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 72
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DANIEL PADRICK, late an aged and honored resident of Sugar Creek Township, was born in Currituck County, N. C., Novem- ber 23, 1798. He was the only child born to the marriage of Daniel and Phebe (Sawyer) Padrick. He was reared in his na- tive county, working upon a farm, and was married there De- cember 31, 1818, to Margaret Casey, daughter of Dempsey and Elizabeth Casey. In 1834, he and his wife moved to the State of Illinois, but a year later they returned to Shelby County, and lo- cated in Moral Township. Shortly afterward they removed to Sugar Creek Township and settled on the farm now owned and occupied by William G. Weaver. There Mrs. Margaret Padrick died September 20, 1843. That marriage resulted in the birth of fourteen children: but two of these fourteen children are still living. On the 9th day of September, 1850, Mr. Padrick was married to Rachael Ann Henricks, a native of Rush County, this State, born October 15, 1830, and daughter of Jacob and Phebe (Cougar)
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Henricks. This latter marriage has resulted in the birth of six children, as follows: James M., born August 26, 1851; Lewis C., born March 12, 1853; Jacob V., born February 14, 1855; Mary A., born May IS, 1857; Laura A., born October 2, 1859, died August 3, 1860, and Sarah A., born August 12, 1861, died July 4, 1867. In the fall of 1868, Mr. and Mrs. Padrick removed to Shelbyville, but in March, 1870, they returned to Sugar Creek Township, and settled upon the farm the latter now occupies. Mr. Padrick was a member of the Baptist Church, the F. & A. M. Lodge, and a Democrat in politics. He died May 27, 1887. Mrs. Padrick is also a member of the Baptist Church. She has a good farm, and a comfortable home, where she resides in a quiet happy way.
JACOB V. PADRICK, a promising young farmer of Sugar Creek Township, was born in that township, February 14, 1855. He was the son of Daniel and Rachel A. (Henricks) Padrick, a his- tory of whom is given above. He was reared upon the farm and on the Ioth day of January, 1877, he was married to Maria Belton, a native of Moral Township, this county, born December 27, IS54, and daughter of Robert and Caroline ( Holden) Belton, natives of North Carolina and Indiana, respectively. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Padrick settled upon a farm in Johnson County, but a few months later, they came to Shelby County and settled upon the old homestead of the former, where they have since resided. They are the parents of two children: Carrie, born September 4. 1877, and May, born September 7, 1885, both liv- ing. Mr. Padrick and wife are members of the Baptist Church. In politics the former is a Democrat ..
JOIN RASP, a citizen of Sugar Creek Township, was born in Bavaria, Germany, March 31, IS38. He was the youngest of six children, three sons and three daughters, born to John and Catha- rine (Rasler) Rasp. His father was the son of Nicholas Rasp, who lived to the advanced age of ninety-nine years. His boyhood was spent upon a farm. At the age of fourteen he became em- ployed in a grist mill, and continued in that employment in Ger- many, until 1867. In that year he emigrated to America, reaching New York City in April. He first made his way to Pittsburg, where he was employed in a saw mill about four months. He then went to West Virginia, where he remained six months working in a brewery, and upon the Baltimore & Ohio Railway. He then came to Indiana, in 1868, and became employed in a flouring mill, in Millersville, Marion County. Later he found employment in a rolling mill, in Indianapolis. He was married in that city, Febru- ary 6, 1869, to Elizabeth Lieneke, a native of Prussia, born March
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15, 1838. She was the daughter of William and Mary (Shom- berg) Lieneke. In July, 1871, Mr. and Mrs. Rasp came to Shelby 'County, and located in Sugar Creek Township, where Mr. Rasp has given his attention to farming and milling ever since. He has been the proprietor of The Red Flouring Mills since December, 1871. Mr. and Mrs. Rasp are the parents of four children as fol- Ilows: Katie, born January 2, 1870; Frederick, born March 6, 1872; Emma, born May 18, 1875, died in October, 1876; Rosa, born April 29, 1877, died February 20, 1880. Our subject is a member of the Lutheran Church, and his wife is a member of the Presby- terian Church. In politics the former is a Democrat.
STEPHEN L. STRICKLER, M. D., a prominent young physician of Boggstown, was born in Sugar Creek Township, this county, August 22, 1853. He was the third of eight children-four sons and four daughters-born to George W. and Rhoda (Tucker) Strickler, who are old residents of Shelby County. He was reared upon his father's farm, and in winter he attended the district school in which he received the rudiments of an education. At nineteen years of age he entered Franklin College where he pursued his studies three years, after which he spent one year in De Pauw University. He then returned home, and in the spring of 1877, he entered upon the study of medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. J. M. Scudder, of Cincinnati. In September, 1877, he entered the Eclectic Medical College, of Cincinnati, where he attended three courses of lectures, graduating in February, 1879. He then located at Boggstown, near his old home, and entered upon the practice of his profession. In September, 1882, he entered Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York City, where six months were spent in one of the best medical colleges in the world. He then returned to his practice in this county in which he has been actively and suc- cessfully engaged ever since. He was married September 20, 1880, to Mary Montgomery, who was born in Brandywine Township, this county, September 20. 1860. She was the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Steers) Montgomery, formerly of this county. Their marriage has resulted in the birth of one child that died in infancy unnamed. Dr. and Mrs. Strickler are faithful members of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. In politics the former is a Republican. Though young in his profession, the Doctor is a very successful practitioner, and already has a creditable rank among the leading physicians of Shelby County.
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JOHN W. BARNES, a farmer of Union Township, is a native of Madison County, Ky., where he was born January 19, 1827, being the next youngest in a family of four children born to Noah and Mary (Wheeler) Barnes, who were natives of Maryland and Madison County, Ky., respectively. They came to Indiana and Shelby County, about 1832, and settled in Union 'Township, living there until their deaths. Our immediate subject remained at home and assisted his parents until he attained the age of twenty-three years, receiving a common education, such as was to be obtained in the primitive log school-houses of those days. September 22, 1849, his marriage with Rebecca A. Midkiff, was solemnized, and to their union seven children have been born, these four now living : Kimble E., Noah, Elma A. and Fidela. Mr. Barnes has always made farming his occupation, and he has been quite successful. He now owns 264 acres of well improved land. In politics he is a Republican.
JAMES B. BRANSON, a citizen of Union Township, is a native of Guilford County, N. C., where he was born March 21, 1823, being the eldest in a family of thirteen children born to Henry and Nancy (Halbrook) Branson, who were natives of Maryland and North Carolina, respectively. They came to Indiana and Shelby County, about the year 1829, and located in Union Township, where they continued to live until their deaths, the former dying a number of years ago, and the latter followed about two or three years later. Our immediate subject remained at home and assisted his parents until he attained the age of twenty-three years, receiving a limited education in the primitive log school-houses of that time. June 15, 1846, his marriage with Levina Cotton was solemnized, and to their union two children were born. About 1849, Mr. Branson suffered the bereavement of losing his beloved wife. April 14, 1853, his and Elizabeth Anderson's nuptials were celebrated, and to their union nine children have been born, these six now living are: Robert, who married Mary Mohr; Augusta, now Mrs. Rufus Hinchman; Ann, wife of Jacob Yarling; Larz A., whose consort was Sarah E. Nigh; Luella J. and James C. Mr. Branson has always made farming his occupation, and he has been quite suc- cessful. He now owns 187 acres of well improved land. In poli- tics he is a Repulican.
WILLIAM W. BROWN, a citizen and native of Union Township, was born December 12, 1827, the youngest in a family of eight children born to Robert and Catherine (Cotton) Brown, who were both natives of North Carolina, and they came to this county about
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I822. They continued residents of this county until their deaths. William remained at home and assisted his parents until he attained the age of twenty-two years, receiving a limited education, such as was to be obtained in the rude and primitive log school-houses of those days. November 1, 1849, his marriage with Nancy Linville was solemnized, and to their union these five children have been born: William J., Franklin P., David E., Levi and Electa C. Mr. Brown has always made farming his occupation and he has been quite successful. He now owns thirty-eight acres of well improved land. He formerly owned 100 acres, but divided with his children. He and family are members of the Blue River Baptist Church. In politics he is a Democrat.
JOHN H. BROWN, of Union Township, is a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, born March 13, 1829, the next eldest in a family of seven children born to John and Sarah ( Herrin) Brown, who were natives of South Carolina and New Jersey, respectively. Matthew Brown, paternal grandfather of our subject, came to Shelby County in a very early day, and continued a resident of the county until his death. Our immediate subject was reared to manhood in his native State and county, remaining at home and assisting his pa- rents until he attained the age of twenty-two, receiving a common school education, supplemented by attendance at the Farmers' Col- lege one term. February 20, 1851, his marriage with Sarah J. Ellis was solemnized, and to their union six children have been born: James L., Kate, Fannie, Charles, Lucy and Mollie. In the year 1867, Mr. Brown and family came to Shelby County and located on the farm where he now and has since continuously lived. He has always made farming his occupation, and he has been quite successful. He now owns IS0 acres of well improved land. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a man of pronounced temperance views, and as such votes the Prohibition ticket.
S. J. CARPENTER, a farmer of Union Township, is a native of Rush County, born October 16, 1847, the youngest in a family of three children born to Peter O. and Julia A. (Watson) Carpenter, natives of Fleming County, Kentucky. They emigrated to Indiana with their parents in a very early day, settling in Rush County, where they married March 4, 1841; they continued residents of Rush County, until 1851, when they came to Union Township, Shelby County, where they lived until his death, which occurred in ISSO. His widow still survives him, she having attained the good old age of sixty-six years. Our immediate subject remained with and assisted his parents until he attained the age of twenty-six years. He received a common school education, such as was to
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be obtained in the schools of the vicinity. September 21, 1873, his marriage with Belle Macy was solemnized, and to their union these three sons have been born: Claude W., Corydon E. and Vern O. Mr. Carpenter has always made farming his occupation, and he has been quite successful. He now owns 500 acres of well improved land. He also makes a specialty of raising fine thoroughbred hogs, also dealing in mules quite extensively. He belongs to the Ma- sonic fraternity, having attained the rank of Knight Templar in that organizatlon. His political views are Republican, and he always manifests a good live interest in the political affairs of the county and community in which he lives, where he was honored in 1882, with an election to the important position of County Commissioner, which trust he filled in a very creditable manner.
GEORGE CAWEIN, a prominent citizen of Union Township, is a na- tive of Leinsweiler Rhempfalz, Germany, and was born November 14, ISIS, a son of Daniel and Mary (Kern) Cawein, who were also natives of Germany. They emigrated to the United States in 1833, coming immediately to Shelby County, settling on the farm where our subject now lives, where they continued to live until 1844, when they removed to Cincinnati, and made their home with Mrs. Deprez, who lived there. The father died in that city in IS45, and the mother at the same place in 1849, of cholera. George obtained a common school education in his native lan- guage. When his parents removed to Cincinnati, he went to Clermont County, Ohio. April 14, 1847, his marriage with Margaret Rust, of Cincinnati, was solemnized. The year follow- ing they came to Shelby County, where they have since lived. To their union, eight children have been born, these six now living: Peter, Maggie, Daniel. John, Mary, William Henry. Mrs. Cawein was born November 27, 1829. She was a daughter of Peter and Mary (Weiler ) Rust. Mr. Cawein has always made farming his occupation, and he has been very successful. He now owns 132 acres of well improved land. He and wife are members of the St. Zion's German Protestant Church. In politics he is a Demo- crat.
JUSTUS S. CLAPP, of Union Township, is a native of Hampden County, Mass., born near Springfield, February 21, 1833, sixth in a family of nine children born to Zebadiah and Aurelia (Hempsted) Clapp, who were both also natives of Massachusetts, where they always resided. Our immediate subject remained at home and assisted his parents until he attained the age of nineteen years. He received a common school education. In 1852, he came as a bridge carpenter on what was then the Indiana Central R. R., to Indiana, with whom he continued about two years, after which he
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engaged in house carpentering for a few years, or until I859. with the exception of two years when he was engaged in saw milling. In the fall of 1859, he located on the farm where he now lives. November 16, 1856, his marriage with Charlotte Lafuze was sol- emnized. Since IS59, he has made farming his occupation, and he has been quite successful. He now owns 120 acres of well im- proved land. He belongs to the Grange. In politics he has always been a Republican. but does not allow party prejudice to control him, and always votes for such candidates as in his judgment are best calculated to fill the positions irrespective of party. Mr. Clapp makes a specialty of raising fine poultry of the light Brahma breed. He is a member of the Central Indiana Poultry Association, and has won numerous prizes at their, and other, exhibits.
WILLIAM COTTON (deceased ) .- A fitting representative of the pioneer of Shelby County is William Cotton. A man of sterling qualities and highly respected: who did his duty unostentatiously in the condition of life in which it pleased God to place him: who brought up his family to do what is right in all cases, and who raised a family who are to-day among the foremost men of the places where they reside. Coming to Shelby County, as he did, at so early a day, he found a field for his energy and ability, and entered upon the work before him with the resolution of a strong mind. That work he accomplished, and, though he has passed away, his life and its lesson are still with us, and tell us in the strongest language how much the pioneers of Shelby County endured to lay the foundation of our present prosperity, and how much may be accomplished by good, honest labor. William Cot- ton was a native of Kentucky. and was born on the 15th of January, 1793, the son of William and Elizabeth Cotton. At the age of five years, he moved to Hamilton County, Ohio, where his youth was spent, and where he stayed until the tide of emigration tempted him to turn his face westward. He arrived in Shelby County in IS22. Previous to this, he had been married to Mary Anderson, also a native of Kentucky. On his arrival in Shelby County he entered 80 acres of land, which took all the cash he had. He soon, however, got together enough to enter eighty additional acres, and constantly added to his possessions until he owned some 720 acres al- together. Mr. Cotton had eight children, as follows: Melvin (de- ceased ), John A., Joseph, Robert. Elizabeth J., Lavina (deceased), William and Thomas A. Soon after their removal, on the 11th of March, 1830, Mrs. Cotton died. In July, 1830, Mr. Cotton was married again, to Ann Burgess, of Rushville, who lived with him until his death. By this union they had no children. With strict honor Mr. Cotton combined great shrewdness as a trader, and was
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very successful, leaving quite an estate to be divided among his children at the time of his death. Politically, he was a pure Demo- crat. For forty-five years he was a consistent member of the Bap- tist Church, making his business conform to his religion, and not his religion to his business. His death took place February 22, 1864, and he left a name and memory of which his children and the whole county are proud - the memory of a well spent life. Mr. Cotton's second wife died April 1, 1875.
THOMAS A. COTTON. - The Cottons are among the earliest settlers of Shelby County, and it is to their thrift and enterprise that Shelby County to-day owes some of its finest improvements and best men. William Cotton, the father of Thomas A., was a native of Kentucky, as was also his wife. On the Sth of Febru- ary, 1828, Thomas A. first saw the light, and his birthplace was a log cabin within a few feet of where his substantial and comfortable house stands to-day. On March 11, 1830, his mother, Mary Cot- ton, died, leaving him a boy of tender years, and in July, 1830, his father was married to Ann Burgess. Thomas' early years were spent in the hard work that was the portion of all at that time, though his father gave him what school advantages he could, and when he was seventeen years of age, told him he might have a collegiate course, or, if he would stay at home and work on the farm, he would give him his portion in land. Thomas, seeing that his father's heart was set upon his remaining at home, finally con- cluded to do so, and thus, with some regret, closed upon himself the opportunity for professional honors. Though it is probable that a man of his ability would have made his mark in a profes- sional career, still one could hardly wish to be more successful than Mr. Cotton has been as a farmer; and while his name might have been more famous in a professional light, we are sure that for his independence and happiness, his choice as a farmer was a wise one, and to-day he is better off than by far the greater per cent. of men who live by some profession. On the ISth of October, 1849, he was married to Phebe Johnson, daughter of Jonathan and Ann (McGrew) Johnson, and went to housekeeping in another house on his father's farm. For one year he rented land and then bought some, and has ever since been working his own farm. He has had ten children, as follows: Theodore (deceased), Rosco (deceased), Indiana, Carey C., America, Florence, Ida (deceased), Phebe A., Mary J. and Frank Ward. Mr. Cotton settled down to farming with the determination of making a success, well knowing the re- quirements of a successful farmer, and it is evident to all that he has accomplished his object in that direction. To-day he is pos- sessor of nearly 600 acres of beautiful farming land, and buildings
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that are an honor not only to him but to the whole county; his barn is a model one, and constructed on a plan entirely his own, and is convenient and complete in all particulars. It is probably the larg- est in Shelby County, having a length of 86 feet by 48 feet wide and 20 feet siding. In addition, a large basement 50 feet square is fitted up with every convenience for his stock, of which he has a choice collection. He makes a specialty of the short horned Dur- ham breed of cattle, having at the present time in his possession some of the best in the county. He and his wife are good Chris- tian people. he being a Baptist by profession, as were his father and mother, and his wife a Methodist, as were her father and mother. Four of his children are at present members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Cotton has given his children a good education, and they are doing well in the world. Thomas A. Cotton is now in the six- tieth year of his age. Politically, he is a Democrat, yet not too partisan to recognize good wherever it is to be found, and believes every man should vote according to his own conviction of right. Mr. Cotton is young for his years, and has every prospect of hold- ing for a long period in the future his position as one of the enter- prising, popular men of Shelby County. In stock breeding he has been pre-eminently successful. June 15, 1887, he made the first public sale of blooded cattle that was ever held in Shelby County. November 29, 1886, he met with the misfortune of having his ele- gant residence consumed by fire. He, with that characteristic en- terprise peculiar to him, has commenced a still better and more commodious home, which, when completed, will be a magnificent building, in keeping with everything he undertakes to do. The portraits of Mr. Cotton and his father are presented in this volume.
WILLIAM CREEK, a prominent old citizen of Union Township, is a native of Union County, Ind., where he was born, June 9, 1829, being the youngest in a family of four children born to Thomas and Isabel (Glidewell) Creek, who were natives of Virginia and South Carolina, respectively, he having been born December 16, 1798. and she December 14, 1798. They were married in Union County, where the former lived until his death, which occurred December 16, 1829. His widow survived him and came to Shelby County, November, 1831, where she became the wife of Andrew Hensley. Our immediate subject remained with his mother until he attained the age of fourteen years, when he entered the employ of Spencer Thayer, as a farm hand, with whom he remained until he reached his majority. He received a very limited education, which he has greatly supplemented in later years by reading and study without the aid of a teacher. June 10, 1852, his marriage with Nancy, daughter of David Wicker, was solemnized, and to their
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union nine children have been born of whom these eight are now living: David who married Sarah J. Carmony; Maria, now Mrs. Cyrus Carmony; Leander, whose wife was Lillie McFerran; Lillie, consort of William Montgomery; Lincoln, John Logan, Thomas and Laura. The deceased child was Franklin, who died at the age of twenty-five years, May 31, 1879. Mr. Creek has always made farming his occupation, and he has been quite success- ful. He now owns 185 acres of well improved land. He and wife are members of the United Brethren Church. In politics he is Republican.
JACOB CRIM, a citizen and native of Union Township, was born February 4, 1834, being the seventh in a family of nine children born to Lewis C. and Charity (Linville) Crim, who were both natives of Guilford County, N. C., and they emigrated to Indiana and Shelby County, about 1830, settling in Union Town- ship, where they continued to reside until their deaths, the former dying January, 1857, and the latter June, 1877. Our subject has always remained at the old homestead caring for his parents in their declining years. He received a common school education, such as the facilities in those days afforded, in keeping with the primitive log school-houses of that time. June, 1879, his marriage with Mary Gardner was solemnized, and to their union these three sons have been born: Lewis F., and Thomas S. and Jesse N. Mr. Crim has always made farming his principal occupation, and he has been quite successful. He now owns seventy acres of improved land. He and wife are members of the Christian Church. In politics he is a Democrat, and was honored with an election to the office of Township Assessor, which bespeaks his popularity, as ordinarily the township has a good working Republican majority.
HIRAM DEWITT, an old citizen of Union Township, is a na- tive of Hamilton County, Ohio, where he was born February 10, ISIS, being the fourth in a family of nine children born to Peter and Phebe (Cotton) DeWit, who were both natives of Kentucky. They came to Shelby County in March, 1822, and settled in what is now Union Township, the first family locating in that township. They continued residents of the county until their deaths, he dying December, 1837, and she June 16, 1867. Hiram remained at home until he attained the age of twenty-two years, receiving, what was for those days a common school education in the primitive log school-houses of that time. May 20, 1840, his marriage with Mary E. Gunning was solemnized, and to their union eight children were born; the six now living are: Hiram W., David, James, Mary E., Phebe A., and Peter M. Mr. De Witt has always made farming his occupation, and he has been quite successful. He now
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