Blue River Township
in
1884

 

Township Formation
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:
ABRAHAM WRITESMAN and ELI HOLLIDAY : Justices
THOMAS C. LOUD: Trustee.
The land now included in this township was not offered for
sale until 1822. In that year the following entered tracts:
Oct. 28
RICHARD WILSON
MICHAEL CONWAY
Oct. 31
JOSEPH CORY
ABRAHAM CORY
BETSY CORY
Nov. 4
RUBEN WILSON
Nov. 6
GEORGE KOONS
Nov. 11
JOHN KOONS
Nov 12
JACOB HUSTON
Nov 13
GEORGE HETRICK
Nov. 14
RICHARD ALSBAUGH
HENRY METZGER
Nov. 18
HENRY STUMPH
Nov. 22
JOHN P. JOHNSON
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 Circlevill, (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,
HARVEY MAIN: Postmaster.
MARCUS HOLLIDAY is the present Postmaster.
 
 
 

Personal
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. CORY  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.
 

Biographical
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.  He 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.  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)  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 Clarmont 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 Clarmont 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 bacame 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.  N.
Carolina.
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
IDA  M.
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, settleing 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, Postoffice 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 household  purposes,
spending the rest for corn and hay.
After her  work 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 bacame 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 mrmbers 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.
JAMES  H. 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.  At 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.  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.
Jue 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
Deleware 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.

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