Jackson County Indiana Biographies

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HENRY C. DANNETTELL, deceased, formerly a resident of Washington Township, was born in Picardy, France, October 8, 1815, about six months after the battle of Waterloo. His father was a member of the staff of the Duke of Wellington, the commander-in-chief of the victorious army in that battle. His mother’s maiden name was Quivisaine, and it is said that she was in attendance at the celebrated ball given at Brussels by the English officers on the evening previous to the battle. Shortly after the overthrow of Napoleon the family moved into Germany, where they remained until 1832, and then immigrated to America, settling at Baltimore, Md. Henry C. once drove a team on the National Pike, which extended from Baltimore to Pittsburgh. Sometime in 1838 Mr. Dannettell removed to Cincinnati, and shortly afterward went to Texas, where he entered the army of Gen. Sam Houston, then engaged in a struggle with Mexico for Texan independence. While in the service there he was engaged in some desperate conflicts, and was several times wounded. At the close of the war he returned to Cincinnati, and resumed his trade of shoe-making; but he engaged in local politics, and was soon elected justice of the peace, which office he held until 1854; he also, at one time, served as judge of the police court. In February, 1854, he removed with his family to Chestnut Ridge, this county, where he resided until his death. For a while he engaged in the practice of law, and was justice of the peace at the time of his death. In 1868 he was on the Grant electoral ticket, and in 1872 canvassed the State for Grant. Several times he was nominated by his party for some county office. During his life here he devoted himself mainly to the cultivation of his large farm, raising, also, various small fruits. At the time of his death he was a pensioner of the State of Texas, for services rendered during the Texan war. The cause of his death was Bright’s disease, from which he had been suffering for many months. Naturally he was a strong man. He was buried near his home at Chestnut Ridge. Mr. Dannettell was married, March 18, 1840. To Lucy Kattau and by her had three children, who are now living, namely: Ulysses R., Rose D. and Alfred K. His second marriage occurred April 18, 1849, when Louis M. Kattau became his wife, and by this union there are six children living: Clara L, Georg W., Ada, Stella E., Fenelon F. and Halleck C. - History of Jackson County, Indiana by Brant and Fuller, Chicago, 1886, Pages 759-760

WILLIAM W. DENSFORD is a native of Jackson County, where he still resides. He was born May 4, 1861. His parents were John and Jane (Lee) Densford, both of whom were natives of Washington County. The father (deceased) was partly reared in Washington County; he then went to Kentucky, where he remained some time, and from there he moved to Jackson County. He received his education in the common schools. In 1846 he married Jane Lee. To them were born eight children, five of whom are still living, namely: Martha, Sarah, Westley, William W. (the subject of this sketch) and James. He was a member of the I. O. O. F., and both he and his wife were members of the Baptist Church. He died October 1, 1875. His widow still survives him. William W. received his education in the common schools. On the 24th of November, 1884, he married Alice Williams, a native of Jackson County. - History of Jackson County, Indiana by Brant and Fuller, Chicago, 1886, Page 750

J. M. DEPUTY is one of the leading men of Vernon Town-ship who deserves special mention on account of his success in business and social standing. He is another example of what pluck and energy will accomplish. The Deputys were among the early and influential settlers of Jackson County, who contributed largely to the present high state of cultivation which the county exhibits on every hand. - History of Jackson County, Indiana by Brant and Fuller, Chicago, 1886, Page 750

JONATHAN T. DODD is a native of Lawrence County, Ind. He was the eldest son of Samuel D. and Margaret (Brown) Dodd, and was born September 6, 1844. His parents were natives of Madison County, Ky., and Jackson County. Mr. Dodd secured a good common school education, which, with energy and perseverance, has paved the way to a successful business life. Although reared on a farm, he had a desire to become a merchant, and for this reason, in September, 1873, he located in Houston and began the grocery business. He has built up a very good business and is one of the leading citizens of Salt Creek Township. September5, 1867, he married Amanda J. Browning, a native of Jackson County. To them have been born three children, of whom two are living: Alonzo G. and Ettie O. Mr. Dodd is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics is a Republican. - History of Jackson County, Indiana by Brant and Fuller, Chicago, 1886, Page 748

WILLIAM B. DRISKELL is one of the most advanced and thorough teachers in our public schools in Jackson County, having now been almost continuously a teacher for fifteen years in Jackson County, seven years of which he has taught in one place. This speaks for itself in commendation of Mr. Driskell as a teacher in the public schools. He, like most of our successful men in life, was raised on a farm, having been born in Washing-ton County in 1847, and is the eldest of five living children born to Elijah and Elizabeth (Mahorney) Driskell. Having qualified himself he began teaching in 1868, in Washington County, where he taught several years. Aside from his training in the common schools, he was principally educated at the Salem Academy under Profs. James and William May, who rank among our leading educators. Mr. Driskell is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is at this time Master of his lodge at Medora. In 1873 he was married to Miss Sarah A. Wesner, daughter of William Wesner, of Washington County. To them have been born four children: Erastus 0., Estella 0., Ethel O. and Claudius E., all of whom are living. Mr. Driskell is a man who has added, to the worlds good where he has lived. History of Jackson County, Indiana by Brant and Fuller, Chicago, 1886, Page 634

HARRISON DURHAM was born in 1813, in Mercer County,Ky. His father, Jesse B. Durham, and his mother, came to Indiana in 1811, during the existence of frontier troubles with the Indians, and Jesse B. was commander of the fort at Vallonia. Harrison, however, was born in Kentucky by reason of his mother going back to that place on account of possible danger from the Indians, but as soon as her infant was old enough to travel she returned to the fort, traveling on horseback and carrying the babe, her husband walking. His parents lived many years in the fort and after peace was declared continued to live in that vicinity where Harrison was raised. He spent his life mainly in farming pursuits and that of blacksmithing. He was justice of the peace for four years in the township in which he was raised. In 1838 he was married to Miss Lucinda Owen, of Brownstown, who died in 1842. To them were born three children: George, Sarah and Lucinda. In the latter part of 1842 he was again married to Maloma Rose, who died in 1856. To them were born five children: Elvira, Lucy, Kate, Samuel and Jesse B. In 1857, he was married the third time, taking Miss Elizabeth Cockram as his companion. To this union were born five children: Savilla, Effie, Lilly, Franklin and Charles. Mr. Durham is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a Democrat in politics. .-- History of Jackson County, Indiana by Brant and Fuller, Chicago, 1886, Pages 647 – 648

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