He was married May the 29th, 1867, to Amanda Gibson, of Marion county, Indiana, since which time he has been actively engaged in farming and stock raising, and has been very successful. His thrift and industry have gained for him the admiration of the community.

Mr. Barnard has been three times elected trustee of the township, and as often elected secretary of the county board of education, and perhaps has done as much to raise the standard of our common schools as any person that has held the office of township trustee in the county.

Mr. Barnard is a young man, of nervo-bilious temperament, medium height, dark complected, strong and vigorous, with black hair, a piercing eye, and an active mind.

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“History of Hancock County, Indiana” by J. H. Binford
Published by King & Binford, Greenfield, IN 1882
Sugar Creek Township

AARON POPE
The subject of this sketch was born in Shelby county, about five miles south of Palestine, on September 16, 1844. His father was in moderate circumstances, and unable to give his son a collegiate education; but might have given him an opportunity to attend the public schools of the district, had he fully appreciated the importance of an education. Hence young Mr. P. was compelled to live in comparative ignorance until large enough to labor with his own hands, and thereby obtain means to purchase books and enter school of his own accord. But being allowed to attend school in the winter only, when the weather was too bad to work on the farm, his education reached no farther than the elementary principles of the fundamental branches.

At the age of twenty, Mr. P. was married to Miss Nancy J. Murnan, of his native neighborhood. Here, on a rented farm, he began his efforts for an independent living. His wife lived but little more than a year, leaving her husband the care of an infant child, which lived but three months after its mother's death. Mr. P. being now left alone in the world, and feeling unsatisfied with his preparation for life's duties, he resolved at once to prepare himself for teaching. Though his education as so very limited, yet, by close application at leisure hours, and without attending school, in a little more than a year he was enabled to obtain license, and began teaching. He first held forth at Fairview school-house, in the fall of 1867, in which, as in subsequent terms, he was very successful.

In January, 1871, he was again married. This time to Miss Louisa W. Vernon, of Shelby county. In 1873, he moved to Palestine, and was engaged in the employ of Eaton & Gates for three years, and in that of Schreiber & Brother for two years, with the exception of two winters devoted to his favorite pursuit. In the fall of 1877, he was elected principal of the McCordsville graded schools, which position he filled with entire satisfaction to all parties interested. While residing here he was elected county superintendent, to fill the unexpired term occasioned by the death of W. P. Smith. This position he held to the date of his death, being twice re-elected and twentv-seven months in office. During all of this time Mr. P. was in harmony with the progressive educational spirit of the age, faithfully and conscientiously carrying out the advanced movements of his predecessors and inaugurating others as necessity and the spirit of the times demanded.

Mr. P. was a young man of great energy, enterprise, and considerable originality, and was the proprietor and chief founder of the Home and School Visitor. Mr. P. from the age of sixteen to the date of his death was a faithful member of the Methodist Protestant Church, and for ten years was a devoted Mason. He was twice master of the lodge at Palestine, took the chapter degrees at McCordsville in the summer of 1879, and the council degrees in May, 1881. He died at his residence in Greenfield, Thursday, July 21, 1881, aged thirty-seven years, and his remains peacefully repose in the New cemetery in this city.

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“History of Hancock County, Indiana” by J. H. Binford
Published by King & Binford, Greenfield, IN 1882
Sugar Creek Township

BENJAMIN F. FREEMAN
a native of the "Buckeye State," dates his earthly career to 1827, October 12. At the early age of two, in company with his parents, he cane to Marion county, Indiana, where they remained until the fall of 1855, when, at the age of twenty-eight, he came to Palestine, Sugar-creek township, and engaged in merchandising with Burk, Espy & Co., at which business he continued for about nine years, being a member during this time of different firms. In 1864, Mr. F. moved out on his firm, adjoining the town on the east, where he has resided ever since, and has been engaged in farming, stock-raising, merchandising and stock-trading. Mr. Freeman has been constantly in the goods trade since entering the county though unable, from a pressure of business, to give it his personal attention - but has devoted the major part of his time to farming and stock trading, being one of the most extensive stock dealers in the county and the owner of over eight hundred acres of first-class land.sanguino-nervo-bilious temperament, has light complexion, light hair, blue eyes, and a dignified bearing, nearly six feet in height, and two hundred pounds in weight.

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“History of Hancock County, Indiana” by J. H. Binford
Published by King & Binford, Greenfield, IN 1882
Sugar Creek Township

MISS CLARA LOUISE BOTTSFORD
a native of Johnson county, Indiana, removed with her parents to Sugar-creek township about the year 1860, when but a mere child. Here she has remained ever since. Her parents dying some few years ago, together with her elder sister, made her pathway rather a rough one for a while, but it is smoother now. Though her opportunities for an education were limited, being confined mainly to the public schools of the township, yet, by industry and close application, she has prepared herself for teaching, and has had some eight years' experience in the public schools of the county, but is now giving her attention mainly to literary work; from a small beginning in the county papers over a nom de plume, then in numerous sensational works, Frank Lesley, Chimney Corner, and New York Ledger, and not until more recently has she appeared over her own signature in the Indianapolis Journal and Herald, Chicago Inter- Ocean, New York Sun, and other metropolitan papers. The writer is well acquainted with the subject of this sketch, having been associated with her in the first normal school of the county and as superintendent of the Greenfield graded schools, and also had the honor of licensing her to teach in the public schools, and can freely credit her with manifesting the will to rise under adverse circumstances.

After the death of her father, E. S. Bottsford, Esq., she was appointed administratrix of the estate; and has taken the responsibilities of the head of the family. We give an extract from one of her poems, for want of space here, in a future chapter.

“History of Hancock County, Indiana” by J. H. Binford
Published by King & Binford, Greenfield, IN 1882
Sugar Creek Township

JOSEPH WYNN
a native of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, came to Hancock county at the very early date of 1822, being then a bov thirteen years of age, and is now consequently one of the oldest residents of the county. Mr. Wvnn says at the time of his moving to the county the red men were thick, both the Miamis and Pottawattamies. The next year after Mr. Wynn's settlement, the court at Pendleton was organized for Madison county, including also what is now Hancock county, throughout which it had jurisdiction. The first fine was assessed by Judge Winsal against Dr. Hiday, he having committed an assault upon one John Rogers, in the court room at Pendleton, and upon being arraigned, plead guilty and was fined six and one-fourth cents. Mr. Wynn was present at the execution of the white men for the massacre of the seven Pottawattamies, on Lick Creek, March 4, 1824. The whites were greatly alarmed over the outrage, and Henry Hiday was sent to Franklin county to get the rifle corps to protect the frontier. Mr. Wynn says he helped to cut the first wood used at Indianapolis to burn charcoal, for which he received twenty-five cents per day. That after people began raising wheat, it was a rule to cut three forty-rod throughs before breakfast. The wheat was threshed with a flail, and cleaned with a sheet. After the wheat was ground it was run through a hand sieve. A little later a bolting apparatus was used, something similar to a grindstone. Mr. Wynn helped to roll the logs for the clearing where Fortville now stands. The early settlers would plant corn in the middle of June, and in the fall kiln-dry it for bread. The first wheat marketed was hauled to Brookville, Franklin county, and sold for forty cents per bushel. It took from five to six days to make the round trip. Mr. Wynn is a consistent member of the Christian Church, an industrious, well-to-do farmer, and a good citizen.

“History of Hancock County, Indiana” by J. H. Binford
Published by King & Binford, Greenfield, IN 1882
Vernon Township

MORRIS PIERSON
one of the earliest settlers of Greenfield, was born April 26, 1799, in Chittenden county, Vermont, from whence he removed to Switzerland county, Indiana, in 1814; thence to Greenfield, Indiana, September 21, 1830. Mr. P. visited Hancock county in the fall of 1826, while she yet belonged to Madison county. Mr. P. was twice married. First, to Eliza Moore, May 27, 1827, who died February 6, 1844; second, to Lucena Silcox, who is still living, on February 15, 1846. Mr. P. has filled several positions of trust and profit. By reference to page thirty-nine and succeeding pages of this book, it will be observed that he was county treasurer for a number of years in the early history of the county. He was also county school commissioner and county surveyor for a considerable time. Mr. P. was a Mason, a Republican, and a liberal, enterprising, practical citizen, and did much for the encouragement of pikes, railroads, and other internal improvements. While employed in his daily duties, he died suddenly on the morning of May 22, 1879. Age, four score years and twentv-six days.

“History of Hancock County, Indiana” by J. H. Binford
Published by King & Binford, Greenfield, IN 1882
General

R. A. SMITH, a native of Brandywine township, this county, dates his earthly career from January 10, 1853. His parents were plain, practical, pious pioneers, who earned their bread by the sweat of their brow, and taught their children that labor is honorable, and to till the soil is respectable. Mr. Smith's boyhood days were spent on the farm, where he hoed and harrowed in the summer, attended the district schools, fed the calves and hunted rabbits in the winter. After arriving at majority, he taught school for a time, but feeling dissatisfied with his acquirements, he resolved to make an effort for a better education. In the fall of 1872 he entered the New Garden high school in Wayne county, Indiana, and for one year was under the tutorage of the writer, who was then principal, after which he entered the State Normal at Terre Haute, Indiana, where he continued for two years; after which he resumed teaching, at which profession he has given about nine years of his life in the district and graded schools of the county. He was one year at McCordsville, and two years principal of the Fortville graded schools. September 2, 1879, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Mary E., daughter of H. B. Cole, of Shelby county. This short but pleasant and promising union was terminated by the death of Mrs. S., March 2, 1880. About two gears since, Mr. Smith resolved to exchange the rod for the scalpel, and after reading for a time with the firm of Howard, Martin & Howard, of this city, he attended lectures at Indianapolis, and was fast unraveling the abstruse, recondite intricacies of medicolegal studies, when he was called to public duties, being elected County Superintendent of Schools, of Hancock county, July 30, 1881, to fill the unexpired term of the late Aaron Pope. Mr. S., in politics, is a Democrat; in church relations, a Protestant Methodist, and in private and public life is above reproach.

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“History of Hancock County, Indiana” by J. H. Binford
Published by King & Binford, Greenfield, IN 1882
General

WILLIAM PERRY SMITH
was born in Brandywine township, in this county, March 2, 1842. His father was a farmer, and his early life was passed, like that of most farmer's boys, in assisting about the farm. He, however, early manifested a disposition toward educational and literary pursuits, in which he was indulged and encouraged by his parents, who lived to reap the reward of their kindness in the success and honor of their son.

Perry, as he was familiarly called by those who knew and loved him best, received his first school training at district school-house No. 3, situated but a few steps from his father's home. Here he mastered the rudiments of an English education, and then attended high school at Acton, Ind., one year. After this he began teaching, in which profession he was very successful, winning the lore of his pupils and the respect of their parents by his noble qualities of mind and heart. During this time he also learned the art of photography, in the practice of which he employed his time during the summer months, when not in school. Determining to fit himself still more thoroughly for his work of teaching he entered the State Normal School at Terre Haute in 1873. Here he attended two terms, doing four terms' work within the time of two. So thorough had been his previous training that he made the best percent on entering of any student of his class.

After leaving the Normal School he taught one year, at the end of which time received the appointment of County Superintendent of Hancock county, which position he held for two terms, or until the time of his death. To this field of labor he brought the same scholastic skill, accurate judgment and indomitable energy which had characterized his previous career, and the schools under his management were efficient and prosperous. Much of the work begun by him has since been carried forward to success, and it will be long ere his influence will cease to be felt in the schools of Hancock county. He was married July 10, 1878, to Miss Agnes E. McDonald, an estimable young lady, also a teacher. He was taken sick of typhoid fever about February 1, 1879, and, after a lingering and painful illness, died March 25th of the same year. He was a member of the Methodist Protestant Church; also an honored member of the Masonic Fraternity, Knights of Pythias and the Brotherhood of United Workingmen. He was buried with Masonic honors at Mt. Lebanon Cemetery, near his old home, where loving hands have erected a monument to his memory. He was but in the morning of his manhood, but upon the threshold of many promising possibilities, when death closed his eyes to all earthly things and blinded those of his friends with tears. Had he lived - but it is useless to speculate upon what might have been since now it can never be. In the hearts of those who knew him best is written this epitaph:

He was a Christian who never disguised his profession; a man whose acts honored his race.

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“History of Hancock County, Indiana” by J. H. Binford
Published by King & Binford, Greenfield, IN 1882
General

JAMES C. HAWK
a Buckeye by birth, a Hoosier by residence and adoption, a son of Henry and Susan Hawk, of Highland county, Ohio, dates his earthly journeyings to September 28, 1824, from Brown county, Ohio. At the age of eight he came to Indiana with his parents and settled in Sugar-Creek township, where he has since resided. His facilities for education being very poor, he was compelled to rely upon his own resources for the little education he did receive. Mr. Hawk was married September 23, 1847, to Mary J., daughter of David McNamee. After his marriage Mr. H. settled on his farm, where he tilled the soil in summer and taught the youth of his neighborhood in the winter for about four years, since which time he has devoted his energies whol1y to rural pursuits, never having held but one public office, that of township trustee, in conjunction with Lewis Burk and Joseph H. Conner, in 1856. Mr. H. is an honorable citizen and an affable gentleman.

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“History of Hancock County, Indiana” by J. H. Binford
Published by King & Binford, Greenfield, IN 1882
General

JOSEPH FORT
a native of the "Ancient Dominion," was born in 1814. He came with his parents to Henry county. When about fifteen years of age, he moved Prior Brown to Brown township. In 1840 he was married to Miss Mary, daughter of Moses McCray. In 1846 Mr. Fort united with the Concord Baptist Church. He afterward became a member of the Nameless Creek Christian Church, of which he was an honored member until his death. Mr. F. from the green woods made a good farm, well improved, erected good buildings, with a brick house, lived an honorable, industrious life, and honestly accumulated considerable property. Few men were more esteemed than was Mr. Fort by those who knew him best. His widow, a noble Christian lady, still lives on the old farm, enjoying the fruits of their labor. Mr. F., politically, was a Republican, never aspiring to office. He was content with quiet rural duties in private life. For the last six years of his life he was a constant sufferer, but bore his affliction with patience and resignation, till he was finally taken to his long home, March 22, 1880, and his mortal remains were deposited in the Simmons cemetery in Jackson township, where loving hands have erected to his memory a stately monument.

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“History of Hancock County, Indiana” by J. H. Binford
Published by King & Binford, Greenfield, IN 1882
Biographies and Personal Sketches

WILLIAM J. SPARKS
was born March 11, 1853, in Morgan county, Indiana, where he received a common school education, attending school for a time at Mooresville. His father being a miller, young Sparks run the engine in his native county for several years, prior to 1872; thence to Henry county, and worked for a time in the Commercial Mills on Blue River, of which mills his father was the proprietor; thence to Greenfield, where he engaged in the sewing machine trade till 1879, when he was elected clerk of the city of Greenfield, which position he finally resigned to become a candidate for mayor, to which office he was elected by a handsome majority. This position he still fills. Mayor Sparks is a young man, unmarried, a Republican, a member of the Christian Church, and is superintendent of the Sunday School connected therewith. He is fully identified with the interest of the city, and is putting forth his best efforts to bring it up to his ideal of a model municipality.

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“History of Hancock County, Indiana” by J. H. Binford
Published by King & Binford, Greenfield, IN 1882
Biographies and Personal Sketches

ANDREW T. HART
senior member of the mercantile firm of Hart & Thayer, of this city, a native of the “Ancient Dominion,” was born July 7, 1811. His father, a son of Erin, was a soldier under General St. Clair at the time of his memorable defeat, near the head-waters of the Wabash, in 1791. Andrew T. Hart, while a boy, endured the privations of pioneer life in his native State. At the age of eleven he removed from the home of his earlier youth to Centerville, Wayne county, where he attended such public and private schools as the country then afforded, and acquired a common English education. His opportunities, however, were limited, and the success that has attended his career has been mainly the result of his own exertions, and it may be properly said that he is the architect of his own fortune. At the age of eighteen, he was apprenticed as a saddler with his brother, James E. Hart, of Liberty, Indiana, which trade he faithfully followed for three years, or until 1833, when he removed to Greenfield, where he has since resided. He at once opened a grocery store, in which business he continued for two years; then as a clerk for Nicholas & McCarty for one year, followed by a mercantile partnership with Nathan Crawford for two years, when he purchased Crawford's interest, and has continued in the same business ever since, alone and otherwise. Mr. H. has filled a number of positions of public trust, and a1ways with honor. In 1839 he was appointed agent of Indiana for the distribution of surplus revenue. He was the first treasurer elected in Hancock county, the prior treasurers being appointed by the commissioners. This was in 1841. In 1843 he was re-elected, and served for six consecutive years. In 1869 he was commissioned by Salmon P. Chase as U. S. assistant assessor for this county. Mr. H. has been prominently connected with almost all public enterprises in the county during his residence therein. In 1878 he was President of the Hancock Agricultural Society. He become a Mason in 1859, and an Odd Fellow in 1865. In religion he is of orthodox faith. In politics he was first a Whig, and since a Republican. His first vote was cast for Henry Clay. He has been twice married. First, to Miss Louisa Forelander, in June, 1835, who lived but two years. In November, 1838, he was married to Miss Gabriella Sebastian, daughter of William and Elizabeth Sebastian. Mr. Hart has had five children. William E. was a soldier in the 18th Indiana Volunteers, and served for three years. After his discharge he joined and served in Capt. A. K. Branham's company of State troops in the pursuit of John Morgan, in his celebrated raid in Indiana and Ohio, and was killed in that unfortunate disaster at Lawrenceburg, Indiana, in 1863. Mr. H. is a man much respected and highly esteemed by all who know him. He is of genial nature, kind and hospitable, steadfast in his friendship, and upright in his dealings, and by his good qualities of head and heart has endeared himself to every citizen of the county.

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“History of Hancock County, Indiana” by J. H. Binford
Published by King & Binford, Greenfield, IN 1882
Biographies and Personal Sketches

CHARLES DOWNING,
was born in New York City, August 7, 1857, came to Hancock county February 28, 1867, made his home with the late lamented William S. Wood, attended the public schools, received a fair English education and, being an excellent scribe, was, on the 4th day of November, 1874, appointed Deputy Clerk of the Hancock Circuit Court, by Ephraim Marsh, Clerk, which position he holds to this day. October 8, 1879, at Bradford Junction, Ohio, he was married to Miss Angie B., only daughter of Arthur P. and Emily H. Williams, formerly of this city. Mr. D. is a member of the Christian Church, and has always contributed liberally to the support thereof. He is also an honored member of the I. O. O. F. Mr. D. is a young man of rare business tact and talent, and just upon the threshold of many rare possibilities.

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“History of Hancock County, Indiana” by J. H. Binford
Published by King & Binford, Greenfield, IN 1882
Biographies and Personal Sketches

LEE O. HARRIS
Lee O. Harris was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, January 30, 1839. While yet quite young, his parents removed to Washington county, in the western part of Pennsylvania, where his early youth was passed. Here he was given the advantages of first the common school and then an academic course of study.

He came to Hancock county, Indiana, in 1858, and taught his first school in Fountaintown, in the edge of Shelby county.

In the fall of 1859 he went to Illinois, and taught in what was then Coles (now Douglas) county. Returning to Indiana, he again began teaching in Hancock county, and has been more or less identified with her schools ever since, except for the five years succeeding 1874, during which time he was principal of the school at Lewisville, Indiana.

Mr. Harris is well known throughout the State as a journalist and poet, having been for a number of years a contributor to most of the leading papers of the State. He is also the author of a book, The Man Who Tramps, published in 1878.

The first of January, 1880, Mr. Harris, in connection with Aaron Pope, then County Superintendent, began the publication of The Home and School Visitor, of which paper he is still the editor. In the spring of 1881 he took editorial charge of The Greenfield Republican, and continued with that paper until January, 1882, when, The Home and School Visitor demanding his entire attention, he withdrew from the Republican.

Mr. Harris has been identified with the school interests of Hancock county for twenty-two years, and has in that time taught more schools than any man now living in the county, yet all this teaching, with the exceptions before mentioned, has been done in Greenfield and within a radius of five miles of that city.

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“History of Hancock County, Indiana” by J. H. Binford
Published by King & Binford, Greenfield, IN 1882
Biographies and Personal Sketches

DR. NOBLE P. HOWARD
senior member of the medical firm of this city of Howard, Martin & Howard, was born in Warren county, Ohio, September 11, 1822. His father was one of the first settlers of Cincinnati, and during the war of 1812 was a soldier in the American army. In 1836, while the subject of this sketch was a mere boy, he came with his mother and settled in Indiana, where he received an English education at Brookville, Franklin county. In 1840 he began the study of medicine with the eminent doctor, H. G. Sexton, of Rushville, Indiana, where he read for three years. In 1843 he moved to this city, and began the practice of medicine and surgery. In 1877 he was Vice-President of the Indiana State Medical Society. He has served as President of the Union Medical Society of Hancock and Henry counties, and also as President of the Hancock Medical Society. He holds diplomas from the Indiana Medical College, and from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, both of Indianapolis, and is also a member of the American Medical Society. In 1862 he was commissioned as assistant surgeon in the 12th regiment of Indiana volunteers, and served during its term of enlistment. For about eight years he was deputy collector of internal revenue. He has ever manifested a public spirit, and has taken stock in most of the gravel roads centering in Greenfield. Since 1856 he has been an honored member of the Odd Fellows, and has filled all the offices of the subordinate lodge and encampment. In 1861 he was elected Most Worthy Grand Patriarch of the Grand Encampment of the State of Indiana. He is a member of the M. E. Church, was n Whig in the days of that party, and an earnest Union man during the civil war. In 1856 he was a candidate on the Republican ticket for representative, but the county being Democratic, he was defeated by the Hon. Thomas D. Walpole. He was a Republican until the nomination of Horace Greeley, since which time he has acted with the Democratic party. He was married April 23, 1844, to Miss Cinderilla J. Gooding, daughter of Asa and Matilda Gooding, and a sister of Judge D. S., Gen. O. P. and Hon. H. C. Gooding. Dr. Howard is a genial gentleman, and a man of firm convictions and uncompromising integrity, and stands well both in his profession and as a man.

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“History of Hancock County, Indiana” by J. H. Binford
Published by King & Binford, Greenfield, IN 1882
Biographies and Personal Sketches

EPHRAIM MARSH,
present Clerk of the Hancock Circuit Court, was born in Brown township, this county, June 2, 1843. He is a son of Jonas and Catharine Marsh, honest, respectable people, in good, standing in the community. By industry and close application to his studies, Ephraim soon acquired a fair English education at the public schools of the county, and at the age of twenty entered Asbury University at Greencastle, Indiana, where he graduated with honors in 1870. During his collegiate course he spent one year at Washington City as clerk in the Third Auditor's office of the Treasury Department, receiving his appointment through the recommendation of ex-Governor Hendricks and Judge D. S. Gooding. After serving for a time as deputy clerk of the Circuit Court under Henry A. Swope, during which time he applied himself assiduously to the study of law, he was, in the autumn of 1874, elected Clerk of the Circuit Court, and re-elected in 1878. Mr. Marsh, on February 29, 1872, joined the Knights of Pythias; in 1873, the Free and Accepted Masons; in 1874, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; in 1878, the Ancient Order of Workingmen. He has been Master in the Masonic and Past Chancellor in the Pythias. He is also a thirty-second Indiana Consistory, S. P. R., and a member of Keystone Chapter of the Masons of Indianapolis and Raper Commandery. He was married February 5, 1875, to Miss Matilda J. Brewer, of Franklin county, an estimable lady of great merit and financial means, the fruits of which union is one child, Ella, a favorite of all who know her, and in the public school, which she is now attending.

Mr. M. is a steadfast Democrat, a fine conversationalist, and a courteous gentleman. As an officer he has been attentive and efficient, and has won the confidence of his constituents. Mr. M. is still a young man, and is looking forward to the legal profession after the expiration of his office, and is bending his energies in that direction.

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“History of Hancock County, Indiana” by J. H. Binford
Published by King & Binford, Greenfield, IN 1882
Biographies and Personal Sketches

NELSON BRADLEY
President o f the Greenfield Banking Company, was born in Clermont county, Ohio, May 19, 1822. His father was an Englishman, and served in the American army in the war of 1812. Mr. Bradley's opportunities for an education were limited, his time being chiefly employed in helping his father on the farm, and his schooling was restricted to a few months' attendance at the log school-houses of his neighborhood. Mr. B. in early life manifested a taste for and aptness in business pursuits, and while yet a boy made frequent visits to the markets at Cincinnati with produce purchased at the farm-houses in the various settlements. In 1832 he visited Indiana, and purchased a small tract of land on the newly-constructed Bellefontaine railroad, at the site of the present town of McCordsville. In September he located there and opened a store. In 1863 he was elected Treasurer of Hancock county, which position he held for two consecutive terms. In 1866 he moved to Greenfield, and engaged in the grocery business, at which he continued till 1871, when, with other gentlemen, he established the Greenfield Banking Company, of which he is still president. He is also a partner in the Hancock Flouring Mills, and a stockholder in nearly all the gravel roads centering in Greenfield. Mr. B. has contributed liberally towards the erection of churches and other public buildings, and has ever manifested n liberal public-spirited disposition. He has been an honored member of the Free and Accepted Masons since 1845, at which time he joined the order in Georgetown, Ohio. He took the chapter degrees in Felicity, Ohio, in 1848, and the Council and Scottish Rite degrees at Indianapolis at a later date. He assisted in organizing Oakland Lodge, No. 140 and McCordsville Chapter, No. 44, of which he was the first High Priest. He is now a member of Hancock Lodge, No. 101, of which he has been treasurer and trustee for a number of years. He has been a liberal, consistent member of the M. E. Church since 1845, and is now and has been for many years superintendent of the large and prosperous Sunday-school in connection therewith. He was first a Whig, but, since the organization of the party, an enthusiastic Republican. He was married September 29, 1844, to Elizabeth Gray, a noble, Christian woman, who has been his faithful companion, shared his joys and aided in his prosperity for nearly forty years. Mr. B. is of a genial disposition, enjoys a good joke and a hearty laugh, and has a host of warm friends.

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“History of Hancock County, Indiana” by J. H. Binford
Published by King & Binford, Greenfield, IN 1882
Biographies and Personal Sketches

JONATHAN SMITH
was born in Preston county, West Virginia, August 29, 1818, and moved to Hancock county, Indiana, during the winter of 1836-7. Was married to Mary T. Watson December 17, 1840, who died December 4, 1841. His second marriage was to Susannah Lakin, October 16, 1845, who has been an invalid for the past twenty-six years. Mr. S. has raised four children (all boys), all of whom are still living, the oldest being thirty-five years of age. Mr. Smith's religious views are strictly old school Baptist. He established a store at what is now known as Willow Branch in 1853, and a post-office at the same place in 1854. He, continued in this occupation about twenty years. Also, at the same time Mr. S. continued in farming, which was his former occupation. Mr. S. was a staunch Democrat, an industrious man, and served one term as county commissioner.

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“History of Hancock County, Indiana” by J. H. Binford
Published by King & Binford, Greenfield, IN 1882
Biographies and Personal Sketches

JAMES JUDKINS
a native of Virginia, began his earthly pilgrimage in 1803. Was married to Elizabeth Wales in North Carolina, September 1, 1825, and emigrated to Newport, Wayne county, Indiana, in 1826. Moved to Hancock county in 1833, and entered land about one mile west of Eden. Among his neighbors at that time were Robert Walker, Jas. and Jehu Denney, Jacob and William Amick, and Enoch Olvey. Others soon followed. Here he experienced the hardships and privations of pioneer life. Fruits were then almost unknown; corn was $1 per bushel, and other eatables proportionately high. In 1836 he moved to the Pierson farm and mill on Sugar Creek, five or six miles north-west of Greenfield, which mill he run for about four years, and did much of the grinding and sawing for the citizens of Greenfield. The old mill pond was then supplied with fine fish, the catching of which afforded royal sport for some of the early settlers of Greenfield, among whom were Cornwell and Joshua Meek, Nathan Crawford, Ferdinand Keiffer, the Piersons and others. In 1840 he sold the mill, purchased an adjoining farm, and worked thereon for two years; then back to the Pierson farm and mill again, which he rented for six years, Pierson having died in the meantime. In 1848 he returned to his adjoining farm, where he remained till his death, December 24, 1874.

Mr. J. was the father of eight children, his widow and three of whom survive him, Dr. E. I., Miss Irene and the widow, of this city, and James M., of Iowa. Mr. J. was a devoted member of Hancock Lodge, No. 101, F. A. M. His mortal remains now slumber in the Sugar Creek cemetery, near his old home.

“History of Hancock County, Indiana” by J. H. Binford
Published by King & Binford, Greenfield, IN 1882
Biographies and Personal Sketches

HON. MORGAN CHANDLER,
cashier of the Greenfield Banking Company, of this city, was born on a farm in Owen county, Kentucky, September 3, 1827. His grandfather was a soldier in the revolution. His early opportunities for education were exceedingly limited, so that at the age of twenty-one he could neither read nor write his own name. He now, however, resolved to educate himself, and within eighteen months was teaching school in his own county. This occupation he followed for fifteen months. In 1851 he came to Hancock county, Indiana, and engaged in teaching. In 1854 he engaged as clerk in the store of G. G. Tague at $10 per month. April 22, 1855, he was married to Miss Nancy M. Galbreath, formerly of Kentucky. In the fall of the same year he was elected Sheriff of this county. After the expiration of his term of office, he engaged in farming until 1861, when he was elected Clerk of the Hancock Circuit Court, which office he held for four years. The summer of 1867-68 he spent in the Western States and Territories, and the winters of the same years in Washington City. In 1869- 70 he was engaged in the store of Walker & Edwards. In 1871 he, with four other gentlemen, established the Greenfield Banking Company, of which he is cashier. Referring back to his earlier history, we may remark that at the age of fifteen he united with the Baptist Church, and still leans in that direction. At the age of twenty-two he was chosen Lieutenant-Colonel of the State troops of his native county. Mr. C. has been a life-long Democrat, an advocate of improvements, and has always taken a lively interest in agricultural pursuits, being President of the District Fair Association, composed of the counties of Rush, Henry and Hancock. Mr. C. is kind and hospitable, and has thereby made an extensive acquaintance. He is also a good judge of human nature, and has rare business tact and talent, which eminently fit him for his present position. In the fall of 1880 he represented his adopted county in the lower house of the Legislature.

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“History of Hancock County, Indiana” by J. H. Binford
Published by King & Binford, Greenfield, IN 1882
Biographies and Personal Sketches

CAPT. I. A. CURRY
was born in Center township, Hancock county, Indiana, July 16, 1835. At the age of sixteen his father died, leaving his mother with several small children. Mr. Curry being the oldest, much of the care of the family consequently fell upon his shoulders. He grumbled not, however, but performed his duties well. His opportunities for education were limited, but he made the most of them. In December, 1857, he was married to Miss Mary Thomas, with whom he is still happily living. In August, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company B, 99th Indiana Regiment, and was soon promoted to 1st Sergeant, which position he held till January, 1863, when he was again promoted, this time to 2nd Lieutenant, and in March, 1864, to 1st Lieutenant, and finally, in April, 1865, he was mustered in as Captain. His regiment followed Gen. Sherman in his memorable march through Georgia to the sea. Mr. C., through these tedious years of soldier life, was ever recognized as a faithful soldier and dutiful officer. In the fall of 1883 he was elected Treasurer of Hancock county, which position he is still filling.

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“History of Hancock County, Indiana” by J. H. Binford
Published by King & Binford, Greenfield, IN 1882
Biographies and Personal Sketches

DR. ELAM I. JUDKINS
a resident physician of this city, and second son of the late James Judkins, was born in Wayne county, Indiana, in 1830. He remained with his father, working on a farm and in a mill, till he retained his majority. His opportunities for education being limited, his thirst for knowledge led him to Greenfield in January, 1852, where he attended school for a time, then at Shelbyville for one year. He afterwards engaged in teaching and manual labor until the autumn of 1854, when he went into the drug trade and study of medicine. In the spring of 1863, after having attended a course of lectures in the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, he began the practice, and has since been actively and successfully engaged in his chosen profession. Dr. J. is a graduate of the Indiana Medical College and of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Indiana. He has been an active insurance agent since 1863, and perhaps is the oldest agent in the county. He has been a member of and zealously devoted to the order of Masons since 1853. In May, 1857, he was married in Rensselaer, Jasper county, Indiana, to Miss Emma L. Martin, daughter of the late Dr. William H. Martin, formerly of Rushville, and at one time Secretary of the Board of Examiners of the Indiana Medical Institute. In February, 1880, Mrs. J. died, leaving no children. The only child born unto them died in 1863, at the age of five years. In 1862, the doctor was appointed enrolling and draft commissioner, by Gov. Morton, for this county. In 1868-59, Dr. J. served as President of the Board of Town Trustees, and to him is mainly due the credit of originating and negotiating the bonds for the erection of the public school building, which is a credit to our city. He also served four years as treasurer of the town. In 1881 Dr. J. was appointed by the Commissioner of Pensions as a U. S. Examining Surgeon for this vicinity, which position he still holds. The Doctor's mother and sister are living with him at the old home, where he set up to himself in 1857. The Doctor is an unswerving Republican, inclines to the Presbyterian faith, and is an enterprising, public-spirited man.

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“History of Hancock County, Indiana” by J. H. Binford
Published by King & Binford, Greenfield, IN 1882
Biographies and Personal Sketches

HON. WILLIAM R. HOUGH,
senior member of the law firm of Hough & Cook, of the city of Greenfield, was born at Williamsburgh, Wayne county, in this State, October 9, 1833. He is the oldest son of Alfred and Anna Hough, whose parents were among the pioneers of that county. His paternal ancestors were among the early settlers of Pennsylvania, having emigrated from England and located in that State in 1683. At the age of eight years, the subject of our sketch removed with his parents from his native village to Hagerstown, in the same county, and in the fall of 1842 from Hagerstown to Northern Indiana, locating at Middlebury, Elkhart county. In this village Mr. Hough grew to manhood, receiving such educational advantages as were afforded by the public schools, the Middlebury Seminary, and a supplemental course of study at the LaGrange Collegiate Institute, of LaGrange county. During his twentieth and twenty-second years he taught school in the last named county. In the fall of 1856, having determined to enter the legal profession, he located in Greenfield, and began the study of the law in the office of Capt. Reuben A. Riley, one of the leading lawyers of the county. He made rapid progress with his studies, and was soon admitted to the bar, and began practice as partner of his preceptor. While prosecuting his legal studies he was twice appointed by the commissioners of this county to the office of school examiner, and for two successive years performed the duties thereof. In 1860 he was elected district attorney for the district composed of the counties of Hancock, Madison, Henry, Rush and Decatur, and for two years prosecuted the pleas of the State to the satisfaction of the law-abiding people of the district.

In 1862 Mr. Hough was married to Miss Tillie C. McDowell, a native of Scotland, and settled down to the earnest pursuit of his profession, and for ten or twelve years did an immense amount of professional labor, both in his office and at the bar, where he was recognized as an able advocate and a tenacious, strong opponent. In the year 1872 he was nominated and elected State Senator for the district composed of Hancock and Henry counties, which position he filled for four years, serving during two regular and two special sessions in the Legislature. As a legislator, Mr. H. was recognized as an able debater, and as a man of acknowledged executive ability, evidenced by the large amount of work which he performed as a member of several of the most important committees.

Mr. H. has been an earnest Republican since the organization of the party, and cast his first vote for President for John C. Fremont. Since 1865 he has been an honored member of the I. O. O. F.

Mrs. Hough, who has been his companion and helpmate indeed, is a lady of refined tastes and accomplishments, and is in every way fitted to preside over her elegant and hospitable home. They have two boys, William A. and Clarence A., aged respectively seventeen and fifteen. Their only daughter, Mabel, a beautiful, brilliant little girl, dearly loved by all her friends and schoolmates, and idolized by her parents, was, at the age of seven years, suddenly and unexpectedly called from her pleasant home, surrounded by birds, music, flowers and ferns, to enter her long home in the celestial city, where the streets are paved with gold, and music is never ceasing, and sickness, death and darkness never enter.

Mr. H. is a public-spirited citizen, and is a prominent promoter and supporter of the public school system, which he has defended as a citizen, lecturer and legislator. That his services to the cause of education as a member of the Senate were highly appreciated by the leading educators of the State, may be inferred from the following incident: In the year 1874, the late Hon. Milton B. Hopkins, then Superintendent of Public Instruction, in a public lecture in Greenfield, in speaking of the acts of the Legislature of I 873, among other things said: "The last Legislature was the best Legislature on the question of education that ever sat in Indiana; and I take pleasure in saying now, and saying it here in his presence (Mr. H. being in the audience), that no county was more faithfully represented in that body, on that question, than was Hancock county, on the floor of the Senate, in the person of your honored Senator."

Mr. Hough has been remarkably successful financially, having achieved a handsome competence, and is one of the largest tax-payers in the county.

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“History of Hancock County, Indiana” by J. H. Binford
Published by King & Binford, Greenfield, IN 1882
Biographies and Personal Sketches