History of Henry County, Indiana, Part 38

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago: Inter-State Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 996

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POSTOFFICES AND POSTMASTERS.

From a letter written by Dr. John C. Beck and published in the Courier in 1875, we learn that there were but five postoffices in Henry County in 1833. These were at New Castle, Knightstown, Lewisville, Greensboro, and Middletown. Isaac Bedsaul, Post- master at New Castle, received $45 for his services for the year ending March 31, 1833. For the same term John McColly, Postmaster at Knightstown, then an infant village, received 85 cents only. Lewis C. Freeman, Postmaster at Lewisville, re-

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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

ceived $24 as his salary for the year; William Reagan, Greensboro, $13; and Joshua Willetts, Middletown, $11.

THE FIRST BAND IN NEW CASTLE.

S. R. Mc Means, in the Courier of June 8, 1883, wrote as fol- lows:

"I remember that on the morning of Feb. 22, 1842, I, in com- pany with my brothers, made my first visit to New Castle. There was a temperance meeting held on that day in the old Methodist Episcopal church, addressed by a man named Lemonoski. The music for the occasion was furnished by the first band ever organ- ized in New Castle. The band was composed of the following members: A. Guening*, teacher, E flat clarionet; Matt Ward, first E flat clarionet; Wm. Wayman*, second E flat clarionet; M. E. McMeans, first B flat clarionet; Richard Goodwin*, second B flat clarionet; A. D. Rogers, piccolo; J. A. McMeans, plain trumpet; Jas. Kinsey, first French horn; G. W. Goodwin, Sr., second French horn; J. H. Mellett, tenor trombone; George Scott*, bass trombone; Wm. Kinsey, bass drum.

*Deceased.

CHAPTER XI.

EMINENT DEAD.

A CHAPTER OF BIOGRAPHY .- A FEW EMINENT CITIZENS WHOSE LIFE-WORK IS COMPLETED. - THE PIONEERS. - ASAHEL WOOD- WARD, SHERIFF HEALEY AND OTHERS .- ANECDOTES .- COLONEL MILES MURPHEY .- OTHER EARLY AND PROMINENT BUSINESS MEN .- DR. JOEL REED .- DR. JOHN DARR .- DR. W. M. KERR AND OTHER PHYSICIANS. - MISCELLANEOUS SKETCHES. - HON. JOHN I. MORRISON. - THE FRIEND AND BENEFACTOR OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

ASAHEL WOODWARD was one of the first pioneers of Henry County. He was born in Rockingham County, Va., March 24, 1791. He emigrated to Kentucky at the age of twelve, and thence, when sixteen, to Ohio. In 1815 he married Catharine Hollett, who died in 1871. In April, 1819, Mr. Woodward moved to the present county of Henry, and erected a cabin north of the site of the town of New Castle, and very near the spot where his son's residence now is. He resided on the land he had then selected as his home until the day of his death, March 19, 1875. Mr. Woodward was well and favorably known in the county. He was upright, honor- able and benevolent, a good neighbor and a worthy citizen. He was a conscientious Christian and a devoted member of the church He was the father of eight children, of whom but one survives- Captain Pyrrhus Woodward, an officer in the late war, now a resident of New Castle.

Dr. T. B. Woodward, son of Asahel and Catharine Woodward, was born in Henry County in 1819, and died in 1863. He studied medicine under Dr. Wayman, in New Castle, graduated at the Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati, and entered upon his practice about 1843.

JESSE H. HEALEY, one of the foremost of the early citizens of Henry County, was born in North Carolina, about 1794. He emigrated to Indiana, and settled near Richmond in 1818, and in

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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

the spring of 1821 he removed to the new county of Henry, where he remained the rest of his life. His father, Hugh Healcy, who served through the Revolutionary war, died in this county about 1825. Jesse was appointed, and subsequently elected the first Sheriff of Henry County, and as an officer proved upright, faithful and conscientious. After serving out his term as Sheriff, he devoted himself to farming and teaching. In the latter occupation he was very successful in winning the regard of his pupils, many of whom are still living. The Legislature having created the office of probate judge, he was elected to that position in 1829. He served the entire term-seven years. In 1838 be was elected to the Legislature as a Whig. He was a candidate for the same office in 1839, but was defeated by one majority, Colonel Ralph Berk- shire being the successful nominee. In 1849 Mr. Healey was again elected Sheriff, and served another term.

One reminiscence of his official career is worthy of record. While he was Sheriff, and ex-officio Tax Collector, in 1824, the State tax in this county amounted to $112. He took the money and walked to the State capital, at Corydon, where he paid it into the treasury. After his second term as Sheriff he moved to a farm east of Spiceland, where he died. Says Judge Bundy, to whose writings we are indebted for the foregoing facts: "No man ever had warmer friends and fewer enemies."

WILLIAM McDOWELL was born in Orange County, Vt., March 25, 1800, and died at his home in Henry County, Ind., Aug. 12, 1883. He went to New York State with his parents when young, and there grew to manhood. In 1821 he settled on the farm now owned by Thomas Rogers, west of New Castle. He married Penina Bundy in 1825, and had seven children. Three are still living. For his second wife he married Anna Dyson, in 1838. She survives him, and five of her children are living. Mr. McDowell was a member of the Methodist church. He was well known in his official capacity, serving as Court Bailiff forty years, and as Coroner about thirty years.

ABEL NATION, one of the earliest settlers of the county, died in 1880. He was born in Kentucky, in 1808, and came to Indiana when six years old. For fifty-eight years he was a resident of Henry County, and for forty-eight years he lived on a farm ad- joining New Lisbon. He married Esther Lennard in 1839, and eleven children survived him. He joined the Methodist Episco. pal church in 1833, and remained a consistent member thereof until his decease.

422

HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

JOSIAH MORRIS died Dec. 9, 1881, in his eighty-third year. He was born in North Carolina, and came to Indiana in 1816, walking most of the way. He returned to his native State, but in 1822 came to Henry County and settled a mile and a half west of Dub- lin, where he lived and died. He was one of the jurors of this county in August, 1823. He was a member of the Society of Friends, and was honest, truthful and benevolent.

COLONEL MILES MURPHEY .- This gentleman was one of the earliest and most prominent of the business men of New Castle. His long and active career caused his name to be known and honored throughout the county. He was upright, benevolent and public-spirited; a friend of education, religion, morality and tem- perance. In his death, which occurred Feb. 17, 1882, Henry County lost one of her most worthy citizens. Miles Murphey was born in North Carolina on the 14th of November, 1806. In 1822 he came to Henry County with his parents, who settled on Flat- rock. About the year 1828, soon after attaining his majority, Mr. Murphey came to New Castle, where he continued to reside for fifty-four years. He entered the store of William Silver, as a clerk, and after continuing for a short time in that capacity, bought the business of his employer. With some changes in the name of the firm, he continued the mercantile business about forty years. Oct. 10, 1830, he married Elizabeth Carpenter, who sur- No. He and m. vives him. Of the children born of this union, only two survive, L.'E. Murphey and Mrs. George Goodwin. In 1831 Mr. Murphey was chosen Colonel of the Forty-eighth Regiment of Indiana Militia, and held that rank until the abolishment of the military system then prevailing. In 1837 he was elected a member of the had the artists State Legislature, and during the session he was active in encourag- Frances y Helen. ing and advancing the system of internal improvement which was then the leading question before the people. In 1842 he became interested in the Whitewater Valley Canal, and contributed much toward the success of that enterprise. He was one of the canal company until 1849. In 1850 he engaged zealously in the work of building a railroad from Cincinnati to Chicago, contributing his time, money and influence until the road was completed. When he joined in advancing this project he was the richest and most successful merchant in the county; but this and other unfortunate investments consumed a large portion of his estate, and left him comparatively poor. His aid was not given to railroads alone, but to every public enterprise likely to be of benefit to the community.

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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

In politics, though generally active, he was independent. He was a Democrat until 1856, then a Republican. In 1860 he was a delegate to the National Convention at Chicago, and on that occa- sion was a guest at the home of Lincoln for a time. During the latter years of his life he voted with the Democrats. Brought up a Friend, he joined the Christian church in 1843, and thenceforth remained one of its most steadfast supporters. On the day after his death, a public meeting was held in New Castle, on which occasion the leading citizens paid grateful tribute to his memory, and adopted resolutions eulogizing his life and character.

CLEMENT MURPHEY was born in North Carolina, Dec. 23, 1808, and died in New Castle, April 10, 1882. He came to Henry County with his parents, at the age of thirteen. In 1827 he mar- 10181838 da'D Evans ried Huldah Bundy, and soon afterward settled on a farm near da of wm + Hillsboro. In 1860 he removed to New Castle, where he resided Elizabeth 1 until his death. He was the father of fifteen children, nine of Bundy. whom survived him. He was honest, industrious and systematic Elizabeth was in business. Beginning life poor, he gained a comfortable prop- 6 1786 1864 erty. He was an earnest friend of temperance, and a life-long She had a member of the Baptist church. bro. Hiram.

JACOB ELLIOTT, one of the early settlers of New Castle, was Dorothy Evans born in Randolph County, N. C., June 7, 1810, and died in New had 4 bros. Castle, Sept. 1, 1869. He came to Indiana at the age of nine- willard sisters who m. 4 teen, and after residing a few months at Centreville, removed to New Castle, where he remained until his death. Beginning life without other means than a strong constitution and industrious habits, he became a successful business man, and secured a competency. By trade he was a carpenter, though he followed Shively farming and the mercantile business at different times. He was married three times. Mr. Elliott was a man of correct waschel Wood win department and industrious habits. He held the office of a (Feed) Con Commissioner, and was often urged to accept other trusts, but refused.

DANIEL HUTSON was born in Randolph County, N. C., in 1808. He came with his parents to Indiana in the fall of 1823, and the next spring removed to Henry County, settling on Duck Creek. In 1825 he married Elizabeth Modlin, by whom he had nine chil- dren, seven of whom survive. He was a veritable pioneer, strong physically, and noted for his feats at log-rollings. He earned the first ax he ever owned by chopping wood. He was a zealous member of the Friends' Society, and the last survivor of the

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founders of the Clear Spring Meeting. He died July 6, 1882; his wife two years previously.

MICAJAH FORKNER, one of the early pioneers, was born in Vir- ginia in 1814. His parents came to Centreville, Wayne County, in 1819, and thence to Liberty Township, Henry County, in 1823, where the subject of this notice passed the remainder of his days. He died in 1879. He was a man of positive opinions, and a con- sistent Christian. He married Elizabeth Allen in 1835. She died in 1849, and in 1852 he married Margaret A. Jordan. Six chil- dren by the first wife reached maturity, and four by the second wife are still living.

DR. JOEL REED, one of the earliest settlers of Henry County, and for many years one of the best known and most esteemed citizens, died in 1869. From a memoir from the pen of Judge M. L. Bundy, we gather the following facts: Dr. Reed was born May 13, 1796, in Hamilton County, Ohio, near Cincinnati, and while young went with his parents to Warren County, in the same State, theU family settling on a farm near Lebanon. Here he resided until of age, working on his father's farm, and receiving such an education as his limited means and the schools of that early day enabled him to procure. On attaining his majority he removed to Wayne County, Ind., and engaged in teaching school, continuing this occupation five or six years, by this means acquiring sufficient money to enable him to begin his professional studies. He then placed himself under the tuition of Dr. S. W. Waldo, at Jackson- burg, Wayne County-a physician of large practice. He remained with Dr. Waldo three years, practicing a part of the time, and in 1826 removed to New Castle, where he thenceforth resided. In the same year he married Emeline Jobs, whose death occurred Feb. 17, 1862. The Doctor died just seven years later, on the 17th of February, 1869. Of this marriage two children were born.

Dr. Reed's practice soon became extensive, and so remained as long as he was able to attend to it. His professional services were in demand in all parts of the county. The labor, fatigue and exposure which he endured in the performance of his duties cannot be adequately described. He was never known to inquire whether his patients were able to pay, and in his practice of more than forty years, never enforced payment in a single instance; conse- quently fully half of his labors were gratuitous.

Dr. Reed took quite a prominent part in politics, and his influ- ence was valued by aspirants for official honors. In 1834 he

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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

was elected Recorder of Henry County, and for seven years he served in that capacity. At the expiration of this term he was chosen by the Whigs a member of the Legislature, and in 1843 was re-elected. This was his last appearance in public office, though long afterward he took an active interest in the questions of the day.

In 1839 he graduated from the Ohio Medical College, Cincin- nati. In 1838 he joined the Methodist Episcopal church, of which body he remained a consistent member and a faithful supporter until his death. For more than thirty years he was a zealous advocate of the cause of temperance, often speaking in public, and in private teaching by example. He was liberal of his means, which he had at command, and especially friendly to young mem- bers of his own profession.

As a physician Dr. Reed was punctual, diligent and earnest. His judgment and skill were implicitly trusted, and he was widely esteemed. The physicians of New Castle, at a meeting held soon after his death, adopted resolutions in which a high tribute was paid to his character, both as a citizen and as a physician. The New Castle Courier, just after his death, said: "He was perhaps more widely known than any other man in the county, and was universally respected and beloved. Perhaps no man in the county has done more good than he."

SETH HINSHAW, one of the early settlers, and for more than forty years a resident of Greensboro, was one of the first Abolitionists in the county, and was intimately connected with the management of the Underground Railroad. He was reared a Quaker, but with- drew from the society in the latter part of his life. He was eccentric, but a good citizen, hospitable and liberal. He was a merchant, but would sell nothing produced by slave labor.

EZEKIEL ROGERS was born in Nova Scotia in 1801, and died in Henry County in 1883. He moved from North Carolina to this State, and came to Henry County in 1833. He settled two and a half miles southwest of New Castle, where he resided until his death. He was a Methodist and a worthy citizen. His widow eleanor (Hinshaw) five children survive.

SAMUEL HOOVER .- The subject of this notice was born near Richmond, Ind., May 22, 1809. In 1832 he removed to New Castle, where he married Lean Stinson the same year. He reared a family of nine sons and two daughters, and died Aug. 2, 1869. In 1836, at the age of twenty-seven, he was chosen Judge of the Henry

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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

County Probate Court, an office which he filled with credit and impartiality for seven years. Immediately after the expiration of his term as Judge he was elected Clerk of the Circuit Court, and entered upon the duties of that office in October, 1843. He proved a competent and faithful officer, and won high commenda- tion during his clerkship of seven years.

From this time forward he was identified with the business interests of New Castle and Henry County, and was a most highly esteemed citizen. During the war he was connected with the pay department. Six of his sons were in the service, one of whom fell a victim to the Southern climate while on active duty with his command. He was a firm Union man, and during the darkest period of the war was heard to remark that "when his boys were all gone the old man himself would shoulder a musket." He was a man of liberal opinions and generous good nature, possessed of excellent qualities both of mind and of heart.

DR. WILLIAM M. KERR, the pioneer physician. of the Northern part of Henry County, was born in West Virginia in 1810, and spent his early life in his native State. He attended school and studied medicine in Virginia. At the age of twenty-two he went to Missouri, where he remained about a year, then located in Dublin, Wayne Co., Ind. Here he practiced his profession about a year; then went to New Castle, and remained two years. He then re- moved to Stony Creek Township, where he passed the remainder of his life. The hardships of a country physician at the early date of his location in this county, were many and continual. He was active and energetic, and led a very useful life. He had a large practice and an enviable reputation. He died in 1878, leaving a widow and seven children living. He was married while living in New Castle to Narcissa, daughter of Hon. Thomas R. Stanford. She is now living on the homestead in Stony Creek Township.

ADAM BEAM, a native of Bedford County, Pa., came to New Castle in 1835, and soon after started the manufacture of furniture in a log shop, in partnership with Mr. Brenneman. Later he re- moved to Broadway, where he carried on the business until his death. Mr. Beam was a much respected citizen. He died in 1871 of injuries received from a runaway team.

SAMUEL B. BENFORD, an esteemed citizen and a member of the Society of Friends, died in 1872, at the age of sixty-five. He was a native of Virginia, and for about forty years resided in Henry County. He served several years as County Commissioner.

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427

HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

DR. JOHN DARR was born in Northampton County, Pa., Sept. 27, 1810. When he was seven years of age his parents moved to Muskingum County, Ohio. There he studied medicine under Drs. Dillon and Strahl, and after practicing his profession about three years in Ohio, he moved to New Castle, Ind., in 1837. He soon gained a good practice and stood high in his profession. He prac- ticed more than twenty years in this town. He was pre-eminent as the physician of the poor, never making any charges where his patients were known to be poor. For some time before his death he was in poor health. Jan. 8, 1870, he died at Ossawattamie, Kan., whither he had gone to look after some property which he held in that State.

Dr. Darr was the first, and for some years the only Abolitionist in New Castle. While the Underground Railway was in operation his house many times furnished a shelter for unfortunate fugitives. He is remembered as kind-hearted, generous and benevolent.

ALEXANDER MILLIKAN, born in North Carolina in 1787, died in Henry County in 1880, in the ninety-fourth year of his age. He removed with his parents when nine years of age to East Tennessee. In 1809 he married Elizabeth Russell, by whom he had thirteen children, of whom eleven survived him. In 1838 he came to Henry County and settled on a farm. He was a consistent member of the Baptist church.

OBADIAH ELLIOTT, an old and respected citizen of Greensboro s. of obedial Township, died Dec. 29, 1879. He was born in North Carolina 3. 28 1801, and moved to this county in 1833. He was twice married, and was the father of eleven children. I'm Armella Hinshaw and mary ( Burcham ) BOWMIN

WALTER EDGERTON, for many years a resident of this county, died suddenly in 1879 at the age of seventy-three. He was an earnest and active anti-slave worker; also an influential member of the Society of Friends. He was the author of a document entitled " Ancient and Modern Quakerism," which attracted considerable attention. He possessed a good intellect and was highly respected.

CLARKSON DAVIS, A. M., who was widely known as an educator, was born in Wayne County in 1833, and was the son of Wyllis and Ann (Coggshall) Davis. He received a limited common school education, then attended the Friends' Boarding School, now Earl- ham College, in 1856-'9, until obliged to leave school by poor health. He married Hannah E. Brown in 1862 and the next year took charge of Spiceland Academy, in which institution he served, assisted by his wife, most of the remaining years of his life. Un-

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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

der him the school prospered greatly, attaining a prosperity hith- erto unknown. He served several years as examiner. He was a man of unblemished character with an excellent reputation as a teacher. He died in 1883.

DR. H. M. MINESINGER, a prominent physician of Henry County died in 1876. He was educated at the New Castle Academy and in the college at Cannonsburg, Pa. He read medicine in New Cas- tle and graduated from the Rush Medical College, Chicago. He located at Sulphur Springs in 1862 and there practiced until his death. He was a faithful and successful physician, and was prom- inent as an Odd Fellow and a Knight Templar.

HARRY H. HIATT was reared in Wayne Township .. He served in the Nineteenth Indiana Regiment in the war of the Rebellion, and afterward studied dentistry. He was nominated and elected Clerk of the Circuit Court in 1866, and was re-elected for a second term, but died in 1871 before entering upon his second term of office. Mr. Hiatt was a young man of talent and worth and had many friends.

HON. JOHN IRWIN MORRISON, late of Knightstown, was a native of Pennsylvania, born in the old town of Chambersburg. Early in life he exhibited a marked fondness for study and devoted himself earnestly to the work of securing an education. He exchanged his first possession for a Latin grammar, and by earnest, unfaltering work managed to secure a classical education, graduating from the Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. At the age of nineteen years, in 1825, he took charge of the grammar school in Salem, Ind., where he remained two years, gaining a reputation of excellence for abil- ity in scholarship and thoroughness in instruction. In 1828 he be- came the principal of the then new seminary of Washington County, over which he presided many years. In 1840 he was chosen professor of Greek and Latin in the State University. This position he resigned in 1844; but he was afterward connected with the university as Trustee a number of years.

He was a member of the State Constitutional Convention of 1850, and, serving as chairman of the committee on education, he drafted the article which gave to the State the present grand sys- tem of common schools. In 1864 he was elected State Treasurer, and during the dark days of the war, carefully administered the finances of the State. He was an intimate friend of Governor Morton who often sought his advice. On assuming the office of Treasurer he made his home in Knightstown, and there resided

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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

until his death. He held a numbed of local offices, and was largely instrumental in securing the erection of the present school build- ing of Knightstown. He died July 17, 1882, at the age of seventy- six, having earned a lasting reputation as an educator, entitling him to rank among the foremost friends of the public schools. His love of educational work amounted to an enthusiasm, and his memory will long be treasured for the good results accomplished through his agency. Mr. Morrison first married Maria Plummer, a New England lady of culture and refinement who lived but a short time. In 1832 he married Catherine Morris, of Salem. His children are-Sarah P., Robert I., Mrs. H. B. Finch, Mrs. D. W. Coffin, Mrs. R. W. Cathcart, Dr. J. B. Morrison, Frank W., attorney at law, and Lieut. T. W. Morrison, of the United States Army.

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History of Henry County, Indiana, Part 38

Author: Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago: Inter-State Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 996

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago: Inter-State Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 996