USA > Indiana > Henry County > Hazzard's history of Henry county, Indiana, 1822-1906, Volume I > Part 60
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Mitton Reden.
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HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF MILTON PEDEN.
COLONEL, 147TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, INDIANA VOLUNTEERS, AND LEGISLATOR.
Colonel Milton Peden, of Knightstown, Indiana, is a native of Washington County, Pennsylvania, where he was born, March 20, 1823. In 1835 his parents, James and Margaret Peden, removed, with their entire family of eight children, to New Paris, Preble County, Ohio, and in November of the following year moved to Madison County, Indiana, settling where the town of New Columbus was then situated, which is now known as Ovid postoffice. In the Fall of 1842, Milton Peden came to Knightstown where he worked as a farm hand for two years, then took up the trade of cabinet making for one year, after which he worked as a millwright with Oliver H. Armstrong, until October, 1849. About this time the report of the discovery of gold in California and the alluring ac- counts of that new El Dorado, which were drawing so many of the young men of the East to the Pacific slopes, also attracted Mr. Peden. He joined in the exodus to the West, went to California where he worked at mining until 1851, when he returned to San Francisco and there took passage for home on the steamer Carolina, via the Isthmus of Panama. The vessel, however, was caught in a furious equinoctial gale on September 19th and driven ashore on the coast of Central America. Leaving the wrecked vessel, Mr. Peden traveled through Nicaragua, to San Juan del Norte, where he took passage on a vessel bound for New York, from which port he finally reached Knightstown, December 24, 1851. A full account of Mr. Peden's experiences in California, as well as on his journey to and from that country will be found elsewhere in this History in the chapter entitled, "Henry County Emigration to the Gold Fields of California."
After his return to Knightstown, Mr. Peden engaged in the quiet pursuits of agriculture for several years. In 1854 he was elected to the Indiana Legislature and served one term, having as his colleague in that body, the late Luther C. Mellett, of Prairie Township. In 1860 he was elected Justice of the Peace and served as such until the beginning of the Civil War. During the interval between 1854, when he represented Henry County in the Legislature, and 1860, he with many others, from Knightstown and other places in the county, went to Pike's Peak, during the excitement caused by the reported discovery of gold in that region, and a detailed account of his experiences, during this trip, will be found in this History, in the chapter entitled, "Henry County Emigration to Pike's Peak."
These adventures of his youth had well fitted him for command of men and when the great conflict began in 1861, he responded to the demands of the country with alacrity. He resigned as Justice of the Peace and early in August, 1861, was active and energetic in recruiting and organizing Company K. 36th Indiana Infantry, and was mustered into the service of the United States, as First Lieu- tenant of that company, September 16, 1861. Captain Morrow P. Armstrong resigned the command of the company, April 24, 1862, and was re-commissioned as Chaplain of the regiment. Milton Peden was then promoted Captain and mustered as such, May 13, 1862. In 1863 he was appointed Brigade Provost Marshal on the staff of General William Grose, Third Brigade, Second Division, Twenty First Army Corps. He participated in the important battles fought by 34
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HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
the Army of the Cumberland from Shiloh, Tennessee, April 6-7, 1862, to the fall of Atlanta, Georgia, September 2, 1864. He was severely wounded in the right thigh at the battle of Stone's River, Tennessee, December 31, 1862, and unfitted for duty for a period of four months. The history of the 36th Indiana Infantry is the military history of Captain Peden until his muster out, with the regiment, September 21, 1864.
Captain Peden returned from the war to meet with civic honors at the hands of his fellow citizens, being elected to the Indiana State Senate from Henry County and serving in that body during the session of 1864-5. He was an active supporter of Governor Morton and the State administration in all their efforts for the suppression of the war and restoration of the power and authority of the General Government.
At the urgent solicitation of Governor Morton, Senator Peden resigned his seat in the State Senate and was appointed Colonel of the 147th Indiana Infantry, and was mustered into the service of the United States, March 15, 1865. He was ordered, with his command, to the Valley of Virginia, where he continued to serve until the close of the war, when he was mustered out, August 4, 1865, at Harper's Ferry, Virginia, his total military service covering a period of three years and six months.
The longed for peace had come and Colonel Peden returned to Knightstown where he engaged in the stove and tinware business until May, 1882, when he was appointed a special timber agent under the General Land Office of the Govern- ment and was assigned to duty in the pineries of Northern Minnesota to protect the Government's interests therein. He continued to fill this position to the satis- faction of the Government until April, 1886, when he retired to private life.
Colonel Peden is a member of Jerry B. Mason Post, No. 168, Grand Army of the Republic, Knightstown, and is also a member of the Indiana Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. He is a member of Golden Rule Lodge, No. 16, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and of Knightstown Commandery, No. 9, Knights Templar. In religion, Colonel Peden is an adherent of the Presbyterian Church and a faithful follower of its tenets. Since his return from the Northwest, he has been for a number of years Justice of the Peace.
In July, 1866, Colonel Peden was married to Mrs. Mary A. Furgason, daughter of Sidney Muzzy and widow of Samuel W. Furgason, who died in February, 1864. Two daughters were born of her first marriage of whom Maud alone survives. She is the wife of Dr. Olin E. Holloway, a leading physician of Knightstown. Sidney Muzzy, father of Mrs. Peden, died in 1875.
From his adventurous youth to his present venerable age, Colonel Peden's life has been crowded with incident. Conspicuous in the civil and political life of Henry County, he also bore an honorable part in a great war and was brought in contact with many eminent men. He knew, intimately, Oliver P. Morton. Richard W. Thompson, Albert G. Porter, Benjamin Harrison, Conrad Baker. Henry S. Lane, Solomon Meredith, Caleb B. Smith, Samuel W. Parker and many other of Indiana's prominent and influential men. In a summary of his career, however, Colonel Peden justly considers the most important events in his life to have been his support of Abraham Lincoln for President in 1860 and 1864 and his military services in the Civil War.
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HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
Since 1842 he has made his home at Knightstown and has witnessed its ex- pansion from a village into a beautiful town and now at the age of eighty two years he is regarded as Knightstown's grand old man, loved and honored by all.
REUBEN PEDEN.
Probably no citizen of Knightstown ever stood higher in the estimation of that community than the late Reuben Peden, younger brother of Colonel Milton Peden. He was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, November 20, 1824, and came with his parents to Ohio and upon their removal to Madison County, Indiana, accompanied them there. He acquired a good education and taught school for a time at various points in the State, but in 1848 he joined his brother, at Knightstown, where he settled permanently. In 1849 his brother, Milton Peden, sought the gold fields of California and Reuben took his place as millwright with Oliver H. Armstrong.
While working for Mr. Armstrong, he was united in marriage with Ominda Armstrong, daughter of his employer, the marriage being solemnized July 22, 1852, by the Reverend John Fairfield. To this union were born six children, namely : Mary F., Arthur M., Hiram V., Lizzie A., Charles E. and Nellie B. Of these children, one son and one daughter are still living, the son, Hiram V., living at Huntington, Huntington County, Indiana, and the daughter, Lizzie A., being now Mrs. William J. Hatfield, of Frankfort, Clinton County, Indiana. His widow, Mrs. Ominda Peden, is also still living and resides with her daughter, Mrs. William J. Hatfield.
Mr. Peden continued to follow his trade of millwright until early in the Civil War, when he entered the grain business which he prosecuted diligently and successfully to the end of his life.
During his lifetime, Reuben Peden belonged to the Masonic Order and was one of the best informed Masons of the State. He was for a term Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Indiana ; also Eminent Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of the State of Indiana. He was likewise Master of Golden Rule Lodge, No. 16, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Knightstown, for many years. So intimate and profound was his knowl- edge of the craft that he was regarded as an eminent authority on most questions coming before the various Masonic organizations.
Reuben Peden was instantly killed, Friday, December 1, 1893. His ware- house was located immediately south of the Panhandle depot at Knightstown. In the course of his business, it was his daily custom to carry his mail across the tracks of the railroad to the depot and there mail it. On the day mentioned a freight train, standing on the side track between the main track and his warehouse, had been cut in two to make an opening for the Jefferson Street crossing, just west of his place of business. At this moment Mr. Peden, in pursuance of his custom, started to cross the track, but his view was obstructed by the freight train and the noise of escaping steam from the freight engine prevented his hearing the sound of an approaching west bound express train, running at the rate of sixty miles an hour. Passing in front of the freight, he was struck by the express as he was in the act of stepping from the track to the station platform. His body was thrown a distance of eighty feet with such frightful force that a watchman's
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HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
sentry box, which it struck, was moved from its foundation and its side crushed in like an egg shell.
This is probably the most tragic death in the annals of Henry County. The entire community was shocked and Knightstown, accustomed for many years to his goings in and out, was a city of mourners and the entire county evinced its sympathy. How forcibly is the uncertainty of life brought home to all by this sad event. Mr. Peden had been crossing the railroad track at this particular point for this particular purpose, almost daily, for thirty years, when in the twinkling of an eye, death claimed him.
In his contact with his fellows, Mr. Peden was quiet and unassuming, modest of demeanor, noted for his kindly disposition and possessed of the highest char- acter for probity and honor. He was a devout Christian, a member of the Presbyterian Church, and had been clerk of the church session continuously for thirty three years.
Samuel. a. Swearingen
5.33
HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF SAMUEL VAN SWEARINGEN.
PRIVATE, COMPANY E, 147TH INFANTRY REGIMENT, INDIANA VOLUNTEERS, AND FARMER.
The field book on deposit in the Auditor's Office of Henry County, which is the transcript made up from the records of the United States Land Office, after the public lands in Henry County had been exhausted, shows that on March I. 1832, Van B. Swearingen entered from the United States, at one dollar and twenty five cents per acre, the east half of the southeast quarter, section six, township eighteen, range eleven east, eighty acres. Again on August 30, 1832, he entered the west half of the southeast quarter, section six, township eighteen, range eleven east, eighty acres. This land, which thus early came into the possession of the Swearingen family, is located in Prairie Township and its northeast corner is only a quarter of a mile southwest of the town of Rogersville. Van B. Swearingen continued to live on this farm until the day of his death.
Van B. Swearingen was born in 1802 in West Virginia. Elizabeth (Mur- (lock) Swearingen was born in 1803. Both were born near Morgantown, Monon- galia County, and Marion County from which this couple emigrated to Henry County, Indiana, was formed from a part of Monongalia County. They were married in Virginia.
Van B. Swearingen was the head of the family in Henry County, having come from Marion County, West Virginia, and settled here in the year 1829. The family has ever since lived within two and a half miles of the land entered as above stated. Among his large family of children, there was a son named Jacob H., born in Marion County, West Virginia, in 1822. In 1841, at the age of nineteen, he married Mary Bechtelheimer, but continued to live on his father's farm for two years. He then moved to a farm in Stony Creek Township which for more than half a century has been known as the "Swearingen farm," most of which is now, however, owned by Charles W. Mouch of New Castle. Jacob H. Swearingen is still living and has his home at Mooreland, Henry County. Mrs. Jacob H. Swearingen died December 28, 1864. During his long life, Jacob H. Swearingen has been a prominent business man of the county. To his union with Mary Bechtelheimer, fifteen children were born, among the number being a son named for his grandfather, Samuel Van Swearingen. He is the second child and oldest son of this marriage and the subject of this sketch.
SAMUEL VAN SWEARINGEN.
Samuel Van Swearingen was born December 11, 1846, and lived at home with his parents, working on the farm in Summer and attending the country school in Winter, until the Winter of 1864-5. In those last years of the Civil War, the need for troops was becoming more and more insistant, and young Swearingen, who had been but a child at the beginning of the war, was now ready to assume the duties of a man and citizen, and feeling it to be his duty. enlisted as a private in Company E, 147th Indiana Infantry, and was mustered into the service of the United States, at Richmond, Indiana, February 7, 1865.
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HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
Milton Peden of Knightstown was Colonel of this regiment, and the officers of the company were Captain James D. Hiatt and First Lieutenant George W. Shroyer, both of New Burlington, Delaware County; Second Lieutenant Milton N. Goff of Selma, in the same county. This regiment served in West Virginia, near Harper's Ferry, and in the Valley of the Shenandoah. Private Swearingen was with his regiment continuously until he was mustered out of the service at Indianapolis, August 4, 1865. The history of the regiment, published immediately preceding this sketch, is the military history of Samuel V. Swearingen.
After his discharge from the army, he returned to his father's home, where he continued to reside until the Fall of 1868, when he acquired from his father, one hundred and sixty acres of land, located in the southwest part of Stony Creek Township, three and a half miles from Blountsville. This land was a part of the well known Swearingen farm above referred to. Mr. Swearingen still owns this land and through his efforts, it has been made as attractive and put under as high a state of cultivation as any farm in the northeastern part of Henry County. It is a model farm and shows to advantage the practical skill of its owner.
On October 29, 1868, Samuel V. Swearingen was married to Rachel Bird, daughter of Joseph and Rachel Bird, who were among the earliest settlers of Blountsville. Joseph Bird was born August 27, 1803, and died January I, 1868; Rachel Bird was born November 8, 1806, and died December 12, 1877. They emigrated from New Jersey to Henry County in 1835 and were highly respected and well known throughout the northern and northeastern part of the county.
To Samuel V. and Rachel (Bird) Swearingen were born two sons: Ira E., born September 7, 1869, died March 25, 1905, and is buried in Mooreland Ceme- tery ; and Wellington W., born April 6, 1874; both had the good fortune to make their homes continuously with their parents. Wellington W. was married October 14, 1894, to Mattie E. Dakins, who died November 14, 1899, and is buried in Mooreland Cemetery. To this marriage was born a son, November 9, 1899, named Herbert. The child being only five days old at the time of his mother's death, he was taken by his grandmother Swearingen and now lives with his grandparents at their home.
Mr. Swearingen is a practical farmer and in all his labors, whether on the farm or elsewhere, has been materially assisted by his wife. He is a friend and advocate of education and has given his children the benefit of the best education the opportunities afford. Every situation and every obligation of his life has been squarely met. In politics he is an ardent Republican. He is a member of the Henry County Association of Veterans of the Civil War, and is a good citizen, who enjoys the friendship and good will of his neighbors. He is a very in- dustrious man and never idles away a moment of time. Everything about his farm shows the work of a methodical and energetic man. The home, the barns, the fences exhibit taste and care and the best methods of cultivation are employed on the land.
A farming life is not, perhaps, the most eventful, but its daily round of duty well performed calls for the best energies of its followers and it is from this school that so many of the country's leaders have graduated.
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HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
Van B. Swearingen and Elizabeth (Murdock) Swearingen, his wife, parents of Jacob H. and paternal grandparents of Samuel V., are buried in the Rogers- ville Cemetery. Samuel and Rachel Bechtelheimer, maternal grandparents of Samuel V. Swearingen, are buried in the German Baptist Cemetery in Stony Creek Township. Samuel V. Swearingen's mother was first buried in the Rogers- ville Cemetery but her remains were afterwards removed and re-interred in the Mooreland Cemetery. Joseph and Rachel Bird, parents of Mrs. Samuel V. Swearingen, are buried in the Blountsville Cemetery.
CHAPTER XXIII.
INFANTRY CONTINUED.
ROSTERS OF CONDENSED REGIMENTS-7TH-12TH-13TH-15TH-17TH-18TH- 2IST-22ND-24TH-26TH-3IST-32ND-33RD-34TH-37TH-38TH-40TH -42ND-44TH-47TH-48TH-50TH-5IST-52ND-53RD-55TH -58TH- 59TH-63RD -67TH-68TH-70TH-72ND-74TH -75TH-79TH-82ND- 85TH-86TH-87TH-89TH-93RD -99TH-100TH-IOIST-117TH-118TH -I20TH-123RD-128TH-130TH-132ND-133RD-134TH-142ND -146TH -148TH-149TH-150TH-153RD -154TH-155TH-156TH - HISTORICAL OUTLINES OF THE SEVERAL REGIMENTS-BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF PRIVATE WILLIAM JAMES BROWN LUTHER AND FAMILY.
In the following organizations, Henry County was but slightly represented and for that reason the several regiments are condensed in form and only brief outlines of their histories are given.
The name of each infantryman is followed by his postoffice address at the time of enlistment. In some instances the soldier was not a resident of Henry County at the time of enlistment but moved to that county after the Civil War. In such cases the name of the county from which he enlisted is substituted for the post- office address and that is followed by the place of settlement in Henry County.
SEVENTH INFANTRY.
William De Moss, Decatur County. Knightstown after the Civil War. Private, Com- pany E. Mustered in August 12, 1862. Recruit. Captured on Weldon Railroad, Peters- burg, Virginia, August 19, 1864. Held in Libby and Belle Isle Prisons, Richmond, Vir- ginia, and Salisbury Prison, North Carolina, until February 22, 1865. Paroled. Mus- tered out June 17, 1865.
Columbus Franklin, Hendricks County. Shirley after the Civil War. Private, Company B. Mustered in September 13, 1861. Discharged, disability, January 22, 1863.
Samuel Level, Raysville. Corporal, Company E. Mustered in September 13, 1861. Captured on Weldon Railroad, Petersburg, Virginia, August 19, 1864. Died in Salisbury Prison, North Carolina, April, 1865. This soldier previously served in Company F, Sev- enth Indiana Infantry. mustered for three months.
Organized at Indianapolis, September, 1861. Mustered for three years. Served with the Army of the Potomac. Veteranized. Mustered out in July, 1865. Indiana has erected a monument to this regiment at Gettysburg.
TWELFTH INFANTRY.
Organized at Indianapolis, May, 1861. Mustered for one year. Served with the Army of the Shenandoah under General Banks. Mustered out in May, 1862.
Amos McGuire, Hancock County. Middletown after the Civil War. Private, Com- pany B. Mustered in May 15, 1861. Mustered out May 19, 1862.
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HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
THIRTEENTH INFANTRY.
RE-ORGANIZED IN THE FIELD.
Charles Brown, Delaware County. Cadiz after the Civil War. Private, Company E. Mustered in February 5, 1864. Recruit. Mustered out September 5, 1865.
Charles Carl, Knightstown. Private, Company K. Mustered in February 10, 1865. Recruit. Mustered out September 5, 1865.
Jesse Dillman, New Castle. Private, Company G. Mustered in November 30, 1864. Recruit. Mustered out September 5. 1865.
Stephen R. Lane, New Castle. Private, Company D. Mustered in January 1, 1864. Recruit. Mustered out May 31, 1865.
David Lucas, Delaware County. Cadiz after the Civil War. Private, Company D. Mustered in December 20, 1863. Recruit. Mustered out September 5, 1865.
Washington Osborn, Henry County. Private, Company H. Mustered in February 7, 1865. Recruit. Appointed Corporal. Mustered out September 5, 1865.
Henry C. Polk, Greensboro. Private, Company B. Mustered in February 15, 1864. Recruit. Killed at Petersburg, Virginia, July 30, 1864.
Joseph Rogers, Luray. Private, Company E. Mustered in December 20, 1863. Re- cruit. Mustered out September 5, 1865.
William Ross, Sulphur Springs. Private, Company H. Mustered in March 22, 1865. Recruit. Mustered out September 5, 1865.
Abraham Shearer, Henry County. Private, Unassigned. Mustered in October 18. 1864. Recruit. Unaccounted for.
Organized at Indianapolis, June, 1861. Mustered for three years. Served in West Virginia, in Charleston Harbor and under Grant in Virginia. Veteranized. Re-organ- ized in the field. Mustered out in September, 1865.
FIFTEENTH INFANTRY.
James W. Bunce, Fountain County. Dudley Township after the Civil War. Private, Company A. Mustered in June 14, 1861. Mustered out June 25, 1864.
Organized at La Fayette, May, 1861. Mustered for three years. Served with the Army of the Cumberland. Mustered out in June, 1864. Indiana has erected a monument to this regiment at Shiloh.
SEVENTEENTH INFANTRY.
John Burr, Middletown. Private, Company G. Mustered in March 31, 1864. Re- cruit. Died at Evansville, Indiana, December 6, 1864.
Richard S. Gossett, Honey Creek. Private, Company G. Mustered in June 12, 1861. Veteran. Appointed Corporal. Mustered out August 8, 1865.
Joseph Hurst, Madison County. Jefferson Township after the Civil War. Private, Company G. Mustered in March 9, 1864. Recruit. Mustered out August 8, 1865.
Judson L. Mann, Sulphur Springs. Private, Company G. Mustered in June 12, 1861. Veteran. Mustered out August 8, 1865.
David Stewart, Middletown. Private, Company G. Mustered in March 3, 1864. Re- cruit. Mustered out August 8, 1865.
Joseph A. Swope, Middletown. Private, Company G. Mustered in March 9, 1864. Recruit. Mustered out August 8, 1865.
William M. Watkins, New Castle. Private, Company G. Mustered in September 29, 1864. Recruit. Mustered out June 21, 1865.
Charles H. Weaver, Knightstown. Private, Company K. Mustered in October 15, 1864. Recruit. Mustered out June 18, 1865.
John S. Weaver, Knightstown. Private, Company K. Mustered in August 5, 1864. Recruit. Mustered out June 5, 1865.
Organized at Indianapolis, June, 1861. Mustered for three years. Served with the Army of the Cumberland as part of Wilder's Brigade Mounted Infantry. Veteranized. Mustered out in August, 1865. Indiana has erected monuments to this regiment at Shiloh and at Chickamauga.
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HAZZARD'S HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
EIGHTEENTH INFANTRY.
Lycurgus W. Eastman, Knightstown. Principal Musician. Mustered in August 16, 1861. Mustered out March 20, 1862.
William H. Elliott, New Castle. Regimental Band. Mustered in August 16, 1861. Mustered out March 20, 1862.
James H. McGinnis, Middletown. Private, Company K. Mustered in October 25, 1862. Recruit. Mustered out May 18, 1865.
William May, Henry County. Private, Unassigned. Mustered in September 8, 1864. Recruit. Unaccounted for.
William R. Oliver, Henry County. Private, Company H. Mustered in August 16, 1861. Discharged, disability, May 27, 1862.
Alfred M. Thornburgh, New Castle. Regimental Band. Mustered in August 16, 1861. Mustered out March 20, 1862.
John M. Thornburgh. Middletown. Regimental Band. Mustered in August 16, 1861. Mustered out March 20. 1862.
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