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 91
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was first laid out on. Mrs. Groseclore was born March 17, IS22, in Green County, Ind., where her parents settled in an early day. After the above marriage was consummated, Mr. and Mrs. Grose- clore came and settled in life in this county, and have lived here ever since. He owns two farms, one of 130, and the other of 160, acres. He and wife are members of the Christian Church at Bargersville. Five children were born unto the marriage, only two of whom are living, William Henry and John B. Mr. Groseclore cast his first presidential vote for Martin Van Buren, and was a democrat up to the candidacy of Horace Greeley, when he became a greenbacker.
JUDGE FRANKLIN HARDIN .- The subject of this sketch was born on the 27th of July, 1810, in Fleming, now Nicholas, County, Ky. His family were of French descent, and occupied an honora- ble place in the history of that state as jurists, statesmen and Indian fighters. Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois and Iowa have each named a county after his kindred. Franklin Hardin was the youngest of a family of eleven children, born to Henry and Catharine Hardin. He came of a robust family, but was himself an undersized child, with a feeble constitution; and, while his stouter brothers were assist- ing their father upon the farm, he was kept in the country schools from the time he was old enough to attend up to his fifteenth year. After the death of his father, October 5, 1825, being at liberty to do pretty much as he pleased, he attended the County Seminary in Carlisle for six months. Among other things he studied survey- ing while in the seminary, and acquired that accurate knowledge of this branch of learning which proved so useful to both him- self and the people of Johnson County in after years. In 1822 and 1823, two older brothers had explored the White River Valley, and, with means furnished by their father, had entered a con- siderable portion of land for themselves and others of the family, and, in 1824, several members moved to Johnson County. Henry Hardin intended to emigrate to the country himself. but died before doing so. After his death, the family deter- mined to carry out the intention of the father, and, in 1825, the widow, accompanied by the subject of this sketch, then fifteen years of age, set out on horseback to visit her children and see for herself what the wilderness of Indiana was like. Two years after that journey was made, the family moved and took . up their abode in White River Township. The spring of 1829 seemed to him a propitious time to commence the study of law. With that view, he went to Indianapolis, and put himself under the tutorage of Ebenezer Sharp, in Latin, and of William Quarles, Esq., in law. But he met with a sad disappointment. In a few
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weeks he was stricken down with a fever, and was com- pelled to go home to his mother. On his recovery, he taught about two years, when he went back to his law books. He had not gone back to the study of law as his sole occupation, but he had not abandoned its study altogether. The summer of 1831 was spent in making an extensive tour of Illinois, and in the following October, he returned to Ken- tucky, where he married. With his young wife, he at once set out for Indiana, and on Fall Creek he found employment for another year at his old occupation, after which. in the fall of 1832, he moved to Johnson County and located upon the farm where he now resides, where he and his estima- ble wife have uninterruptedly made their home ever since. In the spring of 1833, he recieved the appointment of assessor for White River Township, and, although much afflicted, he com- pleted the duties before taking to his bed. This was the first em- ployment he ever had, save his five years in the schoolroom. In the spring of 1836, he applied to the circuit bench of the county, Judge Wick presiding, for the appointment of county surveyor, an office which he then received, and held for six consecutive years. This office he was qualified in a high degree to fill. From about 1840, party lines began to be closely drawn in local affairs, and the year of 1842 marks the advent of Franklin Handin into that active politi- cal life which he so long and successfully lived. The democratic party in Johnson County had, for the purpose of massing their power, introduced the nominating convention as a part of its ma- chinery, and Franklin Hardin received the nomination, in 1842, without opposition, as a candidate for representative in the state legislature, and, at the ensuing August election, he was elected without opposition. In I843, he was again nominated by his party for the same office, but the whigs brought out Zachariah Collins, a tenant on his own farm, to contest the office with him. Out of the 1,517 votes cast in the county, Hardin received 1,016, and he got all but two that were cast in Union. In 1844, he was again a can- didate for the legislature, and John Slater, a young lawyer lately come to the county, sought the nomination against him, but Hardin was almost unanimously nominated. Then Slater offered himself as an independent candidate, and sought whig support as well as democratic, and they two ran the race, but Hardin was elected by a larger majority over Slater than had graced his triumph of the year before. Having served three years in the lower house, he now aspired to a seat in the upper, and accordingly. in 1845, he offered for a senatorial nomination, which was given him without opposition, and, out of 1,221 votes cast at the election for sen-
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ator, he received 1,059. He therefore had no open opposition. In IS50, he was elected a delegate to the constitutional convention. At the termination of the work of the constitutional convention, Mr. Hardin came home, but he was met with a demand for his ser- vices as a surveyor. Lines and corners were not yet all established, and, in I851, the county commissioners appointed him to the office of county surveyor. But he held the office for only one year. By an act of the legislature, approved May 14, 1852, a new court- the common pleas-was organized, and it became necessary to elect a judge of that court at the ensuing October election in this county. Franklin Hardin was nominated by the democratic party as their candidate for that office. The opposition brought out A. B. Hunter, Esq., a young man of good parts, then lately admit- ted to the bar, but Hardin was elected, receiving 1,020 votes out of 1,901 cast for that office. So well did he acquit himself in the discharge of his judicial duties that, at the expiration of his first term, he was re-nominated. This was in 1856, and he was elected over Duane Hicks, a member of the Johnson County bar, in good standing, by 694 majority. At the close of his second term. he retired to private life, since which time he has held no public office. Judge Ilardin is, and always has been, democratic in his politics. During his legislative career, he occupied a high place in the coun- cils of his party as an advisory member, and, in 1856, he was a delegate to the national convention which nominated Mr. Buchanan. In 1860, be supported the Breckenridge wing, and was a can - didate for elector in that interest. Judge Hardin is a firm be- liever in the truths of the Christian religion. In early life, he and his estimable wife united with the Presbyterian Church at Green- wood, and they still adhere to that faith.
JOHN HARDIN was born in this county December 16, 1838, and is the son of Franklin Hardin. The subject of this biography was reared on a farm, and received a common school education, and his entire life has been spent in agricultural pursuits. He was married in 1868, to Catherine and Martha (Mallow) Humbert, who was born in this county, May 19, 1847. To this union the following children have been born: George, deceased, Mary, Franklin, Nora and Martha. Mr. and Mrs. Hardin are members of the Christian Church.
J. L. HENDERSON, a native of Johnson County, Ind., was born December 3, 1828, and is the son of Thomas and Mary (Demott) Henderson. The father was born in Botetourt County, Va., in I Soo, and died in Johnson County, Ind., in 1862. He was the son of Thomas and Mary (Erwin) Henderson, natives of Ireland. Thomas Henderson, Sr., was born about 1756, and died in Johnson
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County, about 1839. Thomas, the son, was reared in Virginia, and on reaching his majority, removed to Kentucky, where he was married to Mary Demott, who is a native of Mercer County, Ky. She was born in ISO1, and is now living in Johnson County. Her marriage was blessed by these children: William T., Mary A., Margaret L., James L., Harvey, David M., Robert E., John C., Isaac S., Martha E. and Jane E. After the marriage of their parents, they came to Johnson County, in 1825, and settled in Hope- well, in Franklin Township. The father was a blacksmith by trade, and a farmer by occupation. James L. was reared on a farm, and in youth, learned of his father, the blacksmith's trade, but has never followed it as an occupation. ITis life occupation has been farming. His father settled on and entered the land on which the Hopewell Church now stands, then a dense forest. He donated the ground on which the church and academy are situated. He was a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church, and was a man who was always ready to aid the church cause. The mother is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and resides with her youngest son. He has been blind for over thirty years. She has been a faithful wife, mother and friend, and enjoys the high esteem of all who know- her. In 1855, Mr. Henderson married Mary A. Lagrange, born in Johnson County, September 6, 1836, and died in Johnson County, March 9, 1869. The following are the children of this marriage: C., Robert C., Martha' E .; Margaret A., Clara E. January 24, 1871, Mr. Henderson married for a second wife, Maggie J. Vanarsdall, the daughter of C. and Nancy J. (Clem ) Varnars- dall. Mrs. Henderson was born in Johnson County, June 7, 1851. The offsprings of this marriage are: Newton G., Thomas E. and Stella J. Mr. and Mrs. Henderson are members of the Presbyter- jan Church. He owns 160 acres of land, of which 130 acres are under cultivation. He is a member of Hopewell Church.
H. S. AND J. M. LYONS .- The paternal grandfather of our subjects was of Scotch and Irish origin, and in an early day settled in the State of Pennsylvania, where was born Robert Lyons, his son, and the father of our subjects. This son's father died and left him an orphan. He grew up to manhood in Pennsylvania, and on reaching his majority, went to Mercer County, Ky., where he set- tled about the year ISII. Later, he became a soldier in the War of 1812. After the close of the war he returned to Mercer County, Ky., and there married Jane Vanarsdall. The husband was born April 10, 1792, and the wife, a native of Mercer County, Ky., was born August 17, 1792. This marriage resulted in the birth of nine children, namely: Harvey S., Catherine, John M. , Abraham, Thomas, Margaret, Rachel, Ellen and Elizabeth. In the fall of 1825, this
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family (excepting the children born in this county) came from Ken- tucky to Indiana, and settled in what is now known as Pleasant Township, Johnson County. The father of this pioneer family was a poor man, but, nevertheless, industrious and hardy. He settled in the forest and at once began to clear the same and prepare for tilling the soil. On arriving from the "Corn-Cracker" state he had but eighteen dollars, which was his entire fortune, and the removal was made by traveling with a two-horse team and wagon. Ile brought with him two cows and eighteen hogs. This consti- tuted all the, early pioneer's possessions. The family consisted of eight members. The father constructed one of the first saw- and grist-mills in the county, and also, at an early day, operated a tan- nery. In the fall of 1827, the Lyon family removed from Pleasant Township, and settled in the northeast corner of what is now White River Township. Here the father and mother died; the former at the age of eighty-four years, and the latter at the age of eighty-six years. Harvey S. Lyons, the elder of our subjects, was born in Mercer County, Ky., August 16, IS13. September 17, 1835, he married Sarah, the daughter of John and Elizabeth Alexander. Sarah was born in Dearborn County, Ind., May 18, 1818, and died in this county June 23, IS43. The above marriage was blessed by the birth of three children: Elizabeth, Mary Ann and Louisiana. October 17, 1843, ne wedded Mahala A., daughter of Nicholas and Penelope Orme. Mahala A. was born in Clark County, Ind., April 28, 1821, and died July 20, 1885. This union resulted in the birth of these children: Rachel Frances, deceased, Benjamin F., George H., Sarah, Malissa, Robert, Samantha, Ellen and Daniel C. John M. Lyons, the younger of our subjects, was also born in Mer- cer County, Ky., October 29, 1818. In IS37, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Presser, who died in 1840. leaving no off- spring. September 5, 1842, Mr. Lyons married for a second wife Mrs. Mary Jennings, nce Miss Mary Davis. She was born in Penn- sylvania, April 20, 1818, and is the daughter of Thomas and Nancy Davis. By her first marriage she became the mother of three chil- dren, and by her second marriage the mother of William F. M., who is deceased, and is represented by these offsprings: Joseph, Inda Jane, and John W., and Robert Andrew, deceased, Jane Elizabeth, deceased, Thomas Edward, Richard Abram, Robert H., deceased, and John W.
JOHN MILLER was born in Johnson County, Ind., April S, IS.40, and is the son of Abraham and Catherine ( Lorts) Miller. Abraham Miller was born in Scott County, Va., February 13, 1805, and died in this county December 4, 1887. Ile was the son of John Miller, who was a native of Germany, and early emigrated to Virginia.
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He was the father of the following children: Jacob, Isaac, Adam, Abraham, David, Philip, Daniel, John, Elizabeth, Mary and Sarah. Abraham was reared in Scott County, Va. On reaching his majority, he went to Blount County, East Tennessee, and here he was married July 15, 1827, wedding Annie Catharine Lorts, a na- tive of Blount County, Tenn., born February 3, ISIO, who was of German lineage. Immediately after the above marriage was con- summated, Mr. and Mrs. Miller set out for the west, and March 15, 1828, located in the vicinity of Columbus, Bartholomew County, Ind. Shorty afterward he repaired to Shelby County, where he remained but one year; and in 1834, removed to Johnson County, and continued in this county up to his death. By profession, Abraham Miller was a minister of the Gospel, in the Evangelical Lutheran Church, of the Indiana Synod. He began the preaching of the Gospel at the age of eighteen years. August IS, 1835, he was ordained as a minister proper of his church, and until the year 1864, he continued to be active in his chosen profession, and at this date, June 12, 1864, his wife was called away in death, and his domestic relations so materially changed, he suspended his pro- fession, and the remainder of his life was spent somewhat in re- serve, preaching only occasionally. In early life, previous to be- ing ordained to the ministry, he taught school. By occupation he was a farmer, in which he was practical and successful. He was an early settler of Johnson County, and as the county at the time of his coming was but little developed, he may be termed one of its pioneers. He lived in the county for a period of fifty-three years, and this state, sixty years. He was well-known and uni- versally respected by all. His marriage with Catherine Lorts re- sulted in the birth of the following children: Elizabeth, David H., Emmaline, Mary B., Martin L., John, William, Abraham and An- nie C. John was reared on a farm, and received a common school education, and was attending school when the Civil War broke out. He left school, and July 28, 1861, enlisted in Company E, Twenty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, as a private. In this company Mr. Miller served for a term of three years, and in 1864 was discharged, but immediately re-enlisted as a vet- eran of the same company. In February, 1866, he was discharged as second lieutenant. Among the engagements in which he partic- ipated, were: siege of Vicksburg, Port Hudson, siege of Mobile, and other engagements in the opening of the Mississippi River. After the closing of the war he returned to his native county, and, April 12, 1866, was united in marriage with Theresa C. Reynolds, daughter of Berrien Reynolds, whose life sketch appears else- where. Mrs. Miller was born in Johnson County, Ind., October 2,
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I847. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Miller located in Tipton County, Ind., and there continued for five years, and then returned to Johnson County, and has since been actively engaged in farm- ing. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a member of the G. A. R. lodge at Waverly.
DANIEL PADDOCK, who is now a citizen of Marion County, was formerly a citizen of Johnson County, Ind., where he lived nearly forty years. Ile was born in Preble County, Ohio, De- cember 29, 1825, and is the son of Ebenezer and Susanna (Swain) Paddock. The father was born in Kentucky in 1801, and was the son of Henry Paddock, a native of Virginia, born in 1775, who immigrated to Kentucky in an early day, and later immigrated to, and settled near, Vincennes, Ind. In 1838, our subject's father and family came to Johnson County and bought land, remaining until IS41, and then went back to Ohio, where he had previously lived. Mr. Paddock is of English origin, his ancestors being early immigrants from England. His father died in Ohio in the year 1887. The mother of our subject was of Pennsylvania and Massachusetts origin, perhaps; she was born in Ohio. She was the mother of seven children, four girls and three boys. When our subject was in his twentieth year he came to Johnson County, and lived here until 1887, when he located in Marion County. He has followed farming and stock-raising, and commenced with 170 acres, worth about $2,000, and at one time owned over 1,300 acres of land, and was the most extensive cattle raiser is Johnson County. In 1848, he married Nancy C. Denny, who was born in Ohio in 1828, and died in Johnson County in IS7S. The children were as follows: Susanna, deceased, Thomas, Alice and Martha. In IS82, he mar- ried for a second wife, Melsena Orme. Mr. Paddack has been a member of the Christian Church since I854; he is a democrat.
THOMAS PADDOCK, a farmer and stock-raiser, resides in White River Township, and was born in that township September 25, 1855. lle is the son of Daniel Paddock, whose life sketch appears elsewhere. He was reared on a farm and received a fair educa- tion in the country schools. His work of youth was farming, and he has followed it as an occupation. December 19, 1877, he wedded Pink Hinkson, daughter of Hesekiah and Rebecca ( Wood- field) Hinkson. Mrs. Paddock was born in Marion County, Ind., February 10, 1860. Mr. and Mrs. Paddock are members of the Christian Church at Mt. Pleasant. In politics, he is a democrat. He owns a farm of 500 acres, lying in Morgan and Johnson counties.
MILTON PADDOCK, a young and progressive farmer and citizen of White River Township, was born March 10, 1860, and is the
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son of John and Elizabeth Ann (Cox) Paddock. The father was born in Preble County, Ohio, August 1, 1823, and was the son of Elijah and Ruth Paddock, unto whom were born six children, namely: Louis, Mary, John, Myram, Sarah and Anderson. John Paddock came to Indiana in 1845, and settled in Morgan County. January 26, 1846, he was married unto Jane Burns, a native of Marion County, and who continued to be his companion till 1858, when she was called away by death. February 10, 1859, he married for a second wife, Elizabeth, Ann Cox, daughter of Paul and Mary (Matthews) Cox. He was a native of Penn- sylvania, and she of Carolina, and both came to Indiana in early life, and were married in this state. Elizabeth Ann, the mother of our subject, was born in Morgan County, Ind., October 8, 1836. Three children : Milton, Mary and Frank, were born unto John and Elizabeth Ann Paddock's marriage. Their parents set- tled in this county, immediately after their marriage, and the father's death occurred here January 23, 1876. The mother resides in Mar- ion County. Her son, the subject of this sketch, was but a small boy when his father died, but his mother continued to live on the homestead, where Milton was reared. His early education was re- ceived in the common schools, and was finished by a two terms' course in the normal school of Danville, Ind. September 3, IS82, he married Lula Bell, the daughter of Josiah and Margaret Bell. She was born in Adams County, Ill., February 29, 1864. Unto the above marriage have been born two children, John and Evert. Af- ter Mr. Paddock's marriage he settled down in life and began agri- cultural pursuits, in which he has been actively engaged. He and wife are members of the Christian Church.
BERRIEN REYNOLDS was a pioneer of Johnson County, to which he came about 1830. He was born in Monmouth County, N. J., March 13, 1807, and died October 7, 1887, in Texas, while visiting a daughter. He was of English origin, and came to Franklin County, Ind., in an early day. In that county, in 1826, he was united in marriage with Catherine Halsey, who was born in Wythe County, Va., February 13, 1807. Our subject and his wife con- tinued in Franklin County, till about 1830, and then located in this county, where they made their homes until they were called away in death. Both lived to be aged. She was called away Septem- ber 30, ISSO. Their marriage was blessed by the birth of the fol- lowing children: Mary A., Ceena II., Caroline L., Carson L., Austin B., James M., Theresa C., and Louisa M. Our subject was a farmer by occreation, and was a progressive citizen. He and his wife were ers of the Methodist Church, and were members of the first _ass of the Salem Church, where he was the
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first class leader. He continued throughout life, to be a zealous worker in the church. During life he held several positions of honor and trust. He was among the early representatives of Johnson County, in the state legislature. He lived a long and useful life, and was called away in his eighty-first year. Five of his children are left as his representatives.
ISAAC HENRY RHOADES, a farmer and citizen of White River Township, was born in Kentucky, on the 26th of June, 1829, and is the son of Samuel E. and Susan (Wishard) Rhoades. The father was born in Maryland, May 18, 1786, and in an early day emigrated to Kentucky, where he married Susan Wishard, a na- tive of Kentucky, born in 1803. Their marriage was blessed by these children: William, Elizabeth, Elisha, Isaac II., Enos, Mar- garet and John. Their parents came to Johnson County in 1835, and settled in White River Township, and here both died, the father dying October 3, 1848, and the mother November 11, 1876. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and received a limited education in the common schools. He has "followed the plough " for an occupation. He remained under the parental roof till he was twenty-three or four years of age, and then began the battle of life for himself, with no capital other than willing hands. At that time he went to Illinois and remained about eighteen years, following farming and trading in cattle. In 1876 he returned to Johnson County, and purchased the farm he now owns and culti- vates. April 8, 1858, he married Catherine Hawkins, who was born in Indiana, in 1835, and who died in ISSI. Iler marriage re- sulted in the birth of seven children, of whom five are living: Harriet Ann, Mary Belle, Albert Newton, John William and Lillie May.
JOHN W. RUSSELL, the subject of this sketch, is a farmer by oc- cupation, and was born in Mason County, Kv., September 10. 1848, and is the son of Jonathan and Sarah ( Hite) Russell. The father was born in Amherst County. Va., October 11, ISIS, and the mother was a native of Rockbridge County, Va., born in 1816. They were married in 1840. The marriage resulted in the birth of the following children : Nancy E., James A., John W., Samuel II., Elisha and Sarah. The parents came to Indiana in the spring of 1856, and settled in Marion County, and about 1858, came to John- son County. The subject of this sketch has been reared on a farm, and educated in the country schools. He is a carpenter by trade, which occupation he has followed more or less throughout life. He has also been engaged in farming. Ilis fathe has followed farm- ing for an occupation, and now lives with bject, who began life with no capital other then willing hands. Wile now owns and
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