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 54
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moved to Jasper County, Mo., and thence in 1879 to Cherokee County, Kan., and in 1881 to this county, where, in partnership with Williams & Jemison, he opened a store. After a time Salyer and Jemison bought out Williams, and the firm is now Salyer & Jemison. Our subject is Postmaster at Null's Mills.
JOHN JACOB SCHOLL (deceased), late of Jen- nings Township, was born in Schuylkill County, Penn., December 30, 1773. His father was born in Germany and when a lad emigrated with his parents to America. The vessel in which they took passage was driven by adverse winds into the tropics, where disease and death overtook its human freight, and all the Scholl family except the father of our subject perished, and were buried at sea. After landing he was bound out for a term of years to earn the price of his passage to this country. He lived and died in Pennsylvania. His five children were Christena, Leonard, Peter, Henry and John Jacob. The last mentioned was married to Margaret Hetzell. In 1833, accompanied by his wife and children, he came to this township, purchasing 100 acres of land in Section 26. He was a cooper by trade. With the aid of his family he accumulated considerable property. He died April 19, 1870, aged ninety-six years, three months and nineteen days, his wife having preceded him October 19, 1854, aged seventy-five years. They were both members of the Lutheran Church, Springerville. To them were born fourteen children: John, Catherine, Sarah, Elizabeth, Jacob, Rebecca, David, Mary, Joseph, Anna, Solo- mon, George, Henry, Judy. Solomon was born in Schuykill County, Penn., February 3, 1815. He obtained a limited education in the district school. In 1850 he married his first wife, Nancy J. Widdows, who bore him the following named children : Alice, Martha, Anna, Lizzie and Ida (deceased). Mrs. Scholl dying in 1867, at the age of thirty-nine years. he married, in 1876, Mrs. Priscilla Kensler. Mr. Scholl owns nearly 100 acres of well-improved land. He has voted with the Republican party since 1850, a change being brought about by his strong anti-sla- very and temperance views. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church.
JACOB SCHOLL, farmer, Jennings Township, one of the well-known and esteemed old settlers of the county, was born in Berks, now Schuykill, Coun- ty, Penn., July 28, 1804, son of John Jacob Scholl (see his sketch). He was brought up on the farm, acquiring a limited education. In early life he learned the cooper's trade in his father's shop, which occupation he followed principally during the winter season. He was married in Pennsylvania, January 3, 1829, to Elizabeth Reed, who was born June 5, 1804, and their family consisted of ten children: Lidia (deceased), Daniel, Jacob (deceased), Benjamin,
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Abraham (deceased), Elizabeth, Sarah Ann, Jonas, George and Elias. Our subject and wife accompa- nied his parents to Indiana in 1833, and after resid- ing with his father for two years purchased the land on which he now lives. Mrs. Scholl died May 30, 1880. Our subject started in life with small means ($800), but he prospered, and at one time owned 350 acres of good land, which he has settled on his chil- dren, who are well-to-do, respected citizens. Mr. Scholl is well preserved for his age, and has remark- ably good recollections of the events that transpired in early times. Since childhood he has been a mem- ber of the Lutheran Church, and has ever manifested a deep interest in the advancement of religion.
ELIAS SCHOLL, son of Jacob Scholl, was born September 2, 1843. He was married, January 14, 1864, to Sarah E., daughter of Jacob and Catherine Lidikay, who was born in Jefferson County, Ky., July 29, 1842. They have four children: Rosetta L., Carrie May, Emory A. and Elmer L. Elias Scholl is a member of Brownsville Lodge, F. & A. M.
GEORGE SCHOLL, farmer, Jennings Town- ship, was born in Pennsylvania, March 6, 1817, son of John Jacob Scholl (see his sketch). He was six- teen years old when his parents came to this county, and his advantages for acquiring an education were limited to the schools of his day. Mr. Scholl was married, February 19, 1848, to Mary Wilson, born in Union County, Ind., November 11, 1824, danghter of Samuel and Rachel (Duncan) Wilson, natives of Pennsylvania, and who settled in Union County in 1820, Mr. Wilson having lived there several years previous to his marriage. To this couple were born ten children, six of whom grew to manhood and womanhood: Richard, Mary, Andrew, Sarah, David and Rachel. Mrs. Wilson died Jannary 2, 1860, aged sixty-three years. Mr. Wilson died at the resi- dence of George Scholl, April 20, 1871, aged eighty years and three months. They were members of the Baptist Church, of which denomination the whole family are also adherents. After marriage Mr. Scholl settled on the place where he has since lived. He has prospered, and is now the wealthiest man in Jen- nings Township, owning an estate of 200 acres of good land, and is living surrounded by every comfort heart could wish. He has an adopted daughter- Catherine Bien-now the wife of Joseph Davis, and whom he reared from infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Scholl are devoted members of the Baptist Church, the former since 1863, the latter since 1848. Politically our subject is a Democrat, and cast his first vote in 1840.
JOHN SCHOLL, JR., farmer, Waterloo Town- ship, was born in Schuykill County, Penn., in the year 1824, son of John Scholl, Sr., and he was nine years old when his parents settled in this township.
He was married, August 19, 1852, to Jane, daughter of Henry and Jane Holland. He and his wife have been members of the Lutheran Church for many years. He owns 140 acres of excellent land, and is one of the well-to-do, respected citizens of the coun- ty. John Scholl, Sr., was born in Schuykill County, Penn., and was a son of Jacob and Mary (Hetzel) Scholl, natives of Pennsylvania, who were of German descent. John, Sr., located in this township in 1833, where he died July 5, 1876, aged seventy-seven years, five months and fourteen days. His wife died Novem- ber 1, 1863, aged sixty-six years, five months and twelve days. Her maiden name was Polly Reed, and she bore Mr. Scholl seven children, four of whom are living: John, Jr., Sallie, David and Mary. The de- ceased are Henry, Leah and William. Jacob and Mary (Hetzel) Scholl, parents of John Scholl, Sr., settled in the county in 1833. He died April 19, 1870, aged ninety-six years, three months and nineteen days. His wife died October 19, 1845, aged seventy - five years, nine months and seven days. They were exemplary members of the Lutheran Church.
JOSEPH SCUDDER (deceased), late of Jennings Township, was a native of Butler County, Ohio, born July 4, 1820, a son of Enoch and Loraine (Stevens) Scudder. He spent several years on the farm with his uncle, and after marriage was engaged in operat- ing a saw-mill for Joseph Cully during a considera- ble period. He was also engaged about five years in the sale of herb medicines. Mr. Scudder was mar- ried, in 1840, to Elizabeth Cully, a daughter of Joseph Cully, a native of Union County, Ind., and to this union six children were born: William L., James H., Levi A., Charles G., Benjamin F. and Abraham L., all now living and well established in homes and businesses of their own. James H. and Benjamin F. are conducting a livery and a farm in Nebraska; William L. is a carriage manufacturer and implement dealer in North Judson, Ind .; Levi A. is farming and operating a saw-mill in Rush County, and Abraham L. is a merchant at Alquina, this county; Charles is a farmer at Knightstown, Ind. In 1861 our subject enlisted in Company D, Ninth Indiana Cavalry, and entered the service. About one year later he was drowned in the Ohio River by an unaccounted for accident. He held the office of Orderly Sergeant, and was in a fair way to be promoted, and it is vague- ly believed that a rivalry in his company had some- what to do with his premature and mysterious end. His body was recovered and subsequently brought home for burial. Mr. Scudder was a man of excel- lent character, and his record as a defender of the Union is one of which his posterity may justly be proud. His widow is enjoying the comforts of a well-appointed home, and the satisfaction of seeing
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her children safely launched upon the great sea of business life and prosperity.
S. D. SHEPARD, physician, Jackson Township, was born in Franklin County, Ind., September 15, 1833, and being reared upon a farm he only received a good common school education. His father, Joseph Shepard, was born in Bracken County, Ky., October 8, 1808, and moved to Franklin County, Ind., at an early age, where he lived until his death, which occurred February 8, 1857. His mother, Annis Bonham, was born in Sullivan County, Tenn., Feb- ruary 9, 1806, and moved to Dearborn County, Ind., December 24, 1814; from thence to Franklin County, where she lives at the present time. The Doctor began the study of medicine in 1853 under Dr. A. H. Thompson at Everton, Ind., and attended lectures at the Ohio Medical College. He located in Hunt- ington County, Ind., November, 1859, and practiced for nearly six years; thence moved to Everton in February, 1865, where he has lived and followed his profession ever since. He was married, March 1, 1857, to Mary J. Cullins, who was born in 1839, and who is deceased. To them were born five children: Albert T., born May 18, 1859, died February 18, 1883; Margretta A., born August 11, 1861, died December 30, 1877; Joseph E., born October 12, 1863; Oliver P., born September 6, 1865; Jennie F., born September 13, 1868. The Doctor was married, on second occasion, April 8, 1874, to Mary E. Fish, a native of Franklin County, Ind., born February 28, 1844. They have been blessed with two children: Earl R., born August 27, 1876, and Alma P., born April 17, 1878. Dr. Shepard is an Odd Fellow, also a non-affiliated Mason. He and his estimable wife and two eldest children now living are members of the Universalist Church, and the two deceased children were also members of that church.
RAWLSTON SHIELDS (deceased), late of Con- nersville Township, one of the early farmers of prom- inence in this county, was born in Pennsylvania in 1790; son of Robert and Nancy Shields, the former a native of Ireland, from which country he was brought to the United States when but eighteen months old. They were farmers, and died in Penn- sylvania, where Mr. Shields was reared to manhood. He came to this county in 1817, purchased land here and followed farming during the remainder of his life with excellent success. In 1818 he married Han- nah Huston, also a native of Pennsylvania, and daughter of William and Margaret Huston. They had six children: William, Robert, John, James, Benjamin and Margaret. The deceased are William and John. Mr. Shields departed this life in 1859, leav- ing a widow who still survives him in her eighty- sixth year, the last of a family of ten children. He
was a useful man and highly esteemed by all who knew him.
LIEUT. SAMUEL J. SHIPLEY, retired farmer and ox naval officer, Harrison Township, was born in Wilmington, Del., December 24, 1813; son of Jo- seph B. and Mary H. (Test) Shipley, the former born near the Brandywine, Del., November 14, 1780, and the latter near Salem, N. J. They were married April 16, 1804. Samuel Shipley, the grandfather of Samuel J., and for whom the latter was named, was born December 5, 1755. His wife, Jane (Ben- nett) Shipley, was a sister of Caleb Bennett, who commanded a company at the battle of the Brandy- wine, and at one time was Governor of the State of Delaware. The brother and sisters of Samuel J. were named and born as follows: Mary A., born Feb- ruary 29, 1805; Charles, born August 17, 1807, and Eliza J., born October 15, 1811. Their ancestors came to America from England soon after William Penn colonized Pennsylvania, and were of his relig- ious faith. Our subject, when a school-boy near the Delaware Bay watching the ships going down to the ocean, early evinced a desire to go to sea, and in 1833 he made application for an appointment as Mid- shipman, the application being indorsed by his friends Daniel Rench, Samuel W. Parker and others, and in the following year his appointment was received through Gen. Jonathan McCarty, then Mem- ber of Congress from the Connersville District. The young naval aspirant was soon ordered to the brigan- tine "Enterprise," at Norfolk, Va., and from thence sailed for the Brazilian Station, South America, soon after reaching which he was transferred to the flag- ship "Erie" and remained on that station nearly three years, returning to the United States in the fall of 1837, when he was granted a leave of absence. He returned home and soon after purchased the farm on which he now resides and has ever since made his home when not engaged in the naval service. After the expiration of his furlough he was ordered to the receiving ship "Hudson " at New York, and not long thereafter was transferred to the line-of-battle- ship "North Carolina " that was used as a school for apprentices. The class of 1834, to which he be- longed, was the first to pass an examination at the Naval Academy established at Philadelphia in 1839 (subsequently changed to Annapolis, Md.) In June, 1840, soon after passing his examination, young Shipley was ordered to the West India Station and joined the United States ship "Warren " at Pensa- cola, Fla. He made a cruise with that vessel to the Spanish Main and the Gulf of Mexico; thence went to New York, where he was granted a leave of absence, and on his return home was united in mar- riage, November 14, 1841, with Martha Holton,
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daughter of Rev. Jesse and Jane Holton. On the expiration of his leave of absence he joined the United States ship "Falmouth " as Sailing Master, and made a cruise of over two years to the Gulf of Mexico and West Indies, returning home in 1844, when he was permitted to remain with his family more than one year. In 1846 his wife died at the age of twenty-four years, leaving a daughter-Jennie- who has been a great source of comfort and a stay to him in his declining years. Soon after the death of his wife Master Shipley received orders to join the United States ship "United States" as Sailing Master, bearing the broad pennant of Com. Read, ordered to the coast of Africa. (At that time our Government was bound by treaty with, Great Britain to keep up a force of eighty guns for the suppression of the slave traffic.) After taking on board a new battery of fifty-two guns and stores they started for the Cape Verd Islands via the Azores, going from Pico south, passing the Canary Islands, sighting the Peak of Teneriffe in the distance. On their arrival at Porto Praya, Cape Verd Islands, their place of rendezvous, they took on board stores and provisions and pro- ceeded down the coast, visiting Sierra Leone, Cape Mount (a noted slave mart), stopping some time at Monrovia, at which place Com. Read, Master Ship- ley and other officers dined with President Rob- erts, whose hospitality they had been invited to share. While here they visited Mission House School and other public buildings. From Cape Mesurado they sailed for the Gulf of Guinea, anchoring off Cape Palmas, thence down the Ivory and Gold Coast, passing Cape Three Points, and anchoring at Cape Coast Castle, an English station strongly fortified, and which in times past they had hard work in hold- ing against the war-like Ashantees. At this station within the enclosure of the fort is the tomb of the wife of Gov. Maclean, a Scotch gentleman then in charge of the station. She was an English poetess who had written over the initials L. E. L. Also here it was that Elisha K. Kane, the Assistant Surgeon and enthusiastic young friend of our subject, took his first lesson in navigation, and a few degrees to the east, in the kingdom of Dahomey, near the mouth of the river Quorra Niger, came near losing his life from exposure in exploring that benighted and God-for- saken land. They crnised in the Bight of Benin to the mouth of the river Gaboon. From thence they sailed to Prince's Island, anchoring at West Bay (an island belonging to Portugal), a resort for whale ships, and while there the crew of the United States vessels witnessed the capture of a whale with her calf. They next sailed for their place of rendezvous, St. Jago, Cape Verd Islands, and en route there, while in the Gulf of Guinea, npon examination it
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was found that they were at a point where there was neither latitude nor longitude; in other words, they were on the meridian of Greenwich at the equator. On arriving at Porto Praya, Master Shipley was appointed to take charge temporarily of the depot of supplies, at which post of duty he remained several months, Dr. Kane, who was quite sick, romain- ing for a time with him. About June 1, 1847, Mr. Shipley returned to duty on board the ship, which soon afterward sailed, and they made their third and last cruise down the coast, stopping several days at the mouth of the river Congo, keeping near the coast line, so near that they could see the impenetrable jungles and forests with occasional openings and villages. At this time the United States had four vessels-the flagship "United States," the sloops of war "Marion," "Dolphin" and "Boxen"- cruising along the coast, the English having about the same number, so that it was almost impossible for the slave-runners to evade their vigilance. From the river Congo they sailed down the coast, stopping at St. Paul de Loanda; from thence to Benguela in latitude 13 degrees south of the equator; thence to within a short distance of the island of St. Helena (noted as the place of exile of Napoleon Bonaparte); and then steered for the Cape Verd Islands, and on ar- riving at Porto Praya fell in with the brig "Dolphin," which had on board, with other documents from the Navy Department, the commission of Master Shipley as Lieutenant in the United States Navy. He was then transferred to the United States brig "Dol- phin." In 1861 Lieut. Shipley tendered his services to the United States Government and went to Fortress Monroe as executive officer of the "Brandywine," returning home on account of sickness in 1863. Since retiring from the navy our subject has lived somewhat of a retired life on his farm in Harrison Township, esteemed and respected by the community at large.
THOMAS R. SHIPLEY, farmer, Harrison Township. This highly respected citizen was born in Harrison Township, Fayette Co., Penn., November 15, 1821. His father, Thomas Ship- ley, was born in Maryland, February 16, 1772; served in the war of 1812, and died January 7, 1846. His mother, Eleanor (Morgan) Shipley, was born in Virginia in 1782, and died October 3, 1857. They came here in 1821. The paternal grandparents of our subject were Adam and Rachel Shipley, the former of whom died November 20, 1818, the latter September 16, 1820. Thomas R. received a common school education. He was mar- ried, February 1, 1849, to Sarah P. Groves, born in Rush County, Ind., May 9, 1828, daughter of Donavan and Sarah (Hixx) Groves, natives of Ken-
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tucky, where the former was born December 5, 1799, and the latter May 22, 1798; they came to Indiana about 1821. Donavan Groves was a son of Robert Groves, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He died May 28, 1851, his wife having preceded him December 19, 1829. This union has been blessed with seven children: John T., died June 20, 1853 (he fell into a kettle of hot water and only lived thirty hours afterward); Donavan, who died February 7, 1874 (was thrown from a horse and lived but thirty hours); Hiram; Martha E .; Matilda; Eunice, and James. Mr. Shipley has been a School Director and Supervisor. He is a member of the Christian Church.
MARY A. SHORTRIDGE, widow of James Shortridge, Fairview Township, was born at Read- ing, Hamilton Co., Ohio, December 29, 1819, daugh- ter of Thomas and Rebecca (Young) Keaton, natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania, respectively; the former of whom was born in 1782, the latter in 1788. They were married at Philadelphia, Penn., where they remained for some time; thence moved to Cin- cinnati, Ohio, and subsequently to Reading, Ohio, and in 1820 to Connersville, Ind. Mr. Keaten sub- sequently entered land in Fairview Township, where he resided until 1854, when he moved to Mad- ison County, Ind., and there remained until his death, February 28, 1866, his wife having preceded him September 15, 1863. Their children were William, Benjamin, Thomas, James, John, Mary A., Ambrose, Susan and Joseph. Mary A., our subject, was united in marriage in this county, January 8, 1841, with James Shortridge, who was born in Fayette County, Ind., April 30, 1818, son of Samuel and Eleanor Shortridge. To this union were born the following children: Samnel, Rebecca J., Sanford, Louisa, Mary E., George T., and Emma B. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Shortridge settled near Bentonville, this county; about seven years later they moved on the farm where he died December 26, 1872, and where his widow still resides.
SAMUEL SHORTRIDGE. farmer, Harrison Township, was born in Posey Township, Fayette Co., Ind., February 26, 1842. His father, James Shortridge, was born in Wayne County, Ind., in 1818, and died December 26, 1872. His mother, Mary A. (Keaton) Shortridge, was born in Ohio, and is now a resident of Fairview Township. Samuel Shortridge was favored with a graded school education. He was married, July 28, 1870, to Miss Isabella Rea, who was born in this township July 8, 1845, a daughter of James C. and Mary A. (Stockdale) Rea. Mr. Shortridge taught school in 1862, 1863 and 1864. He was Township Assessor in 1871 and 1872. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is a jovial gentleman and enjoys life.
DANIEL SHORTRIDGE, farmer, Fairview Township, was born in Wayne County, Ind., April 30, 1821, one of the eleven children of Samuel and Eleanor (Hnlse) Shortridge, the former of whom was born in Kentucky in 1795; the latter in Pennsylvania in 1795. They were married in Kentucky and after- ward settled in Powell County, same State. In 1815 they moved thence to Wayne County, Ind., and in 1825 came to Fayette County, Ind., settling in Har- risou Township, where they remained until death. Mr. Shortridge died in 1844, his widow in 1879. Their family were Price, Fanny, James, Daniel, Elisha, George, William, Jesse, Jane, Mercy and Hester. Daniel, our subject, was married in this county, February 5, 1845, to Elizabeth King, born near Cincinnati, Ohio, July 19, 1823, daughter of Joshua and Anna (Force) King. After marriage Mr. Shortridge settled on the farm which he afterward purchased, and on which he now resides. In 1860 he was elected Township Trustee, which office he held for a number of years. His family consisted of five children: Amanda E., Martha A., Corydon (deceased), Altha (deceased) and one that died in infancy.
MAJ. THOMAS SIMPSON, retired, Waterloo Township, was born in Tennessee, June 20, 1800, and is a son of Thomas and Sarah (Mabry) Simpson, natives of Maryland and North Carolina, respectively, who located in Tennessee. In 1805 or 1806 they moved to Ohio, and in 1809 (see history proper of Jennings Township) settled in this county on the line between Jennings and Waterloo Townships, where they resided the rest of their lives. Mr. Simpson died in 1848, aged seventy-five years; his widow in 1865, aged nearly ninety-two years. They had ten children, three of whom are now living: Elizabeth, Solomon and Thomas. The deceased are Tabitha, Joshua, Nathaniel, John, Sarah, William, Henry and Jesse. This pioneer couple were Christians in every sense of the word, and members of the Regular Bap- tist Church. The subject of this sketch has a recol- lection running back three-quarters of a century in the history of Fayette County, a length of time prob- ably equaled by none now living. He was married August 2, 1826, to Joanna S., daughter of Joseph and Mary (Heaton) White. They started in life with no other means than willing hands and stout hearts, and together they have journeyed over fifty-eight years. Eight children have been born to them, three of whom are now living: Nancy F. Thompson, Eliza- beth W. Cris, and Mira M. Smalley. The deceased are Sarah E., Mary H., Cynthia A., Amanda M. and Salome. Mrs. Joanna Simpson can remember seeing seven generations of her relatives-her great-grand- mother, Mary Chinneth; her grandmother, Joanna Sutton; her mother, Mary Heaton; Joanna White;
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BIOGRAPHIES.
Cynthia A. Simpson, her daughter; Alvetta Hurst, her grandchild; Melvin Crawford, her great-grandchild. Mr. and Mrs. Simpson are members of the Regular Baptist Church, with which he has been connected since 1816 and his wife since 1834. They have been devout Christians and untiring workers in the army of the Lord. He served as School Trustee of Water- loo Township, sixteen years, thirteen of which he was without a bond. In militia days he held an Ensign's commission of a troop of Shelby County volunteers. He also took an active interest in local militia mat- ters.
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