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 28
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I was the third son of Jesse C. and Mary F. Starkey, and was born September 22. 1837, on a farm near Traders' Point, Marion County. Was one of a family of seven sons and one daughter; was brought up on a farm. Had the advantages of
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the common schools of the neighborhood and a seleet school taught in the neighborhood by W. H. Griggs, whose zeal and scientific attainments will be remembered by many. After teaching school two years, I commenced, at the age of twenty- two years, the study of medicine, with Dr. S. A. Ross, of Cler- mont, Marion County, Ind. ; continued the study with him two years, and. attended lectures in the Rush Medical College, of Chicago, in 1860-61; when, after spending a few months with Drs. W. N. Duzan and S. Rodman, of Zionsville, I located in the practice of medicine in Whitestown, Boone County, Ind., in March, 1862, and continued in the practice twelve years, when I engaged in the drug business, in Zions- ville, about two years. Then I moved on to my farm, in 1875, where I now reside, where my time is occupied in farm- ing and stock raising. See his portrait on another page.
JOHN SHELBURN.
Mr. Shelburn was born in Kentucky in the year 1808. Came to where he now lives nearly fifty years ago. Though, strictly speaking, he is not one of the first settlers, yet the county was new when he arrived. He married Miss Bishop, daughter of William Bishop, one of the first settlers on Big Eagle. Mr. Shelburn has one of the finest farms on Big Eagle, two and one- half miles north of Zionsville, where his best days were spent and his best energies put forth to make a farm and raise his family, which he has done with credit He now is old and highly respected as an honest man and a christian gentleman, a Baptist by faith and practice. No man in Boone County stands higher than John Shelburn.
THOMAS J. SHELBURN.
Mr. Shelburn, though comparatively a young man and eiti- zen of the county, stands to-day deservedly high, having served a term of years as township trustee of Eagle Township,
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where he has resided for the past twenty years. He has been engaged in farming and stock raising successfully. He was nominated for county auditor on the Democratic ticket in 1886, but was defeated by a few votes by J. H. Perkins at the Novem- ber election, 1886. He is as pleasant a gentleman as one will find anywhere. He is a brother of Benjamin Shelburn, who resides at the old John Duzan homestead on Eagle Creek. He married a daughter of Mr. Duzan, and owns a fine farm and other land adjoining. He is also a good farmer, and a mem- ber of the Baptist Church near where he lives. He is about fifty years of age, Thomas J. being a few years younger. Both are true and tried Democrats. They are relatives of John Shelburn of the same township. George and Charles are brothers of B. W. and T. J. Shelburn.
THE STULTZ FAMILY.
The above family came from North Carolina in 1835, and settled on Little Eagle Creek near the Boone and Hamilton County line. There were four brothers, as follows: Thomas, Philip, Franklin and Joseph. Thomas now resides in Center Township, Boone County. Joseph resides in Zionsville. Philip died about 1862, and is buried at the Little Eagle Creek Cemetery. Franklin died in 1884, and is also buried in the above cemetery. Mrs. Philip Stultz resides on the old home farm on the creek. She is quite an old lady. Thomas married a Miss Ketner. Franklin raised a large family of twelve children, all of whom are now living. M. P. and Edward Brendle were married to two of his daughters. Joseph resides in Zionsville, living a retired life after working hard, as well as the other brothers, to gain a competency, which they all did. All were highly esteemed as good citizens, worthy the citizen- ship of any county. When these four brothers came on the creek the country was new; they at once saw the situation, rolled up their sleeves, assisted by their wives, to make a farm. Success finally came, and from a few acres in the woods large,
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well cultivated farms were the result. The road was not strew". with flowers by any means; hardships, toils and privation- were all along the way. There were at times obstacles hard to surmount. Dark clouds came thick and fast, but as often would the clouds bave silver linings. The writer, when a boy. often passed their cabins along the little crooked road up th .: creek. But the little cabins are gone, the crooked road has been straightened, and better houses have taken the place of' the'cabins. It has taken toil and untold labor to bring about those changes.
WILLIAM SMITH
Was one among the many pioneers of Boone, settling down about one and a half miles southwest of Zionsville and living there until his death. Mr. Smith was born in what is now called New Virginia, January 21, 1799, and lived there until 1830, when he moved to Boone County, where he has made his residence ever since. He was united in marriage January 15, 1826, to Miss Margaret Carr, of Virginia, who was born Sep- tember 7, 1809, and died April 19, 1880, this marriage being a very happy one. They have raised nine children, six boys and three girls, of whom two are deceased. Farming was his only occupation. He belonged to no creed, but always lived a conscientious and admirable life. Mr. Smith was a Jack- sonian Democrat of the old type. Such was the life of a use- ful, honest and honorable old man. Mr. Smith in person was low, heavy-set, fair complexion, light hair. Is the father of Ex-county Commissioner Wm. Smith and Attorney Jesse Smith, of Zionsville. He was many years justice of the peace.
WILLIAM WARREN SMITH
Was born November 25, 1814, near Baltimore, Md., and at the age of twelve, his father, John Smith, emigrated to Baxter County, Virginia. When in his twenty-first year, the subject of this sketch, in company with his brother, John T. Smith,
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came to Franklin County, Ohio. On the 17th of January, 1839, he and Miss Catharine Weaver were joined in wedlock, and with an eye to the future they, for a time, were con- tent to live in the Buckeye State. In the course of time two heirs were born unto them, both being girls. The oldest one died, and the parents being in poor circumstances, turned their eyes toward the setting sun. Loading their household goods into one wagon, they, with their one daughter, emigrated to Indiana in October 1842. They landed in the dismal swamps of Boone, where frogs croaked, owls hooted, and wolves howled. In the midst of all this they bought forty acres of William B. Brackenridge, for a consideration of two hundred and twenty- five dollars. The next thing in order was to build a cabin, and at this station pioneer life began. In the midst of the forest, without money, without roads, and a long way to mar- ket through mud and mire-what was to be done? They had come to stay, and had brought their iron will with them. By industry and patience he helped to tear down the forest. He had not only the welfare of his family and neighbors at Leart, but the love. of Christ also. He was a Predesti- marian, but alas! he was called to lay down his labors here on earth. He passed from among the living January 31, 1384, aged sixty-nine years, two months and six . days. Ile I ft an aged widow, three sons and two daughters to mourn their loss. It is to be hoped their loss is his gain in the workl to come. He left all his family a good home. There were seven children, four of whom survive. They are as follows : David W., who married Mary J. Williams, resides in Boone County ; Bazzle H., who married Serreld Fitch, also lives in Boone County ; Warren J., married Henrietta Smith, lives in Boone County; Rachel, married George Low, of Hamilton County, where they now live. Bazzle married twice, the second time to Nancy Stoker.'
D. W. Smith, who furnished the above, is a valuable citizen of Perry Township, and who kindly entertained us while get- ting material for this work.
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AARON SMITH,
One of the pioneers of Boone County, was born in 1800. Was united in marriage to Frances Thomas in 1825. She was born in Kentucky in the year 1810. They came to Perry Township in 1835, then an unbroken woods. Mr. Smith bought 120 acres of land at Gaunt Mill, where he at once be- gan to make a home in the woods. He, with his wife, made a successful effort and soon were possessed of a well cultivated farm. Mr. Smith died in the fall of 1877, highly respected. Mrs. Smith is yet living at the age of seventy-seven, just the age at which her husband died. Mr. Smith is buried at the Mt. Tabor Cemetery, in Perry Township. This pioneer fam- ily raised a large family of eight children, five boys and three girls, named as follows: Daniel (deceased), Caleb, resides in Zionsville ; Eli, born in Kentucky, 1830, married to Patsy A. Kemper, October 24, 1850, resides in Perry Township. He was elected county treasurer in 1885; he also served as town- ship trustee nine years; he is highly esteemed as a valuable citizen and has made a good officer, in every relation of life a good man ; Malinda S., Permelia F., Presly T., all living; William T., died at the age of eight years; Laura F., died at the age of five years; buried at Mt. Tabor Cemetery in Perry Township. Mr. Smith was a sterling Democrat of the Jeffer- sonian school. He taught the second school in Perry Township.
JAMES H. SAMPLE.
Mr. Sample was born in the state of Ohio on the 11th day of August, 1803. He was married to Isabelle Wylie in Ken- tucky in 1827. Came to Boone County in the year 1833. Mr. Sample died September 3, 1853. The following are the names of this large family : Joseph A., born February 11, 1829; Robert, born September 26, 1830; Hugh R., born March 22, 1832, died in infancy ; Mary E., born March 3,
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1833; Hugh W., born August 28, 1835; Eliza A., born May 22, 1837, died in infancy ; Andenille, born January 23, 1839. was in the 10th Indiana Volunteers, died March 4, 1864, at Nashville, Tenn., brought home and buried at Salem Ceme- tery ; he was wounded September 17, 1863; William H., born February 24, 18-11, died August 18, 1860; Dorcas W., born May 21, 1843; Rebecca J., born April 14, 1845, dicd Decem- ber 23, 1877 ; John R., born April 17, 1849; Margaret A., born May 3, 1851. Mr. and Mrs. Sample settled in the green woods when the country was new; there were no roads or mills near. Mr. Sample taught about the first school ever taught in Clinton Township. The four first named were born in Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Sample were members of the Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Sample died August 27, 1881. Mr. Sample was justice of the peace eight years. They were highly respected members of the church and society.
ROBERT STEPHENSON
Was born in Nicholas County, Kentucky, in 1783; was mar- ried to Sarah MeDole in Kentucky. Came to Boone County in 1833, and settled in what now is Clinton Township, section twenty-five. No roads, no mills, and few neighbors. Mr. and Mrs. Stephenson were members of the Presbyterian Church, and are buried at the Salem or Mud Creek Cemetery. The following are their children's names: John A. died at the age of forty years; William lives in Center Township; Aris, deceased ; Margaret, deceased ; Thomas M., married to Sarah Ransdale, resides two miles north of Elizaville, and near Marion Township. He is in every way considered one of the best citizens ; he has been here nearly all his life and owns one of the finest farms in Clinton Township. George was killed in Clinton Township about the year 1839. Joseph resides in Lebanon.
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GEORGE SHOEMAKER
Was born in North Carolina, September 17, 1811, and came to Union Township, Boone County, in 1837. He was first united in marriage to Martha Harvey, who died in December, 1848. The following are the names of his children by the first marriage: Levi P .; Isaac M .; Michael, died in Vicks- barg during the late war; was in the 54th Indiana Volunteer Regiment; buried at Vicksburg; Malinda J., deceased, and Eliza E. The following children are by his second marriage, which occurred June 11, 1850, to Elizabeth Allen : John C., - Frances H., James B., Laura B. George Shoemaker is one of the prominent men of Boone County, having served as county commissioner several years, township trustee eight years, and is and has been connected with the banks at Lebanon as au officer and stockholder; he is also one of our best farmers. owning at one time nearly one thousand acres of choice land in Union Township, eight miles east of Lebanon, where he has resided many years, highly respected by all. Is a member of the Regular Baptist Church. No man in the county stands higher than Mr. Shoemaker, one of the pioneers of Union Township.
JOHN SLOCUM,
One of the pioneers of Boone County, was born in Harrison County, Va., May 22, 1803. Married to Sarah MeCann, who was born July 27, 1805. They were married May 18, 1826. Came first to Rush County, Ind., and remained there one year. In April, 1830, they landed in Washington Township, on Spring Creek, where he owned a large tract of land, a part of which he entered. He died July 3, 1866; Mrs. S. died S .- p- tember 27, 1863; both are buried in Bethel Cemetery, near where they first settled, and where their life was mostly spent, . or the best days at least. Names of their children : Robert, born March 15, 1827, resides in Washington Township, and
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C. F. S. NEAL.
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is one of the best farmers and men in the county; owns 640 acres of choice land six miles north of Lebanon ; he was married to Nancy J. Snodgrass; Sarah, deceased in Kansas, September, 1866; Thomas, born July 17, 1830, married to Martha Rose, resides in Knox County, Mo .; John, born November 11, 1834, married to Eliza Taylor, resides in Jef- ferson Township; Margaret, born August 7, 1835, married to David Thornburg ; she is deceased ; buried in the Bethel Cem- etery, in Washington Township; Mary J., married to William Lansbury, born November 28, 1841; Ann, born April 12, 1846, died September, 1866, and is buried in Bethel Cemetery ; Rebecca, died in infancy ; Harriet, born April 29, 1848, died at the age of five years. This is one of the largest as well as the earliest families in Washington Township. Long may their memory live. While canvassing for this work we called on Robert, the eldest of the family, and from whom we obtained the history of his family. We wish to thank Mr. Robert Slocum for his kindness, also his family. The grand- father of John Slocum was born in England, 1744. Came to America 1767, and died in Hampshire, Va. He was married to Abigail Lee, one of the Lee family, who came to Virginia. On another page of this work will be found a portrait of Robert Slocum, taken at the age of sixty years.
PHILIP SICKS.
Prominent among the farmers of Boone County is the per- son whose name stands at the head of this sketch. He was born in Bath County, Kentucky, July 15, 1803; came to Flat Rock, Decatur County, stopping there one year, and from there he landed in Boone County, in the spring of 1836, and has been a permanent resident ever since.
Mr. Sicks was married to Nancy Shane, March 9, 1826. in Nicholas County, Kentucky ; the result of this marriage being nine children, of whom three are deceased, and his wife died
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July 6, 1848. Afterwards married Amelia Vidato, of whom he has never raised any children. She died October 12, 1882. Mr. Sieks then united in marriage to Margaret Sicks, who was born in Bath County, Kentucky, with whom he lived until his death. She yet resides on the corner of Lebanon and Elm streets, in a comfortable home, where Mr. Sieks passed away, September 13, 1886. Mr. Sicks united with the Christian Church in 1866 and has alwas been a commanding christian. No man in Boone County was more highly respected by his neighbors and acquaintances than Philip Sicks. At his death his descendants numbered eighty-nine-six children, forty- eight grandchildren, and thirty-five great-grandchildren. Such was the career of an honest, upright, intelligent, and worthy citizen.
GEORGE W. SCOTT,
Of Harrison Township, was born in Virginia, January 2, 1826, in Lee County ; came with his parents to Morgan County, Ind., in 1831, remained there two years ; then to Hendricks County, remained there six years, when the family came, in 1840, to Boone County, settling in Harrison Township in January of that year. His father's name was Nathaniel Scott, his moth- er's name before marriage was Sarah E. Coldwell. Nathaniel Scott was born in Giles County, Va., July 14, 1796; was mar- ried to Sarah E. Coldwell, in Virginia, in 1823. Mr. Scott was in the war of 1812. He died October 22, 1877, aged eiglity-three years, three months. Mrs. Scott died April 1, 1884, aged eighty-one years; both are buried at Union Ceme- tery in Jackson Township. The following are the names of this pioneer family : Rachel S., Marion K., George W., Ren- ben M., John MI., all dead except George W. Scott, the subject of this sketch, who resides in Harrison Township. George W. Scott was married to Druzilly James, January, 1847. She died Angust, 1875, and is buried at Mt. Union Cemetery. Three children were born to them. Mr. Scott was the second
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time married to Miss Sarah J. Lower. Seven , children were born to them. Mr. Scott served ten years as township trustee with general acceptability, and was nominated in 1886 for county commissioner by the Democratic party, but was defeated a few votes by William C. Crump. In 1872 Mr. Scott had the misfortune to lose one of his legs in a runaway with horses. He is pleasantly located on the pike between New Brunswick and Lebanon, where he owns a fine farm and enjoys the confi- dence of the people he has so long been associated with. To him and family we are greatly indebted to for favors shown in the canvass for this work.
ISAAC H. SMITH.
The one whose name heads this brief sketch resides in the southwestern part of Boone County, adjoining Hendricks County on the south, and one mile west of his house is the line of Montgomery County. He has resided here many years, and owns a fine farm of 240 acres, well cultivated, and has a splendid brick house and other buildings; in fact, every- thing denotes thrift and energy. Mr. Smith was born in Hendricks County, Ind., December 27, 1833. His parents, Harden and Elizabeth Smith, were born in Kentucky, but came when young to Jackson Township, Boone County, where they were married, where they resided many years and he entered forty acres of land. About this time Isaac H. Smith, the subject of this sketch, together with his parents, had a struggle with life. Hardships came thick and fast. when Isaac proposed to go to Thorntown and learn the carpenter's trade with Samuel Otterman, at ten dollars per month. This was in the year 1852. He remained in and around Thorntown for three years. At this time he became a partner with Joseph Otterman in the above business. This firm did a large amount of work in Montgomery and Boone counties, building barns, houses, etc. The work then, as a matter of course, had to be done by hand, as there were no planing mills then
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and the work was laborious. But Mr. Smith had the grit and manhood to surmount all obstacles and succeeded in help- ing his parents in the struggle of life. He was married to Auna L. Otterman, daughter of Lewis Otterman, April 13, 1856. His family consists of nine children, four boys and five girls. One of the sons died when young. Mr. Smith's , mother died in November, 1855.
THOMAS J. STIPES,
One of the early citizens of Jefferson Township, was born in Jefferson County, Ind., February 16, 1819. Came to Boone County March 7, 1845. He was married to Martha Sanford, daughter of William R. Sanford, one of the pioneers of the county. Mr. Stipes is one of the best farmers; takes great delight in agriculture and raising and caring for stock of all kinds. He has one of the finest deer parks in the county and has it well stocked with all sizes of deer, from the spotted fawn to the fleet-footed buck. Mr. and Mrs. Stipes have no chidren. Mr. Sanford, Mrs. Stipes' father, is living with them. Mr. . Stipes' father's name was Joseph Stipes, died February 12, 1858, is buried at Shannondale Cemetery in Montgomery County. His mother's name, before marriage, was Mary A. Stone, she died in January, 1863, is also buried at the Shan- nondale Cenietery. Mr. Stipes lives in Jefferson Township near the Montgomery County line.
JACOB TIPTON.
Jacob Tipton, the subject of this sketch, was born in Mary- land in the year 1800. His parents died when he was very young. He was apprenticed to a blacksmith and learned that trade. When he attained his majority he emigrated to the state of Pennsylvania, and worked at his trade about three years, and from there he came to Preble County, O., and
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engaged to work at his trade with Daniel MeCoy, whose son-in-law he afterwards became, marrying his daughter Sarah, and in 1830, together with his father-in-law, came to Indiana, locating at Jamestown. Daniel McCoy settled on a farm in Hendricks County, about three miles from Jamestown, while Jacob put up a rude shop and worked at his trade for about one year. Daniel McCoy sold his farm and moved to James- town in 1831. He and Tipton formed a partnership and sold goods under the firm name of Tipton & McCoy. They con- tinued the business about four years, and, selling out, Jacob Tipton moved to Northfield in 1835, and went into the goods business with Hiram McQuitty ; but before he came to North- field he was elected sheriff, succeeding Austin Davenport in that office ; served in that office two terms, and was succeeded by William Zion. The first grand jury that ever convened in the county held their session at his house in Jamestown. One little incident that happened while he was sheriff, is perhaps worthy of notice ; he had a warrant for the arrest of a notorious character for larceny, who had been a terror to the country for some time, and who declared that he would not be taken. When he went to arrest him he fortunately met him alone in the woods, and told him to get into the path going to Lebanon, and if he made a move to the right or left he would kill him, keeping his hand in his pocket all the time. He rode behind him all the way to Lebanon through the woods, for there was nothing but a path in those days, and safely deposited him in the log jail, and then told him that he was unarmed-did not have even a pocket-knife. The fellow was very much chagrined when he found that out, and that he could have escaped so easily if he had not been so cowardly. Ile also kept tavern in Northfield for about twenty years. During that time there was an immense travel on the Michigan road. He and McQuitty dissolved partnership, McQuitty retiring. He continued the business at intervals alone and in partnership with his son, John G. Tipton, till 1854.
About the year 1838 he attached himself to the North
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American Fur Company and continued with that company fourteen years, when the company suspended, hauling all the furs he bought in wagons to Logansport. After that company suspended, about 1853 or '54, he bought fur for Denny & Co., Dayton, Ohio, until his death in 1860. While engaged in that business for a period of about twenty-five years, he was kept much away from home in the winter season, sometimes as long as three or four weeks at a time, his wife and boys looking after the affairs at home, managing both the farm and tavern. His wife's management of the tavern made it very profitable ; she drew the largest custom of any of the many taverns on the Michigan road. Travelers that stopped there once would al- ways make it a point to do so again when traveling that road. He was the father of thirteen children, all of whom attained their majority. John G. Tipton, the eldest, who was associated with him at one time in the mercantile business at Northfield, and afterwards conducted the business alone, died in Marion Township, Boone County, 1871. Martha is living in Missouri. William A. is a successful lawyer now at Win- field, Kansas ; he has won distinction at the Lebanon, Coving- ton and Indianapolis bars, and has a reputation second to none as a jurist. Mary J. died in Northfield in 1855; Sarah E. is living in Stockwell, Ind .; Francis M. is at Winfield, Kansas, practicing law ; Hulda L. died in Jefferson Township, 1881; James H. is living in Fountain County, also practicing law ; he has filled several positions of trust in that county. George W. is living in Iowa ; Rachel M. is living in Boone County ; Tillman H, is living in Fountain County ; Rebecca D. is liv- ing in Fountain County ; Amanda M. is living in Dakota. Sarah Tipton, his widow, still survives him, and is living in Fountain County with her son, James H. Tipton. She is now seventy-eight years old. During the late war the family fur- nished the following volunteers for the Union: John G. Tipton, 86th Indiana; James H., 10th and 154th Indiana- served four years; George W., 40th Indiana-served three years ; Tillman H., 135th and 154th-one year ; Francis M.,
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