Hazzard's history of Henry county, Indiana, 1822-1906, Volume I, Part 30

Author: Hazzard, George, 1845-
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Newcastle, Ind., G. Hazzard, author and publisher
Number of Pages: 1000


USA > Indiana > Henry County > Hazzard's history of Henry county, Indiana, 1822-1906, Volume I > Part 30


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).


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PRIVATE CO.D.


PRIVATE


CO. G.


PRIVATE


CO.


D


JAMES


LEONARD


CAPTAIN CO.E.


THOMAS


J.


BURCHETT


JOHN


OLDAKER


CORPORAL CO.E.


REGIMENTAL BAND


FREDERICK


TYKLE


PRIVATE CO.H.


WILLIA


MITCHELL


MILES


L. REED


CHARLES


CANADAY


W


8th INDIANA INFANTRY.


265


HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.


John H. McNew, Mechanicsburg. Mustered in September 5, 1861. Discharged, disability, October 15, 1862. Richard McNew, Mechanicsburg. Mustered in September 5, 1861. Discharged, disability, April 8, 1863.


John Manning, Middletown. Mustered in March 18, 1862. Recruit. Veteran.


Robert Mason, Middletown. Mustered in September 5, 1861. Missing September Mustered out August 28, 1865.


10, 1861.


Charles Mathews, Middletown. Mustered in September 5, 1861. Missing September 10, 1861.


Jonathan May, Middletown. Mustered in September 5, 1861. Veteran. Mustered out August 28, 1865.


Samuel C. Miller, Middletown. Mustered in September 5, 1861. Appointed Cor- poral. Mustered out September 4, 1864.


Samuel A. Mitchell, Middletown. Mustered in September 5, 1861. Appointed Ser- geant and First Sergeant. Promoted Second Lieutenant.


James L. Moore, Middletown. Mustered in September 5, 1861. Veteran. Appointed Corporal. Wounded at Vicksburg, Mississippi, May 22, 1863. Mustered out August 28, 1865.


George S. Morris, Henry County. Mustered in September 5, 1861. Discharged, dis- ability, July 17, 1862.


Alkanah C. Neff, Honey Creek. Mustered in March 18, 1862. Recruit. Veteran. Mustered out August 28, 1865.


William Nelson, Middletown. Mustered in September 5, 1861. Appointed Corporal. Mustered out September 4, 1864.


Reason Nidey, Henry County. Mustered in September 5, 1861. Missing October 26, 1861.


George Osborn, Sulphur Springs. Mustered in September 5, 1861. Died at Syra- cuse, Missouri, December 28, 1861.


Joel Osborn, Sulphur Springs. Mustered in September 5, 1861. Transferred to 18th Infantry, U. S. A.


Alfred Painter, Madison County. Mustered in September 5, 1861. Appointed Cor- poral. Mustered out September 4, 1864.


Flemmon T. W. Painter, Middletown. Mustered in September 5, 1861. Missing September 14, 1861.


Abner Perdue, Middletown. Mustered in September 5, 1861. Died at Otterville, Missouri, January 24, 1862.


Andrew J. E. Perdue, Middletown. Mustered in September 5, 1861. Mustered out September 4, 1864.


William Perry, Middletown. Mustered in September 5, 1861. Veteran. Appointed Corporal and Sergeant. Promoted First Lieutenant.


Andrew J. Phillips, Middletown. Mustered in September 5, 1861. Killed at Vicks- burg, Mississippi, May 22, 1863.


Cyrus Pittser, Middletown. Mustered in September 5, 1861. Died at New Orleans, Louisiana, October 7, 1863.


Jacob Powell, Henry County. Mustered in September 5, 1861. Killed at Austin, Mississippi, August 2, 1862.


Sanford A. Preston, Middletown. Mustered in September 5, 1861. Veteran. Mus- tered out August 28, 1865.


James M. Pring, Mechanicsburg. Mustered in May 11, 1864. Recruit. Mustered out August 28, 1865.


Daniel Rent, Mechanicsburg. Mustered in September 5, 1861. Veteran. Appointed Corporal. Wounded at Jackson, Mississippi, July 12, 1863. Mustered out August 28, 1865.


Alfred Riggs, Madison County. Mustered in August 30, 1862. Recruit. Mustered out June 14, 1865.


Avery Riggs, Madison County. Mustered in August 30, 1862. Recruit. Died at Markleville, Indiana, April 14, 1865.


266


HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.


William Roberts, Raysville. Mustered in September 5, 1861. Transferred to V. R. Corps.


Jesse Rozier, Henry County. Mustered in September 5, 1861. Missing September 18, 1861.


Jonathan Runyan, Middletown. Mustered in September 5, 1861. Died at St. Louis, Missouri, October 24, 1862.


Joseph Shaw, Henry County. Mustered in September 5, 1861. Missing October 26. 1862.


Henry Snoemaker, Middletown. Mustered in September 5. 1861. Veteran. Mus- tered out August 28, 1865.


Levi P. Shoemaker, Middletown. Mustered in September 5, 1861. Veteran. Ap- pointed Corporal and Sergeant. Promoted Second Lieutenant.


John A. Showers, Sulphur Springs. Mustered in October 29, 1862. Recruit. Died at St. Louis, Missouri, August 16, 1863.


John L. Skinner, Delaware County. Mustered in March 24, 1863. Recruit. at Memphis, Tennessee, August 30, 1863.


Died


William H. Skinner, Middletown. Mustered in September 5, 1861. Veteran. Mus-


Died tered out August 28, 1865.


Jacob Snyder, Delaware County. Mustered in September 2, 1862. Recruit. at St. Louis, Missouri, August 11, 1863.


John R. Stout, Middletown. Mustered in September 5, 1861. Veteran. Mustered


out August 28, 1865.


Daniel Studebaker, Delaware County. Mustered in August 30, 1862.


Recruit. Mustered out June 14, 1865.


John K. Swain, Mechanicsburg. Mustered in September 5, 1861. Died at home in Mechanicsburg, Indiana, August 22, 1863.


George W. Tarkleson, Middletown. Mustered in September 5, 1861. Veteran. Appointed Corporal and First Sergeant. Promoted First Lieutenant.


Abraham Trout, Middletown. Mustered in September 5, 1861. Veteran. Mustered out August 28, 1865.


Abner Van Matre, Middletown. Mustered in September 5, 1861. Mustered out September 4, 1864.


William W. Van Matre, Middletown. Mustered in September 5, 1861. Mustered out September 4, 1864.


Cyrus Wann, Mechanicsburg. Mustered in October 29, 1862. Recruit. Discharged, disability, June 8, 1864.


William Webb, Middletown. Mustered in October 29, 1862. Recruit. Wounded at Cedar Creek, Virginia, October 19, 1864. Discharged, disability, July 28, 1865.


William H. West, Middletown. Mustered in September 5, 1861. Discharged, disa- bility, February 14, 1862.


John W. Whitworth, Sulphur Springs. Mustered in September 5, 1861. Veteran. Appointed Corporal. Wounded at Vicksburg, Mississippi, May 22, 1863. Mustered out August 28, 1865.


James Williams, Madison County. Mustered in September 5, 1861. Appointed Corporal. Mustered out September 4, 1864.


Jesse R. Williams, Mechanicsburg. Mustered in September 5, 1861. Veteran. Mustered out August 28, 1865.


James M. Windsor, Middletown. Mustered in September 5, 1861. Veteran. Cap tured at Cedar Creek, Virginia, October 19, 1864. Died in Libby Prison, Richmond, Virginia, February 17, 1865.


Zachariah Windsor, Middletown. Mustered in March 18, 1862. Recruit. Dis charged, disability, June 8, 1864.


COMPANY F.


PRIVATE.


Irvin R. Meek, New Castle. Mustered in September 5, 1861. Veteran. Appointed Corporal. Mustered out August 28, 1865.


267


HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.


COMPANY G.


PRIVATES.


Thomas J. Burchett, Wayne County. New Castle after the Civil War. Mustered in September 5, 1861. Discharged, disability, December 16, 1861.


Joseph Gilbert, New Lisbon. Mustered in September 5, 1861. Veteran. Mustered out August 28, 1865.


George W. Ralston, Rogersville. Mustered in October 17, 1862. Recruit. Dis- charged, disability, February 19, 1863.


COMPANY H.


FIRST LIEUTENANT.


Luther H. Harmon, Dan Webster. Mustered in October 1, 1861. Mustered out November 26, 1864.


SECOND LIEUTENANT.


Luther H. Harmon, Dan Webster. Mustered in September 5, 1861. Promoted First Lieutenant. James R. Smith, New Castle. Mustered in October 23, 1861. Killed at Pea Ridge, Arkansas, March 7, 1862.


FIRST SERGEANT.


James R. Smith, New Castle. Mustered in September 5, 1861. Promoted Second Lieutenant.


PRIVATES.


Charles W. Canaday, New Castle. Mustered in October 29, 1862. Recruit. Killed at Vicksburg, Mississippi, May 20, 1863.


Luther P. Hess, Cadiz. Mustered in August 30, 1862. Recruit. Discharged, disa- bility. March 18, 1863. William T. Hess, Cadiz. Mustered in August 30, 1862. Recruit. Discharged, disa- bility, January 5, 1864.


Ira J. Knight, Ogden. Mustered in September 5, 1861. Veteran. Mustered out August 28, 1865.


William H. Knight, Ogden. Mustered in September 5, 1861. Veteran. Mustered out August 28, 1865.


COMPANY K.


MUSICIAN.


Andrew F. Kraner, Madison County. New Castle after the Civil War. Mustered in September 5, 1861. Veteran. Mustered out August 28, 1865.


PRIVATE.


Thomas McCormack, Cadiz. Mustered in August 30, 1862. Recruit. Killed at Vicksburg, Mississippi, May 21, 1863.


HISTORY OF THE


EIGHTH INFANTRY REGIMENT, INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.


MUSTERED FOR THREE YEARS.


The Eighth Regiment was re-organized, for the three years' service, at Indianapolis on the 20th of August, 1861, and mustered in on the 5th of Sep- tember, 1861, with William P. Benton, as Colonel. It marched from Indianapolis,


268


HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.


by rail, on the 10th of September, and arrived at St. Louis, Missouri, on the day following, joining the Army then being formed by General Fremont. In a few days after, the regiment marched toward the State Capital reaching Jef- ferson City on the 14th of September, where it remained in camp a week, during which time it was placed in the brigade commanded by Colonel Jeff C. Davis of the 22d Indiana Volunteers. On the 22d the march was resumed for Springfield. The Eighth made the march to that place in fourteen days, and returned to Otter- ville in seven days. On the 17th of December, the regiment marched to War- rensburg, and assisted in the capture of thirteen hundred rebels. Returning to Otterville, it remained in camp until the 24th of January, 1862, when it marched for Springfield, joining the command of General Curtis on the route. From this point the march was continued to Cross Timbers, Arkansas, and immediately after, the great battle of Pea Ridge was fought on the 6th, 7th and 8th of March, in which the Eighth participated. It remained in camp at Cross Timbers for nearly a month, and then moved in the direction of Forsythe, Missouri, over the Ozark Mountains, and then proceeded down the valley of White River and across the country to Batesville, Arkansas, halting at Sulphur Rock for nearly two months. Leaving the latter place June 22d, it reached Helena, on the Mississippi River on the 13th of July. The command suffered severely on this arduous march by rea- son of the scarcity of provisions, there being but a scanty supply with the com- mand and but little in the country ; very often the daily rations consisted of four ears of corn with a small allowance of meat. During this march some skirmishing was had with the enemy in the canebrakes of White River and an engagement fought at Cotton Plant. In August, while on an expedition from Helena a skirmish was had at Austin, Mississippi. On the 6th of October, the Eighth was placed in the command of General Steele and proceeded, by steamer, to Sulphur Hill, near St. Louis, Missouri, from which place it marched to Ironton on the IIth of October, and from thence marched and counter-marched through the southeastern portion of the State, until March 5th, 1863, when the regiment embarked on a steamer at St. Genevieve to join General Grant's Army then organizing at Mil- liken's Bend, Louisiana. Here it was assigned to Benton's Brigade, Carr's Division of the 13th Corps, McClernand commanding. On the 29th of April, the regiment crossed the Mississippi River and participated in the engagements at Port Gibson, on the Ist of May, losing in killed and wounded thirty two; at Jackson on the 14th ; at Champion Hills on the 16th ; at Big Black River on the 17th ; and from the 18th of May till the 4th of July, was engaged in the siege of Vicksburg. In the assault on the enemy's works on the 22d of May the Eighth lost one hundred and. seventeen in killed and wounded. On the 5th of July, it marched to Jackson, which, being evacuated by the rebels, the Eighth returned to Vicksburg on the 24th of July, where it remained till the 20th of August, when it embarked on a steamer for Carrollton, Louisiana. From this point a campaign was made through the Teche Country, under General Banks. On the 12th of November the regi- ment embarked from Berwick City for Texas, and on the 17th, took part in the attack and capture of a fort on Mustang Island, near Aransas Pass. On the 27th, it was engaged in the attack and capture of Fort Esperanza, after which it marched to Indianola. Here, on the Ist of January, 1864, the regiment re-enlisted, 417 out of 515 being re-mustered as veterans. Prior to re-enlistment the Eighth sustained


269


HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.


the following losses by death : killed in action 48, died of wounds 32, died of disease 137, total 217.


On the 22d of April the regiment arrived at Indianapolis on veteran fur- lough and remained in the State a month. Returning to New Orleans it embarked on the 27th of July for Morganza Bend, and the next day marched to Atchafalaya, where it engaged the Confederates and returned to Morganza Bend, from which place it embarked on steamer for Washington City, arriving there on the 12th of August. From thence it marched to Berryville, Virginia, where it was assigned to the 19th Corps, participating in the campaign of the Shenandoah Valley, under General Sheridan. The regiment was in the engagement at Opequan on the 19th of September and in the battles of Fisher's Hill, on the 22d of September, and of Cedar Creek on the 19th of October. It left the valley on the 6th of January, 1865, and arrived at Savannah, Georgia, by steamer from Baltimore, on the 16th of the same month. It remained on duty in Georgia until the 28th of August, 1865, when it was mustered out of service. On the 17th of September, the Eighth arrived at Indianapolis, in command of Lieutenant Colonel John R. Polk, with 14 officers and 245 men, where it was finally discharged from service, after being publicly received in the Capitol grounds by Governor Morton, on behalf of the State.


The above is the history of the regiment as given in the "Report of W. H. H. Terrell, Adjutant General of Indiana." It may be added that this was one of the famous Indiana regiments in the Civil War. Its services were as arduous as any and it served in more States and marched more miles, by foot, rail and water, than any other regiment containing a full Henry County company. The distance traveled is computed to have been nearly 15,000 miles, almost two thirds of the circumference of the earth.


Its first Colonel, William P. Benton, became, early in the war, a Brigadier General and later a Brevet Major General, "for faithful and meritorious service." When the war began he was Judge of the Common Pleas Court of Wayne County and recruited the first full company going into the army from that county, which became Company A of this regiment (three months' service). He never served as Captain, being at once commissioned Colonel.


This regiment was closely associated with the Eighteenth Indiana Infantry during its entire service, and with the First Indiana Battery, until the Spring of 1864. Its first Brigade Commander, Colonel Jeff C. Davis, became famous in the war, reaching the full rank of Major General and commanding one wing of General Sherman's Army on its "March to the Sea."


Indiana has erected a monument to the regiment at Vicksburg.


This regiment bore an honorable part in the following engagements :


Pea Ridge, Arkansas


March 5-8, 1862.


Cotton Plant, Arkansas. July 7, 1862.


Austin, Mississippi. August 2, 1862.


Port Gibson, Mississippi May 1, 1863.


Jackson, Mississippi .


May 14, 1863.


Champion Hills, Mississippi


May 16, 1863.


Big Black River, Mississippi.


May 17, 1863.


Vicksburg, Mississippi, (Siege of)


May 18 to July 4, 1863.


270


HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.


Vicksburg, Mississippi, (General Assault) May 22, 1863.


Jackson, Mississippi, (Siege of)


. July 9-16, 1863.


Mustang Island, Texas.


. November 17, 1863.


Fort Esperanza, Texas.


. November 27-29, 1863.


Atchafalaya River, Louisiana


. July 28, 1864.


Berryville, Virginia.


. September 3-4, 1864.


Opequan, Virginia.


. September 19, 1864.


Fisher's Hill, Virginia.


. September 22, 1864.


New Market, Virginia.


. October 7, 1864.


Cedar Creek, Virginia.


October 19, 1864.


CHAPTER XIV.


INFANTRY CONTINUED.


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF COLLINS T. BEDFORD AND FAMILY-WILLIAM R. FLEMING AND FAMILY-SAMUEL A. MITCHELL AND FAMILY-LEVI P. SHOE- MAKER AND FAMILY-CYRUS VAN MATRE AND FAMILY-JOHN W. WHIT- WORTH AND FAMILY.


This chapter is made up entirely of biographical sketches of Henry County soldiers who served in Company E, 8th Indiana Infantry (three years), namely : Collins T. Bedford, Sergeant; William R. Fleming, Private; Samuel A. Mitchell, Lieutenant : Levi P. Shoemaker, Lieutenant ; Cyrus Van Matre, Lieutenant ; John W. Whitworth, Corporal.


They were among the most gallant of Henry County's soldiers and on many a hard-fought field vindicated the courage and patriotism of Henry County's sons. The lives of such men are not only of interest to their comrades, who fought the fight with them, but are an example and an inspiration to every young man of the present time. Their sacrifices in war, their industry, probity and character in peace, and their age distinguished by a glorious youth render them and their comrades worthy of enduring fame. Our great Commonwealth, strong and in- divisible, is their fitting monument. Let the edifice, cemented with their blood and consecrated by their valor, be maintained in undiminished grandeur by future generations, even to the end of time.


272


HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF COLLINS THOMAS BEDFORD, M. D.


SERGEANT, COMPANY E, 8TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, INDIANA VOLUNTEERS (THREE YEARS), PHYSICIAN, MEDICAL COLLEGE PROFESSOR, AND OFFICIAL.


Collins Thomas Bedford was born October 7, 1840, at Springsboro, Warren County, Ohio, a son of Joseph A and Amy (Collins) Bedford, of English ancestry but natives of New Jersey. His early education was received in his native State but at the age of twelve he was sent to Hagerstown, Indiana, and became for a time a student in the public schools of that city.


The alarm to arms in 1861 found him at Hillsboro, Fountain County, Indiana, but having a brother, William Savory Bedford, living at Middletown, Henry County, who was about to obey the call of duty, Collins T. joined him there and both enlisted in Company E, 8th Indiana Infantry (three years) and were mustered into the service of the United States, September 5, 1861, Collins T., as Corporal, and William S., as private. Collins T. was later appointed Sergeant and served continuously with this famous regiment until mustered out, September 4, 1864. He participated in all the battles and skirmishes of the regiment from Pea Ridge, Arkansas, March 5-8, 1862, to Berryville, Virginia, September 3-4, 1864.


Upon muster out of the service, September 4, 1864, the brothers returned to Middletown, where Collins T. started to learn the shoemaker's trade under his brother. Collins T., however, had even then determined upon a professional career, and early and late, while plying his trade, he prosecuted the study of medicine. His savings, while working at his trade, enabled him, in 1873, to enter the Physio-Medical School of Indiana, located at Indianapolis, where he continued his study of medicine, and in the Spring of 1875 was graduated from that institution. He commenced the practice of his profession in New Castle, where he remained for several months and then removed to Franklin, Johnson County, but Dr. Bedford had now become a man of solid attainments and his ability was soon recognized by his election in the Fall of 1875 to the professorship of Chemistry and Toxicology in his alma mater. He filled this chair about five years when he was elected to the chair of Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children. Dr. Bedford has been continuously connected with the college, since his first election in 1875, and for the past eighteen years has been secretary of the faculty. He is a member of the Board of Trustees and is at present Secre- tary and Treasurer of that body. He is also a member of the American Medical Association of Physio-Medical Physicians and Surgeons and the Indiana State Physio-Medical Association in which he has filled all important positions.


In 1885 he engaged in the wholesale and retail drug business at Indianapolis under the name of "C. T. Bedford Drug House." This place enjoys the distinction of being the only Physio-Medical Wholesale Drug House in the United States and, besides its extensive retail trade, does a wholesale business which reaches every part of the Union. This business is under the able management of the Doctor's brother, George T. Bedford. Besides his other interests, Dr. Bedford also finds time to devote to a large medical practice.


Dr. Bedford has not been so absorbed in business, however, as to neglect his duties as a citizen. He takes that intelligent interest in the public affairs of his


Collins Bedford


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HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.


City, State and' Country, as can be expected of one who has risked his life to maintain the national integrity. While in no sense a politician, he has been a member of the City Council of Indianapolis ( 1881 to 1884, both inclusive ) and has been chairman of the committee on health and president of the City Hospital Board. He affiliates with the Republican party and is influential in its local councils.


At Middletown, in 1865, Dr. Bedford married Narina P. Fink, daughter of William and Margaret (Toops) Fink, of German ancestry, but natives of Penn- sylvania. They were old settlers at Middletown and were esteemed among the substantial citizens of the place. Dr. and Mrs. Bedford have had four children born to them of whom Bertie alone survives. She was educated at Indianapolis and is now the wife of Walter S. Ballenger, a prominent young business man of Indianapolis.


Dr. Bedford is an enthusiastic "Old Soldier," as the veterans of the Civil War are called, and is a member of the George H. Thomas Post, Grand Army of the Republic, Indianapolis, and of the Union Veteran Legion of that grand organization. He is also identified with the Royal Arcanum and other similar organizations. Both himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.


The career of Dr. Bedford, from the shoemaker's bench to his present position of usefulness and influence, illustrates the versatility of American character and shows the strong moral fibre of the man himself. He is in every way and in the best sense, a self-made man. As a citizen he is public spirited and helpful toward all public interests, for no man has the prosperity and welfare of the mass of his fellow citizens more nearly at heart than he.


WILLIAM SAVORY BEDFORD.


William Savory Bedford, elder brother of Collins Thomas Bedford, was born April 9, 1833. He settled at Middletown prior to the Civil War and from that time to the close of his life lived continuously in Henry County, either at Middletown or New Castle. He fulfilled a soldier's duty during his three years' enlistment in the 8th Indiana Infantry, and after his return to civil life, he met with universal esteem for his purity of character and Christian virtues. He died suddenly, at his home in New Castle, on March 13, 1903, and was buried on the following Sunday in South Mound Cemetery, New Castle, with solemn and im- pressive services. The funeral was largely attended by citizens, generally, and by his comrades of the Civil War, from nearly every locality in the county. His conduct in life had merited the perfect confidence of the people of the county and he was elected sheriff, serving in that position from August 23, 1869, to August 22, 1871. He was afterwards elected treasurer and served as such from August 5, 1875, to August 4, 1877. At the time of his death and for some years previous, he had been connected with the United States Postoffice Department as a rural route carrier from the New Castle Postoffice. He left no children but his widow, a most estimable lady, survives him.


18


274


HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF WILLIAM R. FLEMING.


PRIVATE, COMPANY E, STII INFANTRY REGIMENT, INDIANA VOLUNTEERS (THREE YEARS), AND FARMER.


This native born citizen of Henry County, Indiana, had his nativity on the site of his present home in Fall Creek Township, June 23, 1838, and is of Virginia extraction and ante-Revolutionary descent. His parents, William and Sarah (Miller) Fleming, were natives of the Old Dominion, having been born long before the new State of West Virginia was partitioned off from the old, and William Fleming was the first child to see the light of day in the fort at Fairmont in Marion County, West Virginia, his birth having taken place in 1787.


Bose Fleming, the father of William, was a soldier in the patriot army during the war for American independence. William, the father of William R. Fleming, the subject of this sketch, was first married in Virginia and came to Indiana with four children, about 1830. He first located in Delaware County, four miles north of Middletown, Henry County, where his wife died two years later. A year or so after this event Mr. Fleming was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Miller, daughter of William Miller. This lady was a native of the Shenandoah valley, Virginia, and was a child of three years when taken to Clermont County, Ohio, but was a woman grown when she accompanied her parents to where Tabor, Delaware County, Indiana, now stands. Mr. Fleming thence came to Henry County and purchased the tract of land to which he brought his newly made bride, which tract was improved with what was then considered to be a large frame house, but which would now be looked upon as a small affair, and in this house William R. Fleming was born. The original farm was increased to about four hundred acres before the death of the elder Mr. Fleming, to which he added still more, of which he gave his eldest son a fair share and cleared up two hundred acres for his own use, being still the owner of four hundred at the time of his death, November 24, 1862.




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