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 29

Author: Inter-state Publishing Company (Chicago, Ill.)
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Chicago : Inter-State Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 886


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 29


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).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38


Amos Stewart Wills, one of the pioneers of Hendricks County, was born in Montgomery County, Ky., Jan. 1, 1809, the eldest of four children of Michael and Elizabeth Wills. His parents were natives of Maryland. They moved to Kentucky in a very early day where the father died, leaving our subject to the care of a widowed mother when a mere child. His youth was passed on a farm and in attending school. When he grew to manhood he worked at the carpenter's trade in connection with farming. He


V


.


.


652 HISTORY OF HENDRICKS COUNTY.


was married May 12, 1831, to Miss Lucinda D. Tatman, of Mont- gomery County, Ky. Sept. 1, 1831, they started for Hendricks County, Ind., in a wagon drawn by oxen, arriving at their destina- tion on the 15th of the same month. He had previously sent $100 to his uncle, John Darnell, who entered eighty acres of land for him. He then purchased another tract of eighty acres in Lib- erty Township and proceeded to clear his farm, on which he re- sided abont forty years, his farm at that time containing 240 acres. He then disposed of this land, and bought his present little farm of seventeen and a half acres, with good brick residence, just beyond the town limits of Clayton. . Mr. Wills was first elected Justice of the Peace in 1840 and served five years when he was appointed Assessor of Hendricks County. In 1852 he was again elected Jus- tice of the Peace, which office he has held to the present time, serving as such in all thirty-eight years. To Mr. and Mrs. Wills have been born thirteen children, of whom five sons and three daughters are living. This old couple have lived contentedly together for over fifty years and together they experienced all phases of pioneer life. They are members of the Methodist Epis- copal chinrch. Mr. Wills has been a member of the Masonic fra- ternity sinee 1847. In politics he was a Whig, and on the or- gauization of the Republicans he affiliated with that party .. He is a strong temperance advocate.


..


CHAPTER XVII.


-


LINCOLN TOWNSHIP.


GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION .- PIONEER HISTORY. - FIRST RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION. - POLITICAL HISTORY .- TOWNSHIP JUSTICES, CON- STABLES, TRUSTEES AND ASSESSORS. - STATISTICS OF PROPERTY AND TAXATION .- BROWNSBURG .- BUSINESS, CHURCHES, LODGES, ETC. -- BIOGRAPHICAL.


Lincoln, one of the smallest townships in the county, is bounded on the north by Middle and Brown, on the east by Marion County, on the south by Washington, and on the west by Middle. It was organized by act of the county commissioners in 1863, by a divis- ion of Brown Township into two very near equal parts. The sur- face of Lineoln is almost a level plain, except in the western part, along White Lick, where the land is broken and rolling. The land along the stream is rich. The level portion has a very diver- sified soil; the black alluvial part is very riel and productive, while some of its elay soil is third rate in its advantages for pro- duction.


FIRST EVENTS.


The first settlement in the territory of Lincoln Township was made by James Brown, in the autumn of 1824. Previous to 1830 the following came: G. W. Tyler, William Harris, Daniel and Thomas Newman, Daniel Brown, William Merritt, Robison Turpin, Caleb Shirley, John Given, Larkin Dollahite, James Shirley and Thomas Nash; also Harvey and T. H. Barlow, who settled with their father Enoch just outside the limits of Browns- burg, in 1828. In 1830 and soon after Asa McDaniel and sons, Joel Smith and sons and Peter Metsker settled in the neighbor- hood of Brownsburg.


The first Justice of the Peace was Edward Railsback.


Swaim's tavern, on the road two miles east of Brownsburg, was a general resort for many years, especially for those of the settlers who were convivially inclined.


(653)


1


.


654 HISTORY OF HENDRICKS COUNTY.


In tho year 1828 or '29, the Regular Baptists built a church at the eross-roads south of Thomas Newham's, in which Arehibald Thorne taught, in the same year, the first school in the township. Thomas Newham, D. D. Brown, V. J. Brown, William Harris, Mrs. Rice and some others were pupils of this school. The next school district organized was near Brownsburg, where Jesse Smith taught first in 1832, in the log house which still stands at the toll gate, one-half mile west of town. Rev. Thomas Sparks began his education at this school. The church organized in the meeting house just referred to was the first church organization in the township, and among the earliest of Hendricks County. This congregation worshiped here for several years, and then built them a new house on the farm of Mr. Swaim, the proximity of which to a tavern proved disastrous to the morals of many of the brethren, and the congregation was dissolved and re-organized at Salem, three miles below, where the church still exists. -


POLITICAL.


In politics Lincoln was Republican until about fifteen years ago, sinee when it has gone Democratie. Following is the vote for President at each election :


1864-Abraham Lincoln ... 147


George B. McClellan ... 93


1868-Ulysses S. Grant. . . 168


Horatio Seymour 144 1872-Ulysses S. Grant. 168


3


1876-Samuel J. Tilden. 209 Rutherford B. Hayes .. . 167


42


Peter Cooper. 8


54 1880-Winfield S. Hancock ... 188 49


James A. Garfield.


139


24 James B. Weaver. 7


1884-Grover Cleveland.


195


25 Horace Greeley 165


James G. Blaine.


170


Benjamin F. Butler.


..


13


OFFICIAL.


.


Following are the names of those who have been elected to the more important township offices, with the years in which they were chosen:


Justices of the Peace: Jacob P. Welshans and William M. Brown, 1863; Harrison S. Turpin, 1865; W. E. Brumfield and William Hylton, 1866; Thomas W. Morgan and John W. Smith, 1867; Robison Turpin, 1868; Isaac C. Nash, 1869; William B. Hoagland and Jacob Miller, 1870; Israel L. C. Bray, 1872; Isaac W. Gray, 1874; Joseph M. Tolle, 1876; Isaac W. Gray, 1878; Joseph M. Tolle, 1880; Charles W. Tyler, 1882; Joseph M. Tolle and Robert Miller, 1884.


Constables: William P. Jones and Israel L. C. Bray, 1863;



.


-


-


G


655


HISTORY OF HENDRICKS COUNTY.


Will Rob. Smith and Israel L. C. Bray, 1864; Heath and Henry Stewart, 1865; H. R. Barlow and Thomas W. Wingate, 1866; John Davidson and Josiah MeDaniel, 1867; Josiah McDaniel and John Rainey, 1868; Benjamin F. Logan and Simeon Tharpe, 1869; H. G. Turpin and Robert A. Watts, 1870; Benjamin F. Logan and Daniel South, 1872; Redding Bray and Charles Ridgeway, 1874; Benjamin F. Logan and Redding Bray, 1876; William J. Eblin and John Garvey, 1878; Edward Hughes and Solomon B. McClain, 1880; Philip E. Stevensonand Benjamin F. Anderson, 1882; Ever- son Eaton, Horace Cook and Thomas Gorner, 1884.


Trustees: Simpson B. Darnell, 1863; Lewis S. Hunter, 1864; Jesse R. Cope, 1865-'66; John W. Parker, 1867-'68; James A. C. Dobson, 1869-'70; John W. Parker, 1872-'76; Stephen H. Thomas, 1878; Albert W. Davidson, 1880-'82; J. F. Lingeman, 1884.


Assessors: Robert V. Franklin, 1870; John S. MeClain, 1872; William G. Mitchell, 1874; John W. Davidson, 1876-'78; Theodore Stout, 1880; Alvin M. Brown, 1882.


CENSUS REPORT.


By the census of 1880, the population of Lincoln Township was 1,610. The following statistics of property and taxation are for 1885: Aeres of land assessed, 14,812.64; value of same, $400, - 525; valne of improvements, $132,483; value of lots, $16,558; value of improvements, $28,377; value of personalty, $228,692; total taxa- bles, $806.35; polls, 279; dogs, 174; State tax, $1,107.45; county tax, $2,416.60; township tax, $632.37; tuition tax, $870.24; special school tax, $1,224.92; road tax, $1,264.74; endowment tax, $40.32; bridge tax, $806.64; total tax, $10,595. 11; delinquent tax, $1, 128.22.


BROWNSBURG.


The village of Brownsburg, with 800 inhabitants, is on section 11, in the northern part of the township, and is a station on the I., B. & W. Railroad. It was laid out by William Harris in 1835, and named by him Harrisburg, but the name was changed to Brownsburg when the postoffice was established. B. M. Logan was the first merchant at Brownsburg-


Brownsburg was incorporated in 1848, in which year the Board of Commissioners of Hendricks County ordered the following ofti- cers elected: Chairman, elerk and five trustees. The election was held June 24, 1848, and resulted in the choice of the follow- ing: Chairman, Henry H. Moore; Clerk, T. J. White; Trustees:


-


-


1


656


HISTORY OF HENDRICKS COUNTY.


First Ward, William M. Dinwiddie; Second Ward,T. J. White; Third Ward, Sam Betts; Fourth Ward, Gaten Menifee; Fifth Ward, James Davidson. Ten votes only were cast at this first election.


The corporation died after some years, but in 1870 it was revived. Brownsburg's business firms in 1885 are: ,


Mrs. T. D. Anderson, millinery; T. D. Anderson, blacksmith; James Bonney, druggist; Bell & Watts, hardware; O. F. Brown, wagon-maker and blacksmith; A. G. Bohannon, livery; Cook & Co., saw-mill and fence factory; Owen Clark, shoe shop; Cope & Hunt, general store; John Dugan, grocery; W. F. Dinwiddie, gro- cery and postoffice; Ellis Bros., tile factory; Grandison Eaton, brick yard, Charles Forshee, wagon-maker and blacksmith; M. D. Green, druggist; J. W. Griffith, barber; James Hogan, grocer; Mrs. Hunt, millinery and dress-making; E. C. Keen, meat market; Joseph H. Kelley, barber; Mary Langsdale, dress-making; O. D. Lumkins, furniture and undertaking; Charles Miller, shoe shop; S. W. McDonald & Bro., general store; Thomas O'Day, grocer; Malachi Quinn, grocer; D. W. Sparks, grocer; Smith & Hawli- ins, grist and saw mill; C. L. Tomlinson, livery; J. M. Toll, ger- eral store; Samuel W. Watts, grocer; Hugh Young, grocer.


The medical profession is represented by Joel T. Barker, A. W. Davidson, T. A. Graham and J. L. Marsh (Hom.). The attorneys are J. H. Johnson, John R. Jones and John R. Sheehan.


RELIGIOUS.


Christian Church .- The oldest and leading church in Browns- burg, and the second formed in the township, is the Christian, which was organized in 1835, by Thomas Lockhart, with seventeen members. John L. Parker and V. Cress were the elders. The society now nses a brick church built in 1859, at a cost of $1,500. It will accommodate 400 people. The membership is very large- abont 250. Services are held monthly, Rev. Mr. Gilchrist, of Irvington, being the present pastor. He was preceded by J. V. Ludwig, of Greencastle, A. J. Frank, of Greencastle, and John Camfield, of Indianapolis. The present Elders and Overseers are: J. A. C. Dobson and B. O. Davidson; Clerk, L. S. Hunter; Dea cons, Charles Tyler, Theodore Crull, Charles Harmon and Everet: Hopkins. The Sunday-school has 100 members, and is in charge of Jesse R. Cope.


The Methodist Episcopal Church was the second organized in


--


HISTORY OF HENDRICKS COUNTY. 657


the village. They have a brick church, which is about ten years old. The society, however, is small, and not in a prosperous con- dition. The oldest member living is Mrs. Forshee. Occasional services are now held by Rev. Mr. Warren, of Clermont. Revs. I. P. Patch, T. M. Webb and John .B. Demott have filled the pulpit here during the last few years.


The Presbyterian Church was organized by George Long, who raised money to build a church in 1865. This cost $2,300 .. Among those who have served as pastors here are Revs. Beach, MeKce, and Mayo. The palpit at present is filled by Rev. H. L. Dicker- son. The membership of the society is about twenty.


St. Malachy's Catholic Church's oldest record bears date Ang. 26, 1867, and was made by Rev. D. J. McMullen, through whose exertions the church was built. Very Rev. Aug. Bessonies was there Feb. 20, 1869, and the first resident priest commenced his labors there Oct. 20, 1869. He was succeeded, after a time, by Rev. Dennis O'Donovan. The latter served some years at this point, and then exchanged with Rev. Thomas Logan, of Green- castle, where he remained a year or two. Returning in 1877 he found the parish in debt for certain improvements made by Father Logan, and O'Donovan denied the, validity of the debt. Bishop Chatard took the opposite view, and to secure the creditors gave a mortgage on the church property. Father O'Donovan contested the right of the Bishop to mortgage the property, but the court decided for the Bishop. The latter then asked, and obtained from the; Supreme Court, a writ of ejectment against the priest, who also lost a subsequent suit for $50,000 damages for loss of employ- ment, etc. During these troubles, mass was regularly held at private houses or in a rented hall, by Revs. Patrick Shepherd, Cas- per Seiler, Charles Curran and E. J. Spelman. The last named is the present pastor, and came here in April, 1881. Father Spelman was born in Cincinnati, Sept. 28, 1850; was ordained priest by Bishop de St. Palais at New Albany, April 3, 1873; was assistant priest at St. John's Church, Indianapolis, until January, 1875, and pastor at Rushville till July 26, 1880, when sickness compelled him to resign. He then remained at Indianapolis until appointed to this charge. His congregation includes eighty-five families. Ser- vices are held every Sunday.


SOCIETIES. . ·


Brownsburg Lodge, No. 188, I. O. O. F., was organized in


·


.


. 658


HISTORY OF HENDRICKS COUNTY.


1857. Of the members of that organization, there are now living Jacob P. Welshans, J. H. McQuown (charter members), J. A. C. Dobson, Hughes White, Isaac Long and S. W. Potts. The lodge ceased meeting at the opening of the civil war, but was revived in 1866, since when it has prospered. It has now forty members, and meets at Odd Fellows Hall every Wednesday night. The present officers are: S. W. Watts, N. G .; E. C. Keen, V. G .; A. N. Cronch, Sec .; J. H. McQuowu, Treas .; J. A. C. Dobson, T. H. Barlow and J. H. Johnson, Trustees.


Brownsburg Lodge, No. 241, F. & A. M., was organized in 1859, with the following members: J. T. Davidson, H. W. White, J. P. Welshans, William Harris, William McDaniel, Joseph Holloway and S. M. Potts. The lodge now has a membership of from sixty- five to seventy, and meets at Masonic Hall on Thursday evening on or before each full moon. The officers are: B. P. Jones, W. M .; John Ridgeway, S. W .; J. H. Johnson, J. W .; C. W. Tyler, Treas .; J. M. Tolle, Sec .; James Ellis, S. D .; A. B. Smith, J. D .; Horace Cook, Tyler.


John A. Hollett Post, No. 242, G. A. R., was mustered in the fall of 1883, with eleven members, and named after a gallant sol- dier of the Seventy-ninth Indiana. It has now a membership of about thirty, and meets the first and third Tuesday of each mor th at Grand Army Hall. The present officers are: W. A. Ellis, Coin .; Nathan Cook, S. V. C .; J. T. B. Hollett, J. V. C .; Sidney Cook, Q. M .; S. W. Watts, Adj .; G. W. MeCrory, O. D .; J. A. C. Dob- son, Chap .; Horace Cook, O. G.


The Trustees of @village of Brownsburg for 1885 are Robert Bell, James Bonuey and A. W. Davidson. The School Trustees are Dr. J. T. Barker, F. M. Hughes and Jesse R. Cope.


BIOGRAPHICAL.


John C. Adams, deceased, was born June 19, 1817, in Harrison County, Ky. When a boy he came with his parents, James and Eleanor Adams, to Putnam County, Ind., where he was married Sept. 29, 1847, to Sarah E. Park, a daughter of John and Melinda Park, of Putnam County, formerly of Kentucky. To Mr. and Mrs. Adams were born nine children-Malinda E., Sarah J., Francis N., Jonn A., Margaret E., Dulcena, James M., Letha H. and Mary E. Margaret E. and Duleena are deceased. Mr. Adams's death occurred in August, 1865. He was a kind husband and father and was universally respected. His widow still resides on the


'


J. Harion. Barlow


G


659


HISTORY OF HENDRICKS COUNTY.


home farm which contains eighty acres., She is a member of the Christian church.


Theophilus H. Barlow was born in Harrison County, Ky., Feb. 1, 1820, a son of Enoch and Jane Barlow. . In 1828 his parents moved to Hendricks County, Ind., and settled in the northern part of Washington Township, on land entered by his father in 1826. He is the only one living of a family of twelve children. He was reared and educated in Hendricks County, and is now one of the leading agriculturists of Lincoln Township. He owns 223 acres of land, all under cultivation, and his improvements are among the best in the township. He was married Ang. 24, 1842, to Susan A., daughter of John and Elizabeth Moberly, early settlers of Hendrieks County. They have had cleven children, two of wliom are living-Mary A., now Mrs. Robert Bell, of Brownsburg, and Abbie Z. Mrs. Bell has nine children-Clyde W., Lloyd T., Ernest E. and Grace I. (twins), Nellie S., Charles H., Zoe M., Estelle C. and Clara P. Eliza J., wife of Aaron N. Cronch, died Dec. 25, 1879, leaving three children-Estella May, William H. and Joanah S. Enoch M. died March 6, 1870, aged twenty-two years. Theophilus died Oct. 4, 1863, aged nine years. William Harvey died Sept. 4, 1864, aged seven years. Gillum L. was killed by a run-away team May 29, 1871, aged ten years. Charles A. died Feb. 1, 1881, aged sixteen years. Three died in infancy. Mr. Barlow and his family are members of the Presby- terian church, which he has served as Elder twenty-five years. He is a member of Brownsburg Lodge, No. 188, I. O. O. F. In poli- tics he is a Republican.


Volney J. Brown was born Feb. 1, 1817, in Scott County, Ky., a son of Daniel and Elizabeth Brown, natives of New Jersey and Delaware respectively. They moved to Hendricks County, Ind., in 1828, and settled in Lincoln Township where the father entered 160 acres of timber land, and endured mauy discomforts in his pioneer home. To his parents were born ten children, but two now living-Volney J. and George. Volney J. came to this county with his parents when a boy and was here reared to manhood. He has worked at the carpenter's trade for many years, but his chief occupation through life has been farming, and he now owns a good farm of 140 acres, under a high state of cultivation. March 25, 1841, he was married to Susan Butler, born in Franklin County, Ind., April 12, 1816, a daughter of William and Nancy Butler. They have had five children -- William M., Isaae H. (deceased),


U .


660 HISTORY OF HENDRICKS COUNTY.


Ellis E., Jane V. and Lazena (deceased). Mr. and Mrs. Brown are members of the Christian church.


John Corliss, son of Michael and Hannah Corliss, is a native of County Galway, Ireland. When he was about fitteen years of age he immigrated to America, and settled in Hendricks County, Ind. He has always followed farming pursuits and now owns a good farm of ninety-six acres, situated in Union Township, this county. He was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Greeley, a daughter of John and Bridget Greeley, and to them were born nine children, six of whoin survive. Those living are-Michael, John, Mary T., Thomas, Delia and Patrick. Mr. Corliss is a consistent member of the Roman Catholic church. In polities he is a Democrat.


Mrs. Maria Davis, daughter of Daniel and Annie (Smith) New- ham, was born Oct. 16, 1818, in Scott County, Ky. When very young she removed with her parents to Hendricks County, Ind., where she was reared. April 16, 1840, she was married in this county to Thornton F. Gorham and to them were born six chil- dren-John A., Daniel S., William, Thomas J., Priscilla and Thornton. Thomas J. is deceased. Mr. Gorham died in January, 1853, and our subject was again married, this time to James Davis, in Angust, 1860. Mr. Davis died in December, 1878, leaving Mrs. Davis owner of a good farm of 100 acres in Lincoln Township. Mrs. Davis is a member of the Regular Baptist church.


Benjamin O. Davison was born Oct. 2, 1833, in Hamilton County, Ohio, a son of Robert and Mary Davison, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Kentucky. In 1837 they came to Hendricks County, Ind., from Ohio, settling near Brownsburg where his father entered 160 acres of uncultivated land. Here they experienced some of the discomforts of pioneer life. Seven children were born to them of whom four are living-Sarah A., Margaret E., John W. and our subject. The latter was reared on a farm in this county. He was married April 10, 1856, to Theressa Shirley, daughter of William P. Shirley, an early settler of Hendricks County. They have three children-Williamn P., Thomas J. and Carrie E. Mr. Davison lived on his farm, one mile north of Brownsburg, until the fall of 1881, when he retired to Brownsburg. He owns a good farin of 125 acres, all under a high state of cultivation. For several years he has served as Elder in the Christian church. . Politically he is practically independent.


Grandison Eaton is a native of Hendricks County, Ind., born Sept. 13, 1837, a son of Greenup and Mahala Eaton, early settlers


.


.


661


HISTORY OF HENDRICKS COUNTY.


of Hendricks County from Kentucky. He was reared and educa- ted in his native county and in his youth learned the bricklayer's trade, which he has followed the greater part of the time, and at one time was engaged in contracting and built some of the best houses in the township. He owns a fine farm of 100 aeres, which: he superintends in addition to working at his trade. In August, 1861, Mr. Eaton enlisted in Company B, Seventh Indiana Infantry, and served till August, 1864. He participated in some of the most important battles of the war, among them being Greenbriar, Winchester, Cedar Mountain, second Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Petersburg and Spottsylvania Court- House. In January, 1865, Mr. Eaton was married to Mary F. Lawler, of Hendricks County. They are members of the Christian church. Mr. Eaton has been a member of the Village Council three years.


John W. Griffith, one of the prominent business men of Brownsburg, was born in Patnam County, Ind., March 10, 1835, a son of Samuel and Camelia R. (Witty) Griffith. His father was one of the pioneers of Putnam County, locating there in 1820. He died at Vieksburg, Miss., of cholera in 1837. The mother is now the wife of John Conley, of Franklin County, Ill. When fourteen years of age our subject began to work as a farm hand which he continued two years. When sixteen years old he went to Greencastle and began learning the barber's trade, serving an apprenticeship of three years. He then worked as a journeyman about ten years visiting mainly the towns on the Mississippi River. He has been a resident of Brownsburg since 1876, where he has built up a good trade. He is thoroughly conversant with all branches of his trade in addition to which he carries a stock of jewelry and does a watch-repairing business. Mr. Griffith was married Nov. 18, 1863, to Rebecca Steepleton, of Edgar County, Ill. Of the eight children born to them but two, the eldest and youngest, are living-Camelia E. and Carl. Mr. Gritlith enlisted in July, 1861, in Company C, Eighth Illinois Infantry, and par- ticipated in the battles of Fort Donelson, Vicksburg, Raymond, Jackson and others of less importance. He was a faithful soldier and was honorably discharged in August, 1864. Before the war he was a Democrat in polities but since the war has given his suffrage to the Republican party and is one of the most earnest workers in its ranks. He is a member of the Christian church.


James G. Hoadley was born in September, 1824, in New Haven


42


662


HISTORY OF HENDRICKS COUNTY.


County, Conn., a son of Alvah and Aurelia Hoadley, who moved to Hendricks County, Ind., in 1838, and the following spring set- tled in Lincoln Township. Mr. Hoadley was reared on a farin and received but a limited education. He has been a resident of this township since coming here with his parents in 1839, with the exception of one year spent at Pittsboro, and one year at Amo, where he was engaged in the mercantile business. He was mar- ried in August, 1846, to Miss Elizabeth Larsh, of this county, for- merly of Kentucky. They have four children-Alva T., Sarah E., Cerena and Mary. Mr. Hoadley is one of Lincoln Township's leading farmers. He owns 193 acres of land in this county and eighty acres in La Porte County. In politics he casts his suffrage with the Democratic party. He is a member of the Christian chrirch. .


Wiley G. Hull, son of Jesse and Mary Hull, was born ; May 11, 1840, near Zanesville, Ohio. His parents had a family of eight children of whom only two survive-Wiley G. and Giles. Wiley G. was brought to Indiana by his parents at a very early age, and when he was nine years of age he was left an orphan. He then lived with Dr. Levi Ritter, of Pleasant Garden, Putnam County, for several years, and at the age of fourteen he began to learn the blacksmith's trade with William Wilkin, of Plainfield, Hendricks County, with whom he remained several years. In September, 1861, he enlisted at St. Louis in the Second Missouri Cavalry and participated in numerous battles and skirmishes, among which were Chattanooga, Prairie-De-Hand, Little Missouri, Selma, Kirkville and Meirphis. He was slightly wounded during the campaign and his constitution was greatly impaired. He was honorably discharged in September, 1865. Jan. 25, 1866, he was married to Jane Walker, a daughter of Joseph Walker (deceased). Nine children have been born to them, six now living-Sarah L., Wade, Ollie, Haskett, Oscar and Ada. Flora, Iva and Laura are deceased. Mr. Hull is at present living on his farm in the north- east part of Lincoln Township. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He also belongs to the Christian church.




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.