Greensboro Township

Greensboro Township

Greensboro Township was named afcer a Horth Carolina town from which many of the old settlers of this locality came. The township was founded Sept. 7, 1831, and then included all that part of the territory of Henry Township west of the range line dividing townships 9 and 10." Thus it was seven miles from east to west and six from north to south. In 1838 the northern part of Greensboro was given to Harrison, and an addition of four square miles made to Greensboro from Wayne and Franklin townships.

This township is well watered and fertile. The principal streams are Blue River, Montgomery's Creek and Six-Mile Creek. A considerable portion of the surface is rolling. Gravel is abundant and the soil good. Farms and improvements show that the people are industrious and thrifty. The population of the township in 1880 was 1,44:5, of which number 223 were in the town of Greensboro.

The following named persons made entries of lands now included within this township in the year 1821: Samuel Hill, Thomas McCoy, J^yj_ Cook. Lewis Hosier, John Harvey, Sr., John Harvey, Samuel Pickering, Jacob Elliott.

Settlement commenced in 1821 and. for many years progressed but slowly. Jacob Wood, Samuel Pickering and others came in the summer of 1821. Jacob Elliott came out and built a cabin in the fall of 1821, and went back for his family with which he returned in 1822. Jonas Pickering came from Ohio and cut a road from Hew Castle to the river, near Greensboro. Other early set-

There are now about 400 voters in tiie township, of whom fortyfive are Democrats and about fifty-five Greenbackers, and the remainder Republicans.

The first settler in the vicinity of this place was Jacob Wood. The first who built a house in the town was Thomas Regan. He also had the first saw-mill and the first dry-goods store.

Christopher Bundy, one of the first settlers, was keeping hotel in Greensboro in 1823. His improvement was then about the only one in the place.

The town of Greensboro was platted by Jehu Wickersham, in February, 1830. It is situated on the east bank of Duck Creek, about seven miles north of Knightstown, in the midst of a very fertile farming country.

In the days of anti-slavery agitation the town was a noted place, being the home of many determined Abolitionists. In old Liberty Hall, many noted men from far and near made enthusiastic speeches in favor of relieving the condition of the black man.

The business interests of Greensboro in 1884 were as follows: L. D. Bundy and Wright & Carnplin, general merchants; A. J. Kern, hardware dealer ; Moffitt & Saflfell, and L. R. Allison, drugs and groceries; Samuel Gipe, wagon shop; Albert Wilson, carriage shop; Alfred Weeks, harness shop; Wm. Hewton, shoe shop; William Dillon, Gary & Feezer, Alfred Templeton, blacksmiths; D. C. Wilson and Reuben Koontz, pump shops; Macy & Cook, undertakers.

about 375 school children. The value of school property is about $5,550. The average pay of teachers is $40 per month. The schools of the town of Greensboro employ four teachers and have about 175 pupils.

Odd JBellows. - Greensboro Lodge, No. 247, was organized Dec. 11, 1865, with the following charter members: A. H. Shank, (N. G.), Chas. Jessup, W. H. Macy, S. H. Byers, and Jess B. Jessup. The lodge is now in good condition, having fifteen members and $800 in the treasury. The present officers are: W. H. Brown, N. G. ; A. M. Meredith, Y. G. ; W. H. Yaucannon, Sec.; Seth Hinshaw, Treasurer. Trustees - Seth Hinshaw, Wm. Saint and W. H. Yaucannon.

This is an old but small village, situated in the northern pa t of Greensboro Township, adjoining Harrison Township. It was founded in 1836 by James Atkinson. Wm. O'Neal kept the first grocery store and Alphonso Freeman the first dry -goods store. The first physician was Dr. Moss.

a small village on the I., B. & W. Railroad, in the northern part of Greensboro Township, was laid out in September, 1882, by C. C. Hinshaw, e]Ahn Jayne and Wm. McDixon. A store was then erected by 0. C. Hinshaw, who still carries on business here. The place now has about 100 inhabitants, two stores, a blacksmith shop, a harness shop, a stone mason and two physicians.

Bice Price, Joseph Ratliflf, Eli Stafford, Samuel Pickering, Thomas Kirk, the Henshapos and Jacob Wood. A log building was used as a meeting-house at first. In 1828 the meeting was divided and two distinct organizations formed, both of which retained and still retain the same name. The '' Hicksites " erected a church of their own. Among their first members were: Levi Cook, Hugh Mills, John Copeland, Absalom Hiatt, John Hiatt, James Hiatt, Jacob Wood and James Pickering, all dead. They now have thirty members. Nathan Smith, Minister.

The " Orthodox " Friends erected a frame meeting-house, which they still occupy, in 1832. The number of members is now 130. Mary Saint has been the minister for several years. Joel Wright has been at the head of the meeting for some time.

Methodist Episcopal. - The Methodist Episcopal church of Greensboro was organized about 1842. A frame building was soon after erected on the site of the present church. In 1871 the old church was torn away and in its place the present one was erected at a cost of $1,500. There are now about forty members. Rev. Milton Mahin, Pastor. The Trustees are: Thomas Howren, Richard Dymond and William Vaucannon.

Biographical

Jacob S. Elliott was born on the farm where he now lives. May 14, 1825, a son of Jacob and Ann^lliott. His father was born in Virginia, Dec. 16, 1781, and when a bo}^ went to North Carolina, where he was married, and in 1811 came to Indiana and lived in Wayne County ten years. He then moved to Henry County and settled in what is now Greensboro Township, where he died Nov. 13, 1855. He was a soldier of the war of 1812. Jacob S. spent his boyhood and youth with his father, working on the farm in summer and attending school in the winter till he was nineteen years of age. Since then he has given his attention to farming and stock-raising. He now owns 360 acres of land a mile southeast of Greensboro. June 10, 1851, he was married to Phoebe, daughter of Mathew and Rhoda McKinnie, natives of Ohio. They have had seven children - Addie, Charles II., John F., Nathan II., Annie M., Rhoda E. (deceased), Phoebe A. and Elva L. Politically Mr. Elliott is a Republican.

njamin and Annis^linshaw, was born in 1826 in Randolph County, N. C., and emigrated to Indiana with his father's family in 1832, and settled in Henry County.

He was married in 1850 to Emeline, daughter oF Enoch Isgrigg,/-^^ whose father emigrated to this State from Ohio, and her mother from Kentucky. They have had four children born to them -

Charles M. (deceased), Luther, Edmund and Warren. Politically Mr. Hinshaw was first a Whig but has affiliated with the Republi-'^l^''^®^^ can party since its organization. His wife is a member of the VjO Society of Orthodox Friends. Mr. Hinshaw is of Irish descent, his grandfether having been born in Ir^nd. He emigrated to ISTa n t iick'erTshrrrdt-from thence to North Carolina.

1818, a son of Benjamin and Anffi^Ht^^ natives of North Carolina, of Irish descent. In 1832 his parents moved to Wayne County, Ind.,but a year later moved to Henry County and settled a mile west of Greensboro, where he cleared and improved a farm.

In later life they sold the farm and moved to Greensboro, where the mother died, aged seventy-five years, and the father, a few months later, aged eighty-four years. Seth Hinshaw spent the earlier part of his life in teaming. His educational advantages were limited, and the knowledge he acquired was by personal application in his leisure hours. After his marriage he settled on a farm and devoted his time to that vocation for many years, and now owns 160 acres of fine land, well improved, with good buildings. He is living rather retired, overseeing his farm, but letting the manual labor be done by younger hands. In 1836 and 1837 Mr. Hinshaw made two trips down the Mississinewa River, from Winchester to Lafayette, being one of five who volunteered to take the boats over the falls, the water in the river being very ^ high and dangerous. March was married to Sarah, daughter of Stephen and Hannafe^^^e^^ They have four children - A^. ; T. A., wife of R. P. Walton; Mattie; W. H., a mastermechanic, now of Pullman, 111.

Henry Co., Ind., a son of Nathan and Alice l^osier, natives of North Carolina, and grandson of Willi^jm Hosi^, a pioneer settler of the county. His father died in 1852\aged forty-two years, and his mother in 1877, aged seventy years. She was a member of the Society of Orthodox Friends. Mr. Hosier has always followed agricultural pursuits and now owns a fine farm of 800 acres all well improved. Oct. 20, 1859, he was married to Mary M., daughter of Hugh L. and Hebecca A. Kisk. They have had four children; but three are living - Cora, Clinton H. and Carl. H. Ella died, aged one year. Mr. and Mrs. Hosier are members of the Society of Orthodox Friends. Politically Mr. Hosier is a Republican. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Blue Lodge, chapter, council and commandery.

J. W. Kirh is a son of Thomas and Sarah Kirk, natives of Pennsylvania. His great-grandfather, Timothy Kirk, came to America in 1682 with William Penn. He had four sons - Thomas, > Timothy, Caleb and Ezekiel. Thomas was the father of three sons - John, Jason and Thomas. The latter moved from Clinton County, Ohio, to Henry County, Ind., in the spring of 1831, and bought land in Henry Township, where he lived till his death, March 29, 1867, aged eighty-six years. His wife died in 1837, ageo forty-four years. J. W. Kirk was born in Henry Township, Henry Co., Ind., Kov. 9, 1831. He has devoted his exclusive attention to farming and now owns a good home of 165 acres in Greensboro Township. In July, 1862, he was married to Sarah M., daughter of Joel Wright, They have had two children; but one is living - Cora M., a graduate of Spiceland Academy, in the class of 1884. Eva died at the age of two years. Mr. Kirk has taken an interest in the cause of education and served as a member of the School Board many years. He is a birthright member of the Society of Orthodox Friends. Politically he has been a Whig and Republican. His infiuence now is on the side of temperance.

H. L. Risk was born in Augusta County, Ya., Oct. 28, 1815, a son of John and Margaret (Daugherty) Risk, of Irish and Welsh descent. His grandfather, John Risk, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. His early life was passed on a farm, and he had but limited educational advantages, but being a close observer and ambitious he applied himself to private study and acquired a knowledge of all practical subjects. He was married Aug. 27, 1835, to Rebecca A. Weaver, a native of Virginia, born Oct. 1, 1819, a daughter of Jacob and Hannah ^^eaver, natives of Pennsylvania, of Dutch descent, who moved to Virginia in 1808, and from there to Henry County, Ind., in 1837, locating near Knights' town, where the father died Feb. 28, 1857, and tlie mother July 9, 1874. In 1839 Mr. Risk, with his father's family, moved to Henry County, Ind., and located a mile south of Knightstown, where his father died the following October, and his mother. May 31, 1855. Mr. Risk ^was an industrious, energetic man andfacquired a fine property, owning at his death 1,500 acres of land with a good residence and comfortable farm buildings. In his political views he was a Republican, and was one of the most enthusiastic to advocate the formation of the old Abolition party, although at that time the unpopular party. He and his wife were members of the Society of Orthodox Friends, and were always earnest workers in the church. Mr. Risk died Dec. 27, 1876. His family consisted. of five children, but two of whoniyUre living - William L., and Mary M., wife of Clark Hosiei^'^^jSvn W., Josephine H., and Amanda J. are deceased. Villiam L. Risk was born March 23, 1857, and was married Aug. 8, 1879, to Emma S., daughter of S. P. and Margaret K. Wood. They have two children - Hettie and Blanche. Mr. Risk lives on a part of the old homestead, and is the owner of one of the finest farms in the county.

William Saint was born in Wayne County, Ind., Hov. 29, 1828. Plis parents, William and Achsah^aint, were natives of Horth Carolina, and were married in their native State in 1807, and in 1816 moved to Indiana and settled near the present site of Germantown. In 1836 they moved o Henr C ( i ut} snc ^eitld on the farm now owned by our subject, where the mother died Hov. 29, 1839, aged fifty-three years, and the father, Jan. 24, 1871, aged ninety years. Daniel Saint, great-grandfather of our sub^ ject, was a native of France and moved to Wales. His son, Hercules Saint, came from there to the United States, and settled near^ Philadelphia. William Saint, our subject, was reared on his father's farm, receiving his education in the district schools, attending in the winter when the weather would not admit of his working. Since twenty years of age he has devoted his time to agriculture, and now owns a fine farm. He was married in 1849 to Mary A., daughter of John and Mary Elliott, of Wayne County. She died Aug. 16, 1851, leaving one child - Hettie S., wife of M. J. Kennard, of Omaha, Neb. In 1853 Mr. Saint married Mary A., daughter of James and Henry JcJinson, of Spiceland'. They have had three children; but one is living - Manta S., wife of W. S. Mofiitt. Mira and Alice are deceased. Politically Mr. Saint is

Republican. He was a delegate to the National Free-Soil Convention in 1852, held at Pittsburg, and cast his vote for John P. Hale. Mr. and Mrs. Saint are members of the Society of Orthodox Friends.

i?. A. Smithy M. D.^ son of Isaac M. and Catherine Smith, natives of Ohio, and of English descent, was born in Hancock County, Ind., April 13, 1843. His early life was spent on the farm with his father. He received only a limited education, his parents failing to recognize the importance of the same. In 1861, at the beginning of the Rebellion, he enlisted in Company A, Fiftyseventh Indiana Infantry, under Captain Robert Allison. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Resaca, Kennesaw and all the battles in which the Army of the Cumberland was engaged. The last battle in which he participated was at Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 15 and 16, 1864. He was mustered out of the service in March, 1865, and returned home. In the fall of 1866 he began the study of medicine under H. S. Cunningham, M. D., of Indianapolis, remaining with him two years, at which time he entered the Physio-Medical Institute of Cincinnati, Ohio, graduating in the spring of 1870. He located in Grant City, Ind., and seven years later moved to Greensboro, Ind., at which place he has built up a large practice. He is a member of the First District, State and National Physio-Medical Associations. He was married April 9, 1868, to Mary J., daughter of Thomas J. and Jane Evans, of Welsh descent. They have three children - Katie E., George H. and Nettie E. Mrs. Smith is also a physician of many years practice, having been educated in Dr. TrauPs School of New York. Politically Dr. Smith is a Republican. He is a member of the Society of Friends.

J . M. Vance was born Oct. 13, 1823, in North Carolina, a son of Samuel L. and Sarah^ance, also natives of North Carolina. His parents moved to Wayne County, Ind., in 1830, and a few years later to Hamilton County, where they passed the remainder of their lives. His early life was spent on the farm, attending the district school three months during the winter, till he was seventeen years of age. He lias always devoted his time to agriculture and stock-raising, and now owns a fine farm of 100 acres, all well improved. He wa^jnarried Oct. 15, 1848, to Millie, daughter of Benjamin and Annisj^fm^s^ia^ They have had a family of eight children; but six are living - Martha E., Benjamin F., Charles E.,

Joel Wright was born in Tennessee, Oct. 30, 1817, a son of Jesse and Annie Wright, natives of the Oarolinas, who moved to Knoxville when young, and in 1835 came to Henry County, where the father died in 1847. He received a fair education, and lived on the farm till 1850, when he went into the drug business. He was the first to establish the business in the township, and is now the oldest man in the business in the county. He was married in 1839 to Annie Elliott, who died two years later leaving one child. In 1847 he married Eliza, daughter of Syj^nus and Phoda Swain. They have had seven children; six are living. Politically Mr. Wright is a Republican. He is a member of the Society of Friends by birthright, and headed the congregation several years.

Source changes here: from Hazzard's History of Henry County, Indiana, 1822-1906, by Hazzard, George, published 1906; 291 words in this source stream.

Name Of Postmaster. Date Of Appointment

This office was located in the northwest corner of Wayne township, at the old town of Elizabeth City, six miles from Knightstown. After the establishment of the towns of Kennard and Wilkinson on the railroad, the business of the place gradually fell off, and upon the establishment of the Rural Free Delivery System, the postoffice was finally discontinued.

There are four rural routes running from this office, viz: R. R. No. i, Isaac Myer, carrier; No. 2, James L. Nation, carrier; No. 3, Dolph Franklin, carrier; No. 4, Jonathan Brattain, carrier.

Name Of Postmaster. Date Of Appointmext

There are ten rural routes running from this office, viz: R. R. No. i, James M. Boyd, carrier; No. 2, Joseph A. Kerr, carrier; No. 3, Hugh L. Mullen, carrier ; No. 4, Albert W. Saint, carrier ; No. 5, Loring A. Williams, carrier ; No. 6, Israel H. Grunden, carrier; No. 7, Alfred Lantz, carrier; No. 8, Leander S. Denius, carrier; No. 9, James A. Martindale, carrier; No. 10. Thaddeus Coffin, carrier.

This office was located in Blue River Township, as a country neighborhood postoffice, two miles north of Messick, at a place commonly known as Goose Creek. After the construction of the railroad through the county, northeast from New Castle, and the establishment of the station of Messick and the town of Mooreland, the office was discontinued.

This office was located in the western part of Stony Creek Township, at the old town of Rogersville, three and a half miles southwest of Blountsville. After the establishment of the Rural Free Delivery Svstem, the office was discontinued.

This office was located in \\'ayne Township, at the old town of Grant City, five miles north of Knightstown. Upon the establishment of the Rtiral Free Delivery System the office was discontinued.