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 30
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
William Hylton, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of Lincoln Township, was born in Grayson County, Va., July 5, 1529, a son of Samuel and Elizabeth Hylton, natives of Virginia. His parents came to Hendricks County, Ind., in 1835, and for a short time lived near Cartersburg, then removed to Washington Township where the father died in January, 1842. Of a family of six chil-
-
HISTORY OF HENDRICKS COUNTY. 663
dren, but two are living-William and Tamanda J. Wesley, Eli, Stephen and Nancy E. are deceased. William Hylton was reared and educated in Hendricks County. His early life was spent on a farm and since attaining manhood he has engaged in agricultural pursuits. He owns a fine farm of 160 acres and his residence and farm buildings are comfortable and commodious. He was mar- ried in September, 1850, to Margaret J. Barlow, daughter of John aud Martha Barlow, early settlers of Montgomery County. To them have been born nine children, but five of whom are living- Theodra A., Viola, Lillie B., Maggie and William H. Charles W., John S., Martha and Mary E. are deceased. Mr. Hylton has been prominently identified with the Presbyterian church many years, and is serving as Deacon and Elder at the present time. He has served as Commissioner of Hendricks County three years.
. William M. Jenkins was born in Guilford County, N. C., Oct. 15, 1833, a son of John and Rebecca Jenkins, early settlers of Hendricks County. He was reared on a farm, receiving a good education in the public schools. He remained at home till April, 1861, when he enlisted in Company A, Seventh Indiana Infantry, and served three months. In February, 1862, he enlisted in the Sixty-third Indiana Infantry and served till the following August, when he was discharged on account of ill-health. He then re- turned to Hendricks County, and has since devoted his atten- tion to agriculture. He has a good farm of seventy-five acres on section 22, Lincoln Township, all under cultivation. Mr. Jenkins was married in Jannary, 1863, to Hannah L. Reed, who died in March, 1867, leaving two children-Luella W. and John L. In November, 1876, he married Elizabeth J., daughter of James W. and Rachel Townsend, of Fountain County, Ind. To them have been born three children-George M., Katie A. and Susan L. Mrs. Jenkins is a member of the Presbyterian church.
Dr. John L. Marsh was born in Brown Township, Hancock County, Dec. 27, 1851. His father, Jonas Marsh, was one of the first settlers of the county having moved from East Tennessee to the county in 1837 and lived continuously upon the same farm until his death in 1877. During this time he helped to clear the forests, drain the swamps, make roads and convert the wilderness into broad grain fields. He reared @ large family of children and gave them a liberal education. Some are graduates of Asbury Uni- versity and all have occupied prominent positions in the social and political affairs of the county. One son has been County
.
.
-
664
HISTORY OF HENDRICKS COUNTY.
Clerk eight years and is now a prominent attorney at Greenfield; another son is an attorney, and the youngest is a physician, the others being farmers. To his children he bequeathed a record of a sterling character and Quaker honesty which he in turn received from his father who was a Quaker of the strictest faith. John L. Marsh, the youngest son, at the age of eighteen entered the office of Dr. William Trees as a medical student. In 1872 and 1873 he attended a course of lectures in the Louisville Med- ical College and was in attendance at the United States Marine Hospital for the remainder of the year. The next year he attended the Ohio Medical College receiving the degree of M. D. at the close of the term. He was the youngest member of the graduating class being just twenty-one years old. After leaving college, in 1874, he located in Warrington, Hancock County, and commenced practice with his preceptor. In 1877 he moved to Greenfield where most of his relatives lived, and where he built up a fine practice. Not being satisfied he determined to move to Indianapolis but friends persuaded him to go to Brownsburg as it was close to the city and otherwise desirable. This he did in the fall of 1881, and has practiced medicine at this place for the past four years. During this time he has enjoyed a fine practice built up among strangers and without assistance, opposed by the local profession on account of his liberal ideas and belief in progressive medicine, as his idea of medical practice is to use any remedy in any » mauner that will most speedily cure disease and relieve suffering. In 1879 he commenced the publication of a medical journal at Greenfield, devoted to liberal medicine. This proved a success and soon gained a good circalation. The next year it was moved to Indianapolis where it is still being published with some mod- ifications by its original editor in conjunction with other parties. The office of publication is 118 North Illinois street, at which place the Doctor has a consultation office. In 1883 the Beach Medical College was organized on a liberal basis, and the chair of physiology was given to Dr. Marsh, which position he still retains, as the college has proven a success financially and otherwise. The Doctor's motto of professional life has been to be honest and upright with his patrons and to never slander or speak slighting'y of other practitioners but to attend strictly to his own business. The Doctor's social life has been a pleasant one. In 1875 he married Laura E. Trees, daughter of John W. Trees, of Warring- ton, Ind., who has contributed largely to his success in life. She
665
HISTORY OF HENDRICKS COUNTY.
attends to her domestic duties to the almost entire exclusion of fashionable life and sees that home is what it should be. During the ten years of married life three children have been born to them. Florence, the eldest, died at the age of four years and this was the greatest affliction the family has sustained as she was a child of unusual promise. Mabel, the next, is now five years old and is a beautiful and intelligent child, having her mind enriched by travel and contact with people until her knowledge is greater than many grown people. Katie is the baby and bids fair to make another Florence. The Doctor each year leaves the cares of business and with his family takes a trip to some of the fishing resorts and spends a few days in boyhood pleasures and takes a renewed lease on life. They have a nice residence with his office near by, in one of the best localities in Brownsburg.
James M. Metsker was born in Hendricks County, Ind., Feb. 3, 1856, a son of Peter and Elizabeth Metsker, pioneers of this county. He was reared and educated in his native county and since attaining manhood has devoted his attention to agricult- . ural pursuits, owning now a fine farm, on section 28, Lincoln Township. Mr. Metsker was married April 14, 1880, to Mira A. Barlow, daughter of Harvey and Sarah J. Barlow. To them have been born three children-Robert L., Eva M. and Alpha G. Mr. and Mrs. Metsker are members of the Presbyterian church, and among the prominent young people of Lincoln Township.
William Il. IT. Metsker is a native of Hendricks County, born April 3, 1849, a son of Peter and Elizabeth Metsker, his father a native of Ohio and his mother of Delaware. His parents were early settlers of Hendricks County and were prominent in assisting in its development. His father died in December, 1884, and his mother is still a resident of Lincoln Township. They had a family of eight children, but four of whom are living-John T., William H. H., James M. and Mary. W. H. H. Metsker was reared a farmer, a vocation he has followed since attaining manhood. He has been successful in his pursuits and now owns 1653 acres of valuable land on section 22, Lincoln Township. He was mar- ried Dec. 21, 1871, to Melinda J. Merritt, daughter of George W. Merritt, of Washington Township. They have six children -- Nora M., Cora E., Ora L., Mary E., Lillie M. and Charles O. Mr. and Mrs. Metsker are members of the Presbyterian church.
Isaac C. Nach, a pioneer of Lincoln Township, was born March 27, 1817, in Madison County, Ohio. His parents were Thomas
U
1
666
HISTORY OF HENDRICKS COUNTY.
and Hannah Nash, natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia respect- ively. They emigrated to Indiana in 1825, and lived one year in Marion County. They then came to Hendricks County, locating on White Liek Creek in Lincoln Township, where they entered eighty acres of land. About 1845 they moved to Missouri, remain- ing there till their death. Of the nine children born to them six are living-Margaret, Elizabeth, Isaac C., Mary S., Sarah A. and Daniel. George, Richard and Jeremiah are deceased. Our subject came to this county with his parents when a boy and was here reared to maturity. `He was first married Jan. 28, 1841, to Cilicia Wilson, daughter of William and Nancy Wilson. They have had nine children-William J., Mary E., Clarinda, Thomas J., Edward F., George A., Cilicia, John and Albertus. John and Albertus are deceased. Mrs. Nash died Dec. 13, 1860, and Mr. Nash was again married in April, 1864, to Eliza J. Fancett, daughter of Joseph and Rebecca Faucett, early settlers of Hendricks County. In 1843 Mr. Nash settled on section 2, this township, and now owns 220 acres of land. He is a member of the Presbyterian church and has served as Elder several years. His wife is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Charles W. Neal, a prominent farmer of Lincoln Township, was born in Bourbon County, Ky., March 29, 1834, a son of Nathaniel and Sallie Neal. His mother died when he was a year old, and when he was nine his father died. His early life was spent in his native State and in Illinois, and in 1864 he came to Hendricks County, Ind., and located in the southern part of Lincoln Township where he has since lived. He owns a large farm of 400 acres, and his improvements are unexcelled in this county. Mr. Neal was married July 4, 1861, to Emma S. Bradley, of Kentucky. Four children have been born to them-Tabner, Claude, Forest, and Lorenzo; the latter is deceased. In politics Mr. Neal is a Demo- crat.
' Thomas Newham, a pioneer of Lincoln Township, was born Oet. 30, 1816, in Scott County, Ky., a son of Daniel and Annie New- ham, the former a native of Maryland, and the latter of North Carolina. In the fall of 1826 his parents moved to Hendricks County from Marion County, Ind., where they had located a short time. They then settled on section 20, Lincoln Township, where they lived till their death, and where our subject yet resides. Here he was reared to manhood, receiving but little education, as his services were required on the farm. He now has a good farin of
Salli Neat died when
667
HISTORY OF HENDRICKS COUNTY.
130 aeres of land under a high state of cultivation. In 1844 he was married to Miss Nancy Turner, of Boone County, and to them were born two children, both of whom are deceased. Mrs. Newham died in 1849, and he was married to Miss Nancy (Larimore) Mor- gan, of Marion County. Of eight children born to them only one. survives-Robert F. Mr. Newham has held the office of School Director.
John K. Y. Patterson, son of Franeis and Margaret (Ross) Pat- terson, was born in Fleming County, Ky., Feb. 7, 1813. His parents moved with their family to Hendrieks County, Ind., in 1835, remaining here till their death. Of their family of five chil- dren, but two survive-John K. Y. and Susan. John K. Y. was married in August, 1835, to Miss Arie Shockley, daughter of James B. Shockley, of Fleming County, Ky. To them have been born ten children-James H., Francis M., William E., John W., Silas, Rosanna, Esther, Margaret E. (deceased), America and Carrie. Mr. Patterson saw much of pioneer life in his youth. He has been engaged in agricultural pursuits from his youth and has met with success. He has a farm of 196 acres of land, and resides in the western part of Lincoln Township.
Emanuel Prebster was born June 15, 1813, in Scioto County, Ohio. His parents were John and Christena Prebster, natives of Germany. They were the parents of six children, of whom three are living-Reuben, Christian, and Emanuel, our subject. The latter came to Hendricks County, Ind., with his father's family, who entered a large tract of wild land in Lincoln Township, at that time known as Brown Township. His educational facilities were very limited, he being obliged to help his father on the farm from his boyhood. Oet. S, 1850, he was married to Mrs. Mary (Milby) Hollett, born March 24, 1821, in North Carolina, a daughter of Thomas Milby, and widow to the late Mark Hollett. To Mr. and Mrs. Prebster were born three children-Eliza C., Anderson and Everson. Mr. Prebster has been successful in his agricultural pursuits and now owns a good farm of 150 acres. In politics he is a Republican. In 1873, having for some time previous been afflicted with a rheumatic swelling in the knee, he had one of his limbs amputated above the knee.
. Robert Salmon, a native of Ohio, was born in Hamilton County, Feb. 13, 1818, and was a son of Jeremiah and Nancy Salmon. His father was a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother of Ohio. They had a family of nine children, of whom only four are living-
66S
HISTORY OF HENDRICKS COUNTY.
Robert, Jeremiah, Margaret and Nancy A. Robert Salmon was married in his native county, April 29, 1840, to Priscilla Pines, who died in 1867. They had a family of eleven children seven of whom survive- Hester A., Nancy, Susan, Clarkson, Benjamin, Jeremiah and George. Mr. Salmon married for his second wife in November, 1867, Mrs. Eliza A. (Surber) Prebster, widow of the late Frederick Prebster, of this county. Mr. Salmon is a member of the United Brethren church, and is a liberal contributor to both church and State enterprises. He resides on his farm in the northern part of this township.
William Todd, one of the representative citizens of Lincoln Township, is a native of Chillicothe, Ohio, born Oct. 2, 1816, a son of James and Mary A. Todd. When he was two years of age his parents moved to Switzerland County, Ind., where they both died. Three of their seven children are living-William, Henry and Rose. Those deceased arc-Prilly, Matilda, John and Harriat. William Todd was reared in Switzerland County. In 1836 he came to Hendricks County, and soon after went to Boone County and entered forty acres of land, subsequently buying forty acres adjoining. He lived in Boone County till the fall of 1842, when he came to Hendricks County and located in the southern part of Lincoln Township, where he lived nearly forty years. In the fall of 1880 he retired from the active labors of the farm and moved to Brownsburg, where he has a pleasant home. His farm of 115 acres is under a high state of cultivation, and the improvements are among the best in Lincoln Township. He has been an ener- getic, frugal man, and is now reaping the reward of his early years of toil. Mr. Todd was married Sept. 12, 1839, to Leanna New- ham, who was born May 26, 1820, a daughter of Daniel and Annie Newham, early settlers of Hendricks County. They have one child-Mary A., now Mrs. William Renick, of Brownsburg, this county. In politics Mr. Todd is a Democrat.
Lincoln C. Tomlinson, proprietor of the livery, feed and sale stables, Brownsburg, Ind., is a native of Hendricks County, Ind., born March 28, 1859, a son of John and Harriett Tomlinson, of Plainfield. He was reared and educated in his native county, and is one of the prominent young business men of Brownsburg. He was married June 29, 1SS1, to Allie De Happard, of Brownsburg.
Anderson Turpin, son of Robison and Rachel Turpin, was born in Scott. County, Ky., in October, 1831. In 1834 he came with his parents to Hendricks County, Ind., where he was reared to
HISTORY OF HENDRICKS COUNTY. 669
manhood. Nov. 20, 1853, he was nnited in marriage to Miss Lonisa E. Rupard, of Clark County, Ky. Six children have been born to them-Wilkerson, Mary E., William H., Martha E., Rachel A. and Ora A. Mary E. and Ora A. are deceased. Mr. Turpin is the owner of a fine farm of eighty aeres and is meeting with success in bis agricultural pursuits. He and his wife are earnest members of the Christian church.
Henry Turpin was born Jan. 11, 1835, in Hendricks County, Ind., a son of Robison and Rachel Turpin, natives of Kentucky. His parents came to this county in 1834, and settled on a tract of timbered land in the southern part of Lincoln Township, residing here till their death, which occurred in 1880. Nine children were born to them, seven of whom are living-Anderson, Henry, Har- vey, Doctor, Martha, Jacob and Elizabeth M. Henry Turpin was reared on a farm. He received a fair education, and for a short time was engaged in teaching school. In August, 1862, he en- listed in Company I, Seventh Indiana Infantry, and participated in the battles of second Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, and a number of others. He received a wound in the shoulder at the battle of the Wilderness in May, 1864, which disabled him for two months. At the end of that time he again reported for duty and was recruited into Company G, which subsequently became con- solidated with the Twentieth Indiana Infantry. He was present at Lee's surrender to General Grant. He was honorably dis- charged in June, 1865, when he returned home, and Nov. 28, of the same year, he was married to Amelia E. Broek, of Decatur County, Ind., formerly of Kentucky. They have three children- Cora B., William C. and George H. Mr. Turpin ranks among the leading farmers of Lincoln Township, and is the owner of 200 acres of land. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Preston Tyler, retired farmer, was born in Hendricks County, Ind., Sept. 4, 1833, a son of George and Lucinda Tyler, natives of Kentucky. His father was one of the early settlers of Hendricks County, and entered 120 acres of Government land in Lineoln Township, which he made his home till his death. His family consisted of ten children, seven of whom are living-Lntitia, Susan, Preston, Benjamin F., Charles W., Lydia and Melinda. Kittie, Alfred and George are deceased. Preston Tyler was reared and educated in his native county, and has always made it his home with the exception of ten years spent in Marion County,
·
670 HISTORY OF HENDRICKS COUNTY.
He has been a successful agriculturist, and owns a fine farm of seventy-one and a half acres, but since 1880 has lived in Browns- . burg. He was married Dec. 15, 1854, to Allie Smith, daughter of Thomas and Susan Smith. They have one son -- Willis, born May 26, 1864. In February, 1865, Mr. Tyler enlisted at Indianapolis in Company I, One Hundred and Forty-eighth Indiana Infantry, and served till the following September. He and his wife are members of the Christian church.
+
.
·
.
-
CHAPTER XVIII.
MARION TOWNSHIP.
GEOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION .- PIONEERS .- NEW WINCHESTER. -- CHURCHES .- POLITICAL HISTORY .- JUSTICES, CONSTABLES, ASSES- SORS, TRUSTEES, ETC .- STATISTICS. - BIOGRAPHICAL.
This township is bounded on the north by Eel River, on the east by Center and Clay, on the south by Clay, and on the west by Putnam County. The surface is for the most part undulating, and in some places nearly flat. The streams are all mere branchies, which put out from . springs and flow toward both Eel River and Mill Creek. There is a clay subsoil throughout the entire extent of the township, and much of the land is second-class for grain, but it is all first-class for the grasses. Little gravel is found in this township, and, consequently, there has been but very little im- provement of the highways, which get very bad in long continued wet weather. The farmers of Marion Township fully realize the advantages of their soil for the production of grasses, and have a larger acreage in open and woodland pasture than any other town- ship, and send to market a larger number of the fat cattle and sheep than any other township in the county.
In every new country the settlements are first formed on the streams, and in Hendricks County it began on White Lick, south of Plainfield, and then followed up White Lick and its East and West forks, and then spread out over the country like a fan, and, therefore, those townships farthest from the streams were last in settling, and Marion Township did not have a single settler within its borders until nearly two years after the county was organized. The first settlers were Thomas Samuels, Xury West, John and Isaac Hays, and Daniel, Thomas and David Higgins, who settled in the township from 1826 to 1827. From 1828 to 1832, Paul Faught, Moses Cavett, William Blackketter, William and Harvey Buntain, G. W. Turner, Wesley Morgan, Peter Vannice, Thomas Chadd, John Hancock, James McCown and William Hays settled in different portions of the township.
(671)
.
672
HISTORY OF HENDRICKS COUNTY.
New Winchester was laid out in 1832 by Wesley Morgan and James Bronangh. It is situated a little west of the center of the township and seven miles west of Danville, on the Roekville road. It contains about 100 inhabitants, and is a place of little impor- tanec. There is a postoffice, the only one in the township, and a store, kept by J. O. Kennedy. Edward Seott keeps a blacksmith- shop, and L. H. Rich is a shoemaker. There are two physicians, William Robbins and T. T. Brazier. There are also three churches, the only ones in the township. The oldest is the Christian, which has a congregation of about 100. The present pastor is Rev. D. Collins, of North Salem. He was preceded by Revs. Oliver P. Badger, Canfield and Heekethorne. Services are held the first Sunday in each month. The next oldest church is the Baptist, with an attendance of 125. The pastor is Rev. Alex. Mayhall, of New Maysville, who was preceded by Revs. Sherrill, Keller and Layton. Services are held the third Sunday in each month. The Cumberland Presbyterian church has a congregation of per- haps ninety. Rev: Morton Long, the pastor, resides here. Before him were Revs. Hawkins and Van Dyne. An Odd Fellows' lodge was maintained here for several years, but died about 1881.
FIRST ELECTION.
The poll-book of the general election of Aug. 3, 1836, held at New Williamsburgh, gives the names of thirty-one voters, which afford a partial list of the first settlers. Here are the names, as written on this document: William Hodges, Elijah Sutton, David Fox, Henry Tomlinson, William Bailey, Abraham Lewis, Alexander Bryant, William Tomlinson, James Turner, Bradford Samuel, R. W. Shannon, Jeremiah Culbertson, Joseph Lewis, Jr., James Maccoun, John Higgins, Jacob Fox, Henry Bland, William Hay- worth, John Mahan, John Robins, Jordan Denny, William Robins, John Vicory, Joseph Robins, Wesley Morgan, Hiram Tomlinson, B. S. B. Parker, Moses Tomlinson, Jeremiah Hunt, Martin Han- cock and Thomas Higgins.
At this election Jacob B. Lowe, for Congress, received fifteen votes, and George L. Kinnard, fourteen; Christian C. Nave, for Representative, received fourteen votes, James Anderson, thirteen, and Job Osborn, three; Edmund Clark, for Sheriff, received twen- ty-three votes, and James Siggerson, seven; Henry H. Marvin, for Probate Judge, received twenty-four votes.
HISTORY OF HENDRICKS COUNTY. 673
POLITICAL.
The political sentiment of the people of Marion Township has been rather variable. From 1836 to 1852 it was Whig by dimin- ishing majorities; in 1856 it was carried by the Democrats; then until after the war it worshiped the Republican gods; and from 1868 to the present time it has been loyal to the Democratic party. Following is the vote at each presidential election:
1836-William H. Harrison .. 43 34
1864-Abraham Lincoln. 130 39
Martin VanBuren .. 9
58
1868-Horatio Seymour. .163 39
James K. Polk. 0
1848-Zachary Taylor. 122 39
Lewis Cass .. 83
1873 -- Horace Greeley .157 Uly-ses S. Grant. 129
28
Martin Van Buren 8
1852-Winfield Seott. 99
3
1876-Samuel J. Tilden .. .179
56 Rutherford B. Hays 123
Peter Cooper. 5
1856-James Buchanan 134
John C. Fremont 94 Millard Fillmore. 16
40
1880-Winfield S. Hancock. .188 49 James A. Garfield. 139 James B. Weaver 7
59
Stephen A. Douglas. ... 103
John C. Breckenridge .. 30 John Bell. 8
1884-Grover Cleveland .. 185 James G Blaine .. 126 Benjamin F. Butler 2 Jobn P. St. John. 1
OFFICIAL.
Following are the names of those who have been selected Justices, Constables, ete., for Marion Township, together with the years in which they were chosen:
. Justices of the Peace: Harmon Brittain and Samuel Shannon, 1833; Job Turner, 1838; David Higgins, 1843; Lemmon Christie, 1843; Lemmon Christie, 1848; George ME. Brown, 1851; Henry C. Harper, 1853; Benjamin Robins, 1854; William Kirkpatrick, 1855; James Sheets and Elisha Bailey, 1858; B. F. Faught, 1862; Joseph H. Sellers, 1863; W. W. Graham and C. R. Harper, 1866; John A. Orth, 1867; John Armstrong and James Crews, 1870; W. W. Graham and G. Washington Turner, 1872; G. Washington Turner and Anthony W. Kelly, 1874; Joseph Allison and Anthony W. Kelly, 1878; Joseph Allison and John Q. Hill, 1882.
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.