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 46
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ter he attended the district school. In 1856, he entered an academy at Hartsville, Bartholomew County, and attended one term of five months. He then took up the avocation of a teacher, and this furnished his winter's employment for four consecutive years. In the fall of 1862, he entered the Union service in the Twenty-second Indiana Light Artillery, with which he served until the end of the war. He participated in the siege of Nashville and the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, Ga., and Franklin, Tenn., and siege of Atlanta; from the war he was married August 3, 1865, to Catharine S. Nelson, who was born in this county January 15, 1837, being the daughter of Christian and Felitia Ann (Cooper) Nelson, a more extended mention of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Im- mediately after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Lee went to Kokomo, this State, where for a short time Mr. Lee worked at the car- penter's trade. In March, 1866, they removed to a farm in Tipton County, and in August, 1867, they returned to this county and set- tled upon the farm they now occupy in Posey Township. Since then Mr. Lee has given his whole attention to farming and in this pursuit he has been liberally rewarded. He began with a farm of eighty acres, and since he has been enabled to add to this until now he owns 174 acres of excellent land, most of which is in a good state of cultivation. He and wife have had seven children as fol- lows: Adenia, Arthur C., Fannie, Florence, Elzy F., William R., and Thomas R., all of whom are living except Elzy F., who died in childhood. Mrs. Lee is a member of the Christian Church. In politics, Mr. Lee is an ardent Republican. While not a political Prohibitionist, he is in favor of temperance and eschews the use of intoxicants in every form.
GEORGE W. LEISURE, an aged and venerable pioneer of Rush County, and one of its most worthy and honored citizens, is a native of Garrard County, Ky., born June 9, 1809. His parents, Nathan and Sarah (Irvin) Leisure, were respectively natives of Frederick County, Md., and Halifax County, Va., the former of English, and the latter of Irish descent. The parents of his father were Joseph and Rachel (Ryan) Leisure, the former of whom lived to be one hundred and five years old. His death was then premature, being caused by a cancerous affection. The maternal grandfather of Mr. Leisure was Joseph Irvin, who lived to be nearly eighty years of age. The early life of our subject was spent in his native county. In winter he attended the district school, and in summer he was chiefly employed in the culture of tobacco. He was married at the age of twenty on October S, 1829. His wife, whose maiden name was Lucinda Myers, was born in Lincoln (now Boyle) County, Ky., July 27, ISIo, and was the daughter of Michael and
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Christena (Pope) Myers, both natives of Kentucky, of German descent. Both the paternal and maternal grandparents of Mrs. Leisure were born in Germany. Almost immediately after the: marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Leisure they came to Rush County and first made a temporary settlement on Big Blue River in Ripley Township. A few months later, Mr. Leisure entered an eighty- acre tract of land within the present limits of Posey Township. There he erected a cabin into which he moved his family and im- mediately set about clearing up a farm. This necessarily occasioned a great deal of hard work. He chopped, burned brush, rolled logs, split rails, and not infrequently did his wife, too, enter the forest and assist in ways that she could to prepare the ground for the plow. Mr. Leisure toiled on as only a man of iron will and rugged constitution could, and Mrs. Leisure stood bravely by his side, sharing alike his adversity and prosperity and presiding over the duties of the household as only a faithful wife and Christian mother could. Their labors were liberally rewarded, and in the course of time Mr. Leisure was enabled to enter and purchase other lands until he finally became one of the most extensive free- holders in the county. He was not only able to comfortably pro- vide for all his children as they reached maturity, but he has a good farm and a comfortable home left where he and wife are spending the decline of life in a quiet, happy way. They have resided where they now live since 1854. The fruits of their marriage were fourteen children: Sarah, Mary A., John, Joseph, Henry, Chris- tena, Nathan, George M., Elizabeth, Lucinda, James P., William, Maria, and Rachel A., eleven of whom are living, grown, married and have comfortable homes. Those deceased are: Mary A., Christena, and George M. Mr. and Mrs. Leisure, their six sons and their wives, and their five daughters and their husbands, are all members of the Christian Church. In politics, Mr. Leisure is a staunch' Democrat, and he prides himself that of his twenty-two children, both by birth and marriage, twenty-one of them are the same political faith. He has frequently been elected to the office of Trustee and Justice of the Peace, and in 1875 he was elected County Commissioner, overcoming an opposing majority of two hundred. He has a number of times been solicited to become a candidate for offices of importance and trust, but always declined, prefering the quietude of domestic life to the bustle of politics. He and wife have now lived together more than fifty-eight years, and though aged as they are, both enjoy the blessings of health, and both bid fair to live for many years to come. They are among the county's most worthy and honored citizens, and are among the few early settlers who yet stand as living monuments of the pleas-
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ures and hardships of pioneer life. They have sixty-seven grand- children and thirty-five great grand-children, of whom fifty-four of the former and thirty-three of the latter are living.
MRS. MARY MCDUFFIE, an aged and venerable lady of Posey Township, was born in Fleming County, Ky., October 15, 1818, being the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Berkner) Collins, both natives of Kentucky. When she was seven years old she came with her parents to Rush County, whither they arrived Oc- tober 11, 1825. The family settled in Posey Township where the subject of this sketch grew up to womanhood. On the sixth day of June, 1850, she became the wife of Elder Gabriel C. McDuffie, who was a pastor in the Christian Church, and the son of Robert and Rachel McDuffie. He was born in Harrison County, Ky., May 12, 1791. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. McDuffie set- tled upon the farm the latter now occupies, where Mr. McDuffie died January 30, 1864. Since then Mrs. McDuffie has been a widow. Her marriage was blessed with the birth of one child. Mary A., who was born March 24, 1851, and died Novem- ber 3, 1853. She is a member of the Christian Church, hav- ing joined it nearly fifty years ago. She resided in this county while it was but a wildwood and the incidents and associations of pioneer life are fresh in her mind.
WILLIAM J. McMICHAEL, farmer, of Posey Township, is a na- tive of that township, born May 6, 1834. He was the son of John and Mahala McMichael, the former, who was the son of Thomas and Nancy McMichael, and the latter, who was the daughter of Joseph Britton, were both natives of Guilford County, North Car- olina. His paternal ancestors were of Scotch-Irish extraction. He was reared upon his father's farm, and received in the district school an ordinary school education. At the age of twenty he went to Hancock County, where he was employed in a saw mill two years. He then returned to this county and resumed farming, which has been the chief occupation of his life. His marriage oc- curred May 31, 1860, when Miss Sarah Worth became his wife. She was also born in Posey Township, the date being August 13, 184I, and was the daughter of Obed and Maria (Barnard) Worth, natives of North Carolina and Ohio, respectively. Mr. McMichael and wife have seven children, as follows: Phebe J., William W., Albert N., Ernest M., Eva M., Alice and 'Myrtle A., all of whom are living except the oldest. Our subject and wife are members of the Protestant Methodist Church. In politics, Mr. McMichael was formerly a Democrat, but he is now an uncompromising Prohibi- tionist. He believes in principle rather than name and does not hesitate to sacrifice the latter for the support of the former. Mr.
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McMichael is six feet and six inches in height, and weighs 310 pounds.
ABRAM MILLER, an old and highly respected citizen of Arling- ton, was born in Shenandoah County, Va., January I, ISIO. He was the son of John and Flora ( Hoffman) Miller, both of whom were natives of Shenandoah County, Va., of Dutch descent. He spent his boyhood and early youth in his native county upon a farm. His mother died when he was eighteen years old, and a few months afterward, owing to a dissolution of the household, he became an apprentice in a woolen factory, where he spent two and one-half years learning the carder's trade. He left the factory be- fore his apprenticeship expired, to accompany his father, who had re-married, to Warren County, Ohio. There our subject worked at his trade about three months, but not finding this very remunera- tive he abandoned it and found employment upon a farm. At the end of two years, or on the 3rd day of October, 1832, he was united in marriage to Mary Sellers, who was born in Warren County, Ohio, January 31, 1833, and was the daughter of Jacob and Christena (Monger) Sellers, both natives of Rockingham County, Va., of Dutch descent. Immediately after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Miller located upon a farm in Warren County, Ohio, where they resided until about 1813, when they came to this county, and settled in Walker Township. There they continued to live happily together until their union was broken by the death of Mrs. Miller, April 30, 1878. On the 16th day of February, 1882, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Maria Sheets, who was born in Warren County, Ohio, February 11, 1827, and was the daughter of John and Susan (Miller) Sheets, both natives of Vir- ginia, of Dutch descent. Shortly after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Miller located in the village of Arlington, in the residence they now occupy. The first marriage of Mr. Miller resulted in the birth of ten children, as follows: Christena A., Sarah J., Andrew, Mary E., Flora, Wesley, Theodore, Julia A., Lucinda F. and Mar- garet E., all of whom all living except Andrew and Mary E. Mr. Miller is a member of the Methodist Church, the Odd Fellows' Lodge, and in politics he is an ardent Republican.
THOMAS B. NELSON, one of the prosperous and influential men of Rush County, was born upon a farm three and one-half miles southwest of Rushville, March 29, 1839. He was the son of Christian and Filitia Ann (Cooper) Nelson, the former of whom was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, February 2, 1797, and the latter was born in this county August 1, 1820. His parents were married in this county January 11, 1836. Immediately after their marriage they settled upon a farm three and one-half miles south-
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west of Rushville, and there raised a family of five children, as fol- lows: Catharine S., born January 15, 1837; Thomas B., born March 29, 1839; William H., born March 3, 1841; Samuel D., born March 10, 1843, died in the service of the Union Army at Greenville, Miss., June 20, 1864, and James L., born March 30, 1845, died May 15, 1848. The wife of Christian Nelson died De- cember 27, 1846, and on the 29th day of June, 1848, he married Mrs. Margaret Brown. Some years later they settled in the village of Arlington, where Mr. Nelson died April 29, 1866. His widow, Margaret Nelson, afterward married John Alsman. She died Oc- tober 6, ISSI. The subject of this sketch spent his early life working upon a farm in summer and attending district school in winter. His education, though confined to the common branches, was such as to fit him for the ordinary transactions of life. On the 18th day of April, 1861, he volunteered his services to the Union Army, and was duly mustered into Company F, Sixteenth Indiana Infantry, with which he served one year, or the full time of his en- listment. He reached home on the Ist day of June, 1862, and four days later, or the 5th of the same month he was married to Miss Phebe Ball, who was born in Posey Township, March II, 1843, being the daughter of Henry and Harriet (Smith) Ball, both na- tives of Mercer County, Pa. For a few months after their mar- riage, Mr. and Mrs. Nelson resided with the father of Mr. Nelson, in Posey Township. In August, 1862, they settled upon another farm in the same vicinity. They have since made three other moves, but have resided all the time in the same township. They settled where they now reside in February, 1882. The life occu- pation of Mr. Nelson has been that of a farmer, and as such he has had marked success. He and wife'are the parents of seven chil- dren, as follows: Charles W., William C., Catharine S., Thomas C., James O., Harry H., and John O., all of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson are members of the Friends' Church. In politics, Mr. Nelson is an uncompromising Republican. He owns a splendid farm of 320 acres, which is fitted up with good buildings and fences, and about 270 acres of which is in a high state of cultivation.
MRS. MARY H. OFFUTT, an aged and venerable lady of Arling- ton, was born in Scott County, Ky., October 2, ISI0. She was the daughter of William and Mary (Beachem) Morris, both of whom were natives of the State of Delaware, the former of Irish and Scotch, and the latter of Welsh descent. Her father was a wealthy planter and slave holder of that part of Kentucky. Her early life was spent at the home of her parents in her native county, and on the 13th day of August, 1829, she was united in marriage to Sabret S. Offutt, a native of the State of Maryland, born Decem-
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ber 4, 1807. He was the son of Archibald and Jane (Austin) Offutt, with whom he emigrated to Scott County, Ky., in an early day. In July, 1830, Mrs. Offutt and her husband moved to Rush County, and located in a cabin on the bank of Little Blue River, where Mr. Offutt immediately set about clearing up a farm. Month after month he toiled, and not infrequently did his wife, too, enter the clearing and assist in gathering the brush and rolling the logs to prepare the ground for the plow. At the end of two years they removed to a farm of their own, in the same vicinity, the one they had previously occupied having belonged to the father of Mrs. Offutt. Six years later they returned to the farm upon which they had first settled, and there they continued to reside until in April, 1873, when they removed to the village of Arlington. The life occupation of Mr. Offutt, was that of a farmer, and as such he was very successful. For a number of years before removing to Ar- lington, his health had been failing, and it gradually continued to decline until the 29th of March, 1882, when he died. He was a devoted member of the Christian Church, and was universally known as a good man. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Offutt has been a widow. She, also, is a member of the Christian Church, having joined it more than fifty years ago. She is the mother of eight children, three of whom are still living. Their names are as follows: James A. W., Mary J., John F., Lewis J., Samantha A., George W., Rebecca E., and a son that died in in- fancy, unnamed. Mary J., Lewis J. and George W., are those who survive. Besides other property, Mrs. Offutt has a comforta- ble home in Arlington, where she resides in a quiet, happy way. Though in the seventy-seventh year of her age she is enjoying good health and bids fair to live for many years to come. She is in full possession of her mental faculties, and has a vivid recollec- tion of the scenes and incidents in the country's early history as witnessed by a pioneer. Though a resident of Indiana more than half a century, with true Kentucky spirit, she recalls with pride her native State and the home of her childhood, and though aged as she is, she feels that were it possible she would like to pass her last days upon old Kentucky soil.
MRS. RHODA M. OFFUTT, whose maiden name was Rhoda M. Power, was born near Knightstown, this county, March 27, 1836. She was the daughter of Joseph and Nancy M. (Kirkwood) Power, both natives of the State of Kentucky, the former of Irish and Dutch descent. Her early hfe was spent at the home of her parents in this county. She was married February 22, 1859, to James A. W. Offutt, who was born in Kentucky, September 16, 1830, and was the son of Sabert and Mary (Morris) Offutt. Almost im-
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mediately after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Offutt located in the village of Arlington, where they continued to reside happily to- gether until their union was broken by the death of Mr. Offutt, Oc- tober 5, 1867. They had born to them two children: William C., born August 27, 1860, died September 17, 1860, and Joseph S., born July 29, 1862. On the Sth day of July, 1869, Mrs. Offutt be- came the wife of Joseph Little, from whom she was separated in 1885. Mrs. Offutt is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Be- sides being the owner of several lots in the village of Arlington, she owns a good farm of nearly eighty acres adjoining that place. It is well improved, and most of it is in a good state of cultivation.
RICHARD H. PHILLIPS, one of Rush County's most prominent farmers and stock-raisers, was born in Guilford County, N. C., October 8, 1840, being the son of William and Esther (Vickry) Phillips, both natives of North Carolina, the former of Surry County, and the latter of Guilford County. His boyhood and early youth were spent in his native county. As early as twelve years of age he began working out by the month upon a farm, and in that capacity he continued until he reached the age of eighteen, his wages ranging from $3.00 to $6.50 per month. Owing to the poor school facilities in those times his early education was quite limited. But through observation and reading he has somewhat mitigated the lack of early training until now he has a good prac- tical education. He was reared not only in a slave-holding com- munity but also in one in which even white people unless they pos- sessed wealth were denominated as poor white trash, and these associations not being congenial to him, he, as early as eighteen years of age, resolved to cut himself loose from an existence, the very natute of which proved distateful to hint, and find for him- self a home in the west, where equality and freedom dwelt together. Accordingly, agreeable to a custom of that time, he, for the sum of $150, purchased his time from his father, and bidding his friends good bye he placed himself at the mercy of an unfriendly world. Having fallen in with a man who was moving with his family to Iowa, he came westward with him in a wagon and accompanied him as far as Arlington, this county, whither his father, Lewis R. Phillips, had come some years previous. For some three or four years thereafter he worked upon a farm by the month, and during two winters he attended school. He made his home with his brother, and in this manner he continued on up to August 7, 1862, when he volunteered his services to the Union Army, and entered Company C, Sixteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until the end of the war. Besides smaller engagements, he participated in the battles of Richmond, Kentucky, the first attack
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on Vicksburg, Arkansas Post, the siege of Vicksburg, Sabine, Cross Roads and Pleasant Hill, in all of which he discharged his duties in a manner becoming a loyal soldier. At Richmond, Ken- tucky, he was taken prisoner, but in a few days he was released on parole. At the close of the war he returned to this county, and engaged in agricultural pursuits in Posey Township. His mar- riage to Miss Phebe A. Weesner, occurred December 16, 1866. She was born in Henry County, December 5, 1847, being the daughter of Nathan and Hannah (Pike) Weesner, the former a native of Persiath County, N. C., and the latter a native of Ohio. 'Their marriage has resulted in the birth of five children as follows: Clinton W., Adelia H., Edward N., Charlie M. and Ada L., all of whom are living. Mr. Phillips and wife are members of the Friends' Church. He is a member of the G. A. R. Lodge, and he and wife are both identified with the society known as Patrons of Husbandry. The political affiliations of Mr. Phillips have al- ways been with the Republican party. He voted the day he was twenty-one, and has never missed an opportunity to deposit his bal- lot but twice since, and that was during the war when he was re- strained from exercising this privilege by the legislature of his State. He owns 273 acres of excellent land, nearly all of which is in a high state of cultivation. In addition to his farming he gives a good deal of attention to the raising of fine cattle, and his herd of Short Horns ranks among the best in this part of the State. He is a prosperous farmer, and he and wife are among the county's most excellent citizens. Mr. Phillips began life a poor boy possessing nothing in the world but willing hands and a mental capacity to direct them with prudence.
ELIHU PRICE, a native-born citizen of Rush County and a farmer of Posey Township, was born October 5, 1843. His par- ents, John and Mary (Cotney) Price, were both natives of Fleming County, Ky., of English descent. During his boyhood and youth he worked upon a farm in summer and attended the district school in winter. He received a good knowledge of the common branches, and at the age of twenty-one he began teaching public school which furnished his winter's employment for eight consecutive years. His labors as a teacher were all performed in this county, except one term of school which he taught in Jasper County, Ills. In 1869 he attended the Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio, one term and also one term during the following year. His vacations were chiefly however, spent upon a farm. Since retiring from the school room his whole attention has been given to agricultural pur- suits. He owns a splendid farm of 230 acres, about 200 of which are in cultivation. Fitted up as it is with a handsome residence and other
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substantial improvements it is a very desirable location. He was married August 17, 1871, to Miss Mary Reddick, daughter of John and Catharine (Ruby) Reddick. She was born in Ripley Township, this county, October 16, 1847. Her parents were na- tives of Ohio and came with their respective parents to Rush County, in an early day. Mr. Price and wife are the parents of six children, three sons and three daughters, all of whom are living. Their names are John J., Mary C., Amanda E., Jesse F., Sarah J., and Noah E. Mrs. Price is a member of the Christian Church. Politically, Mr. Price is a Democrat. He has served as Justice of the Peace two terms, and as such he made a just and worthy officer.
JOHN F. PRICE, farmer of Posey Township, was born in the house he now occupies, December 13, 1846, being the son of John and Mary Price, both natives of Fleming County, Ky. The parents of his father were Thomas and Elizabeth Price, and his mother was the daughter of Elzy and Sarah Courtney. During his boyhood and youth, he attended the district school in winter, receiving a good knowledge of the ordinary branches of learning. He worked upon the farm in summer, and at twenty-one years of age engaged in agricultural pursuits for himself. He and Miss Sarah M. Scott were united in marriage August 18, 1867. Her parents, Aden D. and Emily Scott, were both natives . of this State, the former of Henry County, and the latter of Hamilton County. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Price were Aden D. and Sarah M. Scott. Shortly after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Price settled upon a farm in Ripley Township. At the end of three years they removed to the old Price homestead in Posey Township, which they have occupied ever since. Mr. Price has followed the pur- suit of a farmer all his life, and has been moderately successful. His farm consists of eighty acres of well-improved land, and it is very desirably located. Our subject and wife are members of the Christian Church. In politics, Mr. Price supports the principles of the Democratic party. He was elected Trustee of his township in IS82, and was re-elected in ISS4, serving two terms in a very satis- factory manner. In the fall of ISS6, he was the candidate of his party for the office of County Commissioner, and succeeded in re- ducing an opposing majority from more than 300 to 194, and carried his own township, which is about evenly divided politically, by forty-seven, which reflects very creditably upon his standing.
GEORGE W. PRICE, who occupies a prominent place among the - successful farmers of the county, was born in Posey Township, January 28, 1850, being the son of John and Sarah (Leisure) Price. The former who was born in Fleming County, Ky., was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Gallaway) Price, and the latter is the
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