USA > Indiana > Hendricks County > History of Hendricks County, Indiana > Part 64
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reared and educated in his native county, and since reaching man- hood has given his attention to agriculture. He owns a good farm of sixty-six acres, his home being one of the pleasantest in the township. He was married Nov. 10, 1869, to Susan C. Blair, a native of Hendricks County, born May 23, 1852, daughter of James A. and Amenia Blair. Four children have been born to them-Harry E., Muratt W ., Iva M., and one deceased.
Luther W. Job was born in Putnam County, Ind., Jan. 24, 1836, a son of William and Mary Job. His parents were natives of North Carolina, and among the early settlers of Putnam County. They moved to Danville, Center Township, in 1860, where they lived until 1879, then moved to Nebraska where the father died in September, 1880. The mother died July 28, 1885. They had a family of fourteen children, seven of whom are living-Perlina P., Luther W., Noah W., Alfred P., Isaiah S., Nancy E. and James P. Three sons were soldiers in the war of the Rebellion. Noah W. was a member of Company B, Seventh Indiana Infantry, and after serving two years and eight months was captured and incar- cerated in Libby and Andersonville prisons seven months. He was wounded twice, in the hip and in the forehead. Alfred P. served twelve months in the Fifty-first Indiana Infantry, and La- fayette (now deceased) served one year in Company B, Tenth Indiana Infantry. Luther W. Job was reared a farmer, and has always given his attention to agriculture. In 1859 he settled in the eastern part of Middle Township, where he now owns ninety- five acres of valuable land, well improved. He was married Sept. 23, 1858, to Martha E. Junken, born Oct. 17, 1839, daughter of Noble and Jane Junken. They have two children-Mollie, now Mrs. J. B. Hale, born Sept. 3, 1859, and Eva, born March 8, 1873. Mr. Job is a member of Pittsboro Lodge, No. 342, I. O. O. F. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Job's parents were natives of Virginia, and among the early settlers of Wayne County. In 1839 they moved to Hen- dricks County, and settled in Middle Township, where the father died Sept. 13, 1875. They reared a family of four children, of whom three are living-Moses H., Martha E. and John F.
William A. Jones, one of the earliest settlers of Middle Town- ship, is a native of Kentucky, born May 31, 1812, a son of Allen and Elizabeth (Campbell) Jones. His parents came to Hendricks County in 1827, and here he grew to manhood. On attaining his majority he entered forty acres of wild land, which he improved
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and to which he has added till he now has a fine farm of 200 acres. He was married May 2, 1833, to Hannah E. Bray, and to them were born eight children, five of whom are living-Richard B., Allen E., Thomas B., William S. and Hannah. Mary, Elizabeth and Rhoda are deceased. His wife died in September, 1876, and in September, 1878, he married Mary A. Wright, of Virginia. In politics Mr. Jones is a Democrat. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Baptist church.
John A. Jordan, son of George W. and Tabitha Jordan, is a native of Hendricks County, born Nov. 3, 1843. He is the young- est of five children, but four of whom are living, the others being William T., Susan A. and Mary A. He was reared on his father's farm, remaining at home until after the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, when, in August, 1862, he enlisted in defense of the Union and was assigned to Company H, Ninety-ninth Indiana Infantry. He participated in the battes at Vicksburg, Chatta- nooga, Knoxville, Dalton, Resaca, the Atlanta campaign and march to the sea, serving till June, 1865. After his discharge he re- turned to his native county, and turned his attention to agriculture, at which he has prospered and now owns 105 acres of valuable land in the northern part of Middle Township. He was married Jan. 9, 1870, to Amelia M. Dillon, of Boone County, Ind., and to them have been born four children, three of whom are living- Vietta J., born Sept. 21, 1871; Ida B., May 16, 1873, and Carrie E., Sept. 22, 1875. Mr. Jordan has served as Justice of the Peace four years. He is an active member of the Christian church and has been an Elder several years.
Henry T. Kirk was born in Harrison County, Ohio, June 11, 1842, a son of Vochiel and Susannah Kirk. In 1843 his parents moved to Noble County, Ohio, and thence, in 1855, to Hendricks County, Ind., and settled in Brownsburg, where his father died in 1880 and his mother in 1883. To them were born nine children, but five of whom are living-Isaac, William, Van Buren, Sarah J. and Henry T. Our subject was reared a farmer, remaining at home till his enlistment, in October, 1861, in the defense of the Union. He was assigned to Company A, Fifty-first Indiana In- fantry, Fourth Corps, Army of the Cumberland, and participated in the battles at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Murfreesboro, Gallatin, Day's Gap, Crooked Creek, Cedar Mountain, Perryville, Franklin, Nashville, Overton Hills, Columbia and others of minor importance. He was discharged in January, 1864, and immediately 45
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re-enlisted and served till December, 1865. He was married Oct. 14, 1865, to Mary . Potts, daughter of Thomas and Mahala Potts, early settlers of Hendricks County. They have had eight children, but four of whom are living-William T., Franklin T., Mary R. and George H. Maud, Eva M., Lou and Harry M. are deceased. Mr. Kirk has a pleasant home in Middle Township, his farm containing eighty acres of well-improved land. He and his wife are members of the Christian church.
Francis Martin is a native of Kentucky, born Jan. 7, 1832, a son of Williamson. and Nancy Martin. He was reared in his native State, and there received a fair education. About 1851 he came to Hendricks County, Ind., and was employed in saw and grist mills till the breaking out of the civil war. In April, 1861, he enlisted in the Eleventh Indiana Infantry for three months, and in August re-enlisted. He participated in the battles of Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Port Gibson, Champion Hills, siege of Vicks- burg and others of minor importance. He was discharged in the fall of 1864 and returned to Hendricks County. He then followed milling in Clayton, Monrovia and Mooresville till 1873, when he located in Middle Township, where he has since followed agricult- ural pursuits, and now owns a good farm of eighty acres. Mr. Martin was married Dec. 24, 1873, to Nancy J. Prather, daughter of Wesley A. and Arthusa W. Prather. They have two children -Daisy and Grant. Mr. Martin's political affiliations are with the Republican party.
Dudley H. Parker was born in Hendricks County, Ind., March 16, 1844, a son of James M. and Maria Parker, natives of Ken- tucky. In 1834 his parents moved to Jefferson County, Ind., and thence in 1835 to Hendricks County, where the father died in November, 1882, and the mother in July, 1884. But two of their five children are living-Salle F. and Dudley H. They were prominent members of the Christian church. Dudley H. Parker was reared in his native township, receiving his early education in the district schools. In the fall of 1859 he entered the Northwest- ern Christian University, at Indianapolis, an institution he attended till June, 1862, when he enlisted in Company A, Fifty- first Indiana Infantry. He participated in the siege of Nashville, battle of Dalton, and others of minor importance. In July, 1865, the Fourth Corps, of which the Fifty-first formed a part, was sent to Texas, where they remained till mustered out in January, 1866. Sept. 14, 1868, Mr. Parker was married to Maria A. Procter,
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danghter of William and Sallie Procter. To them have been born seven children, five of whom are living-Oscar S., Aggie, Nettie, Ettie and an infant unnamed. Mr. Parker remained in Hendricks County a year after his marriage and then moved to Johnson County, Kas., where for about three years he worked at the car- penter's trade. Thence to McPherson, Kas., and was associated with Wallace Gleason in the drug business eight months. In 1874 he returned to Hendricks County, where he now has a good farm of eighty acres. Mr. Parker is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
Ellis L. Parker was born in Middle Township, Hendricks Co., Ind., Feb. 10, 1849, a son of John L. and Nancy Parker. He received the rudiments of his education in the district schools of his native township, and in the fall of 1865 entered the North- western Christian University (now Butler University), at Indianap- olis, where he remained a school year, and in 1867 returned to the same school. After leaving school he taught for a time and then turned his attention to agriculture, at which he has been success- ful, and now owns a good farm of eighty acres. Mr. Parker was married Nov. 21, 1876, to Nancy Salmon, daughter of Robert Salmon, of Lincoln Township. To them have been born four children-Bruce, Mary, Maude and Claude.
Henry R. Parker is a native of Hendricks County, born in Feb- ruary, 1836, a son of John L. and Nancy Parker, who settled in Middle Township in 1835, and here the father died in October, 1875. Six of a family of thirteen children are living-John C., Jane, Henry R., Sarah, Wesley and Ellis L. Henry R. Parker Was reared and educated in his native township. He is one of the most intelligent and thrifty farmers of the township and has accumula- ted as a result of his industry and enterprise 200 acres of valuable land. He was married Dec. 25, 1860, to Adaline Carter, daughter of Harlan and Esther Carter. They have five children-John H., William C., Lurena, Richard and Nancy E. Mr. and Mrs. Parker are members of the Christian church.
William Patterson is a native of Monmouth County, N. J., born May 27, 1818, a son of William and Rebecca Patterson. In 1836 he accompanied his parents to Wayne County, Ind., and later to Hendricks County, locating in Brown Township, where they both died. Three of a family of eight children are living- James, Catherine and William. William Patterson was reared a farmer, receiving but a limited education. In 1851 he came to Hendricks County and settled in Middle Township, where he has
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since lived. He has been industrious and frugal, and has accumu- lated a good property. His farm contains 160 acres of valuable land, and his improvements are among the best in the township. Mr. Patterson was married Oct. 4, 1851, to Amelia Lauhorn, daughter of Thomas Lanhorn, of Marion County, Ind. To them have been born eleven children, of whom seven are living-John W., Thomas J., Vinson, William H., Mary A., Rebecca and Dora E. In politics Mr. Patterson is a Democrat. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church.
Austin Pierson, one of the leading citizens of Middle Town- ship, was born June 12, 1826, in Shelby County, Ky. He was a son of William and Nancy Pierson, who were natives of Virginia. From Kentucky they came to Hendricks County, Ind., in 1834, locating in Marion Township, where the father died. He was County Commissioner of this county. They were the parents of ten children, eight of whom survive-Augustus, Thomas, John, William, Austin, Sarah, Elizabeth and Nancy. Our subject was reared to manhood in this county, receiving but a limited ednca- tion, and was here married, March 6, 1851, to Miss Mary J. Smith, of Hendricks County. They have had a family of twelve children. Those living are-James M., Mereen, George B., Joseph M., Robert E., Nancy E., Sarah, Mary and Ann E. Henry, Harvey and Oliver are deceased. Mr. Pierson settled where he now resides, in the fall of 1851. He has met with success in his agricultural pursuits and is the owner of 160 acres of land. He is at present serving his sec- ond term as Township Trustee.
William Ray was born in Randolph County, N. C., Feb. 14, 1822, a son of Presley and Dica Ray. He was reared on a farm in his native county, receiving a common-school education. After reaching manhood he came to Hendricks County, Ind., and was here married, in January, 1847, to Annie Osborn, daughter of Mathew and Jane Osborn, early settlers of Hendricks County. After his marriage he settled in Middle Township, on the farm where he has since lived, which contains 125g acres of well culti- vated land. He has been energetic and enterprising, and is one of the prosperous farmers of the township. To Mr. and Mrs. Ray have been born twelve children, seven of whom are living-Charles F., Dica J., Presley E., Elijah, Mathew C., Allison E. and William T. In politics Mr. Ray is a Republican.
Tetmaney M. Shoffner was born in Orange, now Alamance, County, N. C., Sept. 10, 1835, a son of Frederick and Susan (Davi-
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son) Shoffner. His father was twice married and had a family of nine children, of whom our subject is the only one living. He was reared in his native State and there married, in August, 1853,, Mary Kivett. To them were born eight children, but six of whom are liv- ing-Joseph C., Robert P., William J., Eliza J., Sallie and Minnie. Mr. Shoffner was an uncompromising Union man during the war of the Rebellion, and was fearless in expressing his loyal sentiments, and in 1868 was chosen for two years a member of the North Caro- lina Legislature, representing the Twenty-sixth Senatorial District, and while there introduced the celebrated " Shoffner Bill " for the suppression of the " Ku Klux ", and in the face of much opposition finally secured its passage. His sentiments naturally incurred the enmity of the " Klan " who several times laid their plans to kill him, but each time were unsuccessful in carrying them out. Deem- ing it unwise, on account of the feeling toward him, to remain in his native State, in 1870 he moved to Hendricks County, Ind. Af- ter living in different parts of the county he finally located in the southern part of Middle Township, where he now has a fine farm of eighty acres. He has taken an active interest in the affairs of the county and State, and is one of Hendricks' most valued citizens.
Alexander F. Smith was born in Henry County, Ky., Nov. 15, 1824, a son of James and Hannah Smith. In 1837 his parents came to Hendricks County, Ind., and settled in Center Township, where they both died. They had a family of eight children-Rob- ert, Sarah, Alexander F., George, James D., Susan, Elizabeth and William. Three, Robert, George and William, are deceased. William was First Lieutenant of Company A, Fifty-third Indiana Infantry, in the war of the Rebellion, and was killed at Atlanta, Ga. Mr. Smith grew to manhood in Center Township, and assisted his father in clearing and improving a frontier farm. In 1855 he moved to Middle Township, and located on the farm where he now lives. He owns 280 acres of choice land, and is one of the most . enterprising and influential citizens of the township. He was mar- ried Sept. 28, 1848, to Nancy Worrell, a native of Virginia, born Nov. 16, 1827, daughter of William and Patsey Worrell. To them was born one son, James M., born July, 1849. Mrs. Smith died Jan. 16, 1878. James M. was married Sept. 26, 1872, to Delilah Hollingsworth, who was born May 6, 1854, danghter of Samuel V. Hollingsworth, and has four children-Bernice A., born Feb. 6, 1875; Foster V., March 14, 1878; Irwin P., Feb. 23, 1880, and Charles P., April 9, 1884. He is the owner of 151 acres of fine
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land. his residence being on the old homestead with his father. Alfred Stanley, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of Middle Township, is a native of Hendricks County, born March 31, 1836. His parents, Isaac and Mary Stanley, were natives of North Carolina, and settled near Stilesville, this county, in an early day. Their family consisted of seven children, only two of whom, Alfred and Susan, are living. The deceased are-John, Moses, Calvin, Thomas and Rachel. Alfred Stanley is one of the successful and enterprising farmers of Middle Township. He has a fine farm of 260 acres, and his improvements are unsurpassed in the county. He was married Sept. 10, 1857, to Phoebe Plasters, daughter of William and Mary Plasters, early settlers of this county. They have a family of five children-Tillman H., George W., Mary M., John M. and Franklin. Mr. Stanley has served as Assessor of Middle Township two years. He is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities.
Lewis Thornbrugh was born Jan. 7, 1813, and is a native of Ohio. His parents were William and Ellzabeth Thornbrugh and were among the early settlers of Washington Township, Hendricks Co., Ind. Our subject was twice married, his first wife being Miss Annie Schengh, by whom he had five children-Mary E., Samuel, Angeline, Emiline and Mildred, the latter deceased. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Thornbrugh was married to Mrs. Fan- nie Nash, widow of Richard Nash, of Brown Township, this county. To this union were born two children-Albert and John. Mr. Thornbrugh is the owner of 120 acres of land. He is a member of the Regular Baptist church.
Calvin Warrick was born in Rush County, Ind., Oct. 19, 1840, a son of Edward H. and Ruth Warrick, his father a native of Delaware and his mother of Virginia. In 1845 his parents came to Hendricks County, Ind., and lived in Brown Township till 1856, then moved to Middle Township, near Pittsboro, where the father died in October, 1864. In 1880 the mother went to Nebraska where she still lives with one of her sons. They had a family of eight children-Samuel, Ann, Calvin, Amos, Esther E., Mary J., Hattie and Madora A. Calvin Warrick was reared in Hendricks County, remaining with his parents till manhood. In September, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Seventh Indiana Infantry. His regiment was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, and partici- pated in many of the most severe battles of the Eastern army, among them being Greenbriar, Edinburg, Winchester, Gettysburg.
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Antietam, second Bull Run, and White Sulphur Springs. He was discharged in September, 1864, and upon his return home en- gaged in agricultural pursuits. He now has a fine farm of 200 acres, all well improved. Mr. Warrick was married in December, 1865, to Evaline Smith, daughter of Joel and Susan Smith, early settlers of Hendricks County. To them have been born five chil- dren-Shiles M., William E., Oliver C., Edward H. and Mary M. In politics Mr. Warrick is a Republican. He has served his town- ship as Assessor several terms. He and his wife are members of the Missionary Baptist church.
George W. Wills was born in Montgomery County, Ky., Jan. 16, 1814, a son of Michael and Elizabeth Wills. When he was an infant his father died, and when eighteen years of age he came with his mother and other members of the family to Hendricks County, Ind., and for a short time lived in Center Township, south of Danville. He then bought land in Liberty Township, on which the present village of Clayton was built, where he lived about twenty years, when he returned to Center Township, and in 1862 settled in Middle Township, where he has since lived, his farin containing eighty acres of valuable land. Mr. Wills was married in January, 1837, to Frances H. Mershon, daughter of Daniel and Effie Mershop, early settlers of Hendricks County. To them have been born nine children, eight of whom are living- James M., Sylvester S., William F., Lonisa J., Miriam A., Henry C., Simpson B. and Jesse T. Mrs. Wills died March 30, 1881. Mr. Wills is a member of the Christian church.
James M. Wills, of Pittsboro, was born Feb. 26, 1838, on the present site of the town of Clayton, in Hendricks County, when it was nothing but a wilderness, and lived there until he was twenty years of age. He attended the district schools of that day; never attended but two terms of three months each of free school. Although with limited opportunities he qualified himself to teach common schools and worked on the farm with his parents through the summer and taught school through the fall and winter until the war broke out, at $1.15 per day. Ang. 7, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company C, Seventieth Indiana Infantry, and was mustered into the service Aug. 12. He followed all the varied fortunes of the regiment, serving gallantly till his discharge, June 8, 1865. After his discharge from the army Mr. Wills went on the farm and worked through the summer and taught school in the fall and winter of 1865 and 1866, and on the 16th
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day of May, 1867, was married to Miss Mary A. Dillon, of Pitts boro. In March, 1869, he moved to Pittsboro and engaged in the drug business with Amos C. Weaver until January, 1880. In 1881 he engaged in the dry-goods business with A. C. Weaver, continuing a year. In 1880 he bought a half interest in the tile works at Pittsboro, which he has since conducted. He makes a fine quality of tile, and ships a great proportion of it to Illinois. In 1872 he was elected Justice of the Peace and served until April, 1877, when he was admitted to the Hendricks County bar to practice law. In October, 1877, he was commissioned Notary Public, and has served continually ever since to the entire satis- faction of all that had notarial work to do, both in fees and quality of work. On the 10th day of January, 1885, through the influ- ence of Senator Benjamin Harrison, his old regimental com- mander, he was appointed to a clerkship in the United States Railway Mail Service from Pittsburg, Pa., to St. Louis, Mo., but on account of his wife's ill-health he declined to serve. June 6, 1885, the commissioners of Kendricks County appointed him as Justice of the Peace of Middle Township. In the spring of 1882, he was a candidate before the Republican Nominating Con- vention for Recorder of Hendricks County, but was defeated by A. A. Parsons, the present worthy encumbent and a wounded soldier. Mr. Wills has two children-Ethel, born June 29, 1870, and Jewell, born Dec. 7, 1882.
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CHAPTER XX.
UNION TOWNSHIP.
DESCRIPTION. - PIONEER SETTLEMENT. - LIZTON. - BUSINESS AND CHURCHES .- POLITICAL HISTORY .- TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS .- STATIS- TICS. - BIOGRAPHICAL.
This township, in the northern tier of townships, is bounded on the north by Boone County, on the east by Middle Township, on the south by Center, and on the west by Eel River. The surface of Union Township is generally level, but it has some rolling sur- face in the southwest and northwest corners. It has the poorest natural drainage of any township in the county, but most of its surface is susceptible of easy artificial drainage. In the fertility of its soil it is unsurpassed by any other portion of the county. Corn is the leading production. Since the opening through it, in 1869, of the I., B. & W. Railroad, its excellent timber has been the source of much prosperity.
The first settlement in the township was made on the farm which Mr. Veiley has since owned, by John Matlock and John Fowler, about the year 1828. Isaac Veiley entered the land where Lizton stands, in 1828, but did not move to the settlement until 1831. Among those who settled in the township before 1835 are Archibald Alexander, James and William Leak and their sons, William Montgomery, John Pritchett, Claiborne Davis and the Plummers. Owing to the poor natural drainage, the bad condi- tion of the roads, and the very many inconveniences of this local- ity, the settlement grew very slowly until 1840, at which date the cabins were very scattering, and the clearings very small. Since that time the development of the country and the increase of pop- ulation has been rapid.
One of the advantages of the pioneer was that the stock brought with them would live in the woods all winter and usually do well. This was especially so with swine, and soon after the arrival of the first settlers wild hogs became very abundant in the woods, and all those who had ever had a hog to go astray-as what man had not? (717)
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-had a lawful claim upon the common herd. In the autumn of the year, after the acorns and other mast began falling, these hogs became fat, and were hunted down by the settlers with dog and gun, like the bears and the deer.
The settlers often caught them in traps. When desirable to capture them alive, this was always necessary, and was accom- plished by making a log pen so high that they could not jump over, and arranging a trap door, to which a string was fastened. Corn was then scattered in trails in different directions through the woods to entice the swine into the pen, when a man secreted high in a tree top would spring the trap and the swine were caught.
As soon as enough persons could be got together to make a hear- ing, Gilbert Harney and John Harris, of the Christian church, be- gan preaching in the settlement; and in 1837 Gilbert Harney organized, at the house of Archibald Alexander, a church, with Mr. Alexander, Joseph P. Lewis, Samuel C. Carrington and their wives, and a few others, as members. The present church was built about 1875. Rev. U. C. Brewer, of Danville, conducts ser- vices here the fourth Sunday of each month. The Methodist Epis- copal society date from 1833, when a class was formed at the house of William Montgomery, who was leader. Among the members were Mr. Plummer, Sally Bargan, Claiborne Davis and John Pritchett. The church is a half a mile south of Lizton. Services are held every two weeks by Rev. Mr. Smith, of Jamestown.
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