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 50
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RICHLAND TOWNSHIP.
settled in about the year 1790. When the latter was nine years of age his parents removed from Kentucky to Rush County, and set- tled upon a farm one mile and a half south of the village of Rich- land, where the father and mother both spent the balance of their lives, the latter having died May 24, 1839. On the 26th day of February, 1840, her surviving husband, David B. Stewart, was united in marriage to Mrs. Nancy Henry, who died October 12, 1874. Ile survived her until February 14, 1876, when he died. The early life of our subject was spent working upon the farm in summer, and attending school in winter. He remained at home until after his marriage, which occurred November 15, 1849. The lady he chose for his life companion was Miss Margaret F. McIl- vaine, who is also a native of Harrison County, Ky., born Decem- ber 6, 1828. Her parents, Moses and Jane McIlvaine, removed from Harrison County, Ky., to Rush County, this State, while she was yet a little child. They settled upon a farm in Center Town- ship, where Mrs. Stewart spent her early life, and where the pa- rents both spent the rest of their lives. About one year after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Stewart located upon a farm in Section 15, Richland Township, which they have ever since occupied as their home. It then consisted of 143 acres. Since then Mr. Stewart has been able to add to this, by the purchase of adjoining lands un- til he now owns a magnificent farm of 475 acres, about 325 of which are in a high state of cultivation, and 150 consists of timbered pasture land. The farm is well improved with buildings and fences, which united with its natural facilities, makes it one among the best farms in Rush County. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart have had born to them an only child which was a daughter that died in infancy, unnamed. In politics, Mr. Stewart is a Democrat.
WILLIAM A. STEWART, an influential citizen of Richland Town- ship, was born in the house in which he now resides, July 20, IS41. His parents, David B. and Nancy Stewart, were both natives of the State of Kentucky, the former of Harrison County, and the latter of Fleming County. They continued to reside during the rest of their lives upon the old Stewart homestead. The mother was born September 7, ISO1, and died October 12, 1874. The father was born July 7, 1798, and died February 14, 1876. The subject of this sketch was reared upon the old home place, doing farm work in summer and attending district school in winter. After he had attained his majority he took up the avocation of a farmer for himself, and to this pursuit his attention has been given ever since. His home farm contains 160 acres of first-class land, about eighty of which are in a good state of cultivation. Besides this he is the owner of a good farm in Anderson Township that contains
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RUSH COUNTY.
eighty acres. The first marriage of Mr. Stewart occurred Janu- ary 28, 1863, when Eliza J. Bryan became his wife. She was born in Indiana County, Pa., February 4, 1838, being the daughter of Nathaniel and Hannah Bryan, who also were natives of Indiana County, Pa. Mrs. Eliza J. Stewart died May 3, 1868, and on the ISth day of October, 1870, Mr. Stewart was married to Miss Sarah E. Hood. She was born in Fleming County, Ky., August 10, I845. Her parents were James R. and Eliza (Norwood ) Hood, the former of whom was born near Chillicothe, Ohio, July II, IS07, and died in Richland Township, August 21, 1858. His wife, Mrs. Eliza Hood, was born in Fleming County, Ky., November II, ISII, and at present resides with the subject of this sketch. The first marriage of Mr. Stewart resulted in the birth of three children: Nancy L., Elmer B., who is a graduate of Indiana State Univer- sity, and Albert F., who is now a student in that institution. The oldest child is deceased, having died May 18, 1874. Our subject, his wife and family, are members of the United Presbyterian Church. For the past five years Mr. Stewart has been an Elder in that church. In politics, he is a staunch Democrat. He was the candidate of his party in 1884, for the office of County Treasurer, but failed to overcome an opposing majority.
JOSEPH S. WINSHIP, a farmer and citizen of Richland Township, is a native of Boone County, this State, born June 22, IS44, being the son of Jabez L. and Jane B. Winship. His father, Jabez L. Winship, was born in Anderson Township, this county, February 4, 1815, being the son of Jesse and Celia Winship. His whole life was spent in Rush County, excepting nine years during which he resided in Boone County, Ind. He died at his home in Rushville, November 10, 1885. Mrs. Jane B. Winship, who was his third wife, was born in Bourbon County, Ky., December 16, ISIS, her maiden name being Jane B. Mullikin. She died in Anderson Town- ship, this county, July 10, 1878. When the subject of this sketch was yet a young child, less than two years old, his father returned to this county and settled in Anderson Township, where Joseph was reared upon the farm. When he became of age he engaged in agricultural pursuits for himself, and to this his undivided atten- tion has been given ever since. In this connection his labors have been liberally rewarded and he now possesses a rank among the most prosperous farmers of the county. He and Miss Mary G. Hunt were united in marriage on the 2Sth day of December, IS70. She was born in Noble Township, July 22, 1847, being the daugh- ter of Morgan J. and Sallie C. Hunt, the former of whom was born in Franklin County, Ind., January 27, 1822, and died in that county February 5, 1887. The latter was born in Wayne County, Ind.,
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RIPLEY TOWNSHIP.
July 4, 1820, and at present makes her home with her children in this county. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Winship, were Jonathan and Jane Hunt. Her maternal grandparents were Jacob and Eliza Brooks. Immediately after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Winship settled upon the farm they now occupy, and it has ever since been their home. Mrs. Winship is a member of the Christian Church. Politically, Mr. Winship is a Democrat. He is an indus- trious and progressive farmer, and he and wife are among the county's best citizens. Their farm consists of 154 acres. It is in a fine state of improvement and contains one of the handsomest resi- dences in the county.
RIPLEY TOWNSHIP.
MICAJAH BINFORD was born in Northampton County, N. C., March 14, 1783. He was the son of James and Hannah (Crew) Binford. In North Carolina he married Sarah Patterson in 1804. He attended the very common schools in North Carolina. The children of this union were: William, Micajah C., Rebecca, married Thomas Jessop; Anna, married Henry Winslow. His wife having died, he, in 1820, married a Miss Morris. The child- ren of this marriage were: Sarah, married Joseph Young; Ma- rion, married Joseph Butler; Martha, married Oliver Andrews; Margaret, married Joseph Butler; Mirian, married Jesse M. Pitts. In 1826, in the spring, he left North Carolina with his family, tar- ried three months in Belmont County, Ohio, and the same year he arrived in Ripley Township, and moved onto the land he had just entered from the government. His family lived in a tent until he had his cabin ready for occupancy. He had a section of land to open and develop. He assisted in building the first meeting house at Walnut Ridge, and the first school house. He was a farmer and a respected citizen. March 25, 1865, he died after a very brief illness. He was a member of the Friends' Church, and a Repub- lican. Micajah C. Binford, son of Micajah and Sarah (Patterson) Binford, was born July 14, 1812, in Northampton County, N. C. At the age of fourteen he came with his father's family to Indiana, attended school at Walnut Ridge in Ripley Township, and passed his boyhood in assisting his father in opening up the farm. On the 22nd day of September, 1836, Micajah married Susannah Bundy, daughter of Josiah and Mary (Morris) Bundy. Her parents came from North Carolina and settled in Wayne County, Ind. Susan- nah was born there and removed with her parents to Ripley Town- ship where her parents resided until they died. The place is now
F
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RUSH COUNTY.
owned by Sarah Jane Bundy and her children. Micajah and Su- sannah began housekeeping on the farm where both now reside, and have continuously for fifty-one years. The old cabin in which they first lived is still in existence. They are the parents of: Ruth, William P., Josiah, Levi and Micajah M. Mr. Binford is a farmer and has made a success of it. He has settled up numerous estates to the satisfaction of all concerned; was Clerk of the- Friends' monthly meeting at Walnut Ridge for twenty-one years; is a mem- ber of the Society of Friends, and in politics is a third party Pro- hibitionist. Micajah M. Binford, son of Micajah and Susannah (Bundy) Binford, was born December IS, 1851, in Ripley Town- ship, Rush Co., Ind. In his youth he attended school at Walnut Ridge, and in 1867 he went to Earlham College, where he stayed one year. When twenty-two years of age he went to Mexico under the auspices of the Friends' Foreign Mission Association of Indiana. In March, 1873, he married Susannah Binford, daughter of Oliver and Mary (Foulke) Binford. In December of that year Micajah went to Mexico accompanied by his wife. After remain- ing in Matamoras nearly two years, he returned to Indiana on ac- count of his wife's health. The result of the marriage is one son: Edward Binford, born March 24, 1877. After returning to Indiana, Mr. Binford remained four years, and subsequently traveled in the Southwest in the interest of the American Bible Society. In ISS2 he removed with his family to Lynn, Mass., where he was pastor of a charge for five years. In May, ISS7, he returned to Indiana, where he now resides. He is now a State Evangelist and belongs to the Society of Friends at Walnut Ridge.
JOSEPH BINFORD, one of the honored citizens of Ripley Town- ship, is a native of Northampton County, N. C., born June 29, 1817, being the son of James L. and Mary (Ladd) Binford, who were natives of North Carolina and Virginia, respectively, both of English descent. His father was the son of James and Hannah (Crew) Binford, and his mother was the daughter of Robert Ladd. When he was nine years old, his parents came westward to this State, and became among the first settlers of Hancock County. There his youth was spent assisting to clear and cultivate a farm. He continued with his parents until his first marriage, which oc- curred December 25, 1844. The lady that became his wife was Miss Elizabeth C. Hill. She was born in Wayne County, this State, November 9, 1824, being the daughter of William and Charity (Hawkins) Hill, the former of whom was born in Ran- dolph County, N. C., of English descent, and the latter was born near Bush Hill Church, S. C., of Welsh descent. Immediately after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Binford settled upon a farm in
-
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RIPLEY TOWNSHIP.
Hancock County, where Mrs. Binford died, October 20, 1860. On the 23rd day of April, 1863, Mr. Binford was married to Mrs. Mary E. White. She was born in Prince George County, Va., June 19, 1825, being the daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Hun- nicutt, both of whom were natives of Virginia, the former of Prince George County, and the latter of Dinwiddie County, both of Eng- lish descent. Her father was the son of John and Mary (Butler) Hunnicutt. Her mother was the daughter of John and Sarah ( But- ler) Andrews, all of whom were natives of Virginia. When she was seven years old, her parents came westward to Hancock County, this State, where her father died six months later. Her mother afterward married Nathan Overman, who died in I853, and she survived him until 1856. In 1857, Mrs. Binford went to Jasper County, Iowa, where, on the ISth of July, 1857, she was married to William C. White, who was born in Guilford County, N. C., being the son of Isaac and Mahala (Hunt) White, who also were natives of North Carolina. After their marriage, they con- tinued to reside in Jasper County, Iowa, until the fall of 1859, when they returned on a visit to Hancock County, where Mr. White died on the 29th day of November, 1859. After his death, his wife remained a widow until her marriage with the subject of this sketch. The first marriage of Mr. Binford resulted in the birth of six children, as follows: Charity H., Anna J., Oliver L., Mary A., Louisa and Elizabeth C., all of whom are living and married. The first marriage of Mrs. Binford resulted in the birth of two children, as follows: Nathan C. and William C., of whom the former is de- ceased and the latter is married and resides in Hancock County, Ind. Mr. Binford and his present wife have had two children: Caroline and Joseph O., the former of whom is married, and the latter is at present a student at Earlham College. Our subject and wife are members of the Friends' Church, In politics, both are Pro- hibitionists. Besides a good residence property where he resides in Carthage, Mr. Binford is the owner of a farm of 300 acres in Hancock County, which is well improved and two-thirds of which is in cultivation. Besides this, he has also provided comfortably for all his children, having given to each a farm of eighty acres. In October, ISSo, Mr. and Mrs. Binford removed from Hancock County to Carthage, and they have occupied their present home ever since.
JOSIAH C. BINFORD, of Ripley Township, was born in Prince George County, Va., June 17, 1826, being the son of Benjamin and Mary (Cook) Binford, both of whom were natives of Virginia, of English descent. His father was the son of Aquilla Binford, and was born February 20, 1797, and his mother was the daughter of
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RUSH COUNTY.
Josiah and Mary Cook. When our subject was about six years old, his father died, after which he continued with his widowed mother until the time of her death, which occurred when he was fifteen years of age. For a while before and one year following that event he made his home with his uncle Joel Cook, in Isle of Wight County, Va. He then came westward to Jefferson County, Ohio, where for about one year he attended school at Mt. Pleasant. After this he was employed as a farm hand in that vicinity for four years. He then returned to Virginia, to visit his relatives, and at the expiration of a few weeks he returned to Jef- ferson County, Ohio, where he was employed upon a farm for an- other period of four years. The winter of 1852-3, he spent in Wa- bash County, this State. In the spring of 1853, he came to Rush County, and he has resided in Ripley Township ever since. For about two years he was engaged as a farm hand. February 21, 1855, he was married to Miss Mary Ann Hill, who is a native of Ripley Township, born February 6, 1836, being the daughter of John and Dinah (Cox) Hill, both of whom were natives of North Carolina. Her father was the son of Benjamin and Mary (Jessup) Hill, and her mother was the daughter of Joseph and Dinah (Rich) Cox. Ever since their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Binford have re- sided in Ripley Township, and they have occupied their present home since the fall of 1856. The life occupation of Mr. Binford has been farming and in this connection his efforts have been liber- ally rewarded. He owns in all 29512 acres of land, of which 247 acres lie in Ripley Township, and 481/2 in Hancock County. A good part of his land is in cultivation, and his home farm is fitted up with a good residence and other substantial improvements that make it a desirable location. Mr. and Mrs. Binford are the parents of nine children, as follows: Joseph J., Adaline, Morris, Emma J., Marcia, Charles F., Irvin H., Walter and David M., all of whom are living. The son, Irvin H., is now a student in Earlham Col- lege, which institution, Morris, Emma and Marcia have also at- tended. Mr. and Mrs. Binford, and all their children are members of the Friends' Church. In politics, Br. Binford is a Republican. JARED P. BINFORD, farmer, is a native of Ripley Township, born December 9, 1834, being the son of William and Mary (Jessup) Binford, who were natives of Northampton County, N. C., and Wayne County, Ind., respectively, both of English descent. His father was the son of Micajah and Sarah (Patterson) Binford, and his mother was the daughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth ( Hill) Jessup, all of whom were natives of North Carolina. When he was about sixteen years old, his mother died, and in about 1855, his father was married to Mary Henley, who was born in Randolph
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RIPLEY TOWNSHIP.
County, N. C., being the daughter of Joseph and Peninah (Morgan) Henley. . His father died in August, 1885, but his stepmother still survives, and makes her home with the subject of this sketch. The . latter was reared upon a farm in his native township, and at twenty- one years of age he took up the avocation of a farmer for himself, and he has continued to follow that pursuit in Ripley Township ever since. He was married September 26, 1867, to Miss Emily Lamb, who is a native of Hamilton County, this State, born June 3, 1843, being the daughter of Phineas and Huldah (Bundy) Lamb, both of whom were natives of North Carolina, the former being the son of John and Sarah Lamb, and the latter being the daughter of Josiah and Huldah Bundy, all of whom were natives of North Carolina. Mr. Binford owns a farm of eighty acres, nearly all of which is in cultivation. It contains a handsome residence, and with its other substantial improvements and natural facilities, makes a very desirable home. Our subject and wife are members of the Friends' Church. In politics, the former is an ardent Re- publican. He cast his first vote for Oliver P. Morton, for Gov- ernor of Indiana, and he has supported Republican principles ever since. He is a prosperous, well-to-do farmer, and he and his wife are among the best citizens of their township. They have in their family a foster child, who by name is Ella Binford, who was born March 15, 1868, being the daughter of Calvin and Peninah ( IIill) Binford. Her home has been with Mr. and Mrs. Binford ever since she was two years old.
JONATHAN BINFORD, farmer, and a native-born citizen of Rip- ley Township, was born April 20, 1842, being the son of William and Mary (Jessup) Binford, who were natives of Northampton County, N. C., and Wayne County, Ind., respectively. His father was the son of Micajah and Sarah (Patterson) Binford, and his mother was the daughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth ( Hill) Jessup, all of whom were natives of North Carolina. He was reared upon the home farm in Ripley Township, and continued with his father until his marriage, which occurred December 25, 1867. The lady that became his wife was Miss Anna Wilson, who was born in Grant County, this State, July 29, 1847, being the daughter of Nathan D. and Mary (Hill) Wilson, the former of whom was a native of North Carolina. After his marriage Mr. Binford settled upon a farm in Ripley Township, where his first wife died May IS, 1868. After this he made his home with his father until the 9th day of December, 1869, when he was married to Miss Nancy J. Henley, daughter of Jesse and Abigail (Newby) Henley, both of whom were natives of Randolph County, N. C. Her father was the son of Joseph and Peninah (Morgan) Henley, and her mother
1
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RUSH COUNTY.
was the daughter of Henry and Sarah (Thornburg) Newby, all of whom were natives of North Carolina. Immediately after their mar- riage Mr. and Mrs. Binford settled upon the farm they now occupy, where they have chiefly resided ever since. Mr. Binford gives his attention to farming. He owns about 100 acres of land, about seventy of which are in cultivation. He and wife are the parents of four children, as follows: Henry N., born January 15, 1871; Cal- vin, born January 6, 1873; Jesse H., born June 21, 1877, and Anna C., born October 27, 1879, all of whom are living. Mr. Bin- ford and wife are members of the Friends' Church. In politics, the former is a Republican. Mrs. Nancy J. Binford was born in Rip- ley Township, January 18, 1844.
LEVI BINFORD, druggist and prominent business man of Carthage, is a native of Ripley Township, born August 18, 1843. He was the son of Micajah C. and Susannah (Bundy) Binford, who are old citizens of Ripley Township. He was reared upon the old Binford homestead, working upon the farm in summer and attending school in winter. Later on he attended Earlham College, of Richmond, a few terms, which, in addition to a good common school education, gave him a knowledge of several of the higher branches of learning. In his early manhood he taught one term of public school. At about twenty-one years of age, he engaged in agricultural pursuits and continued to give his attention to farming until 1872. In that year he became a resident of Carthage, where he has since conducted a large drug store, and has also been con- nected with extensive saw milling interests. In addition to the above he has also acted in the capacity of agent for a number of reliable insurance companies and the public associations, which all of these have occasioned, have won for him an enviable reputation as thoroughly reliable and trustworthy business man. He was married January 6, 1870, to Miss Abbie 'S. Marshall, who is the daughter of David and Zelinda (Binford) Marshall, who were natives of Green County, Tenn., and Prince George County, Va., respectively. Mrs. Binford died on the 26th day of March, 1887, leaving to the care of our subject an only child, Marshall D., who was born October 19, 1880. Mr. Binford is a member of the Friends' Church, and a Prohibitionist in politics. He is a man who possesses good business qualifications and who has the confidence of all.
JOSEPHI J. BINFORD, son of Josiah C. and Mary Ann ( Hill) Bin- ford, was born February 15, 1856, in Ripley Township, Rush County, Ind. He grew to manhood on his father's farm attending school, in season, at Walnut Ridge. On November 20, 1883, Joseph married Rebecca Williams, daughter of James and Eliza-
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RIPLEY TOWNSHIP.
beth (Winslow) Williams. The result of this union is one child, named Ethel, born May 13, 1885. Joseph J., is a farmer, and re- sides on his farm one mile south of Walnut Ridge. He is a mem- ber of the Friends' Society, at Walnut Ridge, and votes the Repub- lican ticket.
WILLIAM BUNDY, a prominent business man of Carthage, is a native of Ripley Township, born July 24, 1837, being the son of Elias and Sarah (Nicholson) Bundy, both of whom were natives of Pasquotank County, N. C., and both of English descent. His parents were reared and married in their native county, and in 1831, they emigrated westward to this State, and after a short stop in Wayne County, they came to Rush County and settled in Ripley Township, where both spent the rest of their lives, their respective deaths occurring in 1873 and ISS5. The subject of this sketch was reared upon a farm in his native township, and received in the dis- trict school an ordinary common school education. At twenty-one years of age he began to learn the trade of a blacksmith, in Car- thage, which was finished in due time, and which furnished his chief avocation for a period of twenty-three years. His services in that capacity were chiefly performed in Carthage, though for about four years he was engaged at his trade in Henry County. Since ISSI, he has been connected with a pump factory and repair shop in Car- thage, and now possesses a rank among her influential and pros- perous citizens. He was married July 25, 1861, to Miss Mary A- Steuart, who was born in Henry County, Ind., April 7, 1840, being the daughter of John and Martha (Stratton) Steuart, who were na- tives of North Carolina and Ohio, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Bundy have had born to them eight children, as follows: Addie E., Albert L., Alice, John, Edgar J., Leona Belle, Arthur W., and Mary A., of whom Alice, John, Arthur W., and Mary A., are de- ceased. Mr. and Mrs. Bundy and family are members of the Friends' Church. In politics, our subject is a Republican. He has been honored with a position on the School Board of Carthage for nearly twelve years, resigning the position on retiring. He has always had the educational interests of his town and township at heart, and it is largely through his influence while a member of the School Board, that Carthage can boast of one of the best graded schools in the State. He has also ever been ready to lend a help- ing hand to public improvements, and to the advancement of the interests of his town, and many of the most substantial improve- ments of that place are due to his enterprise. He possesses a good practical education, and evidence of his genius is found in the fact that he has invented and received patents on two devices, one a garden hoe, patented in June, 1878, and a fence loom upon which
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RUSH COUNTY.
he received a patent September 6, ISS7. He is President of the Natural Gas Company of Carthage, also President of the Ripley Township Temperance organization, and for a long time he has been Superintendent of a large Sabbath School at Carthage. He possesses a rank among the influential and public spirited men of the county, and he and wife are among its worthy and honored citizens.
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