Greene County Biography Ref. Page

WILLIAM C. ANDREWS is a native of Essex County, N. Y., his birth occurring April 4, 1812. His father, George H. Andrews, was also a native of the empire State, was of English descent and was married to Nancy McKenzie. For many years Mr. Andrews commanded a vessel on Lake Champlain, and in this way obtained the title of "Capt. Andrews." In 1819, he and family removed to Franklin County, Ohio, where he engaged in farming, and where he passed the greater part of his declining years in peace and contentment. William C. Andrews, at the age of twelve years, entered a store at Worthington, Ohio, as clerk, remaining there until 1837, and for the two succeeding years was employed in a like capacity at Gambier. In 1839, in company with Dayton Topping, he came to Greene County, Ind., and began merchandising at Point Commerce, but subsequently became associated with C. J. Barrackman in a like business. In 1849, he platted and laid out Worthington, and the spring of 1850, moved to this place and opened a general store--the first in Worthington. Until the close of the late war, Mr. Andrews was almost constantly engaged in mercantile pursuits, but since then has dealt in real estate and transacted a general law, collecting and insurance business. On the 19th of August, 1840, he was married to Eunice G. Topping, who was born in Franklin County, Ohio, in 1812. To this union were born Newton, Katharine R. and Mary L. The mother died April 30, 1852, and May 4, 1858, Mr. Andrews married his second wife--Josephine Stalcup. This lady was born in Greene County, Ind., September 19, 1835, and by Mr. Andrews is the mother of three children--Grace, William C. and Maria L. For over twenty-five years, Mr. Andrews has served as Justice of the Peace, and although not a radical partisan, has always firmly believed in the principles of the Whig and Republican parties. Mr. Andrews is one of the oldest and best known men in northern Greene County, and all who know him unite in pronouncing him a man among men. He is a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity, and the Protestant Episcopal Church.

"HISTORY OF GREENE AND SULLIVAN COUNTIES, STATE OF INDIANA, FROM THE EARLIEST TIME TO THE PRESENT; TOGETHER WITH INTERESTING BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, REMINISCENCES, NOTES, ETC." CHICAGO: GOODSPEED BROS. & CO., PUBLISHERS. 1884.
JEFFERSON TWP.
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Data Entry Volunteer: Diana Flynn

THOMAS AYDELOTTE, M. D., a son of James R. and Amelia A. (List) Aydelotte, who were natives respectively of Delaware and Ohio, was born August 18, 1838, in Montgomery County, Ind., whither his parents had removed from Ohio in 1837. His father became a resident of the Buckeye State when a small lad, and was there married. His mother dying in Montgomery County, Ind., in 1842, his father soon afterward moved to Clinton County, and at the time of the building of the Wabash & Erie Canal, took large contracts and continued aiding in the work until the canal's completion. He then moved to Gibson County where he continued to reside until his death in 1876. He was twice married, by his first wife being the father of five children and by his second, who was formerly Cynthia A. Hollingsworth, eight children. Dr. Aydelotte was raised a farmer, was but commonly educated and at twenty-fouur years of age, began the study of medicine at Princeton. He attended two course of lectures at the Chicago Medical College, and in 1864 located at Carlisle, Ind., for the practice of his profession, where he remained nearly three years, then, after practicing at Princeton a short time, he came to Greene County. For about six years, he was located at Newberry, after which he came to Worthington, where he has since remained in active practice, a part of the time as partner with Dr. L. P. Mullinnix. He has here built up a large and successful practice and has the entire confidence and respect of the community. In politics, he is Democratic and is a member of the Masonic and K. of H. orders. He was married in 1861, to Miss Ella Kennett, who died after bearing two children, both now deceased. Miss Donna Arnold became his second wife, on the 30th of November, 1870, and by her he is the father of three children--Joseph G., James W. and George.

TAYLOR BROTHERS. George R. Taylor, the father, was born in New Hampshire in 1796, and at manhood came to Orange County, Ind., where, for a time, he taught school winters and boated summers, and where, in 1828, he married Miss Mary Clark, who was born in Vermont in 1808. The following year, he locaed in Scaffold Prairie, Greene County, where he lived about twenty-two years, moving then to Worthington, where, except two years, he resided until his death. While on Scoffold Prairie, he farmed, dealt in stock, kept a country store, was the first Postmaster in Smith Township (his commission bearing President Jackson's name), was an Old-Line Whig and a popular man and politician; served as Justice of the Peace, owned a store in Fairplay while on the prairie, and one at Point Commerce after the canal was finished; was a Methodist, his house beign a resort for early circuit-riders, and a place of worship; was a merchant at Worthington from 1856 to the close of the war, when he retired. He was an excellent man, broad, liberal, genuine, noted for sobriety, honesty and industry, and died in 1876, full of years and honors, followed by his wife in 1878. Eight of their six sons, and six daughters are now living. Calvin S. Taylor was born in Smith Township in 1832, was reared on a farm, with limited education, and in 1854, went overland to California, starting March 5 and reaching San Jose September 1. Here he remained until 1863, farming and dealing in stock; then returned to Greene County; attended school at Greencastle; then began merchandising in Worthington with his brother Merritt, and is yet thus engaged, besides conducting a farm and dealing in stock. He is a Republican, and a member of the Episcopal Church. He married Miss Annie E. Topping in 1865; they have two children--Mary L. and Frank D. The brothers' store building was built in 1876. They have a large stock and a profitable business. Merritt C. Taylor, born in Smith Township in 1836; was also reared on a farm, remaining at work there and in the store until 1862, when he enlisted in Company E, Fifty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, as Second Lieutenant. He was at the surrender of Island No. 10, at the siege and battle of Corinth, and in lesser engagements, and, in 1864, resigned his commission in the Fifty-ninth, and with S. L. Bryan raised Company A, One Hundred and Fifteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was commissioned First Lieutenant, serving as such until March, 1865, and part of the time as Captain de facto. After his return, he entered in business with his brother, and is yet thus engaged. His marriage with Emily Topping occurred in 1865; they have two children--George D. and William T. Mr. Taylor is a Republican. Dayton Topping was a native of New England, born in 1802, and moved as a child to Ohio. In 1824, he married Miss Margaret Douglas, and in 1840 moved to Greene County, Ind., entering the mercantile business at Point Commerce. Two years later, he moved to Terre Haute, but, in 1850, returned and began keeping the famous old "Franklin House," at Worthington. He conducted the house ten years; was a prominent canal man and canal collector; was an Old-Line Whig, and an uncompromising Union man during the war; was a member of the Episcopal Church; was a Mason. He was a man of unusual capacity, and died in 1865, followed by his wife in 1881. They had eight children; four of the daughers yet living. His son, Melville D., raised a company at Terre Haute, became its Captain, was promoted Lieutenant Colonel of the Seventy-first Regiment, and was killed near Richmond, Ky., in 1862, his death being widely lamented.

GEORGE G. DYER was born in Putnam County, Ind., October 20, 1851, and is a son of John G. and Hannah E. (Crose) Dyer, who were natives respectively of Ashe County, N.C., and Bourbon County, Ky. John G. came to Owen County, Ind., when a lad, but in later years moved to Putnam County, where his parents died. He read medicine for a time, but afterward engaged in farming, wagon-making and carpentering, and at one time was Superintendent of the bridge department for a railroad company. He afterward engaged in the marble trade, and, in 1870, came to Worthington, where he died in 1874. His widow yet survives him, and by him has nine children. George G. passed his youthful days upon a farm, and secured a fair education. From early boyhood he manifested great liking and aptitude for mechanical pursuits, and when about fourteen years old began working at watch-repairing, marble-cutting, and metal and wood engraving. He was in the marble business in Worthington from 1869 to 1880, and also worked at engraving and silversmithing. Since then he has been engaged in the jewelry business, and is doing well. He was married, in 1871, to Miss Emma Allison, and they have four children -- Daisy, Elsie, John and Charles. Mrs. Dyer was born in Johnson County, Ind., in 1851. Mr. Dyer is a Republican, a member of the Christian Church, the Masonic and K. of P. fraternities. He is one of the best engravers on stone, wood or metals in Indiana.

SAMUEL FOLSOM, deceased, was born in the town of Groton, N. H., August 4, 1801. He remained upon a farm, assisting his parents, until February of 1819, when he went to Boston, Mass., and thence in a short time to Florida and Mississippi. He remained in the South until 1827, when he took boat at Natchez, Miss., for the upper country, not knowing where he would stop. On board the boat, he fell in company with Capt. John Johnson, Daniel Harris and Stephen L. Bigger, of Owen County, Ind. They gave him such a favorable account of the country they lived in that he determined to accompany them home. This he did, and after a short ime located on the farm now owned by John Ritter, in Owen County, purchasing the land of Capt. Johnson. Here he remained a number of years. In 1850, he came to Greene County, Ind., and located on the farm now owned by Mark Hayes, in Eel River Township, where he remained some seven years, and then moved to Fairplay township, where he lived several years, when he came to Worthington and located to avoid the cares and hardships incident to farm life. Here he passed the remainder of his days, dying October 22, 1877. When quite a young man, he connected himself with the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a self-made man, inheriting only the priceless legacy of a good name and a robust constitution. His battle against porverty was successful, as he secured a handsome competency. He was industrious, honest, philanthropic, an upright Christian, ture to all of life's obligations. He served as Justice of the Peace some ten years; also was Commissioner of Owen County a number of years. He was one of the pioneer Whigs and Abolitionists, and in later life a Republican. He was twice married, his fist wife being Hannah Nelson, to whom he was married in 1828. She died in 1846. By this union there was one child, viz., Emily. There were five children his wife had when he married her, by a former marriage. These he reared as his own, and all in a manner reflecting great credit on himself and wife. He was united in marriage with Miss Sophia Davis September 25,1848. She was born near London, England, September 5,1814, and when a small child her parents emigrated to the United States, and after living in New York City some time, they moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, and lived there and in that vicinity the remainder of their days. By Mr. Folsom's marriage with Miss Davis, there were no children.

RUFUS GASKILL was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, August 14, 1837, one of five children born to Thomas and Lucinda (Duling) Gaskill, he a native of New York, who removed to the Buckeye State with his parents when three years old; she a native of Virginia. They were married June 28, 1836. In 1846, they settled in Owen County, and in 1861 came to Greene county. They were both members of the Methodist Episcpal Church. Mrs. Gaskill died March 17, 1881. Our subject received but an ordinary education, being engaged from childhood at work upon the farm, and has followed farming all his life. He owns 235 acres of good land, all improved, and raises some stock. December 23, 1860, he married Mary E. Wood, who has borne him two children--Ludilla O., born November 26, 1862, and John A., born November 8, 1866. Mrs. Gaskill was born November 10, 1844, in Owen County, Ind., one of three children born to David A. and Elizabeth (Leach) Wood, pioneers of Indiana. Her parents died when she was quite young. Subject and farmily are all members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is a Republican in politics.

ISRAEL GLOVER, a very progressive farmer of Jefferson Township, is a native of Jefferson County, Ohio, born December 24, 1827, one of fifteen children born to Joel and Elizabeth (Shannon) Glover, natives of Ohio, he being born April 1,1808, and she April 4, 1808, both still living. Subject received but a limited education, and was married, November 15, 1849, to Sarah Moore, of Jefferson County, Ohio, and six children have blessed the union, three of whom are now living--Mary E., born February 6, 1851; Sarah L., Janaury 23, 1861; Ada G., September 2, 1868. Mrs. Glover died September 13, 1877. January 6, 1880, he was married to Mrs. Elizabeth (Inman) Crance. In 1854, Mr. Glover settled in Highland Township, Greene County, where he lived six years, and then moved to Jefferson Township, where he now lives, and where he owns 187 acres of good land, which is highly improved and under good cultivation. He was Justice of the Peace in Highland Township. Is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and a Republican. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Worthington.

SAMUEL BALDWIN HARRAH, merchant, Worthington, was born in Fleming County, Ky., January 14,1816, a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Baldwin) Harrah, who were natives respectively of Virginia and Maryland, and of Irish descent. Originally, the name was O'Hara, but owing to the servitude of the Irish people as British subjects, and not wishing to have any connection whatever with Great Britain, the progenitor of the name in this county--his advent being just at the close of the Revolution--changed it to Harrah. The paretns of S. B. Harrah were married in Virginia, and soon afterward removed to Kentucky, carrying their entire earthly effects to their new home on pack-horses. They resided in that State until 1825, when they came to Greene County, Ind., locating on "Nine Mile Prairie," where they ever afterward made their home. Being poor people, they were compelled to endure many of the hardships and privations of pioneer life. They were intelligent and highly respected people, and reared a family of children in a creditable manner for that early day. S. B. Harrah, subject of this biography, was reared upon a farm, deriving his education from the old-fashioned log schoolhouse. His first business venture was buying mules and driving them South for sale when he was twenty-three years old. This enterprise did not prove profitable, so Mr. Harrah, in 1844, found employment as a clerk at Point Commerce, at which he continued until 1850, when he embarked in a general mercantile business on his own responsibility. In 1856, he came to Worthington, and beacme associated with M. H. Shryer in merchandising, with whom he continued a number of years. Since 1869, he has conducted the leading hardware and implement store of Worthington. Mr. Harrah is one of Worthington's oldest and best citizens. His influence and support have ever been felt in the advancement of all moral, educational and progressive matters, and while he was a firm advocate of Whig principles previous to 1856, and as equally an ardent Republican since that time, he has never aspired for any political honors. November 22, 1843, he was united in marriage with Mrs. A. M. S. Hempsted (whose maiden name was Scott), who was born in Union County, Ohio, August 3, 1817. Mr. and Mrs. Harrah are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and to their union have been born six children, named--Myra, Lessie, William, Anna, and two that died in infancy. Mrs. Harrah had a daughter by her first marriage, Alma, now Mrs. C. N. Shaw, who is Mr. Harrah's partner in business. Mrs. H. is a teacher of fourteen years' experience in Indiana, and is a lady of education, refinement and great social and moral worth.

HON. A. S. HELMS, Worthington, was born in Wayne Township, Belmont Co., Ohio, August 13, 1846, and when eight years old moved with his father to Brown County, Ind., where his early years were passed, the summer months on a farm and during the winter months attending public school. On the 4th day of August, 1862, while yet a mere boy, his youthful blood was fired by the spirit of patriotism, and he enlisted in the United States service, and was mustered on the 9th of the same month as a member of Company I, Sixty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry. From this time until the close of the war, he was in active service, participating in all the battles of his regiment from and including Buzzard's Roost to the fall of Atlanta, also participating in the Hood campaign and siege of Nashville, and the campaign in the Carolina from the gulf to the fall of Raleigh and close of the war. He returned home to Brown County, Ind., in the fall of 1865, and was elected Justice of the Peace for Jackson Township, serving from 1875 to 1879. He was Postmaster at Bean Blossom six years, and also served as Postmaster at Nashville one term. In January,1880, he moved to Worthington, where he has since resided, identified with the best interests of Greene County. Until January 1, 1883, he was editor and proprietor of the Worthington Times, and for two years, ending January 1,1883, was Worthington's Postmaster. He resigned this last position to take his seat in the Lower House of the State Legislature, having been duly elected to this responsibility by the majority of intelligent voters of Greene County.

LAFAYETTE JESSUP was born in this county December 13, 1836. His father, Caleb Jessup, was a native of Surry County, N. C., where he was reared to manhood and married a Miss Clark, also a native of North Carolina. This lady died after a few years, and was the mother of two children. His second wife, was Miss Rachel Clark, a sister to the first. This lady bore him nine children, one of whom, Verlin Jessup, became well known to the people of Greene County. Caleb Jessup and family, with several of his brothers and John Sanders and family, came to Indiana, and in 1818 located in Eel River Township. Here Caleb Jessup always remained engaged in farming and stock-raising. He was married three times, his last wife being Miss Margaret Huey, who bore him seven children, one of whom, Lafayette, is the subject of this sketch. He was the father of eighteen children by his three wives. He held to the religious tenets of the Friends or Quaker Church, and was noted for his strong anti-slavery views, kindness of heart and nobility of soul. Few if any of the early setlers of Greene County were better known or more highly respected. Lafayette Jessup (subject) was reared upon a farm, receiving such education as the common schools of that day afforded. His father died when he was but seven years of age, and when he was about twenty he began for himself as a farmer, a business he has been very successful at. He began with limited means, but by economy and hard work has accumulated considerable property, now owning 280 acres of land which is highly improved and well stocked. He also owns property in Worthington. He was married to Miss Lydia A. Heaton in 1857, she was born in 1838, and died in1868. From that union four children were born--Isaac, Edward, Maria and James. Mr. Jessup again married, in 1874, Miss Harriet E. Miller who was born in Wayne County, Ohio, in 1844. By this union there is a son, viz., William. Mr. Jessup is a Republican, but has never aspired to any political prominence. He takes an interest in all moral, educational or other enterprises that go to build up the community in which he lives, or benefit the condition of his fellow-man. He is a practical farmer and one of the county's best citizens.

MESSER LITTLEJOHN was born in Miami Co., Ohio, July 23, 1815, son of Henry and Sarah A. (Dunkin) Littlejohn, both natives of South Carolina, where they were partly reared. The Littlejohns moved from South Carolina to Pulaski Co., Ky., in about 1798, where they made their home until the death of Charles Littlejohn, the grandfather of our subject, which occurred about 1819. The grandmother came to this county in about 1820, and for most part lived in this county ever afterward, dying at the advanced age of ninety-six years. Henry Littlejohn lived upon his father's farm in Kentucky until he reached his majority, when he went to Miami Co., Ohio, and there was married to Miss Dunkin. They lived in Miami Co. until the fall of 1818, when they came with their family to what is now Eel River Township, Greene Co. They came in wagons, Mr. Littlejohn hiring men to bring his household goods to the head-waters of White River, where they left him and went back. He proceeded to dig out six canoes, and putting his goods and family in these, floated down White River until he came to Eel River, when he unloaded his goods and proceeded to make a home for himself on the present site of Point Commerce. He made some improvement on a lease he had taken, and after living in Eel River Township seven years he moved to Jefferson Township, Owen County, building a grist and saw mill on Lick Creek. Here he lived until his death, dying in 1859. His wife died in 1856. He was an Old-Line Whig, and a strong anti-slavery man. He assisted to build blockhouses to protect the settlers in war of 1812. He held the office of Justice of the Peace some sixteen years, and was a man well known and higly respected. Subject raised on farm; common education; helped on farm and in mill. He was marrried to Miss Sarah Dunkin in 1837, August 28. She born in Miami County, Ohio, August 24, 1815. She died September 25,1845. From this marriage three children, viz.: Mary, Issac M. and Amos W. These two sons were in the late war, Isaac M. dying in his country's service. Mr. Littlejohn was married to Polly Fiscus February 15,1846. She was born in Indiana April 16, 1824, and died February 5,1883. From this union there were eleven children, viz.: Harriet, Nathan, Delana, Henry C., Jacob W., Sarah E., Ezra F., Lydia E., Cairy, Mahlon, Nancy E. Subject, after his first marriage, began milling and farming, which he followed until 1860, when he sold out mill, and followed farming until the present. He has worked as a millwright a great deal during his lifetime. He has always worked hard and has made some property. He lived in Owen Cunty until 1867, when he purchased a farm near Jasonville, in Greene County, which he now owns -- 124 acres. Always a Whig and Republican; member of Christian Church; never held office; is in favor of all improvements and all laudable enterprises.

WILLIAM MCCLAREN, one of the principal farmers of Jefferson Township, is a native of Venango County, Penn., and was born August 29,1833, one of nine children born to Rankin and Margaret (Bunnell) McClaren, who were among the earliest settlers of Greene County. Rankin McClaren was a farmer, and died here about 1851. Our subject, was reared to farming, and has followed it with success. April 19, 1857, he married Elizabeth Dyar, and to the union were born nine children --Laura E., born March 9, 1859; Huldah M., February 19, 1862; Nancy G., May 3, 1864; Samuel W., July 8, 1866; George O., July 29, 1868; Llewella, August 24, 1870; Grace, September 17, 1872; Lessie, December 23, 1875; William R., July 3, 1881. Mr. McClaren and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Oak Grove. He owns 490 acres of excellent land, well improved, and devotes most of his attention to stock-raising. He is a Democrat and usually takes a lively interest in public affairs.

Deb Murray