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 36
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 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80
At the October Term, 1829, Hugh Monroe was tried for murder. James Whitcomb, Prosecutor; Charles H. Test and James Raridan, James T. Brown and Oliver H. Smith defended. Monroe and de- ceased had been on bad terms for some time, and while at a shoot- ing match, deceased while fixing a target was shot and instantly killed by Monroe, who was found guilty and sent to the peniten- tiary for sixteen years, but was afterward pardoned by the Gov- ernor. It was at this term of court that John Gregg and Mont- gomery McCall took their seats as Associate Judges.
At the March Term, 1830, Charles H. Test came upon the
IO
-
RUSH COUNTY.
404
bench as President Judge. James Perry was Prosecutor. Busi- ness was very dull at this term. James Tyler was fined for con- tempt for coming into court intoxicated, and talking loud.
September Term, 1830: Alfred Posey having been elected Sheriff, assumes control of the affairs of that office. At this term Judge Test made an examination of the records and gave the Clerk a sound lecturing on account of erasures and interlineations.
March and September Terms, 1831, were entirely taken up with little State cases. March Term, 1832, William J. Brown, Prosecutor: The following order was entered at this term: "James Raridan, Esq., fined $1 for standing up before the fire, in com- tempt of court." The fine was remitted next day. The court house took fire March 22, and created a commotion in court. John F. Irvin and Avanant T. Lewis ventured on the roof and extin- guished the flames, receiving therefor the thanks of the court for this brave act. The Grand Jury examined the jail and reported that "it was in a bad state of decay, for several of the logs are much rotted, and the door has no lock."
This concludes a brief history of the Rush Circuit Court for the first ten years of its existence; all the proceedings of that period are recorded on 239 pages of Order Book, while for the last ten years 5,277 pages of the same kind of record have been required. This indicates the marvelous growth of the business transaction.
The most important civil case ever tried in the Rush Circuit Court was that to contest the will of John Megee. The plaintiffs were represented by Daniel W. Voorhees, Benjamin F. Claypool and William A. Cullen, the defendants by Thomas A. Hendricks, Leonidas Sexton, Oscar B. Hord and Abram W. Hendricks. The charges of Judge Jeremiah M. Wilson were excepted to and ap- pealed from. The judgment of the Supreme Court (36 Ind., 69), include the entire charges of Judge Wilson, and complimented that distinguished jurist in the following language: " We have given these instructions, repeated, and careful and thorough examination, and we fully indorse them, in all respects fully applicable and warranted by the evidence in and circumstances of the case. They show great learning, research and care;" these charges are quoted in the courts of every State in the Union. Judge Wilson is now a distinguished lawyer in Washington City.
The Common Pleas Court was established in 1853. It had jurisdiction of probate matters, and of all offenses less than felo- nies, except what Justices of the Peace had exclusive jurisdiction of. It had concurrent jurisdiction with the Circuit Court in most matters, and at first appeals could be taken from it, to the Circuit Court. This was afterward abolished and appeals were taken direct to the
405
BENCH AND BAR.
Supreme Court. The Common Pleas Court was abolished in 1872, and wound up its business in January, 1873. In Rush County a large amount of the business was transacted in this court. The Clerk and Sheriff of the Circuit Court were the officers of the Common Pleas Court.
Attorneys .- This chapter would be incomplete without men- tioning some of the active practitioners. Charles H. Test was a lawyer of great ability. He was Secretary of State in 1826, and was afterward Judge of the Marion Criminal (Circuit ) Court; he died a few years ago at a ripe old age.
Samuel Bigger while on the Circuit Bench in 1840, was nom- inated by the Whigs, for Governor, and elected, defeating the Democratic candidate, Gen. Tighlman A. Howard, by a large ma- jority. Judge Bigger was a man of prepossessing appearance, being over six feet high. He was a good speaker, and his pure unsullied private life made him a formidable candidate. But in all these qualities, he enjoyed no superiority over his distinguished opponent. The contest was a hard fought one, but Judge Bigger won, and the electoral vote of Indiana, went to General Harrison, for the Presidency, a fact mainly due to efforts of Judge Bigger. He has been dead many years ..
Pleasant A. Hackleman came to Rushville in 1837. He was then twenty-three years of age. He had read law at Brookville under Col. John A. Matson, and had just been admitted to the Bar. While not as profound a lawyer, perhaps, as some of his associates at the Bar, he was a good speaker, and made a fine appearance on the platform. His fort was politics. He wielded great influence with his party and held many public offices. He was killed at the batttle of Corinth while rallying his men. A braver soldier never faced the iron hail of battle or died in the arms of victory where contending armies struggled.
Leonidas Sexton was admitted to the Bar in 1847, and arose at once to the front rank. He was not only ripe in his knowledge of the law, but a master of its practice. He was a forcible speaker, was elected to the Legislature, Lieutenant Governor, and a mem- ber of Congress. He was about six feet high, would weigh more than 200 pounds, and his mind was as massive as his form. He never allowed himself to get excited during a trial, and, being a gentleman himself, he always accorded the same treatment to his fellowmen. He died March 6, 1880, after a short illness.
George B. Sleeth was perhaps the most brilliant orator at the Rush County Bar in recent years. He was admitted to the Bar in 1866, and arose rapidly as a lawyer. Mr. Sleeth was born in Pennsylvania. His parents died when he was a child, and he
406
RUSH COUNTY.
drifted penniless to Rush County, where he worked as a farm hand until near of age, when he borrowed money of his employer and entered college. He studied law with Hon. Leonidas Sexton, and Hon. George C. Clark. He served with ability in both branches of the Legislature, and there are many laws on the statute books of Indiana which had their origin in the lucid mind of George B. Sleeth. He was an orator by nature, education and training. Mr. Sleeth died at his home in Rushville in 1882.
Jesse J. Spann was admitted to the Bar at the fall term 1871; he had been in business in Rushville, and having failed, concluded to enter the legal profession. He did not have the advantage of early education, but he had a very retentive memory and was well versed in literature, biography and history. He did not possess the legal knowledge of Sexton and Sleeth but was a very able advo- cate and trial lawyer. We doubt if he had an equal in the State as a ready thinker "on his feet." He was a member of the Indiana Senate, and achieved a reputation as a legislator. He died February 22, 1887, at the age of forty-four; thus in the short period of seven years death had gathered three of the ablest members of the Bar-Sexton, Sleeth and Spann. What a trio of illustrious names!
Jefferson Helm, Jr., was a well read lawyer. He was admitted to the Bar in September, 1859, and was actively engaged in the practice until his death, in 1885.
Space will not permit any mention of the living attorneys at the Rush County Bar, as sketches of them will be given elsewhere. The Bar is a strong one in the points of the ability, integrity and good citizenship of its members. The following is the list of the present members of the Bar:
Finley Bigger,
Claude Cambern,
James Corey,
Thomas Poe,
James W. Brown,
Thomas M. Ochiltree,
William Cassady,
Gates Sexton,
Ulysses D. Cole,
George C. Clark,
Lot D. Guffin,
Will. J. Henley,
Ben. L. Smith,
Jolın Q. Thomas,
W. T. Jackson,
Geo. H. Puntenney,
WVm. A. Cullen,
Benj. F. Miller,
Frank J. Hall,
George W. Young,
John F. Joyce,
D. S. Morgan,
Arthur B. Irvin,
Douglas Morris,
John Fraizer,
Thomas J. Newkirk,
Chas. F. Kennedy.
John W. Study,
The office of Judge of the Rush Circuit Court has been filled by the following named persons: William W. Wick, 1822; Miles C. Eggleston, 1823; William W. Wick, 1824; Bethuel F. Morris, 1825; Charles H. Test, 1830; Samuel Bigger, 1836; James Perry, 1840; Jehu T. Elliott, 1844; Oliver P. Morton, 1852; William McCarty, 1853; Reuben D. Logan, 1853; Jeremiah M. Wilson, 1866; William A. Cullen, 1871; Samuel A. Bonner, 1877.
407
BENCH AND BAR.
The office of Associate Judges has been held by the following named persons: Elias Poston, 1822; North Parker, 1822; John Gregg, 1825; Montgomery McCall, 1829; John Alley, IS38; William P. Andrews, 1838; Fletcher Tevis, 1840; John M. Hud- elson, 1841; Jethro S. Folger, 1843; Lewis Salla, 1843; William Thomas, 1850; James Walker, 1850. This office was abolished in 1853.
The office of the Probate Judge of Rush County has been filled by the following named persons: Elias Poston and North Parker, the Associate Judges from 1822; Elias Poston, IS29; Turner A. Knox, I836; Pleasant A. Hackleman, 1837; Alexander Walker, 1841; James Hinchman, 184S. The office of the Judge of the Probate Court was abolished in 1853, and the jurisdiction of that court transferred to the Common Pleas Court.
The office of Judge of the Common Pleas Court has been filled by the following persons: Royal P. Cobb, IS53; Samuel A. Bonner, 1857; William Grose, 1861; David S. Gooding, 1862; William R. West, 1865; William A. Cullen, 1867; William A. Moore, 1871. This court was abolished in 1873, and its business transferred to the Rush Circuit Court.
The Prosecuting Attorneys of the Rush Circuit Court, have been Hiram M. Curry, 1822; Charles H. Test, IS23; James Whitcomb, 1826; James Perry, 1830; William J. Brown, 1832; Samuel W. Parker, 1837; David Macy, 1839; Martin M. Ray, 1841: Jehu T. Elliott, 1843; Jacob B. Julian, 1844; John B. Still, 1846; P. Y. Wilson, 1848; Benjamin F. Johnson, 1850; Joshua H. Mellett; 1851; Oscar B. Hord, 1853; William Patterson, 1856; Henry C. Hanna, 1859; Milton H. Cullum, 1861; Samuel S. Harrell, 1863; Creighten Dandy, 1865: Kendall M. Hord, 1867; Alexander B. Campbell, 1869; Elias R. Monforth, 1873; Orlando B. Scoby, 1874; John L. Bracken, 1879; Richard A. Durnan, 1880; Marine D. Tackett, 1881; George W. Campbell, 1886.
The office of Clerk of Rush County has been filled by the following named persons: Robert Thompson, 1822; John L. Rob- inson, 1843; Pleasant A. Hackleman, 1847; George Hibben, 1856; John S. Campbell, 1860; Benjamin F. Tingley, 1864; James W. Brown, 1872; Jetson Smith, 1875; James W. Brown, 1879; James M. Hildreth, 1885.
The following named persons have filled the office of Sheriff of Rush County: John Hays, 1822; Nathaniel W. Marks, 1823; William S. Bussell, 1826; Alfred Posey, IS30; Greenbury Rush, 1834: George W. Brann, 1836; Alvin N. Blacklidge, 1838; Ne- hemiah Haydon, 1842; Walter Brown, 1844; Harmony Laughlin, 1848; Nehemiah Haydon, 1850; James M. Caldwell, 1853; Har-
408
RUSH COUNTY.
mony Laughlin, 1855; Samuel H. Caskey, 1857; Harmony Laugh- lin, 1859; Samuel S. McBride, 1863; Alexander McBride, 1865; Jonathan H. Cook, 1867.
The following is the list of the attorneys who have been ad- mitted to practice in the Rush Circuit Court, and also the term at which they were admitted.
LIST OF ATTORNEYS.
Hiram M. Curry, April, 1822.
Turner A. Knox, April, 1837.
Charles H. Test, October, 1822.
Martin M. Ray, October, IS22.
Joseph E. Hopkins, October, 1822. James Noble, October, 1822.
John Brownlee, October, IS37. James Miner, October, IS37.
James Raridan, October, IS22. Charles H. Veeder, October, IS22. Oliver H. Smith, April, 1823. James T. Brown, August, 1823.
W. R. Morris, August, 1823.
David Wallace, August, 1823. John T. Mckinney, August, 1823.
John Test, Angust, 1823.
Lott Bloomfield, August, 1823. James .B. Ray, August, 1823. Joseph Cox, April, 1824.
Jacob Julian, Fall, IS42. Joseph Justice, Fall, 1842. John S. Reed, Fall, IS42.
Philip Sweetzer, April, IS24.
James Delaney, April, 1824.
Calvin Fletcher, April, 1824. Josiah F. Polk, September, 1824.
Reuben D. Logan, Fall, 1843.
George W. Whiteman, Fall, IS43.
Septimus Smith, April, IS26.
Peter H. Pattison, April, IS27.
Samuel E. Perkins, Spring, 1844. James Fay, Spring, 1844. Eden H. Davis, Spring, IS44.
Reuben A. Riley, Spring, IS44- George C. Clark, Fall, 1844.
Ely Murphy, Fall, 1844.
L. Sexton, Fall, 1847.
Charles Woodward, Fall, 1847.
Robert S. Sproule, Fall, 1847. Joseph Norris, Fall, IS47.
Jonathan M. Gardner, Fall, IS49.
Benjamin F. Johnson, Fall, 1849. William Henderson, Fall, 1849. Squire W. Robinson, Fall, 1849- Matthias Wright, Spring, 1850. Alfred Major, Spring, 1850.
Daniel D. Jones, Spring, 1851. Ralf Berkshire, Spring, IS51. Joseph Roberts, Fall, 1851.
Lewis H. Thomas, Spring, IS52.
Thomas C. Gilpin, Spring, IS56.
Patt Wicks, Fall, 1856.
Benjamin L. Smith, April, 1857. William A. Cullen, September, 1857.
Jacob Robbins, April, 1836.
Finley Bigger, April, 1836. Robert S. Cox, April, 1836.
Mason Hulit, April, IS36. Pleasant A. Hackleman, April, 1837.
William Cassady, September, IS57.
Joshna H. Mellett, September, 1857. William Cumback, September, 1857. Milton S. Mavity, March, IS58.
Joseph W. Chapman, September, IS58.
William J. Brown, March, 1830. Gustavus Everett, March, IS30. Isaac M. Johnson, March, IS30. William J. Peaslee, April, IS33. Samuel P. Bascom, April, 1833. Stephen Major, April, 1833.
David Macy, April, 1833. Andrew Cannady, September, IS33.
William Elliott, September, IS34.
James D. Cook, September, 1834.
George B. Tingley, April, 1835.
Abraham Hammond, April, 1835. Peter Ryman, April, 1835. George H. Dunn, April, 1835. John B-, October, 1836. Jesse Morgan, April, 1836. John Alley, April, 1836.
Richard Winchell, October, IS37. John A. Matson, October, IS37. Thomas D. Walpole, October, IS37. H. M. Woodyard, October, 183S. Henry S. Christian, April, IS39. Janes G. May, April, IS39. Goorge Holland, April, 1840. Ashel W. Hubbard, April, IS40. Phineas Cassady, April, IS40. George Gordon, April, 1840.
David M. C. Lane, Fall, 1843.
William Carpenter, September, 1824. Albert S. White, April, 1826.
John McPike, April, 1827. Hiram Brown, April, 1827. Milton Jamison, October, IS27. Merrimus Willitts, October, IS27.
W. H. Brumfield, April, IS37. Thomas D. Hankins, April, 1837.
409
JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
Isaac H. Stewart, September, 1858. A. H. Connor, September, 1858. W. O. Sexton, September, 1858. Rodman Davis, March, 1859. Wm. H. Pugh, September, 1859. Jefferson Helm, Jr., September, 1859. Oliver B. Torbett, September, 1859. Amaziah H. Layton, September, 1859. Alexander B. Campbell, Spring, 1866. Hugh M. Spaulding, Spring, 1866. George W. Bates, Spring, 1866. William W. Kersey, Spring, 1867.
George H. Puntenney, Spring, 1867.
Frank J. Hall, Spring, 1869.
Elias R. Monfort, Spring, 1869.
Alfred Major, Spring, 1869.
A. Smith Folger, Spring, 1870.
John W. Study, Spring, 1870. Levy W. Study, Fall, 1870.
Jesse J. Spann, Fall, 1871.
Thomas Poe, Fall, 1871. A. B. Irvin, Fall, 1871.
William Lewis, Spring, 1872.
David W. McKee, Spring, 1872. George W. Young, Spring, 1872.
Charles Catlin, March, IS74.
Claude Cambern, March, 1874.
Albert Irvin, March, 1874.
O. S. Moore, May, 1874. James W. Brown, November, 1875.
John D. Megee, March, 1876.
Joseph I. Little, May, 1876.
Thomas J. Newkirk, October, 1876.
Edwin P. Ferris, December, 1878.
William A. Posey, May, ISSo.
W. S. Morris, October, ISSo.
George W. Campbell, October, 1880.
Gates Sexton, May, ISSI.
U. D. Cole, May, 1881.
Frank P. Kennedy, May, ISSI.
Thomas H. Smith, May, 1882.
Samuel H. Spooner, October, 1882.
William J. Henley, June, 1883.
James W. Tucker, October, 1884.
Douglas Morris, October, 1885.
Howard Barrett, December, 1885.
Ben F. Miller, December, 1885.
Samuel H. Brown, June, 1886.
Charles F. Kennedy, December, 1886. Lot D. Guffin, March, 1887.
JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
JAMES BEALE was born on the farm where he now resides, November 17, 1838. He was the eighth in a family of nine children born to William and Margaret (Love) Beale, the former a native of New York, and the latter of Ohio. They were mar- ried near Cincinnati, Ohio, November 5, 1823, and began life to- gether on a farm near Milroy, Rush Co., Ind., in December, 1823, which places them among the pioneer settlers of this county. Mr. Beale entered an eighty-acre tract of virgin forest in Anderson Township, put up a cabin and continued to reside there until the spring of 1838, at which time he sold his property in Anderson Township, and purchased 190 acres in Section 22, Jackson Town- ship. On this tract there had once been a small clearing made. Here Mr. and Mrs. Beale resided until their respective deaths. Mrs. Beale passed away August 4, 1866, and Mr. Beale, March 22, 1883. They were devout members of the Presbyterian Church, and highly respected by all who knew them. Thus ended the lives of two of Rush County's earliest pioneers; but they had lived to rear a large family of sons and daughters. As stated, our sub- ject, James Beale, was born and reared on the farm he owns at present. His early school advantages were fair, and he received a good common school education. Being brought up on a farm, he adopted farming as a life occupation, and to-day can be classed
/
410
RUSH COUNTY.
among the successful farmers of Jackson Township. On January 3, 1867, he chose for his life companion Miss Margaret E. Gil- more, daughter of James and Mary (George) Gilmore, natives of Belfast, Ireland, and of Scotch-Irish descent. They emigrated to America about 1838, and first located at Lancaster, Pa. The former ended his days in this county, and the latter at Knights- town, in Henry County. Mrs. Beale was born in Washington County, Pa., October 14, 1844, and has resided in Rush County since 1851. To this union five children have been born: John G., William R., Carl, Wilbur and Mary L., of whom William R. and Carl are deceased. Mr. Beale is a Republican in politics, but has never sought political preferment. He is a member of the A. O. U. W., of Rushville, Ind. He began life in fair circumstances, and by industry and perseverance has been eminently successful. He owns the old home farm, which can be classed among the best in Jackson Township, and is provided with good improvements. He is honest and upright, and holds the confidence and respect of the community.
JAMES M. CALDWELL is a native of Bedford County, Pa., born July 3, 18II. His parents were William and Rebecca Caldwell, the former a native of Kentucky, and the latter of Maryland. Our subject grew to manhood on a farm in Pennsylvania, and received a fair education for that day of limited school advan- tages. He taught several terms of school in Pennsylvania and Indiana. In his youth he was apprenticed to learn the tanner's trade, but after completing it was compelled to abandon the trade on account of rheumatism. In the spring of 1837, the Caldwells disposed of their property in Pennsylvania, and turned their atten- tion westward. They loaded their household effects into two wag- ons, and started overland for Rush County, Ind. After three weeks of steady traveling, they drew up at what is now known as the old Caldwell homestead. Here the family moved into a rude cabin with clapboard doors and no windows. Neighbors were scarce and all seemed an unbroken wilderness. Mrs. Caldwell wished for some time after her arrival that she had remained in Pennsylvania, but by degrees the wilderness was transformed into a beautiful home, and all soon began to enjoy themselves. All went well until death visited the family in 1845, and removed William Caldwell, one of the pioneers and honored citizens of the county. Mrs. Caldwell survived him until the IIth of March, 1885, when she, too, was called home. Her birth occurred on the 9th of September, 1785, and at the time of her death only lacked a few months of being one hundred years of age. Our subject, James M. Caldwell was united in marriage with Miss Alcy Ploughe, March 7, 1844. She was the daughter
4II
JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
of Isaac and Mary (Hobbs) Ploughe. Alcy was born in Greens- burg, where she was reared until she was about twelve years of age, when her parents removed to this county. This union was blessed with nine children, William A., Mary E., Sadie, Lydia M., George H., Barton S. (deceased), James E., Rachel M., and Oli- ver P .; all those living are grown to maturity. Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell are members of the Christian Church, with which they have been identified over forty years. Politically, Mr. Caldwell is a staunch Republican, and firmly upholds the principles of that party, and at one time held the office of Sheriff of Rush County. He began life at the bottom of the ladder, and in 1838-9 and 40, we find him teaming between Cincinnati, Ohio, and Rushville. He carefully saved his earnings and in this way laid the foundation for his start in life. After his marriage he farmed as a renter, but in the fall of 1844, he moved into a cabin situated on forty acres of land he owns at present. Fifty years ago last May, Mr. Caldwell landed here, and a great change has taken place since then. Here he has spent the principal part of his life and has succeeded in de- veloping a fine farm in Section 24. He and his venerable compan- ion who has stood by his side through the trials of life for nearly a half century, are now enjoying a comfortable home, surrounded by honorable sons and daughters, who after the father and mother have passed away, will keep their memories green.
HARVY CALDWELL was born in Bedford County, Pa., Septem- ber 23, 1828, and was the son of William and Rebecca ( Havner) Caldwell, whose personal history appears with their son's, James M. Caldwell. When Harvey was nine years of age, he accom- panied his parents to this county, and located on the farm where he now resides; this was fifty years ago the 17th of May, 1887. All was then a wilderness, and it seemed like a great undertaking to make a home in the forest. It might be said that our subject was reared on this farm. His early education was fair. When he was seventeen years old, and thereafter, it devolved upon Harvey to assist in supporting his widowed mother, who lived until March II, 1885, aged ninety-nine years six months, two days. He adopted farming as a life profession. On August 11, 1862, he enlisted in Company D, 68th Indiana Volunteers, under command of Capt. James Innis; he was placed in the Department of the Cumberland, under command of Gen. Thomas, and during the hotly contested battle at Chickamauga on September 19-20, '63, he received a severe wound, being struck by a ball which lodged in his left lung; he was wounded on Saturday evening and lay on the battle field with- out attention until Monday evening; he still carries the Rebel lead, which has caused him considerable annoyance ever since. On
412
RUSH COUNTY.
July 7, 1865, he was mustered out of the service and received an honorable discharge. He returned home to enjoy the Union he had fought to preserve; and on April 9, '67, was married to Mary Snively, a native of Bedford County, Pa., but after a year and a half of life together, she was called away on October 9, '68. On October 18, 1870, he was again married, this time to Mary E. Looney, daughter of John S. and Elizabeth (Thompson) Looney, natives of Kentucky, who came to Rush County as early as 1822, and her grandfather, Peter Looney, sat on the first Grand Jury ever held in Rush County. Mrs. Caldwell was born in Rush County on August 3, 1842, and her whole life has been spent here. This union has been blessed with seven children: William, Herbert, John Charles, Edith R., Robert G., Tully and Annie, who are living; an infant is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell are mem- "bers of the Christian Church, and the father of our subject was a preacher in that church for forty years. Mr. Caldwell is a mem- ber of Joel Wolf Post No. SI, G. A. R., of Rushville, and a Re- publican in politics, and has held the office of Township Assessor. He started a poor man in life and to-day owns the old home farm having purchased the interest of the other heirs.
JAMES DOWNEY was born in Nicholas County, Ky., March 16, IS05, and was the fifth in a family of five sons and four daughters, born to Archibald and Sarah (Cook) Downey, natives of Pennsyl- vania, the former of Welsh, and the latter of Irish descent. Our subject was reared amid the slave scenes, on a plantation in Ken- tucky. By attending the primitive schools of that day he learned to read, write and cipher. At the age of eighteen he took charge of his mother's farm, his father having died when he was about ten years of age. He continued to farm the old homestead until his mar- riage with Miss Rebecca Hinton, September 21, 1826. She was the daughter of Ezekiel and Martha (Caldwell) Hinton, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Downey was born in Nicholas County, Ky., October 14, 1810, where she was reared. After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Downey, they continued to reside in Kentucky until the 9th day of August, 1831, when he hired a man to move himself and family to Rush County, Ind., landing in the little village of Rushville, August 16, 1831. Mr. Downey soon purchased a tract of land in Rush- ville Township, and moved into a rude log cabin on his own farm. On October 3rd, 1831, he entered the farm on which he now re- sides, and moved into a cabin near where his residence now stands, on January 31, 1832. This tract of land was covered with a dense growth of timber, and the undergrowth and spice brush were so thick that one could scarcely see a rod ahead, but by dint
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.