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 33
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JAMES BOWLES, a worthy and honored citizen of Center Town- ship, was born in Harrison County, Ky., August 14, 1807. He was the son of Robert and Elizabeth Bowles, who were natives of Vir- ginia and Ohio, respectively. He was reared on a farm in his native county, and was married there in September, 1827. The lady that became his wife was Sallie Ann Smith, who also was a native of Harrison County, Ky., born September 19, 1809, being the daughter
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of Paul and Christena (Jaquish) Smith. In 1835, Mr. and Mrs. Bowles came to Rush County and located upon a farm in Anderson Township, just east of Milroy, and the farm now owned by John Jackman. In the fall of 1837, they removed to Union Township, and two years later they removed to Washington Township. In IS52, they removed to Center Township, in which our subject has resided ever since. He has given his whole attention to farming and trading. His efforts were attended with liberal returns, and at one time he was the owner of 1,080 acres of Rush County's best land. His wife died June 27, 1886. Mr. Bowles is the father of seven children: Paul, Christena, Joseph, Thomas J., Mary Ann, James H., and Amanda J., of whom Paul, Christena and Mary Ann are deceased. In politics, Mr. Bowles is an uncompromising Re- publican.
DANIEL T. CARTER, of Center Township, was born in Fleming County, Ky., February 20, 1814, being the son of Henry and Mary (Green) Carter, the former of whom was born in Culpepper County, Va., in about 1776, and the latter was born in Virginia in about 1791. He was married in his native country to Miss Ellen B. Fitch, on the 30th day of November, 1843. She was the daugh- ter of Henry and Matilda Fitch, the former of whom was born in Kentucky, September 13, 1794, and died November 14, 1874; the latter was born in Kentucky, December 27, 1799, and died in August, 1864. In 1845, Mr. Carter moved his family to Rushville, traveling by stage from Cincinnati, having but $5.00 in his posses- sion. His first work was in the harvest field at 62 cents per day, and he afterward assisted in the erection of many buildings in Rushville. Latter on, he rented a farm, and by hard work saved $4,000, with which he purchased a farm in Union Township. He is now the owner of a splendid farm in Center Township, all of which is due to his personal economy and industry. He and wife have had seven children as follows: Mary I., born September 2, 1845; Robert B., born January 2, 1847, died October 28, 1869; Henry F., born March 28, 1849; James M., born November 2, 1851; Martha E., born January 14, 1854; Alvin, born September 17, 1860 and Charles M., born April 25, 1871. Mr. Carter's father was a soldier under General Anthony Wayne and died about 1860. His mother died about 1856. In politics he is a Republican. He is a self-made man and a good citizen.
MARTHA A. CHANDLER, of Center Township, was born in Bourbon County, Ky., October 12, 1835, being the daughter of Aaron and Ann Barnes, both of whom were also natives of Bour- bon County, Ky. Her father was the son of Brinsley and Mary Barnes, and her mother was the daughter of John and Martha
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Laughlin. Before she was two years old her parents came to Rush County, and settled in Noble Township, where she grew up to womanhood, and where, on the 19th day of February, 1860, she was married to John G. Chandler. He was born in Harrison County, Ky., September 17, IS24, being the son of James and Elizabeth Chandler. He was married to Irene E. Welborn, in September, 1855. She bore to him two children: Ilola May and Walter, both of whom are deceased. Mrs. Irene Chandler died May 2, 1858. The subject of this sketch is the mother of three daughters, as follows: Carrie A., born February 2, 1861, mar- ried to Turner Hudelson, in May, 1885; Lizzie K., born June 12, 1862, married to Horace Atkins, in September, ISSo; and Mary M., born November 22, 1864, married to Arthur Hinshaw, April 7, 1887. The husband of Mrs. Chandler died November 26, 1871. She is a member of the Christian Church. She owns eighty acres of land, nearly all in cultivation.
MRS. CATHARINE CLARK, of Center Township, was born in Fayette County, Ind., October 1, 1825, being the daughter of Stephen and Elizabeth (Roysdon) Wandel, who were natives of Seneca County, N. Y., and Ashe County, N. C., respectively, the former being born July 30, 1797, and the latter being born January II, 1802. He died December 16, 1854, and she died September 20, 1849. Her paternal grandparents were George and Sarah Wandel, and her maternal grandparents were Nathan and. Nancy Roysdon, who were natives of North Carolina. When she was nine years old her parents removed to Rush County, and settled upon the farm where Mrs. Clark now resides, her father having entered the land from the government. She grew up to woman- hood, at the home of her parents, and was married to Wiley Clark, July 21, 1847. He was born in Wilkes County, N. C., December 25, 1820, being the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (McBride) Clark, who were natives of Maryland and North Carolina respec- tively. His father was the son of John T. and Barbara Clark. Mr. Wiley Clark was a farmer by occupation, which pursuit he followed in Center Township, until the time of his death, which oc- curred January 24, 1880. He was a Democrat in politics and was a member of the Christian Church. Mrs. Clark's parents came to Wayne County, Ind., in 1815, whence, after a five years' residence they entered land in Center Township, where both spent the rest of their lives. Her grandparents, George and Sarah Wandel, set- tled in Franklin County, Ind .; the former was born in May, 1770, and died February II, 1817; the latter was born March 14, 1777, and died May 27, 1845. Mrs. Clark is the mother of seven child- ren - only three of whom are living. Their names and ages are
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Amanda F., born May 13, 1848, died May 30, 1883; Stephen A., born January 12, 1852; Albert N., born March 4, 1856, died April 27, 1857; John L., born July 20, 1860; George B., born June 25, 1864, and two sons that died in infancy, unnamed. Mrs. Clark is a member of the Christian Church. She has a farm of eighty-three acres and a comfortable home, where she resides in a pleasant way. October 19, 1871, Amanda F. was married to Samuel Cohee, and became the mother of three children: Bertie N., Wiley E. and Marple P., of whom only the oldest is living. Stephen A. was married October 26, 1871, to Orpha Bowen, by whom he has one child, Pearl I., born April 29, 1878; John L. was married Septem- ber 13, 1883, to Mary C. Bitner, by whom he has two children: Alta Doy, born March 8, 1885, and Bertha E., born March 4, 1887. George B. was married September 16, 1886, to Ida J. Bitner, by whom he has one child: Emery L.
DR. J. C. DILLON, a prominent physician of Rush County, is a native of the township in which he resides, having been born in the house he now occupies, June 27, 1845, being the son of Dr. A. C. Dillon, who was one among the early practitioners of the county, and who practiced his profession in this county for a period of thirty-five years. He was reared upon the old homestead. He received in the common school a good knowledge of the ordinary branches of learning, and later on he was a student in De Pauw University for some time. Early in life he resolved to fit himself for the medical profession and studied for some time under his father. During the winter of 1866-67, he took a course of lectures, in the Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati, and took his second course during the winter of 1869-70, graduating in March, 1869. He returned to his home in Center Township, and entered upon his professional labors in connection with his father. He soon won for himself an extensive practice, which he has ever since been able to hold. With the exception of one year, during which he was lo- cated in Kokomo, his professional labors have been entirely per- formed in Rush County. His marriage to Mary J. Florea occurred in October, 1868. They are the parents of an only son, whose name is Otto P. He was born April 1, 1870. In addition to a common school education, he was a student at Notre Dame three years and at Butler University two years. He is now a student at medicine, having entered upon its study with his father in Septem- ber, 1877. In order to keep well up with the latest advancements in the medical science, Dr. Dillon continues to devote himself to the study of his profession and scarcely a year passes but what some part of it is spent in some good medical college. He is, therefore, not only an alumnus of the Ohio Medical College, but
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also a physician whose learning has been gathered in several of the best medical colleges in the country. While his practice ex- tends to every branch of the profession, he makes a specialty of the diseases of the throat and nose. He is a skilled practitioner and has a rank among the leading physicians of Rush County.
ANDREW B. ENGLISH, one of Rush County's prominent citi- zens and well-to-do farmers, was born in Abbeville District, South Carolina, June 24, 1827. He was the son of Hugh P. and Mary A. (Armstrong) English, both of whom were also natives Abbeville District, S. C., and both were of Scotch-Irish descent. His father was the son of Andrew and Martha (Porter) English, and was born October 30, 1803. His parents were also natives of Abbe- ville District, S. C. When he was five years old, or late in 1832, his parents emigrated to Preble County, Ohio, where they arrived in December, 1832. Three years later they continued westward to Indiana, and coming to Rush County, settled upon a tract of land in Center Township, where the father and mother spent the rest of their lives, the former dying January 10, 1850, and the latter April 9, 1852. The subject of this sketch spent his early life upon the old home place, assisting to clear and cultivate the ground in sum- mer, and attending the district school in winter. While his educa- tion was confined to the common branches, it was such as to fit him for the practical affairs of domestic life. Through observation and reading he has somewhat mitigated the lack of early training, and he is now recognized as a well-informed man. He was united in marriage to Miss Ellen M. Hudelson, November 29, 1851. She was born in Center Township, this county, November 10, 1828, be- ing the daughter of John M. and Matilda Hudelson, a more exten- sive mention of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Ever since their marriage Mr. and Mrs. English have continued to occupy the old English homestead, where the former has dedicated his whole attention to agricultural pursuits. He now possesses a rank among the prosperous farmers of the county. Mr. and Mrs. English are devoted members of the United Presbyterian Church. In politics, Mr. English is a pronounced Republican. He takes a lively inter- est in the success of his party, and will use every reasonable effort to promote its welfare. He has been elected to the office of As- sessor in his township three times, and is the present incumbent. He served as a member of the Board of County Commissioners from September, 1879, to September, 1882, and in that capacity he made an able and efficient officer. He owns 113 acres of land about ninety of which is in cultivation.
CYRUS FLOREA, who has resided in Center Township for the past fifty years, was born in Adams County, Ohio, June 20, 1819,
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being the son of Joshua and Mary Florea, with whom he came to Rush County in 1837. The family settled in Center Township, where Cyrus continued with his parents until his marriage, which occurred January 13, 1842. The lady who became his wife was Almira Keever, who was born in Clarke County, Ohio, August 18, 1822, being the daughter of Henry and Rhoda Keever, both of whom were natives of Ohio. She came with her parents to Rush County in 1830, and this has ever since been her home. Shortly after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Florea settled upon the farm they now occupy, which has been their home ever since. The life occupation of Mr. Florea has been farming, and in this connection his efforts have been liberally rewarded. He at one time owned about 600 acres of land. This has been reduced by giving his children comfortable homes, but he is still the owner of a farm of 100 acres, which is in a good state of improvement and cultivation. He and wife are the parents of six children, two of whom are de- ceased. Those living are: Orange T., Mary J., Joshua E. and Florella A. Those deceased are: Sarah E. and Dale. Mrs. Florea' is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, Mr. Florea endorses the principles of the Union Labor Party. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace four years. He is one of the well-to-do and substantial men of his township.
JOSIAH FLOREA, farmer of Center Township, was born in Adams County, Ohio, October 30, 1823, being the son of Joshua and Mary (Spurgeon) Florea, and a twin brother of Joseph S. Florea, of Center Township, whose history appears below in this work. His father and mother were natives of Maryland and Kentucky, respectively; the former, who was the son of Albert Florea, was chiefly of German descent, and the latter, who was the daughter of John Spurgeon, was of English descent. When he was four- teen years old, or in October, 1837, his parents came to Rush County, and settled upon a tract of land in the southwest part of Center Township, and the farm now occupied by Joseph S. Florea. There our subject spent his youth assisting to clear and cultivate the farm. He was married at the age of twenty-three, or Febru- ary 26, 1846, when Miss Martha Price became his wife. She was born in Center Township, this county, March 30, 1829, being the daughter of Jonah H. and Susannah ( Burton) Price, the former of whom was born in Clarke County, Ohio, being the son of David and Sarah Price, and the latter, who was the daughter of Thomas and Mary Burton, was born in Virginia. Shortly after their mar- riage, Mr. and Mrs. Florea located upon the farm they now oc- cupy, where Mr. Florea has ever since pursued the avocation of a farmer. His home farm in this county contains 121 acres, about
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100 of which are in a good state of cultivation. It contains a good residence and is in other respects well improved. Besides this he is the owner of 120 acres of first-class land in Howard County, this state. He and wife are the parents of eleven children, as fol- lows: Sarah M., Louisa, Mary F., Lydia E., Martha S., Joseph A., Vilena, Isabell, John C., William O. and Bertha L., all of whom are living except William, who died in childhood. Mr. and Mrs. Florea are members of the Baptist Church. In politics, Mr. Florea endorses the principles of the Union Labor party.
JOSEPH S. FLOREA, an old and honored citizen of Center Town- ship, was born in Adams County, Ohio, October 30, 1823, being the son of Joshua and Mary (Spurgeon ) Florea, and a twin brother of Josiah Florea, of Center Township. When he was fourteen years old, his parents came to Rush County, and settled upon the farm he now occupies in Center Township. There his youth was spent assisting to clear and cultivate the farm. He was married April 10, 1844, to Miss Dolly Keever, who was born in Clarke County, Ohio, September 6, 1824, being the daughter of Henry and Rhoda (Isham) Keever. The latter was the daughter of George J. Isham, who served as a Drum-Major under Washing- ton during the Revolutionary War. Mr. and Mrs. Florea spent the first year after their marriage with the parents of the former. They then removed to Washington Township. A year later they removed to Union Township, where Mr. Florea became a sub- stantial and prosperous farmer. In 1868 he and wife returned to the old homestead in Center Township, where they have since resided. They are the parents of nine children-two of whom are deceased. Those living are: Maria, Almira, Patrick H., Rosa E., Mary A., Olive D. and Sarah E. Those dead are: Joshua and Emily R. Mr. and Mrs. Florea are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The former is a member of the Masonic Lodge, having joined it more than twenty-five years ago. While not a radical partisan, his political affiliations have generally been with the Democratic party. While a resident of Union Town- ship he served as Trustee seven years. In 1860 he was elected a member of the Board of County Commissioners, and served in a creditable manner for nearly four years. He has frequently been urged to accept other positions of honor and trust, but has pre- ferred the quietude of domestic life.
BRICE D. FORT, farmer of Center Township, was born on a a farm three miles north of Knightstown, Henry County, April 10, 1844. He was the son of Benjamin and Eliza ( Laten) Fort, who were natives of Virginia, and Maryland respectively. His boyhood and early youth were spent upon the old homestead where he was
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born. He received in the district school an ordinary common school education. At eighteen years of age he began to learn the blacksmith's trade in Knightstown under the instruction of John D. Cameron. He became the partner of Mr. Cameron at the end of eighteen months and they continued to operate a shop together for a period of nine years. Mr. Fort then purchased the interest of Mr. Cameron and continued alone for two years longer when he sold out. In the meantime he was united in marriage August 4, 1870, to Miss Alice A. Woods, daughter of Joseph and Elsie (Pearson) Woods, the former of whom was born in Wayne County, Ind. In about 1875 Mr. and Mrs. Fort removed from Knightstown to Center Township, this county, in which they have ever since resided. They have occupied their present home since 1876. The whole attention of Mr. Fort since coming to this coun- ty has been given to farming, and he now has a rank among the prosperous and well-to-do farmers of Center Township. He and wife are the parents of three children as follows: Charles V., Min- nie I. and Harry B., all of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Fort and daughter Minnie, are members of the Friends' Church. In the fall of 1864 Mr. Fort entered the service of the Union army in Company A, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Indiana Regiment, with which he served in the capacity of Second Sergeant for one hun- dred days when his term of service expired. He is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, the G. A. R., and in politics he is a Repub- lican. He owns a farm of 120 acres, about 100 of which are in a high state of cultivation.
JAMES H. FOXWORTHY, of Center Township, was born in Fleming County, Ky., April 4, 1817. He was the son of Samuel and Mary Ann (Calvert) Foxworthy, the former of whom was born in Virginia, being the son of William and Clarissa Foxworthy, and the latter was the daughter of Landon and Ann Wood Calvert. He was reared upon a farm in his native county, and continued with his parents until he became of age. For a number of years thereafter he was engaged as a farm hand in Fleming and Mason counties, Ky. In the fall of 1846, he came to Rush County, and during the following winter he taught public school in Center Township. In the fall of 1847, he returned to Kentucky and was engaged as a teacher in Lewis County during the winter which followed. In the fall of 1848, he went to St. Francis County, Ark., thence, in company with his uncle, Stephen Calvert, to New Or- leans. In the spring of 1849, he returned northward to Fleming County, Ky., and a month or so later he again came to Rush County, in which he has chiefly resided ever since. He was mar- ried September 12, 1849, to Miss Cynthia A. Barrett, who was
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born in the State of Virginia, January 21, IS22, being the daughter of Rev. Samuel and Clarissa (McCommas) Barrett, both of whom were also natives of Virginia, the former being the son of Edward and Esther Barrett, and the latter being the daughter of William and Dicy McCommas. Mr. and Mrs. Foxworthy entered upon their married life in Knightstown, and during the winter of 1849 and IS50, Mr. Foxworthy taught school in Ripley Township. In the spring of IS52, they removed to their present home in Cen- ter Township, which they occupied ever since. The whole atten- tion of our subject since then has been given to agricultural pursuits, and in this connection his labors have been attended with a reasonable degree of success. He and wife have had two children : Mary F., now the wife of Robert T. Overman, of Knightstown, and Anna D., now the wife of Hon. Thomas M. Green, of Rushville. Mr. and Mrs. Foxworthy are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In her earlier life, Mrs. Foxworthy taught public school four terms-two of which were in Knightstown, and two in Rip- ley Township, this county. In politics, Mr. Foxworthy is a Re- publican. Ile has a farm of sixty acres, which is fitted up with a good residence and is otherwise substantially improved. He is an industrious and successful farmer. The grandmother of Mr. Fox- worthy, Mrs. Ann Wood Calvert, was a relative of Lord Balti- more.
WASHINGTON GILSON, a prominent citizen of Center Township, was born in Rushville Township, March 6, 1829. He is the son of Andrew and Mary Gilson, who were both natives of Virginia. His boyhood was spent in his native township upon a farm. His father died of cholera in 1832, after which he remained with his widowed mother until he was fifteen, when he went to live with his uncle, Thomas Moffett, also of Rushville Township. He was with him two years, and then went to live with his brother in Center Township, where he continued until his marriage, which occurred December 10, 1850. The lady that became his wife was Miss Mary J. Curry, who was born in Harrison County, Ky., September IO, IS26, being the daughter of James A. and Nancy Curry, who also were natives of Kentucky. Shortly after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Gilson located where they now reside in Center Township, where Mr. Gilson has ever since been engaged in agricultural pur- suits. He owns a handsome farm of IIo acres, which is in a good state of improvement and cultivation. He and wife are the parents of two children, both living. They are Thomas L. and Mary B., both of whom are married. Mrs. Gilson is a member of the Chris- tian Church. Mr. Gilson has never identified himself with any church, but is a firm believer in the principles of Christianity. In
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politics he is a Democrat. He has served his township as Justice of the Peace one term.
JAMES L. HAMILTON, of Center Township, was born in Wash- ington Township, Rush County, June 27, 1823. He was the son of Robert and Rebecca Hamilton, the former of whom was born in Laurens County, S. C., October 9, 1797, and the latter was born in Wythe County, W. Va., April 1, 1807. They were married in this county, September 12, 1822. They entered upon their married life upon a farm in Washington Township, where their son James L. Hamilton, was born. On Christmas day, 1830, they re- moved to Center Township, and settled upon a farm, where James spent his boyhood and youth, and where his father and mother spent the rest of their lives. Robert Hamilton died January 16, 1879, and his wife survived him until October 5, 1886. They were the parents of six children: James L., born June 27, 1823; Will- iam H., born November IS, IS24; Hugh, born November II, 1826, disappeared December 3, 1868; Polly, born January 1, IS29; Andrew J., born January 1, 1831, died November 14, 1868; and Francis M., born April 14, 1834, died June 8, 1883. The subject of this sketch was married to Eliza J. Reeves, May 24, IS46. She was born May 6, 1830, and died August 23, 1864. In the latter part of May, 1865, Mr. Hamilton was married to Mrs. Anna Eliza Reeves, who was born February 4, 1839, and died July 6, 1865. The third marriage of Mr. Hamilton occurred February 25, 1866, when Miss Mattie J. Fink became his wife. She was born in Adams County, Ohio, November 14, 1842. She was the daughter of James C. and Mary A. (Compton) Fink, who were natives of Huntingdon County, Pa., and Lexington, Va., respect- ively. Mr. Hamilton and his first wife had three children: Mary A. C., born September 2, 1847: Robert I., who was born July 26, IS50, and who is now the Superintendent of the City Schools at Huntington, Ind .; James L., born April 6, 1854, died December 3. ISSI. Mr. Hamilton and his present wife have two children: Clement L. V., born May 8, 1867, and Benton Fink, born January 26, 1873. In politics, Mr. Hamilton is a Democrat. He has re- sided during his life in Grant County, Ind., Wichita, Kan., and in Hannibal, Mo. He returned to Center Township, February I, ISS5.
HON. JOHN M. HUDELSON, deceased, was one of those rugged pioneers of Rush County, who have left the impress of their character and energy upon their communities. He began life with this century having been born January 1, 1800. The place of his nativity was Millersburg, Bourbon County, Ky., and his parents were John M. and Catharine (Irvin) Hudelson, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. He passed his youth and early manhood
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