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 65
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ness for himself, being given the assistance of W. C. Wheat, who furnished the capital. He now owns the business in full, and has built up one of the leading grocery trades in Franklin.
LUTHER SHORT .- As the public press is said to be the guar- dian of the people and their liberties, it is of interest to know some- thing concerning those who, in their capacity as editors, are the ruling spirits of the press. The Democrat, of Johnson County, is a paper that ranks among the best county papers in Indiana, and it is of its editor, Luther Short, that we would briefly speak. Ilis great grandfather, John Short, was born in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, in 1756. When quite young he moved to Russell County, Va., where he remained till the fall of 1802, when he again changed his home to Pulaski County, Ky., near Somerset, where he died. Wesley Short, son of John, was born in Russell County, Va., December 20, 1780, where, in the spring of 1802, he married Rebecca Owen, and the following fall moved to Pulaski County, Ky. Part of the farm which he owned at that time is now occu- pied by the depot of the Cincinnati Southern Railroad, at Tates- ville. IIe was one of the pioneer ministers of the Christian Church, and held a prominent place in this denomination when he died. Milton Short, the father of Luther, and son of Wesley, was born in Pulaski County, Ky., May 18, 1807: he lived there till March, ISIS, when he came to Indiana and remained about ten years, then returned to Kentucky in the fall of 1828, where he taught school, and on January 8, 1829, married Mary, daughter of Robert and Winnie ( Atkinson) Tate. He made his home in Kentucky until 1836, farming and teaching, when he returned to Indiana, locating at Springville, Lawrence County. He bought a piece of land adjoining the town, and some time after this, attended college, preparing himself for a physician by taking a medical course. He engaged in the practice of medicine until 1854, when he went into the mercantile business, and remained in it until 1868, when he moved away from Lawrence County, and after making numerous moves, returned to Favettville, where he died April 27, 1887. There were born to himself and Mary Tate eight children, some in Kentucky and some in Lawrence County; of these, four were sons and four daughters. At the present time, two of the sons are physicians, one an attorney, and Luther an editor. The mother, Mary (Tate) Short, died in Lawrence County December 13, 1864; she was a good wife and mother, and was sincerely mourned by her family. Luther's great grandfather on his mother's side of the house, John Tate by name, was born in Virginia, where he spent his life, and where his son, Robert Tate, was born July 3, 1768. Robert was married to Winnie Atkinson about the year 1807. Their
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daughter, Mary, wife of Milton Short, was born December 5, 18II. Luther, son of Milton and Mary (Tate) Short, was born at Spring- ville, Lawrence Co., Ind., May 14, 1845, where he lived until sixteen years of age, spending a portion of his time farming in the interest of his father, who, it will be remembered, had pur- chased land for the purpose of furnishing his boys employment, wishing to raise them in industry rather than idleness. In 1861, and at the call of the government for volunteers, Luther enlisted in Company F, Forty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, where he served three years and two months, when he was honorably dis- charged, the last of October, 1864. A part of his time in the army he held a position as non-commissioned officer, and took part in all the engagements of the regiment. On leaving the army, he returned home and engaged in the mercantile business, which vocation he followed until the fall of 1866. In September, the same year, he began a collegiate course by one year's attend- ance at the Northwestern Christian University at Indianapolis. In the spring term, 1868, he attended Asbury College, Greencastle, Ind. From there he went to the State University, Bloomington, Ind., graduating in 1869, and in a class of thirty-one. In the fall of 1869, he entered the law department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, remaining there two years, graduating in the class of 1871. During the summer of 1870 and 1871, he spent his time in the agricultural implement house of J. Braden, In- dianapolis, wholesale and retail dealer, as general manager. He then located in Little Rock, Ark., where he engaged in the practice of the law until April, 1874, when he returned to Indiana and settled in Franklin, Johnson County. In January, 1875, was appointed deputy prosecuting attorney under W. S. Ray. In June, 1879, he formed a co-partnership with George E. Finney. July I, I879; "hey having leased the Herald-Democrat, changed its name to the Democrat. March 29, 1880, Mr. Short bought his partner's interest in both paper and office, to which he has since added over $2,500 in presses and material. The circulation of the Herald- Democrat did not exceed 700 copies at the time of the lease, but under the new management, and in its new dress, it has increased to over 1,600, proving conclusively that in adopting the profession of editor he did not make a mistake, but has been able to fill that difficult position successfully. The Democrat is the organ of the democratic party in Johnson County, of which organization Mr. Short is a prominent member and supporter. April 9, IS83, he was married to Miss Emma W. Ileineken, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel P. Heineken, of Franklin, and in company with his wife, started the same day for an extended trip through Europe.
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They were gone about four months, and during that time visited Ire- land, Scotland, England, France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Belgium and Holland. Mr. Short, of late years, has taken an active interest in Masonry, and is now the eminent commander of Franklin Commandery of Knights Templar. He has also taken the thirty-two Scottish Right degrees.
W. F. SIBERT, book-keeper for Payne, Johnson & Co., millers of Franklin, Ind., was born in the above place on May 5, 1857, and is the eldest of two children, born to Henry and Minerva C. (Schaffer) Sibert. The father was born in Lancaster, Penn., Sep- tember 10, 1830, and was the son of Jacob Sibert, a native of Europe. Jacob, the grandfather, came with his family to Johnson County, Ind., in 1840, and located in Franklin. Henry, the father, engaged in the grain business, and died December 13, 1877. The mother of our subject was born in Johnson County, at the place called Furnace Mills, in 1831, and is the daughter of William Schaffer. She now resides in Franklin. The subject of this sketch was reared in Franklin, and attended the public schools. After leaving school he entered the flouring mill business, under the firm of Baldwin & Payne (now Payne, Johnson & Co.), and in 1885 was given charge of the books of the mill. Mr. Sibert is a mem- ber of the F. & A. M., and K. of P. lodges, being a member of the uniform rank of the latter, and is a member of the Christian Church.
JOSEPH C. SMITH, cashier of the First National Bank, of Franklin, Johnson Co., Ind., was born in Vincennes, Knox Co., Ind., May 9, 1854, and is the son of the Rev. John F. Smith, a minister of the Presbyterian Church. The father was born in York County, Penn., in January, 1822, and was the son of Hume Smith, a native of Pennsylvania, in which state he followed farm- ing and milling during his life. The Rev. John F. was educated for the ministry, and graduated from Jefferson (now Washington and Jefferson ) College, a Presbyterian institute situated at Cannons- burgh, Penn., and also from Princeton (N.J.) Seminary. He began his ministerial work at Bardstown, Ky., in about 1844, and was next located at Owensboro, Ky., and subsequently was stationed at Vincennes, Ind., Richmond, Ind., and in 1859, came to Hopewell, Johnson County, three miles west of Franklin. In February, 1864, he entered the Christian commission, designed for work among the Federal soldiers in the field, and was stationed at Chat- tanooga, Tenn. During his stay at that point, and while on duty in the hospitals, he was afflicted with "camp fever," from which he died at the old home in York County, Penn., the same year (1864), he being, at the time of his death, on his way to attend
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the general assembly of his church, as a delegate, which was called to meet at Newark, N. J. His remains were buried at Lower Chanceford grave yard, York County, Penn. The mother of our subject was Mrs. D. M. Collins, who was born in York County, Penn., in the year 1822, about six months after the birth of her husband. She is the daughter of David Collins, and is now a resident of Franklin, Ind. To the parents six children were born, four of whom survive. Of the children, our subject was the fourth. He was reared at Hopewell, Johnson Co., Ind., and secured a good education in Hopewell Academy. In IS71, he engaged as clerk in the grocery store of L. W. Knobe, of Franklin, where he spent seven months. He next spent a year in school, first at Hopewell Academy, and next took a business course at Commercial College, Indianapolis. He next engaged for a year with David G. Vawter, in the dry goods business in Franklin, and then for six months was with J. P. Banta & Co., merchant clothiers of the same place, and then for three months was with Dunn & Wheat, successors of the above firm. He was next employed as messenger in the First Na- tional Bank, of Franklin, until the collapse of that institution in 1877, and was then appointed receiver of the same, and served as such until October, of the same year. He is the only surviving officer of that bank, save one director. In October, 1877, he en- gaged as salesman for an Indianapolis wholesale house, where he remained until January 1, 1878, and then took a position as book- keeper in the Second National Bank of Franklin. November, ISSI, failing health compelled him to resign his position in the bank, and for a year he remained out of active business, recuper- ating lost energies. Upon the organization of the National Bank, of Franklin, in August, 1882, he was elected cashier of the same, and holds that position at present. He is a member of the Masonic lodge, and of the Presbyterian Church. In October, 1883, he was married to Kittie Ellis, who was born in Franklin, Ind., August 27, 1857, and is the daughter of Capt. W. B. Ellis, of Franklin. To this union a daughter, Christine, was born March 30, 1887. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
J. M. STOREY, dealer in hardware, stoves, tinware, No. 6 Jeffer- son Street, opposite Court Square, established in 1869, and continued until 1872, and then removed to Indianapolis, and continued in hardware business until 1877, and then returned to Franklin, and began business again, and continued up to the present carrying an average stock of about $7,000. Business has always been flourish- ing, having a share of trade of the county. Was born in Vernon, Jennings County, Ind., on October 17, 1840, and is the son of Thomas J. and Jane (Vawter) Storey. The father was born in
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Tennessee, and came to Indiana when it was a territory. He was a carpenter by trade, and died in Vernon in ISSI. The mother was the daughter of John Vawter (see John T. Vawter). She died March 8, 1864. To the parents nine children were born, seven of whom survive. Our subject was reared in Virginia, and was edu- cated in the public schools of that place, and in Franklin College, and also at Hanover College. He enlisted July 1, 1861, in Co. H, of the Twenty-sixth Indiana Regiment of Volunteers, as a private, and served four years four months and fifteen days, being dis- charged January 15, 1866. Promoted first orderly sergeant, then first lieutenant and then captain, and as such retired. Served quite a time as aide de camp in General Vandiver's staff: was wounded at the battle of Provin Grove, Ark., on December 7, IS62, by a rifle ball passing through his cap and striking him in the center of the forehead. Was in the hospital for two weeks. Was captured twice while dispatch-bearer one morning, in Mis- souri, but succeeded in making his escape each time. Was dressed both times in citizen's clothes. At the close of the war he returned to Vernon, but soon went to Columbus and engaged in milling, and in 1869. came to Franklin, Ind., and engaged in his present busi- ness. He is a member of the Masonic order in all its branches, including K. T., of K. of P., and at present is inspector general of uniform rank of Indiana. Member of Wadsworth Post, No. 127, G. A. R., and is a post commander. Hle is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Storey was married April 21, 1864, to Lucia M. Barnum, of Vernon, and to this union five children have been born, four of whom survive. Mrs. Storey is also a member of the Christian Church.
REV. W. T. STOTT, D. D., was born May 22, 1836. Ilis father was Rev. John Stott, a Baptist minister, who was born near Frankfort, Ky., in ISII. His father was William T., a Baptist minister, who was born in Kentucky in 178S. William T. came to Indiana at about the time Indiana was admitted into the Union, and resided there until death, near Vernon, in 1877. 1Ie was regarded as a very eloquent preacher, and of his denomination was consid- ered in the front ranks. He was a most earnest and intelligent citi . zen, and always took active interest in public affairs. Rev. John was a minister of forty years' standing, during which time he ac- complished much work. He came to Johnson County from Jen- nings County, in about 1884, and died December 29, IS87. He celebrated his golden wedding in 1884, near Vernon. The mother was Elizabeth Vawter, who was born in Kentucky, in ISII, and was the daughter of Rev. William Vawter, of Kentucky, who came to Indiana at an early date and located near Vernon, Jennings
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County. She is now living hear Hopewell, Johnson Co., Ind. To the parents five children were born, one of whom died in infancy. Of the children our immediate subject was the third. He was reared near Vernon, Jennings County, on the farm and in the tan yard. His early education was secured in the common schools, which he attended until about his sixteenth year, and then entered Sardinia Academy, at the village of that name, in Decatur County, Ind., which he attended three years. He then taught school for a number of terms, and in the college year of 1856 and and IS57, he entered Franklin College as a student, and attended four years, graduating from the classical course in June, IS61. He enlisted in the army in July, IS61, as private in Company I, Eighteenth Regiment Volunteer Infantry. In 1863, he was made captain of his company, and served as such, and commanded regiment in battle of Cedar Creek, in Virginia. He was mustered out De- cember 10, 1864, at Winchester, Va. He then returned to Jen- nings County, and almost immediately entered the Rochester (N. Y.) Theological Seminary, where he remained three years, graduating in 1868. He then returned to Indiana, and for one year was pastor of the Baptist Church, at Columbus, and was next called to act as president of Franklin College in 1869; also filled chair of natural science, acting as president for one year; in 1872, was called to chair of natural science in Kalamazoo, Mich., Col- lege, where he remained one year. In 1872, was called to Frank- lin College, as president, and has remained ever since, filling chair of philosophy, mental and moral. He was married in May, 1868, to Miss Arabella R. Tracy, of Rochester, N. Y., and to this union four children have been born.
GEORGE C. STUART, a leading citizen of Franklin, Johnson County, Ind., who was born in Pleasant Township, Johnson County, September 15, 1843, and is the son of James R. and Mary (Pearce) Stuart, both natives of Wythe County, Va. He was reared on the farm, and received a good common school education. In 1882 he was elected by the democrats to the office of sheriff of Johnson County, and leaving the farm, removed to Franklin. He was re- elected sheriff in 1884, holding that office four years, the constitu- tional term. He is a member of the Masonic and K. of P. frater- nities, and in the former has received the Knight Templar and Scottish Right degrees. He was married December 21, 1865, to Angeline Tracey, who was born in Pleasant Township, Johnson County, Ind., in September, 1849, and is the daughter of John Tracey. Upon retiring from the sheriff's office, in IS87, he was presented with a gold-headed cane by the court, bar and officers, and the following resolutions were adopted and spread on record:
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" Resolutions adopted by the bar and court at April term of the Johnson circuit court, and ordered spread on the records. [Rec- ord Book, No. 28, page 203. Adopted April 24, 1887]: At this time, it being suggested to the court that the term of office of George C. Stuart, the present sheriff of this county, will expire be- fore the next term of this court, the court, on motion, appointed a committee to draft a resolution expressing the feeling of the court, members of the bar and officers of the court, and the esteem in which he is held. Thereupon the court appointed Jacob L. White, William A. Johnson and Robert M. Miller, attorneys of this court, to prepare suitable resolutions in accordance with said motion. Thereupon said committee retired, and returning into court sub- mitted the following: WHEREAS, This is the last term of this court at which George C. Stuart will be present and officiate as sheriff, by reason of the expiration of his term of office, the court and bar of Johnson County embrace the opportunity of placing upon the records of this court the following testimonial: Resolved, That during his consecutive terms of office as sheriff of this court we have found in George C. Stuart an honest, energetic and obliging officer, an upright gentleman, and a genial and courteous com- panion. That by his impartiality in the selection of juries, in his treatment of the members of the bar, and of litigants and the pub- lic at large, he has secured our entire confidence, sincere friendship and respect. That the foregoing be spread on record as an expres- sion of the unanimous feelings of this court, its officers and the bar."
JAMES TERIIUNE, an old and highly respected citizen of Johnson County, Ind., was born in Mercer County, Ky., February 3, 1821, and is the son of Garret and Nancy (Davis) Terhune. Garret was the son of William, who was born in New Jersey in 1756, served in Revolution, and died in Kentucky, 1828, Garret was born in New Jer- sey, on November 15, 1791, and died January 24, 1875. Other children of William were: John, James, William, Stephen, Rule and Patsy. Nancy Davis, daughter of Edward and Sarah Davis, was born in Tennessee on April 9, 1794, and died on February 18, 1851. She was the daughter of Edmund and Sarah Davis, both natives of Tennessee. To this union were born the following: Lewis, Julius, Samuel, Alpha, Nancy, Polly, Ann, Eliza, Absalom and John, died in Kentucky, in boyhood, of yellow-fever, also mother Davis. Garret and Nancy were married August 15, 1813, and to them were born children as follows: Sarah, born August 10, 1814; Mary A., August 25, 1815: Harvey, March 22, 1817: Will- iam, July 4, 1819; James, February 3, 1821; Martha, July 3, 1822; Margaret, August 7, 1824; Lucinda, March 8, 1826; Ida R., October 5, 1829: Davis, September 23, 1831 ; Minerva J., January Io,
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1834; Obadiah G., April 10, 1836; of the above the two sons and six daughters survive. Garret Terhune was thrice married, the second time on August 3, 1851, to Jane Forsyth, who was born Septem- ber 30, 1787, and died February 2, 1856, and the third time September 4, 1857, to Nancy Pickerell, who was born on February 3, 1794. No children were born to the last two marriages. Garret Terhune left New Jersey with his parents in about the year 1792, and located in Mercer County, Ky. In the year 1830, he came to Johnson County, Ind., and settled west from Franklin, on the Franklin and Martinsville road six miles south west of the former town, on an eighty-acre tract of land which he entered about IS26, while living in Kentucky. In 1839, he removed to another eighty-acre tract near the present town of Trafalgar, where he resided until his death. He was a member of the Christian Protestant Church, and so also was his first wife, Nancy Davis. Jane Forsyth, the second wife, was an old-school Baptist, and Nancy Pickerell, the third wife, a Methodist. James Terhune, the immediate subject of this sketch, was reared on a farm, and secured only a limited education. Be- ginning life for himself when about twenty-one years of age, he located on a farm about nine miles west from Franklin, which con- tained forty agres. A few years later he sold that farm and pur- chased sixty acres in Nineveh Township, which he also sold, and later purchased ninety-five acres in Hensley Township; to which he subsequently added forty acres, and the farm, now embracing 135 acres, he owns at present. In July, ISSI, he purchased eight acres of land in the suburbs of Franklin, and, after erecting a suitable residence, removed there, too, and retired from farming. Mr. Ter- hune was married on March 17, 1842, to Eusebia N. Nay, who was born in Oldham County, Ky., on October 11, IS25, and is the daughter of Asa B. and Lucinda (Whitesides) Nav. Her great grandparents were John and Katie. Asa B. was born in Oldham County, Ky., on November 30, 1799, and was the son of Samuel Nay, who was born in Culpepper County, Va., on March 9, 1763. From Virginia Samuel Nay emigrated to Oldham County, Ky. To him, and his wife Nancy, the following children were born: Catherine, born August 29, 1784; Bennett, April 3, 1787; James, August 23, 1789; John, June 13, 1791; Mary, August 25, 1793; Nancy, August 6, 1795; Samuel, June 3, 1797; Asa B., November 30, 1799; Rhoda, March 7, ISO2; Elizabeth, June 27, IS05: Pres- ley, June 17, ISOS: Phœbe, February 19, 1810; Lucy, October 20, ISI3. Of this family, Phoebe survives. Samuel Nay was a soldier of the Revolutionary War. Asa B. Nay was an old-school Baptist preacher, and removed to Johnson County, Ind., in 1833. His wife, Lucinda, was born in Oldham County, Ky., on June 2, 1806,
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and was the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Button) White- sides, who lived and died in Kentucky. Their children are: John T., November 19, 1823; Eusebia, October 11, 1825; James A., March 3, 1828: Joseph W., April 11, 1831: Samuel M., April 2, 1834; William S., April 6, 1837; Asa F., April 29, 1840; Nathan W., April 29, 1840; Robert H., August 11, 1843; Mary E., September 19, 1846; infant son, October 9, 1850; Leander T., June 20, 1852. Of the children, one daughter and five sons are deceased. Asa B. Nay, father of Mrs. Terhune, died December 1, 1876. His wife died March 8, 1876. The maternal grandparents, Joseph and Elizabeth ( Button) Whitesides, were parents of four chil- dren: John, Mathew, Lucinda, and William. To our subject and wife the following children have been born: Thomas L., April 17, 1844; Asa G., September 29, 1846; William D., August 11, 1849; Lucinda M., November 18, 1852; John W., May 5, 1856, and died October 18, 1879; Ermina A., January 5, 1861; Dillard W., Jan- uary 7, 1864, and died November 7, 1865. Both our subject and wife are members of the Baptist Church. Stephen, the great grandfather, was a native of Holland, and came to the United States in colonial times.
ISAAC M. THOMPSON, one of the leading citizens, and a member of the firm of Thompson, White & Co., proprietors of the Franklin Starch Works, was born in Blue River Township, Johnson Co., Ind., August 22, 1831, and is the son of James and Susan ( Collier) Thompson. (See sketch of James Thompson, deceased, else- where in this work for history of parents.) Our subject was edu- cated in common schools of Edinburg. He engaged in the milling and mercantile business with his brother in Edinburg, in 1859, and continued at the same until 1868, and then dropped the mill, but is at present engaged with his brother in merchandising at Edinburg. In 1871, Mr. Thompson was elected as a republican, to the office of circuit clerk, of Johnson County, and taking the office in I872, served eight years, being re-elected at expiration of first four years. In 1880, he engaged in the starch business at Franklin. He is a member of the Masonic order, is a Knight Templar, and is also a member of the K. of P. lodge. Ile was married on March 7, 1858, to Harriet A. Pinney, who was born in Vermont, and is the daugh- ter of Haskel N. Pinney. To Mr. and Mrs. Thompson four children have been born: Laura E., born September 6, 1859; Jesse B., October 29, 1861; Alfred C., May 8, 1864; George Edna, July 7, 1868. The whole family are members of the Chris- tian Church.
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