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 79
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HORACE H. ELWELL, farmer, is a native of Wayne County, Ind., born July 30, 1833, the fifth of seven children and eldest son born to Eli and Elizabeth (De Camp) Elwell, natives of Duchess and Onondago counties, N. Y., born September 1, 1789, and May 30, 1804, respectively, the former of Scotch-Irish and the latter of French descent. Eli Elwell grew to manhood in his native county, and received a common academic education. In 1818 he left his native State and located in Virginia, where he taught school. The following year he came west to Ohio, and later, in 1820, purchased near Milton, Ind., eighty acres of wild forest land. He was raised on the farm, and was well qualified to make a home in the wilder- ness. He was in truth a pioneer, and with limited means. He was married in 1823 to Miss De Camp, and they took up their abode in the forest home, where they toiled and added to their worldly pos- sessions until they became among the foremost citizens. During the early history of Wayne County, Ind., he taught one term of school there. He became the father of seven children, two sons and five daughters, who grew to manhood and womanhood. In politics, he was a staunch Republican, though in early life he be- longed to the Whig party. He did active service at home during the War of 1812. In 1866, he abandoned the farm and removed to Milton, where he resided during the rest of his life. March 4, 1875, he died at the age of eighty-five years. In his religious be- lief he was a Universalist. He was a progressive man and much interested in educational matters. His wife, who resided in Milton until her death, survived him until July 30, 1887. She was a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In childhood she left her native county and came to Indiana with her parents. This was in 1820. For years she carded, spun and wove both flax and wool to clothe her family. H. H. Elwell, our immediate subject, who is now one of the leading men of the county, was reared on a farm and received his education in the old log school houses. In child- hood the was taught industry, and remained under the parental roof
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until he reached his majority. He took up farming as his chief occupation. October 15, 1857, he was married to Miss Mary J. Powell, of Fayette County, Ind., born in March, 1838. She was the eldest daughter of Zemas and Lydia (Caldwell) Powell, na- tives of Kentucky and Indiana, respectively. By this union Mr. and Mrs. Elwell had born to them six children, namely: Emma, de- ceased: Savannah, wife of Amos F. Glidden; Sarah, deceased, in- fant; Lillie, wife of Charles Grey: Charles H. and Cora. Soon after his marriage Mr. Elwell located upon the farm, where he has since lived. He started out with a farm of 188 acres, partially cleared, but he has since added to it from time to time, so that he is now one of the largest land owners of this township. He is a careful business man, and has been an extensive stock breeder, often marketing his stock at distant markets. He is an aggressive Re- publican, and has taken an active part in politics. In 1870, he was elected County Commissioner of the First District. In the fall of 1876, he was elected to the Legislature, and served during the session of 1877, proving himself an able Representative of the county. In 1876 he was President of the Cambridge National Bank. The portrait of Mr. Elwell appears on another page.
PHILIP ERTEL was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 5, 1831. He was a twin son and the eldest child of Philip and Mary Ertel, natives of Germany. (See Charles Ertel's sketch.) Philip was two years old when his parents removed to Rush County, and located on a tract of land owned at present by William Knecht. This land the Senior Ertel entered. Here Philip has spent his en- tire life, and during his youth received some schooling. Carding, fulling and dyeing cloth on Big Flat Rock has been his principal occupation through life, although of late years he has given some attention to farming. After he quit the carding business, he en- tered into a contract with his uncle, Henry Gerker, of the firm of Gerker & Bhler, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to buy hog-hair, at which he worked five years, or until 1856, and cleared $3,000. With this money he came here and purchased 240 acres of the farm he now owns, but prior to this he had purchased the Henry Lord farm, paying $5,200 for it; this he sold when he purchased the 240 acres. In 1857, he erected a large steam saw mill, which after running ten years, was burned. He now gave his attention to the farm and stock, principally cattle for shipping purposes. In 1871, he was married to Catherine Burnaur, daughter of Thomas and Lydia Burnaur, residents at present of Wells County, Ind. Catherine was born in New Paris, Ohio, where she was principally reared. Her father was a prominent minister in the Christian Church. This union has been blessed with five children: George
.
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W., Ida M., Thomas H., Mary A., and Winfield C., of whom George and Ida are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Ertel are members of the Christian Church. Politically, he is a staunch Republican. He is one of the wealthiest farmers of Washington Township. His father died some years ago, and now his aged mother, who is in her seventy-seventh year, is making her home with him and is in very feeble health. Mr. Ertel has been a member of the Chris- tian Church since he was twenty-three years of age. He owns 480 acres of fine land.
CHARLES ERTEL, whose portrait appears elsewhere, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, April 12, 1833. His parents were Philip and Mary (Ludy) Ertel, both natives of Germany. The former was the son of Jacob Ertel, whose wife's maiden name was Cline. Jacob Ertel emigrated to America between 1825 and 1830, and was accidentally killed by a falling tree in Franklin County, Ind. Philip was his oldest son and was born in Berma- sance, Germany, in 1802; he was reared in Germany and in youth learned the dyer's trade. About 1829, he was united in marriage with Mary Ludy, daughter of John J. and Elizabeth (Niewmiler) Ludy, natives of Germany, who emigrated to America about the time the Ertels did. This union was blessed with four children: Philip and George (twins), Charles and Elizabeth, of whom George and Elizabeth are deceased. Philip Ertel came to Union Town- ship, Rush County, Ind., in 1834, and moved into a log house on the farm owned at present by Martin Hinchman, where he resided a short time, when he permanently located on the farm now owned by James Alexander and William Knecht, in Washington Town- ship. About 1842 he removed to Union Township, and located on the farm owned at the present time by Jacob Kimerling, there he lived until his death, in 1874. He was a member of the Christian Church. His wife still survives him at the age of seventy-seven, and at present is in very poor health; thus can be traced the lives of two of Rush County's early settlers who came here and battled with the trials and hardships of pioneer life. Charles has spent his life here in Rush County, and farming has been his principal occupation, and he can be classed among the successful farmers of the county. In his youth, by attending the subscription schools, he obtained a fair education. In March, 1858, he was first married to Priscilla David, daughter of William and Catharine (Baylas) David. To this union were born three children: Silas M., Lewis . T. and Harvina E. His wife died about 1857. His second wife was Rowena Houston, daughter of John and Susan Hauston, na- tives of Fairfield County, Ohio, where Rowena was born and reared; this marriage occurred March 24, 1870. This union was blessed
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with nine children: Mary L., John P., Charley D., Nettie E., Ida M., Lucy A., George F., Elizabeth P. and Benjamin F., all of whom are living. Mr. Ertel located on the farm where he now resides, in 1859, and has added many improvements, including a fine residence. It is under a high state of cultivation, and is classed among the best farms in Section 34. He began life with a small start and by hard and earnest toil has been very successful in his chosen pursuit. He now owns 400 acres of land and but a short time ago deeded away 160 acres. He and wife are members of the Christian Church. He is a staunch Republican and firmly be- lieves in the principles of his party.
WILLIAM R. GREENWOOD was born in Washington Township, Rush Co., Ind., December 19, 1832. He was the only son born to Samuel and Ann (McCan) Greenwood. The former was the son of Bartley Greenwood, of North Carolina, where Samuel was born in January, 1804, and was reared in Surry County, that State. At the age of twenty-four he bid adieu to home and friends and started in company with his brother-in-law, Eli Reese, for Indiana, landing in Rush County in the fall of 1828. This was then a wil- derness. About 1830 he bought a tract of wild land in the north- east part of the county, paying for it with money earned by working for George Corn at $5 per month. He was married in 1831, to Ann McCan, a native of Montgomery County, Ohio, where she was born, in ISII. He next engaged in work upon a saw mill which stood one-half mile north of Raleigh on Flat Rock. There he worked eight years. He next turned his attention to farming, locating on the farm owned at present by Alfred Loder. In about 1840 he purchased the farm now owned by our subject, and con- tinued to reside here until his death, which occurred on July IS, 1860. His wife survived him until March 30, 1863. They were two of Rush's honored pioneers. William has spent his en- tire life on the farm, and in his boyhood got some schooling, and the first teacher he ever went to is living; he is Dr. John Ray, of Newcastle. On December 29, 1870, he was married to Miss Eliz- abeth L. Conner, daughter of Alfred and Eliza Conner, natives at that time of Washington Township, but at present reside in In- dianapolis. This union has been blessed with five children: Nellie J., Robert J., Effie A., Una Ann and Omer S., of whom Nellie J. is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Greenwood are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a Democrat in politics. Farming has been his chief occupation in life, and he now owns a fine improved farm.
HON. WILLIAM S. HALL, an honored citizen of Washington Town- ship, is a native of Butler County, Ohio, being born on the present site
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of Hamilton, March 8, 1814. He can accurately trace his lineage back to 1720, when Tobias Hall, a native of England, immigrated to the eastern shores of America, probably settling in what is now New Jersey. He was the father of a large family, the youngest of whom was Joseph, who was born about 1761 or 1762. He was the son by the third wife of Tobias Hall, who with the mother of Joseph, died when he was about two years old, leaving him de- pendent upon his brother, Josiah Hall, who served as a captain dur- ing the Revolutionary War. The last two years of this struggle for liberty, found Joseph fighting for his country. In 1782, he was married to Sarah Allen. Later on, he removed to Favette County, Pa., and thence to Butler County, Ohio, in 1796, settling on a tract of land in Symme's purchase. After developing a home he had the misfortune to lose all, on account of a bad title to the land. He passed away about 1806. His union with Sarah Allen was blessed with eight children, namely: Stephen, Jane, Sarah, Thomas (the father of the subject of this sketch ), Kesiah, Joseph and Jacob. At the death of his father, Thomas took charge of the family and managed its affairs until 1812, when he volunteered as a soldier during the War of 1812, and was under General Hull, at the time of his disgraceful surrender at Detroit. As a prisoner he was sent home on a furlough and was never exchanged. On March 4, 1813, he was married to Matilda Shrader, the daughter of Aaron and Elizabeth Shrader. In 1818, they removed to Fayette County, Ind., locating near the boundary line between what was known as the Old and New purchase. Indians were then plentiful and an- noyed Mr. Hall by killing his hogs, and even killed a valuable mare just to get the bell she wore. The Halls were like many other pio- neers seeking homes in the wilderness, without money. They were compelled to rough it. The trusty rifle furnished the meat, for bear, deer and turkey were found in great numbers. The family of Thomas and Matilda Hall consisted of nine children. They were: William S., Jane, Elizabeth, Joseph, Jacob A., Aaron S., John F., Sarah A. and Thomas S., all of whom lived to maturity. The father died July 27, 1862, and the mother January 23, 1870. William S., during his boyhood and youth attended but a few terms of school, averaging two months to the term, and remembers well his first day at school. On the morning of that day his father, with an axe, trimmed the brush out of the way, and a neighbor, William Dickey, who had a daughter to send, took his old gray horse and plowed a furrow as a path to the rude log cabin styled the district school house. It had no floor. The door was made of boards split out with a frow. In erecting the cabin, a log was left out on three sides which furnished plenty of light. The fire-
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place occupied the other side of the building. It was in such buildings as we have described that the boys and girls of pioneer days secured, under trying circumstances, a limited education. This building was on the Indian trail to Connersville, and frequently the Indians returning home intoxicated, would menace and frighten the scholars, and many remained at home through fear of violence. Up to the age of seventeen, William's health had been poor, and he now resolved to learn a trade. He, therefore, went to Cincin- nati, Ohio, and engaged with his uncle, Joseph Hall, as an appren- tice, to learn the trade of cabinet maker, thinking probably, that at times he could attend school, but in this he was disappointed as his trade kept him employed. He managed, however, to secure books and spent his leisure time in reading. In March, 1835, he com- pleted his apprenticeship, and worked with his uncle until the fol- lowing December as a journeyman cabinet maker. He then removed to Rush County, locating where we find him at present, and engaged at his trade. In February, 1839, he was elected Jus- tice of the Peace for Washington Township, and served until 1847. In July, of this year, he was placed in nomination by the Democ- racy of Rush County, as a candidate for Representative in the State Legislature, and although there was a Whig majority of over 500 in the county, he was only defeated by 165 votes. In 1853, he was elected Trustee of Washington Township for the long term, and when the board was reduced to one Trustee, in 1859, he was elected without opposition and held the office until 1862, when he resigned the office, and accepted the nomination as Representa- tive to the State Legislature. He was elected by a good majority and served during the exciting session of 1863. At the close of his term as Legislator, he was once more elected Township Trus- tee and served continuously until 1878. While Trustee he took a great interest in the schools, and employed none but the best teach- ers. He caused to be erected many of the school buildings found in the township to-day, the last being the graded school building at Raleigh. On January 28, 1841, he was united in marriage with Miss Nancy M. Legg, daughter of Samuel and Catharine Legg, pioneers of Rush County. This union was blessed with eleven children, four of whom died in infancy, and four in the month of Oc- tober, 1860, with diphtheria. There are living George W., Frank J. and Lafe G. The wife and mother was called away in 1859. In 1860, Mr. Hall was again married, his choice being Mrs. Malinda Knotts, eldest daughter of Levi Hatfield. By her for- mer marriage she had two sons, Oliver and David. To this last marriage has been born five children, three of whom are living. They are: William A., Ada F. and Robert J. Death, the leveler
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of all humanity, once more visited this happy home and took from his side the loving wife and mother. Her death occurred July 7, 1887. She was highly esteemed by all who knew her and will long be remembered by those who mourn her loss. Mr. Hall continued to reside on the old homestead, where he has spent so many years of his long and useful life. He drafted the plans for his very unique residence, which is octagonal in form, and one of the most practical in the township. His home is a pleasant one, where he expects to spend the golden age of life in ease and comfort. During his long residence in Rush County he has sur- rounded himself with hosts of friends, who testify to his many acts of benevolence and hospitality. Many a young man starting in life has heeded his advice and now is on the road to prosperity. He has always been ready to assist the poor and needy, if deserv- ing, and has administered on more estates than any other man in this locality. Space compels the close of this sketch of one who holds the respect and confidence of those who have associated with him for years, and who, regardless of creed or political affiliations, speak of his sterling qualities and honest purposes in laudable terms. Mr. Hall's portrait is given elsewhere in this volume.
ISAAC HENDRICKS, who has been a resident of Section 9, Wash- ington Township, since March, 1836, was born in Clermont County, Ohio, August 31, 1808. His parents were Henry and Martha Hendricks, the former a native of North Carolina, and the latter of Maryland; they ended their lives in Hendricks County, Ind., and were of English extraction. At the age of seven years, our subject accompanied his parents to Wayne County, Ind., where he grew to manhood on the farm, and has farmed all his life. In 1835, he was married to Margaret N. Maple, daughter of George Maple. This union was blessed with eight children, of whom Mary, Martha, John, Alice, and Sarah F., are living. Mrs. Hen- dricks, the wife and mother, was called to rest November 5, 1883. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and died as she had lived; the whole family are members of the same church. The land owned now by Mr. Hendricks was entered by John Oliver, who did but little to develop it, therefore Mr. Hendricks, with the assistance of his family, developed his fine farm of the present. He has always been a hard working. industrious man, honest in all his dealings, and respected by all who know him. He is now in his eightieth year, and one among the few pioneers of Washington Township left to tell the story of pioneer life and its hardships.
SAMUEL B. HILL, a prominent citizen of Carthage, and the Cashier of the Bank of Carthage, is a native of Randolph County, N. C., born February 2, 1829. He is the son of Samuel and Mary
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(Branson) Hill, who were also natives of Randolph County, N. C., both of English descent. He was reared to manhood upon a farm in his native county, and at twenty-three years of age, or Decem- ber 31, 1851, he was united in marriage to Miss Nancy H. Newlin, who is a native of Alamance County, N. C., born February 18, 1831, being the daughter of John and Rebecca (Long) Newlin, both of whom were natives of Alamance County, N. C., of English descent. Her parents both spent their entire lives in their native county. The father died in June, 1867, at the advanced age of ninety-two, and his wife survived him about two years. At twenty- one years of age, our subject became employed in a cotton mill, and two years later he turned his attention to merchandising and farming, and from 1851 to 1860 he conducted a general store and superintended a farm in Randolph County. In October, 1860, he moved his family to Rush County, and he has ever since been a resident of Carthage. During the first thirteen years of his resi- dence there he was engaged in mercantile pursuits. On the 10th day of April, 1875, he organized the Bank of Carthage, of which he has been Cashier, and a leading stockholder ever since. In con- nection with the above pursuits, he has during the all this time con- trolled extensive farming interests in the vicinity of Carthage. He is the owner of 575 acres of first-class land lying in Rush and Shelby counties, all of which is under fence and a good part of which is in an excellent state of cultivation. This gives him a rank not only as one of the prominent business men of the county, but also as one of its most extensive freeholders and farmers. In con- sequence of his diversified business interests and his close attention to them, he is now the victim of an impaired health, but a period of recent recreation and travel bids fair to cause its restoration. He and wife have had seven children as follows: Eunice A., Emily R., Edgar N., Walter B., and Bertha L., who are living, and two sons that died in infancy, unnamed. Mr. Hill and family are members of the Friends' Church. In politics, our subject is a Republican. His portrait is presented with this volume.
DATUS E. HOLLOWELL, farmer, was born in Franklin County, Ind., May 12, 1846, being the second son and fifth child of nine children, three sons and six daughters, born to Peter S. and Joann (Lyons) Hollowell, natives of New York and Ohio, respectively, the former born in 1809, of German and Irish parentage, and the latter born in 1820. Peter came from New York, when six years old, with his parents. He was brought up on the farm, and re- ceived his education from the common schools. In 1837, he mar- ried Miss Lyons, and soon after engaged in the mercantile business. A few years later he engaged in farming, which pursuit he con-
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tinued until late in life, when he abandoned it, and with his son, en- gaged in milling at Harrison, Ohio, during the rest of his life. He died March 23, 1866, his companion and seven children sur- viving him. He was a member of the United Brethren Church, and was an exemplary Christian man. In politics, he was a Re- publican. Mrs. Hollowell is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and she and her youngest daughter are enjoying a com- fortable home, where the greater part of her life has been spent. Datus E. Hollowell, our subject, like his father, was raised on a farm, and received such an education as the common schools af- forded. He remained under the parental roof until his marriage to Miss Priscilla Larimore, which occurred September 5, 1866. She was a native of Butler County, Ohio, born October 18, 1846, the second daughter of John W. and Louise ( Marshall) Larimore, na- tives of Ohio and Indiana, respectively. To this union five children were born, viz .: Albert L., Dora B., Peter S., Luanna, deceased, and Marshall E. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Hollowell located at Harrison, Ohio, where he was one of the firm of Hollowell & Sons, who operated a flouring mill. Later, he located upon a farm near by. Sometime in the seventies, he purchased his pres- ent home, which was in a poor state of cultivation. It is now well improved. He is an active worker in the Republican party, and is a representative man of Rush County. He and wife are members of the United Brethren Church.
JOIIN IVINS is a native of Madison County, Ind., born February 13, 1841. His boyhood days were spent in Wabash County, this State. At the age of eighteen he came to Rush County and engaged in farming as a renter; by hard and industrious toil he finally succeeded in securing a tract of land in Section 2, where he resides at present. On November 21, 1867, he was married to Matilda Greenwod, daughter of Samuel and Ann (McCan) Green- wood, early settlers in the county, now deceased. Mrs. Ivins was born in this county and has always resided here. Politically, he is
a Democrat.
BENJAMIN F. JACKSON, a prominent resident of Washington Township, and at present the Township Trustee, was born within one-half mile of where he now resides, August 30, 1830. His parents were William and Mary E. (Reddin) Jackson, natives of North Carolina, and of English ancestry. The former was the son of William and Abigail (Gilam) Jackson who were not natives of North Carolina, but were principally reared there, and raised their family there. Both finally removed to Indiana. The former passed away in Fayette County, and the latter was called away while a resident of Washington Township, Rush County, Ind. William
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and Mary E. Jackson, the parents of our subject, were married in North Carolina, and Joseph, John and William A., were born to them ere their departure from that State in 1820, when they removed to Wayne County, Ind., and located on a farm four miles south of Richmond. There they resided two years, or until the fall of 1822, when they removed to a wild tract of heavy timbered land, which Mr. Jackson had previously entered in Section 21, Washington Township. His family consisted of eight children: Joseph, John, William, Leander, Mary E., H. G., Benjamin F., and Sarah J., all of whom lived to maturity. Ere his death he dealt very liberally with his children, providing each with eighty acres of land, and left valuable property for his descendants at the time of his death. He and wife were life-long members of the Baptist Church. He ended his life on April 5, 1863. His companion had preceded him some years, having passed away October 2, 1848. His portrait appears on another page of this volume. Benjamin Jackson spent his boyhood days here on his father's farm, and received his education in the old log school houses of pioneer days. Being reared on the farm he adopted farming as a life occupation. On March 14, 1855, he was united in marriage with Miss Caroline M. Lewis, daughter of John G. and Eliza (Baker) Lewis, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Kentucky. They were married in Fayette County, Ind., and it was in that county that Caroline was born October 17, 1836. This union was blessed with nine children of whom four are living; they are: Daniel F., Ida M., Emma B., and Cora E. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson are members of the Baptist Church. Politically, Mr. Jackson is a Democrat. In April, 1878, he was elected Township Trustee. In April, 1886, he was once more elected as Trustee, which position he holds at this time. He has under his supervision seven public schools, and uses great care in the selection of teachers and the maintenance of the repu- tation Washington Township has, for its successful school manage- ment. As stated, Mr. Jackson received some property from his father and therefore did not begin life empty handed. He now owns 460. acres of as fine land as the township affords, divided into three farms. His home is in Section 21, and two miles east of Raleigh, surrounded by the comforts of this life.
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