USA > Indiana > Madison County > History of Madison County, Indiana, from 1820 to 1874 : giving a general review of principal events, statistical and historical items, derived from official sources > Part 18
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tant. He has always been a strong temperance man, and was one of the leaders of the Good Templars Society at New Columbus. He was an Old Line Whig until that party ceased to exist, since which time he has been acting with the Republican party. He was a strong war man and gave two of his sons to defend the old flag. One fell in battle, the other returned home and is now on the farm. They both will be noticed in the proper place. I took dinner with Mr. G. to-day. He and his wife dwelt at length on early times, and I am indebted to them for valuable infor- mation. Mr. G. is in his sixty-seventh year.
PERSONAL SKETCH OF JOHN O. HARDESTY.
MR. H. was born in Indianapolis in 1843; removed to Anderson in 1868 and commenced the publication of the Anderson Herald, in which capacity he continued till 1873, when he retired, and started the Indianapolis Sun in Sep- tember of the same year, editing that paper for a period of eleven months. As editor of this and the Anderson Herald he won for himself a high reputation as editor and writer. He was elected on the Republican ticket over N. R. Elliott to the Legislature in 1872, as joint representa- tive from the counties of Madison and Henry, serv- ing with creditable distinction as chairman of the com- mittee on the affairs of the State Prison. On the breaking out of the rebellion he entered the army in the 34th Regt. Ind. Vols. as private, in 1861; was promoted to the captaincy of Company H, serving to the close of the war. On becoming editor of the Sun he became a citizen of Indianapolis again, where he now resides. During his five year's residence in Madison county he made many warm friends, both politically and socially ; was an active Repub- lican, and did much to reduce the Democratic majorities. His paper, the Herald, received, during the time that he was
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editer, the name of Red Hot, which name it has steadily .. kept ever since. It was read alike by both Democrats and Republicans, and was respected for its fearless advocacy of what he thought was right. In personal appearance Mr. H. is rather under the medium size, fair complexion, light, hair.
PERSONAL SKETCH OF JOHN HAYES.
MR. HAYES was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, in February, 1828; came to Wayne county in 1837, and came with his parents to Madison county, in 1839, locat- ing four miles east of Pendleton where he lived and died. He was elected to the legislature in 1860. His opponent was J. B. Lewis, who was also born in Chester county, Pennsylvania. They lived near each other here, and were of the same age. The contest was close. Mr. H., however, was elected by a majority of one hundred and sixty-eight ; served one term. He was a young man of promise. He fell, however, like many others, a victim to the cup. He served as Master of Ovid Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, for two years and was secretary of the same at the time of his death.
He was a very good speaker for a man of his age, and at one time one of the most popular young men in the Demo- cratic party in the southern part of the county. Here I would gladly close this sketch, but a further duty devolves upon me and I will give it in part that the young men who read this may shun the bowl which doubtless was his ruin. Mr. H. had been under the influence of liquor and in this state perished near his own house on the night of February 4, 1863. The author had been with him up to the hour of twelve that night at Ovid Lodge, little thinking he would be summoned so soon to attend his funeral. He left a wife and child to lament his untimely fall; although the circum-
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stances attending his death were gloomy, causing intense grief to his wife and aged mother, he went to the grave highly respected by all. In person Mr. H. was tall, of thin visage, with auburn hair, light complected. He was buried by the Masonic order, of which he was a member, at the Gilmore graveyard, east of new Columbus.
PERSONAL SKETCH OF NEAL HARDY, OF FALL CREEK.
MR. H. WAS born in Philadelphia in the year 1803 ; came first to Indiana in 1832 ; returned, and came again in 1833. He came the first time all the way on foot; on his arrival the second time he settled on his farm two and a half miles east of Pendleton, where he continued to live up to the time of his death, which occurred November the 16th, 1869. He was engaged for several years in the mercantile business in Pendleton, beginning in 1851. In 1861 he was elected to the office of township trustee, in which capacity he served for a period of eight years, to the entire satisfaction of all. He was the first President, as well as a large stockholder in the Newcastle turnpike, in which enterprise he took a lively interest. In early life he was a Free Soiler, but in later life he acted with the Republican party. He was at Pendleton at the mobbing of Fred. Douglas, and took him under his roof for protection, afterward receiving a letter from Mr. D. thanking him for his unlimited kindness on that occasion. This letter will be published if it can be obtained. Mr. H. was a member of the Odd Fellows' lodge at Pendleton. He was the father of T. F. Hardy, of Mar- kleville, and Morris Hardy, of Fall Creek, and Mrs. Lewis and Mrs. Boston, of Markleville. In person Mr. H. was of medium hight, was square and heavy made, good fea- tures, high forehead and dark eyes. He is buried at the Friends' graveyard, two and one-miles east of Pendleton.
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The widow still survives ; she was ever a dutiful wife, and continues to live, worthy of him whose name she bears.
PERSONAL SKETCH OF JAMES HOLLINGS- WORTH.
MR. H. was born in Ohio in 1815; came with his parents to this county in 1820, locating on Fall creek, two miles below Pendleton; remained there until 1828 when he removed to Anderson, thence to Richland township remaining there seven years; returned again to Lafayette township, where he now lives. He at one time owned the Moss Island mill where by flood in 1857 he lost consider- able of property. He also, while living in Richland town- ship, met with the loss of having his house burned. He aided in organizing Lafayette township, where he served several years as justice of the peace and ten years as town- ship trustee. Mr. H. is a Methodist ; has always been a zealous worker, serving as class leader and a strong friend to the Sabbath school in 'hich cause he takes especial delight. Mr. H. has been a long time in the county, has seen Fall creek, Richland and Lafayette, in fact all the county, in a state of nature; is one of the few men who were here as early as 1820. In short, Mr. H. has seen considerable of real life-losing by flood and fire his hard earned recourses. What hardships he has endured ; what changes have taken place within his recollection! He has seen those who were strong and healthful like himself sud- denly stricken down by the hand of death, and from the handful of pioneers with scanty means has seen compara- tively a dense population spring up with abundance upon every hand. He can also appreciate the contrast between the well furnished churches of to-day with their large and well dressed audiences, with the few homely dressed person- ages who were wont to meet at his father's humble cabin.
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Mr. H. is perhaps !the only representative now of this truly pioneer family living in the county. His brother who was the second white child born in the county, has removed to Iowa many years since. His parents, of whom we will speak elsewhere, have been summoned to another world.
PERSONAL SKETCH OF ELI HODSON.
MR. H. Was born in North Carolina in 1805; came to Madison county in 1824, but returned to Ohio soon ; remained there a short time, when he came to Henry county, Indiana, making that his home until 1843, when he again became a permanent citizen of this county ; was elected associate judge in 1846 ; elected county commissioner in 1860. He has been an elder of the Christian Church and one of the staunch members of this Society at White Chapel, where he contributed much of his time and money for the erection of the house and the organization of the Society. Mr. H. was reared a Quaker ; he became a member of the Christian Church when comparatively a young man. When Mr. H. first visited the county, in 1824, he, as a matter of course, found a new and thinly settled country. Illustrative of this, Mr. H. says, he assisted Mr. Thomas Silver, of Pen- dleton, in driving hogs from that place to Newcastle, there being, at that time, nothing but a trail between these two points ; the result was, that when they arrived at Newcastle there was not a "racer" left to tell the story; they were scattered to the right and left, to " multiply and punish the earth." The language here used may seem somewhat obscure to some, but to those who were acquainted with the stock of hogs and the condition of the country at that time, will readily appreci- ate the matter, and only wonder they did not lose them- selves. And here we are reminded that it is only one short step from the sublime to the ridiculous, and vice versa, we
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will return to Mr. H., and say, that he is a worthy man, filling the offices referred to above with much credit. He owns a fine farm on the bluffs of Fall creek, in Adams township, near the Henry county line. In politics he is a Democrat.
PERSONAL SKETCH OF ELIAS HOLLINGS- WORTH.
MR. H. was born in South Carolina in 1793. He was one of the very first settlers of Madison county. He came in the spring of 1820 and located on Fall creek, two and one half miles below Pendleton. He was the first local preacher in the county. He was raised a Quaker and dis- owned by them for marrying outside of the society, after which he joined the Methodist society and became an active and zealous member. Mr. H. was, as the date would indi- cate, a very early settler of the county. He took a great interest in church and school matters, and the first meetings held in the county were held at his house. He was the father of the second white child born in the county. He was the husband of Elizabeth Hollingsworth, spoken of in another part of this book, and the father of James Hollings- worth of Lafayette township. He removed to Missouri in 1844, and died in January, 1846. The name of Hollings- worth is closely associated with the early history of the county, and linked with Richmond, Holliday, Shaul, McCartney, Crossley, Scott, Montgomery and William Williams. Mr. H. was a large man, weighing two hundred and fifteen pounds, and was of fair complexion. He pos- sessed a fine head of hair, which stood on end, and was said to be physically one of the best made men in the country.
PERSONAL SKETCH OF J. R. HOLSTON.
MR. H. was born in Prebel county, Ohio, in 1812. He came to Madison county in 1839 and settled in Richmond
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towhship where he now resides. Mr. H. is a man of decided character, a strong Methodist and has done much to build up that society in his township. He is a strong temperance man and in fact takes decided ground in every- thing that is moral. He is a devoted friend to the Sabbath school cause and was among the first in organizing a school in his township. Mr. Holston takes great interest in the growth and development of the county. He is known throughout the county as a very worthy citizen of unflinching integrity. In person Mr. H. is a large, powerful man, full six feet high and of a fair complexion. He believes in matrimony, we may presume, as he was recently married to his third wife. She is from Wayne county. She is a very estimable lady and hospitably entertains company. Her home is cheerful, just the place to rest a tired soul. Flowers, music, peace and plenty, all combine to make one wish there were more such homes as hers.
PERSONAL SKETCH OF DR. JOHN HUNT.
MR. H. was born in Wayne county, Indiana, January 20th, 1817; moved with his father to near Huntsville in April, 1831, and commenced the practice of medicine, in April, 1839, in connection with Dr. Wyman. He was elected to the State Senate in 1850, from the counties of Madi- son and Hancock ; he was elected to the House of Repre- sentatives from Madison county in 1853, and was elected county treasurer in 1860. He was elected State Senator from the counties of Madison and Grant, receiving fifty three majority over his opponent, M. S. Robinson. By some irregularity his seat was contested in the Senate, and it was awarded to Mr. Robinson, since which time he has retired from the political field with honor. As a physician, Mr. Hunt has had no superior in the county, having been in every nook and corner of the same, administering to the sick and the
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afflicted. In 1872 he became a citizen of Spiceland, Henry county. In 1855 he buried his first wife at Huntsville ; his second wife is the daughter of John McCallister, sen. Mr. H. carried with him the well wishes of the people he had represented and administered to. In person he was of medium size, fair complexion, with light hair and good fea- tures.
PERSONAL SKETCH OF SAMUEL HOLLIDAY.
MR. HOLLIDAY was born in 1780. He came to the county in 1822 and located on Fall creek, four miles southwest of Pendleton. He was elected associate judge soon after his arrival in the county, and was on the bench at the trial of Bridge, Sawyer, and Hudson. He was a citizen of the county seven years when he bought a farm in the edge of Hamilton county, where he died and was buried in 1835. He was married to a Miss Martin, in Kentucky, in 1802. Their union was blessed with eleven children, whose names are as follows: Catherine, William A., Sarah, Martin, John, Alexander, Martha, Adliza, Joseph, Caroline, and Elizabeth, all of whom lived to be men and women. Adliza, who is the only one living, is spoken of in another place. The most prominent members of this family were William A. and Joseph. The former was a Presbyterian minister of some note and died in Indianapolis in 1863. The latter was in the Mexican war and represented Black- ford county in the State Legislature for two terms. Their mother died in the year 1846, and is also buried in Hamil- ton county. Mr. Samuel Holliday was of medium size with black hair, blue eyes, fair complexion, and high cheek bones. He was a member of the Presbyterian church.
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PERSONAL SKETCH OF SAMUEL HENRY.
Samuel Henry was born in Madison county in 1838; was a young man of fine personal appearance, and was highly esteemed. He had chosen the profession of law for his future vocation, and was at Greencastle in this State, finish- ing his education, preparatory to entering into the practice of law. When the war broke out, his noble spirit was fired with just indignation, and, leaving college, he buckled on his armor and joined the 8th Ind. Vols .- three months' service. On expiration of term of service he returned home to Pendleton, but again enlisted as private in the 34th Ind. Regt. Served a while as bookkeeper, orderly sergeant, sec- ond lieutenant, and a short time as captain. On the death of his mother he came home. He then assisted in organiz- ing Company B, 89th Ind. Regt., and went back to the field as first lieutenant, after which .he was promoted to captain of his company, and then to major of the regi- ment. Mr. Henry was highly respected in the field as well as at home. His tragic death was a severe blow to his rel- atives and friends of Madison county. Below we give an account of his death, taken from the Indiana State Journal, written by Col. H. Craven, which will be read with much interest. I am indebted to W. V. Shanklin for it. Mr. Henry's remains were brought to Pendleton for interment, just one month after his death :
GLASGOW, HOWARD COUNTY, Mo., Nov. 6, 1864.
To-day the 89th Indiana is in mourning over the sad intelligence received on yesterday evening, of the cold- blooded murder of Major Samuel Henry, Assistant Surgeon John P. Porter, and Lieutenant and Quartermaster Harles Ashley by guerillas, on the afternoon of November 1st. The circumstances were as follows, as nearly as I can give them, after taking some pains to get particulars : The regi- ment, in company with the other regiments of the first
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brigade, three batteries and a considerable amount of the train belonging to Major-General A. J. Smith's command, passing from Harrisonville, Cass county, via Pleasant Hill, Lone Jack, and a small village called Gruntown, to Lex- ington, Mo., arrived at Lexington on the evening of November 1st. Arriving in camp at dusk, I missed Major Henry, Quartermaster Ashley and Dr. Porter, when I was informed by different persons in the regiment that all three of them had stopped for dinner at Gruntown, and had not been seen with the command subsequently. Time passed off, but the missing did not appear, when various conjectures were made as to the cause of their absence, quite a number concluding that they had gone to some house or hotel for lodging, as our blankets were all wet from the effects of a drenching rain the night before, and that evening was cool and unpleasant. Some expressed their fears that they had been captured by guerrillas.
The next morning we were again on the march, and the ' missing officers not making their appearonce all seemed to concur in the opinion that they had been captured, and seri- ous fears were entertained as to their fate in the hands of a class of men whose cruelties toward prisoners were known to be even worse than that of savages on many occasions ; yet we all entertained some hope that they might be treated as prisoners in civilized warfare, and their lives spared. But on yesterday afternoon the 2d and 3d brigades of our division came up, having been separated from us at Pleas- ant Hill, and having arrived at Lexington by a different route, who brought us the particulars of the melancholly fate and cold blooded murder of our missing fciends, as they had learned them of citizens. They were as follows: As the 89th Indiana passed through Gruntown, preceded by the 58th Illinois and 9th Indiana battery, and followed by the 119th Illinois, two batteries and a long train of wagons, and finally the 21st Missouri volunteers. Dr. Porter rode up to a house, Quartermaster Ashley followed him, and called to the Major, who also left the column and rode up with them to the house, dismounted, went in, and called for
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dinner. The lady of the house informed them that she had already given every thing she had cooked to passing soldiers, and could not accommodate them without cooking. They inquired how long it would take her to prepare them their dinner. She said half an hour or three quarters. They said it would do in three quarters of an hour, or an hour, as they were cold and desired to warm. They remained and she proceeded to prepare dinner.
The rear of the column having arrived about the time or perhaps a little before dinner was ready, she remarked that it was unsafe for them to remain, as there were guerrillas about One of them replied that there was no danger, and they stayed and ate dinner. Finally, the major and quart- ermaster having finished their dinners, remarked to Dr. Porter that they had better be going, as they were getting too far behind the column. The doctor replied that he must have another dish of soup and a drink of buttermilk.
In the meantime, three men dressed in Federal uniform rode up to the house where the officers were dining, and took position by the officers' horses, and so stood with cocked pistols in their hands. The officers were wholly unarmed, except the major, who had his sword and one pistol, whether on his sadle or on his person, I do not know. The major and quartermaster came out, leaving the doctor in the house. As they approached their horses the guerril- las informed them that they were their prisoners, and pre- senting their cocked pistols demanded that the major and quartermaster should hold up their hands, and the latter doing so surrendered. Dr. Porter coming out soon after inquired " What is the matter?" when one of the guerrillas approached him, put a pistol to his head, and told him to surrender. The doctor surrendered, and the officers were then searched for fire arms, mounted on their horses, and rode away in the custody of the guerrillas dressed in our uniform. The officers were taken back some distance on the road we came in on, taken into the woods, shot and robbed. The citizens of the village heard the report of the firearms.
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Shortly after the guerrillas came back to the village, lead- ing all three of the officers' horses. Some of the citizens went to look for the bodies; found Dr. Porter's that night and the Major's and Quartermaster's next morning. The major's and the doctor's bodies lying near each other, and the quartermaster's some distance away. Major Henry was shot in the center of the forehead; Dr. Porter in the back of the head, the ball coming out at the center of the his forehead, his hat being powder burt. The quartermaster was shot twice, once, and supposed to be the first shot, on the right side of the nose, the ball ranging through the palate of the mouth and coming out low down in the back of the head, when it is supposed he fled and was again shot through the back below one shoulder, the ball angling through his body and ranging downward. Their money was taken; how much I do not know. They were strip- ped of under and overcoats and boots, except that Ashley's boots were lelt on him, being light and much worn. The major's sword hung on a bush near to his body, but his pis- tol and sword-belt were taken. The major's pocket book was taken. The doctor's and quartermaster's pocket books were left, but rifled of money. I have in my posession the major's sword, the quartermaster's spur, both of which I recognized on seeing them ; also, the quartermaster's pocket book, with his name in it in his own handwriting, and sev- eral papers. Also, Dr. Porter's pocket book with notes and other papers showing its identity. Their remains had been gathered up, and an old man, a little boy and a young lady had them in an ox wagon, the most common kind of team for that country, and were conveying them to Lexing- ton.
Colonel Wolf, commanding the third brigade, had sent his adjutant forward to Lexington to inquire what orders, if any, were there for him ; when the adjutant, learning the facts, gave the old man directions to leave the bodies at the court house, as he recognized the bodies of the major and doctor Porter. Colonel Wolf also recognized them and Ashley's. Lieutenant B. F. Olden, 117th Illinois volun-
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teers, who was personally well acquainted with all three of them, recognized them and I am informed that he dressed the bodies, and fastened upon their bosoms their names and rank, also their post office address, so far as he could recol- lect them. Colonel Wolf informed me that he ordered their bodies decently interred, in metallic coffins if they could be had, supposing that their friends would wish their bodies removed, and promising captain' Norville, company E. Merrill's horse, in whose care the bodies were left, at Lexington, that his expenses would be refunded to him.
Such are the particulars, somewhat in detail, so far as I know them personally or can find out after diligent inquiry, ยท of the saddest and most melancholly catastrophe that has befallen the regiment since its entry in the service. The indignation of the regiment is deep but quiet, the fruits of which, like bread scattered upon the waters, may be gath- ered many days hence.
PERSONAL SKETCH OF SAMUEL HUSTON, OF ADAMS TOWNSHIP.
MR. H. emigrated from Wayne county, Indiana, in 1834. Settled in Adams township, near the Henry county line, where he continued to live until 1873, when he moved to Middletown where he now resides. He was born in 1792 and is consequently in his 82d year. The first time I saw Mr. H. was in the pulpit exhorting his fellow man to love and good works, which was his greatest theme. He was one of the few men whose daily life corresponded with his teachings. He was all through life a zealous Methodist, serving class leader, exhorter and preacher. His house was the home of the itinerent, and when there were no churches it served as a place of worship. He has always been a sup- port to the church in this township, and the first to move in the organization of a Sabbath school, which he attended
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regularly up to the time he left us. The Sabbath school was his delight, serving as superintendent and teacher for many years.
He worked at his trade, that of laying brick, for several years, but of late has worked on his farm. His partner in life is worthy of special notice. They have now lived together fifty-five years. They are still plodding along .. together through this life of affliction and disappointment, sharing the same grief, supported by the same hope of a blessed immortality, when the silver cord is loosened and the golden bowl is broken. In person Mr. H. is low and heavy made, inclined to baldness, dark skin and dark eyes. He served in his country's defense in the war of 1812, for which service he is entitled and receives from the Govern- ment eight and one-third dollars per month.
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