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 49
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substantial improvements, and is a very desirable location. Besides this he is the owner of thirty-six acres of land in Franklin County. He is one of the well-to-do and successful farmers of Rush County, and he and his wife are among its most excellent citizens. In poli- tics, Mr. Conner is a Democrat; while a resident of Franklin County he held the office of Justice of the Peace five years. Mr. and Mrs. Conner rank among the best citizens of their township. His por- trait appears on another page in this volume.
JOHN W. DAVIS, a prosperous farmer of Richland Township, was born on the farm he now occupies. July 10, 1840, being the son of Robert and Elizabeth Davis, both of whom were natives of Fleming County, Ky., the former being the son of John Davis, a Revolutionary soldier, and the latter being the daughter of Samuel Henry. His mother died when he was twelve years old, after which he made his home with his brother Samuel H. Davis, of Anderson Township until after his marriage. During the winter of 1859, and '60, he attended a commercial college in Indianapolis. During the summer of 1860, he was employed as clerk in a store in the village of Richland. On the 4th day of September, 1861, he volunteered his services to the Union Army, and was regularly mustered into Company K, Thirty-seventh Indiana Volunteers on the ISth of the same month. He served until October 27, 1864, when the time for which he enlisted expired. He participated in the battles of Stone River, Chickamauga, the siege of Atlanta and many other engagements of less importance, in all of which he discharged his duties in a manner becoming a loyal soldier. On re- ceiving his discharge, he returned to this county and here he has ever since given his attention to agricultural pursuits. He was married September 28, 1871, to Miss Margaret A. McCorkle, who was born within the present limits of Anderson Township, Decem- ber 26, 1848, being the daughter of John and Jane D. McCorkle, both natives of Fleming County, Ky., the former being the son of James McCorkle, and the latter being the daughter of John Howe. Ever since their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Davis have resided where they now live in Richland Township. Their home farm contains 160 acres of excellent land which is well improved, and most of which is in cultivation. Besides this, Mr. Davis is the owner of another farm in that township of 116 acres in a good state of im- provement and cultivation. The wife of Mr. Davis is a member of the United Presbyterian Church. The political affiliations of Mr. Davis are with the Republican party.
GEORGE W. HAWKINS, one among the most substantial and in- fluential farmers of Richland Township, is a native of Franklin County, Ind., born September 13, 1832, being the son of Reuben
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and Mary Hawkins, who were respectively natives of Tennessee and New Jersey. His early life was spent upon the old home farm in Franklin County, where his father died in the fall of 1862, and where his mother still resides. That continued to be his home un- til after his marriage which did not occur until June 21, 1882. At twenty-five years of age, he took up the occupation of a farmer for himself and while this has been the chief avocation of his life he has frequently, in connection with this, embarked in various other pursuits, among which may be mentioned milling and mercantile pursuits and the live-stock trade. In 1866, he became a partner in a flouring mill at Metamora, Franklin County. To that his at- tention was directed for eight years, during the last two of which he also possessed an interest in a general store, in that place. For a period of twenty-five years, commencing in 1858, he in connec- tion with his brother, David Hawkins, was extensively engaged in the live-stock trade. Mrs. Hawkins, whose maiden name was Miss Mary J. George, was born in Preble County, Ohio, November 10, 1837, being' the daughter of Henry and Ann George, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter a native of Preble County, Ohio, the former being born in 1811, and the latter in 1810. Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins began their married life upon a farm in Franklin County. In November, 1884, they came to Rush County, and have ever since occupied their present home. The un- divided attention of Mr. Hawkins is now given to the management of his farming interests. He owns a magnificent farm of 306 acres about 275 of which are in a high state of cultivation. It is in a high state of improvement and contains an elegant residence erected at a cost of $5,000. The wife of Mr. Hawkins is a member of the Christian Church. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge and a pronounced Republican in politics.
WILLIAM N. HITE, who for the past fifty-four years has been a resident of Richland Township, was born in Augusta County, Va., October 21, ISII, being the son of George and Elizabeth (Fran- ger) Hite, the former a native of Rockbridge County, Va., and the latter a native of Pennsylvania, both of German descent. When he was three years old his parents removed to Nelson County, Va., where he was reared upon a farm. At twenty-one years of age he accompanied his parents to Pickaway County, Ohio, where they remained from November, 1832, to March, 1833, at which time they came to Rush County, and located in Richland Township, which has been the home of our subject ever since. For a period of eighteen years after coming to this county he worked at the blacksmith's trade, which he had learned in Virginia. In about the year 1851, he turned his attention to farming, and this
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has occupied his attention ever since. He has a good farm of 160 acres, about 120 acres of which are in a high state of cultivation. The marriage of Mr. Hite occurred over fifty years ago or July 6, 1837. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Fisher, was born in Clermont County, Ohio, May 10, 1819, being the daughter of Jacob and Jane Fisher. Mr. and Mrs. Hite are the parents of ten children: John A., George W., Eliza J., William T., David F., Lewis E., Jacob W., Mary I., Laura A. and Lola M., of whom John A., William T. and Laura A. are deceased. Mrs. Hite is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Hite has never identified himself with any church, but is a firm believer in the principles of Christianity. His political affiliations have always been with the Democratic party. He and wife are among the pioneers of the county, and are among its worthy and honored citizens.
JAMES M. HOLMES, an old and honored citizen of Richland Township, was born in Bourbon County, Ky., July 22, 1810. His parents were Alexander and Sarah Holmes, the former of whom was a native of one of the Carolina States, and the latter was a na- tive of Virginia. His father was accidentally killed by the stroke of a limb upon his head, when the subject of this sketch was yet a mere lad, probably nine or ten years of age. After this event James continued with his widowed mother upon a farm in Bourbon County until the spring of 1835, when he came to this county and located in Richland Township. His mother came to this county in the following October, and with her he made his home until after his marriage. Miss Sarah Dexter became his wife September 17, 1840. She was born near Dayton, Ohio, April 1, 1820. Mr. and Mrs. Holmes entered upon their married life upon a farm in Rich- land Township. Some years later they removed to a farm in Franklin County, but a year or so later, they returned to Richland Township. After a few years they again moved to Franklin County, and resided there about six years. They then returned once more to Richland Township, and that has been their place of residence ever since. Mr. and Mrs. Holmes have had born to them ten children, as follows: Harriet A., Sarah F., Susan D., Edward W., Mary M. and Emma T. (twins), Laura O., James M .. Sophronia L. and Charles, all of whom are living except James and Charles. Mr. and Mrs. Holmes are members of the Christian Church. In politics, Mr. Holmes is a Democrat. He owns a farm of eighty acres and has a comfortable home where he and wife re- side in a quiet, happy way.
ISAAC LEFFORGE, an old and esteemed citizen of Richland Township, was born in Franklin County, Ind., October 17, 1819, being the son of John and Sallie Lefforge, who were natives of New
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Logan
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Jersey and South Carolina, respectively. When he was three years old, his parents came to Rush County, and located in Noble Town- ship, where the parents both spent the rest of their lifes, and where our subject was reared upon a farm. He was married to Miss Florenda Brown, February 5, 1845. She was born in Campbell County, Ky., May 3, 1825, being the daughter of Archibald and Elizabeth Brown, who were natives of New Jersey and Pennsyl- vania, respectively. In April, 1870, Mr. and Mrs. Lefforge re- moved from Noble to Richland Township, and settled upon the farm they now occupy. They have had born to them eight chil- dren: Mary, Thomas S., Philander, Jesse I., Lewis D., and three others that died in infancy, unnamed. Mrs. Lefforge is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church. In politics, Mr. Lefforge is a Republican. He is a well-to-do and prosperous farmer.
JAMES WARDER LOGAN, one of the most substantial and pros- perous farmers of Richland Township, is the son of James and Elizabeth Logan, and he is also distantly related to the late Gen. John A. Logan. He was born in Noble Township, December 22, IS36. His father was born in County Antrim, Ireland, in the year 1798, and was of Scotch-Irish descent, his ancestors having for- merly come from Scotland. His maternal ancesters were descend- ants of William Tell. His parents emigrated to America when he was about three years old, and settled in Abbeville District, S. C. Six weeks after the landing his father died, after which he remained with his widowed mother upon a farm in South Carolina until he reached the age of seventeen, when he accompanied her to Frank- lin County, Ind. Some years later he came to Rush County, and entered a tract of land in Noble Township, upon which he settled, and which he developed into a good farm. He added to this by the purchase of other lands, until he was finally the owner of about 600 acres of land. He was married in Richland Township to Elizabeth Mann, in I823. She was born in Brown County, Ohio, in about the year 1804, and she died in Noble Township, June 13, ISSO. Her husband survived her until August 13, ISSI, when he died. The subject of this sketch was reared upon the old homestead in Noble Township. He received in the district school a good com- mon school education, and later on he attended an academy at Richland a part of one winter. He was married, September 30, IS62, to Miss Hester Wellman, who was born in Noble Township, March 29, 1842, being the daughter of Aaron and Francis Well- man, the former of whom was born in Pendleton County, Ky., March 3, IS05. He was reared near Cincinnati, and came to Rush County in a very early day, and while yet a young man. He was married March 25, 1828, to Miss Frances Lines, who was born in I8
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Franklin County, Ind., July 19, 1812. He died February 26, 1868, and she survived him until September 23, 1877, when she died. Immediately after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Logan located upon a farm in Section 2, Richland Township, which they have ever since occupied as their home. They are the parents of three sons, whose names and ages are as follows: Thomas W., born Oc- tober 10, 1863; Emerson E., born February 5, 1865, and Jesse, born January 11, 1868. Mr. Logan owns a fine farm of 433 acres, which, with its handsome residence and other substantial improve- ments, makes a very desirable location, and one among the best farms in the county. Besides this, he is the owner of another ex- cellent farm in that township of 160 acres, in Section 13. He and wife are members of the Methodist Protestant Church. In poli- tics, Mr. Logan is a Democrat. In the spring of 1886, he was elected Trustee of his township, and is the present incumbent. He overcame an opposing majority of seventeen, which is evidence of the esteem in which he is held by his fellow citizens. He is one of the thrifty and most prosperous farmers of his own township, and he and wife are among its most excellent citizens. The por- trait of Mr. Logan may be seen on another page in this volume.
ALPHONZO B. MARLOW, an active and prominent farmer of Richland Township, was born in Scott County, Ky., June 6, ISIS, being the second child of a family of nine children, born to George and. Mary (Reid) Marlow, both natives of Virginia, and both of English descent. When our subject was very young, only being about three years of age, his parents moved to Decatur County, Ind .; his father had entered eighty acres of land that was dense forest, and in this forest they erected a log hut of round timber, and only being one room with a very large fire-place, that was used for cooking and heating purpose, and this one little room was used-in combination as a parlor, sitting-room and kitchen. This family and subject sheltered themselves about fifteen years in this place al- though it was very airy as there were large cracks between the logs, and after living in this place thus long, his father erected a good log house, which may be seen to this day in Decatur County, Ind., and where our subject remained all this time, helping his father to farm and clear the land, until 1849. But in the meantime he was joined in matrimony to Anna E. Halsted, April 26, 1849, a native of Franklin County, Ind., born August 29, 1830, daughter of Robert W. and Elizabeth (Munson) Halsted, both natives of New York, and of English descent. But before this happy affair he had bought a small farm of forty acres, and it was on this that he built a small hut and began their happy life, where he and wife continued to live until 1860, when buying this land he only paid $12
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per acre, and in ten years afterward he sold it for $32 per acre. November 19, 1860, our subject and family moved to Richland Township, and settled on the farm, he now lives on and owns in Section 4. He has worked hard during his life, and has been amply repaid for it, as he has gathered together acre by acre until he has a good farm of seventy-five acres, all well improved, and a fine dwelling. The above union resulted in two birth's as follows: Mary E., born February 18, 1850: Sarah V., born September 12, 1852, and died January 24, 1883. Mrs. Marlow is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Mary E., is a member of the Christian Church, and Mr. Marlow is a member of the Baptist Church. He believes in upholding the principles of the Democratic party in politics, and has made several political speeches for his party.
CHARLES S. MILLER, a prominent farmer of Richland Town- ship, whose portrait is shown elsewhere, was born in the township in which he now resides January 20, 1827, being the son of Archi- bald and Ann Miller, the former of whom was born in Monroe County, W. Va., being the son of Peter and Sarah Miller, and the latter was born in Overton County, Tenn., being the daughter of Eliphalet and Susannah Barber. While he was yet an infant child his parents removed to Posey Township, Franklin County. They returned to a farm in the east part of Richland Township when he was ten years old, and two years later they removed to another farm in that township, lying in Section 9, where the youth of our subject was spent assisting to clear and cultivate the farm. He was married March 9, 1849, to Miss Sarah A. Simmons, who was born in Franklin County, Ind., March 3, 1826, being the daughter of James and Ann Simmons, the former of whom was born in Lex- ington, Ky., being the son of Robert and Sarah Simmons: and the latter was born in Ohio. Her maiden name was Ann Frost. Im- mediately after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Miller settled upon the farm they now occupy in Section 17, Richland Township, where Mr. Miller has ever since pursued the vocation of a farmer. In this connection he has had marked success. Besides considera- ble property which he has given to his children, he is the owner of a fine farm of 250 acres, about half of which is in cultivation. It is fitted up with good fences and buildings and is a very desirable lo- cation. He and wife have had born to them seven children: George W., James T., William A., Loella, Abraham L., and two sons that died in infancy, unnamed. Of those named, James T. and Abraham L. are also deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Miller possess a membership in the church known as the United Brethren in Christ. In politics, Mr. Miller is a Republican. He has held the
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office of Justice of the Peace two terms of four years each. He is one of the substantial farmers of the county, and he and wife are worthy and esteemed citizens.
SAMUEL R. PATTON, one of Richland Township's most prom- inent and substantial farmers, and at present a member of the Board of County Commissioners, is a native of the township in which he resides, born November 27, 1842. His parents, William and Nancy S. Patton, were natives of Ohio and Kentucky, respectively, the former being the son of Nathaniel and Polly Patton, born Decem- ber 7, 1804, and the latter, the daughter of Thomas and Margaret Henry, born August 10, 1812. Nathaniel Patton was born Feb- ruary 22, 1776, and died July 3, 1844. Polly Patton, whose maiden name was Polly Robison, was born March 10, 1775, and died Jan- uary 5, 1847. The parents of our subject were married in And- erson Township, this county, December 29, 1829. His mother died February 10, 1857. His father was afterward married to Mrs. Nancy S. Mitchell, whose maiden name was Miss Nancy S. Duncan. He died in February, 1876, and his wife who still sur- vives, resides in Richland. The subject of this sketch spent his early life upon the old home farm in his native township. In addi- tion to a common school education he attended an academy in Rich- land for three winters. He volunteered his services to the Union Army, September 4, 1861, and was mustered into Company K. Thirty-seventh Indiana Volunteers, September IS. His term of service expired October 27, 1864, when he received an honorable discharge. He took the part of a loyal Union soldier in the battle of Stone River and many other skirmishes, and was a member of the reserve force at Chickamauga and Mission Ridge. On receiv- ing his discharge he returned home, and during the winter of 1864 and '65, he was a student in Richland Academy, where he formed the acquaintance of Miss Mary E. Humes, who was then his class- mate, but who on December 20, 1865, became his wife. She was born in Noble Township November 13, 1846, being the daughter of Thomas and Eliza Humes, the former of whom was born in Warren County, Ohio, February II, ISII, and the latter was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, April 13, ISIO. Her maiden name was Eliza Brown. They were married November 27, 1832. She died October 2, 1874, and in 1879 her surviving husband was married to Mrs. Eliza Griffith. He died November 14, 18So, and she sur- vived him but one month. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Patton, were John and Maria (Voorhees) Humes, who were born November 7, 1770, and August IS, 1785, respectively, and were married June 29, 1806. For ten years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Pattou resided upon a farm in Decatur County.
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In 1876, they returned to this county, and settled upon the farm they now occupy. Mr. Patton's entire attention is given to agricul- tural pursuits and he possesses a rank among the prominent farmers of the county. His farm, which contains 280 acres, is in a good state of improvement and cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Patton have had born to them these seven children : Carey O., born August 23, 1867; Stella B., born April 19, 1869, died October 6, 1870: Henry B., born July 14, 1870; Mattie D., born March 7, 1872; John E., born December 29, 1873; Walter E., born December 24, 1875, and Elma L., born April 23, 1879. Mr. Patton and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The former is a member of the G. A. R., and in politics he has always been a staunch Republican. He was elected Trustee of his township in the spring of 1878, and was re-elected in the spring of 1880, serving two terms to the en- tire satisfaction of the public. In the fall of 1884, he was elected County Commissioner for the Southern District, the duties of which office he is now discharging in an able manner.
JOSEPH PLOUGH, who has been a resident of Richland Town- ship for the last sixty-one years, was born in Madison County, Ky., May 3, 1805. His parents, Henry and Ann (Pasley) Plough, were natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia, respectively, the former of German, and the latter of Scotch and Irish descent. When he was two years old, his parents removed to Hamilton County, Ohio, where he was reared upon a farm. When he was twenty-one years of age, or in 1826, he accompanied his parents to Rush County, and settled with them in Richland Township. He con- tinued with his parents for some four or five years thereafter, or until his marriage, which occurred in 1830. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Ann Young, was born in Fleming County, Ky., March 10, 1808, being the daughter of Alexander and Eliza- beth (Rickets) Young, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Kentucky, respectively. Immediately after their marriage, Mr. Plough and wife settled upon a 120-acre tract of timbered land in Richland Township, a part of which now lies within the present limits of Anderson Township. Their first home was a log cabin, occupying a mere opening in the forest. The clearing of the land occasioned months and years of hard labor, but of this Mr. Plough was not afraid, and through his industry and perseverance, a good farm was developed. His labors were liberally rewarded, and he has since been able to purchase adjoining lands, until he now owns a splendid farm of 320 acres, of which 240 are in Richland Town- ship and eighty in Anderson Township. The marriage of Mr. Plough resulted in the birth of five children as follows: Caroline, Mary J., Amanda, John and William J., of whom Amanda and
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William are deceased. His marriage relation was terminated by Mrs. Plough's death January 24, 1881. In politics, Mr. Plough was formerly a Whig, having cast his first vote for Henry Clay in 1829. Since 1856, he has ardently supported the principles of the Republican party. He is one among the oldest residents of Rush County, and though more than four score years of age, his figure is well preserved, his health good, and his constitution and mental faculties are comparatively unimpaired. He is one of Rush County's highly honored and esteemed pioneers.
JOHN H. SCOTT, who is one of Rush County's pioneers and who has resided in Richland Township since 1830, was born in Rock- bridge County, Va., May 16, 1805. He was the son of William H. and Ann Scott, both of whom were also natives of Rockbridge County, Va., the former of whom was the son of Thomas and Ann (Logan) Scott, and the latter was the daughter of John and Ann Houston. He was reared in his native county upon a farm. In 1830, he accompanied his parents westward to Rush County, and the family located upon a tract of land in Richland Township, where the father and mother spent the rest of their lives, and where the subject of this sketch has ever since resided. He has now lived continuously upon the same farm since 1830, or for a period of fifty-seven years. His occupation throughout his whole life has been farming. On the 3rd day of January, 1833, he was married to Sarah Jackman, who was a native of Franklin County, this State, born May 2, ISIo. Her parents were Atwell and Margaret Ann (Simpson) Jackman, the latter of whom was a first cousin to Gen. U. S. Grant. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Scott resulted in the birth of twelve children, as follows: The first was a son that died in infancy, unnamed. The others are Margaret A., William J., Robert H., Elsie M., Smith and Ninetta W., living, and Sarah J., Atwell J., Sarah J., Virginia C. and Eliza A., who are deceased. The wife of Mr. Scott died May 3, ISSI. The political affilia- tions of Mr. Scott have always been with the Democratic party, having cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson. He owns a farm of 160 acres, about 100 of which are in cultivation. Mr. Scott is now in the eighty-third year of his age, but he is still in full posses- sion of his mental faculties, and enjoys good health.
JAMES W. STEWART, a farmer of Richland Township, was born in Harrison County, Ky., October 20, 1826. His parents, David B. and Margaret Stewart were also natives of Kentucky, the for- mer of Harrison County and the latter of Lexington, Fayette County. It is noteworthy that our subject and his father were both born on the same farm, it being the old Stewart homestead upon which the grandfather of our subject, Robert Stewart had
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