White River Township (part 2 of 2)

Thomas J. Draper was born in Clark Township, Johnson Co., Ind., March 24, 1855, and is the son of Oliver H. and Phoebe (Herbert) Draper. The father and mother are residents of Clark Township, and their biographies appear in the Clark Township sketches. Thomas J. Draper was reared on a farm in Clark Township, and attended the district schools, receiving a fair common school education. He is the fourth child of twelve, that were born unto the marriage of Oliver and Phcebe Draper. These parents came to Johnson County at an early date, and began the battle of life poor, and having a large family to support and foster, they were to the necessity of putting forth much energy and perseverance. Thev, like their father, were endowed with energy and enterprise, and all gained fair educations, some attending common schools, and others colleges. Mr. Draper gained a fair education in the common schools. He began the battle of life for himself at an early date. He was united in marriage to Luella Finney, December 31^ 1874. Mrs- Draper is the daughter of John and Mary (Waller) Finney, whose history is found in the Franklin sketches. She was bom in Jennings County, Ind., July 25, 1859. Her marriage has been blessed by the following children : Pearl and Ines. After Mr. Draper's marriage he settled in life as a farmer on rented land. By energy and perseverance, he has won success in life, and now owns a farm of over seventy acres, of which nearly sixty acres are under cultivation. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church.

George A. Dresslar was born in White River Township, Johnson County, Ind., January 4, 1841, and is the son of George and Malinda (Dresslar) Dresslar. The father and mother were both born in Covington County, Va., he in 1807, she in 1808; both died in this county; he in 1S56, and she in 1S87. They were married in their native county, and came to this county about 1834, and settled in White River Township. They lived in this county until their deaths occurred. The following are the children born to their marriage: Josephine, Archibald, deceased, Mary, deceased, Peter, Daily, George A., James B. and Sareena. George A. was reared on a farm, and educated in the country. He was with his parents up to the death of his father, and then, after remaining one year with his widowed mother, he began the battle of life for himself. August 11, 1861, Mr. Dresslar was united in marriage with Martha L. Boaz. She was born December 3, 1842. This marriage was blessed by the birth of the following children: Elmer E., Lillie L., Erne J., Emma F., Gilford T. Soon after the close of the Civil War Mr. Dresslar located in Morgan County, a short distance west of Banta, this county. Here he farmed. October 1, 1878, he took unto himself a second wife, Dora A. Tillman, born September 1, 1850. This, marriage has resulted in the birth of the following children: Dessie A. and Maude. August 11, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company C, Seventyninth Indiana Infantry. Among the battles he was in, were: Stone River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Atlanta and Perryville. He was discharged as corporal, June 7, 1S65. He then returned to Indiana, where he has since lived. In the horrors above described, he was crippled, and since has been engaged in merchandising. In 1879, ne moved to Williamsburgh, Ind., and for four years, was engaged in merchandising at that place. In 1883, he located where he now resides, and opened a store at what is now called Banta. In 1884, the Banta postoffice was established, and Mr. Dresslar was made postmaster, which position he still holds. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is a representative and progressive citizen.

John H. Dunn, the subject of this sketch, was born in this county, February 2, 1844, and is the son of William and Christina (Tresslar) Dunn. The father was born in Monroe County, Va., April 11, 1798, and died in this county, November 14, 1863. He was the son of Reuben and Nancy (Lane) Dunn, of Scotch and Irish lineage. William Dunn was reared in Virginia. On March 31, 1825, he was married in that state, to Christina Tresslar, daughter of Peter and Barbara (Mallow) Tresslar. The father and mother were natives of Botetourt County, Va. Christina Tresslar was born in the same county, September 21, 1806, and still survives, living with her son, wrho is the subject of this sketch. The following are. the children born unto William and Christina Dunn : Nancy, George W., William H., James A., Martha B., Amanda C, Sarah

M., John H., Elias G., Alva A. and Mary M. William Dunn and wife came to Indiana in 1825, settling in White River Township. William Dunn was a farmer, and on coming to this township located on a farm. He was a member of the Christian Church; was a justice of the peace. His wife is a member of the same church. John H. was born in this county February 2, 1844, and was raised on a farm, and followed farming as an occupation. February 2, 1870, he married Amanda S. Garshwiler, daughter of Shelby H. and Martha (Luyster) Garshwiler. Mrs. Dunn was born in this countv' November 12, 1848. The children of this marriage are: Cora, William O., Omer S. and George. Mr. and Mrs. Dunn are members of the Christian Church.

James A. Fendley. - The Fendleys are originally of Irish descent, but Silas A. and Malinda (Ragsdale) Fendley, the father and mother of James A., were natives of Kentucky, emigrating in 1820 to this state, and locating in Parke County, where, February 1, 1836, James A. first saw the light. His grandfather, Thomas Fendlev, was a native of. Ireland, and emigrated to Virginia, and thence "to Kentucky, where he married Miss Seelie Pollard, by whom he had nine children, as follows: Nancy, Rachel, George, Silas, Thomas, Jackson, Rebecca, Seelie and William. Being a poor man he was forced to rent land, and in this kind of farming James A. grew to manhood, helping on the farm summers, and attending the common schools winters, gaining what education he could in this wav. October 25, i860, he married, in Illinois, Mary E., daughter of Evans and Susan Bristow. Her father was a native of Ohio, and her mother of Virginia, being an extraction of Welsh and Dutch. ' They were both attendants of the United Brethren Church. Politically, Mr. Bristow, as well as Mr. Fendley's father, was a democrat. Mr. Bristow died in Marion County, Ind., 1864; his wife died in Boone County in 1876. To Mr. and Mrs. Fendley have been born children as follows: Laura A., Harriet E, Sarah J., Susan E., William A., Minnie L, James A., Jr., and Victoria M. In the fall of 1869, Mr. Fendley purchased the farm on which he now lives. The original purchase was 160 acres, but one 'acre had been sold by Mr. Hughes, the former owner, for a church, in the extreme southeast corner of the farm, and since then Mr. Fendley has sold fifty acres to one Mullinix, leaving him 109 acres. In a few years he erected his present commodious house, which is situated on the " Three-Notch Line pike. A short time after his home was built, he put up a good barn, and to-day they stand as monuments to his industry^ 1 he Fendleys stand among the substantial farmers of Johnson County.

Jacob Paddock was born in Preble County, Ohio, August 8, 1827, and died in Johnson County, Ind., January 27, 1872. He was the son of Ebenezer Paddock. He was reared in Preble County, Ohio, where he was married February 14, 1848, to Martha Bell, the daughter of David and Susannah (Roberts) Bell. These par- 4ftt8 were natives of Tennessee, and emigrated from that state to Ohio, where Martha, their daughter, was born in Preble County, October 1, 1831. Immediately after the marriage of Jacob and Martha, they came to Johnson County, and settled in the White River Township, on a tract of land Jacob's father had previously visited and purchased. On this tract of land are the scenes of Jacob's and Martha's toils. He was a farmer by occupation, and when he came to the county and began the pursuit of farming he took possession of a farm of 160 acres, which was little improved. By dint of industry, and bv exercising the quality of perseverance, he became a prosperous farmer, and at the time of his death owned over 500 acres of land. He enjoyed the high esteem of his neighbors, and was universally respected by all who knew him. His marriage resulted in the birth of three sons and four daughters. The sons are: John Wesley, William Henry and Ebenezer. The daughters, all of whom are deceased, were: Sarah Elizabeth, Luanda Caroline, Minerva Jane, and Luella. The sons are all farmers by occupation, and reside in White River Township. Mrs. Paddock, their mother, was wedded to William K. Fullen, December 4, 1872. She and Mr. Fullen continued to reside in White River Township. He died November 22, 1875. Mrs. Fullen then continued on the home farm up to 1884, when she removed to Glenn's Valley, Marion Countv, where she now resides. She has been a member of the Mt. Pleasant Christian Church for over thirty years.

Shelby Fullen. - Samuel Fullen, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was born in Ireland, December 28, 1766, and was united in marriage with Elizabeth Fullen, the paternal grandmother of our subject. This union resulted in the birth of three sons and five daughters: Ruhama, John, Nancy, Charles, Samuel, Sarah, Minerva, and Mary. Samuel Fullen was an early settler of Kentucky, coming from Virginia to that state, and in an early day, he . removed to this state. His death occurred in Rush County, about 1842. John Fullen, the father of our subject, was born in Kentucky, November 8, 1793. He was reared on a farm, and came to Indiana with his father. His occupation was farming." He was married in Indiana to Jemima Harrell, the daughter of Jeremiah Harrell, a native of Virginia. Her parents were early settlers of Indiana, where she was born. The above marriage resulted in the birth of the following children : Shelby and John. The father was called away September 10, 1821. The mother afterward married a Mr. Horton, and became the mother of other children. She died in Indiana, about 1839. Shelby Fullen, the subject of this sketch, was born in Fayette County, Ind., October 3, 1819. He was reared on a farm, and received a fair education in the country schools. In early life he taught school, but his chosen occupation has been farming. March 7, 1840, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Sutton, the daughter of Philip and Sarah L. (Childra) Sutton. Both parents were born in Preble County, Ohio, and were of German parentage, their ancestors being early emigrants to, and settlers of, New Jersey. Mrs. Fullen was born in Johnson County, Ind., August 31,1824. Her marriage with our subject has been blessed by the following children: Philip, deceased, Jemima, Sarah Annie, Delilah, deceased, Rachel, Louisa, deceased, John W., Mary E., deceased, Elizabeth K., deceased, Emma I., deceased, Matilda M., deceased, and Woodberry W. Mr. Fullen's widowed mother came to Johnson County, about 1822. Her husband had visited the county and entered land, and returned to Fayette County and died. After our subject's marriage he settled in this county, and with the exception of a short time, he has continued to live in the county. He and wife are members of the United Brethren Church. Mr. Fullen is a representative farmer and citizen, and enjoys the esteem of his neighbors. He has rilled the office of justice of the peace and assessor of his township, and has always been a progressive man.

Ira T. Gregg, the son of Stephen and Hannah (Clark) Gregg, was born in Franklin County, Ind., April 23, 1828. By tracing his paternal ancestry back as far as is definitely known, he is found to be of Scotch descent. Samuel Gregg, the great grandfather of Ira T., was born in Scotland, in 1699, and at the age of twelve years he emigrated to America, landing at Philadelphia, Penn. He settled in Bucks Countv,Penn., and resided there until he was twentyone years old. He 'then moved to Loudon County, Va., where he was married to Elizabeth Alford. Eight children was the result of this marriage. The names were as follows: Thomas, Rebecca, Priscilla, John, Ann, Iserael, Ruth, and Aaron. Iserael, the sixth child, was the grandfather of Ira T., the subject of this sketch. He became one of the early pioneers of Ohio. Here he married, to whom is not known, and the result of the union was seven children, whose names were as follows: Amos, Ann, Stephen, George, Drusilla, Thomas and Rebecca. Stephen was Ira T. Gregg s father. He was born March 7, 1777, in Ohio, and died in Franklin County, Ind., May 4, 1837. He was married in Ohio, in 1807, to Hannah Clark, who was born in New Jersey, December 23, 1788, and died in Franklin County, Ind., December 19, 1848. Nothing is known concerning Mr. Gregg's maternal ancestry, farther back than to his grandmother, Phebe Howard. Her maiden name is not now known, and all that is known concerning her is that she was married four times: first, to Baker; second, to Clark; third to Clark, a cousin of the former Clark, and fourth, to Howard; each of these unions being blessed with children. She died December 20, 1852, in Warren County, Ohio, at the, advanced age of ninetyfour years. After the marriage of Stephen and Hannah Gregg, they remained in Ohio until their first child was born. Their union was blessed with eleven children. The names are as follows: George, William, Malinda, Clark, Pamela, Aaron, Nancy, Alpheus, Mary Ann, Ira T. and Hiram F., all of whom are deceased, except Ira T., the subject of this sketch. In 1808, the father, mother, and child, set out on horseback from their home in Ohio, the mother carrying her little babe on a pillow in front of her, and in this way they journeyed to what was then the wilds of Indiana, and finally settled in what is now Franklin County. Here Mr. Gregg entered a quarter section of land, upon which he raised his family, and both he and his wife lived until death. He never engaged in any other occupation but farming, except while he was a soldier in the War of 181 2. He was quite ingenious, and was particularly skillful in the use of the common ax, broad-ax and the rifle. In politics, he was a whig, and was uncompromisingly opposed to the institution of slavery. In his dealings with his fellow men, he was honorable and just, and during his whole career he never was sued, nor did he ever have occasion to sue any one. Mr. Gregg was a Quaker in faith, but his wife was a zealous Methodist, and in an early day their house was used as a place for public worship. After Mr. Gregg's death, Mrs. Gregg being rather feeble in health, was not able to attend church away from home at all times. The class was re-organized, and at her request her home was chosen as the place of public worship. It continued to serve this purpose for eleven years without intermission, during which time all the services of the church were held there. These services consisted of regular semi-monthly preaching, a weekly prayer-meeting held every Thursday night, and class-meeting every Sunday. Only one regular protracted meeting was held there during that time. This house was used for any and all purposes for which a church was needed. Watch-night meetings were held; members were received into full connection, while at other times church trials were held and members were expelled; the sacrament of the Lord's supper, and the ordinance of baptism were administered, and the use of the mourners' bench was not uncommon, and many were the persons who were happily converted to God at that place. The subject of this sketch was but ten years of age when this class was organized, and witnesses to all these things, having joined the church and become converted at those meetings. Mr. Gregg was a sturdy farmer boy, and received a fair education for his day, by attending the common district schools. He was like most other boys, extremely fond of hunting, and his achievements in that line were usually extraordinary. Mr. Gregg deserves great credit for the kind and faithful attention he gave to his mother during her declining years. Inasmuch as he was next to the youngest of the children, and the older ones had married and started out in life for themselves, the duty of caring for his mother now devolved upon him alone. To add to the responsibility and arduousness of the undertaking, his younger brother was almost a helpless cripple, and this left him to care for and watch over both his mother and brother, and see that their wants were provided for, which he did very faithfully until his mother's death, and his brother's three years later. Soon after his mother's death he was united in marriage, when he was but" twenty years of age, to Alzina H. Wilder, of Rush County, Ind. She was the daughter of Seth and Abigail Wilder, and was born in Rush County, Ind., December 6, 1827, and died in Johnson County, Ind., September 24, 1874. After the marriage Mr. Gregg resided on the old homestead until September, 1853, when he bought 160 acres of land in Johnson County, and moved to it. He has since bought eighty acres more, and now owns 240 acres. Here he and his wife lived happily together until September, 1874, when she was called away by death. He remained a widower until January, 1876, when he married Elizabeth L. Shera, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Shafer) Shera, of Decatur County, Ind. She was born in Franklin County, Ind., April 3, 1842. By his first wife Mr. Gregg had four children: Aaron S., Mary Ann, deceased, William A. and George T. Two children have been the result of his second marriage. The first died at birth, and the second, Maggie A., is a sprightly young girl of nine years. Mr. Gregg, realizing the unlimited value of an education, has endeavored to give his children a good one. He sent his son, Aaron S., to Asbury University, now known as Depauw ; but after two years of study his health failed, and he was compelled to abandon school. William A. is a scientific graduate from that institution.' Both of these sons are now among the leading farmers of Lincoln County, Neb. In politics, Mr. Gregg was first a whig, next a republican, and now he is a very strong prohibitionist. It is one of his peculiar characteristics to put his whole soul into anything in which he is interested, if it involves any principle of right or wrong. He voted the whig ticket in 1852, but was among the first to take steps toward the organization of the republican party, and has since been one of its most loyal supporters, until he became convinced that the party was not able to rid this country of the "liquor traffic," and he accordingly voted for St. John in 1884. In 1863, Governor Morton commissioned him as a first lieutenant in the "Indiana Legion." In 1864, he enlisted as a private in the 100-day service, and was made a non-commissioned officer. In religious views, Mr. Gregg has followed in the footsteps of his mother, and has always been a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. When he moved to Johnson County, he placed his membership in the society at Mt. Auburn, and has been an active member ever since, and now has the pleasure of knowing that all his family have followed in his footsteps.

Levi Groseclore was born in Wythe County, Va., March 8, 1818, and is the son of Henry and Margaret (Spangler) Groseclore. The father was a native of Wythe County, Va. He was the son of Henry Groseclore, who was born in Germany, and settled in Wythe County, Va. The father of our subject was a soldier in the War of 181 2, and our subject has in his possession a discharge, which reads as follows: "In obedience to an order from Claibourn W. Gooch, adjutant general, dated Richmond, February 20, 1815, you, Henry Groseclore, Jr., are discharged from the present tour of duty. Wythe C. House, March 4, 181 5. Christopher Brown, Captain Thirty-fifth Virginia Militia, commanding." The father of our subject was married in Virginia, to Margaret Spangler, of German descent. She was born in Virginia, and died when our subject was but an infant. In 1820, our subject's father came to this county, and settled in Union Township, locating in the woods. He continued in this county till about 1849, wnen ne went to Iowa, where he lived until called away by death. Our subject was raised in this county. He gained but a limited education, learning only to read and write, and do some " ciphering." In the days of his youth they had but little school advantages, but Mr. Groseclore is possessed of a store of useful knowledge. He has always made his home in this couuty, and has followed farming as an occupation, but has had a wide experience traveling throughout all most all parts of the United States. November 6, 1846, he married Rebecca Barker, daughter of William and Susanna (Burnett) Barker, natives of Kentucky. William Barker was the son of Thomas Barker, who was the first owner of the land Cincinnati was first laid out on. Mrs. Groseclore was born March 17, 1822, in Green County, Ind., where her parents settled in an early day. After the above marriage was consummated, Mr. and Mrs. Groseclore came and settled in life in this county, and have lived here ever since. He owns two farms, one of 130, and the other of 160, acres. He and wife are members of the Christian Church at Bargersville. Five children were born unto the marriage, only two of whom are living, William Henry and John B. Mr. Groseclore cast his first presidential vote for Martin Van Buren, and was a democrat up to the candidacy of Horace Greeley, when he became a greenbacker.

Judge Franklin Hardin. - The subject of this sketch was born on the 27th of July, 1810, in Fleming, now Nicholas, County, Ky. His family were of French descent, and occupied an honorable place in the history of that state as jurists, statesmen and Indian fighters. Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois and Iowa have each named a county after his kindred. Franklin Hardin was the youngest of a family of eleven children, born to Henry and Catharine Hardin. He came of a robust family, but was himself an undersized child, with a feeble constitution; and, while his stouter brothers were assisting their father upon the farm, he was kept in the country schools from the time he was old enough to attend up to his fifteenth year. After the death of his father, October 5, 1825, being at liberty to* do pretty much as he pleased, he attended the County Seminary in Carlisle for six months. Among other things he studied surveying while in the seminary, and acquired that accurate knowledge of this branch of learning which proved so useful to both himself and the people of Johnson County in after years. In 1822 and 1823, two older brothers had explored the White River Valley, and, with means furnished by their father, had entered a considerable portion of land for themselves and others of the family, and, in 1824, several members moved to Johnson County. Henry Hardin intended to emigrate to the country himself, but died before doing so. After his death, the family determined to carry out the intention of the father, and, in 1825, the widow, accompanied by the subject of this sketch, then fifteen years of age, set out on horseback to visit her children and see for herself what the wilderness of Indiana was like. Two years after that journey was made, the family moved and took up their abode in White River Township. The spring of 1829 seemed to him a propitious time to commence the study of law. With that view, he went to Indianapolis, and put himself under the tutorage of Ebenezer Sharp, in Latin, and of William Quarles, Esq., in law. But he met with a sad disappointment. In a few weeks he was stricken down with a fever, and was compelled to go home to his mother. On his recovery, he taught about two years, when he went back to his law books. He had not gone back to the study of law as his sole occupation, but he had not abandoned its study altogether. The summer of 1831 was spent in making an extensive tour of Illinois, and in the following October, he returned to Kentucky, where he married. With his young wife, he at once set out for Indiana, and on Fall Creek he found employment for another year at his old occupation, after which, in the fall of 1832, he moved to Johnson County and located upon the farm where he now resides, where he and his estimable wife have uninterruptedly made their home ever since. In the spring of 1833, he recieved the appointment of assessor for White River Township, and, although much afflicted, he completed the duties before taking to his bed. This was the first employment he ever had, save his five years in the schoolroom. In the spring of 1836, he applied to the circuit bench of the county, Judge Wick presiding, for the appointment of county surveyor, an office which he then received, and held for six consecutive years. This office he was qualified in a high degree to fill. From about 1840, party lines began to be closely drawn in local affairs, and the year of 1842 marks the advent of Franklin Hardin into that active political life which he so long and successfully lived. The democratic party in Johnson County had, for the purpose of massing their power, introduced the nominating convention as a part of its machinery, and Franklin Hardin received the nomination, in 1842, without opposition, as a candidate for representative in the state legislature, and, at the ensuing August election, he was elected without opposition. In 1843, he. was again nominated by his party for the same office, but the whigs brought out Zachariah Collins, a tenant on his own farm, to contest the office with him. Outt>f the 1,517 votes cast in the county, Hardin received 1,016, and he got all but two that were cast in Union. In 1844, he was again a candidate for the legislature, and John Slater, a young lawyer lately come to the county, sought the nomination against him, but Hardin was almost unanimously nominated. Then Slater offered himself as an independent candidate, and sought whig support as well as democratic, and they two ran the race, but Hardin was elected by a larger majority over Slater than had graced his triumph of the year before. Having served three years in the lower house, he* now aspired to a seat in the upper, and accordingly, in 1845, he offered for a senatorial nomination, which was given him without opposition, and, out of 1,221 votes cast at the election for sen- ator, he received 1,059. He therefore had no open opposition. In 1850, he was elected a delegate to the constitutional convention. At the termination of the work of the constitutional convention, Mr. Hardin came home, but he was met with a demand for his services as a surveyor. Lines and corners were not yet all established, and, in 185 1, the county commissioners appointed him to the office of county surveyor. But he held the office for only one year. By an act of the legislature, approved May 14, 1852", a new court - the common pleas - was organized, and it became necessary to elect a judge of that court at the ensuing October election in this county. Franklin Hardin was nominated by the democratic party as their candidate for that office. The opposition brought out A. B. Hunter, Esq., a young man of good parts, then lately admitted to the bar, but Hardin was elected, receiving 1,020 votes out of 1,901 cast for that office. So well did he acquit himself in the discharge of his judicial duties that, at the expiration of his first term, he was re-nominated. This was in 1856, and he was elected over Duane Hicks, a member of the Johnson County bar, in good standing, by 694 majority. At the close of his second teim, he retired to private life, since which time he has held no public office. Judge Hardin is, and always has been, democratic in his politics. During his legislative career, he occupied a high place in the councils of his party as an advisory member, and, in 1856, he was a delegate to the national convention which nominated Mr. Buchanan. In i860, he supported the Breckenridge wing, and was a candidate for elector in that interest. Judge Hardin is a firm believer in the truths of the Christian religion. In early life, he and his estimable wife united with the Presbyterian Church at Greenwood, and they still adhere to that faith.

John Hardin was born in this county December 16, 1838, and is the son of Franklin Hardin. The subject of this biographv was reared on a farm, and received a common school education, and his entire life has been spent in agricultural pursuits. He was married in 1868, to Catherine and Martha (Mallow) Humbert, who was born in this county, May 19, 1847. To this union the following children have been born : George, deceased, Mary, Franklin, Nora and Martha. Mr. and Mrs. Hardin are members of the Christian Church.

J. L. Henderson, a native of Johnson County, Ind., was born December 3, 1828, and is the son of Thomas and Mary (Demott) Henderson. The father was born in Botetourt County, Va., in 1800, and died in Johnson County, Ind., in 1862. He was the son of Thomas and Mary (Erwinj Henderson, natives of Ireland. Thomas Henderson, Sr., was born about 1756, and died in Johnson

County, about 1839. Thomas, the son, was reared in Virginia, and on reaching his majority, removed to Kentucky, where he was married to Mary Demott, who is a native of Mercer County, Ky. She was born in 1801, and is now living in Johnson County. Her marriage was blessed by these children : William T., Mary A., Margaret L., James L., Harvey, David M., Robert E., John C, Isaac S., Martha E. and Jane E. After the marriage of their parents, they came to Johnson County, in 1825, and settled in Hopewell, in Franklin Township. The father was a blacksmith by trade, and a farmer bv occupation. James L. was reared on a farm, and in youth, learned of his father, the blacksmith's trade, but has never followed it as an occupation. His life occupation has been farming. His father settled on and entered the land on which the Hopewell Church no\v stands, then a dense forest. He donated the ground on which the church and academy are situated. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and was a man who was always readv to aid the church cause. The mother is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and resides with her youngest son. He has been blind for over thirty years. She has been a faithful wife, mother and friend, and enjoys the high esteem of all who know her. In 1855, Mr. Henderson married Mar}- A. Lagrange, born in Johnson County, September 6, 1836, and died in Johnson County, March 9, 1869. The following are the children of this marriage: C, Robert C, Martha E., Margaret A., Clara E. January 24, 1871, Mr. Henderson married for a second wife, Maggie j. Vanarsdall, the daughter of C. and Nancy J. (Clem) Varnarsdall. Mrs. Henderson was born in Johnson County. June 7, 1851. The offsprings of this marriage are: Newton G., Thomas E. and Stella J. Mr. and Mrs. Henderson are members of the Presbyterian Church. He owns 160 acres of land, of which 130 acres are under cultivation. He is a member of Hopewell Church.

H. S. and J. M. Lyons. - The paternal grandfather of our subjects was of Scotch and Irish origin, and in an early day settled in the State of Pennsylvania, where was born Robert Lyons, his son, and the father of our subjects. This son's father died and left him an orphan. He grew up to manhood in Pennsylvania, and on reaching his majority, went to Mercer County, Ky., where he settled about the year 181 1. Later, he became a soldier in the War of 1 81 2. After the close of the war he returned to Mercer County, Ky., and there married Jane Vanarsdall. The husband was born April 10, 1792, and the wife, a native of Mercer County, Ky., was born August 17, 1792. This marriage resulted in the birth of nine children, namely : Harvey S., Catherine, John M. , Abraham, Thomas, Margaret, Rachel, Ellen and Elizabeth. In the fall of 1825, this family (excepting the children born in this county) came from Kentucky to Indiana, and settled in what is now known as Pleasant Township, Johnson Count}'. The father of this pioneer family was a poor man, but, nevertheless, industrious and hardy. He settled in the forest and at once began to clear the same and prepare for tilling the soil. On arriving from the "Corn-Cracker" state he had but eighteen dollars, which was his entire fortune, and the removal was made by traveling with a two-horse team and wagon. He brought with him two cows and eighteen hogs. This constituted all the early pioneer's possessions. The family consisted of eight members. The father constructed one of the first saw- and grist-mills in the county, and also, at an early day, operated a tannery. In the fall of 1827, the Lyon family removed from Pleasant Township, and settled in the northeast corner of what is now White River Township. Here the father and mother died; the former at the age of eighty-four years, and the latter at the age of eighty-six years. Harvey S. Lyons, the elder of our subjects, was born in Mercer County, Ky., August 16, 1813. September 17, 1835, he married Sarah, the daughter of John and Elizabeth Alexander. Sarah was born in Dearborn County, Ind., May 18, i£i8, and died in this county June 23, 1843. The above marriage was blessed by the birth of three children : Elizabeth, Mary Ann and Louisiana. October 17, 1843, ne wedded Mahala A., daughter of Nicholas and Penelope Orme. Mahala A. was born in Clark County, Ind., April 28, 1821, and died July 20, 1885. This union resulted in the birth of these children: Rachel Frances, deceased, Benjamin F., George H., Sarah, Malissa, Robert, Samantha, Ellen and Daniel C. John M. Lyons, the younger of our subjects, was also born in Mercer County, Ky., October 29, 1818. In 1837, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Presser, who died in 1840, leaving no offspring. September 5, 1842, Mr. Lyons married for a second wife Mrs. Mary Jennings, nee Miss Mary Davis. She was born in Pennsylvania, April 20, 1818, and is the daughter of Thomas and Nancy Davis. By her first marriage she became the mother of three children, and by her second marriage the mother of William F. M., who is deceased, and is represented by these offsprings: Joseph, Inda Jane, and John W., and Robert Andrew, deceased, Jane Elizabeth, deceased, Thomas Edward, Richard Abram, Robert H., deceased, and John W.

John Miller was born in Johnson County, Ind., April 8, 1840, and is the son of Abraham and Catherine (Lorts) Miller. Abraham Miller was born in Scott County, Va., February 13, 1805, and died in this county December 4, 1887. He was the son of John Miller, who was a native of Germany, and early emigrated to Virginia.

He was the father of the following children : Jacob, Isaac, Adam, Abraham, David, Philip, Daniel, John, Elizabeth, Mary and Sarah. Abraham was reared in Scott County, Va. On reaching his majority, he went to Blount County, East Tennessee, and here he was married July 15, 1827, wedding Annie Catharine Lorts, a native of Blount County, Tenn., born February 3, 1810, who wras of German lineage. Immediately after the above marriage was consummated, Mr. and Mrs. Miller set out for the west, and March 15, 1828, located in the vicinity of Columbus, Bartholomew County, Ind. Shorty afterward he repaired to Shelby County, where he remained but one year; and in 1834, removed to Johnson County, and continued in this county up to his death. By profession, Abraham Miller was a minister of the Gospel, in the Evangelical Lutheran Church, of the Indiana Synod. He began the preaching of the Gospel at the age of eighteen years. August .18, 1835, he was ordained as a minister proper of his church, and until the year 1864, he continued to be active in his chosen profession, and at this date, June 12, 1864, his wife was called away in death, and his domestic relations so materially changed, he suspended his profession, and the remaincier of his life was spent somevyhat in reserve, preaching only occasionally. In early life, previous to being ordained to the ministry, he taught school. By occupation he was a farmer, in which he was practical and successful. He was an early settler of Johnson County, and as the county at the time of his coming was but little developed, he may be termed one of its pioneers. He lived in the county for a period of fifty-three years, and this state, sixty years. He was well-known and universally respected by all. His marriage with Catherine Lorts resulted in the birth of the following children: Elizabeth, David H., Emmaline, Mary B., Martin L., John, William, Abraham and Annie C. John was reared on a farm, and received a common school education, and was attending school when the Civil War broke out. He left school, and July 28, 1861, enlisted in Company E, Twenty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, as a private. In this company Mr. Miller served for a term of three years, and in 1864 was discharged, but immediately re-enlisted as a veteran of the same company. In February, 1866, he was discharged as second lieutenant. Among the engagements in which he participated, were : siege of Vicksburg, Port Hudson, siege of Mobile, and other engagements in the opening of the Mississippi River. After the closing -of the war he returned to his native county, and, April 12, 1866, was united in marriage with Theresa C. Reynolds, daughter of Berrien Reynolds, whose life sketch appears elsewhere. Mrs. Miller was born in Johnson County, Ind., October 2,

1847. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Miller located in Tipton County, Ind., and there continued for live years, and then returned to Johnson County, and has since been actively engaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a member of the G. A. R. lodge at Waverly.

Daniel Paddock, who is now a citizen of Marion County, was formerly a citizen of Johnson County, Ind., where he lived nearly forty years. He was born in Preble Count}', Ohio, December 29, 1825, and is the son of Ebenezer and Susanna (Swain) Paddock. The father was born in Kentucky in 1801, and was the son of Henry Paddock, a native of Virginia, born in 1775, who immigrated to Kentucky in an early day, and later immigrated to, and settled near, Vincennes, Ind. In 1838, our subject's father and family came to Johnson County and bought land, remaining until 1841, and then went back to Ohio, where he had previously lived. Mr. Paddock is of English origin, his ancestors being early immigrants from England. His father died in Ohio in the year 1887. The mother of our subject was of Pennsylvania and Massachusetts origin, perhaps; she was born in Ohio. She was the mother of seven children, four girls and three boys. When our subject was in his twentieth year he came to Johnson County, and lived here until 1887, when he located in Marion County. He has followed farming and stock-raising, and commenced with 170 acres, worth about Ip2,ooo, and at one time owned over 1,300 acres of land, and was the most extensive cattle raiser is Johnson County. In 1848, he married Xancv C. Denny, who was born in Ohio in 1828, and died in Johnson County in 1878. The children were as follows: Susanna, deceased, Thomas, Alice and Martha. In 1882, he married for a second wife, Melsena Orme. Mr. Paddack has been a member of the Christian Church since 1854; he is a democrat.

Thomas Paddock, a farmer and stock-raiser, resides in White River Township, and was born in that township September 25, 1855. He is the son of Daniel Paddock, whose life sketch appears elsewhere. He was reared on a farm and received a fair education in the country schools. His work of youth was farming, and he has followed* it as an occupation. December 19, 1877^, he wedded Pink Hinkson, daughter of Hesekiah and Rebecca (Woodfield 1 Hinkson. Mrs. Paddock was born in Marion County, Ind., February 10, 1S60. Mr. and Mrs. Paddock are members of the Christian Church at Mt. Pleasant. In politics, he is a democrat. He owns a farm of 500 acres, lying in Morgan and Johnson counties. . .

son of John and Elizabeth Ann (Cox) Paddock. The father was born in Preble County, Ohio, August 1, 1823, and was the son of Elijah and Ruth Paddock, unto whom were born six children, namely: Louis, Mary, John, Myram, Sarah and Anderson. John Paddock came to Indiana in 1845, and settled in Morgan County. January 26, 1846, he was married unto Jane Burns, a native of Marion County, and who continued to be his companion till 1858, when she was called away by death. February 10, 1S59, he married for a second wife, Elizabeth Ann Cox, daughter of Paul and Mary (Matthews) Cox. He was a native of Pennsylvania, and she of Carolina, and both came to Indiana in early life, and were married in this state. Elizabeth Ann, the mother of our subject, was born in Morgan County, Ind., October 8, 1836. Three children: Milton, Mary and Frank, were born unto John and Elizabeth Ann Paddock's marriage. Their parents settled in this county, immediately after their marriage, and the father's death occurred here January 23, 1876. The mother resides in Marion County. Her son, the subject of this sketch, was but a small boy when his father died, but his mother continued to live on the homestead, where Milton was reared. His early education was received in the common schools, and was finished by a two terms' course in the normal school of Danville, Ind. September 3, 1882, he married Lula Bell, the daughter of Josiah and Margaret Bell. She was born in Adams County, 111., February 29, 1S64. Unto the above marriage have been born two children, John and Evert. After Mr. Paddock's marriage he settled down in life and began agricultural pursuits, in which he has been actively engaged. He and wife are members of the Christian Church.

Berrien Reynolds was a pioneer of Johnson County, to which he came about 1830. He was born in Monmouth County, N. J., March 13, 1807. and died October 7, 1SS7, in Texas, while visiting a daughter. He was of English origin, and came to Franklin County, Ind., in an early day. In that county, in 1S26, he was united in marriage with Catherine Halsey, who was born in Wythe County, Va., February 13, 1S07. Our subject and his wife continued in Franklin County, till about 1830, and then located in this county, where they made their homes until they were called away in death. Both lived to be aged. She was called away September 30, 1880. Their marriage was blessed by the birth of the following children: Mary A., Ceena H., Caroline L., Carson L., Austin B., James M., Theresa C, and Louisa M. Our subject was a farmer by occupation, and was a progressive citizen. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Church, and were members of the first class of the Salem Church, where he was the first class leader. lie continued throughout life, to be a zealous worker in the church. During life he held several positions of honor and trust. He was among the early representatives of Johnson County, in the state legislature. He lived a long and useful life, and was called away in his eighty-first year. Five of his children are left as his representatives.

Isaac Henry Riioades, a farmer and citizen of White River Township, was born in Kentucky, on the 26th of June, 1829, and is the son of Samuel E. and Susan (Wishard) Rhoades. The father was born in Maryland, May 18, 1786, and in an earlv day emigrated to Kentucky, where he married Susan Wishard. a native of Kentucky, born in 1803. Their marriage was blessed by these children: William, Elizabeth, Elisha, Isaac II., Enos, Margaret and John. Their parents came to Johnson County in 1835, and settled in White River Township, .and here both died, the father dying October 3, 1848, and the mother November 11, 1876. The -subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and received a limited education in the common schools. He has " followed the plough " for an occupation. He remained under the parental roof till he was twenty-three or four years of age, and then began the battle of life for himself, with no capital other than willing hands. At that time he went to Illinois and remained about eighteen years, following farming and trading in cattle. In 1876 he returned to Johnson Countv, and purchased the farm he now owns and cultivates. April 8, 1858, he married Catherine Hawkins, who was born in Indiana, in 1835, and who died in 1881. Her marriage resulted in the birth of seven children, of whom five are living: Harriet Ann, Mary Belle, Albert Newton, John William and Lillie May.

John W. Russell, the subject of this sketch, is a farmer by occupation, and was born in Mason County, Ky., September 10, 184S, and is the son of Jonathan and Sarah (I lite) Russell. The father was born in Amherst County, Ya., October n, 181S, and the mother was a native of Rockbridge County, Va., born in 1816. They were married in 1840. The marriage resulted in the birth of the following children: Nancy E., James A., John W., Samuel H., Elisha and Sarah. The parents came to Indiana in the spring of 1856, and settled in Marion County, and about 1858, came to Johnson County. The subject of this sketch has been reared on a farm, and educated in the country schools. He is a carpenter by trade, which occupation he has followed more or less throughout life. He has also been engaged in farming. His father has followed farming for an occupation, and now lives with our subject, who began life with no capital other then willing hands. He now owns and cultivates twenty-eight acres of land in Section 3, Township 3, and Range 3 east. In 1874, ne married Sarah Barger, the daughter of George W. and Sarah Frances Bafger. Mrs. Russell was born in Rush County, Ind., in 1848, April 28. The following children have resulted from the above marriage: Emma and Frankie. Mr. and Mrs. Russell, and their father and mother, are members of the church - the former two of the United Brethren, and the latter two of the Methodist Episcopal, Church.

James Scott, a farmer and citizen of White River Township, was born in said township, February 12, 1839, and is the son of John and Katherine (Heavener) Scott. The father was a native of Virginia, born January 5, 1799, anc^ <hed in Johnson County, Ind., October 16, 1871. The mother was also a native of Virginia, born January 16, 1802. They were married in Virginia and came to Indiana about 1S35 or 1836, and settled in White River Township, Johnson County. The father was a farmer by occupation. He and wife were two of the first members of the Hone)- Creek Church of the United Brethren denomination. They continued to be members of the church up to their deaths. Their children, in all, numbered seven, as follows: Nelson, Mary, Steward, deceased, John, deceased, David, Aquila and James. James was reared on a farm, and received a fair education in the common schools. August 10, 1856, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Rush, who continued to be his companion until August 5, 1886, when her death occurred. She was born in Johnson Count}', September 16, 1838. The children that blessed her marriage numbered seven, as follows : Benjamin F., deceased, William H., James M., Greenberry M., Mary K., deceased, John W., and Charles A. When Mr. Scott married he settled down on his father's farm, and began the life of a farmer, which he has since continued. He was the youngest child of his parents, whom he faithfully cared for till they were called away in death. He has followed their Christian example, and has been a member of the Honey Creek United Brethren Church, since he was fourteen years of age. His wife was also a member of the same church, and labored faithfully with him, as a much devoted wife and kind mother. At her death she left our subject and live children to mourn her loss. In 1S87, Mr. Scott married for a second wife, Mrs. Amanda Beatty, nee Amanda Toland. He is still engaged in farming and stock-raising, and resides on Section 13, White River Township. In politics, Mr. Scott is a staunch republican.

Alexander Sedaim, the subject of this sketch, is a farmer by occupation. He was born in Switzerland County, Ind., September 24, 1843, and is the son of John and Isabelle (Bowman) Sedam.

The former was a native of the same county in which our subject was born, and was a farmer by occupation. The latter was born in New Jersey, and now lives in Cass Countv.. Our subject is the third of nine children, six sons and three daughters: Elizabeth, deceased, Philip. Alexander, Joseph, Sarah, William, Isaac, Charlie and Mattie. Alexander was reared on a farm, and at the age of eighteen he enlisted in Company E, Twenty-ninth Indiana Volunteers, with M. M. Boggs as captain. Among the important engagements in which he took part were, the battle of Shiloh, siege of Corinth, Murfreesboro and Chickamauga, in which he received a gunshot wound in the thigh, and was discharged. He went to Cass Countv, Ind., and in a short time thereafter came to Johnson County, and with the exception of something over one year, he has since lived in this county. The wound he received while defending his country has disabled him, and although he has not been able to be an active participant in farm work, he has been actively engaged in the pursuit of farming, and by successful management, he now owns and cultivates a farm of 105 acres, which he has well improved. He began the battle of life with no capital, other than willing hands. He has a nature given to mechanism, and is a successful mechinist. He has operated threshers and saw-mills, and is a practical engineer, all of which knowledge he has gained himself. In March, 1S65. he took unto himself as a companion, Martha Sutton, daughter of Isaac and Alice Sutton. Mrs. Sedam was born in Johnson County, Ind., in February, 1845. Her marriage has been blessed by the birth of six children, of whom three are living: Jacob J., William E. and Fred E. Mr. and Mrs. Sedam are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he is a Master Mason, and a past master. He is a member of Glenn's Valley Lodge, No. 514.

Joseph Sedam, a farmer of White River Township, was born in Switzerland County, Ind., January 12, 1845, and is the son of John and Isabelle Sedam, whose history is found elsewhere in this volume. Joseph was raised on a farm" He attended the country schools, and received a fair education. He has followed farming as an occupation, and began in life with no capital other than willing hands, and for four years before his marriage worked on a farm by the month. He is a hard working and industrious man. March 3, 1867, he was united in marriage with Xancy Jane Markey, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Sells') Markey, who were early settlers of Johnson County. ' Mrs. Sedam was born in this county, Mav 22, 1843. The above marriage has been blessed by the following children : Mary Elizabeth, Annie Belle, Lillie Jane, Samuel

Albert, Harvey Grafton, Jessie Pearl, Ollie Blanche, William Edgar. Mr. Sedam, has lived in Johnson County nearly all of the time since he was married. He now owns a farm of sixty-eight acres, which he settled on when it was a forest. He cleared the land, and now has a nice and well-improved farm which enables him to live an independent life. He and wife are members of the Methodist Church. During the war he served three months and because of sickness was discharged. In politics, he is a democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for Seymour and Blair.

Mathew Sedam was born in Switzerland County, Ind., May II, 1826, and is the son of Henry and Elizabeth (Engle) Sedam. The father was born in New Jersey, February 17, 1778, and died in Switzerland County, Ind., in 1830. He was married in New Jersey, wedding Elizabeth Engle, who was born in New Jersey, in September, 1782. The father was the son of Henry Sedam, a native of New Jersey, of German descent. These parents, Henry and Elizabeth Sedam, came from New Jersey to Ohio, where they lived for a short time, and then removed to Indiana, and settled in Switzerland County, where they both died. The names of their children are: Nicholas, Henry, Andrew, Maria, Charles, Abraham, Cornelius,- Joseph, Mathew, John and Michael. Mathew was reared on a farm, and received a fair education in reading, writing, and " ciphering," while attending a few short terms of school. His father died when Mathew was but four years old, and his mother was left with a large family and but little means of support. Mathew left home at the age of eighteen years to begin the battle of life for himself, His work was that of farming. By industry and perseverance he established himself a good name, and also gained support. At the age of twenty-four years he took unto himself a wife, Martha Boyd, who lived but a few days over one year after their marriage, which was blessed by one birth, but the child is deceased. In 1855, Mr. Sedam came to Johnson County, and here he has since continued to reside and follow farming. November 19, 1857, he married for a second wife, Sarah Dorrell, the daughter of Jacob and Mary Dorrell, whose history is found elsewhere. Mrs. Dorrell was born in Johnson ' County, Ind., June 5, 1835. Her marriage unto Mr. Sedam has been blessed by these children: Jacob J. and Maria. Jacob J. was married December 26, 1883, to Roas Hughes, daughter of George Hughes. April 9, 1886, Maria was wedded to Ora T. Smith. Mr. and Mrs. Sedam are members of the United Brethren Church, and their children are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

father was born in York County, Penn., and is of German descent, and was the son of a Revolutionary soldier. Henry Sellars was married in Pennsylvania, wedding Eliza Fry, who gave birth to the following children : Margaret, Juliann, Henry, Layah, Daniel, Sarah, Reuben and Charles. Their mother died in Pennsylvania about 1842. The father married a second and third time. In 1867, the father came to Indiana and located in Johnson County, where his death occurred in 1872. He was a farmer by occupation, and lost his life by wounds received in a runaway with a team of horses. Reuben Sellars was reared on a farm, and was a poor boy. He gained no education, because when he was but four years old his mother died and left the father with a large family, and he being a poor man could do but little for the education of his children. Reuben grew to manhood on a farm, and has ever since followed farming for an occupation. His brothers scattered to various parts of the country, and of their whereabouts little is known. Reuben came to Indiana in 1867, hoping to learn of his brothers, who had come westward. But he learned but little, and on visiting Marion Countv, and liking this section of country, located in Marion County, where he lived for a short time, and then came to Johnson Countv, where he has since lived and followed farming. February 21, 1869, he was united in marriage with Aby L. M. Sells, nee Abv L. M. Townsend. Mrs. Sellars was born in Johnson County, Ind., August 21, 1S3S, and is the daughter of Levi and Elizabeth (Melton) Townsend. The above marriage has been blessed by the birth of the following children: Henry L., Effie M., and Myrtle O. Mrs. Sellars hrst marriage resulted in the birth of two children, by name, Mary Caroline and Annie Jane. Mr. Sellars owns sixty-five acres of land, and though not a wealthy man, he is blessed with prosperity, and enjoys the respect of his neighbors.

Martin Sells, who is a farmer by occupation, was born in Johnson County, Ind., January 9, 1845, and is the son of William and Catherine (Robinson) Sells. The father was born in Washington County, Va., in 1800. He was the son of Abraham and Nancy (Carr) Sells; the former was a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter was a native of Virginia. They came to Johnson County in 182 1, and settled in White River Township, where they lived till their deaths occurred. Their children numbered nine, viz. : William, Peggy, Margaret, Elizabeth, Susan, Frank, Jane, Charlotte and Thomas. William was married in 1831, unto Catherine, the daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Surface) Robinson, early settlers of Johnson County. Catherine was born in Wythe County, Va., in 181 1, and died in* this countv in 1876. William also died in this county in 1S69. The marriage of William and Catherine Sells resulted in the birth of these children : Eliza, Isaac, David, Elizabeth, Loyd and Martin. Martin was raised on a farm, and his life has been d