HISTORY OF HENDRICKS CO. INDIANA 1885 - CENTER TWP.
SUBMITTED BY: Tracy Turek

JOSHUA B. HARLAN, youngest son of Aaron and Elizabeth (Gregg) Harlan, was born in Warren County, Ohio, Dec. 30, 1815. He left Warren County May 12, 1838, and studied medicine eighteen months with Dr. Wilkinson, of Upshur, Ohio, at which place he engaged in the practice of dentistry. Nov. 17, 1839, he was married to Lucinda, daughter of Conrad and Lydia Bonebrake, and to this union were born five children---Theophilus L., born Sept. 10, 1840, and died March 24, 1859; Conrad E., born Aug. 19, 1842; Lydia D., born Jan. 16, 1844, died Feb. 12, 1866; D. Emma, born Aug. 19, 1847, died July 23, 1849, and Aaron, born May 8, 1849, and died July 27, 1849. His wife died July 23, 1849, and Oct. 22, 1855, he was again married to Mary J., daughter of Thomas and Catharine Bedford, of Centerville, and to them have been born three children---Charles N., born Nov. 22, 1856; George B., born May 4, 1861, and Helen E., born Jan. 5, 1866. Aug. 12, 1851, Dr. J.B. Harlan and Dr. O.H. Kendrick opened a dental office in Centerville, Ind., and Dec. 12, 1855, he formed a partnership with Dr. J.F. Wilson, in Greencastle, Ind. March 22, 1857, he removed to Danville and opened a dental office which is now carried on under the firm name of J.B. Harlan & Son. He has belonged to the Presbyterian Church twenty-six years. He has been a member of the I.O.O.F. fraternity for thirty-six years, having passed all the chairs. Politically he is a Republican but was formerly a Whig.

HISTORY OF HENDRICKS CO. INDIANA 1885 - CENTER TWP.
SUBMITTED BY: Tracy Turek

SAMUEL L. HAWKINS, of Danville, Ind., was born in Bath County, Ky., October 1820, a son of William and Abigail (McVey) Hawkins, with whom he remained until reaching his majority. He came with them to Danville in 1836, and when becoming of age, in 1841, he made a pospecting trip to Missouri. In about a year he returned to Danville, and after attending school a few months he taught a subscription school in what is now known as the Huron district, in Washington Township, Hendricks County, one term of sixty-five days. He then began to learn the trade of a wheelwright in Danville with his brother-in-law, W.H. Cash, working the first year at $10 per month and the second year $12 per month. After serving his time, instead of following that trade he engaged the manufacture of furniture, which he followed until December 1863, when he enlisted in Company I, Ninth Indiana Cavalry, for three years, and during the war he was appointed Quartermaster-Sergeant of his regiment. He participated in nine engagements, the most important being Nashville and Franklin. While at Gravelly Spring, Ala., in January 1865, he was taken sick, and not fully recovering he was discharged for disability, at Port Gibson, Miss., May 17, 1865. He then returned home and a year later he engaged in house painting at Danville, which he followed until 1867, when he was made Deputy Sheriff by William H. Calvert, serving four years. In the fall of 1872 he was elected Sheriff of Hendricks County, and re-elected in 1874, serving two terms of two years each. He was then made Deputy Sheriff by his successor, A.B. Bryant, serving as such two years, having served in all ten years. He has since lived a retired life. Nov. 17, 1843, he was married to Miss Louisa, daughter of John and Lydia (Barnes) Cash, who was born in Pulaski County, Ky., April 8, 1824. She came to Hendricks County with her parents in 1831, settling in Center Township. Her mother having died when she was quite young, she lived most of the time with an elder sister at Danville, attending school till her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Danville. They have four children living---Lydia, wife of J.N. Terry, of Philadelphia; Lucian B., of Danville; Retta, wife of C.B. Hauser, of Logansport, Ind., and Seldon T., foreman of the Hendricks County Republican, of Danville. Alleine died March 21, 1850, aged two years; Wilber F., died Aug.30, 1856 aged four years; Emma, died March 1, 1859, aged nearly two years and Nellie, died May 7, 1880, aged thirty-four years. Mr. Hawkins is a Master, Royal Arch and Council Mason, and is also a member of Jesse S. Ogden Post, No. 164, G.A.R., of Danville.

HISTORY OF HENDRICKS CO. INDIANA 1885 - CENTER TWP.
SUBMITTED BY: Tracy Turek

MURAT W. HOPKINS, senior member of the firm of Hopkins & Hollowell, attorneys was born in Brown Township, this county, Oct. 20, 1857, a son of William and Ruah Ann (Harding) Hopkins. His father is a native of Maryland and came to this county in 1838, and his mother was born in Kentucky, and came to this county in the year 1833. Murat remained on the farm till his eighteenth year, attending the district schools and the Brownsburg High School till then, after which he taught in the schools of the county five years during the winter terms, attending the State Normal School of Indiana, at Terre Haute, the remainder of the year. During this time he also commenced to read law, and in the fall of 1880 he entered the law department of the State University of Iowa, from which he graduated as LL. B. in June 1881. He then returned home and taught school the following winter and in spring of 1882, he located in Danville, having been admitted to the bar in Danville, in October 1881. Jan.1, 1885, Robert T. Hollowell became associated with him in the practice of law. April 20, 1882, he was married to Miss Allie L., daughter of Tyra Montgomery, of Mattoon, Ill. They have on child---Kate Elliott, born at Danville, Ind., July 12, 1883. Mr. Hopkins and wife are members of the Christian chruch at Danville. He is a member of Brownsburg Lodge, No. 241, A.F.& A.M., and is Chancellor Commander of Danville Lodge, No. 43, K. of P. In politics he is a Democrat.

HISTORY OF HENDRICKS CO. INDIANA 1885 - CENTER TWP.
SUBMITTED BY: Tracy Turek

JAMES M. JEFFERS, merchant of Danville, Ind., was born in Center Township, near Danville, July 3, 1840, a son of Lindsay and Elinor (Nichols) Jeffers. When about six years of age his parents moved to Danville where he was educated in the public schools. In early life he worked at the carpenter's trade, but on becoming of age he engaged in clerking until he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Eighteenth Indiana Infantry, to serve six months in 1862. He served eight months, being on duty mostly in East Tennessee. After being mustered out at Indianapolis he returned to Danville where he clerked for several firms. He has also served as postoffice clerk at Danville several years under Postmasters S.R. Craddick and James Gregg. In 1881 he embarked in the mercantile business in which he is still engaged. He was married May 9, 1872, to Miss Anna Gibbs. He is a member of the Christian church.

HISTORY OF HENDRICKS CO. INDIANA 1885 - CENTER TWP.
SUBMITTED BY: Tracy Turek

RODNEY JEGER, Treasurer of Hendricks County, Ind., was born in Clearfield County, Pa., March 21, 1844. He is the eldest of four sons of Julius A. and Esther Ann (Warrick) Jeger, who came to Hendricks County in 1844 and settled in the woods in what is now Lincoln Township. His father was a native of the West India Islands, and his mother of Pennsylvania. His father being a farmer and a merchant, our subject was reared to follow both pursuits. In 1856 he removed with his parents to Lizton, Hendricks County, where he remained until his eighteenth year, he having attended the public schools till that time. On leaving home he joined the Union army, enlisting in Company G, Ninety-Ninth Indiana Infantry, to serve three years. He was promoted from private to Corporal Feb.28, 1864. He was mustered out at Washington, D. C., June 5, 1865, having participated in the battles of Vicksburg, Jackson, Mission Ridge and the Atlanta campaign, after which, his health being impaired, he was granted a furlough and returned home for fifteen days. After returning to the army he was placed on duty at Chattanooga, not being able to join his regiment, which was with Sherman on his march to the sea. In February 1865, he was sent, via Cincinnati, Pittsburg and Baltimore, to Moorehead City, N.C., to join his regiment but being intercepted by the Confederates he engaged in a battle at Kingston, N.C., reaching his regiment at Goldsboro just prior to the surrender of Lee's army. His regiment was soon after ordered with Sherman's army to Washington, and took part in the grand review in May 1865, and was soon afterward mustered out. Being dismissed from the army he returned to his home in Lizton and in the spring of 1866 he attended the Central College at Danville (now the Central Normal) one term. In the summer of 1866 he engaged in farming. In 1874 he became associated with his brother, Hother Jeger, and J.H. Kendall in the mercantile business and grain and stock trade at Lizton, under the firm name of Jeger, Kendall & Co. Mr. Kendall retired from the firm in the following year and soon after his brother was succeeded by William L. Leak, they doing business together until 1880, the firm name being Jeger & Leak. In 1880 they discontinued the mercantile business, and in 1881 they engaged in the manufacture of lumber in Scott County, Tenn., in connection with their grain and stock trade, where they are doing an extensive business. In November 1882, he was elected on the Republican ticket, Treasurer of Hendricks County, assuming the duties of office in September 1883, and is the present incumbent of that office. April 28, 1867 he married Miss Evaline, daughter of Sandrum and Sarah (Leach) Leak, of near Lizton. He and his wife are members of the Christian church of Lizton, of which he has served as leading Elder since 1880. He is a member of Jesse S. Ogden Post, No. 164, G.A.R., of Danville.

HISTORY OF HENDRICKS CO. INDIANA 1885 - CENTER TWP.
SUBMITTED BY: Tracy Turek

J.P. KEETER, senior member of the firm of Keeter & Co., grocers, of Danville, was born near Rutherfordton, Rutherford Co., N.C., Nov.22, 1853. He was reared a farmer, and came to Hendricks County, Ind., 1871, first locating at Plainfield, where he pursued farmng until 1879. He then followed farming near Clermont, Marion Co., Ind., until September 1882, when he removed to Indianapolis, where, for a short time, he carried on a livery. He sold out his livery business in 1883 and came to Danville, where he has sinvce been engaged in the grocery trade. Dec. 6, 1877, he was married to Miss Samantha, daughter of the late John Williams, of Washington Township, Hendricks County. They have three children---Effie, Iva and Charley. Mr. Keeter and his wife are members of the Christian Church.

HISTORY OF HENDRICKS CO. INDIANA 1885 - CENTER TWP.
SUBMITTED BY: Tracy Turek

THOMAS B. KELEHER, of the firm of Keleher Bros., druggists, of Danville, was born June 17, 1853, near Hogansburg, N.Y. When an infant his parents came to Indiana, settling in Danville, where he lived till his sixteenth year. He then left home and was engaged as a book canvasser in Iowa for several months, he being the general agent for the publisher, E. Hanniford, of Chicago. He left Iowa in 1871 and went to California, where he was employed in driving a stage between Trinidad and Eureka for one year. He was then employed on a sailing vessel almost a year. In 1874 he took a contract to get out 2,000,000 feet of redwood saw logs, in which business he was engaged till 1877. During the winter of 1877-'8 he attended the St. Joseph College at Rohnerville, Humboldt Co., Cal., and in the spring of 1878 he went to Crescent City, where he was employed as tallyman on the shipping docks for Joe E. Walls until December 1878. He then returned to Indiana and engaged in farming in Center Township. In 1879 he was married to Miss Josephine Courtney, of Danville, who died in fall of 1881. They had one child---John Dudley. In the spring of 1883 he took a trip through Missouri, Nebraska and Kansas, returning in November of 1883, since which he has engaged in the drug business with his brother in Danville. In July 1884, he was married to Miss Elsie Adelia Reed, of Upper Sandusky, Ohio. Have one child---Thomas Burtrand.

HISTORY OF HENDRICKS CO. INDIANA 1885 - CENTER TWP.
SUBMITTED BY: Tracy Turek

DANIEL B. KELEHER, of the firm of Keleher Bros., druggists, of Danville, was born near Hogansburg, St. Lawrence Co., N.Y., April 4, 1847, a son of Maurice and Marguerite (Brady) Keleher. When twelve years of age he came to Danville, Ind., with his father. At the age of fifteen he began to learn the trade of a shoemaker with George Chamberlain, with whom he remained two years. In June 1863, he enlisted in the Union army in Company B, One Hundred and Seventeenth, Indiana Infantry, to serve six months. He was discharged after serving nine months, and in May 1864, he enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Thirty-second Indiana Infantry, for 100 days. In March 1865, he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Fifty-six Indiana Infantry, for one year, or during the war. He was discharged with his regiment at the close of the war, having participated in the battles of Blue Springs, Bull's Gap, Walker's Ford, Blane's Cross Roads, and seven-days fight in Bean's Station Valley, Clinch River, Clinch Mountain Gap and Strawberry Plains. After being discharged from the army he returned to Danville and worked at his trade till 1879, after which he traveled for wholesale leather house at Terre Haute, Ind., until 1881. He was then employed in the drug store of Frank Pierson, of Danville, until the fall of 1883, since which time he has been associated with his brother, Thomas B. Keleher, in their present business. He was married July 2, 1868, to Mary E. Comingore, of Danville. They have four children---Alfred Guy, Luella C., Lillian K. and Lora Eva. One child Thomas B., died in 1876, aged six months. Mr. Keleher is a Master Mason, and belongs to Western Star Lodge, No. 26, and Knights of Pythias, a member of Danville Lodge, No. 48. He is also a member of Jesse S. Ogden Post, No. 164, G.A.R. He has been Warden in the Masonic order, and is a member of the Grand Lodge of Indiana, Knights of Pythias.

HISTORY OF HENDRICKS CO. INDIANA 1885 - CENTER TWP.
SUBMITTED BY: Tracy Turek

JOHN KENDALL, Auditor of Hendricks County, Ind., was born in Clay Township, near Pecksburg, Hendricks County, Jan. 16, 1843. He is the youngest of four sons of James G. and Sallie D. (Bales) Kendall, pioneers of the county, having settled here about 1837, both of whom died before our subject reached his fifteenth year. He was reared a farmer, receiving most of his education at the Union High School in Westfield, Ind. His residence is in Clay Township. He held office of Township Trustee from 1872 till 1882, with the exception of one term, and in 1882 he was elected Auditor for a term of four years, from Nov.1, 1883. Feb. 7, 1867, he was married to Miss Margaret Roberts, of Westfield, Ind. They have two children---Abbie and Ethan. They are members of the Society of Friends of Amo.

HISTORY OF HENDRICKS CO. INDIANA 1885 - CENTER TWP.
SUBMITTED BY: Tracy Turek

Thomas J. MILES, a prominent and successful farmer of Liberty Township, is a native of Hendricks County, born Sept. 24, 1842, the eldest son of John and Elizabeth (HOLLINGSHEAD) MILES. His youth was spent in assisting  his father on the farm, and three months of the year, when his services  were not needed at home he attended the district schools. He remained with his parents till twenty-three years of age, when he began life for  himself and engaged in farming and stock-raising. He has been successful and now owns 555 acres of choice land, and his stock are of the best grades. He was married in 1871 to Talitha TUDOR, of Morgan County, Ind., and settled on the farm adjoining his present home. He afterward bought the 375 acres which comprises his homestead and built  his brick residence, which is one of the best in the township, where he has lived since 1876. Mr. MILES is a liberal, public spirited and enterprising citizen and is one of the foremost to assist any laudable enterprise. In 1863 he enlisted in Company H., Fifty-fourth Indiana Infantry, and served his country four months. He has a family of five children--Horace G., Mary M., Jefferson W.T., Ruth A. and John R.

"History of Hendricks County, Indiana" Copyright 1885 by Interstate Publishing Co. Profiles of Liberty Township
Submitted by: Meredith Thompson

Risdon C. MOORE, M.D., Belleville, Ind., is a native of North Carolina, born in Guilford County, April 3, 1820, the youngest of ten children of Thomas and Ann K. (GOLDBERRY) MOORE, natives of Maryland. In 1830 his parents moved to Hendricks County, Ind., and settled in Guilford Township, where they lived till their death. He was reared on a pioneer farm, and in his youth attended the old log-cabin schools. When seventeen years of age he began the study of medicine with his brother, S.G. MOORE, a physician of Belleville, and took his first course of lectures at the Kentucky Medical College, Louisville. He began his practice at Belleville, and in 1849 attended a course of lectures at Rush Medical College, Chicago, Ill., from which he graduated in 1850. He then returned to Belleville, where he has since lived and has built up a large practice. He has been a hard student and has excelled in his profession, having now a reputation second to none in the county. He was married in 1846 to Emeline GREEN, who died in 1856 leaving one daughter, now deceased. In 1860 he married Allie R. BANTA, daughter of Cornelius BANTA. To them have been born ten children. Dr. MOORE is a member of Belleville Lodge, No. 65, F. & A.M. and Belleville Lodge, No. 205, I.O.O.F. He and his wife are members of the Christian church.

"History of Hendricks County, Indiana" Copyright 1885 by Interstate Publishing Co. Profiles of Liberty Township
Submitted by: Meredith Thompson

Addison E. ROGERS, Superintendent of the public schools of Hendricks County, is a native of this county, born March 5, 1846, the youngest but one of nine children of Henry and Mary (HADLEY) ROGERS, natives of North Carolina, who settled in Liberty Township, Hendricks County, in 1844. His mother died in 1855. He was reared on a farm, attending in his boyhood the district schools and later the schools of Clayton and Danville Academy. Upon reaching his majority he began his career as a teacher, teaching his first school in Franklin Township, this county, in 1866-'67. He was a successful instructor and disciplinarian and gained an enviable reputation in his profession. In June, 1883, he was elected to his present position for a term of two years, and was re-elected in 1885. He gives his entire attention to the duties of his office and has elevated the grade of the schools of the county in a marked degree since holding the position of Superintendent, and his painstaking and efficient management is recognized by all interested in the welfare and advancement of the educational interests of the county. Mr. Rogers was married in 1867 to Miss Mary E. HENDERSON, daughter of William and Amanda HENDERSON of Hendricks County. He is a member of the Odd Fellows' fraternity and the Grand Army of the Republic.

"History of Hendricks County, Indiana" Copyright 1885 by Interstate Publishing Co. Profiles of Liberty Township
Submitted by: Meredith Thompson

Henry ROGERS was born in Chatham County, N.C., Nov. 17, 1808, a son of Henry and Nancy ROGERS, natives of Virginia, and grandson of Joseph ROGERS. He remained with his parents till his marriage, when, having been reared to the life of a farmer, he engaged in the vocation for himself. In the fall of 1839 he moved to Hendricks County, Ind., and settled on what is his present valuable farm, at that time a tract of timber land very little cleared. He bought 160 acres of land for $1,365, all on time, but by hard work and economy he succeeded in paying for it, and now has a competency for his declining years. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary HADLEY, died in 1850, leaving nine sons, seven of whom are living--Cyrus, born Nov. 12, 1830; George F., born Dec. 29, 1831; Zeno, Jan. 24, 1834 (now deceased); Thomas, Nov. 11, 1835; Job, Oct. 27, 1838; William, Sept. 13, 1840 (deceased); Solon R., June 2, 1843; Addison E., March 5, 1846; Moses C., June 18, 1848. He afterward married Elinor LINDLEY, a native of Chatham County, N.C., born in 1815. They have three children--Mary E., born June 8, 1854; Nancy J., born Feb. 16, 1856, and James H., born Jan. 20, 1860. In 1851 Mr. ROGERS joined the society of Friends, his wife being a birthright member of that society.

"History of Hendricks County, Indiana" Copyright 1885 by Interstate Publishing Co. Profiles of Liberty Township
Submitted by: Meredith Thompson

Rev. John RYNERSON, deceased, was born in Mercer County, Ky., Jan. 2, 1805. He spent his youth on a farm, obtaining a good education, and subsequently taught several terms of school. He moved to Hendricks County, Ind., when a young man, and located in Belleville, and was one of the contractors of the National Road. He subsequently returned to Kentucky, but four years later came again to Hendricks County, where, having entered the ministry of the Baptist church, he was instrumental in establishing the church of his choice. He again located in Belleville, and organized a church, of which he was pastor several years. He died in 1864, having lived a useful life, and endeared himself to the hearts of the people he served. He was twice married. His first wife, Elizabeth CUNNINGHAM, whom he married in Kentucky, died in 1850. They had a family of eleven children. In 1851 he married Sarah GOSS, daughter of George and Mary (ARNOLD) GOSS, early settlers of Owen County, from North Carolina. The GOSS family were the first settlers of the town that bears their name. To the second marriage of Mr. RYNERSON were born five children, four of whom are living--George G., Jessie F., wife of Winfield EATON, of Morgan County, Ind., Merlin M. and Eddie V. Mrs. RYNERSON lives on the old homestead which before its subdivision contained 240 acres of valuable land. She is a member of the Missionary Baptist church.

"History of Hendricks County, Indiana" Copyright 1885 by nterstate Publishing Co. Profiles of Liberty Township
Submitted by: Meredith Thompson

William SHEPHERD, a successful farmer of Liberty Township, was born in Fleming County, Ky., Feb. 28, 1828, the fifth of ten children of Solomon and Margaret (TOUT) SHEPHERD, natives of the same county, of English parentage. In the fall of 1833 his parents moved to Hendricks County, and settled a mile south of Danville, but a year later bought eighty acres of wild land of Richard Thompson, three miles south of Danville. This land they cleared and cultivated and made their home the rest of their lives. The father died in August, 1851, aged sixty-three years, and the mother in 1860 aged sixty years. They were earnest Christians, members of the Methodist Episcopal church. But four of their ten children are liivng. William SHEPHERD was five years of age when his parents moved to Hendricks County, and was reared on a frontier farm, his youth being spent in assisting his father in the work of clearing and cultivating his land. The first school he attended was taught in a log cabin, and was of the most primitive sort. His education was limited, as schools were few in the county at that time and his services were required on the farm. He remained at home till his twenty-third year, when he was married to Melissa DOWNS, daughter of Daniel and Mary DOWNS, of North Carolina, but later of Hendricks County. After his marriage he settled on the farm where he has since lived, which at that time was mostly unimproved. He has cleared his land, and now has a good farm of forty acres, with a pleasant residence and comfortable farm buildings. To Mr. and Mrs. SHEPHERD have been born three children, but two are living--Sarah A., wife of A.H. TERHUNE, and Cora A., wife of William WEESNER. In politics Mr. SHEPHERD is a epublican. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1880, but refused to qualify. He and his wife are members of the Missionary Baptist church.

"History of Hendricks County, Indiana" Copyright 1885 by Interstate Publishing Co. Profiles of Liberty Township
Submitted by: Meredith Thompson

Amos Stewart WILLS, one of the pioneers of Hendricks County, was born in Montgomery County, Ky., Jan. 1, 1809, the eldest of four children of Michael and Elizabeth WILLS. His parents were natives of Maryland. They moved to Kentucky in a very early day where the father died, leaving our subject to the care of a widowed mother when a mere child. His youth was passed on a farm and in attending school. When he grew to manhood he worked at the carpenter's trade in connection with farming. He was married May 12, 1831, to Miss Lucinda D. TATMAN, of Montgomery Co., Ky. Sept 1, 1831, they started for Hendricks County, Ind., in a wagon drawn by oxen, arriving at their destination on the 15th of the same month. He had previously sent $100 to his uncle, John Darnell, who entered eighty acres of land for him. He then purchased another tract of eighty acres in Liberty Township and proceeded to clear his farm, on which he resided about forty years, his farm at that time containing 240 acres. He then disposed of this land, and bought his present little farm of seventeen and a half acres, with good brick residence, just beyond the town limits of Clayton. Mr. WILLS was first elected Justice of the Peace in 1840 and served five years when he was appointed Assessor of Hendricks County. In 1852 he was again elected Justice of the Peace, which office he has held to the present time, serving as such in all thirty-eight years. To Mr. and Mrs. WILLS have been born thirteen children, of whom five sons and three daughters are living. This old couple have lived contentedly together for over fifty years and together they experienced all phases of pioneer life. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. WILLS has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1847. In politics he was a Whig, and on the organization of the Republicans he affiliated with that party. He is a strong temperance advocate.

"History of Hendricks County, Indiana" Copyright 1885 by Interstate Publishing Co. Profiles of Liberty Township
Submitted by: Meredith Thompson