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 69
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172
I32
Franklin.
330
671
Pleasant. 179
39
172
4
Total
I713
1532
Nineveh .
692
JOHNSON COUNTY.
November, 1876. - Democrat, Tilden and Hendricks; repub- lican, Haves and Wheeler; inde- pendent, Cooper and Cary.
November, 1880 .- Republican, Garfield and Arthur; democrat, Hancock and English: independ- ent, Weaver and Chambers.
D
R
I
R
D
I
Franklin
648
722
23
Franklin
783
627
3I
Blue River .. .
288
337
15
Blue River .. .
366
317
20
White River.
3II
I36
S Nineveh
I27
178
79
Pleasant
267
269
28 Hensley
53
300
40
Hensley
299
65
37 Union . .
60
237
71
Nineveh
178
104
97 White River .
156
334
9
Union.
202
45
S9 Clark ..
I77
I68
I6
Clark ..
I70
I62
7
Greenwood . .
I66
160
4
Whiteland .
I32
140
17
Total
2363
IS60 304
Total
2020
2461 287
November, 1884. Democrat, Cleveland and Hendricks; repub- lican, Blaine and Logan ; national, Butler: prohibition, St. John.
D
R
N
P
Franklin, precinct No. I.
205
253
3
. .
Franklin, precinct No. 2
IS5
29
II
.
. .
Franklin, precinct No. 3.
56
107
6
. .. .
Needham
194
152
I
Blue River, precinct No. 2.
93
91
7
. . . .
Nineveh
2II
129
46
. . . .
Hensley, precinct No. I
210
52
7
Hensley, precinct No. 2
II6
12
15
. . . .
Union
242
47
54
....
Pleasant, precinct No. I
159
159
2
. . . .
Pleasant, precinct No. 2
IIS
II2
I7
. . . .
White River, precinct No. I
165
97
3
White River. precinct No. 2
162
61
. .. .
Clark
I72
I76
7
. . ..
Total
2515
2020
179
17
.
. . . .
Blue River, precinct No. I .
227
281
... .
. . . .
County Officers-Representatives: John Connor, * 1824: James Paxton,* 1825; Lewis Morgan,+ 1826: John Smiley,+ 1827-31; Sylvan B. Morris,+ 1828: Rezin Davis,+ 1829-30; Joab Wood- ruff, 1832-33-34; John S. Thompson, 1835: James Lusk, 1836; Benjamin S. Noble, 1837: Berriman Reynolds, 1838; Fabius M.
* Marion, Madison, Hamilton and Johnson counties. t Johnson and Shelby counties.
COUNTY ORGANIZATION. . 693
Finch, 1839: James Richey, 1840-41 ; Franklin Hardin, 1842-43-44; Daniel Webb, 1845; Gilderoy Hicks, 1846-48-49-50; Isaiah M. Norris, 1847; Samuel Eccles, 1851; Royal S. Hicks, 1853; Jo- seph M. King, 1855, Dillard Ricketts, 1857; Augustus Keifer, 1859; O. R. Daugherty,# 1861; John A. Polk, IS61; T. W. Woollen,# 1863: Achilles V. Pendleton, 1863; Ezra 'A. Olleman, 1865-67; Elijah Banta, 1865; David G. Vawter, 1867; William K. Admire,± 1869; Duncan Montgomery, 1869-71; Caleb B. Tarle- ton,¿ IS71; Thomas W. Woollen, 1873; C. McFadden, 1875; Charles O. Lehman, 1877-79; William H. Barnett, ISSI; Will- iam T. Rivers, 1883; Jacob L. White, 1886.
Prosecuting Attorneys: Daniel B. Wick, IS23; Harvey Gregg, 1824; Calvin Fletcher, 1825; James Whitcomb, 1826; William W. Wick, 1829; Hiram Brown, IS31; James Gregg, 1832; William Herrod, 1834; William Quarrels, 1838; William J. Peaslee, IS40; Hugh O'Neal, 1841; H. H. Barbour, 1843; Alram Ham- mond, 1844; Edward Lander, IS48; John Ketcham, 1848; David Wallace, 1848; G. M. Overstreet, 1849; David S. Gooding, IS51; Reuben A. Riley, 1853; D. W. Chipman, 1855; Peter S. Kennedy, 1857; William P. Fishback, 1863; William W. Leathers, IS65; 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, ISSo. Fred Staff, IS82; Peter M. Dill. 1886.
Judges Circuit Court : William W. Wick, 1823-34-50; Bethuel F. Morris, 1825; James Morrison, 1840; Fabius M. Finch, 1842- 59; William J. Peaslee, 1843; Stephen Major, 1852; John Co- burn, 1865; Cyrus C. Hines, 1866; Samuel P. Oyler, 1869; David D. Banta, IS70: Kendall M. Hord, 1876.
Associate Judges of the Circuit Court: Israel Watts, 1823-30; Daniel Boaz, IS23-37; William Keaton, IS30-35: James R. Alex- ander, 1835-48; Robert Moore, 1837-44; James Fletcher, 1843-45; John R. Carver, 1844-1851; John Wilson, 1845-51.
Probate Judges: Israel Watts, 1830-37; John Smiley, I837-44: Bartholomew Applegate, 1844-51; Peter Voris, 1851-52. Court abolished in 1852.
Common Pleas Judges: Franklin Hardin, 1851-60; George A. Buskirk, 1860-64; Oliver J. Glessner, 1864-1868; Thomas W. Woollen, 1868-70; Richard Coffey, 1870-71. Court abolished in IS71.
District Attorneys: S. O. W. Garrett, S. P. Oyler, Jonathan H. Williams, D. D. Banta, John Montgomery, Jacob S. Bradwell, James Ilarrison, J. H. Reeves, George W. Workman.
# Joint, Johnson and Morgan.
694
JOHNSON COUNTY.
Circuit Clerks: Samuel Ilerriott, 1823; David Allen, 1839-47; Isaac Jones, IS44; R. S. Hicks, 1847; Jacob Sibert, 1850; William H. Barnett, 1855; Isaac M. Thompson, 1871; Thomas Hardin, IS79; Samuel Harris, 1882: David Fitz Gibbon, 1886.
County Treasurers : Joseph Young, John Adams, Robert Gilcrees, Madison Vandiver, William C. Jones, William F. Johns, William Bridges, Henry Fox, William H. Jennings, Jacob F. Mc- Clellan, John Herriott, Hascall N. Pinney, William S. Ragsdale, Jolın W. Wilson (died before term commenced), George C'utsin- ger, John W. Ragsdale, George W. Gilchrist, David Swift, James M. Jacobs.
Auditors: Jacob Sibert, 1841; Jonathan H. Williams, I851; George W. Allison, 1855; Elijah Bennett, IS59: William II. Bar- nett, IS68; E. N. Woollen, 1871; W. C. Bice, IS75: W. B. Jen- nings, 1879: Thomas C. M. Perry, IS86.
Recorders: William Shaffer, 1823; Pierson Murphy, 1836; Thomas Alexander, 1843; Jacob Peggs, 1844-67; William S. Ragsdale, 1859; Willet Tyler, 1863; George W. Demaree, 1875; J. R. Clemmer, 1879; James T. Trout by appointment; W. H. Barnett, 1886.
Sheriffs: John Smiley, Joab Woodruff, John Thompson, David Allen, Isaac Jones, Austin Jacobs, Samuel Hall, John Jackson, William C. Jones, Robert Johnson, Nixon Hughes, William Bridges, W. Il. Jennings, H. L. McClellan, Noah Perry, Eli But- ler, John W. Higgins, William W. Owens, Robert Gillaspy, James H. Pudney, William Neal, G. C. Stewart, Jacob Ilazelett.
Commissioners, first district: James Gillaspy, James Wiley, David Forsyth, Wilson Allen. George Botsford, Reason Slack, C. R. Ragsdale, George B. White, N. S. Branigan, Warren Cole- man, Ransom Riggs, Joseph Jenkins, Ezekiel W. Morgan, Will- iam Bridges; second district: William G. Jones, Daniel Covert, Peter Shuck, Austin Jacobs, Samuel Magill, Melvin Wheat, Mil- ton Utter, James M. Alexander, William J. Mathes, John Kerlin, Peter Demaree, William H. Shuck, Daniel S. Grass, William J. Mathes, James H. Vandiver, Strather Herod; third district: Archi- bald Glenn, James Ritchey, Samuel Eccles, Jacob Comingore, Joseph Harmon, Moses Parr, James F. Wiley, John Clore, Robert Jennings, James Collins.
County Assessors: W. C. Jones, 1840; James Hughes, 1841; Daniel McLain, 1843; David R. McGaughey, 1844; John Ritchey, IS44; Jeremiah M. Woodruff, IS46; Malcom M. Crow, 1848; F. C. Buchanan, IS50; Hume Sturgeon, 1851. Office abolished in IS51.
695
COUNTY ORGANIZATION.
Real Estate Appraisers: Thomas Williams, 1840; Jacob Sibert, 1846; Peter Shuck, 1850.
Collectors of County Revenue: Robert Gilcrees, 1826; Ira Woodruff (sheriff), 1827; John Thempson, 1831; David Allen (sheriff), 1835; Hiram T. Craig, 1838; Arthur Mullikin, 1839. Office abolished in 1840.
County Surveyors: The following is only a partial list of the surveyors of Johnson County: James HI. Wishard, Thomas Will- iams, Franklin Hardin, John S. Hougham, Hiram Graves, G. M. Overstreet, P. K. Parr, W. W. Hubbard, Joseph J. Moore, Will- iam M. Elliott, Wilson T. Ilougham, Daniel A. Leach, Benjamin R. Ransdell.
Avenues of Travel .- The roads traversed by the pioneer set- tlers of Johnson County, were first the Indian trails, which were soon succeeded by neighborhood roads. After the organization of the county, roads were viewed and established by authority of the board of commissioners. These primitive roads were little more than a path blazed out, by which the traveler might, with some degree of confidence, go from one settlement to another without fear of losing his course. These roads often traversed low, swampy lands, and, in order to make them passable, were cross-laid with logs and rails, and were generally known as "corduroys."
After years of experience with dirt roads the legislature author- zed the construction of plank roads. Such roads were built in many of the counties, but were soon abandoned as impracticable. This was followed by an act of the legislature, authorizing the construction of gravel roads. This act was followed by the rapid construction of pikes, and later the county has built a large number of free gravel roads, which at present lead out from all the princi- pal trade centers of the county. Johnson County is traversed by two lines of railroad. The J., M. & I. Railroad, which traverses the entire length from north to south, was built late in the forties, the first train arriving at Franklin, Wednesday, August 18, 1847. The Fairland, Franklin & Martinsville, a branch of the C., I., St. L. & C. Railroad, furnishes an outlet to the east and west, and thus the people are supplied with the necessary competition to make trans- portation cheap.
Medical .- Of the early history of the profession but little can be said. The incidents of early practice were similar to those of all western communities. The exposures and hardships incident to the practice in the pioneer days of Johnson County were such that it is now a matter of astonishment that there were those who were willing to sacrifice themselves to alleviate the suffering of their fellow man.
696
JOHNSON COUNTY.
The almost impassable condition of the roads, the exposure to in- clement weather, and wild animals, and the uncertainty of remun- eration for their services, made the life of the pioneer physician an unenviable one.
Among the prominent early practitioners may be mentioned the names of James Ritchey, Mack Smiley, A. D. Sweet, Samuel Webb, J. H. Donnell, W. W. Thomas, J. H. Woodburn, Samuel Thompson, Dr. Winslow, John McCorkle, J. P. Gill, Lewis Mc- Laughlin, James McMurry, Dr. Leavitt, John Scott, Dr. Fish, Dr. Charleton, Dr. Bush, George Riddel, - Finnimore, L. J. Woollen, Dr. Pinkney, Cardell, A. R. Miller, Johnson, J. J. Cole, South- worth, Jordon, S. Voris, J. D. Vannuys, Mitchell Bedford, Runnell, Robert Taggart, 'A. T. Davis, W. C. Hendricks, Cook, J. H. Thompson and F. B. Day.
It has long been recognized by those engaged in the practice of the healing art, that a union of effort and mutuality of council are essential to success. This suggested to the members of the pro- fession in Johnson County the necessity for the organization of a society in which members may meet, and by a comparison of indi- vidual experiences, deduce the most practical methods. With such an object in view, a medical society was organized in ISSo, with Drs. Z. Carnes, H. Carter, T. C. Donnell. J. S. Farris, II. J. Hall, J. T. Jones, J. A. Marshall, A. Miller, P. W. Payne, J. J. Saddler, B. Wallace, W. A. Webb, and J. C. Wood, as charter members. The following are the names of those who have taken out license to practice in the county since IS85.
T. C. Donnell. Ira C. Fisher, Frank B. Day, James T. Jones, J. C. Wood, P. W. Payne, W. C. Hall, William A. Webb, A. Mil- ler, James Beebe, J. D. George, J. II. Donnell, B. Wallace, Homer J. Hall, William M. Province, L. L. Whitesides, G. W. Covert, P. K. Dobyns, Lyman E. Ott, Samuel T. Quick, William P. Bush, David Adams, John A. Bland, William E. Tilford, Jesse H. Lanam, Luther Paine, Joseph M. Wishard, Thomas W. Curry, Irvin Ilibbs, Jefferson B. Ream, Charles E. Whitesides, Thomas B. Noble, J. A. Marshall, William C. Hendricks, E. B. Willan, Zach- ariah Carnes, James H. Adams, John W. Dixon, Robert B. Willan, Appleton W. Wright, Joseph J. Saddler, John L. Kegley, Thomas B. Maze, R. S. Byers, Robert Taggert, J. S. Farris, Reuben Griffith. William H. Murphy, James II. Bazell, Joseph R. Cravens, W. F. Gooden, O. B. Surface, Ira C. Willan, James P. Moser, J. T. Mercer, Samuel Pagin, Amos Davis, Urbina Stackhouser, F. P. Gillaspy, David H. Miller, James S. Roberts, Isaac D. Carman, J. G. Grim, James A. Comstock, J. K. Vincent, Samuel McGaughey,
697
HENSLEY TOWNSHIP.
J. O. Wharton, Thomas R. Rubush, Stephen L. Strickler, James K. Stewart, James L. Barrett, James W. Marsee, Carl T. Payne, W. H. Wishard.
HENSLEY TOWNSHIP.
WILLIAM A. BRIDGES stands among the most substantial far- mers, stock-raisers and business men of this part of Indiana. He was born October 11, 1850, son of George and Martha (Clark) Bridges. The father was a native of Kentucky, born May 4, 1800, and departed this life August 23, 1872. IIe came to Johnson County in the autumn of 1829, and settled in Hensley Township, about two miles west of Trafalgar, Ind. Here he settled on a farm and engaged in the arduous duties of clearing it up. llis boyhood and youth were spent on a farm. His education was extremely lim- ited, for hard work was such a necessity in those days but little time could be devoted to schooling, but by reason of a large amount of business, and by much mingling with men, he acquired a good practical education. He was thoroughly conversant with all things that pertained to his business, and on all general affairs he was well informed. He was honorable and upright in all his dealings, a con- sistent member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Few men ac- complished as much in life, and succeeded in establishing as complete confidence in the minds of all as he. Ilis popularity ex- tended to all with whom he had business connections, and he was one of those few who have the scarce and precious qualities of making a great deal of money in a way that added to, rather than detracted from, their popularity. In 1825, he was united in marriage with Matilda Forsythe. This union was blessed with seven children, four boys and three girls, four of whom are now living, two boys and two girls. The mother of these children was born June 3, 1806, and departed this life March 14, 1848. On August 16, 1848, he was united in marriage with Martha Clark, a daughter of Will- iam and Margaret Clark. This union was blessed with the fol- lowing children: Marion F., born June 20, 1849: William A., our subject, October 11, 1850. The mother of these children was born June 8, 1828. She was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, who in this, as in all the other affairs of life, has been her husband's faithful companion, and who has always proved herself that willing helper which the true wife and mother ever is. She departed this life, July 30, 1856. On October 16, 1856, he was united in marriage with Eliza A. Prather, a daugh- ter of Thomas and Mary Prather. This union was blessed with the following children: Dillard, Adaline, Henry, Emma, Eliza
698
JOHNSON COUNTY.
A., and Andrew. The mother of these children is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Bridges was always a staunch democrat, and at the time of his death was the owner of Sio acres of fine farming lands in Hensley Township, which was improved. Mr. Bridges' position in Johnson County was a fitting reward for the work and toil of a lifetime, and shows conclusively to all begin- ners on life's journey how much more honorable, useful, and satis- factory is a life of industry, exertion, and honesty. Our subject, William A. Bridges, was reared on his father's farm in Hensley Township; he received a good common school education, and at the age of twenty-one years began the struggle of life for himself as a farmer, and has always been one of the live men of Johnson County. Improvement and progress has always been his watch- word, and it has always been his ambition to keep fully up with the advancing civilization of the nineteenth century. One needs but to see his beautiful home and the many surrounding improve- ments to become convinced that he has kept thoroughly abreast with the spirit of the times. October 9, IS70, he was united in marriage with Alice M. Hunter, a daughter of Singleton and Harriet (Clemmer) Hunter; the father was a native of Kentucky, of German descent, born December IS, 1829; he came to Indiana in 1840, and settled in Hensley Township, where he remained until 1885, when he emigrated to Kansas, where he now re- sides. The mother was a native of Ohio, of German descent, was born April 11, 1830, and departed this life, December 15, 1882. This union was blessed with the following children: Otis, born July 9, 1871; Harry, December 12, 1872; Daisy, October 22, 1877. The mother of these children was born October 27, 1850. Mr. Bridges, wife, and the two boys, are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. lodge, No. ISI, at Trafalgar, also a member of the K. of P. lodge, No. 12, at Franklin. In politics he has always been a staunch democrat, and is the recognized leader of the young democracy of his township. He is now the present county commissioner of dis- trict No. I. After his nomination for this office, he was appointed to fill a vacancy of eighteen months in the same, caused by the death of E. W. Morgan, and was elected at the following November election of 1886, by a handsome majority. He now owns IIO acres of fine land, in Hensley Township. In connection with farming, he has given considerable of his time to the breeding of short-horn cattle. His liberal support of churches, schools, and all landable enterprises are characteristic of the man. Such men build up a community, and erect for themselves imperishable monuments of gratitude which will live for many years after they have passed
699
HENSLEY TOWNSHIP.
away. Socially, Mr. Bridges is a thoroughly good fellow, enter- taining all at his home, with a liberal hospitality, and makes friends wherever he goes.
AARON V. BURGET, prominent farmer and stock-raiser of Hensley Township, is an Indianian by birth, having been born in Johnson County, on the 3d day of November, 1843. His father, Valentine Burget, was a native of Ohio, and an early resident of Johnson County, accompanying his parents here about the year 1832, and settling in Nineveh Township. Valentine Burget grew to manhood in Nineveh Township, and in 1839 was united in mar- riage with Nancy Keaton, a native of Tennessee, and daughter of Miles and Sylvia (Butram) Keaton, of North Carolina. To this marriage ten children were born, five of whom are now living, and residents of Johnson County. Mr. Burget was a prominent citizen, and had a large circle of friends in this and other parts of the country. He died in 1885, aged seventy-one years. The subject of this sketch was reared to agricultural pursuits, receiving a good practical English education, and for some time followed the teacher's calling in Nineveh Township. He afterward abandoned the profession for farming, which useful vocation he has since car- ried on. On the 16th of April, 1863, was solemnized his marriage with Miss Lucinda, daughter of William and Mary (Teeters) Gil- laspy. The father of Mrs. Burget was drowned in White River a number of years ago, and the mother, who is still living, subse- quently married Thomas Gillaspy. Mr. Burget was a resident of Nineveh Township until 1871, at which time he purchased his present home place, consisting of 109 acres, in Section 13, Hensley Township, where he has since lived and prospered. He is a democrat in politics, and as such has held minor official positions at different times, the duties of which he discharged in a manner highly satisfactory to all concerned. IIe identified himself with the Christian Church a number of years ago, and is an earnest and consistent member of that denomination. Mr. and Mrs. Burget have had eight children, seven of whom are now living, viz .: Dil- lard A., William M., Tillas A., Alice, Nancy A., Sallie E. and Floyd E. Emma L., the fourth child, died at the age of five years.
JOSEPH CLARK, M. D., is a native of Indiana, and was born in Bartholomew County, on the 14th day of October, 1838. His father, Thomas S. Clark, was born in the city of Manchester, Eng- land, and at an early age came to America, locating at Lebanon, Ohio, where he learned the cabinet-makers' trade. After residing at this place a number of years, he moved to Indiana, about 1823, and entered a tract of land in Jackson Township, Shelby County.
1
700
JOHNSON COUNTY,
He was twice married, the first time on the 24th day of December, 1833, to Miss Martha M. Harris, of Virginia, whose death occurred in February, 1843. Four children were born to this marriage, three of whom are now living. June 15, 1843, Mr. Clark married Miss Letitia Query, by whom he had three children, all deceased. Shortly after his second marriage Mr. Clark moved to Hensley Township, and here resided until his death. In many respects Thomas Clark was a remarkable man. In early life he evinced de- cided taste for intellectual pursuits, and while a mere youth began the study of Latin, Greek and Hebrew, in which he soon acquired remarkable proficiency. His love for the classics never abated, and in old age he was able to read the Scrip- tures in the original tongues. Greek and Hebrew. He was a man of abstemious habits, possessed a tenacious memory, and was a believer in religion, as taught by Emanuel Swedenborg. He was born April, 1806, and departed this life February, 1873. Mrs. Clark survived her husband several years, dying July. 1887, aged seventy. Dr. Clark spent his youthful years on his father's farm, and received his early educational training in the common schools, supplemented by a course in Franklin College, which he at- tended two years. On quitting college he engaged in teach- ing, and was thus employed until the breaking out of the rebellion, when he enlisted in Company I, Seventy-ninth Indiana Vol- unteer Infantry, Col. Fred Kneffler's regiment, with which he served gallantly from 1862 until the close of the war. He partici- pated in a number of battles. in one of which, at Murfreesboro, Tenn., he was severely wounded in the left arm by the explosion of a shell, the effect of which was to disable him for field duty. For some time thereafter he was employed as hospital steward, at Louisville and New Albany. At the close of the war he returned to Johnson County, but in the meantime, while in the government service, began reading medicine with Dr. Sloan, of New Albany. Impressed with a laudable desire to increase his knowledge of the profession, the Doctor subsequently attended lectures at Louisville and New York, and in 1867 graduated in New York, and began the practice at Morgantown, where he continued about twelve years. He then relinquished the practice and engaged in the commission business at Indianapolis, which branch of trade he continued suc- cessfully until 1884. In that year he returned to Hensley Town- ship and began farming, which he has since carried on, owning at this time a fine farm of 240 acres. The Doctor was married Janu- ary 8, 1871, to Miss Harriet Skeggs, of Morgan County, daughter of Zachariah Skeggs.
F. M. COLEMAN, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of Hens-
701
HENSLEY TOWNSHIP.
ley Township, is a native of Johnson County, Ind., and son of F. M. and Mary ( Woollard ) Coleman. He was born on the Coleman home- stead in this township, on the 5th of March, 1856, and grew to manhood on his father's farm, attending the common schools at intervals in the meantime, in which he obtained a practical English education. On the 29th day of December, 1876, was solemnized his marriage with Miss Frances Paskins, daughter of John Paskins of this county, a union blessed with the birth of the following child- ren: John F., Chelcie, George and Mary E. Mr. Coleman has always lived upon the place where he now resides, and as a farmer and stock-raiser, has been very successful, ranking among the enter- prising and progressive citizen, of Hensley. He is a man of pleasing address. is popular socially, and numbers his friends by the score in the community and elsewhere. Politically, he is a supporter of the democratic party, and as such has taken an active interest in local politics. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Lodge No. 358, at Morgantown.
WARREN COLEMAN .- The paternal ancestors of the subject of this sketch came originally from Germany, and settled in America in the time of the colonies. Jacob Coleman, grandfather of Warren, fought for the cause of liberty during the War of the Revolution, and his son. Jacob, Jr., served with distinction in the War of 1812. The family early emigrated to Ohio, in which state the subject's father was married in 1809, to Miss Elizabeth Thomas, an aunt of the late General George !I. Thomas, who bore such a distinguished part in the late War of the Rebellion. Jacob Thomas farmed for a number of years near the city of Cleveland, and, in 1839, came to Johnson County, Ind., where he lived until his death in 1873. His wife survived him many years, dying March 25, 1883. at the advanced age of ninety-five years. They raised to manhood and womanhood a family of eight children, of whom three are now liv- ing: Mrs. Sarah Loyd, Mrs. Amanda Hammond and the subject of this biography. Warren Coleman was born near the city of Cleveland, Ohio, on the 12th of July, 1816, and until his twenty- fourth year, resided in his native state. He accompanied his par- ents to Johnson County, in 1839, and until his marriage, which was solemnized on the 16th day of March, 1847, with Miss Lucy Gillaspy, he remained on the home place looking after his par- ents' interest. Shortly after marriage, Mr. Coleman settled in the northwest part of Nineveh Township, and from time to time pur- chased land until he now owns a farm of 123 acres, the greater part of which is under a high state of cultivation. He has been a very industrious man, and, as a democrat, served three years as com- missioner of Johnson County, besides having held minor official
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