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 83
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DOMINICUS VAN DYKE, one of Pleasant Township's honorable and respected citizens, is the son of Peter and Ady (Blue) Van Dyke, both of whom were natives of Somerset County, N. J. He was born in Franklin County, this state, July 30, 1818, and spent his boyhood there on a farm. Ilis parents removed to Rush County, Ind., when he was fourteen years of age, and in this county his youth was spent assisting to clear and cultivate a farm. Owing to the very limited advantages for schooling in those days, his early education was quite limited. By reading, in later years, however, he has somewhat mitigated the lack of a good education.
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He was married in Rush County, this state, November 19, 1837, to Nancy, daughter of Henry and Hannah (Salisbury) Myers, born in Lewis County, Ky., September 13, 1816. When she was eight years old her parents came to this state and settled in Rush County, where she grew to womanhood. In January following their mar- riage, Mr. and Mrs. Van Dyke came to Johnson County, and re- sided for one year in Pleasant Township. They then returned to Rush County and resided there on a farm for seven years. In 1845, they again came to this county, and have ever since occupied their present home. The life occupation of Mr. Van Dyke has been farming. He owns a well-improved farm of 110 acres, about
eighty of which are in cultivation. The marriage of Mr. Van Dyke resulted in the birth of two children, a son and daughter, who died in infancy, unnamed, and George P., born January 12, 1849, deceased, and John H., December 12, 1852. Mr. and Mrs. Van Dyke are members of the Christian Church. In politics, he is a republican. He is one of the influential and well-to-do men of his township, and he and wife are among its highly respected citizens.
ANDREW W. VORINES, a farmer of Pleasant Township, was born in the township in which he resides, April 6, 1835, and was the son of Isaac B. and Rachel B. ( Whitenack) Vorhies, both of whom were natives of Mercer County, Ky. His father was born August 10, ISOI, and was the son of Jacob and Margaret Vorhies. His mother was born September 28, ISO1, and was the daughter of Abram and Ann Whitenack. His parents were married in Mercer County, Ky., July 21, 1825. They came to Johnson County and settled in Pleasant Township in 1827. They after- ward removed to White River Township, where both spent the rest of their lives, the father dying March 29, 1871, and the mother December 25, 1879. The subject of this sketch was, perhaps, four or five years old when his parents removed to White River Township. He grew to manhood in that township, but in April, 1861, he located in Pleasant Township, and there resided until December, 1866. He then removed to White River Township, but in August, 1868, he returned to Pleasant Township, and settled where he now resides. His entire attention has been given to agricultural pursuits. He owns eighty-two acres of good land, which is well improved, and fifty-five of which are in cultivation. Mr. Vorhies was married October 10, 1860, to Fannie Neiman. She was born in Dauphin County, Penn., December 19, 1839, and was the daughter of George and Mary (Franks) Neiman, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. Her mother was born April 20, 1808, and died March 29, 1842. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Vorhies has resulted in the birth of six children: Mary A.,
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born September 24, 1861 ; Isaac H., December 17, 1863: Elizabeth E., September 12, 1866, deceased; Ollie F., April 22, 1868, de- ceased: Bertie 1., October 7, 1876, and Maudie May, November 22, 1881. Mr. Vorhies is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and of the Knights of Honor lodge. He is an industrious and successful farmer, and he and wife are good citizens.
WILLIAM H. VORIS, a farmer of Pleasant Township, was born near his present home. December 21, 1847, and was the son of Abraham B. and Sarah (Lyons) Voris, both of whom were natives of Lexington County, Ky. He was reared on the old Voris home- stead, and on the Ist day of October, IS68, he was married to Elizabeth Rairdon. She was born in Brown County, this state, August 3, 1850, and was the daughter of Henry and Margaret Rairdon, both of whom were natives of Commercial County, Ky. Ever since their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Voris have re- sided in Pleasant Township. The occupation of the former is farming. He owns ninety-four acres of land, nearly all of which is in cultivation. He and wife have had nine children: Maggie M., born March 25, 1870; Arthur D., July 7. 1872; Charles R., De- cember 16, 1873, deceased; Dessie P., September 24, 1875, de- ceased; Maud D., June 16, 1877; Lida J., January 29, 1879; Sallie D., March 31, ISSI; Theresa B .. August 15, 1883, and Fletie D., August 20, 1835. Mr. and Mrs. Voris are members of the Chris- tian Church.
JOHN WEST, deceased, was born October 8, 1817, in Owen County, Ky., and was the son of Van and Sarah (Bcurn) West, the former of whom was born February 15, 1788, and the latter was born September 5, 1798. They were married March 23. ISI5. He died March 5, IS29, and she died October 8, 1832. The sub- ject of this sketch came to Johnson County at the age of twenty- one, and was married here to Karon HI. Hendricks, September 29, IS40. She was born in Franklin Township, this county, and was the daughter of Lewis and Sarah (Lamasters) Hendricks, the former of whom was a second cousin of ex-Vice President Thomas A. Hendricks. After his marriage Mr. West pursued the vocation of a farmer and live-stock dealer, in Franklin Township, until about IS58, when he removed to Pleasant Township. His first marriage resulted in the birth of twelve children: Miner, born June 19, 1842; Sarah C., December 29, 1844: William C., November I, 1847; Lucretia J., May 7, 1850: Van A., August 6, 1852; Charles J., September 6, 1856: Dora A., March 17, 1859; James E., June 18, 1861, deceased; a twin brother of James, who died unnamed; Melvenia, September 1, 1863; Oliver P., April 1, 1866, and a son that died unnamed. Mrs. Karon II. West died
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August 24, 1868. The history of his marriage to Elizabeth Til- son, appears elsewhere. Mr. West was a member of the Baptist Church, and of the Masonic and Odd Fellow's lodges. Ile died December 2, 1879.
HARVEY H. WHEATCRAFT, a well-to-do citizen of Pleasant Township, was born in Putnam County, this state, December S, 1847, and was the son of Malachi and Sophia M. (Bradford) Wheatcraft, a history of whom appears elsewhere in this work. When he was a child his parents removed from Putnam County to Johnson County, and settled on a farm in the northern part of Pleasant Township, where he was reared to manhood. In summer he worked on the farm, and in winter he attended school -at first in a district school, and later, in the public schools of Greenwood. In the fall of 1867, he entered Hartsville University, in which his father had purchased a scholarship. At the close of one term at Hartsville he returned home. In the fall of 1868, he be- came a student in Wabash College, and there pursued his studies two years. Returning home he took up the vocation of a farmer and stock-raiser, to which his attention has entirely been given ever since. He was married March 15, 1877, to Margaretta L. Todd. She is a native of Marion County, this state, born on Christmas day, 1850, the daughter of Thomas J. and Betsey J. (Duke) Todd, both of whom were natives of Lexington, Ky. For three years after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Wheatcraft resided on the old Wheatcraft homestead. In 1880, they removed to the farm they now occupy, which is part of the home farm. They have a farm of ninety-six acres, about eighty of which are in cultivation. It con- tains a handsome frame residence, and is in other respects substan- tially improved. Our subject and wife are the parents of three children, as follows: Bradford T., born December 5, 1877; Oren M., December 15, 1878, and William B., February 28, 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Wheatcraft are members of the Presbyterian Church. The former is a member of the K. of H. lodge, and he and wife are both members of the order of Chosen Friends. In addition to farming our subject gives considerable attention to the breeding of fine stock. He is now the owner of a number of blooded horses, of Blue Bull, Hambletonian and other stocks noted for speed, and his large herd of Jersey cattle is one of the best in the country. He has repeatedly received first premiums at St. Louis fairs and In- diana and Illinois State fairs.
MALACHI WHEATCRAFT, deceased, was born in Wayne County, Penn., September 8, 1807, and was the son of Joseph and Rachel (Brothers) Wheatcraft. His paternal grandparents were Edward and Rebecca (Taylor) Wheatcraft. His maternal grand-
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parents were Thomas and Nancy (Dever) Brothers, natives of Baltimore County, Md. Joseph Wheatcraft emigrated with his fam- ily from Wayne County, Penn., to Perry County, Ohio, in 1816, and there spent the rest of his hfe. On the 31st day of January, 1833, he was married in Licking County, Ohio, to Sophia M. Bradford. She was born in Lincoln County, Me., March 17, IS13, and is a descendant of ex-Governor William Bradford, of Massachusetts. Of her parents, Charles and Elizabeth Bradford, the former was born in Plymouth, Mass., September 14, 1777; about ISO4, he was married to Elizabeth Brown. In an early day he immigrated to Licking County, Ohio. In November, 1834, he removed to Persifer Township, Knox County, Ills., where he spent the rest of his life. He died February 25, 1868, in the ninety-first year of his age. Malachi Wheatcraft and wife entered upon their married life upon a farm in Perry County, Ohio. In the fall of 1840, they re- moved to Knox County, Ills. In 1843, they came to the State of Indiana, and located on a farm near Bainbridge, Putnam County. In the year 1850, they removed from Putnam County to Johnson County, and settled on a farm in the northern part of Pleasant Township, where the father pursued the vocation of a farmer until his death on the 19th day of October, 1873. He was a member of the United Brethren Church, and in politics, he was a republican. His surviving widow still continues to occupy the old homestead. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Wheatcraft resulted in the birth of ten children, as follows: The first was a son, who died unnamed; Elizabeth R., born April 2, 1836: Eliza J., May 17, 1839; Joseph B., November I, 1842, deceased; Harriet H., February 24, 1845, deceased; Har- vey H., December 8, 1847; Malachi, September 7, 1850, deceased; Mary L., October 24, IS52, deceased; the next, a son, who died unnamed, and William C., November 22, IS57.
WILLIAM C. WHEATCRAFT, a farmer of Pleasant Township, was born in the house he now occupies, November 22, 1857, the son of Malachi and Sophia M. (Bradford) Wheatcraft. He was reared on the old homestead, fifty acres of which he now owns. He was married February 17, 1886, to Ida M. Moore. She was born in Warsaw, Gallatin Co., Ky., April 27, 1858, and was the daughter of John and Josephine (Krutz) Moore. Their marriage has resulted in the birth of one child, Raymond M., born Novem- ber 18, 1886. Mrs. Wheatcraft is a member of the Christian Church. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and both are members of the Society of Chosen Friends. He is a republican. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Wheatcraft were Dr. John and Martha Temple (Elliott) Moore, the former of whom was born in
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Lexington, Ky., and the latter in Woodford County, Ky. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Wheatcraft were Edward T. and Ann (Kelso) Krutz. both of whom were natives of Switzerland County, Ind. She died in that county in 1846, and he died near Warsaw, Ky., in ISSo. The parents of Dr. John Moore were Rev. James and Betsey (Todd) Moore, the former of whom was a minister in the Presbyterian Church.
DAVID S. WHITENACK, undertaker and furniture dealer, of Greenwood, and one of the prominent citizens of that place, was born in Pleasant Township, this county, January 30, 1837, and is the son of Peter and Elmira J. ( Harris) Whitenack, who were re- spectively natives of Mercer County, Ky., and Culpepper County, Va., the former of Dutch, and the latter of English, descent. He was reared to manhood on the old homestead, where he was born, and in the district school obtained a knowledge of the ordinary branches of learning. Later. he attended Wabash College two years. On the 28th day of December, 1863, he entered the ser- vice of the Union Army, in Company F, Fifth Indiana Cavalry, with which he served until the 3Ist of July, 1864, when he was captured and made a prisoner of war. His brother, George M. Whitenack, whose history appears below, had become a member of the same company, August 18, 1862, and he also was captured at the same time and place. Both were imprisoned at Ander- sonville. On the 16th of September, 1864, they were removed to the prison at Florence, S. C. Their food was barely sufficient to keep them alive. On the third day of their confinement they suc- ceeded in breaking guard and making their escape. After spend- ing nine days in a fruitless effort to break entirely away, during which time they were pursued by both men and bloodhounds, they were re-captured about 100 miles from Florence, and were lodged in jail at Columbia, S. C., where they were confined six weeks. They were then returned to the prison at Florence, and there con- fined until February 14, 1865, when the entire body of prisoners was removed to Richmond, Va., and paroled on the 22d of the month. On regaining their freedom, the Whitenack brothers made their way to Annapolis, Md., where it became necessary for the younger, George M., to enter a hospital. David S. Whitenack determined not to leave his brother in his almost dying condition, so he availed himself of the first opportunity and made off with him on a vessel bound for Baltimore. At that city they took a train for Indianap- olis, whither they arrived on the 4th of March, 1865. Thirty days later the subject of this sketch rejoined his regiment at Pulaski, Tenn., and remained with it until the original members were mustered out. June 27, 1865, he was transferred to the
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Sixth Indiana Cavalry, and was commissioned as second lieutenant, which rank he held until September 15, 1865, when he was hon- orably discharged at Murfreesboro, Tenn. From the war, Mr. Whitenack returned to Pleasant Township, and for a number of years he farmed in summer and taught school in winter. In Oc- tober, 1883, he removed to Greenwood. In the fall of ISS4, he became the proprietor of an undertaking business at that place, which he has successfully conducted ever since. In connection with this, he has also owned and conducted a first-class furniture store. Mr. Whitenack was married January 1, 1861, to Sylvia R. Unthank. She was born at Port Royal, this county, April 28, 1840, and was the daughter of William S. and Nancy L. (Moreland) Unthank, who were respectively natives of North Carolina and Kentucky. The mother of Mrs. Whitenack was the daughter of Rev. John R. Moreland. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Whitenack has resulted in the birth of ten children, as follows: Eva J., April IS, 1862; Ida M., April, 1864; Cora S., August 3, 1866; Laura F., October 7, 1867, deceased; Emma F., December 8, 1869; Nannie E., January 19, 1872: Hattie, January 24, 1874, deceased; Bertha B., April 28, 1875, deceased; Edwin H., July 27, 1877, deceased, and Nellie Mabel, January 5, 18So. Mr. and Mrs. Whitenack are members of the Presbyterian Church. The former is a member of the K. of H. and G. A. R. In politics, he is an ardent republican, and in 1868 he was the candidate of his party for the office of county clerk, but was defeated. He has served as assessor of his township one term. Mr. and Mrs. Whitenack are devoted mem- bers of the church, and take an active part in the work of it, and the Sabbath school.
GEORGE M. WHITENACK, a worthy and respected citizen of Pleasant Township, was born on a farm between one and two miles south of Greenwood, December 3, 1842, and was the son of Peter and Elvira J. (Ifarris) Whitenack. He was reared on the old homestead and received a common school education. August 18, 1862, he entered the service of the Union Army in Company F, Fifth Indiana Cavalry, and served until July 31, 1864, when he was taken prisoner near Macon, Ga., and imprisoned at Anderson- ville. He received an honorable discharge at Columbus. Ohio, June 21, 1865. Ife then returned home and engaged at farming December 20, 1865: he married Elizabeth Park, born in this county November 2, 1845, and was the daughter of James W. and Eliza- beth (Young) Park, who were respectively natives of Kentucky and Indiana. While the chief pursuit of Mr. Whitenack has been farming, he has also, for the past fifteen years, been quite exten- sively engaged in buying and selling poultry. He and wife have
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had a family of ten children, as follows: William L., James H., George M., Fred D., Charles E. and Carrie, who are hving; and Minnie, Jessie, Samuel, and a son unnamed, who are deceased. Our subject and wife are members, of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Whitenack is a member of the G. A. R., and, in politics, he is a re- publican. His record, both as a citizen and soldier, is irre- proachable, and his honesty and integrity are unquestioned.
PETER WHITENACK, one of Johnson County's pioneers, and who for the past fifty-five years has been a resident of Pleasant Township, was born in Mercer County, Ky., February 8, 1806. He was the son of John and Ann (Debon) Whitenack, both of whom were natives of the State of New Jersey. His father was the son of Andrew Whitenack, and his mother was the daughter of Abram Debon. The boyhood and youth of our subject were spent on a farm in Mercer County, Ky. He was married there to Elvira J. Harris, November 17, 1828. She was born in Culpepper County, Va., March 20, 1806. In 1833, Mr. Whitenack removed with his family to this county and settled in Pleasant Township, in which he now resides. His occupation throughout his life has been farming. He owns a farm of 190 acres, which is in a good state of improve- ment and cultivation. His first marriage resulted in the birth of eight children, as follows: John J., born February 8, 1830, deceased; Harriet F., October 1, 1831; Elizabeth A., February 20, 1834, de- ceased; David S., January 30, 1837; Sarah J., July 2, 1839; George M., December 3, 1842: Mary E., January 30, 1845, and Martha G., April 3, 1849. The mother of these children died March 29, 1860. About eight years later Mr. Whitenack was married to Margaret Van Horn, his present wife; she was born in Pennsylvania, and was the daughter of Robert and Margaret Van Horn. This latter marriage has resulted in the birth of one child, Edith, who is a graduate of the Greenwood high school, and who is now preparing herself for the teacher's profession. For a num- ber of years prior to her death the first wife of Mr. Whitenack was a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church, of which, also, he and his present wife are members.
DAULTIN WILSON, a druggist of Greenwood, and the present postmaster of that place, was born on a farm in Pleasant Township, May 2, 1844, the son of William and Jane (Todd) Wilson, who were repectively natives of North Carolina and Kentucky. He was reared on the old homestead, and in addition to a common school education, he attended Franklin College between one and two years. In January, 1865, he entered Bryant & Stratton's Busi- ness College, at Indianapolis, in which he remained three months, and during that time obtained a knowledge of telegraphy. In
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April, 1865, he took a position as operator for the J., M. & I. R. R., and as agent for the Adams Express Co., at Franklin, this county, and continued there three years. In April, 1868, he and his brother-in-law, C. II. Myers, opened a store in this county, where Mr. Wilson continued in business until March, IS71. About the 15th of that month he accepted the agency of the J., M. & I. Railroad, at Greenwood, and continued in that until in November, IS82. Early in 1882 he began the erection of a brick business block in Greenwood, and on the first day of June of that year, he opened in it a drug store, to which his attention has since been given. He was married October 25, 1870, to Miss Lizzie F. Polk, daughter of William and Sarah (Shoptaugh) Polk, who were both born in Nelson County, Ky., in 1805. Mrs. Wilson was born in Bullitt County, Ky., June 16, 1848. Their marriage has resulted in the birth of five children: Susie P., Burr L., Cliffie H., Bessie D. and Harry, all of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are members of the Presbyterian Church. In politics, Mr. Wilson is a staunch democrat. Ile was elected trustee of Pleasant Town- ship in the spring of ISSo, and was re-elected in the spring of ISS2. He was appointed postmaster of Greenwood, July 10, 1885, and has performed the duties of that position since August 3, of that year. JAMES D. WILSON, a successful farmer and prosperous citizen of Pleasant Township, is a native of Guilford County, N. C., born March 3, 1828, being the son of Edward and Ann ( Billingsły) Wil- son, both of whom were natives of North Carolina. When he was a child his parents emigrated westward to Johnson County, and located on a tract of land in Pleasant Township. Our subject has ever since continued to reside on the same tract. During his early life he was employed upon the farm in summer, and was occasionally per- mitted to attend the district school in winter. At about the age of twenty-one he took up the carpenter's trade, and to it his attention was given for some six or seven years. Ile then turned his atten- tion to the vocation of a farmer and stock-raiser, to which it has since entirely been given. He owns a farm of II0 acres, about seventy-five of which are in cultivation. It is in a good state of im- provement, and is very desirably situated. On the third day of De- cember, IS57, he was married to Susan C. Oldham. She was born in Rush County, Ind., April 25, 1838, and was the daugh- ter of Thomas and Elizabeth ( Wilson) Oldham, who were respect- ively natives of Pennsylvania and Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have had seven children. as follows: Laura B., born December 4, 1858 (married Granville R. Trout, March 17, ISS5. He was born in this county, June 20, IS59, and was the son of Andrew J. and Elizabeth (Lemasters) Trout. Mr. Trout lived only a few
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months after his marriage, his death occurring August 6, 1885.) ; Clara A., March 2, 1860, deceased; John A., June 18, 1862; James N., September 22, 1864: Charles G., November 15, 1867; Susan O., May 11, 1873, and Jessie M., June 24, 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson and their five oldest children, are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their daughter, Clara A., was also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, Mr. Wilson is a democrat, and has served his township as assessor four years. He is an enterprising and progressive farmer, and he and wife are highly respected.
JAMES F. WILEY, a citizen of Pleasant Township, was born in Lewis County, Ky., January 25, 1823, and is the son of James and Martha K. (Looney) Wiley, the former of whom was born in Philadelphia, December 14, 1790, and died in Indianapolis, March I, 1883; the latter was born in Lewis County, Ky., January 23, 1798, and died in the city of Indianapolis, March 29, 1875. They were married in Lewis County, Ky., June 27, 1816. When the subject of this sketch was three years old his parents removed to this state and settled in Rush County. There he spent his boy- hood and youth, doing farm work in summer and attending school in winter. Ile was married in Rush County, February 24, 1842, to Drusilla Myers. She was born in Rush County, November 22, I822, and was the daughter of Henry and 'Hannah (Salisbury) Myers, the former of whom was a native of Pennsylvania, born September S, 1787, and died in this county in September, IS71; the latter was a native of Lewis County, Ky., born July 15, 1794, and died in Greenwood, this county, in September, 1870. They were married in Lewis County, Ky., February 17, 1812. In 1856, Mr. and Mrs. Wiley removed from Rush County to this county, and located where they now reside. The life occupation of Mr. Wiley has been farming. He owns a handsome farm of 204 acres, which is admirably situated, and about 160 of which are in cultiva- tion. Mr. and Mrs. Wiley have had seven children: Nancy A., born January 15, 1843: American P., December 29, 1847, deceased ; Sarah J., August 4, 1849; Marcus D. L., August 2, 1851 ; Myrtle B., October 17, 1856, deceased: William A., May 27, 1859, and Friend F., July 14, 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Wiley, and their five children, are members of the Christian Church. In politics, Mr. Wiley is a democrat. He was elected a member of the board of county com- missioners in 1858, and was subsequently re-elected to that position three times, serving, in all, twelve consecutive years, to the entire satisfaction of the public.
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