Noble Township
THE
AMOS FAMILY is properly
introduced in the personage of J. J. Amos,
Sr., who was born in Bourbon County, Ky., September 30th, 1803, being
the fourth child to Nicholas and Ann (Jones) Amos, natives of Maryland.
Mr. Amos was a student at the subscription schools and only
obtained a limited education. He came to Rush County in 1823 and lived
with his uncle Abraham Jones, and the next spring returned to Kentucky
and first bought fifty acres of land and then purchased the old Amos
homestead which he owned for several years, and later engaged in stock
trading and distillery business, and was also engaged in the
mercantile business. In 1840 he traded his stock of goods, for 800
acres of land-in Wells County. In 1839 Mr. Amos returned to Rush County
and located on a farm near New Salem. He has been a successful man in
life and at one time owned 2,000 acres of land in this county. Mr. Amos
was married January 19th, 1826, to Miss Ann W. Howard, a native of
Bourbon County, Ky., and who died June 17th, 1859. Mr. and Mrs.
Amos were born eight children, four of whom died in early life.
Politically, he is a Democrat and a member of the Methodist
Protestant Church. At one time Mr. Amos donated $2,000 to the Adrian,
Michigan, College, of which he is a Trustee. Another member of the Amos
family is Mrs. Amanda Mitchell, who was born in Bourbon County, Ky.,
September 28th, 1828, daughter of James Hildreth, and at the age of
seven years, came with her parents to Rush County. March 13th, 1851,
she was united in marriage to Johanan J. Amos, a native of Kentucky,
and came to Rush County at twelve years of age. By occupation he was a
stock dealer and shipper. His death occurred in this county, January
16th, 1864. To that marriage these three children survive: Johanan M.,
Willard H. and J. J. He was of Democratic faith,, and a member of the
I. O. O. F. Mrs. Amos was married April 23rd, 1871, to Thomas V.
Mitchell, who died in January, 1881. Mrs. Mitchell now resides on the
home farm surrounded with the comforts of life and is a member of the
Christian Church. J. M. Amos, a prominent stock breeder of this
township, was born March 5th, 1854, and a son of Johanan J. Amos. He
was raised on the farm and received a common school education and began
doing for himself at eighteen years of age. His occupation in life has
been that of a farmer, and for quite a number of years, he has been
giving much attention to growing trotters and pacers, Legal Tender,
Jr., No. 3409, a pacer, 2:27 " and sire of Lowland Girl, 2:19." At his
stock sale in 1887, Mr. Amos realized more than
$2,500. He owns a good farm which consists of 215
acres. December 23rd,
1873, he was united in marriage to Miss Estella J. Poston, daughter of
George W. Poston, and was born in this township, July 22, 1856. To the
above marriage are three children: William, born
February 22, 1881; Ethel, born March 7, 1883, and Luella, born May
13, 1885. In politics, Mr. Amos is a Republican, and
a member of the I. O. O. F. Willard H. Amos, a
brother of J. M. Amos, was born in Rushville Township, February
26, 1856, and was raised upon the farm, and is engaged in farming
and stock breeding. He was married October 22, 1879, to Miss Elizabeth
A. Poston, who was born in this township, January 31, 1861, second
daughter of George W. and Nancy (McNeal)
Poston. They have one child, Mary,
born November 13, 1886.
He is a Republican. Joseph J., Jr., another member of the Amos
family, and youngest son now living of Johanan Amos,
was born May 5, 1860, and grew to manhood upon the farm adjoining
his present home. He received a common school
education, and at sixteen years of age began farming and trading in
stock, which he has since continued. He was married October 4, 1882, to
Miss Fannie M., daughter of Seneca and Sallie (Patterson) Armstrong,
born December 27,1863. One daughter blessed this union,
viz.: Rubie May, born April 13, 1887. He
is a firm friend of the Republican party, and owns a well improved farm
of 160 acres. Joseph Caldwell, the only son born to John
and Arriette (Amos) Caldwell, was born in this county,
August 19, 1864. His mother died at two years of age,
and he was raised by J. J. Amos, Sr. He first
attended the country schools, and later, attended Adrian
College. Reaching his majority, he began
farming, which he continued until 1887, when he removed to Rushville,
where he now resides. He was married April 28,
1886, to Miss Hattie Humes, who was born in this county, September 7,
1868, daughter of J. C. Humes. Mr. Caldwell is a
Republican, and he and wife are highly esteemed
people. The Amos family has been prominently known in
this county for many years and has been noted for its industry and
energy.
OSCAR
APPLEGATE, a native of Noble
Township, this county, was born
November 27th, 1852, being one of two children born to John and Ann
(Kerr) Applegate, the former born in Butler County, Ohio, November 21,
1818, and the eldest son born to Enoch Applegate, and the latter,
born in Fayette County, Ind.,
November 26,1818, daughter of Alexander and Rachel (Potter)
Applegate. John Applegate came to Fayette County, Ind., in boyhood, and
was by occupation a wagon maker. His marriage
occurred March 10, 1840, to Miss Kerr. In March,
1846, he removed to Rush County, locating in Noble Township, where he
began manufacturing carriages and buggies, which he continued until his
death which occurred October 26, 1871. His companion yet survives
him and now lives upon the home farm, with her only son. Oscar
Applegate was reared on the farm and received a good education,
having taken a commercial course at Richmond, Ind. He, like his
father, is a staunch Republican and always takes an active interest in
his party. His marriage occurred January 12, 1881, to Miss Nannie,
daughter of Martin and Gusta. (Buell) Blacklidge. By this union one
daughter, Rhoda, was born August 10, 1884.
HENRY ARMSTRONG, farmer, was born in
Franklin County, Ind., February
25, 1822, son of James E. and Mary (Lines) Arm¬strong, and is of
English descent. His father was born in Hamilton County, Ohio,
about 1797, and died January 1, 1883. His mother was a native of South
Carolina, born in 1800, and died in 1880. The family first came to Rush
County about 1821, and remained a short time, when they returned
to Franklin County, where they lived until 1827, when they again came
to this county, and settled in Noble Township. Our subject received a
common school education, and has farmed for himself since his
twenty-third year. He now owns 200 acres of fine land, and in 1852,
purchased his present home. In 1844, he married Miss Amanda
Anderson, a native of Boone County, Ky., born April 29, 1828,
daughter of Henry and Nancy Anderson. They are the parents of six
children, viz.: Leonidas, Anderson, Florence B., Missouri D., Pleasant
A. and George. Mr. Armstrong is a Republican, and for more than sixty
years has been a resident of this county. He has been a member of the
Christian Church since 1874, and his wife has been a member of the same
since 1869.
DAVID BEAVER, a retired farmer, was
born in Harrison County, Ky.,
January 12, 1814, and is one of seven children, born to Michael and
Margaret (Coon) Beaver, both natives' of Maryland, and of German
lineage. The person here named came to Rush County in boyhood, and
knows by practical experience, what clearing a home from the unbroken
forest means. He remained at home until the purchase of his present
farm, which consist of eighty acres. His marriage took place in the
fall of 1855, to Miss Mary S. Graham, a native of this township, born
September 14, 1S34, and was a daughter of Hezekiah and Sarah (Smith)
Graham, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio. To this marriage were
born six children, and of whom, the following are now living: Melissa
A., Rachel, Viola and David R. Mrs. Beaver died June, 1869. Mr. Beaver
is a Republican, and is an industrious man.
WILLIAM M. BROOKS, an enterprising
and progressive farmer of Noble
Township, was born in Nicholas County, Ky., July 7, 1841, and is of
English lineage. He is the seventh
child born to Mosley and Susanna (Geohegan) Brooks, natives of
the same county, the former born in 1805, and died in 1873, the latter
born 1803, and died in 1.871. The
paternal grandfather, Zachariah Broeks, was a nativre of
Virginia, who, at an early date, removed ta Kentucky, where he died at
the age of ninety years. His maternal
grandfather, a native of Delaware, was a soldier in the
Revolutionary War, and died in Kentucky. In
1851, the family came to Rush County. Our subject
received a common school education, and his occupation has always
been that of a farmer. He now resides on the old
Brooks homestead, and is the owner of more than 500 acres
of land. In
1862, Mr. Brooks enlisted in Company I, Fifty-fourth
Indiana Volunteer Infantry. After serving
seven months, he resigned on account of physical disability. The
marriage of Mr. Brooks was solemnized October 6, 1869, to Miss Laura D.
Downey, born in Warren County, Ohio, November 4,
1849. They are the parents of seven children, viz.:
Minnie D., born 1870; Cora D., born 1871; Harry D., born 1873;
Edith E., born 1875; Ida F. born 1878; William M., Jr., born
1884, and Leslie R., born 1887. Mr. Brooks is a
staunch Republican and a member of the G. A. R. For
four years he was Trustee of Noble Township.
Mr. and Mrs. Brooks are members of the
Christian Church.
MELVIN W. BROOKS was born in Nicholas
County, Ky., April 18, 1844; son of Mosley Brooks. The subject of this
sketch came with his parents
to this county, when but five years of age, and received a common
school education. At the age of eighteen years, he enlisted in the
Fifty-second Regiment, Company G, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under
Col. Wolf and Capt. Ross Guffin. He participated at the battle of Fort
Donelson where he was wounded. He was a true and brave soldier and at
the end of three years and eight months was honorably discharged, came
home and resumed the occupation of a farmer, and now owns a farm of 175
acres of well improved land. ' The marriage of Mr. Brooks wa solemnized
April 23,1867, to Miss Alice A., daughter of Horatio and Nancy
(Townsend) Culver, natives of New York and Ohio. Mrs. Brooks was born
January 31, 1849, and is the mother of the following children; Fannie,
Forrest, Charles, Sadie, Mertie, Vernon and Oliver M. Politically, Mr.
Brooks is a Republican, and also a member of the G. A. R. Mr. and
Mrs. Brooks are members of the Christian Church.
H. S. CARNEY, ex-Sheriff of this
county, was born in Ripley County,
Ind., August 18, 1838, the only son born to John D. and Sarah (Smith)
Carney, and is of German-Irish lineage. John D.Carney was a
native of Indiana County, Pa., who in early life came to
Ohio, and later, removed to Fayette County, Ind., where he died in
1850, his wife dying two y.ears later. The subject of this sketch was
left an orphan at the age of fourteen years, and at this time was
thrown upon his own resources. He soon after came to Rush County, and
engaged as a farm hand. At the age of twenty-one years, he enlisted in
Company G, Fifty-second Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and took part
in a number of the most important battles of the late war. In 1862, he
was commissioned Second Lieutenant, and seven days later, was placed in
command of his company, which position he held during the remainder of
his service in that company. After an active and faithful service
for three years in his country's cause, he was honorably discharged,
and returning home again took up the avocation of a farmer, and
now owns no acres of good land, located on Little Flat Rock. His
marriage occurred April 10, 1879, to Miss Gertrude, daughter of W. H.
and Sarah E. Downey,-who was born June 26, 1853. To this union are two
children, viz.: Charles Garfield and Harriet E. He is a member of
the I. O. O. F., and G. A. R. Mr. Carney and wife are worthy members of
the Christian Church and among Noble Township's best citizens.
JAMES CULBERTSON, farmer and
stock-raiser, was born in Rush County,
Ind., October 22, 1829, son of William and Cassandra (Kirk) Culbertson,
and is of Irish-English descent. His father was born in Pennsylvania in
1787, and died in this county in 1854. His mother was born in Kentucky
in 1806, and died in Fayette County, Ind., in 1876. In 1828 the
Culbertson family came to Rush County and settled in Noble Township.
The father of Mr. Culbertson was a soldier in the War of 1812. The
subject of this sketch was educated at the subscription schools, and at
the age of twenty-one years began farming for himself, and now owns 150
acres of valuable land. For several years he has given his
attention to stock raising and has some fine Short Horn cattle;
also Poland China hogs. In 1852 he was married to Miss Mary E.
Morris, born in Noble Township February 3, 1835. They have twelve
living children, viz.: Lena, Martha A., Amanda, Eugene L., Ambrose
E., Margaret, Mary, Nora, Ida, Grace, James E. and Alberta. He is a
true Republican and a highly respected citizen.
JOHN DAVIDSON, farmer and
stock-raiser, was born in Noble Township,
January 7? J^3Si son of Ezekiel and Maria (Lewis) Davidson. The father
was born in New Jersey in 1809, and is of Scotch parentage. In 1826,
he, with his father, came to Rush County, and here married Miss Maria
Lewis, a native of this county. In 1839, he removed to Hendricks
County, Ind., locating in the forest on land that he had entered. Mr.
Davidson and wife were
members of the Christian Church, and were loved and esteemed by
all. Mrs. Davidson died September 18, 1848; Mr. Davidson followed
July 13, 1865. The immediate subject of this sketch was raised on the
farm and was a student at the country school, and at eighteen summers,
began life on his own account, locating in White County, where he
engaged in farming. In 1857 Mr. Davidson returned to Rush County,
where he has since remained. His vocation has been that of a
farmer, and he now owns a farm consisting of 218 acres, three and
one-half miles southeast of Rush ville. Mr. Davidson was married
December 15, 1858, to Isabel M., daughter of Henry and Sallie (Ambers)
Muffin, who was born May 20, 1841, and whose death occurred December 19, 1875, she leaving these three
children: John A.,
Harrison S., and Elbert C. Mr.
Davidson was married October 9,1878 to Mrs. Mary S. Bedell,
of this county, born June 16,
1847, daughter of Jacob and Eliza Wolf. Politically,
Mr. Davidson is a staunch Republican. He is a worthy
citizen and a member of the Christian Church. Mrs. Davidson is a member
of the Presbyterian Church.
BENJAMIN FRAZEE, the most extensive
land-owner in Rush County, Ind.,
was born in Bracken County, Ky., April 6, 1824, son of William and
Catherine (King) Frazee, the former born in Kentucky, March 10,
1800, and died September 11, 1877; the latter born in Kentucky,
November 13, 1801, and died February 17, 1876.
The Frazee family came to
Indiana in 1829, and were among the pioneers of this
county. The subject of this sketch received a very
limited education, and at the age of twenty years began farming rented
land, Being too poor to purchase land. In 1851, he
purchased a small farm, consisting of forty acres,
for which he paid $624. He now owns 1,900 acres of
land in this county and is worth over $150,000. In
1854, he was united in marriage to Miss Ruth Tompson, born April 6,
1835. They are the parents of six children, viz.:
Medaline, born February 6, 1855; John H., born July 22, 1857; Laura,
born August 3, i860; Alice, born December 7, 1862; Katie, born May 8,
1869, and James E., born November 15, 1872. Mr.
Frazee was formerly a Whig, but is now an ardent
Republican. He and wife are members of the Christian
Church, and among the best known people of Rush
County. Mr. Frazee's portrait appears on another page
of this volume.
EPHRAIM SAMUEL FRAZEE was born in
Mayslick, Mason County, Ky., October
4, 1824. His father was of English descent. In the early part of the
eighteenth century, two sons of Ephraim Frazee, who lived in the western part of England,
emigrated to the new world,
having obtained a grant of land from the English crown. They settled
near Elizabethtown, N. J. One of these, Ephraim, was
married three times and had eighteen children. Samuel, a son of his
second wife, moved to Westmoreland County, Pa., in
1760. His father accompanied him and died there in
1776. In 1779, he emigrated to Kentucky, although he did
not move his family there until 1784. He was
associated with Boone and Ken-ton in the early history of that State
and was in a number of battles. He was active, brave and very fleet of
foot, and for these reasons was often sent on dangerous
expeditions. He was once sent alone with government
dispatches from the Falls of Ohio, where Louisville now stands, to
Harrodsburg Station. He also blazed the road from
Louisville to Lexington. He married Miss Rebecca
Jacobs in Ohio in 1777. They had six
children. Their third child, Ephraim, was born
in 1792, in Mason County, Ky. He was educated for a
physician at the Medical College in Philadelphia. He
had but just established a lucrative practice when he died suddenly,
leaving a young widow and four sons, one Ephraim Samuel, an
infant. This widowed mother was Susan Doniphan,
a sister to Gen. A. W. Doniphan, of Missouri, and cousin to Gov.
William Smith of Virginia, familiarly known as " Extra Billy. " Her
great grandfather was a Spanish cavalier who was banished by King
Philip II. for having spared the inhabitants of a captured
town. He escaped to Scotland where he married an
heiress, Miss Mott. Their children were loyal to
Charles the First, and after the restoration of Charles the Second,
they were rewarded with a grant of land in Virginia. Their grandson,
Joseph Doniphan, married Miss Smith and emigrated to Kentucky
about the year 1785. Their daughter Susan was born
near Washington, Ky., in 1794, the fifth child in a family of
eight. She was a woman of keen intellect, unswerving
integrity and thoroughly devoted to her family and
friends. Her married life was spent in Mayslick,
although her husband had entered several tracts of land in Rush and
Fayette counties, Ind.She continued to live near her
friends in Kentucky, until her boys were nearly
grown. She came to Indiana twice on horseback to
contract for improvements on the farm in Noble Township, to which
she moved when Samuel was fifteen years old. The farm
selected for their home was an unbroken section adjoining Fayette
County, and here Mr. Frazee has lived ever since. He
was educated at Bethany College, Va., when Alexander Campbell, its
founder, was in his prime. At the age of twenty-two
he married Miss Frances E. Austen of Fayette County, whose family came
from Baltimore when she was a child. They have had
twelve children, eight of whom, four sons and four daughters are
living, and four, one son and
three daughters are dead. Soon after his marriage he was made an Elder
in the Christian Church at Fayetteville, a position he still holds.
Since 1850 he has preached regularly for that church and those in the
vicinity. He has conducted from early manhood a large farm and kept it
well supplied with valuable stock. He has paid special attention to
Short Horn cattle and heavy draft horses. He has also devoted
considerable time in administering on estates and attending to the
interests of many wards. He has always been ready to assist any
enterprise that was for the public good, both with time and money. He
has been a Republican ever since the organization of that party, and
has twice been sent to the State Legislature, in 1882 and 1884; these
being the only times he was ever candidate for office. In this capacity
he represented his county in a manner highly creditable to
himself, and entirely satisfactory to his constituents, devoting
his attention particularly to legislation affecting the
agricultural interests. From that time to the present he has devoted
himself to his profession as a minister, and his business, agricultural
and live stock interests. His reputation as a successful breeder of
Short Horn cattle is not limited to his own State. He is widely
and favorably known in the adjoining States, and his stock ranks among
the very best. His show herd of 1887 would compare favorably with the
far-famed Kentucky cattle. It would be unjust to close this
sketch without mentioning what Mr. Frazee has done to promote the
educational interests of the State. He not only assisted in
establishing the Fayetteville Academy, but was one of the original
stockholders of the Northwestern Christian University (now Butler
University), and from its founding to the present has been one of its
best friends, having served as one of its Board of Directors probably
twenty years, being now a servant and devoted worker in that capacity.
In short, his life has been exemplary and worthy of emulation,
having been devoted constantly to the highest religious, moral and
physical interests, not only of those immediately associated with him,
but of the community and State in which he has lived.
ANDREW GUFFIN was born in Rushville
Township, this county, January 5,
1832, son of George and Margaret (Reid) Guffin, and is of German and
Scotch-Irish extraction. His father was born in Kentucky in 1800 and
died in this county in 1845; his mother was born in Ohio in 1805, and
died in this county in 1841. His grandfather was born in Virginia
in 1774, and was a soldier in the War of 1812, and he died in Kentucky
in 1850. The paternal grandfather of our subject was George
Guffin, a native of Germany, and a soldier in the Revolution, and whose
death occurred in Virginia.
The immediate subject of this sketch
is the second in a family of seven
children, all of whom are yet living. He was educated at the
subscription schools, and at the age of seventeen years began the
battle of life for himself, and has by hard labor and strict
economy succeeded. In 1856 he located on his present farm which
consists of 280 acres of valuable land. Mr. Guffin was married January
18, 1852, to Miss Clarinda Brooks, of Adams County, Ohio, born July 30,
1836. To this union were born ten children, viz.: Celinda A., Orlander
F., Lincoln, Nellie, Josie, Charles, Andrew, Claude, Maude and
Theodosia. Mr. Guffin is a Republican, and he and wife are members of
the Christian Church.
GEORGE GUFFIN, a representative
farmer and stock raiser, was born in
Rush County, Ind., March 27, 1835, and is one of seven children, and
was raised on a farm near the City of Rushville; beginning life
for himself at fifteen years of age, and at eighteen began teaching
school which he continued for several winter terms, farming during the
summer. In 1854, he began the mercantile business at New Salem, which
he continued until 1856, and in the fall of the same year entered
Fairview Academy, where he continued for eighteen months, and then
taught school during the winter season and carried on farming
during the summer. In 1866, Mr. Guffin purchased his present farm,
which consists of 160 acres of fine land, and which he has made by
close application to business. It can be said of him that he has
been the builder of his own success. Mr. Guffin was united in marriage
September 14, 1858, to Miss Rachel A. Hunt, who was born in Noble
Township August 24, 1839. To Mr. and Mrs. Guffin were born the
following children: Lot D., Chestina, Margaret A. and George P. In
politics, Mr. Guffin is a Republican, and has filled some of the
township offices.
JOSEPH HEATON, one of the early
settlers of Rush County, was born in
Fleming County, Ky., May 18, 1821, son of John and Hester (Jarvis)
Heaton, and is of German descent. His parents were natives of
Pennsylvania, who emigrated to Indiana about 1822, and settled in Rush
County, Ind., where they died. The immediate subject of this sketch is
the youngest in a family of thirteen children, three of whom are now
living. He was educated at the pioneer schools of this county, and at
the age of twenty-one years, began life for himself. In 1843, he
settled where he now resides. His farm consists of 305 acres, and is
well improved. In 1841, he married Elizabeth, daughter of James and
Mary Armstrong, who was born in Noble Township, this county, in 1824.
To this union four children have been born, viz.: Salena, John, Thomas
and Sanford. Mr. Heaton is a Democrat, and a member of the
Christian Church.
JOSEPH HOLMAN, the gentleman whose
name introduces this biography, was
born in New Jersey, December 14, 1830, son of James and Nancy (Johnson)
Holman, natives of the same State, the former born in 1797, and the
latter in 1804. They both died in this county. The family came to Rush
County, Ind., about 1834, and settled in Noble Township. The immediate
subject o£ this sketch is the eldest son in a family of eight
children, six of whom are now living. In 1880, Mr. Holman purchased his
present residence, and is the owner of 160 acres of fine land. His
marriage occurred October 18, 1864, to Miss Martha Wellman, born in
this township, February 20, 1840, daughter of Aaron and Frances (Lines)
Wellman. They have three children, as follows: John P., born in 1866;
Edmond, born 1869, and Lot, born 1870. The father of Mrs. Holman was
born in Kentucky, in 1805, and was a son of Jasper and Drucilla
Wellman. He came to Indiana, and settled in Rush County, in 1827, on a
farm near New Salem, and March 25, 1828, he was united in marriage to
Miss Frances Lines, who was born in Franklin County, Ind., July 19,
1812. Mr. Wellman died February 28, 1868, and Mrs. Wellman, September
23, 1877. In politics, he was formerly a Whig, but at the time of his
death, a pronounced Republican. He .and wife were members of the
Methodist Protestant Church. They were pioneers of this county and
of the fourteen children born to them, ten are now living. Mr. Holman
is a Republican, and he and wife are members of the Methodist
Protestant Church.
JOHN C. HUMES, Ex-County Treasurer,
was born in Cincinnati, Ohio,
October 6, 1839, and is the third in a family of nine children born to
Thomas and Eliza (Brown) Humes, and is of Scotch-Irish lineage. His
father was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, in 1810, and died in his
native county November 15, 1880; his mother was born near College Hill,
Hamilton County, Ohio, in 1809, and died in Rushville, October 3, 1874.
She was a daughter of Hon. Israel Brown, a member of the Ohio
Legislature and afterward one of the Associate Judges of Hamilton
County. The paternal grandfather of our subject was John Humes, a
native of Scotland, who came to America and settled in Ohio in a very
early day. He married Maria Varhees, who died in Effingham County, His.
The grandfather died in Hamilton County, Ohio. The immediate subject of
this sketch began life for himself, at nineteen years of age, and
farmed until August, 1862, when he enlisted in Company I, Sixty-eighth
Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He
was one of four brothers who enlisted in
the late war, one of whom lost his life at the battle of Nashville. In
"1863, Mr. Humes was placed upon detached service, and in that
capacity served some time. Returning home he resumed farming. In
1844, he came to Rush County, and with his parents, settled where he
now resides. He owns 320 acres of land. He is a staunch
Republican, and in 1S78, was elected to the office of Township
Trustee, and in 1880, was re-elected. In 1882, he was elected Treasurer
of this county, and was re-elected in 1884. This position he
filled with credit to himself. He was united in marriage February 21,
i860, to Miss Mary E. Perkins, daughter of Ira S. and Charlotte
(Randall) Perkins. Mrs. Humes was born August 13, 1843. Her father was
born in Franklin County, Ind., in 1810, and her mother in New Jersey,
in 1809, and now resides with her children in this township. They have
nine children, viz.: Orvill P., born December 23, 1860; John W., born
December 21, 1862; Otto E., born June 7? 1866; Hattie L., born
September 7, 1869; Curtis B., born December 25, 1871; Jesse, born
October 24, 1873; Annie G., born September 7; !875; Stella M., born
March 11, 1878, and Charles Dolph, born June 24, 1882. He is a Mason, a
K. of P., and a member of Rushville Council R. A. No. 887. He and wife
are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are among the
prominent people of the community in which they reside. A portrait of
Mr. Humes is presented with this volume as one of the leading
citizens of the county.
ABIJAH W. HUNT, a pioneer farmer of
this township, was born in Hamilton
County, Ohio, February 8, 1807, son of Jonathan and Jane (Smith) Hunt,
and is of Welsh-German lineage. His father, a native of New Jersey,
died in this county in 1842. The mother of our subject was born in
Kentucky and died in this county about 1854. About the year 1808, the
Hunt family located in Franklin County, Ind., where they remained until
1828, when they removed to Rush County. Our subject is the second in a
family of nine children, only two of whom are living. He was reared on
the farm and attended the subscription school. In 1852, Mr. Hunt
settled where he now resides. He owns 240 acres of valuable land and is
an energetic, industrious and successful farmer. Mr. Hunt was married
to Miss Margaret Stephen, December 23, 1830. Mrs. Hunt is a native of
Hamilton County, Ohio, born June 30, 1813, daughter of Levi and Rachael
Stephen, who came to Rush County about 1825. To this union seven
children were born, viz.: Jane, Elizabeth, John R., Levi S., America,
Rachael A., and Franklin. Mrs. Hunt died December 25,
1874. Politically, Mr. Hunt is a Democrat and cast his first vote for
Andrew Jackson.
He is a member of the Christian Church.
EPHRAIM LEFFORGE is a native of Rush
County, born January 12, 1838,
the youngest of five children born to John and Harriet (Herndon)
Lefforge, the former born in New Jersey in 1795, and died in this
county July 6, 1886; the latter born in Virginia in 1807, and died
June 1, 1867. The father of our subject was among the pioneers of the
township, having entered land here, in February, 1821. His first
marriage occurred, when in his teens, to Miss Sarah Lyons, who died,
leaving five children. Mr. Lefforge was again married in 1829, to
Miss Herndon. He participated in the organization of Noble
Township; he was a Republican and a member of the Baptist Church.
Ephraim Lefforge was reared on the farm and was a student at the common
schools. At the age of twenty-one years he began farming for himself
and this he continued until August, 1862, when he enlisted in Company
I, Sixty-eighth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, for three years.
He participated in a number of prominent battles and was a true and
brave soldier. Mr. Lefforge was honorably discharged, June 7, 1865, and
returning home, began farming, which vocation he has since followed. In
1875 he purchased his present farm, which consists of 120 acres.
His marriage occurred August 30, 1866, to Mrs. Mary (Westerfield)
Davis, born in Madison County, Ind., April 18, 1844, daughter of Enoch
and Ursula (Mauzy) Westerfield. To this union, one daughter, Ida,
was born, May 31, 1867. Mrs. Lefforge and daughter are members of the
Christian Church, and Mr. Lefforge is a Republican.
SAMUEL H. LOGAN, a native of Rush
County, Ind., was born August 14,
1839, son of James and Elizabeth (Mann) Logan, who were among the first
settlers of Rush County. James Logan was born in Ireland in 1800, and
came to America with his parents, and as early as 1822, the Logan
Family made settlement in Rush County, and were among the early people
who purchased land at the Land Sale. In 1825, James Logan was married
to Miss Elizabeth Mann, daughter of John and Abigail Mann. To this
union were born nine children, six of whom are now living. Mr. and Mrs.
Logan were widely known and greatly respected; the latter died in 1879,
and the former in 1881. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm
in this township and received a common school education. By occupation
Mr. Logan is a farmer and now owns 240 acres of valuable land, and as a
farmer he is one of the foremost and enterprising men in the township.
In March, 1866, Mr. Logan was united in marriage to Miss Martha A.
McKee, who was born in this township September 15, 1843, daughter of
David and Martha (Woods) McKee, natives of Ohio and Kentucky, the
former born in 1811 and the latter in 1810. To Mr. and Mrs. Logan were
born four children, viz.: Mary E., Wilbur E., Henry V., and James W.
Mr. Logan and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.
:
CHARLES H. MCKEE was born on the farm
where he now resides,
November 15, 1838, son of John McKee, who was born in Jessamine County,
Ky., March 10, 1816. By occupation he was a farmer,
and as early as 1822 came to Rush County where he was marriedMarch
22,1836, to Miss Hester Ann, daughter of Charles W. and Elizabeth
Marrow, who came to Indiana from New Jersey. Mrs. McKee died August 2,
1871, leaving six children. Mr. McKee is a Republican
and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The gentleman whose name introduces this biography was reared on
the farm and attended the common schools. He has
always followed the avocation of a farmer, and now owns 145 acres of
well improved land. Mr. McKee was married April 3,
1862, to Miss Catharine Simonson, of Franklin County, Ind., born April
3, 1840, daughter of William and Eliza (Height) Simonson, both natives
of Indiana. They are the parents of ten
children, nine of whom are now living, viz.: Ella,
born March 10, 1863; Carrie, born November 17, 1865; Eliza, born
February 28, 1868; Hester A., born September 18, 1870; Mattie M., born
December 10, 1873; John F., born March 6, 1875; Maggie M., born
February 9, 1877; William S., born July 14, 1879; and Nellie G., born
October 2, 1882. Mr. Mckee is a Republican, and he
and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
HAMILTON MILLER, merchant, is a
native of Mason County, Ky., born
June 11, 1809, and is of Scoth
descent. His father, James Miller,
was born in Washington
County, Pa., March 1, 1770, and
died in Rush County in
1854. The mother of this subject was
Nancy (Robinson) Miller, a native of Mason County,
who died in her native county about 1820. The Miller
family came to Rush County in the fall of 1835, and settled in this
township. At the age of
sixteen years, the subject of
this sketch began learning the cabinet maker's trade, and
continued nine years. He is the only surviving member
of a family of three children. In 1836, he began
merchandising at New Salem; this he continued four years, and then
began farming near the same place. In 1855, he
resumed merchandising at New Salem, and continued until i860, when he
again sold out. Since 1874, he has been established
in this same business, and has been very
successful. Mr. Miller was married in 1844, to
Miss Elizabeth Brooks, 12 whose death occurred in 1867. He has been a
member of the Christian Church since 1845. He is a Democrat and a
leading citizen. He owns 149 acres of well improved land, and is
Postmaster of New Salem.
THOMAS V. MITCHELL (deceased), who
was one of the pioneers of this
county, was born at Scottsville, Ky., September 27, 1815, being
the
eldest son of Richard Mitchell, who was a pioneer of " Old Kaintuck."
The boyhood of Thomas V. Mitchell was spent on the farm in his native
State, where he remained until 1836, when he came to Rush County
and for a number of years was engaged in buying and selling
horses, and then engaged in packing pork. His chief occupation in life,
however, was that of a farmer, and as such was considered one of the
most practical and successful, and for many years was a member of the
State Board of Agriculture, always taking an active part in the Rush
County Agricultural Society. Mr. Mitchell chose for his wife, Miss
Amanda Gregg, who had come to this county, from Kentucky, with her
father, Judge Gregg, who was one of the extensive land holders of this
township. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell were born six
children, viz.: Sarah, William, Elizabeth, Margaret, Lora and Thomas.
Mrs. Mitchell died in 1864, having been born in Mason County, Ky. Mr.
Mitchell died January, 1881. As a citizen, Mr. Mitchell was highly
esteemed and a careful, conscientious man. In politics, he was an
ardent supporter of the Republican party, although his earlier
years were spent in the midst of slavery. The only representative of
the Mitchell family in this county, is the eldest daughter, Sarah, who
was born on the farm she now owns, December 25, 1837, and was educated
at the Ohio Female College, near Cincinnati. Her marriage occurred
December 25, 1860, to Thomas Prim, who was then engaged in
merchandising at Indianapolis, and later removed to Cincinnati, and
after a residence there of seventeen years returned to Noble
Township, and now owns the old Mitchell homestead. To her marriage
these children were born: Blanche, William (deceased), Amanda A. and
Thomas M. Mrs. Prim is a member of the Christian Church.
JAMES MURPHY, deceased farmer and
soldier, was born in Ireland in
1824, and in early years came to America, landing in New York, where he
remained several years and then came to Cincinnati where he worked
at the mason trade, and subsequently came to Rush County, and purchased
land where he continued to reside until his death, which occurred
April 22, 1887. At the beginning of the war, he enlisted in
Company E, One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment Indiana Volunteer
Infantry, and during the battle of Atlanta, Georgia, lost his hearing,
and afterward received a good pension. He chose for his wife, Miss
Mary Dunn, by whom he had eight children. He was a member of the
Democratic party, and a worthy man.
JOHN S. MYERS was born in Lewis
County, Ky., November 24, 1820, son of
Henry and Hannah Salisbury Myers, and is of German-Irish
descent. His father, a native of Pennsylvania, died
in this county, as did also his mother, who was a native of
Kentucky. In 1821, the family came to Rush
County and settled in Noble Township. Our subject is
the fourth in a family of eleven children, nine of whom are yet
living. He was reared on the farm and educated at the
subscription schools. About 1821, he settled on his
present farm, which is the old Myers Homestead, and which consists of
142 acres. In 1844, Mr. Myers was united in marriage to
Miss Lavina Looney, who died in 1856. To this
marriage was born one child, viz.: George A., who now
resides in Texas. He was married in 1857, to
Miss Mary Holman, who was born in this township May 1,
1834. By this union three children were born,
viz.: Orlan J., Nettie and Ollie. In 1837, he joined the Christian
Church, and for eight years has been
an Elder of Flat Rock Church. His family are members
of the same church. He is a Republican, and fore more than
sixty years has been a resident of this county.
STANLEY C. NEWLIN, M. D., was born in
Rush County, November 12,
1856, son of James and Margaret (Cooper) Newlin, and is of Scotch
decent. His father was born in Ohio in 1831, and his
mother who was born in Indiana in 1835, died in this State in 1857. The
maternal grandfather of Dr. Newlin, was Dr. Stanley Cooper, a native of
Kentucky, born May 13, 1808, who began the practice of medicine
in 1826. He was a Republican, and in 1856 was
elected to represent Rush County in the State Senate.
The subject of this biography is the youngest of four children,
and attended the early schools of this county. In 1877, he
began teaching school, and in 1878, began
the study of medicine, in the office of Dr. W. T. Cooper,
of Scircleville, Clinton County, where he
remained until September, 1880. Dr. Newlin graduated
from the Ohio Medical College, in March, 1881, and the following
September located in New Salem, Ind., where his superior
professional ability soon won for him a conspicuous place among the
successful medical men of Rush County. He was united in
marriage, September 25, 1881, to- Miss Myrtle Cowing, a native of
Rush County, born in 1863, daughter of Joseph L. Cowing, who died
in 1880. Politically, he is a Republican and cast his first vote for
James A. Garfield.
BENJAMIN F. NORRIS, farmer, whose
portrait appears elsewhere, was born
in Mason County, Ky., August 12, 1822, son of Benjamin and
Priscilla (Norris) Norris, and is of English origin. His father was
born in Maryland in 1780, and died in Noble Township in 1864. He
was an 1812 soldier, and was at the battle of Thames. The mother of
Benjamin F. was born in Maryland in 1790, and died in 1874. The Norris
family came to Rush County in 1834, and settled in Noble Township. The
immediate subject of this biography is the fourth in a family of six
children, all living. He was reared on the farm and received a common
school education. At the age of twenty-four years, he began
farming, and in 1851 settled on his present farm. Mr. Norris owns the
old homestead, and altogether has nearly 900 acres of fine land.
Mr. Norris was married March 27, 1851, to Miss Charlotte Chandler,
who was born in Bracken County, Ky., April 25, 1820, daughter of James
and Elizabeth (Gregg) Chandler, natives of Kentucky, the former born in
1799, and died in 1870; the latter born in 1797, and died in 1863. They
have seven children, viz.: Leonora, born in 1853; Charles M., born in
1857; William A., born in 1858; Pantha, born in i860; Alice Z., born in
1863; Jesse R., 1866, and Lottie, born in 1872. He is a Republican, and
has held the office of Trustee of Noble Township. Mr. and Mrs. Norris
are members of the Christian Church.
JEHU PERKINS, a pioneer of this
county, was born where he now resides,
June 26, 1821, son of Jehu and Elizabeth (Sailors) Perkins, and is of
English descent. His father was born in North Carolina, and died in
Rush County in 1836. In early childhood he removed with his parents to
the Indiana Territory, and as early as 1810, settled in Franklin
County, and later removed to Fayette, where they remained until 1821,
when they came to Rush County, and settled where the subject of this
sketch now resides. In 1820, Jehu Perkins, Sr., entered Section 27, in
what is now Noble Town¬ship, and on this site the first mills,
horse and water-power, were erected. On this farm was the first
tavern, distillery and store, ^and Jehu Perkins, Sr., was the first
merchant. He, truly, was one -of the Hoosier pioneers. The mother of
our subject was born in -South Carolina in 1783, and died in Rush
County, Ind., in 1847. 'Our subject is the seventeenth in a family of
twenty-one children, live of whom are now living. In 1838, he began
life for himself, :and now owns the old Perkins homestead. His marriage
occurred September 20, 1838, to Miss Mary Lines, who was born in
Franklin County, Ind., August 24, 1819. They have five children,
viz.: James C, born 1842; Sarah E., born 1845; Charles H., born 1847;
Mary E., born 1850, and Lottie A., born 1855.
Politically, Mr.Perkins is a Republican, and Mrs. Perkins is a member
of the Methodist
Church. For sixty-six years Mr. Perkins has been a resident of Noble
Township. He is familiarly known as " Boss " Perkins, and is the oldest
born resident of the county.
QUINCY A. POSTON, Trustee of Noble
Township, is the second, of five
children born to George W. and Hester (McNiel) Poston, the former born
in Rush County, Ind., March 12, 1826, the latter born in Fayette
County, Ind., June 1, 1827. The Poston family came to Rush County in
the spring of 1821, and here the subject of this sketch was born,
August 6, 1851. He was educated at the public schools of this county,
and at twenty-one years began life for himself. His occupation has been
that of a farmer, and for twenty years has run a threshing machine;
during this time he has threshed about 200,000 bushels of wheat.
. In
1884, he removed to New Salem, where he now resides. His marriage
occurred December 23, 1S73, to Miss Mariette Wellman, born in this
township, October 1, 1852. Politically, he is a Republican, and in
1886, was elected Trustee of Noble Township by that party. He is a
representative of one of the early families of this county, and an
honorable citizen.
GEORGE WASHINGTON REEVE, one of the
old settlers of Noble Township, was
born in Mason County, Ky., February 24, 1821. His father, Elder
Benjamin F. Reeve, was born in Prince William County, Va., October 28,
1798. At an early date he came to Kentucky with his
parents, and there remained until 1833, when he removed to Rush
County, Ind., and settled in Noble Township. He was
twice married,.his last wife was Miss Elizabeth Lower, who is now
deceased. He was formerly a Whig, but afterward a
Republican, and for three years represented Rush County in
the State Assembly. He began preaching in 1832, and
continued until death, he dying July 18, 1877. The
immediate subject of this biography, is the eldest of eight children,
six of whom are now living. He received a good
education. In 1852, he settled on his present farm which
consists of 240 acres; he also has 240 acres in Iowa. He was married
March 15, 1843, to Miss Naomi A. Robinson, born in
Hamilton County, Ohio, October 15, 1820. She is the
daughter of William C. and Frances (Walton) Robinson, the former born
in Kentucky and the latter born in Virginia. They
were the parents of the following children: Albert G., born November
23, 1848; Anna E., born February 16, 1851, and Minnie M., born April n,
1861. Mrs.Reeve died July 25,
1887. She was extensively known and beloved by all
who knew her. Mr. Reeve is a Republican, and for
many years has taken an active part in the Rush County
Agricultural Association.
BAZIL RHODES was born in Mongolia
County, W. Va., May 9, 1830; is the
seventh in a family of nine children, born to Joel and Catharine
(Stewart) Rhodes, the former born near Palmerston, Md., 1783, and died
in this county, June 27, 1873; the latter born in Virginia, July 5,
1790, and died in 1867. The father was a soldier in the War of 1812,
and began life for himself by farming upon rented land, which he
continued, until 1834, when he came to Rush County and purchased 160
acres of land for $600, and in the spring of 1835, brought his family
to the new country and home; coming down the Ohio River by flat-boat
and thence by wagon across the country to Noble Township. They reared a
family of nine children, eight of whom are yet living. They were both
members of the Presbyterian Church. The immediate subject of this
sketch received a limited education and upon reaching his majority,
began working at the carpenter trade, which he continued until
1862, when he enlisted in Company L, Third Regiment Indiana Volunteer
Cavalry and accompanied Gen. Sherman on that memorable March, to the
Sea. He was a brave and faithful soldier, and was honorably discharged
at Indianapolis in August, 1865. Returning home he resumed work at his
trade and this continued until 1873, when he purchased eighty
acres of the homestead farm, where he now lives. He was reared a
Democrat, but since 1856 has been a staunch Republican. Mr. Rhodes was
married September 13, 1856, to Miss Martha J. Lower, whose death
occurred in August, 1859. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes had one child, Florin, who died at the age
of thirteen months. Mr. Rhodes is a member of Andersonville Lodge, No.
96, F. & A. M.; also of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
J. H. G. STAMM, a native of
Washington County, Ind., born August 9,
1825, being the eldest son of twelve children of J. H. George and
Margaret (Ambrose) Stamm, both natives of Maryland, and of
German-Irish extraction. The father of Mr. Stamm was by occupation a
distiller and farmer, and in 1834, he came to Franklin County, and then
removed to Rush County, where he remained some years, and later removed
to Marion County, where he died in 1835, aged eighty-five years. In
politics, he was a Democrat and a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. The immediate subject of this biography, came with
his parents to Franklin County at nine years of" age, receiving a
limited education, and at twenty-one years of age began doing for
himself. In early life Mr. Stamm came to Rush County, and for six years
lived on rented land and then purchased his present farm, which is well
improved and is composed of 189 acres. November 4,
1847, Mr.Stamm was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Beaver, daughter
of Michael and Elizabeth Beaver. To that union were born six children,
viz.: Thomas W., born July 15, 1848; Melissa, born September 3,
1849; David H., born August 21, 1852; Howard, born February 20, 1855;
John R., born June 5, 1856, and Elizabeth J., born May 8, 1858. Mrs.
Stamm died May 22, i860, and September 25, 1862, Mr. Stamm was
married to Miss Angeline Plow, born in Franklin County, December 12,
1842, and daughter of Uriah and Catharine Plow. To the second marriage
were born these children: George S., born June 13, 1863, and died in
1874; Margaret A., born April 8, 1865; Jacob A., born August 1, 1867;
Harriet F., born February 21, 1870; Ida May, born August 11, 1873;
Franklin J., born October 19, 1875; Minnie Lee, born December 7, 1877;
Charles Owen, born July 9, 1880; Robert Clyde, born November 2, 1882,
and Grover C, born February 4, 1884. In politics he is a Democrat, and
a member of the Masonic fraternity. Mr. and Mrs. Stamm are well known
and esteemed citizens of Noble Township.
ALFRED P. WHITE, a native of Fleming
County, Ky., was born October 25,
1816, son of Nelson and Elizabeth (Perry) White and of Scotch-Irish
descent. His father, a native of Kentucky, was an 1812 soldier and was
at Dudley's defeat near Ft. Wayne. He died in this county at the age of
sixty-five years. The paternal grandfather of Mr. White was. born
in Ireland and emigrated to Kentucky where he died. The mother of our
subject was born near the city of Baltimore, Md., and died in Fayette
County, Ind. At the age of twelve years our subject came to Indiana
with his parents and settled in Fayette County, Ind., in June, 1837,
where he remained until 1839, when he settled where he now lives. At
the age of sixteen years he was " bound out" to a man by the name of
Richard Miller and during his bondage, learned the brick layer and
stone mason's trade. He is one of the prominent farmers of Noble
Township and now owns 193 acres of valuable land. Mr. White was united
in marriage, January, 1838, to Miss Elizabeth Looney, who was born in
Lewis County, Ky., March 30, 1818, and is the daughter of Peter and
Jane (Salisbury) Looney. Her father was born in Virginia, July 24,
1786 and died August 21, 1878. He came to Indiana in 1821 and settled
on land bought from the government, and was a member of the first
jury impaneled in this county. The mother of Mrs. White, was also a
native of Kentucky and died in this county. Mr. and Mrs. White have one
child, Irma, living. A son, Peter N., who was a soldier in the late
war, was taken ill soon after the battle of Vicksburg and died
here September 14, 1863. Mr. White was formerly a
Whig, but is now an earnest Republican. He and wife are"
members of the Christian Church and are widely and favorably known.
JAMES WILSON (deceased), was born in
Bourbon County, Ky., May 5, 1819,
son of William and Devora (Custer) Wilson, of Irish and German descent,
respectively. The father of our subject removed from Kentucky to
this county in 1832. The subject of this sketch received a limited
education and remained at home with his parents until 1848. For many
years he gave his attention to the breeding of thorough-bred horses and
cattle, and at one time owned 6,000 acres of land. Mr. Wilson was
married February 8, 1848, to Miss Ellen Jameson, a native of Bourbon
County, Ky., born March 21, 1829, daughter of Thomas and Louisa
(Cartmel) Jameson, natives of Kentucky and of Scotch-Irish origin.
The following children reached their majority: John M., Richmond
J., Louisa, Richard, William W. and Joseph H. Politically, Mr. Wilson
was a Republican, and in his death, which occurred March 5, 1882, Rush
County lost one of its most valued and honored men. Mrs. Wilson is a
member of the Christian Church, and is one of the most worthy mothers,
beloved by all who know her. The portrait of Mr. Wilson is shown on
another page of this volume.
WILLIAM H. WILSON, a leading farmer
of this township, was born near New
Salem, in this county, August 5th, 1837, being the eldest of three
children to Conrad and Rebecca (Ewalt) Wilson, natives of Bourbon
County, Ky., where they were married in 1836. By occupation, the father
of our subject was a farmer, and came to Rush County as early as 1836,
and located in the woods, just north of the present town of New Salem.
After clearing a farm from the then unbroken wilderness, he sold it and
purchased land on Big Flat Rock, six miles south of Rushville, and
subsequently removed to Lewis County, Mo., where his death occurred.
The mother of Mr. Wilson returned to this county, where she died in
1878, at fifty-eight years of age. The boyhood of the immediate subject
of this biography was spent on the farm and he was the recipient of a
good common school education. For twenty years, Mr. Wilson in
connection with his farming interests, has been engaged in
breeding fine horses, at which he is considered one of the most
successful in this township. . The marriage of our subject, took place
September 3rd, 1863, to Miss Alice Logan, whose birth occurred December
- 5th, 1840. To this marriage were born these children: John L.,
Henrietta, Margaret E., James F., William H., Charles B., and Donald C.
In politics, he is a pronounced Prohibitionist, and he and wife are
members of the Christian Church.
