Dr. John Arnold Farm

Allen Hinchman was born in Union Township, Februarv 3, 1836. His parents were John and Margaret ( Nickell j Hinchman, the former, the son of John and Margaret (Vinson) Hinchman, whose biographies appear in this volume. The latter was the daughter of George and Margaret (Nelson) Nickell, natives of Monroe County, Va. On August 12, 1823, John was married to Margaret (Nickell), and during that fall removed to Rush County and located on a wild tract of land which he had entered on a trip to this county in 1S22, \^-hen James Hinchman came to this county. The tract of land entered by John Hinchman is owned at present by his son, Marshall Hinchman. John soon erected a rude log cabin, and spent the winter in it without doors or windows, and had 50 cents in money on his arrival here. The trials and hardships of those pioneer days can hardly now be realized by the present ^ generation. He began in the forest with a will and spent many a hard day's work in his clearing, and assisted by his indulgent wife, would burn brush until late at night. Thus, bv degrees, he climbed the ladder of prosperity, and by industry and perseverance, had at the time of his death accumulated a fortune of $75,000, leaving his family in comfortable circumstances. He was one of the largest land owners of Rush County, and at the time of his death, owned over 1,000 acres, besides valuable propertv in Connersville. He was a good financier and had the reputation of being one of the shrewdest traders in the count}-. Politically, he cast his first vote with the Whigs, but on the formation of the Republican part}', he heartily gave it his support, and was one of the foremost advocates of the abolition of slavery, in Rush County. He sent two of his sons, Ira and Morris, to defend their countrv's honor. The former received a severe wound, but both returned to enjoy the Union they fought so bravely to preserve. Mr. Hinchman was chosen bv his party, as County Commissioner, and often served Union Township as its Trustee, in which offices he performed his duties in a manner creditable to himself and constituents. He was a public spirited man, and was ever ready to assist any laudable enterprise in the countv. He gave freely to churches, schools, and probably as much as $3,000 to various railroads in the county. He assisted financially in the building of the White Water canal, besides doing his share toward the building of pikes and gravel roads, and all public improvements of merit. He was a member of the Christian Church, and passed away on June 2, 1865. Thus ended the life of one of Rush County's time honored citizens and pioneers. His loving wife, who had stood by his side through the trials and hardships for over forty years, survived him until October 3, 1S76, when she, too, was called to rest. The seventh of his children is the subject of this biographv, from whom this information was obtained. He has ahvavs lived in Union Township, and received a fair education for that day. On December 22, 1S5S, he was married to Nancy Motfitt, daughter of Andrew and Athalia (Rees) Mofhtt, residents of Fayette County. Nancy was born in Fayette Countv, April 23, 1840. This union was blessed with five children: Margaret, Minnie M., Nora, Ulysses G., George W., all living. Mr. and Mrs. Hinchman are members of the Christian Church, and in politics he is a staunch Republican. When he began life his father gave him $1,000, and by carefully managing his affairs has been eminently successful. At present he owns a fine farm in Section 21, provided with nlodern improvements. He is an upright citizen and one of the successful farmers of Union Township. Robert N. Hinchman is one of the leading farmers of Union Township. He is a native of Rush Countv, and the son of James and Nancy Hinchman, earlv pioneers, whose biographies appear in this volume. He was born February 9, 1S43, and spent his boyhood and youth on the farm, receiving a fair education in the dis- trict schools. On August lo, 1864, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah J. Kirkpatrick, a native of Union Township, and the daughter of David and Jane (Oldham) Kirkpatrick, the former a native of Kentucky, and the latter of Tennessee. The Kirkpatricks were among the first settlers of Rush County. The family circle of Mr. and Mrs. Hinchman has been blessed with six children, four of whom are living at this writing. They are : Carrie B., Van A., Eva M., and William E. They began hfe together on the farm where they now reside, which will compare favorably with the best improved farms in the county. Farming has been his principal occupation in life, although in the fall of 1873, he removed to Rushville, where he resided until 1876, when he returned to the farm. Politicalh', he has been identified with the Repubhcan party and has worked hard for its success in the county. In 1876, he was elected County Commissioner, and for eleven consecutive years he has held that responsible position. During his official term the county debt has been wiped out, and numerous bridges and other public improvements have been made. The county is now out of debt, and can be classed among the foremost in the State as to public improvements. Mr. Hinchman retires from the Board of Commissioners with the good will and praise that a faithful public servant should receive from all parties. In connection with his farm labors, he is also engaged in buying grain at Ging's Station, a village on the J., M. & I. R. R., located one-half mile northeast of his farm. Honest and upright in all his dealings, Mr. Hinchman can be classed among the substantial citizens of Rush County. His portrait appears in this volume.

Passage source: History of Rush County, Indiana, from the Earliest Time to the Present : with Biographical Sketches, Notes, Etc., Together with a Short History of the Northwest, the Indiana Territory, and the State of Indiana, published 1888.

William H. Mauzy was born in Noble Township, Rush County, Ind;, March 10, 1848. His parents were William and Caroline Mauzy, the former of Bourbon County, Ky., and the latter of Pennsylvania. The former was among the early settlers of Noble Township, and at present is a resident of Rushville. Our subject was raised on the farm, and at the age of twenty he began for himself. In June, 1871, he w'as married to Luella J. Spivey, daughter of John and Rhoda (Lang) Spivey, residents of Fayette County. They are members of the Christian Church. He is a member of Glenwood Lodge 569, I. O. O. F. He moved on the farm in 1S73, where he now resides. Politically, he is a Republican.

Passage source: History of Rush County, Indiana, from the Earliest Time to the Present : with Biographical Sketches, Notes, Etc., Together with a Short History of the Northwest, the Indiana Territory, and the State of Indiana, published 1888.

Machine-read from a century-old scan, so expect the errors a machine makes: misspelled names, dropped words, stray characters.

Read the whole chapter on Union Township - 8,957 words on its settlement, mills, schools and churches.