USA > Indiana > Brown County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 34
USA > Indiana > Monroe County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 34
USA > Indiana > Morgan County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 34
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ALEXANDER HARDWICK was born November 10, 1842, in Clay Township, Morgan County, Ind. His father, William Hardwick, was born in Tennessee in 1808, and while he was quite young his parents moved with him to Kentucky. He then went with them to Mooresville, at the age of fifteen, and in 1835 married Elizabeth Cox, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1815. She went to Ohio with her parents in early youth, and thence to Morgan County. Here she was married to William Hardwick, and they have been living in this county ever since. Mr. Hardwick was of English-Scotch, and his wife of Irish-Dutch descent. Alexander, their son, and our subject, was born and reared near Center- ton. His advantages for an education were limited, but he improved such opportunities as he had, and thus acquired sufficient learning to be- come a successful teacher. This profession he has followed for about ten years. He has been for six years engaged in the flouring-mill and in the grain business. For about two years he was engaged in the mer- cantile business. Mr. Hardwick never aspired to any public office, but was elected Trustee of the township in 1874, which position he resigned at the expiration of the first year. He has been a member of the I. O. O. F., Martinsville Lodge, No. 274, since 1868. In 1860, he began to do business for himself, and in March, 1868, married Eliza E., daughter of Joel and Elizabeth Matthews. Joel was a son of Hiram, or Judge Matthews, as he is commonly known. Elizabeth Rooker is a daughter of Wilson and Polly Rooker, all old settlers of Morgan County, and have lived and are living near Mooresville. Mr. Hardwick's present occupa- tion is teaching, of which he is seemingly fond.
HON. FRANKLIN LANDERS was born in Morgan County, Ind., March 22, 1825. His father, William Landers, was one of the pioneers of the New Purchase, and here Franklin was reared a farmer and edu- cated at the country schools. After reaching his majority, he followed teaching a few terms, and with his earnings therefrom, added to those from his farm labors, in company with his brother, Washington, he opened a general store at Waverly, Ind. A few years later, he purchased a section of land in this township, laid out the town of Brooklyn, brought his merchandise here, and for several years sold goods, farmed, reared and dealt in stock, and before he was of middle age, became one of the wealthiest men in the country. He accumulated money without an apparent effort, and spent it like a prince. Objects of charity and benevolent institutions were the recipients of his bounty, and the poor and the needy who knew him have every reason to bless him. He has established no less than five churches upon his lands, and to their sup- port has given liberally. In 1860, he was nominated for State Senator, and defeated his opponent, Samuel Oyler, one of the most popular men
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of Indiana, by a large majority. In the Legislature, he acquitted him- self with honor, and to the satisfaction of his constituency. He favored a vigorous prosecution of the war for the preservation of the Union; he advocated the enforcement of military law where civil law was overthrown, and upon all questions tending to establish the supremacy of a united government, his voice was in the affirmative. He removed to the city of Indianapolis in 1864, where, in company with other well-known gentle- men, he engaged in the wholesale dry goods business, which he has since followed. He is also the head of the firm of Landers & Co., pork packers and commission merchants, and is one of the most extensive farmers in the State. He owns four fine farms, aggregating 2,100 acres, in Morgan County, one of 250 acres in Marion, and one of 160 acres in Hamilton, all of which receive his personal supervision. He was candi- date for Presidential elector on the Mcclellan ticket in 1864. In 1874, he was elected to Congress, where he took rank as leader upon all ques- tions of finance. In 1875, the Greenback party nominated him for Gov- ernor, but the Democratic convention before which his name was pre- sented for indorsement, finding the contest between Mr. Landers and the Hon. W. S. Holman to be so warm as to preclude the possibility of har- mony in the party, both those gentlemen were withdrawn, and a com- promise effected upon the Hon. James Williams. Over his protest, Mr. Landers' friends nominated him for Congress in 1876, and though de- feated, he ran ahead of his ticket over 800, and his candidacy added much to the strength of the Democracy, and led to the election of Mr. Williams as Governor, and carried the State of Indiana for Tilden and Hendricks. In 1880, he led the Democratic hosts as their candidate for Governor, the result of which campaign is a part of the history of our country. Mr. Landers has been twice married; first to Miss Mary Shuf- fleberger, who died in 1864, leaving two children, and next to Mrs. Martha Conduitt, by whom he has had born to him four children.
DR. CHAMBERS M. LINDLEY was born in Crawford County, Ill., on January 1, 1832. His father came from North Carolina, and settled in Orange County, Ind., while the country was yet a wilderness and in- habited by the Indians. Shortly afterward, he moved to Crawford Coun- ty, near Huntsville, Ill., and the country being wild and unsettled, he, with all the early settlers, endured many hardships and privations. He was a member of the Friends' Church, and his ten children were brought up under its influence. He died in 1837. Chambers M., the subject of this sketch, was reared on a farm. At the age of fifteen, he lost an arm by a runaway horse. After a season at the pioneer schools, he came to Parke County, Ind., and attended the Bloomingdale School, conducted by the Friends. Then he taught for a period of three years. He then began the study of medicine, and attended the medical colleges at Ann Arbor, Mich., and Cincinnati, Ohio, graduating from the latter institu- tion in 1860. He then began the practice of medicine at Waverly, Mor- gan County, where he continued in his profession ten years. Failing in health, he retired to a farm, where he remained six years; thence came to Brooklyn, where for twelve years he has been actively engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery. In May, 1856, he was married to Elizabeth J. Province, of Pleasureville, Ky. She has borne him two children-Ella and Minnie. The Doctor and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is also a member of the Brooklyn Lodge, No. 471, A., F. & A. M. As a farmer, he owns 260 acres of
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well-improved land. The Doctor has a fine medical library, as well as the works of nearly all the standard authors on miscellaneous subjects.
P. S. McNEFF was born in 1834, near Brooklyn, Morgan County. He lived on the farm until the autumn of 1852, when he went to Iowa, where he worked on a farm for two years, and then served time at the carpenter's trade, and worked at it until the spring of 1856, when he re- turned to Indiana, and remained until September of the same year. He then returned to Iowa, and in 1858 went to Lawrence, Kan .; thence again, in 1859, to Iowa; thence, in September of the same year, to New Albany, Ind. ; thence to Salem, Ind. After a short sojourn South, he returned to Salem, Ind., where he remained until March, 1861. In the meantime, he was married to Catharine, daughter of Jonathan and Eliza- beth Winslow. After a trip to Iowa, he returned to Salem, and bought a farm near that town, on which he remained until March, 1869, owning meantime different farms. He then sold out and moved to French Lick, Orange Co., Ind., and engaged in the dry goods business, following it several years, when he closed out his stock and returned to Brooklyn, Morgan County, having been absent nineteen years. Here he purchased a stock of goods, formed a partnership with his brother, W. A. McNeff, and remained in the business five years, when our subject retired from the firm and moved to Monrovia, Ind., and again engaged in the mer- cantile trade. After over two years' experience in the business, he moved his stock to Louisville, on the county line between Morgan and Owen. In February, 1881, he disposed of his stock, and again returned to Brooklyn and purchased another stock of goods. At the end of sixty days, he again sold out, and purchased his brother's stock, and is, just at this time, engaged in the mercantile business, having a successful trade.
WILLIAM A. McNEFF, farmer, was born in Brown Township, Morgan County, Ind., March 25, 1838, and is the seventh of the ten chil- dren born to Thomas W. and Sarah (Smith) McNeff, natives of Kentucky and Pennsylvania, and respectively of Scotch-Irish and German descent. William A. was reared upon the home farm, and attended the subscrip- tion schools. His father brought him to Indiana in an early day, coming to Harrison Township. There he was married, and afterward came to Morgan County. In 1852, William A. went from Indiana to Iowa with his father, and there remained until 1862. Mr. McNeff, Sr., died in 1856. After returning to Indiana, William A. went to Washington County, and afterward went to Orange County, and came to Morgan County in 1871. Since that time, he has resided in this township. He is engaged in cultivating a farm of 120 acres, improved, and having a fine residence, besides other appliances necessary to a finished farm. It is also stocked with horses, hogs, cattle and sheep. On December 28, 1872, he was married to Mary C. Rinker, a native of Clay Township, Morgan County, and a daughter of William and Eleanor Rinker. They have had two children-Leslie, born February 8, 1874, and Don Clyde, born Sep- tember 13, 1882. Mrs. McNeff is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is a Democrat, having cast his first ballot for James Buchanan. In earning a com- petence, he has been aided by no one, having been dependent entirely upon himself.
DR. GRANT MONICAL, resident of Brooklyn, was born February 18, 1857, and is a native of Morgan County, Ind. He was reared upon a
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farm, but received a good education, and finally began teaching school, which pursuit he followed for five years. On March 1, 1879, Grant be- gan studying medicine with Dr. C. M. Lindley, and afterward took a course of study at the Medical College of Cincinnati, Ohio, and graduated from that institution in 1881. Dr. Monical then located at Brooklyn, Ind., and has a good practice. He is universally regarded as a most promising young physician, and one who is rising rapidly in his profes- sion.
O. C. MOON, farmer, was born in Brown Township, Morgan County, Ind., May 1, 1852, and is the second of three children born to L. D. and Rachel (Thornburg) Moon, natives of Warren County, Ohio, and of Mor- gan County, Ind., and of English ancestry. O. C. was reared upon a farm, and received sufficient instruction to enable him to teach school, later, in the schools of this county. He was very successful in this, and followed it for ten years. He attended the business college at Indian- apolis, and graduated from there in 1877. March 13, 1879, he was mar- ried to Jennie Griggs, a native of this county and township, and daughter of Clark and Margaret (Marrow) Griggs. After marriage, Mr. Moon engaged in farming, and is now living upon a farm of 360 acres, near Brooklyn, and which belongs to his father-in-law, Clark Griggs. Mr. and Mrs. Moon belong to the Methodist Episcopal and Christian denomina- tions respectively. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and a Republican.
PERRY O. PHILLIPS, dealer in groceries and stationery, was born in Clay Township, Morgan County, Ind., May 22, 1857, and grew to manhood upon a farm. He received some instruction in the common branches of study, and after he had attained his majority, began life in- dependently, by farming. Mr. Phillips has been married twice. On February 2, 1879, he wedded Nancy J. Everling, a native of Johnson County, Ind. She died on November 24, 1880, Jeaving an infant, which died soon after. Mrs. Phillips was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Phillips was next married to Eliza E. (Stafford) Koons, who was born June 1, 1855. One child was born to them, on August 28, 1883. The parents belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Phillips is a Republican and a Mason, and is now holding the office of Assessor of Clay Township.
ELI T. RINKER (deceased) was born in Ohio, May 15, 1812, and, while yet a small boy, came with his parents to Washington County, Ind. He came to Morgan County some forty years ago. On October 21, 1841, Mr. Rinker was married to Charity, daughter of David and Sarah (Clay- pool) Ely, Virginians. David Ely emigrated to Indiana, located in Hendricks County, and remained there until his death, July 20, 1845. Sarah Ely died at the residence of her sons, in Morgan County, October 25, 1857, in her seventy-fourth year, having been a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for fifty-two years. For sixteen or seven- teen years, her house was used as a place of holding services, and the weary, wandering minister always found a welcome home at " Mother Ely's." Mrs. Ely was the mother of twelve children. To Mr. E. T. Rinker's marriage have been born two children, one of whom died in in- fancy, and the other, Simeon K., at twenty years of age. On March 12, 1873, Mr. Rinker departed this life. Since 1837, he had been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was a consistent Christian, and in losing him the community sustained a bereavement which will long be felt. His wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is
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living upon the home place of 140 acres, which her husband had im- proved. She is over sixty-four years of age, and dwells there alone, hav- ing neither husband, children, father nor mother, and being much loved and respected by all her friends. In Morgan County, on January 18, 1862. Simeon K. Rinker departed this life, aged twenty years, and was the only child of Eli and Charity Rinker. Simeon K. was trained in religious matters by his parents, and at thirteen years of age united with the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a kind, affectionate and obedient son, and, although the Master called for him so early, his work was done, and as he left his weeping friends in his father's house below, it was but to pass to the fellowship of those who had " gone before " to his Father's house above
NOAH R. RINKER was born in Washington County, Ind., March 22. 1820, and is the son of Levi Rinker, who was born October 5, 1790, and died July 24, 1858. Levi Rinker married Elizabeth Cracraft, who was born October 13, 1794, and died December 22, 1852. They were natives respectively of Virginia and Kentucky, and were married in Ohio, in 1815. They came from Ohio to Indiana in an early day, locating in Washington County, and from there coming to Morgan County in 1830. They were early pioneers, and lived here until their death. Levi was a soldier of 1812; Noah was reared upon a farm and received a lim- ited education. On September 1, 1842, he was married to Lydia Ann Griggs, who was born November 15, 1819, in Clinton County, Ind. By her he had born to him seven children, of whom four are living -- Eliza- beth (Allen), Margaret (Underwood), Martha E. (Williams) and Christo- pher C. The mother died October 7, 1855, a member of the Christian Church. On March 27, 1856, Mr. Rinker took for his second wife Lydia E. Johnson, a native of North Carolina, who was born August 19, 1823. They have had seven children, three of whom are living-A. Dayton, Mary A. and Orlando O. Mr. and Mrs. Rinker are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. Since his tenth year, Mr. Rinker has been a resident of this county and township. He belongs to the I. O. O. F., and is a Democrat. Through his own exertions, he has become inde- pendent.
SILAS RINKER was born September 17, 1835, in Clay Township, Morgan Co., Ind., and is the son of Levi and Elizabeth (Cracraft) Rinker. Silas was reared upon a farm, received ordinary school advantages, and at the age of eighteen started out for himself. Since that time he has followed farming, with the exception of fifteen months in the mercantile business, He is living now upon fifty-seven acres of land near Brooklyn. Mr. Rinker has been twice married. On October 10, 1852, he was mar- ried to Melissa Jane, of Monroe County, and daughter of Joseph and Lucinda (Harper) Hiatt. By this union there were eight children, of whom four are living-George W., William E., Louella J. and Silas E. The mother died May 26, 1876, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Rinker was next wedded, on August 12, 1876, to Lu E. Reaves, a native of Gibson County, Ind., and a daughter of William and Eleanor (Burton) Reaves, Indianians, of Irish and German extraction re- spectively. Two children have crowned this union- Levi R. and Burton C. Both Mr. Rinker and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and belongs to the I. O. O. F. Mr. Rinker is a politician of Democratic proclivities, and through life has risen by his own efforts to his present independent position.
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WILLIAM RINKER (deceased) was born in Washington County, Ind., on July 30, 1816, and died in Morgan County on May 6, 1881. He came to Morgan County with his parents in 1830, where he lived un- til his death. In 1846, he became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for thirty-five years testified his faith in the Savior, his joy in the Holy Ghost, and his hope of a blessed immortality. His disease was erysipelas, and for four long weeks his sufferings were terrible, but he endured them with Christian fortitude, and he was never heard to murmur or complain. When questioned as to his feelings, he replied that he was trusting in the Lord, that all was well with him, and that. he had not missed praying every day for fifty years. Although he was remarkably diffident as to his ability as a useful man, he remained an ac- ceptable member of the church until his death. He was truly an affec- tionate husband, ever treating his companion kindly and tenderly, and ever striving to render her life agreeable and happy. As a father, he dearly loved his children, by whom in return he was beloved. His chil- dren, some of whom are young men beginning life for themselves, miss his wise counsels, his kind advice, his Christian example. In his tem- poral affairs he was signally successful, never undertaking anything that he considered in the least hazardous, and by his industry and fru- gality he accumulated considerable means, which, while it afforded him and his family luxury as well as comfort, also enabled him to con- tribute liberally to charity, and in being a kind neighbor and useful citizen. At his death, he owned a farm of 500 acres of land, well im- proved and stocked. In politics, he was a Democrat, being at the time of his demise a member of the Board of County Commissioners. On January 25, 1844, he was married to Eleanor Clark, a native of Ohio, born January 16, 1823, and daughter of John and Rebecca (Matthews) Clark. Eleven children were born to them-John M., E. A. (deceased), Amanda J., Mary C., Leonidas, Margaret A. (deceased), Rebecca (de- ceased), Lewis A. (deceased), Ida E. (deceased), George D. and Oscar B. Mrs. Rinker a consistent Christian, a kind mother, yet survives her husband. Although she mourns the loss of her husband, father, sister, three of her grown children, a son and daughter-in-law-all of whom have passed away within the last two years-she still holds fast to her faith in the Lord, with a hope of meeting them.
BARTLEY SELLERS, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Guilford County, N. C., October 21, 1830, and is the second of nine children born to Jordan and Mary (Mason) Sellers, natives of Virginia and of English and Irish extraction. Mr. Mason was a soldier of the Revolutionary war. Bartley's parents came from North Carolina to Indiana in the fall of 1850, and located in Brown Township, in this county, where they remained until Mrs. Sellers' death, in 1856. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Sellers, Sr., is also a member of that church, and he is now residing with his son Peter, in Hendricks County. Bartley was reared upon a farm, received limited schooling, and at nineteen years of age began life independently in North Carolina, and when he had earned money enough for the trip, he came to Indiana in 1851, and located in Morgan County with $1 in his pocket, engaged in farming, and worked at $15 per month. Au- gust 12, 1855, Mr. Sellers was married to Mary, a daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth Wright, and a native of Morgan County, by whom he has had three children-Andrew, John and an infant unnamed. Mr. Sellers
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and wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. He owns and man- ages a farm of 140 acres of well-improved land, all cultivated. His farm is supplied with a fine orchard and a commodious residence, and stocked with horses, hogs, cattle and sheep. Mr. Sellers is engaged extensively in shipping stock to Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh. He belongs the A. F. & A. M. Lodge, No. 78, Mooresville, Ind., and has had three brothers who were in the late war. Mr. Sellers has built up his own fortune, has had no assistance whatever from anybody except his indus- trious wife, and the couple are rewarded by the possession of their com- fortable home.
BENJAMIN STAFFORD, pioneer farmer of this county, was born in Highland County, Ohio, May 28, 1810, and is the third of the seven children born to Robert and Sarah (Bullick) Stafford, natives of North Carolina, and of English ancestry. Benjamin accompanied his parents from Ohio to Indiana in 1818. They located in Monroe County, and re- mained there until March, 1820, at which time the family came to this county. The county was then a wilderness, and was not then organized, the Indians roaming at their sweet pleasure through the leafy forests. Robert Stafford entered land, and made a home in the wilderness, amid bears, wolves, panthers and other wild animals, and, with the poorest advantages for an education, Benjamin grew to manhood. On February 15, 1830, he was married to Ruthie Gifford, a native of Indiana, and a daughter of Jesse and Sarah (Marshall) Gifford. They had one child, Sarah (deceased), and the mother dying, Mr. Stafford was married to Margaret Price on March 17, 1835. Eight children were born to this union, of whom six are living-Nancy J. (Woods), John, Marion, Will- iam Benjamin, Barnard and Grant. Mrs. Stafford having departed this life, Mr. Stafford was again married. He took for his third wife Mrs. Susan Fry, by whom he has had seven children, of whom six are living -Mary (Passor), James, Priscilla (Mckinley), Martha (Myrick), Eme- line (Gooch) and Oliver P. M. Mr. Stafford and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Stafford began life by clearing out a farm in the wilderness, and enduring great privations. He has succeeded, and now owns seventy acres in this township. He alone has made from the green woods the home which he now occupies. His only help has been a faithful and saving wife, who has been indeed a help- meet in all his struggles and adversities. Although Mr. Stafford is seventy-three years of age, he has a robust constitution and promises to live many years of usefulness in the township which he has helped to build up. He is very strong in Christian faith, and faithful in the per- formance of his duties, and has read his Bible through nearly fifty times during the last twelve years. He could not read a word until he was forty years old. Mr. Stafford is much prized as a good neighbor and cit- izen, and is fully appreciated in the community in which he has moved so long.
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MONROE TOWNSHIP.
JOSEPH H. ALLISON was born in Oldham County, Ky., July 22, 1833, and is the son of Elijah and Margaret (Frederick) Allison, natives of Kentucky, who moved to this State in 1834, and settled in Gregg Township, where they drew from the wilderness a farm and home, resided thereon thirty-two years, and in 1866 removed near by, where they have remained. Joseph H. lived with his parents until he was twenty-one years old. August 11, 1855, he married Miss Nancy J. Wellman, a na- tive of Kentucky, and to them was born one child-Charles S. In 1868, Mr. Allison removed to Monrovia, where he had charge of the Monrovia Flouring Mills, and since then he has driven a hack between Monrovia and Mooresville. He is at present Treasurer of Monrovia Lodge, A. F. & A. M. He is a Republican, a most exemplary man and citizen, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church.
EDWARD WILLIAM BRAY, pioneer of Orange County, Ind., was born June 5, 1820, and is a son of John H. and Hannah (Shelton) Bray, natives respectively of North Carolina and Virginia, who moved to Ken- tucky and were there reared; they had four sons and eight daughters, and came to this State in 1815, into this county in 1823, and finished their lives in this township-he in 1875, aged ninety-six, and she in 1873, aged eighty-four years. Edward W. Bray is well educated, and was a teacher, from his twenty-third to his twenty-eighth year, in the pub- lic schools. November 5, 1840, he married at Belleville, Ind., Lucy Jane Gilmer, to which union were born ten children-Mary E., Hannah A., Eunice A., Sarah E., Mildred (deceased), John W., Thomas W., Henry, Alexander (filmer and Shelton. In 1876, Mr. Bray was elected Justice of the Peace of this township, and was re-elected four years afterward. He is an active Republican and an original thinker, having taken out a patent for an improved shuttle; he is also active in Sabbath- school labor.
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