USA > Indiana > Hamilton County > History of Hamilton County, Indiana : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 31
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FARM PROPERTY OF P. P. ILLYES, NOBLESVILLE T.P. HAMILTON, CO. IND.
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Mers Frank Gray,
IIGN. JOSEPH R. GRAY.
Mr Gray was born in Hamilton County, Ind., fletcher 28, 1829, where he has lived continuously ever since. His grandfather's name was Joseph, and his grandmother's Margaret (nie Pollock). The former cmigrated from Gray Mount, England; the lat- ler from Scotland ; both abont the year 1780.
James Gray, the father of Joseph R., was born in Baltimore, Md., in 1790. In 1825, be was married, in Kentucky, to Miss Sarah Morrow, a native of that State, born in 1801, and with her migrated to Indiana the same year, stopping for a short lime st Indianapolis, then a mere village of a few houses. In 1826, they entered a tract of 160 acres of land in, and moved, to this county, where they made & farm and reared s family of seven children, who were born and onmed in the following order, vit , Margaret I'., Joseph R., James A., John M., Elizabeth J., Theodosis H., And Sarah R. During the boyhood of Joseph R., his father had given him every oppor- tunity the country then afforded, of ohinining an erlucation, and he had qualified him- self for, And was preparing to enter upon, o collegiate course st Wabash College, when the promature death of his father prevented the further prosecution of his studies, ex- cept such as he could pursne while laboring for the support of his mother andthe younger children. He being the eldest boy, the responsibility naturally fell upon him, ond not only did they look to him for subsistence, but for their concatino. How well he per- formed his duty toward them, how much he added to his limited store of knowledge, And how well he has succeeded in the battle of life to the present time, the sequel will show. His sistera wore all well educated and became efficient and successful teachers in the host public schools of the country. The brothers become proficient in their choson professions-James A., as a lawyer, and Jelin M., as a physician. They were both soldiers in the Union army, during the war of the rebellion, in the Thirty-Ninth Regimeot, James A, was promoted from a privateto First Lieutenant, and was killed in the service. John M. was promoted to Surgeon of his regiment, served through the war, and is now & successful physicinn in Noblesville, standing high in hin pro- fossion, and honored and respected by a large circle of friends.
At the ngo of twonty-neven, Joseph R. was elected to the office of Auditor of Hem- ilton County, and during his torm originated many hooke and forms which are in une now in tho Auditora' offices throughout the State. His term, as Auditor, expired in 1861. In 1862, he was appointed by the Government Assistant Assessor, for the Division of Hamilton County, to which Tipton County wasafterward added, and served in this capacity until the office was abolished in 1871. During these years he studied law, And in 1868 began its practice. In 1869, the condition of the offire, ond bin well- known knowledge of the same, pointed to him as a necessity ognin in the Auditor's office, and for the " good of the service." He was induced to lenvo bis law practice, and accept the position of Deputy Auditor. In this position he continued until 1875, when he left the Auditor's othce to necept the position of Clerk of the Hamilton Circuit Court, to which he had been elected in 1874. Ile served the county faithfully and acceptably in this position till the expiration of his torm, November 1, 1879.
Thus has he been identified with the public business of the State for more than twenty years, and how woll he has performed his duties, and what estimate the people place upon his character and ability, was shown upon the 14th day of July, 1880, st
the Republican Congressional Convention, for the Ninth District, at Lebanon, where, in addition to the earnest support of his own county, he received the solid vote of an adjoining county, As a candidate for the Congressional nomination. There were three other strong candidates before the convention, and when on the forty-second hallot the contest culminated between him and the lion. G. S. Orth, the incumbent, sos one of the strongest men in the State, he receivedl eighty votes, while Orth was nominated by receiving eighty-two votes. This was as complete an inilorsement of his paat career as his nomination would have been, because he received the universal support of his own And An adjoining county, besides many votes outside of these. He was a member of the first Republican State Convention, held at Indianapolis in 1864, at which the first Republican Stete ticket Was nominated by a committee of two from each Con- gressional Dietrict, himself and Hlon. J. P. C. Shanks being called into the Committee on Nominations from the then Eleventh District. Thus prominent in the organization of the Republienn party, he has so continued, sod has taken a lesding part in every campaign the party has ever made, and always for the whole Republican ticket. He WAS & Delegate to the National Convention st Cincinnati, in 1876, and & member of the State Central Committee from 1878 to 1880. He has always advocated the soundest Republienn doctrines, nad especially the soundest of sound money theorica, no matter how unpopular they were at the time In his boyhood ho wes & Whig, his first vote being cnet for Gen. Scott for President of the United States.
Hie wna reared in the Presbyterino faith, and united with that church at the nge of nineteen, and has held the office of Ruling Elder and Clerk of the Session and Sup- erintendent of the Sabbath school since 1851. He was chosen President of the lismil- ton County Sunday-School Union al ite organization, waa re-elected at its next annual meeting, end served in that position two years. He has, for many years, been noted for his active, enrnest and materini support of the Church, the Sabbath-school work, and moral and benevolent enterprises, including the temperance cause.
He is . Mason sod an Odd Fellow, and stands high in both those institutions.
Oo the 20th of October, 1857, he was married, at the residence of her father, in Cincinosti, Ohio, to Mine Emma F. Chipman, who was the daughter of Horace D. Chip- man, and wow born in Linden, N. Y., in 1832. The only fruit of this union fs one son-Horaco D. Gray, horn December 18, 1859. Ile is & young man of great promise, And, in his chosen vocation of contractor and builder, manifests rars ability. The zenl, intelligence and energy of the father, and the refiuement and courtesy of the mother, nro traoamittod to the son, and with these characteristics he must succeed.
.lesoph Gray's life has been one of antiring effort ; from his boyhood to his major- ity, he worked upon the farm ; for the next seven years, he worked at whatever he couldi find to do that would procure the necessities of life for those who were depend- ent on him ; then began his public careor, and, in whatever woontion be hns pursued, he has always been notivo and industrious, never idle, and, as a result, he can now look back over a well-spent life. His generosity has kept him from getting rich, but his taste and ambition havo kept him among the first in his mode of living, and his handsome home, plesenot surroundings and good reputation ars the crownlogs of his indefatigable energy and loudable aspirations; and, thus far in his journey through life, it can be truthfully said, " He has performed well bis part."
RES. OF J.R.GRAY. CATHARINE, ST. NOBLESVILLE, IND.
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FARM RES. OF FRANK A. HAWKINS, NOBLESVILLE, T.P. HAMILTON. CO. IND.
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Frank A Clawskine
Sallie M Hawkins
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RES. OF FRANK A. HAWKINS. COR. OF CONNER & HIGH ST. NOBLESVILLE, IND.
FRANK A. HAWKINS.
Mrs. Hawkins was born Dear the village of Carmel, In Hamilton County, Ind., March 1, 1844, aod is the younger of two Children of John and Ellzabeth A. Hawkins. John Hawkins, the father of F. A. Hawking, was born near Dover, Wayne Co., Ind., October 15, 1820. Elizabeth A. Hawkins (nee Jeffries) was born 10 Mland County, Ghio, July;15, 1819. They were married September 2, 1841, settling in Hamilton County. The parents of John Hawkins, Nathan and Rebecca, were both natives of South Carolina, married there, and removed to this State, settling In Wayne County. The parents of Mrs. Elizabeth Hawkins were from the South also, her father, William J. Jeffrles, being a nattve of Virginia and her mother of Tennessee. On July 24, 1845, the mother of F. A. Hawkins died. On July 4, 1847, his father was united 10 marriage to Miss Sarah J. Cook, at Farmington, lowa, where he died with cholera, July 24, 1849. There was one son by this marriage-Albert H. Hawkins, who Is still living.
After the death of his father, F. A. Hawkins was bound to his grandfather, with whom he remained until abent the age of fifteen, when his father's brother Simoe took him and kept bim until he was about eighteen, attending school during the winters, and working 00 the farm In the summers.
When the war of the rebelllen broke out, Mr. Hawkins was fired with patriotism, and desired to enlist, but was prevented by his uncle from doing so till 1862. On the 21st of May, In that yenr, he clandestinely left the corn-field of his nocle, where he was at work, about 1 O'clock P. M., walked to Indianapolis, fourteen miles, enlisted in the Eleventh U. S. Infantry, and was mustered in and uniformed by 6 o'clock the same evening. In a few days, he was sent to Fort Independence, Boston Barbor, then commanded by Maj. J. W. Gordon. of Indiannpolls. In a short time, ho wne ordered to Harper's Ferry, thenca to Antietmin, where he joined ble regiment on the battle-feld. After the battle of Antletain, in Septem- ber, hals regiinent went into camp on the feld, remaining there till October. Now began the realltles of soldlering. He took part with his reghinent In the two days' battle at Shepherds- towe, the Eleventh acting as skirmishirrs. Tite first day they advanced steadily all day, but the second day the order of things was changed, and the rebels advanced, the Union forces retreating. The battle was merely a heavy skirmish and did net result in a general engnge- ment, nor did it cool the patriotism of Mr. Hawkins. Nothing of note occurred In his intil- tary career after the Shepherddown fight untli the battle at Fredericksburg, Va., in which he took part. He next participated in the battin of Chancellorsville, Ve., next At Gettys- burg, Pene. He was wounded Allghtly in the right leg in the engagement at Chancellors- ville : the reglinent of which he was a member won great praise by their gallantry In that action, being specially mentioned in general orders, sod by the newspapers. The New York Herald contained a long article, lilghly complimenting their courage. At the battle of Gettysburg Mr. Hawkins was wounded three times, viz. : First, in the left knco, while charging the enemy with his command ; second, in the left side, just below the heart, the ball ranging downward and back ward, cutting off one rib at the spine and emerging there ; third, In the left wrist and hand, passing through the wrist joint and out at the back of tbe hand, near the knuckle of the second fuger, carrying away the bones connecting that finger with the hand, and severing the leaders In Its course ; be was not aware of tills last wound unili attempting to rise, having received It while falling. The Eleventh came out of that battle with only eighty-three men, and were ordered to New York to recruit, where the ladies of that olty presented them with the finest flag lo the army, In recognition of their gallantry,
Mr. Hawkins was supposed to have received mortal wounds and was left upon the field to dle ; he was first found and enred for hy a Slater of Charity, and he feels that to her minia- trations and care he owes hisilfe, and could'he find her now, would prove his gratitude In a most substantial manner ; he remained upon the field of Gettysburg eighteen days, cared for by & comrade, who erected & shelter-tent over him, and took the best care of hlin he could with his limited facilities ; but he suffered untold agonles, his wounds became fly- blown, And he lay there upon the hard ground, feeling the maggots nt work In his body, and utterly unable to move or do anything to rid himself of the vermin which were actunily eat- Ing him allve, burning with fever, and no one nigh to pour & drop of water on his parching tongue, suffering for every attention a wounded man would need, and thus be Iny for eight- een long, terrible days : days, each one of which contained more agony, both of mind and body, than ordinarily fails to the lot of the most unfortunate In & life-time ; and, the life atill clinging to him, he was at last removed to the hospital nt York, Penn., where he received proper care and treatment, and after remaining there six months was honorably discharged on Account of his wounds, January 7. 1864.
After his return home, he clerked In the store of Mr. Ellinh King, at Carmel, for a short time ; he then attended ibe Union High School at Westfield for six months. Hle next went to Pittsburgh, Penn., nad attended the Iron City Commercial College of that city. After graduating as book-keeper, he was employed in the college as a teacher for a short tinie ; be then returned to Carmel and taught penmanship for sonte time. On November 2, 1866, he was unlied in marriage to Miss Sarah M. Spraker, of Westfield, Hamilton Co., Ind., who was born in Urbana, Ohio, Ang, 18, 1814, and came to Indiana with her grandumthier, In November, 180. her parents having both died when she was quite young. Mis. Hawkins' Inther was a tiative of Germany, her mother was a native of Ohio, and she was the only child of their union.
The union of Mr and Mrs. Bawkins has been blessed by the birth of two children, who are stlil living, viz., William A., aged thirteen yrars, and Fred W., aged six years,
In 1867, Mr. Hawkins was elected by the Republicans Clerk of Hamilton County, which position be filled to his own credit and the satisfaction of the entire community for four years, He was next appointed Special Agent of the Miamit tribe of Indians for the State of Indiana; wns rr-appointed at the expiration of the time, and was tendered the appointment a third time and drellned It. In 1879, he was elected by a general vote of the people of Noblesville n member of the Town Connell, and was re-elected In 1880. In 1876, he served as Chairman of tho Republienn Central Committee, of Hamliton County. In 1875, he served as Secretary of the Hainilton County Fair and Agricultural Association. At the expiration of hle term av Clerk of Hamilton County, the newly Flected Clerk, J. R. Christian, prevalled upon him to Accept the position of Deputy Clerk, which he did and ffed until July 1, 1880. He has-untli recently-held a position as Director of the Citizeny' Bank of Noblesville, and In this, a9 In everything he has undertaken, he has arquitted himself to his own honor and the entisfac- tion of his friends. He je at present the owner and operator of a large flax -mill near Noldes- ville, and also owns and operates a splendid farm. He has been a member of the I. O. O. F. since May, 1886. 14 l'ast Grand In subordinate lodge and Past High Priest in the Ercamp- ment. He has always taken a prominent part in all publlc enterprises, lending his substan- tlal Ald to the building of rallroads, gravel roads, schools and churches. Although he le not a professor of religion, no one In his circumstances has been more liberal in ald of churches and all benevolent and moral enterprises.
Mr. Hawking Is a young man, yet he has accomplished wonders In the battle of life. Starting In Ilfe frem a position the most humble, he has alone and by merit attained n degree nf success and distinction of which an older and more favored man might well feel proud. Io whatever position he bas been placed, In whatever duty he has been called upon to per- forth, in all hla relations, social and business connections, hle course has been one of honor and Integrity ; and the success he has attained, and the bright prospects which seom te await his future efforts, are the legitimate results of bla exemplary course. The fine farm,' the pleasant home, representations of which appear In this work, are monuments to hia lo- dustry, economy and good judgment. Let us bope that the life whileb bas ee far been se fruitful in good results may be prolonged till its mission is fully accomplished.
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Jose Stafford
HON. JOEL STAFFORD.
The father of this gentleman, Sminuel Stafford, was born in North Carolina in 1796. In early life, he was marriedl io lischel Hunt. They emigrated to Indiann st wo early date, and settled at first in Wayne County, afterward in Henry, and bnaily, in 1835, in Hamilton County They were prominent members of the Society of Friends, nod, in conformity with the views of that peculiar sect, they reared their foroily of tea children to habits of industry, prudence andl honesty. Commencing in the wi'd woods of Indiana, they cleared up and improved three farms, giving their children as good an education as could he obtained at that time in a new country. The death of the old gentleman occurred in 1864, at the age of sixty-nine years, and that of his wife at the nge of seventy years, in -
Joel Stafford, the youngest of this family, was born in Hamilton County on the 2d day of February, 1838. The common schools, home teaching and a love of study, combined to give him a fair education, which he further improved in early manhood by teaching in the schoole. About that time, he became acquainted with a young lady of excellent family connection, Miss Hannah Davia, to whoin he was married on the 27th day of .Inly, 1866, thus, at the age of eighicen years, assuming the responsibil- ities and cares of married life. Two years after his marriage, in 1858, he removed to Noblesville anil catered the office of Megars. Moss & Evans, a prominent law firm, with both of whom he was afterward a partner in legal practice. lle was also after- ward successively a partner of the lion. JJames ( Brien, J. S. Lecey and Moss & Locey. Considering the obstacles to he overcome at the beginning of his career, without finan- cial means or influential friends, it many he said that he hne made a life-record to which his family and friends can point with pride and satisfaction. In politics, he has al- waye laken an active part in the various inunes in controversy in his State and county, And bas centrihmted much, by personal offort, to the success of the Republican party, with which he is bell in high esteem, and hy which he has been elected to several im- portant and honorable positions, such as District Attorney for the counties of Hamil- ton, Tipion, Clinton, Howard and Orant ; and, in 1866, was elected, and then served one term aa Representative in the Legislature for the counties of Hamilton and Tip- ton, with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents .; In 1873, he was elected Prosecuting Attorney for the Twenty-fourth Judicial Circuit, and served two years with distinguished ability. In 1874, he was the nominee for Senator, hut, owing to the mieconception of many Republicans as to the cause of the panie and hard times, the Grange movement and several other invalid canses, he was defeated by a small majority. In 1877, he was Reading Clerk for the House of Representatives, who, at the close of the session, voted him $100 extra pny, in recognition of his ability and valuable serviere. lo 1862, at the time when the great rebellion had cast its gloomy shadow over the country, Mr. Stafford, sacrifcing all personal considerations, home comforts and position, enlisted in Company D. One linndred and First Todiana Volun- teer Infantry. He served for two months ne First Lieutenant, and wns then detailed, and served on the staff of Gen. Reynolds na an ordnance officer until February, 1863, when, on account of continued ill-health, he resigned and returned home.
In 1868, he became a member of the M. E. D'heureh of Noblesville, and has since that time given earnest and active support to the cause of religion, temperance reform and all the various menne for the upbuilding of humanity. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity at Noblesville, and ie held in much esteem by that order, har- ing efficiated na Master of the lodge,, and in various ether honerable positione.
Mr. Stafford and bis estimable lady are the parents ef six children, two of whom died ia infaooy ; the others are named Ada, fJarence, Jenny and Charles, all living at home with the parents. The firm of Stafford & Boyd, of which Mr. Sinfford is a member, is widely und favorably known, nad transaote a large and luorativs business in the courta.
Two &. Boyd
THOMAS E. BOYD.
Is a descendant of Scotch ancestors. His great grandfather emigrated and selfled in Lan - caster, Penn, His son, Adam, was born m Lancaster. Grew up to manhood and was married to Elizabeth Hawking, daughterof Amosand Anna Hawklas, He afterward removed to Indiamia and sellled In Wayne County, where he was the first Justier of the Peace. Hr afterward moved tu Boone County, Ind., where he died and was hitried near Thorntown, In that county. Ifr raised a family of six children, named Alexander, John, Jonathan D., Martha, Henry and Oliver M. Oliver M., was born In Wayne County January 8, 1629. He was raised a fariner, which has been hls occupation through life.
On the 4th day of January, 1848, he was married to Mary Osborn. He first settled in Rush Conaty But afterward in 1851, he bought and moved to eighty neres of wild land near Eagletown, in Hamilton County, where he has ever since resided. They are the parents of nine children, named Thomas E., John W., Almira M., Henry L., Jorl, Ahce, Frank, Lizzle and Walter Alndra was born on the 6th day of January, 133, and died December 23, 1870 ; the others are all living at this thne. Thomas E. Boyd was born In Rush County, Ind., on the 4th day of July, 1849, His early boyhood was passed on the farm at home and in the district seltools. Itis educational advantages were very limited, as his father at that time was In poor circumstances with a large fannly to provide for, on a new ancultivated piece of land ; but at this the, the old gentleman is in rasy circumstaners. The boys In this family very rarly In life left home to work for themselves, on account of their father's farm being small. Thomas, after he was twelve years old, attended two forms at the Westfeld graded school. Before ler was fifteen years of age, he ran away to go Into the army, but his friends brought him home, where he remained a few days, and then again made another attempt and que- ceeded In getting into the army, Bir culisted and was rarolled Into Company 1, One Hundred and Fifty - Third Jadiana Infantry, and served In that regiment in Tennessee and Kentucky until the war closed : a portion of fa' filme he served In a picked troop of mounted mien to scour the country and drive out the guerrillas, He at this tine expresses n regret that he was not old enough to have been In the army at the commencement of the struggle, and to have seen the whole of it. After receiving bts discharge, he returned home, but being of as restless Itsposition and net content with such work as he could get among his friends, he enlisted In Ninth builana Regiment (Regular Army ). In a short time he was again brought home by his friends on account of his age. He then worked upon farms by the month, which he con- finned In various places up to 187, when he attended a short form of school at Indianapolis. Soon after, he became engaged in teaching school, which he followed until 1871, in various distriet schools, when he came to Noblesy Me with the Intention of studying law. In conse -. quence of his Ihnited nieans, he was soon after compelled to enter Into an arrangement with the County Recorder to write for him a portion of the time for Ins board, so that he might be able to continue to pursue his study of the law, And for the next three years, his time was occu- pled in reading and writing. In the meantime, he succeeded in purchasing a number of law hooks, At that time, Mr. Wilson resigned the office of Recorder, and Mr lloyd received the appointinent to All the vacanry, and, In the fall of jais, he was elected to the same office and served a term of four years. While in the Recorder's office, he conceived the iden of a system of abstract books, which he completed with the assistance of John H. Butter and Maj. W. A. Wainwright, and they are without question the finest and most complete set of books of that kind In the State. In 1979, desiring to enter the practice of law, he sold out his Interest in the abstract business to E. K. Ball, and entered Into a co-partnership with the Hon, Joel Stafford, with whom he Is still associated, nud the law firm of Staffonl & Boyd Is favorably known and extenalvely patronized.
On the 27th day of March, 1872, Mr. Boyd was married to Mary A. Ainlker, the estimable daughter of Thomas and Sallle Stalker, of Westfeld, ind. The fruit of their union is two rididren, named Aura A. and Locke. Mr. Boyd was noted for his pluck and endurance na a soldier, and after the war was over, in the capacity of a day Isborer, school teacher, Deputy Recorder and Recorder, soon made many friends. _ Mr. Boyd Is a prominent Odd Fellow, & gentleman of strong will and determined purposes. For a young man, he has already nehieved much-rising from the bired laborer by bis own Indomitable energy, to a position of honor and distinction in the community. He fa a man of derided likes and dislikes, and whatever he undertakes to do, when nroused by opposition, he works at It with a full determination to succeed. lle is an earnest Republican, a ready debntor and a good speaker, and will soon he a prominent member of the har. He is kind and Indulgent In his family, fund of a nica home and pleasant surroundings.
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