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 72
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THOMAS H. ALEXANDER was born in Greeen County, Tenn., May 12, 1828, son of George and Margaret (Farnsworth) Alex- ander. His father, also a native of Green County, Tenn., was born in 1800, and died in Johnson County, August 23, 1873. ITis mother was born in the same part of Tennessee, about 1802, and died in 1846. About 1832 the family came to Johnson County, and settled in Franklin Township. The subject of this sketch was reared on the farm, and educated at the country schools. At nine- teen years of age he began life as a farm hand, which he continued two years, and then learned the blacksmith's trade, and for five or six years was engaged in that business. Mr. Alexander first be- gan farming in Franklin Township, and about eighteen years ago removed to his present farm in Needham Township, the same con- taining 615 acres. He is one of the most extensive and prosperous farmers in this locality. Mr. Alexander was married, in 1851, to Miss Sarah McCaslin, a native of Johnson County, born August 22, 1828. They have these five children : Mary, Alice, Margaret, George L. and Hattie. In politics, he has been an ardent republi- can since the days of John C. Fremont. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander are among the old settlers of this county, and are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, of which he is an elder.
W. H. Coos, a leading young farmer of Needham Township, Johnson Co., Ind., was born in the same township, on June 15, 1858, and is the son of George and Kittie (Duncan) Coons. The
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father was born in Kentucky in about 1823, and the mother in the same state in about 1825. The father located in Johnson County in 1852, settling on the farm where he now lives, three miles north- east from Franklin, in Needham Township. To the parents eight children were born, six of whom survive. The subject of this sketch was reared on the farm, and attended the common schools, and Franklin College, spending two years at the latter. He began life for himself about ten years ago as a farmer, and continues at the same at present. In 1884 he engaged in the breeding of black 'cochin chickens, and now has quite an extensive business in that line. On January 8, 1885, he was married to Annie Applegate, who was born in Louisville, Ky., in 1857, and is the daughter of J. D. Applegate.
IRA C. FISHER, M. D., our subject, is a native of Johnson County, Ind., born in what is now Needham Township, on the 2nd day of October, 1859. His parents are John and Caroline Fisher, both natives of Johnson County, and of German and Scotch de- scent, respectively. They reside in Needham Township, and are among the enterprising and highly respected people of the com- munity. Dr. Fisher is the oldest of a family of three children. He was raised on a farm in his native county, and received a good En- glish education in the common schools. He early decided upon the medical profession for a life work, and began preparing for the same by a course of reading with Dr. J. H. Carter, of Indianapolis, under whose instruction he continued two years. He then became a student of the medical college of that city, from which he grad- uated in 1884. Having thus familiarized himself with the profes- sion, he began the active practive at the village of Needham, where he has since continued in the enjoyment of a lucrative and steadily increasing business. Though young in years, Dr. Fisher has already made commendable progress in his profession, and ranks among the rising medical men of the county. He is a close student, thoroughly devoted to his chosen calling, and has before him a promising future. He is a democrat in politics.
ROBERT P. HAMILTON, a leading farmer of Needham Town- ship, Johnson County, Ind., living one and one-half miles southeast from Franklin, on the Edinburg state road, was born in Union Township, Johnson County, Ind., on January 31, 1839, and was the eleventh of twelve children, born to Micajah and Elizabeth Luyster. The father was born in Culpepper County, Va., in 1797, and died May 5, 1878. The mother was born in 1797, and died January 7, 1884. The father was of English, and the mother of Dutch, ex- traction. When a boy the father left Virginia, and settled in Mer- cer County, Ky. His father dying when he was quite young, he
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was early thrown upon his own resources, being "bound out " soon after the family reached Kentucky, to Garrett Cozine, and during his teens was a wagoner, and drove a six-horse team from Kentucky to the inland towns of the southern states. In the sum- mer of 1834 he came to Johnson County. and entered 240 acres of land, in Section 26, and immediately moved his family from Ken- tucky, but did not locate on his 240-acre farm until 1837. He fol- lowed farming as a life vocation, and was a member of Shiloh Presbyterian Church. He married Elizabeth Luyster in Kentucky. She was an aunt of Capt. H. H. Luyster, of Franklin. Our sub- ject was reared on the farm, and secured a limited education in the public schools. He emigrated to Kansas in the fall of 1860, and remained there until the summer of 1861, and then returned to Indi- ana. He enlisted in the Federal Army, in August, 1862, in Company E, of the Seventh Regiment of Indiana Infantry, as a private. At the discharge of the Seventh Regiment, in 1864, near Petersburgh, Va., he was transferred to the Nineteenth Indi- ana Infantry, and a week later was placed in Company G. of the Twentieth Regiment of Indiana Infantry. He was mustered out of service near Washington, D. C., on May 31, 1865, having served almost three years, and passing through the battles of Antietam, Second Bull Run, Petersburgh, the Wilderness campaign, and on to Richmond, and was at the final surrender of Appomatox. After the close of the war he returned to Johnson County. Ind., and pur - chased a farm of 136 acres, in Section No. 32; the same place was exchanged in about 1870 for another farm of 160 acres, in the same section, on the Martinsville road. In 1876, he removed to Florida, and remained there for two years, and then returned to Johnson County, settling on his old farm. On September 6, 1887, he swapped farms with E. O. and J. W. Peggs, and removed to his present farm, near Franklin, which embraces 147 acres, more or less, upon which he has a substantial brick residence. He is a member of the Shiloh Presbyterian Church, and of Wadsworth Post, No. 127, G. A. R. In politics, he is a republican. He was married on October 30, 1868, to Margaret J. Graham, who was born in Johnson County, Ind., on September 3, 1845, and was the daughter of James II. Graham. She died May 11, 1878, leaving one son-Arthur G., who was born June 22, 1871. Mr. Hamil- ton was married again on January 31, 1882, to Sallie C. Covert, who was born in Johnson County, Ind., on December 16, 1850, and is the daughter of John R. Covert. To this union one daughter, Roxy C., was born December 23, 1882. Mrs. Hamil- ton is a member of the Shiloh Presbyterian Church, and her hus- band is an elder of the same church.
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JAMES OWENS .- The Owens family came originally from Vir- ginia. in which state James Owens, grandfather of the subject of this biography, was born a number of years ago. Ile emigrated to Kentucky in an early day, and from there came to Indiana before the state was organized, settling in what is now Crawford County, where he resided until 1827. In that year he came to Johnson County, and settled in Franklin Township, where his death oc- curred on the 24th of June, 1866. IlIs father was Samuel Owens, who lived and died in Virginia. The name of the subject's father was Samuel Owens, also. 1Ie was born March 13, ISO8, and died in Johnson County, Ind., October 15, 1846. Millie Fisher, wife of Samuel Owens, and mother of James, was born in Rowan County, N. C., February 22, 1810, and is still living. Samuel and Millie Owens were the parents of ten children, seven of whom grew to manhood and womanhood. Of these six are now living : Catherine, wife of James H. Garrison; John, James, George, William and Nancy, wife of Theophilus McBride. The following are deceased : Martin, Milton and Mary. The subject of this biography was born in Franklin Township, Johnson County, on the 30th of June, 1833. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and at intervals during his youthful years attended such schools as the country afforded. He remained with his mother on the farm until 1852, at which time, October 31, he married Julia A. Tetrick, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth ( Owens) Tetrick, after which he purchased eighty acres of land and began farming upon his own responsibility. After liv- ing on his original purchase four years he sold out and bought a a farm of IIO acres, to which he subsequently made additions, and upon which he lived for a period of eighteen years. At the end of that time he purchased his present beautiful home place of 155 acres in Needham Township, where he has since resided. Ile was appointed trustee of the township in 1885, to succeed Joseph Ker- lin, deceased, and served with ability until the ensuing election. Mr. and Mrs. Owens have had a family of six children, four of whom: Phebe J., Effie L., George H. and Thomas O., are living. Those deceased are William M. and Edgar H. The family are members of the Second Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, in Needham Township.
JOHN M. PARKHURST was born in Cameron County, Tenn., January 11, 1825. Ilis father was Daniel Parkhurst, a native of Kentucky, and an early resident of Johnson County, moving here about the year 1836. Subsequently he emigrated to Illinois, and died in Effingham County, that state, in I841. IIis first wife, Celia Stephens, mother of our subject, was born in Tennessee, and died there when John M. was a small boy. Her first marriage was
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blessed with the birth of five children, three of whom are now liv- ing. After the death of the father, John M. returned to Johnson County and began life for himself as a common laborer, working by the month or year until about twenty-three years of age. On the 16th day of March, 1848, he was united in marriage with Eliza- beth, daughter of William and Maria Vickerman, after which he began farming on rented land. In 1851 he purchased 120 acres of land in Nineveh Township, since which time he has bought and sold various tracts, and now owns a valuable farm of 190 acres situated one mile northeast of the county seat. In June, 1846, Mr. Parkhurst enlisted in Company C, Third Indiana Regiment, for the Mexican War, in which conflict he participated during its continu- ance. He took part in the bloody battle of Buena Vista, and other lesser engagements, and was the only man in his regiment who re- ceived a written discharge. In 1854, he was elected trustee of Nineveh Township, the duties of which he discharged in an emi- nently satisfactory manner, for two terms, having been chosen to the office of justice of the peace, in the meantime. Ile served in the latter capacity, one term, and in 1873-74, was elected assessor of Johnson County. He identified himself with the Odd Fellows fraternity, a number of years ago, and now stands high in the order. Mr. and Mrs. Parkhurst are the parents of the following children : Catherine, Mary, John W., James W., Ella M. and Julia. These members of the family are deceased: Celia M., Susan and Sarah E.
WILLIAM RUNKLE, son of Lewis and Elizabeth Runkle, was born in Culpepper County, Va., on the 13th day of March, 1813. Lewis Runkle was a native of Shenandoah County, Va., and son of Peter Runkle, who bore a distinguished part in the War of the Revolution. Lewis Runkle emigrated to Indiana in 1826, and later, moved to Iowa, where his death occurred about the year IS54. He was by trade a tanner, but after coming to Indiana, turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, which he carried on until his death. His wife died in Bartholomew County in 1849. Mr. and Mrs. Runkle were the parents of ten children, four of whom are now living. William Runkle spent the years of his youth and early manhood in Virginia and Indiana, and grew up amid the active scenes of pioneer life. His early educational train- ing was received in the old-fashioned log school-houses. He re- mained with his parents until twenty-five years of age, and then began farming for himself, first on rented land, and two years later on 120 acres which he purchased in Needham Township, where he now lives. In 1837, he married Mary Hougham, daughter of Aaron and Cath- erine Hougham, natives respectively of Kentucky and Tennessee. Mrs. Runkle was born in Fayette County, December 18, 1818, and
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died in Johnson County. Two children were the result of this marriage. Mr. Runkle's second marriage was solemnized in 1873, with Rachel McClean, daughter of Daniel and Nancy (Farns- worth) McClean, of Green County, Tenn. To this union no chil- dren were born. Ilis wife died February 5, 1876, and on the 13th of February, 1877, he married Sarah Ann McClean, a sister of his former wife.
JOHN T. YAGER .- Prominent among the old and substantial citi- zens of Johnson County, is John T. Yager, who was born in Old- ham County, Ky., July 29, 1829. Paternally, he is descended from German ancestry, and traces his family history back to the early days of Kentucky. ITis father, Willis Yager, was born in the above state about the year 1775, and died in Oldham County, September 31, 1835. Nancy (Overstreet) Yager, his wife, and mother of John T., was born in Oldham County, Ky., in 17So, and departed this life in Topeka, Kan., in the year 1875. About one month after her husband's death, when the subject of this sketch was but six years old, Mrs. Yager brought her family to Johnson County, Ind., and settled where her father had previously located in Franklin, now Needham Township. "She bought eighty acres of land upon which she resided for a period of about fourteen years." Subsequently she went back to her native state, but returned to Indiana. She died several years ago, at or near Topeka, Kan. Her father died in 1836, and the mother in 1867. Willis and Nancy Yager were the parents of five children, three of whom are living: the subject of this sketch, Samuel J., living near Topeka, Kas., and Martha L .. wife of James Netherton, who lives on the old Yager homestead. John T. Yager passed his early days upon a farm, and on the death of his father, was early compelled to con- tribute his share toward the support of the family, being the eldest son. At the age of eighteen, he accompanied his mother to Ken- tucky, where he looked after her interest until attaining his major- ity, at which time he began life for himself as a farmer. He remained in Kentucky until his twenty-fourth year, and then re- turned to Johnson County, Ind., and located upon the place where he now resides in Needham Township. 1 Iis first purchase con- sisted of 125 acres of land, to which he subsequently added, until he now owns a fine farm of 165 acres, upon which are some of the finest improvements in the township. Mr. Yager's early educa- tional training was limited, owing to his time being required on the farm. Socially, he is very popular, and is an honorable and up- right gentleman: none in the county stands higher in the estima- tion of the people. September 25, 1851, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Jemima Clare, daughter of John and Matilda ( Broils)
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Clare, natives respectively of Jefferson and Washington counties, Ky. Mrs. Yager was born in Jefferson County. Kv., December 22, IS34, and is the mother of one child, Samuel C. Yager, one of the leading business men of Franklin. Mr. and Mrs. Yager are active members of the Christian Church.
CHAPTER IX.
MILITARY HISTORY -EARLY MILITIA -BLACK HAWK WAR - MEXICAN WAR -CIVIL WAR-SENTIMENT IN 1860 -FIRST TROOPS-SKETCHES OF REGIMENTS-SENTIMENT IN 1863- BOUNTY AND RELIEF-MEN FURNISHED FOR THE WAR - ROLL OF HONOR.
HAT constitutes the leading features of the current his- tory of all governments is their military experiences. It is through the instrumentality of war that civiliza- tion has been established in many portions of the world. Indeed, it is claimed by not a few reputable historians. that war is the necessary forerunner of civilization, the cannon an emblem of progress, indi- cating that barbarism has been supplanted, and a higher order of things established. If this be true the military con- flicts must form the most interesting chapter of a nation's history. Prior to that fearful contest which began in 1861 and for four years drenched the land in fraternal blood, there was but little military excitement in what is now Johnson County. A few of the earliest settlers had taken part in the War of IS12, and yet fewer had par- ticipated in some of the campaigns against the Indians, led by Gen. Wayne or the renowned hero of Tippecanoe. In the midst of the pioneer duties the early citizens had but little time for martial busi- ness. The old laws kept up the militia system, and two days in each year all able-bodied men, of lawful age, were required-to at- tend the general drill in their county. These " training" days were at first observed most religiously, but a long period contributed to impair both their efficiency and that of the militia. The training days became mere times for frolic, and were attended by a motley crowd bent more on deviltry than drilling.
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Black Hawk War .- Johnson County enjoys the distinction of being one of the few that had a company in the Black Hawk War. More general mention of this war will be found in the first part of this volume. This was in IS32, and in May of that year, a com- pany enlisted from Johnson County. Each soldier furnished his own horse and saddle, which were appraised upon entering the ser- vice. The campaign was short, and was devoid of any bloody exper- iences. The company consisted of about 100 men, and marched from here to Chicago, near which place they remained in camp several weeks. They were ordered back home at the end of two months, having sustained no loss except a few horses which were stolen by the Indians. John Wishard was chosen captain; Samuel Herriott, first lieutenant, and Simon Covert, second lieutenant. There are four men now living in Johnson County, who belonged to this com- pany. They are John Brewer and Samuel Henry, of Greenwood, Aaron LaGrange, of Franklin, and James Wise, of Nineveh Town- ship. Names of other members of the company that are now re- called, were : Max Smiley, Powers Richey, Hendricks, Thomas Roberts, David Todd, Alexander Russelman, Hume Sturgeon, John Tracy, Henry Brinton, Barnett Brewer, Rev. Armstrong, Samuel Smiley, Daniel McCalpin, Robert Farnsworth, Joseph Singleton, Garrett Vandiver, P. R. Voris, David Allen and James R. Alex- ander.
Mexican War .- Johnson County shared the glory which at- tended the United States arms in that brief and brilliant campaign, in the land of the Montezumas. When war was declared against Mexico, the people of this county were among the foremost to offer a company for that service. Concerning this compay the Franklin Examiner of June 23, 1846, has the following :
For the satisfaction of their friends we give the roll of volunteers from this county as it stood when they left this place. We understand there were some names entered at Edin- burg, after the company started, which are not on this list: Officers - David Allen, cap- tain; David Provence, first lieutenant; Elza Matthews, second lieutenant; Samuel McGuffin, John D. Tilson, Alpheus Lay and Joseph Tilson, sergeants; Jacob Coon, F. 31. Fain, Simon Hubble and James Jameison, corporals. Privates - Washington Wilson, James P'arr. Peter Miller, Lawrence Lowe, Stephen A. Glasburn, James Henderson, Peter Glasburn, Daniel Coffelt, Charles Green, Jacob Kephart, John Kelley, Ephraim Donnovan, William Steele, Samuel H. Tetrick, T. Walden, J. W. Parkhurst, Greenville Miller, James Miller, Ambrose Armstrong, John Armstrong, James Allen, Samuel Rapp, John McLean, Ilume Sturgeon, Harvey McCaslin, Adam Hopper, Jesse Ileffin, George Dawson, Aaron Richardson, William Burkhart, John Ogle, John Slater, William Fisher, Frederick Aubke, W. 11. Nelson, John Kephart, Charles Griffin, Cyrus Keneaster, Sylvester Nation, Peter T. Varborough, Peter Lane, William Allen, R. K. Taylor, William Rivers, H. W. Webb, William H. Scrogham, Pleasant Cole, Joseph Hemphill, Frederick Cooper, George Duck- worth, Lafayette Matthews, S. T. Featherngill, James Orchard, W. W. Israel, James Green, Benjamin Parr, Jonathan Williams, Lemont Morgan, Alexander Cooper, Christian F. Vaught, William Dawson, Woodward Worrel, Samuel S. Crosby, John L. Coons, Alexander Roberts, William Peggs, William II. Allen, Andrew Moore, John Low, Lewis II. Shively, William Nance, Jefferson Etchison, John Ferguson, Jacob Merryman.
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This company went into camp at New Albany, the place of rendezvous. It was assigned to the Third Regiment of Indiana Volunteers, and early in July, started by boat for the seat of war. It shared the vicissitudes of the war, and lost a considerable num- ber through death and sickness. Capt. Allen was among those who died. John Armstrong was killed in battle at Buena Vista, and six others of the company wounded. J. Slater was chosen captain to succeed Allen, and Harvey McCaslin, second lieutenant. The company lost in all about fifteen by death, nearly all of which was caused by disease. On their return home, in August, 1847, the people of the whole county turned out to welcome them. It was reported as one of the largest meetings that had ever been held in the county up to that time. A free dinner was served to all pres- ent. after which an address of welcome was delivered by Mr. Gabriel M. Overstreet, which was responded to by Capt. Slater, on behalf of the company. Col. Joseph Lane, who was in command of the Third Regiment, was called upon, and spoke for more than an hour. He reviewed the movements of the regiment in the field, and was cheered heartily.
Civil War .- For several years prior to IS61, the country had been drifting surely toward civil war. The two sections, the North and the South, had different interests to serve in the admin- istration of national affairs. The republican party was then in its in- fancy. but it contained some elements that foretold destruction to the greatest institution of the Southern States - slavery. It is true that the party had not then taken any direct stand upon the question of slavery. but its leaders were among the avowed oppon- ents of that institution, and many had been identified with the movement for its abolition. Abraham Lincoln had publicly de- clared that it was his deliberate conviction that the government could not exist half slave and half free. His election to the presi- dency, was, therefore, by the Southern States, accepted as a men- ace to their institution, which had long been sanctioned by the laws, and as they thought, with apparent right. In that section of the Union, the doctrine of state rights as paramount to national rights, had long been taught under the leadership of John C. Calhoun. Accordingly, they did not long hesitate to secede from the Union, when it was known that Lincoln had been elected presi- dent. In order to show to some extent what the sentiments of the people in this locality were, the following piece of editorial is given from the Democratic Herald of November 22, 1860. The paper was then edited by D. D. Banta:
The present state of affairs in the south indicate that which all good, patriotic men would deprecate -a dissolution of the Union. "The roll of the drum and the sound of the bugle is calling the advocates of secession together, and their numbers are far from
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being despicable. There are those who pretend to see no danger in the movement and confine it merely to politicians. But to all such we would say, politicians, seldom or never undertake to precipitate a great measure unless they know the temper of their people justify it. It required but little sagacity to see the result of Mr. Lincoln's election. It was but the voice of the northern people in favor of that idea that is now depleting the border states of their slaves. It was virtually saying to Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, and other northern states that have nullified the Federal constitution, by refusing to recognize the validity of the Fugitive Slave Law, go on in your work of nullifica- tion, we will stand by you. So, at least, southern men understand it, and we fear, that act- ing upon this understanding, great misery will fall upon our unhappy land. To us it seems however, that prudence would be the better part of valor, in this instance. Mr. Lincoln has been elected in a constitutional manner. He was the choice of the people, and his elec- tion, merely, can afford no good pretext for secession. Nothing but an omission on his part, to perform a duty, or the commission of a wrong, would justify such a course. And we earnestly hope and pray that "the sober second thought," will come in time to save an imperilled Union, and a happy land rendered glorious by the united efforts of both northern and south- ern mcn.
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