Richland Township (part 2 of 2)

THOMAS J. SHARP, farmer, was born September 8, 1817, in Sul: livan County, Ind., and is a son of George and Sallie (Johnston) Sharp, natives of Virginia and of German descent, who early moved to Kentucky, and thence to Knox County, this Territory, in 1814. George Sharp was a farmer and surveyor, and in 1817, purchased 320 acres, and became one of the earliest settlers. He was a public-spirited citizen, and died at the age of sixty-three, his wife at the age of seventy-eight years. Thomas J. Sharp has continued to reside on the homestead. When his father died, he was thirteen years old, and he then became manager of the farm. October 15, 1840, he married Miss Sallie, a daughter of George and Catherine Parks, to which union succeeded six children, five of whom aro living - George P., James C., Sarah C., Amelia A. and Mary M. Mr. Sharp, by industry and frugality, has acquired 219 acres, now improved and valuable, and has also assisted each of his, children. In early life he was a Whig, but became afterward a Republican. He has served as guardisn and administrator for several estates, having given bonds of $80,000. Mr. Sharp is an old-fashioned gentleman, and retains many relics of the olden time, among them the first corn-cracker operated here, the same having been brought hither by his father. Mr. and Mrs. Sharp are members of the Presbyterian Church.

JOHN H. SHOOK, wagon and carriage manufacturer, was born in Bean Blossom Township, September 20, 1830, and is the youngest son of George H. and Elizabeth (Heilman) Shook, both natives of North Carolina, and of German extraction. George H. Shook removed to this county from North Carolina in 1827. He was a pioneer, and experienced the trials of those heroes; he was father of sixteen children. Tn 1857, he moved to Elletsville, and lived in retirement until his death, May, 1861, aged seventy-two years, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a Democrat. Mrs. Shook died in 1863, aged seventy-two years. John H. was reared to farming, attending school in the usual seasons. When he was of age, he became an apprentice to a blacksmith, served two years, and later worked as a journeyman and traveled considerably in the State until 1857, when he came to this county, established his business, and has since manufactured wagons and the like. October 8, 1864, he married Miss Catherine, daughter of Willis and Elizabeth Smith, which union was blessed with three children - Beatrice, Nora Magdalena (deceased) and Ida Isabel. During the war he worked mostly at gunsmithing, and also invented a revolving rifle, reaching 400 yards. He has besides acquired some proficiency at painting wagons, landscapes and portraits. He is an active Republican and business man. He and wifo belong to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

LORENZO DOW STANGER, farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of Bloomington Township, this county, was born September 18, 1835, and is the oldest son of John and Ann (Thomas) Stanger, natives of Virginia, and respectively of German and English extraction. Lorenzo Dow Stanger was reared on a farm in his native township, where he attended the schools of the day until he was eighteen years of age. When he was twenty years old, his father gave him a horse, with which to make a beginning in life; he afterward hired for $13 per month; then went into Mc- Lean County, Ill., and so continued until he was twenty-four years old, when he farmed on shares with Mr. Owen. November 1, 1860, he married Thursa A. Houston, of this county, and to them were given four children - James H., Gilbert E., David Sherman and Ada Montana. Soon after marriage, Mr. Stanger moved to his father-in-law's, and farmed about five years, then wont into McLean County, where he owned forty acres, sold the same in 1869, and purchased eighty acres, which he has improved and stocked, and now occupies as his home. Mr. Stanger is a worthy citizen, a Democrat, and he and wife are members of the Christian

FRANCIS M. STEPHENSON, Postmaster and dealer in groceries, queensware, glass and notions, was born in Owen County, Ind., January 15, 1844, and is the youngest of the five children of Madison and Sarah (Wilborn) Stephenson, natives of Virginia, who were early comers to Owen County. After some schooling and regular training to the life of a farmer, Francis enlisted in August, 1862, in Company B, Sixty-seventh Regiment Indiana Volunteers, assigned to the Army of the Gulf, and participated in the engagements of Munfordville, Arkansas Post, Vicksburg, Jackson, Mobile and tho Red River expedition. Ho was taken prisoner, parolled, and joined his regiment at Baton Rouge, and was discharged July 19, 1865, having been once wounded in the neck. September 1, 1867, he married Miss Jennie, daughter of Thomas and Mary Gillespy, a union favored by five children - -Lena Colfax, David T., Frank C., Arthur T. and Francis M. In 1870. Mr. Stephenson located in the grocery trade at Freedom, Owen County, and after four years removed to Ellettsville, and has continued in the same line. Mr. Stephenson is a stanch Republican, and was commissioned Postmaster in May, 1879, in which he has given much satisfaction. He is a member of the Masonic order, of the G. A. R., and, with his wife, belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church.

S. P. THOMPSON, stock-raiser and farmer, is the only son of John T. and Sallie (Grimes) Thompson, natives respectively of North Carolina and Kentucky, and of Irish and German extraction, and was born in Crawford County, Ill., July 16, 1822. His father, John T. Thompson, moved in early life from North Carolina to Kentucky, and was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He moved to Knox County, Ind., in 1814, and afterward, in 1818, to Illinois, where he engaged in farming, about 1824. Hesold this land,removed to this county and purchased eighty acres, where he died in 1850, aged seventy-two years; his wife died 1875, aged eighty-five years. S. P. Thompson, was reared' on a farm and received but spare education; indeed, he acquired his knowledge after reaching manhood, at which time he engaged in threshing, and split rails when not engaged with his machine. May 26, 1850, he married Miss Louisa A., daughter of James and Margaret Freeman. Previous to his father's decease, Mr. Thompson purchased the homestead, which he sold in 1853, and purchased a part of his present property, which aggregates 400 acres, but he has sold all but 160, which he cultivates and on which he raises some stock. In 1871, he lost his dwelling by fire, and in 1880, rebuilt an improved and enlarged one. He is a member of the Masonic order, a good citizen, and he and wife are members of the Msthodist Episcopal Church.

W. B. WALDEN, stock-raiser and farmer, was born in this county, January 3, 1831,and assisted his father in making a home from the wilderness, as well as forming himself such habits of industry and frugality as were of value to him in after life. He attended school during his boyhood, and when of age became a pioneer of Owen County on sixty acres of timber land entered by his father. To this he added sixty acres, which he improved,and built thereon a frame house; he split rails for his neighbors, 250 being a day's work,and received 40 cents per 100. October 12, 1849, he married Miss Philena, daughter of Melas Cline, which union gave being to four children, all of whom died in infancy. In the spring of 1860, he sold his place and removed to this township, where he purchased 160 acres, forty of which were cleared. This land he improved, and added thereto until he now owns 207 acres, with a pleasant home and congenial surroundings. Mr. Walden is independent in politics. In 1883, he was elected Road Superintendent, which, after six months,he resigned; he has also been Representative of the State and National Grange,

STANFIELD WHARTON, retired farmer, is a native of Orange County, Va., was born August 15, 1809, and is the eldest son of a family of eight born to Josoph and Sarah (Age) Wharton, both natives of Virginia, who moved to Lincoln County, Ky., where Stanfield was born and reared to the profession of farmer. He received but a limited education, and remained in the service of his parents until his majority, when he worked for himself as a farm hand, and saved $200. January 9, 1834, he married Miss Ann E. Berry, who died October 21, 1853, having borne six sons and three daughters, of whom are living - Joseph B., Green Lawrence and Burton T. Mr. Wharton married for his second wife, January 19, 1854, Miss Parthenia J. Cooper, and to this union succeeded ten children, eight of whom are living James W., Mary M., Amanda M., Lorena Esther, Fernando D., Luella E., Silas M. and Isaac E. After his marriage, Mr. Wharton farmed on rented land for about six years, then cleared some land, following which he purchased a farm, and succeeded in getting several farms in this State and in Iowa, but returned therefrom after two years, and lived in Owen County. In 1869, he moved to his present home, then as a desert, and now blossoming as a rose, containing 160 acres, well improved and cultivated, and one of the best farms in the township - -a result due to himself alone. Mr. Wharton cast his first vote for Gen. Jackson. He is a much respected citizen.

WILLIAM L. WHITTED, M. D., is a son of Zachariah and Rebecca (Allen) Whitted, natives of North Carolina, but who grew to maturity in this State, and married about 1835. Zachariah Whitted was a farmer, at which and at. flat-boat building he labored many years. He reared seven children by his first, and five by his second wife, who yet lives and occupies the home farm. Mr. Whitted was formerly a Whig, but became a Republican, and an ardent admirer of Mr. Lincoln, whom he survived two days. He was six feet two and a half inches high, a member of the Masonic order, and of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for fifteen years Trustee of his township. He was fifty-three years old at his death. William L. Whitted was born August 24, 1842, near Bedford, Ind., was reared a farmer, and in August, 1861, enlisted in Company B, Eighteenth Indiana Regiment. In 1863, he was made Sergeant, and after becoming a veteran in 1864 was commissioned Second Lieutenant, and afterward chosen Captain, which commission he did not receive, but served as Sergeant Major until the end of the war. He was slightly wounded at Magnolia Hill, and served at Pea Ridge, Champion Hill, Black River, sioge of Vicksburg, and other engagements. He was discharged September 22, 1865, and married, November 28, Miss Susanna, daughter of Rev. James Fish, a union followed by three children - Frank, Gertrude and Mary Estella. Soon after marriage, Mr. Whitted began the study of medicine under Dr. Samuel A. Raridon, attended lectures at the Ohio Medical College, and located at Tunnelton. In 1869, he came to this county, and bas done a good business in Elettsville. In 1877-78, he attended lectures at and graduated from the Miami Medical College, and in 1881 began the drug business with Mr. Hughes. Dr. Whitted is a Republican, and has held some minor oflices. He is a member of the

F. E WORLEY, banker and farmer, was born in this township June 3, 1838, the only child of Hiram and Margaret (Legg) Worley. Hiram Worley came with his mother to this county in 1828. He was a shrewd, careful and industrious man, gave attention to farming and raising stock, and finally became wealthy and influential. He was a Republican politically, religious without creed, and benevolent without ostentation. Our subject was reared tu farming, and after a preliminary education, attended the State University at Bloomington. In 1858, he engaged in mercantile business at Ellettsville, in company with William Buchanan, and after one year Mr. Worley became sole owner of the business, which he continued twelve years, realizing therefrom $30,000. In 1873, after having closed his father's estate, he commenced the banking business, which he isstill operating, as well as dealing in stock, such as fine horses, short-horn und Jersey cattle, Cashmere sheep. fowls and carp fish. He has one of the best dwellings in the county, surrounded by a fence of stone, the material taken from one of his quarries. Mr. Worley is u member of the Masonic fraternity, a Republican in politics, and an Episcopalian in religion. May 20, 1875, he married Miss Laura Davis, of Nashville, Tenn.