his service, having served altogether four years, six months and fifteen days, one of the longest services rendered by any soldier from Hendricks county. But one man had a longer service-Oliver Boyd, of Stilesville. Mr. Shirley had also the longest record of any soldier of Hendricks county in the Jesse S. Ogden post, G. A. R., of Danville. After the war Mr. Shirley settled in Clayton. He and wife have had two children, Orville G. (died aged twenty-one years, seven months), and Maggie B. Mr. Shirley followed mechanical work until 1877, moved to Pecksburg later, lived four years in Danville, and then returned to Pecksburg, and now lives a retired life, dis- abled from the effects of his army service. -

Mr. Shirley is an honored citizen, who en- joys the respect of the people. His long rec- ord of enduring and persevering service to his country speaks for itself. When he went into the army he weighed about 180 pounds, and

when discharged he weighed but 135 pounds, was greatly disabled, and has never since been able to do much work.

MOS KERSEY, of Clay township, Hendricks county, Ind., a practical farmer, was born October 10, 1842, on his father's farm in Clay township and is the son of James and Elizabeth (Hod- son) Kersey. James Kersey was born in Guilford county, N. C., in 1801, and was the son of Amos Kersey, who came from England. James married in North Carolina and became the father of nine children, all of whom lived to maturity as follows: Jesse, Abigail, James, Rachael, Mary, Isaac, Jonathan, Amos and Ezra. Directly after marriage and before the birth of any of his children, Mr. Kersey moved to Indiana and settled, first in Wayne county, and taught school, then came to Hendricks county, in 1828, and entered 320 acres of land in Clay township: he cleared this land and made a good farm and also studied and practiced medicine for years and was well known as one of the early physicians of Hendricks county. He was elected to the state legislature, as an abolitionist and republi- can, and would not use the products of slave labor, and brought up his sons to love liberty. He lived to be eighty-two years old and died in this county, in 1883. He was a Quaker in religion, was a strong Union man, and had four sons in the Civil war. His only other son, then living, was disabled so that he could not serve as a soldier. His son Isaac was in the Seventieth Indiana infantry and was disabled by exposure; Jonathan was in the Twenty-first Indiana infantry, Ezra was in the Fifty-fourth Indiana infantry, was a veteran, was wounded at Milliken's Bend, and died be- fore reaching home.

Amos Kersey received a common education,

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

became a farmer, and was but eighteen years of age when he entisted at Indianapolis, in company I, Twenty-seventh Indiana infantry, to serve three years, or during the war, and was enrolled in the United States service September 1, 1861. There was a great deal of opposition in his neighborhood to the war by the Quakers, and Amos and four compan- ions ran away and went to Indianapolis to en- list-they were Ira Hunt, Thaddeus Hunt, John Husey and Carmer Newman. Mr. Ker- sey and three companions were enrolled in company I, which, being filled, Thaddeus Hunt was enrolled in company A, same regiment, both being flanking companies-company A on the right and company I on the left. Of these, Ira Hunt was shot by the side of Amos Kersey, in a charge at the battle of Gettys- burg, and died in hospital shortly afterward; Thaddeus Hunt was shot through the head, and killed immediately, in the same charge; John Husey died in the war fromn sickness; Carmer Newman was shot through the jugular vein at the battle of Antietam, and died twen- ty minutes after-our subject being the only one of the five companions to escape. Mr. Kersey served one month longer than his term of enlistment, as the troops were needed, and was honorably discharged near Chattanooga river, Ga., September 1, 1864, by reason of expiration of service. He barely escaped being in the battle of Ball's Bluff, having marched thirty miles through the mud and rain, and arriving a little too late. He also missed the second battle of Bull's Run for the same reason. He was in the battle of Port Republic, and at Cedar Mountain nine com- rades were shot dead out of his company, and the entire regiment narrowly escaped capture. Mr. Kersey was detailed, with 100 officers and soldiers, to guard the commissary stores near Strasburg, in the Shenandoah valley, and most of this detail were taken prisoners. Mr. Ker-

sey was taken to Lynchburg, Va., and some · time after to Belle Isle, where he was confined about five months. He had no shelter, and rations were very scanty. There was very little salt served while he was there, and he suffered from scurvy. His teeth became loosened and he lost several, and part of his jawbone came out. He was finally paroled and exchanged. The prisoners passed through Washington City, dirty and ragged, and he 'rejoined his regiment at Harper's Ferry. He was next at the battle of Chancellorsville, and then in the great battle of Gettysburg, and at Chattanooga, Cassville, Resaca, Peach Tree Creek. New Hope Church, Pumpkin Vine, Kenesaw Mountain and at Atlanta. After the fall of Atlanta, Mr. Kersey was discharged. During his service he was sick awhile with measles, but remained in his tent. He was struck by several spent balls, twice at the bat- tle of Chancellorsville, where his regiment captured a stand of colors. He was a good soldier, and in all the campaigns, skirmishes and battles of his regiment, except while a prisoner of war. He was one of the strongest and most active men in the regiment, and was able to do his full share of duty, never had a furlough, and has one of the best army records of any soldier in the war.

He resumed farming. upon his return home and married, September 24, 1867, Mary Cath- erine, daughter of Lewis C. and Ann J. (Knet- zer) Cassity. Lewis Cassity was born in Mont- gomery county, Ky., and came to Putnam county, Ind., with his father. David Cassity, in 1834. He was married in Putnam county, and came to Hendricks in 1847, settled two miles southeast of New Winchester, and is still living on his farm south of Groveland. By his first wife, Ann J. Knetzer, there were five children; by his second wife, Paulina McCoy, he is the father of thirteen children.

After marriage Mr. Kersey resided on the

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OF HENDRICKS COUNTY.

homestead, which he purchased, until 1882, when he moved to his present farm consisting of 250 acres. In politics Mr. Kersey is a republican. He is a member of Reuben post, No. 431, G. A. R., has held the office of com- mander and is now vice-commander. He has also held the office of road supervisor. - In re- ligion Mrs. Kersey is a member of the Christian church, and Mr. Kersey is a member of the Friends' church. To Mr. and Mrs. Kersey eight children have been born, viz: Ann J., David, Ezra, Clarence, Eva, Charles, Carrie and Mary. Mr. Kersey is one of the best known and highly respected men in Hendricks county.

J EREMIAH B. HOBSON, of Clay town- ship, Hendricks county, Ind., and a highly respected citizen, has one of the largest war records of any soldier in Hendricks county. He was born on the farm where he now lives, December 22, 1845, the son of Eli W. and Amassa (Bray) Hodson. In November, 1831, Eli W. Hodson came from Guilford county, N. C., with his father, Jesse Hodson, who was one of the original pioneers of this county. Eli W. Hodson in- herited the farm in 1837, and on this farm our subject still resides. He had four wives. He first married Amassa Bray, to whom were born eight children: Henry, Jesse, John, James, Jeremiah B., Noah, Eli and Matthew. The second wife, Mary Catherine Thrall, bore him one son. The third wife, Martha Riggin, bore him two children who died during infancy. The fourth wife, Nancy Keeley, bore him no children. Mr. Hodson lived to be seventy- three years old and died near Spencer, Owen county, Ind. He had three sons in the Civil war: Jeremiah B., Jesse B. and Eli B. Jesse was in the One Hundred and Forty-eighth Indiana infantry, was a private and served seven months. Eli was in the same regiment

with Jeremiah B .- Company C, Fifty-first Indiana infantry-and served two years and three months.

Jeremiah B. Hodson received the common school education of his day and was reared to farming. He also became a general me- chanic and is able to work at almost any trade, being especially a good carpenter, brick layer and painter.

Mr. Hodson was not yet sixteen years of age when he enlisted at Indianapolis and was enrolled November 2, 1861, in Company C, Fifty-first regiment Indiana infantry, under Capt. James W. Sheets and afterward Capt. Aaron Dooley of this county. He served until December 31, 1863, and re-enlisted as a veteran in the same organization and served until honorably discharged January 12, 1866, at Indianapolis, having served four years, two months, and eleven days, making one of the longest records of any soldier from this county. He was in the battles of Stone River, Nash- ville, and Buell's retreat, and at the battle of Franklin and in many skirmishes. He was at the battle of Day's Gap, Crooked Run, and Blunt's farm, Dalton, Tenn., and at Pulaski, Tenn., was in several hard skirmishes; he was also at the battle of Columbia; he was in Col. Straight's raid, part of his regiment being mounted infantry, the soldiers obtaining their horses from the surrounding country. While on this raid, after the first attack by the rebels at Day's Gap, it was one continual running fight night and day for six days. Col. Straight was forced to surrender at Rome, Ga., and Mr. Hodson was taken prisoner with the others and sent to Belle Isle, where he was a prisoner fifteen days. This island was really an annex to Libby prison and was a sand bar in the James river. Mr. Hodson was finally paroled with the remainder of his command and shortly after exchanged at Indianapolis. After a short furlough home he was on guard

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

duty at Indianapolis, the officers of the regi- ment still being prisoners. After this Mr. Hodson was at the battle of Nashville and in many severe skirmishes. In July, 1865, the regiment was sent to Texas and served at San Antonio and Green Lake until December 13, 1865, when they were mustered out. Mr. Hodson had been an active soldier all this time and was never wounded nor sick in hos- pital, and always performed his duty cheer- fnlly and promptly, and although sunstruck at Chattanooga, Tenn., remained with his regiment. He yet suffers from the effects of this trouble and is much debilitated, at forty- nine years of age his hair and beard being al- most as white as snow. He was also sick with malaria and fever, and his strong consti- tution shattered. He belongs to a very long- lived family. His maternal grandfather, Jeremiah Wilson, of Virginia, lived to be over one hundred years of age. On Mr. Hodson's return from the war he resumed farming and mechanical pursuits. He married, in Clay township, Emily C., daughter of Willis and Savannah (Cutbirth) Haggard, and settled on the old home farm and here he still lives. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hodson are members of the Missionary Baptist church, in which he has been deacon and clerk for seven years. He is also a member of the G. A. R., Reuben Masten post No. 431, at Amo, of which he is chaplain. He is now one of the few ex-sol- diers who receive no pension, as he made no application until recently.

ARTIN MASON, a native of Hen- dricks county, Ind., was born "De- cember 23, 1843, and is a son of James and Nancy (Kirkham) Mason. James Mason was from an old Virginia family, and came to Indiana and settled in Hendricks county, in 1824, and married here. He and

wife were the parents of thirteen children of whom, William, Elizabeth. John, James, George, Martin, Moses, Henry C., Jane . Su- san, Sara and Martha A., are yet living. Mr. Mason was a pioneer stage driver between In- dianapolis and Plainfield, lived to be about seventy-eight years old, and died in Morgan county, January 8, 1879; his wife died De- cember 21, 1894, aged seventy-seven years. He was an honorable citizen and brought up a respected family.

Martin Mason, our subject, received a com- mon, pioneer education and was brought up a farmer. July 23, 1862, he enlisted, at the age of about eighteen years, at Monrovia, Morgan county, Ind., in company D, Seventieth In- diana infantry, to serve three years or during the war, under Capt. Bart. R. Johnson and Col. Benjamin Harrison (afterwards President of the United States), and was honorably dis- charged, on account of the close of the war, June 8, 1865. He was in the battles of Rus- sellville, Buzzard's Roost, Burnt Hickory, Resaca, Cassville, New Hope Church, Lost Mountain, Kennesaw Mountain, Marietta, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Savannah and Bentonville. He was then on that historical march, Sherman's march to the sea. He was at the fight at Columbia, at a fight when crossing the Savannah river, also a battle after passing through Savannah, and at Blackville. He was also in many hard skirmishes. He was present at the grand review and marched in the parade at Washington, and then returned home. He was always an' active soldier and prompt to do his duty. He was not wounded nor taken prisoner, and was but five months in hospital at Gallatin, Tenn., sick with typhoid fever, of which he was at one time pronounced dead; but during this time his regiment was not actively engaged, so that Mr. Mason was in all the battles, skirmishes, cam- paigns and marches in which his regiment took

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OF HENDRICKS COUNTY.

part. During the march to the sea, the sol- diers lived off the country and lived well, and several times Mr. Mason was on these forag- ing. expeditions. He was on a foraging detail, at Goldsboro, for five weeks, and saw this phase of army life completely. While he was not wounded he had several holes shot through his clothing in battle. At the battle at Resaca, with his regiment, he was in a bayonet charge for four hours on a rebel battery and captured four twelve-pound guns. He was a good sol- dier and has as clear a record as any man in Hendricks county. After the war he engaged in wagon-making and worked in Amo, Coats- ville and Stilesville for years.

On August 1, 1860, Mr. Mason married Martha J., daughter of David and Margaret (Clark) Allee, and to Mr. and Mrs. Mason three children were born: Novilla, Sherman and Grant. Mrs. Mason died, and Mr. Mason next married Annie E., daughter of Boles and Emily J. (Coons) Baird. "Boles Baird and wife were born in Kentucky and married there, and were the parents of eight children, seven of whom are living: William, Lucy, Annie E., John B., Ella, Frankie and Clay. Mr. Baird moved to Indiana and settled in Putnam county, atter the birth of three children; after- ward settling in Stilesville, Hendricks county, and engaged in farming, owning 160 acres of land. He enlisted at Cloverdale, Putnam county, in 1865, in the Forty-third Indiana infantry, and served four months, at Indian- apolis, guarding prisoners. He is now living in Ford county, Kans., and is settled on a farm of 160 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Mason have six children: Otto, Archie, Gertie, Charles, Frankie and Benjamin F. Mr. Mason made a trip to Hodgeman, Kans., and lived there six years, but returned to Hendricks county, Ind., August 14, 1892, and is now living on his homestead. Fraternally Mr. Mason is a mem- ber of Frontier post, G. A. R., of Spearsville,

Kans., and was its chaplain. Politically he is a republican. He was a good soldier and was disabled from his army experience, and will · bear the effects of his service to his grave.

A ARON R. REITZEL, one of the old soldiers of the Civil war and a re- spected citizen of Clay township, Hendricks county, Ind., springs from a stanch German family of old North Carolina stock. David Reitzel, the son of Henry and Catherine (Moser) Reitzel, was the son of Henry, who was the son of the original founder of the American branch of the family. David Reitzel, father of our subject, was born in North Carolina, Guilford county, November 21, 1806. His wife, before marriage, was Deborah Marshall, and they were married April 1, 1830. Mr. Reitzel was a farmer, and settled in Hendricks county, Ind., about 1832, about one-half mile south of the present resi- dence of our' subject, where he built a log cabin. The snow that winter was very deep, and they lived principally on cornbread. He was a cooper, and worked at his trade at night. He cleared up a good farm, however, and added to his land until he owned 460 acres, and was a substantial farmer of Frank- lin township. His wife died in 1849, and he married Susan Leitzman, who bore two chil- dren, Salome and David. Mr. Reitzel reached the good old age of eighty-six years, and died on his farm, a member of the Lutheran church, and an elder many years, and church trustee, as well as one of the founders of the Lutheran church in Hendricks county. In politics he was a strict republican, and had three sons in the Civil war, Luther, John and Aaron. Luther was in the Twenty-first Indi- ana infantry, but was transferred to the First heavy artillery, served over four years, and was in many battles. John was in the Seven-

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

tieth Indiana infantry, under Col. Ben Harri- son, afterward president of the United States, was in many battles, and with Sherman on his march to the sea, and served to the close of. the war.

Aaron Reitzel, our subject, was born Feb- ruary 6, 1847, on his father's farm in Hen- dricks county. He received a common edu- cation in the pioneer log school-house, but his studies were interrupted by his enlistment. He ran away from home to Indianapolis to enlist at the early age of fifteen years in company H, Fifty-fourth Indiana infantry in 1862, for three months, and served four months and was mustered out at Indianapolis. His serv- ice was in Kentucky, guarding railroads. He re-enlisted in 1865, at Indianapolis, in com- pany C, one Hundred and Forty-eighth Indi- ana infantry, to serve one year, served eight months, and was honorably discharged on ac- count of the closing of the war. This service was in Tennessee on provest duty. He was taken sick, with typhoid pneumonia, at Pulaski, Tenn., was in the hospital for two months and came near death, but recovered sufficiently to do active duty. After his return home he re- sumed farming, and married, November 29, 1868, Lizzie E., daughter of William and Millie (Harkrider) Richardson. William. Rich- ardson was born in Washington county, Ind., in 1814, where his father was one of the pioneers, and then came to Hendricks county and married here. To himself and wife six children were born: John H. (died young), Silas (died young), William H., Melissa A., Mary J., and Lizzie E. Mrs. Richardson died February 7, 1885, and Mr. Richardson died in 1894, aged eighty years, a member of the Lutheran church. After marriage Mr. Reitzel settled on his present homestead, and to him- self and wife two children have been born: Harvey R., and Guy R., both of whom are well educated. Harvey R. attended the State

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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