USA > Indiana > Hendricks County > History of Hendricks County, Indiana, together with sketches of its cities, villages and towns, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 21
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Henderson Cook, deceased, was born Ang. 16, 1820, in Surrey County, N. C., a son of Jolin and Edith J. Cook, who were also natives of North Carolina. He came to Hendricks Connty, Ind., in 1844, and was there married to Miss Naney J. Banta, who was born at Madison, Ind., March 31, 1832, a daughter of Cornelius and Rebecca (Eccles) Banta. Seven children have been born to them-Horace G., Edgar W. (deceased), Lulu M., Edith R., John B., Charles M. and Edward J. Three of the above named-John,
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HISTORY OF HENDRICKS COUNTY.
Edith and Lulu-are teachers in the public schools of this county. Mr. Cook settled on a farm in the west part of the township in March, 1872, where he remained till his death, which occurred Sept. 23, 1884. He was esteemed by all who knew him for his- many virtues and sterling integrity. In politics he affiliated with the Republican party. His widow still resides on the home farm, and is the owner of 160 acres of land in a good state of cultivation.
William E. Cox, son of Daniel H. and Lucinda Cox, was born June 10, 1832, in Montgomery County, Ind. His parents were natives of Kentucky, who came to Montgomery County, Ind., in an early day. They had a family of nine children, seven still liv- ing-William E., Mary E., Nancy J., Joseph A., Lucinda E., George M. and Daniel L. John and James are deceased. Our subject was reared on a farm, and received only a limited education. He has followed farming pursuits through life. He resides in the eastern part of this township. His first wife was Sarah Doyel, daughter of Farmer and Elizabeth Doyel, of Montgomery County. After her death he was married to Sarah Ray, daughter of Carson and Cynthia Ray, also of Montgomery County. To this union was born one child, named Samuel C. He was again married, this time to Mary Plummer, daughter of Joseph and Ann Plummer, the latter deceased. Mr. Cox has served his township as School Director. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party. He is a member of the Christian church, and his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church.
Robert F. Davis is a native of Hendricks County, born Feb. +, 1852, a son of Walter and Mary M. Davis, the latter deceased. He was reared and educated in the district schools of his native county. Feb. 1, 1872, he was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Pritchett, born April 22, 1853, in Hendricks County, a daughter of James and Elizabeth Pritchett, natives of Kentucky, now residents of Union Township, this county. They have two children-Eula- lie W., born Feb. 5, 1873, and Mary B., born April 23, 1877. Mr. Davis has been successful in all his business undertakings, and is now the owner of a good farin in the eastern portion of Eel River Township. Politically he is a Prohibitionist. Both he and his wife are worthy members of the Christian church.
Walter Davis, son of Nathan and Nancy Davis, was born Dec. 12, 1823, in Montgomery County, Ky. His father was born in Kentucky and his mother in Virginia. They were among the first settlers of Eel River Township, where Mr. Davis entered a large
570 HISTORY OF HENDRICKS COUNTY.
tract of land, and died in 1848, his wife having died several years previous. Ten children were born to them-Louisa, John, Eliza- beth, Walter, Quincy, Catherine, William, Franklin, Susan, Mar- ion, five of whom are deceased-Lonisa, Elizabeth, Catherine, Robert Franklin and Susan Ann. Walter Davis was married Jan. 26, 1843, to Mary M. Spears, and to them eight children were born- Quincy' A., Martha E., Nancy A., Robert F., Francis, Charles E., John Spears and Lafayette, of whom John S. and La- fayette are deceased. Mrs. Davis died June 16, 1861, and Mr. Davis was married again April 14, 1863, to Mary A. Scott, of Ken- tncky, and to them were born six children-Bettie L. (deceased), Walter S., Lorenzo D., K. Nynthe, Thomas C., Edgar L. Mrs. Davis died in November, 1873, and he was married again to Matilda South Dec. S, 1875. Mr. Davis has been engaged in farming from boyhood and is one of the leading agriculturists in this township. He is the owner of 505 acres of land. He is a member of the Methodist church.
William Davis, a prominent farmer of Eel River Township, was born April 22, 1820, in Montgomery County, Ky. His parents were Enoch and Nancy Davis, natives of Virginia. They came to Hendricks County, Ind., and settled in this township where they remained till their death. Six of their children are still liv- ing-Jesse, Frank, William, Charles M., Owen and John. Our subject was reared to manhood on a farm and received but a lim- ited education. May 21, 1840, he was married to Catherine Zim- merman, daughter of John and Nancy (Myers) Zimmerman, natives of North Carolina and Kentucky respectively, who came to this county in 1833. To them have been born twelve children -Sarah E., wife of Isaac N. Vannice; Nancy, wife of George Duncan; Minerva J., wife of James Britton; Mary, deceased wife of Frank Frame; Amanda, wife of James Hunt; Jesse F., married Alice McPhetridge; John E., married Mary Cook; Frances, wife of Frank Fleece; Clarinda, wife of John Page; Vilitia B., niar- ried Richard Hypes; Josephus, married Ella Benson; and Minnie M. They have also living with them a grandchild, name Minnie O. Frame. In 1840 Mr. and Mrs. Davis settled on the homestead now occupied by them, and which contains 190 acres of well cul- tivated land. They are both earnest members of the Christian church, he being an Elder of the same for twenty-five years.
- John Durham, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of Eel River Township, was born May 3, 1838, in Montgomery County, Ind., a
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son of John and Mary (Fields) Durham. His parents were natives of Kentucky, who came to Montgomery County among thie early settlers. His father was twice married and had by his first wife five children-Henry C., John, Susan A., Mary F. and James W. He was married a second time to Sarah Stubbins, of Montgomery County, and to this union were born eight children-Celia, Mattie J., Sarah D., Samuel W., Emma B., Charles, Nancy J. and Harry. He died in Montgomery County, after a life of great usefulness, in May, 1876. Our subject was reared and educated in the common schools of his native county. He was married Dec. 22, 1865, to Miss Lee A., daughter of Lee and Miranda Tucker. They have had seven children-Charles O., Frank C., John L., Clarence S., Harry C., Thomas G. and Mary F. In 1865 Mr. Durham settled on his present farm in this township and is the owner of 460 acres of improved land. He is now serving his fourth year as Trustee of this township. Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party.
James M. Emmons was born Oct. 8, 1828, in Giles County, Va., a son of Jayhew and Sarah Emmons. His parents came to Hen- dricks County, Ind., in 1838, locating in Marion Township. In 1840 they settled in Eel River Township and here our subject grew to manhood. He learned the carpenter's trade which he fol- lowed alternately with farming until 1878, in which year he was elected by the Republican party, Sheriff of Hendricks County, serving as such two terms. He resided in North Salem from 1849 till 1878 when he removed to Danville, but in March, 18S3, he re- turned to Eel River Township and has since resided in the south- ern portion of it. He was married Jan. 20, 1853, to Elizabeth J. Trotter, daughter of James and Sarah Trotter, natives of Virginia, and early settlers of this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Emmons have been born eleven children-Sarah C., James O., Charles E., Lon D., Ida M., Oliver J., Eldred E., Lulu G., Adinah D., John W., and Stanley. The last two mentioned are deceased. Mr. Emmons enlisted in-May, 1864, as Second Lieutenant of Company H, One Hundred and Thirty-second Indiana Infantry, in the 100-days ser- vice, and served principally in Tennessee and Alabama. In Feb- ruary, 1865, he re-enlisted, this time in Company E, One Hundred and Forty-eighth Regiment, and served until the following Septem- ber, principally in Tennessee, when he received an honorable dis- charge at Nashville. Both Mr. Emmons and his wife are members of the Christian church, and respected members of society.
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HISTORY OF HENDRICKS COUNTY.
Clinton F. Fleece, M. D., deceased, was born in Boyle County, Ky., Jan. 2, 1818, and in 1840 he graduated at the Medical College in Louisville, Ky. He remained in Kentucky till 1858, when he removed to Trenton, Mo., and subsequently came to North Salem, Ind. In 1SS3 he went to Kansas but returned to North Salem the following year. He received a stroke of paralysis in May, 1SS4, and a second and fatal stroke Oet. 22, following. He died in Oeto- . ber, 1884, and was buried with Masonic honors by his brethren ot the North Salem lodge. He was married font times, his last wife being Miss Sarah J. Crose, daughter of George W. and Mahala Crose, and to this union were born two children-Carrie E. and Effie M. He left a widow and seven children to mourn his death. Mr. Fleece was an eminently successful physician and always dis- charged the duties of his calling in a conscientious manner. In him Hendricks County lost one of her most worthy citizens and the medical profession an able member.
Jacob H. Fleece was born June 4, 1829, near Danville, Ky. He was a son of Charles and Mary (Harlan) Fleece, who came to this township in 1836. He was reared to manhood in Hendricks County and received a common-school education. In October, 1853, he was married to Miss Lettie Ashby, daughter of Silas and Nancy Ashby, of Putnam County, Ind. They are the parents of three children-Silas F., Lulie and Joseph. In 1853 he, in connection with his brother, John Fleece, engaged in the mercantile business at Ladoga, Montgomery County, in which he continued till 1854, when he returned to his farin in this township. Having been elected County Recorder in the fall of 1859 he assumed the duties of his office in the spring of 1860, serving till the fall of 1861 when he resigned. In September, 1861, he was made Captain of Com- pany A, Fifty-first Indiana Infantry, and remained in the service till September, 1862, when he tendered his resignation. He is at present serving his second term as Hendricks County's Represent- ative in the Legislature, reflecting credit upon himself as well as his constituents. Mr. Fleece is the owner of 273 acres of well- improved land. He is a member of the Masonic order and also belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic. He and his wife are members of the Christian church.
Edmund R. Hadley, deceased, was born Oct. 11, 1821, in North Carolina, son of James T. and Mary Hadley, who were among the early settlers of Marion Township, this county. He received an education such. as the common schools of his day afforded, and
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HISTORY OF HENDRICKS COUNTY. 573
endured many of the hardships of pioneer life. He was married Oct. 21, 1841, to Sarah A. Ragan, a native of Mercer County, Ky., born Nov. 28, 1822. She was a daughter of Abner A. and Mary Ragan, who were early settlers of Hendricks County. To this nnion were born eight children of whom six survive-Mary J., Sophia E., James A., Gilinn T., William J., and Eva P. John E. and Henry are deceased. In 1865 Mr. Hadley located in Eel River Town- ship where he resided till his death, which occurred May 30, 1875. He was a member of the Christian church the greater part of his life and his true Christian spirit was recognized by all who knew him. His widow resides on the homestead. She is a member of the Christian church.
Tobias D. Hays was born Jan. 16, 1846, in Carter County, East Tenn. In 1864 he enlisted in the Union service at Knoxville, East Tenn., in the Quartermaster's department, and served till the close of the war. In the spring of 1866 he came to Center Township, Hendricks Co., Ind. He remained here but a short time when he removed to Boone County, and from there in a short time to Montgomery County, Ind., where he remained till 1869, working on a farm during the summer months and attending school at Craw- fordsville in the winter. Thus by his own exertions he acquired a good education. Sept. 7, 1869, he was married to Harriet F. Brown, born Dec. 7, 1842, a native of Kentucky, and daughter of George and Martha Brown. Her parents came to Hendricks County, Ind., in 1846 remaining there till 1866 when they removed to Montgom- ery County, Ind. Mr. and Mrs. Hays have two children-Charles M. and Joe F. Shortly after his marriage Mr. Hays with his wife returned to his native State where they remained till the spring of . 1871. He then returned to Hendricks County, Ind., where he now has a fine farm of 165 acres in Eel River Township, one-half mile east of North Salem. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian church.
James H. Heady, M. D., was born April 10, 1855, iu Putnam County, Ind., the youngest child of Emri and Elizabeth Heady. His parents were natives of Kentucky. They are both living, hav- ing passed the years alloted to inan, and are still hale and hearty. Of a family of fifteen children born to them fourteen are yet living. James H. received his early education in the district schools of his neighborhood, and when eighteen years old entered Asbury University, at Greencastle, Ind., remaining there three years. During the fall of 1877 and winter of 1878 he attended the Ohio
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Medical College, at Cincinnati, Ohio, and in April, 1878, he began praetieing in Boone County, Ind. In the spring of 1879 he attended the Ohio Medical College taking the .practical course, after which he continned his practice in Jamestown, Boone County, until the fall of 1879. He then attended the Indiana Medical College at Indianapolis, from which he graduated in the spring of 1880. He then resumed his practice at Jamestown, remaining there till May, 1884, since which he has built a large and lucrative practice at North Salem, Hendricks County, and is recognized as one of the most successful physicians in the county. Nov. 30, 1878, he was married to Rebecca A. Davis, daughter of Levi and Caroline Davis, of Boone County. They have had three children-Nora, Carl (deceased) and Ethel. Mr. Heady and his wife are members of the Missionary Baptist church. He is a member of North Salem Lodge, No. 158, I. O. O. F.
Eli Hendricks, deceased, son of Henry and Martha Hendricks, was born Nov. 9, 1809, near Cincinnati, Ohio. He came to Wayne County, Ind., where he was reared to manhood and received a rudimentary education. May 19, 1836, he was married to Miss Mary E. Dinwiddie, born June 27, 1815, in Bourbon County, Ky., a daughter of John and Jane Dinwiddie. Nine children were born to them of whom only three survive-James W., a leading farmer and stock-raiser of this township; Amos D. and Isaae D. In 1837 Mr. Hendricks settled with his family on an uncultivated farm in the northern part of this township and endured some of the hard- ships of pioneer life. He was an earnest member of the Presby- terian church and served his church as Elder for many years. His death occurred Nov. 2, 1869. He was a kind husband and father and was respected by all who knew him. He was a man of sterling integrity and was upright in his dealings with his fellow men. His widow still resides on the old homestead.
Thompson Henry was born in Montgomery County, Ind., Aug. 16, 1839. His parents, George and Elizabeth Henry, were natives of Kentucky and early settlers of Montgomery County, and in 1846 they settled in Eel River Township, this county, where the father died in 1849. Their children are-John W., James R., Susan M., Lydia E. and our subject. The latter spent his youth on a farm and obtained a good education in the common schools of his neighborhood. He taught school and farmed alternately about two years, and in April, 1867, he married Esteline Jessee, daughter of Samuel and Margaret Jessee, of Boone County, Ind. They have
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seven children-Mary J., George R., Oliver A., Alice C., Effic L., Mattie A. and Fredonia. In February, 1885, Mr. Henry moved with his family from Boone County to the northern part of Eel River Township, this county, where he owns 182 acres of land. In May, 1862, he enlisted in the Fifty-fifth Indiana Infantry to serve three months and was in the fight at Richmond, Ky., where he was wounded in the foot, which disabled him for a short time. He was discharged at the expiration of his term of enlistment, and in June, 1863, he re-enlisted in the Third Indiana Cavalry. He served at Walker's Ford, Morristown, Nashville, near Knoxville, Tenn., and at Raleigh, N. C., and numerous other battles of less note, making twenty-eight in all. He was honorably discharged in August, 1865. He is a member of Antietam Post, No. 162, G. A. R., at Jamestown, Ind. He is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church.
Aaron V. Hester, son of Adam and Ann (Van Zant) Hester, was born June 6, 1828, in Fleming County, Ky. In 1834 he came with his parents to Putnam Coanty, Ind., and about five years later removed with them to Montgomery County, Ind. He was married in Montgomery County, Sept. 4, 1858, to Sarah McDan- iel, born July 10, 1840, a daughter of Judson and Sarah McDan- iel. They have had seven children-Mary C., born Dee. 6, 1859, and died Oct. 26, 1874; Laura L., born Feb. 8, 1861; Melvina, born Dec. 27, 1864; Amanda, born Nov. 6, 1867; Hattie F., born Sept. 7, 1871; Eva and Evert (twins), born June 20, 1875, the lat- ter died Ang. 1, 1876. In 1858 Mr. Hester removed from Mont- gomery to Boone County, Ind., remaining there till the spring of 1865, when he settled on his present farm in the northern part of Eel River Township. He has followed farming through life in which pursuit he has been moderately successful, owning a farm of eighty acres. He is a member of the Christian church. Politically, he is a Republican. Mrs. Hester died Jan. 24, 1876. She pos- sessed many excellent traits of character and was respected by all who knew her. .
Michael Higgins, a pioneer of Hendricks County, was born Sept. 7, 1820, in Mercer County, Ky. He was but six months old when his parents, Thomas and Naney Higgins, came to Putnam County, Ind., where they remained but a short time, when they came to Hendricks County, they being among the first settlers of Marion Township. Here his father entered 240 acres of land, and struggled hard to secure for his family a comfortable home. His
576 HISTORY OF HENDRICKS COUNTY.
death occurred in March, 1854. Michael Higgins was thus reared to manhood in Hendricks County, and with his father shared the toils of the day from early yonth. April 26, 1843, he married Polly Robbins, daughter of William and Leah Robbins, natives of New York, at that time, residents of Hendricks County. They had one child-William T. Mrs. Higgins died and he was again married Nov. 18, 1845, to Lydia Robbins, daughter of Jacob and Barbara Robbins. They have had four children-Sarah A., Jacob L., Christopher C., and Mary (deceased). In 1869 he removed from Marion and has since then made his home in the southern part of Eel River Township, owning a good farm of 184 acres. IIe served three years as Trustee of Marion Township. He is a mnem- ber of the Christian church.
Milley Hubble, daughter of William and Sarah (Loury) New, was born March 21, 1822, in Warren County, Ky. In 1833 she came with her father's family to Hancock County, Ind., where her mother died two years later. After a residence there of about ten years Mr. New removed to Boone County, where he remained till his death Feb. 25, 1SS5. He had been married three times and had a family of eight children of whom seven are now living -- Fannie T., Milley, Elizabeth J., Nancy, Sarah, Daniel and Lewis. Onr subject was married Jan. 29, 1843, in Boone Connty, to Will- iam Walker, and to them were born three children-Lewis, Will- iam and Simon. The latter was a member of the Fortieth Indiana Infantry, and lost his life at the battle of Pittsburg Landing. Mr. Walker died Nov. 24, 1847, and June 11, 1852, onr subject - was again married to Leonard Hubble, he being a native of South Carolina. Of the nine children born to this union, seven are liv- ing-Enoch J., Leonard, James H., David W., Naney J., Fannie and Rebecca E. In 1858 Mr. and Mrs. Hubble came from Boone to Hendricks County and settled in the northern part of Eel River Township, where Mr. Hubble died. Mrs. Hubble still resides on the old homestead and is the owner of 115 acres of good land. She is a member of the Christian church.
Mrs. Mary Jones was born March 12, 1831, and is a native of North Carolina. She is a daughter of John and Lydia Robbins, who came to Hendricks County in 1835, Mr. Robbins remaining bere till his death in March, 1881. The mother is still living with her children, six of whom, one son and five daughters, are living. Onr subject was married Aug. 12, 1852, to James D. Walker, son of Goodlow and Rebecca Walker, of this county, the former de-
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ceased. To this marriage were born four children, two now living -Oliver M., married Lydia A. Conover, daughter of Samuel J. and Ella W. Conover, of New Albany, Ind., and has three chil- dren-Laura E., Lottie O. and W. Treat; and Hattie A. married Horace Cook, son of Henderson, deceased, and Naney J. Cook, of Eel River Township, this county, and to them have been born one child-Nellie L. Mattie J. was born Nov. 9, 1855, and was mar- ried Jan. 29, 1874, to J. J. Clay, and died Jan. 9, 1877, leaving one child-Charles C., born Nov. 23, 1874. Charles F., born June 24, 1858, died April 23, 1862. In 1858 Mr. Walker settled on the farm now owned by our subject. In September, 1861, he enlisted in the Seventh Indiana Infantry, and participated in many of the important battles of the war, in one of which he was taken prisoner by the Southern troops. He was confined in Andersonville Prison about three months and in other prisons for the same length of time, from the effects of which he died at Florence, S. C., Dec. +, 1864. Our subject was again married May 12, 1872, taking for her second husband David D. Jones, son of William and Eleanor Jones, of Hendricks County. He, too, was a soldier in the Union army and died in 1873 from diseases contracted while in the service. Mrs. Jones and her children are members of the Christian church.
William J. K. P. Jones, druggist and notary public, was born Oct. 20, 1844, in Hendricks County, Ind., a son of Wynn and Mary Jones. His father was born in Virginia, in December, 1797. He came to Morgan County, Ind., in 1816, and in 1818 came to Hendricks County, and settled in this township. Our subject was reared to manhood in his native county, receiving a fair education, and subsequently taught school for a short time. He was mar- ried July 11, 1863, to Elizabeth Bales, daughter of Tarlton Bales (deceased). To them have been born one child-Samuel W. (de- ceased). In 1868, in company with John Robbius, Mr. Jones opened a drug store at North Salem, in which he was engaged about two years. He then went to Lizton, this county, but soon returned to North Salem and again engaged in the drug business in partnership with Granville G. Sowder. At the end of six months Mr. Sowder retired from the firm, leaving Mr. Jones sole proprietor. Mr. Jones has been twice commissioned Notary Pub- lic, and is one of North Salem's most influential citizens. He is a member of North Salein Lodge, No. 158, I. O. O. F. In politics he is a Demoerat.
Jacob Lockhart was born in Morgan County, Ind., April 14,
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1847, a son of German and Leah Lockhart, the former a native of Kentucky, but now deceased, and the latter of North Carolina. When he was about three years old, his father having died, his mother, now a resident of Eel River Township, came to Marion Township, this county, where he lived till 1868. His educational advantages were limited, as he was obliged to share in the labors of the farm from a mere boy. He has followed agricultural pur- snits through life with success, and has acquired, by his own indus- try, a farm of 187 acres. He was married March 5, 1871, to Miss Adeline Davis, daughter of Walter and Mary Davis, of this town- ship. They have one son-Oscar. In November, 1863, Mr. Lock- hart enlisted in the Ninth Indiana Cavalry, participating in many battles. . He was honorably discharged in September, 1865. He is a member of the G. A. R. Post at North Salem, and is also an earnest member of the Christian church.
James A. Lytle was born April 26, 1833, in Boone County, Ind., and was one of the first children born in that county. His parents, Edward and Mary Lytle, were natives of Cincinnati and Ken- tucky respectively. They came to Tippecanoe County, Ind., and subsequently to Boone County, where they lived till their death. Our subject followed farming till he was twenty-five years old, when he began working in a saw-mill. He was employed in various mills in his native county till Angust, 1862, when he en- listed in Company I, Eighty-sixth Indiana Infantry. He partici- pated in the battles of Murfreesboro, Tenn., and Perryville, Ky., and was honorably discharged in November, 1863. While in the service he contracted a disease for which he draws a pension. After his return from the war he worked in a saw-mill till 1868, when he came to North Salem, this county, and for fifteen years was proprietor of the North Salem Saw-mill. In December, 1883, he began buying and shipping timber for an Indianapolis firm, and in February, 1885, he engaged in the mercantile business, having bought out Mr. W. J. K. P. Jones. He was married April 3, 1854, to Martha J. Gibson, and to them have been born five chil- dren-John F., Mollie, Thomas B., Annie B. and Mattie J. Mr. Lytle is a member of North Salem Lodge, No. 158, I. O. O. F., and also of the Grand Army of the Republic.
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