Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical, Part 46

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 46
USA > Indiana > Monroe County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 46
USA > Indiana > Morgan County > Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 46

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 B. STALEY was born in Randolph County, N. C., February 21, 1821, and is the third son of the thirteen children of Eli and Mary (Rhodes) Staley; the former born January 6, 1794, the latter January 4, 1796, married in 1813, and both natives of North Carolina, who moved to this State in 1832, and settled in Adams Township on Government land, where they resided for thirty years, and reared a family of nine daughters and three sons. John B. was reared at home and to farming, but without education. July 13, 1840, in Paris, Ill., he married Sarah Brown, a native of Virginia, as a result of which contract were born twelve children-an infant (deceased), George T. (deceased), Mary (de- ceased), Elizabeth (deceased), Lucinda, Matilda (deceased), Margaret, Malinda J. (deceased), Martha Ann (deceased), Delphina (deceased), Sarah Emily and Luella. Mr. Staley is owner of a fine farm of 160 acres near the town of Hall, which, after eleven years' residence, he has rented and retired to the town. He has been liberal to his children in matters of education, and is an exemplary man generally. He is Demo- cratic in politics, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church.

WALTER C. STOUT was born in Randolph County, N. C., October 11, 1828, and is the second son of Allen and Sarah (Brewer) Stout, who moved to this State in 1831, and settled in Monroe Township, where they resided five years; then removed to Hendricks County, and entered 320

acres. There Mr. Stout died in 1841, aged forty-six years, and Mrs. Stout died at Monrovia in 1852, aged fifty-two years. Walter C. Stout passed his boyhood on the home farm, and in school going. In 1844, he began learning brick-masonry, at which he worked fourteen years. May 16, 1848, he married Candace Williams, a union productive of eight children-Elvina E., Howard, John Wesley, Crittenden C., Mary, Byron, Thomas and Ira. The mother of these children died December 8, 1864, when about thirty-eight years old, a member of the M. E. Church. Feb- ruary 17, 1868, he married Mrs. Dartula Wolf; this marriage gave being to four children-Joseph, Cordelia, Leotis and Ollie (deceased). In 1844, Mr. Stout began studying law, which he afterward gave up and went to farming. In 1852, he was engaged in mercantile business at Hall. In 1856-58, he was Deputy Sheriff of this county under Dick Williams. In 1867, he resumed his legal studies, and is at present Dep- uty Prosecutor of this township. In 1870, he located in this township, since when he has lived at Wilbur. He is a prominent stump speaker, and a radical Republican.

THOMAS WILHITE, the seventh son of the fifteen children born to Noah and Polly (Williams) Wilhite, came into the world at Oldham County, Ky., October 9, 1831. His parents moved to this State from Kentucky in 1835, and here resided until death. Thomas was reared to

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farming in this county, receiving by times some education from the com- mon schools. After his majority, in March, 1852, he married Miss Can- dace Wilson, which union was united by the birth of four children- Perry, Mary, John A., and Grant (deceased). The mother of these chil- dren died March, 1871, and five years thereafter Mr. Wilhite married Eleanor Kirns, and to this alliance was vouchsafed one child-Ernest. For some years, Mr. Wilhite has been engaged in the saw and flouring mill enterprise, which he has managed very encouragingly; previous to this departure, his business was farming and stock-raising. He is a Re- publican in politics, and an earnest temperance advocate. He is promi- nent in good and benevolent works, an honored citizen, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church.

NOAH H. WILHITE is a native of this township, was born April 26, 1835, and is a son of Noah and Mary (Williams) Wilhite, natives of Virginia and Kentucky, who came to this State from Kentucky in 1834 and settled on land in this township, where they reared thirteen children. Our subject was reared to the honorable pursuit of farming, acquired a fair education from the public schools, and became an adept in music, both instrumental and vocal. October 6, 1855, in Adams Township, he married Mary A. Hobbs, by whom he has become father to five children -Saletha Belle, Urban C., John R., Emma G. and George W. In 1872, Mr. Wilhite removed to Illinois, remained three years in Effingham County, where he taught the science of music, and later returned, from ill health, to Indiana. For the last five years, he has managed the home- stead. The father of our subject died in March, 1860, aged sixty-nine, and his mother in July, 1858, aged sixty-two years. The daughter of our subject-Mrs. Deer -is also a teacher of vocal and instrumental music.

AARON L. WILHITE is a native of Oldham County, Ky., was born June 16, 1824, and is a son of Lamech and Mary (Koebler) Wilhite, na- tives of Virginia, who moved first to Kentucky, and later, in 1836, to In- diana, where they settled on a tract of Government land in this township; thence they moved to Monrovia, where they closed their lives-he at about seventy-four, and she at about seventy-nine years of age-and they had a family of seven sons and seven daughters. Aaron worked for his father and attended school until he reached the age of twenty-two. November 19, 1846, in Hendricks County, he married Rebecca Wiltz, which union was cemented by five children-Alexander, Sarah (deceased), Mattie, El- nora and Lafayette. Mr. Wilhite is agreeably located on a fine farm, comprising ninety-nine acres, cultivated and improved. He is a liberal, charitable man, a strong temperance advocate, a practical farmer and an honored citizen. One of his sons and one of his daughters hold posi- tions as teachers. He and wife are communicants of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, of which Mr. Wilhite is a Steward.

THOMAS J. WILHITE was born in what is now this township March 25, 1840, and is the fifth child of Joshua and Virginia A. (Brown) Wilhite, natives of Virginia, who married in Oldham County, Ky., whence they came to this State in 1831, and settled in this county, where they remained until 1858; then removed to Kansas, where they died, the father in 1867, aged sixty-two, the mother in 1879, aged seventy-four years, having reared a family of six children. Thomas J. was bred to farming, and attended the schools of the time. July 6, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Twenty-first Indiana Heavy Artillery, in which he served

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* actively until January, 1866, being then honorably discharged. He took part in the battles of Baton Rouge, Port Hudson, Port Morgan, Spanish Fort, Mobile and many skirmishes. Returning home on veteran furlough March 15, 1864, he married Miss Candace, daughter of John H. Phillips. This union was strengthened by seven children-Minnie C., Clara I., Gertrude, Frank E., Beryl E., Tennie E. and an infant (deceased). In 1873, Mr. Wilhite was elected Justice of the Peace; moved to Plainfield in 1876, and to this county in 1879; farmed one year; embarked in the harness business at Monrovia, and came to Hall in 1881, where he engaged in the harness business for himself. In politics, he is a Green- backer. Mr. Wilhite has considerable property, for which he has labored actively and honorably. He and wife belong to the Christian Church.

JACOB A. WILHITE is a native of this township, was born June 10, 1849, and is the eldest child of Elijah and Jane (Pruitt) Wilhite, natives of Kentucky, who came to this State in early life with their parents; they married in this township and reared a family of seven children. Jacob A. Wilhite was reared to farming, and educated at the common schools. April 7, 1870, he married Miss Maggie, daughter of John B. Staley, and to them were bestowed four children- Clara, Minnie, Bertha and Sarah. Mr. Wilhite is a practical, experi- enced and successful farmer, who manages his improved and adorned farm of 160 acres, which is situated about one and a half miles west of the town of Hall. Mr. Wilhite is a member of the fraternity of Odd Fellows, and a Republican in political choice. He and wife are consistent and useful members of the Christian Church.

JOHN WILLIAMS was born in Shelby County, Ky., August 19, 1801, and is a son of John and Sarah (Kirkendall) Williams, natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. He grew to manhood on a farm, and acquired a rudimentary education at the Kentucky subscription schools. February 1, 1821, he married Elizabeth Pruitt, and to them were born nine children-Zerilda (deceased), Tabitha (deceased), Can- dace (deceased), Perlina (deceased), John B., William, Matilda, Rice (deceased) and Levi (deceased). The mother of these children died March 11, 1845, aged about forty-eight. August 7, 1848, Mr. Williams wed. ded Elizabeth K. Whittaker, from which marriage resulted one child- Mary M. This mother also died (October 6, 1883,) aged seventy-two. Mr. Whittaker came to this State in 1830, and located on Government land. He now owns a good farm of 300 acres.

WILLIAM WILLIAMS was born June 20, 1832, and is a son of John Williams. He was reared a farmer, and March 25, 1854, married Martha A., daughter of Samuel Wilhite, deceased, to which marriage were allotted five children-Delphina, Olive E., Charles, Calvin and Elvin. January, 1861, at Austin, Mo., he enlisted in Company B., Fourteenth Missouri State Guard: served fourteen months, and in a skirmish suffered a broken hip. In 1863, he returned to and settled in this State. Mr. Williams has more than once been engaged with the James and Younger outlaws. He resides with his father, and is owner of eighty acres of superior land. He is a brave, courageous man, and feared, but respected.

JOHN A. WILSON is a native of this county, was born August 28, 1843, and is a son of John F. and Hannah (Pruitt) Wilson, natives of Kentucky. John A. Wilson obtained an ordinary education and remained at home until he was of age. July 20, 1863, he enlisted in Company L,

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Twenty-first Regiment, First Heavy Artillery, served until February, 1866, and was discharged honorably. After long and active service his only casualty was an injury to his little finger. After the war, he en- gaged in farming, where he has since made his home. November 22, 1866, he married in Cumberland County, Ill., Mary M., daughter of John Williams, and a native of this township. To this union were bestowed six children-Otis E., Olin M., Ira E., Myrtie, Myron L. and Chauncy L. Mr. Wilson manages his home farm of fifty-five acres-a good, im- proved and valuable property. Except some little time passed in Mis- souri and Kansas, Mr. Wilson has made his home in these parts. He is Republican in political principles, and he and wife are consistent and honorary members of the Christian Church.

JEFFERSON WOODEN was born in Jefferson County, Ky., May 27, 1821, and is the eldest son of Robert M. and Malinda Wooden, na- tives of Kentucky, and respectively of Irish and Scotch descent. Jeffer- son was brought up on a farm and educated in the subscription schools of Owen County, Ind., where his parents had located, and where they ended their days. He left his father's home when he was twenty years of age, and January 14, 1844, married Mary E. Wilson, and to them were be- stowed four children -- Leannior, Thena, John R. and Malinda B. (de- ceased). Mr. Wooden is Jocated on 165 acres of improved land, making a very comfortable home, nearly all of which is his own acquirement. He is a Republican, was elected County Assessor in 1872, and is an es- teemed, quiet and useful citizen. Mr. and Mrs. Wooden are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and greatly regarded in their church and community.

MADISON TOWNSHIP.

JOHN B. COX, deceased, was born November 12, 1829, in Morgan County, Ind., and here made his home until the day of his death, which occurred October 11, 1865. He was reared as a farmer, and educated at the public schools and at Franklin College, in Johnson County, Ind. September 20, 1853, he was married in his native county to Harriet Landers, daughter of the Hon. William Landers, an early settler of Mor- gan County, and had born to him three children - Florence C., Emma S. and Ida B., all of whom were still living at the time of his death. Mr. Cox was one of the most extensive farmers and stock-dealers in Morgan'County, and was one of the firm of Fee, Conduitt & Cox, wholesale dry goods merchants of Indianapolis. He was a cheerful and honorable man, a liberal and consistent Christian, a devoted, active and prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Upon his death-bed he appropriated $1,000 to be expended in annual pay- ments toward supporting the circuit minister in charge of the church to which he and his family belonged. He was also a prominent Ma- son, by the rites and ceremonies of which order his funeral and burial services were conducted. He left an extensive property, most of which had been acquired by his own industry. The three little girls, under the care and guidance of a Christian mother, have grown to womanhood. Two of them-Mrs. J. L. Matthews and Mrs. C. H. Sheets-reside at

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Mooresville (at which place Mrs. Cox has lived since 1869), and the other, Mrs. Dr. Stuckey, in the city of Indianapolis.

THOMAS ELY is the tenth of twelve children born to David and Sarah (Claypool) Ely, natives of Virginia, and of German and English descent. Thomas Ely was born in Lee County Va., January 2, 1826 ; in 1837, he came with his parents to Hendricks County, this State, where his father died in 1845; he came with his mother to this county, in 1847, and located in Brown Township, but a short time afterward came to.this township, and here his mother departed this life in 1857. Mr. Ely has cleared from the forest a tine farm of 135 acres, which is well tilled and equipped, and stocked with horses, cattle, hogs and sheep. December 28, 1848, he married Martha J., daughter of Calton and Nancy (Jones) Grisham, and a native of Morgan County. The children born to this union are Reuben, Elizabeth, Benjamin F. and Drusilla. Mr. Ely is a Democrat, and was once elected Justice of the Peace of Madsion Township, but declined the office; he is an advocate of temperance and an Odd Fellow, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church.

DAVID T. EVANS was born in Metcalf County, Ky., August 7, 1843, is the third of fifteen children born to Robert and Lucy (Button) Evans, and came to Indiana in 1861 with his parents. He worked at farming until 1877, when he began mercantile business at Redhouse, now known as Waverly. Three years later, he moved to Exchange, Ind., remained one year, and then came to Landersdale, where he is now do- ing a first-class business. July 3, 1878, he married Sophronia E. Smith, daughter of William H. Smith, and a native of Kentucky. Three chil- dren have been born to this union-Elsie, Elmer and William R. Mr. Evans was Postmaster at Exchange for a year, and has been Deputy Postmaster at Landersdale since March 1, 1881. He is a member of Waverly Lodge, No. 318, I. O. O. F., and also of the Methodist Episco- pal Church. Mrs. Evans is a member of the Christian Church.

ANDREW J. GOODPASTER (deceased) was born in Bath County, Ky., November 24, 1822, was the son of Michael and Margaret (Car- penter) Goodpaster, and was reared a farmer. September 19, 1844, he married Scythia Carpenter, also a native of Bath County, born February 20, 1824, and daughter of Michael and Sallie (Jones) Carpenter. The month following his marriage, Mr. Goodpaster came to this township and settled on a farm which had been entered by his father-in-law, built a cabin and reduced the forest to a home, where he lived until his death, July 18, 1865. His widow now conducts the farm, which consists of eighty acres, and is well cultivated and stocked. She is a consistent Christian, an amiable woman, and the mother of six children-Sarah M., Andrew Jackson, Mary M., Betsy Ann, Nancy J. (deceased), and Lou, the last named now a teacher.

WILLIAM LANDERS (deceased) was born in Virginia December 18, 1789, and died in Madison Township, this county, December 10, 1851. When he was but a mere child, his parents removed to the State of Kentucky, where his mother died, and from whence his father came into Indiana. Our subject arrived in Morgan County in the year 1819, and at once purchased from the Government a large tract of land, upon which he settled and spent the rest of his life. Before leaving Ken- tucky, he was married to Ibbe Stone, who died in Morgan County Octo- ber 3, 1821. She had borne her husband five children, viz., Jonathan,

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William, Joshua, Nimrod and Jeremiah, Joshua being the only one now living. November 29, 1822, our subject was married, in Jackson Township, to Delilah Stone, a younger sister of his first wife. She bore him the following children, viz., Washington, who died in the thirtieth year of his age; Franklin, now the Hon. Franklin Landers, of Indian- apolis; Sarah, wife of Cyrus Vickery, of Iowa; Ibbe, who died in 1838 at ten years of age; John, now of Landers & Co., Indianapolis; Martin, died in 1852, about twenty years of age; Harriet, widow of J. B. Cox; and Jackson, now of Landers & Co., Indianapolis. The mother of these children died March 11, 1883, and the following from the obituary notice published in the Indianapolis Journal of the following day pays a fitting tribute to a noble woman: "The pioneers of the 'New Purchase' are leaving one by one, and in a few years none will remain to tell of the early settlement of this section of the State. The last to leave was Mrs. Delilah Stone Landers, the venerable mother of the Hon. Franklin Lan- ders, who died in this city yesterday morning, at the home of her son, Jackson Landers, in the eighty-fifth year of her age. Mrs. Landers was born in Mercer County, Ky., November 15, 1798. In the fall of 1819, her father emigrated to Indiana. and settled in Morgan County, near the Marion and Johnson County lines. In 1822, she was married to William Landers, one of the earliest settlers of this section of the State. She bore him nine children, six of whom are now living, three of them-Hon. Franklin Landers, John Landers and Jackson Landers-being well known residents of this city. When Mrs. Landers was married, her hus- band had five small children by a former wife. These, with the nine she bore him, grew up under her care and guidance, and became respected and honored citizens.

What brighter crown than this could gild her brow ? * After her husband's death, she continued to reside upon the farm and direct its cultivation until some ten years ago, when she removed to this city, and has since lived here with her sons. She conducted her farming operations with success, and added much to the patrimony left by her husband. She was a member of the first Baptist Church organized in the section where she lived. She died in the assurance of a blessed immortality. Her memory will be revered by those who grew up around her, for she was a good woman, abounding in those virtues which honor womanhood and make the world better." At his death, William Landers had been for several years one of the Associate Judges of Morgan County; he was also Coun- ty Commissioner for a number of years, and at a very early date was elected Justice of the Peace, and held the office for about sixteen consec- utive years. About the year 1835, he made the race for the Legislature against Dumont, the issue being based upon the internal improvement schemes so largely undertaken by the State about that time, Landers maintaining that the undertaking was too great, that the State was finan- cially incapable of meeting such gigantic obligations, and, though de- feated, he lived to see his opponents go down, and the correctness of his theories demonstrated. In politics, our subject was an uncompromising Democrat, and his life and influence were such as to mold and shape the politics of the community in which he lived, and it is somewhat remark- able that, though he has been dead nearly a third of a century, the town- ship in which he lived and died has never once given a Republican majority. At the time of his death he was a Master Mason, and had been for many years a consistent member of the Baptist Church.

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GEORGE W. LOWE was born in Guilford County, N. C., July 4, 1832, and is the fifth of seven children born to Absalom and Sarah (Coble) Lowe, natives of North Carolina and of German extraction. In 1832, while George W. was yet an infant, the family came to Hendricks County, this State, remained a year, and then came to this township, purchased a farm, developed it from the wilderness, and here the father died in July, 1877, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church; his widow, now eighty-three years of age, still survives. On this farm George W. Lowe was reared until eighteen years old, when he entered upon an apprenticeship of three years at carpentering. June 20, 1858, he married Sarah J., daughter of John Simpson, a native of Kentucky; and now the mother of three children-William W., Anderson and Noel. In politics, Mr. Lowe is a Democrat, and is Assessor of Madison Town- ship, having been elected for four years. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and his son William is now a teacher. The home farm contains 161 acres, and is well stocked and improved.

EZRA A. OLLEMAN was born in Mercer County, Ky., October 6, 1828, and is the eldest of four children born to James and Mary (Tisin- ger) Olleman, natives respectively of Virginia and North Carolina. At the age of fourteen, Ezra lost his father; he was then employed at driv- ing cattle from Indianapolis to New York, at $6.50 per month; was thus en- gaged, alternating with farming, until 1846, when he began a three years' apprenticeship at cabinet-making in Cincinnati. In 1849, he came to Mooresville, and for three years conducted business as cabinet-maker, then sold out and engaged in merchandising at Waverly until 1858; he next purchased 320 acres of land in this township, on which he has since resided, with the exception of three years, when he was employed as associate editor of the Indiana Farmer at Indianapolis. During this period he also established, in company with James Buchanan, the Sun, the first paper ever published in the interests of the Greenback National party, of which party he was the first Chairman of the State Central Committee, and also first Chairman of the State Executive Committee. Through the regular session of the Legislature of 1863-64, and the called session of 1864-65, he served as a Republican, having been elect- ed from a district that usually gave 700 Democratic majority. In the spring of 1863, he enlisted in Company D, Seventieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, but was discharged on account of physical disability. August 16, 1849, he was married to Amanda M. Kelley, daughter of James S. and Eliza (Whetsel) Kelley, natives of Harrisburg, Penn., and Wheeling, Va. Her father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and the Whetsel fam- ily came to Indiana in 1819, and settled on the banks of the White Riv- er, in Harrison Township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Kelley were mar- ried in December, 1826; were the parents of four children, and died re- spectively in 1862 and 1852, members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. Olleman are the parents of' five children-Or- lando A., Alma Belle, Flora E., Laura E. and Edward L., and are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. O. is also a member of the Mooresville Masonic Lodge, No. 78.

JOHN B. RINKER, farmer and stock grower, was born in Washing- ton County, Ind., May 2, 1825, and is the son of Levi and Elizabeth (Craycraft) Rinker. In 1829, the family came to Clay Township, this county, where the parents closed their lives. John R. Rinker was edu- cated at the subscription schools of his early days, and remained upon

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the home farm until February 2, 1851, when he married Elizabeth Clark' a native of Morgan County, and daughter of John and Rebecca (Mat. thews) Clark. The children born to this union were three-Frank, El M. and Anna E. Their mother died January 29, 1874, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and on March 30, 1875, Mr. Rinker mar- ried Ella Beckley, a native of Kentucky, and daughter of James and Elizabeth (Christie) Beckley. One child, Walter A., has crowned this union. Mr. Rinker is a Democrat, and for three years was Township Trustee. He owns a well-improved farm of 100 acres, made by his own exertions. His daughter, Annie E., is a prominent teacher in the schools of the county, and his wife, Mrs. Ellen Rinker; for twelve years taught in Hendricks and Morgan Counties, this State, and one term in Missouri. Mr. Rinker is a Methodist and his wife a Baptist.

JOHN SAWYERS, farmer and stock grower, was born in Guilford County, N. C., January 22, 1825, and is the youngest of the eight chil- dren born to John and Sarah (Tansy) Sawyers, natives of the same State, and of English descent. The family came to this State about the year 1832, the parents dying in this county. John Sawyers was reared on a farm, and after reaching his majority traveled through a number of the Western States. On his return, he married Phobe Lindley, daughter of Edward and Joanna (Kirk) Lindley, and to this union have been born ten children: Dayton, Ella (now Eversol), Anna, Ola, Lillie (now Pugh), Mattie, Ida, Lewis, Bernice and Wallace. Mr. Sawyers has always pro- vided for himself and is now the owner of 740 acres, well improved and stocked. He makes a specialty of stock-raising, and ships largely to Indianapolis. He is a member of the Society of Friends, while his wife is a member ofthe Methodist Episcopal Church.

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Counties of Morgan, Monroe, and Brown, Indiana. Historical and biographical, Part 46

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