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 114

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 114
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 114
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 114

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J ACOB KENNEDY, a public-spirited citizen and substantial farmer of Union township, Hendricks county, Ind., was born in Bourbon county, Ky., Septem- ber 10, 1823. His great-grandfather, John Kennedy, a native of Ireland, was kidnaped from the shore of the isle of his birth, when but seven years of age, by a piratical crew and sold for a term of years to a planter in Mary- land. John Kennedy, his son, was born in Virginia, and Joseph Kennedy, father of Ja- cob, our subject, was born in Bourbon county, Ky., where he passed the major portion of his life in a blacksmith shop. Joseph Kennedy

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married Elizabeth Sharer, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Nunamaker) Sharer, to which marriage were born Thomas, Sophia N., Ja- cob, Nicholas, Peter S., Mary J., David and Nancy T. The parents passed the greater portion of their lives in Paris, Ky., but spent their declining years in Hendricks county, Ind.

Jacob Kennedy acquired his education in the pioneer log school-house of his neighbor- hood and as he advanced in years learned blacksmithing. In 1853 he came to Hen- dricks county, Ind., and has since been identi- fied with the history of this county. In 1856 he settled on his present farm, which was then in a dense wilderness, but is now a model farm of fifty acres, improved with a modern residence, a fine barn and a large orchard. He married Martha Rupard, daughter of Erasmus and Maria (Hoggard) Rupard, of Clark county, Ky., who were also the parents of Allen, Da- vid, Elizabeth, John W., Mary, Emeline, Mil- la M., Gusta A , and Manda. The children born to Jacob and Martha Kenedy were named Ellen, Robert E., Cassius C., Thomas N., Oliver O., Cora A. and Edgar W. Mrs. Ken- nedy is a member of the Christian church and in politics Mr. Kennedy is a prohibitionist, al- though formerly a republican; he is also a dor- mant Mason, and with his family is highly re- spected and favorably known throughout the township.

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OUIS S. WATTS, an old and highly respected citizen of Middle township, Hendricks county, Ind., was born in Fleming county, Ky., May 7, 1835. His grandfather, George Watts, was a native of county Tyrone, Ireland, where he married Elizabeth Anderson, and where he and wife passed their lives. Their son, George Watts, the father of Louis S., was born in Tyrone county, May 11, 1782, was graduated from a

university in his native country, and after in- heriting $15,000, came to America and located at first in Pennsylvania, but later settled in Kentucky. He served in the war of 1812, and was badly wounded at the battle of New Orleans. He was married in Fleming county, Ky., to Matilda Sutton, daughter of George Sutton, and there were born to the union thir- teen children, in the order here named: Hiram, John A., Robert A., George A., Samuel W., William J., Louis S., Elizabeth A., Nancy E., James S., Maggie M., Mary D., and Sarah L. The father was an old school-teacher of Flem- ing county, and after marriage resided for some time in Mason county, but in 1853, came to Indiana and located in Marion county, but subsequently moved to Hendricks county, where his death took place, April 11. 1868. In politics he was a whig, and both he and wife were members of the New Light church.

Louis S. Watts was reared on the home farm until seventeen years of age, when he was apprenticed for four years to the cooper's trade, at which he was employed until August 10. 1861, when he enlisted in company B, Seventh regiment, Indiana volunteer infantry, in which he had a rather rough experience. He fought at Bloomer's Gap, Greenbrier, Cedar Creek, Winchester, and was promoted to be corporal; then took part at Front Royal, Port Republic, Cedar Mountain, Thoroughfare Gap, Bull Run, Centreville, South Mountain. Antie- tam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettys- burg and the battle of the Wilderness. He was several times badly wounded, having had the drum of his right ear destroyed by a piece of shell, being again struck in the breast by a ball that inflicted what was at the time thought to be a mortal wound, and being three times hit by spent balls. He was honorably dis- charged October 20, 1864, and is now a mem- ber of Thomas Ashley post, No. 451, G. A. R.

Mr. Watts first married Rosella Walters,

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daughter of Philip Walters, and by this mar- riage had born to him the following children: Ulyses S., Nuescillus, Ashley (deceased), Nora E. and Robert E. The mother of this family died in January, 1878, a member of the Chris- tian church, and Mr. Watts next married Lizzie Keith, who has borne him' one child, Lulu E. Both parents are members of the Christian church, and Mr. Watts is an Odd Fellow. He owns a good farm and is com- fortably situated, if not wealthy, and is much thought of by his neighbors.

EWIS M. LEATHERS, a progressive young farmer of Union township, Hendricks county, Ind., was born in Morgan county, Ind., December 29, 1862, and has been a farmer ever since he has been old enough to perform manual labor. His grandfather, T. J. Leathers, was a native of Anderson county, Ky., married Nancy Thatcher, and early settled in Morgan county, Ind., where they passed the remainder of their lives. Their son, James M. Leathers, was born in Morgan county, Ind., September 16, 1832, and was first married to Jane Carpenter, daughter of Tilden and Sarah (Leathers) Car- penter, by which union were born Lewis M. and Jonathan J. Leathers. The mother died June 20, 1867, and the second marriage of James M. Leathers was with Asia Evans, who has borne two children also, named Lizzie and Omer. The father has made a fine farm of 210 acres by his own industry, and is highly respected as a citizen and as a member of the Christian church. Lewis M. Leathers mar- ried Ida Smith, daughter of Charles and Sa- rah Smith, and is the father of one child- Thomas. Mr. Leathers and wife acquired a good farm of sixty-four acres by their own ex- ertions and have a comfortable dwelling and a barn of moderate size, and are living in the

enjoyment of the respect of all their neigh- bors. In politics he is, like his father, a dom- ocrat.

3 OHN F KEENY, a substantial farmer of Middle township, Hendricks county, Ind., was born in Montgomery county, in the same state, August 9, 1832. His grandfather, Jonathan Keeny, of German de- scent, was a native of Tennessee, but early be- came a resident of Fayette county, Ind., where he followed his trade of blacksmith, was engaged in merchandising, and was also a preacher in the Baptist church. He married Mary McLaughlin, and both he and wife died in Parke county, Iowa, where they had for some time made their residence. Their son, John H. Keeney, the father of John F., was born in east Tennessee December 22, 1804, married Mary Kruzan, daughter of Joseph and Ellen (Burnett) Kruzan, and reared a family of children, born in the following order: Mary E., Jonathan, John F., Charles W., Charlotte, Elizabeth A., Matilda J., Joseph B. and James B. The parents of this family, after their mar- riage, which took place in Franklin county, Ind., moved to the state of Missouri, where they passed six years, and then returned to Indiana, and for three years resided in Mont- gomery county, and then settled in Hendricks county on their farm of 320 acres.

John F. Keeny was reared on the home farm in the county of his birth, and began life as a school-teacher. He married Matilda Leach, daughter of Enos and Elizabeth (Mont- gomery) Leach, the union resulting in the birth of the following children: Enos B., Mary J. (deceased), John W., Elizabeth A. (deceased), Lucinda E., James W. (deceased), Sarah M., Emily A. and Julia F. The last-named is a graduate from the teachers' course and peda- gogy class of Danville Normal college, and for

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the past two years has been engaged in teach- ing, and Emily A. is a graduate in music from the same college. Mr. Keeny has resided on his present farm of 120 acres since 1852, and his is one of the oldest and most respected families of the township. In religion they are Baptists, and in politics Mr. Keeny is a demo- crat, and as such has served as justice of the peace.

ILLIAM TAUT, who is engaged largely in farming in Middle town- ship, Hendricks county, Ind., was born in this county, December 18, 1836, and is a son of John Taut,, who was born in Highland county, Ohio, in 1798, and married Susan Bonwell, daughter of John and Mary (McKee) Bonwell. The grandfather of our subject, Benjamin Taut, was of English descent, early became a citizen of Highland county, Ohio, was a soldier in the war of 1812, later settled in Hendricks county, Ind., and with his wife was a charter member of the Danville Methodist church. To the marriage of John and Susan (Bonwell) Taut were born the following children: Martha, Sarah, James, Lucinda, George, William, John, Lorenzo D. and Joseph.

William Taut was reared in the county of his birth, and September 25, 1861, enlisted in company A, Fifty-first Indiana volunteer infantry, and took part in the battles of Stone River, Shiloh, Corinth, Perryville, and in the five days' running fight from Tuscumbia, Ala., to Rome, Ga. He was eventually captured by the enemy and imprisoned at Belle Isle, Va., for eighteen days, whence he was paroled, and two months later was exchanged at Indi- anapolis, Ind. Later he participated in the Moss Creek skirmish and the terrific battles at Resaca, Franklin and Nashville, escaping wounds, however, but having two holes shot

through his clothing. He eventually received an honorable discharge June 17, 1865. It was during this eventful struggle for the preserva - tion of the Union that Mr. Taut was married to Melissa Hollis, daughter of Thomas and Matilda (Field) Hollis, which marriage was blessed by the birth of the children named: Virgil H., Annie C. and Mary O. Mr. Taut has a nicely-cultivated farm, well improved with a handsome dwelling and all necessary out-buildings, and is living in the enjoyment, not only of the comforts of life, but in the re- spect of the entire neighborhood.

J AMES A. HADLEY. a progressive young farmer of Middle township, Hendricks county, Ind., is a member of one of the oldest and most respected families of the county. Jonathan Hadley, his grand- father, was born in North Carolina, and early settled near Plainfield, Hendricks county, Ind., where he rose to distinction as a citizen and a member of the Friends' church, and married a Miss Carter. Enos Hadley, his son, was born in Plainfield, and at his death was the second oldest white child born within the pre- cincts of the county. He was the owner of a farm of 230 acres, was formerly an old-line whig, but later became a stanch republican, and served as township trustee and county commissioner. He was a pillar of the Chris- tian church and was also a pioneer teacher of the county. His death took place November 11, 1893.

James A. Hadley was born in Washington township, Hendricks county, Ind., July 15, 1855, and has always been engaged in farming. He married Eliza Kurtz, daughter of Henry and Margaret (Van Nuys) Kurtz, and to this union have been born two children-Jesse M. and Henry K. After his marriage Mr. Hadley settled on his present farm of eighty acres,

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where he and family enjoy the esteem of their neighbors and are passing their lives in the quit pursuit of agriculture, and in the observ- ance of the tenets of the Presbyterian church. In politics Mr. Hadley is a republican.

I N. BRENT, M. D., of English de- scent, is prominent among the physicians of Hendricks, and more particularly so in Middle township. His great-grand- father, Santford Brent, was a member of one of the first families of Virginia, was a defender of American rights in the Revolutionary war, and was quite active as a politician. William Brent, grandfather of Dr. I. N. Brent, was also a native of the Old Dominion, but was an early settler of Washington county, Ky., where he for a time resided in a block house, and took part in many a contest with the Indians. His son; Santford Brent, was born in Wash- ington county, in December, 1800, was a school-teacher for some years, and later be- came a student in the medical department of Transylvania university. He located for prac- tice in Shelby county, Ind., where he made his visits altogether on horseback and supplied his patients with medicines, which he procured from Philadelphia, and treated the rich and poor alike and without discrimination. He married Nannie Scott, a daughter of William and Sarah Scott, and by her became the father of the following children: Levi, Eliza- beth, William, Roland, Mary, Eliza, George, James, I. N., David T. and Hallie. In poli- tics he was at first a whig and later a republi- can; his religion was that of the Presbyterian church, in which he was an elder, and -in the faith of which he died, in Henry county, Ind., April 15, 1892, having lost his wife in July, 1 886.

Dr. I. N. Brent was born in Henry county, Ind., August 12, 1845, passed his early life on

his father's farm, and for a few years was a - school-teacher. He was educated in medicine at the Hospital Medical college, of Louisville, Ky., from which he graduated in 1875, and for two years practiced in Trimble county, Ky., and then selected his present location in Middle township, Hendricks county, Ind., where he has reached great distinction in his profession. He has a first-class medical library and is a liberal subscriber to medical literature, and is a 'member of the Hendricks county medical society and of the Pittsboro Odd Fellows' lodge, in which he has passed all the chairs, and which he has represented in the grand lodge; although a democrat in his proclivities, he does not take great interest in politics, but is a firm adherent of the M. E. church, of which he is a trustee. He married Miss Tinie B. Quisen- berry, daughter of Harvey and Sallie (Claxton) Quisenberry, of Kentucky, and she, also, is a devout Methodist.

ILLIAM M. DILLON, a substantial farmer of Middle township, Hen- dricks ceunty, Ind., was born Jan- uary 25, 1847, and has always had his residence in this, the place of his birth. Abiah Dillon, his grandfather, of Irish descent, lived and died on his farm in Fleming county, Ky., where he was _ pillar of the Christian church. His son William, the father of our subject, was born in Fleming county, Ky., October 29, 1816, married Millie Guilliams, served in the war of 1812, and was an early settler of Hendricks county, Ind. His children were named, in the order of birth, as follows: Eliza A., William M., Elizabeth J., Richard L., and Emma V. The parents were married in Hendricks county, Ind., where they owned a fine farm of 280 acres. In pol- itics, Mr. Dillon was first a democrat, but later became a greenbacker, and in religion he

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and wife were members of the Christian church, of Brownsburg, in which he was an elder and a charter member, with his wife, and in the faith of which he died July 24, 1888, having been preceded by Mrs. Dillon July 16, 1868.

William M. Dillon was fairly educated, and April 15, 1869, married Miss Susan A. Jor- dan, daughter of George W. and Dorcas (Mc- Cormack) Jordan, early settlers of Middle township and owners of 640 acres of good farming land. Mr. and Mrs. Jordan died, faithful members of the Christian church, she December 26, 1875, and he July 24, 1884, and none in the land were more highly re- spected.

William M. Dillon and his wife, after their marriage, settled on their present farm, which comprises 140 acres, and is improved with a handsome dwelling and three good barns. For fifteen years he has been successfully engaged in breeding registered Berkshire hogs, many of which he has sold at fancy prices. He also has a number of incubators, and the past year has sold over 1,900 dozen eggs. He and wife are members of the Christian church, of which he was formerly a deacon and is now an elder, and in politics he is a democrat.

J AMES GORSELL, a practical farmer, of Brown township, Hendricks county, Ind., is a son of William Gorsell, who was born in Devonshire, England, was there married to Elizabeth Bowmens, and became the father of the following children: Grace, Burdon, John, William, James and Henry-all born in England. The family were Methodists in religious belief, and on coming to America lived for some time in New York state, and then in upper Canada for six years, then came to Indiana and settled in Hendricks county, where the father died in July, 1866, his wife having departed in 1865. The birth 53

of James Gorsell took place February 28, 1827; at the age of twenty-six years he came to America with his parents, and for the past ten years he has been living on his present farm in Hendricks county, which contains 130 acres and is highly improved. He has been faithful to his adopted country, having enlisted, in August, 1862, in company K, Seventy-ninth Indiana volunteer infantry, and having fought at Perryville, Stone River (where he was severely wounded), Rocky Faced Ridge, Ma- rietta, Chattahoochie River, in front of Atlanta for a month, at Jonesboro, Franklin and Nash- vilie, and being honorably discharged in the spring of 1865. He married Sarah J. Hatcher, daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Hollingsot) Hatcher, and has two children-William J. and Ralph W., who have been reared in the faith of the Methodist church, to which the parents faithfully cling.

HOMAS J. WATSON, of Brown township, Hendricks county, Ind., and prominent as a farmer, is of En- glish descent, but proximately of Ken- tucky stock, his grandfather, William Wat- son, having been born in Fleming county, that state, where he led the life of a peaceful agri- culturist, and died in the German Baptist faith. His son, also named William, was born in Fleming county, Ky., was there mar- ried, and thence moved to Hendricks county, Ind., and here were born his children in the following order: Elizabeth, Thomas J .. Eliza J., Marion F. and Annie E.

Our subject, Thomas J. Watson, was born in Middle township, Hendricks county, Ind., June 25, 1838, was reared a farmer, and mar- ried Amanda J. Wright, daughter of James aud Elizabeth (Caziane) Wright. To this union one child was born, who was named William, but who died in iafancy. Mr. and

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

Mrs. Watson, however, adopted a son, named Virgil S., whom they educated and who for three years was a successful school-teacher. Mr. Watson is, in his political views, a repub- lican, and in religion both he and his wife are adherents of the M. E. church. He is a suc- cessful agriculturist, and, in connection with farming, largely handles registered Essex hogs and Short-horn cattle. His farm is quite neat in appearance, is well improved with substan- tial farm buildings, and comprises 100 acres.

ILLIAM J. SMITH, a native of Lincoln township, Hendricks coun- ty, Ind., and still a resident of the place of his nativity, was born January 16, 1829, and is a son of Joel and Susan (Smith) Smith, natives of Marion coun- ty, Ky. Thomas Smith, the father of Joel, was born in North Carolina, but in 1794 be- came a pioneer of Kentucky, where he lived until 1828, when he bought eighty acres in Lincoln township, Hendricks county, Ind., and farmed until his death, which occurred about the year 1840. He had married Mary Shirley, and had born to him a family of ten children, all now deceased. Joel Smith, the seventh child in the above family, was born in Kentucky in 1799, and came to Hendricks county in 1827, entering eighty acres in Lin- coln township, to which he subsequently added, by purchase, 200 acres additional. His wife bore the maiden name of Susan Smith and became the mother of nine children. In politics, Joel Smith was a democrat, and late in life became a member of the Christian church, in which faith he died in 1886, hav- ing been preceded to the grave by his wife in 1864.

William J. Smith was reared on his native homestead, was educated preliminarily in the common schools and also attended the college

at Crawfordsville, In 1851, he engaged in mercantile business at Brownsburg, and later entered the saw milling and lumber trade, which he has continued to carry on in Ken- tucky, Tennessee and Indiana until the present time, having in operation a mill at Browns- burg. Mr. Smith is very prominent in the community and is quite active in the republi- can party, as well as a respected member of the F. & A. M. He first married, in 1853, Miss Mary E., daughter of Asa Kaywood, and the union was blessed with the birth of three children, viz: Charles F., Sylvester E. and Thomas G. After the death of his wife, Octo- ber 24, 1866, Mr. Smith chose for his second life companion Mary E. Holloway.

HORNTON F. GRAHAM, a pros- perous farmer of Lincoln township, Hendricks county, Ind., was born here September 20, 1853, and is a son of Thornton F. and Maria (Newham) Graham, the former of whom was born in Kentucky about the year :803, but who came to Indiana when a young man and purchased eighty acres in Lincoln township, Hendricks county, and for some years carried on a tan- nery in connection with farming, and at his death owned a tract of 360 acres, on part of which our subject now resides. His children, six in number, were named John A., Daniel S., William, Priscilla A., Thomas G. and Thorn- ton F. (our subject). The last-named was reared a farmer, received a good education, and married Mary Pugh, who is now deceased, leaving one child, Mary B. Mr. Graham is a democrat in politics. He is the owner of eighty acres, and resides on and cultivates 100 acres of the homestead in addition, and is re- garded as one of the most enteprising young agriculturists of the township.

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OF HENDRICKS COUNTY.

RANCIS M. SHIRLEY, farmer and merchant, of Lincoln township, Hen- dricks county, Ind., was born June 21, 1842, on the homestead on which he still resides, and is a son of James and Deborah (Presley) Shirley. The father was born in Bourbon county, Ky., was among the first settle.s of Lincoln township, Hendricks county, and is now making his residence with his son, the subject of this sketch. To Mr. and Mrs. James Shirley were born eight chil- dren, six of whom were reared to maturity and were named Robert, Rebecca, John, Louisa, Francis M. and George G .; the remaining two died in fnfancy. Francis M. Shirley received a very fair education in the local public school, and in i860 he and his brother, George W., engaged in the mercantile business at Lizton, which they conducted together with profit for six years, when Francis M. returned to farm- ing, and has since resided on his neat place of 120 acres. He is connected, however, with his father in the hardware business at Browns- burg, under the firm name of Shirley & Son, and this house is now doing a prosperous trade. In politics . Mr. Shirley is a democrat, and in religion he is a Methodist, belonging to the M. E. congregation of Brownsburg. He is happily united in wedlock with Emily, daughter of Lawrence Leak, of Hendricks county, and to this union have been born the following children: Allie E., Ottie, Beelie E., Walter (deceased), Clarence and Luther N.

a PILLIAM HYLTON, of Lincoln township, Hendricks county, Ind., is a native of Carroll county, Va:, and was born July 5, 1829. His father, Samuel Hylton, was also a native of the same county and state, and was born in 1805. In 1835 the latter gentleman came to Indiana and located near Cartersburg, Hen-

dricks county, but in 1837 purchased eighty acres in Washington township, in the same county, which land he cleared, cultivated and resided upon the remainder of his days. He was the father of six children, named as fol- lows: William, Wesley (deceased), Eli (de- ceased), Timanda J. (wife of William Hadley, of Washington township), Stephen (who was a member of company C, Fifty-first Indiana volunteer infantry, and died in the service) and Nancy C. (who married John F. Franklin, and with her husband deceased). The father of this family departed this life in 1842.

William Hylton was reared in Indiana on the home place until 1852, when he purchased a farm in Washington township, Hendricks county, on which he resided until 1856, when he bought eighty acres of his present place, on which he has made all the improvements and. which he has increased to 147 acres. In 1851 Mr. Hylton married Margaret, daughter of Jchn Barlow, of Montgomery county, Ind., and to this union have been born the following children: Martha (deceased), John S. (de- ceased), Allie (wife of H. A. Smith), Mary (deceased), Viola (wife of William A. Smith), Charles W. (deceased), Lilly B. (married to R. C. Smith), Maggie and William H. In politics Mr. Hylton is an ardent republican and in 1879 was elected county commissioner; he stands high socially and is a member of the Brownsburg lodge, No. 188, I. O. O. F., and a charter member of the encampment. He is also a member of the White Lick Presbyterian church, and he and family enjoy the regard and respect of all their neighbors.

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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