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 76
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marriage with Sarah Parkhurst, a daughter of Elijah and Susan (Johnson ) Parkhurst. This union was blessed with the following chil- dren : Daniel B., born August 15, 1840; Susannah, January 8, 1842, deceased ; Celie A., November 12, 1843 ; Robert M., October 9, 1845; Nancy C., October 13, 1847, deceased; Rosanah, August 22, 1849; Elijah K .. April 17, 1850; Job, December 28, 1852, and John, No- vember 29, 1855. The mother of these children was born April 30, 1822. She was a member of the Regular Baptist Church. January 9, 1881, he was united in marriage with Catharine Mon- roe, a daughter of John and Sarah (Orr) Monroe. The father and mother were both natives of Kentucky, of Scotch descent. He and wife are members of the Regular Baptist Church. He was a member of the Grange during the lifetime of that order, and in poli ics he has been a life long democrat. He now owns sixty acres of fine land in Nineveh Township.
ACHILLES V. PENDLETON, a prominent, industrious and success- ful farmer and stock-raiser of Nineveh Township, was born June 5, 1833, son of David B. and Catharine (Smith) Pendleton; the father was a native of Virginia, of Irish descent, born 1795. He emigrated to Jefferson County, Ky., with his parents, when a child, where he remained until 1815, when he went to Newport, Ky., to learn the trade of blacksmithing; during this year assisted in shoe- ing horses for the American forces. In IS16, he went to Vernon, Jennings Co., Ind., where he worked at his trade, and in connection with his trade he also worked some at bricklaying, helping to build the first court house erected in Jennings County. In 1820, he was united in marriage with Catharine Smith, of Sullivan County, Ind. This union was blessed with the following children: Martha, de- ceased, Julia. deceased, Samuel. Sarah, deceased. William, deceased, Achilles V., James, deceased, Mary, deceased, infant, deceased, Ru- . fus, Jane, deceased. George, deceased, and Alzora. The mother of these children had all the characteristics to make a good wife and a home happy, being a good Christian woman, and at the time of her death, which occurred August 6, 1868, was a great loss to the church and the community. The father was a man of strict integ- rity, possessing the entire confidence of all who knew him. He was a member of the Baptist Church, and in politics, was an old Jacksonian democrat. His death occurred March 26, 1866. Our subject was reared on his father's farm in Jennings County, where he received a good common school education. During winter he attended the country schools in the old pioneer log school-house, working on his father's farm in summer. Being of a studious turn of mind and very fond of books, his advancement was more rapid than the average boy' of his age, and at the
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JOHNSON COUNTY.
age of seventeen years he entered the State University at Bloom- ington, Ind., a privilege that but few of the boys of that day were permitted to enjoy. At the age of nineteen years he taught a winter term, and then returned to college, where, in 1855, he graduated in a class with Judge D. D. Banta, Rev. John C. Miller, John W. Foster, and others. He began life for himself at the age of nineteen years: but the real struggle, however, did not begin until the age of twenty-two years. Immediately after the completion of his studies at Bloomington, he began winter school in Jennings County, Ind. He remained in Jennings County one year, then came to Johnson County in 1856, where he immediately secured a school and began teaching, which occupation he continued until 1859, when he accepted a position as book-keeper for a company that was constructing levees at Vicksburg, Miss., where he remained until the spring following, when he returned to Johnson County and began teaching school, which he continued until 1862, when he abandoned the profession. March 20, 1862, he was united in marriage with Rebecca S. For- sythe, daughter of Robert C. and Nancy (Pritchard) Forsythe. The father was born in Virginia, but was reared in Kentucky, of Irish descent; the mother was a native of Kentucky; they were among the first settlers of Johnson County. . His wife is still living, and though she has reached the good old age of eighty-nine years, her present good health indicates that she may live many years yet. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Pendleton was blessed with the fol- lowing children: Dora A., born September 29, 1863; Anna Kate, February 9, 1868, and George H., January 5, 1871. The mother of these children was born March 22, 1843. Mr. Pendleton is a man who has taken a great interest in the education of his children. Miss Dora has a polished education, being a graduate of Butler. University, and is accomplished in music, and is now teaching music. Miss Anna, and George, are now attending college at Franklin, Ind. He was formerly a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, of which denomination he early became a member, but in 1858, he became a member of the Christian Church, and has been an elder in that church about twenty-five years. His family are members of this church. In politics, he is a democrat, cast- ing his first presidential vote for James Buchanan. In 1863, he was elected to the state legislature, and acquitted himself so well in this position that he was again tendered the nomination, but gracefully refused. In 1874, and again in 1876, he received the nomination for congress by the greenback party, against an opposing majority, and was defeated with the others on this ticket. He now owns one of the finest farms, of 565 acres, in Nineveh Township, with
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NINEVEH TOWNSHIP.
substantial buildings, and one of the most beautiful residences in Johnson County, which he so well merits and deserves, having started with nothing. When he arrived in Johnson County, he only had 25 cents, a few books and some clothes, but by close economy and good management, is now surrounded with all the comforts of life. He has made a success of life, and can attribute it all to his own energy and ambition. Ilis vocation since his mar- riage has chiefly been farming, but in connection with farming has given a great deal of his time and attention to stock. He pos- sesses the confidence of all who know him. He is honest and up- right in all his dealings, and his position in society is a fitting reward for the work and toil of a life-time. He has always been friendly to schools, churches and all laudable enterprises tending to benefit the public, his neighbors and the citizens of the county. The faithfulness with with which he has always fulfilled his promises, served him as capital in his earlier days, when he possessed but little property.
DAVID A. PRITCHARD, an old pioneer farmer of Nineveh Town- ship, was born January 7, 1835, and is a son of David P. and Cynthia ( Dunham ) Pritchard; the father was a native of Kentucky, of Scotch-Welsh descent, was born September 16, 1804, died July 29, 1880. The mother was a native of Ohio, of German descent, born August 21, 1809, and died June 22, 1878. To our subject's parents, were born the following children: Walter, born October 26, 1827: Dunham, November 12, 1830; David A., January 7, 1835; Daniel, December 17, 1837: Robert W., April 1, 1842. Our sub- ject was reared on his father's farm near Williamsburgh; this land was entered by our subject's father about 1827. He received a very limited common school education. At the age of twenty-one years he began the battle of life for himself, by working at the carpen- ter's trade, but his principal occupation was farming, which voca- tion he has continued since that time. June 23, IS61, he was united in marriage with Mrs. Sarah A. Daniel, and daughter of George W. and Emeline Watkins. Parents were natives of Kentucky, both of Irish descent. This union was blessed with the following children : Ambrose P.,born March 3, 1862; Daniel N., October 26, 1863; Emma, February 19, 1866; Henry, January 16, 1869; de- ceased : Susan, August 17, 1871 ; Charles, February 19, 1874; Omer, April 13, 1877; Roscoe, March 22, 1880; infant daughter, February 10, 1882. The mother of these children was born Sep- tember 23, 1839, and departed this life October 1, 1884. He and wife were both members of the Christian Church. He was a mem- ber of the Grange order during the lifetime of that order. He was formerly a republican, casting his first presidential vote for Fre-
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mont, but in 1874, he voted the national greenback ticket, and has been an ardent supporter of the principles of that party since that time. Hle now owns eighty acres of good farming land in Nineveh Township. He and family are highly respected by all who know them.
FRANCIS M. PROFFITT, a prosperous farmer of Nineveh Town- ship, is a native of Tennessee, born September 1, 1833. the son of Jeremiah and Elizabeth (Cox) Proffitt. The father was a native of Tennessee, of English descent, and the mother is also a native of Tennessee, of English descent. Our subject was reared in Greene County, Tenn. He received a good common school edu- cation in the old log school-house. In IS58 he entered Mossey Creek College, and remained one term. At the age of twenty-one years he began life for himself as a teacher. He taught school until thirty years of age, and has taught about twenty years. He taught five years at Amity, near Edinburg. April 4, 1865, he was united in marriage with America Richardson, a daughter of Dud- ley and Elizabeth (Brent) Richardson. This union was blessed with the following children : Elmon M., born April 30, 1866; Ernest G., February 12, 1870; Maris M., December 27, 1876. The mother of these children was born June 13. 1846. He and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. In politics, he is a republican. He now owns a nice farm of seventy acres. He and wife are among the well-respected families of this township.
PETER B. REIDENBACH, a native of Pennsylvania, was born October 29, 1832, and is the son of Jacob and Rebecca (Baker) Reidenbach. The father was a native of Pennsylvania, of German descent. The mother is a native of Pennsylvania, of English descent. Our subject's boyhood and youth were spent on a farm in Pennsylvania. At the age of seventeen, he commenced to work at the blacksmith's trade, served his apprenticeship, and is now recognized as the first mechanic in Nineveh Township. At the age of twenty-one years, he began life for himself by working at his trade. He received a common school education, and, in 1862, he enlisted in Company II. Fifty-fourth Regiment Indiana Vol- unteers, under Capt. O. M. Wilson; he served sixteen months, and was discharged at New Orleans. December 14, 1863. November 1, 1860. he was united in marriage with Josephia Paskins, a daugh- ter of Thomas and Delilah (Samples) Paskins. The father was originally from England, and was born in the year ISoI. The mother was a native of Virginia, of English descent. This union was blessed with the following children: William, born July 19, 1861; George, October 20. 1863: Thomas E., October 15, 1866; Adam, May 7, 1868; Amanda, May 28, 1873; Alonzo, August 15,
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NINEVEH TOWNSHIP.
1875. The mother of these children was born September 12, IS37. He and wife are members of the Christian Church. In politics, he has always been an ardent democrat. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He now owns forty-two acres of very fine land under a high state of cultivation.
RANSON RIGGS, deceased, was one of the pioneers of Johnson County. lle was born November 7, 1825, and was a son of Ran- som and Sarah (Treamain) Riggs. The father. of German de- scent, was born March 6, 1789, and died January 16, 1863. The mother was a native of New Hampshire, born June 30, 1795. Our subject was reared on a farm in Johnson County. lle received a common school education, and at the age of twenty-one years he began life for himself. He worked at the carpenter's trade about ten years, and then settled on a farm, where he departed this life February 24, 1888. August 25, 1859, he was united in marriage with Catharine Vickerman, a daughter of William and Marion (Crichton) Vickerman, whose father was of English descent, born April 21, 1796; and the mother of Scotch descent, born November 20, 1795, and departed this life September 12, 1850. This union was blessed with the following children: William V., born August 1, 1860: Sarah M., July 16, 1862; Elizabeth J., May 22, 1864; James A., May 23, 1866; Anna M., September 1, 1868, and Laura S., March 10, 1870. The mother of these children was born Jan- uary 2, 1831. He and wife were members of the old-school Bap- tist Church. In politics, he was a republican, and served his county one term as commissioner. He was a man well liked by every one, and by his straightforward course had gained the confidence of all who knew him. By a will, he left to his widow 340 acres of well-improved land in Nineveh Township. Ilis family is among the highly respectable families of Nineveh Township.
LEVI RUNSHE, a respected citizen of Nineveh Township, was born in Bucks County, Penn., May 19. 1830. He is the son of Jacoband Hannah (Dearrolf) Runshe. The father, a native of Penn- sylvania, was born in Lancaster County, September 28, 1800, of Scotch descent, and died in Knox County, Ind., in 1873. The mother, a native of Pennsylvania, was born in Bucks County, in 1802, of German descent, and died in Shelby County, Ind., in 1859. Our subject was reared on a farm until twenty years of age, and received a good common school education. He began life at the age of twenty years, on his own account, learning the wagon- maker's trade, and continued in this occupation until ISS3. July 2, 1854, he was married to Miss Mary Ann Muck. The issue of this marriage has been as follows: George Albert, born September 28, IS55; Emanuel Walter, February 18, 1857, deceased; Ann Eliza,
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March 22, 1859, deceased: Loretha Ellen, January 20, IS62 ; Jacob Muck, January 14, 1864, deceased; Mary Magdalena, September 7, 1866: Vina Mary, May 27, 1869: Alonzo Levi, January 21, 1872; Carrie Jane, May 20, 1875: Thomas Hendricks, July 17, 1877, deceased; Lewis Edward, September 22, 1879. The mother of these children was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, January 6, 1838. The father, a native of Maryland, was born in 1804, and died September 7, ISSI. The mother was a native of Pennsylvania, born in ISIo, and died in 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Runshe have, for many years, been exemplary members of the Christian Church at Pisgah. In politics, Mr. Runshe is a Jack- sonian democrat, casting his first presidential vote for Pierce. He was elected justice of the peace in 1856, and from that time to the present, he has served continuously in that office, with the excep- tion of two years, when he was township assessor, making thirty- two years of official service. During this time he has lived in three different counties and has never been out of office. He has a fine farm in Nineveh Township, upon which he resides, dividing his attention between his official duties and the cultivation of his farm.
ALFRED VANDIVIER, a farmer and stock-raiser of Nineveh Township, was born May 1, 1838, a son of Strather and Lucy (Utterback) Vandivier, both natives of Kentucky, of German de- scent. Our subject was reared on a farm in Johnson County. At the age of twenty-one years be began the battle of life for himself as a farmer. He received a good common school education. On October 9, IS62, he was umted in marriage with Laura A. Bran- igin, a daughter of Thomas and Perlina (Park) Branigin. The father was a native of Kentucky, of Irish descent, and the mother a native of Indiana. This union was blessed with the following children: Ira E., born December 1, 1863; John H., November I, 1865; Artie B., March 7, 1867, deceased: Thomas E., August 21, I871; Whitelaw R., October 20, 1879, and Perlina M., September 1, 1884. The mother of these children was born July 15, 1844. She is a member of the Christian Church, and her husband is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. In politics, he was formerly a democrat, casting his first presidential vote for Doug- lass, but during the war he became a republican, and has been identified with that party since that time. Ile now owns 193 acres of fine farming land in Nineveh Township, which is under a good state of cultivation.
THOMAS R. WALLACE, a citizen of Williamsburgh, Ind., was born October 16, IS32, the son of Thomas and Loretta (Wilson) Wallace. The father was a native of Kentucky, of English de- scent, born about ISOS, and died about IS78. The mother was
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also a native of Kentucky, born about ISIS, and died about 1873. At twelve years of age our subject went to Tennessee, and rode race horses for about six years. Ile then went to Illinois, where he remained about one year; thence to Missouri, where he remained about six months; and from there he went to Arkansas, where he remained about three months: thence to Tennessee, where he resided one year; thence to Kentucky, where he lived twelve years: thence to Indiana, and settling in Brown County, for four years; thence to Nineveh Township, Johnson County, where he now resides. He had the advantage of but one month's schooling, and that while a small boy. Ilis vocation has always been that of a farmer. At the age of twelve years he began the battle of life for himself. In 1862 he enlisted in Company H, Eighty-second Indiana Volunteers, under Capt. John M. Mathenia, and was with his company in several skirmishes, and the battle of Perryville. He served one year, and was discharged on account of disabilities, at New Albany. In September, he was united in marriage with Mrs. Martha E. Ferguson (ncc Chatman), daughter of James and Martha (White) Chatman. The father was of English descent, and a native of the State of Maryland; and the mother of Irish descent, born in Kentucky. This union was blessed with the following children: Mina M., born October 13, 1856, deceased: Loretta E., May 16, 1858; Samuel I., April 17, 1860, deceased, and Charles E., October 11, 1876. The mother of these children was born December 31, 1830. He is a member of the Ralston Post, G. A. R. He and wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, he was formerly a democrat, but since the war he has been identified with the repub- lican party. He now owns two houses and lots in Williamsburgh. He draws $50 per month as a pension for disabilities. He and wife are among the highly respected families of the neighborhood.
JEREMIAH M. WOODRUFF, one of the pioneers of Nineveh Township, a native of Clermont County, Ohio, was born March 4, ISI2, a son of Joab and Sophia (Dunham) Woodruff. The father was a native of Pennsylvania, and was born December 16, 1789: he emigrated to Ohio in ISoo. He was a farmer and trader in those times, and was a soldier in the War of ISI2. He was a democrat in politics. and represented his county in the legislature in 1832, 1833 and 1834, and also served the county two terms as sheriff. 1Ie departed this life June 14, 1850. The mother was a native of New Jersey, born January 17, 1792, and was a daughter of Jeremiah and Anna Dunham. She was a devoted Christian, and a member of the Christian Church, and departed this life November 27, 1878. Our subject came with his parents to
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Johnson County at the age of ten years. He remained with his parents until twenty-one years of age, when his father offered him a farm of 160 acres, or a store which he then owned. He wisely chose the farm, and moved on it after his marriage, which occurred March 28, 1833, wedding Elizabeth Allen, a daughter of Joseph and Jane (Gillaspie) Allen. To this union was born the following children: Joab, May 12, 1834: William N .. September 12, IS36; John L .. July 31, 1838; Harriet A., December 30, 1840; Alvira A., September 16, 1843: Stephen A., January 9, 1845. The mother of these children was born May 26, 1816, and on December 3, 1862, she was accidentaly thrown from a buggy and killed in- stantly. November 15, 1863, he was united in marriage with Sarah J. Piety, a daughter of William D. and Sarah (Thrailkill) Piety. This union was blessed with the following children : Alice M., born August 28, 1864; James M., December 26, 1866; Piety, February 12, 1869; Rose, April 12, IS71; Benjamin F., Janu- ary 3, 1874; the mother of these children was born March 6, 1831. Mr. and Mrs. Woodruff, and all their children, are members of the Christian Church. In politics, he is an ardent republican. In 1846, he was elected county assessor, and served two terms. He has owned some 500 or 600 acres of land, but has given some of it away to his children. Heis considered one of Johnson County's best farmers. He has also devoted a great deal of his time to the improvement of cattle, having handled some of the finest short- horn cattle in the state. Montrose, his home place, is delightfully situated, his buildings are substantial and handsome. Surrounded by his family and all the comforts of life, he undoubtedly has many years to enjoy the fruits of his years of hard labor.
JAMES WORK, an industrious farmer of Nineveh Township, is a native of Ohio, born January 29, 1834, son of Robert and Letta (Burgett) Work. The father was a native of Maryland, of Irish descent: and the mother was a native of Ohio, of Dutch descent. Our subject came with his parents to Indiana when only five years of age, and settled on a farm in Nineveh Township, where he was reared to manhood. He received a common school education. At the age of eighteen years he began life for himself, by working at the blacksmith's trade about one year, and then began working at the carpenter's trade, which he followed about two years. He then began farming which he has continued since: July 15, 1854, he was united in marriage with Margaret A. Jolliffe, a daughter of Joseph B. and Catharine (Slack) Jolliffe. The father was a native of Ohio, of Irish descent, and the mother was a native of Ohio, of Dutch descent. The following are the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Work: Oliver A., July 15, 1855, deceased; Viola M.,
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PLEASANT TOWNSIIIP.
January 21, 1859, deceased; Lillie M., deceased, and Marshall (twins), March 3, 1871. The mother of these children was born November 6, 1836. He and wife are members of the Christian Church. In politics, he is a democrat, casting his first presidential vote for Buchanan. He owns 120 acres of land.
PLEASANT TOWNSHIP.
SAMUEL V. ALEXANDER, a prominent farmer and well-to-do citizen of Pleasant Township, was born on a farm in that township, October 3, 1842, and was the son of Joseph S. and Matilda (Jones) Alexander, the former of whom was the son of John and Elizabeth Alexander, and the latter was the daughter of Jubal and Jane (Suiter) Jones. His father was born about the 17th day of March, 1819. He was drowned while fording White River, on horseback, September 15, 1855. He was a farmer by occupation, and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The mother of our subject was born in Pleasant Township, this county, about the 27th day of November, 1824. She was married to Joseph S. Alexander, in 1840, and about four years after his death, she was married to David Scott. She died in Pleasant Township, November 8, 1868. John Alexander was born March 24, 1780, and died in Pleasant Township, April . 5, 1855. His wife, Elizabeth Alexander, was born December 3, 1780, and died in Pleasant Township, December 13, 1872. The first wife of Joseph S. Alexander was Elizabeth Lyons. When the subject of this sketch was yet a little child his parents located in the northeast part of Clark Township, but when he was eleven years old they returned to Pleasant Town- ship, where the rest of his youth was spent. He took up the vo- cation of a farmer for himself at about sixteen years of age. Mr. Alexander served his country in the Union army three years, hav- ing been enrolled as a private in Company D, Twenty-sixth In- diana Infantry, July 28, 1861. He received an honorable discharge at Indianapolis, September 21, 1864. He was in the battle of Prairie Grove, Ark., the siege of Vicksburg, and many other skir- mishes. When Mr. Alexander returned from the war he resumed farming in Pleasant Township, which he has since continued. He has occupied his present home since the latter part of December, 1866. On the 29th of March, 1866, he was married to Mary J. Cox. She was born in Pleasant Township, July 6, 1846, and was the daughter of Irvin and Matilda A. (Davis) Cox, the former of whom was the son of Jonathan and Susannah Cox, and the latter was the daughter of Reuben and Mary (Brown) Davis. Her
768 CEST JOHNSON COUNTY.
father was born in Hamilton County, Ohio. October II, IS25, and died at Xenia, Ind., January 23, 1884. He was a minister of the United Brethren Church. The mother of Mrs. Alexander was born July 27, 1830, in Pleasant Township, and now resides in Indianapolis. Our subject and wife have had six children: William J., born May 13, 1867; Elizabeth A., July 18, 1868; Martha N., September IS, 1871, deceased; the next was a boy that was born April 3, 1873, and died unnamed; Minnie B .. October 16, IS75; Rosa P., Octo- ber 17, ISSI, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander are members of the United Brethren Church. The former is a member of the G. A. R., and he is a republican in politics. He owns 104 acres of land, about eighty of which are in cultivation. It contains a hand- some slate-roofed frame residence, and is otherwise well-improved. The wife of Mr. Alexander owns a farm of forty acres, which is in Pleasant Township.
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