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 80
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MARQUIS L. JUSTUS, of Greenwood, was born in Pleasant Township, this county, November 27, IS51, and is the son of David G. Justus, a history of whom appears elsewhere in this work. He was reared on his father's farm, and received a com- mon school education. In the fall of 1871, he became employed in a wheel factory in Indianapolis, and was thus engaged three months. He then returned home, and on the 14th of November, 1872, he was married to Miss Fannie Shryock. She was born February 22, 1856, in Kentucky, the daughter of Hillery and Mary (Lewis) Shryock, who were natives of Kentucky. For two years after his marriage, Mr. Justus was engaged at farming. For a period of five years following he was employed on the J., M. & I. Railroad. On the 10th of January, ISSS, he entered the employ of his brother, Sylvester Justus, and now acts as salesman in his gen - eral store at Greenwood. He and wife have had a family of seven children, as follows: Katie, Hallie, Mamie, deceased, Ethel, . Charles E., Chester D., and a daughter, who died in infancy, un- named. Our subject and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The former is a member of the I. O. O. F lodge, and is a republican in politics.
SYLVESTER JUSTUS, of the firm of S. Justus & Co., of Green- wood, was born in Jennings County, this state, April 5, 1840, and
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was the son of David and Minerva (Wilson) Justus, both of whom were natives of Guilford County, N. C. When he was ten years old his parents came to this county and located in Pleasant Town- ship, where the youth of our subject was spent on a farm. In August, 1861, he entered the service of the Union Army in Com- pany G, Third Cavalry, Forty-fifth Indiana Regiment, with which he served until the 3rd of August, 1864, when his term of enlist- ment expired. He was captured at La Verne, Tenn., in IS62, but was immediately paroled. In the latter part of June, 1864, he was captured, but was fortunate enough to make his escape during the following night. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, Stone River, Resaca, Nashville, the siege of Atlanta, and many other en- gagements of less importance. From this service he returned to this county and engaged in the harness business in Greenwood. August 3, 1869, he was married to Adelia A. Brewer, who was born in Pleasant Township, this county, March 25, IS51, and was the daughter of David G. and Mary (Commangore) Brewer, who were natives of Kentucky. Mr. and Mr. Justus entered upon their married life on a farm in Pleasant Township, where the former was engaged in agricultural pursuits for a period of six years. He then operated a tile factory at Greenwood two years. March, ISS2, he launched in mercantile pursuits, in Greenwood, but sold his stock at about the end of one month, and soon afterward he became the proprietor of a livery and feed barn in that place, to which his attention was given until September 1, 1887. In January, IS88, he, in connection with his father and brother, Marquis L. Justus, opened a general store in Greenwood, which now has a creditable rank among the leading enterprises in that place. The firm name is Justus & Co. The marriage of Mr. Justus has re- sulted in the birth of seven children: Leola, Bertie, Bessie, Oma, Edith, Tasitis and Mary, of whom Leola, Bertie and Oma are de- ceased. Mr. and Mrs. Justus are members of the Baptist Church. The former is a member of the I. O. O. F. and G. A. R. lodges.
JAMES H. KELLY, one of Pleasant Township's progressive far- mers, was born in Franklin Township, September 12, 1838, and was the son of Madison and Eliza (Patterson) Kelly; the former of whom was born in Washington County, Va., in 1809, and was the son of Anthony and Betsey ( Henderson) Kelly, who were re- spectively natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania. Madison Kelly accompanied his parents to Clark County, this state, where, in about the year IS31, he was married to Eliza Patterson. He removed with his family to Johnson County about 1837, and spent the rest of his life in Franklin Township. His first wife died in Septem- ber, 1850. He was afterward married to Mrs. Bathsheba Tay-
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lor. Ile died in March, IS57. He was a farmer by occupa- tion, and he was also a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. Politically, he was a republican. The mother of our subject was born in Fayette County, Ky., and was the daughter of Robert Patterson. She was also a member of the Presbyterian Church. The early life of our subject was spent in his native township. He worked on a farm in summer, and attended the dis- trict school in winter. His early education was such as to fit him for the practical affairs of life. At the age of twenty-three, or in August, IS62, he became a Union soldier in Company I, Seventieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until the close of the war. He entered the service as a private, but was afterward promoted to the ranks of corporal, sergeant and orderly sergeant. He participated in the battles of Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, the siege of Atlanta, the march to the sea, the siege of Savannah, and the battle of Bentonville, N. C. Besides these he participated in a number of smaller engagements, in all of which he discharged his duties in a manner becoming a loyal sol- dier. He was honorably discharged June S, 1865. He then re- sumed farming in Franklin Township. On the 27th day of March, IS77, he removed to Pleasant Township, and he has ever since occupied his present home. The whole attention of Mr. Kelly is given to farming. He owns a fine farm of 155 acres, which is well improved, and about 125 acres of which are under cultivation. He was married November 23, 1865, to Mary A. Henderson. She was born in Franklin Township, this county, April 3, IS42, and was the daughter of John P. and Zerilda ( Banta) Henderson, who were re- spectively natives of Fayette County, Ky., and Johnson County, Ind. Mrs. Mary A. Kelly died October 28, 1884. On the 4th day of May, 1887, Mr. Kelly was married to Miss Nancy C. Beatty. She was born in Bourbon County, Ky., August 5, IS47, and was the daughter of John and Sarah (Patterson ) Beatty, both of whom were natives of Kentucky, the former of Bourbon County, and the latter of Fayette County. Her father was born September 30, ISO4, and was the son of John and Jane (Sanderson) Beatty, the former of whom was born in England, and the latter in Maryland. The mother of Mrs. Kelly was born August 1, ISO5. Her parents were married in April, 182S. Her father died on the 27th day of February, 1863, and her mother departed this life on the 23rd of July, IS82. By his first wife, Mr. Kelly became the father of seven children: Alice, born September 16, 1866; Luella, August 25, 1869; Walter S., February 3, 1872; Nellie, July 17, 1874, deceased; Sarah Grace, December 14, 1875; the next was a daugh- ter, born November 28, 1877, died unnamed, December 1, 1877;
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and Laura M., born November 24, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Kelly are members of the Presbyterian Church. Four of the children are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Kelly is a member of the G. A. R.
WILLIAM LAW, a prominent citizen of Pleasant Township, was born in Oldham County, Ky., January 1I, IS20, and was the son of John and Mary (Tracy) Law, both of whom were also natives of Oldham County, Ky. He grew to manhood in his native county, and received a common school education. At twenty-one years of age, he came to Johnson County, a single man, and for nearly one year he was employed on a farm in Pleasant Township. He then engaged in agricultural pursuits for himself in that township, and his home has chiefly been there ever since. The chief occupation of his life has been farming and stock- raising. Ile has also given considerable attention to the buy- ing and selling of hogs in the city of Cincinnati, Ohio. IIe owns one of the largest and best farms in Johnson County. It contains 744 acres, over half of which are in cultivation. Mr. Law was married April 3, 1842, to Malinda Whittaker; she was also a native of Oldham County, Ky., born April 14, 1824, and was the daughter of Nimrod and Sarah (Brackett) Whittaker, both of whom were born in Shelby County, Ky. Their marriage resulted in the birth of one child, Benjamin F. Law, who is now a resident of Pleasant Township. The wife of Mr. Law died March 20, 1883. Mr. Law is a member of the Christian Church, and is a democrat in politics. He is an honorable, upright man, and a good citizen. When Mr. Law came to this county he had a horse, sad- dle and bridle, and about $40 in money. Through industry and good management he has become one of the wealthiest men in the county.
JAMES BLAIR LUYSTER, a farmer of Pleasant Township, was born on a farm three and one-half miles west of Franklin, August 22, 1855. He is the son of Hon. Henry H. and Mary I. (Carna- han) Luyster, whose history appears elsewhere in this book. He was reared on the old homestead. In summer he worked on the farm, and in winter attended the Hopewell Academy. He contin- ued to pursue his studies in that institution until he reached the age of eighteen, and in addition to a common school education, he ob- tained a knowledge of algebra, rhetoric, philosophy and book- keeping. January 1, 1878, he was married to Hattie D. McCaslin. She was born on a farm one mile and a half from Franklin, May 20, 1855, and was the daughter of Allen and Margaret (Ditmars) McCaslin, who still reside in Franklin Township. Ever since his marriage Mr. Luyster has pursued the vocation of a
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farmer. December 24, 1885, he removed with his family from Franklin Township to his present home in Pleasant Township. He and wife are the parents of four children: Jessie, born April 14, 1879; Homer, August 12, 1881: Gilbert, May 6, 1884, and Hattie, January 20, 1887, all of whom are now living. Mr. Luyster and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. The former is a member of the K. of P. lodge of Franklin, and in politics, he is an ardent republican. He was elected township trustee in ISS7. He is a thoroughly reliable man in whom the public has full confidence. He and wife are highly respected.
WILLIAM H. MCCLAIN, a prosperous and well-to-do farmer of Pleasant Township, was born in Marion County, this state, December 17, 1839, and was the son of Nathaniel and Lo- vina (Billingsly) McClain, who were respectively natives of Ken- tucky and North Carolina. He was the son of a farmer, and during his boyhood and youth he helped to clear the land and culti- vate the crops in summer, and occasionally attended the district school in winter. He was placed in the family of his grandfather when four years old, and remained with him until he reached the age of twenty-one. At this age he came to Johnson County, and engaged in agricultural pursuits in Clark Township. He was mar- ried in that township, September 22, 1864, to Mary Margaret Cope, daughter of John and Eliza (Mock) Cope. She was born in Virginia, in July, 1848. Mr. McClain entered upon his married life as an agriculturist, on a farm in Clark Township, and in De- cember, 1870, he removed to his present home in Section 26, Pleasant Township. He owns a good farm of 110 acres, about ninety of which are in cultivation. When Mr. McClain began life for himself, his only capital was willing hands. With these he went to work, and his comfortable home and good farm are the results of the industrious life he has led. His first wife died January 17, IS72, and on the 22nd day of September, 1872, he was married to Lucinda Hendrickson. She was born in Clark Township, this county, June 27, 1850, being the daughter of Josiah and Sarah Margaret (Parr) Hendrickson, the former a native of Kentucky, and the latter a native of this county. To the first marriage of Mr. McClain three children were born: George B., born July 8, 1865; Eliza J., February 11, 1868, deceased, and Lucinda A., February 3, 1869, deceased. He and his present wife have had six children : the first was a daughter, born September 12, 1874, died unnamed; Cora A., October 2, 1875, deceased; William L., January 29, 1877; Josiah, September 13, ISSO; Edgar, January 29, ISS4, and Lester, November 24, 1886. Mr. and Mrs. McClain, are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, Mr. McClain is a democrat.
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GEORGE W. MCCLELLAN, a successful farmer of Pleasant Township, was born on a farm one mile east of Greenwood. Feb- ruary 12, 1835. He was the son of William and Rachel (Peggs) McClellan, the former of whom was born in Virginia, September 17, 1790, and was the son of Joseph and Sarah (McCaslin) Mc- Clellan. The mother of our subject was born in Trimble County, Ky., June 9, 1793, and was the daughter of Joseph and Nancy Peggs. His parents were married in Trimble County, Ky., Janu- ary 4, 1816, and emigrated to Johnson County in 1834. They lo- cated in Pleasant Township, where both spent the rest of their lives. His mother died December 21, 1873, and his father died February 20, 1881. The subject of this sketch spent his youth in his native township. He worked on a farm in summer, and attended school in winter. His education was practical, and was such as to fit him for the practical affairs of life. He was mar- ried May 5, 1863, to Sarah J. Huff, who died about six months later. On the 27th day of January, 1866, Mr. McClellan was mar- ried to Sarah J. Whitenack, daughter of Peter and Alvira J. (Harris) Whitenack, whose history may be found elsewhere. Mr. McClellan has spent his entire past life in Pleasant Township, and his home has been on the farm he now occupies. His entire atten- tion is given to farming. He owns sixty acres of good land, about fifty of which are in cultivation. His last marriage has resulted in the birth of two children: Clarence, born January 11, 1868, and Dula Blanche, May 11, 1883, both of whom are living. The wife of Mr. McClellan is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the Masonic lodge, and in politics, he is a staunch democrat. Ile is an intelligent man, and an industrious farmer. Mrs. McClellan was born in Pleasant Township, July 2, 1839.
DR. ABRAHAM MILLER, a prominent physician of Whiteland, was born in Fleming County, Ky., April 17, 1834, and is the son of John and Eleanor (Beckett) Miller, who were respectively na- tives of Pennsylvania and Virginia, the former of German, and the lat- ter of English, descent. When he was but six months old, his parents came to the State of Indiana, and located in Putnam County, where his youth was spent on a farm. Ile received in the common schools a good knowledge of the ordinary branches of learning, and during the winter of 1855-6, he taught one term of public school in Putnam County. In the meantime, in 1855, he took up the study of medicine, and in 1858, he entered upon his professional labors in Sullivan County, this state. In 1863, he located at Fill- more, Putnam County, where he remained for a period of two years. In 1864, he served in the capacity of special surgeon in the Union
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Army for some time. In IS65, he removed to Johson County, and with the exception of a few months spent at Noblesville, this state, in IS83, he has ever since been actively and successfully engaged in the practice of medicine at Whiteland. Dr. Miller graduated in Rush Medical College, Chicago, in IS68. He has also since pur- sued his medical studies at Bellevue, and the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at New York. Our subject was married July 12, 1860, to Mary A. Beckett. She was born in Lewis County, Ky., March 4, IS27, and was the daughter of Reason and Harriet (Bell) Beckett, who emigrated to Kentucky from Virginia. She died January 16, ISSO, and on the 17th of February, ISSI, Dr. Miller was married to Miss Sarah Docia Brewer. She was born in Pleasant Township, near Whiteland, November 12, 1848, and was the daughter of John D. and Fannie (Webb) Brewer, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. The first marriage of Dr. Miller re- sulted in the birth of one child, a son, who died in infancy, unnamed. He and his present wife have had three children. The first was a son who died unnamed, and the others are: Mabel E., born July 7, 1884, and Mary B., October 12, ISS6. Dr. Miller and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. In politics, he is a demo- crat. Dr. Miller is one of the successful physicians of the county, and he and wife are among its esteemed citizens.
CHARLES H. MYERS, a prominent citizen of Whiteland, was born in Clark County, Ind., May 29 IS28, and was the son of John and Sophia M. (Lampton) Myers, the former of whom was born in Herkimer County, N. Y., and the latter was born in Clark County, this state. In January, IS41, his parents removed to Jackson County, Ind., and there settled on a farm. In April, 1843, they re- moved to Jefferson County, Iowa, but a month or two later they returned to this state, and after a few months spent in Marion County, they came to Johnson County, and spent one year in the northern part of Pleasant Township. They then returned to Mar- ion County, where our subject spent his early youth and early man- hood. In IS52, he took up the plasterer's trade, to which his at- tention was given for about four years. In 1856, he took a position in the retail establishment of Grafton Johnson, of Greenwood, and remained with him for nearly fourteen years. In IS6S, he en- gaged in mercantile pursuits for himself at Whiteland, in partner- ship with Daultin Wilson. In 1873, he retired from merchandising, and has given his attention to farming and stock-raising ever since. He owns about 170 acres of good land. He was married October 14, IS56, to Theodocia Brewer, daughter of William and Catha- rine (Graham) Brewer. She died April 7, 1858. November 3, 1859, Mr. Myers was married to Elizabeth A. Wilson, daughter of
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William and Jane Wilson. She died April 29, ISSO, and on the 22nd day of November, 1882, Mr. Myers was married to Miss Livonia A. Waggener, his present wife. She was born in Franklin Township, this county, July 2, 1853, and was the daughter of James and Caroline ( Hendricks) Wag- gener. The second marriage of Mr. Myers resulted in the birth of six children: Rosa B .. born October 4. 1860; Lillie M., January 1, 1862; Jennie, January 29, 1864; John W., March 4, 1866, deceased; Charles R., September 7, 1868, and Mary M., November 10, 1871, deceased. He and his present wife have had three children: Helen G., born September 13, ISS3, deceased; William E., June 27, 1885, and Mark, June 28, 1887. Mr. Myers is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and, in politics, he is a republican. Theodocia Brewer was born in Pleasant Town- ship, June 30, 1838, and Elizabeth A. Wilson was born in Pleasant Township. November 30, 1839.
JOHN C. NOBLE, the fourth son of George T. and Louisa (Canby) Noble, was born in Boone County, Ky., April 7, 1830. In the spring of 1834, his parents came to Johnson County and located on a farm near Greenwood, where the mother died December IO, IS53. Her surviving husband continued to make his home on the old homestead until his death, which occurred November 2, 1884. The subject of this sketch spent his early life helping to clear and cultivate the farm, until the spring of 1875, when he removed to a farm east of Indianapolis. In the spring of ISSI, he returned to the old Noble homestead in Pleasant Township, where he has re- sided ever since.
NOAH E. NOBLE, a prominent merchant of Greenwood, was born in Boone County, Ky., August 10, 1828, and was the son of George T. and Louisa (Canby) Noble, with whom he came to the State of Indiana when he was four years old. The family resided near the city of Indianapolis for two years, then removed to this county and located in Pleasant Township, where the subject of this sketch grew to manhood on a farm. At twenty years of age he became employed as clerk in a general store in Greenwood, and was thus engaged in the employ of James N. Doxon four years. He then entered the employ of Dr. William H. Wishard, for whom he served in the capacity of clerk in a dry goods store from IS52 to IS61. In May, 1862, he engaged in business for himself in Greenwood, where he has ever since been the proprietor of a large general store. He is now one of the most substantial business men of that town. He was married on Christmas day, 1855, to Ellen Brewer. She was born in Pleasant Township, this
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county, in November, 1837, and was the daughter of Abram V. and Delilah ( Rice) Brewer. Mr. and Mrs. Noble are the parents of four children: Mary L., who has been a student in Depauw University two years; John E., Noah W. and George, all of whom are living. Mr. Noble and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their daughter is also a member of that church. In politics, Mr. Noble is a republican. He has a pros- perous business, and is one of the substantial men of Johnson County. He and wife are very highly respected.
REV. SAMUEL C. NOBLE, of Greenwood, is a native of Boone County, Ky., born July 13, 1831, and was the son of George T. and Louisa (Canby) Noble, who were respectively natives of Ken- tucky and Virginia, the former of Scotch-Irish, and the latter of English, descent. While he was yet a child, less than two years old, his parents removed from Kentucky to this state, and resided for one' year on a farm owned by his brother, Hon. Noah Noble, who was then governor of the State of Indiana. That farm was situated within the present limits of the city of Indianapolis. In 1834 the family came to Johnson County, and located on a tract of land in the northern part of Pleasant Township, where the subject of this sketch was reared on a farm. At about twenty years of age he attended Franklin College for a few months, and later on he attended the Asbury University a short time, but was compelled to give up his studies on account of poor health. He then returned home, and soon afterward began to prepare himself for the ministry. Ile had become a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the fall of 1850. In July, 1855, he was licensed to preach, and in the following fall was received on trial in the south- east Indiana Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He performed regularly the duties of pastor for a period of sixteen years, when, owing to ill health, he was superanuated. Four years subsequently he was employed as supply pastor of Wood Lawn Mis- sion, Indianapolis, now known as Edwin Ray Methodist Episcopal Church. Since the spring of 1876, Rev. Noble has resided in the vicinity of Greenwood. While his chief attention since then has been given to the management of farming interests, he has also labored as a local pastor. He was married September 15, 1857, to Elizabeth Brann. She was born in Rushville, this state, May I, 1837, and was the daughter of George W. and Sarah Price (Howell) Brann, who were respectively natives of Kentucky and Ohio, the former of Irish-Welsh, and the latter of Irish-German, descent. Rev. Noble and wife have two children: Luella and Jessie S. The former who has been a student in Depauw Uni- versity two years, is now the wife of L. M. Park, of Pleasant
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Township. The latter attended Franklin College one year, and is now a student in Depauw University.
DR. THOMAS B. NOBLE, an able and scholarly physician of Greenwood, was born in Boone County, Ky., February 12, 1827, and was the son of George T. and Louisa T. (Canby) Noble, the former of whom was a brother of Hon. Noah Noble, ex-governor of the State of Indiana. When he was eight years old his parents came to this state, and first located in Indianapolis. Two years later they came to Johnson County, and located on a tract of land in Pleasant Township, three-fourths of a mile north of the present site of Greenwood. There the subject of this sketch spent his youth on a farm. He received a common school education, and later on attended Franklin College about one year, and this was followed by spending one year under the private instruction of Rev. B. F. Wood, then of Greenwood. In 1848 he began studying medicine with Dr. W. H. Wishard, at Greenwood. The winter of I851-52 he took a course of lectures in the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati. In the spring of 1852, he entered upon his professional duties at Greenwood, where he has been actively engaged ever since. He has now practiced at that point continuously for a period of thirty-six years. During the first eight years of his practice, he was the partner of Dr. W. H. Wishard, but since IS60, he has been alone. Dr. Noble was married November 29, 1855, to Margaret A. Wishard. She was born in White River Township, and was the daughter of John and Agnes ( Oliver) Wishard. Their mar- riage has resulted in the birth of eight children: Agnes, married to D. T. Praigg, and resides in Indianapolis; Margaret W., a graduate of Depauw University, and at present a teacher in Evanston, Ill .; Martha, graduate of Franklin College; Thomas B., who is a student at Wabash College; Mary J., who is a student in Depauw Uni- versity; and Elizabeth, who is at home. Louisa and John are de- ceased. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. Dr. Noble has enjoyed for over three decades a good practice, and one that has enabled him to accumulate considerable property. When he began his professional labors he had not sufficient means to complete his medical studies. But through his practice he has become one of the substantial men of Johnson County. He owns, in all, 628 acres, of land, of which 218 comprises his magnificent farm adjoining the town of Greenwood, and upon which is located his elegant residence. Ninety acres of his land are in White River Township, and the balance in Wabaunsee County, Kan. He is one of the most successful physicians of the county, and he and wife are among its best citizens.
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