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 29
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captain home guards, had to stay at home and take care of the family.
Of the early settlers that were in Jamestown at the time he came there, was Samuel Wick, who was keeping tavern. John Gibson lived just below town. Witt's honse was the only house that was built at that time. The town was laid out by James Madlock and John Gibson. The first store was kept by Sayer & Burk; the first election was held there in 1831 (either 1831.or '32) ; the first court was held in a-log cabin ; the grand jury held their meetings in a room of his house ; almost the whole court boarded at his honse. Mrs. Tipton was out of flour and had to serve them with corn bread; in passing the bread, David Hoover, the clerk of the court, de- clined to take any just yet, mistaking it for pudding.
There was but one church organization, the Baptists, who held their meetings in a log school house below town and in houses in the neighborhood. When he came to North- field, in 1835, there was but one house there; that was a gro- cery, kept by Jonathan Cruz, who boarded with Hiram Mc- Quitty, who lived just south of town. He moved into a vacant house just below town, owned by McQuitty. He soon built him a dwelling house, and he and McQuitty built a store house in which they afterwards sold goods. John McCoy did most of the carpenter work. There was considerable travel on the Michigan road at that time, going to the north and northwest. The road was lined with peddlers of all kinds. They could buy flour, meat, apples, peaches, whisky, brandy and all kinds of notions from wagons in the road. He was soon appointed postmaster. The mail was carried by stages. He was postmaster twenty years. They had one mail each way daily in the winter and spring. When the roads were bad it would be midnight most of the time before the mail from either way would reach his office, and he would have to get up in the night and open the mail. Often he was not at home and that duty was performed by Mrs. Tipton.
Of the early settlers of Northfield were Harrison and Mack
r
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Spencer, who sold goods; James Peyton, Chauncy Cole, Abner Sanborn, the first justice of the peace, and shortly after kept tavern; Dr. Presly, Dr. S. K. Hardy, Dr. Martin, who was also a Baptist preacher; John Kounts located just north on Eagle Creek and kept a grocery and erected the first mill in the neighborhood, and I think Isaac Hoover, west of town; erected the second ; John Hartman, Judge Dooley, Isaac Hut- ton, Wm. O. Cary, were the first school teachers, if I remem- ber right. Jacob Tipton was an energetic man, had an iron constitution, the weather never was too severe for him to ven- ture out into it to attend to his business. He was possessed of a good, practical education, as good as the times could
afford. He did much to develop the county and encourage emigration. His business brought him in contact with men from all parts of the country, and it was through his influence and representations that induced many good men to settle in the county who would have went elsewhere. In politics he was always a Democrat, and took great interest in politics, both state and national. He was one of those men who was pecu- liarly fitted to develop and advance the interests of a new country. He never had much sickness, was always on the move until his death, which occurred in October, 1860. He was buried in the Ross Cemetery, one mile north of Northfield.
JAMES TURNER.
Among many of the prominent citizens of Boone County who have passed away in the last few years was the person whose name stands at the head of this sketch. Mr. Turner was born in Lee County, Virginia, in the spring of 1806. When he was two years old his mother died; after this, his father moved to Campbell County, Tennessee, he living with him until he was thirteen years of age, when he separated from him, not seeing his relations any more, with the except- ion of one brother. He came to Indiana in 1829, stopping
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at Crawfordsville, and in the year of 1830, the 25th day of March, was married to Elizabeth Pauley. She was an ac- quaintance of his- in Tennessee, and had moved out here a year or so previous. They lived in Montgomery County for a short time after their marriage, then moving to Boone County and buying a home in the woods northeast of Thorn- town, having very few neighbors at that time, but frequently visited by Indians.
Mr. Turner has not been a very shifting man ; has moved only three times since he settled. In February, 1872, he sold his farm and bought land within one mile of Lebanon. His wife died the 16th of April, 1878, and in November, 1879, he broke up housekeeping and went to live with his daughter, Mrs. Cynthia Tyre, she being the only child living, having buried two boys-William Wallace and James A .- and one daughter Eliza, several years before. He lived with his daugh- ter the most of the time until January 24, 1881, when he passed away to another world, at the age of seventy-two years.
Mr. Turner's profession was that of farming ; he labored very severely in the settling up of the old county of Boone, sometimes working for from twenty-five to fifty cents per day. He took great pride in saving his money and being firm in his dealings, and made a nice little fortune. His motto was, that "if he couldn't get his price, to take the one offered." His great prosperity is certainly a great incentive to poor young men ; it shows where industry and will are combined there is always a way.
LELAND TANSELL
Was born near Georgetown, Ky., September 7, 1814. His father, Francis Tansell, was a Frenchman ; died near Indian- apolis in 1841. His mother's name was (before marriage) Catharine Cook. She died January 1, 1842; both are buried west of Indianapolis, in Marion County. They were very old people, near eighty years of age. Leland Tansell was married
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to Arabell Huffinan, June 20, 1839, in Perry Township, Boone County. Mr. Tansell came first to the county in 1835, four years before he was married ; has resided in the county over fifty years. He now resides one mile southwest of Zions- ville, where he owns a fine farm and enjoys home after a long citizenship. He knows something about pioneer life on Eagle Creek. While canvassing for this work I was kindly enter- tained by them at their home. The names of their children we have not at land. There are several, however, most of whom are now men grown. Long may this worthy family live.
JAMES THORNBURG
Was born near Lexington, Ky., Angust 7, 1800; was married to Jane Andrews, near Dayton, Ohio, in 1820; came to what is now Washington Township when it was all woods. Entered the land now owned by James Staley. Mr. and Mrs. Thorn- burg were both members of the Missionary Baptist Church ; are buried at the Cason Cemetery, in Washington Township. The following are the names of this pioneer family : Catha- rine, married to Joseph Buckhalter ; reside in Kansas. Mary, married to John Stort ; reside in Dayton, Ind. William, mar- ried to Christenia Custer; he died in St. Louis, 1862. John, married to Amanda Bozland (deceased) ; died in Crawfords- ville, Ind. Nancy, married to Samuel Scott (deceased) ; bur-
ied at Cason Cemetery. Abigail, married to James Bozland ; reside in Thorntown, Ind. David, married to Sarah E. Wag- oner; reside in Washington Township. Ira S., married to Angeline Bells; reside in Jackson Township. James married to Margaret Lister; reside in Missouri. Elizabeth J., married Slayback; she resides in Center Township; her husband is dead. Levi was married to Clara Lame; reside in Sedalia, Mo. The children all lived to be married. David was the first child born in Washington Township. This pio- neer family came to Boone County in the year 1832.
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STEPHEN TITUS,
One of the pioneers of Boone County, was born in the state of Pennsylvania, January 1, 1800, consequently had a fair start with the nineteenth century. Was married to Nancy Barton in the year 1821. Came to Boone County in 1830, and entered his land, 160 acres, on Sugar Creek, where he died February 13, 1868. Mrs. Titus died October 31, 1874; both are buried in Bethel Cemetery, in Washington Town- ship. Mr. Titus was a member of the Christian Church. In person Mr. T. was tall, fair complexion and light hair, and a Jacksonian Democrat. The following are their children's names : Sacressa, married Owen Davis, died in Ohio ; Rachel, died in 1883, buried in Bethel Cemetery ; William, married to Nancy McKinsey, resides in Sugar Creek Township; Eli, married to Eliza Campbell, deceased ; George, married to Matilda Parkins, resides in Washington Township; Samuel, married to Jane Wilkins, resides at the old home ; Nathaniel : C., married to Bell Campbell, resides in Lebanon ; was elected sheriff of Boone County in November, 1886; Stephen, died in Louisville, Ky .; was in the army; buried in the Bethel Cemetery ; Elizabeth and Sarah E. died in infancy.
WILLIAM TITUS,
The subject of this sketch, was born in the state of Pennsyl- vania (Green County), March 4, 1825, and with his parents, Stephen and Nancy Titus, moved to Indiana in the fall of 1830, settling two and one-half miles east of Thorntown, in Washington Township, Boone County. "The land had been brought into market two years before, but the Indians did not leave till the year we goved here, therefore the country was just beginning to be settled by the whites. This, then, was an unbroken wilderness, save what little the squaws had cleared up at what was then called Upper and Lower Thorn-
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town, and a few hardy pioneers who had pushed ont among the Indians to get a home. My father went to work, after building a cabin, to clearing away the forest so that he might raise something for his family to live on. I, being the oldest boy of the family, had to do all I could, as soon as I was oki enough, to help make the farm and keep the family. I lived at home till I was twenty-six years old. I married, in 1851, Nancy A. Mckinsey, daughter of George and Leah McKin- sey. She was born in a little cabin, where Thorntown now stands, February 24, 1830. Her parents soon after moved to the Twelve-Mile Prairie, living there until she was grown to womanhood. Her father finally bought the mill property owned by Michael Chase, on Sugar Creek, in Washington Township, this county, where we were married. Eight children have been the fruit of our marriage, five of whom have passed away to the Savior who said: 'Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.' One son and two daughters live to comfort us in the evening of life. I have lived to see this country, a wilderness fifty-seven years ago, converted into beautiful farms and pleasant homes, with all the advantages of schools, churches, and elevation in society that follow such grand improvements. I and my family are members of the Christian Church ; have a farm in Sugar Creek Township, where, perhaps, we will live till called to that country where Christ, our elder brother, has gone to prepare a mansion for all who love Him. WILLIAM TITUS."
FEBRUARY, 10, 1887.
ANDERSON TROTTER.
The subject of this sketch was born September 12, 1809, in Carolina County, Va., came to Indiana Territory in the year 1814. At the age of twenty seven years came to Hendricks County, Ind., and came to Boone County December, 1836. Mr. Trotter was married to Mary Curgan in November, 1836.
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When they came to Boone County one month after marriage, they moved in a little log cabin in the green woods. Then it was that the struggle of life began in earnest. Sometimes dark; sometimes the dark clonds would have a silver lining. Mr. Trotter says he could hardly stand straight up in his cabin it was so low, and had but one room, which served as parlor, bedroom and kitchen. Yet in this little, humble home, some of his happiest days were spent. As the opening in the woods spread out larger and broader, the little ones came in due time to bless their wedded life. Mr. Trotter says their table was a slab split out, and the puncheon floor was of the same material. This little cabin served its day, when it gave way to the hewed log house, and, in time, this to a frame. Mr. Trotter was a poor man on coming to this county ; ten dollars was all the money he had. He had the misfortune in 1863 to have his house burnt, losing nearly all his furniture. Mr. Trotter all through life has been a hard worker, and, now, aged as he is, I found him last September hard at work toiling in the fields. His wife died several years ago, November 19, 1867. She is buried on the farm near Jamestown, as well as some of his deceased ceildren. A daughter died in September, 1845, aged seventeen years, and on September 10, 1857, his youngest son died, aged sixteen years. Mrs. Trotter was born in Virginia, July, 1814; came to Indiana in the year 1834. She was in her sixty-fourth year when she died. Mr. Trotter is now living with his children near Jamestown, Mrs. William Heckerthorn, Mrs. D. H. Shockley, and Mrs. John Day. His toiling has not been in vain, for, after providing for his family, he has plenty left for old age. Mr. Trotter's father was born in Virginia in 1780, and died in 1818. His grandfather was born in Ireland in the seventeenth century. Mr. Ander- son Trotter is highly esteemed in the county wherever known. In person he is of medium size, florid complexion, and has been an iron man ; has been through the "flint mill." Long may be live to enjoy his hard earnings.
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DENNIS THREILKIELD.
Mr. Threilkield was born in Kentucky, November, 1831. Came with his parents to Boone County when a mere boy. He is the son of George Threilkield, one of the pioneers of the county, and who came to Jefferson Township about the year 1836. Dennis is one of the substantial men of Boone County and one of its most successful farmers and stock rais- ers. He resides in Jefferson Township, ten miles southwest of Lebanon, where he owns a fine farm and splendid buildings, splendid house, barn and other outbuildings. Everything on his farm denotes thrift and energy. He was married at the age of twenty-five, but has no children. In politics he is a Democrat of the Jacksonian school. Wherever Dennis is known he is highly esteemed as a worthy man and citizen. While canvassing for this work we stopped at his pleasant home, and was kindly received and entertained by him and his estimable wife.
WM. RILEY TAYLOR
Was born in Union County, Ind., October 7, 1817. Came to Boone County in 1832; was first married to Elizabeth Beck. October, 1832. The following are the children's names : John F., James L., William R., Abner (died at the age of two years) ; Franeis M., Mary A. (died at the age of twenty-two years); Martha (died at the age of twenty-one years, in Texas). Mrs. Taylor died November, 1864. The deceased members of Mr. Taylor's family are buried at the cemetery just east of his house, where he has erected handsome and costly monuments in memory of loved ones gone. Mr. Taylor was again married to Eliza Coldwell, in 1875, daughter of William Coldwell, one of the pioneers of Jefferson Township. Mr. Taylor, in 1847, built a fine brick residence on his fine farm in Jefferson Town- ship, where he now resides and owns one of the finest farms, 640 acres, in the county. Mr. Taylor was a Democrat up to
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1860, since which time he has been somewhat independent in politics. He was a strong war man, and all through life a highly respected citizen. To Mr. and Mrs. Taylor we owe much for kind treatment at their hospitable home while gath- ering material for the "Early Life and Times in Boone County." W. R. Taylor resides in Jefferson Township, one and one-half miles west of Hazelrigg Station, where he owns six hundred acres of choice land.
JAMES A. THOMPSON,
One of the pioneers of Jefferson Township, Boone County, was born in Nicholas County, Ky., May 26, 1799, married to Martha Blair February 19, 1824. Miss Blair was also a native of Kentucky, born November 22, 1804. Came to Boone in 1830, and were indeed pioneers. Mrs. Thompson died May 26, 1866; Mr. Thompson died December 28, 1867. Both are buried at the Shannondale Cemetery in Montgomery County, Ind. Mr. Thompson entered 240 acres of land. He as well as his wife were members of the church. Mr. Thompson was associate judge a number of years, and a man of high standing. The following are their children's names: Joseph A., born January 8, 1825; Mary J., born October 29, 1826; Levi N., born August 28, 1828; Wallace M., born May 12, 1831; Chester G., born May 8, 1833; Martin B., born December 9, 1835 ; Susan A., born June 5, 1838; Cynthia A., born August 12, 1840; William B., born April 22, 1843. The following are deceased : Mary J., buried at Thorntown, Ind .; Levi N., buried at the Cox Cemetery ; Wallace and William B., buried at the Shannondale Cemetery, in Montgomery County, Ind. The Thompson family will be remembered as one of the pio- neer families of Boone County.
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OEL THAYER.
Mr. Thayer was born in Vermont in 1807, and was mar- ried to Caroline Osburn, daughter of the late James Osburn. She was born in 1815. They came to Boone County at an early day, about the year 1838. Mr. Thayer was most of his life engaged in selling goods and trading, first at Clarkstown, then at Eagle Village and Lebanon. He was one of the best posted men in the county on general subjects, and a shrewd business man in every respect. He died at Lebanon in 1874, just past the meridian of life. His wife died six or eight years previous. The following are his children's names: Byron, Albert, Amanda, Henry, Adaline, James A., Daniel M., Vianna, William, Edwin and Helen. Byron, Amanda and Vianna are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Thayer and the family deceased are buried at Lebanon. Albert Thayer lives in the city of Indianapolis. Mr. and Mrs. Thayer will long be remembered as early and highly respected citizens.
WILLIAM W. TROUT.
Mr. Trout has been nearly all his life in Boone County, most of the time in Worth Township, where he was married to Miss Neese, daughter of A. Neese, Esq., who resides one mile south of Whitestown. Mr. Tront now lives near Hazle- rigg Station, on the farm formerly owned by the late H. G. Hazlerigg, and where he has resided the past five or six years, and where he owns and operates one of the finest farms in the county. Mr. Trout studied law when a young man, and has acted as attorney and collector for the railroad for many years ; but of late has devoted his time to farming-his chosen pro- fession. He is a Democrat of the olden type. Takes great interest in fine stoek raising, of which he has none but the best, and is looking for better all the time. He has a pleasant home and family, and where we were kindly received while in
A. C. DAILY.
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Washington Township in the interest of this work. Mr. Trout is just in his prime, being about fifty-two years of age, strong, athletic and will pull the scales down at two hundred pounds at any time. May he never grow less.
ABRAHAM UTTER.
The subject of this sketch was born in the year 1800; was one of the pioneers of Boone County. He first saw the light of day in East Tennessee ; married Jane Carmichael in 1830; came to Boone County in the fall of 1832; resided nearly fifty years on the same land which he entered when the county was yet almost a wilderness; no roads or other conveniences of to-day. Mr. Utter died on the 9th of March, 1881; Mrs. Utter died in the year 1876; buried at the Cox Cemetery. Mr. Utter's parents came to the county in the year 1834. Mr. Utter died many years ago ; Mrs. Utter died in the winter of 1851. Is also buried at the Cox Cemetery. Abraham Utter, senior, was in the wars of 1876 and 1812; died at the age of eighty-six years.
Abraham Utter, the subject of this sketch, raised a family of ten children ; two daughters and two sons reside in Boone County (three are deceased), and one daughter and two sons reside in Rice County, Kansas. Thomas Utter resides in Washington Township; was born January 8, 1839; married to Martha Crose on the 8th of December, 1864. The follow- ing are the names of their children : Olivia and Prior. Mr. Utter has a splendid farm on Sugar Creek.
Samuel Utter, of Lebanon, is a son of Abraham Utter, also, Mrs. James Taylor is a daughter. Mrs. Taylor resides in Washington Township, near Hazelrigg Station. See Mr. and Mrs. Utter's portraits in another part of this work.
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JONES H. WILSON
Was born in Bartholomew County, Indiana, May 15, 1835, and remained a citizen of that county until twelve years of age; at that period he moved with his parents to Fulton County, Indiana. Six years later he moved with them to Boone County. His earliest training was in the art of farm- ing, and, as he grew older, he adopted that as his vocation. He is one who has experienced the hardships and vicissi- tudes of pioncer life, having assisted his father in the labor of clearing large tracts of land.
In 1855 he united in marriage with Miss Tillitha Lumpkin, who was born in Putnam County, Indiana, in 1838. He located on a rented farm of forty acres, in Perry Township, where he remained one year; he then removed to the farm which he now owns, consisting of one hundred and twenty acres. He is the father of ten children, named, respectively : Lafayette, Mary E., William M., Anderson, Mandana, Alice, Lillie, Zoro O., Mertie, and Roy, of which the following are married : Lafayette, married Miss Rosina Ottinger, October. 1875; Mary, to Martin Lawler, December, 1877; William, to Miss Miranda Ottinger, February, 1882; Mandana, to Mon- roc Edwards, September, 1882; Anderson, to Miss Rosa Mc- Colley, August, 1883. All of them reside in Perry Town- ship, except Mary, who resides in Hendricks County. The three boys, Lafayette, William, and Anderson, are teachers of the common schools of our county, and have been for a num- of years teaching through the winter season and farming dur- ing the summer.
Mr. Wilson and wife united with the Christian Church in 1868, and both are regarded as consistent christians. Since that time five of the children have united, and are regarded as exemplary citizens in every respect.
Mr. Wilson's political views have always been in unison with the principles of the Republican party, and although one
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of its most cordial supporters, he is not a bigoted partisan, and never sacrificed principle for party. His actions through- out life have been governed by conscientious motives, and he is universally esteemed as an honest man wherever he is known.
WILLIAM WEST.
This name will sound familiar to the people in Boone County. He was born in Kentucky on the 9th day of September, 1800. He settled in Boone County in 1835, about two miles south of where Elizaville now lays, in Clinton Township. He was married to Miss Ella Dixon in 1824, who lived with him until August 23, 1870, when she departed this life. He raised four children, as follows : Samuel, born January 29, 1827; Sally, born January 29, 1827; Ebenezer, born February 29, 1829; Margaret Ellen, born October 31, 1841. All are living ex- cepting Sally, who died November 23, 1869. Mr. West was married again to Mrs. Mary Jane Johnson, February, 1871. He is one of the old Jacksonian Democrats (voted for Jackson three times), and has always kept up his faith. He has always held farming as his real occupation, and was one of the best hunters of his day, but never saw the time that he could kill over six deer in one day ; and says that he has seen the day when coon, deer and fox skins were as good as legal tender, and that was the way he paid his taxes. Mr. West is now arriving at a ripe old age, and has never joined any church, but is a constant bible reader, and claims that he can be a good man without belonging to any creed or church.
SOLOMON WARREN,
One of the pioneers of Boone County, came from Pike County, Ohio, in the year 1832 ; married to Mary Lowry. Mr. Lowry, her father, was born in North Carolina, April 16, 1804. Mrs. Lowry, her mother, was born in Ohio, November 21, 1809.
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Mr. Warren settled in Washington Township on arriving in the county. The following are their children's names: Isaac, born February 7, 1833, married to Rebecca Sanders ; Edward, born May 26, 1835, married to Sarah Pittenger; Eliza, mar- ried to Samnel R. MeDaniel, she is deceased, buried at Hope- well Cemetery; Susanah, married to Aaron Freestone, also deceased and buried at Hopewell ; Eliha, died at the age of twenty-four, also buried at Hopewell ; Eliza, died April 21, 1864, buried at Hopewell ; Rhoda, born December 13, 1845, died March 3, 1864; Silas, born February 22, 1847, married to Jane Hardesty, resides in Washington Township; Nancy, born September 23, 1850, resides in Clinton Township. Solo- mon Warren and wife were members of the Baptist Church. They entered their land at an early day. They are buried at Hopewell Cemetery in Clinton Township. Solomon Warren died November 7, 1877; Mrs. Mary Warren died November 18, 1870. Edward Warren was the first time married to Har- riet E. McDonald, February 16, 1860. She died May 26, 1884.
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