History of Henry County, Indiana, Part 59

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

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Charles Stewart, farmer and stock-raiser, section S, Franklin Township, was born in Wayne County, Ind., Dec. 25, 1829, a son of Samuel W. and Hannah (Jeffries) Stewart, natives of New" Jersey, who settled in Wayne County about 1823, and in 1830 came to Henry County and bought a farm in what is now Franklin Township, on the National road. A few years later this farm was sold and another bought in the northern part of the township, where the children were reared and where the mother died in 1855. Elizabeth Stewart } Sam annah Jeffries

m. 9 21. 1852 Benj Stuart } m iha stratton

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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

Of a far ... ly of eleven children nine lived till maturity and four are now livi. g. Samuel W. Stewart was an influential man. Herep- resented the coun in the Legislature in 1848, and held many local offices of trust. He was a member of the Society of Friends. He died in Dublin, Ind., April 26, 1872, aged seventy-four years. After reaching his majority, Charles Stewart worked at the plas- terer's trade six years, and in 1856 rented land a short time, and then bought a farm of forty acres, where he lived eight years. In 1853 he bought the farm where he now resides, which contains forty-five acres of fine land. He was married Aug. 24, 1856, to Maria J., daughter of Herman and Rossila Hare. She died Dec. 20, 1864, leaving four children-Robert F., Thomas E., Oliver E. and Maria A. April 2, 1874, Mr. Stewart married Mary E. Hare, a half sister of his first wife. He and his family are members of the Society of Friends.

Benjamin Stuart, Franklin Township, postoffice Lewisville, Ind., was born in Dudley Township, Henry Co., Ind., Oct. Hopewell mt. 31, 1828, the eldest of ten children of John and Martha (Strattan) m. 8. 29.182 Stuart. His father was born in Guilford County, N. C., in Ind.

10-22 1802, a son of Jehu and Sarah Stuart, and when ten years of

age his parents moved to Ohio, remaining there till 1813, when they moved to Wayne County, Ind., and settled on a farm, on the present site of Earlham College. His mother was a native of Vir- ginia, a daughter of Benjamin and Amy Strattan, who came to Henry County, Ind., in 1821. After their marriage, which occurred in the fall of 1526, John and Martha Stuart settled in Dudley Township, where he worked at the blacksmith's trade several years. He then followed agricultural pursuits till 1868, when they moved to Carthage, Rush Co., Ind., where they still reside. They have always been active members of the Society of Friends. Benjamin Stuart received his early education in the subscription schools, completing it at the Friends boarding school, and in 1848 began teaching, a vocation he followed several years in connection with farming. Sept. 21, 1852, he was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel W. and Hannah Stewart. They settled in Franklin Township, where they have since resided. To Mr. and Mrs. Stuart have been born six children ; one is deceased. They are members of the Society of Friends.

Joseph H. White is a native of Nansemond County, Va., born Feb. 7, 1830, the second of six children, and the only one living, of Exum and Ann (Hare) White, who were of English descent, the . atton s. of Joseph & naomi quinn

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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

father a native of Perquimans County, N. C., and his mother of Nansemond County, Va. In 1832 his parents came to Indiana and bought the farm now known as the Charles Bundy farm, in Henry County. Six years later they moved to Wayne County, and settled two miles north of Centreville, where his father died in 1843, leaving his family in limited circumstances. Being deprived of a father at the age of thirteen years, and being the eldest son, the responsibility of assisting his mother fell on him, and he will- ingly assumed it. They returned to Henry County, where he worked for wages till 1850, when he bought a portion of the farm where he now resides, to which he has added till he owns 178 acres of fine, well-improved land. He was married in February, 1854, to Ellen, daughter of Gabriel and Sarah Cosand. To them were born ten children ; but nine are living-Edgar T., Harriet E., Lucy C., A. Laura, Mary E., Albert O., Margaret G., Timothy J. and Aaron F. Mrs. White died April 4, 1879. Mr. White and his family are members of the Society of Friends. His mother is living with him, aged eighty-one years.

Robert P. White, farmer and stock-raiser, section 19, Franklin Township, was born in this township Feb. 26, 1855, the second son of Thomas N. and Lydia (Parker) White. He was reared on his father's farm and received a good education, graduating at Earlham College in 1876. He then taught school, one year of the time in Grant County, Ind., where he met Mary Shugart, a daughter of Hon. Cornelius and Harriet (Coleman) Shugart. who were among the early settlers of Grant County. May 15, 1879,'he was married to Miss Shugart and settled on the farm where he now resides. Mr. and Mrs. White have one son-Irving. They are members of the Society of Friends.

Thomas N. White, farmer and stock-raiser, section 18, Frank- lin Township, was born in Perquimans County, N. C., Oct. 25, 1818, the youngest of ten children of Thomas and Jemima (John- son) White, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Virginia. When he was an infant his father died and his mother when he was seven years of age. He made his home with an elder brother, who came to Henry County, Ind., in 1832. He remained with his brother till his majority, and then worked for wages till 1843, when he bought the farm where he now resides. He has been industrious and economical and has now one of the finest farms in the township. He was married April 25, 1844, to Lydia Parker, a daughter of Robert and Marian (Bell) Parker, who were

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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

among the early settlers of Wayne County, Ind., afterward remov- ing to Henry County, where Mrs. White was born. They have had eleven children ; but seven are living. Mr. and Mrs. White are members of the Society of Friends. Politically he was origi- nally a Whig, but now affiliates with the Republican party. He has served as County Commissioner six years.

Willis S. White is a native of Perquimans County, N. C., born Oct. 4, 1815, the fifth of thirteen children of Theophilus and Mar- garett (Smith) White. His early educational advantages were limited, as his father was a poor man with a large family of chil- dren to support, and he was grown before he knew the first prin- ciples of arithmetic. These he learned from the figures in a Testament, and by measuring lumber, using a coal and shingle. He had a thirst for knowledge, and by close application obtained a fair education. When he was fourteen years of age his father died. His older brother and sisters having married left the care of his mother and the younger children to him. He worked for small wages fourteen years. In 1842 he moved to Guilford County, N. C., and although twenty-seven years of age, went to learn a trade, choosing that of wagon-making. He worked as an apprentice a year, and then worked as a journeyman three years, after which he engaged in business for himself, manufacturing wagons, and also was engaged in the undertaker's business. Being an Aboli- tionist, he made several trips North with fugitive slaves, and in 1857, not wishing to rear his children in a slave State, removed to Indiana, and rented land in Henry County three years. In 1860 he bought the farm in Franklin Township where he has since re- sided. His mother followed him to Indiana in 1860, and died at his home in 1862, aged seventy-seven years. Mr. White was married Feb. 14, 1839, to Sarah, daughter of Charles and Elva Cosand. They have had seven children; but four are living-John M., Philip S., Lizzie and Charles.

Curtis W. Wiggs was born in Wayne County, N. C., Oct. 5, 1821, the eldest of four children of John and Pearcey (Copeland) Wiggs. His father died in the fall of 1826, and the next spring his mother, with her children, came to Indiana. Her father had already settled in Greensboro Township, Henry County, and she built a small cabin on her father's land and lived there two years. She then bought eleven and three-quarters acres of land, but a few years later sold it and bought forty acres. Few women have undergone the hardships that Mrs. Wiggs has. She

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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

walked to Henry County from North Carolina, and by her own exertions procured her farm. In 1852 she married Richard Cor- bet, who died in Randolph County in 1874. Although nearly eighty years of age, she is still well and active. Curtis W. Wiggs remained with his mother till his younger brother was old enough to take charge of the farm. He then went to Darke County, Ohio, and started a nursery, and worked at the carpenter's trade a year. He then went to Wayne County, Ind., and worked at his trade sixteen years. In 1859 he returned to Henry County, and bought a farm a mile and a half northwest of where he now lives. In 1862 he bought his present farm, which contains 120 acres of well- improved land. Mr. Wiggs was married in August, 1849, to Jane, daughter of Joshua and Margaret (Thompson) Harlan, of Wayne County. They have had seven children; one is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Wiggs are members of the Christian church.

Samuel Wolf, farmer and stock-raiser, section 12, Franklin Town- ship, is a native of Dayton, Ohio, born Nov. 16, 1841, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Shank) Wolf. His father was a son of Jacob Wolf, Sr., who settled on the farm where the Soldiers' Home, Dayton, now stands. His mother was a daughter of John Shank, of Maryland, who moved to Ohio in an early day. His father died in Carroll County, Ind., and his mother now makes his house her home. His parents moved to Carroll County, Ind., when he was eight years of age. Feb. 2, 1863, he enlisted in Company M, Eleventh Indiana Cavalry; served on scouting duty a year, and was then sent to the front. After the close of the war they were sent to Kansas, to guard against the depredations of the Indians, and served till discharged, Oct. 28, 1865. He then returned to Carroll County, but soon after bought a farm near Peru, Miami County, and remained there till 1878, when he bought the farm where he now resides, which contains 285 acres of improved land. Mr. Wolf was married Oct. 2, 1866, to Marticia, daughter of John D. and Huldah (Mendenhall) Mills. They have two children- Oner and Emma. Mr. and Mrs. Wolf are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. Politically he is a Republican.

John Wright is a native of Stokes County, N. C., born April 28, 1810, the eldest of seven children of William and Sarah (Kirk) Wright. In the fall of 1811 his parents moved to Preble County, Ohio. In 1812 William Wright was drafted in the war of 1812, and in his absence his family moved to what is now Union County, Ind. After his term of service expired he moved his family to the

Mills 4.1. 3.10

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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

Twelve Mile Purchase in Fayette County, but two years later returned to Union County, and leased land and remained three years, when he went to the Whitewater bottoms and remained two years, and then bought a tract of land in the same county, and cleared and improved a farm. In 1826 he came to Henry County and leased a piece of land, and with wages received for work done by vur subject and the result of his crop, he entered eighty acres of land on Blue River, in Wayne Township. In 1831 he sold out and entered 137 acres north, and remained there till 1864, when he sold out and lived with his children till his death, Feb. 15, 1873, aged eighty-six years. His wife was born July 3, 1790, and died July 1, 1869. John Wright remained with his father till manhood, assisting him in clearing and cultivating his land. In the fall of 1832 he bought eighty acres of heavily timbered land four miles north of Knightstown. In 1866 he moved to Knightstown and resided eighteen months, and in the fall of 1867 bought the farm in Franklin Township, where he has since resided. It contains 139 acres of fine land, well cultivated, with good farm buildings. Mr. Wright was married March 19, 1832, to Martha, daughter of Jacob and Annie (Craft) Parkhurst, who were among the first white settlers of Henry County. To Mr. and Mrs. Wright have been born seven children-Amos P., Pamelia, Sarah Ann, Eliza- beth, Mary Jane, Isaac N. and William Jasper. Politically Mr. Wright is a Republican. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church.

CHAPTER XVII. 7

GREENSBORO TOWNSHIP.

NAME .- ORGANIZED IN 1831 .- ORIGINAL EXTENT .- FIRST LAND ENTRIES. - PIONEER SETTLERS .- AN EARLY MILL. - POPULATION AND POLITICAL COMPLEXION. - GREENSBORO VILLAGE. - ITS EARLY HISTORY .- ITS PROMINENCE IN SLAVERY DAYS. - INDUS- TRIES .- LODGES .- CHURCHES .- SCHOOLS .- BIOGRAPHICAL.

Greensboro Township was named after a North Carolina town from which many of the old settlers of this locality came. The township was founded Sept. 7, 1831, and then included " all that part of the territory of Henry Township west of the range line di- viding townships 9 and 10." Thus it was seven miles from east to west and six from north to south. In 1838 the northern part of Greensboro was given to Harrison, and an addition of four square miles made to Greensboro from Wayne and Franklin town- ships.

This township is well watered and fertile. The principal streams are Blue River, Montgomery's Creek and Six-Mile Creek. A considerable portion of the surface is rolling. Gravel is abun- dant and the soil good. Farms and improvements show that the people are industrious and thrifty. The population of the town- ship in 1880 was 1,445, of which number 223 were in the town of Greensboro.

The following named persons made entries of lands now in- cluded within this township in the year 1821: Samuel Hill, Thomas McCoy, Levi Cook, Lewis Hosier, John Harvey, Sr., John Harvey, Samuel Pickering, Jacob Elliott.

Settlement commenced in 1821 and.for many years progressed but slowly. Jacob Wood, Samuel Pickering and others came in the summer of 1821. Jacob Elliott came out and built a cabin in the fall of 1821, and went back for his family with which he re- turned in 1822. Jonas Pickering came from Ohio and cut a road from New Castle to the river, near Greensboro. Other early set-

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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

tlers were Ephraim Copeland, Reuben Edgerton, the Ratliffs, Jon- athan Pickering and others. They were chiefly Friends.

Among the earliest mills in the county was one built by Elihu Davis about a mile south of Greensboro.

There are now about 400 voters in the township, of whom forty- five are Democrats and about fifty-five Greenbackers, and the re- mainder Republicans.

GREENSBORO.

The first settler in the vicinity of this place was Jacob Wood. The first who built a house in the town was Thomas Regan. He also had the first saw-mill and the first dry-goods store.

Christopher Bundy, one of the first settlers, was keeping hotel in Greensboro in 1823. His improvement was then about the only one in the place.

The town of Greensboro was platted by Jehu Wickersham, in February, 1830. It is situated on the east bank of Duck Creek, about seven miles north of Knightstown, in the midst of a very fertile farming country.

In the days of anti-slavery agitation the town was a noted place, being the home of many determined Abolitionists. In old Liberty Hall, many noted men from far and near made enthusiastic speeches in favor of relieving the condition of the black man.

Greensboro postoffice was established about 1833. The follow- ing list of Postmasters is nearly, if not quite, complete: Wm. Reagan, Richard Henderson, Mrs. Richard Henderson, Reuben Swain, J. W. Crowley, George Darr, Robert H. Polk, Jabez H. Newby, Clayton Thornburg, John W. Fawcett and Wm. H. Loring (since 1872).

The business interests of Greensboro in 1884 were as follows: L. D. Bundy and Wright & Camplin, general merchants; A. J. Kern, hardware dealer; Moffitt & Saffell, and L. R. Allison, drugs and groceries; Samuel Gipe, wagon shop; Albert Wilson, carriage shop; Alfred Weeks, harness shop; Win. Newton, shoe shop; William Dillon, Gary & Feezer, Alfred Templeton, blacksmiths; D. C. Wilson and Reuben Koontz, pump shops; Macy & Cook. undertakers.

SCHOOLS.

Early schools were conducted under the direction of the Friends' Meeting. The township now contains seven school districts and

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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

about 375 school children. The value of school property is about $5,550. The average pay of teachers is $40 per month. The schools of the town of Greensboro employ four teachers and have about 175 pupils.

LODGES.

Masonic .- Greensboro Lodge, No.175, F. & A. M., was instituted May 13, 1855, with the following charter members: John Polk, W. M .; J.W. Crowley, S.W .; Owen Evans, J. W .; Ezra Foster, Sec. ; J. A. Unthank, Noble Butler, Jacob S. Elliott, E. P. Austin, H. Wilson and C. B. Austin. The lodge has now about fifty mem- bers and is in a prosperous condition. The present officers are: R. A. Smith, W. M .; Quinton Hinshaw, S. W .; L. H. Swindle, J. W .; J. T. Elliott, Sec .; N. P. Henley, Treas.

Odd Fellows .- Greensboro Lodge, No. 247, was organized Dec. 11, 1865, with the following charter members: A. H. Shank, (N. G.), Chas. Jessup, W. H. Macy, S. H. Byers, and Jess B. Jessup. The lodge is now in good condition, having fifteen mem- bers and $800 in the treasury. The present officers are: W. H. Brown, N. G .; A. M. Meredith, V. G .; W. H. Vancannon, Sec .; Seth Hinshaw, Treasurer. Trustees-Seth Hinshaw, Wm. Saint and W. H. Vaucannon.

WOODVILLE.

This is an old but small village, situated in the northern pa t of Greensboro Township, adjoining Harrison Township. It was founded in 1836 by James Atkinson. Wm. O'Neal kept the first grocery store and Alphonso Freeman the first dry-goods store. The first physician was Dr. Moss.

KENNARD,

a small village on the I., B. & W. Railroad, in the northern part of Greensboro Township, was laid out in September, 1882, by C. C. Hinshaw, John Payne and Wm. McDixon. A store was then erected by C. C. Hinshaw, who still carries on business here. The place now has about 100 inhabitants, two stores, a blacksmith shop, a harness shop, a stone mason and two physicians.

Showalter & Bouslog have a general store, and C. C. Hinshaw a grocery and hardware store.

Kennard postoffice was established Oct. 1, 1882, and C. C. Hin- shaw appointed Postmaster.

A saw-mill and planing-mill was built in 1883 by F. M. Rickett, who is carrying on a prosperous business.

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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

CHURCHES.

Duck Creek Meeting .- Duck Creek Friends' Meeting was or- ganized in 1823. Among its first members were: David Bailey, Rice Price, Joseph Ratliff, Eli Stafford, Samuel Pickering, Thomas Kirk, the Henshapos and Jacob Wood. A log building was used as a meeting-house at first. In 1828 the meeting was divided and two distinct organizations formed, both of which retained and still retain the same name. The " Hicksites " erected a church of their own. Among their first members were: Levi Cook, Hugh Mills, John Copeland, Absalom Hiatt, John Hiatt, James Hiatt, Jacob Wood and James Pickering, all dead. They now have thirty members. Nathan Smith, Minister.

The " Orthodox " Friends erected a frame meeting-house, which they still occupy, in 1832. The number of members is now 130. Mary Saint has been the minister for several years. Joel Wright has been at the head of the meeting for some time.

Methodist Episcopal .- The Methodist Episcopal church of Greensboro was organized about 1842. A frame building was soon after erected on the site of the present church. In 1871 the old church was torn away and in its place the present one was erected at a cost of $1,500. There are now about forty members. Rev. Milton Mahin, Pastor. The Trustees are: Thomas Howren, Richard Dymond and William Vaucannon.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

Jacob S. Elliott was born on the farm where he now lives, May 14, 1825, a son of Jacob and Ann Elliott. His father was born in Virginia, Dec. 16, 1781, and when a boy went to North Carolina, where he was married, and in 1811 came to Indiana and lived in Wayne County ten years. He then moved to Henry County and settled in what is now Greensboro Township, where he died Nov. 13, 1855. He was a soldier of the war of 1812. Jacob S. spent his boyhood and youth with his father, working on the farm in summer and attending school in the winter till he was nineteen years of age. Since then he has given his attention to farming and stock-raising. He now owns 360 acres of land a mile south- east of Greensboro. June 10, 1851, he was married to Phœbe, daughter of Mathew and Rhoda McKinnie, natives of Ohio. They have had seven children-Addie, Charles H., John F., Nathan H., Annie M., Rhoda E. (deceased), Phœbe A. and Elva L. Politi- cally Mr. Elliott is a Republican.

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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

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DEL. Hinshaw, son of Benjamin and Annis Hinshaw, was born in 1826 in Randolph County, N. C., and emigrated to Indiana with his father's family in 1832, and settled in Henry County. When he was eighteen years of age he began learning the black- smith's trade, at which he worked some eleven years. Since then he has devoted his attention to farming, and owns 360 acres of land. He was married in 1850 to Emeline, daughter of Enoch Isgrigg,v whose father emigrated to this State from Ohio, and her mother from Kentucky. They have had four children born to them- Charles M. (deceased), Luther, Edmund and Warren. Politically Luther m Mr. Hinshaw was first a Whig but has affiliated with the Republi- mary Hi can party since its organization. His wife is a member of the Warren Society of Orthodox Friends. Mr. Hinshaw is of Irish descent, Belle Ke his grandfather having been born in Ireland. He emigrated to Edmund? Nantucket Island; from thence to North Carolina. Ida Cao

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Seth Hinshaw was born in Randolph County, N. C., April 5, man 1818, a son of Benjamin and Annis Hinshaw, natives of North Carolina, of Irish descent. In 1832 his parents moved to Wayne County, Ind., but a year later moved to Henry County and settled a mile west of Greensboro, where he cleared and improved a farm. In later life they sold the farm and moved to Greensboro, where the mother died, aged seventy-five years, and the father, a few months later, aged eighty-four years. Seth Hinshaw spent the earlier part of his life in teaming. His educational advantages were limited, and the knowledge he acquired was by personal application in his leisure hours. After his marriage he settled on a farm and devoted his time to that vocation for many years, and now owns 160 acres of fine land, well improved, with good build- ings. He is living rather retired, overseeing his farm, but letting the manual labor be done by younger hands. In 1836 and 1837 Mr. Hinshaw made two trips down the Mississinewa River, from Winchester to Lafayette, being one of five who volunteered to take the boats over the falls, the water in the river being very high and dangerous. March 29,-1838, he was married to Sarah, daughter of Stephen and Hannah Gregg.& They have four children -A. G .; T. A., wife of R. P. Walton; Mattie; W. H., a master -; mechanic, now of Pullman, Ill.

Clark Hosier was born Jan. 2, 1839, in Greensboro Township, Henry Co., Ind., a son of Nathan and Alice Hosier, natives of North Carolina, and grandson of William Hosier, a pioneer settler of the county. "His father died in 1852, aged forty-two years, and

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HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

his mother in 1877, aged seventy years. She was a member of the Society of Orthodox Friends. Mr. Hosier has always followed agricultural pursuits and now owns a fine farm of 800 acres all well improved. Oct. 20, 1859, he was married to Mary M., daughter of Hugh L. and Rebecca A. Risk. They have had four children; but three are living-Cora, Clinton H. and Carl. N. Ella died, aged one year. Mr. and Mrs. Hosier are members of the Society of Orthodox Friends. Politically Mr. Hosier is a Republican. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Blue Lodge, chapter, council and commandery.

J. W. Kirk is a son of Thomas and Sarah Kirk, natives of Pennsylvania. His great-grandfather, Timothy Kirk, came to America in 1682 with William Penn. He had four sons-Thomas, + Timothy, Caleb and Ezekiel. Thomas was the father of three sons-John, Jason and Thomas. The latter moved from Clinton County, Ohio, to Henry County, Ind., in the spring of 1831, and bought land in Henry Township, where he lived till his death, March 29, 1867, aged eighty-six years. His wife died in 1837, agea forty-four years. J. W. Kirk was born in Henry Township, Henry Co., Ind., Nov. 9, 1831. He has devoted his exclusive attention to farming and now owns a good home of 165 acres in Greensboro Township. In July, 1862, he was married to Sarah M., daughter of Joel Wright. They have had two children; but one is living-Cora M., a graduate of Spiceland Academy, in the class of 1884. Eva died at the age of two years. Mr. Kirk has taken an interest in the cause of education and served as a mem- ber of the School Board many years. He is a birthright member of the Society of Orthodox Friends. Politically he has been a Whig and Republican. His influence now is on the side of tem- perance.

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History of Henry County, Indiana, Part 59

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