USA > Indiana > Shelby County > History of Shelby 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 59
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SOLOMON STEWARD was born upon the farm he now occupies, May 9, 1832. He was the tenth of thirteen children, eleven sons and two daughters, born to John and Christena (Pate) Steward, the former a native of Pennsylvania, of German descent, and the latter a native of Virginia, of English descent. His parents were among the earliest immigrants to this county, having come proba- bly as early as ISI5. They settled upon the farm where our sub- ject now lives, the father having entered the land from the government. That was one among the first settlements made in Brandywine Township. The subject of this sketch was reared. upon the farm, and at the age of twenty-one he took up the voca- tion of a farmer for himself. In the meantime his marriage to Lydia H. Reed occurred on the Ist day of July, 1852. She was born in Sussex County, N. J., and was the daughter of William and. Betsey (Hart) Reed, natives of New Jersey, but who emi- grated to Henry County, this State, in an early day. For two years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Steward resided upon the farm they now occupy. In the fall of 1854, they moved to Clark County, Ills., but three years later they returned to this county and first settled in Brandywine Township. About two years later they removed to Moral Township, and later returned to Brandywine Township. After residing upon other places, they, in 1867, re- turned to the old home place where they have ever since resided. The life occupation of Mr. Steward has been that of a farmer, and as such he has been reasonably successful. He and wife are the parents of thirteen children, ten daughters and three sons, named as follows: Nathaniel R., Nancy E., Louisa A., Emma C., Will- iam S., Rachel, Martha L., Doreathy, Magnola, Mary, Millia, Riley and a daughter that died in infancy, unnamed. Of those named Nathaniel R. and William S. are also deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Steward are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics the former is a staunch Democrat. He owns seventy acres of good land, nearly all of which are in an excellent state of cultiva- tion.
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WILLIAM P. STEUART, a prominent citizen of Fairland, was born in Johnson County, in this State. May 24, IS39. He was the eldest of nine children born to James R. and Mary (Pierce) Steu-
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art, both natives of Wythe County, Va. He was reared upon a farm in his native country, and at about twenty-three years of age, he took up the avocation of a farmer for himself. He continued in that pursuit in Johnson County until in 1865, and for about three years thereafter he was engaged in the buggy trade and dealing in horses, in Franklin and Greenwood, of Johnson County. He then engaged in mercantile pursuits, in Whiteland, and thus continued about six years. In 1874, he engaged in saw milling, in Johnson County, to which his entire attention has been directed ever since. He came to Shelby County in April, 1878, and located at Fairland, where he has ever since conducted a saw mill. He was married, December 25, 1876, to Mary F. Browning, who was born in the State of Missouri, September 29, 1846. She was the daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (Webb) Browning both of English descent. To them, two children have been born: Stella May, born April 7, 1879, and William O., born March 5, 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Steuart, are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The former is a member of the F. & A. M. Lodge, and a Democrat in politics. He is an influential and enterprising man, whose por- trait appears elsewhere.
DR. JAMES K. STEUART, a prominent physician of Fairland, is a native of Johnson County, this State, born August 24, 1849. He was the fifth of eight children-three sons and five daughters - born to James R. and Mary (Pierce ) Steuart, with whom his boy- hood was spent upon a farm. At thirteen years of age. he entered an academy at Greenwood, where he remained two years: after which he spent the same length of time in an academy at Hopewell. He then took up the avocation of a teacher, in order to secure means with which to enter college. He taught public school and attended Franklin College, alternately, for four years by which time he had completed the sophomore year. On leaving college he began the study of medicine, in Franklin, with Dr. P. W. Payne, under whose instruction he remained two years. In October, IS67, he entered the Medical University, of Louisville, where he at- tended one course of lectures. He then returned to Franklin and resumed his studies with Dr. Payne. A year later he received the appointment of Principal Teacher in the Asylum for the Blind, at Indianapolis, which position he filled with credit two years. He however, did not fail, during that time, to avail himself of every opportunity presented, whereby he might obtain instruction that he could utilize in the profession he was soon to enter. A good por- tion of his leisure time was spent attending medical schools, and taking practical lessons in the hospital. He then returned once more to Franklin, and after spending a few months with his old pre-
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ceptor, he in March, 1873, came to this county, and located at Fair- land, where he has ever since been actively and successfully en- gaged in the practice of his profession. His first marriage oc- cured March 26, 1874, when Miss Josephine P. Thomas became his wife. She was a native of Hancock County, this State, and was . the daughter of Capt. T. W. and Zuelda A. Thomas, both of whom were natives of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Steuart continued to live happily together until their union was broken by the death of the latter, August 3, 1881. On the Sth day of May, 1884, the marriage of Dr. Steuart and Miss Jennie A Wharton, was solem- nized. She was born in Fairland, February 27, 1852, and was the daughter of John and Virginia (Odell) Wharton, natives of Ken- tucky, and North Carolina, respectively. Dr. Steuart is the father of one son, Arthur T., who was born to his first wife, August 25, 1877. In November, 1882, the Doctor entered the Ohio Medical College, of Cincinnati, where he graduated in the spring of 1883. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, the F. & A. M. Lodge, and in politics he is a Democrat. Though young in his profession he is a very successful practitioner, and he already ranks among the leading physicians of Shelby County. For the last four years he has been employed by the C., I., St. L. & C. Ry., as one of the surgeons of the road, the duties of which position he dis- charges in connection with his regular practice.
JOHN J. TOTTEN, a prominent young farmer and stock-dealer of Brandywine Township, was born in Van Buren Township, this county, November 16, 1853. He was the eldest of thirteen child- ren, seven sons and six daughters, born to William S. and Mary J. (Andus) Totten, the former of whom was born in Virginia, and accompanied his parents to this county when he was yet a child less than one year old. The latter was born in this county. His parents now reside in Brandywine Township. He was reared upon his father's farm in this county and at the age of ten he accompanied his parents to a farm in Brandywine Township. He attended the common schools in which he received the necessary instruction for a good practical education. He continued with his parents until he reached the age of twenty-three, when on the 4th day of February, 1877, he was married to Mary M. Oldham, who was born in Brandywine Township, this county, November I, 1857, and daughter of Joseph and Matilda (Harrell) Oldham, old residents of this country. Immediately after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Totten, located in Fairland, but a year later they removed to their present home one-half mile south of that place, where they have ever since resided, excepting a temporary residence of six months in Shelbyville. Since his marriage the entire atten-
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tion of Mr. Totten has been given to the buying, feeding and sell- ing of live-stock, in which business he has been very successful. During a period of ten years his business in this direction has grad- ually increased until it has reached an aggregate of over $50,000 worth of stock bought and sold annually. Our subject and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics the former is a staunch Democrat. He owns a handsome farm of 120 acres, nearly all of which is in an excellent state of cultivation. His farm is fitted up with good fences and buildings and is a very desirable location. He also superintends the management of his farm in connection with his live-stock interests. He is a shrewd, pushing and energetic young business man, and he and wife are first class citizens. Mr. Totten began life without a dollar, but through industry, economy and good business tact, he has, though young, already accumulated considerable property and is now recognized as one of the substantial citizens of the county.
ISAAC D. Tull, a prominent farmer of Brandywine Township, and an ex-Treasurer of Shelby County, was born in Bracken County, Ky., February II, IS32. He was the fifth in a family of ten children, eight sons and two daughters, born to Joseph and Hester A. (Pilchard) Tull, both natives of Maryland, of English descent. When he was yet a child but two years of age, his parents came to Shelby County, and located upon a 160 acre tract of wood land, which the father had entered in Sugar Creek Township. There the boyhood and youth of our subject were spent in assisting to clear and cultivate the farm. For some two or three years after he reached the age of twenty he acted in the capacity of stationary engineer in the States of Indiana and Illinois. In I854, he engaged in mercantile pursuits in the village of Fairland, this county, and thus continued about six years. A period of three years, beginning with 1861, was spent in prospect- ing. In 1864, he located upon a farm in Sugar Creek Township, and continued to devote his attention to agricultural pursuits in that township about six years. He purchased and located upon the farm he now occupies in 1872. He was married in January, 1865, to Miriam E. McFadden, a native of Sugar Creek Township, this county, born March 20, 1844. She was the seventh of eleven children, five sons and six daughters, born to Hugh and Rebecca (Huff) McFadden, both natives of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Tull are the parents of six children : Ella, born April 29, 1866, died January S, 1873: Nora C., born February 1, 1868: Fannie, born October 14, 1870; Albert, born April 5, 1874; Gibson, born October 26, 1879, died November 15, 1882, and Jessie, born August 3, 1883. Mr. Tull is a member of the F. & A. M. Lodge, and a Republi-
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can. He was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace in 1874, and served four years. In November, 1882, he was elected Treas- urer of Shelby County, which reflects very creditably upon his standing in the county, considering that he had an opposing ma- jority of over Soo to overcome. He was elected by a majority of 447. When he was elected Justice of the Peace he overcame a majority of about eighty. In the fall of 1886, he was the candidate of his party for State Representative, but failed to overcome an opposing majority. He is a reliable and influential man, and he and wife are worthy and honored citizens.
JOHN W. VANARSDALL, a prominent farmer of Brandywine Township, was born in Mercer County, Ky., March 10, 1848. He was the eighth of ten children -five sons and five daughters - born to John and Catharine Vanarsdall, both of whom were also natives of Mercer County, Ky., of German descent. His paternal grandfather was Stephen Vanarsdall. His four brothers were, Stephen, Abram B., Elijah and James, all of whom are living except Abram, who died at the age of forty-one. His five sisters were, Mary, Cyntha, America, Eliza and Cora, of whom Cyntha and Eliza are deceased. When he was a lad eight years of age he accompanied his parents to this State and located with them near Franklin, Johnson County, where he worked upon a farm until he reached the age of sixteen, when he came to this county and for a period of three and one-half years worked upon a farm by the month. At the age of nineteen he took up the vocation of a farmer for himself, in which pursuit he has ever since continued. He began farming in Brandywine Township and there continued until February, 18So, when he removed to a farm in Addison Township. In February, 1884, he returned to Brandywine Town- ship, and settled upon the farm he now occupies. His first mar- riage occurred March 1, 1877, when Maria B. Thayer became his wife. She was born in Brandywine Township, this county, March 31, 1857. She was the daughter of Sidney and Frances (Bass) Thayer, both natives of this county, the birth of the former occuring May 3, 1827, and of the latter June 21, 1832. Mrs. Maria Vanarsdall died June 13, 1884. and October 30, 1885, Mr. Vanars- dall was married to Annie J. Murphy, who was born in Hendricks Township, this county, September, 4, IS53. She was the daughter of Samuel and Emeline ( Vaughn) Murphy, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter a native of England. The second wife of our subject died within a year after their marriage - the date being October 4, 1886. His first marriage resulted in the birth of one child, Sherman, born May 10, IS81, died when three weeks old. His second marriage also resulted in the birth of one child,
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Orpha, born October 4, 1886, who is still living. Mr. Vanarsdall is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a Republican in politics. He owns a fine farm, where he resides, of 280 acres, about 240 of which are in an excellent state of cultivation. His farm is fitted up with a handsome brick residence and a fine barn which, with other substantial improvements, make it one of the most desirable locations in the county. Besides this he is the owner of two other good farms - one of 160 acres in Brandywine Township, and one of eighty acres in Hendricks Township. He is an indus- trious and successful farmer and is deservedly recognized as one of the substantial and influential citizens of Shelby County.
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ABEL BENNETT, was born on the farm where he now resides, November 7, 1830, and is the youngest of nine children, born to Abel and Polly ( Askens) Bennett, both natives of Ohio, and who removed from Butler County, that State, in 1829, and settled in Shelby County. Here the mother of Mr. Bennett died in 1839, and his father in 1851. The second wife of our subject's father was Mrs. Christiana Keith, who is also deceased. The personage here noticed was reared on a farm and received what was known as a log school-house education. By occupation, he is a farmer, and is now the owner of more than 200 acres of land. As a "tiller of the soil" he is careful. industrious and prosperous. Mr. Bennett was married August 28, 1851, to Miss Martha J. Bloom- field, a native of Butler County, Ohio, born May 28, 1833. To this marriage were born seven children, as follows: James R., Moses, Washington M., John R., Sarah E., Nancy E., and Harvey C. Of these seven, four are deceased. Mrs. Bennett died July 5, ISSI, and in 18S3, Mr. Bennett was united in marriage to Miss Margaret A. Munden, who was born in Wayne County, Ind., September 2, 1848, and is a daughter of Isaiah and Mable (Bedgood) Munden, natives of North Carolina. Politically Mr. Bennett is an earnest supporter of the Republican party. He is a member of the Protestant Methodist Church, having united with that denomina- tion when twenty-three years of age. The life of our subject has been one of continued hard labor, and his success is the result.
MARCUS B. CHADWICK, a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, was born April 12, 1820, son of Samuel R. and Jerusha (Hoffing) Chadwick, natives of New Jersey, and of English descent, who, in 1819, emigrated to Ohio, where they resided until their death. Our subject received a good education, having attended the Miami
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University at Oxford, Ohio. He completed the regular course of the Sophmore class of that institution, but failing health caused him to cease his literary studies, and he returned to the home of his parents and engaged in a general merchandise store with his father. Mr. Chadwick was married April 12, 1842, to Miss Mary Ann Neff, a native of Prebel County, Ohio, and whose death occurred March 19, 1843. After the death of his wife, Mr. Chadwick began the study of law with Mr. Lewis D. Campbell, of Hamilton, Ohio. He is a graduate of the Cincinnati Law School, and was admitted to the bar in 1847. To this profession he gave his attention until 1860, and was reasonably successful. In 1849, he was elected by the Whigs, to the Prosecutorship of Prebel County, Ohio. Her represented his Congressional district in the Whig National Con- vention at Baltimore, in June, 1852, which nominated General Win- field Scott, for the presidency. November II, 1847, he was united in marriage to Mary E. Rossman, born October 22, 1821, by whom he became the father of eight children, viz .: an infant son, unnamed (deceased), Mary J. (deceased ), Edward H., Charles C., Frank, (deceased), Marcus M. (deceased), Horace M. and Albert R. In May, 1864, Mr. Chadwick removed to Hanover Township, Shelby County, and has since resided there. September 19, 1871, the death of his second wife occurred. His third marriage was solemnized September 4, 1876, to Mrs. Mariah L. Pottenger, a na- tive of Delaware. To this marriage one child, Lurton, was born June 21, 1877, and died September 5, 1886. Mr. Chadwick was elected to the office of Trustee of Hanover Township, at the elec- tions of 1872, 1874 and 1876, by the Republicans of that precinct. Of this political organization, he has always been a staunch and ar- dent supporter, since its emerging from the Whig, and was twice, its candidate for the office of Representative in the State Legislature, in 1868 and 1884. He now owns a farm of ninety-two acres in Han- over Township, which is in a good state of cultivation. Since his residence in this county, Mr. Chadwick has been recognized as a gentleman, of a leading disposition in enterprises tending to the pub- lic good, and is now held in high esteem by his large circle of friends.
HIRAM B. COLE, a representative farmer of this part of In- diana, was born in Shelby County, February 22, 1826, and is the second son of Seth M. and Fannie (Warren) Cole, natives re- spectively of Vermont and New Hampshire. The Cole family came to Indiana as early as 1820, and first located at Connersville, and in February, 1821, moved to Shelby County and settled in Hanover Township. The father of Mr. Cole was born October 5, 1795, and died September 11, 1877, and the mother of Mr. Cole
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was born October 16, 1796, and died April 14, 1872. They were members of the Christian Church, and commanded the respect of a long line of acquaintances. The gentleman, whose name introduces this biography, received such an education as could be obtained at the early subscription schools of Shelby County. He was raised on the farm and remained at home until about thirty years of age. The life of Mr. Cole has been that of an active farmer and stock- raiser. He now owns about six hundred acres of well improved land. March 14, IS50, he was united in marriage to Miss Eliza- beth Buck, who was born in Virginia April 11, 1825, and died January 25, 1877. To this marriage were born these children: Henry, Charles, Mary E., Fannie, Lincoln, Francis, Seth M., Jr., and William. On June 4, 1877, Mr. Cole was married to Mrs. Mary E. Lowe, who is a native of Shelby County, and was born January 4, 1849. She is the daughter of James and Anna (Zeigler) McDuffee, who were early settlers of this county, and are now de- ceased. In politics, Mr. Cole is a firm friend and supporter of the principles of the Republican party and was twice elected to the office of Township Trustee of Hanover Township. He is a Mason and member of Lodge No. 193, at Morristown. He and wife are leading members of the Christian Church. 20th
ALEXANDER CORY, deceased, was born in June, 1820, in Preble County, Ohio. When he came to Shelby County he was only seven years of age. He was brought up at Freeport, by his uncle, Alexander Rittenhouse, one of the best merchants ever in this sec- tion. From his earliest boyhood, Alexander Cory was a business man. Although his advantages of school education were very small, he was a fine scholar, and in mathematics he was unex- celled. At a period when young men usually are wasting their time, he was already deeply involved in ambitious schemes of busi-
ness. In February, IS41, he was married to the daughter of a venerable clergyman of the Methodist Church, the Rev. Samuel Morrison. Loretta Morrison was born in Kingwood, Preston County, Va., November 30, 1823, and her father's family had
come to Shelby County in IS26. Their marriage proved to be a very happy one; and the extraordinary personal beauty of both the father and the mother are singularly reproduced in their seven children : Mary (Mrs. Wadley), Anna (Mrs. Parker), Fanny (Mrs. William S. Major), Frank, Henry, Laura and Loretta. The business enterprises in which Mr. Cory was engaged are truly surprising, both as to number and extent. An ordinary man's mind would have given way or become confused with an amount of occupation that to him seemed pleasurable. When only about fifteen years of age he was in partnership with his uncle at Free-
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port, in a large and extensive mercantile business, and woolen, saw and grist mills. In 1847, they were active in the building of the Knightstown & Shelbyville Railroad, and Mr. Cory was one of its directors. Upon his own responsibility and at his own expense, he built a large warehouse and depot for the accommodation of the public. In IS50, he built the Hanover mills, at that time and for a long while the largest establishment of the kind in the county. When he removed to Shelbyville, in 1854, he bought out the old Shelby Mills, carried them on with great energy, dealt largely in grain, had an extensive general store on the square, and yet had leisure for any other enterprise that promised well. In politics he was always an active and decided Democrat, and served several terms as County Commissioner. The splendid gravel roads and the beautiful iron bridges that are the pride of Shelby County, are largely due to him. He died suddenly in the midst of business plans that would have taken years for their accomplishment. This was in March, 1864. At his funeral, a talented Presbyterian clergyman, Rev. James Jones Smythe, who was a warm friend of his, officiated. The attendance was immense. All the church bells in town tolled. He was buried with Masonic honors. His loss was regretted by the entire community.
FRANK M. CORY, a native of Shelby County, was born on the farm where he now resides December 31st, 1854, and is the eldest of nine children born to Alexander and Loretta (Morrison) Cory a mention of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. The sub- ject here mentioned obtained a good common school education at the schools of Shelbyville. Later, he was engaged for some time in breeding and handling thoroughbred horses, and subsequently he engaged in the merchandise business in Shelbyville, which he continued until July, 1877, when he removed to his mother's farm, in Hanover Township, where he has since resided, and has had entire management of the farm, which consists of about 700 acres of fine land. In addition, he is extensively engaged in breeding fine horses and poultry. The marriage of Mr. Cory occurred De- cember 31st, 1879, to Miss Eugenia D. Ray, daughter of Martin M. and Susan (Cross) Ray. To Mr. and Mrs. Cory was born one child, Eugenia R., whose birth occurred November 15, 1880. In politics Mr. Cory is an active Democrat.
THOMAS EVANS, a native of Saffordshire, England, was born February 28, 1829. He is the third son of Richard and Margaret (Butler) Evans, natives of Shropshire, England, and of Welch ex- traction. Our subject and family, came to America in 1853, ac- companied by his parents, two sisters and one brother, and located in Shelby County, where the father died October 1, 1856, at the
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age of seventy-four years The mother's death occurred in Illinois, July 29, 1880, at the advanced age of eighty-one years, and Will- iam, the brother, died December 28, 1875, aged thirty-seven years. Our subject never attended school. At the age of eight years, Mr. Evans began an apprenticeship with his father, who was a pratical engineer. He was was married to Miss Mary Ann Pitt, in July, 1847, who was born in Bumble Hole, near Dudley, Worcestershire, England, April 3, 1825, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Pier- son) Pitt, natives of the same place. Mr. and Mrs. Evans are the parents of four children, viz .: Ann, born in the year 1848, and two daughters and one son, who were deceased in infancy. He is the owner of IS5 acres of good land, in Hanover Township, which are well improved. He has been a member of Lodge 193, F. & A. M., for twenty-five years. When Mr. Evans came to America, he possessed $1,000, with which to begin life in his new found home. He immediately secured employment, with the Jeffersonville Railway Company, and assisted in the construction of the lateral branch of that road, after which he went to Indianapolis, where he secured a position with Kelso & Sinker, boiler makers, with whom he contin- ued about six months, and then located in what was then Gwynne's Mills, where he has since resided, and until 1882, was engaged in the manufacture of drain tile, and saw milling. Politically he is a Democrat, and usually exerts a live interest in political matters. . He is one of the most substantial men in the community in which he lives.
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