History of Henry County, Indiana, Part 55

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

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James Groenendyke was born in Fayette County, Ind., July 6, 1838, and at the age of five years came with his parents, Michael and Anna Groenendyke, to Jefferson Township, Henry County, where his father purchased 160 acres of land. James remained at home till April 9, 1862, when he married Mary J., daughter of Samuel D. and Anna Painter, of Fall Creek Township. To them have been born four children-Sarah Loureta, born in February, 1866, married James McMullen and has one son, Merta, aged nine months; Bertha G., born April 9, 1873, and two sons who died in infancy. Mr. Groenendyke owns a farm of 220 acres of fine land and his residence is one of the best in the township. In 1875 he erected the buildings, and commenced the manufacture of drain tile, and in 1879 attached steam-power, and in 1880 attached a saw-mill for the cutting of hard lumber. His works are known as Bell Creek Tile Factory. In 1882 he bought a half right of the United States in the "Favorite " washing machine, and in 1883 he attached machinery for manufacturing the same. The machine is one of the best made and its merits

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have been tested by some hundreds of the best families in this vicinity. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren church at Forest Hill, and in politics he is a Republican.

John Hedrick was born in Rockingham County, Va., March 31, 1822, a son of Charles and Margaret (Pence) Hedrick, natives of Virginia. His parents were married in their native State, and in 1824 moved to Preble County, Ohio, remaining there till 1840, when they came to Henry County, Ind., and settled on a farm in Fall Creek, where the father died in 1856. The mother afterward went to Missouri to live with a daughter, and died there in 1868. Of their seven children but three are living. John Hedrick has always fol- lowed agricultural pursuits, and although a poor man when he started in life, has now a large property. He is a shrewd business man, and his investments have generally been advantageous. He owns a fine farm of 420 acres, a part of it the old homestead, and considerable property in Middletown. Mr. Hedrick was married in 1843 to Margaret, daughter of John and Margaret Hart, pioneers of Henry County. They have had eight children; but two are living-John W. and Sarah C. (wife of J. L. Saunders). Politically Mr. Hedrick was originally a Whig, but now affiliates with the Democratic party.

Jacob Huff was born in Rockingham County, Va., April 22, 1811, and remained till Dec. 30, 1834, when he was married to Phobe Ann Scothoran. In 1836 he came to Henry County, Ind., locating on a farm of eighty acres in Fall Creek Township, which he had previously purchased. He now owns over 700 acres of land, over 500 acres being in Henry County, 160 acres in Dela- ware County, and fifty-eight acres in Madison County, Ind. His wife died in 1864, and in 1867 he was again married to Mrs. Per- melia Meeker. They are at present making their home in Middle- town, aged respectively seventy-two and seventy-four years. Mrs. Huff has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for the past fifty years. In politics Mr. Huff has always affiliated with the Democratic party. He had eleven children by his first wife, of whom six are deceased. Those living are-Joseph, Sarah Catherine, Mary Ann, Lucinda and Elizabeth, all married.

Asa S. Huston, farmer, postoffice Mechanicsburg, Ind., was born in Preble County, Ohio, March 1, 1819, a son of Samuel and Sarah (Werts) Huston, natives of Pennsylvania, his father born in 1792, and his mother in 1797. His father was a soldier of the war of 1812. He was married to Sarah Werts in Preble

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County, Ohio, Dec. 5, 1816, and in 1834 they moved to Madison County, Ind., and to Henry County in 1873, where he died Feb. 28, 1876. Samuel Huston was a member of the Methodist Episco- pal church sixty years, and held many responsible positions in the church. He was for several years an exhorter, and was a liberal contributor toward the establishment of the church in Madison and Henry counties. His wife is still a resident of the county. Asa Huston spent his early life in common with other pioneer boys. His opportunities for attending school were limited, merely learn- ing to read. He has had an ambition for learning and by reading in his leisure hours has acquired a knowledge of religion, politics and all questions of the day in advance of many whose advantages exceeded his. He has been a member of the Methodist church forty-six years, and a minister of the church since 1858. He was ordained deacon in He is a member of the Independent Order of Oddfellows, and has filled different chairs in his lodge. In politics Mr. Huston was formerly a Whig, but since the party's

organization has been an uncompromising Republican. He ANey (wons)

married Sept. 10, 1840, to Lenorah, daughter of Moses Wilhoit, an early settler of Henry County. They have had six children- William, Nancy, Samuel, Anthony, Mary, Louisa. William and Louisa are deceased. The former was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, and died while in the service, in 1863. With the ex- ception of three years spent in Pendleton, Madison Co., Ind., Mr. Huston has lived on his present farm since 1844. At the time of his settlement it was wild, uncultivated land, but he has made of it one of the finest farms in the county. His early experience was similar to all pioneers who were in limited circumstances, but he has persevered and accumulated property, and is now one of the representative men of the county.

John Hayes James, M. D., was born in Yorktown, Delaware Co., Ind., Oct. 17, 1851, a son of Jehu and Mary (Hayes) James, his father a native of Greensboro, Henry County, born June 24, 1829, and his mother of Chester County, Pa. After their marriage his parents settled in Delaware County, and two years later moved to Madison County. John H. was the eldest of eight children, five of whom are living. He received a common school education, and when twenty years of age began teaching. He taught seven winters and worked on the farm and attended school in the sum- mer. He then began the study of medicine with Drs. Huston & Davidson, of Pendleton, and afterward entered the Physio-Medi-

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cal College at Indianapolis, graduating in 1881. He located at Carmel, Ind., where for two years he was associated with Dr. Carey. In the spring of 1884 he moved to Middletown, and although a resident so short a time has gained the confidence of the people and is building up a good practice. Dr. James was married in 1881 to Mary, daughter of James Leeson, of Wayne County. The Doctor is a member of the First District Physio-Medical Society, and also of the Alumni of the Physio-Medical College, of Indiana.

William Henry Keesling, merchant, Mechanicsburg, Henry Co., Ind., is a son of William and Eliza Ann (Minnick) Keesling, of Fall Creek Township, residing a half mile east of Mechanicsburg. Both are of German descent. His father was born near the present site of New Paris, Preble Co., Ohio, Jan. 1, 1826. His mother was born in Rockingham County, Va., June 23, 1827, a daughter of Michael and Lydia Minnick. They were married in Fall Creek Township, Dec. 9, 1847, and are the parents of seven children, six of whom are living. Our subject's grandfather, John Keesling, came to this county about 1828 or 1829, and entered a quarter section of land a quarter of a mile west of Mechanicsburg, where he lived till his death in 1864. William H. Keesling was born a mile and a quarter north of Mechanicsburg, Feb. 17, 1849, and re sided on the farm with his father till twenty-one years of age, working on the farm in the summer and attending the district school in the winter. Having from boyhood had the ambition to engage in the mercantile business, when he became of age he bent his energies toward the accomplishment of his early hopes, and Sept. 4, 1871, embarked in the grocery and patent-medicine busi- ness in Mechanicsburg, which he has since conducted successfully, receiving a liberal patronage from the town and surrounding country. Oct. 15, 1870, W. H. Keesling was married to Sarah J. Cooper, a daughter of John P. Cooper (deceased). She died June 20, 1881, leaving two children -- India Pearl, born Sept. 13, 1872, and Cecil Ray, born Feb. 9, 1878. Feb. 18, 1883, W. H. Kees- ling married Nan J. Miller, whose parents are also deceased. Politically W. H. Keesling has always been a Republican.

Enos Lindamood, eldest son of Philip and Mary (Painter) Lindamood, was born Dec. 15, 1829, in Shenandoah County, Va. His father moved to Delaware County, Ind., about 1838, where he bought eighty acres, and about 1840 purchased 105 acres in Fall Creek Township, Henry County, where he moved his family. He added thirty-seven acres, and at the time of his death, in 1859,

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owned 142 acres in Henry County and eighty acres in Delaware County. Enos remained at home till he was thirty years old, when he married Elizabeth M., daughter of Jacob P. and Hannah Miller. They have had three children-Mary Alice (who died when about three months old), Amanda Flora and Isadora Ann. Mrs. Lindamood is a member of the Lutheran church. Mr. Lindamood has followed farming through life, and now owns eighty acres of land about one mile east of Middletown. In poli- tics he is a Democrat.

Andrew S. Miller, druggist, Middletown, Ind., was born in Rock- bridge County, Va., Dec. 18, 1856, a son of Jacob G. and Hannah (Buskong) Miller. In 1857 his parents moved to Henry County, Ind., and settled in Fall Creek Township, where his father died October, 1867, and his mother is still living. They had a family of seven children; six are living. Andrew S. received his elementary education in the public schools and subsequently attended the Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio. After leaving school he clerked in the grocery store of I. N. Chenoweth a year and then went into the drug store of J. H. & F. P. Miller. A year later he returned to the farm and remained eighteen months, when he was employed by C. P. Albright and remained with him three years. He then bought the store in company with his brother, F. P. Miller, the firm name being Miller Brothers. They carry a full line of drugs, medicines, oils, paints and druggists' sundries, and are doing a successful business, having a constantly increasing trade. Mr. Miller is one of the most promising young men of the township and has served in the capacity of Treasurer two years and Trustee two terms. He has also been Treasurer of the Henry, Madison and Delaware Agricultural Society since 1882. He is a member of Middletown Lodge, No. 97, I. O. O. F. He was married in 1881 to Jennie, daughter of John K. and Ellen Moore, of Middletown.

Jacob P. Miller, son of Philip and Catherine (Painter) Miller, was born June 12, 1811, in Rockingham County, Va. He was married in Shenandoah County, Va., Dec. 1, 1829, to Hannah Coff- man, daughter of David and Susannah (Good) Coffman. They were the parents of nine children, three sons and two daughters being deceased. Those living are-David, who is married and liv- ing on a farm in Fall Creek Township; Elizabeth, wife of Enos Lindamood; Sarah, wife of John M. Shoemaker; and Martha, wife of Joseph P. Sharp, of Madison Township. In 1831 Mr. Miller moved his family to Clark County, Ohio, and in 1834 came to

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Henry County, Ind., where he bought eighty acres of land about two miles east of Middletown. He entered 148 acres southeast of his residence and in the fall of 1835 entered 160 acres more ad- joining the 148 acres. He has added to his purchases until he now owns 645 acres in Henry County, 235 acres in Madison County, Ind., and 240 in Wayne County, Ill., making a total of 1,120 acres. Mrs. Miller died Feb. 28, 1879, aged sixty-seven years. She was a member of the German Baptist church since 1834. Mr. Miller belongs to the same church having joined the

same day as his wife in 1834. In politics Mr. Miller has been a life-long Republican. His father's death occurred in Rockingham County, Va., in 1815, and his mother died in Fall Creek Township, Henry County, Jan. 15, 1841.

William R. Miller, third son of Andrew and Elizabeth (Snyder) . Miller, was born in Clermont County, Ohio, April 23, 1822. His mother died in 1834, after which he was engaged with different farmers until he was about sixteen years of age, when he went to Felicity, Ohio, and learned the chair-maker's trade with Jeremiah Smith. At the end of eighteen months he became engaged on a flatboat, making three trips to New Orleans. April 7, 1842, he was married to Forlenia E. Lanham, daughter of William and Catherine (Sargent) Lanham. Eight children have been born to them-John W., enlisted as a private in the Sixty-ninth Indiana Infantry and died in the army May 9, 1863; Mary Catherine, wife of Dr. M. W. Ricks, of Muncie, Ind .; Benjamin P., died at the age of nine years; Elizabeth S., wife of William Brookshire, resi- dents of Harrison Township, Henry County; the fifth child, a daughter, died in infancy; Sarah Jane, lives with her parents; Emma E., died in 1854, aged about two years; Luther O., married Florence Wood, and is in partnership with his father, the firm name being William R. Miller & Son. After his marriage Mr. Miller engaged in the manufacture of chairs in Adams Town- ship, at which he continued eleven years, during which time lie purchased about forty acres of land in the same township. In 1853 he moved to his farm remaining there six years and in 1859 sold his property in Madison County and bought land in Mechanics- burg, Henry County, where he farmed four years. He then built a large frame building where he has since carried on the business of chair-making and undertaking. He and his wife have been members of the Methodist Episcopal church about forty years. Politically Mr. Miller has been a Republican but in 1884 he was a delegate to the Prohibition Convention at Indianapolis, Ind.

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Abraham Painter, second son of Absalom and Sarah (Thompson). Painter, was born Dec. 9, 1818, in Rockingham County, Va. In the fall of 1832 Absalom Painter moved to Fall Creek Township, Henry County, Ind., where he purchased 320 acres of uncultivated land which he, with the help of his sons. cleared and improved. He lived to see his children settled in life, and died at the age of seventy-six years. His wife survived him several years, living to the age of over eighty years. Our subject has followed farming through life, and through industry and good management now owns 186 acres of valuable land in this township, and eighty-eight acres in Jefferson Township. He was married Dec. 12, 1844, to Rhoda, daughter of Anthony and Louisa (Aker) Sanders. To them have been born ten children-Delilah Jane (married), John James, · William Francis (married), Sarah Catherine (married), Mary Elizabeth (married), Absalom David, Lydia Margaret (deceased), Louisa Ellen (married), Martha Lincoln and George Ellsworth. They have fourteen grandchildren living and five deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Painter are members of the Christian church and in politics he affiliates with the Republican party.

David M. Painter, a son of Samuel D. and Anna Painter, was born in Henry County, Ind., Nov. 20, 1844. He was reared a farmer and has always followed that vocation. He was married in 1867 to Rosanna Johnston, a native of Delaware County, Ind., born December, 1843, a daughter of Anderson and Elizabeth John- ston. They have four children-John H., Elizabeth A., Isora, and Alfred J. Mrs. Painter is a member of the Christian church. Mr. Painter is a quiet unassuming man, devoting himself to his home and family. He takes great interest in all matters tending toward the advancement of anything of public benefit. He enlisted in 1863 in Company E, Ninth Indiana Cavalry, and served till the close of the war. In 1870 he moved to Kansas and entered a quarter-section of land in Howard, now Chautauqua County, and remained there four years. He then returned to Henry County and still resides on his farm of 100 acres which he has improved and where he is surrounded with all the comforts of life.

David T. Painter was born in Rockingham County, Va., April 15, 1831, and is the third son of Absalom and Sarah (Thompson) Painter. He came to . Henry County, Ind., with his parents in the fall of 1832 and experienced the hardships of pioneer life. He has followed agricultural pursuits during his life, and at pres- ent owns a good farm of 213 acres in Fall Creek Township. He

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was married to Miss Gillia Ann, daughter of Jacob and Amanda Shoemaker, of Delaware County, Ind. They have three children- John Perry Morton, Otto Warden and Elanora, married to Wm. Prigg, a farmer near Mechanicsburg, and has two children- Lowell and Grace. In politics Mr. Painter has always voted the Republican ticket.

Samuel D. Painter, son of Absalom and Sarah Painter, was born in Rockingham County, Va., Oct. 6, 1816. He was reared and educated in his native county, and in his early life engaged in farming and cabinet-making. In 1834 he came to Henry County, Ind., and located in Fall Creek Township, where he was engaged in farming till his death, July 12, 1876. He was successful in his business transactions, and a pure, upright man. He was an active member and liberal supporter of the United Brethren church. He was a public-spirited man and an earnest advocate of all matters of benefit to the community. He served his county as Commissioner and his township as Trustee. He was married May 17, 1835, to Anna Rader, a native of Rockingham County, Va., born May 17, 1819. She came to Indiana in 1835 with her Uncle Jesse Rader. She united with the United Brethren church in 1839 and remained an active worker till her death, Nov. 22, 1879. She was a devoted wife and mother. Although kind and gentle, she was firm with her children and was beloved and revered by them. There were eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Painter-John R., deceased; Mary J., wife of James Groenendyke; David M .; Sanford M .; Julia A., wife of Hensel Crittenborgen; Amanda, wife of Clinton Hess; Almeda and Horace G. All are residents of Henry County, the youngest two residing on the old homestead. It is a beautiful home of 138 acres, situated in the northeastern part of Fall Creek Township. Horace G. is an energetic, industrious man, and a thrifty farmer. He is one of Henry County's most prominent and respected citizens. Politically he is a Republican.

Sanford M. Painter was born Feb. 28, 1847, in Fall Creek Township, Henry Co., Ind., third son of Samuel D. and Ann (Rader) Painter, and a grandson of Absalom Painter, one of Henry County's pioneers. His father died in 1877, and his mother's death occurred in 1879. He was married Aug. 14, 1869, to Eva A. Condover, a daughter of John Condover, who was born in Germany and came to America when she was seven years of. age. To this union one son has been born who died in infancy. Mr. Painter owns a fine farm of 160 acres, three miles northeast of

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Middletown. In politics he is a Republican, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Middletown.

Mrs. Catherine Pickering was born in Pike County, Ohio, Nov. 30, 1826, a daughter of Benjamin G. and Mary Bristol. In 1830 she came with her parents to Henry County, Ind., where her father entered a tract of uncultivated land, one mile west of Middletown, where Mrs. Pickering still lives in a substantial brick residence built by her father in 1846, the farm consisting of ninety-six acres of valuable land. The Bristol family were among the first settlers of this part of Henry County. Mr. Bristol died Jan. 3, 1869, and his widow, Dec. 19, 1878. Our subject was mar- ried June 28, 1846, to Jordan Pickering, who died Jan. 2, 1868. To them were born three children-Loring A., married Nora Cum- mins and lives in Sumner County, Kas .; Mary Alice and Charles J. living at home, the latter teaching the school (at this writing, 1883) in this district. Mrs. Pickering belongs to the Methodist church. Her parents were also members of the same denomina- tion for many years. Mr. Pickering was a member of the Friends' church.

Charles Riley was born Feb. 23, 1817, in Delaware, eldest son of Nathan and Sarah (Stewart) Riley. His parents, with a family of seven children, came to Fall Creek Township from Guernsey County, Ohio, in a wagon in 1830, and Nathan Riley purchased 152 acres near where the village of Middletown now stands. Our subject was reared on a farm, and as well as a good worker, he became a fine hunter. The country was new and unsettled, and wild animals were numerous, affording an opportunity to be- come an adept in the art of shooting. Mr. Riley has killed about sixty deer, and at one time wounded a large bear near where he now lives. He was married Jan. 14, 1847, to Amelia, daughter of Samuel and Hannah (Walker) Cunningham, of Fall Creek Town- ship. They have had eight children-Margaret Elizabeth, wife of Richard Emswiller, of Fall Creek Township; William Henry, married Ann Keesling, and living in Dade County, Mo .; Nathan, married Senia Keesling and living in Fall Creek Township; Samuel J., married Allie Ellison, also living in Fall Creek Township; Sarah, widow of Quincy Keesling, living near Indianapolis; Francis G. and Sanford L. (twins), and Charles Frederick. Soon after his marriage Mr. Riley moved on an eighty-acre farm which he had previously purchased, and where they still reside, and by good management and industry he now

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has nearly 400 acres of fine land. Mr. Riley had typhoid fever- some twenty-six years ago, since which he has had an affliction in his leg and is quite an invalid. He is one of the few surviving pioneers of Henry County, and in politics is a Democrat.

George W. Rodecap, physician and surgeon, was born in Rocking- ham Co., Va., March 4, 1855, the eighth of thirteen children of Mar- tin and Susana (Sanger) Rodecap. In 1855 his parents moved to Delaware Co., Ind., and bought a farm of 320 acres on the line of Henry County, where they still live. His father is also a minister in the German Baptist church. George W. remained at home till fourteen years of age and then went West and traveled over sev- eral of the States and Territories. On his return home he entered the Middletown school. When about seventeen years old he be- gan teaching school and taught two winters. He then went to Valparaiso, Ind., and graduated in 1875. He taught a country school the following winter, and in the spring of 1876 took charge of the grammar department of the Middletown school, retaining the position till 1880, when he was appointed Principal of the schools. In the meantime he devoted his spare time to the study of medicine, and in 1881 entered the medical department of Ann Arbor University. He took two courses of lectures and then re- turned to Middletown and began his practice. He was married in 1877 to Anna E., daughter of T. C. and Mary Swain. They have had three children-Ina, Cecil and Nellie; the eldest two are de- ceased.

Christopher C. Sanders is a native of Henry County. He was born Dec. 24, 1845, a son of Anthony and Louisa (Akers) Sanders, X natives of Virginia. His parents moved to Henry County in 1831 and settled on a farm near Middletown, where they spent the remainder of their lives. They were the parents of twelve chil- dren, eight sons and four daughters; but six are living. Christo- pher C. Sanders was married in 1879 to Mattie Mower, daughter of Joseph Mower, of Henry County. They have one son-Clyde J. Mr. Sanders is Lodge, No. 97, I. O. O. F.

Anderson Showalter, third son of Abraham and Frances Sho- walter, was born April 13, 1817, in Franklin County, Va., and at the age of eleven years moved with his parents to Jackson Town- ship, Wayne County, Ind. In 1834 he came to Fall Creek Township, Henry County, and Jan. 16, 1840, was married to Tamor, daughter of Nathan and Sarah Riley, early pioneer settlers of this township.

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They are the parents of four children, three daughters and one son -- Martha J., wife of James T. Abshire, living on a farm in Jefferson Township; Caroline, wife of W. F. Sanders; Eliza, wife of P. L. Harry, a farmer in Jefferson Township, and Stephen D., the young- est and only son, married Eva Harvey, daughter of Benjamin Harvey, of Honey Creek, and is clerking for his father. After his marriage Wm. Showalter followed farming for twelve years, when he engaged in the mercantile business at Middletown, three years. He then moved to Independence, Grant Co., Ind., and followed the same business for eleven years, after which he returned to Henry County and sold goods at Cadiz three years. He then turned his attention to farming altogether, till February, 1878, when he sold his farm and moved to Honey Creek and opened two stores, in one of which he sells hardware, groceries, paints and oils, and in the other, dry-goods, boots and shoes, ready-made clothing, hats, caps, etc. His son-in-law, W. F. Sanders, is associated with him in his present business, and is a young man of good business qualifi- cations.

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History of Henry County, Indiana, Part 55

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