USA > Indiana > Henry County > History of Henry County, Indiana > Part 69
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85
John W. Turner, Jr., was born in Fayette County, Ind., Aug. 10, 1841, a son of John W. and Jane (Port) Turner, natives of Ireland, his father born in 1801, and his mother in 1802. His parents were married in Ireland, and with four children came to America in 1837 on account of religious opposition. They were members of the Methodist church, but ten years before her death his mother professed faith in the Universalist church. On reach- ing America they proceeded to Cincinnati, where they were met
. by William Port, a brother of Mrs. Turner, who had come to America fifteen years before. They located in Fayette County, Ind., but in 1853 moved to Henry County and bought the land where our subject now lives, where the father died in 1858, and the mother Feb. 13, 1867. Of five children, Robert, Margaret and John W. are the only ones living; William and James P. are deceased. Mr.
739
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
Turner was Postmaster of Waterloo from 1837 to 1853, and at the same time carried the mail from Waterloo to Connersville. Our subject remained with his parents till his marriage in 1862 to Tabitha, daughter of Charles and Mary Wilson, natives of Ken- tucky and Virginia respectively, and since then has engaged in farming on the place where he now resides. He owns eighty acres of well-improved land. Mr. and Mrs. Turner are members of the Universalist church. They have two children-Mark P. and Julia. Their son is highly educated and has taught school five years. He is at present Principal of Salem High School in Dudley Township.
Jacob Williams, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, May 19, 1835, the fourth son of Israel and Susannah (Ritter) Williams, the former a native of Bedford County, Pa., and the latter of North Carolina. They were married in Montgomery County, Ohio, and in the fall of 1836 they moved to Wayne County, Ind., where Israel Williams followed farming till about 1859, when he kept a toll gate till his death, which occurred July 3, 1863. His wife survived him till Feb. 7, 1878. They were active members of the German Baptist church for many years. Their family consisted of eight children, seven still living. Jacob Williams was reared on his father's farm and was educated at the district schools. When seventeen years old he began learning the carpenter's trade and worked as a journeyman a number of years. He moved to Henry County, Ind., in 1865, where he has since followed farming and carpentering. He is a member of the United Brethren church and has been a minister in the church for ten years. He is a Republican in politics and is a strong advocate of Prohibition. He was first married May 13, 1866, to Martha, daughter of David and Martha Bird, who died March 13, 1878, leaving three children-Laura, Horace and Mary Elizabeth. Mr. Williams was again married March 8, 1879, to Mary, daughter of Samuel and Margaret L. (Jacobs) Williams, natives of Darke County, Ohio. To this union were born two children-Cora and Arthur.
Levi Williams is a native of Ohio, born Oct. 27, 1832, and is a son of Israel and Susannah Williams. His educational advan- tages were very limited, his youth having been spent in assisting on the farm. He was married Sept. 29, 1857, to Miss Barbara Bennett, a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Buck) Bennett. To this union have been born five children, three of whom still survive -- Josephus, Benjamin F., and Ida L. Two daughters are
740
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
deceased-Mary E. and Eliza Ann. After his marriage Mr. Will- iams engaged in farming and is still engaged in agricultural pur- suits in Liberty Township, where he has a very pleasant home. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren church.
David Wilson, Jr., was born in Harrison County, Ky., Dec. 1, 1819, a son of David and Jane (Guynn) Wilson, also natives of Kentucky. His father and three uncles, William, James and Jackson Wilson, served nine months in the war of 1812. When he was fifteen years of age, he with two brothers, two sisters and his mother (his father had died many years before) came to Indi- ana. His mother being an invalid, a consultation was held as to the best way to bring her. Although in the fall of the year it was decided to bring her in a covered sled, which they did · by nearly killing a good team, camping out excepting one night. They settled in Liberty Township, Henry County, where he has since lived. At that time it was heavily timbered, but now is one of the finest farms in the township. His mother remained with him till August, 1864. He was married Nov. 2, 1843, to Cyntha Run- yan, a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, born March 13, 1824, a
135 daughter of Thomas and Mary hunyan. Mullin They have had a family of four sons and four daughters; two of the sons are deceased. They have been members of the Universalist church since its or- ganization, and are among its most liberal supporters. Mr. Wilson has served as Township Trustee several years, and has filled many other offices of trust.
James Wilson, deceased, was born in Kentucky, Jan. 29, 1812, a son of David and Margaret Wilson. He came to Indiana with his mother and two brothers and settled on the farm where his brother David now lives, at that time in the woods. April 22, 1852, he was married to Lucinda Pressel, a native of Henry County, Ind., born Feb. 23, 1831, a daughter of John and Barbara Pressel, natives of Pennsylvania, of German descent. After his marriage Mr. Wilson settled on the home farm with his mother, remaining there till her death. In 1862 he bought the farm where his widow resides, and where he died June 10, 1881. He was Trustee of the township two or three terms. He was a member of New Castle Lodge, No. 91, F. & A. M. Mrs. Wilson is a member of the Uni- versalist church, and although not a member he was a strong advo- cate of its doctrines. Of their eight children six are living-John David, the eldest son, was born June 9, 1854. After his father's death he assumed the management of the farm, and has met with marked success. The home farm contains 177 acres of fine land,
741
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
and J. D. owns 104 acres adjoining. He resides with his mother. He is also a member of the Universalist church.
William H. Wilson was born in Liberty Township, Henry Co., Ind., Sept. 29, 1846, a son of David and Cyntha Wilson. He received a good education, attending New Castle Academy and Dublin High School several terms. He then taught three terms, but on account of ill health was obliged to abandon the school- room and turn his attention to out-door pursuits. He was mar- ried Feb. 17, 1881, to Lizzie L. Millikan, daughter of Mathew R. and Arminta (Davis) Millikan, and settled on the farm where he now lives. He owns 100 acres of land, well cultivated. He has served one term as Trustee of Liberty Township. Mrs. Wilson is a member of the Christian church.
George Wimmer, farmer, was born in Liberty Township, Henry Co., Ind., in 1856, a son of William and Eve Wimmer. He was reared on the farm and received a good common-school education. He was married in 1876 to Izetta A. Sowash, daughter of John and Minerva Sowash. They have two children-Vaughn and Emma. After his marriage Mr. Wimmer located on the farm where he still resides. He owns 160 acres of fine land, all well im- proved, and is one of the promising young farmers of the town- ship.
John M. Wimmer, farmer, was born in Henry County, Ind., in 1855, a son of Noah and Catherine Wimmer, old settlers and resi- dents of Henry County. He spent his early life with his parents, receiving a common-school education. He was married Aug. 8, 1880, to Dora A., daughter of Frederick and Sarah Dilling, of Wayne County, Ind. They have two children-Everett F. and Glen D. After his marriage Mr. Wimmer lived in Wayne County two years, and then moved Liberty Township, Henry County, and rented 160 acres of land, where he has since resided. He is one of the promising young farmers of the township.
William Wimmer, farmer, was born in Liberty Township, Henry Co., Ind., in 1829, a son of William and Susan (Mullen) Wimmer, natives of Ohio. His parents came to Indiana in 1820 and entered land from the Government, near the site of Ashland, which they afterward sold, and entered the farm where William, Jr., now lives. Ten years later he sold this farm and entered an- other in the same township, where the mother died in 1840. At the time of their coming to the county there were but four other families in the township, Thomas Stanford and wife and David Odom and wife being two of them. Mr. and Mrs. Wimmer were
742
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
members of the New Light church many years, but after his wife's death he became a member of the Universalist church. He was for many years a School Director. · Mr. Wimmer died in 1854. His family consisted of four sons and four daughters. William Wimmer, our subject, was reared in pioneer times and his educa- tional advantages were very limited. He has always devoted his time to farming in Henry and Howard counties, and in 1880 bought the farm where he now resides. He owns 295 acres of fine land, all well improved. He was married in 1851 to Eve, daughter of George and Catharine Evans, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Ohio, of German descent. Of their ten children, nine are living-Sarah C., James, Joan, George, Mary J., Alice, Electa J., Maggie and Emma. William Carl is deceased. Politically Mr. Wimmer is a Republican.
Alonzo J. Winnings, youngest son of Joseph and Jane (Mullen) Winnings, was born Oct. 16, 1854, in Liberty Township, Henry Co., Ind. His boyhood days were passed on the farm till he was twelve years of age, when he went to Muncie, Ind., and at- tended the High School there about three years. At the age of fif- teen years he began clerking in the grocery store of his brother, T. J. Winnings, remaining with him till he was twenty-one years old. He then engaged to sell tobacco and cigars by sample for Rudy & Co., of Hagerstown, which business he followed till his health failed. He then came to Henry County and has since resided on the home place. He was married April 26, 1876, to Ida B., daughter of Seth S. and Maria Bennett, of New Castle, Ind. He and his wife have been members of the Christian church for eight years.
Joseph Winnings (deceased) was born near Pittsburg, Pa., Aug. 12, 1812, a son of Archibald and Christina Winnings. When he was nine years old his parents moved to Ohio and settled on a farm in Hamilton County where his father soon after died. He was married March 3, 1836, to Jane Mullen, a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, and a daughter of Hugh and Mary Mullen. To them were born seven children, six sons and one daughter. One son is deceased. After his marriage he engaged in farming and also worked at the cooper's trade, which he had previously learned. After selling his farm he moved his family to Henry County, Ind., March 4, 1854, and bought the farm in Liberty Township where his widow now resides. Mr. Winnings served as Trustee of Liberty Township for two terms. He was an earnest worker in the Christian church, being a prominent member for over forty-five
743
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
years. Mrs. Winnings is also an active worker in the same church. Mr. Winnings died April 10, 1880, aged sixty-eight years, and was buried in Benton's graveyard by the Masonic order, he having be- longed to Hagerstown Lodge for over thirty years. Our subject commenced on very limited means but by good management he succeeded in owning one of the finest farms in Henry County. At his death he owned 240 acres of excellent land. At one time he owned 340 but divided 100 acres among his children.
Eli M. Wisehart, farmer, was born in Liberty Township, Henry Co. Ind., April 13, 1846, a son of John L. and Mar- garet Wisehart. He received a good education and when seven- teen years of age began clerking in the dry goods store of B. F. Wisehart, in New Castle. He remained there two years, and then was employed a year by his brother, Samuel D., and his brother-in-law, B. Ingels, at Milton, Ind. He then returned to 729 cemetary Near New Lisbon Henry County and carried on the home farm for his mother till . wise har! marriage in 1869 to Sarah J. Kinsey, daughter of Lewis and Catharine (Shultz) Kinsey. He resided on his farm adjoining his mother one year and on his father-in-law's farm two years. Then moved to a farm of his father-in-law's in Wayne County, and re- mained there a year when he rented the place where he now re- sides two years, and at the expiration of that time bought it. Mr. and Mrs. Wisehart are members of the German Baptist church. They have a family of eight children-Martin C., Ida F., Katie E., Lewis M. (deceased), David W., Carrie O., Goldie F., and an infant, unnamed. Politically Mr. Wisehart is a Republican.
John L. Wisehart, deceased, was born Nov. 9, 1814, in Henry County, Ind. He was reared a farmer receiving his education in the subscription schools. March 17, 1836, he was married to Margaret Davidson, a native of Mason County, Ky., born Dec. 18, 1818. She came with her parents to Henry County, Sept. 14, 1826. After their marriage they settled in Liberty Township, a mile and a quarter from Millville, where Mr. Wisehart died March 25, 1864, and where Mrs. Wisehart still resides. To them were born twelve children-Benjamin F., Samuel D., Eli M., Wilson A., Alonzo, Lagrande, John W., America (deceased), Martha A., Viretta, Ella, and Mary E. (deceased). Mr. Wisehart served as Township Trustee two terms, and as Constable. He was a member of the Christian church as is also his wife.
S. D. Wisehart, of Wisehart & Kent, grain dealers, Millville, Ind., was born in Liberty Township, Henry Co.,. Ind., Oct. 4, 47
744
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
1839, a son of John L. and Margaret (Davidson) Wisehart. He received a good education, residing with his parents on the farm till twenty years of age, when he engaged in the general mercan- tile and grain business in Millville. In 1873 he sold his stock of merchandise and gave his exclusive attention to the grain trade. Sept. 1, 1880, Edmond L. Kent became associated with him. In June, 1883, they erected a grain elevator at Mooreland at a cost of $800. They ship annually from Millville and Mooreland 75, 000 bushels of grain, and also deal in all kinds of agricultural imple- ments. Mr. Wisehart was married June 5, 1870, to Alice, daughter of William S. and Mary A. (Case) Layboyteaux. They have two children-Edmond and William. Politically Mr. Wisehart is a Democrat.
John Worl was born in Wayne County, Ind., Dec. 20, 1816, a son of Joseph and Nancy (Bell) Worl, who were natives of Kentucky. They immigrated to Indiana in an early day and settled near Jacksonburg, Wayne County, but the Indians becoming hostile they soon after went to Eaton, Ohio, remaining there two years. Joseph Worl was a soldier in the war of 1812, and for his services received 160 acres of land from the Government. He died in 1852 and his wife died in 1870. They belonged to the Christian church for many years. Their children were-Polly, Milton, Matilda, Sallie, Washington, Elizabeth, John, Joseph, Lucinda and Martin. John Worl, our subject, remained on the home farm till he was twenty-one years old and received only a limited education. He was married Jan 10, 1837, to Mary A. McShirley, who died March 20, 1855. To this union were born seven children-Elizabeth, Manda, Joseph, John M., Mary J., Nancy and Martin. After his marriage Mr. Worl bought a farm in Liberty Township, Henry Co., Ind., where he has since resided. When he first came to his farm, only eight acres had been cleared and the buildings consisted of one log cabin in which he lived eight years. He has now a fine large house, erected two years ago, and his farm contains at present 159 acres, he having divided the balance, 214 acres, among his chil- dren. Mr. Worl married again Jan. 10, 1857, Charlotte Silvers, a daughter of Asa and Catherine (Hefflin) Silvers, and to them have been born two children-Laura Bell and Monroe. He and wife are members of the Christian church, to which he has belonged thirty-three years. Mr. Worl has been an invalid for eleven years and is now entirely confined to his room. He has been a life-long Republican.
V. A. Rifnew
Mrs. W. A. Rifner
CHAPTER XXI.
PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP.
NAME .- ORGANIZATION .-- EXTENT. - POPULATION .- EARLY SETTLERS. -FIRST EVENTS. - THE FIRST MILL IN THE COUNTY .- EDUCATIONAL HISTORY .- CHURCHES .- VILLAGES .- MT. SUMMIT .- HILLSBORO .- LURAY .- SPRINGPORT .- BIOGRAPHICAL.
Prairie Township, one of the four townships erected by the County Commissioners on the 11th of June, 1822, at first included " all that part of Henry County north of the congressional town- ship line dividing townships 17 and 18 north,'" that is, it was twenty miles long and eight in width. At the same date it was ordered that an election for one Justice of the Peace for said township should be held at the house of Abraham Harvey on the 6th of July, 1882, and that William Harvey be inspector. At this election William Harvey and Abijah Cain were chosen Over- seers of the Poor; and Abraham Harvey, James Massey and Rob- ert Gordon, Fence Viewers. The place of election was changed in 1826 to Samson Smith's; afterward to Enoch Dent's, then to E. T. Hickman's, and then to James Harvey's. This township de- rives its name from the low and level meadows which constitute a considerable portion of its land. It is a rich and wealthy farming district, and contains four villages. In 1870 the population was 1,622; in 1880, 1,708.
The Harvey neighborhood was among the first settlements in the county. William, Benjamin, James and Absalom Harvey settled in 1819. Absalom Harvey owned land about New Castle and donated to the county twenty-eight acres, including that on which the court-house now stands. Benjamin Harvey settled in the spring of 1819, the others in the autumn. The family were orig inally from North Carolina, but had moved to Indiana while it was a Territory. They came to this county from Wayne.
Evan Harvey was accidentally shot while hunting deer, soon
(745)
746
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
after the family came here. His death is said to have been the first in the township.
Samuel Howard settled at the same time with the Harveys.
Shubal Julian, now of Harrison Township, located in Prairie Township in 1822, and after remaining several years re- moved to Harrison. In this township the first lands taken up were along Blue River. No land was sold here until 1822. In that year entries were made by the following persons: Oct. 22, Absalom Harvey; Oct. 25, Robert Smith, Barclay Benbow, James Harvey, Abijah Cox, Benjamin Harvey, William Harvey, John Harris; Nov. 12, Jacob Weston; Dec. 11, Jacob Witter; Dec. 22, Philip Harkrider. Other early settlers were Jesse Mellett, Aquilla Barrett, Chas. Gough, John Reed, Joshua Heckman, John P. Johnson, James Massie, John Yoadley, Thomas and Jacob Houston, William Brown, William Wiley, Martin and Jacob Kibbler and others.
George Hedrick and family, from Virginia, settled in 1824 on the farm where he died in 1863. He reared a large family, and several of his children still live in the county.
The first mill in the county was erected in this township in 1821 by a man named Snyder. It ground only corn, and was a very primitive affair. Its stones were made from "nigger heads," cut by Snyder himself. Later a mill was built further down the river, and known as Blue River Mill. In 1851 the mill on the township line between Henry and Prairie was built. It is now owned by James Nip.
Bouslog's mill, a famous one in its day, situated on Blue River, about two miles south west of Rogersville, was built by Levi Bous- log about 1844, at a cost of about $6,000.
The first white man buried in the township was Samuel Hen- dricks, in the Harvey graveyard.
The first white child born in the township was Joel Harvey, Oct. 18, 1821. m margaret coneday.
Joseph Needham, at HiNsboro, kept the fiest store in the town- ship.
On the land of Shubal Julian, one mile south of Mount Summit, a school-house, of round logs, was erected about the year 1824, by Shubal Julian, Thomas Hess, Josiah Bradbury, Lemuel Evans and Moses Wayman. Here Milton Wayman taught the first school in the township, having about thirty scholars. The teacher was boarded for 50 cents per week. The first religious services in the
747
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
township were held in the above school-house by Father Rogers, an Episcopal clergyman.
A log school-house, in which greased paper served as window lights, was built on the farm now owned by Joel Harvey as early as 1826.
An early school-house was built on the farm of E. T. Heckman, now belonging to Nathan Harvey. It was constructed of hewed logs. Prior to its erection several terms of school had been taught in private dwellings.
The first school-house in the Mount Summit district was a log building with slab seats. The present school is graded, and occu- pies two rooms. Newton Williams was the first Principal.
Jesse H. Healey was among the first teachers in the township.
There are now twelve school-houses in the township. The school property is valued at about $10,000. The number of school children in the township in21884 was 454; in Mount Summit corpo- ration, 76.
Township officers, 1883-'84: Jesse M. Reed, Trustee; J. B. Gilmore, Assessor; Justices of the Peace: J. W. Dunbar, Mount Summit; Thomas Ice, Hillsboro; Marcus Brown, Luray.
Mount Summit Corporation-Trustees : Dr. Norviel, J. N. Smith, J. V. Beavers.
CHURCHES.
Lebanon Church (Baptist) .- The house of worship of this con- gregation is situated near the center of the township. Jesse Mel- let was the first preacher. The congregation was organized at his house May 10, 1828. The first house of worship was erected about 1831. The present membership is seventy-two; present pastors: T. S. Lyons and John Buckles; Deacons: T. H. Beavers, Jonathan Veach.
Among the earliest members of Lebanon church were Jesse Mellett and wife, John Miller and wife, Ruth Wayman, Mrs. Whittaker, Mrs. A. Veach, Mr. Jones and wife. The early ministers were Jesse Mellett, Charles Mellett, John Baldridge, T. S. Lyons and Ara Cole.
Christian Church .- The church near Hillsboro was the first Christian church in the township. It was organized Nov. 28, 1840. Elder Elijah Martindale was the first minister. The con- gregation when formed consisted of sixty-six members. The Trustees were: Asahel Woodward, Benjamin Harvey, Clement Mur-
748
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
phey, Nathan Canaday and William Millikan; Samuel Canaday, Clerk. The church building was erected by subscription. Clement Murphey gave one acre of ground for a church lot and cemetery.
Before any regular organization was effected, Elder Martindale preached at the house of Wm. Canaday.
Christian Church .- Mt. Summit Christian church was organized by Elder J. B. Ludwig, April 24, 1873. John Smith and Thomas Hale were chosen the first elders; H. H. Cannaday, Wm. Shively and R. F. West, Deacons. The house of worship is 40 x 60 feet in size, and cost $3,000. The church has about 141 members at present. The present church officers are: Thos. Hale, R. D. Nor- viel and B. F. Needham, Elders; R. F. West, J. J. Courtney and J.W. Dunbar, Deacons; S. S. Cannaday, Clerk. The township now contains two Christian churches, two Baptist churches, two Meth- odist churches, and one German Baptist church.
MOUNT SUMMIT.
This village was platted in 1854 by Jesse Ice. Additions have since been made by Abel W. Ice, William West and Samuel Ice. The town was incorporated in 1871. In 1880 its population was 200.
The first wagon-maker in the place was Joseph Kinsey; the first blacksmith, Frederick Ice; and the first physician, Dr. Gavin. The present physicians are Dr. Norviel and Dr. F. G. Jackson. The first hotel was kept by W. S. Dunbar, who is still in the business. A second hotel has since been established and is now kept by J. S. Bates.
The postoffice was established in 1858. The Postmasters have been: L. D. Harvey, Joseph Williamson, John Aucker, R. Hud- son and J. N. Smith.
The first saw-mill at Mt. Summit was erected by A. J. and E. T. Ice, in 1847. It was burned down, but rebuilt.
A. J. Ice built the first warehouse in 1871. Harvey & Rifner have a grain elevator, erected since. Both of these firms are still doing a very prosperous business. The shipments of wheat and corn run from 40,000 to 100,000 bushels per year by each firm.
Business interests, 1884: General stores, C. A. Richey, J. N. Smith; grocery, J. C. Cole; hardware and grain, Harvey & Rif- ner; stoves and tinware, Michael Brothers.
The town derives its name from the fact that it is situated upon one of the chief elevations of the county. Its drainage goes both
749
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
to the north and to the south. The Fort Wayne, Cincinnati & Louisville Railroad passes through the town.
OTHER VILLAGES.
Hillsboro, although one of the oldest villages in the county, is yet one of the smallest. It is situated in the southeastern part of Prairie Township, and in 1880 had a population of ninety. The village was laid out in 1830 by Thomas Maston and Samuel Rinehart. A postoffice named "Dan Webster" was established here several years ago but was afterward discontinued.
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.