USA > Indiana > Henry County > History of Henry County, Indiana > Part 72
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Jesse Luellen was born in Preston County, W. Va., Ang. 17, 1827, a son of David and Abigail (Jones) Luellen. His parents came to Henry County, Ind., in 1836, and settled on the farm now owned by our subject. His father was born April 19, 1796, and died May 1, 1855. His mother was born Aug. 9, 1797, and is still living. To them were born twelve children; ten lived to maturity, and six are still living. They were members of the Baptist . church from their youth. Jesse Luellen went to learn the black- smith's trade, when eighteen years of age, and served an appren- ticeship of one year. He worked at his trade eighteen years, at the same time carrying on his farm. He owns forty-seven and a half acres of excellent land, on which is a pleasant residence and comfortable buildings. For the past ten years he has given con- siderable attention to the treatment of diseases of horses and has
Lewellyn sometimes
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met with marked success. He was married when twenty-one years of age to Susan J. Lake, who died in 1858, leaving two children- Mary L. and Thomas. In 1860 he married Sarah J., daughter of Cornelius and Ann Smith. To them have been born eight chil- dren; but four are living-Anna, Agnes, Emma and Albert. Mr. Luellen has been a member of the Masonic fraternity twenty-five years.
Joshua H. Mellett is a native of Monougalia County, W. Va., born March 4, 1812, a son of Arthur C. and Leanna (Glasscock) Mellett, natives of Stafford County, Va., the foriner born March 4, 1777, and the latter in 1779. Arthur C. Mellett spent his early life in a flouring mill and his later life in farming. He was drafted into the service in the war of 1812. He was one of a family of five children-Jesse, Arthur, John, William, and Eliz- abeth, wife of Aquilla Barnett; all were residents of Henry County, and are buried in the cemetery near Lebanon meeting- house. Arthur Mellett died Oct. 24, 1853, and his wife in Sep- tember, 1862. They had a family of five children-Charles, John G., Eletha, Elizabeth and Joshua H., who never married, but re- mained with his parents caring for them till their death. He has always followed agricultural pursuits, and although a young man with but limited means when he came to Henry County, in 1835, has by his industry and economical habits accumulated a large prop- erty. He has been judicious in his business transactions and has in- vested his surplus money in land. His sister Eletha has been his housekeeper. Although seventy-eight years of age she has never worn glasses, but retains her natural eyesight. She is an active woman still superintending her house, and has more energy than many women much younger. Mr. Mellett is a man universally es- teemed; he is a social, hospitable man in his home, and an honor- able man in all business transactions. He and his sister have been members of the Lebanon Baptist church since 1838 and 1839, and are active and liberal in all church work.
Joshua H. Mellett was born in Monongalia County, W. Va., Nov. 24, 1831, a son of John G. and Cynthia (Hickman) Mellett, natives of Monongalia County, the father born April 12, 1803, and the mother June 19, 1806. His parents came to Indiana in 1833 and settled in Henry County, near the present site of Spring- port. They purchased 320 acres of land and entered eighty more. To them were born ten children, but six of whom are living-Ed- mond, born Jan. 16, 1828, a resident of Jones County, Iowa; our
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subject; Alcinda, wife of Madison Sharp, of Fall Creek Township; Elizabeth, wife of Jacob Swearengen, of Stoney Creek Township; Jacob, born Aug. 11, 1842, resides in Hamilton County, Ill .; Low- ell, born July, 1849, resides in Prairie Township. Those deceased are-Leanna, wife of Samuel Kiser, died April 22, 1866; Josina, wife of Thomas B. Jones, died April 28, 1868; Arthur C., died Aug. 20, 1833; Rebecca A., died Sept. 5, 1864. The mother died June 11, 1853, and the father, Dec. 25, 1858. Our subject was reared and educated in Henry County. He has turned his atten- tion mostly to farming and stock-raising, although in his early life he was for a short time engaged in mercantile pursuits. Mr. Mellett is a member of New Castle Lodge, No. 91, F. & A. M. Politically he is a Republican. He was married Jan. 27, 1857, to Sophronia Kem, daughter of Madison and Malinda (Bulla) Kem. They have had one son-John, born Nov. 6, 1858, died Oct. 24, 1874.
Lowell L. Mellett is a native of Henry County, Ind., born in Prairie Township, Aug. 7, 1848, the youngest of a family of ten children of John and Cynthia (Hickman) Mellett, natives of West Virginia. His father died in 1857 and his mother in 1851. Both were active members of the Baptist church. Lowell L. Mellett was reared and educated in his native county. In 1863 he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and worked in the Excelsior Factory seven years. In 1871 he bought 120 acres of land, on section 34, Prairie Township, and has since followed agricultural pursuits. He was married in 1870 to Annie A., daughter of John and Susan (Ham- ilton) Worth, her father a native of New York, and her mother of Delaware County, Ohio. They have four children-Samuel K., Hermione F., Bessie J. and Annie B.
Milton Michaels was born June 21, 1852, in New Castle, Ind., a son of Alexander and Margaret (Colburn) Michaels. His father was born Nov. 10, 1813, and came to Henry County from West Virginia in 1834. His mother is a native of North Carolina. They were married in 1835, and had a family of eleven children, seven of whom are living. Our subject was educated in New Castle, remaining there till 1869, when he went to Cambridge City and worked in a restaurant two years. He then went to In- dianapolis and engaged as traveling salesman. He was thus en- gaged till 1877, in the meantime traveling in ten different States,. and visiting New York, New Orleans, Omaha, St. Paul, and other cities. In 1877 he returned to New Castle and engaged in business for himself. Sept. 22, 1879, he moved to Mt. Summit,
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and engaged in the tin-ware, roofing, stove, and spouting business with his brother Charles, the firm name being Michaels Brothers. Dec. 4, 1878, he married Mary E. Luellen, daughter of Jabez and Mary (Macy) Luellen. They have two children-Paul, born Sept. 12, 1879, and Fred, born Oct. 14, 1881. Politically Mr. Michaels is a Republican.
Franklin B. Miller is a native of Bedford County, Pa., born Feb. 28, 1852. He learned the miller's trade when eighteen years of age, and in 1874 came to Indiana (Wayne County); from there went to Illinois and remained six months; then re- turned to Wayne County; thence to Delaware County, and in 1877 to New Castle, Henry County. He rented the Johnson & Fisher mills four years, and then bought an interest in the Eagle Mills, on Buck Creek, Luray. He is a practical miller, under- standing every detail of the business. He does a general custom and exchange business, making a good grade of flour. Mr. Miller was married in 1876 to Ella Cannaday, daughter of George H. Cannaday, of Delaware County, Ind. They have two children- Ora and Jennie. Mr. Miller has been Postmaster of Luray since May 2, 1881.
J. Q. A. Minesinger was born July 31, 1838, in Beaver County, Pa., a son of John and Mary (Swearingen) Minesinger. He was reared on a farm, and received a common-school education. His father being occupied with public business, and the other children being in school, the care of a large farm early devolved on him. He has always followed farming, and has now 286 acres of finely cultivated land. He is an enterprising business man, and his home shows the result of good management and thrift. Politically he casts his vote with the Republican party, and is a very enthu- siastic worker in the cause. He was married April 4, 1858, to Jane Ridgway, a daughter of Lot and Ina (Lynch) Ridgway, born Feb. 23, 1838. They have one son, Omar Eugene, born Nov. 11, 1859. Mr. and Mrs. Minesinger are members of the Christian church at Hillsboro.
Benjamin F. Needham was born Dec. 7, 1836, in Prairie Town- ship, Henry Co., Ind., and is a son of Josiah and Margaret Ann (Swafford) Needham, who came from North Carolina to Henry County among the first settlers of this section. They are at pres- ent living in New Castle. They are the parents of eleven children, seven still living-Isaac, of North Carolina; Elinda Myra, wife of A. J. Seningen, of Muncie, Ind .; Barbara Ellen, residing at Day-
grand of Sam: Elizab (Hear
seep. 759-
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ton, Ohio; Mary E., wife of Smith Hunt, of Richmond; Margaret, wife of Charles Harrison, of Milton, Ind .; Laban W., of North Carolina, and our subject, who was married Feb. 20, 1867, to Mar- tha Minesinger, born Sept. 19, 1845, and daughter of John and Mary (Swearingen) Minesinger, natives of Pennsylvania and Vir- ginia respectively, and early settlers of Henry County. They have had four children-Maud, born Dec. 13, 1872, and died May 4, 1873; Charles M., born Jan. 29, 1868, attending the Spiceland Academy; Frank Monroe, born Oct. 22, 1869, and John Quincy Adams, born Jan. 7, 1879. Mr. Needham was reared on the home farm till twenty-three years of age, receiving a common-school education. He learned the painter's trade, which he followed until about twelve years ago, since which he has been successfully engaged in farming, and may be classed among the enterprising citizens of the township. His farm, located on section 14, contains 265 acres of land under a high state of cultivation. In politics Mr. Needham has always affiliated with the Republican party. He and wife are members of the Mount Summit Christian church. Mrs. Needham's parents had six children, of whom three survive -James, of Montana Territory; John Quincy Adams, and Mary, wife of our subject. Those deceased are-Joseph, Henry, and Charles, who was killed at the battle of Jonesboro, Ala. Mrs. - > Needham's father was of German descent. He was a stone-mason by trade, and was superintendent of the railroad bridge across the Mississippi River at St. Louis, from which bridge he fell and was killed.
Roderick D. Norviel, M. D., is a native of Madison County, Ohio, born Aug. 2, 1836, the youngest of ten children of Nathaniel and Elizabeth (Tharp) Norviel, natives of Connecticut, of Scotch de- scent. His parents were married in their native State, and in 1833 moved to Ohio, and settled in Copley, and subsequently moved to Madison County, and from there to Union County in 1842, where the Doctor was reared and received his early education. He then attended Marysville Academy and the Delaware College, and after leaving school taught in Ohio ten years. In 1863 he went to Ma- haska County, Iowa, and taught in Prairie College a year. In 1864 he returned to Ohio and enlisted as First Sergeant of Company K, One Hundred and Thirty-second Ohio Infantry, and partici- pated in the battles of Richmond and Petersburg. After leaving the army he began the study of medicine with Prof. William T. Sharp, of West Middleburg. In the fall of 1866 he came to Indi-
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ana and located in Farmland, Randolph County, and began the practice of his profession. The next winter he taught school, and in the spring resumed his practice. In 1878 he moved to Mt. Summit, Henry County, where he has built up a large practice. Mr. Norviel was married in 1852 to Rachel, daughter of Jesse and Elizabeth Downs. She died in Mahaska County, Iowa, Dec. 17, 1863, leaving three children-Sarah C., now Mrs. Richard Kirel; Frank D., in the office of the Cincinnati, Indianapolis & Louis- ville Railroad, married Mary Hildebrand, of Indianapolis, and Oliver D., an attorney of Knoxville, lowa. In March, 1867, Dr. Norviel married Ella Spillers, daughter of George and Mary M. Spillers, of Randolph County, Ind.
Elijah Peacock, of Luray, was born in Loudoun County, Va., near Harper's Ferry, July 4, 1808, the second son of Samuel and Ann (Workman) Peacock, natives of Virginia. When fifteen years of age he went to work for his cousin at the blacksmith's trade, serving an apprenticeship. After he had learned his trade he went to Maryland and took the job of sharpening drill picks for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company. He then traveled as a jour- neyman some time. In 1845 he came to Henry County, Ind., and opened a shop in Luray, and worked at his trade till his eyesight failed. He is now living a quiet life, retired from active business. He was married in 1841 to Mary Jane Wright, of Loudoun County, Va., who died in November, 1862, leaving six children-B. F., Will- iam H., Cassa A., Susan J., Rebecca and Sarah A. Politically Mr. Peacock was originally a Whig but now affiliates with the Republican party. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1869 for a term of four years.
George Rezin Powers is a native of Henry County, Ind., born Sept. 18, 1848, the eldest of three children of James C. and Eliza J. (Rogers) Powers, his father a native of West Virginia and his mother of Pennsylvania. His mother died in 1852 and his father then moved to Delaware County and made his home with a brother, D. B. P. Bowers. He afterward married Martha J. Stew- ard and moved to Howard County, Ind., where he still lives. After the death of his mother George R. went to live with his ufcle, Rezin H. Powers, and remained with him till manhood. He was given a good education, completing it at Muncie Academy. After leaving school he returned to his uncle's farm. When seven- teen years of age he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Indiana Infantry, and served eight months. He was
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in the Army of the Potomac, serving under General Sheridan. In 1870 he was married to Mary, daughter of Amaziah and Lydia Patterson. He lived on his uncle's farm three years after his marriage and then bought eighty acres of land on section 29, where he has since resided. Mr. and Mrs. Powers have five chil- dren-Agnes M., Morris D., Eliza G., Rezin H. and Harry O. Mr. Powers is a member of Cowan Lodge, No. 561, I. O. O. F., in Delaware County, Ind.
John A. Powers, blacksmith, Luray, Ind., was born in Henry County, Oct. 14, 1835, the eldest of seven children of Stanton and Rowena (Collins) Powers, natives of Virginia. His parents were married in Henry County and settled on a farm about two miles south of Luray, where the father died in November, 1856, and the mother in August of the same year. They had a family of seven children : one died at the age of nine years; six are living-John A., Samuel K., Caroline C., wife of Manning Smith, of Missouri; James E .; Elizabeth, wife of - Riley, of Johns County, Mo .; and Amanda C., wife of Henry Stout. John A. Powers began working at the blacksmith's trade with Moses Leavitt when nineteen years of age and served an apprenticeship of three years. In 1859 he opened a shop in Luray and with the exception of three years has since worked at his trade. He enlisted in 1865 in Company H, One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Indiana Infantry, and served eight months. Mr. Powers was married in October, 1860, to Naomi, daughter of David and Sarah Robe. They have two children -Annette and John M. Mr. and Mrs. Powers are members of the Baptist church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has taken the Knight Templar degrees.
John S. Powers is a native of Monongalia County, W. Va., 'born May 26, 1816, a son of William and Rebecca (Jones) Powers natives of Virginia. William Powers came with his family to Indiana in 1825 and lived in Wayne County a year. In the spring of 1826 he moved to Delaware County and leased land six years. In 1832. he entered eighty acres on section 30, - Township, and went to work to make himself a home. He died in 1852, aged seventy-six years, and his- wife in 1863, aged eighty-one years. They had a family of nine children; all lived till maturity. John S. Powers was their young- est son. He was reared on the pioneer farm, receiving but a lim- ited education. He remained with his parents till their death and then bought the old homestead from the heirs. He has been
49
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successful, and has added to his farm till he now owns 280 acres, a part of it bottom land, lying on the head waters of Buck Creek. He was married in 1847 to Sarah, youngest daughter of Joseph and Mary Walling, of Delaware County. They had five children born to them but one of whom is living-Jane G. Mrs. Powers died in 1860.
Rezin Harmon Powers was born in Monongalia County, W. Va., Jan. 13, 1815, a son of Nehemiah and Casandria (Holland) Pow- ers, natives of Virginia. In 1823 his parents moved to Wayne County, Ind., and in the fall of 1828 to Henry County, and settled on land east of Springport, which they improved and where they lived the remainder of their lives. They had a family of twelve children; six are living. The mother was a member of the Bap- tist church. R. H. Powers spent his youth in assisting his father
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clear a frontier farm. He remained with his parents till his mar- riage and then settled on a farm in Delaware County. In 1849 he moved to his present home on section 34, Prairie Township, where he has 240 acres of choice land, which is well improved. He started in life in meager circumstances, but has been successful, and now has a comfortable home in which to pass his declining years. He was married in 1846 to Elizabeth, daughter of Arthur and Leona Mellett. They had one son who died in infancy. Mrs. Powers died in 1874. In 1880 Mr. Powers married Sarah (Harlan) Reed, daughter of Stephen and Mary Harlan, and widow of Thomas Reed. She has had eleven children; but five are living. Mr. and Mrs. Powers are members of the Baptist church.
Jesse M. Reed, deceased, was born April 3, 1827, in Monon- galia County, W. Va., a son of John and Margaret (Mellett) Reed, natives of the same county, his father born July 30, 1801, and his mother, Sept. 19, 1803. His parents were married Sept. 11, 1823, and came to Indiana in 1827. To them were born ten children, two of whom died in infancy, and but four of whom are living- William, John M., Mrs. Viretta Beavers and Mrs. Judith Barnard, all residents of Henry County. Jesse M. Reed was married Oct. 11, 1855, to Frances, daughter of John and Hester McAllister, of Madison County, Ind. She died Sept. 22, 1870, leaving five children -John O., born Dec. 31, 1856; Hettie, born Aug. 19, 1860, died Oct. 15, 1881; Augustus W., born Sept. 4, 1865; Frank, born Nov. 18, 1868; Albert, born Sept. 14, 1870. Nov. 16, 1872, Mr. Reed married Martha A., daughter of Nathan and Hannah Dayis, of Blue River Township. To them were born two children-William, born Nov. 3,
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1876, and Ethel, July 30, 1881. Mr. Reed always followed agri- cultural pursuits, and at the time of his death owned 300 acres of fine, well-improved land. Politically he was a Democrat. He was Justice of the Peace fifteen consecutive years, and also served his township as Trustee. He was a member of the Lebanon Baptist church. May 21, 1884, he was called to his last home after an illness of four days. A life-long resident of the county, his inter- ests and affections were concentrated here, and his removal was a loss to the entire community. A liberal-hearted, whole-souled man he was always ready to aid any cause of benefit to the public. Perfectly honest and upright, his friends were legion and his ene- mies few.
William M. Reed was born in Prairie Township, Henry Co., Ind., Nov. 3, 1829, a son of John and Margaret (Mellett) Reed. He learned the carpenter's trade when a young man, and worked at it a number of years. He then engaged in farming, and subse- quently operated a mill, but this proving an unsuccessful venture, he again began working at his trade, which he is still following in connection with farming. He owns eighty acres of finely improved land and has one of the pleasantest homes in the township. Mr. Reed was married Aug. 8, 1860, to Malinda A. Mellet, who was born June 7, 1839, a daughter of Charles and Mary (Moore) Mel- let. They have had nine children - Mary E., born Aug. 11, 1861; Rufus R., June 12, 1863; Charles M., Oct. 31, 1865, died Feb. 21, 1870; Leanna Olive, born Oct. 2, 1868; James M., April 3, 1871; Letha A., June 7, 1873; John C., Oct. 14, 1876; Juliet M., Nov. 21, 1878; Arthur C., May 1, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Reed are members of the Lebanon Baptist church. His grandfather, Jesse Mellett, was the first minister and the organizer of the church. Politically Mr. Reed is a Democrat.
Charles A. Richey, merchant, Mount Summit, Ind., was born Sept. 24, 1861, in Henry County, Ind., a son of James and Anna (Beam) Richey. When sixteen years of age he went to New Castle and was employed as clerk for Campbell Brothers, dry- goods merchants. He remained with them five years, and then came to Mount Summit and engaged in business for himself. He now has one of the best stores in the place, carrying a full line of general merchandise, and has a good trade which is annually increasing. Oct. 19, 1882, he was married to Lizzie Vestal, daughter of N. M. and Jane E. (Mullen) Vestal. They have one child-James M., born Sept. 5, 1883. Politically Mr. Richey is a Democrat.
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James Richey, farmer, section 34, Prairie Township, was born in Bedford County, Pa., Nov. 20, 1815, a son of George and Mary (Walker) Richey, the former a native of Pennsylvania, of Irish parentage, and the latter a native of Ireland. The father died in 1841, and the mother in 1847. To them were born seven children, but two of whom, Thomas and James, are living; Ann, George, Jane, John and Mary are deceased. Our subject was reared on a farm, receiving but a limited education. He learned the cabi- net-maker's trade when a young man but never worked at it. He clerked in a general store two years and then was in business for himself two years. He afterward engaged in farming five years and then came to Henry County, Ind., and bought eighty acres of land, but now owns 160 acres, valned at $80 an acre. He was married Sept. 28, 1838, to Ann Beam, born April 11, 1818, a daugh- ter of Frederick and Eve Beam. They have had nine children- George B., born Feb. 14, 1840, died Sept. 19, 1862, at Nashville, Tenn .; Mary Jane, born Aug. 22, 1842; Wilson Walker, born Oct. 2, 1844; Matthew Winfield, born July 10, 1847, and Eliza Ann, born Oct. 14, 1849, died March 10, 1851; James Monroe, born Jan. 16, 1852; John Edwin, born Aug. 28, 1854; Emma Belle, born Jan. 18, 1856, died Dec. 28, 1861; Charles A., born Sept. 24, 1861. Politically Mr. Richey is a Democrat. He has served as Trustee and Assessor of this township, and was Assessor of his township in Pennsylvania.
John Edwin Richey, son of James and Ann (Beam) Richey, was born in Prairie Township, Henry Co., Ind., Aug. 28, 1854. He was educated in the common schools, residing with his parents till manhood. In 1874 he went to McLean County, Ill., and en- gaged in farming. He subsequently visited Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, and in 1877 returned to Henry County and en- gaged in farming till 1882, when he formed a partnership with his brother Charles in the mercantile business. They carried on a gen- eral store till the fall of 1883 when J. E. sold his interest to his brother and again engaged in farming two miles southeast of Mount Summit. Mr. Richey was married Sept. 1, 1878, to Loretta, daughter of Levi and Elizabeth (Readon) Harvey. She was born July 11, 1861. They have one child - Jesse Ernest, born Jan. 2, 1882. Politically Mr. Richey is a Democrat. He is a member of Fidelity Lodge, No. 59, I. O. O. F., New Castle, Ind.
Allen Ridgway, farmer, is a native of Henry County, Ind., born April 23, 1837, near the present site of the county poor-farm.
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His father, Elihu Ridgway, was a native of Monongalia County, Va., born June 6, 1799, and was married in his native State to Nancy Cornwell, a native of East Virginia. In 1835 they moved to Henry County, Ind., and about ten years later moved to Jay County. In 1873, while on a visit to Henry County, the father was taken sick and died. The mother is living in Jay County and is in the eighty-first year of her age. They had a family of thirteen children, eleven of whom are living. Allen Ridgway was reared in Jay County, remaining with his parents till twenty-two years of age. He then began farming for himself, and now owns 185 acres of land, the most of it well improved. He makes a specialty of growing small grain and stock. He was married Feb. 28, 1862, to Eveline, daughter of Solomon and Mary A. Frazier, natives of 759 Henry County. They have had two children -- Emma, deceased, and Nathan. Mr. Ridgway is a member of the Christian church.
Peter P. Rifner was born in Harrison, Hamilton Co., Ohio, Oct. 19, 1819, a son of Peter P. and Elizabeth (Rockafellar) Rifner, natives of New Jersey, his father born March 27, 1784, and his mother, Nov. 8, 1789. He resided with his parents till manhood, receiving a common-school education. He was married March 4, 1845, to Elizabeth R., daughter of Ralph and Martha R. Riley, of Franklin County, Ind. After his marriage Mr. Rifner came to Henry County and located on the farm where he now resides. He purchased 180 acres of unimproved land, mostly heavily timbered, and has cleared and cultivated it till now he has one of the best farms in the township. He is also engaged in raising and ship- ping stock, grain, etc., and is a member of the firm of Harvey & Rifner, Mount Summit, Ind., dealers in hardware and shippers of grain, etc. Politically Mr. Rifner is a Republican. He is a strong temperance man and an earnest worker for the cause. He is one of the most influential men of the township and has done much to aid in its development and prosperity.
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