USA > Indiana > Henry County > History of Henry County, Indiana > Part 56
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David Monroe Strickler was born in Rockingham County, Va., Dec. 3, 1828, a son of David and Polly A. (Crim) Strickler, and a grandson of David Strickler, a native of Page County, Va., who died of camp fever in 1815, while serving in the war. In 1834 our subject's parents moved to Delaware County, Ind., where they died. He remained with his parents till 1851, and then came to Henry County and bought some land, four miles south of Middletown. He had but little capital, but by being industrious and economical, assisted by his estimable wife, who has stood by him in every trial, he has been successful. He owns 300 acres of farming land, and a beautiful residence in Middletown. He was married in 1850 to Julia A., daughter of Wyatt and Elizabeth Thompson, natives of Montgomery County, Va., the father born Dec. 31, 1805, and the mother, Jan. 8, 1806. Mr. and Mrs. Strickler have had five chil- dren-Elizabeth T., Elnora J., Sophia A., Wyatt D. and Otis P. The daughters are deceased. Mr. Strickler is a member of Middle- town Lodge, No. 271, F. & A. M.
Simon H. Summers was born in Highland County, Ohio, May 23, 1832, a son of William and Polly (Richardson) Summers, his father a native of Virginia, and his mother of North Carolina. His grandfather, William Summers, came from Germany with a colony, and located in Virginia, where he married Nancy Fenner, also a native of Germany, and afterward moved to Highland County,
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Ohio, where his wife died. After the death of his wife he moved to Delaware County, Ind., and died there in September, 1848. For several years prior to his death he was blind, caused by falling out of a wagon and injuring the back of his head. He was a veryX reticent man, and niggardly. He accumulated a large property, and after his death was found about a bushel of gold and silver coin which he had hid away. His tax receipts and business papers, some of which are over 100 years old, are in the possession of our subject. Although a strictly moral man, he never attached himself to any church. He built the first frame house in Delaware County. The maternal grandfather of our subject, John Richardson, was a native of England, but came to America when a child and grew to manhood in the State of North Carolina, and then married Polly Terrell. From North Carolina they moved to Virginia, and from there to Ohio, where he died June 6, 1840, aged seventy-nine years, and she, Oct. 31, 1844, aged eighty-three years. They were mem- bers of the Society of Friends. But one of their seven children is living-John Richardson, now eighty-eight years old. In his young days he was a great hunter, and has killed hundreds of deer. Our subject's parents moved to Delaware County, Ind., and in) 1868 to Middletown, where his mother died April 19, 1869, and his father, December, 1870. S. H. Summers was reared and educated in Delaware County, remaining there until 1868, when he moved to Middletown, and for three years engaged in the mercantile busi- ness. He then turned his attention to buying and selling grain and hogs, and became one of the largest dealers in the county, con- tinuing the business until 1874. Since then he has lived a more quiet life, merely attending to his property. Mr. Summers has been a prominent, influential man in the county. He has been Superintendent of the Henry, Madison and Delaware Counties Agricultural Fairs for eleven years, and under his management they have always been carried on successfully. He was married in April, 1851, to Louisa Sanders, of Henry County, Ind. They have four children-Sarah A., wife of Albert J. Griffis; Nettie, wife of F. L. Thornburg; William L. and Osa Ray.
Chester B. Swain, son of Thomas and Mary (Keesling) Swain, was born in Fall Creek Township, Henry Co., Ind., March 2, 1849. He remained with his parents till reaching manhood, and was mar- ried Jan. 22, 1870, to Mary A., daughter of John and Melvina Fatic, who came to Henry County from Virginia at an early date. They are the parents of three children-Zanfretta, born Feb. 25,
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1871; Zelotes, March 4, 1876, and Thomas Benton, March 21, 1879. Mr. Swain and wife are members of the White Chapel Christian Church, situated about two miles west of Mechanicsburg; and in politics Mr. Swain is a Republican. He has forty-four acres of excellent land with good improvements, adjoining Mechan- icsburg. His father came to Henry County, Ind., from Tennessee about 1834 with his parents, John and Ann Swain, and settled on Mills MM- a farm near where Mechanicsburg now stands.
Frank L. Thornburg, M. D., was born in New Castle, Ind., Sept. 16, 1856, a son of Hiram and Lydia J. Thornburg. He obtained a common-school education, and then clerked in a grocery store two years. He then was employed as clerk in the postoffice eighteen months, after which he entered the Miami Commercial College, Dayton, Ohio, and took a full course. After his return to New Castle, he began the study of medicine with Dr. Rea, and subsequently attended lectures at the Ohio Medical College, Cin- cinnati, graduating in the class of 1877-'78. In March, 1878, he located at Middletown, and now has a good practice, having gained the esteem of his brother practitioners, as well as the confidence of the community. He was married in 1880 to Nettie, daughter of Simon H. Summers, of Middletown. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Dr. Thornburg is a member of Fall Creek Lodge, No. 97, I. O. O. F.
Captain Frederick Tykle, one of the prominent business men of Middletown, Ind., is a native of Preble County, Ohio, born June 7, 1825. He is a son of John and Christena Tykle, natives of Germany, who came to the United States before their marriage. His father died in Preble County, Ohio. His mother afterward went to Illi- nois to live with her daughter, and died there. Their family con- sisted of three children, two sons and a daughter; all are living. When eighteen years of age Frederick went to Eaton, the county seat of Preble County, and served an apprenticeship at the cabinet maker's trade. At the outbreak of the Mexican war he enlisted as a private in the Fourth United States Infantry, and was sent to Pueblo, Mexico, where he joined General Scott's army. From there they went to the City of Mexico, and afterward participated in the battles of Churubusco, the storming of Molino Del Rey and Chapultepec, and the siege of Mexico. In June, 1848, he returned to Eaton, Ohio, and resumed work at his trade. In the spring of 1849 he went to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and remained until fall. He was married in 1851 to Ann Grimes, of Butler County, Ohio,
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and soon after settled in Fairhaven, Ohio, and began working on his own account. In the spring of 1855 he moved to Middletown, Henry Co., Ind., where, for a short time, he was engaged in the dry goods business. Selling out, he again worked at his trade till the outbreak of the Rebellion, where he raised a company for the Eighth Indiana Regiment (three months). He served three months and a half, and participated in the battle of Rich Mountain. After his discharge he returned home and raised another company, of which he was elected Captain. After serving three months he resigned and returned home, where he has worked at his trade and engaged in the real estate business. Although commencing on a small capital he has been successful, and now owns a handsome two-story frame residence and a fine brick business block. He has been an enterprising public-spirited citizen and influential in both social and business circles. . He was a member of the first Town Board, and has since served a number of terms. In 1868 he was elected Appraiser of Henry County. He is a member of Fall Creek Lodge, No. 97; the Grand Lodge of Indiana, I. O. O. F., and Geo. W. Rader Post, No. 119, G. A. R. Mr. Tykle has two chil- dren-Laura C., wife of J. H. Terhune, of Anderson, Ind., and George E., a prominent merchant of the same town.
Cyrus Vanmatre, fifth son of David and Maria Vanmatre, was born in Salem Township, Delaware Co., Ind., Feb. 19, 1839. At the age of twelve he met with a serious accident by being caught under a tree that he was chopping, which lodged, and jumped back and caught his ankle, breaking the bone just above the joint, and cutting his leg half off. In the course of two years it healed up, but has always given him more or less trouble ever since. He remained at home until he was twenty-two years of age, and expe- rienced many of the hardships of pioneer life. At this time the war broke out, and he volunteered with Captain Tykle, in the Eighth Indiana Infantry, for three months. Went to West Vir- ginia; participated in the battle of Rich Mountain; then returned to Indianapolis; re-enlisted for three years in same regiment; was made a Duty Sergeant; went to Missouri under Fremont; was in the battle of Sugar Creek, Ark., and Pea Ridge, Ark .; was pro- moted to First Sergeant in 1862; participated in the battles of Port Gibson, Miss., Champion Hills, Miss., Big Black River, Miss., Vicksburg, Miss., Mustang Island, Tex., Fort Esperanza, Tex., Ope- quan, W. Va., Winchester, Va., Fisher's Hill, Va., New Market, Va., Cedar Creek, Va. He veteranized February, 1864; was com- missioned as First Lieutenant. He received a wound through his
Cyrus Vanmatre
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right arm May 22, 1863, while charging the rebel works at Vicks- burg; also at Cedar Creek, Va., Oct. 19, 1864, through the neck, ball entering at the heel of left jaw, and passing out between the leaders on back of neck just in the lower edge of hair. This wound rendering him unfit for the service, he resigned Dec. 4, 1864, and returned home. He was in the service three years and seven months. In the spring of 1865 he engaged in farming again with his father. During same year he purchased a farm of ninety-seven acres, but still remained with his father til 1867. He was married Oct. 23, 1867, to Sarah C., second daughter of Samuel and Mary Sayford, residents of Delaware County. She was born in Roanoke County, Va., Feb. 13, 1840, and came to Delaware County with her parents about 1848. Mr. and Mrs. Vanmatre have two children-Cassius Emmett, born Nov. 13, 1868, and Augustus Abner, born Dec. 13, 1870. They moved to Henry County, Nov. 18, 1867, and settled on the farm previously purchased by Mr. Vanmatre, where they still reside. In 1870 he built a barn, and bought sixty-eight acres of land from Samuel D. Painter, joining on the west to his first purchase, making together 165 acres. He also owns 140 acres in Salem Township, Delaware County. In 1876 he was elected County Commissioner, holding that office six years by re-election. In 1877 he erected his beau- tiful brick residence. He is a member of the Methodist Protestant church, and his wife belongs to the Lutheran denomination. His political affiliations are with the Republican party. He cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln.
Henry Van Matre was born in Fayette County, Ind., May 12, 1815, a son of John and Margaret Van Matre, his father a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother of Kentucky. They were married in Indiana in 1814, and settled in Fayette County. In 1827 they moved to Delaware County, where they spent the rest of their days. They had a family of seven children, four sons and three daughters. Henry, the eldest, spent his early life in assisting his father, and after attaining his majority began farming for himself. He moved to Middletown in 1860, and has since lived rather re- tired, although he has given some attention to his farms, owning three, two in Delaware and one in Henry County, his landed estate being 500 acres. In 1879 he was stricken with paralysis on the left side and has never fully recovered. Mr. Van Matre was mar- ried in 1844, to Elizabeth, daughter of Lewis and Diana Summers. But three of their five children are living-Margaret, wife of
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William Moore; Henry J. and William S., all residents of Henry County.
Joseph Weeks, M. D., a physio-medical physician, moved from Huntsville, Madison County, to Mechanicsburg, Henry County, in 1856. His parents, Joseph and Susanna (Earll) Weeks, were of English descent. They were married Oct. 10, 1804, in New York, where they resided until 1836. In that year they moved West, and settled on a farm near Dublin, Wayne Co., Ind. The mother died in a few days after reaching their Western home. The father lived until 1851. Finding there were objections to the Wayne County farm, they bought a farm near Pendleton, Madison County, and removed to it the same year, 1836. Their son, Joseph Weeks, the subject of this sketch, was born Sept. 17, 1820, in Orange County, N. Y. He received only a common-school educa- tion. In 1859 he graduated from the Physio-Medical College of Ohio. He was married in Fall Creek Township, Henry County, to Susanna Swain, daughter of John and Ann Swain, Nov. 22, 1849. They lived in Huntsville from the time of their marriage until 1856, when they moved to Mechanicsburg. They are the parents of three daughters. Dr. Weeks is a member of the Society of Friends. In politics he is a staunch Republican.
James H. Welsh, M. D., is a native of Butler County, Ohio, born Feb. 23, 1838, a son of Joseph and Mary (Allen) Welsh. His parents were natives of Franklin County, Pa., and removed in an early day to Ohio. They subsequently moved to Franklin County, Ind., where the mother died. The father afterward married again and moved to Union County, Ind. In 1881 his wife died, and in 1882 he married his third wife. He came to Henry County in 1882, and is now living in Liberty Township. Of a family of six children, but three are living. James H. was reared on a farm, but was given a good education, and when nineteen years of age began teaching school. He taught nineteen months, and in the spring of 1862 began the study of medicine in the office of his uncle, Dr. J. B. Welsh, of Eastern Ohio. In the fall of 1863 he entered Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati, and took one course of lectures. 'The next summer he practiced with Dr. Gilchrist, of Riley, Ohio, and the following fall returned to the college and took his sec- ond course, and graduated in March, 1865. He then went to Colum- bus, Ohio, and applied for a position in the army. He acted as Assistant Surgeon at Camp Chase, and was afterward appointed Assistant Surgeon of the One Hundred and Eighty-fifth Ohio Infantry. He remained with the regiment till mustered out in
Millss
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October, 1865, and then came to Henry County, Ind., and located at Middletown, where he has built up a large practice. In 1882 he took a practitioner's course at Rush Medical College, Chicago, Ill. The Doctor is a hard student, and is therefore a successful physi- cian, standing at the head of the profession. As a counseling physician in extreme cases his services are frequently sought, his opinion being regarded with favor by his brother practitioners. Dr. Welsh was married in March, 1871, to Anna Dipboye, daugh- ter of Joseph and Lucinda Dipboye. She is a lady of culture, and a member of one of the first families of the county. Dr. Welsh is a Director of the Farmers' Bank of Middletown. He has been a useful and influential man in his township, serving as School Trus- tee and Trustee of the Corporation in an able and satisfactory man- ner. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Grand Army of the Republic, and is at present Master of Middletown Lodge, No. 271.
Jacob Whisler, a native of Rockbridge County, Va., came to Indiana, in 1835, settling near Germantown, Wayne County. In December, 1836, he removed to Henry County, purchasing 185 acres in Fall Creek Township for $1,000, and later purchased an additional forty acres, where he followed agricultural pursuits the rest of his life. Aug. 25, 1831, he was married to Lucinda, daugh- ter of Henry and Charlotte (Bennett) Mallory, of Botetourt County, Va. Eight children were born to them-George W., William Bennett (who died at the age of eleven years), Mary Ann, Sarah J., Charlotte, Rufus (who died at two years of age), Josephus L., Frank Pearce. Mr. Whisler died Aug. 7, 1881, aged nearly seventy-two years. In politics he was a Democrat, and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Whisler is still a member of the same church.
B. H. Wilhoit, farmer and stock-raiser, postoffice Cadiz, Ind., was born in Adams County, Ohio, May 16, 1826, a son of Moses 592 and Nancy (Douglas) Wilhoit. His parents were natives of Vir- ginia, both born in 1792, but moved to Bourbon County, Ky., in early life, where they were married in 1814. After their marriage they moved to Ohio, and in 1832 moved to Henry County, Ind., residing there the remainder of their lives. Of a family of nine children, six are living. Both parents were members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, and their children were reared in the faith of that denomination. Our subject was but six years of age when his parents came to this county. His early life was spent in help- ing to clear the farm. He had no opportunity to attend school till
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fourteen years of age, and subsequent to that time his advantages were limited. The desire for an education caused him to apply himself to study during his leisure hours, and he obtained a knowl- edge of all practical branches. He is well read and is posted on all topics of public interest. He was married Oct. 11, 1849, to Hannah Personett, a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, born Oct. 15, 1831, a daughter of Joseph and Rebecca Personett, her father a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, and her mother of Pennsyl- vania. Her parents came to Henry County, Ind., in 1838. After his marriage Mr. Wilhoit settled on a tract of heavily timbered land, which he cleared and improved, and now has one of the finest farms in the township. He has been industrious, and is now able to give up the heavier work to younger hands, and is living in the enjoyment of the fruits of his labor. In politics Mr. Wilhoit first voted for Franklin Pierce, and since then has voted the Republican ticket. He and his wife are members of the Christian church. To them have been born eight children-Elwood, Har- riet, Elizabeth, Nancy Jane, Rebecca, Reuben, Levina Alice, Feba Laura.
Thomas Wilhoit, farmer and fine stock-breeder, postoffice Middle- town, Ind., was born in Adams County, Ohio, March 20, 1822, a son of Moses and Nancy (Douglas) Wilhoit, natives of Virginia, both born in 1792. They moved to Bourbon County, Ky., with their parents, and were there married in 1814. They subsequently moved to Ohio, and in 1832 came to Henry County, Ind., where the father died in 1867, and the mother in 1878. Six of a family of four sons and five daughters are living. Both parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and reared their children in that faith. Our subject was ten years of age when his parents came to Henry County. His boyhood was passed in assisting his father on the farm, clearing, grubbing, splitting rails, plowing, etc. He attended the neighborhood school about three months in the year, but by studying at home with the assistance of his father, acquired a fair education. He owns the farm of 160 acres, entered by his father in 1832, to which he has added 212 acres, making a fine farm of 372 acres. He began the breeding of fine stock in 1851, and is now at the head of that industry in the county. His cattle are second to none in the United States. This important position has been gained by constant and untiring appli- cation and a careful observance of every detail of the business. In politics Mr. Wilhoit has been an uncompromising Republican since
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the party's formation. He has been Township Trustee, and in 1848 was nominated County Commissioner. He has been a member of the Methodist church forty years, and an officer in the church 3-94 thirty years. He was married Feb. 22, 1844, to Mary Huston, of Madison County. They have had two children-Tabitha and Nimrod S. Their son was associated with his father in business, but died in 1877. His son, Charles C., resides with his grand- parents, who purpose to train him. that he may be qualified to take his father's place in the stock business. Mr. Wilhoit has been a resident of Henry County fifty-two years, and from a wilderness has seen the country advance to civilization. He has been one of the principal actors in its progression, never being content to sit idly by and let others do what was his part of the great work.
CHAPTER XVI.
FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.
ORGANIZATION .- CHANGES OF BOUNDARY .- GENERAL FEATURES .- EARLY SETTLERS IN VARIOUS LOCALITIES .- FIRST MILLS .- EARLY SCHOOLS .- THE TOWN OF LEWISVILLE .- ITS ORIGIN .- EARLY BUSI- NESS MEN. - POSTOFFICE. - PRESENT CONDITION. - LODGES. - CHURCHES. - FRIENDS. - CHRISTIANS. - BAPTISTS .- PRESBYTERI- ANS .- METHODISTS. -- BIOGRAPHICAL.
Franklin Township was formed by the county commissioners, Jan. 5, 1830, from fractions of Dudley and Wayne. It then in- cluded nearly all of its present territory, all of Spiceland, and a small portion both of Wayne and Greensboro. In 1831 the west- ern boundary was changed, giving a tier of sections from Franklin to Wayne. In 1838 a small portion was added to Greensboro and the land is generally fertile and the farms and improvements ex- cellent. The enterprising town of Lewisville is the only village in the township. The Chicago, St. Louis & Pittsburg Railroad crosses the southern part of the township from east to west.
In 1842 Spiceland Township was formed from Franklin and Wayne, and Franklin was given a portion of Dudley.
The first election was ordered to be held at the house of Joseph Copeland on the first Saturday in February, 1830. John Cope- land was appointed inspector, and Joseph Kellum, lister.
The township is drained by Flatrock Creek, flowing southward through the middle portion, and by Buck Creek, in the western part.
The following persons only made entries for land situated within the present township of Franklin the year 1821: Aug. 28, Will- iam Felton; Sept. 16, Charles See; Dec. 28, John Charles.
Along Flatrock Creek the first settlements in the township were made as early as 1822-probably some came the year before. Achilles Morris, George See, Charles See and Moses Keen were among the first to begin improvements. Other early settlers up
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William Me. Bartlett 16. 2
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to 1833 were: Joseph Paul, Isaiah Hosier, Christopher Hedrick, Stanton Butler, John, James and Patton Ball, Daniel Johnson, Wm. and Robert Smith, Joseph Van Buskirk, James Butler, Isaac Parker, Wm. C. Goar, Matthew and Joseph Farley, Joseph White, Herman Herr, David Hedrick, Mark Wilson, John and Enos Heacock, Wm. Brown, Cyrus Coffin, T. W. Smith, Mahlon Pickering, John Russell, Martin Vickery, Philo Southwick and others. Moman Ballard, from West Virginia, came to Dudley Township in 1830, and to his present farm in Franklin in 1833. Joseph Fletcher, still living, came to the vicinity of Lewisville in 1822. Garnet Hayden was another early settler in the southern part of the township.
Caleb and Jethro Wickersham settled east of Flatrock in the northern part of the township. Wm. and Jesse Bond had previ- ously improved the place. Jehial and Samuel Wasson were early settlers; also, Samuel Templeton in the northern part of the town- ship. Among other early settlers in the same vicinity were Hugh Mills, Stephen Hall, Charles Clanton, James Smith, the Cosands, Robert Needham and others. David Templeton, whose widow is still living, was one of the earliest settlers west of the creek.
Probably the first mill of any kind in the township was a saw- mill, north of Lewisville, built by Robert Butler. Afterward a grist-mill on the same site was run for a few years.
Under the Rich Square Meeting a school was maintained for many years. It had the reputation of being the best country school in the county. The school was opened about 1832. Among the teachers were Isaac Parker, who taught several terms; Huldah Wickersham, Frederick Needham, Lydia White, Thomas N. White and Robert Hall. In 1871 the Friends assisted the township to the extent of $2,500 in erecting the large two-story brick building near the Rich Square meeting-house, in which the public school is now held.
About 1835 a hewed log school-house was erected on land now owned by Susan Burt. Other early schools were established in various neighborhoods. The township now has good school- houses in every district, and the schools are generally in good condition.
LEWISVILLE.
This prosperous town is situated in the southern part of Henry County, on the old National road and the main line of the Chicago, St. Louis & Pittsburg Railroad. The town was laid out and the
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plot of it recorded Dec. 25, 1829, by Lewis C. Freeman and James B. Harris. Lewis C. Freeman was the first settler and made the first improvement on the town site. James B. Harris kept the first store in the place and Jesse W. Baldwin the first tavern. Among the early merchants were John Widows, Martin Morris and Roswell Spencer. W. L. Houston began the mercantile busi- ness in 1835. Robert Bartlett was also an early merchant. Early physicians of the town were Doctors Strong, Pumphrey, Mont- gomery, Longshore, Kersey, Van Nuys and Rea.
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