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 52
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JOHN B. HERKLESS, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of Rush County, was born within the present limits of Posey Town- ship, August 16, 1837, being the son of Linsey S. and Rebecca J. (Brosius) Herkless, who were born, reared and married in Rock- bridge County, Va., and who emigrated to Rush County in 1834. The father died in Ripley Township, in 1872, and the mother still survives and is now a resident of that township. Our subject was reared upon the old Herkless homestead, and received in the dis-
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trict school a good common school education and one that enabled him to teach public school. At twenty-one years of age, he took up the avocation of a teacher, which furnished his winter's employ- ment for a period of ten years. In that time he taught thirteen terms, and his labors in that capacity were all performed in Rush County. As an instructor he attained considerable proficiency, and he ranked among the successful teachers of the county. In the meantime he was married, August 21, 1862, to Miss Nancy L. Stanley, who was born in Posey Township, this county, April 13, 1844, being the daughter of Preston and Elizabeth ( Oldham ) Stan- ley, who are old and esteemed citizens of Posey Township. In March following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Herkless settled upon the farm they now occupy, where the former has ever since pur- sued the avocation of a farmer and stock-raiser. In this con- nection his efforts have been liberally rewarded, and he now has a rank among the substantial and successful farmers of Rush County. He owns a magnificent farm of 240 acres, about 190 of which are in cultivation. His farm is fitted up with two fine slate-roofed barns, and a handsome brick residence, which, with other substantial im- provements, makes it one of the most attractive and desirable places in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Herkless have had ten children, as follows: Preston S., born December 18, 1863, killed by being thrown from a horse, November 3, 1883; Alma R., born Decem- ber 13, 1865; Arvel R., born December 1, IS67; Edith E., born December 13, 1869, died October 20, ISS4: Linsey R., born Au- gust 22, 1871, died August 12, 1873; Ora W., born July 11, 1874; Earl, born March 5, 1877; Mary, born July 15, 1879; Samuel B., born June 18, 1882, and Carrie L., born September 6, 1885. The second child, Alma R., is now a student in Purdue University. The third child, Arvel R., has been a student in that institution for two years. Our subject and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. In politics, the former is an ardent Republican. In con- nection with farming Mr. Herkless has also given considerable at- tention to the breeding of fine stock. He possesses excellent speci- mens of Short Horn cattle, Poland China hogs, and his flocks of Cotswool and Shropshire sheep, are not excelled by any, as prem- iums he has received at several of the leading State Fairs of the country plainly testify .. Mr. Herkless is a progressive farmer and he uses every available instrumentality to attain the highest possi- ble degree of success in every branch of domestic life.
WILLIAM B. HENBY is the youngest child of John and Mary (Bagley) Henby. The parents were natives of North Carolina, and in that State were born all of their twelve children, who were named: Thomas, Willis, Eli and Elias (twins), Sarah, John, Eph-
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raim B., Martha, Jonathan, Jesse, Mary and William B. The last named of these was born May 18, 1833, in Perquimans County, N. C. His father, who had died in December before that, had ac- quired a considerable tract of land in that State, and had prospered with his constantly increasing family. At the time of his death he was fifty-one years of age. In 1835, William B. came to Indiana with his mother and a large portion of her family. After stopping in the vicinity of Richmond for about one year they located in Rush County. Mr. Henby has been a resident of this county from that time to this, excepting a few years in Hancock County. He worked for a short time at blacksmithing, but soon abandoned that for saw milling, which he continued as his chief occupation until the outbreak of the Civil War. In July, 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Nineteenth Regiment, in which he served for three years. He was in many of the hard fought battles of the war, and shared to the fullest extent the vicissitudes of his company, which was in what was familiarly known as the " Iron Brigade." He was honorably discharged August 28, 1864. On September 20, follow- ing, his marriage was celebrated with Catharine, daughter of Rob- ert and Ellen (Templeton) Brooks. By her he was the father of six children, named: Annie, Mary E., Charles R., Jennie, Alice (deceased), and Nora. Mrs. Henby died January 24, 1879, having been a consistent member of the Friends' .Church. Mr. Henby's second marriage occurred October 21, ISSo, when Mary E. Hill became his wife. To this marriage have been born two sons: Eddie H. and George C. Upon returning from the war, he took up the business of farming in Hancock County. He remained there until 1876, when he removed to his present home in Ripley Town- ship. His farm consists of 182 acres, and is highly improved. Ile and his wife belong to the Friends' Church. Politically, he is a Republican, and fraternally, is a Mason and an active member of the G. A. R.
JOSEPH HENLEY, was born in eastern North Carolina, June 16, 1768, raised in Randolph County. He was a descendant of Welsh parentage. The subject of this sketch, in 1798, married Peninnah Morgan. When a young man, about the spring of IS21, he made a prospecting tour to Rush County, Ind., and selected a tract of land which afterward became known as the Henley homestead. This land was advertised and offered at public sale at auction. This was the plan of the early disposition of public lands. Afterward it was subject to entry. On this trip, as the land sale was to be at Brookville, 1821, he left sufficient money with Robert Hill ( then liv- ing in Wayne County, and also a brother-in-law), to purchase for him about three-quarter sections of land. The land was accordingly
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purchased by Robert Hill. He returned to North Carolina, with Samuel Hill, who had accompanied him on this trip. In 1828, he made another trip to his new possessions in Rush County, and pur- chased from his son Henry, a quarter section of land, which is now known as the Herkless farm. He again returned to North Caro- lina, and in the fall of 1835, he, in company with his wife and young- est son, Robert, made a trip to this county, for the purpose of deciding whether or not they should make their home permanently in this new country. The matter was soon decided, and as his family was large, the discernment and sound judgment of this pio- neer was that Rush County offered inducements which were want- ing in their native State. The trip from North Carolina, with his wife, was made in a two-horse vehicle, starting from their home in August, and returning in November. In the spring of 1837, he started with his family, leaving their old home on April 12th, and arriving on the present site of Carthage, just one month later. The eleven children were born in North Carolina, and named Sarah, Su- sanna, Thomas, Henry, Lucretia, Mary, Nancy A., Charles, Mica- jah, Jesse and Robert. The subject of this sketch was a practical farmer, and a member of the Carthage Society of Friends. He do- nated the land on which the Friends erected their school house, just south of Carthage. He lived to see his forest farm cleared up and develop into one of the finest farms on Blue River. Here he lived an honored citizen until December 16, 1860, when he died at the ripe old age of ninety-two years and six months.
HENRY HENLEY, son of Joseph and Peninnah (Morgan) Hen- ley, was born November 19, 1805, in Randolph County, N. C. On October 1, 1828, he arrived in Richmond, a very small town in the new country just then opening up to settlement. The same month, in company with his father, he came to Ripley Township, Rush County, to look at the country. In 1830, he entered a farm in Ripley Township, and the same year, March 31, 1830, was mar- ried to Ruth Morrow, daughter of John and Mary (Stout) Morrow. Their children were born as follows: Mary W., June 12, 1831; Peninnah, February 2, 1833; Eunice S., January 9, 1835; Jane and Sarah died in infancy: Joseph J., July 28, 1843, died April 29, 1881; William Penn and Robert Barclay, twins, born August II, IS46. In the winter of 1830-31, Henry Henley taught school in the log school house which stood where Joseph Binford's house now stands, a term of three months. He taught in a school east of Richmond in 1828-29. He had taught two three-months' terms in Randolph County, N. C. He lived on his farm from 1830 to IS31, in the fall of which he bought a half interest in the mill which was built by Robert Hill in 1827-28, with a grist mill attached. About
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two years later he traded his interest in the mill for 200 acres of land. He built a saw mill a few years after on the farm which now belongs to his son William P., just north of Carthage. lle served as Postmaster at Carthage during Jackson's administration. He kept the office one time in the comfortable room in which he now spends his declining years. Mr. Henley was Township Trustee for several years, was one of the projectors in the laying out of the town of Carthage in 1834. December 13, 186S, his wife Ruth, died, and in 1873, he married Margaret Moore, daughter of Samuel and Rebecca (White) Moore. Mrs. Henley's parents were both born in Guilford County, N. C. No children have been born of this union. Henry Henley has long been a member of the Society of Friends, and in politics is a third party Prohibitionist.
CHARLES HENLEY was born in Randolph County, N. C., July 17, 1814. He is the son of Joseph and Peninnah (Morgan) llen- ley, and removed with his parents to Ripley Township, Rush Co., Ind., in the spring of 1837. He was then a young man about twenty-three years of age. He immediately entered his brother Henry's store as a clerk, and in the following spring he became a partner. The spring of that year he made his first trip to Cincin- nati on horseback to buy goods. The goods were all wagoned through, which usually required as much as twelve days to make the round trip. Mr. Henley was married on June 25, 1846, to Ta- mar Hill, daughter of Jesse and Mabel ( Overman ) Hill, and started immediately for Cincinnati, in a buggy, to buy a new stock of goods, taking his young wife with him. On his return he settled down in Carthage, where he has ever since resided. Their chil- dren were born as follows: Charles, deceased: William C., deceased; Sarah and Caroline. The subject of this sketch remained in the mercantile business twenty-two years, after which he turned his attention to the milling business and farming, he having become possessed of two farms north of Carthage. The flour mill and woolen mill he managed for twenty-three years. The grist mill burned down June 22, 1879. He sold the mill site to his nephews, Robert and William P. Henley, who rebuilt the mill. In the spring of 1876 he engaged in the banking business and organized the first bank in Carthage, and was made president of the bank, which po- sition he has held continuously up to the present time. With his interest in the bank and his farms, Charles Henley has little time for idleness, although he claims to be living a retired life. He re- sides in Carthage, has a pleasant home, is a well-preserved man, a member of the Friends' Church, and votes the Republican ticket.
THOMAS W. HENLEY, who has been a resident of Ripley Township for the past fifty-seven years, is a native of Randolph
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County, N. C., born December 21, ISIS. He was the son of Elias and Jane (Hubbard) Henley, both of whom were natives of Guil- ford County, N. C., of English descent. His father was the son of John Henley, and his mother was the daughter of John Hubbard. He was but six years old when his mother died, and when he was twelve years old he accompanied his father and stepmother to Ripley Township, this county, in which his youth was spent assisting to clear and cultivate a farm, and in which he has ever since resided. He continued with his father upon the farm until he became of age, after which he was chiefly employed upon a farm by the month until 1848, in which year his father died. After this event he re- turned home and took charge of the old home place, of which he became sole owner about 1853, and which he still continues to own. He was married December 20, 1854, to Miss Hannah C. Williams, who is a native of Belmont County, Ohio, born June 23, 1832, be- ing the daughter of Jason and Abigail (Holloway) Williams, the former of whom was a native of Pennsylvania, of Welsh and English descent, and the latter was a native of Belmont County, Ohio, of English descent. Her father was the son of Joseph and Mary ( Cooper) Williams, natives of Pennsylvania. Her mother was the daughter of Joseph and Eleanor (Pickering) Holloway, who were natives of Virginia. Ever since their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Henley have resided in Ripley Township. They have occu- pied their present home since the fall of 1865. The life occupation of Mr. Henley has been farming, and in this connection he has been very successful. He owns in all, 433 acres of land, of which 393 lie in Rush County, and forty in Shelby County, this State. His home farm contains a handsome brick residence, and it lies but a half mile southwest of Carthage. Mr. and Mrs. Henley are the parents of seven children, as follows: Rollin Edgar, Abbie J., Mary E., William J., John B., Annie W. and Thomas B., all of whom are living, except John, who died in childhood. Mr. and Mrs. Henley and all their children are members of the Friends' Church. In politics, Mr. Henley is a Republican. He is one of the substantial and well-to-do farmers of the county, and he and Mrs. Henley are deservedly esteemed by all who know them.
ROBERT HENLEY, deceased, but formerly an old resident of Rip- ley Township, was born in Randolph Co., N. C., March 17, 1822, being the son of Joseph and Peninnah (Morgan ) Henley, with whom he came to Rush County when he was fifteen years old, or in IS37. The family settled upon a tract of woods land just south of the town of Carthage, where the father and mother -Joseph and Peninnah Henley spent the rest of their lives - the latter dying April 30, 1860, and the former dying December 17, 1860. The subject of this
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sketch spent the rest of his youth and early manhood assisting to clear and cultivate his father's farm. In addition to a common school education, he was a student for one year in the Friends' Boarding School of Richmond -now Earlham College. He was married April 24, 1856, to Miss Mary Newby, who was also a na- tive of Randolph Co., N. C., born August 13, 1826, and was the daughter of Henry and Sarah (Thornburg) Newby, with whom she came to Rush County when she was but four years old, or in 1830. After their marriage, Robert Henley and wife continued to reside upon the old Henley homestead, of which the former became the owner in 1860, or at his father's death. He and wife became the parents of four children: Hiram H., born March 28, 1857; Albert, born April 1, 1859: Peninnah, born June 25, 1863, and Jesse, born March 16, 1866, all of whom are living. Sketches of the two oldest children appear elsewhere in this work. The third child, Miss Peninnah Henley, graduated in the Carthage High School in April, 1882, and afterward spent three years in Earlham College, com- pleting the junior year. The fourth and youngest, Jesse Henley, is also a graduate of the Carthage High School, and has been a student in Earlham College two years. Robert Henley worked some at the carpenter's trade, but his chief occupation was farming. His death, which occurred July 1, 1879, was the result of injuries received when in the act of reaping, on the 28th of June preceding. His wife survived him until May 20, 1881. Both were devoted members of the Friends' Church, and as citizens none were more dearly beloved.
OWEN S. HENLEY, a prosperous farmer and substantial citizen of Ripley Township, was born upon the farm he now occupies, October 20, 1846. He was the son of Thomas and Abigail (Starbuck) Henley, who were respectively natives of Randolph and Guilford counties, N. C., the former of English, and the latter of Irish and English descent. Ilis paternal grandparents were Joseph and Peninnah (Morgan) Henley, and his maternal grand- parents were Thomas and Eunice (Leonard) Starbuck, all of whom were natives of North Carolina. Ilis father was born August 18, 1803. His mother was born August 2, 1804. His parents were reared in their native State, and were married in Guil- ford County, March 5, 1829. Immediately after their marriage they emigrated westward to Rush County, and settled in Ripley Township, whither the father had entered land in 1827. They were among the early settlers of that township, and their residence there dates from a time when Rushville was but a hamlet and when Knightstown and Carthage did not exist. The father and mother continued to spend the rest of their lives in Ripley Township, the
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latter dying December 1, 1878, and the former dying December II, 1885, his death resulting from a fall on ice three days previously. The subject of this sketch was reared upon the old homestead, and continued with his parents until their deaths. He received a good common school education, and later on he was a student in Earlham College two terms. He then returned home and resumed work upon the farm, which pursuit has occupied his entire attention ever since with the exception of two winters, during which time he taught school in this county. He was married October 17, 1878, to Miss Mary B. Wright, who was born near Marion, Grant County, this State, January 10, 1849, being the daughter of Joab and Ma- linda (Elliott) Wright, the former of whom was born near Greens- boro, Tennessee, and the latter was born in Wayne County, this State, both of English descent. Her mother died May 2, 1877, and her father still survives, and resides in Marion, Ind. Her maternal grandparents were Jacob and Ann Elliott, who were natives of North Carolina. Mr. and Mrs. Henley are the parents of two children: Earle B., born September 12, 1879, and Clyde C., born March II, ISSI. Our subject and wife are members of the Friends' Church. In politics, Mr. Henley formerly affiliated with the Re- publican party, casting his first vote for Gen. Grant. He sup- ported that party until 1884, since which time he has been an ardent Prohibitionist. He has served his township in the capacity of Trustee one term, having been elected in ISSo. He owns a splendid farm of 246 acres, about half of which is in cultivation. His farm is admirably located and with its natural facilities and sub- stantial improvements it is a very desirable home.
HENRY M. HENLEY, farmer, was born in the house he now occupies, three-fourths of a mile east of Carthage, September 20, 1847. He was the son of Hezekiah and Ann ( Maris) Henley, both of whom were natives of North Carolina, but both of whom are now deceased. They were formerly residents of Ripley Town- ship, where both died, the father on the 25th day of August, 1861, and the mother on the 28th day of March, 1872. He was reared upon the home place, and on the 19th day of September, 1878, he was married to Miss Clara Dille, who is a native of Henry County, Ind., born December IS, 1854, and was the daughter of Squire and Margaret (Creath) Dille, both of whom were natives of Ohio. Her father was the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Thompson) Dille, and her mother was the daughter of George and Nancy (Clark) Creath. Ever since their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Henley have continued to reside upon the old Henley homestead. His occupa- tion is that of a farmer, though in his earlier manhood he taught school for several years. His labors in that capacity were per-
Will. L. Walker
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formed in Rush and Henry counties, and altogether he taught six terms. He and wife have had two children: Frank D. and Bonnie H., the former of whom is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Henley are members of the Friends' Church, and in politics, he is a Repub- lican. He has a half interest in ITO acres of land, nearly all of which is in cultivation.
WILLIAM HENLEY, a young farmer of Ripley Township, was born on his father's old homestead east of Carthage, March 12, 1852, being the son of Hezekiah and Ann (Maris) Henley, a more extended mention of whom is given elsewhere. He was reared upon his father's farm, and in his early manhood he became a teacher in the public schools, which pursuit furnished him win- ters' employment for five years. In addition to a common school edu- cation, he attended the Lebanon, Ohio, normal school one term. He was married, August 8, 1883, to Miss Jennie M. Dille, who is a na- tive of Henry County, Ind., born February 7, 1851, being the daughter of Squire and Margaret (Creath) Dille, whose parentage is given elsewhere. In addition to a common school education, Mrs. Henley was a student in the Spiceland Academy six months, and was also a student in the public schools of Knightstown nearly three years. At eighteen years of age she became a teacher in the public schools, and in all she taught seven years, her labors in that capacity all being performed in Henry County, Ind. Mr. and Mrs. Henley have had one child, a boy, that died unnamed. Mr. Hen- ley is a member of the Friends' Church, and is a Republican in politics. He and his brother, Henry M. Henley, own 110 acres of land.
R. EDGAR HENLEY, a prominent young business man of Car- thage and a member of the firm of Hill, Henley & Co., is a native of Ripley Township, born October 16, 1855, being the son of Thomas W. and Hannah C. (Williams) Henley, of Ripley Town- ship. He was raised upon a farm and received in the district school a knowledge of the ordinary branches of learning. In ad- dition to this he attended Spiceland Academy two terms, and Earl- ham College, of Richmond, one term. In the former institution he pursued a commercial course. During the winters of 1877 and '78, and 1878 and '79, he taught public school in Ripley Township. On retiring from the'school room he spent one season on a farm, and in the fall of 1880, he took a position as salesman in the general store of George H. Stone, of Carthage. He remained with him until in June, 1884. After spending a few months recruiting his health, he, early in September of the same year went on a prospect- ing tour to Kansas, but not being pleased with the west, he re- turned in October and engaged in merchandising at Carthage. IIe
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has since been a member of the firm of Hill, Henley & Co., which is one of the substantial business firms of the county. He was mar- ried December IS, 1884, to Miss' Alma L. Stone, who is the daugh- ter of his former employer, George H. Stone. She is a native of Posey Township, this county, born September 23, 1860. Mr. and Mrs. Henley are the parents of an only child, whose name is Lavonne. By virtue of his birth Mr. Henley is a member of the Friends' Church. In politics, he is an ardent Republican. He is at present a member of the Town Council at Carthage, and is Secretary of the Natural Gas Company of that place. He is an enterprising young man, and he and his wife are citizens who are respected and esteemed by all. For a number of years Mr. Henley has been connected with the Rushville press, as Carthage correspondent. His communications which have appeared in the Republican and Graphie, have been read with interest, and they re- flect very creditably upon him as a news gatherer.
HIRAM H. HENLEY, an industrious young farmer of Ripley Township, was born on the old Henley homestead just southeast of the village of Carthage, March 28, 1857. He was the son of Robert and Mary M. (Newby) Henley, the former of whom was .the son of Joseph and Peninnah (Morgan) Henley, and the latter was the daughter of Henry and Sarah (Thornburg) Newby, all of whom were natives of North Carolina. He was reared upon the old homestead, and received in the public schools of Carthage, a good knowledge of the ordinary branches of learning. Later on he was a student in Earlham College two years. He was mar- ried October 5, ISSI, to Miss Ida Hill, who is a native of Carthage, born July 22, 1858, being the daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth (Winslow) Hill, whose history is given elsewhere. For three years after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Henley resided upon the old Henley homestead near Carthage. In November, 1884, they re- moved to their present home one mile and a half east of Carthage. They have an only child, Bertha M., born May 31, 1883. The oc- cupation of Mr. Henley is that of a farmer, though he also gives considerable attention to the business of grain threshing. He owns a farm of eighty acres, about half of which is in cultivation. Mr. Henley is a member of the Friends' Church, and in politics he is an ardent Republican. He is a well-to-do young farmer.
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