Jefferson Township

Jefferson Township

ONE of the earliest settlements in Morgan County was in the smalh fertile and famous valley in the southern part of Jefferson Township, known by the above name. Here it was that, according to some, the first permanent settlement in the county was made. It should be known that the counties down the river (Owen, Monroe, Greene, etc.) were settled from six to ten years before the county of Morgan. Before the latter had any permanent white settlers, its territory had been frequently invaded by prospectors who knew that ere many years, the Government would secure the soil and open it to settlement, and by adventurous hunters and trappers who penetrated its natural fastnesses in quest of game and a livelihood. The country along the river, especially, was bus often inspected, but of course no permanent settlement could be made, or at least was made, until after the Indian treaty of St. Mary's, Ohio, at which time the fine tract of country called the New Purchase, of which the county of Morgan formed a part, was ceeded to the United States. Settlers in the lower and older counties had waited patiently for this event, and the ratification of the treaty was no sooner announced than the adventurous home seekers penetrated the New Purchase for permanent settlement. The survey of the land was ordered, undertaken and completed during the years 1819 and 1820, and on the 4th of September the first sale took place at Terre Haute.

Early in the spring of 1819, the exact date not being known, but probably in the month of March or April, three men in one of the lower counties (Jeremiah Lamb, Joseph Munden and Humphrey Harris), loaded with provisions and implements, and armed with rifles and knives, journeyed up White River until the valley above mentioned was reached, when, after examining the country there thoroughly, they concluded to make a permanent location, and began immediately to erect a rude log cabin in which to live' while they were clearing a few acres for a crop, and until better houses could be reared for the families that were to be brought out in the fall. The temporary cabin was hastily built, and the three men went resolutely to work to (Slear a few acres for a crop of corn and vegetables. They concluded to farm the first year in common, and after clearing about five acres, they planted the same with corn and garden "truck," and two of them went back whence they came and the third remained to carcfor the crop. The others returned and assisted. The three men "bached" during the summer, often joining their families for provisions and to care for property there. One or more of them was always present at the new home. During the summer, three substantial log cabins were built for the three families, and three small tracts were cleared and larger tracts deadened. In the fall, the families were brought out and domiciled in the cabins. For two or three years, this settlement became well known, and was universally known as "Lamb's Bottom," called thus for Mr. Lamb, the most prominent of the three settlers. The cabins of these men became great resorts for all the hunters, who came up the river during the years 1819 and 1820, and for numerous home seekers. Game was very abundant then, and the cabins were always supplied with wild turkeys, venison steak and quite probably sometimes with bear steak.

In January, 1820 (or perhaps the following January, 1821), the family of Mr. Munden had been so closely housed for some time by excessive cold we3,ther that the supply of meat ran short, and one morning when the cold seemed somewhat modified and the approaching day seemed auspicious, Mr. Munden took his rifle aud went out in quest of game. After three or four hours had elapsed, it suddenly clouded up, and the snow began to fall heavily, and in a comparatively short time lay upon the ground twelve or fifteen inches deep. The snow then ceased to fall, the wind veered round to the northwest and it became intensely cold. To increase the horror of being out, the light snow was raised in clouds by the wind, and scarcely a foot could be seen in advance. The day wore away, but Mr. Munden did not return. His family became uneasy, but hoped for his appearance before night. Inky darkness settled over the earth, the storm continued with unabated fury, and still the hunter did not return. The night slowly passed, and at daybreak, as Mr. Munden did not appear, his family, with direful forebodings, hurried to the cabins of the neighbors and told them of the ominous condition of aiFairs. It was instantly resolved to go in search of the missing man. The cold was yet bitter, but the wind had died, and the snow lay in huge drifts. Five or six men, including several who had lately come to the neighborhood, accordingly started out in groups of two. After many hours of tiresome walking, two of the men came upon human tracks nearly filled with snow. These were five or six miles from home, and were followed as rapidly as possible. They led in a rambling way toward the settlement, and finally struck the old Indian trace. Here it was found that the man had lain down in the snow to rest. The half concealed tracks were followed, and soon another resting place was found. This was repeated six or seven times, the resting places coming nearer and nearer together, until at last the dead body of Mr. Munden wa8 found, frozen stiff, and half covered with snow. He was in a half-sitting posture with his gun in his hands, and when overtaken by death was no doubt attempting to raise himself to his feet with the assistance of his rifle, in another effort for his life. Intense was the sorrow of his family when the news became known. The corpse was taken home and buried. The family remained in the settlement a year or more and then left, and their subsequent movements are unknown. How long Mr. Lamb and Mr. Harris remained in the settlement cannot be learned, but it was not to exceed about three years. What became of them could not be learned. Their farms, which they did not own, were purchased by others, and the names of all except that of Mr. Lamb are well-nigh forgotten.

Continued Settlement

Among those who bought land early in the township were James K. Hamilton, John Burnett, Samuel Newell, Hiram Stroud, John Kennedy, Abraham Stroud. Jacob Cutler, John Conner, Fred Fry, Abraham Fry, William McDaniel, Samuel Ashton, Andrew Waymore, Thomas Clark. These men made their purchases prior to 1825, and all located their land in Lamb's Bottom. Later entries were made by Alexander McKinney, Frederick Buckhart, and still later by Solomon Watson, J. W. Powers, George Shultz, P. Duckworth, John Hynds, Levi Walters, William Stiles, William Riddle, Isaac Fletcher, Amos and Aaron Stout, William Bragg, George Malf, Andrew Scott, Craven P. Hester, Solomon Teag, James Newton, Emanuel Isenhower, George Elliott, John Burnett, Hiram McKinney, William Goodwin, John B. Gibson, Jacob Stierwalt, Christopher Shultz, J. M. Worthington, Samuel Fletcher, Henry French, John Taggart, Joseph Whitson, James Warren, Robert Burge, Nathan Dow, Joel Beam, John Fowler, John Smith, Thomas Lockhart, Reuben Robertson, Joseph Elder, Martha Townsend, Lawrence Fonts, Ingraham Collins, H. S. Cunningham, William Crone, W. H. Allison, Robert Miller, John Plasters, John O'Neil, John A. Worthen, David Lee, William Shearer, William Watson, Thomas Dixon, Gideon Lewis, Charles B. Butler, John Hudson, Fred Bronjon, David Snodgrass, T. Shipley, Allen Smith, Silas Bartholomew, Joseph Snodgrass, Gideon Farris, Henry Richardson, Gideon Reynold, J. W. Cox, Philip Engle, George Winters, John Nutter, R. D. Worthington, Jonathan Powers and Hiram Collins.

Poll Tax Paters Of 1842 Religious Organizations

The first church organized in the township was the Mt. Gilead Baptist society, founded soon after 1840. The leading members in early years were Luke C. Kennedy, Harvey Sheppard, A. J. Duncan, Alexander Knox, W. C. Townsend and others. After a few years a church was built. The class is yet in existence. Late in the forties, the Christian Church in Lamb's Bottom was organized, the leading members being Thomas Wilson, James Farr, Alexander Wilson, Hezekiah Guy and Ephraim Hodges. The Mt. Olive Methodist class was organized later, as was also the Presbyterian. The meeting house at Crone's has been well attended at times. The township is well supplied with facilities for worship.

The Schools

The first schools were taught in Lamb's Bottom. Several had been started there before any other portion of the township was thus represented. A log cabin about a mile and a half southwest of Hyndsdale was transformed into a temple of learning about the year 1834, and a session was taught therein by some man whose name is no longer remembered. Another school was started southwest of that point, near the township line, about the same time. It has been stated that school was taught in the twenties in the vicinity of Hyndsdale, but if so the facts could not be ascertained. During the forties, several schools were established in the central and northern parts of the township. In almost every case, log cabins, with huge fire-places, stick and clay chimneys, rude clapboard seats and desks, were the first schoolhouses. The books were extremely limited, and early teachers were obliged to resort to slates and blackboards of the rudest description in order that the scholars might have the required advantages. Sometimes one book served a whole class, being passed along as it was needed. In 1850, there were six established schools. Now there are eight.

This little village was founded soon after the railroad was put in running order. It has usually had a store of general merchandise, a post office and a blacksmith shop. Considerable timber is shipped during the season. The Stouts have been in business there. The village is convenient for the neighborhood.

DONALD BAIN, Sr., is a native of Scotland, was born March 17, 1809, and is descended from James and Margaret (Murray) Bain, both natives of Scotland. The grandfather of our subject, John Bain, was a native Scotchman, "who married a Miss Christina Tait, with an issue of four children - William, Robert, Ellen and James. James Bain was born in 1781, and w«s married in Scotland to Margaret Murray, who died in 1814; he subsequently married a second time, and died in Maryland August, 1841. He was father of ten children - Catherine, John, Donald, Christina, William, Robert, Margaret, Ozena, George and James. Donald Bain, March 17, 1839, in Scotland, married Jeannette Davidson, and in the same year emigrated to America and located in the State of Maryland. In 1843, he moved to this county and State, and here has made a home. Mrs. Bain died October 13, 1863, having borne seven children - James (deceased), John, Esther, Christina, Catherine, Donald and William. Mr. Bain is a highly regarded citizen.

W. G. BAIN was born in this county August 23, 1846, and is a son of John and Bridget (Gallagher) Bain. John Bain was born in County Caithness, Scotland, October 13, 1806; emigrated to America, landing at Halifax, in 1827; came to the United States in 1828, and was for several years contractor for stone work on the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal. In 1841, at Hancock, Md., he married, and in 1843 moved to this State; located near Martinsville, and there continued to remain until his death, September 24, 1872. After he came West, he abandoned his trade of stone-cutter and adopted farming, being the owner at his death of several hundred acres. After the death of his wife in 1855, he wedded Mrs. Bethsheba Abbott in 1859, who survived him. He was a Christian man, a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church, and father of eleven children - James G., William G., Mary C. (deceased), John E., Charles F., Benjamin F., Emma E. (deceased), Emma, Alfred M., Henry and Harvey. Our subject, W. G. Bain, received his education at Richmond, this State. In 1867, he was appointed Deputy Sheriff of this county, a,nd afterward acted as clerk at Martinsville. July 29, 1862, he enlisted in Company H, Seventieth Indiana Volunteers, from which he was discharged March, 1863, by reason of disability. In 1869, he purchased an interest in the Martinsville Flouring Mills, which he relinquished after about a year, and has since engaged in farming. October 25, 1869, he married Miss Mary E., daughter of William and Susanna Hynds, who died February 11, 1874, the mother of two children - Lillie B. and John E. October 25, 1877, Mr. Bain wedded Laura J., daughter of William W. and Sarah A. Yeager, and born in this county July 18, 1851, which marriage was followed by two children - Maudie E. and Mary E. In 1878, Mr. Bain was elected County Auditor for one term. He is a highly-respected citizen, a member of the A., F. & A. M., the K. of P. and G. A. R. fraternities.

natives of Ireland. The grandfather of our subject, William Best, was ' born, married, and died in Ireland at the age of one hundred and four years, the father of six children. George Best was married in Ireland, and in 1812 emigrated to America; located in Muskingum County, Ohio, whence he removed to Morgan County, Ind., where he and his wife died, the parents of twelve children - Valentine, William, Robert, George, Walter, James, Elizabeth, John, Eichard H., Joseph, Isabelle and Sarah. Our subject, William Best, began work when eighteen years of age in a flouring mill, which he continued for twenty-one years. September 15, 1836, he married Lydia, daughter of Amos and Nancy Longshore, who died July 12, 1844, the mother of four children - Sarah, George, Thomas E. and Josephine (deceased). He subsequently married Ann Bond, a native of New Jersey, who died in 1863, the mother of nine children - Harriet (deceased), James (deceased), Valentine, Charles H. (deceased), William S. (deceased;, Emma E., Lydia N., and two infants deceased. Mr. Best finally married, in 1864, Beulah L. Bond, a sister of his second wife, who gave birth to four children - Martha J., Albert M., Franklin O. and Cora E.

DAVID BOTHWELL was born in Ireland June 9, 1815, and is a son of Hugh and Ann J. (Gordon) Bothwell, both natives of Ireland, the former born in 1788, the latter in 1796. They were married and died in Ireland, he in September, 1854, and she eight years later. Their family was Mary, David, Jane, Sarah A., Samuel, John, Elizabeth, Martha, Henry, James, Margaret and two which died in infancy. David Bothwell emigrated to America in 1841, visited Ireland in 1846, returned to this country in 1852, settled in New Orleans, and shortly afterward removed to this county, where, April 8, 1855, he married TJtiss Letitia, daughter of Robert and Jane Wilson, and born in Ireland in 1825, who died September 18, 1878, the mother of eight children - Ann J. (deceased), Hugh H., John J., Mary, David, Charles, William and Andrew. Mr. Bothwell is a highly respected citizen.

WILLIAM A CUNNINGHAM was born in this county January 13, 1847, and is a son of William N. and Nancy Cunningham. William N. Cunningham was born in Woodford County, Ky., March, 1804, whence he moved to Johnson County, Ind., and afterward to Morgan County, where he married Nancy Lankford. He was twice married, and the father of six children - Eliza, Nancy, Marion, Perlina, Norman T. and William A. Our subject married in Owen County, Ind., November 10, 1867, Mary J., daughter of George and Margaret Dittemore, and born in Owen County January 6, 1850. In 1871, Mr, Cunningham moved to and occupied his present home and farm, which numbers 445 acres of good land. Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham are parents of six children - Emma J., Laura E., Edward, Benjamin P. and two which died before receiving names. Mr. Cunningham is generally greatly esteemed, and is a hospitable gentleman.

CAPT. WILLIAM A. DILLEY was born in Darke County, Ohio, January 7, 1840, and is a son of Arthur M. and Elizabeth (Mclnturf) Dilley, the former born in Ohio, December 27, 1814, the latter in Tennessee, July 29, 1816; they were married in Preble County, Ohio, December 27, 1835, and in 1842 moved to and settled in this county. Their family was Sarah J., William A., Martha A., Mary E., John W., LncretiaE., Elmira M., Oliver C, James M. and an infant deceased. William A. Dilley enlisted April 20, 1861, in Company K, Seventh In- diana Volunteers; served three months and re-enlisted August 15, 1861, in Company A, Thirty-third Indiana Volunteers. In January, 1863, he was made Orderly Sergeant, and in February, 1864, again re-enlisted. In April, 1864, he married Lucy A., daughter of Stephen L. and Maria A. Dane. In November, 1864, he was promoted First Lieutenant, and March, 1865, Captain of Company A, Thirty-third Indiana Volunteers, and served as such until July 21, 1865. Mr. Dilley saw considerable service; he was wounded in the left ankle at Thompson's Station, March 5, 1863, and was also a prisoner in the famous " Libby " one month. In 1866, he settled on his present farm, which he sold and moved to Wilson County, Kan., but returned and repurchased his farm in 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Dilley have five children - Augustus M. (deceased), Minnie v., E£Se M., Pearl M. and Euby; they are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

THOMAS H. DIXON was born in this county May 4, 1840, and is a son of Thomas and Margaret (Hynds) Dixon, both natives of Ireland. Thomas Dixon is a son of Henry and Sarah Dixon, who married and remained in Ireland until their deaths, and were parents of nine children. Thomas Dixon married in Ireland, emigrated to America, and in 1837 moved to this State and settled in this county, where he now resides. Mrs. Dixon died August, 1866, the mother of seven children - Sarah, Mary, Margaret, Thomas H., "William, John and Eobert. Thomas H. Dixon, our subject, married in this county, April 11, 1861, Sarah, daughter of Isaac and Rebecca Kenworthy, and born in Marion County, Ind., May 30, 1844. In August, 1862, Mr. Dixon enlisted in Company H, Seventieth Indiana Volunteers, and served until January, 1865, during which he participated in all the engagements of the company. In 1871, he purchased a saw mill, and engaged in the lumber trade until 1874, when he sold out, removed to Martinsville, and was elected Sheriff of this county, which he held for two terms. In 1881, he moved to his home and farm. Mr. Dixon is a member of the A., F. & A. M., and K. of P.

WILLIAM H. DIXON a son of Thomas and Margaret Dixon, is a native of Morgan County; he was born October 18, 1844, and was married in this county, October 24, 1869, to Eebecca, daughter of William and Mary Brown, and born November 16, 1841. Mrs. Dixon died June 13, 1883. Mr. Dixon is a much esteemed citizen, a practical man, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. Dixon are parents of five children, whose names are as follows: Eobert H., John P. , Morgan, Mary, and Lawson J. (^deceased).

WILLIAM DOWNEY is a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, and was born April 17, 1843, being a son of John and Mary Downey, also natives of County Tyrone. The grandfather of our subject, James Downey, was a native of and married in Ireland, where he closed his life. John Downey was born June, 1806. After his marriage he emigrated to America in 1857, located in Coshocton County, Ohio, and in 1863 moved to this county. His family consisted of Margaret, James, William, Jan e, Andrew, Eobert, John. Mary, and three which died in infancy. Our subject, William Downey, came with his parents to this county, where, February 2, 1868, he married Eebecca J. , daughter of William and Sinah E. Bragg, and born in this county December 15, 1848 - a union which gave being to a family of five - Harriet T., William M., M ary E., Pearl A. and Edna. Mr. Downey is the owner of 248 acres of

JAMES M. DUCKWORTH is a native of this county, was born September 10, 1833, and is a son of John and Mary (Gwin) Duckworth, both natives of Virginia. They were married in Kentucky, whence, shortly afterward, they moved to this State, and settled first in Ray Township, and then moved to Martinsville, where they finished their courses of life - ^he, October 17, 1867, and she three years thereafter. Their family comprised Nancy A., "William M., Malinda, Melvina, Andrew J., Mary A., Minerva G. and James M. Our subject married in this county, November 8, 1860, Nancy M., daughter of William and Susanna Hynds, and born in this county February 14, 1842, who died April 15, 1882, the mother of eight children - Ellen M., Mary B. , Edward M., Susanna, Minerva Gr., William H., James M. and John L. After marriage, Mr. Duckworth settled on the farm where he now re.sides, and where he hag spent most of his life. His farm embraces 404 acres of excellent and well-improved land. Mr. Duckworth is a valued citizen, and a member of the Presbyterian Church.

JAMES R. ELMORE is a son of John and Andalusia Elmore, natives of Virginia. The grandfather of our subject, James R. Elmore, was a native of Virginia and a soldier of 1812; he afterward moved ta Muskingum County, Ohio, and there finished his life, the parent of six children. John Elmore was married in Ohio, and in 1861 moved to Clarke County, Ind., where Mrs. Elmore died in 1865. Mr. Elmore isyet living, the parent of the following family: Levi R., Elizabeth J., John T., George A., Andalusia N. and James R. Our subject, James. E. Elmore, married in Clark County, in 1864, Malvina C, daughter of William and Sarah Sligar, who died in 1871, leaving three children - JohnW., Selby S. and Mary R. In 1872, Mr. Elmore married Mrs. Sarah, widow of Levi Devore, which marriage gave issue to four ehildrea - George A., Jennie J., Levi L (deceased) and Benjamin F. In 1874, Mr. Elmore moved to this county. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

LEWIS T. HANCOCK is a native of Anderson County, Ky., was born May 22, 1825, and is a son of Stephen F. and Martha (Lacey) Hancock, who, in 1826, moved to Owen County, Ind., and thence, in 1847, to this county, where he remained until his decease, in 1869, aged seventy-six. Mrs. Hancock is yet living, at the advanced age of eighty-six. Their family comprised six children - Levi E., John W., Martha A.,. Stephen L., Elizabeth F. and Lewis T. Our subject married, December 24, 1849, Harriet Farley, who died March 17, 1872, having borne seven children - Lorenzo D. (deceased), Nancy A., Sinah R.,' William L. (deceased), Thomas F., Mary J. and George A.' After his marriage, Mr. Hancock settled in Ray Township, and later, in 1854, moved to this township, and to the farm which is now his home. November 23, 1874, Mr. Hancock wedded Miss Emeline, daughter of Lewis and Margaret Fonville, and a native of Tennessee, born August 20, 1836. Mr. and Mrs. Hancock are respected members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. W. J. HARRISON is a native of Morgan County, Ind., was born October 5, 1851, and is a son of William R. and Elizabeth J. Harrison,, of Martinsville. In the year 1872, on the 18th of July, subject married Miss Margaret E. , daughter of Christopher C. and Julia A. Bishop, and born in Guilford County, N. C, S'ebruary 28, 1856. After his.

marriage, Mr. Harrison settled on the farm which he now cultivates and calls his home - a comfortable and valuable property. Mr. Harrison is now Township Trustee, and is a member of the ancient brotherhood of Freemasonry. He and wife are parents of three children - Bettie J., Maud E. and William K.

BEIGE M. HOWELL was born in Hendricks County, Ind., January 7, 1847, and is one of the eight children of Millar and Martha (Deanty) Howell, both natives of North Carolina, the former born in 1808, the latter in 1814. They were married in Chatham County, N. C. ; moved to Hendricks County, Ind., and later to Morgan County, where, he now resides. Millar Howell was twice married, and the father of fourteen children - eight by his first, and six by his second wife. Brice M. Howell enlisted, July, 1863, in Company D, One Hundred and Seventeenth Indiana Volunteers; served six months; re-enlisted June, 1864, in Company E, One Hundred and Thirty- ninth Indiana Eegiment; served 100 days; again enlisted February, 1865, in Company A, Thirtythird Indiana Kegiment, and served until June, 1865. October 3, 1869, he married Isabella, daughter of Robert and Ellen Foster, a native of this county, born June 12, 1852. This union was productive of six children - Martha E. (deceased), Theodosia E., Emma E., Eobert M., William W. and Ethel E. In 1869, Mr. Howell moved to the farm on which he now resides. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

L. C. KENNEDY was born in Hardin County, Ky., August 31, 1804, and is the fourth of the family of Peter and Eachel Kennedy, both natives of Pennsylvania. The grandfather of our subject, John Kennedy, was also a Pennsylvanian, and of Irish descent, who removed to Hardin County, Ky., in 1780, where he closed his valued life, having been a soldier of the Revolutionary war; he had been twice married and the father of ten sons. Peter Kennedy was born in 1769. When twelve years of age, he was stolen by the Indians, remained nine years a captive, and escaped and returned to his parents, in Hardin County, Ky. He afterward was engaged as Government spy on the Kentucky frontier; then married Rachel Calvin and settled on a farm, where he passed his life. He was father to seven children - John, James, Nancy, Luke C, Sarah, Charles and Decker. Our subject, Luke C. Kennedy, married, June 20, 1830, in Hardin County, Ky., Miss Jane, daughter of William and Sarah Blackford. In October following, Mr. Kennedy moved to this county, and purchased and settled on the farm where he now lives. In 1850, Mrs. Kennedy died, and in 1855 he married Isabella, daughter of William and Mary Hindes. Mr. Kennedy is the owner of 220 acres of good land, and is comfortably situated. He is the parent of seven children - Samuel (deceased), John, James, Decker, Mary, William and Daniel P.

DANIEL KIRK was born in Shelby County, Ind., October 1, 1828. His parents were William H. and Elizabeth (Depew) Kirk, natives of Kentucky. The grandfather of our subject, Daniel Kirk, was an early settler of Marion County, Ky., where he died, the father of two children - Lydia and William H. The latter was born March 1, 1799. In 1819, he, with his wife, moved to Shelby County, Ind., where Mrs. Kirk died. Mr. Kirk subsequently married Susanna E. Sloan, and in 1838 came to this county, where he died in 1865, the father of sixteen children. Daniel Kirk, the subject of this sketch, married, December 7, 1857, Martha E., daughter of Nathan and Matil(ip, Dow, and a native of Clarke County, born September 9, 1835. This union" was cemented by thirteen children - Ellen M., William H. (deceased), Charles H., Harvey A., Mary E., Benjamin E. (deceased), Susan M. (deceased), James E., Daniel P., Nathan F., Benjamin A., Martha J. (deceased) and Maggie E. (deceased). Mr. Kirk is a generally respected citizen.

JAMES H. LANKFOED is a native of Morgan County, Ind. , was born November 6, 1850, and is one of the family of William L. and Martha (Kirk) Lankford, natives respectively of Indiana and Kentucky. The grandfather of our subject, Nathan Lankford, was a native of Virginia, where he married, and in an early day moved to this county, where lie remained until death. He was the father of seven children. William L. Lankford was born August 16, 1828, married Martha Kirk, who was born July, 1880, and died December 5, 1883. They were parents of ten children - Minerva G., James H., Nathan M., William P., Maggie M., Harvey M,, Edward S., Joseph H., John H. and Toney H. James H. Lankford, our subject, married, March 17, 1875, in this county, Mrs. Mary J. Stine, widow of James P. Stine, and daughter of Emanuel and Cynthia Isenhower. Mr. and Mrs. Lankford have a family of two children - Ida B. and Iva D. (twins). Mr. Lankford is a worthy and much respected citizen.

L. B. LEWIS is a native of this county, was born October 2, 1828, and is a son of Gideon and Lewis (Huston) Lewis, the former born in Kentucky in 1794. After marriage, Gideon Lewis settled in this county, married, and afterward moved to near Martinsville, and in 1836 to a farm in this township, where they remained until their decease, he dying in June, and she in May, 1844, leaving the following family: Elhanan, James, Hunstead, Harriet, Jeannette, Kellis, William H, Angeline, Sarah and Leander B. In December, 1847, Leander B. Lewis married Julia A., daughter of Benoni and Abigail Pearce, and a native of Chatham County, N. C, born l<'obruary 12, 1823. After his marriage, Mr. Lewis settled in this township, and has a very fine and well- improved farm. Mr. and Mr. Lewis are the parents of ten children - Louisa J., William H. , Elizabeth F., Benoni, Gideon, Eath E. (deceased), Daniel A., James A. M. (deceased), Ann P. and Grant (deceased). He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

EOBEET MILLEE is a native of Greenbrier County, W. Va. ; was born July 21, 1810, and is descended from John and Jane (Hodge) Miller, both natives of Virginia. They were married in Augusta County, Va., and afterward moved to Greenbrier County, where they ended their lives, having been blessed with the following family: Henry, James, Jane, Ervin B., Mary A., Margaret E., Alexander, William and EolDert. Our subject married in Monroe County, W. Va. , February 13, 1834, Miss Ankey, daughter of James and Elizabeth Alderson, which union was favored with seven children - Alexander, Louisa (deceased), Eobert (de- - ceased), Oliver, John, Martha and Isabelle (deceased). After his marriage, Mr. Miller moved to Hancock County, Ind., and in 1836, to this county, where he located on the identical farm on which he now resides. Mr. Miller is a practical farmer and an esteemed gentleman and citizen.

W. C. MILLEE was born in Lincoln County, N. C, June 18, 1827, and is a son of Henry and Anna Miller, both natives of North Carolina. Henry Miller was born in North Carolina in 1805, and married in Lincoln County. In 1830, he moved to Owen County, Ind., and in 1835 to Morgan County, where his wife died in 1858, the mother of fifteen chil- dren. His second wife was Nancy Eeins, who is the mother of two children. In 1879, Mr. Miller moved to Missouri, where he remains. Our subject was married, March 31, 1853, to Hannah, daughter of Archibald and Lucinda Taylor, and a native of Hendricks County, Ind. , born May 6, 1836. This union was productive of fourteen children - Henry A., Lucinda, Sarah K, Mary E., Anna E., John E., William J., Luther L., Silas C, Albert E. and four which died in infancy. Mr. Miller is a respected citizen.

JOHN MOSEE was born in Randolph County, N. C, April 8, 1801, and is a son of John and Mary Moser, natives of North Carolina, and respectively of German and Irish descent The grandfather of our subject, Tobias Moser, was a German, and emigrated hither previous to the Revolutionary war, during which struggle he was a soldier. He settled in North Carolina, and afterward moved to La Fayett«, Ind., where he died, aged one hundred and seven years. He was also a soldier of the war of 1812. His wife died in Orange County, Ind., aged one hundred and eleven years. They had a family of seven. John Moser was married in North Carolina, moved to Hamilton County, Ohio, in 1812, and one year later to Orange County, Ind., whore he was killed in 1821. After this event Mrs. Moser moved to Owen County, and thence to Morgan County, where she died in 1861. The children of these parents were named Rebecca, Margaret, Elizabeth, Mary, Sarah, Kezia, Jane, Tobias, Joseph, Adam, Jacob, Alexander, Jeremiah and John. Our subject, John Moser, married in Owen County, September 13, 1830, Miss Mary, daughter of David and Catherine Lukinbill, a native of Washington County. In 1831, Mr. Moser moved to this county, which has since been his home. He and wife are parents of eight children - Kezia, David (deceased), Catherine, Julia A. , Mary E. , Margaret, John and William.

JAMES E. MOSIER was born in Lawrence County, Ind., August 16, 1844, and is a son of John and Esther (Burris) Mosier, natives of North Carolina and Ohio respectively, who moved to this county in 1845, where Mr. Mosier died twenty years later. Mrs. Mosier subsequently married Joseph Lain, and still later George Moore. Our subject, James R. Mosier, enlisted August 14, 1862, in Company H, Seventy-ninth Indiana Volunteers, and served until April, 1863, having been shot through the shoulder at the battle of Stone River. September, 1863, he re-enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Seventeenth Indiana Eegiment, serving six months, and again enlisted March, 1864, in Company K, First Indiana Eegiment, and served until January, 1866. August 28, 1868, he married Mrs. Ann, widow of David Anderson, and daughter of John and Ann Dixon, by which union they had five children - Sarah R. , James E., Hester A., and two infants, deceased. Mr. Mosier is a highly respected citizen.

WILLIAM R. NOSLEE was bom in Owen County, Ind., November 9, 1835, and is a son of John and Mary (Pirtle) Nosier, natives respectively of Virginia and Kentucky. The grandfather of our subject, Conrad Nosier, moved to this State in an early day, and finished his days here. He was a soldier of the war of 1812. and father of five children. John Nosier was born January 4, 1806, came to Indiana in 1827, mar ried, and settled near Spencer, where he and wife ended their lives - he in September, 1837, and she in February, 1837; they had three children - Sarah A., James and William E. Our subject was reared by hi& uncle, James L. Pirtle, after his parents' death. In 1850, he moved to Fayette County, Ind.; thence, in 1851, to Connersville, where he learned saddle and harness making, and in 1855 to Rushville, where he pursued his vocation. September 13, 1857, he married Viola, daughter of Nathaniel and Mary Moore, who died July 13, 1873. In 1858, he moved to Missouri, and in 1861 returned to Rush County, Ind., after which, in 1876, he came to this county, and November 9, 1879, wedded Mrs. Matilda J. Garrison, widow of "William Garrison. Mr. Nobler is the parent ' of sis children - Alethea M. (deceased), Mary A. (deceased), "William E., Sarah A. and two that died in infancy.

JOHN EEE"7ES is a native of Mason County, Ky., and was born February 20, 1802, and is a son of James and Sarah (Holton) Eeeves, the former a native of Ireland, and the latter of Maryland. John Eeeves, Sr., emigrated with his parents, Isaac and Margaret Eeeves, to America previous to the Eevolutionary war, and when sixteen years of age entered the army under Gen. Washington, serving the seven years. He then married and settled in Mason County, Ky., where he and wife ended their days. John Eeeves, our subject, is the only child of his father living. In 1823, he moved to Monroe County, Ind. , and in 1824 to Owen Couuty, where he married, in 1828, Mrs. Eleanor Hayward. In 1829, he removed to this county, where Mrs. Eeeves died in 1861, the mother of eight children - James, Nancy, Abigail, Austin S., Sarah, Samantha, Benjamin and Julia A. In 1863, he married Mrs. Ann Edwards. Mr. Reeves is an excellent gentleman, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church, of which Mr. Eeeves has been an active worker for fifty years.

S. R. STILES, Sr, , was born in Orange County, Ind. , October 12, 1830, and is one of the family of "William and Mary (Bragg) Stiles, natives re^ectively of Georgia and Tennessee. "William Stiles was born January 22, 1798; was married in Tennessee, thence moved to Washington County, Ind., and thence to this county, where he ended his life in 1872. He and wife were parents of eight children - Sarah, Nancy, John B., Abigail, Jesse, Stakley R., Harriet and Mary A. Our subject, S. E. Stiles, was reared in this county. December 24, 1852, he married Elizabeth Foster, who died August 24, 1854. He next wedded Louisa Miller, who died in 1858, and in 1859. he married Eleanor Secrest In 1865, Mr. Stiles enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and Forty-eighth Indiana Volunteers, in which he served for seven months, and after which he purchased and occupied his present home and farm, comprising 420 acres of desirable and productive land. Mr. Stiles has been the father of four children - Indiana, Ida B.,,Candace, and an infant, deceased. He and wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.