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 19
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
PERSONAL SKETCH OF ELIZABETH HOL- LINGSWORTH.
MRS. H. deserves special notice in this work. She was the wife of Elias Hollingsworth, who came to the county about the year 1820. She was an exemplary woman in every respect, of strong character and a devoted Metho- dist. Her house was the home of the itinerent preacher. She was the mother of the second white child born in the county. She was the first to organize a Sabbath school in Lafayette township, to which she removed from Fall Creek township. She was known far and wide as a midwife and attended more births, perhaps, than any other woman in the county. What a contrast with women of to-day ! After attending to her domestic duties and perhaps assisting in the clearing, she would ride ten or fifteen miles at night on horseback over what were then called roads, but would hardly pass for such at the present day. It took courage and determination to undergo what Mrs. H. did, and it is
254
HISTORY OF
well such women found their way to the frontier. They were needed ; they came; filled their day of usefulness and passed away. We admire the courage that prompted them to accompany the sterner sex to fields of adventure. The name of Mrs. H. must necessarily be associated with the early history of the county, nor would we exclude her name from this little book, but regret that we are not more capable of giving her name a more worthy and extended notice. Mrs. II. died in 1853 and was buried in Richland township.
PERSONAL SKETCH OF SAMUML D. IRISH.
MR. IRISH came with his father to the county when a young man, and became associated with him in the milling business, and afterwards in the woolen factory, in which business he continued nearly up to the time of his death ; he came into possession of the Falls property, which he improved from time to time until it became very valuable. He was a public spirited man, and was ever ready to supply the wants of the people ; especially was he good to the poor. He was kind and generous in his nature free and open- hearted, and would not stoop to a low and mean action. He was a devoted Mason, and a charter member of Madison Lodge No. 44, and for many years its presiding officer ; he had also taken a number of higher degrees in this order. He was the son of James Irish, who will be remembered by many. Mr. Irish raised a large family, among whom are Virgil, Volney, Mrs. John Snelson, William, Oliver and Ira, and perhaps others, whom I am unable to call to mind. Mr. Irish lost his first wife many years ago, when he mar- ried Mrs. Reed, who still survives, and lives in Pendleton. Mr. Irish acted with the Whigs until 1856, when he attached himself to the Republican party. He was a strong war man, and, I believe lost one of his sons in the army. He
255
MADISON COUNTY.
lived to see the rebellion crushed, and peace restored, when, weary of life, he laid down his staff, highly respected by all. Mr. Irish was about five feet and eight inches in hight, of a dark complexion, with dark hair and eyes, and was a Universalist in faith ; his age was fifty-eight.
PERSONAL SKETCH OF ANDREW BRAY.
MR. B. was born in North Carolina in 1804; removed to Ohio with his parents in 1813, and from there to Madison county in 1828. He was a very poor man, but with strong hands and willing mind to grow up with the country. He raised a crop and then returned to Ohio for a helpmate for life who lived until 1858. Mr. B. married again in 1859. His widow now lives on the old homestead. He filled the office of justice of the peace for thirteen years and resigned only a short time before his third term expired. He owned at one time one of the finest bodies of land in the township. It consisted of seven hundred and forty acres. It lies on Fall creek, a mile and a half east of New Columbus. Upon this farm, in 1856, he erected a two story brick house which cost $1,800. It was at that time considered one of the finest houses in the county. He united with the Christian Church in 1849 and became a zealous and influ- ential member. He was an active Republican and a friend to the soldiers who went ont in the late war. At a sani- tary meeting held at Anderson in 1863 he gave more than any other man in that cause. Mr. B. died in March, 1865, in the sixty-first year of his age. His funeral was preached by Elder L. H. Jemison and was largely attended by friends and relatives. He was buried at Tucker graveyard on Sly Fork in Adams township. He is the father of Francis M. and Archibald Bray, both of the above town- ship.
256
HISTORY OF
ANDREW JACKSON.
THE subject of this sketch was born in Clearmont county, Ohio, in 1801; came to Madison county in 1828; was elected soon after as sheriff, and in 1833, as treasurer ; was elected clerk in 1837, and as senator from Madison and. Hancock counties in 1844, having in this last case Thomas D. Walpole for an opponant; went to California, remain- ing there three years, when he was taken sick and returned. He was again elected to the senate, over John H. Cook. He was, as the reader will notice one of the most popular men in the country, taking an active part in the Bellefoun- taine railroad and among the first to advocate its charter in the senate. Mr. Jackson has been largely engaged in the milling business at Pendleton, Anderson, and Perkinsville, and introduced the first pair of French burrs in the county. He built a grist mill one mile above Anderson which is now in operation, owned by his son David Jackson. He was agent for a Mr. Fletcher, the owner of a large track of land adjoining Anderson, and laid off what is known as Jackson's addition. Mr. J. was also engaged largely in the mercantile business, having three stores at one time in the county, losing a considerable of his property while so engaged. He has taken a great interest in agricultural pur- suits being the first to introduce improved implements. He has a fine garden one-half mile southwest of Anderson, raising in large quantities the rheubarb plant for sale and for the manufacture of wine. Though he has lost consider- able of his property he still has land enough to cultivate, which he does with his own hands. He is now acting as justice of the peace. He laid out a number of lots in the south part of Anderson, and it is known as Jackson's addition.
PERSONAL SKETCH OF PHILIP KELLER.
MR. K. was born in Shenandoah county, Va .; came to this county in 1836, and settled northeast of New Colum-
257
MADISON COUNTY.
bus. Perhaps Mr. K. has been the second oldest man in the county, being, at his death, in his ninety-ninth year. He was the largest landholder in the county, and owned at one time twenty-two hunderd acres of choice land, worth to-day $150,000. He is the father of ten children, six of whom are living, among whom are Henry, of Adams, and Philip, of Fall Creek township. In politics, Mr. Kellar is Whig; in religion, a Presbyterian. He died at his son Henry's in 1870, and is buried at the cemetery just east of New Columbus. A few years previous to his death he was unable to go about. How few reach his advanced age. But one in the county has lived longer than Mr. Kellar; this was Mr. Maynard, who will be noticed in another place.
PERSONAL SKETCH OF J. B. LEWIS.
MR. LEWIS was born in Chester county, Pa., in 1830. He came to this county with his parents in 1832, and settled two and one-half miles east of Pendleton, where he has resided ever since, excepting two years when he lived in Wabash county. Mr. L. ran for the legislature in 1860 against John Hays, and was only defeated by one hundred and eighty-six votes, showing his great popularity, as the county was then four hundred Democratic. Mr. L. was school examiner for the county two years; has served as township trustee for Fall creek five years, and is trustee at the present time. Mr. L. is regarded as an exceptional officer ; everything in his township is in good working order. Having taught school himself he is very popular among the teachers of Fall creek, and there is no use of any one running against him for the office. Mr. L. has, with one exception, acted with the Republican party, and is thor- oughly posted on political matters. He is a son of John J. Lewis and brother of Albert Lewis, of Markleville. Since the above was written, Mr. Lewis has received the nomina-
17
258
HISTORY OF
tion for county auditor from the Grange convention of June 6, 1874, and from the People's convention of August 20.
SKETCH OF MOSES MAYNARD, THE OLDEST MAN IN THE COUNTY.
IT would be strange indeed if we did not in some way notice Moses Maynard who lived to the astonishing age of 107 years and who without doubt was the oldest man in the county, if not in the State. Mr. M. was born in North Carolina, and had been a citizen of this county about forty years most of which time was spent in Monroe township. While traveling over the county in May, I called to see Mr. Maynard to gather some facts in regard to his life, age, etc. Alas, however, to late !! He was then upon his death bed and did not live but a few days. We obtained however from his daughter-in-law the facts which are sub- stantialy the same as will be found in the subjoined obituary notice taken from the Herald shortly after his death. It seems that Mr. M. enjoyed uninterrupted good health and went to Alexandria to deposit his ballot as late as 1873, which he never failed to do, having voted for all the Pres- ident excepting perhaps George Washington. His last ill- ness was not attended with much suffering, but like a " clock tired of beating time the wheels at last stood still." Below will be found an article on the death of Mr. M. taken from the Anderson Herald.
DEATII OF THE OLDEST RESIDENT.
A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE OF MOSES MAYNARD.
WESLEY CHAPEL, June 22, 1874.
To the Editor of the Herald :
I give you a brief history of the life and death of the oldest inhabitant in Madison county.
259
MADISON COUNTY.
Mr. Moses Maynard was born in Orange county, North Carolina, October 18th, 1767. He was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Greenstreke, in the year 1788. In 1790, he removed to Kentucky where he raised a family of eleven children. Seven of whom, with their father and mother, removed to Madison county, Indiana, in the year 1834.
Mr. Maynard was among the first settlers in this neigh- borhood, on Little Kilbuck. He first settled on the farm now owned by Mckeown and Pugh, where he resided for two or three years, when he removed to the place where he ended his earthly pilgrimage.
His wife died twenty-seven years ago, since which up to the time of his death he has lived with his son Barnabas Maynard.
Mr. Maynard was first a member of the Methodist church and then of the Baptist church, in Kentucky, and after his removal to Indiana, he spent the last thirty-seven years of his life in the regular Baptist church.
He esteemed and loved his neighbors and friends very much. He was very industrious. Often have we seen him in the harvest field, aiding in taking care of the golden grain after he had passed the age of ninety.
For the past year his health has been rapidly declining. His last sickness came suddenly and severely, and was of long duration, considering his age and feebleness. He was taken sick on the 29th of May, and died on the 18th of the present month. His sufferings were very great. He retained his senses to the last, and when the final hour came, he passed away calmly and peacefully to that bourne from which no traveler ever returns. So ended the days of the oldest resident of Madison county.
PERSONAL SKETCH OF GEORGE MOORE.
MR. MOORE was born in North Carolina, in 1774; came to the county in 1836 and located in what is now Van
260
HISTORY OF
Buren township. He helped to organize the township and proposed the name, being at the time a devoted Van Buren man. Mr. Moore, in his boyhood, was often with Daniel Boone, of Kentucky, his father being often with Boone in his hunting exploits. Mr. M. was a hardy pioneer and the frontier life was his delight. He came to his township when it was quite new and was one of its earliest settlers. He served as its first trustee. He died in April, 1871, aged ninety-seven years, and excepting two was the oldest man in the county. He was buried at the cemetery one mile and a half north of Summitville. Mr. Moore is the father of Aquilla Moore, who was born in North Carolina in 1819; came with his father to the county in 1836 and has lived in Van Buren township ever since. Aquilla Moore has been engaged in the mercantile business at Sum- mitville where he is also postmaster. He voted the first Free Soil ticket ever cast in Van Buren township, but has lived to see near two hundred vote with him.
PERSONAL SKETCH OF JUDGE W. H. MERSHON.
MR. M. was born in Middlesex county, N. J. He moved to Dayton, Ohio, in 1832. He was largely engaged in the fur trade for Preston Ewing, visiting the outposts of the West for that firm. He soon after removed to Pendleton, Ind. He was a charter member of Madison Lodge, No. 44, of Free and Accepted Masons. In 1842 he was elected probate judge. He served seven years with credit to him- self and to the bench. In 1840 he was district deputy mar- shal and superintended the taking of the census over a large district. In 1851 Mr. M. removed to Anderson, and con- tinuea to live there up to the time of his death, April, 1874. He was at the time acting as justice of the peace. His wife died in 1864. They are buried at Anderson cemetery.
261
MADISON COUNTY.
Among their children are John D. and William Mershon, and Mrs. William R. Myers, all of Anderson. Mr. M's. connection with the county was such as will endear him to the people for many years to come. He was one of the few men who stood by and protected Frederick Douglass, during the mob at Pendleton.
Politically he was a Democrat of the Jeffersonian school. In manners he was highly accomplished, agreeable and affable. He was a good fireside companion. In person he was under the medium size.
PERSONAL SKETCH OF JOHN MARKLE, SEN.
Mr. MARKLE was born in the State of New York in 1793; came to Madison county in the year 1830, and located a mile and a half northeast of Huntsville ; he remained there two years, and removed to where Markleville now stands, building the first house in the town, where he continued to live up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1866. He was a very peculiar man ; stictly honest ; his word was as good as his note ; an ultra Democrat, never having voted for but one Whig, and that was General Harrison. He was a man of strong mind and will, though he had but little education. He was a great reader, and had the Constitution of the United States by heart. His religion was of the broadest type, believing in the salvation of the whole human family. He was the first postmaster in Markleville, being appointed in 1860. The business was done by Sam- uel Harden, who was soon after appointed in his place. The first time I ever saw Mr. Markle, was at an Old Set- tlers' meeting, near Pendleton, in 1858 ; he was upon the stand telling how a man was killed in 1831 on the prarie. Mr. M. was a man who, if once seen, was always known; of peculiar make-low, heavy set, and thick, short neck: He was kind to a friend, but hard on an enemy. He is
1
262
HISTORY OF
buried at McCallister's graveyard on Lick creek, in Adams township.
PERSONAL SKETCH OF THOMAS McCAL- LISTER.
MR. MCCALLISTER was born in Mason county, Virginia, in 1796 ; came to Madison county in 1830; settled on his farm five miles east of Pendleton and two miles northwest of Markleville. He resided there until his death which occurred in 1853. Aged fifty-seven years. Mr. McCallis- ter stood high among his fellow citizens, representing them in the legislature for a period of eleven years, being first elected in 1842. He was also elected to the State senate but died before that body convened. He headed a band who went to demand the release of Peter Runnels and others who were in jail at Anderson for mobbing Fred. Douglass, at Pendleton, a full account of which will be given in another part of this book. It was through the influence of Mr. McCallister and Mr. Berry that these men were dissuaded from any violence in the matter, indicating that he had great influence over his fellow man.
His religious notions were of the broadest type, embrac- ing the salvation of the whole human family. He was a staunch Democrat and as such was elected to the offices referred to above. Mr. McCallister raised a large family, the members of which are considerably scattered, the widow having removed to Illinois in 1868. He was a brother to John, William and Garrett, and father of J. W. McCallis- ter, present candidate for sheriff.
The names of McCallister and Bell are closely connected; both representing the county ; both tall, muscular men, but differing in politics. They were pitted against each other for the State senate on the temperance question. Mr. McCallister being on the anti-temperance ticket. He was
263
MADISON COUNTY.
elected by a majority of two hundred and fifty over Mr. Bell. Mr. McCallister has a monument erected to mark his resting place occupying the highest point in the ceme- tery, holding in death, as in life a prominent place. He is buried on his farm and in the cemetery bearing his name, on the bank of Lick creek in Adams township.
THE MCCALLISTER FAMILY.
AMONG the more prominent families in the county, is the one that heads this article. They came from Virginia in an early day, and located in the southern part of this county. The family has become numerous, and their representatives may be found now in all parts of the county and numerous other places. The older set consisted of four brothers, John, Garrett, Thomas and William, all of whom raised families of considerable size. They, in turn, followed the example of their parents, complying with the ancient command, "thou shalt multiply and replenish the earth," and the result is, one has to be better posted on their geneaology than I am to give anything like a full history of this family. I will, therefore, content myself with noticing a few only, who have been more or less connected with the public. If I should overlook any, it will be attributed, I hope, to a want of a better knowledge of the family rather than to any inter- est in not recording what may seem an oversight. The first we will notice is John, who located in the southern part of Fall Creek township, and owned a fine farm there. He was at one time county commissioner, and served acceptably. He moved to Anderson, and died there in 1858. Among his children, we will notice James, of Lafayette township, Mrs. John Hunt, of Spiceland, Augustus C., of Anderson, and John, whose locality is unknown. Secondly, we will notice Garrett, who settled one mile west of New Colum- bus, on the north side of the road leading to Pendleton.
Họ vào a low, heavy si man, cz đạt complexion, He died
A fell
2. W .. Garryst. Martin, Ročest, Mas.
4
He removed to Colambas
Among his children we fod Garmeet, was
Brugeres of James P. Leisk. Gaszert Bed om way between Pendleton and Marklevinle wn 1860 Jobs. described, in the
.The old sen that is.
Thomas
all dead with the in Illinois. The
pass Seving
The mal resting
Thomas s: MoCsllistes New Columbus, each by
with the exception of' Thomass .
SKETCH OF THE MAKEPEACE FAMILY.
Tais family came from Massachusetts. The older ser consisted of Alford, Alles, George. Bradley, Ransom, Eliz- abeth. Hayden. Lors and Amass, jr. Their Esther Amass
285
MADISON COUNTY.
Makepesos, w., settled at Clestenfeld about the year 1500. He built a mill there, and at once became among the most prominent men of that locality. He was justice of the peace in 1890. He died a number of years ago, and wa: buried at the cemetery west of Chesterfield. The most prominent among thie family wa: Allen. He was che Erer merchant in Chesterfield, and continued in bmeinen there for a number of veam. He was very emocesifal ic bmai- ness, and at the tique of his death was the wealthles? masz in the county. He was associated with the back at An ler- son, and at one time owned two thousand acres of land About 1850, be built a fine brick house in Chenersaid. where Lis widow still reside .. Allen is the father of Quincy Makepeace and Mrs. John E. Corwin, of Anderson. Mr. A. died in Michigan in 1872, where he had gone to recruit his health. His remains were brought home and interred in Chesterfield centerery. In person Mr. M. wa: about five feet and eight inches in hight, of fair complexion. fine looking, and polisked in his manner :. He a, somme- what noted for his integrity and close application to busz- ness, which were the wire avenues to his success. He was at the time of his death about sixty-six years of age.
The next we will notice i. Alford, who located at Ander- son, and who was closely associated with its history. He was one of its first merchants. and built the U. S. Hotel in 1852, which was at that time an ornament to the town. He at one time possessed a large amount of property, but. on account of the fickleness of fortune, became dispos- sessed of it to a great extent. He is the father of Allen. jr., Horace, A. I. Makepeace, Mrs. William Maves, Esty and Charles. In person Mr. A. was large and of heavy, square make. He died in 1873, and was buried at Anderson cem- tery. George was also engaged in merchandize a: Chester- field at an early day, and built the large brick business house there in 1850. As to his family we are not advised. Bradley is living in Anderson. Amasa, the youngest, is liv- ing in Chesterfield. He owns the mill built by his father in early times. This closes the history of this pioneer fam-
1 ١
266
HISTORY OF
ily as far as we are able to give it. One of the mem- bers having promised a full sketch, and having failed, for reasons, unknown, we have, hastily, before going to press, gathered the above incomplete sketch, which we are somewhat loth to publish concerning a family so associ- ated with early history, and so deserving of more extended notice.
WILLIAM PRIGG, SENIOR.
MR. PRIGG was born in Maryland in 1790; came to Dayton, Ohio, 1829 ; kept a half-way house between Dayton and Eaton; came to Madison county in 1835; settling on his farm on the south side of Fall Creek in Adams town- ship near the Henry county line, where he has resided ever since. He was soon afterward elected associate judge, served seven years without missing a day when court was in session.
The presiding judge at that time was W. W. Wick; the other associate judge was William Miller.
Mr. Prigg has always occupied a high place among his fellow citizens ; served with credit on the bench. He is and always was a Universalist and is well able to defend the doctrine. He is in every way a worthy man. Since the death of the old Whig party he has acted with the Republicans. He was a strong war man desiring the suc- cess of the boys in blue ; Mr. Prigg lost his wife in July, 1871; age 77 years. In 1872, he visited Maryland, the place of his birth in company with Isaac Franklin and Dr. JOWeeks. He is eighty-four years of age; is somewhat bald, but strong in mind for one of his age. He is one of the links connecting the past with the present. In person Mr. P. is tall over six feet in hight, high forehead, promi- nent nose, and altogether a man of strong character and has been a man of mark in the county.
267
MADISON COUNTY.
He lives with his son William on the old homestead which overlooks Fall creek and the borders of Henry county.
PERSONAL SKETCH OF HENRY PLUMMER.
MR. P. was born in Randolph county, N. C., in 1806 ; came to Wayne county, Indiana, in 1809; to Rush county in 1823; and to Madison county in 1836 ; he has lived here ever since. Mr. P. was county commissioner in 1841, and served as trustee of Pipe Creek township four years ; he served as township assessor for several years ; he received the nomination for county commissioner at the Democratic convention, April 5th, 1874, and was elected over his com- petitor, J. H. Hall, at the following October election, by a majority of forty-four. Mr. Plummer is a prominent mem- ber and exhorter in the Christian Church. He is regarded as a number one man, plain and unassuming in his man- ners, and a Christian gentleman. He resides two miles north of Frankton, where he owns a fine farm. The writer first met him while gathering material for this work, when he tarried over night with him and received the hospitali- ties of his family.
PERSONAL SKETCH OF ROBERT E. POIN- DEXTER.
MR. POINDEXTER was born in Mason county, Virginia, in 1825; came to Madison county in 1837, and has resided here ever since. He lived seven years in Pendleton, work- ing at the carpenter trade, and then removed to his farm, four miles east of Pendleton, where he lived several years.
268
HISTORY OF
In March, 1865, he moved to Columbus and engaged in the mercantile business for five years. Mr. P. was elected justice of the peace and served four years from April 1864. He ran in primary convention in 1872 for real estate appraiser but was defeated by David Festler, by a few votes. He has served as president of the Anderson and New Columbus Short Line turnpike.
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.