Rush County, Indiana - Chapter 9: By John L. Sh.vuck, 1888 (part 3 of 3)

Benja^hn F. Jackson, a prominent resident of Washington Township, and at present the Township Trustee, was born within one-half mile of where he now resides, August 30, 1830. His parents were William and Mary E. (Reddin) Jackson, natives of North Carolina, and of English ancestr}-. The former was the son of WiUiam and Abigail (Gilam) Jackson who were not natives of North Carolina, but were principally reared there, and raised their family there. Both finally removed to Indiana. The former passed away in Fayette County, and the latter was called awa}- while a resident of Washington Township, Rush County, Ind. William and Mary E. Jackson, the parents of our subject, were married in North Carolina, and Joseph, John and WiUiam A., were born to them ere their departure from that State in 1S20, when they removed to Wayne County, Ind., and located on a farm four miles south of Richmond. There they resided two years, or until the fall of 1S22, when the\' removed to a wild tract of heavy timbered land, which Mr. Jackson had previously entered in Section 21, Washington Township. His family consisted of eight children: Joseph, John, William, Leander, Mary E., H. G., Benjamin F., and Sarah J., all of whom lived to maturity. Ere his death he dealt very liberally with his children, providing each with eighty acres of land, and left valuable property for his descendants at the time of his death. He and wife were life-long members of the Baptist Church. He ended his life on April 5, 1863. His companion had preceded him some years, having passed away October 2, 1S48. His portrait appears on another page of this volume. Benjamin Jackson spent his boyhood daj^s here on his father's farm, and received his education in the old log school houses of pioneer days. Being reared on the farm he adopted farming as a life occupation. On March 14, 1855, he was united in marriage with Miss Caroline M. Lewis, daughter of John G. and Eliza (Baker) Lewis, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Kentucky'. They were married in Fayette County, Ind., and it was in that county that Caroline was born October 17, 1836. This union was blessed with nine children of whom four are living; they are: Daniel F., Ida M., Emma B., and Cora E. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson are members of the Baptist Church. Politically, Mr. Jackson is a Democrat. In April, 1878, he was elected Township Trustee. In April, 1886, he was once more elected as Trustee, which position he holds at this time. He has under his supervision seven public schools, and uses great care in the selection of teachers and the maintenance of the reputation W^ashington Township has, for its successful school management. As stated, Mr. Jackson received some property from his father and therefore did not begin life empt}^ handed. He now owns 460 acres of as fine land as the township affords, divided into three farms. His home is in Section 21, and two miles east of Raleigh, surrounded by the comforts of this life.

John Jackson was born in Wilkes Count}-', N. C, in 1816. His parents were William and Mary A. (Reddin) Jackson, whose biography appears in this volume. At an early age John came with his parents to this county. In 1840, he was married to Mahala Hood, daughter of Martin and Rhoda Hood, [pioneers of Washington Township. This union was blessed with five children, vi.z: Eliza J., now the wife of William T. Lee; Savanah, now deceased; John A., nOXv a resident of Grant County; William M., now residing on the old homestead; Caroline, now the wife of Henry Bales, and resides in Raleigh, Indiana. In 1S71 his wife died, since which time Mr. Jackson has been living with his children. He began life a poor man and spent sixty 3'ears here of hard and earnest toil. He now owns a comfortable home. He is a member of the Regular Baptist Church, and a Democrat in politics.

George \V. Legg was born in Hamilton Count\-, Ohio, October 10, 1829. His parents were Samuel and Catharine (Miller) Legg, the former the son of Thomas and Rebecca Legg, the former of whom was a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Maryland. Samuel Legg was born on January 4, iSoo, and in 181 2 removed to Butler County, Ohio, and thence to Hamilton County, where he was married, and resided there until the fall of 1833, when he came to Rush County, locating in Washington Township, entering 160 acres of wild land. Here he built a cabin and moved his famil}^ consisting of a^wife and four children. The}' were: Nancy M. (deceased), Charles C. (deceased), George W. and John M., both residents of Washington Township. He set out to make a home in the forest, and by the assistance of a loving wife and family succeeded in making a comfortable home ere his death which occurred on October 5, 1855. His wife, born December 20, 1798, survived him until Ma)' 19, 18S0, when she, too, crossed the dark river. In this township they had born to them two children, Christopher C, and Rebecca A., both deceased. Our subject was but four years old when he accompanied his parents to this county, and remembers man}' incidents of the trip. He was early compelled to assist in the work upon the farm, and owing to the limited school advantages his education was confined to the subscription schools. He spent his boyhood and ^'outh on the farm assisting his parents in their home, and afterward a part of the first farm he now owns. In 1853, he was married to Martha T. Gray, daughter of John and Margaret Gray, the former a native of Kentucky, and the latter of Ohio. Mrs. Legg was born in Kentucky in 1 83 1, and at the age of two years her parents emigrated from Kentucky to Rush County, or in 1S33, and settled in Union Township on the farm now owned by John Gray. They were blessed with six children: Nancy J., Samuel M. and John F., who were twins, Amanda M., Lewis E., and Wilmer L., all of whom are deceased, and are interred in the Raleigh Cemetery. Mrs. Legg is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Politically, Mr. Legg is a staunch Democrat and firmly believes in the principles of that part}', but has always refused political honors.

nent citizens of Washington Township, was born in Pendleton County, Kv., June 13, 1824. His parents were William B. and Elizabeth (Colvin) Lightfoot, who were natives of Kentucky. The former was the son of William and Leannah (Colvin) Lightfoot, natives of Virginia. The latter was the daughter of Henry and Catharine (Williams) Colvin, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Maryland. Her father was a prominent ship builder on the Chesapeake. William B. Lightfoot, the father of our subject, rode from Rush County to Indianapolis on a horse in 1830, and entered an eighty-acre tract of wild land in Section 29, Washington Township. He returned and began cutting logs for a cabin,, when he was stricken down with the bilious fever, and died on the tenth day of January, 1831. The sorrow and grief of the widowed mother and her two orphan children, can scarcely be portrayed to the reader, for she was left almost penniless in the dead of winter, surrounded with dense forests, and few advantages were offered. She followed the remains of her faithful companion to the Fairview Cemetery, where she saw them laid to rest. She and Alfred and Lucinda returned their steps with saddened hearts, to their cabin home. Alfred was six years of age and possessed courage and a willing heart. His mother moved into an old log school house until she could have the cabin erected, that her husband had commenced. She was handy with the needle, having learned "tailoring" early in life; this was a great advantage to her now, for by sewing she managed to keep her family together and the wolf from the door. Alfred assisted her all he could, by chopping and grubbing and doing such work as he could get to do. She was very anxious to give her children an education, and was careful to send them to school every day she possibly could, in this way Alfred acquired a good common school education. He assisted his mother in developing a home, and denied himself many pleasures other boys of that day indulged in. He has been inured to hard work all his life, beginning in the forest at the age of six, he was compelled to work his way out, and at present, from his pleasant surroundings, it would be fair to assume that he did it successfull}-. For a number of years the home consisted of forty acres, and as it was surrounded with large land holders, who wished to hold on to all they had and secure more, the outlook for young Lightfoot was not very bright, under those circumstances he advised his mother to sell out here and remove farther west, but as she had made one very unfortunate move, she was averse to removing from the humble little home that had been the scene of trials and hardships at a time when a less courageous woman would have given up in despair. Thus ended all thoughts of a re- moval. Soon afterward Alfred was enabled to secure an adjoining tract of land, going in debt considerable, but always meeting his obligations when they fell due. He soon found himself out of debt, and the old homestead enlarged. Again and again as the old estates around him were divided up, he would add a tract, sometimes giving his notes for $4,000 and $5,000, but each time by hard and earnest toil he paid out, and to-day we find him in possession of one of the best improved farms in this localit}'; it consists of 323 acres, lying in Sections 20 and 21. This monument of an honest, industrious life, was begun by the elder Lightfoot in 1S30. Fiftj'-seven years has elapsed since he entered the forest and felled the first tree. What a wonderful change has taken place, what was then a wilderness has been transformed into fine comfortable homes. The old " blazed " by-roads have been replaced by splendid public highways, churches and schools dot the country, and civilization has come to stay. The privations and hardships of the pioneer can scarcely be realized b}^ the present generation. A great change has also taken place in the family relations of Mr. Lightfoot, death having visited the little home in 1855, and took awav Leona, the sister and daughter; the original happy family of four, then of three, now only consisted of mother and son. They toiled on nineteen years together, when the ever faithful mother was called home, dying on the 8th day of JNIay, 1874. Thus ended the life labors of one of Rush County's noblehearted women, who died as she had lived, ever faithful to her trust in God, and loved by all who knew her. We now find Alfred the only survivor of the little family of four. He resolved to choose a companion to share the pleasures and hardships of the rest of his days, and his selection was Miss Flora McCrady, a native of Franklin County, Ind., but principally reared in Fayette Count}' ; her parents were John and Catharine McCrady, natives of Pennsylvania. This union has been blessed with a son, Alfred, a bright youth of twelve summers, who is now attending school. As Mr. Lightfoot was reared on the farm, he adopted farming as a life occupation, in which he has been eminently successful. He has accumulated what he is now worth by industry and perseverance. He has spent about $3,000 in draining his farm, 200 acres of which are in grass. His portrait appears in this volume.

David Manlove was born in Fa^-ette County, Ind., August 24, 1827; he was the son of George and Mar}' (Caldwell) Manlove, whose biographies appear in this volume. David has spent his entire life on the farm, and is one of the progressive farmers of the count}'. He came to Rush County in 1S57, and located on the farm where he now resides, which had been partly improved. Here he has since hved, and has put upon it the fine and substantial improvements seen at present. On October lo, 1857, he was married to Mary M. Hendricks, daughter of Isaac and Margaret N. (Maple) Hendricks, whose biography appears in this volume. Mrs. Manlove was born and reared on the old Hendricks homestead, near where she now resides. Mr. and Mrs. Manlove are members of the Presbyterian Church. Politically, he is a Republican. When he began life on his own responsibility he was in limited circumstances. He owns at present about 200 acres of choice farming land in Section 17, and has assisted in plowing and planting crops every season for fifty years.

George W. Manlo\'e. - The first knowledge obtainable of the Manloves in America, is an account of William Manlove, a Quaker, who left "North-Wales," Old England, in the sixteenth century, and immigrated to America, locating in New England. He was blessed with a son, whom he named William, and during the persecution of the Quakers between 1656 and 1660, William removed to the southern part of Maryland and located near the mouth of the Pokomokc River, where he was blessed w'ith a son whom he named William, who married and moved into the town of Somerset, Md., where he reared several sons, who removed to the State of Delaware. The name of one of his sons was Mark, whose lineage will be followed as near as the records at hand will serve the purpose. Mark Manlove was married to Margaret Hunt in 1699, ^y whom he had a son, William, born April 22, 1700. At maturity, or in May, 1725, he married Elizabeth Brown, by whom he had three children : Margaret, Keziah, and William, the latter born Jul)- 25, 1730, and on April iS, 1753, he married Hannah Robertson, by whom he had three children : George, Elizabeth, and Sarah. On the loth da}- of June, 1765, the mother died. George, the oldest, married Rachel Dunning, and settled in North Carolina, where he had born to him four sons and one daughter; they were: Wilham, born Maj' 16, 1782; John, born May 25, 1784; George, born October 25, 1786; Mark, and Hannah. He ended life's journey at his son Mark's in Highland County, Ohio, November 5, 1827; George, who was his third son, departed from Guilford Count}^ N. C, September 17, 1810, en route to Indiana Territory. He accompanied a party of emigrants, who landed at their destination on October 27, 1810. On July 23, 1811, he was married to Mary Caldwell, daughter of Joseph and Miriam Caldwell, of Preble County, Ohio. Soon after this marriage, he and the Caldwells attempted a settlement on the headwaters of Lick Creek, in Fayette County, Ind. The hostilities of the Indians compelled them to return to Ohio until 18 14, when they came back to their forest homes, and continued residents of Fayette County, Ind., until long^ after the Red man had disappeared. This union was blessed with nine children: John, William, Joseph (died in infancy), Joseph C, L3-dia, Hannah, James, David, and George W. George was born July 15, 1831, in Fayette Count}-, Ind. There he was reared on the farm and received a fair common school education for that day. At the age of twent3'-one years, he began life on his own responsibility. His circumstances were limited, for his father died when George was about one year old or on October 14, 1832, leaving a large famil)', none of whom had yet arrived at their majority. On arriving at his majorit}' he engaged in farming, and b}' industry and perseverance, he was very successful. November 15, i860, he chose for his life companion, Olive Knipe, daughter of Edward and Irena (Beeson) Knipe. She was born August 12, 1S41, in Posey Township, Faj'ette County, Ind., where she was reared. This union is blessed with a daughter, Ida E., born August 7, 1864. On the 8th of April, 1861, he moved upon the farm where he now resides, which he purchased in June, 1855. All improvements have been added by Mr. Manlove, as well as some additions to his farm, which now consists of 160 acres, well improved and under a high state of cultivation. He also owns 180 acres of fine farm land in Fayette County, and also a farm in the State of Missouri. Mr. Manlove is one of the progressive farmers of Washington Township, and farming has been his life occupation. In politics, he is a staunch Republican, and cast his first vote for Gen. Winfield Scott in 1852. He is now actively engaged in managing his farms, which requires most of his time.

James H. Maple was born on the farm where he now resides June 16, 1833. His parents were John and Elizabeth (Hillis) Maple, natives of Bourborn County, Ky., where the}' were married June 26, 1823. They emigrated from Kentucky to Rush County on November 3, 1829, locating on the northwest quarter of Section 9, Washington Township, which he entered, and here he began to make a home. His first habitation was a rude domicile made by putting four forks in the ground, and over which were placed blankets for protecting the inmates from the cold and inclement weather. He soon removed to a cabin hastily built through the assistance of a few of his neighbor pioneers. They were Peter Vorhees, Elijah Hodges, Thomas Oliver and Ely Oliver.: Here the father and mother resided until their respective deaths; that of the latter February 9, 1871, and the former passed away May 14, 1872. They were members of the Presbyterian Church, and were blessed with two sons and four daughters, of whom five are living at present. They are: Amanda T., now the wife of Cyrus M.

Coffin; George L., Margaret R., now the wife of John W. Vickery; James H., and Mar}' A., now the widow of Bemjamin F. Freeman (deceased). James H. Maple resides on the old Maple homestead. Here he has spent his entire life, and witnessed the great change this country has undergone in the past fifty j-ears. Farming has been his life occupation, and he can be classed among the successful farmers of Rush County. On November 29, i860, he was married to Mary F. Houston, daughter of William L. and Frances (Lybrook) Houston, the former a native of Mason County, Ky., and the latter of Preble County, Ohio. The}' were married in Preble County, Ohio, October 7, 1834, '^^d the same year moved to Lewisville, Ind. Mrs. Maple was born and reared in Lewisville, Ind. This union was blessed with four children: iVttie R., Orvel H., George M. and William x\., all of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Maple are church members. Politically, he is a Republican. He owns a fine improved farm, and has a comfortable home.

WiLLi.AM M.\ZE was born in Union Township, October 7^ 1831. His parents were Thomas and Margaret (Carson j Maze, the former a native of Bourbon County, Ky., born November 3, 180S, the latter a native of iVdams County, Ohio, born December 4, 1811. Thev were married in Washington Township, this county; the former died in Marion County, Ind., February 5, 1864, the latter still survives him, in her seventv-sixth year. Our subject spent his boyhood davs on the farm, and in 1850, began learning the blacksmith's trade. After working at various places for some time he went to Ging's Corners and began business for himself. On October 20, 1S53, he was married to Amelia Hall, daughter of Daniel and Amelia (Yelton) Hall, the former a native of Virginia, who removed to Kentucky when about nine years of age, and came to Union 'I'ownship, Rush County, about 1825, where he died July 31, 1879. The latter was a native of Bourbon County, Kv., and died in this county, January 8, 1S71. Mr. and Mrs. Maze were blessed with eight children, of whom three are living at present; they are: Sarah A., Alice A., Alma A. The wife and mother was called away November 26, 1885. She was a member of the Christian Church for over thirty years. In 1865 he purchased the farm he now owns. It consists of 125 acres, of which seventy acres are under a high state of cultivation. Besides giving his attention to farming he has dealt considerably in fine stock. He owns at present two horses, one. Prince Von Bismarck, a fine Clydesdale five years old, sired by old Prince Von Bismarck, an imported horse from Scotland. The other is Black Frank, a Percheran Norman, sired by old Black Cicero, a Norman horse im- ported. In addition to these he owns several other valuable horses and some thorougbred cattle and hogs. He is one of the progressive farmers and stock-raisers of the county, and has expended considerable monej^ in advancing its breeding interests. He is a genial, sociable man, a member of the Christian Church and of the Masonic order.

Richard S. Miles was born in Steuben County, N. Y., January 31, 1830. His parents were Lorenzo and Phebe (Wass ) JNIiles, the former a native of Massachusetts, and the latter of New Jersey. They removed to Fayette County, Ind., in 1S37, and thence to Grant County, Ind., in the spring of 1840, where they ended their lives. There Richard grew to manhood, and adopted farming as a life A'ocation. In 1S47, he made Rush County his home, and located in Washington Township. In 1858, he was married to Phebe Parish, daughter of Jacob and Maria Parish, and a native of Rush County. This union was blessed with two sons: Willard P., and Adelbert. Mrs. Miles was called away in 1866, and in August,

1869, Mr. Miles was again married, this time to Jennie Spencer, the daughter of Ralzel and Mary A. Spencer, old and respected residents of Favette Countv, where Mrs. Miles was born and reared. Bv this union there were born five children: Phebe, Ola, Charles, Elzie and Richard, all of whom are li^'ing. Mr. Miles began life a poor man, and by hard and industrious toil has accumulated considerable propert}'. He located on the farm where he now resides, in

1870, and has added by the way of improvement, one of the finest residences in the township. Besides being activel}- engaged in farming, he has given some attention to the breeding of Norman draft horses. He owns an interest in the noted draft stallions, Favory and Coco, and has some verv fine Norman two year olds and colts; he firmh' believes in the development of one grade of horses, and is one of a few men who have expended together several thousand dollars in imported horses. Politically, he is a Democrat, and is a member of the Board of Agriculture, of Rush County.

David D. Rea was born in Fayette County, Ind., May 6, 1S30. His parents were David and Anna (Larue) Rea, natives of Rockbridge County, Va., and they came to Fayette County, Ind., in 181S, where they developed a home and ended their da3's. Our subject was reared on the farm and farming has been his occupation all through life. In his 3'outh he received a fair education. At the age of twenty-two or on August 24, 1852, he was married to Susan McCrary, daughter of Samuel and Elsie (Parish) McCrary, the former was a native of Ireland, and came to x\merica at the age of nine, the latter was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. They were among the pioneers of Rush Count}-, the former is deceased but the latter is still enjoying good health at the age of seventy-seven. Mr. and Mrs. Rea have been blessed with five children: Samuel, .Daniel, Elsie A., Mary J. and Albert, of whom Mary Jane is deceased. Mrs. Rea is a member of the Christian Church. Politically, he is a Democrat. In 1S70, they moved upon the farm where he now resides. He has added by way of improvements a fine residence, which was completed in 1886. He has been successful as a farmer, and owns 200 acres of fine land.

A. B.ViCKERY w-asbornon the farm where he now resides February 16, 1S39. parents were Salathiel and Sarah (Long) Vickery,the former a native of Guilford Countv, N. C.,born in 181 2, and son of Jehu and Lydia (Levenwood) Vickery, natives of North Carolina. In 1816, they removed to Chilton County, Ohio, and removed to Fayette County, Ind., in 1820; this was then a wilderness. In 1826, they came to Section 4, Washington Township, when it was all woods, and purchased eight}- acres of a man by the name of Griffin, who had entered it. Here Jehu and Lydia ended their davs, the former in his ninety-fifth year, and the latter in her seventy-third j-ear. Salathiel, the father of our subject, died in 1868, in his fiftysixth j'ear. The mother of A. B. Vickery is still living, and is in her seventieth year. Our subject has spent his entire fife here on a farm; in his earh' da3'S his education was received in the common schools. He is now residing, in company with his mother, on the old homestead, and is surrounded with the comforts of this life. In politics he is a Democrat, and believes in the principles of his partjr. He is one of the substantial farmers of Washington Township.

John A. Wanee, a prominent farmer and lumber dealer of Washington Township, is a native of Butler County, Ohio, his birth occurring October 16, 1836. Warren and Margaret (Ogle) Wanee, natives of Pennsylvania, were his parents. Our subject received a good education in his youth, and in 1862, he located in Connersville, Indiana, in the manufacturing business, establishing the " White Water Valley Coflin Co.,"' being the first man to introduce woodworking machinery in that citv, and for fifteen vears was one of its most successful manufacturers, known far beyond the boundaries of the State as an honest, reliable business man. Having disposed of his manufacturing interest in Connersville he resolved to seek a rural home, and accordingly, in 1877, he purchased the fine improved farm we find him located upon at present in Washington Township. Soon after his arrival here he erected a large saw mill, and in connection with the management of the farm has given considerable attention to the manufacturing of hardwood lumber. In 1857, he was united in marriage with Miss Ree C.

McDonald, a native of Butler County, Ohio. This union has been blessed^ with seven children, four sons and three daughters, as follows: Charles H., Lucy E., Stanley C, Katie L., Robert L., John L. and Maude C, of whom John L. and Maude C. are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Wanee are united with the Christian Church. In politics, he adheres to the principles of the Republican part}'. He is a self-made man, commencing life on his own responsibility as a laborer, but by industry and perseverance has been very successful financialh'.

Samuel Werking was bprn in Lancaster County, Penn., January 2, 1818. His parents were John and Catharine (Moyer) Werking. Samuel was about nine j-ears old when his parents removed to Frederick County, Md. There he remained until his nineteenth j^ear, when he came with his parents to Wayne County, Ind. About 1840 he removed to Fayette County, and on September 9, 1847, he was married to Malinda Irven, daughter of Elam and Sarah (Munger) Irven. This union was blessed with five children: Frances IL, Eva S., Otto E., Ortes M. and Ida, all living. Mrs. Werking was called awa}- January 12, 1887. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1S51, Mr. Werking came to Rush County, and located on the farm where he is at present located ; but the first four j'ears of his married life he ran a blacksmith shop in Bentonville, Ind. Since he came here he has done nothing but farm, and is one of the successful farmers of the county. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politicall}^ he was a Republican, until about seven years ago, when he began to advocate the doctrines of the Greenback party, also the Prohibition principles. When he began life on his own responsibility he had but one suit of clothes, and was in debt $30 for a set of blacksmith's tools. By close application he has made a comfortable home.