USA > Indiana > Fayette County > History of Fayette County, Indiana: containing a history of the townships, towns, villages, schools, churches, industries, etc.; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; biographies, etc., etc. > Part 46
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JOHN FIANT, farmer, Waterloo Township, is the tenth child of Daniel Fiant. He was born in Union County, Ind., November 6, 1818. His early life was passed amid the hardships incident to pioneer days on the farm. In 1843 he was married to Hannah, daughter of Samuel Fiddler, when he settled perma- nently on his present farm. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Fiant, six of whom are living: Daniel, Mary, Emma, Eda, Rose and Nettie; Oliver died April 13, 1854, aged nine months and six days. Mr. Fiant owns 117 acres of land, which is highly improved. He and his wife are members of the German Baptist Church, in which he is one of the Deacons.
LEWIS C. FLOREA (deceased), late of Harrison Township, was born in Woodford County, Ky., December 17, 180S, son of John and Margaret (Col- lins) Florea. In the early settlement of this section of the country, John Florea and family located in what is now Fayette County, and here he died shortly after- ward, and the family returned to Kentucky. When Lewis C. became a grown man he returned to his father's possessions in this county, where he resided the remainder of his life, occupied as a farmer. He died January 31, 1871, closing a successful career and one of usefulness to his fellow. man. On Novem- ber 5, 1835, Mr. Florea was married to Mary Eliza Dale, who still survives, and to them were born eight children, seven of whom grew to manhood and
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womanhood, viz .: Albert W., Joseph D., John C., Emily F., William T., Lewis W., George C. and Charles C. (the last named died in 1862). The widow of Mr. Florea was born in this county, May 4, 1815, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Bradburn) Dale, the former a native of Woodford County, Ky., where he grew to manhood. He settled in Franklin County, Ind., in 1814, where their marriage took place, and in 1815 removed to what is now Harrison Township, this county. Joseph Dale and his wife and Lewis C. Florea and his wife were members of the Old School Baptist Church, and were all zealous Christian people.
JOHN C. FLOREA, farmer, Harrison Township, was born in Harrison Township, this County, No- vember 19, 1839, son of Lewis C. and Eliza (Dale) Florea, old pioneers of this county. Our subject received a common school education, and has farmed nearly all his life. He was married, October 9, 1867, to Miss Margaret Allen, a native of Putnam County. To this union have been born the following children: Maud E. (who died January 11, 1877), Lee A., John R. and Mary A. During the late war of the Rebell- ion Mr. Florea enlisted at Connersville, July 25, 1861, in Company F, Ind. C., serving three years and two months. He participated in the battles of Antietam, Wilderness, Fredericksburg, Chancel- lorsville, Beverly Ford, Brandy Station, Stuart's Road, before Richmond, Barber's Cross Roads, and in many other engagements. He was sick and off duty three weeks, but did not return home during his entire service. He was very fortunate, never having been wounded or taken prisoner.
WILLIAM T. FLOREA, farmer and stock-dealer, Harrison Township, is one of the most active and thorough farmers of that township. He was born within half a mile of where he now resides, Novem- ber 1, 1843, and was favored with a good education. His parents, Lewis C. and Eliza (Dale) Florea, were natives of Kentucky and Indiana respectively, and for a livelihood followed farming. The subject of this sketch was united iu matrimony September 14, 1870, with Miss Susan. K. Stone, daughter of Hon. Charles M. and Louisa Stone. By this union were born three children: Park S., Fannie E., and Grace B. Mr. Florea was Township Trustee for six years. In October, 1863, he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Regiment, Ind. V. I., serving until September, 1865, and participating in many hard-fought battles, such as Resaca, Big Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain, Nashville, Franklin and Wises Fork, the last battle of the war. Mr. Florea. was always ready for duty, and escaped without a scratch, or being taken prisoner. With all bis broad acres and worldly possessions, he is a lib- eral-minded man, and makes his home happy.
L. T. FLOREA, farmer, Posey Township, was born on the old Henry Clay farm, near Lexing- ton, Fayette County, Ky., November 17, 1838, son of Albert and Hester (Collins) Florea, also natives of Kentucky. They were married in Jessamine County, that State, and afterward settled on Henry Clay's farm, in Fayette County, taking charge of his plan- tation of negroes for seven years, after which he moved to Jessamine County and took charge of a farm be- longing to his wife's grandfather, a Mr. Cleveland, remaining three years, and from thence moved to Shelby County, Ky., where he purchased a farm and remained until his death. His widow in 1852 moved with her family to this county, and here remained until she died. Their children were: Emily, Lewis T., George W., Elizabeth, Nancy and Albert W. Our subject came with his mother to this county in 1852, and has since resided here. He owns 120 acres of very fine land, well-improved, and under a high state of cultivation. He is a single man and a highly respected citizen.
THOMAS E. FRAIZER, farmer, Posey Township, was born in Fayette County, Ind., July 4, 1842. His parents, John and Rachel (Beard) Fraizer, were natives of North Carolina, and of Scotch-Irish descent. The former was born June 3, 1796, and the latter October 24. 1799. They were married in Wayne County, Ind., and afterward settled near Milton, where they remained until 1821, at which time they moved to this county, settling on the farm where our subject now lives, which they improved from its wild state and upon which they remained until their death. Mr. Fraizer died May 3, 1856, and his widow June 23, 1871. They were both zealous and devoted mem -* bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and were much respected. They were the parents of ten chil- dren: Malinda, Sarah, Jane, Louisa, Elizabeth, John B., Elias, Jesse, Samuel, and Thomas E. Our subject, the youngest member of the family, was married in Wayne County, Ind., January 22, 1868, to Julia R., daughter of George W. and Elizabeth (Kuyler) Shults. She was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, September 23, 1848, and was one of four children: Sarah E., George W., Julia R. and Emma K. Her father (born February 11, 1811,) and mother (born June 25, 1810,) were married in Hamilton County, Ohio, and about 1863 moved to Wayne County, Ind., where the former died June 30, ISS1. His widow now lives at Cambridge City. After our subject's marriage he settled on the farm where he has since resided. He has a family of four children: Flor- ence, Thomas E., Elizabeth R. and Homer S. Mr. Fraizer is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
WILLIAM FREEMAN, retired farmer, Posey Township, was born in the State of New York, July
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10, 1804, son of Asahel and Charity (Hunt) Freeman, natives of New Jersey. In 1819 they moved from New York to Cincinnati, Ohio, settling in Clermont County for a short time; thence went to Harrison Township, where, two years after, Asahel Freeman died. Seven children were born to him by his first wife, two now living: William and Sarah. The deceased are: Morris, Joseph, James, Jackson and Tunis V. By his second wife, Clarissa Prine, a widow, he had five children: Charity, Rachel, Har- riet, Miner T. and Nancy, all dead but the eldest, who is the wife of Wells Stephens, Orange Township. For her second husband Mrs. Freeman married John Thomas. At the age of seventeen years our subject bound himself to John Murphy, a resident of Harri- son Township, whom he was to serve till of age for eighty acres of land. On his twenty-first birthday he received a deed for the land, and was additionally rewarded with a freedom suit of clothes and a yoke of Jersey oxen. In October, 1826, Mr. Freeman was married to Nancy Shields; two years after he removed to Posey Township, and in 1837 located where he now resides. He has held the offices of Constable and Justice of the Peace, the latter twelve years. . He has also been executor of many estates. Nine children were born to him, three now living: Angelina, Eliza and Jane. The deceased are Caroline, Sarah, Har- riet, Isabelle, Emaline and Wilson. Mrs. Freeman died January 10, 1879, aged seventy-four years. Mr. Freeman owns a farm of 120 acres, and is well situ- ated in life. He cast his first vote in 1825, and voted for " Old Hickory"-Gen. Jackson-for President in 1828. The Squire is a man remarkably well pre- served for his age, considering the amount of hard work he has done. He has many friends, and his life has been spent in a manner highly pleasing to his associates, and reflects honor on those with whom he is connected.
ELI FROST, farmer, Harrison Township, was born in Putnam County, N. Y., November 9, 1831; son of James H. and Sophia (Kelley) Frost, the for- mer of whom died in 1836. In 1839 his widow moved to this county. Our subject received a com- mon school education, and at the age of eighteen learned wagon-making, and after following this busi- ness for nineteen years he engaged in farming, which has since been his occupation, excepting in the years 1856, 1857, 1881, 1882 and 1883, when he traveled with Van Amburgh's circus and menagerie through sixteen States, having charge of repairs and receiving of tickets at the door. Mr. Frost was married, February 22, 1859, to Miss Melasena Kerschner, a native of Ohio, born at Germantown, August 27, 1832. By this union six children were born: Hyatt L., Rozetta A., Laura T., Emerick K., Homer, Della
W. Mr. Frost is a Master Mason, also a member of the I. O. O. F.
JACOB GEISE, farmer, Jennings Township, was born in Lebanon County, Penn., December 7, 1819; son of George and Susan (Gassard) Geise, also natives of Pennsylvania. The subject of this sketch passed his early life on the farm. In 1838, when a single man, he came to this county, since when he has visited his native State twice, returning here the last time in 1857, when he bought a small tract of land (twenty-seven acres) to which he has added by subsequent purchase till he now owns 173 acres. Mr. Geise was married in Pennsylvania in 1846, to Mary Noll, who has borne him twelve children, ten of whom are now living: Henry, Jacob, David, John, Frank, William C., Oliver P., Malinda, Lizzie and Matilda. Daniel and Emalino are deceased. Polit- ically Mr. Geise votes the Democratic ticket upon all questions at issue. He and his wife are worthy members of the Lutheran Church and are interested in religious work.
SOLOMON W. GIFFORD, retired farmer, Posey Township, was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., in 1806. He is a son of Ananias and Phœbe (Wardle) Gifford, natives of New Jersey. In 1815 they re- moved from New York to Ohio, locating at Newtown, on the Little Miami River. In 1817 they came to Harrisburg, this county, and at the land sale of 1821 he purchased land near Fairview, on which he lived many years and prospered. He died in Rush County, Ind., in 1853, aged eighty years. His wife suddenly died from an apoplectic stroke in 1841. Nine chil- dren were born to them, two living: M. L. and S. W. The following-named are deceased: Freelove, John, James, Sarah, Mary, Rev. Noah, a Baptist min- ister, and Clark. Our subject has a keen recollection of pioneer days and it may truthfully be said that he underwent a full share of the hardships incident to the settlement of Indiana. In 1826 he was married to Malinda, daughter of Mark Manlove, and born in Ohio in 1811. He lived for a number of years on land east of Falmouth, then settled on the south- west section of Posey Township, where he resided till the infirmities of age compelled him to retire from business pursuits. For more than forty years he has been an upright and consistent member of the Reg- nlar Baptist Church. His estimable wife is a devoted and exemplary member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which she has efficiently labored from childhood. Thirteen children have been born to this pioneer couple, eleven of whom are living: Sophronia, William M., Alfred, Mahala J., Absalom, James, Phobe A., Laura, Vashti, Freelove, George H. The deceased are: Amanda and an infant. During the fifty-eight years of this couple's married life not a
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single domestic storm has ever agitated the tranquil- ity of a life made supremely happy by the union of " two souls with but a single thought, two hearts that beat as one." To them providence has been espec- ially kind, of which they are not nnmindful, and with gratitude profound bless the "Giver of every good and perfect gift."
EBENEZER GLENN, merchant and Postmaster, Bentley P. O., Jackson Township, was born in Blooming Grove Township, Franklin Co., Ind., Jan- uary 2, 1831. His parents, Thomas and Jane (Smith) Glenn, were natives of South Carolina, and moved to Indiana in 1814. The former was born February 10, 1800, died March 23, 1883; the latter was born March 20, 1794, died September 7, 1865. The sub- ject of this sketch received a good education. He farmed and taught school up to September, 1883, at which time he moved on Section 35, and engaged in his present business. He was married, September 14, 1858, to Martha A. Dance, who was born in Han- cock County, Ind., August 3, 1839, and by this union John T. was born October 21, 1859, and died Decem- ber, 1860. Mrs. Glenn died December 9, 1863. Mr. Glenn was commissioned Postmaster June 27, 1882; he also keeps a stock of staple dry goods, groceries, hardware, boots and shoes, notions, etc. He belongs to Ireland Grange, No. 1749; is a member of the Universalist Church; a member of Fayette Property Protection Company.
WILLIAM GREEN, farmer, Waterloo Township, was born in Baltimore County, Md., August 14, 1821, son of Joshua and Susanna (Foster) Green, natives of Maryland, who emigrated to Indiana in 1836 and settled in Washington Township, Wayne County, Ind., where Mr. Green died the following year, after which his widow removed to Illinois. They had three children: George, William and Barbara Ann. Our subject received most of his education in the schools of Indiana. He worked fourteen years at farm labor by the month. In 1849 he was married to Martha Cross, by whom he has had six children, five now living: Susanna E., Levi, George, William and Anna. Samantha is deceased. In 1856 Mr. Green rented the farm where he now lives and which he owns. He rented land till 1875, when he bought 160 acres, and in 1882 he purchased 160 acres more, pay- ing for the two farms $20,000. Mr. Green votes for the Democratic Presidential nominees, but in local elections supports the best man, regardless of party lines.
SAMUEL GREEN, farmer and stock-raiser, Jack- son Township, is a native of this township and county, born October 31, 1830; son of Daniel and Peggy (Lair) Green, former a native of South Caro- lina, born October 17, 1783, latter a native of Ken-
tucky, born July 13, 1795. Daniel Green was twice married; on first occasion in Kentucky, March 14, 1805, to Nancy Vardeman, a native of South Caro- lina, born October 18, 1789. They had a family of six children: Eliza, Lot, John, Milton, Betsey Ann and Washington. All have passed "beyond the river" except Lot and John. The mother died October 13, 1825, and the father married, September 19, 1826, Mrs. Peggy Lair, by whom he had six children: Osa, born July 27, 1827, died August 18, 1872; Sam- antha, Samuel, Martha J., William and Orpha. Mr. Green died March 12, 1855, and his widow April 15, 1874. He came to this county March 12, 1812, and camped on the same ground where he died. Our subject received a common school education. He was married November 18, 1862, to Miss Mary J. Childers, who was born in this county July 8, 1834. By this union four childron were born: Daniel R., Mary A., William S. and Lewis E. Mr. and Mrs. Green are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Green has a farm of 154 acres, located on Sections 23 and 26. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. Everton, No. 139, and Nulltown Grange, No. 1883.
SAMUEL GREST, farmer, Jackson Township, is a native of Fayette County, Ind., born in Jackson Township, July 12, 1814. His parents, Samuel and Sarah (Smith) Grest, were born in South Carolina, and came to Indiana in 1813, enduring the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life, that their progeny miglit possess more of this world's goods than they themselves ever enjoyed. The subject of this sketch received a common school education, and worked at the carpenter's trade for twelve years, with which exception his life has been devoted to farming. August 13, 1840, he married Miss Matilda Rigsby, who was born in North Carolina January 10, 1814, and died January 2, 1850. Mr. Grest was married, on second occasion, January 9, 1851, to Miss Matilda Pritchard, a native of Union County, Ind., born January 9, 1827. To this union were born four children: Sarah, Clemuel, Nancy M. and Riley. Mr. Grest was Road Supervisor for two years. He owns 239 acres of land on Sections 34 and 35. He is a member of Ireland Grange, No. 1749.
HAWKINS HACKLEMAN, farmer, Harrison Township. It was some time during the period of colonial development that the name of Hackleman first became known on the western continent. Three brothers, casting their fortunes with many others, sailed from Germany, and upon reaching North Amer- ica settled within what are now the present limits of Mississippi. After a time one of the brothers, by the name of Jacob, with his wife, Mary, moved to South Carolina. There they lived, and their family of lit- tle prattling children grew to be strong men and
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women. Space forbids us to speak of but one son, Isaac Hackleman (born March 26, 1780, died Decem- ber 10, 1844), who was married July 2, 1801, to Elizabeth Hawkins (born May 22, 1783, died July 30, 1835). Immediately after their marriage they moved to Dearborn County, Ind., settling on a farm two and a half miles from Harrison, and while living there Hawkins Hackleman was born January 6, 1810. In 1815 his parents moved to Fayette County and located on a farm near Harrisburg. His earliest recollec- tions of the county are far different from the observa- tions taken to-day. Instead of the broad, cultivated fields of ripening grain, and the rich meadow lauds where the low of the browsing cattle is heard, he then saw the giant trees of the forest mingling their branches together; while here and there a small clear- ing and a log-house showed that the pioneers had begun in earnest to carve out a home for themselves and their children. He remembers when Conners- ville contained only a block-house and three or four log-cabins. His first school teacher was Miss Millie Perrin. The schoolhouse was made of the most fash- ionable building material of the day, namely, logs. On one side part of one log had been removed, and over the opening was pasted an oiled paper, thus forming a window. A spacious fire-place, almost the width of one side of the house, not only gave out heat, but also assisted the one window in lighting up the rude mansion of learning. A puncheon floor and benches without backs, together with the master's ferule, completed the furniture of the apartment. And yet, despite these disadvantages, he obtained a fair education. As was customary in those days, he attended the "Musters," which convened three times a year; he belonged to Capt. William Dickey's divis- ion, known as the " Flat-foot Company." From the time he was about seventeen years of age he generally made four or five trips to Cincinnati during the fall and winter months, driving hogs at 25 cents per day. During the summer of 1828 he worked for two months with Nelson Penwell making shoes at $6 per month. He was married to Sally A. Wolfe by Rev. Adam Banks, Pastor of the Christian Church, Thursday afternoon, December 29, 1831. His wife was a daughter of David Wolfe. She was born in Scott County, Ky., near Georgetown, November 29, 1814, and moved with her parents to Fayette County, Ind., in 1824. Their marriage was in harmony with the customs of early times. Huge dinner-pots hung from the cranes in the chimney, and frying-pans and skillets did good service on the glowing coals. Young Hawkins, unassisted, had made his wedding shoes, while his girl bride, with her own hands, had constructed the white dress that served as a wedding robe. The next day the young married couple, in
company with friends, mounted their horses and rode to the "Infair." In 1832 they moved to Rush County, and for two years he was engaged in mer- cantile business. In 1834 they came back to Fayette County, and since 1837 have lived at their present home. Nine children have been born unto them: Fannie, the eldest, was born in Rush County; James, Jacob, William (died in infancy), Thomas, Charles, George, Emily (died in 1870) and Adelia (deceased) were born in Fayette County. He has thus lived in the county, with the exception of two years, since 1815; has watched its development with interest and pride. His quiet influence has been exerted in behalf of those improvements that would help to make his fellow-men better citizens, and promote the advance- ment of civilization and education. He is a man well preserved in mind and body; and now at the age of seventy-four years he can calmly review the past, and find no deeds in his life so dark that he would wish to bury them forever from sight. No regrets of misspent years of degradation and moral depravity prove an annoyance to him. He has led a life tem- perate in all things. "As harvest time is brighter than seed time, so is old age brighter than youth, provided its youth was the receptacle of good seed."
JAMES S. HAMILTON (deceased), late of Wa- terloo Township, was born in Maryland, in which State his father died. In 1832 his mother, Mrs. Jane (Scott) Hamilton, moved to Indiana, selecting a location in Waterloo Township, Section 3. James S. had previously married in Virginia, Eliza Courtney, by whom he had eleven children: Henson R. (de- ceased), Robert W., Margaret J. (deceased), Thomas F., Mary A., William J. (deceased), and T. F. The following four were born in Indiana: Eliza R. (de- ceased), Charles H., John W. and Francis A. Mr. Hamilton held several of the township offices, and was a man of much ability. He and his wife were Methodists. He was a successful farmer, accumula- ting considerable property. He served as a soldier in the war of 1812, stationed at Norfolk, Va. He died in 1878, his wife having preceded him in 1872, aged about sixty-nine years. Charles H. Hamilton was born in this township in 1834. He was married in 1859 to Rachel Strong, daughter of Richard and Su- sanna Strong, who came here from Virginia in 1813 or 1814. Richard Strong was born June 15, 1790, and died February 15, 1848; his widow, Susanna (Gaby) Strong, was born June 9, 1802, died Novem. ber 9, 1883. They had thirteen children: Lydia, Delia, Wilson J., Mary, Jane, Rachel, Susan, Eliza- beth, John, Henry, Nancy, Henrietta and Millie. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Hamilton, seven of whom are living: James M., Laura H., Charles H., Jr., William J., Mary S., Re- 15
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becca J. and Kate. The deceased are Anna B., Oli- ver L. and Robert W. Since marriage, Charles H. Hamilton has resided in this township, where he owns 160 acres of land.
REV. JOHN HAMILTON, Posey Township, is a native of Fayette County, Penn., only child of George and Elizabeth (Miller) Hamilton, former of whom was born in Maryland in 1794, where he grew to manhood. George Hamilton moved to Pennsylva- nia, where he married Elizabeth Miller, and in 1838 came to Indiana, locating in Jackson Township, this county, where he lived the balance of his days, and died in 1861. His wife departed this life in 1854. He was a self-made man. He served an apprentice- ship to the printer's trade in New York City, in the office of the Tribune, then conducted by Horace Greeley. Our subject received a practical education, such as the district schools afforded, and on growing to manhood was united in marriage, in 1856, with Miss Sarah, daughter of Wilson T. Adams, and to this union were born ten children, the following of whom are living: Nelson, William, David, John, Alanson, Samnel, Mary and James. The deceased are: George and Elizabeth. Mr. Hamilton began the study of theology under the instruction of Rev. Samuel Mc- Key, a Baptist clergyman, and subsequently attended and completed his studies at the seminary located in Hartsville, Ind. In 1862 he enlisted in Company K, Sixty-ninth Regiment Ind. V. I., and saw two years of active service, participating in the battles of Rich- mond, Ky., Vicksburg and Jackson, Miss., in which latter engagement he received a slight wound. He was houorably discharged in 1864, and then took up the work of the ministry iu the Baptist Church, his field of labor being in the counties of Rush, Shelby, Decatur, Bartholomew and Brown. He retired from the regular work in 1883. Since 1881 he has resided on a farm in Fayette County.
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