USA > Indiana > Boone County > Early life and times in Boone County, Indiana, giving an account of the early settlement of each locality, church histories, county and township officers from the first down to 1886 Biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and women. > Part 22
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NELSON FORDICE.
Among the citizens of Lebanon who hailed from another state, will be found the gentleman named above. He was born December 25, 1811, in Lower Canada (Queen's Domin- ion). From Canada he went to Ohio, in 1813, and remained
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there until he was seventeen years of age. From Ohio he went to Kentucky and engaged in the sawmill business and traveled through Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, Illin- ois, Missouri, Iowa and Arkansas, embarking in the same busi- ness for twelve years, until 1833, and making New Albany his headquarters. He came to Boone County in 1853, and pur- chased about 5,000 acres of land in what you might call the " swamps of Boone." He took with him a partner by the name of Clark Devol, a brother of the late W. J. Devol ; the former died in 1862, the latter in 1886. After the purchase of said lands the state, by and through Fordice and Devol, began reclaiming the same, the state having the land granted them by the general government. Upon receiving the land the state enacted a law authorizing the state auditor to sell it to the highest bidder at auction, and at not less than one dol- lar and twenty-five cents per acre, and the receipt of the sale of the land to apply on a system of drainage or reclamation. When the land was reclaimed the surplus was to be the property of the school fund of the state. The money all being used they drew largely of their own means and used in the reclamation of their own and other lands to obtain outlets. The work of making the large ditches and outlets was princi- pally done from 1855 to 1865. At the time this work was inaugurated, opinions were divided as to the ultimate success of the system, but it is now demonstrated that through the pluck, perseverence and foresight of these gentlemen, we have a county of which all should be justly proud, and second to none in the state in the way of fertility and productiveness. Mr. Fordice remained here until the death of his partner and has ever since been identified with the several interests of the county. In 1860 he represented the county in the house of representatives in the Indiana legislature.
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MAJOR B. M. GREGORY.
Mr. Gregory was born in New York State, November, 1830. Came with his father, Peter Gregory, to near Eagle Village, in 1834, having been a citizen of the county ever since. His advantages at school were only tolerable, yet he acquired a good practical education and taught several schools when only about twenty-one or twenty-two years of age. His life up to that time was spent on his father's farm. In 1853 he was united in marriage to Nancy Larimore, daughter of Daniel and Mary Larimore, with whom he lived near twenty- five years. She died about the year 1878, when he again married. About the year 1854 he commenced business in a small way at old Eagle Village, but in 1857 removed to Zions- ville, where he has built up one of the largest hardware and agricultural houses in the state, having associated with him his sons in business. Mr. G. went out to the front in the late war, in the 10th Indiana Regiment, and was promoted major of that regiment. At the front, as well as at home, he was well liked. No man in the county stands higher than Major Gregory. He is a member of the Masonic order and practices its noble teachings. See his portrait on another page of this work. He is a stanch Republican, liberal in religions notions.
JOHN J. GOLDSBERRY.
This old pioneer first saw the light of day in Ross County, Ohio, on the 3d day of February, 1827. His wife, Josina Hebb, was born October 15, 1832, in Monongahela County, Va. The following are their children's names : Joseph H., married to Josie Furguson, reside in Clinton County. Mariah A., died in infancy ; buried at Brush Creek Cemetery. Clement V., born August 12, 1863; died July 6, 1864. Clara B. Josina, born November 17, 1863; died July 3, 1864. Mrs. Goldsberry died March 11, 1865; buried at Brush Creek Cemetery. Mr.
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G. was again married, to Hannah M. Goldsberry, November 19, 1865; born in Ross County, Ohio, March 29, 1832. The following are the names of their children : Annie B., born October, 10, 1866 ; Alma A., born September 19, 1868; Amos A., born July 26, 1871; Jesse C., born July 27, 1873; died June 22, 1874. All buried at the Brush Creek Cemetery. Mr. Goldberry's father's name was Thomas Goldberry ; his moth- er's name before marriage was Elizabeth Lansaw, who was an early citizen of Sugar Creek Township; they are buried at the Brush Creek Cemetery, in Washington Township. Mr. Gold- berry's parents were members of the M. E. Church. John J. came with his father, Thomas Goldsberry, to the county in 1832, where he has since resided, and where he is highly re- spected as a man and a Mason. He belongs to Thorntown Lodge, No. 113, Free and Accepted Masons, and no worthy brother ever knocked at his door without admittance. He lives in the northwest part of Washington Township, where he owns a fine farm. During the canvass for this work I was very kindly cared for at this pleasant home. He joined the Masons in the year 1844, at Thorntown, Indiana.
SETH GOODWIN.
This old pioneer first saw the light of day in Monroe County, Ind., April 29, 1819, and is only three years younger than the great state in which he was born. His father, John Goodwin, lived many years in Putnam and Hendricks coun- ties. His mother's name before marriage was Hannah Dales, is buried in Hendricks County, Ind. Seth Goodwin was united in marriage to Nancy Scott, in the year 1844. Mr. Goodwin did not become a citizen of Boone County till the year 1850. He lives in Harrison Township. The following are the names of his children: Mary H., Amanda, Martha. Amanda was married to Mr. Clanhance, who was killed by the explosion of a threshing engine in Hendricks County, July 17, 1879. Martha and Mary are deceased. Mr. Goodwin
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joined the M. E. Church in 1844. Mrs. Goodwin became a member in 1840. This worthy couple are, and have been among the best citizens of the county. Mr. Goodwin is a Democrat, and Seth's word is as good as his note. There is no better posted man in the county than Mr. Goodwin.
MR. AND MRS. ISAAC GIPSON.
Mr. and Mrs. Gipson, of Sugar Creek Township, were among the first settlers of the above township. They first settled there in the year 1829, have resided there ever since. They enjoy the confidence and respect of the people and have been highly esteemed there for over fifty-five years. They have seen great changes in that time. When they first came to that locality there were no neighbors, nothing but a vast unsettled country. It required pluck and energy to thus make a start in the world. They came determined, however, to do their part, and if work and frugality would give them a home in the future they resolved, in their early life, to have it. Neighbors soon came. The little clearing in the woods soon began to widen out; the sound of the ax and maul was heard in the land. Soon the preacher and the school teacher came, and other signs of civilization. Encouraged thus, our heroic young couple renewed their best energies to the task, at times almost insurmountable. In due course of time chil- dren came to bless their wedded life and help them in the fut- ure. The little cabin soon proved too small for the accommo- dation of this pioneer family, and a better one was resolved upon. It was built. Time went on, the settlement improved and neighbors multiplied. The little ones grew up and went to the rude school house. Thus step by step this couple have passed through the varied changes that come and go in so long a time. The little village of Thorntown has grown within their recollection to a little city, with its well built houses, churches, fine residences, etc. The prattling children have grown to manhood and womanhood. Grandchildren's voices
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ring out, and take their turn in the whirl of events. To them, however, the scenes of the past fifty-five years have not all been sunshine or sorrow, but rather a "mixed cup," that is given us all on the rugged road of life. Mr. and Mrs. Gipson are living to-day, at their pleasant home, enjoying the repose of age. The past has no doubt had its joys and its sorrows to them. But we will let Mr. Gipson tell it in his own way :
"I was born in Clay County, Ky., February 8, 1816, and am consequently just the age of my adopted state. I came with my parents, William and Nancy Gipson, to Boone County October 20, 1829, first stopping near Jamestown, or rather where Jamestown now stands. On the 28th of Oeto- ber, 1829, John Gipson built the first log cabin in James- town. About the 1st of November, 1829, my father moved into a cabin now on the farm of Thomas Gregory. My brother, Jacob Gipson, also came with us. Mary Scott, who became my helpmate through life, was born in Boone County, Ky., October 9, 1814 She came with her parents in 1826 to near Shannondale, Montgomery County. I think that George Harness was the first settler in Thorntown; that was in the spring of 1828. Archibald Seott eame next, later in the same season. Jesse Scott came late in the fall, did not stay long, moved to Montgomery County. Joshua Burnham came next ; this was in April, 1829. James Van Eaton was the next pio- . neer to come. Merrett MeKinsey came about the same time. John Wilkey and Joshua Allen settled in upper Thorntown in the spring of 1829.
" The first child to see the light of day in or about Thorn- town was born to Mr. and Mrs. George Harness. This event occurred October 13, 1828.
" The dark angel of death spread its wings over our new settlement for the first time when Jemima Harness died, October 19, 1829. She was buried on the farm .now owned by James Hague. There is nothing to mark her resting place but a bunch of brush. The first sermon preached in this lo- cality was by a Presbyterian from Montgomery County ; his
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WILLIAM COBB.
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name was Rev. Thompson, and he preached at James Scott's . house. As deaths and births naturally come, marriages must also happen, so the first ' two hearts that beat as one' in this ' neck o' woods' were Ira Burnham and Mariah Sweeney. This joyful event took place in 1831. And as marriages do happen in the course of human events, children come also, and they must necessarily go to school ; and the schoolmaster came ( he always comes ). This time it was Daniel T. Ellis; this was in 1831. The year 1831 was a good year ( the writer was born that same year ). Oh, yes, Mr. Ellis taught school in a log cabin. The floor was dirt, the window glass was greased paper ; yes, and it had a small fireplace eight feet wide. It was a 'daisy ;' it stood a short distance southeast of Crose's mills. The first 'corn cracker' was built by David Ross on Spring Branch, on his own land, in 1832. The first dry goods sold was by Enoch Davis, in 1830, in a pole cabin on the land now owned by James Hague on Spring Creek. The first goods sold in Thorntown was by Cornelius Westfall, out of a box in his dwelling. I have given you the dates of a few first things in and about Thorntown. I will vouch for dates and names. I would gladly extend my letter, but am unable now to hold a pen any length of time. I am glad you have undertaken the work so much needed. It won't be long till we old people will be out of the way. . It would hardly be right to forget us ; we have been through the ' mill,' have seen the 'elephant,' so to speak, in the wild woods of Boone County. We trust your work may be a success.
"ISAAC AND NANCY GIPSON." THORNTOWN, February 7, 1887.
NATHAN B. GARRETTE.
I to-day write you a few lines by way of recollections of the locality in and about Mechanicsburg, and along the north line of the county. I settled one and one-half miles east of
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the " burg " on the 2d day of October, 1836. The town at that time had but one house, and that you could not see for the trees and brush. The first mill built here was erected by Bowman Stout. He sold it to Isaac Snow, who sold to James Snow, when it was taken down and removed further west. This mill was in operation and the frame for a grist-mill up when I came. James Snow was the proprietor of Mechanics- burg. Mr. Anderson was selling goods here at the time I arrived. The house referred to above had two rooms, one part used for a dwelling and the other served as a store room. The first preacher here that I heard was a Methodist by the name of White ; the next was a Christian minister by the name of S. Downey. The name of the first school teacher I do not now call to mind. The first settlers' names in this locality were as follows: William Nelson, George Fall, Joseph Symmes, James McMahan, Uriah Hardesty, Absalem Bowen, Robert Oliver, W. W. Phillips, William Phillips, Elisha Riley, James Riggs, A. Scott, A. J. Dwigins, James Dowing, F. C. Dowing, Abner Knotts and John Holdsworth. James Riggs was the first postmaster of the town. In those early days we cleared ground, raised houses, rolled logs, hunted deer for pastime, went to mill horseback, and when we got wheat ground had to bolt it ourselves. When we wanted to go to Lebanon, we started early in the morning and were lucky to get home again the same day. Our beautiful county seat now was at that day a little, dirty, mud hole of a place. Court was held in a log building; W. W. Wick was then presiding judge. The early settlers named above are nearly all gone- dead or moved away. I am comparatively alone here. But few as early settlers as myself are living here at this time. I am now seventy-one years of age ; am glad to see the improve- ments going on in our county. You are at liberty to use this sketch if you think it worthy. N. B. GARRETTE.
MECHANICSBURGH, March, 1887.
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JOHN HARDEN,
One of the pioneer merchants of Eagle Village, was born in Ireland, January 19, 1802. His parents, William and Marilla Harden, were also born in Ireland, 1776 and 1778 respectively. The family came to America in August, 1815, arriving at the city of Baltimore, where the subject of this sketch was put out to learn the carpenter trade. Two or three years later the family moved to Coshocton County. O., where William, father of John, died in July, 1826. Marilla, his wife, died June 15, 1852; both are buried in Ohio. John Harden was married to Lucinda Beaty, October, 1826, in Holmes County, O. Mr. H. and wife lived in Ohio till the year 1830, when they decided to move from there, and in the fall of that year they arrived in Clay Township, Hamilton County, Ind., three miles east of Eagle Village. Here, in the woods, he erected a cabin, and the earnest struggle in life began. His nearest neighbor lived two miles distant, in the edge of Marion County. Before moving to Indiana three children were born to them, as fol- lows: William B., Marilla and George. The following were born after coming to Indiana: Samuel (the writer), Beaty W., Martha, Mary, John W., Addison P., Milton, Calvert and Harriet. William was born July 28, 1827; Marilla, August, 1828; George, June 8, 1830; Samuel, November 21, 1831; Beaty W., January 19, 1834; Martha, 1836; Mary, 1838; John W., April 1, 1840; Addison P., 1842; Milton, 1844; Calvert, December 25, 1846 ; and Harriet in 1847. All lived to be men and women, except the last named, who died in 1859, aged about thirteen years. William was killed in Mis- souri in 1864; Marilla married L. M. Oliphant, November 3, 1855, and reside in Jamestown ; George married Mary Wage- man, 1866, and reside in Hamilton County ; Samuel married Eliza Swain, October 28, 1856, resides in Anderson ; Beaty W., married to Mima Varner, resides in Lebanon ; Martha married J. H. Chamberlain, Deceniber, 1860; she died at
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Jamestown, January 12, 1874; Mary resides in Mt. Gilead, O .; John W., married to Mary Williams, died in July, 1878, at Jamestown, where he is buried ; Addison resides in Texas ; Milton died in 1866 ; Calvert resides in Ohio. John Harden, the father, died in Mt. Gilead, O., February 19, 1877; Lucinda died March 25, 1862, in Lebanon, Ind. Both of whom, as well as Martha, Milton and Harriet, are buried in Zionsville Cemetery. Samuel, J. W., A. P., Milton and Calvert were in
the army. Mr. and Mrs. H. were members of the Christian Church for many years. In 1845 Mr. H. became a citizen of Eagle Village, where he lived several years, when he bought a farm one mile south, in the edge of Hamilton County, where he lived till 1860; when he went to Zionsville, then to Leb- anon, remaining there till 1865; when he went to Ohio, and remained in Mt. Gilead, and where he terminated his life as above stated. Mr. H., when a citizen of Hamilton County, served five years as justice of the peace. Mr. and Mrs. Harden died highly respected as worthy Christians. Mrs. H. was the daughter of John Beaty. She was born in Pennsylvania in 1808, and went with her parents to Ohio when quite young.
DAVID HOOVER.
The pioneer whose name heads this article was born in Randolph County, North Carolina, September 19, 1787; was married to Rebecca Bonine January 12, 1807. She was born on Staten Island, Angust 9, 1787. They were married in Ten- nessee, in 1807, remained there until 1823, when they came to Boone County and were the first settlers on Eagle Creek. Mr. Hoover was the first clerk of the county and one of its best and most respected citizens. Court was first held at his house November, 1830. He moved to Lebanon in 1833 and died there December 3, 1835; is buried at the Eagle Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. Mrs. David Hoover lived to a good old age, dying August 11, 1883. Three children were born to them
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in Tennessee. Jacob was born May 27, 1808, lives in Coffee County, Kansas. He was married to Sallie Lowe, daughter of "Cap." Frederick Lowe. Isaac was born August 1, 1810, married to Susan Lane. He died in Kansas in 1864. Mary was born May 27, 1812, was married to Elijah Cross, January 13, 1831. Mr. Cross died in 1879. Mrs. Cross is living on the old home farm adjoining Zionsville. Mr. Hoover was heavy-set, dark hair and complexion.
WILLIAM RILEY HOGSHIRE.
The subject of this sketch was the eldest son of Riley B. Hogshire, and was born at Northfield, this county, April 5, 1835. He spent his early life on the farm, and received a meager education in the common school of the village. His father being one of the pioneers of the county, he was brought up to know the hardships and privations of early life in a new country.
In 1858 he was appointed stewart of the Indiana Deaf and Dumb Institution, and held the position for several years, during which time he was elected one of the board of mana- gers. He then, in connection with John F. Council, purchased a retail grocery store at No. 25 West Washington street, Indi- anapolis, which was afterwards converted into a wholesale and retail shoe store, J. B. E. Reid being taken into partnership. After carrying on the business successfully several years, Messrs. Council and Reid retired, and with George A. Reis- ner, Mr. Hogshire continued the business. From this he retired about 1876, and located on the farm south of this city, where he has since lived.
Mr. Hogshire has an extensive acquaintance throughout the state, and was a faithful adherent to the principles of the Democratic party. In 1864 he was the Democratic candidate for auditor of Marion County, and with a Republican major- ity of between two and three thousand to overcome, came
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within a few hundred votes of being elected over Gen. Geo. F. McGinnis.
He married Miss Mary E. Johnson, daughter of James Johnson, one of the wealthy and influential pioneers of Mar- ion County, October 5, 1864, and to them were born two sons and two daughters, all of whom are living. Mr. Hogshire died at his home surrounded by his family and friends. He is buried at Crown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis. See his por- trait in another part of this work. He died February, 1887.
JAMES HEATH.
Mr. Heath was born in Clark County, Ind., October 22, 1822. Came to Boone County in 1860; was married to Eliz- abeth Neal, December 5, 1844 ; she died March 6, 1877 ; buried at Center Church. The following are his children's names : William P., resides in Kansas; Margaret C., resides in Boone County ; Samuel S., resides in Lebanon, is an active citizen, takes interest in the agricultural society, also in the Midland Railroad ; had the honor of driving the last spike on the line, January 22, 1886. Sarah J., resides in Boone County ; Isa- bella, deceased; Louisa, resides in Missouri; Rosana, resides in Shelby County, Ind. Maria M., resides in Boone County ; James M., resides in Colorado. His father came to Indiana when it was a territory. James Heath is a stanch Republi- can, and has belonged to the M. E. Church since 1842; all the time a consistent member. He was the second time mar- ried to Mary Roax, February 19, 1878; resides four miles cast of Lebanon, on the Noblesville gravel road, where he owns a fine farm. Has always been a farmer, until recently, he has been engaged in the dairy business.
JOSIAH S. HARRISON,
The subject of this sketch, was born in Clinton Township, Boone County, Ind., October 9, 1843. He spent his early life
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on the farm, and received his education from the common schools of the country. His father, Simpson Harrison, being one of the pioneers of the country, he was brought up to know the hardships and privations of early life in a new country. At the breaking out of the rebellion young Harrison became enthused with the love of country, and at an age less than eighteen years was enrolled in Co. G., 11th Ind. regiment, under Lew. Wallace, July 24, 1861, and was discharged at Crump's Landing, Tennessee, March 31, 1862, on account of general disability. On August 20, 1863, he was married to Miss Caroline Riley, daughter of James Riley, a well known farmer and stock dealer in this county. They lived on a farm in Washington Township, and to them was born three sons : Ira E., Edward J. and John B. Eddie died at the age of eight years and six months. On February 5, 1876, he was initiated into the I. O. O. F., at Mechanicsburg, and has held every office in the order. On December 14, 1877, he united with the M. E. Church.
In April, 1878, he was elected trustee of Washington Township, and in the spring of 1881 was appointed to fill the unexpired term of George E. Conrad, and in April, 1882, was again elected to the office of trustee, which he held till Sep- tember, when he resigned and moved to Lebanon, to accept a deputyship under John W. Hawkins, treasurer of the county. In 1886 he received the nomination for county treasurer at the hands of the Republicans, and beat his opponent, John Huber, 51 votes, being elected November, 1886. He has not, at this writing, taken his office.
In February 15, 1880, the wife and mother died, leaving the husband and two sons to mourn the loss of an affectionate wife and mother. In August 11, 1880, he was again married, to Miss Elizabeth A. Keyes.
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MAJ. H. G. HAZLERIGG.
Among the prominent men of Boone County of the past, the one whose name heads this sketch stands conspicuous. For over thirty years he was at the head and front of all the advance movements of his adopted county and state. He was born in Kentucky, where he resided until near middle life and where he acquired his education and studied law. He repre- sented his county in the legislature in his native state. In the year 1840 he came to this county where he at once "came to the front," for as early as 1845 he was elected to the state leg- islature, representing Boone and Hamilton counties, and again in 1846, where his talents and business qualities were readily recognized. Perhaps the best energies of his life were dis- played when the Cincinnati, Indianapolis, St. Louis & Chicago Railroad was built and in operation, and, in fact, as long as he lived, from first to last, as director, stockholder, agent and president did he perform his duties to the entire satisfaction of all. The same might truthfully be said as to his relations with the Masonic order. Early in life he joined the Blue Lodge. Step by step he rose, serving in all the subordinate positions of his home lodge, from outside guard to worshipful master in the East. Not content with this, he asked for and received all the higher degrees in Masonry and served in nearly all the higher offices of the Grand Lodge of the state, not stopping until he attained the highest office-worshipful grand master of Indiana. He was associated in the banking business in Lebanon several years, serving as director and president. Mr. Hazlerigg was, up to 1856, a Whig, and after- wards acted with the Republican party. Mr. Hazlerigg lived and died on his farm adjoining Hazlerigg Station, a place named in honor of him on the railroad, six miles north west of Lebanon. He died December 15, 1877, loved and respected by all. He was first buried on the home farm, but afterwards his remains were removed to Lebanon, where a fine monument
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