Henry County, Indiana
Genealogy and History
Blue River,the last township organized in the County, was formed from the southern half of Stony Creek, June 6, 1848. The township takes it's name from Blue River, the headwaters of which are within it's limits.
The first elections were ordered to be held at the home of PHILLIP MOORE, or at the meeting house near his home. The township officers for 1883/84 are: Justices: ABRAHAM WRITESMAN and ELI HOLLIDAY, Trustee: THOMAS C. LOUD
The land now included in this township was not offered for sale until 1822. In that year the following entered tracts:
Several of the men above mentioned moved their families to their purchases as early as 1823 and in that year the settlement became quite flourishing.
The CORYS' were probably the first familiy to locate in the township. The first death is believed to be that of ELEANOR wife of ABRAHAM CORY, and the second, that of ESTHER, wife of JOSEPH CORY.
The first store was owned by DR. W.M. KERR of Circleville. (Stony Creek Township) The first school was taught on the farm of DAVID TURHUNE. The township now contains six school houses and maintains good schools. Three religious denominations are represented by churches in the township: The German Baptists, The "New Light" Christians, and the Disciples.
The Indiana, Bloominton and Western Railroad was built through this township in 1882. A small villiage, a station on the road has since sprang up. It is known as Mooreland and was laid out in Sept. 1882. It contains two stores, one saw mill and planing mill, one agricultural implement store and one grain elevator and has about 100 population. DR. D. CLAPPER is the physician. A post office was established March 8, 1882, with HARVEY MAIN Postmaster. MARCUS HOLLIDAY is the present Postmaster.
JAMES TAYLOR, an old and respected citizen, came to Henry Co. in 1836 and a few years later to the farm where he now lives. MR. TAYLOR was born in N. Carolina in 1816.
DAVID and RACHEL PIDGEON came to Indiana from N. Carolina in 1833 and purchased Government land. The first cabin built by MR. PIDGEON is still standing. He died in 1874, his wife in 1876. Both were prominent Friends. Their son, JESSE W. PIDGEON, is a respected citizen.
ANDREW BALDWIN, a well known, old resident was born in N. Carolina in 1816, and came to Indiana with his parents. At the age of 18, he entered 80 acres of land where he now lives.
SOLOMON CORY, who was born in Ohio in 1810, settled in this township in 1841, beginning on unimproved land. MR. CORYÊ is held in high regard by his neighbors. He has served in several township offices.
STEPHEN AND MILLY (SPERRY) CORY, were among the early settlers. The former was a native of Ohio, the latter of Virginia. MR. CORY died in 1883, his widow is still living. ELIJAH CORY, their son was born in this township in 1828 and is still living here.
SOLOMON BALES, was born in Henry Co. Indiana,June 15, 1834 a son of PARNEL and ELIZABETH (KOONS) BALES natives of Tennessee. He remained on the farm with his parents receiving a common school education until sixteen years of age.ÊHe then went to work on the farm of SOLOMON CORY remaining with him for seven years. He then began working at the carpenter's trade with JAMES DYKES and remained with him for 9 months.
In 1857, he settled on the farm of THOMAS SEARS in Stony Creek township and in March 1858 moved to a farm belonging to HENRY MANIFOLD. He subsequently bought 40 acres of land from JOSEPH CORN, adjoining 80 acres owned by his wife, and sometime after bought a farm from NATHAN FREEMAN. He lived on the latter for six years and then bought from ROBERTY H. TAYLOR a farm of 103 acres where he now lives.
He was maried in May 1857 to ELIZABETH, daughter of NOAH and LUCRETIA CORY. She died Oct. 13, 1862. Leaving one daughter, ADA JOSEPHINE now MRS. WILSON DRAKE. Dec. 24, 1863, MR. BALES married LUCINDA, daughter of DAVID and RACHEL PIDGEON They have four children: WILLIAM HENRY, RACHEL ELIZABETH, ALBERT LINDLEY, and DELLIE FLORENCE
MR. and MRS. BALES are members of the Society of Friends. Politically he is a Republican. After he mother's death, MR. BALES gave his daughter the 40 acres of land first purchased by him.
ISAAC CHAMNESS was born in Randolph Co. N.C. May 26, 1829, the eldest of 5 children of JOSHUA and HANNAH CHAMNESS. In the fall of 1832, his parents came to Indiana and settled in Nettle Creek Township, Randolph Co. He remained with his parents until he was 21 years of age, helping to clear and cultivate the farm.
He was married Nov. 20, 1850 at Nettle Creek meeting house to ELIZABETH daughter of THOMAS and ELIZABETH DENNIS. He remained on his father's farm until the fall of 1852 and then moved to Henry Co. and bought 65 acres of land in Blue River Township. There was on it a cabin with one door, one window and a stick and clay chimney. 15 acres were cleared, the rest were heavily timbered.
They lived in this cabin until 1857, he then built a new house 28 x 36 feet in size. When the new house was paid for, he bought 41 and 2/3 acres more land making in all a farm of 106 2/3 acres. In 1874 he built a barn 40 x 60 feet in size. In 1875 he and his son bought a steam saw mill which they ran in the winter for the benefit of their neighbors.
To MR. CHAMNESS has been born 7 children: MILTON W. who married ISABEL HOUGH of Tipton Co. and now lives on the home farm. ESTHER M. married JONATHAN CLOUD now of Washington, Wayne Co. Indiana. MARIUM T. married EDGAR T.WHITE of Henry Co. CYRUS C., deceased MARGARET B. married T.E. STEWART of Spiceland Township, ELMINA and HANNAH E.
MR CHAMNESS and all of his family are members by birthright of the Society of Friends. Politically they are Republicans. Mr. Chamness cast his first vote for President in 1853 for Franklin Pierce.
DAVID H. CONWELL was born April 19, 1854 in Blue River Township, a son of GEORGE W. and MARY J. (MESSICK) CONWELL. natives of Deleware. The former born Dec. 24, 1822 and the latter born Sept. 14, 1822. They were married Aug. 18, 1842 and the following December settled in Blue River Township where our subject now resides, remaining there until GEORGE W. CONWELL enlisted in the 69th Indiana Infantry. He died at Helena, Ark. Feb. 15, 1863.Ê His wife died March 10, 1883 aged 60 years and 6 months.
To them were born 12 children: HARRIAT E., ELIZA A. (died March 2, 1865), SAMUEL R., ELI M., SARAH E., WINFIELD S., DAVID H., ALICE W. (died May 26, 1861), JOSEPHINE IDA, MARY E. (died Sept. 20, 1862) and GEORGETTA.
DAVID H. was reared for farm life and was educated in the common schools. He was married at the age of 24 yrs., Nov. 28, 1878 to MARY M.daughter of ADAM and KATHERINE (KOONS)Ê MULLER, natives of Indiana. To them has been born one son, GILBERT.
After his marriage, Mr. Conwell settled on his 80 acre farm in Stony Creek Township where he resided until March 22, 1883. Since which he has lived on his persent farm of 159 1/2 acres of improved land.
Politically he is a Republican. His sisters Josephine and Georgetta reside with him. Mrs. Conwell has been a member of the Campbellite Church for the past eight years.
ABRAHAM COVALT was born in Blue River Township Feb. 19, 1849 and is a son of CHENIAH and ELIZABETH COVALT. When 15 years of age he began shipping stock and has since followed that business with great success. In the winter of 1883/84 he shipped 73 car loads full of hogs, besides sheep, horses and cattle.
Dec. 8, 1869, he was married to MARY ANN, daughter of JOHN and JEMIMAH WILES and settled at Economy Indiana. He remained there two years and then moved to Franklin and lived there for one year , when he returned to Henry Co. and settled in Blue River Township where he is engaged in farming in connection with trading in stock.
Politically Mr. Covalt is a Republican. Mrs. Covalt is a member of the United Brethren Church.
To them have been born 5 children: FRANK, GEORGIA, ETHEL, GRACE and an infant.
CHENIAH COVALT SR. was born in Clermont Co. Ohio July 2, 1810 and was the son of CHENIAH and RACHEL COVALT, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter a native of New Jersey. His parents settled in Clermont Co. Ohio in 1790 where they remained about 20 years. Then they moved to Brown Co. where the father died in 1820 and the mother in 1835.
Mr. Covalt's grandfather, ABRHAM COVALT was killed by the Indians in 1789. His father served in the army of General St. Clair during the French and Indian War. He was present at the battle fought by St. Clair and the Indians in 1791 and was captured during the engagement but succeeded in making his escape. He afterward served under General Anthony Wayne and was in the battle in which the Indian Chief, Tecumseh was killed. Subsequently, he served for several years as a Captian in the State Militia.
There were born to the father of the subject of this sketch, 10 children, of whom, but three, ABRAHAM, JARRETT, and CHENIAH are living.
The subject of this sketch passed his early life on a farm and enjoyed but limited opportunities for obtaining an education. On May 15, 1833, he was married to, ELIZABETH ECKELBARGER, a very excellent woman.
In Dec. 1842, he moved to Blue River Township, Henry Co. and settled on the farm where he now resides. By industry and economy, he has become the owner of 500 acres in the County.
He has acceptably served as Justice of the Peace and has several times been elected Trustee of the Township. In 1882 he was elected to the office of County Commissioner, a position he still holds. Prior to his comming to Indiana, he had held several responsible official positions. He has many times been called upon to act as guardian and administrator, and has discharged every trust with honesty and fidelity.
He is the father of 10 children, 8 of whom are living. ELLEN born March 19, 1834, WILLIAM born July 12, 1835, SUSAN born May 20, 1837, JOHN born Jan. 16, 1839, died Oct. 21, 1877, RACHEL born Sept. 16, 1830, died Sept. 11, 1841, CHENIAH born Oct. 16, 1842, CHRISTINA and ABRAHAM born Feb. 19, 1849, DORAH born March 19, 1854, ELIZABETH born Feb. 9, 1857.
In all the walks of life, Mr. Covalt has been upright and consistant and few men possess in a larger degree the confidence and respect of the people of Henry County.
MARCUS HOLADAY was born in Blue River Township Jan. 23, 1858, a son of OLIVER and NANCY HOLADAY. He recieved a good education and when 19 years of age began teaching school. He taught 4 years in the district schools of his township. In 1879, he became engaged in the mercantile business at home with his father.
In August 1882, he left home and went to Leonard, now known as Mooreland, a station on the L.B. and W.R. Railroad and opened a general store. He built the first store in the place and was really it's founder. He had a stock valued at $2500.00 when, in Feb. 1883, he was burned out, everything he had being consumed by fire. After receiving insurance in the amount of $1800.00, he rebuilt and ventured into the business again. But soon after, his wife became sick with Typhoid Fever and seeing that he could no longer manage the business, he sold out to his father and since then has been working for him and managing the business for him. April 1, 1883, he was appointed Post Master.
April 4, 1883, he was married to EMMA J. daughter of ADAM S. and RACHEL RENAUD. Mr. and Mrs. Holaday are both members of the Christian Church. Politically, Mr. Holaday is a Republican. Mrs. Holaday owns 60 acres of good well improved land in Deleware Co., eight miles south of Muncie.
OLIVER HOLADAY was born in Chatham Co. N. Carolina, Dec. 8, 1823, a son of THOMAS and ELIZABETH HOLADAY. His parents came to Indiana in Oct. 1826 and settled in Liberty Township, where his mother died in July 1862 and his father in April 1873. The first winter spent in Indiana, the family of 14 lived in a log house 16 x 18 feet in size.
When OLIVER HOLADAY was 15 years of age, he began teaching school and taught for 13 years. He was married June 10, 1849 to NANCY, daughter of WILLIAM and MARY WYATT and soon after settled on a farm in Blue River Township where his family still resides.
He has been a member of the Christian Church for 30 years and a minister in the church since 1845. In 1870 he opened a general mercantile store at his home place where he continued until 1879, when his son MARCUS bought it and continued to run it until 1882 when he moved to Leonard, now known as Mooreland Indiana. OLIVER HOLADAY has also worked at the boot and shoe trade for 40 years.At home they have 90 acres of land well improved.
To them have been born 12 children, nine of whom are living. ELI, WILLIAM H., JAMES, MARCUS, ALBERT, OLIVER, MARY E., MARTHA, MATILDA A. The deceased are: NANCY E., JOSEPHINE and JOHN.
Politically Mr. Holaday is a Republican, originally a Whig
BENJAMIN F. KOONS son of JOSEPH AND LUCINDA KOONS was born in Henry Co. Nov. 23, 1839. His father, who was born in Wayne Co., was one of the pioneer ax-makers of Eastern Indiana. The subject of this sketch obtained in the shcools of his neighborhood, such an education as qualified him for teaching, a pursuit he successfully followed for a period of several years.
On the 27th of June 1861, he was married to, MAHALA DEARDORFF, a very excellent woman. Eight children have been born to them, all of whom are living.
Mr. Koons, who lives upon a farm, has been quite successful in agricultural pursuits. He has been called upon frequently to act in trust capacities, and he has discharged every duty honestly and faithfully. He and his wife are members of the German Baptist Church. The former having been a Deacon in the church for a number of years.
DAVAULT KOONS son of GEORGE AND MARY KOONS, was born Oct. 12, 1814 in Randolph Co., NC. He was reared on the farm, receiving a limited education in the log school houses after he was 21 years of age.
He was married Oct. 30, 1845 to POLLY, daughter of WILLIAM AND HANNAH CANADAY. She died April 26, 1883. They were the parents of 7 children, 6 of whom are living. WILLIAM M., GEORGE A., JOHN R., ELIZA E., ISAAC N. and DAVID H., SAMUEL is deceased.
Mr. Koons lived on his father's farm for two years after his marriage, when he moved to the farm adjoining his present one, residing there until Jan. 8, 1859. He then moved to the farm where he has lived for 26 years, where he owns 151 acres of well improved land.
He has served one term as Township Trustee. He is a member of the Baptist Church and his wife belonged to the Christian Church. In politics he is a Republican.
Our subject was one of the most active men in the county. In his younger days, he jumped over 41 feet after rolling logs all day, and the same day he jumped over a stick held by two men, as high as his head.
Our subjects parents were natives of N. Carolina and of German descent. They emigrated to Indiana by wagon in Sept. 1819, and a few months later moved to Wayne Co. where they remained about two years. Mr. Koons then moved his family to Liberty Township, Henry Co. where he entered land bought from the Government and built a log house, residing there for 16 years. He then sold his farm and entered 80 acres in Blue River Township and built a log cabin on the same, residing there until his death.
He entered at four different times 80 acres of Government land and at his death he owned 111 acres. He died March 25, 1849 aged 63 years and his wife in 1872 aged 84 years.
Politically he was a Republican and he and his wife belonged to the Baptist Church.
Their children were: ELIZABETH, MASSY, HENRY, ABSALOM, ALLIE, DAVAULT, CATHERINE, GASPER, MARTHA, GEORGE and PETER.
HENRY MAIN was born in Liberty Township, Henry Co. on March 9, 1827, the third son of CHRISTOPHER and MAHALIA MAIN. His father a native of New York, his mother of W. Va. His father moved to Lawrenceburg Ohio, when 18 years of age, and when 21 years of age in 1817, he married MAHALIA JOHNSON , then shortly after moved to Wayne Co. Indiana and settled in Jacksonburg on rented land. He supsequently moved to Henry Co. and in 1823 bought 40 acres of Government land in Liberty Township, which he afterward sold and entered 80 acres near the Wayne Co. line. Three or four years later he sold this land and entered 160 acres of heavily timbered land south of Millville. Jan. 1, 1839, he sold out and bought 200 acres in Blue River Township, on Flatrock Creek, afterward adding 81 acres to it. This land he gave to his children with the exception of 30 acres, which he sold to his son HENRY.
He and his wife were members of the Christian Church for 45 years. His wife died Jan. 10, 1865 and he died April 5, 1882.
To them were born 10 children, but two of whom are living: LUCINDA and HENRY. The deceased are: SAMUEL, WILLIAM, JOHN, POLLY, DAVID A., LEWIS W., NATHAN T. and MARTHA.
Our subject spent his early life on the farm, receiving a limited education, and was married when 21 years of age, March 8, 1848, to MAGDALENA COLLINGSWORTH and settled on the farm where they now live.
He owns 135 acres of excellent land all well improved. Politically he is a Republican. He has served as township Trustee two terms. Mrs. Main is a member of the German Baptist Church. Mr. Main is a member of Hagerstown Lodge No. 14 F. and A.M.
To them have been born 5 children, but three of whom are living: MARQUIS D., HENRY H. and IDAÊM. MARY E and ELI M are deceased.
DAVID A. MESSICK,son of ELI S. and ANN (CONWELL) MESSICK was born July 22, 1840 in Blue River Township where he was educated in the common schools. He was married, Jan. 30, 1863 to HANNAH M. daughter of, AMBROSE H and ELIZA EVANS, natives of Tenn. They have two children, LUELLA and HARLEY.
After his marriage, he continued to live at home until his father's death which occured on Aug. 2, 1870 at the age of 72 years. He then received half the farm and bought the remainder from his sister which he afterward lost by endorsing for a pork firm in New Castle. He still owns 100 acres of well improved land and in connection with his farming, he buys and ships all kinds of grain. The Indiana, Bloomington and Western Railroad passes through his farm, and the station of Messick on that road is named in honor of him.
He and his wife are active members of the United Brethren Church, and politically, Mr. Messick is a Democrat.
His parents were natives of Deleware, and in 1837 they emigrated to Indiana, settling on the farm where our subject now resides. ELI MESSICK'S first wife died Aug. 29, 1833, and he then married ANN CONWELL who died Jan. 21, 1842. His third wife was SARAH A. SWAN who still survives him.
He was an earnest worker in the Presbyterian Church, having been a Ruling Elder in the church for 30 years. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, being called out on duty at the age of 13 years.
By his first and second wives he had nine children, of whom only two survive: GEORGE H.S. and DAVID The deceased are: ELIZABETH A., GEORGE S., ISABEL, ASA C., SAMUEL B., JOHN M.M. and MARY J.
CHARLES P. MOORE,son of, PHILLIP and ELIZABETH MOORE, was born in Blue River Township, June 18, 1850. He was reared on the home farm and received a good education at the common schools. He was married Dec. 16, 1872 to FANNY WRIGHT, daughter of THOMAS AND REBECCA WRIGHT of Stony Creek Township Henry Co. Indiana.
After his marriage, Mr. Moore engaged in farming on the place where he now resides and still follows that occupation. His farm contains 120 acres of well improved land and he may be classed among the energetic prosperous farmers of Henry Co. In politics, he is a staunch Republican.
MILES M. MOORE, farmer, Post Office Mooreland, was born in Blue River Township, Nov. 18, 1836. The 3rd son of PHILLIP and JULIA ANN (WILLSON) MOORE. His boyhood was spent with his parents receiving his education in the district schools.
When 24 years of age, he took a trip West and after his return home, remained with his father until Aug. 27, 1861, when he enlisted in Company C, 32nd Indiana Infantry and participated in the battles of Perryville Ky., Stone River Tenn., (where they were under fire for nine days), and Chickanagua. From there, fell back to Chattanooga, where they remained until early winter. In the spring the division was assigned to the command of General Hooker, and took part in the battle of Lookout Mountain, assisted General Sherman at Mission Ridge, and the battle of White Oak Ridge. From Ringgold, the division fell back to Whitesides and remained there until spring, and while on the march, 10 miles from Chattanooga, he received an order from General Thomas to report to his headquarters in Chattanooga for signed service duty. After being drilled for 8 weeks, he was ready for duty and served about 9 months. He participated in the engagment at Reteca Ga. and the Atlanta Campaign, where his last service was performed in the top of a tree, 60 feet from the ground. He was discharged Sept. 15, 1864 at Atlanta and returned home.
March 26, 1865 he was married to NANCY LAMB daughter of THOMAS and ELVYRA LAMB of Dalton Indiana and immediately went to White Co. Indiana where he and his brother had bought 250 acres of land for $7,500.00. After making the first payment he had $30 dollars left with which to go to housekeeping. His wife was energetic and economical and they appropriated but a portion of this for householdÊ purposes, spending the rest for corn and hay. After herÊwork in the house was completed, she went to the field and assisted her husband until time to prepare the noonday meal. After dinner, she again worked in the field until evening.
May 12, 1867, a son, PHILLIP EDGAR was born and then her time was taken up by houshold chores and the care of their child who became the pride of their lives. Jan 15, 1869, a second son was born, THOMAS EUGENE. His wife's health from this time was very much impaired and he became discouraged. In 1872, EDDIE, as he was called, was siezed with brain fever and after 10 days and nights of suffering, his spirit was called home. His wife wishing it, they carried the earthly remains to Wayne Co. and interred them in Nettle Creek Cemetery. They returned to White Co., but the health of the family, not improving, he sold his interest in the White Co. farm and in 1874, after the death of his father, bought a portion of the old homestead and on Aug. 18, returned to Henry Co.
After their return to this county, their health improved and their prospects are now bright for a prosperous future. Their son Eugene is now a robust youth in his 16th year and promises to make an energetic and useful man. After paying for the 250 acres first purchased in White Co., Mr. Moore and his brother bought a farm of 110 acres adjoining, which they also paid for. He now owns 170 acres of land all well improved.
He and his wife have been members of the United Brethren Church for 8 years. In his political views, Mr. Moore adheres to the National Greenback Party. He is a leading member of the party taking an active interest in all political issues and sustaining the principal that the Government should issue all money to be a full legal tender for all purposes both public and private.
PHILLIP MOORE was born in Preble Co. Ohio April 24, 1812, a son of WILLIAM and CATHERINE (COTENER) MOORE. His father was a native of East Tennessee, his mother of Germany. When he was 14 years of age, his parents moved to Indiana and settled on 85 acres of land in Blue River Township. He remained with his father until he was 21 years of age helping him clear his land and walking each harvest season to Preble Co. where he worked for 60 cents a day.
When 21 years of age in 1833 he was married to JULIA ANN daughter of JAMES AND ELIZABETH WILLSON. In 1834 they entered 40 acres of land (the grain elevator at Mooreland is located on a portion of it), and was assisted in paying for it by his Uncle SAMUEL MOORE of Wayne Co.
His wife died in 1838 leaving 4 sons: WILLIAM A. born 1833 now a farmer of Howard Co. Indiana, married MANDY HENSLEY of Illinois. JAMESÊH. born 1835, married EMILY L. LAMB and is a farmer of White County Indiana. MILES M. born 1836, married NANCY LAMB and lives on the old homestead. HENRY H. a farmer of Henry Co. was born in 1838 and married LUCINDA CLAPPER. After the death of his wife, his sons lived with their grand- parents until 1846 when he was married to ELIZABETH TERHUNE of Missouri and settled on the land first entered by him. To this second marriage was born 4 children: B.F. born 1846 is a carpenter of New Castle and married EMMA KILMER of Blountsville. JOHN W. born 1848 married BETTIE KEISLING and is a physician of Mechanicsburg. CHARLES P. a farmer of Blue River Township was born in 1850 and married FANNIE WHITE. MARY JANE born in 1852 was married in 1872 to REASON DAVIS of Henry Co.
Mr. Moore was an energetic, perservering man, a good manager combined with a shrewdness which enabled him to accumulate property. Having a desire to see his children comfortably settled in life, he did not wait for death to give them their portion but aided them when they left the paternal roof to establish homes of their own.
In 1873 he became afflicted with consumption and for 7 months was a great sufferer but retained his right mind until death relieved him, Nov. 27, 1873. He was buried in the German Baptist Cemetery, Hagerstown Indiana.
His wife ELIZABETH survived him for 7 years. A sufferer from Rheumatism, she was unable to attend to her house for a number of years and therefore made her home with her son, CHARLES P. Her last year, she was almost helpless and was cheered by frequent visits from all of the children. March 11,1880, she was stricken with paralysis of the heart and died very suddenly and was buried by the side of her husband.
THOMAS M. SEARS was born in Hamilton Co. Ohio Jan. 2, 1820 a son of CURTIS AND NANCY (HUEY) SEARS. His father a native of New York, his mother of Hamilton Co. Ohio. He received a common school education and when 16 years of age, began driving a team for his father. He went from Muncie Indiana to Cincinnati taking a load of whiskey and returning with a load of dry goods.ÊAt the end of 6 years, he began farming with his father.
Dec. 23, 1840 he married MOURNEN daughter of JOSEPH AND LIDA (ADAMSON) LAMB, a native of N. Carolina born in 1819. He then settled on rented land on Morgan Creek in Wayne Co. Indiana and remained there two years when he went to Randolph Co. and bought 160 acres of land in Nettle Creek Township.Ê In Feb. 1849, he sold his land and came to Henry Co. and bought the farm of 149 acres where he now resides.
Mr. Sears is a member of Blountsville Lodge No. 331 F. and A. M.
To him and his wife have been born 11 children, eight are living: LORENZO, EMANUEL, SYNTHIA A., NANCY ELLEN, VOLNEY, WILLARD B., MARY E. and CHARLES F. The deceased are: ABIATHAR, MELISSA JANE and LOUISA A.
Politically, Mr. Sears is a Democrat.
Mr. Sears parents were married in Hamilton Co. Ohio and in 1836 moved to Wayne Co. Indiana and bought a farm which they sold 4 years later and moved to Dalton where Mr. Sears ran a mill for a year. He then rented a farm in Randolph Co. and then moved to Deleware Co. two years later. In 1845, he took up a homestead in Iowa Co. Iowa where they are now living.
To them were born 12 children: THOMAS M., MARIA, ROBERT H., LIDA, LOUISA, SUSANNA, JOHN W., CHARLOTTE, ELIZA J., WILLIAM SMITH, LEVI and RUFUS. Four are deceased, two of whom, LEVI AND WILLIAM S., died in the army. Mr. and Mrs. Sears are members of the Christian Church.
JAMES M. WYALL,farmer and director of the Commercial Bank, Hagerstown, Indiana, was born in Union Co. Indiana near Robbin's Chapel on July 28, 1830 the third son of JOSEPH AND NANCY (ESTEB) WYALL. His father a native of Tenn. his mother of N. Carolina. His early life was spent on a farm with JOHN HART.
When 21 years of age, he began farming on shares with his Uncle remaining with him for 4 years. He then moved to Henry Co. and bought a farm in Liberty Township, living there until 1876 when he bought a farm in Wayne Co. and lived there 3 years. He then came to Blue River Township where he owns a fine farm of 268 acres. He also owns about 2,700 acres in different states.
He was married when 25 years of age to ELIZABETH MOSS, who died March 24, 1870. They had three children: MARTHA L. (deceased), NANCY J. and MARY E. Mr. Wyall was again married to NANCY LEWIS. Thy have one child, OLIVE E. Mr. and Mrs Wyall are members of the German Baptist Church. Politically he is a Republican.
WILLIAM YOUNG was born Apr. 21, 1828 in Lincolnshire England, a son of JOHN AND MARY (BROWN) YOUNG. He received a limited education and July 1, 1850 he started for America, landing in New York City. He started at once for Albany, thence to Buffalo and from there to Sandusky City, Ohio. He then traveled on foot from Sandusky to Monroesville where his brother resided but upon arriving at that place discovered his brother lived at Greenfield a few miles distant.
He was then taken sick with Cholera and after his recovery he began working with his brother for a year. Then he was hired to work on the Sandusky and Newark R.R.,where he remained for 8 months. Shortly after he began working on the Bellefontaine R.R. and after two months was employed on the Richmond and Chicago R.R. for over a year. Then he was employed by MARTIN D. BOYD, a farmer and remained with him for 11 years.
June 1,1856, he was married to FANNY STAM and to them have been born 4 daughters: MARY E., EMMA B., MARTHA A. and MANDA C.
Before his marriage, Mr. Young bought 160 acres in Delaware Co. which he sold two years later and bought 40 acres in Blackford Co., which he afterward traded for 123 acres in Randolph Co., paying a difference of $900. He then sold his land for $1,950.00 and purchased 78 acres in Wayne Co. and remained there for 10 years. Then he sold it for the sum of $4,710.00 and bought his present farm in Blue River Township of 160 acres for which he paid $5,555.00. His land is well improved and is well supplied with farm buildings. He has recently erected a fine house at a cost of $2,000.00.
Politically, Mr. Young is a Republican.