History of Henry County, Indiana, Part 65

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

USA > Indiana > Henry County > History of Henry County, Indiana > Part 65

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

698

HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

Methodist church eighteen years. His wife is a member of the German Baptist church. Politically he is a Democrat, and a strictly temperate man.

Simeon B. Hays is a native of North Carolina, born in 1822. His parents were natives of the same State. His father, John Hays, was born in 1786, and his mother, Magdalena (Buck) Hays, in 1790. His parents came to Indiana in 1823 and entered land in Dudley Township, Henry County. They were earnest members of the Baptist church. The father died in 1865, and the mother, Sept. 6, 1862. They had a family of six children-James M., Su- sanah, Sarah A., Simeon B., Mary A. (deceased), and Martha Ann. Simeon B. Hays was reared in Henry County, and has assisted largely in its improvement, being active in helping forward any enterprise of benefit to the community. He was denied the privi- lege of more than a common-school education, and realizing the necessity of better school accommodations, has been foremost in advocating and establishing schools. He has accumulated a good property, owning 484 acres of valuable land. He was married in 1847, to Catharine, daughter of David Bouslog, who was born in ' 1829. She died in 1862. They had a family of seven children- Mary J. (deceased), John C., David M., Margaret C., Miles A. (deceased), Rachel and Strawther. In 1865 Mr. Hays married Ma- hala, daughter of Philip Lindamood. She is a native of Henry County, Ind., born in 1841.

Albert Harry was born in 1812 in Shenandoah County, Va., and was there reared and educated. When twelve years of age he be- gan learning the hatter's trade and served an apprenticeship of nine years. He then learned the wagon-maker's trade, at which he worked till 1860, and since then has given his attention to his farm. He came to Henry County, Ind., in 1839, and has since made this his home. He has a fine farm of 120 acres, all well improved. Mr. Harry was married in 1839 to Juliet Bled- sow, a native of Virginia, born in 1820. She died in 1873. They had a family of thirteen children; eight are living-Martin L., Marcus D., Louisa, Mary, Albert J., Preserved, Juliet and David G. Politically Mr. Harry is a Democrat.

M. D. Harky, son of Albert and Julia D. Harry, was born in 1842, in Jefferson Township, Henry Co., Ind., where he was reared and educated, and has always made his home. He worked on the farm till his majority, and then in a saw-mill two years. He then returned to the farm and remained two years, when he moved to Sulphur

Seep 659

Bledore

699

HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

Springs and engaged in the grocery business a year. The next eight years he worked at the carpenter's trade, and in the mean- time held the office of Justice of the Peace six years. During his term of office he handled about $12,000 of the people's money, collecting the greater part through litigation. He then opened a general store, which he is still successfully carrying on. His re-

11.17

ceipts the first year were $6,000, and the last, $9,000. In 1870 Mr. Harry married Matilda Canaday, a native of Wayne County,

Champ Ind., born in 1851, and a daughter of Enos and Hannah Canaday. They have three children-Odie L., Effie M., and Leetha M. Mr. enore m heures Foster Harry is a member of the Henry County bar. Ellee m marion Brown

Isaac Holsinger, son of Jacob and Polly Holsinger, was born in Leethe Bedford County, Pa., in 1832. He remained in his native county till sixteen years of age, when, with his brother John, he came to Indiana and settled in Prairie Township, Henry County. He re- mained with his brother till 1861, when he married Mary J. Downs, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Downs, and a native of Maryland, born in 1836. They have a family of four children -William, Alice, Robert and Charley. Mr. and Mrs. Holsinger are members of the German Baptist church. He owns a fine farm of 160 acres in Jefferson Township.

David H. Homan, son of Michael and Lena Homan, was born in 1836, in Rockingham County, Va., where he was reared and educated. In 1860 he came to Henry County, Ind., and located in Fall Creek Township, where he was extensively engaged in stock dealing till 1871. He then began farming, and has since followed that vocation. In 1881 he moved to Jefferson Township, where he now owns a large well-cultivated farm. He was married in 1872 to Hannah Bushaugh, a native of Shenandoah County, Va., born in 1833, and a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Bushaugh, who came to Henry County in 1857. From 1857 to 1860 Mr. Homan traveled in the Western States, visiting Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska.

David F. Hoover, son of George and Catherine Hoover, was born in Jefferson Township, Henry Co., Ind., in 1846. He was reared a farmer, but receiving a good education he began teaching when nineteen years of age, and has taught fifteen winter terms, all save four in Jefferson Township. In 1882 he was elected Trustee of the township. He has always taken a great interest in the cause of education. He has a farm of 115 acres of well culti- vated land. He and his wife have been members of the German

m. um Devore

700

HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

Baptist church since 1876. In 1877 he was elected to the first degree of the ministry and has since been advanced to the second degree. He is one of the Trustees of the Aged Persons' Home and Orphan Asylum of the German Baptist church, in the south- ern district of Indiana, and is solicitor for the same district. Mr. Hoover was married Feb. 22, 1872, to Mary C., daughter of Strawther and Piercie (Kerlin) Bouslog, and a native of Jefferson Township, born in 1851. They have had six children-Joseph L., John J., Grace A. (deceased), Charles E., George H. and an in- fant (deceased).

George Hoover, a native of Rockingham County, Va., was born in 1814. He married Catherine Rife, also a native of Virginia, and in 1836 they, with one child, came to Indiana and settled in Jefferson Township, Henry County, at that time a part of Fall Creek Township. Mr. Hoover bought a farm of 200 acres, which he has improved and now has under cultivation. He has always taken great interest in the advancement and improvement of the county. He and his wife are members of the German Baptist church, of which he has been a member forty-three years. Mr. and Mrs. Hoover have had seven children-Joseph, married Ruth Ann McDorman, resides in Minnesota; Anna, wife of Jacob Yost; Mary C., deceased; John J., married Jane Swope, who died, and he afterward married Diana Miller; Elizabeth, wife of Charles Wright; David F., married Catherine Bouslog; Sarah, deceased, wife of John Bartow.

Simon P. Hoover was born in Rockingham County, Va., Oct. 28, 1833, a son of Henry and Catherine Hoover. He was reared and educated in his native county, and when twenty-one years of age came to Henry County, Ind., where he has since made his home, with the exception of several trips to Illinois and the West. He was married Jan. 21, 1867, to Ruanna Lindamood, a native of Virginia, born Nov. 22, 1833, a daughter of Philip and Mary Lin- damood. They have a good home of forty acres, all well improved. Mr. Hoover's father was born in Pennsylvania about 1768, and died in Virginia about 1849. He was twice married, his second wife being Catherine (Funk) Wyatt, a native of Virginia, born in 1796. She died in Henry County, about 1856. They had a fam- ily of five children-Sarah, born Nov. 3, 1830; Hetty E., born March 28, 1832; Simon P., born Oct. 28, 1833; Joseph, deceased, born June 17, 1835; David, born Jan. 17, 1837.

Lyons

701

HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

John B. Jones, son of John and Mary Jones, was born in Henry County, Ind., in 1844. He was reared a farmer, receiving his education in the common schools of Jefferson Township. He now owns a good farm of 135 acres, well improved and cultivated. He was married in 1878 to Amanda Heath, a native of Delaware County, Ind., born in 1850, and a daughter of Abner and Mary Heath. They have one child-Wilbert Earl.

Samuel Lyons was born in Pennsylvania, February, 1822, the youngest of seven children of Abraham and Anna (Hoover) Lyons, natives of Pennsylvania. Abraham Lyons came to Henry County, Ind., in 1838, and in 1839 entered sixty-two acres and bought forty acres of land, a part of the latter under cultivation. The children were-Susie, Sarah, Anna, Barbara, Martha, John and Samuel. Samuel Lyons has made Henry County his home since first coming here with his parents, and has assisted largely in its development. He was married in 1856 to Elizabeth Wetz, who was born in 1808, and died March 31, 1879. They had but one child-John, now deceased. He and his wife were members of the Lutheran church.

Andrew Maddy, son of James and Anna Maddy, was born in Monroe County, Va., June 1, 1808. When he was sixteen years of age his parents died leaving him to take care of himself. He then began to learn the carpenter's trade at which he worked six years. In September, 1828, he married Morcina Miller, a native of Virginia, born June 30, 1810. In October, 1832, with two children, they came to Henry County, Ind., camping the first night in New Castle. He had but $1.50 in money, but changed a horse and buggy and some bedding for forty acres of land on Honey Creek, which had on it a rude log cabin. Here they lived two years. He cleared about twenty acres of the land and erected more buildings. He then sold it for $150, and entered 120 acres in the black swamp, where he still lives. This took all his money and they were obliged to begin anew. They built a cabin of round logs, without any floor, and moved to their new home Sunday evening, camping in the woods over night, as no door had been cut in the cabin. The next morning the door was cut, and in this rude house they lived the first winter. Starting on nothing Mr. Maddy has undergone all the hardships of pioneer life and has ac- quired a good property, being worth at least $20,000. In 1832 his tax was $1.00; in 1883, $100. He now has a farm of 200 acres. He and his wife were members of the Old School Baptist

702

HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

church thirty years. His wife died Aug. 27, 1880, aged seventy years. Their family of eight children are all living in Henry County -- James A .; Elizabeth, wife of N. Shoemaker; Isaac S .; George W .; Cynthia Ann, wife of Thomas E. Ray; Rhoda, wife of J. Shadlow; Philena, wife of William Latshaw; Sarah J., wife of C. J. Boker. There are seventy grandchildren, and ten great- grandchildren. May 3, 1881, Mr. Maddy married Mrs. Ann R. Warren, widow of A. L. Warren, and daughter of James P. and Catharine Barnell. She is a native of Rockingham County, Va., born Nov. 7, 1829.

Steward Muterspaugh, son of Frederick and Elizabeth (Felden- berger) Muterspaugh, was born in Franklin County, Pa., in 1834. His parents were also natives of Franklin County, Pa., his father born in 1792 and his mother in 1813. They came to Henry County, Ind., in 1854, and located in Harrison Township, on forty acres of wild land. They had a family of nine children-John, Jacob, Steward, Anna, Margaret, Joel C., James, Caroline and Andrew. The father died in 1858 and the mother in 1870. Both were active members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Steward Muterspaugh has been a resident of Henry County, Ind., since first coming here with his parents, in 1854, and has assisted largely in the development of the county. He was a young man of en- ergy and will, and went bravely to work to clear the forests and prepare the land for cultivation. He has always engaged in farm- ing, although not exclusively. He has traded extensively in horses, and also dealt in buggies, carriages, harness, etc. His farm in Jefferson Township contains 144 acres of fine land, 124 · acres under cultivation. Commencing life with nothing, he has by hard and honest toil prospered and risen to considerable prom- inence in the county. He was married in 1855 to Margaret E. Thompson, a native of Ohio, born in 1839, a daughter of John and Nancy Thompson. They have had a family of ten children-Ja- cob, Elizabeth (died at the age of fourteen years), George, John, James, Jane, Charlie (deceased), Henry, an infant (deceased), and Eddie. Mr. and Mrs. Muterspaugh are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Peter Netz, a native of Butler County, Ohio, was born in 1840. When nine years of age his father died and he was obliged to de- pend upon himself for a livelihood. He went to Hamilton County, Ohio, and worked on a farm, where he had a brother, till 1856, when he came to Indiana and worked for Henry Wilkinson, who

703

HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

lived just east of New Castle, till the fall of 1862. He then' enlisted in the Second Ohio Infantry and served till Aug. 29, 1865. He did hard service for his country, but came out of the war uninjured. He then went to Ohio and remained in Hamilton and Butler counties till the spring of 1866, when he returned to his former home in Henry County, Ind. In the fall of 1867 he bought a half interest in a saw-mill, and continued that business seven years, when he sold his interest, and in 1874 began farming. Three years later he removed to Sulphur Springs, where he has since resided, hav- ing bought the saw and planing mill of Whitworth & Thompson. His mill has a capacity of 3,000 feet of lumber per day. Mr. Netz has always taken an interest in the public welfare of the town- ship, especially anything that tends to the promotion of education. He was married Oct. 31, 1867, to Phobe, daughter of Elias and Jemima Pickens, and a native of Henry County, born Dec. 18, 1838. They have three children-Jeannetta, Frank and Minnie.

Christopher Painter, a son of Alexander and Mary Painter, was born in Roanoke County, Va., in 1809, and died in Henry County, Ind., in 1880. He was reared and educated in his native county, and in 1836 came to Henry County, Ind., his parents hav- ing preceded him. He located in Jefferson Township and became one of its most prominent citizens. He was a public-spirited, whole-sould man, and was always ready to advocate the adoption of any measure tending toward the good of the public. He was industrious, and was rewarded by becoming one of the wealthiest men of the township. He owned over a section of land at the time of his death, which was well improved. He was an active member of the United Brethren church, and one of its most lib- eral supporters. He was married in 1840 to Rebecca Rinker, a native of Union County, Ind., and a daughter of Geo. Rinker. They were the parents of six children -- George W., J. D., Alexan- der, Mary, Thomas M. and William.

Josiah D. Painter, son of Christopher and Rebecca Painter, was born in Jefferson Township, Henry Co., Ind., in 1844, where he was reared and educated. He was reared a farmer, and has al- ways followed that vocation, owning at present a farm of 191 acres of choice land, with a pleasant residence and good farm buildings. He was married in 1873 to Helen A. Comstock, a na- tive of New Castle, Ind., born in 18 , a daughter of Dr. J. S. and Amanda Comstock. They have had two children; but one is living-India May.

704

HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

Thomas M. Painter, son of Christopher and Rebecca Painter, was born in Jefferson Township, Henry Co., Ind., in 1850. He was reared and educated in his native township. He has a beau- tiful home of 160 acres. He was married in 1880 to Lizzie M. Strickler, a native of Delaware County, Ind., born Oct. 23, 1858, a daughter of Peter C. and Margaret Strickler. Mr. and Mrs. Painter are members of the Christian church, and prominent citi - zens of the township. Mrs. Painter's father was born Dec. 17, 1830. He enlisted in the war of the Rebellion, was wounded, and died while being transported on the Mississippi. He was married Nov. 5, 1857, to Margaret Mowle, who was born June 22, 1838, and died Aug. 16, 1859. Mrs. Painter was their only child.

William J. Painter, son of Christopher and Rebecca Painter, was born in Henry County, Ind., in 1852, and was reared and ed- ucated in Jefferson Township. He was married in 1875 to Mar- garet Hays, a native of Henry County, born Nov. 27, 1854, a daughter S. B. and Catherine Hays. They have two children, John and Netta. Mr. Painter was reared a farmer, and now owns 180 acres of good land. He is one of Henry County's most ener- getic and respected citizens.

Alexander Personett, the subject of this sketch, was born at Mt. Pleasant, Hamilton Co., Ohio, Dec. 25, 1836. His parents, Joseph and Rebecca Personett, moved to Henry County, Ind., when he was two years of age; he was reared to farm life and given a liberal common-school education. After he was twenty-one years of age he attended school for six months, and at the age of twenty-three commenced teaching school and taught for seventeen years. In October, 1859, he was married to Mary Ann Courtney. They lived together until May 20, 1865, when she died of consumption, at the age of twenty-five years. There were two children-Arthur L. and Lavinia Alice. The latter died at the age of one year and five months. In March, 1867, he was married to Virginia E. Dunbar, to whom were born three children, Lilian, William J. and Ralph. Lilian died in September, 1869, at the age of eleven months. In 1866 Mr. Personett joined the Masonic fraternity. In 1874 he was elected Justice of the Peace for Fall Creek Town- ship and served the term of four years, when he was re-elected by a largely increased majority and served about half of the last term, when he resigned on account of removing from the township. He moved to Sulphur Springs in the autumn of 1880 when, upon a recommendation of the citizens, the Commissioners Court ap-

705

HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

pointed him Justice of the Peace for Jefferson Township, but he respectfully declined, not wishing to serve in that capacity any longer.

David P. Province, son of Joseph and Kate Province, was born in 1847 in Marion County, W. Va., and was there reared and edu- cated. When in his sixteenth year he enlisted in the Nineteenth Virginia Infantry, but was afterward mounted, and transferred to cavalry. He served two years and one-half under Stonewall Jack- son, and after his death was under command of General Dick Ewell, till the latter was disabled, when he was transferred to the command of General Early. ,He was taken prisoner three times; was never wounded, but at one time had his horse shot from under him. After the war in 1865, he came to Indiana and stopped in Benton County till the spring of 1866, when he came to Henry County and engaged in driving teams two years. He then rented a farm of Aaron Ivens in Prairie Township. Having no family he engaged Luther Ice and family to keep house for him; but his second year on the farm, Jan. 28, 1869, he was married to Josinah Ice, who was born in Henry County, Ind., Oct. 8, 1846, a daughter of A. J. and Rachel (Clowson) Ice. In 1870 he built in Mt. Summit and lived there till 1873, when he bought seventy acres in Jefferson Township, principally timber land, which he cleared and cultivated. Since 1872 Mr. Province has taken the timber from 500 acres of land and has sold it to the Muncie, Cincinnati & Fort Wayne Railroad, his receipts for it being $17,800. After improv- ing his farm he sold it and has since purchased several other tracts. At the present time he owns 221} acres of land, all being well im- proved. He has been a prominent man in the township and has done much toward its development. Mr. and Mrs. Province have had five children-Mollie Bell, Frank W. (deceased), Andrew J., Joseph B. and Nellie May.

George W. Reedy, son of Rebecca Reedy, was born in Rocking- ham County, Va., in 1849. He was reared and educated in his native county, and in March, 1868, came to Henry County, Ind., having but $1.00 in money when he reached here. He began life in earnest and has by patient industry gained a good property. Sept. 21, 1871, he married Levina Strough, a native of Henry County, born in 1847, a daughter of John and Sarah Strough. After their marriage they lived with Mrs. Reedy's mother about eighteen months, Mr. Reedy taking charge of the farm. They then lived on the Wimmer farm two years, when Mrs. Strough urged

su po 765

706

HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

them to return to their old home and they remained with her till her death, May 1, 1880, aged sixty-four years. In the meantime Mr. Reedy had bought eighty acres of land, and in 1881 they moved to their new home where they have since resided. They have one of the best farms in the county. They have one child, John Harrison, born Dec. 7, 1883, and have reared two children, not their own.

Jacob Richey was born in Rockingham County, Va., in 1850, a son of John and Susan (Caracow) Richey, the former born in Rock- ingham County, Va., in July, 1817, and the latter in Augusta County, Va., in 1819. His parents were married in 1841, and in 1870 moved to Henry County, Ind., locating in Jefferson Township, where they now live, having a good farm of forty acres. Their children are twelve in number, nine living-Mary C., Frederick, David, Rebecca Ann, Jacob, John, Sarah C., Peter and Emma. Jacob Richey came with his parents to Henry County and has since made Jefferson Township his home. He owns a fine farm of eighty acres, all well improved. He was married in July, 1877, to Martha, daughter of Thomas and Sarah Sanders. She is a native of Henry County, born in 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Richey have three children-Corice O. D., Cory M., and William O.

John Rutledge was born in Vermont in 1801, and in 1833 came to Indiana and settled on a farm in Monroe Township, Delaware County, adjoining Henry County, where he reared a family of thir- teen children, ten of whom are living. His first wife was Hannah Williams, daughter of Abel and Rebecca (Hickman) Williams. Mr. Williams was rominently identified with the early history of Indiana. He came from Ohio to Delaware County, and entered 400 acres of land in Monroe Township. He was prominent in agricultural as well as political circles. Mrs. Williams was a Southern lady and in early life turned her attention to the study of medicine, which she put to practical use. She had an exten: sive practice with women and children. She lived to be seventy- five years of age but in later life was a great sufferer, on account of the exposure she had undergone in riding over the country horseback. Mrs. Rutledge was born in Ohio in 1816 and died inx 1849. Her children were as follows: W. V., who began the prac- tice of medicine at Mt. Summit, Ind., about 1858, and afterward moved to Ohio. He enlisted in the Forty-second Indiana Cavalry and served during the war. He then went to Missouri and in 1868 located in St. Louis, where he has an extensive practice and

707

HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

is also a Professor in the American Medical College. Rebecca (de-

ceased ), married Henry Shively, of Henry County. Mary is the wife of Amaziah Julian. Sarah is the wife of William Irwin, of Adams County, Ind. Serepta is the wife of Abraham Watson, Delaware County, Ind. Alice is the wife of Robert Downs. Samantha is the wife of William Downs. Josinah is deceased. In 1852 Mr. Rutledge married Martha J., daughter of James Dyms of Warren County, Ohio. They had five children-John R., a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, residing in Rockford County, Ind .; Elijah D., James, Charlotte G. (deceased), Margaret R., wife of Levi Bunner. Mrs. Rutledge is a member of the Bap- tist church and Mr. Rutledge has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church sixty years.

George W. Shane was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Sept. 6, 1837, a son of Timothy and Mary Ann Shane, his father a native of Beaver County, Pa., born May 2, 1813, and his mother of Steuben- ville, Ohio, born Feb. 14, 1815. About 1838 his parents moved to Pittsburg, Pa., and a year later to Beavertown. In 1845 they re - moved to Marietta, Ohio, remaining there twelve years. He worked four years in a bucket and tub factory in Marietta, but in 1857 came with his parents to New Castle, Ind., and the next year assisted Stephen Corey on his farm, and attended school. He then was employed a year and a half as engineer in a mill at Sulphur Springs, and from there went to the Middletown Mills, where he remained till 1861, when he enlisted in Company B, Eighth Indiana Infantry, for three months and was appointed Fourth Sergeant. At the battle of Rich Mountain, July 11, he was wounded; the ball striking him in the left breast, passed through the left lung and out at the right shoulder, breaking it in three pieces. He was disabled nearly a year, but after his recovery, June, 1862, enlisted in Company K, Fifty-fourth Indiana Infantry, and served three months as First Lieutenant. He then returned to Middletown and remained till Sept. 16, 1864, when he organized Company H, One Hundred and Fortieth Indiana Infantry, and was elected its Captain. He served till the close of the war; was mus- tered out July 11, 1865. After his return from the war he was employed three months as fireman on the Pan Handle Railroad, running from Richmond to Chicago. He then went to the Liberty Mills and remained till 1868, when he purchased a third interest in the Middletown Mills. Nine months later he sold his interest and went to Kokomo, Ind., and clerked in a boot and shoe house. He

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Henry County, Indiana, Part 65

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