USA > Indiana > Shelby County > Chadwick's History of Shelby County, Indiana, Vol. 2 > Part 17
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John E. Jones was born May 17. 1853. in Hanover township, and is the only representative of his family now living. He was reared amid the bracing airs and wholesome discipline of rural life, received his first practical experi- ence on a farm and at intervals until his seventeenth year attended the district schools. At the age indicated he began farming for himself on rented land, and though poor at the time, and without any assistance other than vigorous health and an inborn determination to rise superior to his environment, and become something more than a niere slave of the soil. he gradually overcame the obstacles in his way and in due season reaped the reward of industry and good management in a fair share of this world's goods.
On February 14, 1877. he entered the marriage relation with Hester J. Keaton, daughter of John and Frances F. ( Shortridge) Keaton, and as scon thereafter as practicable located on a farm of ninety acres, which his wife inherited, and where the couple lived and prospered until their removal Sep- tember 5. 1905. to the village of Gwynneville : meanwhile, by industry, thrift and economy adding to their possessions and becoming comfortably situated.
On changing his residence to the town. Mr. Jones engaged in selling drain tile, as agent of Arbuckle & Son, of Homer, Indiana, in connection with his agricultural interests, and it was not long until he built up a large busi- ness from which he derived very liberal profits. He still acts as agent and enjoys an extensive patronage, and in addition thereto carries on farming and stock raising with gratifying success, besides doing considerable notarial and other legal business. Mr. Jones took out his commission as notary pub- lic shortly after moving to Gwynneville, and his patronage in this line of
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service has been very gratifying as is indicated by the number of people who constantly apply to him for assistance and advice. He has been trustee and treasurer since 1896, of the Asbury cemetery ever since the inception of the enterprise and the survey of the plat, besides helping to promote varicus other movements and measures having for their object the improvement of the town and the social, intellectual and religious advancement of the populace.
Mr. Jones is a Republican, but not a partisan, and he has never dis- turbed his quiet by seeking or aspiring to leadership as a politician. He is identified with Morristown Lodge. No. 193. Free and Accepted Masons, in which he holds the office of secretary, and his name also appears on the records of Rush Chapter. No. 24. Royal Arch Masons, and Council, No. 41, at Rush- ville. For a number of years he has led a Christian life, and the Christian church, to which he belongs. has no more earnest or devoted member. He is treasurer of the Sunday school organization of the congregation at Gwynne- ville. He is also a teacher in the Sunday school.
Mr. Jones is a reader of the world's best literature, and a critical stu- dent of sacred scriptures, and his acquaintance with the religious history of his own and other churches is both general and profound. Reference has al- ready been made to his connection with the ancient and honorable Order of Masonry, an organization which, next to his church, lies nearest his heart. and to which he has devoted much study and in which his progress has been commendable as is indicated by his present honorable standing in the Brother- hood. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have had one child. a son by the name of Arthur E., who was born . March 15, 1878, and who departed this life on the 21st of March, 1895.
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JACOB KUHN, SR.
On October 2, 1843. the gentleman above named was born in Germany, the son of Andrew and Mary (Theobald) Kuhn. who emigrated to the United States in 1848. They were about a month in making the trip, and upon their arrival came directly to Shelby county, where Mr. Kuhn bought land and established himself upon a farm. where he lived the remainder of his days, his death occurring in 1860. He was a hard worker, a thoroughly public-spirited citizen, and a member of the German Protestant church, in which he was always an active worker. His wife, Mary Theobald. was born in 1808, and died in 1889. Eight children were born into this family be- fore their departure from the Fatherland: the ninth was born in America. These children were Mary ( Haehl ). Andrew and Conrad. deceased. George M., John H., Barbara ( Haehl), deceased, as is also Daniel, the next in order of birth; Jacob, our subject. and Catherine ( Haehl), of Union township.
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Jacob was reared to manhood on the homestead which he now occupies. He went to the neighboring schools and received a fair education; the old log school-house where he received his preliminary schooling still stands. This building is now an attractive feature, and is one of the interesting land marks of early days. Upon reaching his majority. Jacob began life for him- self and worked in the neighborhood of his home place. In 1873 he married Elizabeth Kney, who was born in Rush county, in 1849. being the daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth ( Haehl) Kney. Ten children have been born to this union. They are: Anna. who married Frank Carson, of Manilla: Andrew James, who married Lora Fuchs, of Rush county : Edward P. married Esther Rees, of Rush county : Elbert lives at home : Katherine. wife of James Nigh, of Hanover township: Walter H., husband of Birdie Gayheimer: Robert is at home, as is also Reily. Leander and Birdie.
Mr. Kuhn has followed farming all his days and has seen great changes in methods and equipment since his boyhood days. He has kept abreast of the times, and by means of additions and improvements has kept the family homestead up-to-date. He has been a vigorous worker, and always applied his efforts to the best advantage. Of recent years his health has been some- what impaired on account of rheumatism, but his serene spirit and cheerful- ness have remained undaunted. He lends active support to the German I'ros- estant church of Union township, is a Republican, but has never desired pub- lic office, preferring, rather, to devote himself to the farm, while at the same · time he has kept in close touch with the general needs of the community about him. His excellent farm comprises two hundred twenty acres, and he also owns a farm in Rush county, of one hundred sixty acres. His sons, Andrew J. and Edward P., operate this farm.
DAVID HI. McINTIRE.
The efforts of Mr. McIntire have been so discerningly directed along well defined lines of labor that they have not only promoted his individual suc- cess, but have conserved the public prosperity and advanced the general progress. For some years he has been actively connected with mercantile in- terests and he is now the postmaster at Gwynneville. Shelby county, in which vicinity he is known to all and enjoys the respect of everyone.
David H. McIntire was born in Parke county, Indiana. November 23. 1853. the son of W. L. and Sarah ( Teague) McIntire. the former a native of Bowling Green, Clay county, this state, and he is at this writing living in Marshall. Indiana.
To the subject's parents fourteen children were born, six of whom are
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living in 1909, namely : William M., John F., Elizabeth, wife of William H. Hogland: Mary M., wife of William H. Stogdale, of Marshall, Indiana : Cora is the wife of Maiden Ladiz: David H., subject of this sketch.
Mr. McIntire was reared in his native community and received his edu- cation in the common schools there, spending his summer months assisting with the work on the farm. He was united in marriage in 1876 to Mary
Zemina Ephlin, the daughter of a well known family, and to this union two children were born, Henry and Carrie E., the wife of Ira Morris, of Marion, Indiana. The subject's first wife died in 1883, and Mr. MeIntire was again married in 1887, his second wife being Mary _1. Stockdale, to which union one child. Grace, was born. She is the wife of Raleigh McBane. They are living in Gwynneville, Indiana.
On August 1. 1903, Mr. McIntire established a general merchandise store in Gwynneville, which he still manages, his stock at this writing being extensive and carefully selected. and he has built up an excellent trade with the surrounding country. His store is neat and well arranged and his cus- tomers say they always get full value for their money here.
On December 15, 1904. Mr. McIntire was appointed postmaster of the local office, his duties having begun January 1. 1905, and he is still incun- bent of this office.
In his political relations he votes the Republican ticket, and takes an abiding interest in whatever tends to promote the general good of his com- munity, whether politically, morally or materially. He is a member of the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, the Masonic Fraternity and the Woodmen.
Mr. McIntire is an unassuming man who cares not for notoriety, but he deserves the mention that is usually given a self-made man, who has the high regard of his many friends because of a life of industry and honesty.
JOHN W. SULLIVAN.
Among the successful farmers of Hanover township, is John W. Sulli- van, who was born April 12, 1857. in Forsythe county. North Carolina, of which state his parents. J. F. and Malissa A. ( Wicker ) Sullivan, were also natives. J. F. Sullivan moved his family to Shelby county. Indiana, when the subject was about two years old, and settled in Hanover township, where he spent the remainder of his life as a tiller of the soil, the farm on which he lo- cated lying adjacent to the village of Gwynneville. He was a man of strong mentality and wide information, well versed on many subjects and perhaps the best scholar of his time in the community in which he resided. As a historian he ranked among the best in the state, and he was also thoroughly
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informed on political economy and kindred subjects, but his specialty appears to have been astronomy, in which he took a regular case. besides making a number of independent investigations, which, with his familiarity with recog- nized authorities caused him to be consulted by those interested in the science. He also achieved considerable local distinction as a politician, and for many years he was the accepted leader of his party in the locality in which he lived. Mr. Sullivan departed this life on June 10, 1895. and in February, 1905. his wife followed him to the silent land, dying at night. when the other members of the family were asleep.
J. F. and Malissa Sullivan were the parents of eight children, the follow- ing of whom are living. namely: John W., Nancy F., who married Bennett R. Webb: Thomas S. and Joseph L.
John W. Sullivan was brought to Shelby county in 1859. and since that time his life has been closely identified with Hanover township. where he still makes his home. When old enough to be of service he took his place in the woods and fields, and while still a youth made a hand in clearing the farm and cultivating the soil. During the winter months he attended the dis- trict schools and made commendable progress in his studies, and at the age of twenty years began to make his own way in the world by contracting for the digging of ditches in various parts of Hanover and other townships, devoting the winter seasons to this kind of work, and the remainder of the year to agriculture.
Mr. Sullivan early determined to be something more than a mere strug- gler for a livelihood, and to this end he bent all of his energies and husbanded his earnings. For a number of years he bought and sold lands in Shelby and neighboring counties, realizing handsome profits from these judicious transactions, and at the same time carried on farming with such success that he was finally accounted one of the well-to-do men of his township. Without entering into a detailed account of Mr. Sullivan's business career. suffice it to state that from the beginning his advancement was rapid and his ultimate success assured. At this time he has large agricultural and real-estate in- terests, owning a beautiful and attractive farm of one hundred sixty-five acres in Rush county, and an adjoining tract of forty acres just across the line in the county of Fayette. both being in a high state of cultivation and well im- proved with substantial buildings, the entire body representing a value of about one hundred and forty dollars per acre, every dollar the result of his own efforts and good management.
Always interested in whatever makes for the material progress of his township and the welfare of his fellow men, Mr. Sullivan takes an active and influential part in public matters. keeps abreast of the times on the political issues of the day. and as a Democrat formerly rendered efficient service to his party, having been for some years a member of the township committee,
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besides contributing to the success of the ticket in various other capacities. Of recent years, however, he has subscribed to the Prohibition party, which he believes is destined to ultimately rid the country of the crying evil of the rum traffic.
On September 27, 1887. Mr. Sullivan contracted a matrimonial alliance with Alice M. Van Seyoc. of Hanover township, a union blessed with two children, Scott and Frank, whose births occurred in the years 1889, and 1902, respectively, both bright and amiable youths pursuing their studies in the public schools.
Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan are widely known and highly esteemed and their home is the abode of a generous hospitality, which is freely dispensed to all who cross the threshold.
ANDREW HENSLEY.
One of the widely known citizens of Shelby county is the subject of this sketch, Andrew Hensley, better known as "Squire" Hensley. He was born in Marion county. this state, on February 21, 1843. but when three weeks old the family removed to Union township. Shelby county, and this has been his home for the most part since.
Our subject's father. Andrew Hensley. Sr .. was born in Virginia, and came with his parents to Shelby county, Indiana, in pioneer days. Grand- father Hensley later went to Greenup, Illinois, and never returned to Indiana. He and his father were members of the Continental army during the Revolu- tionary war, and both saw much active service.
Isabel Glidweil ( Hensley), Mr. Hensley's mother, was born in South Carolina, December 14. 1798. and when six years of age emigrated with her parents to Virginia. Later the family removed to Ohio, settling in the Miami Valley, from whence they later advanced to Union county. While in U'nion county Isabel was married to her first husband. Thomas Creek : three children were born to this couple, viz : Mary Ann, David and William. Her husband died there, and later the widow emigrated to Shelby county, Indiana, settling in Union township, where she later married Andrew Hensley, Sr. This union was graced with the following children: Thomas. born August 21, 1833 : James, born February 1, 1837. died in Kansas, March 27, 1908. Our subject was the next child in the order of birth. The fourth was Eliza Jane, born July 26, 1840. followed by Isabel, who died when young. Mrs. Hens- ley attained the age of eighty-seven years, and she was a courageous as well as a frugal mistress of the household. Their pioneer experiences were such as were common to the days when wild animals ranged about the cabin at night, and the Indians were still familiar sights in the land. The present
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homestead is on the old Whitsel trail that ran from Connersville to St. Louis, and was only a blazed trail at the time when this family arrived.
Andrew Hensley had but limited opportunity for education and when fourteen years of age started out to make his own way in the world. His father had died a few months before Andrew's birth, and this made it neces- sary for the children to lend a helping hand for the care of the family, as soon as they were able.
On March 22, 1868, Mr. Hensley was joined in marriage to Dorothy Wicker, daughter of Samuel and Naomi ( Phares) Wicker. She was born in Union township, this county, on May 8, 1840. and has become the mother of the following children: Rosetta, wife of P. J. Theobald; Nora J., wife of C. C. Cherry ; Franklin, husband of Florence MeDaniel: Pearlie J., mar- ried M. T. Moore; Samuel A. married Minnie O. Theobald, and Minnie May, wife of Frank Hankins.
In 1862 Mr. Hensley enlisted in Company A. of the Forty-first Indiana Volunteer Cavalry, and saw three years of hard, active service, during eighteen months of which he was orderly sergeant. He was in the depart- ment of the Cumberland under General Sherman, engaged in such conflicts as the ones at Chickamauga and Resaca, and obtained the reputation of being a hard fighter.
Since the war he has engaged in farming, and has a well improved farm of eighty acres. He is a Republican in politics, and for twenty-eight years he has filled the office of Justice of the Peace. He is a member of the Chris- tian church.
JESSE A. NELSON.
This enterprising farmer and stock raiser is a native of Indiana, but traces his ancestry on the paternal side to Denmark. in which country his grandfather. Christian Nelson, was born and reared. Christian Nelson spent the first eighteen years of his life in the city of Copenhagen, and then shipped as a sailor, which vocation he followed until attaining his majority, when he quit the sea and came to the United States. Locating in Rush county, Indiana, shortly after his arrival he engaged in agricultural pursuits and in due time accumulated a sufficiency of worldly wealth to place him in independent cir- cumstances, among his possessions being a finely improved farm of two hun- dred forty acres in that highly favored part of the state.
On this farm was born in 1842. W. H. Nelson, the father of the subject of this sketch, now a retired farmer living in the town of Arlington. and one of the leading citizens of the place. In his young manhood W. H. Nelson married Elizabeth Adams, of Rush county, who bore him seven children, six
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of whom are living. the oldest being a daughter by the name of Adella, whose birth occurred September 1. 1863, and who on August 13, 1883. became the wife of W. H. Eaton. of Gwynneville, Indiana. Viola. the second of the fam- ily, was born May 1. 1865. married James Draper on October 13, 1883. and lives on a farm in Rush county: Maggie, born March 5, 1866, was married September 15. 1889. to Perry Collins, and died July, 1901 : Jesse A .. of this review. the fourth in order of birth, first saw the light of day December 27, 1867: John A., of Rush county, was born November 6, 1869: Mertie, who became the wife of Henry Conoway, January 1. 1893, was born on the 22d day of May. 1871. Fannie, born June 10. 1874. was married in 1889. to Noah Moore and resides on the family homestead, in the county of Rush.
Jesse A. Nelson was reared to agricultural pursuits on his father's farm and received a good education in the district schools which he attended at intervals until his twentieth year. Two years later. March 27, 1890. he was united in marriage with Katie Price. of Rush county, and immediately there- after rented the paternal homestead, which he cultivated during the ensuing seventeen years with success and profit, accumulating sufficient means in that time to purchase a farm of his own to which he removed on the 5th day of March, 1908. Mr. Nelson's place, which contains one hundred sixty aeres of fine land in the southeast quarter of section 6. Hanover township. is ad- mirably situated in one of the best agricultural districts of Shelby county, and well adapted to farming and stock raising. He cultivates his ground accord- ing to the latest methods. is a careful student of agricultural science, and by a judicious rotation of erops not only insures bountiful yields from his fields. but retains in all of its fertility the original productiveness of the soil. While eminently successful as a farmer he has made the greater part of his money as a stock raiser-his cattle, horses and hogs being of improved breeds and among the finest in the ecunty.
Mr. Nelson is a man of intelligence and sound judgment. enterprising in all the term implies and uses his influence to raise the standard of agricul- ture in his community and advance the material interests of his neighbors and fellow men. He keeps in touch with the times on all matters of public import. manifests a lively regard in local and state politics and votes the Democratic ticket, though not a seeker after office or public preferment.
His financial success has been continuous and from his extensive farming and stock interests. which are among the largest in Hanover township. he has amassed a handsome fortune and is today one of the solid men of his com- munity, as well as one of the county's most progressive men of affairs.
Mrs. Nelson was born February 13, 1871. in Rush county, Indiana : she has presented her husband with three children. namely : Bessie, born June 23. 1891 : Brainard, May 26, 1893. and Warren, whose birth occurred on the 28th of October. 1897. all living and well situated as far as the future is con-
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cerned. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson are respected members of the Gwynneville Christian church, and active and influential in carrying forward the good work of the same, he being one of the trustees of the society and a liberal contributor to its material support.
JOHN H. MILLER.
A veteran of the War of the Rebellion and a worthy citizen is John H. Miller, who has been accorded many marks of popular confidence and esteem in the community which for so many years has been his home. He was born in Van Buren township, Shelby county, on the 28th of March, 1840, and is a son of Jacob K. and Elizabeth ( Kern ) Miller, the latter an aunt of Hon. John W. Kern, of Indianapolis, which makes the subject a cousin of the dis- tinguished lawyer and politician, who was in 1908 the Democratic nominee for the Vice-Presidency. The Miller family had its origin in Virginia, of which state Jacob K. Miller was a native and the early history of the Kerns is also intimately associated with certain counties of the same commonwealth. Some time after their marriage J. K. and Elizabeth Miller moved to Ohio, thence in 1839 to Shelby county. Indiana, and settled in the forest of Van Buren township. where they spent the remainder of their lives, the husband and father dying in the prime of manhood, being but forty-eight years of age. leaving to his widow and thirteen children a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, and a name above the suspicion of dishonor.
Mrs. Miller assumed the heavy responsibilities which her husband's death entailed and right nobly did she discharge the duties of her position. Her desire was to rear her children to honorable manhood and womanhood, and that she succeeded in this laudable ambition is indicated by the fact that they all grew to mature years, married and had homes of their own and so far as known not one of them has ever caused the blush of shame to mantle the face of the devoted mother, or in any way dimmed the luster of their family name. Four of the sons. Nicholas, John H., Lewis and Ephraim, served with distinction during the War of the Rebellion, while all dignified their stations in life and stood high in the confidence and esteer of the people of their re- spective communities.
John H. Miller's early life was largely a routine of hard labor on the farm, and by reason of his services being required at home he had few ad- vantages in the way of obtaining an education. He made the most of his meager opportunities, however, and in due time acquired a sufficient knowl- edge of the common branches to enable him to transact business and take a broader view of life and duty than he otherwise might have done. Reared to agricultural pursuits, he very naturally chose this time-honored vocation
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for his life work, and from a very modest beginning he gradually added to his possessions until he became the owner of considerable real estate which he improved.
In 1862 Mr. Miller responded to the President's call for volunteers by joining the Seventy-ninth Indiana Infantry, with which he served with a creditable record until mustered out June 9. 1865. Ile shared with his com- rades the dangers and vicissitudes of war in a number of noted campaigns and bloody battles, including Stone River. Chickamauga. Missionary Ridge. Lookout Mountain and Knoxville, Tennessee : thence to the Atlanta cam- paign, where he took part in several engagements which led to the fall of that noted stronghold. From the latter place his regiment was sent with the force to check the Confederate advance under General Bragg, and he had the satis- faction of contributing to that leader's defeat in the battles of Franklin and Nashville, which practically ended the war in Tennessee and hastened the final collapse of the rebellion at Appomattox.
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