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 33
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John Underwood, deceased, was a native of Shelby County, Ky., born in 1795. He was married in his native county to Rebecca Radford, a native of Virginia, coming to Kentucky when a child. He came with his wife and six children to this township in the fall of 1835, having previously lived in Decatur County, Ind., nine years after leaving Kentucky. Mr. Underwood devoted his atten- tion to the introduction of blue grass, and converting his lands into stock farming, he being the first man in the township to drive fat stock to market to Indianapolis. He died May 24, 1861, aged sixty-six years, his widow surviving him about six years. They were the parents of the following children-William, deceased; Mrs. Charlotte MeMurry, of Normal, Ill .; Mrs. Elizabeth Carver, 44
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HISTORY OF HENDRICKS COUNTY.
of Putnam County, Ind .; Mrs. Catherine Darnell, deceased; Mrs. Sally Soper, of Hendricks County, and Mrs. Ellen Bridges, deceased, the latter being the only one born in this county. Mr. Underwood owned, at the time of his death, a farm of 325 acres.
John F. Underwood is a native of Hendricks County, Ind., born in Marion Township, Feb. 20, 1849, a son of William and Harriet L. Underwood, and grandson of John Underwood, one of the early settlers of this township. William Underwood was born in Kentucky, in 1823, and accompanied his father to Hendricks County. He was here married, March 20, 1847, to Harriet West, who was born April 7, 1830, a daughter of Isaac and Polly We:t. They commenced housekeeping on section 10, Marion Township, and there made a home, where he died in September, 1875. IIc had a farmn of 700 acres and was one of the most prosperous citizens of the county. The mother still lives on the homestead with her son, Obadiah. Jolin F. is the eldest of their six children, the oth- ers being William, Mrs. Mary E. Higgins, Obadiah, Mrs. Angeline Christie and Robert, all residents of Marion Township. John F. Underwood was married Jan. 23, 1873, to - Caroline F. Kurtz, daughter of Henry F. Kurtz. They have two children-Carrie and Lonrie. In 1880 Mr. Underwood bought what is known as the G. W. Turner farin, which contains 200 acres of improved land, located on section 27. In politics Mr. Underwood is a Democrat. He and his wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, making its motto the rule of his life. He is one of the most prominent and influential citizens of the township.
Peter C. Vannice, one of the early settlers of this township, was born in Mercer County, Ky., July 17, 1801, and was married in that county Feb. 14, 1828, to Sarah Ann Smith, born in Mercer County, Dec. 11, 1810. In 1831 they came to this county and sot- tled on section 30, Marion Township, bringing with them from Kentucky two children-Louisiana, now wife of Edom R. Had- ley, and William H., a resident of Lucas County, Iowa. Nine children were born to them in this township-Samuel N. and Mrs. Joanna Allen, both of incas County, Iowa; Sarah, wife of Rer. W. T. Ferguson, of Morgan County, Ind .; Mrs. Amanda J. Trot- ter, of Marion County, Iowa; Milton B., of this township; James R., died aged six years; Ellen, died aged three years; Henry S .. died aged twelve years, and Ellen, wife of Rev. O. C. Hawkins, of
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HISTORY OF HENDRICKS COUNTY.
Lucas County, Iowa. Peter C. Vannice, in early days, was a Whig, but from the organization of the Republican party he has voted that ticket. Both he and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and are respected by all who know them. Our subject's parents were Peter and Deborah (De Motte) Van- nice, natives of New Jersey, his father of Holland and his mother of French Huguenot descent. His mother's ancestors were driven from France at the time of the massacre of St. Bar- tholomew.
. Jonathan Walton was born in Washington County, Pa., Jan. 9, 1837, a son of John and Eliza Walton, who were both natives of Pennsylvania. With their four sons they moved to Ripley County, Ind., in the summer of 1837, where the father died and was buried Jan. 9, 1845. His widow, some years later, married Stephen Gowin and to this union were born six children-Love J., deceased; Mrs. Adaline Slavins, of Kansas; Oliver and James B., residing in this township; Mrs. Cynthia Robbins, of Missouri, and Mrs. Anna Crose, of this township. The children by her former marriage were-Warren, of Ripley County; William, a member of the Ninety-ninth Indiana Infantry, died in the service; Amos, served in the Seventh Indiana Infantry, now living in Madison County, Iowa, and Jonathan, our subject. The family moved to Hendricks County in 1853, loeating on section 34, where Mr. Gowin died in the spring of 1880. His widow is living in this township with her youngest daughter, Mrs. Anna Crose. Jonathan Walton lived with his mother and step-father till his marriage to Miss Cynthia Rob- bins, which occurred Oct. 9, 1859. After his marriage he made his home on section 34, on part of the John Robbins homestead. He has prospered in his agricultural pursuits, and now owns a farm of 1SS acres, also a fine residence property in North Salem. He is a member of North Salem Lodge, No. 158, I. O. O. F., and politically he is a Republican. To Mr. and Mrs. Walton have been born three children-Emma C., their eldest, died at the age of eigliteen months; John Gavin, born March, 1863, and Bertha, born in November, 1870. Mrs. Walton's grandparents came to this county in 1833. . Her father was born in North Carolina, June 16, 1809, and was there married in June, 1829, to Lydia Parsons, who was born Dec. 27, 1808. They had eleven children, of whom six are living-Mrs. Mary Jones, of Eel River Township; Mrs. Martha Davis, same township; Mrs. Cynthia Walton, this town- ship; William, this township; Mrs. Susan Robbins and Mrs. Jose.
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HISTORY OF HENDRICKS COUNTY. .
phine Davis, of Eel River Township. Those deceased are-Newton Catherine, John and Barnabas. John Robbins was a promi- nent citizen of this county, and served satisfactorily as County Commissioner several terms. His death occurred Mareh 5, 1881. His widow is living on the old homestead with her son-in-law, Jonathan Walton, which has been her home for fifty- two years.
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CHAPTER XIX.
MIDDLE TOWNSHIP.
DESCRIPTION .- SETTLEMENT .- PITTSBORO. -- BUSINESS. - CHURCHES, ETC. - POLITICAL HISTORY. - TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS. - STATISTICS. -- BIOGRAPIIICAL.
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Middle Township is bounded on the north by Boone County, on the east by Brown and Lincoln townships, on the south by Lin- coln, Washington and Center, and on the west by Center and Union. It is very deficient in natural drainage, but easily drained by artificial means. It has no stream too large to be called a branch; its surface is the nearest a plain of any township in the county; its soil is for the most part very productive, and Indian corn is the staple; wheat and oats are, however, very profitable crops.
FIRST SETTLEMENT.
The first clearing in the township was made in 1830 by Lemuel McBee, in the western part of the town of Pittsboro. Within three years from the date of Mr. McBee's settlement, the following well- known citizens settled in the central and southern portions of the township: Ed. Poynter, Elijah Thompson. Adam Spieklemire, Stephen Hale, Samnel Hill, James Wells, Jonas Lipe, Johu and Jacob Holtsclaw, Aaron Spicklemire, Benjamin Davis and Heze- kiah Demick. In no part of Hendricks County did the pioneers have a harder fight with primeval nature, or endure more hard- ships, than in Middle Township. The forests were very heavy and the undergrowth of bushes almost impenetrable. The township was organized in 1833. James Parks was the first Justice of the Peace, and Alfred Lineberry taught the first school, in 1835, on Samnel Hill's farm, for $10 per month.
PITTSBORO.
Pittsboro was laid out in 1834 by Simon T. Hadley and Will- iam L: Matlock. It was first called by Mr. Hadley, Pittsburg, and afterward changed to Pittsboro to have the name of the town
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HISTORY OF HENDRICKS COUNTY.
and postoffice agree. It is the only village and postoffice in the township, and contains about 600 inhabitants. Owing to the loca- tion here of the extensive stave factory of Daniel Feely, which furnishes continuous employment for nearly 100 laborers, Pitts- boro has been for ten years, in proportion to its size, the most prosperous village in Hendricks County. It is situated on the I., B. & W. Railroad, twenty miles from Indianapolis, and is the ter- minus of the Indianapolis and Brownsburg pike.
The firms doing business in Pittsboro in 1885 are: Thomas Allen, general store; James Adams, blacksmith; Charles Alston, blacksmith; Adams & Walters, agricultural implements; Jacob Bell, shoemaker; Louis Burglin, wagon and blacksmith shop; J. A. Cox, Central House; Isaac Dillon, Dillon House; R. T. Dor- man, general store; Daniel Feely, stave factory; O. W. Hill. Post- master; Hiram Huddleston, livery stable; Mrs. Linton, millinery; Meal & Bradley, agricultural implements; William Spaulding wagon shop; W. J. Shirley, general store; A. C. Weaver, general store; Weaver & Bromfield, flouring mill; Isaac B. Waters, furni- ture and undertaking.
ODD FELLOWS.
Pittsboro Lodge, No. 342, 1 .. O. O. F., was organized Jan. 22, 1870, by J. N. Shirley, W. N. Crabb, L. S. Watts, James Q. Adams, Amos Hoak and J. M. McLean. It has now a member- ship of nearly thirty, and meets at its hall every Saturday evening. It was an outgrowth of the Brownsburg lodge, and has in turn been weakened by the organization of another lodge, at Lizton. The present officers are: N. McCurdy, N. G .; James Hardwick, V. G .; W. J. Linton, Secretary ; F. McCabe, Treasurer; H. Hoak, D. G. M.
RELIGIOUS.
The Christian Church, or "Church of God in Christ," was or- ganized Feb. 25, 1854. A church was built the same year, at a cost of $2,000. It is now used as a residence. The first Trustees were Joseph Wells, Dennis Clark, John L. Parker, Stephen Hale and Asa Veach. The present church was built in 1872, and is valued at $2,000. Rev. U. C. Brewer, of Danville, preaches here the first Sunday of each month. The membership is perhaps 200. Previous pastors have been Rev. Wallace Tharpe and Elder Con nor.
The Methodist Episcopal people have had a society here for
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HISTORY OF HENDRICKS COUNTY. 699
some forty years. Their present frame church, the second used by them, was built in 1868, at a cost of $2,000. No regular services are held at present writing. Rev. Mr. Green, of Danville, held monthly services in the fall of 1884. The membership is not large, the congregation being about 100.
FIRST ELECTION.
. The poll-book of Middle Township for the presidential election of 1852 gives the names of 139 voters, which are here copied, as afforditig a very good list of the old settlers: Asa T. Hoadley, John Nelson, W. O. Parker, W. G. Parker, I. M. Candiff, I. C. Parker, G. L. Thompson, Barney Ball, Calloway Noster, G. W. Firestone, William 'B. McDonnell, James Pace, Lafayette J. Job, Boston Woslen, Anstin Pierson, L. Cannon Pointer, Edward Pointer, Al- fred Huddleston, Perry R. Darnell, Thomas S. Roberts, Joshua F. Hutchins, John A. Long, Thomas J. C. Sparks, Greenup Ken- nedy, Jeremiah Spieklemire, Joshua Kennedy, William Williams, Edward Reynolds, Benjamin Newman, Thomas Walker, James G. Hoadley, Eldred Huff, Jacob Gregg, John P. Foster, James Chad- wick, Thomas Gatson, Thomas C. Gatson, Henry Caywood, Adam Thompson, David Roy, Jonathan D. Parks, Angustus Newman, John L. Parker, Jolin A. Gregg, William Crab, Henry Carter, Solomon Veach, Richard Myers, Andrew J. Jordan, George Sliver, Noble Jenkins, Henry Hughs, Balaam Wells, Sanmel Hill, Beverly J. Edwards, John Gregg, John Caywood, Biah Dillon, John Kitts, Benjamin G. Waters, Thomas Veach, George W. Jordan, William MeCuitt, Evan Thompson, Harmon McCaslin, William J. Roberts, James A. Blair, Zachariah Geong, William A: Jones, Abraham Spieklemire, Thomas Roy, William J. May, Jacob Hughs, Simon Wells, William Wood, Asa Caywood, William J. Foster, William Selch, Stephen F. Huddleston, John C. Cochran, Hugh Robinson, Raphael Smith, J. T. Pratt, William Job, John McNally, Charles Coffin, Clark Benton, Thomas J. Weaver, Gordon Reynolds, Lewis Nosler, Asa Veach, David A. Jenkins, William Ray, William Thompson, William S. Walter, Samuel P. Pointer, William E. Walter, John W. Shepherd, Aaron Spieklemire, William Patter- son, Oliver Wells, Nelson Faught, Nathaniel Hilton, James M. Parker, Joseph Wells. Joseph Faught, Alexander F. Smith, Sier Thompson, William E. Newman, James W. Thompson, James W. Reynolds, Perry Newman, George J. Davis, Jonas Lipe, Thomas Richardson, James N. Spicklemire, William C. Gregg,
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HISTORY OF HENDRICKS COUNTY.
James W. Lout, George Faught, William Dillon, John Cundift, William Hale, Greenville Spieklemire, Aaron V. Keith, Levi Bn- chanan, Nicholas Loller, Henry Lamb, Joseph Lyons, Jacob Halc, . William Gregg, J. M. Fronk, Benjamin Griffith, Thomas A. Blake, William D. Emmons, Lewis Holtsclaw, Alexander Adams, Oliver W. Hill and, James N. Lout.
POLITICAL.
In political sentiment the majority in Middle Township has been successively Democratie, Whig, Democratie, Republican, and lastly Democratic. Following is the vote for President since 1844.
1844-James K. Polk .57
25
1868-Ulysses S. Grant. .154
30
Henry Clay 32
119
35
1872-Ulysses S. Grant. 156
30
Zachariah Taylor 84
Martin Van Buren 8
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Charles O'Conor. 2
1852-Winfield Scott .. 70
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1876-Samuel J. Tilden. 202
Franklin Pierce. 67
1856-James Buchanan 118
51
Rutherford B. Hayes 157
Peter Cooper .. 40
1880-Winfield S. Hancock. .. 223
1860-Stephen A. Douglas. 104
10
Abraham Lincoln. 9-1
John C. Breckinridge .. 19 John Bell. .. 1
1SS1-Grover Cleveland.
221
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James G. Blaine.
177
1864-Abraham Lincoln ... 110 17
Benjamin F. Butler. 18
George B. McClellan ... 93
OFFICIAL.
Those who have been justices, constables, trustees, clerks, treas- nrers and assessors of Middle Township are here enumerated, to- gether with the years in which they were respectively elected:
Justices of the Peace: James Parks, 1834; Archibald Alexander, 1835; James William Hooper, 1837; David S. Buzzard, 1838; James William Hooper, 1842; David S. Buzzard, 1843; Alexander Pollock, 1845-'7; David . S. Buzzard, ISIS; Alexander Adams, 1851; Jacob M. Duzan, 1854; Thomas A. Blake, 1855; Lewis Pearcy, 1857; Elias Leach, 1858; James M. Tout, 1861; James A. Blair, Oliver P. Peters and Balaam Wells, 1862; Nelson Fanght, 1865; B. Wells, 1866; Mahlon Thompson, 1867; B. G. Waters, 1868; John B. Rainey, 1869; Jolin P. Smith, 1870; William S. Marsh and James M. Wills, 1872; J. A. Jordan, 1874; James M. Wills and C. W. Edwards, 1876; Jacob M. Dusanne, 1878; J. B. Walters, 1880; Marcus L. Murry, 1882; Isaac Waters, 1884.
Constables: Larkin J. Dollarhide, 1833; Albert Thompson, 1835; Elias Leach and Albert Thompson, 1838; Elias Leach and
Horatio Seymour 12-1
184S-Lewis Cas>
Horace Greeley 126
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John C. Fremont. 67
Millard Fillmore 4
60 James A. Garfield .. 163 James B. Weaver. 25
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HISTORY OF HENDRICKS COUNTY. . 701
Thomas J. Weaver, 1839; Abram Spicklemire and Boston Nansler, 1844; William McBee and William A. Long, 1845; Caleb Lamb and Solomon Adams, 1846; Aaron V. Keith and Solomon Adams, 1848; Aaron V. Keith and Solomon Adams, 1849; William D. Amos and Solomon Adams, 1850; John Shepherd and William MeCuitt, 1851; Elias Leach and Thomas D. Newman, 1852; Elias Leach, 1853; Clark L. Benton and Oliver W. Hill, 1854; Clark L. Benton and Austin Pierson, 1855-'6; Isaac B. Waters and William C. Gregg, 1857; Joseph M. McVey and William Gulley, 1858; Georgaway Sullivan and Oliver W. Hill, 1860; N. W. Doan and William Gulley, 1861; William J. Linton and William Gulley, 1862; William J. Linton and Israel Hendrickson, 1863; Enoch W. King and Israel Hendrickson, 1864; Jesse S. Painter [and L. S. Watts, 1865; G. L. Thompson and L. S. Watts, 1866; G. L. Thompson and James Pearcy, 1867; William J. Linton and John P. Smith, 1868; R. F. Rainey and William H. Spalding, 1869; William H. Spalding and Alfred Waters, 1870; Alfred Waters and Matthew M. Adams, 1872; G. L. Thompson and J. A. Smith, 1874; G. L. Thompson and Harvey Jones, 1876; William H. Spald- ing and James M. , Waters, 1878; William Spalding and Daniel Kennedy, 1880; Hiram Huddleston and John Murry, 1882; Elijah Dickerson and Samnel McBee, 1884.
Trustees: James N. Tout, 1855; David Ray, 1856; James N. Tont, 1857; James A. Blair, 1858; John N. Shirley, 1860-'2, Jonas Lipe, 1863; Silas Davidson, 1864; Amos C. Weaver, 1865-'6; Will- iam G. Parker, 1867-'S; Lewis Thornbrough, 1869; John N. Shirley, 1870-'2; H. Hoak, 1874; B. A. Acton, 1876; Daniel Feeley, 1878-'80; Austin Pierson, 1SS2-'S4.
Clerks: Clark L. Benton, 1855; Thomas A. Blake, 1856; Greenville N. Spicklemire, 1857; Elias Leach, 1858 (office abol- ished).
Treasurers: Asa T. Hoadley, 1855-'7; John L. Shirley, 1SS; (office abolished).
Assessors: Alfred Stanley, 1870; J. B. Walters, 1872; William C. Mitchell, 1874; George Brent, 1876-'S; Lee A. Lemmon, 1880-'2.
STATISTICS.
The population of Middle Township was in 1880, by the United States census, 1.828. The following statistics of population, wealth and taxation are for 1885: Acres of land assessed, 19,604.20; value of same, $461, 848; value of improvements, $90, 140; value of lots,
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HISTORY OF HENDRICKS COUNTY.
$2,574; value of improvements, $6,510; value of personalty, $175,- 443; total taxable wealth, $736,510; polls, 314; dogs, 204; State tax, $1,040.80; county tax, $2,265.82; township tax, $441.90; tuition 'tax, $1,256.93; special school tax, $1,109.60; road tax, $1,473; endowment tax, $36.82; bridge tax, $736.50; total taxes, $10,048 .- 07; delinquent taxes, $1,102.68.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
James H. Brill, M. D., was born in Fredericks County, Va., Dec. 13, 1843, a son of John H. and Sarah A. Brill. In 1852 his parents moved to Hendricks County, and settled near Belleville, in Liberty Township, where they lived till 1867, then moved to Chari- ton County, Mo., where the mother died in 1870. James H. Brill was reared on a farm and upon reaching manhood he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed about three years. Not liking the business and having early had a desire to be a physician, in the fall of 1868 he entered Asbury University, (now Del'auw) where he remained a year, thus laying the foundation for his future life of usefulness. In the spring of 1869 he began the study of medicine with Dr. L. H. Kennedy, of Danville, remaining with him till the fall of 1870, when he entered the Miami Medical Col- lege, at Cincinnati, and attended the entire five-months session. The summer of 1871 he spent in Danville with his former precep- tor, and the following fall again entered Miami College, from which he graduated in March, 1872. He located in Pittsboro where he has built up a large practice. He is a close student of his pro- fession and is recognized by all as one of the most successful and reliable practitioners of the county. He is a member of the Hen- dricks County Medical Society, the State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. His residence is just outside the corporation of Pittsboro, where he owns 182 acres of valuable land. He also owns a quarter-section in Nebraska. He has given consider- able attention to breeding blooded cattle of the Hereford and Aber- deen Angus varieties, and was the first to introduce the pure breeds in Hendricks County. Dr. Brill was married Oct. 10, 1872, to Alice Alexander, daughter of James P. Alexander. They have two chil dren-Ada, born May 13, 1875, and Ernest, born April 19, 1879. Dr. Brill is a member of the Masonic fraternity; also a member of the Christian church.
Fletcher Carter, a prominent young farmer of Middle Township, is a native of Marion County, Ind., a son of John V. and Diana
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HISTORY OF HENDRICKS COUNTY.
Carter. He is the second of six children, the others being Emma (deceased), William J., John H., Flora A. and Mary J. Fletcher Carter was reared on a farm, attending in his boyhood the common schools, and later the commercial department of Butler University, Indianapolis. He was married Dec. 25, 1876, to Mary M. Apple- gate, daughter of Milton B. and Margaret Applegate. In the spring of 1877 he settled on his present farin of 100 acres in Mid- dle Township, where he is successfully engaged in his chosen vocation. He is an enterprising young man, and one of the most influential and prosperous citizens of the township. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They have two children-Wilbert and Earl.
Silas Davidson is a native of Hendricks County, born April 7, 1839, a son of John and Nancy Davidson, natives of Kentucky. His parents were among the first settlers of Middle Township, and endured all the privations and hardships of pioneer lite. They entered eighty acres of heavily timbered land, which they cleared and made their home till death. But two of their five children are living-Silas and William. Silas Davidson was reared and edueated in his native county, remaining at home till after the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion. In August, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Seventh Indiana Infantry, and participated in the battles of Greenbriar, Winchester, Fort Republic, and others. He was wounded in the right foot, making amputation at the ankle necessary. He was captured and sent to a Confederate hospital at Charlotteville, Va., where he remained three months. He was then confined in Libby and other prisons a short time, when he was paroled and sent to Washington where he received his dis- charge in October, 1862. He was married March 26, 1868, to Martha Baker, daughter of Nathan Baker, of Center Township. To them have been born four children -- Corrie E., Mary E., Orpha E. and Archibald F. Mr. Davidson is a member of Pittsboro Lodge, No. 342, I. O. O. F. He has a good farm of 106 acres and is a representative citizen of his township.
Daniel Feely was born in Niagara County, N. Y:, Nov. S, 1843, a son of Martin and Mary (Cox) Feely. He was reared in his na- tive county, and in the spring of 1864 came to Indiana and for four years was employed as a stave cutter in Allen County; then went to Indianapolis and in the fall of 1869 removed to Boone County, where he engaged in the manufacture of staves in com- pany with J. E. McKendry and Robert Braeken three years, when
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HISTORY OF HENDRICKS COUNTY.
Mr. Bracken became sole proprietor, the other two gentlemen re- iring from the firm. In the spring of 1873 Mr. Feely came to Hendricks County and established a factory in Pittsboro, which has been one of the leading industries of the town. In former years he employed 100 hands in the various departments but ow- ing to the somewhat limited demand for staves at present, his force is reduced to about thirty. Mr. Feely resides in Pittsboro, where he has a fine farin of 190 acres adjoining town. In addi-
tion to this he owns other tracts in Indiana and Iowa. He is one of the wealthiest citizens of the township, and is liberal with his means in the promotion of all enterprises of publie benefit. H has served as Trustee of the township four years. He is a meni- ber of the Masonic and Odd Fellows' orders, in both of which he takes a great interest. Mr. Feely was married Aug. 30, 1871, to Rhoda M. (Roberts) Long, daughter of William W. Roberts, one of Montgomery County's early citizens.
James R. Hale, a successful farmer and tile manufacturer, of Middle Township, located near Rainstown, is a native of Hen- dricks County, born Oct. 15, 1846, a son of Stephen and Sarah Hale, early settlers of the county. Four of a family of ten chil- dren are living-John, Susan, Christopher J. and James R. The father died in 18-, and the mother is still a resident of this town- ship. James R. Hale was reared and educated in his native county, and Dec. 8, 1864, married Susan MeClintock, daughter of Hezekiah McClintock, one of Hendricks' pioneers. To them have been born six children, but two of whom, George W. and Nila D., are living. Sarah S., Mollie E., Ettie A. and Urban G. are de- ceased. Mr. and Mrs. Hale are members of the Christian church. In politics he is a Republican.
Samuel Hill was born in Guilford County, N. C., Feb. 22, 1806, a son of Joseph and Nancy Hill. His mother died when he was quite young, and when thirteen years of age he was apprenticed to learn the blacksmith's trade, serving four years. When seven- teen years of age he went to Orange, now Alamance County, N. C., where he remained several years. He subsequently came to Hendricks County, Ind., and was one of the first settlers of Mid- dle Township. He entered a half-section of land, of which he has made one of the best farins in the township. He has experienced all the phases of pioneer life and has assisted materially in trans- forming Middle Township from its wild, uncultivated state to its present condition of thrifty farms and prosperous villages. Mr.
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