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 70
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positions. His wife was a daughter of Joseph Gillaspy, one of the early residents of the township. She died August 21, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Coleman raised a family of seven children, whose names are as follows: Francis M., William D., George W., Susan, Lucy J., Amos, and Jacob.
DANIEL W. COOPER, an old and reliable citizen of Hensley Township, and one of the few pioneers now living, is a native of Wayne County, Ky., and dates his birth from the 13th day of November, 1823. His parents, Abraham and Elizabeth (Collett ) Cooper, were natives of Kentucky, also, and early residents of Johnson County, moving here in 1833. They raised a family of eleven children, eight of whom are still living, four residents of this county. The subject of this sketch being the oldest son, was early compelled to contribute his part toward clearing and developing the farm. Hence his educational training was of a somewhat limited character. He made the most of his opportunities, however, and by coming in contact with his fellow men in after life, obtained a fund of practical knowledge, and is now a well-informed man. September 12, 1844, he was married to Miss Ahulia Alexander, of Johnson County, and daughter of Thomas Alexander. The fruits of this marriage have been nine children, of whom the following are living: Annie A., Elizabeth, Ellen, Lavicy, Smith and Alice. Mr. Cooper has followed agricultural pursuits all his life, and now owns a well-improved farm of 140 acres. He is a democrat in politics, and a member of the Masonic order. He stands high in the estimation of his fellow men, and is one of the township's repre- sentative citizens.
JAMES C. CORE, the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch, was born in Johnson County, on the 14th day of January, 1834. His father. Jacob Core, was a native of Ohio, from which state he emigrated to Kentucky many years ago. and there married Mary J. Forsyth, who was born at Crab Orchard, in the latter state. Mr. Core was by occupation a miller, and in addition to his trade, he was employed for some time in Kentucky, in the capacity of overseer. He came to Johnson County, Ind., in 1827, and purchased government land in Nineveh Township, upon which he lived until his death. He died a number of years ago at the age of fifty-four, and was buried in the Mt. Pleasant cemetery, where the body of his wife was also laid, she having died later at the age of sixty-four years. James C. Core has spent all his life in Johnson County, and is now one of its oldest citizens, having been a resident over fifty-four years. He grew to manhood on the farm, and in the old log school-house, lighted by a window of greased paper, and furn- ished with rough puncheon benches, minus backs, he obtained the
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rudiments of an ordinary English education. On the 25th day of February, 1856, he was married, and immediately thereafter he be- gan carving out a home for himself in Nineveh Township, where he continued to live and prosper until 1887. In that year he dis- posed of his place in Nineveh, and purchased his present farm in Hensley Township, a beautiful place of eighty acres, well stocked and improved. For some time he handled stock for James P. For- syth, and did a successful business while thus employed. Mr. Core is one of the industrious farmers of Hensley, and a popular citizen in the community where he resides. He has had ten children, seven living: Matilda E., Martha E., Maria A., George W., John, J. C. and Effie M. The oldest daughter, Matilda, married Henry Hughes, and is living in Nineveh Township. Martha E. is the wife of George W. Short.
JAMES FORSYTII, deceased .- Conspicuous among the represen- tative citizens of Johnson County, was the late James Forsyth. Mr. Forsyth was a native of Kentucky, born July 6, 1813, and a son of J. and Jane (Sturgeon) Forsyth. Ile grew to manhood's estate in Kentucky, and in 1830, moved to Johnson County, Ind., and located a home not far from the city of Franklin. He entered land in Franklin and Nineveh Township, and in time be- came a large property holder and a prosperous citizen. On the 16th day of February, 1837, he married Miss Ellen N. Ragsdale, daughter of Frederick Ragsdale, one of the pioneer settlers of Hensley Township. Mr. Forsyth identified himself with the First Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in 1843, from which time until his death he was active in the councils of his church and foremost in every work to propagate religious truth. He accumulated a handsome property, but in later life met with financial reverses, which resulted in the loss of a considerable portion of his property. He was liberal in all the word implies, and his numerous bene- factions for religious and benevolent purposes, attest his unbounded faith in the Scriptural maxim, that " it is more blessed to give than to receive." His church and Franklin College owe him a debt of gratitude for munificent gifts received at different times, and many who received his aid in a quiet and unostentatious way remember him as a true friend and benefactor. Ile served as director of Franklin College in 1875-6, and at one time was president of the First National Bank of Franklin. Mr. and Mrs. Forsyth were not blessed with children of their own, but through their kindness two children were reared, who will always bless the memory of their benefactors. Mr. Forsyth died on the 18th day of March, 1887, but Mrs. Forsyth is still living, having reached a serene and happy old age.
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JAMES A. FOSTER, only 'son of William and Francina Foster, whose sketch appears elsewhere, is a native of Johnson County. He has been a resident of Hensley Township for many years, and is one of the industrious and energetic farmers of the community in which he resides. He has been twice married, the first time on the 5th day of December, 1852, to Miss Luella M. Clemmer, a native of Johnson County, daughter of Solomon Clemmer. Two children were born to this union. Lola and Lula. Mrs. Foster died August, 1883, and was burried in the Friendship cemetery. On the 25th of October, 1884, Mr. Foster's second marriage was solemnized with Miss Margaret Ellis, daughter of Jesse Ellis, a union blessed with the birth of one child, who died in infancy. Mr. Foster owns a well-stocked farm of 120 acres, and is in comfortable cir- cumstances. Politically, he is a democrat, in religion, a Methodist.
WILLIAM FOSTER, deceased, was born in Johnson County, Ind. April 23, 1831. He was a son of Richard and Lucinda (Coons) Foster, natives of Virginia, and of English and German descent, respectively. Richard Foster came to Johnson about the time the county was organized, and was one of the pioneers of Blue River Township. Subsequently he moved to Hensley Township, where, for some years, he held the office of justice of the peace. He was a prominent citizen, and did much in a quiet way toward opening and developing the country. He died at a good old age, as did also his wife, and they both rest side by side in Tipton County, this state. Mr. and Mrs. Foster raised a large family, ten children having grown to manhood and womanhood, six of whom are now living, all residents of the County of Tipton. William Foster passed his youthful years in Johnson County, and was reared on a farm. Aug- ust, 1850, he married Miss Francina Smith, daughter of Jeremiah and Elizabeth Smith, of East Tennessee. Mrs. Foster was born in Tennessee, on February 5, 1827, and is the mother of two children : James A., born August 11, 1851, and Minerva, born May 8, 1859, and died in childhood. Mr. Foster was one of the leading citizens , and farmers of Hensley Township, and a man widely and favorably known for his many excellent traits of character. He died very suddenly of heart disease. on January 25, 1884. He was for many years an active member of the Methodist Church, to which his wife also belonged. She is still living on the home place, which is now superintended by her son, James A.
O. W. GARRETT, deceased. the subject of this sketch. was a native of Kentucky, born on the 14th day of December, ISII. He spent about thirty years in that state, and then came to Johnson County, Ind., locating in Hensley Township, of which he was a resident about twenty years, the greater part of which time was spent in
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teaching. He was for some time engaged in the saw-milling busi- ness in Morgan County, and at one time worked at the stone ma- son's trade, in which he acquired great proficiency. When the war broke out he offered his services to his country, enlisting in the Twenty-seventh Regiment Indiana Infantry, with the commission of second lieutenant of his company. Subsequently he was pro- moted first lieutenant, and as such served until honorably discharged at the expiration of his term of service. Mr. Garrett was at one time a practicing attorney, and acquired some prominence as a mem- ber of the bar of Morgan County. He was a man of broad intelli- gence, and for a number of years took an active part in local politics. Ile married, in Louisville, Ky., Miss Lucy Ann Curl, daughter of Samuel and Sinah Curl, of the same state, by whom he had two children, both deceased. Mrs. Garrett was born on the 9th day of December, ISIS. Mr. Garrett died at his residence in Morgan County, on the Sth day of February, 1876. Mrs. Gar- rett lives in the village of Samaria.
JOHN HOGELAND was born in Green County, Ky., now Taylor County, on the 16th day of November, 1824. His father, John Hogeland, Sr., was a native of Pennsylvania, and of French descent. He was taken to Kentucky, when ten years of age, and there mar- ried Nancy Shipp, by whom he had twelve children, six sons and the same number of daughters. In 1833, he immigrated to Indiana and settled in Shelby County, thence one year later moved to John- son County, locating three and one-half miles north of Franklin. About the year 1837, he moved to the northwest part of Hensley Township, and lived here until 1870. For two or three years he resided in Samaria, and then moved west of Morgantown, where his death occurred at the advanced age of eighty-one. His wife ser- vived him several years, and died at the residence of her son, in Hensley Township, being over eighty at the time of her death. Mr. Hogeland was a prominent farmer. For a period of over sixty j'ears, he belonged to the Baptist Church. John Hogeland, Jr., sub- ject of this sketch, was nearly ten years of age when the family came to Indiana. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and at the age of twenty, married Miss Eliza Whitsitt, of Jennings County, Ind., daughter of John and Mary ( Blankenship) Whitsitt. Shortly after marriage, Mr. Hogeland settled in Blue River Township, where he lived twenty-two years. He then returned to Hensley Township, where he has since resided, and where he now owns a farm of 270 acres, one of the best improved places in the southern part of the county. He justly ranks among the substantial men of the community, and as a farmer and stock-raiser, has few equals in Hensley Township. By his first marriage he had three children,
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all deceased. Ilis present wife, whom he married in April, 1866, was Mrs. Mary J. Young. widow of J. Young, and daughter of Joseph Pratt. Mr. and Mrs. Hogeland are members of the Baptist Church.
I. J. HOLEMAN, the gentleman for whom this sketch is prepared, is a native of Johnson County, and dates his birth from the 7th day of April, 1844. His parents were J. M. and Elizabeth (Street) Holeman, both natives of the State of Kentucky. Our subject was raised a farmer, and has followed agricultural pursuits all his life. He belongs to that large and eminently respectable class who accomplish much for the good of society in a quiet and unostenta- tious way, and during a long period of residence in Hensley Town- ship, has gained the confidence and respect of all with whom he has come in contact. March 25, 1867, he was united in marriage to Miss Eliza J. Coleman, daughter of F. M. Coleman, and to their union have been born nine children, seven of whom are living: Nettie E., Jennie, James F., John D., Rettie, Gussie and Oris C. The names of those deceased are, Mary I., who died in her seven- teenth year, and Annie, whose age was seven months. They were both laid to rest at Bethlehem Church cemetery. Mr. Holeman owns a good farin, and is in comfortable circumstances financially. He is a democrat politically, and an earnest worker in the I. O. O. F. fraternity, belonging to Lodge No. 196, Morgantown.
JONATHAN YOUNT. - The Yount family came originally from Germany, and were among the early settlers of Pennsylvania, in colonial times. From that state the grandfather of the subject em- igrated to Kentucky, and was an associate of the celebrated Daniel Boone, in leading the van of civilization into the " dark and bloody ground." He participated in many of the struggles with the In- dians, and is remembered as one of the bravest of the pioneers of a time abounding in brave and daring men. George Yount, father of the subject, was born and reared in Kentucky, Shelby County, and was a farmer by occupation. He was a man of some local prominence, having held an official position in the militia service, and for some years took an active part in politics as a supporter of the whig party. His death occurred a number of years ago in his native state. The maiden name of our subject's mother was Sarah Bright. She was descended from English ancestry, and was married to Mr. Yount in Kentucky, and was the mother of four children, all living, three of them residents of Johnson County. Mrs. Yount died in Johnson County, aged over eighty years. Jonathan Yount was born May 3, 1828, in Shelby County, Ky., and grew to manhood in his native state as a farmer. His early educa- tional advantages were of a meager character, embracing in all about
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five months' attendance at the country schools. Owing to the death of his father, the duty of maintaining the family was largely thrown upon his shoulders, and for some years he struggled hard to dis- charge his filial duties. October 28, 1852, he was married in Shelby County, Ky., to Miss Eliza J. Satterwhite, daughter of Turner Sat- terwhite, a prominent farmer, and in 1860, came to Johnson County, Ind., settling in Hensley Township. Here he purchased land and en- gaged in the pursuit of agriculture, which, with stock-raising, he has since carried on successfully, having at this time one of the best improved farms in the southern part of the county. He suffered a severe loss by fire in 1876, but immediately rebuilt, and now has one of the most commodious residences and other buildings in Hensley Township. Mr. Yount is an energetic business man, and a true type of the old-time Kentucky gentleman. He is a great lover of all kinds of innocent sports and pastimes, and an adept with the rifle, his skill in markmanship being unequalled in this part of the country. Politically, he is a democrat. Mrs. Yount died in April, IS75. She was the mother of nine children, the following of whom are living : John W., Walter L., Edwin, Charles E., George B. McC., Cordelia and Hattie O. In April, 1876, Mr. Yount married his present wife, Miss Lavina C. Smith, who has borne him four chil- dren: Harry G., Ira W., Carl and Howard H.
PROF. BENJAMIN F. KENNEDY, the subject of this sketch, was born in Bourbon County, Ky., December 5, IS32, and is a son of Thomas and Mary (Kimbro) Kennedy. Paternally, Mr. Ken- nedy is descended from Irish ancestry, and upon the mother's side, from English. Thomas Kennedy was a native of Kentucky, and a school teacher by profession. He came to Putnam County, Ind., in 1836, and in 1861, moved to Johnson County, and settled in Hensley Township. By his marriage with Mary Kimbro, he had four children, all of whom are living. Mrs. Kennedy died in Ken- tucky, in 1836, and later, Mr. Kennedy married Martha Bowles. Benjamin F. Kennedy passed his youthful years in Putnam County, Ind. His educational training was liberal, attending first the com- mon schools, and later Asbury, now Depauw University, in which institution he pursued his studies three years. In IS50, he began teaching in Putnam County, and after following the profession there for six years, came to Johnson County, where he continued, first in the schools of Union Township, where he located, and later in , various localities. He did much toward systematizing the schools of the county, and was the first teacher to introduce the higher branches of learning in the schools outside the county seat. Mr. Kennedy became a citizen of Hensley Township in 1860, and has been here the greater part of the time since. He was for six years
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principal of the Morgantown schools, and for three years had charge of the high school of Trafalgar. In addition to his work as teacher, Prof. Kennedy served as county examiner of schools under the old law, and was the first superintendent elected, under the law providing for the county superintendency. He discharged the duties of his office in an eminently satisfactory manner, and did much toward awakening an interest in behalf of educational work throughout the county. He taught his last school in the winter of IS78-79, at Union village, the same place where he began his labors in this county in 1856. Prof. Kennedy is a scholarly gentleman, and ranks among the most successful educators of Johnson County, He was married August 31, 1861, to Miss Delilah Davenport, who has borne him two children: Millard F. and Benjamin F.
JOHN S. KEPHART is a native of Kentucky, born in the famous blue grass region, on the 21st day of October, IS26. His parents were Samuel and Jemima (Swift) Kephart, both natives of the same state. Samuel Kephart came to Johnson County, Ind., in IS35, and settled in Hensley Township, where he lived until his death in ISS5. Ile was over eighty years of age when he died, as was also his wife, whose death occurred the same year. They were the parents of fourteen children, nine of whom are living, six of them being residents of Hensley Township. The immediate subject of this biography was reared partly in Henry County, Ky., and partly in Indiana. being nine years of age when his parents moved to Johnson County. In the year 1846, he enlisted in Com- pany C, Third Indiana Volunteers, Col. Lane's regiment, for the Mexican War, and served for a period of thirteen months, dur- ing which time he participated in a number of skirmishes and bat- tles, including the bloody engagement of Buena Vista, on the 22nd of February, 1847. He returned home in July, of the latter year, and on the 22nd day of the month was united in marriage with Miss Mary C. Tapp. daughter of William Tapp, by whom he had eight children, the following of whom are living: Eliza Ann, Sam- uel, Lucy J., Catherine, Sarah and John T. Mr. Kephart began life as a farmer, and has followed his calling ever since. He served in the late war as a member of Company G, Third Indiana Cavalry, entering the service in 1861 as second lieutenant. IIe afterward resigned, and a little later enlisted in the Fifth Indiana Cavalry, with which he shared the fortunes and vicissitudes of war for a period of three years, holding a second lieutenant's commis- sion during that time. Upon one occasion he was tendered the commission of major by Gov. Morton, but refused to accept it. While operating in Kentucky he was captured by Morgan's Cav- alry, and for twenty-two months experienced all the rigorous treat-
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ment and privations incident to rebel prisons, having been for some time confined in the celebrated Libby prison pen at Richmond, Va. Among the battles in which he bore a gallant part, were: Shiloh, Franklin, Greenbriar and a number of others, besides nn- merous lesser engagements and skirmishes. He was honorably discharged from the service at Pulaski, Tenn., June 28, 1865, and immediately thereafter returned to Johnson County, where he has since resided. Mrs. Kephart died on the 16th day of June, 1867. On the 18th day of December, that year, Mr. Kephart's second . marriage was solemnized with Mrs. Elizabeth Lang, widow of the late William Lang. To this marriage have been born three chil- dren: Elsie, Andrew and Rebecca M. By her previous marriage Mrs. Kephart had these children: Sarah F., Mary A. and William R. Lang. Mr. Kephart is a member of the I. O. O. F., and in re- ligion a Baptist. Mrs. Kephart is also a member of the Baptist Church.
JOSEPH J. MOORE, of Hensley Township, one of the old settlers and most successful business men of Johnson County, was born in said county April 29, 1831. He is the son of Robert and Elizabeth (McKinley) Moore, both natives of Ohio. His parents moved to Johnson County in 1822, settling near Williamsburg, but later re- moved to Union Township, where Joseph J. was born. The other children of Robert Moore were, John M., who died in Indianapolis, in 1886: Mary Ann, Elizabeth M. (deceased), Martha Ann, Rachel A., Robert M., and two infants (deceased). The father was one of the most prominent and useful citizens of the early days of the county, having filled, for a time, the position of associate judge. He died in Jasper County on January 20, 1855, where he moved in 1849. The death of Mrs. Moore occurred June 6, 1843. Joseph J. remained at home until he was twenty- two years of age, when he started out in life. His first employ- ment was cutting cord-wood, at which he earned his first money. Thus engaged he was called upon to teach school, after an examination had proved him to be the most able and practical, thorough English scholar in the whole community. This he followed years with marked success. Ile afterward served as surveyor of Morgan County, for two years, and in the same capacity for a like period in Johnson County, and as a surveyor and civil engineer he was very efficient. He entered the contest as a candidate for state senator, in 1886, but was defeated after a very bitter contest. Although Mr. Moore has been much in public life, and has contributed as much to the public good as any man in John- son County, it is in the commercial world that his energies and tal- ents have been employed most successfully. Few men have
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engaged so extensively, and have in a greater measure won by honest dealings and correct business methods, the confidence of the community. Mr. Moore was married to Miss Ermina, daughter of John H. and Sarah Forsythe, which union has been blessed by four children: Frank F., an attorney of Frankfort, Ind., is a graduate of Franklin College, Chicago School of Oratory, and Albany, N. Y., law school; Cinchona Alice, wife of E. M. French, of Frankfort, is a fine literary scholar, and a graduate of the Bos- ton Art School: Elgin E. (deceased); Robert M., who married Miss L. E. Coleman, a native of this county, is a farmer. Mr. Moore still lives at Trafalgar, where he is extensively engaged in several lines of mercantile business, and with his estimable wife is now enjoying the fruits of a well-spent life.
G. W. MUSSELMAN .- Among the successful farmers and busi- ness men of Hensley Township, few stand as high in the estimation of the public as the gentleman for whom this biographical sketch is prepared. The Musselman family was early represented in John- son County, and the name appears frequently in connection with the early county legislation. Henry Musselman, father of G. W., was a native of Kentucky, and of German descent. He moved to Johnson County in 1822, before the organization went into effect, and for a number of years was prominently identified with the growth and development of the country. He died a number of years ago at a good old age, having outreached the allotted three score years and ten. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Dunn, was also a native of Kentucky. She faithfully discharged the duties of life throughout more years than usually fall to the lot of woman, and sleeps by the side of her husband in the old Lick Springs grave-yard, Nineveh Township. Henry and Sarah Mus- selman had a family of ten children, seven sons and four daughters, only four of the number now living, all residents of this township. G. W. Mussselman was born on the 30th day of October, IS26, and has been a resident of Johnson County all his life. His early edu- cational training embraced a few months' attendance in such schools as the country afforded, and amid the rugged duties of farm life, he early learned those lessons of industry and economy by which his later years have been characterized. On the 31st day of July, 1845, he married Miss Rebecca Smyser, of Oldham County, Ky., daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Deadman) Smyser, and shortly thereafter purchased a tract of land, consisting of eighty acres, from which he in time cleared and developed a farm. He disposed of the place in 1853, and purchased the farm upon which he now resides, consisting of 280 acres. This represents the fruits of his own industry, as he began life with little capital, save a well-formed
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