Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical, Part 36

Author: Blanchard, Charles, fl. 1882-1900, ed. cn
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago, F. A. Battey & co.
Number of Pages: 814

USA > Indiana > Brown County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 36
USA > Indiana > Monroe County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 36
USA > Indiana > Morgan County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 36

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

JOHN S. HUBBARD, farmer and stock-raiser, was born September 22, 1811, in Stokes County, N. C., and is the third of the nine children of George and Nancy (Shields) Hubbard, natives of North Carolina. He was reared on a farm, and in 1826 emigrated to Indiana with his parents, who located in Wayne County; moved to Morgan County in 1830, and purchased the site of Monrovia, where they remained until their deaths, in 1865 and 1866 respectively. After his majority, John S. Hubbard worked as a laborer until able to pay for eighty acres; he also entered forty, which he prepared for cultivation. February 29, 1836, he mar- ried Abigail Henshaw, a union cemented by four children-Jesse, Will- iam, John I. and George E., all soldiers in the late war. Mrs. Hubbard died in 1865, and November 15, 1866, Mr. Hubbard married Catharine Day, which marriage was crowned by one child-Mary B. Mr. Hubbard is the owner of 230 acres, well cultivated, stocked, improved and ap- pointed. He is a Republican, and voted first for Henry Clay, in 1832. He has served three terms as Justice of the Peace, two as Commissioner, five as Notary, and has also been Township Trustee. Mr. and Mrs. Hub- bard are members of the Friends' Society, advocates of temperance, work- ers in all charities, and highly respected in their community.

NATHAN E. HUBBARD was born in this township February 24, 1840, and is the fourth of the nine children of William B. and Ludah (Vestal) Hubbard, natives of North Carolina, and of English extraction.

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William B. Hubbard settled in this county in 1827, where his parents had entered land. Here he lived and made a home for his family, and at the age of fifty-three laid down his useful, quiet life; his wife sur- vived him about six months. Nathan was reared to the life of a farmer, but received a fair education; attended the Bloomingdale Academy, be- came a teacher, and followed the same about seven years. October 15, . 1863, he married Elizabeth A., daughter of Uriah Ballard, of North Car. olina, a union which gave being to five children-William B., Ludah E. (deceased), Byron C., Homer S. and Edith E. Mr. Hubbard is a Repub- lican, and has served as Township Trustee. He gives his time and at- tention to stock-raising and farming, and has a magnificent place of 324 acres, in good and profitable condition. He is a respected and worthy citizen, and he and wife are connected with the Friends' Society.

PHILIP JOHNSON was a native of Stokes County, N. C., was born June 21, 1804, and died in this township January 19, 1879. His parents, William and Elizabeth Johnson were natives of North Carolina, came to this State in 1818, settled at Richmond, remained some years and then moved to this county, where they finished their useful lives. Philip was brought up to the importance of a farmer's life, with some attendance at the subscription schools, and in 1828 settled upon land near Monrovia entered by his father. July 25, 1827, he married Martha S. Hubbard, which union gave issue to nine children, of which number are living Emeline, Eliza, Mahlon and Mahala (twins), and George H. Mr. Johnson was for many years of his life an Elder in the Friends' meeting, and for twelve years an Overseer. He left his family a full competency for the needs of the present life. He was a consistent Christian, a benevolent and liberal gentleman, and an honored citizen.

EDWIN JOHNSON was born in this township April 14, 1833, and is the fourth of five children of Ashley and Lydia R. (Rhodes) Johnson; the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Ohio. Ashley Johnson emigrated to Indiana when sixteen years old, and located in Wayne County, where he lived, married and entered land for a home. He died in 1870, a member of the Friends' Society; his wife survives him and resides in Iowa. Edwin Johnson remained on the home farm until April 20, 1854, at which time he married Miss Asenath Hadley, of this county, of which union four children were the issue-Elizabeth A., Eudora, Lydia Alice and Joseph. Mr. Johnson owns and manages an excellent farm, comprising 127 acres of improved and well-appointed land, having a good residence, barns, orchards, etc., and thoroughly stocked with horses, cattle, sheep and hogs. Mr. Johnson is a Repub- lican, a Prohibitionist, and he and wife are birthright members of the Society of Friends.

DAVID B. JOHNSON, dealer in hardware, groceries, stoves, glass and queensware, is a native of this county, born July 9, 1851, and is a son of Thomas A. and Elizabeth (Jessup) Johnson, natives of North Caro- lina, and of English extraction, who emigrated to this State in 1830, locating in Wayne County until 1831, when they moved to this county and entered eighty acres. David B. Johnson was reared a farmer, and attended the county schools, by which he obtained a fair education, became a teacher in the public schools, and followed the same success- fully for three years, when he took up the mercantile business with his brother; then he went to Illinois for a time, after which he returned and united with Mr. S. Phillips, in Monrovia, which association was contin-

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ued for three years; he then became a partner with Hobbs & Johnson, and in 1883 succeeded to the business, having successfully continued the same onward. November 15, 1867, Mr. Johnson married Hattie Carter, with an issue of one child-Howard (born April 20, 1883). He has been a successful merchant, a member of the I. O. G. T., is a Republican, and first voted for Gen. Grant. He and wife are members of the Friends' Society.

AARON D. LINDLEY was a native of Chatham County, N. C., was born March 1, 1827, and died October 18, 1878. His parents were David and Mary (Hadley) Lindley, natives of North Carolina, who moved to this State and located on a tract about fourteen miles from where is now Monrovia, whence, in 1865 they moved to Iowa, where the father died in 1877, but his widow is still living. Aaron was reared to farming, received some education from the common schools, and afterward attended Earlham College for a time. He devoted his life to agricult- ure, and died where he had passed his days. September 20, 1849, he married Martha Painter, of Ohio, which union gave birth to six children -Jacob P., Samuel (deceased), Mary (deceased), Irwin D., Sibyl J. and Howard. Mrs. Lindley died April 11, 1864, and on the 11th of Septem- ber, 1865, Mr. Lindley wedded Sarah Maxwell, of Wayne County, and to this union was born one child-John M. Mr. Lindley was a birth- right member of the Friends' Society. He left his family well provided for, and his farm has been well managed by his widow. He was a worthy and progressive citizen, and made great effort to have the Indian- apolis & Sullivan Railroad completed, but did not live to see that enter- prise consummated.

GEORGE A. LONG was born in Hendricks County, Ind., July 21, 1850, and is the second of the four children born to Avington F. and Esther (Elliott) Long, natives of Indiana. Mr. Long died in this town- ship July 1, 1859, a member of the Christian Church, and father of four children Mrs. Long is now living at Gasburg, a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. George A. Long worked on a farm, and went to school during boyhood. He also labored in a saw mill; in 1878 he purchased a half interest in said mill, which was destroyed in 1881. Soon after the mill was rebuilt, Mr. Long became proprietor in self, and is now doing a thriving business. He is also manager of a threshing- machine. Mr. Long has been solely dependent on his own exertions for his success and attainments. He is a Republican, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

JOEL C. MCCLELLAN is a native of Kentucky, was born June 16, 1822, and is the second of the ten children of William and Elizabeth (Cline) McClellan, respectively of Irish and German extraction, who emigrated to this county in 1836, and located in Mooresville, where Mr. McClellan followed his trade-that of tanner-for considerable time. He then moved to Monrovia, and soon after purchased land and cleared a farm, on which he resided until his death in 1844, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as is Mrs. McClellan, who is yet living at Lake Valley. Joel C. was reared in the town, and from the common schools obtained a good education. When he was fourteen years old, he went as an apprentice to carpentering, at which he served three years, and became a journeyman. November 7, 1844, he married Eliza N. John- son. No children have followed this union. Mr. McClellan is an up- right man and a worthy citizen. He is a member of the Masonic order,

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a Republican in politics, and, with his wife, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he has been many years a class-leader, and assisted in organizing the first Sabbath School at Monrovia in 1881.

JOSEPH M. McCOLLUM, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Randolph County, N. C., April 4, 1828, and is the fifth of the seven chil- dren of Joseph and Mary (Hobson) McCollum, natives of North Carolina, and respectively of Scotch-Irish and English extraction. Joseph was reared to farming in his native State, and attended the subscription schools. He remained with his parents until his majority, and with the family emigrated to Indiana in 1849, and located in this county, where he worked on a farm and in a saw mill. February 26, 1852, he married Miss Matilda, daughter of William and Rachael Weesner, to which union succeeded six children-Delphna, Elmira, Mary Jane, Louisa, John L. and Joseph. Mrs. McCollum is a birthright member of the Friends' Church. Mr. McCollum is a practical farmer, and controls 285 acres of improved land, having a good residence, fences, orchards, etc., and well stocked with horses, cattle, sheep and hogs. He is a Republican voter, and is a charitable gentleman and a respected citizen.

P. THOMPSON, dealer in dry goods, groceries and general merchan- dise, was born in North Carolina, December 1, 1850, and is the eldest of the eight children of Thomas and Margaret J. (Tate) Thompson, na- tives of North Carolina, and of English extraction. Our subject grew to manhood on the farm, and received some rudimentary instruction from the common schools. His parents having moved to this county, they purchased a farm, which they afterward sold and removed to Hendricks County, there, too, purchasing land. After farming, our subject, in 1881, engaged in mercantile business, in which he has continued with much success. March 17, 1881, he married Julia Kellum, a member of the Society of Friends. Mr. Thompson is an efficient and diligent business man, a good citizen, and a truly self-made man.

WILLIAM O. THOMPSON, stock-raiser and farmer, was born in Orange County, N. C., November 17, 1825, and is the twelfth of the fifteen children of Abel and Martha (Hadley) Thompson, natives of North Carolina. William O. was reared on a farm, and attended the subscription schools of the time, wherefrom he received a fair education. Shortly after his majority, he emigrated to Indiana, and located in this township, where he has continued to reside. He devoted his time to farming, and manages a good farm of 400 acres, well improved, stocked and appointed-a valuable property and home; he has also considerable stock in the Bank of Mooresville, all made by his own application and direction. April 29, 1852, he married Mary Ann, daughter of Isaac and Rosanna Marshall, to which marriage were allotted six children-Abel, Anson H., Atlas M., Martha R., Lydia J., and Sarah E. Mr. Thomp- son is Republican in politics, and an esteemed and worthy citizen. He and wife are members of the Methodist Protestant Church of Antioch.

JOHN WEESNER was born in Orange County, N. C., May 14, 1835, and was brought by his father, Josiah Weesner, to this State in 1838; he is of German extraction, paternally, and a descendant of Michael Weesner, who settled in North Carolina about the middle of the eight- eenth century. He was reared a farmer and also learned to be a carpen- ter. He acquired a fair education at the school in Hopewell, at the Al- len Schoolhouse, West Union, and at No. 6, now called the Gasburg School, supplemented with one term at the Friends' Manual Labor

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School, and subsequently taught a public school. November 15, 1866, he married Jane Allen, daughter of Charles Allen, and shortly afterward purchased a few acres off the northeast corner of his father's farm, erected a carpenter shop, and engaged at his trade-lumber dealing be- ing now a part of his business. In 1864, he was commissioned Post- master at the new office of Gasburg, a position he has held ever since.

JEREMIAH L. WELMAN is a native of Oldham County, Ky. ; was born June 10, 1831, and is a son of Andrew N. and Elizabeth (Williams) Welman, natives respectively of Virginia and Kentucky. His father having died, his mother and family moved to this county in 1845, where he has since lived, and where his mother died August 1, 1883, in her eighty-fifth year. Our subject was reared as a farmer, and followed the same until he was thirty-five years of age. March 20, 1856, he married Elzina Lewallen, a native of Kentucky. Mr. Welman began the carpen- tering business in 1863, and devoted himself thereto for about ten years; and then, coming to Monrovia, engaged in the furniture and undertaking line, which he has continued without competition. He owns a comfort- able residence and good business property. August, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Thirty-third Indiana Volunteers, served about eleven months, and was discharged from physical disability, having contracted typhoid fever in the service. Mr. Welman is Tiler of Monrovia Lodge, 261, A., F. & A. M.

DAVID WILSON is a native of North Carolina, and was born De- cember 10, 1835. His father resides in Monrovia, Morgan County, where our subject grew to manhood. April 19, 1861, David enlisted for three months, and afterward joined the Eleventh Indiana Regiment, and served three years. He participated at Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Shi- loh, Vicksburg, and with Gen. Banks in the Gulf campaign. The regi- ment re-enlisted as veterans in 1864, served under Gen. Sheridan, and was afterward assigned to duty at Fort Henry. The regiment was also on duty in Georgia when Jeff Davis was captured. He was slightly wounded at Cedar Creek, and left the service with the rank of Captain in August, 1865. Angust 8, 1867, he married Miss Samantha, daughter of Gideon Johnson, one of the founders of Monrovia. Two children were born to them, one of whom is living-Otis G. Mr. Wilson has given attention to the study of law, and was admitted to practice in 1870; he now, however, gives all his attention to his farm. He has served three terms as School Trustee, and, in 1880, he was nominated on the Republican ticket for Representative in the Legislature, being elected by 310 votes. He was appointed Chairman of the Committee of Fees and Salaries. Mr. Wilson is a highly respected citizen.

JOHN A. WILSON is a native of Randolph County, N. C., was born December 2, 1830, and when eighteen years of age, came to Indiana with his parents, who located in Wayne County, and afterward in this township, where his father died in 1883 in his seventy eighth year, his mother being yet alive and in her eighty fourth year; is a member of the M. P. Church. John A. grew to manhood on a farm, and also attended the public schools and acquired a fair education. August, 1861, he enlisted in the Eleventh Indiana Regiment, served three years. and participated in the glorious record of said regiment. Mr. Wilson has been twice married, first to Rebecca Pearson November 15, 1866, who bore one child now living-Lena E .; the mother died March 13, 1872, a consistent Christian. December 28, 1876, Mr. Wilson married

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Mary A. Allen, who also bore one child, now deceased. Mr. Wilson has been located in Monrovia for the past six years, having charge of the post office; he also deals in stationery, school books, clocks, watches, etc. In 1882, he added a stock of groceries, and is doing a good business. In politics, he is a Republican; he is a Freemason, and a Trustee of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which his wife is, too, a member.

HARRISON TOWNSHIP.

REUBEN S. ALDRICH, stock-dealer and farmer, was born October 9, 1824, and is a son of Barlow and Phebe Aldrich. Barlow Aldrich was born in Massachusetts in 1799, and his wife in Ohio in 1800, where they married in 1821. They came to Decatur County, Ind .; located on 160 acres, whence they moved to this county, and purchased 117 acres. Reuben married Miss Susan K., daughter of Joseph and Sarah Wharton, who died in 1872, having borne one child-an infant, deceased. October 7, 1873, he married Mary E., daughter of Samuel and Nancy Province, and to them were born three children-Minnie S., infant (deceased) and Gracie S. Mr. Aldrich owns 688 acres of land in this township, all of which is under cultivation, and contains good residence, buildings and other adornments. Mr. Aldrich resides at this time on the homestead farm, surrounded by the many necessities and comforts which make life desirable. He has served his township as Justice of the Peace and as Trustee. In politics he is Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Aldrich are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he having joined in 1874.

FRANCIS M. FIELDS is a son of Allen and Elizabeth (Pitcher) Fields, the former a native of North Carolina, born 1789; the latter of Virginia, born 1792. They were married in North Carolina, and parents of nine children, and in 1826 moved to what is now Mooresville, this State, and one year later moved on to eighty acres, on which he remained until death, having reared ten children. Francis M. married Miriam Shafer, a union smiled upon by six children-Martin, Mary A., Minnie, George (deceased), Anna B. (deceased) and Effie. Mrs. Fields died Sep- tember 8, 1874, and on January 8, 1878, he married Mrs. Mary A. Loy. After marriage, Mr. Fields purchased, in conjunction with his brother- in-law, 160 acres, which they cultivated about seven years, when Mr. Fields purchased 130 acres alone, and to this, in 1871, added fifty-six acres. Some of this he afterward sold, and engaged in mercantile busi- ness at Waverly. His lands will average a value of $50 per acre. Mr. Fields is a Democrat, and was elected Township Trustee in 1882. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F., and of the Methodist Episcopal Church,

GEORGE PAUL was born July 7, 1812, in West Virginia. He mar- ried Miss Eliza A., daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Tull) Wharton, in 1841, as a result of which union were born eight children-Julia A. (deceased), John, Joseph, Farendine, Catherine, Jacob, George D. and Frank. After his marriage, Mr. Paul purchased a small corn-mill on Crooked Creek, in partnership with his brother-in-law, John Brenton, to whom he subsequently sold said mill, and engaged in farming on 160

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RAY TOWNSHIP.

acres, giving some attention to the raising of stock. This farm has grown by aggregation to be 812 acres, containing 500 head of stock, which feed on blue grass pasture. Mr. Paul is a Republican. He had two sons in the war of the rebellion-John, in the Thirty-third Indiana, and Joseph in the One Hundred and Forty-eighth Indiana Regiments. Mr. Paul is a practical farmer and successful business manager, a fact of which the best evidence is given in his prosperity and success.

PHILIP PAUL was born at West Liberty, W. Va., May 21, 1816, and is a son of John and Keziah (Mills) Paul. John Paul moved his family to Cincinnati, and thence to Brookville, Ind., in 1821, where he soon after purchased 160 acres. He also purchased land on White River bluffs, whither he went alone, fell a victim to fever, was brought home and died. After this event, Mrs. Paul removed to the land on the bluffs. Philip Paul remained with bis mother until her death, after which his brother and he lived on the homestead with one sister, both brothers be- ing unmarried. The family suffered many privations in that new local- ity. which will ever be remembered. Our subject united with the Methodist Episcopal Church at a camp-meeting in 1846, and has been a consistent adherent of that faith. He is an honored citizen, a genial gentleman and a Democrat politically.

RAY TOWNSHIP.

ANDREW J. BAKER was born January 31, 1840, in Monroe Coun- ty. Ind., and is the sixth of the seven children of James H. and Nancy (Kemper) Baker, natives respectively of Tennessee and Kentucky. An- drew was reared as a farmer, and received some education from the public schools. In August, 1861, he became a soldier of Company H, Thirty- third Indiana Volunteers, and served in the following battles: Wild Cat, Thompson's Station, where he was wounded in the leg, taken prisoner and confined two months in Libby Prison. He was then exchanged and fought afterward at Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, New Hope Church, Mar- ietta, Atlanta, Peach Tree Creek, siege of Savannah, Bentonville and the famous march to the sea. He was also present in the grand review at Washington, and was discharged August 8, 1865. August 17, 1865, he married Mrs. Margaret J. Goss, widow of Sims H. Goss, which union produced five children, three of whom are living-Alvina H., John and Franklin. Mr. Baker has been elected Justice of the Peace of this town- ship, as which he is now serving, and is a Republican.

HENRY E. Goss was born December 8, 1862, and is one of the two children of Sims H. and Margaret J. (Stanger) Goss, the former of Ger- man descent. Henry attended the public schools, and was brought up a farmer, having inherited 200 acres of excellent land from his father. He is an energetic and promising young man, an earnest Republican and a good citizen.

I. C. BAKER is a native of Kentucky, was born June 10, 1828, and is the eldest of the family of James H. and Nancy (Kemper) Baker, na - tives of Kentucky, and of English and German descent, respectively, who removed to Morgan County, Ind., and located in Baker Township

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until 1839, when they moved to Monroe County and occupied land en- tered by Mr. Baker previously. In 1847, they moved to a farm near Martinsville, then to Paragon about 1855, and finally to Gosport about 1865, where Mr. Baker died. I. C. Baker remained on the home farm until he was nineteen years old, when he left to learn cabinet-making. He worked by day and studied by night, thereby making up for neglect of education in boyhood. After finishing his trade, he worked as a journeyman-often until 10 o'clock at night-until 1853, being consid- ered a master workman. July 1, 1852, he married Cinderella, daughter of Isaac and Lodicea (Maskel) Rogers, which union gave issue to nine children, of whom five remain-Salem A., Charles F., Jessie B. (now Mrs. Pierson), Maggie B. and Anna L. August 15, 1862, Mr. Baker en- listed in Company H, Seventy-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. In 1862, during a grand review, he became exhausted, from which effect he has never recovered; he also suffered from blindness following impure vaccination, and was discharged August 11, 1863. Since returning home, being unable to do hard labor, he has followed wagon-making. Mr. and Mrs. Baker are members of the Christian Church.

WILLIAM H. BEACH is a native of Erie County, N. Y., was born March 22, 1830, and is the fourth of the nine children of Asher and Mercy (Yaw) Beach, natives of Vermont and of English descent. Will- iam secured all the advantages for education which came to his lot, and was reared to the business of farming, at which he worked by the month. His parents moved to Winnebago County, Ill., in 1838, to reach which they passed through Chicago, then merely a village, where Mr. Beach was offered land, now part of the city, for $2.50 per acre. When our sub. ject became of age, he moved to Wisconsin, where he endured many pri- vations of pioneer life. After one year, he moved to Michigan, where, March 7, 1852, he married Catherine Brown, of North Carolina. Six children followed this union, of whom five are living-Lucy E., Andy F., Lora I., Julia E. and Effie L. After leaving Michigan, Mr. Beach returned to Illinois, then moved to Wisconsin, where he engaged in farm- ing and saw milling. In 1856, he moved to Dunn County, Wis., and was some time engaged in milling. In 1874, he moved to Cumberland County, Ill., where he lost his wife in February, 1875. In 1879, he moved to this county, and married a second wife, Mrs. Catherine, widow of Franklin Marsh, whose parents, David and Barbara Secrist, were pio- neers of Illinois; the former moving thither in 1823, and the latter in 1825. Mr. and Mrs. Beach have had born to them two children-Kitty C. (deceased) and Ray Garfield. Mr. Beach is owner of forty acres in Illinois, and his wife of 184 acres in this county.

P. H. BLANKENSHIP, business man and farmer, is a native of this township, was born August 22, 1846, and is the second of the nine chil dren born to Perry M. and Bethsheba (Hodges) Blankenship. Mr. Blank- enship was reared on a farm, and given a good education. September, 1869, he married Delilah Craig, which union has given birth to four chil- dren-Lora, Craig, Claude and Albin. During the war, Mr. Blanken- ship enlisted in the Twenty-first Indiana Volunteer Regiment, First Artillery, and was discharged June, 1865. He is possessed of 170 acres, which is well-cultivated and improved, in addition to which he is en- gaged in the lumber business and in brick-making. Mr. Blankenship was formerly largely interested in stock-dealing, but this he has discon-

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Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical, Part 36

Author: Blanchard, Charles, fl. 1882-1900, ed. cn Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago, F. A. Battey & co. Number of Pages: 814

Author: Blanchard, Charles, fl. 1882-1900, ed. cn
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago, F. A. Battey & co.
Number of Pages: 814