USA > Indiana > Johnson County > History of Johnston County, Indiana. From the earliest time to the present, with biographical sketches, notes, etc., together with a short history of the Northwest, the Indiana territory, and the state of Indiana > Part 37
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February Term.
April Term.
Sept. Term.
Nov. Term.
Total.
1874.
200
173
ISO
126
679
1875 .
156
155
165
175
651
1876
204
204
264
204
876
1877
214
220
256
146
S36
1879
I36
I32
152
IOS
528
ISSO
98
94
70
90
352
ISSI .
92
110
I.40
102
414
ISS2
133
79
103
94
409
ISS 3
92
6.4
128
116
400
ISS4
1II
106
141
131
489
1885
100
IIS
145
120
483
1SS6
104
115
144
I12
475
1887
113
99
116
1888
So
The criminal causes are excluded from this showing, but it is believed that there has been during the past ten years, as great a falling off in the criminal business of the court as in the civil, if not a greater. A confirmation of the facts as shown by the term dockets, appears in the number of pages of records made each year by the clerks. The record contains a history of the work done, and a comparison of the total number of pages of record made each year, proves the same facts that are proved by the dockets of cases filed. In 1876 the court reached high water mark, the total number of causes for that year being 876, which was 157 more than ever reached before in one year, and forty more than ever reached since. An inspection of the table will show that for the two years preceding 1876, the number of causes greatly exceeded the highest number reached in any succeeding year, save in 1877, and that the business of the court has diminished, until it is but little more than half what it was in the two flush
397
BENCH AND BAR.
years. In ISS2 and in 1883 it was considerably less than half what it was in IS76 and IS77.
The increase of legal business in Johnson County dates from a period following close upon the heels of the war. Many causes combined to this end, two of which may be named. It was at this time that the gravel roads of the county began to be built. The early legislation under which the work was begun was exceed- ingly crude. The laws were ambiguous and uncertain, and out of this sprung litigation. Even after, by successive legislative acts, the . gravel road laws had been reduced to a somewhat orderly system, the litigation continued because of the magnitude of the interests concerned. Gravel road construction proved expensive, and men in general refused to pay assessments until their legality was estab- lished by the courts. As a consequence, beginning with 1869 and continuing up to 1875, the court of the county was crowded with a class of business hard to manage by reason of the many novel ques- tions arising, but profitable to the lawyers engaged in it.
Another potent cause of the increase of business during the same period, came as a legacy from the war. The inflated condi- tion of the currency following its close, brought about a period of wild and reckless extravagance. The courts reaped the rewards. The efforts of creditors to secure their debts, and of debtors to es- cape payment, helped to swell the dockets. To adjust the al- most infinite variety of business complications, arising out of the disturbed condition of the monetary affairs of the people, occupied a period of not less than twelve years, from 1865 to 1877.
The following table shows the names of the persons who have held the office of circuit judge in Johnson County, their places of residence, and the time during which they held office:
William W. Wick, Indianapolis. .. IS23-1825 Bethuel F. Morris, Indiannapolis. 1825-1834 William W. Wick, Indianapolis. . . 1834-1840 James Morrison, Indianapolis . ... 1840-1842 Fabius M. Finch, Franklin IS42-1843
William J. Peaslee, Indianapolis . . 1843-1850 William W. Wick, Indianapolis. .. 1850-IS52 Stephen Major, Indianapolis . . .. 1852-1859
William W. Wick, Indianapolis. . .. . 1859
Fabius M. Finch, Franklin 1859-1865
John Coburn, Indianapolis 1865-1866
Cyrus C. Hines, Indianapolis I866-1869
Samuel P. Oyler, Franklin. 1869-1870
David D. Banta, Franklin. 1870-1876
Kendall M. Hord, Shelbyville- . 1876-1888
The following have filled the office of prosecuting attorney up to the present time, to-wit: Daniel B. Wick, 1823; Harvey Gregg, 1824; Calvin Fletcher, IS25; James Whitcomb, 1826; William W. Wick, 1829: Hiram Brown, IS31; James Gregg, 1832; William IIerrod, IS34; William Quarles, IS38; William J. Peaslee, IS40; Hugh O. Neal, 1841: H. H. Barbour, 1843; Abram Hammond, IS44; Edward Lander, IS48; John Ketchum, 1848: David Wal- lace, 1848; Gabriel M. Overstreet, 1849: David S. Gooding, 1851;
398
JOHNSON COUNTY.
Reuben S. Riley, 1853; D. W. Chipman, 1855; Peter S. Ken- nedy, 1857: William P. Fishback, IS63: William W. Leathers, 1865; Joseph S. Miller, 1867; Daniel W. Howe, 1869; Nathaniel T. Carr, 1870; John Morgan, 1871; K. M. Hord, 1872; W. S. Ray, 1874; Leonard J. Hackney, 1878; Jacob L. White, I880; Frederick Staff, 1882; Peter M. Dill, ISS6.
Up to, and including the incumbency of David Wallace in 1848, all were residents of Indianapolis, save William Herrod, who lived in Columbus. Of the others, Gooding and Riley lived in Greenfield; Chipman, Fishback and Leathers lived in In- dianapolis; Kennedy, and Miller in Danville; Carr and Morgan, in Columbus; Hood, Ray, and Hackney, in Shelbyville, and Over- street, Howe, White, Staff and Dill were residents of Franklin, where all yet reside, save D. W. Howe, who moved to Indianapolis shortly after the close of his term, where he has made an enviable reputation as a judge of the Marion supreme court.
The first lawyer to settle permanently in Franklin was Fabius M. Finch, who after a thirty years' residence in the town and prac- tice at the bar, moved to Indianapolis, where he still resides. In 1833, Gilderoy Hicks moved to the town, and opened a law office and practiced with a good degree of success up to about 1857, when he retired on account of failing health, and shortly after died. About 1847, John Slater, a Canadian, began the practice, and con- tinued up to 1856, when he left the country, and subsequently died in Tennessee. The same year of Slater's admission to the bar, Gabriel M. Overstreet was admitted, and in the year following, Anderson B. Hunter. On the 21st of February, of the year following (IS49), these two young lawyers formed a partnership, which is still unbroken, and has the merit of being the oldest partnership in the practice of law in the state. In 1851, Samuel P. Oyler began the practice, and is still at the bar. In 1856, Richard M. Kelly settled at Edinburg, where he opened an office and continued in the active practice at the Franklin bar up to IS7S, at which time he died. Others came during this early period of the history of the Franklin bar, but none remained in the practice beyond a few years. Of these were. Duane Hicks, son of Gilderoy, who died ere he reached the prime of life; Joseph Thompson, who, after a short struggle, moved to Macomb, in Illinois, where he yet lives; H. H. Hatch and Joseph King, both of whom settled at Edinburg, but soon moved to the west, and Jonathan H. Williams, who was killed early in the war in a Shenandoah Valley battle.
399
BLUE RIVER TOWNSHIP'.
BLUE RIVER SKETCHES.
WILLIAM L. APPLEGATE, one of the substantial farmers and stock-raisers of Blue River and Nineveh townships, was born in Johnson County, Ind., on the 15th day of April, 1833. He is the third son and sixth child of Bartholomew and Elizabeth (Drake) Applegate, natives respectively of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The father emigrated to Warren County, Ohio, in an early day, was married there, and later, went back to New Jersey and became captain of a sailing vessel. In IS21, he made a tour through Indi- ana for the purpose of purchasing land, and being pleased with the country in what is now Johnson County, entered 160 acres in the present townships of Nineveh and Blue River. To this land he moved his family in 1832, and for some years thereafter, lived the life of a pioneer, enduring all the hardships incident to life in a new and undeveloped country. He served as probate judge in an early day, and died in 1854, aged sixty-one years. Mrs. Applegate sur- vived her husband twenty-eight years, dying in ISS2, aged eighty- one. They were the parents of thirteen children, eleven of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, seven now living. William L. Applegate grew to manhood in Johnson County, and early became acquainted with the rugged duties of farm life. Ilis early educa- tional training was somewhat limited, and for some years he man- aged the home farm, looking after his mother's interests. At the age of thirty-six, on Christmas day, 1868, he married Miss Katie G. Irons, daughter of Garrett and Mary Ann (Giberson) Irons, of New Jersey, a union blessed with the birth of two children, viz .: Frederick T. and Bart I. Mrs. Applegate died in 1872. Subse- quently, Mr. Applegate married Miss Annie M. Irons, sister of his former wife, by whom he has had two children, viz .: Bennie and John B. Mr. Applegate owns a well improved farm of 150 acres in Nineveh and Blue River townships, the line between the two run- ning through the place. He is an exemplary citizen, a republican in politics, and an active member of the Odd Fellows.
IIENRY C. BAILEY, cashier John A. Thompson's Bank, Edin- burg, was born in Shelby County, Ind., September 21, 1854, and is a son of Julius M. and Eveline ( Thornberry ) Bailey. His parents were both natives of Indiana. The father, for a number of years, was identified with the mercantile interests of Freeport, Ind., and later followed merchandising in Indianapolis. He was a man of character, high social standing, and for many years an active member of the Christian Church. Henry C. Bailey was reared and educated in his native town and Indianapolis. On
400
JOHNSON COUNTY.
quitting school he accepted a clerical position in the office of the Marion County circuit court, and later engaged with the Brad- street Commercial Agency, with which he was identified for a period of ten years. In 1887 he became assistant cashier in the banking house of John A. Thompson, Edinburg, the duties of which position he is still discharging. Mr. Bailey possesses supe- rior clerical abilities, and in his various positions earned the repu- tation of a safe and painstaking business man. May 4, 1884, he was united in marriage with Miss Susan Thompson, the accom- plished daughter of John A. Thompson, of Edinburg, a lady favorably known for her rare attainments and amiable traits of character. They have two children, to-wit : Lillian and Mary E.
CHARLES BAY was born in Montgomery County, Ky., March 6, 1819, and is the only son of Joseph and Judith (Epper- son) Bay, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Tennessee. Until fifteen years of age he resided in his native state, but in IS34 accompanied his father to Johnson County, Ind., where he has since resided. The father died in IS37, while on a visit to Kentucky, and the mother departed this life in Johnson County, in the year IS51. They were. the parents of four children, two of whom are living, to-wit: the subject of this sketch, and Mrs. Nancy Jones, of Illinois. Mr. Bay early chose agriculture for a life work, and has always pursued that calling. He owns a fine farm of 145 acres, in the western part of Blue River Township, and is one of the suc- cessful farmers and leading citizens of his community. Mr. Bay has been three times married: first, to Miss Alice Watts, who died in 1850. The children of this marriage were three in number, two now living, viz .: Joseph R. and Israel. Mr. Bay's second wife was Keturah Chenoweth, who died in IS55, leaving one child, a daugh- ter, Mary A. The third marriage was solemnized with Mrs. Har- riett F. DeHart, who has borne five children, two of whom are now living, Laura and Joseph N. Bay.
GEORGE M. BISHOP, son of Valentine and Mary E. (Horine) Bishop, was born in Mercer County, Ky., on the Ist day of Janu- ary, 1821. His father was a soldier in the Canadian War, and died in Kentucky, at the age of forty-five years. The mother died later, aged fifty-eight years. The subject remained in his native county until his twenty-fifth year, and then went to LaRue County, and engaged in blacksmithing at the town of Buffalo, where he followed his trade for some time. In 1876, he came to Indiana, and for two years thereafter, followed farming in Johnson County, moving at the end of that time to Bartholomew County, and later, to Shelby County, where he resided until his removal to Edinburg in ISS.4 or 1885. Although having moved a number of times, Mr. Bishop has
40I
BLUE RIVER TOWNSHIP.
been successful in a business point of view, the fruits of his indus- try and labors, being represented at this time by valuable real es- tate in Edinburg, besides other property of a personal kind. While a resident of LaRue County, Ky., Mr. Bishop was elected coroner, the only official position he has ever held, or desired to hold, being much averse to political notoriety. He married in LaRue County, June 4, 1846, Miss Catherine A. Dye, of Ken- tucky, who has borne him eleven children, the following of whom are living: John W., Mary J., Louisa F., Sarah B., Melissa E., George F., William E., Charles E., and Virdie T.
ALEXANDER BREEDING (deceased) was a member of one of the early pioneer families of this part of Indiana. He was born in the town of Columbiana, Adair County, Ky., on the 9th day of November, 1823. His parents were David and Mary ( Hendrick- son) Breeding, the former of Scotch, and the latter of Irish, descent. In 1828, when the subject was but five years of age, the family immigrated to Indiana and settled in Bartholomew County, thence later to Johnson County, where Alexander grew to maturity. Reared amid the stirring scenes of pioneer times, Mr. Breeding's early life was a constant series of toil and hardships, but the ex- perience gained thereby enabled him to overcome successfully many obstacles which would have discouraged men of less spirit and determination. His chief occupation for one year was hauling whisky to the city of Madison, and he also made trips by flat- boat down the river. Later he began farming in Blue River Town- ship, Johnson County, a business he followed until his death, and by means of which he accumulated a large and valuable property. He became a prominent stock-raiser, a business which also proved financially profitable, his large stock-farm in Blue River being at this time worth over $100 per acre. As a public-spirited man he is fully alive to the material and moral interests of the community. Mr. Breeding occupied a conspicuous place among his fellow- citizens of Blue River Township. He was married December 12, IS43, to Rebecca Ann Thompson, by whom he had eleven child- ren, three of whom are living, viz .: William H., Effie L., wife of William M. Perry, and Frank A. Mrs. Breeding dying, Mr. Breed- ing subsequently married Miss Mattie J. Kerr, who now lives with her uncle, Thomas Kerr. Mr. Breeding was a republican in politics, and an active member of the Christian Church. Ilis death occurred on the 12th day of August, 1887.
JOHN BROCKMAN (deceased), the subject of this sketch, was a native of Shelby County, Ind., born on the 21st day of June, 1828. Ile was raised a farmer, and early began working at that use- ful occupation, which he followed successfully all his life. July 12,
402
JOIINSON COUNTY.
1861, he married Miss Mary Beeson, whose father, Isaac Beeson, was born in North Carolina, in the year ISO1. Mr. Beeson came to Indiana many years ago, and was a leading farmer of Blue River Township, where his death occurred March 29, 1884. He had a family of nine children, two of whom fell in defence of the old flag in the late Civil War. Mrs. Beeson died in the year 1871. For several years after his marriage Mr. Brockman lived with his father- in-law, and in 1884 erected a beautiful residence, which was his home for a little less than two years. He met his death under the following painful circumstances : " One Friday afternoon he took his gun for the purpose of shooting a hawk, but failing in this, started to go out where his dogs were chasing a rabbit. In the act of climbing a fence near the house, the gun by some means was discharged, the shot taking effect in his body, severing an artery near the heart." Mrs. Brockman seeing him fall, ran to his assist- ance, and reached him in time to see him expire. He died in her arms without a sign of recognition. His funeral was largely at- tended, and the sermon on the occasion, preached by Rev. Mr. Turner, of Edinburg, was a glowing and eloquent tribute to a loving husband and father, and a deserved enconium to his worth as an honorable citizen and respected neighbor. At the time of his death Mr. Brockman was fifty-eight years and six months old. Mr. and Mrs. Brockman raised a family of five children, namely: Vinson, Ulysses, Isaac, Annie and Charles, all of whom are living with their mother on the home farm in Blue River Township.
WV. T. BROCKMAN .- Landay Brockman, father of the subject of this sketch, was a native of Virginia, and grew to manhood in Kentucky, having been taken to the latter state when but four years old. He married in Kentucky, Martha Shipp, and later moved to Shelby County, Ind., settling in the woods, and for some years lived the rugged life of the pioneer. He was one of the early settlers of Shelby, and at the time of his arrival his nearest neighbors were the Indians, with whom he appears to have been upon terms of the greatest friendship. He made a valuable farm, and became a leading citizen of the community in which he resided. Mrs. Brockman died at the age of sixty-four: she was the mother of twelve children, seven of whom are now living. Until within a vear of his death. Mr. Brockman lived on his home place, consist- ing of 320 acres of land, but later moved to Edinburg, and died in that town at the advanced age of seventy-two. He was an active member of the Methodist Protestant Church, a great temperance worker, and in early life supported the principles of the whig party. W. T. Brockman was born and reared in Shelby County, and early chose the farmer's vocation for his life work. His educa-
403
BLUE RIVER TOWNSHIP.
tional training was confined to a few months' attendance each year in the common schools, but by observation he has since become the possessor of a fund of valuable practical knowledge. December 22, 1852, he married Martha, daughter of William and Phæbe (Coons) Lewis, of Shelby County, the parents natives of Vir- ginia. Shortly after, his marriage, Mr. Brockman purchased his present farm in Johnson County, which lies in sight of the old home place, where the years of his youth and early manhood were passed. He now owns one of the most valuable and attract- ive farms in Blue River Township, and is justly considered one of the leading citizens of the community in which he resides. Mr. and Mrs. Brockman are the parents of six children, four living, viz .: Sarah C., Mary J., Landay and Clara E. The deceased children are: Ella O. and Maggie. Mr. Brockman is a republican in poli- tics, and with his wife belongs to the Methodist Protestant Church.
C. L. CLANCY, the gentleman whose sketch is herewith pre- sented, is a native of Jefferson County, Ohio, born in the town of La Grange, on the 3d day of May, 1851. Ile is a son of William Clancy, who was at one time, a leading hotel man of La Grange, and who died when C. L. was quite young. The children of the family, four in number, after the parents' death, were kindly cared for by relatives, the subject falling under the especial care of an uncle, Charles Clancy, with whom he made his home until his fourteenth year. At that early age, with the spirit that animated the patriotic young men throughout the entire north during the trying years of the nation's peril, he offered his services to his country, enlisting in the One Hundred and Seventh-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for one year. During his period of service he was with his regiment in thirteen battles, thus winning a record of which older soldiers might be proud. On quitting the army he engaged in the harness business at Carding- ton, Ohio, and four years later located at the town of Chesterville, that state, where he was similarly engaged for two years. Ile af- terward abandoned the business and accepted an agency to sell washing machines in Indiana, and in IS71, came to Johnson County, where the following year he engaged in the livery business in the city of Edinburg, which he continued several years. He then
abandoned livery and opened a feed and sale stable, which he has since carried on in connection with raising and dealing in fine blooded horses and trotting stock. He is, at this time, one of the leading stock-men of Johnson County, and at his stable can be seen a number of very fine animals, among which the names of Daniel Boone, Blue Bull, Mambrino Turk, have more than a local reputa- tion. Mr. Clancy is well known among the stock-men of the state, 26
404
JOHNSON COUNTY.
and has already a large and lucrative business, which is steadily in- creasing. He was married September 1, 1878, to Miss Ida, daugh- ter of David M. White, of Bartholomew County, who has borne him one child, Charles S. In addition to his fine stock, which repre- sents a capital of several thousand dollars. Mr. Clancy owns valuable real estate in Michigan and Kansas, and a fine farm near the town of Edinburg. Politically, he is a republican, and in religion belongs to the Christian Church of Edinburg, as does also his wife. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
JACOB COFFELT (deceased), the subject of this sketch, was a member of one of the oldest pioneer families of Johnson County, his parents, Henry and Barbara Coffelt, moving here from Tennessee several years before the county organization, and settling near the present site of Amity, in Blue River Township. Here the Coffelt family lived the life of pioneers, and amid the stirring scenes of frontier life, raised a family of children, several of whom eventually became leading citizens of the community. Jacob Cof- felt was born in east Tennessee, September IS, ISoo, and while still young, accompanied his parents to Johnson County, Ind., where he grew to manhood as a farmer. His first wife was Miss Re- becca Hamner, whom he married in this county, and with whom he lived happily for about twenty years. After her death he mar- ried Miss Rachel C. Brown, of North Carolina, daughter of Benja- min and Lydia (Walters) Brown, both of whom died in that state. The marriage was solemnized on the 15th day of August, 1866. Mr. Coffelt was an industrious farmer, and a man whose good name was never impugned by any who knew him. He was for years, a great sufferer, but was not confined to his bed until within a few hours of his death, which sad event occurred on the 5th day of March, 1885. Mrs. Coffelt is at this time a woman well advanced in age, being seventy-three years old. She is widely and favorably known for her kindly and benevolent disposition, and unblemished Christian character.
THOMAS R. COFFELT (deceased), native of Tennessee, and son of Henry and Barbara Coffelt, was born on the Ist day of January, 1813. When quite young, he came to Indiana, and settled, prior to the organization of Johnson County, on Young's Creek, near the present site of Amity, in Blue River Township. Here he cleared a farm and lived the live of a pioneer, having been one of the early settlers in the southern part of the county. On the 4th day of April, 1833, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Hamner, sister of John Hamner, a member of one of the early pioneer families, and by her had two children, both deceased. Mrs. Coffelt died on the 11th day of July, 1849. Mr. Coffelt's sec-
405
BLUE RIVER TOWNSHIP.
ond marriage was solemnized July 19, 1860, with Miss Amanda Brown, daughter of Benjamin and Lydia (Walters) Brown, of Ashe County, N. C. To this marriage were born two children, one of whom, Mrs. Nancy E. Barron, is now living. Mr. Coffelt fol- lowed farming all his life, and was a man of many noble and sterling qualities. His death occurred at his home place, near the village of Amity, on the 15th day of April, 1873, his age being sixty years three months and fifteen days. His widow still survives, and lives on the home farm, a handsome place of 200 acres, finely improved. She was born January 13, 1824, and is a well preserved woman for her age.
ISAAC D. COLLIER, of the town of Edinburg, the oldest na- tive born citizen of Blue River Township, and possibly of Johnson County, his birth having occurred on the 19th day of April, 1824. His early years were passed in a routine of hard lahor, in his fath- er's saw- and grist-mill, and while still young he assisted in trans- porting the products of said mills by flat-boat to New Orleans and intermediate points. At the age of eighteen he began learning the blacksmith's trade with his father, and after becoming proficient in the same, engaged in the business for himself, and followed it until 1852. In that year he joined the tide of emigration to California, and was there until 1859, mining and working at his trade. Re- turning to Johnson County in 1859, he purchased the family home- stead, and resided upon the same until 1861, when he entered the army as private in Company C, Twenty-seventh Indiana Infantry, Col. Colgrove's regiment, with which he served seven months, when he was discharged on account of physical disabilities. In 1862, he suffered a severe loss by fire, but soon rebuilt the house in which he at present resides. While making a second trip west, a little later, Mr. Collier met with a serious accident, being thrown from a horse, resulting in the breaking of one of his legs, which disabled him for over nine months. He was absent from home nearly two years, and spent the time hunting and trapping through- out the States of Missouri and Kansas. Since 1872, Mr. Collier has been in the employ of John A. Thompson, as night watch in the large flouring mill near Edinburg. Ile was married November, 1850, to Mrs. Catherine C. Toner (nce Folander), by whom he has had two children, viz .: Annie L., wife of Martin W. Hunt, and Maggie. By her previous marriage, Mrs. Collier is the mother of one child, a son, William Toner. Mr. Collier is a member of the A. F. & A. M., and a republican in politics.
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