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 45
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where he has ever since resided. In the spring of 1877, he was elected Superintendent of the schools of Rush County, which position he filled in an able and creditable manner for two terms. He has always been greatly interested in work of an educational nature and to the end of promoting the educational interests of Rush County, he has for the past eight years, conducted an educa- tional column in The facksonian, which is the source of much in- terest and profit to all friends of education. Since retiring from the Superintendency, his attention has been given to his pastoral duties and to the management of his farm. He has also in connec- tion with these, been engaged more or less as agent for insurance companies. His marriage occurred August 24, 1865, when Miss Josephine L. Martindale, became his wife. She was born in Wayne County, Ind., January 14, 1845, and was the daughter of Samuel P. and Armilda (Oldaker) Martindale, respectively natives of Henry and Wayne Counties, Ind., the former of Scotch-Irish de- scent, and the latter of Scotch-English descent. Mrs. Blount was a granddaughter of Elder Elijah Martindale, who was one of the pioneer preachers of Indiana. Their marriage resulted in the birth of eight children, as follows: Maud B., Elsie F., Zula M., Roland T., Ralph D., Raymond L., Wildene L. and Glen A., all of whom are living except Wildene L., who died in childhood. Elder Blount is a member of the Phi Delta Theta Greek Fraternity and of the Odd Fellow's Lodge. His political affiliations have al- ways been with the Democratic party. On the 2d day of June, 1886, he was bereaved of a loving wife and his children of an af- fectionate mother.
NICHOLAS BROWN, an industrious and successful farmer of Posey Township, was born in Germany, December 6, 1840. He was the son of Fritzidona and Caroline (Smith ) Brown, the former of whom died when our subject was but three years old. When he was eleven years old he accompanied his mother and stepfather, Joseph Bone, to whom his mother had previously been married, to America, the family locating in Cincinnati. During the summer of his twelfth year he worked upon a farm in Ripley County, this State. In March, 1853, he accompanied his mother and stepfather to this county, and settled with them in Posey Township. In the following September, his mother and her husband returned to Cin- cinnati, but Nicholas remained here, having found a home in the family of Jeremiah Beckner, where he continued about seven years, receiving his board and clothes, and a horse, saddle and bridle at the age of nineteen. At that age, or December 27, 1859, he was mar- ried to Catharine Beckner, daughter of Henry and Phebe (Plank ) Beckner. She was born in Posey Township, December 17, 1838.
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RUSH COUNTY.
During the entire married life of Mr. Brown, he has resided in Posey Township, his occupation being that of a farmer. His first wife died March 2, 1868, leaving four children: Jerry, Rosella, Henry and Catharine, all of whom are still living. On the 6th day of February, IS70, Mr. Brown was married to Sarah A. Al- lender, who was born in this county December 3, 1840. She is therefore just three days older than her husband. The parents of Mrs. Brown were George and Mary ( Hulgan ) Allender, the former a native of Kentucky, and the latter a native of South Carolina. This latter marriage has resulted in the birth of seven children, as follows: Mary, Charley, Nora, James, John, and a son and daughter that died in infancy, unnamed. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are mem- bers of the Christian Church. Politically, our subject is a Demo- crat. He owns a beautiful farm of 155 acres, nearly all of which is in a high state of cultivation. His farm is fitted up with a hand- some residence.
WILLIAM COLLINS, an influential citizen of Posey Township, was born upon the farm where he now lives, June 16, 1832. He was the son of William and Elizabeth (Beckner) Collins, both na- tives of Fleming County, Ky., the former of Irish, and the latter of Dutch descent. His early life was spent upon the old homestead, where, when he was twenty-one years of age, he took up the avo- cation of a farmer for himself and where he has ever since con- tinued in that pursuit. His first marriage occurred in December, 1857, when Martha A. Bentley became his wife. She was born in this county, and was the daughter of Eli and Mary ( Hall) Bentley, formerly of this county. In February, 1864, Mrs. Martha A. Col- lins died, leaving three children: Omer P., Eli B. and Mary I., of whom Omer P. is deceased. In December. 1868, Mr. Collins was married to Mrs. Burzilla Bagley, a native of Fleming County, Ky., and daughter of Joseph and Caroline English. In politics, Mr. Collins is a staunch Democrat. He owns a good farm of 123 acres, all of which is in a good state of cultivation. His life occupation has been that of a farmer, having continuously given his entire at- tention to that pursuit ever since he was large enough to hold the plow handles. His father and mother are the parents of eight children, all of whom are still living. All have already reached a mature age, the oldest being sixty-eight and the youngest fifty- three. Mr. Collins is an industrious, hard-working man, and he and wife are among the worthy and esteemed citizens of Rush County.
ELI B. COLLINS, one of Rush County's progressive and suc- cessful teachers, was born in Posey Township, upon the farm where he now resides, April 29, 1861. He was the son of William and Martha A. (Bentley) Collins, both of whom were natives of Rush
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County. He was but two years old when his mother died, and his boyhood and youth were spent at the home of his father who still resides in Posey Township. In winter he attended the public school receiving his first lessons in a country school house. Soon afterward, however, he became a student in the public schools of Arlington, in which he completed a course of study embracing the ordinary branches of learning, and received a diploma at about the age of seventeen years. At about this time he took up the avocation of a teacher, discharging his first duties in this capacity in the schools at Arlington. This has furnished him winter em- ployment ever since, and he is now recognized among the indus- trious and efficient teachers of the county. His vacations have been spent upon the farm and attending normal schools. He has at- tended, in all, five terms of school of this kind, three of which were in the Central Normal College of Danville, Ind. In the fall of IS86, he entered upon his duties as principal of the Arlington Schools, and he so discharged them that the Trustee has seen fit to re-employ him for another year. On the 20th day of December, ISS2, he was married to Miss Nannie M. Beckner, daughter of Henry W. and Sarah J. Beckner, who are esteemed citi- zens of Posey Township. She was born in Arlington, May 12, IS63. Their union has been blessed by the birth of one child: Bula D., born Jan. 27, ISS4. Our subject and wife are members of the Christian Church. In politics, the former is a Democrat.
SAMUEL CONAWAY, a farmer of Posey Township, was born in Fleming County, Ky., November 19, 1827, being the son of John and Phebe Conaway, both natives of Kentucky, the former of Lewis County, and the latter of Fleming County. His father died in 1833, and in IS36 he came with his mother and stepfather, Henry Beckner, to this State, and after a residence of four months in Randolph County they came to Rush County, and ever since then the place of residence of Mr. Conaway has been in Posey Township. He grew up to manhood upon a farm, and his atten- tion ever since has chiefly been given to agricultural pursuits, though he has frequently dealt more or less in grain and live-stock. His marriage to Miss Phebe Allender, occurred April 1, 1848. She is a native of this county, born October 1, 1831. Her parents, George and Sarah ( Adams) Allender, were natives of Kentucky and North Carolina, respectively. The families of both her father and' her mother came to Rush County in an early day, and her parents were married here in about the year IS30. Mr. and Mrs. Conaway have had born to them fifteen children. Their names in the order of their ages are as follows: Mary J., John J., Harriet, Lusetta, Henry L. and George R. (twins), William A., Rebecca
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and Josephine (twins), Anna F., Sarah I., Nora F., Oma, Maud B., and Charley, all of whom are living except the oldest and the youngest. Mary J. died at the age of thirty-four, and Charley died in his fourth year. The family now consists of thirteen chil- dren, all of whom are grown and several of whom are married. Mr. and Mrs. Conaway and all their children are members of the Christian Church. In politics, Mr. Conaway is a Democrat. He owns a splendid farm of 231 acres, about 190 acres of which are in cultivation. In addition to this he is the owner of four residence properties in Arlington. He began life a poor boy, and the pres- ent state of his circumstances reflects very creditably upon his industry and good management. During the years of toil through which he has passed his wife has stood bravely by his side pre- siding over the duties of the household and administering to the wants of husband and children as only a devoted wife and Christian mother could.
JOHN M. CONAWAY, a prominent farmer and stock dealer of Posey Township, and the present Trustee of that township, was born in Fleming County, Ky., February 12, 1833. He was the son of John and Phebe (Plank ) Conaway, both natives of the State of Ken- tucky. His father, who was a cooper by occupation, died with an attack of the cholera, when the subject of this sketch was but five months old. When he was yet a small boy, probably eight years of age, he accompanied his mother and stepfather, Henry Beckner, to whom his mother had previously been married, to Randolph County, this State, where the family settled upon a farm. A year later they came to this county and located in Posey Township, where both his mother and stepfather spent the rest of their lives, the former dying in 1854, and the latter in 1879, where our subject spent his youth assisting to clear and cultivate the farm, and where he has ever since resided. In summer during his early life, he at- tended the district school in which he received sufficient education to teach public school, which pursuit he took up at twenty-one years of age, that furnished his winter's employment for five years, his vacations being spent upon a farm. In the meantime his marriage occurred at the age of twenty-five, or October 5, 1858, when Miss Asenath Ball became his wife. She was born in Posey Township, in 1840, being the daughter of Henry and Harriet (Smith) Ball, both natives of Pennsylvania. Immediately after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Conaway settled upon a farm in Posey Township, and four years later they removed to another farm in the same vi- cinity, where the wife of Mr. Conaway died July 12, 1875. His second marriage occurred August 31, 1876, when Miss Annie Walker became his wife. She was born in Ripley Township,
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March 12, 1854, and was the daughter of John W. and Cynthia (Tullis) Walker, the former of whom is a prominent citizen of Rip- ley Township. In March, 1885, Mr. Conaway and his present wife removed to their present home in Section S, Posey Township. The chief occupation of Mr. Conaway has been that of a farmer, though he has given considerable attention to the raising, buying and sell- ing of live stock. He has also in this connection, devoted consid- erable time to the training of fast horses, having at this time a number upon his farm that possess marked evidence of speed. The first marriage of Mr. Conaway resulted in the birth of eight children as follows: John J. C., Jessie, Margaret, Lavisa, Leona, Henry G., Theresie and Samuel, of whom John J. C., Margaret, Lavisa and Samuel are deceased. He and his present wife are the parents of three children as follows: Nellie C., Dallie and Gus, all of whom are living. Politically, Mr. Conaway is an uncompromis- ing Republican. In ISSo he was elected Township Trustee as the candidate of his party, overcoming an opposing majority of thirty- nine. In ISS6, he was again elected to that office and is the pres- ent incumbent. He owns a farm of 160 acres, nearly all of which is in a good state of cultivation.
JAMES H. DOWNEY, a farmer and influential citizen of Posey Township, was born in Jackson Township, July 20, 1836. He was the son of Jacob and Margaret ( Hinton) Downey, both natives of Nicholas County, Ky., the former chiefly of Irish descent, and the latter chiefly of German descent. ITis father was the son of Arch- ibald and Sarah (Cook) Downey, and his mother was the daughter of Ezekiel and Martha (Caldwell) Hinton. His parents were mar- ried in their native county on the 29th day of July, 1830, and im- mediately afterward they came to Rush County and settled upon the farm in Jackson Township, where our subject was born. James spent his early life assisting to clear and cultivate the farm in summer and attending the district school in winter. He received a good knowledge of the branches that were then taught in the public school, and at about the age of twenty he took up the avo-
cation of a teacher which furnished his winter's employment for about three years. During the summer season he worked upon a farm, and the pursuit of a farmer has furnished the chief avocation of his life. He was married March 10, 1859, to Lucinda Price, who was born in Jackson Township (now Posey), October 28, 1839, and was the daughter of John and Mary A. (Courtney) Price, both natives of Fleming County, Ky., the former of Irish, and the latter of Dutch descent. For one season after their mar- riage Mr. and Mrs. Downey resided in Jackson Township. They then removed to Posey Township and in 1865 moved to Jasper
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RUSH COUNTY.
County, Ills., but not being pleased with the country they returned to this county and after a residence of one year in Center Town- ship, they again settled where they had previously resided in Posey Township. Five years later they removed to their present home, where they have ever since resided. Mr. Downey has given his entire attention to agricultural pursuits and is considered one among the first-class farmers of the county. His farm consists of 100 acres of excellent land which is fitted up with good buildings and fences and nearly all of which is in a high state of cultivation. He and wife are the parents of two children, both of whom are sons. The older, Jacob Franklin, was born December 15, 1859; he was married September 27, ISS2, to Mary I. Collins. He resides in Posey Township and is at present one of the prominent teachers of this county. The younger son is John Price, who was born Decem- ber 9, 1861, and was married March 21, 1883, to Mary R. Stephens. He, also, resides in Posey Township and by occupation is a farmer. Our subject and wife are members of the Christian Church. The former became a member of that church in 1854, when he was but eighteen years old. Mrs. Downey joined the church in 1857, or when she also was eighteen years of age. Both have been devoted members ever since and both have endeavored to live consistent Christian lives. For a number of years Mr. Downey has served as Superintendent of the Sabbath School, and in this and many other ways he has striven to promote the cause of Christianity. His political affiliations have always been with the Democratic party. He was elected Trustee of his township in 1876 and was re-elected in IS78.
JACOB F. DOWNEY, one of Rush County's most successful teachers, is a native, of this county, having been born in Posey Township, December 15, 1859. He is the older of two sons born to James H. and Lucinda Downey, a history of whom appears else- where in this work. He was reared upon the farm and in winter attended the district school in which he received a good knowl- edge of the common branches. Later on he attended a Normal School at Carthage, during two sessions, and at nineteen years of age he took up the avocation of a teacher, teaching his first term where he had previously attended school. This has furnished his winter's employment now for the first eight years and some idea of his success may be had from the fact that all of his teaching has been in but two districts, having taught three terms in one and five in the other. He was united in marriage September 27, 1882, to Miss Mary I. Collins, daughter of William and Martha A. (Bent- ley) Collins. She was born in Posey Township, January 12, 1864. They are the parents of one child: Clarence E., born August 19,
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1883. Mr. and Mrs. Downey are members of the Christian Church. In politics the former is a Democrat. He owns an eighty-acre farm in Posey Township, most of which is in cultivation. He is an efficient and progressive teacher.
WILLIAM ENGLISHI, a pioneer of Rush County, and an old and respected citizen of Arlington, was born in Harrison County, Ky., on the 25th day of December, 1816. He was the son of Robert and Patsy (Kenning) English, both natives of Harrison County, Ky., the former of Scotch, and the latter of Irish descent. In 1823, when William was but seven years old, his parents came to this county and settled .upon a tract of woods land about two miles southeast of the present site of Rushville. There our subject spent his early life assisting to clear and cultivate the farm. He con- tinued upon the old homestead until in the year 1870, when he re- moved to the village of Arlington. Since then his attention has been given to the management of his farm one mile and a half east of Arlington. He was married February 28, 1852, to Christiana J. Laughlin, who was born in Beaver County, Pa .. November 19, 1821, and was the daughter of Wilson and Elizabeth (McCloud) Laughlin, the former a native of Beaver County, Pa., of Irish descent, and the latter a native of Virginia, of Scotch descent. She came with her father and mother to Rush County when she was but four years old, and she has even since been a resident of the county. She is a niece of Dr. William B. Laughlin, one of the earliest settlers of Rushville, and is a cousin to IIarmony Laughlin, now an old and honored resident of Rushville. Mr. and Mrs. Eng- lish are the parents of one daughter: Laura E., who was born Feb- ruary 14, 1860, and who was married April 20, 1887, to Oscar M. Marshall, a native of this county, born July 9, 1859, and son of Ben- jamin Marshall. Our subject, his wife and daughter, are all mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church. In politics, Mr. English is a Democrat. Besides his comfortable residence property he now occupies, he owns a farm of eighty acres.
ROBERT HUTCHINSON, who occupies a prominent place among the successful farmers and stock-raisers of Rush County, was born in Franklin County, this State, May 30, 1844, being the son of Sandford and Mary (Charlton) Hutchinson, the former a native of Kentucky, and the latter a native of Ohio. His father was the son of Carter Hutchinson, who was a Virginian by birth. His mother, who is still living and now resides in the State of Iowa, can trace her ancestry back to the crew of the Mayflower. When the sub- ject of this sketch was ten years old, his parents removed to Butler County, Ohio, where his youth was spent upon a farm. At nine- teen, or in December, 1863, he entered the service of the Union
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Army in Company M, Ninth Indiana Cavalry, with which he served during the remainder of the war. He participated in the battles of Franklin and Nashville, and several other less important engage- ments, in all of which he discharged his duties in a manner becom- ing a loyal soldier. On returning from the war he located in Posey Township, this county, where he has ever since pursued the avocation of a farmer and stock-raiser. His first marriage occurred August 20, 1868, when Miss Margaret E. Moore became his wife. She was born in Posey Township, April 15, 1851, being the daugh- ter of Mordecai and Nancy (Gruwell) Moore. She died Novem- ber 29, ISSO, and on the 21st day of December, 1882, Mr. Hutchinson and Miss Ridenbaugh were united in marriage. She was born in Rushville, October 8, 1857, being the daughter of John and Rachel (McMannis) Ridenbaugh, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter a native of this county. Mr. Hutch- inson's first marriage resulted in the birth of three children, as fol- lows: Elbert, born April 14, 1870, died October 4, 1882; Leona, born July 21, 1872, died October 8, 1872, and Elmer, born Au- gust 30, 1873. He and his present wife have one child, Essie, born July 26, 1885. Mr. and Mrs. Hutchinson are members of the Christian Church. The former is a member of the G. A. R. and I. O. O. F. lodges, and he is a firm supporter of the principles of the Democratic party. His farm, which is admirably situated, consists of 160 acres of excellent land, nearly all of which is in a good state of cultivation. It is in other ways well improved and, with its splendid facilities, it is a most desirable location. As a tiller of the soil Mr. Hutchinson has been very successful. ' He be- gan life a poor boy, but his industry and perseverance have placed him in comfortable circumstances and given him a rank among the well-to-do citizens. He is one of the influential and prosperous far- mers of the township, and he and wife are among its best citizens. For the past two years, in addition to farming, Mr. Hutchinson has been engaged in the grain trade, which venture, like all others he has made, has been attended with success.
EDWARD A. JUNKEN, a prosperous farmer of Posey Township, was born in Barren County, Ky., September 27, 1840. He was the son of Harvey and Betsey (McHatteon) Junken, the former of whom was born in this county, being the son of William Junken, who was one among the first settlers of this county, and who was the first Clerk the county ever had. His mother was also born in this county, and was the daughter of David and Betsey (English) McHatteon, they, also, being among the early settlers of this county. The parents of our subject were married here in their na- tive county about the year 1834, and very soon afterward they re-
yours hely A.B. Blunt
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moved to Barren County, Ky., where Edward was born and where his mother died when he was yet an infant but two weeks old, and where his father also died before he was seven years old. Be- tween the ages of seven and twelve years, he attended Camden Seminary in his native county, which was taught by Jesse P. Mur- rell. At twelve years of age, he, in company with his uncle, Al- exander McHatteon, came to this, the native county of his parents, and for one year thereafter he made his home with his grand- parents, the parents of his mother, who resided a few miles east of Arlington. After this, his youth was spent working upon a farm by the month in summer, and attending district school in winter. While his education was confined to the ordinary branches of learn- ing, it was such as to fit him for the practical affairs of life. He had no more than attained his majority and entered fully upon his manhood when national difficulties arose which threatened the dissolution of the Union. From the first his sympathies were with the North, and on the 19th day of August, 1862, he was mustered into the United States Army, in Company D, Sixty-eighth Indiana Regiment, with which he served until the close of the war. He participated in the battles of Hoover's Gap, Dalton, Kenesaw Mountain, Nashville and many other smaller engagements. As a soldier he discharged his duties in a manner befitting a man possess- ing true national pride and honor. While on furlough, he was mar- ried to Miss Sarah Beale, on the 25th day of December, 1862. She was born in this county, December 10, 1836, being the daughter of William and Margaret (Love) Beale, natives of New York and Pennsylvania, respectively. On returning from the war, Mr. Junken joined his wife at her father's home in Jackson Township, and a few months later they removed to the farm they now oc- cupy in Posey Township. Since then the entire attention of Mr. Junken has been confined to agricultural pursuits. He began with a tract of timbered land, which he has since improved with good buildings and fences, and most of which he has placed in an ad- mirable state of cultivation. He and wife are the parents of four children, as follows: Margaret W., Alvah T., Jerusha B., and Robert E., of whom the youngest died in infancy. Our subject, his wife and two children, are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Junken is a member of the G. A. R. and I. O. O. F. lodges, and is a Republican in politics.
WILLIAM H. LEE, a worthy and esteemed citizen of Posey Township, was born in that township July 8, 1835. He was the son of Elzy C. and Sarah Ann (Murphy) Lee, the former a native of Fishkill Island, of English descent, and the latter a native of New Jersey, of Irish descent. He was reared upon a farm, and in win- I6
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