History of Hendricks County, Indiana, Part 62

Author: Inter-State Publishing Co.
Publication date: 1885
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 786

USA > Indiana > Hendricks County > History of Hendricks County, Indiana > Part 62

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Anthony W. Kelly, son of William and Malinda Kelly, was born on the homestead where he now lives, Jan. 11, 1835. He has always lived on the farm, which with the exception of forty-six acres, he now owns. + In addition to this he owns 120 acres; all is under a good state of cultivation. He is an enterprising, intelli- gent citizen, and has been successful in his chosen vocation. He was married May 2, 1858, to Eliza Hays, a native of Marion Town-

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ship, born June, 1837, daughter of John Hays, an early settler of this township. They have had six children, four of whom are liv- ing-Allen, John, William and Malinda. James Grant died aged three years, and Charles Albert, aged one year. In politics Mr. Kelly is a Republican, and an ardent supporter of the princi- ples of the party.

William Kelly was born in Greene County, Tenn., July 30, 1809. In October, 1831, he accompanied his two married sisters, Mrs. Elizabeth Houston and Mrs. Margaret Lemming and their hus- bands, to Hendricks County, and bought 160 acres of Government land on section 17, Marion Township. In the fall of 1834, on ac- count of failing health, he engaged in the mercantile business at New Winchester, but did not regain his health, and died Sept. 28, 1840. He was one of the most active and enterprising of the early settlers, and for some time served as Justice of the Peace. He was married March 13, 1832, to Malinda West, a native of Wayne County, Ky., who came with her parents, Alexander and Sarah West, to Hendricks County in October, 1831, locating on section 16, Marion Township, where her mother died in 1839. Her father died in Missouri in 1860. Mr. and Mrs. Kelly had a family of five children-Mrs. Sarah I. Tincher, Anthony W., Mrs. Margaret A. Hays, Mrs. Mary Hays (deceased), and William R. Mrs. Kelly was married June 23, 1853, to Stephen Stephenson, who died July 13, 1875. She is still living on the homestead, on section 16, Marion Township, and is one of the few remaining old settlers of 1831.

J. O. Kennedy, general merchant at New Winchester, was born March 20, 1827, in Liberty Township, Hendricks Co., Ind., a son of Jacob Kennedy, one of the pioneers of this county. He has al- ways been a resident of this county, and in 1871 he engaged in his present business at New Winchester. He was married to Melissa F. Roach, a native of Kentucky. They have two children-Ben- jamin F. and Nannie. Jacob Kennedy was born in Virginia in 1797, and when a small boy removed with his parents to Wood ford County, Ky., where he was reared and married. His wife was Isabella Combs, a cousin of General Leslie Combs. They had two children-Dr. L. H. Kennedy and our subject. He came to Hendricks County with his family in 1825, and settled in Liberty Township, remaining there about fifteen years. When he arrived in this county he had but $4, but by industry and economy he earned enough to buy a farm, and later bought a farm in Guilford

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Township, where he lived forty-five years. His wife died in Liberty Township, aged seventy-six years, since which he has made his home with his son in Danville. He is now eighty-eight years of age. Dr. L. H. Kennedy was born in Kentucky, July 16, 1823, and came with his parents in October, 1825. He worked on a farm till twenty-four years of age, and helped clear a farm of 100 acres. He began the study of medicine at Belleville in 1847, with Dr. Moore, and graduated from Rush Medical College, Chicago, Ill., in 1855. He began his practice with Dr. Moore in 1850, re- maining with him about twenty years. He located in Danville in 1869, where he has built up a good practice.

Henry F. Kurtz, one of the prominent farmers of Marion Town- ship, resides on section 28, where he has 343 acres of valuable land and one of the best residences in the township. In 1854 he bought eighty acres of unimproved land of James Hadley, and a few years later forty acres of cleared land of Dow Wright, and eighty acres of timber of William Bird, and since then the rest of his farm, which was only partially cleared. In addition to the homestead he owns an improved farm of 123 acres near New Win- chester, and has given his son Jacob a farm of eighty acres adjoining the home .. He is a thoroughly practical farmer and has been success- ful in all his pursuits. He was born in Nelson County, Ky., Feb. 10, 1828, a son of Jacob and Allutia Kurtz, the former a native of Kentucky, of Holland descent, born Dec. 22, 1790, and the latter a native of Maryland, born March 3, 1793. His parents settled in Putnam County, Ind., in the summer of 1828, and made that county their home till death. The father died June 15, 1874, and the mother Feb. 29, 1876. They reared a large family of whom six are living-William F., George W., Jacob H., Henry F., Mrs. Mary Allen and Mrs. Sarah A. Cassiday. Our subject was married Oct. 9, 1851, to Margaret L. Vannice, a native of Hendricks County, born May 2, 1834, a daughter of Lawrence and Caroline (Adams) Vannice, who settled in Marion Township in 1833. Her mother died Sept. 17, 1837, and her father is now living in Dan- ville. Mr. and Mrs. Kurtz have six children-Mrs. Frances Under- wood, Jacob L., Mrs. Eliza Hadley, Mrs. Jennie Hadley, Charles and Oscar. The family are members of the Cumberland Presby- terian church. Mr. Kurtz, like his father, was originally a Whig and now affiliates with the Republican party.

Jacob F. Kurtz was born in Floyd Township, Putnam Co., Ind., in 1833, a son of Jacob and Allutia Kurtz, who were pioneers of

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that county, who emigrated from Kentucky in the year 1828. He was reared a farmer, which occupation he has always followed, liv- ing with his parents till their death, he and his wife caring for them in their last years. His father had been an invalid and walked on crutches for over thirty years. He died at the advanced age of eighty-three years. His wife was an active woman till a year previous to her death at the age of eighty-two years, when she became as helpless as a little child. Our subject then became owner of the homestead, on which he lived till 1878, a period of forty-five years. He was married March 27, 1855, to Eliza Cas- sity, born Nov. 19, 1838, a daughter of David H. and Susan Cassity. Her parents came from Kentucky and settled in Putnam County, Ind., in an early day. Her mother died, and her father afterward married Mrs. Sarah Ann (Kurtz) Graham, a sister of Mr. Kurtz. Mr. and Mrs. Kurtz have two children-Edwin M. and Laura Ellen. Edwin M. was born Sept. 30, 1856, and was mar- ried Sept. 18, 1884, to Mary Florence Somers, a native of Putnam County, born March 9, 1859, daughter of William C. and Mary Somers, of Kansas. Laura Ellen was born April 14, 1861, and was married Sept. 27, 1882, to Henry Underwood, a son of Joseph and Lucretia Underwood, of Putnam County. In 1882 Mr. Kurtz bought the Edmund Hadley homestead, one of the oldest places in that part of Hendricks County. His homestead contains 173 acres of well cultivated land, and his residence and farm buildings are good. Since his occupancy he has remodeled both house and barn. Politically Mr. Kurtz is a Republican. He and his family are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church.

George Montgomery was born July 22, 1812, in North Caro- lina, a son of Samuel and Mary Montgomery, who were born, reared and married in the State of North Carolina. His parents immigrated to Virginia in 1818, residing there till 1836, when they came to Hendricks County, Ind., and settled in Lincoln Township. Their three youngest children came with them to this county-Anna and David now deceased, and Tyra, now a resident of Mattoon, Ill. Their son William settled in Randolph County, Ind .; James, another son, died in Lincoln Township, and Robert now resides in Missouri. The father, Samuel Montgomery, died at his home in Lincoln Township, in 1874. His widow died a few years later at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Anna Allman. George Montgomery, whose name heads this sketch, was married March 13, 1834, in Virginia, to Nancy Sturman, born Feb. 27,

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1815, a native of Virginia. In 1835 they settled near Plainfield, this county, and lived on rented land two years. In 1837 they purchased forty acres in Guilford Township, where they lived till 1840, when in the fall of that year they settled in their present home on section 34, Marion Township, and which contains 360 acres of valuable land. Mrs. Montgomery's death occurred April 8, 1881, since which the household has been in charge of her two eldest daughters-Julia and Hannah, and two more thorough, in- telligent and energetic housekeepers are seldom found. Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery had the following children-Julia, born March 9, 1835; Hannah, born Dec. 31, 1838; Jonathan (deceased); James, born Dec. 14, 1840, and married Jan. 19, 1862, to Margaret F. Tharp, who died July 19, 1869, leaving three children-George B. Mcclellan, Louisa C. and Erasmus D. T. James Montgomery was again married to Sarah E. Baker, a native of Putnam County, by whom he has three children-Nancy Jane, William O. and Flor- ence May. He resides on part of his father's farm, and since the spring of 1882 he has been engaged in the manufacture of drain- age tile. The rest of Mr. Montgomery's family are-Harlen, resid- ing in Taylor County, Iowa; Samuel Thomas (deceased), Mary Jane (deceased), and Tyra, born Dec. 9, 1852, living on part of his father's farm. He was married Aug. 4, 1878, to Amanda E. Wil- son, who was born and reared in Putnam County, Ind. They have two children-Maud Alice and Grace Ann. Our subject is & firm believer in the doctrines of the Baptist church. In politics he is a staunch Democrat.

Harvey Munday was born in Mercer County, Ky., Feb. 21, 1810, a son of Henry and Nancy Munday. His father was born in Vir- ginia and died in Kentucky, aged seventy-five years, and his mother, a native of Kentucky, died in this township, at New Winchester, aged eighty-two years. In August, 1833, Harvey Munday was married in his native county to Caroline Coghill, a native of the same county, born in 1815, who died April 10, 1854. Their chil- dren were-Ann Mary, died at the age of three years; John H. and Thomas J., residents of this county; Joseph A. and James M. (twins) enlisted in the Fifty-first Indiana Infantry, the former killed at the battle of Murfreesboro, Tenn., and the latter served nearly five years, and is now living in Kentucky; Benjamin F. and Reuben S., living in Missouri; William J., of this township, and George H., of Missouri. In October following his marriage Mr. Munday moved to Hendricks County, living at Danville the first

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few months. He was a man of limited means, but possessed good health and energy. He worked at the blacksmith's trade at Dan- ville till 1834. He removed to New Maysville, Putnam County, in February, 1834, and in the fall of 1843 bought a piece of land near the town, where he carried on farming in connection with his trade. He returned to this county, locating in his present home in the fall of 1847. His residence is on sections 17 and 18, and his farm, containing 160 acres, was brought from a forest to a well' cultivated farm. Oct. 15, 1854, Mr. Munday married for his second wife Matilda Hankins, born in Shelby County, Ky., in 1820. She came with her parents to this county in 1839. Her father died at the home of Mr. Munday in 1862, and her mother died in Center Township, April 23, 1885, at the advanced age of ninety-six years. Mr. Munday has three children by his last marriage-Mrs. Martha V. Yount, Mrs. Judith Ellen Graham, and Woodson, living with his parents. In politics Mr. Munday is a Democrat. He has been a member of the regular Baptist church since 1839.

William Robbins, M. D., was born Jan. 16, 1843, in Marion Township, Hendricks Co., Ind. His parents, John and Lydia (Parsons) Robbins, were among the pioneer settlers of this town- ship. He lived at home till his enlistment, Aug. 16, 1861, in Company B, Seventh Indiana Infantry. He was wounded in the first battle of Bull Run, on account of which he was discharged, and returned home. Regaining his strength he again went into the service and was commissioned Second Lieutenant of Company I, Ninth Indiana Infantry. He was in the Army of the Cumber- land, and in March, 1863, he was promoted to Captain of his com- pany. In the retreat of General Hood after Nashville his regi- ment did gallant service, and also on many other occasions. He was honorably discharged at the close of the war and returned home. He was married while home on furlough, Jan. 1, 1863, to Marcella Hamrick, born Dec. 4, 1845, and daughter of William and Jane Hamrick, her father a resident of Center Township, and her mother deceased. They have had three children-Charles M., born March 7, 1866; James B., born July 13, 1867, and died Dec. 18, 1874, and Laura J., born April 19, 1869, and died March 10, 1870. Dr. Robbins commenced the study of medicine with Dr. T. J. Adams, of North Salem, in 1871, and in 1872 attended the Indiana Medical College at Indianapolis, and again attended in 1879, receiving his diploma. He began his practice at Gaynor City, Mo., in 1873, and in 1875 returned to this county and lived

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on his farm in Eel River Township till 1878. He then located at New Winchester and resumed his medical practice. Politically he is a radical Republican. He and his wife are members of the Christian church. The Doctor is a member of Defiance Lodge, No. 148, I. O. O. F .; at Defiance, Mo.

Willis Slavens, section 19, Marion Township, is a native of Hendricks County, born in Eel River Township, Nov. 1, 1835. His parents, James and Mary Slavens, were pioneers of Eel River Township, locating there in 1828, soon after their marriage. The mother died in 1846 and the father in 1851, aged forty-four years. They had a family of nine children-Harvey, a member of the Fifty-first Indiana Infantry, died at Nashville, Tenn., in 1862; Mrs. Nancy Dean, Willis, Jesse, Milton, Mrs. Mary Wright, Will- iam, John and Reuben. Left orphans at an early age, the children were obliged to depend on themselves for maintenance, and Willis worked as a farm hand till twenty years of age, and the next six years was employed as engineer in a saw-mill. He was married March 14, 1868, to Mary A. Ragan, daughter of James and Lucy Ragan .. She was born Nov. 23, 1847, on the homestead of her parents, where she now lives. Her parents were natives of Ken- tucky and pioneer settlers of Marion Township. Her mother died June 14, 1871, aged forty-nine years, and her father Aug. 6, 1871, aged fifty years. Of a large family of children Mrs. Slavens is the eldest, and the only daughter living. Five sons are living-John S., a physician of Avon; Zachariah, of North Salem; Abner, of Nebraska; James B., of Richmond, Ind., and William H., with Mrs. Slavens. Arter his marriage Mr. Slavens settled on the Ra- gan homestead, and had the care of the family, and he and his wife succeeded to the ownership of the residence portion of the prop- erty. They have one child-Della, born May 11, 1870. Mr. Sla- vens enlisted Sept. 22, 1861, in Company A, Fifty-first Indiana Infantry, of which his brother Harvey was Lieutenant, and after serving nine months was discharged on account of ill-health. Jan. 4, 1864, he again enlisted, and served in the Ninth Cavalry till Aug. 28, 1865. In politics Mr. Slavens is a Republican. He and his wife are members of the Christian church. He is a mem- ber of North Salem Lodge, No. 142, F. & A. M.

James F. Tinder, son of Jeremiah and Kittie Tinder, was born in Marion Township, this county, May 19, 1840. He lived at home till Feb. 22, 1866, when he was married to Martha C. Faught, a native of Eel River Township, and daughter of Jacob C. Faught, a

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deceased merchant of North Salem. Mr. and Mrs. Tinder have three children-Oscar, Della and Kittie. Mr. Tinder settled on his present farm immediately after his marriage. The farm was formerly known as the William Pierson place, and now contains 236 acres of land, all under a fine state of cultivation, with good farm buildings. Mr. Tinder is active in all that tends to the gen- eral welfare of his township. He is energetic and enterprising and highly respected throughout the county. In politics he votes the Democratic ticket.

Franklin Underwood was born in Decatur County, Ind., March 1, 1826, and was in his tenth year when his parents, John and Rebecca Underwood, settled in this township. He lived at home till his marriage, in the fall of 1850, to Catherine Martin, a native of Shelby County, Ky., and daughter of Benjamin Martin. Three children were born to them-Mrs. Rebecca Beckley, of this town- ship; Mrs. Sarah L. Christie, of Putnam County, and Clarissa, who died Sept. 21, 1867, in her thirteenth year. Mrs. Underwood died Aug. 13, 1859, aged thirty-three years, and Oct. 28, 1860, Mr. Underwood married Ellie Christie, born Aug. 31, 1832, in Shelby County, Ky., a daughter of William Christie, Sr. She came to this county with her parents, both now deceased, when she was two years of age. One son was born to this union-Mar- shall C., born in 1863, living at home. Mr. Underwood resides in section 31, where he has one of the finest farms in his neighbor- hood. His home farm contains 400 acres, the west half of which is in Putnam County. He also owns eighty acres in Putnam County, one and a half miles from his residence. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Regular Baptist church.

John Underwood, deceased, was a native of Shelby County, Ky., born in 1795. He was married in his native county to Rebecca Radford, a native of Virginia, coming to Kentucky when a child. He came with his wife and six children to this township in the fall of 1835, having previously lived in Decatur County, Ind., nine years after leaving Kentucky. Mr. Underwood devoted his atten- tion to the introduction of blue grass, and converting his lands into stock farming, he being the first man in the township to drive fat stock to market to Indianapolis. He died May 24, 1861, aged sixty-six years, his widow surviving him about six years. They were the parents of the following children-William, deceased; Mrs. Charlotte McMurry, of Normal, Ill .; Mrs. Elizabeth Carver,

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of Patnam County, Ind .; Mrs. Catherine Darnell, deceased; Mrs. Sally Soper, of Hendricks County, and Mrs. Ellen Bridges, deceased, the latter being the only one born in this county. Mr. Underwood owned, at the time of his death, a farm of 325 acres.

John F. Underwood is a native of Hendricks County, Ind., born in Marion Township, Feb. 20, 1849, a son of William and Harriet L. Underwood, and grandson of John Underwood, one of the early settlers of this township. William Underwood was born in Kentucky, in 1823, and accompanied his father to Hendricks County. He was here married, March 20, 1847, to Harriet West, who was born April 7, 1830, a daughter of Isaac and Polly West. They commenced housekeeping on section 10, Marion Township, and there made a home, where he died in September, 1875. He had a farm of 700 acres and was one of the most prosperous citizens of the county. The mother still lives on the homestead with her son, Obadiah. John F. is the eldest of their six children, the oth- ers being William, Mrs. Mary E. Higgins, Obadiah, Mrs. Angeline Christie and Robert, all residents of Marion Township. John F. Underwood was married Jan. 23, 1873, to Caroline F. Kurtz, daughter of Henry F. Kurtz. They have two children-Carrie and Lourie. In 1880 Mr. Underwood bought what is known as the G. W. Turner farm, which contains 200 acres of improved land, located on section 27. In politics Mr. Underwood is a Democrat. He and his wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, making its motto the rule of his life. He is one of the most prominent and influential citizens of the township.

Peter C. Vannice, one of the early settlers of this township, was born in Mercer County, Ky., July 17, 1801, and was married in that county Feb. 14, 1828, to Sarah Ann Smith, born in Mercer County, Dec. 11, 1810. In 1831 they came to this county and set- tled on section 30, Marion Township, bringing with them from Kentucky two children-Louisiana, now wife of Edom R. Had- ley, and William H., a resident of Lucas County, Iowa. Nine children were born to them in this township-Samuel N. and Mrs. Joanna Allen, both of Lucas County, Iowa; Sarah, wife of Rev. W. T. Ferguson, of Morgan County, Ind .; Mrs. Amanda J. Trot- ter, of Marion County, Iowa; Milton B., of this township; James R., died aged six years; Ellen, died aged three years; Henry S., died aged twelve years, and Ellen, wife of Rev. O. C. Hawkins, of

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Lucas County, Iowa. Peter C. Vannice, in early days, was a Whig, but from the organization of the Republican party he has voted that ticket. Both he and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and are respected by all who know them. Our subject's parents were Peter and Deborah (De Motte) Van- nice, natives of New Jersey, his father of Holland and his mother of French Huguenot descent. His mother's ancestors were driven from France at the time of the massacre of St. Bar- tholomew.

Jonathan Walton was born in Washington County, Pa., Jan. 9, 1837, a son of John and Eliza Walton, who were both natives of Pennsylvania. With their four sons they moved to Ripley County. Ind., in the summer of 1837, where the father died and was buried Jan. 9, 1845. His widow, some years later, married Stephen Gowin and to this union were born six children-Love J., deceased; Mrs. Adaline Slavins, of Kansas; Oliver and James B., residing in this township; Mrs. Cynthia Robbins, of Missouri, and Mrs. Anna Crose, of this township. The children by her former marriage were-Warren, of Ripley County; William, a member of the Ninety-ninth Indiana Infantry, died in the service; Amos, served in the Seventh Indiana Infantry, now living in Madison County, Iowa, and Jonathan, our subject. The family moved to Hendricks County in 1853, locating on section 34, where Mr. Gowin died in the spring of 1880. His widow is living in this township with her youngest daughter, Mrs. Anna Crose. Jonathan Walton lived with his mother and step-father till his marriage to Miss Cynthia Rob- bins, which occurred Oct. 9, 1859. After his marriage he made his home on section 34, on part of the John Robbins homestead. He has prospered in his agricultural pursuits, and now owns a farm of 188 acres, also a fine residence property in North Salem. He is a member of North Salem Lodge, No. 158, I. O. O. F., and politically he is a Republican. To Mr. and Mrs. Walton have been born three children-Emma C., their eldest, died at the age of eighteen months; John Gavin, born March, 1863, and Bertha, born in November, 1870. Mrs. Walton's grandparents came to this county in 1833. Her father was born in North Carolina, June 16, 1809, and was there married in June, 1829, to Lydia Parsons, who was born Dec. 27, 1808. They had eleven children, of whom six are living-Mrs. Mary Jones, of Eel River Township; Mrs. Martha Davis, same township; Mrs. Cynthia Walton, this town- ship: William, this township; Mrs. Susan Robbins and Mrs. Jose-

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phine Davis, of Eel River Township. Those deceased are-Newton Catherine, John and Barnabas. John Robbins was a promi- nent citizen of this county, and served satisfactorily as County Commissioner several terms. His death occurred March 5, 1881. His widow is living on the old homestead with her son-in-law, Jonathan Walton, which has been her home for fifty- two years.

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CHAPTER XIX.

' MIDDLE TOWNSHIP.

DESCRIPTION .- SETTLEMENT .- PITTSBORO. - BUSINESS .- CHURCHES, ETC. - POLITICAL HISTORY. - TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS. - STATISTIOS. -BIOGRAPHICAL.

Middle Township is bounded on the north by Boone County, on the east by Brown and Lincoln townships, on the south by Lin- coln, Washington and Center, and on the west by Center and Union. It is very deficient in natural drainage, but easily drained by artificial means. It has no stream too large to be called a branch; its surface is the nearest a plain of any township in the county; its soil is for the most part very productive, and Indian corn is the staple; wheat and oats are, however, very profitable crops.

FIRST SETTLEMENT.

The first clearing in the township was made in 1830 by Lemuel McBee, in the western part of the town of Pittsboro. Within three years from the date of Mr. McBee's settlement, the following well- known citizens settled in the central and southern portions of the township: Ed. Poynter, Elijah Thompson, Adam Spicklemire, Stephen Hale, Samuel Hill, James Wells, Jonas Lipe, John and Jacob Holtsclaw, Aaron Spicklemire, Benjamin Davis and Heze- kiah Demick. In no part of Hendricks County did the pioneers have a harder fight with primeval nature, or endure more hard- ships, than in Middle Township. The forests were very heavy and the undergrowth of bushes almost impenetrable. The township was organized in 1833. James Parks was the first Justice of the Peace, and Alfred Lineberry taught the first school, in 1835, on Samnel Hill's farm, for $10 per month.

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History of Hendricks County, Indiana, Part 62

Author: Inter-State Publishing Co. Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Number of Pages: 786

Author: Inter-State Publishing Co.
Publication date: 1885
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 786