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 65
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who was first breveted Lieutenant Colonel, then Colonel, and died of cholera, in 1867, at Ft. Zarah, Kansas, of which he was in com- mand; and the youngest, Florence, who now resides in Indianapolis. Mrs. Helm died October 30, 1866. Though nearly eighty-four years of age, and though an attack of paralysis has rendered him almost helpless, Mr. Helm continues in full possession of his facul- ties and attends almost as actively as ever to his business, which is buying and selling land. By this he has amassed an honest fortune. His pecuniary success is largely due to his strong common sense and remarkable judgment; he reads men by intuition, rather than by the knowledge gained from experience, though that is extensive. While practicing his profession his diagnosis seemed the swift re- sult of intuition, instead of the slow conclusion of reason; but this natural faculty did not cause him to neglect the study of the science of medicine, and when he closed his professional career, he was among the best qualified physicians of the State. With these su- perior talents is united a moral excellence that heightens the char- acter of his influence and exalts him in public regard. Doctor Helm is very widely known. He was in practice for a very long time which formed for him an extensive acquaintance all through the State, which fact may be attributed to the great difference between the calling of a medical man now and what it was in the first half of this century. Dr. Helm began life without money, and with a very limited education. The wonderful success he has made in life is a matter of inspiration and encouragement. From the un- educated youth of poverty, he has become a scholar, and he now stands one among the wealthiest men in Rush County - all the legitimate results of his prudent management and foresight.
WILLIAM J. HENLEY, a promising young attorney of Rushville, was born in Ripley Township, this county, October 15, 1863. He is the son of Thomas W. and Hannah C. (Williams) Henley, who are old residents of Ripley Township. His early life was spent at the home of his parents, during the greater portion of which time he attended the Friends' Academy of Carthage. He graduated from the Carthage High School in the spring of 1881. Just prior to that he was appointed a Cadet to the United States Naval Acad- emy of Annapolis, but his parents, who were Friends, induced him to decline to go. In May, 1881, he entered upon the study of law in the office of Joshua H. Mellett, of New Castle, and there re- mained one year. During the winter of 1862-3, he taught school in Henry County. In April, 1883, he became Deputy Clerk of Rush County, which position he filled one year. On the Ist day of June, 1884, he formed a partnership with B. L. Smith in the practice of law, having purchased the interest of Judge Cullen-
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the former partner of Mr. Smith. His entire attention has been given to the legal profession ever since. May 6, 1885, he was married in Nashville, Tenn., to Sallie A. Monroe, daughter of George and Missouri Monroe and granddaughter of the late Gen. P. A. Hackleman. She was born in Rushville, February 6, 1865. They are the parents of one daughter, Nellie T., born February 10, 1887. Mr. Henley is a member of the Republican party.
COL. JAMES M. HILDRETH, Clerk of the Rush Circuit Court, is the son of James and Rebecca (Kennedy) Hildreth. The par- ents were natives of Bourbon County, Ky., born in 1786 and 1791, respectively. They came to Rush County in the fall of 1835, and located in Noble Township, where the remainder of their lives were spent. Mr. Hildreth died in 1855, but his wife survived him many years, being upwards of eighty at the time of her death. They were devout members of the Christian Church. Col. Hil- dreth was born in Bourbon County, Ky., and was about three years of age when his parents located in this county. He was reared on a farm and early became familiar with the rugged duties of a farmer. His education was obtained in the common schools. In 1856, he removed to Rushville and engaged in the livery business, which he continued for several years. In August. 1862, he re- cruited a company for the Sixteenth Regiment Indiana Infantry. At the organization of the company he was chosen Captain. In 1864, he was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel of his regiment, and he continued to discharge the important duties of that posi- tion until the expiration of his term of service in June, 1865. An account of this regiment is given elsewhere in this volume, and all of its arduous campaigns were shared by Col. Hildreth. Upon his return home, he resumed the business of an agriculturist, which he pursued successfully until he assumed the duties 'of County Clerk in the fall of 1884. By his prompt attention to business, and his genial manners, he won the approval of his constituents, and was elected for a second term in the fall of 1886. He was married in May, 1866, to Fanny, a daughter of Col. 'Alfred Posey. Col. Hil- dreth is a member of the Masonic and G. A. R. fraternities.
GEORGE HUME, one of Rush County's pioneers, was born in Dearborn County, this State, March 12, IS30. He was the youngest of nine children-four sons and five daughters - born to Aquilla and Mary (Bayler) Hume, natives of Kentucky and Vir- ginia, respectively, both of Scotch descent. His mother died in Dearborn County when he was but two years old, though he has a vivid recollection of her. When he was six years old, his father removed to this county and settled in Orange Township, where our subject was reared upon a farm. When George was seventeen
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years old his father died, when he and his brother assumed the full management of the farm, and continued in agricultural pursuits upon the old homestead until 1876, when he removed to Irvington, this State, for the purpose of having better educational facilities. In 1880, he returned to the old homestead in this county, but in the following March he located in Milroy. In October, 1886, he came to Rushville, since which time he has occupied his present handsome residence on N. Main Street. He was married Decem- ber 15, 1853, to Miss Mary E. Bosley, who died February 1, 1876. December 1, 1880, he was married to Lizzie Thompson, his present wife. Two children were born to his first marriage: Melissa A. and Olive S., the former of whom is deceased. Olive S. is now the wife of Oliver P. M. Hubbard, of New Castle, Ind. Mr. Hume and wife are members of the Christian Church. In politics, the former is a pronounced Republican. He is an influential and reliable man, and he and wife are worthy and esteemed citizens. The eldest daughter, Melissa A., became the wife of John T. Burton, now of Emporia, Kan.
WILLIAM A. JONES, a prominent citizen of Rushville, was born in Dearborn County, Ind., October 2, 1845. He was the seventh of thirteen children, three sons and ten daughters, eleven of whom lived to be grown, born to Thomas H. and Emily ( Wilkins) Jones who, when William was about eight years old, moved to Hamilton County, Ohio, where his youth was spent upon a farm. At the age of twenty he went to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and spent nine months at the blacksmith's trade. He then came to Rush County as aforesaid. When he had attained his majority, or in 1868, he came to Rushville, in which place he has chiefly resided ever since. He was first employed as clerk in a restaurant and retail liquor house, and a few months later he purchased one-half interest in that property. In 1870, he engaged in the boot and shoe business. About one year later he resumed the management of a restaurant and saloon. In 1872, he became one of the proprietors of the Windsor Hotel. In the spring of 1873, he located upon a farm adjoining Rushville, and for one season he farmed and gave atten- tion to the training of fast horses. In the fall of 1873, he and his brother, Thomas J. Jones, became the proprietors of the Galt House, Cincinnati. A year later our subject returned to Rushville, and engaged in the wholesale and retail liquor business. In 1878, he turned his whole attention to the training and campaigning of trotting and pacing horses, in which capacity he has won an envi- able reputation, and he is now recognized as one of the leading turfmen of the country. He has handled during this time some of the most noted speed horses in the country, among which may be
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mentioned, Florence M., Little Miss and Waverly, as trotters, and Laura J., and Raven Boy, as pacers. He was once the half-owner of the noted pacing horse Hoosier Tom, whose record is 2:1614. To his interest in this line he in 1884, added the breeding of fast horses, and he is now the owner of some very fine stallions. He was mar- ried May 5, 1869, to Laura M. Oglesby, a native of Sydney, Ohio, born September 1, 1850, and was the daughter of Jacob H. and Mary (Fielding) Oglesby, both natives of Pennsylvania. Three children have been born, Carrie, Harrie and Freddie, of whom only Harrie is living. Mrs. Jones is a member of the First Presby- terian Church. Mr. Jones is a member of the K. of P. Order, and a Democrat in politics. He is a reliable and influential man, and he and wife are good citizens.
WALTER L. KEMP, hardware dealer, was born in Lowndes County. Miss., August 10, 1857. He was the son of Edward F. and Sallie C. (Dupree) Kemp, natives of Virginia and Georgia, respectively. His boyhood was spent in Columbus, his native town. When he was fifteen he went to Chattanooga, Tenn., where he was employed by the M. & C. R. R. Co. a few months. At sixteen he entered the State University at Knoxville, Tenn., remaining two terms. He then went to Cincinnati, and there was employed in a wholesale notion and furnishing goods establishment. In October, ISSo, he came to Rushville, and for three years thereafter he was a traveling salesman for Norris Brothers, manufacturers of wheat drills. In August, 1884, he engaged in the hardware business, to which his attention has since been directed. December 25, 1879, he was married to Alma Norris, daughter of B. F. Norris, of this county. She died in October, ISSI, leaving one child, Alma. Our subject is an Odd Fellow and a member of the K. of P. order. Politically, he is a Republican.
HON. ARCHIBALD M. KENNEDY was born in Guilford County, N. C., August 25, ISIS. His father, John Kennedy, was a native of the same State, born in 1780 and died in Missouri in 1863. The mother was born in 1788 and died in 1870. In 1825 the Kennedy family emigrated to Indiana, locating in Favette County, where they remained until 1834, when they came to Rush County. Nine years later the parents moved to Missouri. Our subject was the sixth in a family of ten children, of whom but three are now living. In 1839 he returned to Fayette County, whence, in 1853, he went to Wabash County and resided four years. He then came back to his old home, and in 1864 moved to Rush County where he has continued to reside ever since. His home farm near the city of Rushville consists of 247 acres of fine land. In IS41 he began working at the carpenter's trade, which he followed for a period
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of twelve years. At the end of that time he began bridge-build- ing, a business he carried on extensively in this State and Ohio. He is self-educated man, and well informed. His good for- tune in life has been his untiring energy and close applica- tion to business. He was reared in the old Democratic school of politics, but since the inception of the Republican party has been one of its ardent supporters, and was for years a leader in local politics. During his residence in Jennings Township, Fayette County, he was three times Trustee. In IS70 he was chosen to represent Rush County in the General Assembly, and in 1876 was Joint Representative for the Counties of Rush, Ripley and Decatur. In 1886 he was elected Senator from the Counties of Rush and Hancock. He was strongly advocated for Member of Congress before the convention of his party, held at North Vernon in 1874. His marriage with Henrietta Langston took place in 1841. She was born in Union County, Ind., October 10, 1820, and died Feb- ruary 24, 1883. To this union were born these children: Mary J., IS42; John B., 1844; Emmett, I848; Emily F., 1850; Charles F., 1853. In IS85 he was married to Miss Laura M. Riley of Boone County, Ky., who was born May 25, 1848. Mr. Kennedy is one of the representative men of Rush County, a recognized leader in public enterprises and a citizen of high character. His likeness, which can be seen on another page, is a portrayal of many of those sterling qualities so requisite to eminent success in life. He is a member of the Baptist Church, of the old school.
MRS. HARRIET KIPLINGER, a venerable widow lady of Rushville, was born near Xenia, Ohio, August 25, 1815, being the daughter of William and Mary Dill, natives of Delaware and Ohio, respec- tively, the former being the son of Solomon and Sarah Dill. When she was but three years old her parents came to the State of Indi- ana and first settled near Connersville, Fayette County. Two years later they removed to this county and located upon a tract of woods land one mile north of what is now the city of Rushville. Rush- ville then consisted of probably less than a half dozen log cabins and it was not for two years after that the county was organized and given its name. The subject of this sketch spent her early life at the home of her parents and continued with them until the time of her marriage, which occurred January 24, 1833. The gen- tleman whom she chose for her life companion was John W. Kip- linger, who was born in Bourbon County, Ky., November 30, 1812, being the son of John and Mary Kiplinger. For one year after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Kiplinger resided with the former's parents in Jackson Township. They then settled upon a farm in Rushville Township, where they resided for a period of ten years.
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They then returned to Jackson Township and there resided upon a farm until the fall of 1872, when they removed to the city of Rushville. They first occupied a property opposite the site of the present Methodist Church on Morgan Street. In March, 1879, they removed to the handsome property Mrs. Kiplinger now occu- pies some squares north on the same street. There they were permitted to enjoy a happy old age together until their union was broken by the death of Mr. Kiplinger, February 12, 1884. Mrs. Kiplinger is the mother of thirteen children, six living and seven deceased. Their names are: John J., George W., Mary E., Will- iam H., Polly A., George T., Isaac E., David F., Amanda J., James M., Benjamin F., Daniel F. and Jesse C. Those deceased are: John J., George W., Mary E., William H., Isaac E., David F. and James M. Mrs. Kiplinger is a member of the Christian Church. Her husband, for a number of years, prior to his death, was identified with that church in a ministerial capacity. Mrs. Kip- linger is now in the seventy-third year of her age and she has been a resident of Rush County for sixty-seven years. She is one among the county's oldest pioneers.
WILLIAM L. KING, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Manilla, this county, December 1, 1835, son of David and Matilda (Edwards) King. His father was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, about IS27, and died in this county in 1856. His mother was born in Guilford County, N. C., in 1828, and now resides in Manilla, this county. The father of our subject came to this county in 1851. Mr. King was reared on the farm and received a good common school edu- cation, and for some time was a student at the National Normal School, at Lebanon, Ohio, and at Valparaiso Normal School, Val- paraiso, Indiana. At ninteen years of age he began teaching school and continued this occupation for ten consecutive winters. In boy- hood he served an apprenticeship at the harnessmaker's trade. In 1880, he engaged in the hotel and livery business, at Manilla: this he continued until 1887, when he sold out his business interest and removed to his present place of residence in Rushville Township. He is a successful stock-man and now owns Eastbrook, Hamble- tonian King, Napoleon and Clydemore; all these are good horses. Mr. King was united in marriage, May 6, 1885, to Miss Lizzie Hilligoss, a native of this county, born September 31, 1864, daugh- ter of Perry and Mary Hilligoss. He is a Republican, a Knight Templar, and a member of Baldwin Commandry, at Shelbyville. He is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. King is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. King has made his own way in life and is highly respected.
JAMES S. LAKIN, a native-born citizen of Rush County, was
Harrison Miller
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born one mile and a half east of Rushville, September 30, 1828. He was the eldest of four children-two sons and two daughters -- born to Thomas and Frances ( Alley) Lakin, natives of Penn- sylvania and Virginia, respectively, the former of English, and the latter of Irish and German descent. His father, with his first wife, Sarah Simmons, came to Rush County in October, 1823, and lo- cated upon the farm where our subject was born, and where his wife died some two or three years later. By his first wife, Thomas Lakin became the father of six children, as follows: Adam S., Joseph H., Benjamin W., John, Mary and Elizabeth Ann, all of whom are deceased. James Lakin died in this county, February 5, 1874, and his second wife, or the mother of James, died October 28, 1855. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Joseph Lakin, a native of Pennsylvania. His brother's name was Thomas F., who died January 1, 1858. His two sisters were Sarah and Caro- line, of whom the former died November 25, ISSI. He was reared upon a farm in this county. At the age of eighteen he became a clerk in his brother's general store in Rushville. He continued with his brother until October, 1847, when the latter sold out to William B. Flinn, for whom James clerked until December, 1852. In the latter part of that month he engaged in the dry goods and clothing trade in connection with J. H. Oglesby. That partnership existed until January 1, 1864, when Mr. Lakin sold out to his part- ner and went to Cincinnati, where he was employed as a salesman in a wholesale dry goods house during the greater part of 1864 and the spring of 1865. He then returned to Rushville and ac- cepted the position of Cashier of the Rush County Banking Com- pany, afterward changed to Rush County National Bank, in which capacity he continued until January 1, 1873. He then became As- sistant Cashier in the Rushville National Bank, and thus continued until September 1, 1874. In June previous he had received the nomination of his party for the office of County Clerk, but was de- feated by a small majority. In December, 1874 he became the proprietor of a hotel in Rushville. He sold out early in 1877. In 1878, he engaged in the clothing trade with H. T. Carr, from which he retired in the latter part of 1883. Early in January, 1884, he en- gaged in the boot and shoe trade, but the enterprise proved fruit- less, and he retired in January, 1886. In the following October he was chosen Secretary of the Agricultural Society, and still holds that position. May 29, 1856, he was married to Catharine Carr by whom he has had five children: Frank L., Emma M., Edward H., Leah Frances and a son who died in infancy, unnamed. Leah Frances is also deceased. Mr. Lakin has been a member of the F. & A. M. Lodge since 1850, and he has taken the Chapter and
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Council degrees of that order. He has been honored with the po- sition of W. M. frequently, serving in all eight years. In politics, he is an ardent Republican. He held the position of Secretary of the Agricultural Society from 1860 to 1865. At the following election after Mr. Lakin's initiation as a Mason he was elected Junior Deacon, and served in one official capacity and another for twenty-one consecutive years.
JUDGE WILLIAM B. LAUGHLIN, deceased, father of Harmony Laughlin, and one among the first settlers of Rush County, was born in Washington County, Pa., and was the son of James Laugh- lin. He served an apprenticeship of seven years learning the hatter's trade. He took for his wife Ruth Mckinnon. He had not the advantages of an early education, and while learning his trade he embraced every opportunity to read and study. By the time his trade was finished he had sufficient education to enable him to enter Jefferson College. There he took a full course grad- uating at the end of about six years. In ISI2, he emigrated to Scott County, Ky., where he taught school four years. In ISI6, he came to Indiana and located in Franklin County. There he taught school and while engaged in that pursuit in Brookville he entered upon the study of medicine. While teaching in that county he had as pupils three boys who afterward became Governors of the the State of Indiana, viz .: Govs. Ray, Noble and Wall- ace. Mr. Laughlin came to Rush County in 1820 and was promi- nently identified with the early settlement of the county. His chief attention here was given to the practice of medicine. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and the Masonic Lodge. He was a Whig in politics, and took an active part to bring about his party's success. He died January 1, 1836. He helped to sur- vey the following counties: Rush, Shelby, Decatur, Bartholo- mew, Johnson, Marion, Delaware, Madison, Henry, Hancock, Randolph and Jay. He studied law in Pennsylvania, and also medicine some; was elected Judge soon after locating in Franklin County. He learned surveying in college, and was appointed a Government Surveyor. He named Rush County and Rushville in honor of Dr. Benjamin Rush of Philadelphia.
HARMONY LAUGHLIN, an aged and honored pioneer of Rush County, was born in Washington County, Pa., February II, IS05. He was the son of William B. and Ruth ( McKinnon) Laughlin, both natives of Washington County, Pa., of Scotch descent. When he was seven years of age his parents removed to Scott County, Ky. In 1816, just before the Indiana State was admitted, they came across the Ohio River and located in what is now Franklin County, Ind. While a resident of that county his father was, in ISIS,
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elected a member of the Indiana Legislature, which met at Corydon, then the capital of the State. In 1820, the family came to Rush County, and here the father, William B. Laughlin, entered the land upon which the greater portion of the city of Rushville now stands. In 1822, he donated seventy-five acres of his land to the county for the purpose of having the county seat located thereon. The site of their early home was a vast wilderness, and the father cut a road through the woods where Rushville now stands. Our subject spent the rest of his youth assisting to clear and cultivate the farm. He was married September 16, 1829, to Elizabeth Veeder, a native of Schenectady, N. Y., born March 20, 1804, and was the daughter of John and Eve (Tull) Veeder, both natives of the State of New York. Two years after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Laughlin removed to Gallatin County, Ills., but about three and one-half years later they returned to Rush County and settled in Rushville. In about 1836, he became Deputy Sheriff of Rush County, and served as such until 1840, when he was elected Sheriff of the county. He was subsequently re-elected three times and there was a period of about twenty-one years when he served either as Sheriff or Deputy Sheriff. In September, 1865, Mrs. Elizabeth Laughlin died, and December 23, 1872, Mr. Laughlin was united in marriage to Mrs. Caroline Sutton, daughter of Alexander and Mary (Cummings) Thompson, and widow of the deceased David Sutton. She was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., July 25, 1826. The father of Mrs. Laughlin was born in Ireland and her mother in Pennsylvania. She was married to David Sutton, September 10, 1857. He died July 26, 1872. The first marriage of Mr. Laugh- lin resulted in the birth of eight children: Cicero, William B., Eve M., Samuel, John, Kate, John (born after the other died), and another that died in infancy, unnamed. Only Samuel and Kate are living. The first marriage of Mrs. Laughlin resulted in the birth of two children: Laura M. and Emery C., the former of whom died in childhood. Mr. and Mrs. Laughlin are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Laughlin heard the first sermon preached in Rushville. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge, and a Republican in politics. Mrs. Laughlin is a member of the Daughters of Rebecca.
MARTIN VAN BUREN LEWARK, an enterprising farmer of Rush- ville Township, is a native of this county and born near where he now lives, August 21, 1841, son of Thomas J. and Eliza (Stevens) Lewark. The father of Mr. Lewark was born in Virginia in 1787, and died in Rush Counnty in 1862, and the mother was born in Fayette County, Ind., and also died in Rush County, when the subject of this biography was only about eight years of age. The
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