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 90
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92
890
JOHNSON COUNTY.
entered as a private in Company B, Eighty-second Indiana Volunteers, and among the important engagements in which he participated, are the following : Stone River, Hoover's Gap, Chicka- mauga, Missionary Ridge, Rocky Face, Resaca, Kenesaw Mount, Atlanta, and was with Sherman on his march to the sea. His last battle was at Bentonville. April 20, 1865, he was commissioned by Gov. Oliver P. Morton as first lieutenant of the Eighty-second Indiana Volunteers, and received his commission at Fayetteville, N. C. He was never mustered as a lieutenant because of his com- pany being reduced to what is termed a " minimum." After the close of the war, Mr. Dolen returned to Indiana, and was married July 20, 1865, to Mary E. Sutton, daughter of Jacob and Abigail Sutton, early settlers of this county. Mrs. Dolen was born in John- son County, Ind., April 30, 1836. Unto this marriage have been born three children, William H., Florence N., and Charlie M. Mr. and Mrs. Dolen and two oldest children are members of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church. He has, since the war, resided in this county, living for the greater part in White River Township. For seven years he lived at Whiteland, and while living there, served in the capacity of justice of the peace. He is D. G. M. of Way- erly Lodge, No. 318, I. O. O. F.
WILLIAM DORRELL, an early settler of Ohio County, Ind., was a native of Ohio. His son, Jacob Dorrell, was born in Ohio, July 5, ISOI, and was reared in Ohio County, Ind., where he was married December 10, 1822, wedding Mary Alexander, who was born in Ohio County, Ind., June 4, IS04. They lived in Ohio County till 1828, when they removed to Johnson County, and settled in White River Township, in which township they lived until their deaths occurred, she dying January 12, 1873, and he, February 1, 1881. To this marriage were born the following children: John, deceased, Elizabeth, James, Cyntha Ann, deceased, William, Daniel, Paschal, Sarah, Joseph, Mary, Samuel, Urzulla, and Margaret. Their father and mother were among the early pioneers of Johnson County. They were industrious and persevering, and noted for their zealous characters. Faithful as friends, they were universally respected. William Dorrell was reared on a farm and remained with his father and mother till he reached the age of twenty-five years. He has followed farming as a vocation, in which he is practical and suc- cessful. August 12, 1858, he was united in marriage with Mar- cella Bristow, daughter of James and Sarah (Dunn) Bristow. He is a native of Kentucky, born February 19, 1805, and died in In- diana, February 25, 1855. His wife was born in Kentucky, July 17, 1816, and died in Indiana, February 2, 1873. Mrs. William Dorrell was born in Marion County, Ind., July 22, IS35. Unto her
891
WHITE RIVER TOWNSHIP.
marriage have been born these children : Jacob G., Joseph, deceased, Daniel D., Sarah M., Mary E., deceased. Paschal E., William A., Thomas, James M., Robert and Cena Jane. Mr. and Mrs. Dor- rell are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, he is a democrat. He is a Master Mason in South Port Lodge, No. 270. Paschal Dorrell was reared and educated on a farm. Ile was married October 25, IS60, to Martha E., the daughter of David and Rachel (Gloseclore) Sell, the former a native of Ohio, and the latter of Virginia. Mrs. Dorrell was born in Johnson County, Ind., November 3, 1834. Two daughters have blessed the above marriage: Ida Agnes, deceased, and Rosa May. Paschal Dorrell remained under the parental roof till he reached the age of twenty-seven years; then married and settled in life as a farmer, on the farm he now owns. In politics, he is a staunch democrat, and firmly set in the principles of the party.
THOMAS J. DRAPER was born in Clark Township. Johnson Co., Ind., March 24, 1855, and is the son of Oliver H. and Phobe (Herbert) Draper. The father and mother are residents of Clark Township, and their biographies appear in the Clark Township sketches. Thomas J. Draper was reared on a farm in Clark Township, and attended the district schools, receiving a fair com- mon school education. He is the fourth child of twelve, that were born unto the marriage of Oliver and Phoebe Draper. These parents came to Johnson County at an early date, and began the battle of life poor, and having a large family to support and foster, they were to the necessity of putting forth much energy and per- severance. They, like their father, were endowed with energy and enterprise, and all gained fair educations, some attending com- mon schools, and others colleges. Mr. Draper gained a fair edu- cation in the common schools. He began the battle of life for him- self at an early date. He was united in marriage to Luella Finney, December 31, 1874. Mrs. Draper is the daughter of John and Mary (Waller) Finney, whose history is found in the Franklin sketches. She was born in Jennings County, Ind., July 25, 1859. Her marriage has been blessed by the following children: Pearl and Ines. After Mr. Draper's marriage he settled in life as a farmer on rented land. By energy and perseverance, he has won success in life, and now owns a farm of over seventy acres, of which nearly sixty acres are under cultivation. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church.
GEORGE A. DRESSLAR was born in White River Township, Johnson County, Ind., January 4, 1841, and is the son of George and Malinda ( Dresslar) Dresslar. The father and mother were both born in Covington County, Va., he in 1807, she in ISO8; both died
S92
JOIINSON COUNTY.
in this county; he in 1856, and she in 1887. They were married in their native county, and came to this county about 1834, and settled in White River Township. They lived in this county until their deaths occurred. The following are the children born to their marriage: Josephine, Archibald, deceased, Mary, deceased, Peter, Daily, George A., James B. and Sareena. George A. was reared on a farm, and educated in the country. He was with his parents up to the death of his father, and then, after remaining one year with his widowed mother, he began the battle of life for himself. August 1I, IS61, Mr. Dresslar was united in marriage with Martha L. Boaz. She was born December 3, 1842. This marriage was blessed by the birth of the following children: Elmer E., Lillie L., Effie J., Emma F., Gilford T. Soon after the close of the Civil War Mr. Dresslar located in Morgan County, a short distance west of Banta, this county. Here he farmed. October 1, IS78, he took unto himself a second wife, Dora A. Tillman, born September 1, 1850. This marriage has resulted in the birth of the following children: Dessie A. and Maude. August 11, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company C, Seventy- ninth Indiana Infantry. Among the battles he was in, were: Stone River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Atlanta and Perryville. Ile was discharged as corporal, June 7, IS65. He then returned to Indiana, where he has since lived. In the horrors above de . scribed, he was crippled, and since has been engaged in merchan- dising. In 1879, he moved to Williamsburgh, Ind., and for four years, was engaged in merchandising at that place. In ISS3, he located where he now resides, and opened a store at what is now called Banta. In ISS4, the Banta postoffice was established, and Mr. Dresslar was made postmaster, which position he still holds. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is a rep- resentative and progressive citizen.
JOHN H. DUNN, the subject of this sketch, was born in this county, February 2, 1844, and is the son of William and Christina (Tresslar) Dunn. The father was born in Monroe County, Va., April II, 1798, and died in this county, November 14, 1863. He was the son of Reuben and Nancy (Lane) Dunn, of Scotch and Irish lineage. William Dunn was reared in Virginia. On March 31, 1825, he was married in that state, to Christina Tresslar, daugh- ter of Peter and Barbara (Mallow) Tresslar. The father and mother were natives of Botetourt County, Va. Christina Tresslar was born in the same county, September 21, 1806, and still survives, living with her son, who is the subject of this sketch. The follow- ing are the children born unto William and Christina Dunn : Nancy, George W., William H., James A., Martha B., Amanda C., Sarah
$93
WHITE RIVER TOWNSHIP.
M., John H., Elias G., Alva A. and Mary M. William Dunn and wife came to Indiana in 1825, settling in White River Township. William Dunn was a farmer, and on coming to this township located on a farm. He was a member of the Christian Church ; was a jus- tice of the peace. His wife is a member of the same church. John 11. was born in this county February 2, 1844, and was raised on a farm, and followed farming as an occupation. February 2, IS70, he married Amanda S. Garshwiler, daughter of Shelby H. and Martha (Luyster) Garshwiler. Mrs. Dunn was born in this county November 12, 1848. The children of this marriage are: Cora, William O., Omer S. and George. Mr. and Mrs. Dunn are members of the Christian Church.
JAMES A. FENDLEY .- The Fendleys are originally of Irish de- scent, but Silas A. and Malinda (Ragsdale) Fendley, the father and mother of James A., were natives of Kentucky, emigrating in 1820 to this state, and locating in Parke County, where, February I, IS36, James A. first saw the light. His grandfather, Thomas Fendley, was a native of Ireland, and emigrated to Virginia, and thence to Kentucky, where he married Miss Seelie Pollard, by whom he had nine children, as follows: Nancy, Rachel, George, Silas, Thomas, Jackson, Rebecca, Seelie and William. Being a poor man he was forced to rent land, and in this kind of farming James A. grew to manhood, helping on the farm summers, and at- tending the common schools winters, gaining what education he could in this way. October 25, 1860, he married, in Illinois, Mary E., daughter of Evans and Susan Bristow. Her father was a na- tive of Ohio, and her mother of Virginia, being an extraction of Welsh and Dutch. They were both attendants of the United Brethren Church. Politically, Mr. Bristow, as well as Mr. Fend- ley's father, was a democrat. Mr. Bristow died in Marion County, Ind., 1864; his wife died in Boone County in 1876. To Mr. and Mrs. Fendley have been born children as follows: Laura A., Harriet E., Sarah J., Susan E., William A., Minnie I., James A., Jr., and Victoria M. In the fall of 1869, Mr. Fendley purchased the farm on which he now lives. The original purchase was 160 acres, but one acre had been sold by Mr. Hughes, the former owner, for a church, in the extreme southeast corner of the farm, and since then Mr. Fendley has sold fifty acres to one Mull- inix, leaving him 109 acres. In a few years he erected his present commodious house, which is situated on the " Three-Notch Line " pike. A short time after his home was built, he put up a good barn, and to-day they stand as monuments to his industry. The Fendleys stand among the substantial farmers of Johnson County.
S94
JOHNSON COUNTY.
Mr. and Mrs. Fendley, and some of their children, belong to the Methodist Church. Politically, Mr. Fendley is a democrat.
JACOB PADDOCK Was born in Preble County, Ohio, August S, IS27, and died in Johnson County, Ind., January 27, 1872. He was the son of Ebenezer Paddock. He was reared in Preble County, Ohio, where he was married February 14, 1848, to Martha Bell, the daughter of David and Susannah ( Roberts) Bell. These par- ents were natives of Tennessee, and emigrated from that state to Ohio, where Martha, their daughter, was born in Preble County, October 1, 1831. Immediately after the marriage of Jacob and Martha, they came to Johnson County, and settled in the White River Township, on a tract of land Jacob's father had previously visited and purchased. On this tract of land are the scenes of Jacob's and Martha's toils. He was a farmer by occupation, and when he came to the county and began the pursuit of farming he took possession of a farm of 160 acres, which was little improved. By dint of industry, and by exercising the quality of perseverance, he became a prosperous farmer, and at the time of his death owned over 500 acres of land. He enjoyed the high esteem of his neigh- bors, and was universally respected by all who knew him. His marriage resulted in the birth of three sons and four daughters. The sons are: John Wesley, William Henry and Ebenezer. The daughters, all of whom are deceased, were: Sarah Elizabeth, Lui- cinda Caroline, Minerva Jane, and Luella. The sons are all farmers by occupation, and reside in White River Township. Mrs. Paddock, their mother, was wedded to William K. Fullen, December 4, 1872. She and Mr. Fullen continued to reside in White River Township. He died November 22, 1875. Mrs. Fullen then continued on the home farm up to ISS4, when she re- moved to Glenn's Valley, Marion County, where she now resides. She has been a member of the Mt. Pleasant Christian Church for over thirty years.
SHELBY FULLEN .- Samuel Fullen, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was born in Ireland, December 28, 1766, and was united in marriage with Elizabeth Fullen, the paternal grandmother of our subject. This union resulted in the birth of three sons and five daughters: Ruhama, John, Nancy, Charles, Samuel, Sarah, Minerva, and Mary. Samuel Fullen was an early settler of Ken- tucky, coming from Virginia to that state, and in an early day, he removed to this state. His death occurred in Rush County, about IS42. John Fullen, the father of our subject, was born in Kentucky, November 8, 1793. He was reared on a farm, and came to Indiana with his father. His occupation was farming. He was married in Indiana to Jemima Harrell, the daughter of Jeremiah Harrell, a
895
WHITE RIVER TOWNSHIP.
native of Virginia. Her parents were early settlers of Indiana, where she was born. The above marriage resulted in the birth of the following children: Shelby and John. The father was called away September 10, IS21. The mother afterward married a Mr. Horton, and became the mother of other children. She died in Indiana, about 1839. Shelby Fullen, the subject of this sketch, was born in Fayette County, Ind., October 3, 1819. He was reared on a farm, and received a fair education in the coun- try schools. In early life he taught school, but his chosen occupa- tion has been farming. March 7, 1840, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Sutton, the daughter of Philip and Sarah L. (Childra) Sutton. Both parents were born in Preble County, Ohio, and were of German parentage, their ancestors being early emigrants to, and settlers of, New Jersey. Mrs. Fullen was born in Johnson County, Ind., August 31, 1824. Iler marriage with our subject has been blessed by the following children: Philip, de- ceased, Jemima, Sarah Annie, Delilah, deceased, Rachel, Louisa, deceased, John W., Mary E., deceased, Elizabeth K., deceased, Emma I., deceased, Matilda M., deceased, and Woodberry W. Mr. Fullen's widowed mother came to Johnson County, about IS22. Her husband had visited the county and entered land, and returned to Fayette County and died. After our subject's marriage he set- tled in this county, and with the exception of a short time, he has continued to live in the county. He and wife are members of the United Brethren Church. Mr. Fullen is a representative farmer and citizen, and enjoys the esteem of his neighbors. He has filled the office of justice of the peace and assessor of his township, and has always been a progressive man.
IRA T. GREGG, the son of Stephen and Hannah (Clark ) Gregg, was born in Franklin County, Ind., April 23, 1828. By tracing his paternal ancestry back as far as is definitely known, he is found to be of Scotch descent. Samuel Gregg, the great grandfather of Ira T., was born in Scotland, in 1699, and at the age of twelve years he emigrated to America, landing at Philadelphia, Penn. He set- tled in Bucks County, Penn., and resided there until he was twenty- one years old. He then moved to Loudon County, Va., where he was married to Elizabeth Alford. Eight children was the result of this marriage. The names were as follows: Thomas, Rebecca, Priscilla, John, Ann, Iserael, Ruth, and Aaron. Iserael, the sixth child, was the grandfather of Ira T., the subject of this sketch. He became one of the early pioneers of Ohio. Here he married, to whom is not known, and the result of the union was seven chil- dren, whose names were as follows: Amos, Ann, Stephen, George, Drusilla, Thomas and Rebecca. Stephen was Ira T. Gregg's
S96
JOHNSON COUNTY.
father. He was born March 7, 1777, in Ohio, and died in Franklin County, Ind., May 4, 1837. He was married in Ohio, in IS07, to Hannah Clark, who was born in New Jersey, December 23, 1788, and died in Franklin County, Ind., December 19, 1848. Nothing is known concerning Mr. Gregg's maternal ancestry, farther back than to his grandmother, Phebe Iloward. Her maiden name is not now known, and all that is known concerning her is that she was married four times: first, to Baker; second, to Clark; third to Clark, a cousin of the former Clark, and fourth, to Howard; each of these unions being blessed with children. She died December 20, 1852, in Warren County, Ohio, at the advanced age of ninety- four years. After the marriage of Stephen and Hannah Gregg, they remained in Ohio until their first child was born. Their union was blessed with eleven children. The names are as follows: George, William, Malinda, Clark, Pamela, Aaron, Nancy, Alpheus, Mary Ann, Ira T. and Hiram F., all of whom are deceased, except Ira T., the subject of this sketch. In ISOS, the father, mother, and child, set out on horseback from their home in Ohio, the mother carrying her little babe on a pillow in front of her, and in this way they journeyed to what was then the wilds of Indiana, and finally settled in what is now Franklin County. Here Mr. Gregg entered a quarter section of land, upon which he raised his family, and both he and his wife lived until death. He never engaged in any other occupation but farming, except while he was a soldier in the War of 1812. He was quite ingenious, and was particularly skillful in the use of the common ax, broad-ax and the rifle. In politics, he was a whig, and was uncompromisingly opposed to the institution of slavery. In his dealings with his fellow men, he was honorable and just, and during his whole career he never was sued, nor did he ever have occasion to sue any one. Mr. Gregg was a Quaker in faith, but his wife was a zealous Methodist, and in an early day their house was used as a place for public worship. After Mr. Gregg's death, Mrs. Gregg being rather feeble in health, was not able to attend church away from home at all times. The class was re-organized, and at her request her home was chosen as the place of public worship. It continued to serve this purpose for eleven years without intermission, during which time all the services of the church were held there. These services consisted of regular semi-monthly preaching, a weekly prayer-meeting held every Thursday night, and class-meeting every Sunday. Only one regular protracted meeting was held there during that time. This house was used for any and all purposes for which a church was needed. Watch-night meetings were held: members were re- ceived into full connection, while at other times church trials were
S97
WHITE RIVER TOWNSHIP.
held and members were expelled; the sacrament of the Lord's sup- per, and the ordinance of baptism were administered, and the use of the mourners' bench was not uncommon, and many were the per- sons who were happily converted to God at that place. The sub- ject of this sketch was but ten years of age when this class was organized, and witnesses to all these things, having joined the church and become converted at those meetings. Mr. Gregg was a sturdy farmer boy, and received a fair education for his day, by attending the common district schools. He was like most other boys, extremely fond of hunting, and his achievements in that line were usually extraordinary. Mr. Gregg deserves great credit for the kind and faithful attention he gave to his mother during her de- clining years. Inasmuch as he was next to the youngest of the children, and the older ones had married and started out in life for themselves, the duty of caring for his mother now devolved upon him alone. To add to the responsibility and arduousness of the undertaking, his younger brother was almost a helpless cripple, and this left him to care for and watch over both his mother and brother, and see that their wants were provided for, which he did very faithfully until his mother's death, and his brother's three years later. Soon after his mother's death he was united in mar- riage, when he was but twenty years of age, to Alzina H. Wil- der, of Rush County, Ind. She was the daughter of Seth and Abigail Wilder, and was born in Rush County, Ind., December 6, 1827, and died in Johnson County, Ind., September 24, 1874. After the marriage Mr. Gregg resided on the old homestead until September, 1853, when he bought 160 acres of land in Johnson County, and moved to it. He has since bought eighty acres more, and now owns 240 acres. Ilere he and his wife lived happily to- gether until September, 1874, when she was called away by death. lle remained a widower until January, 1876, when he married Elizabeth L. Shera, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Shafer) Shera, of Decatur County, Ind. She was born in Franklin County, "Ind., April 3. 1842. By his first wife Mr. Gregg had four child- ren : Aaron S., Mary Ann, deceased, William A. and George T. Two children have been the result of his second marriage. The first died at birth, and the second, Maggie A., is a sprightly young girl of nine years. Mr. Gregg, realizing the unlimited value of an education, has endeavored to give his children a good one. Ile sent his son, Aaron S., to Asbury University, now known as De- pauw; but after two years of study his health failed, and he was compelled to abandon school. William A. is a scientific graduate from that institution. Both of these sons are now among the lead- ing farmers of Lincoln County, Neb. In politics, Mr. Gregg was
SOS
JOHNSON COUNTY.
first a whig, next a republican, and now he is a very strong pro- hibitionist. It is one of his peculiar characteristics to put his whole soul into anything in which he is interested, if it involves any prin- ciple of right or wrong. He voted the whig ticket in 1852, but was among the first to take steps toward the organization of the republican party, and has since been one of its most loyal supporters, until he became convinced that the party was not able to rid this country of the "liquor traffic," and he accordingly voted for St. John in 1884. In 1863, Governor Morton commissioned him as a first lieutenant in the " Indiana Legion." In 1864, he enlisted as a private in the 100-day service, and was made a non-commis- sioned officer. In religious views, Mr. Gregg has followed in the footsteps of his mother, and has always been a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. When he moved to Johnson County, he placed his membership in the society at Mt. Auburn, and has been an active member ever since, and now has the pleas- ure of knowing that all his family have followed in his footsteps.
LEVI GROSECLORE was born in Wythe County, Va., March S, ISIS, and is the son of Henry and Margaret (Spangler) Grose- clore. The father was a native of Wythe County, Va. He was the son of Henry Groseclore, who was born in Germany, and set- tled in Wythe County. Va. The father of our subject was a sol- dier in the War of 1812, and our subject has in his possession a discharge, which reads as follows: " In obedience to an order from Claibourn W. Gooch, adjutant general, dated Richmond, February 20, 1815, you, Ilenry Groseclore, Jr., are discharged from the pres- ent tour of duty. Wythe C. House, March 4, 1815. Christopher Brown, Captain Thirty-fifth Virginia Militia, commanding." The father of our subject was married in Virginia, to Margaret Spang- ler, of German descent. She was born in Virginia, and died when our subject was but an infant. In 1820, our subject's father came to this county, and settled in Union Township, locating in the woods. He continued in this county till about 1849, when he went to Iowa, where he lived until called away by death. Our subject was raised in this county. He gained but a limited education, learning only to read and write, and do some " ciphering." In the days of his youth they had but little school advantages, but Mr. Groseclore is possessed of a store of useful knowledge. He has always made his home in this county, and has followed farming as an occu- pation, but has had a wide experience traveling throughout all most all parts of the United States. November 6, 1846, he married Rebecca Barker, daughter of William and Susanna (Burnett) Barker, natives of Kentucky. William Barker was the son of Thomas Barker, who was the first owner of the land Cincinnati
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.