Elmore Township

Elmore Township

This township was named after the Elmore family, in the vicinity of whose homes the first voting precinct was established. But the Elmores were not the first settlers. The names of no settlers can be obtained who arrived in the township before those who made the first land entries in 1816. These were made on September 18, by Edward Johnson, who selected the southwest quarter of Section 17, Township 5, Bange 6, and by "William Paddock and Solomon Dixon, who together entered the southwest quarter of Section 8, same township and range, and also by Joseph Taylor, whose choice was the northwest quarter of Section 17. There were a few more entries made in the same year, but either by some of the same parties or by non-settlers. In 1818,

October 5, Isaac Elmore entered the southwest quarter of Section 4, Township 5, Range 6. Among other settlers who came in about this time were James Robison, Terry Tate, Alexander Rogers and Thomas Rogers. The Rogerses did not remain many years. Thinking they could do better elsewhere they made a flat-boat and floated down the White River, and to the southwest. John K. Long arrived here in 1824, as also did Christopher, Jonathan and Isaiah Johnson, Pascal Rucker, from Kentucky; William Moore and Jackson Haynes from Tennessee, and from the same State about the same time Stephen, Eleazar, Thomas, Reason and Isaac Elmore. In 1825 the following named parties arrived: William and Isaac Dillon, from Tennessee, and also probably Andrew Hannah. In 182(3 Silas Ketcham, with his wife and two children, Marshall and Jane, and also Jacob Smiley, all from Tennessee. Charles Nugent came, it is believed, about the same time from North Carolina. Two of his sons are still living here : Martin and Thomas. In 1830 came James Courtney, and since this time the township has settled up quite rapidly, so much so that it would be useless to attempt to make a list.

This township is the only "inland" township in the county. It was settled in an early day. Among the first, if not the first, was Elias Myers, who came from North Carolina in 1816. His land entry was made May 23, 1817, being the east half of the northwest quarter of Section 30, Township 4, Range 6. On the 23d of the next January he took up the other half of the same quarter section. Others who came about the same time were Joseph Summers, who on June 30, 1817, entered the west half of the southeast quarter of Section 7, and on the 2d of July, following, the southwest quarter of the same section. John Benefield was also there, and on the 14th of August entered the southwest quarter of Section 8. John Anderson, whom some of the present residents of Bogard Township still remember, entered the southeast quarter of Section 8, on the 28th of the same month. John Burch, on the 9th of October, entered the northeast quarter of Section 30, and Smallwood Canwood on the 4th of December, the east half of the southwest quarter of Section 19. David Kil- lion, who is said to have settled in Bogard in 1816, entered the west half of the southeast quarter of Section 30, on February 12, 1818, and in the same year the following entries were made: August 24, Daniel Ruminer, northwest quarter of Section 31; Mathew H. Blackburn, July 7, west half of the northwest quarter of Section 20, and Jacob Tourney, October 20, the northwest quarter of Section 29. In 1819, on the 22d of January, Samuel Stewart entered the west half of the southeast quarter of Section 9, and Adam Killion on the 27th of December entered the east half of the northwest quarter of Section 6. Among the very early settlers were Abraham Snyder, who located immediately east of Epsom ; Joseph Myers, who settled immediately south of Epsom, and John Ruminer, immediately west. The jjresent schoolhouse at Epsom is on what was formerly Mr. Rummer's land. This township, it is claimed, was named for W. Bogard, who was killed by the Indians, as is narrated elsewhere.

W. T. DILLON was born in Daviess County, Ind., May 27, 1847, and is one of seven children born to William and Eliza (Sallerfield) Dillon. The father was of Irish descent, born in Ohio in 1798. He was twice married, and was the father of fourteen children. He moved to Daviess County, Ind., in 1821. He owned 145 acres of land, and was among the pioneer settlers of the county. He died in 1876. The mother was of French descent, born in Kentucky in 1812, and came to Indiana with her parents when a child. She now lives with her children. Subject was educated in the district schools, and made his home with his parents until twenty-one years old. July 26, 1871, he married Angelina Arford, born in Indiana March 5, 1851, daughter of Jacob and Catherine Arford. To Mr. and Mrs. Dillon these seven children were born: Ada, William, Walter, Albert, Franklin, Arthur and Inez. After marriage Mr Dillon located on a 120-acre tract of land given him by bis fatber. He now owns 205 acres of land. In politics he is a Democrat, and cast his first vote for Seymour. He was appointed assessor of Elmore Township in 1874, and in 1876 was elected Township Trustee, and was re-elected in 1878. He was a faithful and efficient official, and gave good satisfaction to all. He and wife are members of the United Brethren Church.

SAMUEL JOHNSON was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, June 29, 1824, and is the youngest of ten children born to Robert and Dolly (Patterson) Johnson, who were born in the State of New York in 1784 and 1788, respectively. The father was a ship-carpenter during the early part of his life, but later followed agricultural pursuits. He was married in 1808 and was a soldier during the war of 1812. In 1817 he left the "Empire State" and moved to Ohio, where he purchased 100 acres of land. His death occurred in the prime of life, August 2, 1828. The mother resided on the old home place for a number of years after her husband's death, and later made her home with her eldest daughter Aletta, at Cincinnati. She died November 13, 1875. Subject resided with his mother on the farm, and acquired his education in the district schools. When seventeen years of age he commenced, as an apprentice, learning the cooper's trade, and continued that occupation for upward of fifteen years, and in connection carried on farming on a small scale. April 15, 1850, he married Eleanor Watson, daughter of Daniel and Ann (Tumbleson) Watson. Mrs. Johnson was born in Ohio August 10, 1832. To their union thirteen children were born, eight of whom are living: Alexander, Charles, Amy, Dolly (wife of Jesse Goshorn), Edward D., Elsworth L., Elmer B., Stanley B. and Eleanor G. Mr. Johnson continued working at his trade for about five years after marriage. He then gave his entire attention to farming. In 1869 he sold his farm of sixty acres and came to Daviess County, Ind., and purchased 440 acres of land in Elmore Town- ship where he located and has since lived. He has been very successful and carries out the modern ideas of agriculture. In politics he is a Eepublican and cast his first vote for Gen. Taylor. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Church.

SOLOMON KETCHUM, 8b., was born in Knox County, Tenn., February 29, 1812, and is one of fourteen children born to Joseph and Mary (Courtney) Ketchum. The father was of English-Irish descent, born in North Carolina in 1756. He went to Virginia in his youth. Here be married, and later moved to Tennessee, where he purchased property and followed the occupation of farming. In 1833 he came to Daviess County, Ind., and purchased 320 acres of land, on which he located and lived until his death, in August, 1840. The mother was a native of Virginia, and died in Daviess - County in February, 1854. Subject was educated in the old log schoolhouse of pioneer days, and in obtaining his education suffered all the inconveniences incident to those times. He resided with his parents until twentytwo years of age. March 3, 1837, he married Mary, daughter of William and Nancy Moore. Mrs. Ketchum was born September 22, 1820, and bore her husband twelve children, seven of whom are living : Joseph A. ; Mary Ann, wife of Isaac Boyd ; John R. ; Nancy, widow of John Ferguson; Jesse F., Thomas J. and Solomon S., all of whom are living at or near home. Mr. Ketchum started in life with but forty-eight acres of land, but by untiring energy and close attention to business now owns 454 acres of wellimproved land. He experienced many hardships in acquiring his property, and in early days was compelled to take his grain to Maysville to be ground - a distance of twenty-four miles - the trip taking three or four days. He hauled wheat to Vincennes, receiving 37A cents a bushel for it. In 1834 he cast his first vote in the township, there being then but forty voters in the entire township. In politics Mr. Ketchum is a Democrat, and cast his first vote for Gen. Jackson, and his last for Grover Cleveland. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church. His wife is the oldest native resident of the township. She spun and made their clothes for many years, and is yet skillful with the spinning-wheel.

Biographical Sketches

RICHARD McHASTINGS was bom in Martin County, Ind., November 15, 1845, and is one of six sons and two daughters born to the marriage of James McHastings and Eliza Webster. The father is a native of Indiana, born in 1812, a farmer by occupation. He owned 310 acres of land in Daviess County, Ind., and died in the fall of 1876. The mother was born in 1818 in Washington County, Ind., and died in 1874. Subject attended the district schools in boyhood and went two miles to receive instruction. He resided with his parents until twenty-four years of age. In November, 1870, he married Laura Vales, daughter of Lewis and Rhoda Vales. She was born in Daviess County, Ind., in 1849 and died in March, 1874, after having borne her husband three children, all of whom are deceased. In May, 1879, Mr. McHastings married Eveline (Dukes) Bryant, daughter of David and Mary Dukes. They have one child, named Susan. In the winter of 1871, subject purchased 120 acres of land on which he has since lived. He is an enterprising and energetic farmer, and has been quite successful in his business ventures. He is a Republican and cast his first vote for U. S. Grant.

MARTIN NUGENT was born in Parke County, Ind., February 11, 1831, and is a son of Charles and Mary Nugent, who were born in Shelby County, Ky., in 1800. The father was a farmer. He married in his native State, and came to Parke County, Ind., and located on an eighty-acre tract given him by his father-in-law. In 1845 he took a trip to the Southern States, and the next year died in Arkansas. After the death of her husband the mother made her home with her son Thomas. She died in 1875. Subject attended the subscription and free schools about three months during the year. He lived with his mother until fourteen years old, and when fifteen years old, hired out as a farm hand for $4 per month. The next year he bound himself out to a widow lady until he attained his majority. At the expiration of that time he remained six years longer as a renter. When twenty years old he began teaching school, which occupation he followed three winter terms, meeting with good success. March 2, 1859, he married Eliza C. Johnson, who was born in Knox County, Ind., September ti, 1833. To their union five children were born, these three living: Eugenia, Mary Elizabeth and

Thomas. In 1859 Mr. Nugent located on his 240-acre farm. He now owns 400 acres of land, about 260 of wbicb being under cultivation. As a farmer be is enterprising and successful, and as a citizen is highly esteemed by all who know him. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and cast his first vote for Fillmore. September 8, 1874, his wife died, and since that time his daughter Eugenia has kept house for him.

AMOS K. STALCUP, merchant, was born in Greene County. Ind., February 14, 1847, son of Stephen and Sarah Ann (Smock) Stalcup. The father was born in Tennessee in 1794, and was a stock speculator. His first wife, whom he married in Tennessee, died in Greene County, Ind. He then married our subject's mother, who was a native Kentuckian, born in 1812. The father died in 1867, and the mother in 1879. Subject received a common school education. When twenty years of age he began doing for himself. In July, 1866, he married Elizabeth Fate, born in 1851, daughter of William and Mahala Fate. To their union six children were born, three of whom are living: Ellen, William Henry, and Julia. After his marriage Mr. Stalcup worked at the blacksmith's trade in Marco, Ind., for two years, and then moved to Daviess County, Ind. In July, 1878, his wife died, and November, 1879, he wedded Nancy J. Crooke, born February 16, 1861, in Illinois, daughter of Jesse and Priscilla Crooke. They have one child, named Frank. In 1878 Mr. Stalcup abandoned his trade, and began selling mercantile goods on commission. Three years later he began selling goods on his own responsibility, and has continued at that work ever since. In addition to the duties of his store, he looks after his shop and speculates in grain. He has a fine stock of general merchandise, and is the leading business man of the village. In politics he is a Republican, and cast his first vote for U. S. Grant. He held the office of postmaster for twelve years. '

GEORGE WILLSON is a son of Le Roy and Rosanna (Clawson) Willson. born in Daviess County, Ind., February 14, 1835. The father was of English descent, born in Tennessee about 1803. He was a farmer, and at the time of his marriage lived in his native State. He afterward moved to Daviess County, Ind., and after a twelve years' residence in Madison Town- ship he sold out. He then resided in Knox County, Ind., until 1858, when he moved to Missouri, and after the breaking out of the war lived in Stone County, where he died in 1863. The mother was of Irish descent. She was born in Tennessee and died in Missouri. Our subject made his home with his father until he was over twenty years of age. August 25, 1856, he took for his life companion Frankie Ann Hanna, daughter of Andrew and Sallie Hanna, Mrs. Willson was born in Daviess County, Ind., in 1837. They became the parents of these two children: Adrian and James. Mrs. Willson died in March, 1862, and September, 1865, he married Susan Scamp, daughter of John and Mary Scamp. To them were born five children, four living: Eliza, Euth, Mary and Riley. This wife died in 1880, and in February, 1885, he wedded Mrs. Hester Crosby. Mr. Willson has been an industrious man. and owns 220 acres of land. In politics he is a Republican, but cast his first vote for James Buchanan.