USA > Indiana > Hamilton County > History of Hamilton County, Indiana : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 39
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110
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, INDIANA.
JOHN HUSSEY
was born in Fayette Comity, Ind., February 15, 1840. He was the son of Joseph and Sarah Hussey, and moved to Hamilton County with his parents in 1853. He was a studions boy and improved well the opportunities which the excellent common-schools afforded him of obtaining an education. Ile was especially fond of the study of history, and read carefully everything on that subject which he could obtain. The histories of wars were particularly interesting to him, atul he never tired of reading of the great wars in which different nations have engaged.
The history of the United States was of the greatest interest to him ; and he read carefully, and with avidity, not only his school history, but the more advanced and exhaustive works on that subject. Ilis boyhood was passed in a manner similar to that of all boys of his station in life, but even before he had prissed from his boyhood, he was called upon to take n man's place in the defense of his country. Ilis course of reading had made him keenly appreciative of the value of liberty, and he saw that our only hope of perpetuating this grand republic was in preserving the union of States intact. He had watched with deep interest the storm-cloud which had been for some time gathering over our country, and which finally. in 1861, burst upon us with such terrible results. On the 10th of August of that year, he volunteered as a soldier to serve in maintaining the nation and the principles he loved so well, enlisting in Company F, Tenth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. In a short time, his regiment was orderedl South, and he entered upon the duties and hardships of n soldier's life, benring all the privations incident to such a life with cheerfulness, performing every duty promptly and fearlessly, always with his company, ready and anxious to benr his share in any danger, to do his part in any duty which might devolve upon them.
lle was never absent from his company during his term of service, and took part with them in the following-named battles, besides a num- ber of skirmishes, viz., Mill Spring, Ky., January 19, 1862; Perry- ville. Ky., October 8, 1862; Rollingfork, Ky., December 28, 1862 ; Chickamauga, September 19, 1863.
In this terrible battle, John Hussey was one among many thousands of Union soldiers who yielded up their lives in defense of their country. A shot from a rebel gun cut short his noble career, and he fell and died alone and unknown, in what the poets have called the " Sunny Sonth," but which might be more fittingly termed the " Bloody South." His body was not recovered, and he fills an unknown grave ; but he is not forgotten. He is remembered, and his image is cherished by all who ever knew him in life. Ile could not be more honored by his relatives and friends if his grave had been made near his old home, than he is in his unmarked resting. place. His memory could not be more affectionately cherished were his grave in plain sight of his friends, than it is now. They know there is some spot on earth saered to him, given him by the hands of blue-coated patriots like himself, and hallowed by the honors they paid him in placing him there. They know that he was Inid in his present resting-place by loving hands, the hands of brothers-a brotherhood horn of a great principle ; and there they aro content to leave him till the grent day which shall call him to his reward. And, while his nbodle there on that bloody field is unknown, he still abides in the hearts of those who knew him and loved him in life.
Would .that the memory of every brave patriot who to-day fils n nameless grave could be as fittingly and affectionately preserved as is the memory of John Hussoy, Company F, Tenth Regimont Indinna Volunteer Infantry.
" " tinknown !' is all thy epitaph enn tell ; If Jemus knew thee, all is well."
·
CLAY TOWNSHIP.
WILLIAM HUSSEY.
The ancestors of this gentleman emigrated from England and settled in North Carolina at an early date.
John Hussey, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was married in North Carolina, and at his death, which occurred while he was yet n young man, left two children, named Jonathna and Joseph. Joseph was born in Guilford County, near Greensboro, N. C., in 1815.
Ile remained at home with his mother until he was seventeen years of nge, when in 1832, he and his brother left home and came North, to the wild, uncultivated new State of Indiana, in quest of n future home for themselves.
They finally settled in Fayette County, cach selecting some wild lands, on which they located and proceeded to clear off the timber and improve into n condition for farming.
In 1837, Joseph was married to Miss Sarah Fraizer, daughter of John and Rachel Fraizer, also carly settlers of Fayette County. He continued farming in Fayette County until 18533, when he sold out his farm of 100 acres and removed to Hamilton County, Jod., and settled on a farm of 200 acres in Clay Township, where he has ever since resided, and at this time he and his wife are in the quiet enjoyment of a well-earned competence, accumulated by many years of patient toil, economy and honorable industry. Mr. Hussey never engaged in uncertain speculations, or the turmoils of political strife, but has always attended strictly to his own business.
This worthy old pioneer couple are the parents of ten children, named John, William, Martha J., Mary, Elizabeth, Harriet, Thomas, Rachel, Franklin and Milan. Of these all are living at this time except Joho, Mary and Franklin.
The chest son, John, at the age of twenty one years, enlisted ie Company F Tenth Indiana Infantry. He was among the first to respond to the call for volunteers to put down the rebellion, and as carly as 1861, he was among the heroes who were at the front. Ile participated in all the battles jo which his comtoand was engaged, until the historically disastrous battle of Chickamauga, when he, with thousands of other brave and heroic martyrs, fell a victim to the slave-holder's rebellion. The remaining members of this family are all married except Milton, who is at home with the old people ; and they are all living in Hamilton County except Harriet, who resides in Illinois.
William, the second in this family of children, was born at the former home of his parents in Fayette County, Ind., on the 30th day of April, 1812. The years of his boyhood nod youth were passed in acquiring a ememoo-school education, and at labor on the farm at home until he reached his majority, after which he attended the Poplar Ridge Seminary for ono term, which closed his arhool life. Ile continued to abide with his parents until he was twenty-two years of nge, when, on the 24th day of November, 1864, he was united io marriage to Miss Hsnoah A. Jessup, daughter of John C. and Maria Jessnp, old residents of Hamilton County.
Soon after his marriage, he moved ou to a farm of his own in the same township, where he has resided ever since. Mr. Hussey is a practical grain nod stock former. Hle has a finely cultivated farm of 170 neres, well fenecd, and improved with tile drainage, and has been generally very successful in hia farming operationa.
Mr. Ilussey ia a man of solid worth and charneter, and is recognized and appreciated by his fellow-townamen and the county at Inrge ns a gentleman of sound judgment and superior ability, as they have frequently manifested by placing him nt various times in positions of trust and responsibility, such as Magistrate and Trustee of his township, and he is nt this time serving as one of the Commissioners of Hamilton County. Hle and his wife nre honored mem- bers of the Christian Church. Their children, six in numher, are all living at homo with the parents. Their names are Nancy E., John S., Fanny M., Melinda, Oliver and Jesse. The portrait of Squire Hussey may be found clac- where in these pages, in the group of County Officials.
ALFRED T. JESSUP, ESQ.
The subject of our sketch, whose name we give ahove, was a son of Abra- ham and Hannah Jessup. He was the ninth in a family of ten children. Ilis parents were both natives of North Carolina. His father was born April 23, 1780, in Guilford Conoty of that State, while his mother ( Miss Hannah Wright, before marriage), was born in the County of Stokes April 1, 1785. They were married in the year 1814, in Wayne County, Ind., to which local- ity they had both removed.
Alfred T. was boro in that county Nov. 30, 1822. Eleven years later (1833), be removed with his father's family to this ( Hamilton ) county, where he has since resided. At so early a date, in this then wilderness portion of Indiana, young Jessup necessarily had very meager opportunities for moral, orental or business training. The forests then were almost untouched by the woodman's ax, church edifices were quite unknown, while chenp log schoolhonses -none other were known at that time-were at great distances apart ; and to receive the advantages even of these rude institutions, our young subject was obliged daily to walk each way, to and from, a distance of three miles. Yet, by means thus unfavorable, be acquired a base upon which he has since built- through the forces of observation and experience -- n commendable superstructure.
On April 20, 1843, having arrived at young manhood, he wedded Miss Henrietta Todd, daughter of Capt. Todd, from the State of Maryland. Sadly losing by death this first companion of his hosom April 13, 1866, he after- ward wooed Mrs. Martha Comer, a mast estimable widow lady of Walmsh, lod., and to her he was wedded October 3, 1866. She was the daughter of Michael and Mary Harvey, who had been very early settlers in Wayne County, Ind. Reared to farming, for several years succeedling his first marriage, or up to about forty years of age, he contioned, as bis chief pursuit, the vocation of his youth. In the meantime, from 1853 to 1837, he filled the office of Post- master at Carmel, while for eight years, from 1859 to 1867, he filled that more responsible position, Trustee for the township of Clay. Mr. Jessup, never physically strong, was unfavorable to his continunnec in the pursuit of agricul- ture. This, ton, of course, has proveo a detriment since changing to the mer- cantile business. Yet, making this change nearly twenty years since, and commeneing the new vocation with a limited capital, he has, by extreme indus- try, and judicious management, enlarged his business and been successful. Let us add, also, that this success has been achieved under the double disad- vantage, in fact, of a delicate constitution, nod the entire loss of fingers from his right hand. He may well be quoted as a striking example in support of the adage that "a man will not wear out as soon as he will rust out." As a weaus, too, of bracing up health, Mr. Jessup, at times, has felt constrained to try the pleasures of travel. Four years since, he thus paid a visit to friends and kindred scattered through Northern Indiana, and thenee westward into Łowa and Missouri. Still later, he has journeyed far enough to the South to take in the State of Georgia, wherein he has a daughter living. Belongs to the Ancient Order of Odd Fellows, and helps to sustain, in his community, the two churches denominated Methodists and Friends. Liberal to a fault, ever an industrious, temperate, upright man, within the large cirele of his ac- quaintanec he is hell in high esteem, and well deserves a record in the history of Hamilton County.
JOHN HARDEN.
Among the pioneers of Ciny Township, the subject of this memoir was n prominent character. He was born in Treland January 19, 1802, and emi- grated to the United States with his parents, at the age of thirteen years, arriving in Baltimore in August, 1815. Shortly after his arrival, ho became a carpenter's apprentice, with a view of learning that trade ; but within a few months his parents removed to Coshocton, Ohio, and he withdrew from his apprenticeship to follow them. Here, in his youth, he acquired the experi- enees in pioneer life which qualified him for the part which he subsequently took in the settlement of Clay Township. He grew to manhood on the Ohiu farm, and rendered his father valuable service in its improvement. In 1826, . he was united in marriage with Miss Lucinda Benty, and during his residence in Ohio, three children-William, Marilla and George-came to blees this union. About this time his father died, and the family decided upon n removal to the West. A one-horse wagon contained all their effects, and with this conveyance they started for Indinna. Hamilton County was their destination, and in October, 1830, they arrived in Clay Township and settled in n thick wilder- nese. Here the struggles of his youth were renewed, and for months his time was fully employed in clearing sufficient ground to raise the necessary support
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112
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, INDIANA.
for the family ; but he worked with tireless energy, and in due time a fertile farm succeeded the forest and repaid his labors. He was the first to inaugu- rate the saw mill enterprise in the township. He built his mill io 1836, on the bank of Williamis Creek, ahont a mile southeast of his farto, and conducted a trade with residents of this and other settlements, which was productive of some profit to him.
In 1840, he was elected Justice uf the Peace, in which capacity he served five years. Four years after his arrival in the township (1834), he went to Indianapolis, and assumed the management of West's Mills, but his heart was in the improvement of his farm and he returned about three years later.
At the close of his torm as Justice of the Peace, be removed to Eagle Village, in Boone County, where he associated himself with JJ. F. Daugherty, in the mercantile business, remaining thus engaged with various partners for about ten years. In the meantime, he had sold his farm, but in 1818, he pur chased another, located in Clay Towoship, on the line of Boone County, and one mile south of Eagle Village. The mercantile enterprises, in which he had been engaged, were not as profitable as he hoped to find them, and after pur- chasing the second farm he resumed his former occupation ; but in the fall of 1856, he again embarked in mercantile pursuits, this time at Zionsvilio, Boone Co., Ind , where he dealt extensively in wheat, ete., with varied success. Three years later he located at Lebanon, in the same county, where his wife died in 1862. A little mound in the cemetery at Zionsville marks the last resting- plare of this noble Christian woman, one of the pioneer women of Clay Town- ship, and one whose life was an example of purity.
After the demise of his wife, Mr. Harden returned to his former home in Ohio, where, two years later, he was a second time married. There he pur- chased a farm, upon which he passed the remainder of his life. In February, 1879, his netive life closed in death, at the age of seventy-seven years, and he reposes in the dreamless sleep in the cemetery at Zionsville, Ind., beside the wife of his youth. In life, both himself and wife were devout Christians, and often traveled as far as ten miles to attend the services of the sanctuary during the carly days of their residence in Clay Township, and both died in fellow- ship with the Christian Church.
Nr. Harden was one who had few enemies, and all who knew him recog- nized the manly principles that marked his career through life, and he died houored and respected.
The fruits of his first marriage were twelve children, natuely, William, Marilla, George, Samuel, Beaty W., Martha, Mary, John W., Adison P., Mil- ton, Calvert and Harriet, of whom ITarrict, William, Milton, Martha and John W. are deceased.
JAMES G. MCSHANE.
James G. MrShane, of Clay Township, was born in Harrison County, Ky., January 9, 1819, and was the son of Francis and Theodisia McShane. In 1825, Mr. McShane, then a young hoy, came with his parents to Indiana, settling in Hamilton County on the farm where he now lives, and where he has lived continuously all his life, or rather, for fifty-five years out of the sixty-one he has lived. Mr. McShane's parents both died at the old home- strad, in Hamilton County-his father at the age of sixty, and his mother nt the age of eighty-four.
Mr. McShane's boyhood was passed similarly to that of other boys of his day. He attended the winter sessions of school when there was nny, and made the most of the very micager advantages for obtaining an education. He is a man of experience rather than book knowledge, and is an intelligent and successful man. lis inclinations in early life led him to adopt the voen- tion of farming, and, as an evidence that he was not mistaken in his choice, we call the attention of the reader to the faet stated nhove, that he has lived con- tinuously for fifty- fire years upon the farm which his father entered, and upon which he was taught to love the business he finally adopted aa his life voen- tion. On the 24th of November, 1840, he was united in marringe to Miss Martha .1. Silveys, of Clay Township, Hamilton Co. She was born in Marion County, Ind., and was left an orphan when quite a young child.
Mr. McShane is a man of quiet and retiring disposition, not seeking to push himself into the notice of his neighbors, yet he is known and respected all over the county for his sterling integrity nud industrious application to his affairs He has served as Commisioner of Hamilton County, and filled that position with fidelity and to the satisfaction of his constituents.
Mr. and Mrs. McShane are members in high standing of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are regarded ns worthy and exemplary Christinns by all who know them.
Mr. McShane belongs to a class of people who are rapidly passing nway. to whom the rising geoeration owes much for the many comforts they enjoy. Arriving here, as he did, when the now fertile country was nearly a wilder- ness, enduring all the privations which fall to the lot of the brave pioneers of every country, he has been ever active to aid in the advancement of various enterprises, such as churches, schools, roada, etc., calculated to make life more enjoyable to the present generation than it was in his day. Let us hope he may live many years yet to see the continued progress of the country he has done so much to make what it is to-day.
1
RES. OF ISAAC W.STANTON. CLAY. TP. HAMILTON. CO. IND.
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DELAWARE TOWNSHIP.
DELAWARE TOWNSHIP.
THE ORIGINAL TOWNSHIP OF DELAWARE.
TN the year 1822, Hamilton County was formed, and, owing to the lack of facilities at the present county seut ( Noblesville ), the first session of the Board of Commissioners (or Justices) was held at the house of Wmi. Conner, in Delaware Township. This was the place designated by an act of the General Assembly of Indiana, approved January 8, 1823, for holding the Circuit and all other courts of Hamilton County, until a court house more suitable could be procured. The first session of the board was held on Monday, May 12, 1823, and one of the first acts of this body was the subdivision of the county into two townships-Delaware and White River. The boundary lines of Delaware Township were fixed as follows: " Ordered by the board, that all that part of the county lying south of a lino drawn from the most cast- wardly boundary of said county, running with the line dividing Sections 17 and 20, Township 19, north, until it strikes the most west wardly boundary, shall be laid off, established and known by the name of' Delaware Township." At" this session, it was ordered that George Kirkendall and James Willison he nppointed Overseers of the Poor for one year. To the following August, the board appointed Edward M. Dryer and George Wise to serve as Constables in this township. The first township officers were elected in February, 1824, in pursuance of an order of the board to the effect that an election be hell at the house of William Bush.
From the territory originally assigned to Delaware, the townships of Fall Creek nul Clay were organized in 1833, leaving the boundary lines of Dela- ware in their present shape.
ARRIVAL OF THE FIRST SETTLERS, *
The first family of white persons who made permanent settlement in Hamilton County was the family of George Shirts, who settled on what is known as the old William Conner prairie farm, in the year 1818. He moved here on pack horses, from Connersville, Ind., accompanied by his wife and three children. His wife died a short time subsequent to their arrival, and was buried by the Indians, in a burying-ground belonging to the tribe. Iler coffin was made of puncheons, fashioned by the Indians. She was the first white person buried in the county.
Mr. Shirts pro-empted the land on which he located, feeling secure in his possession ; but, shortly after the date of his settlement, John Conner, of Con- nersville, Ind., went to Brookville and entered 1,300 acres, including the land which Mr. Shirts had selected for his home. The latter then moved to what is now Noblesville Township."
OTHER EARLY SETTLERS.
William Conner came to the township at a very early date, and formed matri- monial relations with a squaw of the Delaware tribe. He opened a store about four miles south of Noblesville-his stock consisting of the articles most in demand by his dusky neighbors. It was stated that when the Indians came in to trade, they were puid in part for their furs in whisky. They were required by him to pay for each article as it was gold to them ; a gallon of whisky would be measured out, and its equivalent in fur immediately taken ; then another, and so on, until the furs were all taken up. Mr. Conner was an enterprising citizen and a mian of marked peculiarities. He was a success ful farmer as well as a successful trader. nod always had an abundance of prod_ vee in his harns. For yours afterward, his farm was the Egypt of new settlers, who came to him to buy corn while they were waiting for their own recently cleared fiells to produco n crop. Those who enme without money were the favored onea, and received the corn, to be returned without interest from their first crop. Those who came with the money to pay for the corn were told to go elsewhere for it, with the remark that " they could get corn any place for cash."
lo Juter yenra, when the Indians were removed from this locality to the West, Mr. Conner remained in the township, but his wife followed hor tribo to their reservation. Mr. Cooper subsequently married a white lady.
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