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 68
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deceased. Politically, Mr. Garver is a staunch Democrat. In April 1886, he was elected Trustee of Moral Township, and now fills that position. He takes a deep interest in the schools of his town- ship, and with his experience as teacher is well calculated to select teachers of a high order.
GEORGE W. HOUSE, a farmer of Moral Township, was born February 25, 1838. His parents were Masten and Nancy (Hoff- man) House, both: natives of Boone County, Ky. They came to this county in an early day, and are among the pioneer settlers of this county. Our subject was reared on a farm, near where he now resides, receiving a fair education for that day. At the age of twenty, he began life on his own responsibility, and on March 28, 1858, was united in marriage with Nancy J. Jackson, daughter of Ichabod and Mary (Maholm) Jackson, the former a native of High- land County, Ohio, and the latter of Pennsylvania. Mrs. House was born on the farm where she now resides, March 22, 1842. This union was blessed with six children: Irene, Abel D., Cor- nelius M., Lauesa, Lizzie and Mary A. B., of whom Abel, Cor- nelius and Lizzie are deceased; both sons died with that dread disease, consumption. Mr. and Mrs. House are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. Politically, he is a Democrat.
JAMES MCGUIRE, who has been a resident of Shelby County since 1860, was born in Ireland on March 8, 1831. His parents were Edward and Nancy (Cambell) McGuire, natives of Ireland and residents of that country; at this time the latter is deceased. At the age of twenty-five years our subject resolved to seek a home in America, and on February 1, 1856, landed in New York, and worked seven months on Long Island; he then started westward and located near Cincinnati, Ohio, in Butler County, and from thence to this county. In 1860, he was married to Isabelle Palmer, a native of Ireland, where she was reared. Politically, he is a staunch Democrat. He has earned everything he is worth to-day by hard and earnest toil. He moved to the fine farm where he now resides in 1872, and to-day owns one of the best farms in this community. Honest and upright in all his dealings he is respected by all.
NEHEMIAH MEANS, a native-born citizen of Moral Township, was born September 13, 1830. He is the son of Fountain and Letta (Edwards) Means, natives of North Carolina. They emi- grated to this State and settled near Madison in 1822, and in 1826 came to Moral Township, and located one mile north of Brookfield, where they entered a wild tract of land, put up a cabin and began to make a home in the forest. There they resided until their deaths; that of Mrs. Means in 1849, and of Mr. Means in 1865. Our sub- ject was reared amid the scenes of pioneer days, and assisted in
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developing a home. His school advantages were limited and of necessity an education was hard to get. At the age of nineteen or on October 4, 1849. he was united in marriage to Martha H. Holmes, daughter of George W. and Sarah (Floyd) Holmes. She was born on the farm where Mr. Means now resides, and was reared to womanhood there. This union was blessed with five children: Sarah J., Margaret E., John R., George F., and Thomas H., of whom John R. and George F. are deceased. Mrs. Means was called away in 1862. In 1865, Mr. Means was again married, this time to Mrs. Lucinda Rouse, widow of Thompson Rouse, by whom she had three children. Their six children are: Albert P., Cary S., Rolla L .. Anna B .. Willard A. and Ezra P., the latter of whom is deceased. Mrs. Means was also called away on March 17, 1880, and on November 10, ISSO. he married Eliza A. Harri- man, daughter of James N. and Catharine Judd. Mrs. Means is a native of Ohio, and by Mr. Means is the mother of one child : Roy J. Politically, Mr. Means is a Democrat, and is quite a worker in that party.
CALEB F. MEANS, of the firm of Means & Stanley, dealers of general merchandise, Brookfield, is a native of Moral Township, being born January 19, 1842; his parents were Robert and Jemima Means, old pioneers of this county, deceased. Our subject was reared on a farm, and received a fair education and attended school at Franklin College for a while. At the age of twenty-one, he began life on his own responsibility and engaged in farming, and at the age of twenty-two, he went to Indianapolis and engaged in clerking in a clothing store: soon afterward, he returned to Brook- field, and entered into the merchandise business with his brother Cornelius Means: this was in 1867. On November 13, 1868, he was married to Miss Jennie M. Stanley, daughter of E. H. and Elizabeth Stanley, whose personal history appears in this volume. She was born here and has always resided here. This union was blessed with two children: Clarence W. and Edith, both living. Mr. and Mrs. Means are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. Politically, Mr. Means is a Republican. but was raised a Democrat; he takes an active part in politics. He is at present Postmaster of Brookfield and an express agent and railroad agent. He is a self- made man, and has earned what he is worth to-day by dint of industry and perseverance. To-day he owns half-interest in a large store building and general stock of merchandise, an interest in the Brookfield Flouring Mills, two fine farms and a valuable residence and other property in Brookfield.
JOHN MOHR was born in Germany, February 12, 1830. His parents were John and Mary Mohr, natives of Germany. When
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our subject was eleven years of age, his parents emigrated to America, and settled in Jackson Township, this county; there John grew to manhood amid the scenes of farm life. At an early age he was apprenticed to learn the blacksmith trade and after completing it he engaged in blacksmithing for several years, but finally re- turned to the farm. In 1850, he was married to Elizabeth Yearl- ing, by whom he had nine children. Mrs. Mohr was called away in August, 1867. He was again married, and after bearing one child the second wife died. His next wife was Mary A. Basey, she had three children and died. His fourth wife was Jennetta Higenbothum, she has had no children. Mr. Mohr has made the most of his wealth by hard work and for awhile worked rented farms, and to-day owns over 500 acres of fine farming land divided into three farms, all under a high state of cultivation. Politically, he is a staunch Democrat. His parents passed away in this county.
JOHN SLEETH, who has been a resident of Shelby County since the last of November, 1820, was born in Greene County, Ohio, November 25, ISI4. His parents were John and Sarah ( Butler) Sleeth, the former was the son of Alexander Sleeth, whose parents were natives of Ireland, and had emigrated to America, and resided in New York but a few weeks when Alexander was born. Ile accompanied his parents to Virginia, where he grew to manhood and was married. They soon afterward removed to Tennessee, where Mrs. Sleeth died and Mr. Sleeth soon returned to Virginia. After taking part in the War of the Revolution, he returned to Virginia and was married to Miss Nancy Smith, by whom he had ten sons and three daughters. They emigrated to Greene County, Ohio, in ISOS. In February, 1815, Alexander, with several of his sons, removed to Union County, Ind., where they secured homes, and Alexander continued to reside there until his death, which occurred during the summer of 1820. His son, John Sleeth, who was the father of our subject, came and located in Marion Town- ship, Shelby County, in the fall of 1820. John and Sarah Sleeth were among the first settlers of Shelby County, and continued to reside here until their respective deaths, which occurred as follows: Mrs. Sleeth, March 7, 1839, and Mr. Sleeth September 15, I851. Mr. Sleeth while a resident of this county, held some very respon- sible positions. For fourteen years he was Associate Judge, and also filled the position of County Commissioner. Our subject, John Sleeth, as stated, was six years of age when he accompanied his parents to Shelby County, therefore his life has been principally spent here. His early educational advantages were limited, owing to the scarcity of schools. He remained at home until he was twenty-five, and February 14, 1839, he was united in marriage with
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Miss Rebecca Talbert, daughter of John and Elizabeth Talbert, who were natives of North Carolina, where, in Guilford County, Mrs. Sleeth was born June 13, ISIS. This union was blessed with seven children: Fernandes, Addison, Asa, Sarah J., Ann M., Nancy L., Matilda A., all living. Mrs. Sleeth died October 10, 1883. She was a kind and loving wife and mother, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Sleeth is also a member of that church, having united at the same time his wife did, in 1837. Politically, he is a Republican, and expects to end his days a member of that party. His first vote was for Martin Van Buren, and he continued to vote the Democratic ticket up to 1856. For eight years he was Trustee of Union Township, this county, but has never sought political honors.
JAMES H. SMITH, a prominent pioneer of Moral Township, was born in Brook County, W. Va., April 30, 1819. His parents were Robert and Isabella (Crawford) Smith, natives of Maryland. When our subject was about seven years of age his parents removed to Pittsburg, Penn., where they resided about two years; from thence they removed to Richland County, Ohio, where the mother of our subject was called away in 1833. In the spring of 1836, Robert Smith and his family, which now consisted of three boys and three girls, started with their household goods in a two-horse wagon for Missouri, but on arriving at this point on the route they concluded to stop and settle down. Accordingly, Mr. Smith entered eighty acres of the fine farm of 226 acres owned by James H. Smith to- day. They put up a round log cabin and moved into it and began to clear up a home. This was then almost an unbroken wilderness, and but few cabins were to be found in a day's ride, it seemed like an almost endless task to hew a home out of the dense forest, but the sturdy pioneers never lost courage, and toiled on. Our subject spent the principal part of his life on the farm he owns to-day, and has witnessed a great change in the country, the wilder- ness of fifty years ago, the old by-roads have disappeared, and Mr. Smith carried the chain on the survey of the old Greenfield and Franklin State Road; but civilization has come to stay and the whole country is now dotted with churches and schools. On Janu- ary 22, 1843, he chose for a life companion, Nancy Emmons, daughter of Uriah and Nancy ( Richmond ) Emmons, natives of New Jersey. Mrs. Smith was born in Butler County, Ohio, April 14, IS22. At the age of ten she accompanied her parents to Hancock County where they setttled and continued to reside until their deaths. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were blessed with thirteen children: Jerome C., Mary J., Hannah, James H., Sidney, Nancy, Martha, Isabella, Eliza, Diza, Emily, Fernando W. and Caroline M., of
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whom Nancy and Isabella are deceased, eleven of whom have arrived at maturity and seven are married and have families of their own. Politically, Mr. Smith is a Democrat, and firmly believes in the principles of that party, but has never sought political honors.
TINSLEY SMITH was born in North Carolina, September 16, 1821. His parents were James and Nancy Smith, natives of North Carolina. Our subject accompanied his parents to Switzerland County, Ind., in 1829, there they resided until 1830, when they re- moved to Moral Township, and located near Pleasant View, this was then a wilderness. In a few years he entered land east of Sugar Creek: there our subject grew to manhood. He continued to reside on that farm until his death, which occurred in 1884. Be- ing reared on a farm, Tinsley adopted farming as a life profession. Owing to limited school advantages, his education was only fair. In 1844. he was married to Sarah Murnan, daughter of Michael and Jane Murnan, old and respected pioneers of Shelby County. This union was blessed with four children: Jane, Nancy, Elizabeth and John J., of whom Nancy is deceased. Mrs. Smith was called away in 1856. In 1857, Mr. Smith was married to Jane Cunningham, daughter of David and Ellen Cunningham, residents at the time of their deaths, of Hancock County. This union lasted until the 15th of August, 1885, when Mrs. Smith was called home. Politically, Mr. Smith is a Democrat, but never sought for politi- cal honors. He began life at the bottom of the ladder, and has earned what he is worth to-day, by hard and earnest toil. At one time he owned about 1,000 acres of fine land in Moral Township, but has been very liberal with his children, helping them to homes. He to-day, owns a comfortable home of 240 acres, provided with good and substantial improvements.
MARTIN SNEPP, prominent farmer of Moral Township, and a resident of London, Indiana, is a son of William and Magdalene (Warner) Snepp. The former was the son of Daniel and Eliza- beth (Isley) Snepp. Daniel was the son of Leonard Snepp, a native of Berks County, Pennsylvania, who emigrated to Montgomery County, Ohio, about 1800, where he ended his days. Daniel and Elizabeth (Isley) Snepp, were reared and married in Pennsylvania and ended their days in Montgomery County, Ohio, the former dying at the early age of forty. William and Magdalene ( Warner) Snepp, the former a son of Daniel and Elizabeth Snepp, and the father of our subject, Martin Snepp, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio. There he spent his boyhood days on a farm. In 1832, William Snepp with his family removed to a farm that he had recently purchased in Jackson Township, Shelby County, Indiana. Mr. Snepp soon erected a blacksmith shop, and began working at his
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trade. His death occurring in June, 1837, a widow and three children were left to mourn his loss. They were Martin, Emauel and Ann C. The mother is still living at the advanced age of eighty- one years. Martin Snepp was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, but soon after accompanied his parents to Jackson Township, this county, where he spent his boyhood and youth, receiving a fair education. At the age of sixteen he started out for himself, and engaged as a farm laborer. At the early age of twenty he was married to Miss Martha Sawin, daughter of James H. and Caroline (Harvey) Sawin. She was born in Bartholomew County, Indiana, in 1827, where she was reared. On December 5, 1868, Mrs. Snepp died; she was a devout member of the old school Baptist Church. In 1869, our subject was married to Miss Margaret E. Dickey, and the union was blessed with three sons: Luther P., Homer D. and Leon B., all of whom are living. This union lasted until 1877. In 1880, Mr. Snepp chose for his companion Frances Kelsey, widow of Newton Kelsey, and daughter of Jacob and Mary Guile. Frances is a native of Washington Township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Snepp are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Snepp is a member of Edinburg Lodge No. 100, F. & A. M., and a Democrat in politics. He now owns a farm in Moral Township, and residence property in London, where he re- sides.
DANIEL H. SNEPP, a prominent young farmer of Moral Town- ship, is a native of this county, born December 5, 1862. He was raised on a farm and received a good education in his youth. For a number of years he was engaged in selling agricultural imple- ments, and pays some attention to that business yet. On March 9, IS84, he was married to Miss Naomi McGregor, daughter of William and Margaret McGregor, old and respected residents of Marion County, where Mrs. Snepp was born June 2, 1863. This union was blessed with one child, Maggie, who died in infancy. Mr. Snepp is a resident of London, and at present is Postmaster and Democratic central committeeman from Moral Township. He takes an active interest in the affairs of his party, and is one of the promising young men of the county.
NAPOLEON B. SNODGRASS, one of the pioneers of Moral Town- ship, was born in Harrison County. Ky., November 8, 1822. He was the son of Benjamin and Ursula (Evans) Snodgrass, the for- mer a native of Virginia, and the latter a native of Pennsylvania. Mr. Snodgrass is of English descent. When our subject was about six years of age his parents removed to a tract of land which they had purchased near Palestine, Hancock County. They located on the land and moved into a rude log cabin on October 7, 1828, and
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on September 17, 1829, Mr. Snodgrass was called away, leaving a widow and five children to mourn his loss. In early years Mr. Snod- grass was taught a lesson which has distinguished him through life. At the age of twenty-one he began to work at the carpenter and millwrighting trade. This he followed until he was married. On February 17, 1850, he was married to Miss Susanah Leonard, a native of Davison County, N. C. Her parents were John A. and Lauina Leonard, of German descent: Susanah was born in 1828. Their union has been blessed with eight children, six of whom are living: Loretta, now Mrs. D. McDugul: Rob- ert G., Sarah, Jennie, Annie, who is attending college and will soon graduate at Danville. Ind., and John N. Mr. Snodgrass is a staunch Democrat and firmly believes in the principles of his party, but never sought political honors.
E. H. STANLEY, proprietor of the Brookfield Mills, and grain dealer, was born in Stokes County, North Carolina. October 30, 1824. He was the only son of John and Lucy ( Amos) Stanley, the former the son of Christopher and Elizabeth (Smith ) Stanley. After a faithful service in the Revolution, Christopher married and settled in Botetourt County. Virginia. There he resided until the father of our subject, John Stanley was about fifteen years of age, when he removed to Stokes County, N. C., where he passed away at the advanced age of eighty-four years. Shortly after the marriage of John Stanley, which occurred in 1822, he removed with his wife and son, to Jefferson County, Ind., landing at Madi- son in the fall of 1829, and in the spring of 1830, to Moral Town- ship, locating in Section 13, on the west bank of Sugar Creek. Here he entered eighty acres and erected a log cabin, which he occupied for several years. By hard and earnest toil he succeeded in developing a good farm which is owned to-day by our subject, E. II. Stanley. After long and useful lives John and Lucy Stanley were called away on almost the same date, that of the former, Feb- ruary 23, 1863, and the latter February 25, 1863. Our subject was a boy five years of age when his father landed here, and has spent his entire life since in the township. His early education was fair for that day of log school-houses. He was reared amid the scenes incident to farm life, and engaged in farming until 1861, when he removed to Brookfield, and engaged in merchandising and buying grain, which he has since largely followed. On February 17, 1848, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Smith, daughter of James and Nancy (Vernon) Smith, old pioneers of this township. Mrs. Stanley was born February 22, 1827, in Patrick County, N. C., and accompanied her parents to this county, when she was about four years of age. This family circle has been blessed with seven
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children, Mary J., Julia A., Amanda F., John J., Charles A., Nancy L., and Andrew J., of whom the latter is deceased. The rest have all grown to maturity. Mr. and Mrs. Stanley and children, are mem- bers of the Missionary Baptist Church. Politically, Mr. Stanley in his youth, was reared a staunch Democrat, but changed his political views in 1854, when the great difference of opinion with reference to the extension of slavery was before the people. Since then he has voted the Republican ticket, and has always taken an active part in politics, but has never sought political honors. He is a self made man, and what he is worth to-day, he has made by dint of in- dustry and perseverance. To-day he owns the old home farm of over 200 acres, besides the Brookfield Mills and valuable residence property in Brookfield. He has adopted a straight forward course in life, which has won for him numerous friends, who speak of his sterling qualities as a citizen.
NOAH F. WEAVER, deceased, and at the time of his death a resident of Johnson County, was born in Vermont, June 7, 1806. His parents were Frederick and Mary (Morse) Weaver, natives of Vermont; the former was born, reared and died in Vermont. The latter was the daughter of Capt. Morse, who was a sea Captain, and descendants of the Morses of Colonial fame. Noah F. Weaver was united in marriage on June 22, 1831, to Lucy I. Wilkins, daughter of Uriah and Lucy ( Wilkins) Wilkins, natives of New Hampshire, of English descent. They were married in Vermont, where Lucy I. was born February 28, 1815. In 1833, they emigrated to Ohio, and in 1835 settled in Bartholomew County, Indiana, thence to Jasper County, Indiana, where Mr. Wil- kins was called away October 2, 1853. After his death, Mrs. Wilkins removed to White County, Ind., and passed away January 22, 1860. Noah F. Weaver and wife,, were blessed with five chil- dren: Adaline L., Angeline L., Horace W., Charles F. and Mary J., of whom Angeline is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Weaver were members of the Christian Church. In 1881, Mrs. Weaver re- moved to the farm, where she now resides, in Moral Township, and is in fair health for one seventy-two years of age.
HORACE WEAVER, a prominent farmer and citizen of Moral Town- ship, was born in Manchester, Bennington Co., Vt., August 13. 1836. His parents were Noah F. and Lucy I. (Wilkins) Weaver, both natives of Vermont, and of English descent, whose sketch is given above. At the age of nineteen our subject began life on his own responsibility by engaging to work by the month, and con- tinued at this about two years, after which he began farming as a renter. Prior to this, or on February 26, 1857, he chose for his wife Lydia A. Tucker, daughter of Clark and Margaret (For-
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sythe) Tucker. Lydia was a native of Johnson County, where she spent her entire life, dying November 15, 1859. This union was blessed with one child: Luella, who is living, and the wife of Jesse M. Duckworth. After the death of his wife, Mr. Weaver continued to farm. Mr. Weaver was one of the first to answer to his country's call, and thinks he was the tenth man to enlist in Company H, Seventh Regiment Indiana Volunteers, under com- mand of Col. Ebenezer Dumont, and Capt. Joseph P. Gill, for three months. They were enrolled April 21, 1861, and left Franklin about the first of May for Indianapolis, where they went into Camp Morton. In a few days they were ordered to West Virginia, and placed in the department of the Ohio, under the command of Gen. George B. McClellan, and took part in the West Virginia cam- paign, and in the battles of Phillipi, Laurel Hill, Cheat River and Garrick's Ford, and in August, 1861, received an honorable dis- charge and returned to Franklin. Mr. Weaver once more offered his services. This time he enlisted in Company G, Third Cavalry, under command of G. F. Herriott, with which he shared the vicisi- tudes of many hard campaigns. On the march through North Carolina our subject was captured near Fayetteville, and was hurried to Richmond, Va., where he was held until the surrender. At the close of the war he was paroled and sent to Camp Chase, Ohio, and on June 18, 1865, he received an honorable discharge. During all those years of hard fighting he never received a wound, and returned home to enjoy the Union he had fought so bravely to preserve. After the close of the war he returned to Franklin, and once more returned to the farm. On October 28, 1867, he was married to Lucy E. McCaslin, daughter of James and Elizabeth McCaslin, who were pioneers of Johnson County. This family is blessed with seven children: Emma, Frank, Eddie, Ollie, Fred- die, Alice and Bertha, of whom Freddie is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Weaver are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Weaver is a member of Franklin Lodge, F. & A. M., and of Acton Post No. 294, G. A. R. Politically, he is a staunch Republican and firmly believes in the principles he fought for.
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BENJAMIN BUXTON was born in England, May IS, 1824. He was the fourth son of seven children, three daughters . and four sons. His parents, John and Sarah (Wright) Buxton, were both natives of England. When but eight years old, Mr. Buxton was left fatherless, and eight years later his mother died, when he was thrown upon his own resources. He received some education at
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boarding-school prior to his mother's death. He worked as a car- penter for some time, then as a salesman for a wholesale dry goods house until 1847, when he came to America. He landed at New York, going from there to Albany by steamer, from there to Buf- falo by canal boat, and from there to Chicago, where he remained about a year, and then came to Shelby County, where he purchased land and located in 1849. He purchased 100 acres on the south bank of Flat Rock, where he has since resided. June 10, 1850, he married Miss Diana Avery, a native of this county, born March, 1826. the daughter of William and Hannah (Magoe) Avery, of English and Irish parentage, who were among the pioneers of this county. Mr. Buxton is the parent of eight children: William J., born October 22. 1850, who is Recorder elect: Ilelen A., born March 22, 1852, wife of Hopkins Hoban; Evelena, born Novem- ber 9. 1854, wife of Squire Cooper; Robert W., born August 30, 1862, who is now teaching school and running the home farm: Eliza- beth, Thomas M., Thaddeus E., Alfred M., the last three of whom are dead. Mr. Buxton and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Buxton is a stirring, energetic man; he owns now a farm of 340 acres of fine land, well improved, and with fine buildings upon it; he is one of the best farmers of his township. He is a member of the Democratic party, an honest, upright man, and one of the best of citizens.
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