Captain James R. Ferguson was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1837, and was married in 1879 to Miss Minnie Connor, of Danville, a native of Maryland. They have one son, Wallace who is in the mercantile business in Henryville. He served four years in the Forty-ninth Indiana volunteer infantry as captain of company D.

Submitted by: James VanDerMark
History of The Ohio Falls Cities and Their Counties, Volume 2, 1882

JAMES R. FERGUSON

James R. Ferguson, retired farmer and veteran soldier, of Henryville, Clark county, is one of the older generation that has contributed so much to the progress and upbuilding of the community. His father, Colonel {Henry} Ferguson, who died in 1868, was the founder of Henryville. He was the foremost man in getting the railroad through that part of the country and induced Ben Marsh, the engineer who surveyed the railroad, to survey and help him lay off the town of Henryville, which was afterwards named in his honor. Our subject is well versed in the blacksmith trade, having spent ten years of his life in that business; the remainder of his career, outside of his military experiences, was spent in farming pursuits in which he has been unquestionably successful. He and his life live in retirement in Henryville in a manner fitting to their time of life.

James R. Ferguson was born on June 23, 1837, in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and was the son of Henry and Nancy (Young) Ferguson. Col. Henry Ferguson, as he became known in later life, was born in 1804, in the same county in Pennsylvania. He was a farmer and came to Clark county, Indiana, about 1842, and located on the present site of Henryville, owning all the land on which the town now stands. In order to induce the railroad authorities to open up Clark county, about 1848 or 1849 he both donated and sold them land. He helped to do the grading work on the road and was afterwards kept in the company's employ as paymaster, holding the position until his retirement from same. He retired from the service of the railroad in his fiftieth year. Colonel Ferguson was educated in the common schools of Pennsylvania, was a Democrat in politics, and belonged to the Presbyterian faith. He was a great friend of President Armstrong, of the Jeffersonville, Madison & Indianapolis Railroad, and was known all over the country. He was quite active in the political circles of his day, but never sought a public office. He was at one time colonel of a regiment of Pennsylvania militia, and was also employed by the state to collect all the old government arms in Clark, Scott, Floyd and Washington counties. He and James Allen hauled them to Indianapolis. He died in 1860, just before the war broke out. His wife died in 1844, when our subject was quite young. James R. besides himself had five brothers and two sisters. He and his sister, Maria Calender, of Louisville, Kentucky, are the only survivors.

James R. Ferguson started for himself when about sixteen years old. He learned the blacksmith trade, at which he worked for ten years with good results. In the year 1861, at the outbreak of the war, he enlisted in Company D, Forty-ninth Indiana Infantry, as a private, on September 19th. He fought in the battles of Cumberland Gap, Memphis, Tennessee; Vicksburg, and in the campaign around the last named district. He then participated in the Red River Expedition, came home on furlough, and was mustered out in 1865, at which time he held a commission as captain. From that time until a year ago he was a prosperous farmer.

In the year 1879 he married Mamie Connor, who was born on the 22d of November, 1850, and was the daughter of Mary and Bryan Connor. Her parents were natives of Ireland, though she herself was born in Maryland. Her mother died in Henryville and her father was killed in an accident on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, in Virginia, about 1856. Her mother, whose death occurred in 1885, was in her sixty-first year. Mrs. Ferguson and her husband have been blessed with the following children: Ray, born Mary 5, 1880; Earl R. was born December 4, 1881, and lives in California; Chester C., born May 13, 1885; Henry H. was born in February, 1887; Charles Blaine was born in 1890, January 11th, in Louisville, and James A. on December 31, 1893.

James R. Ferguson obtained his education in the common schools. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he is a Republican and served as Assessor of the township for one term. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Post No. 461.

Submitted by: Lois Mauk
Baird's History of Clark County, published 1909


Mr. James M. Gray was born in Union Township, Clark County, Indiana in 1839. He is a son of Jonathan Gray, who was also born in Union Township, Clark County in 1813. His father's name was David Gray, and came to Clark County from Pennsylvania some time previous to 1800. Mr. Jonathan Gray made this county his home till his death, which was in 1856.

He married in 1836, Miss Matilda Carr, who died in 1871 at the advanced age of sixty. Their family consisted of three sons and two daughters, all of whom are living. J. M. the oldest and the subject of this sketch, married in the year 1865, Miss Maria Guernsey, who was born in Monroe Township, this county in 1843, daughter of Mr. Burrett Guernsey, a very prominent citizen of this county till his death, which was in 1868.

Mr. J. M. Gray has one son, now fifteen years of age, Edgar L. Mr. Gray's early life was turned to farming and he still oversees his place, the old homestead south of Memphis. In the year 1870 he united his interests with his present partner, Mr. W. C. Coombs, in the manufacture of hominy mills, meeting with reasonable success. Both Mr. Gray and wife are members of the Christian Church. Politically he is a good, sound Republican.

Submitted by: James VanDerMark
History of The Ohio Falls Cities and Their Counties, Volume 2, 1882


Mr. Joseph H. Guernsey was born in Monroe township in 1823. His father was Mr. Guy Guernsey, who came to Clark county at an early day. He was married in 1844 to Miss Margaret Paterson, of Clark county, and has five children, three sons and two daughters. One daughter is Mrs. Mary Williams.

Submitted by: James VanDerMark
History of The Ohio Falls Cities and Their Counties, Volume 2, 1882


> Riley Gray was, according to the family Bible, born 15 October 1801. The 1850 census lists his age at 51, 2 years older than he would have been if the Bible record is taken as correct. The 1840 census lists him between 30 and 40, which checks the Bible record. Both census records give his place of birth as New York. His wife’s name was Mary, and we have no record of her maiden name or when they were married {Mary Bradley, b. 4 Oct. 1804, NY, d. 2 Jul. 1863, m-3 Mar. 1823}.

Riley and Mary came to Monroe Township prior to 1830 as their only child, George W. Gray, was born 17 Dec. 1829, and Indiana census and county records list farm transfer in their name in the early thirties. They are also recorded in the 1840 census. They were farm people and lived on a farm west of Blue Lick that is still occupied by their great grandson.

George W. Gray married Gracy Ann Cass (b. 10 Nov. 1829 in OH, d. 13 Sep. 1888, m-2 Oct. 1848). They lived in the Blue Lick neighborhood, and he operated a huckster wagon. That is he traveled through the rural areas and traded staple groceries, cloth, utensils, and anything else needed by farm families for farm produce or livestock. On one of his trips in a cold January rain, he got pneumonia and died 14 Jan. 1859. He left Gracy Ann with five children, ages 2-10.

On 1 October 1865, Gracy Ann married Jeduthan Gray (m-1 Oct. 1865, Jeduthan Gray b. 1827). Two more children were born of this marriage, Lydia S. Gray (b. 30 Aug. 1868, m-Abner D. Strother) and William C. Gray (b. 17 Sep. 1866, m-Mildred Barrett) The family lived in the Blue Lick neighborhood, later on the family farm, until all the children were married. After marriage the children continued to live in Monroe Township, most in the Blue Lick area.

Thomas Leroy (son of George W. Gray and Gracy Ann Cass) and his wife Elizabeth Alice lived at first on a little farm on the road running northwest of Mount Zion cemetery towards the Knobs and Salem (present S.R.160). The house had been built by a couple from Louisville, KY, and had two rooms separated by ten or twelve feet, but covered by a continuous roof. Thomas Leroy later built a frame cottage nearer the road. This location was about a mile south of the McBride-Allen farm on the same road. Two of their girls were born here. They next moved to a farm southwest of Blue Lick, known as the Bird place.

Children of George W. Gray and Gracy Ann Cass:
Mary Gray, b. 2 Mar. 1850, m-Abner Biggs
Thomas Leroy Gray, b. 1852, m-Elizabeth Alice
Ann E. Gray, b. 30 Sep. 1853, m-William H. Thomas
Sarah Emma (or Emily) Gray, b. 20 Sep. 1855, m-Amos Gray
Nathan R. Gray, b. 1858, m-Mattie E. Batty
After his first wife died, Riley Gray married Phylancy (Phylancie or Phylatha) Richardson Cass, formerly the wife of Dr. Nathan Cass (whom she had divorced) and mother of Gracy Ann Cass. This union took place 10 Sep. 1863. Phylancy Richardson Cass Gray was born 5 April (or 21 May) 1810. Riley Gray died 3 Sep. 1870.

From: The Family Tree of Riley Gray
Compiled by Emma Grace Deiser
Italicized portions added by Robin K. Reed


The subject of this sketch lives upon the soil which he was born three-quarters of a century ago, and in the house that his father built when John Milton Hallet was in the first year of his age. His parents penetrated the wilderness of Indiana when its trackless forests were filled with hostile Indians and when ferocious animals menaced them every step of the way, but with that dauntless courage which characterized the early setller, they had no thought of turning back but pushed on to their journey's end.

John Milton Hallet, one of the oldest and most prosperous citizens of Wood Township, Clark Co., was born in Wood Township, May 6,1833, the son of Samuel and Cynthia (GEER) Hallet. His father was born August 6,1790 in New London ,Connecticut and moved to Wood Township in 1819, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was known as "Squire" Hallet, having served as Justice of Peace for many years, and was very active in politics. He was the second postmaster for the little town of Borden, then known as New Providence. Like his father, who had fought in the war of the Revolution, he was a soldier, serving his country well throughout the War of 1812. He was a most pronounced Whig, and died in Wood Township in 1852. The mother of the subject, like her husband, was a native of Connecticut, being the daughter of Israel and Mary (NEWTON) GEER. The year of her birth was 1794, and she was married in 1814. The following children were born to the parents of the subject:

William S. B., born in Connecticut, April 4,1815,died in Borden, July 31,1860; Margaret Wood, his wife, died March 16,1841;
George W., born in Connecticut, April 4,1840, died at Borden, September 25, 1841;
Thomas B., born in Clark County, May 28,1821, died in Morrilton,Arkansas, 1868; Rhoda M., his wife, died January 24,1848;
Emeline ,who was born in Clark County, August 20,1823 died in New Albany in 1885;
Henry, born in Clark County, January 21,1826, died in November, 1853;
Mary Ann, born July 13, 1828, died April 28, 1855;
Elizabeth, born in Clark County, is still living (circa 1909) near Borden, and is the wife of Robert Huston;
John Milton, born May 6,1833, still living in Wood Township;
Norman, born May 9,1837,died October 28, 1841.

The parents on both sides of the house had members of their families in the War of the Revolution and the War of 1812.

The father of the subject, in connection with his agricultural pursuits, engaged in the nursery business and set out one of the first orchards in the county, two or three old trees still standing upon the land upon which the subject lives. He was always foremost in school and church work, being a public-spirited man,and naturally popular. As stated in the introductory of this sketch, the house where his son John Milton Hallet, now resides, was built by him in 1834. He purchased the land in that year, cleared and improved it unitl it was considered one of the best pieces of farm land in the county. Mr. Hallet burned the brick to build his dwelling upon land close to where his son now lives.

John Milton Hallet was married to Cynthia Kelly June 14, 1855, and she died Mary 29,1859, a little less than one year after she had become a bride. The result of this union was one child, who was born in 1856, and died in her infancy. On October 2,1861, the widower contracted a second alliance, marrying Louisa Martin. Their children were:

Edwin Stanton born September 4,1862, who married Emma K. Pierce and now lives in St. Louis, where he is chief engineer in the government service;
Linnie E. , born October 19.1864 is living at home; Thomas B., born September 27,1866, who is also at home, is a school teacher at Henryville, having graduated from Michigan University, and has taught school for thirteen years;
John M., Jr., born June 22,1874, lives at home.
The mother of these children died March 16, 1904.

Mr. Hallett started in life with a very scant education, but despite that handicap has been very successful. Besides being a farmer he is a breeder of fine Jersey cattle. He has a fine place, three miles and a half from Borden, and owns land in Section 5 and Section 7, living in the last named section. He is a member of the Christian Church, and a Republican.

Submitted by: Lonnie Fink
Baird’s History of Clark County, 1909


Mr. J. T. Hiestand was born in Washington County, Indiana, September 26, 1846. At the age of twenty-five he commenced doing business for himself by engaging in carpentering, which he pursued for about five years, at time running a steam thresher. At the expiration of this time he commenced the sawmill business, which he has since followed, and carried on a stave factory in Jefferson County, Kentucky, six months in 1880. In October 1880, he purchased a fine portable sawmill, with all the late improvements, costing about $2,000. He was married, March 12, 1873, to Miss Katie Kietz. They have two children, Harry and Jennie, aged seven and four respectively. In politics he is a Republican, and is a member of the Knights of Honor.

Submitted by: James VanDerMark
History of The Ohio Falls Cities and Their Counties, Volume 2, 1882


Mrs. Annia E. Hikes, widow of George Hikes, Jr., was formerly from the East. She spent some time in Illinois, and was a school-teacher. Her husband was reared in Jefferson county, Kentucky. The Hikes family were early settlers in Jefferson county, Kentucky.

NOTE FROM LOIS MAUK: I suspect this "George Hikes, Jr." is the son of Jacob Hikes, who was the son of George Hikes, a native of Pennsylvania and one of Clark County's early pioneers. This George Hikes married Annie Putnam in 1856 in Kankee Co., Illinois, but I know nothing more about her at this time except that George is buried in Utica Township, Clark Co., Indiana at Union Cemetery.

Submitted by: James VanDerMark
History of The Ohio Falls Cities and Their Counties, Volume 2, 1882


George Huckleberry, Sr., was a native of Wurtemburg, Germany. He came to America and settled in Pennsylvania until the year 1784, when he moved to Kentucky, Jefferson County, near Abbott's station, where he had one son captured by the Indians. When the Indians found that they were being pursued they killed the boy near the Twelve-mile island, which was the cause of the creek on the Kentucky side being called Huckleberry.

In the year 1796 he moved to Clark County, Indiana, near Charlestown Landing, where he purchased a large tract of land. He had seven sons and two daughters. His sons performed military duty on the frontier: Martin was in Captain Wells' company at St. Clair's defeat; Henry was in the battle of Tippecanoe; George was one of the volunteers that went to the relief of Fort Harrison when Major Zachary Taylor, afterwards President Taylor, was besieged by the Indians. John C. Huckleberry was a son of George Huckleberry, Jr., born in 1810. He was a member of the Legislature several terms; was proprietor and editor of the Southern Indianian; postmaster from 1838 to 1841; was sheriff of Clark county from 1845 to 1847; removed to Missouri in 1867, and thence to Reno county, Kansas and died August 1879. George Huckleberry left five children, two boys and three girls. William P. Huckleberry, his youngest son, was born in 1819, and is now acting as a claim agent and notary public.

Submitted by: James VanDerMark
History of The Ohio Falls Cities and Their Counties, Volume 2, 1882


Mr. Peter Huffman, with his family of five children and wife came to Monroe township, Clark county, Indiana in 1811. He, however, had other children who were married and had homes of their own, one of whom as the wife of Mr. Henry Collins. They {Mr. and Mrs. Collins} were both killed in the Pigeon Roost Massacre.

Mr. Huffman settled on Silver Creek, Monroe township, Clark county, Indiana, where he commenced the life of a pioneer in the woods. In March, 1813, he was killed in what is known as the Huffman defeat. With the same ball that Mr. Huffman was killed, Mrs. Huffman was wounded in the breast, the ball lodging in the shoulder-blade.

His sons settled in Jackson county. Andrew J. Huffman is a grandson of this famous Indian hunter. He was born in 1819; was married in 1841, on the day of General Harrison’s inauguration, to Miss Eliza McComb, of Monroe township, born in 1823.

Submitted by: James VanDerMark
History of The Ohio Falls Cities and Their Counties, Volume 2, 1882


William J. Kirkpatrick was born and raised in Clark county, resides on the farm formerly owned by Governor Jennings, is a farmer and trader, has been engaged in teaching school, is a bachelor, stayed with his mother and sisters as the head of the house, has been successful in trade, and is in good circumstances. He is an upright, honest man, and possessed of good conversational powers.

Submitted by: James VanDerMark
History of The Ohio Falls Cities and Their Counties, Volume 2, 1882


W. R. Kirkpatrick, an experienced and efficient teacher in Clark county, Indiana, was born in June 1857. His father was chief of police in Louisville, holding that office very efficiently for several years. He was also superintendent of the workhouse for some ten or twelve years, and in all was a very prominent man. He died in September, 1880. W. R. Kirkpatrick received his education in the Bloomington college, Indiana, and has been teaching in all five years. His work as a teacher has earned for him some reputation, which he well deserves.

Submitted by: James VanDerMark
History of The Ohio Falls Cities and Their Counties, Volume 2, 1882


Jacob Lentz was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1807. In October 1818 he came with his father, John Lentz, to Clark county, Indiana. Since that date he has made this county his home.

His wife was Miss Mahala Prather, who died leaving a family of seven children, five daughters and two sons. One daughter has since died. All the rest are married except the youngest daughter, Fannie V., who resides at home.

Mr. Lentz, some years after the death of his wife, was married to Miss Nancy Fry, by whom he has one child, John, now nine years old.

Mr. Lentz owns a fine farm of eighty-three acres situated on the Ohio river. Politically he is a sound Republican.

Submitted by: James VanDerMark
History of The Ohio Falls Cities and Their Counties, Volume 2, 1882


Richard L. Martin was born July 14, 1844, in Washington County, Indiana. His father, Manoah Martin died in 1866. Mr. Richard L. Martin came to Clark county in 1850. He has a farm of three hundred and seventy-five acres. He was married in 1871 to Miss Angeline Robinson, daughter of James Robinson. They have one child, Ora born May 8 1875. Mr. and Mrs. M artin are members of the Christian Church.

Submitted by: James VanDerMark
History of The Ohio Falls Cities and Their Counties, Volume 2, 1882


Persistence and courage in the face of difficulties are necessary factors to success and energy and determination must lend their aid if one would succeed in the face of competition and gain prosperity in this age of feverish activity, when all are striving for the same goal. Realizing this fact our subject [CLAUDE BURTON McBRIDE] early in life determined upon a career which has brought ultimate success early and won for him the esteem of a wide circle of acquaintances in Clark county.

Claude Burton McBride first saw the light of day March 19, 1883, three miles north of Jeffersonville. He is the son of Isaac and Emma (Hale) McBride, the former the son of John McBride, also natives of Clark County, in fact, this county has been the home of the McBrides for many generations and few families have been more closely identified with its growth than this one, for we find that one, Isaac McBride, the subject's great-grandfather, came to this county in the early pioneer days from Pennsylvania, locating near Henryville. He was a very active Presbyterian and did a most commendable work religiously in the early settlement here. He had a brother who distinguished himself as a scout in Gen. George Rogers Clark's expedition against Fort Vincennes. John McBride, grandfather of our subject, was one of the few men of that day who was interested in a county public school system and rode to Charlestown on horseback to cast his vote in favor of the project at the time the election for Clark county was held at that place for the establishment of free public schools in Indiana.

Emma Hale was the daughter of Isaac Hale, who came to Clark county from the New England states and worked on the Ohio river as a deck hand for some time, later turning his attention to farming and was quite successful, developing an excellent farm by hard work and good management for he was poor when a boy and was compelled to help support a widowed mother.

Claude Burton McBride grew up on the old Hale homestead, where he was born, assisting with the work about the place, attending the McBride school in the meantime, later taking a course in Borden College, where he made a very commendable record, fitting himself for a teacher, which line of work he had long desired to follow, consequently soon after completing his education in the local schools he began teaching, and so constant was his progress that in September, 1908, he was appointed to the responsible position of principal of the Ohio Falls school, which place he filled with much credit to himself, and the entire satisfaction to both pupil and patron, giving every evidence of a well-educated instructor and possessing the many other pre-requisites for this line of work, and showing that a future in the same awaited him with signal results.

Mr. McBride in his fraternal relations is a member of Tabor Lodge, No. 92, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, also Hope Lodge, Knights of Pythias; and Jefferson Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, in all of which he takes an abiding interest. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, having adhered to the faith of a long line of ancestors. Politically he is a Democrat and takes an active part in local affairs. He is a prepossessing, gentlemanly young man and is popular in his community.


Dr. C. R. McBride was a native of Clark county and passed his early life on a farm, which was near Dead Man's Hollow. At twenty years of age he began the study of medicine with the late Dr. N. Field, and in 1850 he entered the University of Medicine of Louisville, Kentucky, but did not graduate until later years -- 1866. All his life he practiced his profession in this city. He served as township trustee, was City Clerk for six years, physician to the State Prison and township physician for several years. In 1868 he was elected to the state Legislature, serving a regular term and a special session. Doctor McBride was a good physician and a man of versatile talents.

Mary McBride married James Allen 19 Dec 1815 in Washington Co OH.
Bette Schiedler has a copy of the marriage record from the Washington County Historical Society.

Submitted by: Lois Mauk
Baird’s History of Clark County, 1909


Mr. George McClure was born in Ireland April 1, 1800. At the age of twenty-two he came to America, locating first in Baltimore, Maryland, where he engaged as clerk for the form of George & Hayes, grocers, with whom he remained eleven years. In December 1833, he went to Louisville, Kentucky, where he and William Ross, a young man who clerked for George & Hayes at the same time, engaged in business. These young men continued in business in Louisville twenty years. In 1857 he moved upon his farm in Monroe Township, Clark County, where he has since resided. Was married in Ireland, in 1821 to Miss Biddie Hayes, a sister of one of the firm in Baltimore. She died in June 1868. Both were members of the Presbyterian Church. Politically he is a Jackson Democrat.

In the year 1851 his brother, Thomas McClure, came from Ireland and lived upon this farm till his death, which was in the year 1866, at the age of sixty-three, leaving five children, three of whom are dead.

Mr. George McClure, son of Thomas, was born in December 1839. Farming is his principal avocation. In the year 1866 he and Miss Lizzie Crum, of Nelson County, Kentucky, were united in marriage. They have a family of four, two sons and two daughters. Owns a nice farm of two hundred and eleven acres in Illinois Grant. Politically is a democrat.

Mr. William McClure was born in Ireland in 1827 and came to America in 1851. Made his home with his brother till he was married, which was in 1858, to Miss Margaret Ann Bodine, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1841. They have a family of six living children, five sons and one daughter. He purchased a farm of eighty-one acres in 1856, where he resides in Monroe Township, Clark County. Recently purchased one hundred acres in same township. Has always been a farmer. Is a member of the Knights of Honor and his wife is a member of the ladies association of the same order. Both his wife and family are members of the Presbyterian Church.

Submitted by: James VanDerMark
History of The Ohio Falls Cities and Their Counties, Volume 2, 1882


Mr. William McClure was born in Ireland in 1827 and came to America in 1851. Made his home with his brother till he was married, which was in 1858, to Miss Margaret Ann Bodine, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1841. They have a family of six living children, five sons and one daughter. He purchased a farm of eighty-one acres in 1856, where he resides in Monroe Township, Clark County. Recently purchased one hundred acres in same township. Has always been a farmer. Is a member of the Knights of Honor and his wife is a member of the ladies association of the same order. Both his wife and family are members of the Presbyterian Church.

Submitted by: James VanDerMark
History of The Ohio Falls Cities and Their Counties, Volume 2, 1882


Joseph McCombs, deceased, was born in 1814 in Clark County. His father, William McCombs, came to the county before the year 1800. In 1845 Mr. McCombs and Martha Simpson were united in marriage, and afterwards moved upon the farm now owned by Mrs. McCombs. This is a beautiful farm, consisting of one hundred and twenty acres of land under a high state of cultivation, with an elegant dwelling house upon it. By this marriage Mrs. McCombs is the mother of six children three married and three single. Mrs. Mary Eweng, one daughter, lives in Missouri. Mrs. Anna Carr and Mrs. Adaline Wilson live in Clark County. One son and two daughters are as yet unmarried.

Submitted by: James VanDerMark
History of The Ohio Falls Cities and Their Counties, Volume 2, 1882


Correspondent Brad Cooper offers the following report on his Clark County ancestor, John L. P. McCune:
"Uncle" John L. P. McCune at the time of his death, was said to be the oldest man in Clark Co., Indiana. Near the vanguard and active at the Battle of the Thames, he was quite a fiddle player at the local get-togethers.
The following is from page 523 of The History of the Ohio Falls Counties, Vol. 2, 1882:

CHAPTER XXXV
CLARK COUNTY SETTLEMENT NOTES

"John L. P. McCune, a native of Jessamine county, Kentucky, came to Clark county in 1816, engaged in making shoes and boots; was engaged in farming part of his time, had a farm near Memphis on which he resided part of his time; was one of the gallant young Kentuckians that responded to the call of Governor Shelby, and marched to the Canadian frontier, and was in Colonel Trotter's regiment, which was the first regiment in the battle of the Thames, on the 15th of October, 1813, when Proctor was defeated and Tecumseh was killed, which gave peace to the Northwestern frontier. Mr. McCune has arrived at the advanced age of eighty-nine, and is uncommon sprightly for a man of his age."

Also, from page 343 of the same volume:

"Strange as it may appear, the store-keeping business in Charlestown was a very extraordinary kind. John L. P. McCune came here in 1816, opened a shoe shop, and supplied his little room with a stock of goods. In 1822 he located permanently, and for many years afterwards plied his awl and measured the feet, for coarse boots, of most the lawyers, judges, and physicians at the county seat."

I have an transcribed obituary from the Jeffersonville Evening News on April 26, 1889, page 4, column 5, entitled:
Fallen John L.P. McCune, the Nonogenarian, Dead --
The End of a Long and Honorable Life.
Some Interesting Reminiscences.

"CHARLESTOWN, April 26, 1889 (Special) -- 'Uncle' Johnny McCune was a shoemaker, and when Gen. Harrison, after his election passed through Charlestown he made him a present of a pair of boots made by his own hands. Although he was a great admirer of Gen. Harrison, yet he was a firm and loyal Democrat and never swerved from his loyalty to the Democratic party....

"He was a great performer on the violin and frequently played at the Old Settlers' meeting, where he was always an object of interest and was himself and enthusiastic participant, and ever proud of his long and venerable career...

"It was one of his great pleasures to sit on a dry goods box or in the stores of Charlestown and relate the trials and adventures of his early days when the European civilization was grappling with the wild savagery of America and the new nation was in its swaddling clothes. Mr. McCune was so prominent by reason of his great age that he was ever the central figure of interest at the Old Settler's Meetings at Charlestown, and for this reason his history has been frequently written up, and there is little in the details of his life that we can present to our readers."

(Transcription by Mildred Berkey of Louisville, KY)

Brad Cooper provided another obituary, entitled:
OLD INDIAN FIGHTER DEAD
John P. McCune, of Charlestowwn Ind., Passes Away

The following is from an unknown paper, but possibly from the Jeffersonville Evening News, April 27, 1889, page 2, column 4, or April 29, 1889, page1, column 1 or page 4, column 3; also possibly from the National Democrat of May 3, 1889, page 2, column 6; page 3, column 3; page 4, column 1 or Aug. 9, 1889, page 2, column 6. (Newspaper sources from Diane Henley at dhenley@thepoint.net.) Photocopy of obituary in the files of compiler Brad L. Cooper.

"...He was well acquainted with Daniel Boone, and to the day of his death lived to recount the stirring events in which he had followed that great leader.....

"In his younger days, he had been a fine violinist, and no old settlers meeting in Clark county in recent years was thought complete without a tune from Grandpa McCune's fiddle...."

Brad Cooper goes on to report that John L. P. McCune was said to be a soldier at Tippecanoe, and the Battle of the Thames. "His participation at the Battle of the Thames can be proven. He was an early farmer and later merchant. He rubbed elbows with famous men, yet was actually the type of man who did the dirty work that made those leaders famous."

"It is doubtful due to the time and circumstance that he actually ran around with Daniel Boone, but there is no reason to doubt that he saw Tecumseh killed. His regiment was in the vanguard of the attack on the Indian side of the swamp in the center of the battlefield at the Thames."

"'Uncle Johnny' was apparently a teller of tall tales. Can't you just see him in a George Caleb Bingham (I know that's Missouri and not Indiana) type painting, playing the violin in between yarns (stories), with his 'coarse boots'; propped up on a box next to the pot bellied stove? Praising the Democrats and lamenting over his wife having passed away a few years before."

"Obviously, John was somewhat a celebrity at county events, due to his age and the stories which he had compiled during his many years."

Submitted by: Brad Cooper
History of Ohio Falls Counties, Vol. 2, 1882


Isaac McCoy was born near Uniontown, Pennsylvania, on June 13, 1784. When he was six years old his family moved to Kentucky where he grew to manhood. There he married Christiana Polk, a relative of President Polk, in 1803. Christiana (nicknamed “Kittie”) was in 1782, along with her mother and several siblings, kidnapped by Indians from her home at Kinchelo Station in Nelson County, Kentucky and held captive for 13 months in Indian villages near Detroit, Michigan.

In 1804, the newlyweds moved with Isaac’s family to Clark County, Indiana. Fourteen children were born to this union but four died in infancy or early childhood. Only three remained alive at the time of his death in 1846.

On July 11, 1807, the Silver Creek Baptist Church granted Isaac McCoy “license to exercise his gifts in the bounds of the church”. He was only 23 years old and his “gifts” were still uncertain. Apparently his gifts were considerable as on August 13, 1808, the Church at Silver Creek granted him “license to preach the Gospel wherever God in His providence might cast his lot.”

In 1809, Isaac and Kittie relocated to Knox County, near Vincennes, where in 1810, Isaac became the pastor of Maria Creek Church and remained there for 8 years, while spending much of his time making missionary trips in the surrounding countryside.

In 1817, Isaac McCoy was sent by the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions in America to the Miami Indians, who were living on the Wabash river, 16 miles above Terre Haute, Indiana. This was his first missionary experience but he was to spend the remainder of his life in this and related fields.

McCoy established Carey Mission among the Pottawatomies on the St. Joseph river near present Niles, Michigan in December, 1822. In 1826 he founded Thomas Mission among the Ottawas near present Grand Rapids.

His daughter Delilah married Dr. Johnston Lykins, who was a missionary, a doctor, and Kansas City’s first mayor. Dr. Lykins was born August 15, 1800. He came west in 1828 with his bride, Delilah McCoy, his father-in-law (Isaac McCoy) and Bro. McCoy’s surveyor son, John Calvin McCoy. Together, they shepherded their Shawnee Indian parishioners on the long trek from Michigan to Kansas. Dr.Lykins doctored their bodies as well as their souls.

Bro. McCoy and his family accompanied the Indians removed from Indiana by the federal government circa 1830 to their new home west of the Mississippi.

By 1833, Bro. McCoy, Dr. Lykins, Jotham Meeker and their associates had obtained a printing press and began producing books in Delaware, Shawnee, Potawatomi and other native languages. Dr. Lykins edited the Sinwiowe Kesibwi (Shawnee Sun), a small newspaper published entirely in Shawnee. His translation of the Gospel of Saint Matthew and the Acts of the Apostles into Potawatomi was published in 1844 by William C. Buck’s printing firm in Louisville, Kentucky. One of the rare surviving copies is held by the Library of the Indiana Historical Society in Indianapolis.

For many years McCoy was almost constantly employed by the government in the Indian country, selecting and surveying locations for the immigrant Indians and establishing and maintaining missions and schools. In 1842 he moved to Louisville, Kentucky to direct the American Indian Mission Association, a society which he himself had organized.

He was the author of History of the Baptist Indian Mission and continued in this work until his death at Louisville in 1846.

Note: We have, to date, not yet determined where in Louisville Isaac McCoy is buried; however, we have found the following account of the “moss-covered slab” at his grave:

REV. ISAAC McCOY
Born June 13, 1784
Died June 21, 1846

”For near thirty years his entire time and energies were devoted to the civil and religious improvement of the aboriginal tribes of this country. He projected and founded the plan of their colonization, their only hope, and the imperishable monument of his wisdom and benevolence.”

The papers of Isaac McCoy were presented to the Kansas State Historical Society on July 9, 1879, by John Calvin McCoy, a son who accompanied the missionary on his early explorations and assisted in the survey of the proposed Indian lands. John Calvin McCoy was born in Indiana on September 28, 1811 and he went West with his father in 1830. He founded the city of Westport, Kansas, where he settled in 1830, and 8 years later founded the original “Town Company of Kansas”, which became Kansas City.

The collection, numbering more than 2,500 items, was bound in 38 volumes shortly after it was deposited with the Society.

The Isaac McCoy papers are the property of the Kansas State Historical Society. Brief quotations are authorized without restriction.

The microfilm of the Isaac McCoy papers may be used in the Research Room of the Kansas State Historical Society, borrowed through interlibrary loan, or purchased.

Submitted by: Lois Mauk
Kansas State Historical Society website and A Bicentennial History of Stony Point Christian Church (permission was granted by both for this use)


The firm of Hawes & McDietz was organized March 1, 1880, consisting of Joseph J. Hawes and Thomas McDietz, the latter having controlled the business from 1865. Mr. McDietz was born in Blue Lick, in 1847, a son of Mr. T. McDietz, who was born in Springville, this county, in 1811, and carried on the mercantile business at Blue Lick from 1834 to 1863, which was the date of his death. Mr. McDietz, Jr., was married in 1867 to Miss Mary R. Townsend. They have six children, two sons and four daughters.

Mr. Hawes was born in this county in 1838. Since he became a young man he has been on the railroad; was conductor on the Louisville & Nashville railroad but gave it up and engaged in the mercantile business. He was married December 31, 1863, to Miss Mary B. Dietz. Both are members of the lodge of Knights and Ladies of Honor.

Submitted by: James VanDerMark
History of The Ohio Falls Cities and Their Counties, Volume 2, 1882


Samuel McKinley was born April 27, 1836 in Wood Township, and has always resided in the county. His father, James McKinley came from Kentucky to Indiana in 1810 or 1812. Mr. Samuel McKinley is engaged in a tannery at New Providence. He was married in 1858 to Miss Louisa Schleicher, of Clark County. They have ten children. Mr. and Mr. McKinley are members of the Christian Church.

Submitted by: James VanDerMark
History of The Ohio Falls Cities and Their Counties, Volume 2, 1882


Mr. Fredric Metzger was born in Baden, Germany in 1833. He came to America when nineteen years of age, first settling in Maryland, thence to Virginia. In 1853 he came to Indiana. Since 1864 he has been in the coopering business in Henryville. He was married in 1856 to Miss Ellen Nanunaman, of Davenport, Iowa. Their family consists of six children.

Submitted by: James VanDerMark
History of The Ohio Falls Cities and Their Counties, Volume 2, 1882


John Morrow, one of the successful and experienced teachers of Clark County was born in Charlestown June 16, 1837, in which place he grew to manhood in the meantime receiving his education and qualifications as a teacher. He began his profession during the winter of 1858-59, teaching in Charlestown, since which time he has had the principalship of those schools. His father, William Morrow came from Kentucky about 1820. He was a man of more than ordinary ability, and served as magistrate of the town about thirty years. He died in 1873 at the advanced age of eighty years. His second wife, Jane Manly, mother of Professor Morow, died in 1859. Mr. Morrow was married in the spring of 1859 to Miss Lucy Jane Collins, and has three sons and one daughter.

Submitted by: James VanDerMark
History of The Ohio Falls Cities and Their Counties, Volume 2, 1882


Deb Murray