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 38
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David F. McCulmert, farmer and stock-raiser, Washington Township, was born in Marion County, Ind., Jan. 9, 1830, a son of Wilson and Lydia (Faneett) MeCalmert, natives of Ohio, who set- tled iu Marion County in 1826. Their family consisted of five children-Amy, Mary, Cynthia A., David F. and Jane (deceased). David F. MeCalmert was reared on a farm, receiving a common-
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Cornelius Loy.
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school education. He has made agriculture his life work and now owns 160 acres of fine land, and has one of the best farms in Wash- ington Township. He was married April S, 1858, to Savannalı I. Pettycrew, daughter of Samuel Pettycrew, of Wayne County, Ind. Eight children were born to them-Deborah, Albert S., Lydia, Frank, Charity A., Fletcher P., Horace and Irena M. Mrs. Mc- Calmert died in July, 1877. March 1, 1883, Mr. McCalmert married Nancy Kenney, daughter of Thomas Kenney. Mr. Mc- Calmert has served his township as School Director. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Bascom S. McClain, a prominent farmer of Washington Town- slip, is a native of Hendricks County, Ind., born July 1, 1840, a son of Michael and Jane McClain. He was reared on his father's farm, remaining at home till after the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, when he was one of the many brave boys of Hen- dricks to enlist in defense of the Union. He was a member of Company K, Seventy-ninth Indiana Infantry, Army of the Cumberland, and participated in many of the most important battles of the war, serving till May, 1865. After his discharge he returned to his native county, where he has since engaged in agri- cultural pursuits. He owns a valuable farm of 160 acres and is surrounded with all the comforts of life. He was married Sept. 7, 1865, to Rhoda J. Ritter, daughter of James and Rachel Ritter, both of whom are deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. McClain have been born four children-Ethel, Hoyt, Glen and Mary O., the latter deceased. Mr. McClain is a member of Plainfield Post, G. A. R. In politics he is a Republican. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, which he has served as Steward many years.
Gilbert D. Mc Clain is a native of Washington Township, born April 14, 1838, a son of Michael and Jane McClain, his father a native of Kentucky and his mother of Virginia. In 1832 his pa- rents came to Hendricks County, Ind., making the journey on horseback through the dense forests and al nost impassable roads. They settled in Washington Township, where the father died in 1856, his wife surviving till 1882. Of their family of ten children, nine are living-Mary A., James II., Niantia F., Susan J., Sarah A., Gilbert D., Bascom S., John W. and Jeretta B. Gilbert D. McClain was reared and educated in his native county. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the defense of the Union in Company K; Seventy-ninth Indiana Infantry, Army of the Cumberland, and
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served till June, 1865. He participated in the engagements at Murfreesboro, Perryville, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, siege of At- lanta, Franklin and siege of Nashville. After his return home he engaged in agricultural pursuits, at which he has been successful, and now owns 248 acres of valuable land. He was married Jan. 14, 1866, to Amanda Walker, daughter of Joseph and Sarah Walker. They have had a family of six children, two of whom are living- Bascom W. and Adrian R. Mr. McClain in politics is a Republi- can. He has served his township as Superintendent a year, and six years as School Director. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
George W. Merritt, one of the prominent pioneers of Washing- ton Township, was born in Highland County, Ohio, April 20, 1821, a son of George S. and Jane (Carden) Merritt. His parents came to Hendricks County in the fall of IS25 and settled in Washington Township, where his father died in 1854 and his mother in 1863. Of their family of eight children, five are living-William J., El- vira, Sarah, Mary and George W. Our subject was reared in Hendricks County, remaining with his parents till manhood. His early life was spent in assisting his father on the farm, and since leaving home he has devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits, at which he has been very successful and now owns a fine farm of 340 acres. He was married Dec. 28, 1844, to Melvina Johnson, who was born in September, 1823, a daughter of Thomas Johnson, one of the pioneers of Hendricks County. To them have been born nine children-George T., John E., James H., William, Melinda J., Mary I., Sylvester N., Simeon (deceased) and Reuben A. In politics Mr. Merritt is a Democrat. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church.
De Forest Miller is a native of South Carolina, born June 7, 1839, a son of Isaac and Mary Miller. He was reared in his na- tive State, where he received a fair English education. In 1865 he came to Hendricks County, Ind., and located in Washington Township, where he now has a good farm of eighty-six acres. He was married March 7, 1861, to Melvina F. Walker, daughter of Hogan and Mary Walker. Their only child, Mary G., is deceased. Mrs. Miller died April 5, 1874. April 21, 1875, Mr. Miller mir- ried Frances M., daughter of John Gladden. They have one child-Paul D. Mr. Miller is a member of Brownsburg Lodge, . No. 188, I. O. O. F. In politics he is a Republican.
James S. Milleris a native of Hendricks County, Ind., born
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Aug. 24, 1841, a son of John D. and Ann Miller, natives of Ken- tucky, and early settlers of Hendricks County. He was reared and educated in his native county, remaining with his parents till after the breaking out of the Rebellion. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the Sixty-third Indiana Infantry and participated in the engage- ments at Resaca, siege of Atlanta, Franklin, Nashville, Fort Fisher, Wilmington, and others of less note. He was honorably discharged in July, 1865, and upon his return home turned his attention to agriculture, at which he has been successful. He now owns a valuable farm of eighty-four acres, and his improvements are among the best in the township. Mr. Miller was mar- ried Feb. 12, 1882, to Mary E. Jones, daughter of James Jones, of Brownsburg.
William Pike, one of the most prominent pioncers of Hendricks County, is a native of North Carolina, born Dec. 25, 1818, a son of Samuel and Susannah (Davidson) Pike. Ofa family of seven chil- dren, four are living, our subject being the second-Joel, William, Mary and Jemima. In 1838, in company with Thomas and Caleb Dickson, he came to Hendricks County, Ind., and located in Liberty Township. They built a saw-mill, and after its completion Mr. Pike bought the interests of his partners and carried on the busi- ness about three years. He then worked as a millwright a short time, and in 1843 made his first purchase of land, buying eighty acres of land in Washington Township. To this he has added till he now owns 374 acres of valnable land. Mr. Pike was married Jan. 15, 1843, to Priscilla A. Hornaday, who died Jan. 14, 1859, leaving three children-Oliver Howard, born Jan. 1, 1844; Isaiah Marion, born April 29, 1848; Daniel Day, born Dec. 15, 1852. Jan. 19, 1860, he married Nancy J. Moon, and to them were born two children-Jesse Cassius, born May 14, 1861, and Laura Belle, born June 23, 1869. Mrs. Pike died Dec. 28, 1873, and Oct. 20, 1874, Mr. Pike married Mary J. McDaniel. They have two chil- dren-Sarah Minnie, born Feb. 21, 1876, and Margaret Susanna, born Oct. 16, 1878. In politics Mr. Pike is a Republican. He is a member of the Baptist church.
Eli H. Ross, farmer, Washington Township, is a native of Hendricks County, Ind., born March 13, 1848, a son of Alexander and Bethialı Ross, his father a native of Pennsylvania and his mother of Warren County, Ohio. In 1532 his parents moved to Hendricks County and settled on the farm now owned by our sub- ject. They were among the first pioneers of the township, and
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when they settled on their land it was an uncultivated, heavily- timbered tract. They were industrious and energetic and made for themselves and family a good home. The father died in 1858 and the mother in 1884. Of their children three are living-Eli H., Walter T. and Jennie. One son, Arthur E., gave his life for his country. He enlisted in the Fifty-third Indiana Infantry, and participated in many important battles. He was wounded and captured at Kenesaw Mountain; was taken to Atlanta, where he died in July, 1864. Eli HI. Ross was reared and educated in his native township. He has always given his attention to agricult- ural pursuits, and since his majority has had charge of the home- stead farm, sixty acres of which he now owns. In politics he is a Republican.
Benjamin Sanders, deceased, was a native.of Ohio, born May 11, 1815, a son of Isaac and Mariam Sanders, early settlers of Hendricks County. His youth was passed on a farm, and after attaining manhood he followed agricultural pursuits. He located in Washington Township, where his widow still lives, the farm containing eighty acres of good land, with a pleasant residence and substantial farm buildings. He was a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and served as Class Leader several years. He was married March 1, 1837, to Lucinda McCreery, daughter of Daniel and Sarah McCreers. To them were born eleven children-Mariam, born July 3, 1838, died April 2, 1872; Daniel, born Ang. 3, 1840; Amanda J., born Nov. 3, 1842; Sarah,, born June 2, 1845, died July 29, 1876; John, born Aug. 9, 1847, died Nov. 12, 1871; Isaac, born Nov. 17, 1851, died Aug. 9, 1852; Martha A., born Nov. 24, 1853; Hannah, born Sept. 16, 1856, died Oct. 15, 1883; and Raeliel, born March 29, 1859, died Aug. 11, 1884. Mr. Sanders died March S, 1560. Mrs. Sanders lives on the old homestead, loved and esteemed by all who know her. She is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Her par- · ents had a family of eleven children, five of whom are living- Melinda, Andrew, John, James and Mrs. Sanders.
Henry Sanders, a prominent farmer of Washington Township, was born in Fayette County, Ohio, July 25, 1826, a son of John and Elizabeth (Goodhart) Sanders, the former a native of North: Carolina and the latter of Virginia. About 1332 his parents moved to Hendricks County, Ind., where they both died. Four of their family of ten children are living-Mary, Sarah, Henry and John. Henry Sanders was about six years of age when his parents moved
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to Hendricks County and was here reared and educated, amid the scenes of pioneer life. He was married Oct. 7, 1847, to Julia A. Gossett, daughter of Samuel and Isabella Gossett. To them were born eight children, seven of whom are living -- Alva W., Mary A., Emma E., Albert P., Willie E., Frank E. and Harry E. In 1852 Mr. Sanders located in Washington Township, where he now has a fine farin of 200 acres. He also owns eighty-two acres of val- nable land in Guilford Township. He is an enterprising citizen and a liberal contributor to all interests of public benefit. In poli- tics he is a Republican.
Alphous F. Smith is a native of Hendricks County, Ind., born June 6, 1848, a son of Morgan L. and Margaret Smith, the former a native of New York and the latter of New Jersey. His father came to Hendricks County in 1832 and his mother in 1834, and were here married. Four of their eight children are living-Mary J., Charles W., Alpheus F. and John Fletcher. The deceased are -James I., Alfred, Theodore and Anu E. Alpheus F. Smith was reared in his native county and received Luis primary instruction in the public schools. In the fall of 1863 he entered Asbury, now De Panw, University, at Greencastle, Ind., and in June, 1867, gradu- ated from the scientific department. In the early part of 1868 he, in partnership with D. II. Miller, engaged in the drug business at Franklin, Johnson Co., Ind. Three months later, on account of ill-health, he sold his interest to his partner and has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits, at which he has been successful, and now owns a pleasant home, his farmn containing 322 acres of valuable land. Mr. Smith was married. Sept. 12, 1871, to Ellen Hardin, daughter of James T. and Fannie Hardin, of Marion County, Ind. They have one child-Lillian, born March 31, 1872. Mr. Smith is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge, at Clermont, Marion County. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Morgan L. Smith, the subject of this sketch, was born in Orange County, N. Y., on the 21st of August, 1806. When he was six years old his father died, leaving a widow and a family of six chil- dren with limited means. By the force of circumstances, from an early age, he was thrown upon his own resources and laid the foun- .dation of a character always well sustained for energy, industry, perseverance and integrity. He learned the trade of a ship- carpenter in the city of New York, bat disliking the habit of drinking which he everywhere observed about him among the
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young mechanics, he left the city, and followed his business as a house-carpenter throughout Orange and the adjacent counties in the States of New York and New Jersey. While so doing he became acquainted with and affianeed to the lady who afterward became his wife-Margaret, daughter of James Iliff, Esq., many years a magistrate of Sussex County, N. J.
On the 16th of October, 1832, having accumulated some ineans by his trade, he left Orange County for the West, for the purpose of investing them in lands. . A journal of his travels shows that he came by the Hudson River, by railroad (for a short distance), by canal and stage, wherever any such conveyance afforded him means of progress, and making connecting gaps on foot. His route was to Buffalo substantially by the line now run by the New York Central Railroad, and thence by steamboat to the mouth of the Huron River, thence to Dayton, Ohio, and thence to Indianapolis over the line of the National Road, finally arriving at Hulse's tavern in Washington Township, Hendricks Co., Ind., on the 15th day of November. He remained in that vicinity until the 12th of Angust, 1833, when he started to return to New York on borse- back. He traveled north, passing through Hamilton, Howard, Tipton, Cass. La Porte, Marshall, St. Joseph, Elkhart and other counties to the Ohio line and therice through Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York to his native place. He was much pleased with the lands in the northern part of the State and purchased several traets intending to make his home in that part of the State. In Febru- ary of 1834 he married the lady above named and on the 10th of June following they started West, in a neatly covered spring wagon, to make his home in the State of Indiana. Their route was south and west to Cumberland, Md., and thence to Indianapolis by the Cumberland (National) road. The travelers finally reached Hulse's on the Sth of July, 1834. Finding his brother-in-law financially embarrassed, and his lands already sold by the sheriff, the subject of this sketch changed his plans, and bought his brother-in-law's lands, and at once settled on the farm which he thenceforth ocen- pied until his death.
He was a valuable acquisition to the locality in which he settled, and the community felt his influence from that time until his deati .. He was full of energy and perseverance, and never seemed to tire in pressing his undertakings to accomplishment. He erected a saw-mill on what was known as Little White Lick, a creek running through his farm. During the season when the stream furnished
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a sufficient supply of water, the mill knew no rest on the days devoted to labor. Throughout the night the sound of its opera tions and the gleam of the fire on the open square of clay under the roof of the mill were familiar objects to the neighborhood, and told of the spirit of the man. By his energy, activity and prudence he was enabled to accumulate what, in those days, was a consider- able fortutie. . But he never engaged in any manner of speculation. What he had, he had earned and could count every cent as honestly and fairly obtaincd.
For many years prior to his death he was one of the heaviest tax-payers and probably the largest land-owner of the township. He was publie spirited and gave liberally of his means for the sup- port of schools and the church. In religion he was a Methodist, and for very many years prior to his death he served as Steward in the Methodist church at Shiloh. For a number of years he served as Trustee for the Academy at Danville, while it was under the direction of the Methodist church. His house was always open and a welcome home for the itinerant Methodist preacher. In pol- ities he was an Anti-Slavery Democrat until the formation of the Republican party, with which he always acted from that date. He never had any inclination for political life, and never sought office. The only political office he ever filled was Trustee of his township, to which place he was elected for a number of terms and was Presi- dent of the Board of Trustees. In the midst of his labor he rc- membered the friends and associations of his youth, and made frequent visits to his native place. Thrice he with his wife and the children then born of their marriage returned to his old home by private conveyances, before railroad routes were completed; and after railroad travel rendered the journey easy they made it fre- quently. He was an observing traveler and an intelligent reader of books and periodicals, so that he was a man of wide experience and good judgment, whose advice was often sought by those who knew him.
On the 20th of August, 1869, the day he completed his sixty-third year, he died, loved and respected in the community in which he had so long resided, and was buried in Crown Hill Cemetery, north of the city of Indianapolis. His resting place is marked by a suit able monument of blue Scotch granite.
There were born of the marriage above named eight children, four of whom died in infancy and four of whom yet survive. The oldest, a daughter, married Colonel O. A. Bartholomew, and re-
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sides at Chariton, Iowa. There were three sons-Charles W., who resides in the city of Indianapolis and is engaged in the prac- tice of law; Alpheus F. owns a large portion of the old farm and resides upon it; J. Fletcher is proprietor of a hotel at Leon, Iowa. His widow yet survives and enjoys a green old age dividing her time among her children.
John Thornbrugh is a native of Virginia, born Jan. 17, 1809. His parents, William and Elizabeth Thornbrugh, moved to what is now Wayne County, Ind., in 1810, and there he was reared and educated. In 1847 he moved to Hendricks County and settled in the eastern part of Washington Township, where he now has a fine farm of sixty-six acres. He was at one time one of the most exten- sive stock-dealers of Hendricks County, and during the war of the Rebellion was employed by the Government as Quartermaster for broken down stock, with headquarters at Louisville, Ky. He has been one of the most enterprising citizens of the township and has assisted materially all objects of public benefit. He was married Jan. 29, 1829, to Eleanor Nordyke, and to them have been born eleven children-Clark, Luther (deccased), Didama (deceased), Esau, Henry, Celia A., Nancy J., Sarah E., Isaac, George and Mary E.
Ellis Wood was born in Greene County, Pa., Feb. 23, 1827, a son of Isaac and Mary E. Wood, natives of Pennsylvania, his paternal ancestors being of English origin. His parents settled in Shelby County, Ind., in an early day, remaining there till their death. Ellis is the only one living of a family of ten children. He was reared in Shelby County, receiving his education in the district schools. His early life was spent on his father's farm, and since attaining manhood he has followed agricultural pursuits. He came to Hendricks County in 1862 and settled in Washington Township, where he now has a fine farm of 160 acres, substantial farm build- ings and a pleasant residence: Mr. Wood was married in Novem- ber, 1849, to Martha Lee, daughter of James N. and Mary Lee, early settlers of Shelby County. To them have been born seven children, five of whom are living-Isaac J., James M., Mary E., Amanda N. and Joseph N. In politics Mr. Wood is a Democrat. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church.
Joseph Winings is a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, born July 11, 1842, a son of Samuel and Harriet Winings, his father a native of Pennsylvania and his mother of Ohio. In 1854 his parents moved to Marion County, Ind., where his father died in
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1884 and his mother in 1885. Their family consisted of twelve children, six of whom are living-Joseph, Archibald, Daniel, Debo- rab, Frank and Jesse. Joseph Winings remained with his parents till after the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, and in Ang- ust, 1862, enlisted in the Sixty-third Indiana Infantry. He partie- ipated in many of the most noted battles of the war, among them being Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Cassville, Kenesaw Mountain, siege of Atlanta, Jonesboro, Franklin, Nashville, Fort Fisher, Golds- boro, and was present at the surrender of Johnston's army. He was discharged in July, 1865. In September, 1865, he married Eliza J. Fausset, daughter of Jesse Fausset, a prominent citizen of Washington Township. To them have been born eight children -Margaret H., Glendora, Rhoda M., Samuel O., Jesse E., Joseph H., Frances E. and William R. Mr. Winings settled on the farm where he now lives in 1869. He has eighty acres of valuable land, with a pleasant residence and good farm buildings. He is an in- fluential citizen; has served his township as Assessor and is at present serving his second term as Trustee. He is a member of Bridgeport, Marion County, Lodge, F. & A. M., and Plainfield Post, G. A. R. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
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