USA > Indiana > Rush County > History of Rush 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 31
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Isaac Sparks, who sold his skin to my uncle Isaac, and he, after- having it dressed, sent it to his brother, William Arnold, of Waytes Court, England, who prized it highly. And there I saw it again on my visit to the old home in 1841.
ANDERSON TOWNSHIP.
JOSEPH F. ALDRIDGE, farmer and stock dealer, and one of the early settlers of Anderson Township, was born in this county, March 15, IS24, son of John Aldridge, Jr., a native of Ohio, who was born about 1798, and died in this county in 1842. The paternal grandfather of Mr. Aldridge came to Rush County, from Mary- land, and died here as did also the mother. The subject of this sketch is the third in a family of nine children. In 1850, Mr. Aldridge located on his present farm which consists of 276 acres of fine land. For several years he has been engaged in buying and shipping stock. His marriage took place in 1851, to Miss Susan Stines, of this county, born March 10, 1832. They have four chil- dren, viz .: Marshall H., Daily C., Lucinda P. and Ida I. Mr. Al- dridge was formerly a Whig, but is now a staunch Republican. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is an honest, upright citizen and commands the respect of the entire community in which he resides.
JAMES A. BARTON, a native of Bourbon County, Ky., was born April 12, 1823, son of William and Elizabeth (Summers) Barton, and is of English descent. The father of our subject was born in IS00 and died September 13, 1830. His mother was born in 1795 and lived to a good age. The Barton family came to Rush County in 1847, and our subject settled near Milroy, where he remained until 1856, when he removed to his parents' place of residence. Our subject began farming in early life and now owns 138 acres of well improved land in the western part of Anderson Township. Mr. Barton was married in 1851, to Miss Lucinda Amos, who was born in this county, August 8, 1832, and died here August 23, 1874. To the above marriage are these children, viz .: William L., born December 9, 1853; Lura, born July 29, 1855, and Ella I., born July 28, 1857. Politically, Mr. Barton is a Republican, and has been a resident of Anderson Township for more than forty years and is an honored and respected citizen. His son William L., was made a Mason in 1875, and is now W. M., of Milroy Lodge No. 139, F. & A. M. The family is extensively known and respected.
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WILLIAM A. BLAIR, Trustee of Anderson Township, was born in Adams County, Ohio, April 15th, 1832, being the eldest in a family of twelve children, born to William L., and Catharine E. (Steen) Blair, the former a native of Middle Tennessee, born in ISO3, and died in IS70; the latter born in Ohio in ISII, and died in 1877. They were members of the Presbyterian Church and were true Christian people. Our subject received a limited edu- cation and remained under the parental roof until twenty-three years of age, working at the carpenter trade in connection with farming. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company E, Ninety-first Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was in active service until the following winter, when his health failed and he was sent to the hospital at Gallipolis, where he remained five months. He was honorably discharged in October, 1863, and the same year located in Delaware County, Ind., where he engaged in the undertaking business and later, worked in the school furniture factory at Rich- mond, Ind. In June, 1883, he came to Milroy, where he engaged in the hardware business, and has won the respect and confidence of all who know him. Mr. Blair is an ardent Republican, and in 1886, was elected Township Trustee by that party. The marriage of Mr. Blair was solemnized April 12th, 1854, to Miss Mary E. Bloom, a native of Adams County, Ind., and daughter of John and Jane Bloom, natives of Ohio. Mrs. Blair died in 1855, and our subject was again married, Miss Sarah M. Freeman being the bride. Mrs. Blair was a native of Adams County, Ohio, born in 1823, and died in 1878, leaving three daughters, viz .: Dora E., Austa E. and Ora Maud. Mr. Blair married his present wife Jan- uary 27th, 1879, she being Miss Jennie McKee, a native of Adams County, Ohio, born November 15th, 1857. To this union three children were born, viz .: Edith B., Ethel C. and Frank P. Mr. and Mrs. Blair are members of the United Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the G. A. R. Post, No. 456.
THOMAS JEFFERSON BOWLES was born in Harrison County, Ky., November 13, ISII, son of Robert and Mary ( Harris) Bowles, and is of Scotch extraction. His father was born in Scot- land and came to America and settled in Virginia and subsequently moved to Kentucky. He died in Rush County, Ind., when our subject was about nineteen years old. The mother was born in Maryland and died in Kentucky. The subject of this sketch came to Rush County when about seventeen years old, and here has re- sided ever since, excepting seven years he lived in Fulton County. In 1884 he removed to Milroy and there now resides. He owns more than 200 acres of fine, well-improved land. Mr. Bowles and Miss Sarah Ann Jones were married in 1841. They
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were blessed with two children, viz .: Lucinda and Elizabeth. Mrs. Bowles died in February, 1875, and in the following September he was again married, the bride being Miss Mary B. Mull, the daugh- ter of George and Mary Mull. Mr. Bowles is a Democrat and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is an old and highly respected citizen of Rush County.
HON. BARKER BROWN was born in Bourbon County, Ky., De- cember 5th, 1824, son of John and Polly (Searight) Brown, and is of Scotch-German descent. The father of Mr. Brown was born in Mason County, Ky., July 10th, 1792, and died April 7th, 1857, in Rush County, Ind. The subject's mother was born in Bourbon County, Ky., December 25th, ISoo, and now resides in this county, near Milroy. The Brown family came to Rush County in 1825, and settled in Anderson Township. The subject of this sketch was the only child born to his parents. He was reared on the farm and received a good common school education, and at the age of nineteen years he began teaching school, which he continued for three years. In IS48, he commenced farming for himself and has since followed that vocation, and now owns more than 600 acres of land, and also one of the finest residences in Milroy. In Janu- ary, 1887, he removed to Milroy, and in the following April en- gaged in the grain business in partnership with William Root. In politics, he was formerly a Whig, but since 1854, has been an ar- dent Democrat, and manifests an active interest in the affairs of that party. In 1850, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and served four years. In 1862, Mr. Brown was Citizen Wagonmaster of the Sixty-eighth Indiana Volunteers, and was taken pris-
oner near Mumfordsville, Ky. In 1863, he assisted to drive Mor- gan from the state. In 1874, he was elected Joint Representative from the counties of Rush, Decatur and Ripley, by a majority of 750. In ISSo, he was a candidate for re-election, and was defeated, and in ISS2 was again nominated for Representative and a second time defeated by the Republicans. The marriage of Mr. Brown occurred in 1848 to Miss Nancy Farlow, a native of Rush County, who was born October Ist, IS28, daughter of Hiram and Betsey (Townsend) Farlow, natives respectively of North Carolina and Kentucky. To this union four children were born, viz .: George W., Mary A., Elizabeth E. (deceased), and Joseph W. (deceased). Mr. Brown is a Universalist, and is a prominent and highly res- pected citizen. His portrait appears elsewhere in this volume.
ISAAC CRANE, son of William and Sallie (Selby) Crane, was born in Rush County, Ind., November 27th, IS33, and is of En- glish lineage. The parents of our subject were natives of Harrison County, Ky .; the father, born in 1812, died in this county August
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12th, 1884, and the mother, born in 1814, died in Shelby County, March 6th, 1886. The paternal grandfather of Isaac was a soldier in the War of 1812 and died in this county in 1858. The subject of this biography, is the eldest of two children, by his father's first marriage; was raised on the farm and received an ordinary educa- tion. Since the age of twenty years he has farmed for himself, and in 1856, purchased 349 acres of land, and is now the wealthiest man in Anderson Township. He was married October 11th, 1855, to Miss Belinda Camerer, of Rush County, born in June, 1836. To this union five children were born, viz .: Marshall H., William B., George M., Clara and Emma. Mrs. Crane died February 22nd, 1871, and February 24, 1874, he was a second time married, the bride being Miss Sarah Thomas, of Anderson Township, born August, 1840. They are the parents of two children, viz .: Daisy and Claude R. Politically, he is a Democrat and is a liberal, enter- prising and charitable gentleman. His sons, W. B. and George M., are prominent and successful teachers of this county.
JESSE CONN was born in Cass County, Ind., February 12th, 1850, son of George and Helen (Hendee) Conn. The father of our subject was a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1820, and died in Cass County in 1866. His mother, a native of New York, was born in 1832, and came to Indiana at the age of twelve years, and now resides in Cass County. The father of Mr. Conn was among the pioneer settlers of Indiana, and a farmer by occupation. The subject of this sketch was educated at the common schools, and from an early age has followed the vocation of a farmer. In 1871 ยท he came to Rush County, and in 1874 settled on the farm where he now resides, which consists of 112 acres. He was married in 1871 to Miss Mary A. Crane, daughter of W. H. Crane, whose death occurred August 12th, 1884. To this union were born the following children: Elbertie, Walter, Alletha and Stella E. Mr. Conn is a Democrat and cast his first Presidential vote for Horace Greeley. He and wife are members of the Christian Church.
SAMUEL HENRY DAVIS, a leading farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of Fleming County, Ky., born June 3, 1831, the eldest of four children born to Robert and Elizabeth (Henry) Davis, and is of English-Welsh lineage. The parents of our sub- ject were both natives of Fleming County, Ky., the father born September 4, 1799, and died in Rush County, Ind., October II, 188I, and the mother born June 27, 1805, and died July 27, 1853. The paternal grandfather of Mr. Davis was John Davis, a Revolutionary soldier, a chair maker and a wheelwright, who, after his marriage, settled in Bucks County, Pa., and later removed to Fleming County, Ky., where he died about 1813; his wife follow-
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ing him about 1835. Mr. Davis was educated at the common schools, and in 1855, began farming for himself. In 1858, he set- tled on the farm where he now resides and which contains 488 acres. The marriage of Mr. Davis was solemnized, August 9, 1854, to Miss Mary E. Henry, of Fleming County, Ky., born July 23, 1834. They have six children, viz .: James H., Robert S., Eliza- beth R., J'ohn S., Nancy M. and Charlie T. Politically, Mr. Davis is a Republican, and cast his first Presidential vote in 1852. Mrs. Davis is a member of the United Presbyterian Church.
JAMES R. DAVIS is a native of Rush County, Ind., born August 4, 1849, son of Robert and Elizabeth (Henry) Davis, and is the youngest of four children, three of whom are yet living. The subject of this sketch was reared on the farm and was educated at the public schools, and what was then known as Richland Academy in this county. In 1870 he engaged in the tile business in Decatur and continued for three years, when he returned to this county and engaged in farming his brother's farm in Anderson Township. In 1875 he purchased the farm he now owns and which is situated near Milroy. There he continued to reside until 1882, when he removed to Milroy and engaged in the hotel and livery business; the former he continued three years and is yet engaged in the latter. In 1873, Mr. Davis was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Pullen, who died November 1, 1885; and December 7, 1886, he was married to Miss Cora B. Spradling, a native of Franklin County, Ind., born in 1866. Mr. Davis is a Republican, and cast his first Presidential vote for Grant. Mr. and Mrs. Davis are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
WILLIAM DUNCAN was born in Fleming County, Ky., June 28th, 1815, son of Martin and Mary (Henry) Duncan, and is of Scotch-Irish lineage. The father of our subject, was born Octo- ber 17, 1777, in Pennsylvania and died in Decatur County, Ind., in 1857. He was the son of David Duncan, who after coming to America, first settled in Pennsylvania in 1765 and afterward, in 1791 removed to Marion County, Ky., where he died in 1827. The mother of our subject was born in Pennsylvania in 1791 and died in Rush County, Ind., in the spring of 1855 The Duncan family came to Indiana in 1824 and settled in what is now Decatur County. In 1843 the subject of this sketch came to Rush County and located where he now resides. Mr. Duncan owns 160 acres of good land, which was entered by Stephen Sharp in 1821. Our subject's first marriage occurred in May, 1842, the bride being Miss Rosanna Mitchell, a native of Ohio. Mrs. Duncan died in 1865 and in 1867 Mr. Duncan was mar- ried to Miss Martha A. Ruddell, a native of Decatur County,
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born in 1826, daughter of William and Delilah (Cain) Rud- dell. Mr. Duncan was formerly a Whig, but he is now a Re- publican and for many years has been a faithful member of the United Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Duncan is a member of the Methodist Church.
GEORGE BROWN ELSTUN was born near Milroy, December 28th, 1823, son of Eli J. and Anna (Brown) Elstun. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and received a common school education. In 1844 he began teaching school and continued the same until 1847, when he began clerking for Dr. R. Robbins, of Milroy. In 1852 he purchased a general merchandise stock and began business for himself in Milroy. He has been successful, and is one of the most enterprising men the town has ever had. His marriage occurred in 1850, to Miss Priscilla Hill, a native of this county. Mr. Elstun is the father of three children, viz .: Olive A., Horace H. and Marion E. He is a Republican and a member of F. & A. M.
FREEMAN ELSTUN, the gentleman whose name introduces this biography, is a native of Rush County, Ind., born where he now resides, August 3rd, 1828, son of Eli J. Elstun, who was a native of New Jersey, born in 1798 and died in this county in 1872. The mother of our subject, was born in Kentucky, in 1800 and died in this county in 1885. The Elstun family came originally from France and settled in New Jersey, from which place they emi- grated to this state and settled in Rush County about 1820, being among the first settlers in this portion of the county. He was reared on the farm, and attended the early schools of Anderson Township. At the age of twenty-one years he began life for him- self and now owns the old Elstun homestead, which his father entered in 1820, also 142 acres, near Milroy. The marriage of Mr. Elstun was solemnized in 1852, to Miss Lu- cindia E. Lyon, a native of Decatur County, Ind., born in 1833, daughter of John and Margaret Lyon, who came to Indiana about 1822. Mr. and Mrs. Elstun are the parents of the following chil- dren: Melissa A., James F., Ida M., and Minnie L. He is an ar- dent Republican and for more than fifty-eight years has been a resident of Anderson Township. Mr. and Mrs. Elstun are mem- bers of the Christian Church and occupy a high position in the con- fidence and esteem of all with whom they associate.
REUBEN J. FARLOW was born in Orange Township, Rush County, April 15th, 1832; is the son of Hiram and Elizabeth (Townsend) Farlow, and is of English-Irish descent. His father was born in North Carolina, in 1804, and died in this county in Oc- tober, 1865. His mother was born in Kentucky, in 1808, and died
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in this county in 1881. The paternal grandfather was George Farlow, a native of North Carolina, and died in Madison County, Ind. The subject of our sketch was the fourth of twelve children, nine of whom are living. He was raised on a farm and received a common school education. In IS55, he settled where he now lives; he owns 340 acres of well improved land. He was married Au- gust 14, 1855, to Miss Elizabeth C. Gosnell, who was born Octo- ber 27, 1831, the daughter of William and Susan (King) Gosnell. Her father was born in North Carolina, in 1782, and died in Rush County, in 1870. Her mother was born in Virginia, about 1788, and died in Rush County, in IS26. To Mr. and Mrs. Farlow are two children living, Susan, born June 10, 1856, and Richard M., born September 14, 1860. In politics, Mr. Farlow is a Democrat, and cast his first vote for James Buchanan. He began life as a renter, and was such for fifteen years. He is now one of the substan- tial farmers of the township. He and his wife are representatives of the early families of Rush County.
JOSEPH M. FARLOW was born in Orange Township, this county, July 22nd, 1841. Is the son of Hiram and Elizabeth (Townsend) Farlow. He is the ninth of twelve children, nine of whom are living. He was raised on a farm and received a com- mon school education. He began working for himself at the age of twenty-one, and for more than ten years rented land. In 1874 he removed to Anderson Township from Orange, and settled where he now lives. He now owns 126 acres of land. In 1864 he was married to Miss Lucinda Bowles, who was born in Fulton County, Ind., August 12, 1845, daughter of T. J. and Sarah Bowles. To this union have been born six children, viz .: Effie M., born in 1865; James B., born 1866; Sarah E., born 1868; Ruby M., born 1872; Mertie A., born 1882; Eda E., born 1877. Mr. Farlow as a politician is a Democrat. Mr. and Mrs. Farlow are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has made his own way in life, and has been very successful. He is a representative of one of the first families of this county.
JOHN W. FERREE, a native of Clermont County, Ohio, was born August 12th, 1821, son of Moses and Keziah (Medaris) Ferree, and is of French extraction. The father of this gentleman was born in Bracken County, Ky., in 1795, and died in Rush County, Ind., in 1863. The mother of Mr. Ferree was born in North Car- olina in 1801, and died in this county in 1885. They were mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church and were known as zealous Christian people. The family here written of emigrated to Indi- ana from Ohio in 1836, and settled in Rush County, where the subject of this sketch has since resided. Our subject was reared
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on the farm and received such education as the pioneer schools of the county afforded. In 1852, he located on the farm where he now resides, and has continued his agricultural vocation with much success. The marriage of Mr. Ferree occurred September 21st, 1844, to Miss Sallie Winship, who was born in Rush County, Ind., in 1824, a daughter of Jesse Winship, Sr., one of the pioneers of this county. They have three children, viz .: Elizabeth, William F. and John Locke. Mr. Ferree is a Republican of the true type, and in 1876, was elected to fill the office of County Commissioner for the Third District, which position he filled with much credit to himself. He had two brothers in the late war; one was killed at Resaca, and the other was seriously wounded at Columbus, Tenn. Mrs. Ferree is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the family is extensively known and highly respected.
JOSEPH HARTON, one of the leading and most successful far- mers of Rush County, was born in Monroe County, Ind., Feb- ruary 27, 1837. He is the son of Joseph and Margaret (Young) Harton, and is of Irish descent. His father was born in Antrim County, Ireland, in 1790, and died in Rush County, in 1873. The family came to America in 1836, and settled in Monroe County, near Bloomington, Ind., and then removed to Rush County in 1853. Mr. Harton is the younger of two children; he was raised on the farm and received a common school education. He began farming in 1863, on rented land, and settled where he now resides in 1868. He owns 312 acres of very fine and well improved land. He was married in 1863, the bride being Miss Eily Brooks, a na- tive of Dearborn County, Ind., who was born in 1841. To this union were born seven children, viz .: William E., Charles H., Orpher M., Clara, Margaret E., Ida E., and Ollie. Mr. Harton politically is a Republican, and is an honorable, responsible man. Mrs. Harton is a member of the Methodist Church, and five of the children are members of the Christian Church.
WILLIAM JULIAN, one of the old settlers of Rush County, was born May 6, 1837, son of Isaac Julian, a native of North Carolina, who was born in ISIo and died in Rush County, in 1872. He came to this county in a very early day, and was one of the first settlers of this township. The mother of William was Cyrena Julian, whose maiden name was Gosnell, a native of Kentucky, and was born in IS16, and now resides in Anderson Township. The subject of this sketch was raised on a farm, and received such edu- cation as the schools of that county afforded. He is a farmer, and his life of fifty years has been spent on the farm. He now owns 186 acres of land and is a prosperous farmer. He was married in 1867 to Miss Eliza J. Overleese, also a native of this county, who
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was born August 26, 1846, the daughter of Henry and Martha A. Overleese. To this union were born two children, viz .: George W., born May 22, 1870, and Thomas A., born March 26, 1873. Mr. Julian has been a lifelong Democrat and cast his first vote for James Buchanan. He has succeeded through his own efforts, and is an honorable and highly respected citizen of Rush County.
GEORGE L. KEISLING, farmer, was born in Decatur County, Ind., May 3, 1828, son of William and Ludicy (Smith) Keisling, and is of German-English lineage. His father, a native of Vir- ginia, was born in 1802, and died in Decatur County, Ind., in 1885. His mother, a native of the same county, was born in 1801, and died in Decatur County, in 1873. The grandfather of our subject was George Keisling, who died in Virginia. The Keisling family came to Indiana in 1829, first settling in Shelby County, where they remained until 1831, and then removed to Decatur County. Mr. Keisling came to Rush County in the fall of 1850, and in 1855 set- tled on his present farm, which consists of 360 acres of fine land. The marriage of our subject occurred November, 1850, to Miss Mary Miller, a native of this county, born May, 1829, daughter of Michael and Sarah Miller. They have five children, viz .: Sarah L., Leonidas W., William M., Calista J. and Mary. He is a Republi- can, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Keisling is a representative farmer and an honorable man.
JOHN T. MEEK, one of the most extensive land owners and farmers in this county, was born in Decatur County, Ind., Feb- ruary 13th, 1846, son of John and Sarah ( Montgomery) Meek and is of English descent. His father was born in Harrison County, Ky., in 1815, and his mother, a native of Decatur County, Ind., was born in 1821. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Samuel Meek, a Kentuckian by nativity - an 1812 soldier - and died in Decatur County prior to the birth of our subject. The Meek family came to Indiana about 1827 and settled in Decatur County. Our subject was reared on a farm and received a common school education. His life has been that of a farmer and stock-raiser and has been most successful. In 1878 Mr. Meek came to Rush County and settled where he now resides. He owns 960 acres of well improved land, and is one of the most prosperous farmers in this portion of Indiana. The marriage of Mr. Meek occurred in 1871, to Miss Flora E. Bonner, who was born in Decatur County in 1851, daughter of James and Martha (Lewis) Bonner. To this union three children were born, viz .: Lura H., born 1873; Willie B., born 1876, and Elbert E., born 1878.
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He is a pronounced Republican and always manifests a live inter- est in the affairs of his party. Mr. and Mrs. Meek are members of the United Presbyterian Church.
WILLIAM PARKER (deceased), was born in Rush County, Ind., January 7, 1840, son of John and Catherine (James) Parker, and was the youngest of five children. He was educated at the com- mon schools and his life was that of a farmer. In 1864, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Crane, a native of this county, born in 1845. To this marriage the following children were born, viz .: John H., born in Anderson Township, Rush Co., January 26, 1866, and is now a student of the Danville (Ind. ) Normal School, and Min- nie A., who married Luther L. Harcourt, October 28, IS86, a na- tive of this state. Mrs. Parker died about IS73, and the following year, Mr. Parker married Miss Josephine Crane, a sister of his for- mer wife. Mrs. Parker was born in this county, January 29, 1856, daughter of William H. and Sarah A. Crane, now deceased. Mr. Parker was a Republican and a member of the Christian Church. Mrs. Parker still owns the home farm, which is in a fair state of cultivation. She removed to Milroy in 1886, and now occupies one of the most pleasant residences in the village. Mr. Parker died in 1883. He was public spirited in a high degree, and was always ready to help on popular enterprises.
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