History of Henry County, Indiana, Part 54

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

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Honey Creek U. B. Church .- The first meeting-house at Honey Creek was a log structure, erected by the Methodists many years ago. The organization disbanded and the house was after- ward used for occasional preaching by other denominations. The U. B. church was formed during the pastorate of Rev. J. W. Kab- rich. A house of worship was erected in 1875 at a cost of $2,000. The principal builders were Sedgwick Tomlinson, Asa Gossett, Adam Evans and Henry Fadely, assisted by the citizens. The society is now flourishing with a good membership. Present pas- tor, Rev. DeMundrum.

Union Church .- White Union church, located in the southeast- ern part of the township, was erected by the Christians (New Light) and the old school Baptists. It is also free for use by any other orthodox denomination. The house, 32 x 40 feet in size, cost $1,000. The first Trustees were Charles Cummins, Jacob Huffman, David T. Cory.

United Brethren .- The U. B. church in Middletown was organ- ized by Rev. Cephas Day, in 1877, with twenty members. Soon after a building, formerly owned by the Methodist Protestant so- ciety, was purchased and remodeled into the present church. Jesse Rader was the first Class-leader. The membership is very small at present. Rev. Amos DeMundrum is the present pastor.

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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

LODGES.

Masonic .- The Middletown Lodge, No. 271, F. & A. M., was chartered May 28, 1861. The following names appear on the charter: Geo. H. Ballingall, W. M .; David Davis, S. W .; Seth Rulon, J. W. The lodge has prospered well, and has now thirty- four members. It is in good financial condition. The present officers are: J. H. Welsh, W. M .; W. E. Hurley, S. W .; J. W. Gerster, J. W .; Samuel Gephart, Treasurer; I. N. Chenoweth, Secretary.

Mechanicsburg Lodge, No. 392, F. & A. M., was instituted under a dispensation July 11, 1866. The officers and charter members were: N. R. Elliott, W. M .; Lewis G. Greenlee, S. W .; J. M. Thurston, J. W .; John Elliott, John H. Rent, Ross Wil- kinson, Imla W. Cooper, George Hasty, Greenberry Farmer, John Swaim, Dr. Joseph Weeks and Thomas Hasty. The lodge was organized under a charter June 26, 1867. Its present membership is thirty-two; assets, $500. The present officers are: N. R. Elliott, W. M .; John Swaim, S. W .; Isaac Cooper, J. W .; J. H. Rent, Secretary; Wm. R. Miller, Treasurer.

Odd Fellows .- Fall Creek Lodge, No. 97. I. O. O. F., of Mid- dletown, was chartered July 17, 1851. The charter members were: Moses H. Parker, Joel L. Murphey, Isaac Grove, Wm. W. Shel- don, Michael Swigart, John D. Fink, Wm. M. Waggoner. The lodge has a large and very well furnished hall. It was dedicated April 22, 1875. The membership is forty. Resources, $3,356. Present officers: J. C. Daniels, N. G .; A. S. Miller, V. G .; W. M. Moore, Treas. ; J. W. Farrell, Rec. Sec .; D. Jones, Perm. Sec.

Mechanicsburg Lodge, No. 327, I. O. O. F., was chartered May 19, 1869. The charter members were: 'Squire Oldinger, Thomas S. Beck, Wm. McCurdy, Daniel Rent, John H. Rent, Martin Pring and Job Ginn. There are about twelve members at present. The financial condition is good, the assets amounting to about $900. The present officers are: Job Ginn, N. G .; Lafe Bell, V. G .; Daniel Rent, Sec .; John Fatrick, Treas.

Grand Army .- George W. Rader Post, No. 119, G. A. R., was organized at Middletown Dec. 12, 1882, with twenty-eight charter members. The membership is now about eighty. The first Commander was Joseph A. Young. The present officers are David Jones, C .; Thomas Ginn, S. V. C .; John Mundell, J. V. C .; Abraham Hopper, Adjt .; I. N. Chenoweth, Q. M.

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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

William Burner, third son of Samuel and Barbara (Stover) Burner, was born June 20, 1813, in Augusta, Va. He learned the trade of a carpenter in his native State, and in 1835 came to Henry County, Ind., where he worked at his trade in Middletown about four years. He then rented and resided on a farm near Middle- town three years, when he bought eighty acres of his present farnı, which now contains 276 acres of valuable land. He was married Sept. 6, 1840, to Sallie Dennet, born in Page County, Va., in 1818, and daughter of Aaron and Mary (Windell) Dennet. Of their six children three are living-Eliza, wife of Dr. Farres, of Terre Haute, Ind .; John A., married Florence Prigg, and lives on a farm in Madison County, Ind .; Samuel D., at home; Joseph died at the age of ten years, and two died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Burner are members of the Christian church at Middletown. Politically Mr. Burner is a Republican.

Chauncey Hazelton Burr was born in Montgomery County (now Fulton), N. Y., March 11, 1806, a son of Bissell and Eunice (Robbins) Burr, his father a native of New England, born Dec. 14, 1771, and his mother of New York, born Jan. 29, 1774. His mother was a daughter of Thomas and Rosanna Robbins, natives of Scotland. His grandfather, Nathaniel Burr, was a native of Connecticut, of the old Puritan stock. Bissell Burr removed with his family to Butler County, Ohio, in 1820, and in 1822 to Shelley County, Ind. In August, 1836, his wife died, and he then returned to Ohio, and made his home with his son Alvin till the latter's removal to Iowa, when he came to Henry County and lived with our subject. Alvin afterward came to Henry County, and he then lived with him till his death, in April, 1845. When seventeen years of age Chauncey Burr began to work at the tanner's trade, serving his apprenticeship with Zachariah Gappin, of Crawfords- ville, Ind. In 1830 he was married to Jane, daughter of Anthony and Eleanor Williams, of Union County, Ind. Two weeks after his marriage he located in Middletown, where he started the first tan- nery in the county, and continued the business till 1870. In 1839 Mr. Burr was elected Justice of the Peace, and served by re- election till 1882. He has held other township and county offices, and has been administrator of several estates. He has had a family of ten children. Seven are living-Almira, wife of H. L. More- land; Zerilda, wife of J. V. Summers; Eunice B., wife of G. D.

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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

Noffsinger; Chauncey S., Miles H., Lafayette J., and Walter B. One son died in the army, aged seventeen years. Politically Mr. Burr is a Republican.

Isaac N. Chenoweth, merchant, was born Nov. 10, 1819, in Pike County, Ohio, a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Bristol) Chenoweth. Being left an orphan at the age of ten years, he lived with his grandfather, Reuben Bristol, till he was nineteen years old, when he went to Piketon, and for two years served as Deputy Sheriff, under Sheriff Colonel James Moore. He then drove cattle and hogs to the Eastern market for the next nine years, with the excep- tion of two years, when he was with James Emmitt, of Waverly, Ohio, and less than a year he was in a dry-goods and clothing store of Moses Amburg, in Piketon and Jasper. April 1, 1850, Mr. Chenoweth left New York with seven young men for the gold mines of California, arriving at San Francisco, June 28. He re- mained in California eleven years, and returned to Ohio in August, 1861. He was married in October, 1862, to Elizabeth C., daughter of Absalom and Mary Chenoweth. His wife died Sept. 19, 1879, and Aug. 1, 1880, he married Hester Sheets, of Middle- town. Mr. Chenoweth rented the Bristol farm one year, when he moved to Middletown, where he bought property. In December, 1863, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Indiana Infantry; was promoted to Orderly Sergeant, and received his dis- charge Sept. 1, 1865. He then returned to Henry County, and with his brother-in-law, A. W. C., opened the pioneer hardware store, in Middletown. He was then engaged in dealing in stock a few years, and in 1873 again embarked in the mercantile busi- ness, in which he still continues. Politically he is a Republican. His first vote was cast for W. H. Harrison, on the Whig ticket, in 1840.

James R. Connell, eldest son of Silas and Elizabeth Rhoda (Hotchkiss) Connell, was born Aug. 24, 1833, in Adams County, Ohio. In January, 1841, his parents moved to Fall Creek Town- ship, Henry County, Ind., where his father bought forty acres of land. James R. remained at home, assisting his father with the farm duties, till he attained his majority. He was married Jan. 15, 1860, to Eliza J. Woodyard, a native of Hancock County, Ind., and daughter of Noah and Mary Ann (Shaffer) Woodyard, who were natives of Virginia. They are the parents of one child- Tony, born in December, 1871. Mr. Connell owns 105 acres of well-improved land on the Middletown and Mechanicsburg pike.

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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

He was Township Assessor one year, and also served as Justice of the Peace and Notary Public. He is a Republican in politics. His father died in January, 1879, and his mother resides on our subject's farm near his home, aged seventy years.

Charles Cummins, eldest son of James and Mary Ann (Riley) Cummins, was born Sept. 18, 1839, in Fall Creek Township. He has made farming his principal occupation through life, and at present owns 120 acres of excellent land near the village of Honey Creek. He was married Jan. 5, 1861, to Nancy C., daughter of Joseph and Rebecca (Warnock) Gossett, born Dec. 14, 1840. To them have been born nine children, all living-Nathan Riley, born Nov. 6, 1861, married Cordelia Hoffman, and lives in Howard County, Ind .; Francis Marion, born Feb. 20, 1864; Mary Eliza- beth, July 8, 1866; Rebecca Caroline, Jan. 11, 1869; William Henry, Dec. 18, 1871; Laura Alcinda, Dec. 17, 1873; George Lester, Feb. 21, 1876; Milton Edward, July 20, 1878, and Charles Loren, Oct. 17, 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Cummins are members of the New Light church, and are active Sabbath-school workers. In politics Mr. Cummins affiliates with the Democratic party.

Nathan Cummins, second son of James and Mary Ann (Riley) Cummins, was born in Fall Creek Township, Henry Co., Ind., and when about two years of age his father died. He remained with his mother till April 15, 1873, when he was married to Mary J., daughter of Henry and Barbara Haas, of Madison County, Ind. Four children have been born to them-Martha V., born March 7, 1874; Alta L., Feb. 26, 1876; James Clarence, March 4, 1878, and Banchy May, May 6, 1880. In 1877 Mr. Cummins rented his farm, and has since been actively engaged in business in Middletown, principally mercantile. Mrs. Cummins is a mem- ber of the United Brethren church, and is an active worker in the cause of temperance. Our subject's mother has made her home with him ever since his marriage. His father's parents lived with their son James many years, the father dying in 1849, at the age of seventy years, and the mother in 1865, aged seventy-seven years. After Nathan was married his Grandfather and Grand- mother Riley resided with him some time, and died at his resi- dence, the former Dec. 2, 1880, aged eighty-seven years, and the latter May 10, 1881, aged eighty-three years.

Overton Cummins was born Dec. 26, 1825, in Monroe County, W. Va., and when six years old, moved with his parents, Woodson and Nancy (Ellison) Cummins, to Henry County, locat-

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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

ing near Middletown, on eighty acres of land entered by his father, who died in 1847. His mother died in 1876, in Kansas, at the home of her son-in-law, John Noland. Overton Cummins was married Nov. 26, 1848, to Emelia Lindamood, daughter of Philip and Nancy Lindamood, of Fall Creek Township. They have had seven children, five now living-Nancy Jane, wife of Isaac Smith, a farmer near Bement, Ill .; Mary Ann, wife of S. D. Kar- icoft, farmer near Bement, Ill; Walter L., married Belle Fink; Ida Alice and Laura Josephine living at home. Moses Emery died at the age of five years, and one child died in infancy. Mr. Cum- mins has a fine farm of 149} acres, one and one-half miles north- west of Middletown. He and family are members of Fall Creek Christian church, and in politics he is a Republican.

John C. Daniels, miller, postoffice Middletown, Ind., was born Sept. 6, 1850, in Wayne County, Ind. His early education was obtained in the schools of Alexandria, and subsequently he attended Fort Wayne College, Fort Wayne, Ind. He began working in a mill when ten years of age, and worked at intervals when not in school. Thus by the time he was twenty-one he had a practical knowledge of the business to which he had given his attention. In February, 1878, he moved from Alexandria to Middletown and took charge of the Middletown mills. He remodeled and refur- nished the mill putting it in first-class order, and has a good trade, doing a general milling business. He also buys and ships grain. May 3, 1874, Mr. Daniels was married to Maggie Keefer, of Alexandria. They have two children-May and Ethel. Mr. Daniels is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has filled all the chairs of the lodge. At present is Noble Grand. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Nimrod R. Elliott, banker and dealer in general merchandise and farming, Mechanicsburg, Henry County, Ind., is a son of E. B. Elliott, of Scotch-English nationality, who was born in North Carolina in 1782, moved to Wayne County, Ind., June 20, 1829, traveling all the way in private conveyances, occupying two months in making the journey across the mountains and through the forests and thinly settled country with no macadamized roads or steam ferries to facilitate travel. It was a laborious trip. From Wayne County he removed to Henry County in September, 1833, and located two miles northwest of where Cadiz now stands. E. B. Elliott married Mrs. Eliza Hardee, in North Carolina, in

ARElliott

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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

1810. They had seven children, four sons and three daughters. N. R. Elliott, the youngest of the family, was born in Perqui- mans County, N. C., May 4, 1827, being but a little over two years old when they settled in Indiana. His parents were in limited circumstances; had a small tract of land with slight improvements. He was reared on a farm and endured many hardships and priva- tions in early life. He soon developed strong force of character; was very industrious and of inquiring habits, high-minded and self- reliant. He manifested great anxiety for education, was very at- tentive in his studies at home, and when at school his highest ambition was to excel. His early training was in a district school- house, built on the corner of his father's little farm, of round logs, with the floors of split slabs and seats, and desks of the same mate- rial; roof and ceiling made of clapboards; windows about sixteen feet long and one foot high, with split sticks for sash and greased paper for panes. It was the first school-house in Fall Creek or Harrison townships. Such was pioneer life then. Dukes (as he was familiarly called) soon mastered the common-school branches, and when only sixteen years old was examined and licensed to teach school, and in this calling he was very successful. With the small amount saved from his teaching school he was able to attend better schools and academies and improve in other branches of literature. He succeeded in obtaining a fair academic educa- tion. Proud and ambitious, he became dissatisfied with his success financially and determined to turn his attention to the car- penter's trade, and in this, as a builder and contractor, he made money rapidly, and saved all he could to foster a little pet hobby of his early life (merchandise), which was one of his themes by day and night. When quite a small boy he played store, talked of and dreamed store. In 1851 he commenced the general mer- cantile business in the town of Mechanicsburg, and has continued business there ever since, giving his personal attention a consider- able portion of the time to that kind of trade. He lias several times had an interest in the mercantile trade at other points. In 1872 he, with two other partners, organized a bank at Middletown, Ind., he being President and John H. Turhune, Cashier. In 1873 they moved to Anderson, Madison County, and assisted in the or- ganization of the Madison County Bank, and Mr. Elliott was a Di- rector and Vice-President of that bank. In 1882 he assisted in the organization of the Farmers' Bank at Middletown, and was elected President. Has been foremost in all of the public improvements

Funk

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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

in his part of the county. He married Jane H. Cooper, of Cadiz, Henry County, in 1850, and they had two children. The elder, a daughter, Ida F., is the wife of Prof. J. M. Thurston, of the Phys- io-Medical College at Indianapolis, of which Mr. Elliott is Treas- urer; the younger, a son, E. L. Elliott, graduated from Ann Arbor Law College, Mich., and is now Cashier of the Farmers' Bank, Middletown, Ind. In 1870 Mr. Elliott took an active part in the organization of Henry, Madison and Delaware Agricultural Soci- ety, and was President of that association for eleven years, spar- ing neither money nor time in making it a success. He always takes an active interest in the development of the agricultural in- terest. He never belonged to any religious denomination, but in that as well as in all other matters has very positive convictions; is liberal and of pronounced Universal faith in the ultimate happiness of all mankind. In early life he became an earnest worker in the cause of temperance, and has been a member of nearly every order of temperance societies, but opposes prohibi- tion by statutory enactments. He steadily refuses to rent or allow any of his premises to be used for the sale or manufacture of intoxi- cants of any kind. He is a very zealous Freemason; has been a member of that order for over a quarter of a century; is Master of his lodge, and attends his chapter and commandery meeting with decided interest, and is prompt in relief for charitable and social purposes. Politically he is an uncompromising Democrat of the strictest type, anti-slavery and free soil; was a strong supporter of S. A. Douglas in 1860, and in 1861 was foremost to denounce secession and rebellion, and favored the most vigorous policy for suppression; was active in assisting volunteers and to aid their families while absent on duty; he favored the payment of liberal county bounties for volunteers, and was always ready to head any subscription for the relief of soldiers and their families. He never had any official aspirations, but has often been honored by his party for various positions; was a delegate to the National Demo- cratic Convention at Cincinnati in 1880, and an Elector on the Democratic ticket in 1884.

Henry Fadely was born May 1, 1830, in Rockingham County, Va., and in November, 1837, moved with his parents, John and Rebecca (Funk) Fadely, to Fall Creek Township, Henry Co., Ind., where his father bought eighty acres of land south of the. village of Honey Creek, now owned by our subject, and to which he has added from time to time till the homestead contains 135

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acres. He also owns a farm of 120 acres south of his present res- idence, and 120 acres north of the village of Honey Creek. Feb. 13, 1851, he was married to Elizabeth Ann Gossett, a native of Fall Creek Township, and daughter of Joseph and Rebecca (War- nock) Gossett, the latter living with Mr. Fadely in her eighty- fourth year. They have had thirteen children-Joseph H., married and living on his father's farmn, south of the homestead; Re- becca Alice, married George Evans and lives on the farm north of Honey Creek; Michael Monroe, William, Walter, Nancy, Ellen, Charles, Alexander, Adam, Dennis, and six who died in infancy. Mr. Fadely and wife belong to the United Brethren church. In politics he is a Republican, having affiliated with that party since its organization.

George R. Fleming, youngest son of Joseph and Sarah (Flem- ing) Fleming, was born Jan. 7, 1840, in Fall Creek Township./ Henry Co., Ind. He was married Sept. 18, 1862, to Sarah Cummins, born in Fall Creek Township, Aug. 13, 1843, a daugh- ter of James and Mary Ann (Riley) Cummins. To them have been born three children-Magnola A., born Oct. 16, 1865; Bertha E., Sept. 23, 1877, and James R., Nov. 8, 1881. Mr. Fleming has 135 acres of excellent land, a portion of it being the old home- stead. In politics Mr. Fleming is a Democrat. His wife is a member of the New Light church. His father was one of the pioneers of Henry County and served as Justice of the Peace for many years. His death occurred about the year 1847.

William R. Fleming was born June 23, 1838, in Fall Creek Township, Henry Co., Ind., and is the eldest son of William and Sarah Fleming. He was married June 22, 1866, to Nancy, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Harvey. They were the parents of five children-H. B., aged seventeen years; Ludoska, past ten years; Bertha Maud, six years, and Nellie Blanch, aged two years. Henry Coet died at the age of seven months. Mr. Fleming is en- gaged in agricultural pursuits and owns 240 acres of excellent land. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party.

Hezekiah Forrest, commonly called Ki, was born Oct. 17, 1838, in Mason County, Va., a son of J. W. and Luna E. (Fargo) For- rest, his father a native of Virginia, of Scotch descent, and his mother of Vermont. They were married in 1835 and in 1847 moved to Indiana and settled in the wilderness of the Indian Re- serve in Madison County, where the mother died in 1872, and the father still lives. His great-grandfather, James Forrest, was taken

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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

by a press gang and brought to America, under Cornwallis, to sub- V due the rebels in 1779. He and his sister were selling vegetables from a wagon in the streets of Edinburg, and his sister was left sitting in the wagon when he was taken away. He was surren- dered at Yorktown in 1781, was married and remained in Virginia. His sons were Thomas and Williamn. Thomas went southwest in 1816. William, the grandfather of our subject, died in Virginia in 1863. Hezekiah Forrest spent his boyhood in attending school and assisting his father when able to do so. He became a cripple from white swelling at the age of fourteen years, and when eight- een had his right leg amputated near the hip. While waiting for the doctors to get ready for the operation the silence and suspense became so oppressive that he called for his violin and played while they were finishing their preparations. When nineteen years of age he entered Franklin College, completing the preparatory fresh- man and sophomore years. He has made teaching his life work and has taught one year in Grant County, four years in Madison County, and nineteen years near Middletown, Henry County. He resides two miles southeast of the town on a farm which he is teaching his boys to cultivate. He was married Oct. 4, 1863, to Mary Jane Ellison. They have four children-Edwin, Una, Jessie and Lewis. In politics before the war Mr. Forrest was a Demo- crat, during the war a Republican, and since the war has been a Democrat.

Jacob Good was born April 30, 1829, in Botetourt County, Va., and when about one year old, his parents, Martin and Barbara Good, emigrated to Ohio, where his father leased a farm in Mont- gomery, for twelve years, but at the end of ten years he sold his lease and in 1840 moved to Delaware County, Ind., where he died a few months later. Jacob was then obliged to earn his own living, and secured a place in the family of John Shoemaker, where he remained over four years. At the age of sixteen years he went to Xenia, Ohio, to learn the blacksmith's trade, remaining with David Pottle three years, being paid $36 per year. He then worked as a journeyman one year when he opened a blacksmith shop in Peru, Ind , which he carried on two years. He then went to Delaware and worked in a shop one year, when he was engaged in the machine shop of Lawrence, Davis & Co., about four years. July 17, 1860, he moved to Middletown, Henry County, and opened his present blacksmith's shop, where he has carried on busi- ness twenty-three years. He was married in 1851 to Mary Ann

groenen dyke

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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

Morman, by whom he had two children, both deceased. His wife died in 1854, and in 1857 he married Cytha A. Reed. They were the parents of eight children, two of whom were deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Good are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Middletown, and in politics Mr. Good is a Republican.

Robert Griffis, M. D., of Middletown, Ind., is a native of Ea- ton, Preble Co., Ohio, born May 18, 1827. His parents were John and Catherine (Null) Griffis, the former a native of Wales and the latter of Virginia. He was reared and educated in his native State, finishing his literary course at Otterbein University, Wes- terfield, Ohio. In 1850 he began the study of medicine and took two full courses of lectures at the Ohio Medical College, Cincin- nati, graduating in March, 1853. He immediately located at Middletown, Ind., and is now one of the most esteemed and promi- nent physicians of the county, his practice extending to the ex- treme limits of this, and reaching into the adjoining counties. He is one of the oldest physicians in the county and his opinion is sought after by those younger in the profession. He has always been ready to assist young men in their studies and help them to get established in practice. Dr. Griffis was married in April, 1853, to Margaret Ingle, of Eaton, Ohio. They have had four children; three are living. The Doctor and his wife are members of the Christian church.

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History of Henry County, Indiana, Part 54

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