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 39
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JOHN C. HUMES, Ex-County Treasurer, was born in Cincin- nati, Ohio, October 6, 1839, and is the third in a family of nine children born to Thomas and Eliza (Brown) Humes, and is of Scotch-Irish lineage. His father was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, in ISI0, and died in his native county November 15, ISSo; his mother was born near College Hill, Hamilton County, Ohio, in IS09, and died in Rushville, October 3, 1874. She was a daughter of Hon. Israel Brown, a member of the Ohio Legislature and af- terward one of the Associate Judges of Hamilton County. The paternal grandfather of our subject was John Humes, a native of Scotland, who came to America and settled in Ohio in a very early day. He married Maria Varhees, who died in Effingham County, Ills. The grandfather died in Hamilton County, Ohio. The immediate subject of this sketch began life for himself, at nineteen years of age, and farmed until August, 1862, when he enlisted in Company I, Sixty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served un-
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til the close of the war. He was one of four brothers who enlisted in the late war, one of whom lost his life at the battle of Nashville. In 1863, Mr. Humes was placed upon detached service, and in that ca- pacity served some time. Returning home he resumed farming. In 1844, he came to Rush County, and with his parents, settled where he now resides. He owns 320 acres of land. He is a staunch Republican, and in 1878, was elected to the office of Township Trustee, and in ISSo, was re-elected. In IS82, he was elected Treasurer of this county, and was re-elected in ISS4. This posi- tion he filled with credit to himself. He was united in marriage February 21, 1860, to Miss Mary E. Perkins, daughter of Ira S. and Charlotte (Randall) Perkins. Mrs. Humes was born August 13, 1843. Her father was born in Franklin County, Ind., in ISIO, and her mother in New Jersey, in 1809, and now resides with her children in this township. They have nine children, viz .: Or- vill P., born December 23, 1860; John W., born December 21, 1862; Otto E., born June 7, 1866; Hattie L., born September 7, IS69: Curtis B., born December 25, 1871; Jesse, born October 24, 1873: Annie G., born September 7, 1875: Stella M., born March 11, 1878, and Charles Dolph, born June 24, 1882. He is a Mason, a K. of P., and a member of Rushville Council R. A. No. 887. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are among the prominent people, of the community in which they reside. A portrait of Mr. Humes is presented with this vol- ume as one of the leading citizens of the county.
ABIJAH W. HUNT, a pioneer farmer of this township, was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, February 8, 1807, son of Jonathan and Jane (Smith ) Hunt, and is of Welsh-German lineage. His father, a native of New Jersey, died in this county in 1842. The mother of our subject was born in Kentucky and died in this county about 1854. About the year ISOS, the Hunt family located in Franklin County, Ind., where they remained until 1828, when they removed to Rush County. Our subject is the second in a family of nine children, only two of whom are living. He was reared on the farm and attended the subscription school. In 1852, Mr. Hunt settled where he now resides. He owns 240 acres of valuable land and is an energetic, industrious and successful farmer. Mr. Hunt was married to Miss Margaret Stephen, December 23, 1830. Mrs. Hunt is a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, born June 30, 1813, daughter of Levi and Rachael Stephen, who came to Rush County about 1825. To this union seven children were born, viz .: Jane, Elizabeth, John R., Levi S., America, Rachael A., and Franklin. Mrs. Hunt died December 25, 1874. Politically, Mr. Hunt is a
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Democrat and cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson. He is a member of the Christian Church.
EPHRAIM LEFFORGE is a native of Rush County, born Janu- ary 12, 1838, the youngest of five children born to John and Harriet (Herndon) Lefforge, the former born in New Jersey in 1795, and died in this county July 6, 1886; the latter born in Vir- ginia in 1807, and died June 1, 1867. The father of our subject was among the pioneers of the township, having entered land here, in February, 1821. His first marriage occurred, when in his teens, to Miss Sarah Lyons, who died, leaving five children. Mr. Lef- forge was again married in 1829, to Miss Herndon. He partici- pated in the organization of Noble Township; he was a Republican and a member of the Baptist Church. Ephraim Lefforge was reared on the farm and was a student at the common schools. At the age of twenty-one years he began farming for himself and this he continued until August, 1862, when he enlisted in Company I, Sixty-eighth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, for three years. He participated in a number of prominent battles and was a true and brave soldier. Mr. Lefforge was honorably discharged, June 7, 1865, and returning home, began farming, which vocation he has since followed. In 1875 he purchased his present farm, which con- sists of 120 acres. His marriage- occurred August 30, 1866, to Mrs. Mary (Westerfield.) Davis, born in Madison County, Ind., April IS, 1844, daughter of Enoch and Ursula (Mauzy) Wester- field. To this union, one daughter, Ida, was born, May 31, 1867. Mrs. Lefforge and daughter are members of the Christian Church, and Mr. Lefforge is a Republican.
SAMUEL H. LOGAN, a native of Rush County, Ind., was born August 14, 1839, son of James and Elizabeth (Mann) Logan, who were among the first settlers of Rush County. James Logan was born in Ireland in 1800, and came to America with his parents, and as early as 1822, the Logan Family made settlement in Rush County, and were among the early people who purchased land at the Land Sale. In 1825, James Logan was married to Miss Eliz- abeth Mann, daughter of John and Abigail Mann. To this union were born nine children, six of whom are now living. Mr. and Mrs. Logan were widely known and greatly respected; the latter died in 1879, and the former in ISSI. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm in this township and received a common school education. By occupation Mr. Logan is a farmer and now owns 240 acres of valuable land, and as a farmer he is one of the foremost and enterprising men in the township. In March, IS66, Mr. Logan was united in marriage to Miss Martha A. McKee, who
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was born in this township September 15, 1843, daughter of David and Martha (Woods) McKee, natives of Ohio and Kentucky, the former born in ISII and the latter in ISIO. To Mr. and Mrs. Logan were born four children, viz .: Mary E., Wilbur E., Henry V., and James W. Mr. Logan and wife are members of the Presby- terian Church.
CHARLES H. McKEE was born on the farm where he now re- sides, November 15, IS38, son of John McKee, who was born in Jessamine County, Ky., March 10, 1816. By occupation he was a farmer; and as early as 1822 came to Rush County where he was married March 22, IS36, to Miss Hester Ann, daughter of Charles W. and Elizabeth Marrow, who came to Indiana from New Jersey. Mrs. McKee died August 2, IS71, leaving six children. Mr. Mc- Kee is a Republican and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The gentleman whose name introduces this biography was reared on the farm and attended the common schools. He has always followed the avocation of a farmer, and now owns 145 acres of well improved land. Mr. McKee was married April 3, 1862, to Miss Catharine Simonson, of Franklin County, Ind., born April 3, 1840, daughter of William and Eliza (Height) Simonson, both natives of Indiana. They are the parents of ten children, nine of whom are now living, viz .: Ella, born March 10, 1863; Carrie, born. November 17, 1865; Eliza, born February 28, 1868; Hester A., born September 18, 1870; Mattie M., born December IO, 1873; John F., born March 6. 1875: Maggie M., born Febru- ary 9, 1877; William S., born July 14, 1879; and Nellie G., born October 2, 1882. Mr. Mckee is a Republican, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
HAMILTON MILLER, merchant, is a native of Mason County, Kv., born June 11, 1809, and is of Scoth descent. His father, James Miller, was born in Washington County, Pa., March I, 1770, and died in Rush County in 1854. The mother of this subject was Nancy (Robinson) Miller, a native of Mason County, who died in her native county about IS20. The Miller family came to Rush County in the fall of. 1835, and settled in this township. At the age of sixteen years, the subject of this sketch began learning the cabinet maker's trade, and continued nine years. He is the only surviving member of a family of three children. In 1836, he began merchandising at New Salem; this he continued four years, and then began farming near the same place. In 1855, he resumed merchandising at New Salem, and continued until 1860, when he again sold out. Since 1874, he has been established in this same business, and has been very success- ful. Mr. Miller was married in 1844, to Miss Elizabeth Brooks,
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whose death occurred in 1867. He has been a member of the Christian Church since 1845. He is a Democrat and a leading citizen. He owns 149 acres of well improved land, and is Post- master of New Salem.
THOMAS V. MITCHELL (deceased), who was one of the pio- neers of this county, was born at Scottsville, Ky., September 27; 1815, being the eldest son of Richard Mitchell, who was a pioneer of "Old Kaintuck." The boyhood of Thomas V. Mitchell was spent on the farm in his native State, where he re- mained until 1836, when he came to Rush County and for a num- ber of years was engaged in buying and selling horses, and then engaged in packing pork. His chief occupation in life, however, was that of a farmer, and as such was considered one of the most practical and successful, and for many years was a member of the State Board of Agriculture, always taking an active part in the Rush County Agricultural Society. Mr. Mitchell chose for his wife, Miss Amanda Gregg, who had come to this county, from Kentucky, with her father, Judge Gregg, who was one of the extensive land holders of this township. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell were born six children, viz .: Sarah, William, Elizabeth, Margaret, Lora and Thomas. Mrs. Mitchell died in 1864, having been born in Mason County, Ky. Mr. Mitchell died January, 1881. As a citizen, Mr. Mitchell was highly esteemed and a careful, consciencious man. In politics, he was an ardent sup- porter of the Republican party, although his earlier years were spent in the midst of slavery. The only representative of the Mitchell family in this county, is the eldest daughter, Sarah, who was born on the farm she now owns, December 25, 1837, and was educated at the Ohio Female College, near Cincinnati. Her mar- riage occurred December 25, 1860, to Thomas Prim, who was then engaged in merchandizing at Indianapolis, and later removed to Cincinnati, and after a residence there of seventeen years re- turned to Noble Township, and now owns the old Mitchell home- stead. To her marriage these children were born: Blanche, William (deceased), Amanda A. and Thomas M. Mrs. Prim is a member of the Christian Church.
JAMES MURPHY, deceased farmer and soldier, was born in Ire- land in 1824, and in early years came to America, landing in New York, where he remained several years and then came to Cincin- nati where he worked at the mason trade, and subsequently came to Rush County, and purchased land where he continued to re- side until his death, which occurred April 22, 1887. At the be- ginning of the war, he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and during
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the battle of Atlanta, Georgia, lost his hearing, and afterward re- ceived a good pension. He chose for his wife, Miss Mary Dunn,. by whom he had eight children. He was a member of the Demo- cratic party, and a worthy man.
JOHN S. MYERS was born in Lewis County, Ky., November 24, 1820, son of Henry and Hannah (Salisbury) Myers, and is of German-Irish descent. His father, a native of Pennsylvania, died in this county, as did also his mother, who was a native of Ken- tucky. In 1821, the family came to Rush County and settled in Noble Township. Our subject is the fourth in a family of eleven children, nine of whom are yet living. He was reared on the farm and educated at the subscription schools. About 1821, he settled on his present farm, which is the old Myers Homestead, and which consists of 142 acres. In 1844, Mr. Myers was united in marriage to Miss Lavina Looney, who died in 1856. To this marriage was. born one child, viz .: George A., who now resides in Texas. He was married in 1857, to Miss Mary Holman, who was born in this township May 1, 1834. By this union three children were born, viz .: Orlan J., Nettie and Ollie. In 1837, he joined the Christian Church, and for eight years has been an Elder of Flat Rock Church. His family are members of the same church. He is a Republican, and for more than sixty years has been a resident of this county.
STANLEY C. NEWLIN, M. D., was born in Rush County, Nov- ember 12, 1856, son of James and Margaret (Cooper) Newlin, and is of Scotch decent. His father was born in Ohio in 1831, and his mother who was born in Indiana in 1835, died in this State in 1857. The maternal grandfather of Dr. Newlin, was Dr. Stanley Cooper, a native of Kentucky, born May 13, 1803, who began the practice of medicine in 1826. He was a Republican, and in 1856 was elected to represent Rush County in the State Senate. The sub- ject of this biography is the youngest of four children, and attended the early schools of this county. In IS77, he began teaching school, and in 1878, began the study of medicine, in the office of Dr. W. T. Cooper, of Scircleville, Clinton County, where he remained until September, 1880. Dr. Newlin graduated from the Ohio Medical College, in March, 1881, and the following Septem- ber located in New Salem, Ind., where his superior professional ability soon won for him a conspicuous place among the successful medical men of Rush County. He was united in marriage, Septem- ber 25, 1881, to Miss Myrtle Cowing, a native of Rush County, born in 1863, daughter of Joseph L. Cowing, who died in 1880. Politically, he is a Republican and cast his first vote for James A. Garfield.'
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BENJAMIN F. NORRIS, farmer, whose portrait appears elsewhere, was born in Mason County, Ky., August 12, IS22, son of Benja- min and Priscilla (Norris) Norris, and is of English origin. His father was born in Maryland in 17So, and died in Noble Town- ship in 1864. He was an ISI2 soldier, and was at the battle of Thames. The mother of Benjamin F. was born in Maryland in 1790, and died in 1874. The Norris family came to Rush County in IS34, and settled in Noble Township. The immediate subject of this biography is the fourth in a family of six children, all living. He was reared on the farm and received a common school educa- tion. At the age of twenty-four years, he began farming, and in IS5I settled on his present farm. Mr. Norris owns the old home- stead, and altogether has nearly 900 acres of fine land. Mr. Nor- ris was married March 27, IS51, to Miss Charlotte Chandler, who was born in Bracken County, Ky., April 25, 1820, daughter of James and Elizabeth (Gregg) Chandler, natives of Kentucky, the former born in 1799, and died in 1870; the latter born in 1797, and died in 1863. They have seven children, viz .: Leonora, born in IS53: Charles M., born in 1857; William A., born in I858; Pantha, born in IS60; Alice Z., born in 1863; Jesse R., 1866, and Lottie, born in IS72. He is a Republican, and has held the office of Trustee of Noble Township. Mr. and Mrs. Norris are mem- bers of the Christian Church.
JEHU PERKINS, a pioneer of this county, was born where he now resides, June 26, IS21, son of Jehu and Elizabeth (Sailors) Perkins, and is of English descent. His father was born in North Carolina, and died in Rush County in IS36. In early childhood he removed with his parents to the Indiana Territory, and as early as ISTO, settled in Franklin County, and later removed to Fayette, where they remained until IS21, when they came to Rush County, and settled where the subject of this sketch now resides. In 1820, Jehu Perkins, Sr., entered Section 27, in what is now Noble Town- ship, and on this site the first mills, horse and water-power, were erected. On this farm was the first tavern, distillery and store, and Jehu Perkins, Sr., was the first merchant. He, truly, was one of the Hoosier pioneers. The mother of our subject was born in South Carolina in 1783, and died in Rush County, Ind., in IS47. Our subject is the. seventeenth in a family of twenty-one children, five of whom are now living. In IS3S, he began life for himself, and now owns the old Perkins homestead. His marriage occurred September 20, IS38, to Miss Mary Lines, who was born in Frank- lin County, Ind., August 24, IS19. They have five children, viz .: James C., born 1842: Sarah E., born IS45; Charles H., born IS47; Mary E., born 1850, and Lottie A., born 1855. Politically, Mr.
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Perkins is a Republican, and Mrs. Perkins is a member of the Methodist Church. For sixty-six years Mr. Perkins has been a resident of Noble Township. He is familiarly known as "Boss " Perkins, and is the oldest born resident of the county.
QUINCY A. POSTON, Trustee of Noble Township, is the second of five children born to George W. and Hester (McNiel) Poston, the former born in Rush County, Ind., March 12, IS26, the latter born in Fayette County, Ind., June 1, 1827. The Poston family came to Rush County in the spring of 1821, and here the subject of this sketch was born, August 6, 1851. He was educated at the public schools of this county, and at twenty-one years began life for himself. Ilis occupation has been that of a farmer, and for twenty years has run a threshing machine; during this time he has threshed about 200,000 bushels of wheat. In 1884, he removed to New Salem, where he now resides. His marriage occurred December 23, 1873, to Miss Mariette Wellman, born in this town- ship, October 1, 1852. Politically, he is a Republican, and in ISS6, was elected Trustee of Noble Township by that party. He is a representative of one of the early families of this county, and an honorable citizen.
GEORGE WASHINGTON REEVE, one of the old settlers of Noble Township, was born in Mason County, Ky., February 24, 1821. His father, Elder Benjamin F. Reeve, was born in Prince William County, Va., October 28, 1798. At an early date he came to Ken- tucky with his parents, and there remained until 1833, when he re- moved to Rush County, Ind., and settled in Noble Township. He was twice married, his last wife was Miss Elizabeth Lower, who is now deceased. IIe was formerly a Whig, but afterward a Repub- lican, and for three years represented Rush County in the State Assembly. He began preaching in 1832, and continued until death, he dying July 18, 1877. The immediate subject of this biography, is the eldest of eight children, six of whom are now living. He received a good education. In 1852, he settled on his present farm which consists of 240 acres; he also has 240 acres in Iowa. He was married March 15, 1843, to Miss Naomi A. Robinson, born in Hamilton County, Ohio, October 15, 1820. She is the daughter of William C. and Frances (Walton) Robinson, the former born in Kentucky and the latter born in Virginia. They were the parents of the following children: Albert G., born November 23, 1848; Anna E., born February 16, 1851, and Minnie M., born April II, 1861. Mrs. Reeve died July 25, 1887. She was extensively known and beloved by all who knew her. Mr. Reeve is a Repub- lican, and for many years has taken an active part in the Rush County Agricultural Association.
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BAZIL RHODES was born in Monongalia County, W. Va., May 9, 1830; is the seventh in a family of nine children, born to Joel and Catharine (Stewart) Rhodes, the former born near Hag- erstown, Md., 1783, and died in this county, June 27, 1873; the latter born in Virginia, July 5, 1790, and died in 1867. The father was a soldier in the War of 1812, and began life for himself by farming upon rented land, which he continued, until 1834, when he came to Rush County and purchased 160 acres of land for $600, and in the spring of 1835, brought his family to the new country and home; coming down the Ohio River by flat-boat and thence by wagon across the country to Noble Township. They reared a family of nine children, eight of whom are yet living. They were both members of the Presbyterian Church. The immediate sub- ject of this sketch received a limited education and upon reaching his majority, began working at the carpenter trade, which he con- tinued until 1862, when he enlisted in Company L, Third Regiment Indiana Volunteer Cavalry and accompanied Gen. Sherman on that memorable March to the Sea. He was a brave and faithful soldier, and was honorably discharged at Indianapolis in August, 1865. Returning home he resumed work at his trade and this con- tinued until 1873, when he purchased eighty acres of the home- stead farm, where he now lives. He was reared a Democrat, but since 1856 has been a staunch Republican. Mr. Rhodes was mar- ried September 13, 1856, to Miss Martha J. Lower, whose death occurred in August, 1859. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes had one child, Florin, who died at the age of thirteen months. Mr. Rhodes is a member of Andersonville Lodge, No. 96, F. & A. M .; also of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
J. H. G. STAMM, a native of Washington County, Md., born August 9, 1825, being the eldest son of twelve children of J. H. George and Margaret (Ambrose) Stamm, both natives of Mary- land, and of German-Irish extraction. The father of Mr. Stamm was by occupation a distiller and farmer, and in 1834, he came to Franklin County, and then removed to Rush County, where he remained some years, and later removed to Marion County, where he died in 1835, aged eighty-five years. In politics, he was a Dem- ocrat and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The immediate subject of this biography, came with his parents to Franklin County at nine years of age, receiving a limited educa- tion, and at twenty-one years of age began doing for himself. In early life Mr. Stamm came to Rush County, and for six years lived on rented land and then purchased his present farm, which is well improved and is composed of 189 acres. November 4, 1847, Mr.
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Stamm was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Beaver, daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Beaver. To that union were born six children, viz .: Thomas W., born July 15, 1848; Melissa, born Sep- tember 3, 1849; David H., born August 21, 1852; Howard, born February 20, 1855; John R., born June 5, 1856, and Elizabeth J., born May 8, 1858. Mrs. Stamm died May 22, 1860, and Septem- ber 25, 1862, Mr. Stamm was married to Miss Angeline Plow, born in Franklin County, December 12, 1842, and daughter of Uriah and Catharine Plow. To the second marriage were born these children: George S., born June 13, 1863, and died in 1874; Margaret A., born April 8, 1865; Jacob A., born August 1, 1867; Harriet F., born February 21, 1870; Ida May, born August II, 1873; Franklin J., born October 19, 1875; Minnie Lee, born December 7, 1877; Charles Owen, born July 9, 1880; Robert Clyde, born November 2, 1882, and Grover C., born February 4, 1884. In politics he is a Democrat, and a member of the Masonic fraternity. Mr. and Mrs. Stamm are well known and esteemed citizens of Noble Township.
ALFRED P. WHITE, a native of Fleming County, Ky., was born October 25, 1816, son of Nelson and Elizabeth (Perry) White and of Scotch-Irish descent. His father, a native of Kentucky, was an 1812 soldier and was at Dudley's defeat near Ft. Wayne. He died in this county at the age of sixty-five years. The paternal grand- father of Mr. White was born in Ireland and emigrated to Kentucky where he died. The mother of our subject was born near the city of Baltimore, Md., and died in Fayette County, Ind. At the age of twelve years our subject came to Indiana with his parents and settled in Fayette County, Ind., in June, 1837, where he remained until 1839, when he settled where he now lives. At the age of sixteen years he was "bound out" to a man by the name of Richard Miller and during his bondage, learned the brick layer and stone mason's trade. He is one of the prominent farm- ers of Noble Township and now owns 193 acres of valuable land. Mr. White was united in marriage, January, 1838, to Miss Elizabeth Looney, who was born in Lewis County, Ky., March 30, 1818, and is the daughter of Peter and Jane (Salis- bury) Looney. Her father was born in Virginia, July 24, 1786 and died August 21, 1878. He came to Indiana in 1821 and settled on land bought from the government, and was a mem- ber of the first jury impaneled in this county. The mother of Mrs. White, was also a native of Kentucky and died in this county. Mr. and Mrs. White have one child, Irma, living. A son, Peter N., who was a soldier in the late war, was taken ill soon after the bat- tle of Vicksburg and died here September 14, 1863. Mr. White
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