JAMES WALLS, a pioneer of Franklin Township, was born in Wilkes County, N.C., and was there married to Mary Kennedy. In 1825 they moved to Indiana that they might provide a better home for their family. They located in Monroe County, and remained one season, but not being satisfied with the country determined to look further before making a permanent location. Accordingly, in the spring of 1826, Mr. Walls came to Hendricks County and entered eighty acres of land in Franklin Township, near the present site of Stilesville, now owned by his son John. He built a log cabin, into which he moved his family, and at once began the improvement of his land. By hard work on the part of himself and wife they improved their land and made a good home, gradually adding to the first purchase till they owned 200 acres. He was a man of strong force of character, and a worthy specimen of the honored pioneers, who converted the forests into fruitful fields. He died in the prime of his manhood, Nov. 22, 1841, his wife surviving him till Jan. 12, 1873. Their family consisted of ten children---Susan E., Reuben P., Mary Ann (deceased), Elizabeth and Sarah (twins, the latter deceased), Nancy L., Joseph, James, William and John.

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

REUBEN P. WALLS, section 19, Franklin Township, was born in North Carolina in 1824, the second of ten children of James and Mary (Kennedy) Walls. After the death of his father in 1841, he took charge of the farm and with the assistance of his mother, who was a woman of fine executive ability, the work of improvement progressed. In 1862 he located on his present farm, where he owns 120 acres of fine land, all under cultivation. He was married Sept. 9, 1847, to Martha Harrison, a native of Knox County, Ky., born Jan. 27, 1828, daughter of Thomas Harrison, a pioneer of Hendricks County. Mr. and Mrs. Walls have had a family of eleven children, six of whom are living---Frances, Marion C., Howard W., Nancy, Lora E. and Alva J. James T. died at the age of twenty-six years, leaving a wife and two children; Mary Angeline, aged twenty-nine years; Clara E., aged twelve years; Alice, aged one year; and one daughter in infancy.

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

JOSEPH M. WOODS, County Commissioner of Hendricks County was born in Franklin Township, Hendricks County, Ind., March 27, 1845. He was reared a farmer, and educated at the district schools of his neighborhood until the spring of 1865, after which he attended the Danville Academy almost a year. In September 1866, he entered the Asbury, now the DePauw, University at Greencastle, Ind., which he attended three years, leaving at the close of the freshman year in June 1869. Mr. Woods was a son of Lorenzo N. and Catherine (Coble) Woods. After leaving school he taught in the district schools of Hendricks County for six years during the winter terms, farming the remainder of the year. In 1877 he discontinued teaching and has since followed farming exclusively in Franklin Township. In November 1882, he was elected one of the County Commissioners of this county, and assumed the duties of the office in the following December. He was married Feb. 7, 1872, to Miss Eliza A., daughter of William and Martha (Fitz) Tincher, of Franklin Township, born Aug. 19,1850. They have two children---Homer A. and Ernest. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Stilesville of which he is Steward and Trustee.

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

Jacob LOCKHART was born in Morgan County, Ind., April 14, 1847, a son of German and Leah LOCKHART, the former a native of Kentucky, but now deceased, and the latter of North Carolina. When he was about three years old, his father having died, his mother, now a resident of Eel River Township, came to Marion Township, this county, where he lived until 1868. His educational advantages were limited, as he was obliged to share in the labors of the farm from a mere boy. He has followed agricultural pursuits through life with success, and has acquired, by his own industry, a farm of 187 acres. He was married March 5, 1871, to Miss Adeline DAVIS, daughter of Walter and Mary DAVIS, of this township. They have one son--Oscar. In November, 1863, Mr. LOCKHART enlisted in the Ninth Indiana Cavalry, participating in many battles. He was honorably discharged in September, 1865. He is a member of the G.A.R. Post at North Salem, and is also an earnest member of the Christian church.

"History of Hendricks County, Indiana" copyright 1885 by Interstate Publishing Co. profiles of Eel River Township
Submitted by : Meredith Thompson

Aquilla JORDAN, Jr., section 1, Center Township, settled on his farm in October, 1857. His homestead contains 197 acres, on sections 1 and 12, and he owns 200 acres in another tract on section 12. He is one of the most prosperous farmers of the township, and owns a beautiful home, having made most of the improvements himself. He is a son of Aquilla and Elizabeth (CURTIS) JORDAN, natives of Bedford County, Va., who, after their marriage, moved to Ross County, Ohio, in 1828, and in 1830 to Hendricks County, Ind., and settled in Liberty Township. Their family consisted of eleven children--George, Sophiah, Wilson, Susannah, Samuel, Eliza L., Andrew I., Jabel L., Aquilla and Elizabeth (twins), and Sarah J. Jabel and Wilson died in Ohio, in infancy. Andrew and Eliza reached maturity, and at their death left families. The rest of the family are living. Aquilla, Jr. was born in Ohio, Aug. 20, 1830. He was married in 1850 to Amanda BUNTON, who was born Sept. 16, 1835, and died April 21, 1855, leaving one son, John W. he subsequently married Sarah DUVAL, who was born April 13, 1831, and died June 6, 1884. To them were born four children--Jane A., George W., Emma Alice and Samuel.

"History of Hendricks County, Indiana" copyright 1885 by Interstate Publishing Co. profiles of Center Township
Submitted by : Meredith Thompson

Charles R. ROSE, a retired farmer of Danville, was born in Mercer County, Ky., March 7, 1806, the youngest of two sons of Charles and Mary (LEWIS) Rose. He was reared a farmer at his brother's home, and Sept. 3, 1839, he married Barthena P., only daughter of Isaac MITCHELL, of Mercer County, Ky. She was born July 18, 1805, and died at Danville, Ind., April 19, 1880. Mr. ROSE engaged in agriculture for himself in 1828 on a small farm in Mercer County, given him by his father, on which he lived until 1836, when, losing his property, he rented land in the same county where he farmed till 1850. He then removed with his family to Indiana, where he purchased a farm of 135 acres in Eel River Township, Hendricks County, on which he farmed for eight years, when he exchanged his farm for one in Center Township near Danville, known as the Billy Blanton farm, containing 172 acres, on which he lived eight years. In 1866 he retired from farming and became a permanent resident of Danville, where until lately he has dealt and traded in real estate. In 1854 he was elected one of the County Commissioners of Hendricks County for a term of three years, and re-elected in 1857, but at the end of one year he resigned, having sold out and removed from that part of the county. He has four children living--M.H. ROSE, M.D., of Thorntown, Ind., who served as a surgeon in the Union army through all the late war; B.M. ROSE, who served four years as a private in the Union army; Elizabeth Ann, wife of W.A. CALDWELL, of Kentucky; and Mollie R., widow of the late Dr. John T. WARNER, of Neosha Falls. Zilpha died at Danville in 1875, aged twenty-nine years; Charles Dwight died in the army at Knoxville, Tenn., in 1863, aged nineteen years; William died in Kentucky, aged twenty-two months, and Leslie died near Danville in 1862, aged fourteen years. Mr. ROSE and his entire family are members of the Presbyterian church of Danville. Politically he is a Republican.

"History of Hendricks County, Indiana" copyright 1885 by Interstate Publishing Co. profiles of Center Township
Submitted by : Meredith Thompson

Robertson C. RUSSELL was born in Guilford County, N.C., Sept. 15, 1811. In his twentieth year he came to Indiana on a prospecting tour and about two years later settled in Danville, Hendricks County, in 1832. He being a carpenter followed that trade till 1842, when he turned his attention to farming. He purchased his present farm in 1837, and has resided on it and pursued farming since 1844. He came to Danville with limited means but by perseverance and economy he is now the owner of a large property in Danville and in Center Township. In 1835 he was married to Alice BONFIELD, a native of Clark County, Ky., and a daughter of Mereen and Susan (HARDESTY) BONFIELD, who came to this county in 1833. They have two children living--Martha, wife of Simeon TEMPLIN, of Center Township, and John C., a farmer in Center Township. One child, Susan, died in August, 1846, aged over one year. Mr. and Mrs. RUSSELL have been members of the Methodist Episcopal church over fifty years. He was one of the first Board of Trustees and helped build the first church in Danville. Besides serving as Trustee eight years he has served several years as Steward. He has also filled the office of School Trustee for Center Township. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party but was originally a Whig.

"History of Hendricks County, Indiana" copyright 1885 by Interstate Publishing Co. profiles of Center Township
Submitted by : Meredith Thompson

J.E. SHERRILL, publisher of educational, religious and subscription books, was born on a farm in Jefferson Township, Putnam Co., Ind., Jan. 19, 1852, a son of James W. and Mary C. (DENNY) SHERRILL. He received his early education at the district school and afterward attended the Ladoga Seminary and the Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio, and at Ladoga and Danville, Ind. At the age of seventeen he began teaching in the district schools of Jefferson Township, which he followed about ten winters. In March, 1878, he began to publish the "Normal Teacher," a journal devoted to the use of public schools, the first two numbers being published at Ladoga, Ind. In the following May he removed to Danville, where he published the "Normal Teacher" until August, 1884, when he sold it to Prof. W.H.F. Henry, of Indianapolis. In the meantime he has added to his publications a series of educational, religious and subscription books, and carries on an extensive business at Danville. Feb. 13, 1879, he was married to Miss Annie, daughter of H.K. MITCHELL, of New Philadelphia, Ohio. They have two children--Gail and Cidney Dee. He is a member of the Missionary Baptist church and his wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church.

"History of Hendricks County, Indiana" copyright 1885 by Interstate Publishing Co. profiles of Center Township
Submitted by : Meredith Thompson

Gustavus L. SPILLMAN, Prof. of Languages in the Central Normal College at Danville, was born in Zurich, Switzerland, Nov. 6, 1855. His parents emigrating to America in 1856 he was left in his grandmother's charge till May, 1867. He then came with his grandmother to the United States and joined his parents at Tell City, Perry Co., Ind., remaining with them till reaching his majority. He attended school in the old country, and afterward the schools of Tell City. In January, 1877, he entered the Normal School at Valparaiso, Ind., attending it till the summer of 1878. He then taught the German language in the schools of Rockport, Ind., until the summer of 1880, when he entered the Central Normal College as a student, and teacher of German. He graduated from that institution in the scientific class of 1881 and in the classic course in the class of 1882, since which he has held the position of teacher of the languages. Nov. 13, 1882, he was married to Miss Lottie PETERSON, of Tipton, Ind. She is a native of Sweden, and came to America in 1869 with her parents, Gustavus and Gustava (GABRIALSON) PETERSON. She graduated from the Tipton High School in the class of 1878. Mr. and Mrs. SPILLMAN have one child named Stella Cornelia. He is a member of Tell City Lodge, No. 206, I.O.O.F., and a member of the Evangelical church at Tell City, and his wife belongs to the Presbyterian church of Danville.

"History of Hendricks County, Indiana" copyright 1885 by Interstate Publishing Co. profiles of Center Township
Submitted by : Meredith Thompson

Bennett SWAIN, only son of John and Matilda (DARNELL) SWAIN, was born on the homestead in Center Township, Hendricks Co., Ind., Nov. 21, 1837. His birthplace has always been his home, he owning all of the homestead but forty acres. He is one of the enterprising citizens of the township, and an industrious and prosperous farmer. He was married in Montgomery County, Ind., Oct. 24, 1861, to Jemima J. CHADWICK, a native of Montgomery County, Ind., born March 29, 1838, daughter of Jehu and Peninnah CHADWICK, early settlers of Montgomery County. Her father died May 7, 1879, and her mother is still living on the homestead. Mr. and Mrs. SWAIN are members of the Baptist church.

"History of Hendricks County, Indiana" copyright 1885 by Interstate Publishing Co. profiles of Center Township
Submitted by : Meredith Thompson

ISAIAH SIVAGE is a native of North Carolina, born near Elizabeth City, Sept. 18, 1826, a son of John and Ann Sivage, natives of the same state. When he was sixteen years of age he left his native state and came to Indiana, stopping the first winter in Richmond. He then removed to Hancock County, and in 1846 to Hendricks County, and found employment on a farm near Bridgeport. He was married in 1848 to Axie Hudson, and settled on Mill Creek, six miles southwest of Danville, in the woods, where he cleared and improved a farm. In the spring of 1860 he sold his farm and bought another of 140 acres, three and a half miles south of Plainfield, where he lived twenty-four years, and in 1884 rented his farm and moved to Plainfield, where he now has a livery and sale stable, and is also engaged in buying and shipping horses. His wife died in 1856, leaving two children, both of whom died soon after. In 1860 he married Sarah Hadley, who died in 1864, leaving two children---Indiana and William E. Jan. 31, 1866, he married Eunice Lindley, daughter of Thomas and Mary Lindley, of Parke County, Ind. Mr. Sivage and his family are members of the society of Friends.

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

EVENEZER TOMLINSON is a native of Hendricks County, Ind., born May 26, 1826, the fifth son of James C. and Nancy A. (Doan) Tomlinson, natives of Guilford County, N.C., the father born in 1799 and the mother in 1800. In 1819 James C. Tomlinson and his wife moved to Hendricks County and settled about five miles south of Plainfield in the woods, and made for themselves a home where they have lived about sixty-six years. They reared a family of eleven children, eight of whom are living. Ebenezer Tomlinson was reared in his native county, receiving his education in the common schools. Attaining his majority he engaged in agricultural pursuits, which he followed till 1865, when he left the farm and engaged in the dry-goods business in Plainfield till 1881, when he organized Tomlinson and Co.'s Bank, of Plainfield, of which he is the principal owner and controller of the business. He has been a successful businessman, and owns two farms and his residence in the village of Plainfield. In 1876 he was elected Township Trustee and served two terms, and in 1882 was again elected and is still an incumbent of the office. He was married Feb. 6, 1852, to Miss Damsel Watson, of Brownsburg, Hendricks County. To them have been born two children---Terrillus B. (deceased), and Tennessee, now the wife of Milton Phillips. Mr. Tomlinson is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, Plainfield Lodge, No.287. He is a member of the society of Friends. His wife is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church.

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

WILLIAM A. WATSON grocer, Plainfield, Ind., is a native of Jefferson County, Ind., born in January 1834, a son of Ebenezer and Ann Watson, his father a native of Virginia and his mother of Kentucky. In 1839 his parents moved to Hendricks County, and settled in Brown Township, where the mother died in 1874 and the father in 1884. The latter was well and favorably known in the county and for nine years served as County Commissioner. He died at the advanced age of eighty-four years. His family consisted of nine children, four sons and five daughters, all of whom lived till maturity. William A. Watson was reared in Brown Township, on his father's farm, receiving a good education. He followed agricultural pursuits till 1874, when he sold his farm and moved to Indianapolis, but in March 1875, returned to Hendricks County and located in Plainfield, buying an interest in the flouring mill. He subsequently sold his interest in the mill and has since been engaged in the grocery business. He keeps a full line of groceries and provisions, and has built up a good trade. He was married in 1855 to Susannah Funkhouser, and to them have been born three children. Mr. and Mrs. Watson are members of the Missionary Baptist Church, of which he is Trustee and Treasurer.

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

JOHN R. WEER, a prominent and enterprising farmer of Guilford Township, was born in Warren County, Ohio, Feb. 22, 1831, a son of Elijah and Margaret (Cox) Weer, natives of North Carolina, who settled in Washington Township, this county, in 1832, where the father died in 1850, and the mother in 1865. They were active members of the Christian Church, he serving as Elder several years. Their children were ten in number---Emily, Samuel, John R., David, Hiram, Harris, Julia, Elizabeth, Martha and Amanda J. John R. Weer was reared on his father's farm, in Washington Township. After the death of his father he took charge of the farm, and after his marriage bought the interests of the rest of the heirs. In addition to the 120 acres entered by his father, he now owns 215 acres, which makes a fine farm of 335 acres. He has made a specialty of stock raising and in 1884 fattened 121 head of Poland-China hogs. He has been one of the most successful horse-breeders in the township. In 1882 he moved to Plainfield, giving the management of his farm to his son-in-law, George Carr. He was married in 1853 to Emma Gunn, daughter of John and Lydia Gunn. They have three children---Martha A., wife of Theodore Walton; Lydia, wife of George Carr, and Ernest E. Mr. and Mrs. Weer are members of the Christian Church, of which he is an Elder and Trustee.

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

SAMUEL LITTLE is a native of Mercer County, Ky., born April 26, 1810. The day of his birth his father, Judge A. Little started for Washington County, Ind., where he entered a tract of land. He cleared a small piece, planted it to corn and returned to Kentucky for his family, moving to Washington County the following June. In 1830 he moved to Hendricks County and settled in Liberty Township. Samuel Little was married in Washington County, to Rebecca Green, in February 1830, moved to Hendricks County and settled in Liberty Township, on the farm now owned by his son Thomas. To his original entry of eighty acres he added till he owned 400 acres of valuable land. He has been one of the most successful stock raisers of the county, having some of the finest grades of cattle and hogs. In 1884 he left the farm and moved to Plainfield, where he has a pleasant home. His wife died in 1883. They had a family of eleven children; four died in infancy, and one, Joseph, after reaching maturity. The living are---Sarah, wife of Edward Crawford; Elizabeth, wife of Daniel Cox; Mary A., wife of Benjamin Edwardson; Robert and Thomas. Dec. 14, 1883, Mr. Little married Margaret A. McKnight, widow of Alexander McKnight, by whom he had eight children; four are living, two died in infancy, and two in adult age. Mr. Little has been a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church fifty years, and has served as Elder several years. His first wife was a member of the same denomination. His present wife is a member of the Old Presbyterian Church. He has been President of the Plainfield and Cartersburg gravel road twenty years, and is one of the stockholders and Directors of the First National Bank of Danville.

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

Researcher Carol Loehrke sent this correction - Mary Ann Little, married Benjamin G. Edmondson, not Edwardson as the book stated.

JOHN FRANKLIN SKELTON was born Aug 8, 1841 in Hendricks Co. In. His mother was Elizabeth. Father is unknown and was possibly dead by 1850. He had a brother James and a sister, Susan. Not much is known about them. In 1860, John was living at Lawrenceburg in Dearborn County with his Mother and siblings.

At age 19, John was 5'7" tall. He was light complected with light brown hair and blue eyes. It was at this time he enlisted in Co G 16th Reg't In Inf on April 23, 1861 for one year. He was mustered out on May 23, 1862. Three months later John enlisted in Co E 68th IN Regt Inf and stayed until he was mustered out on Sept 1, 1865. Two of the Battles he fought in, were the Chicamunga and Missionary Ridge according to his Civil War papers #669855.

John married Sarah Ann BOLTON McCullough circa 1865 in Hamilton Co Tn. Sarah was the widow of B R McCollough who was a Confederate Soldier, who had died April 15,1864 at Camp Morton in Indianapolis and was buried in Confederate Mound in Crownhill Cemetery. He and Sarah had a daughter, Ellen who was born July 15, 1861 in Hamilton Co. TN.

John and Sarah Skelton had two boys and three girls.

James born July 29, 1866 in TN. Elizabeth (Betty) born April 13, 1869 in TN. Frank born May 22, 1871 in White Co Arkansas. Susan born Sept 7, 1873. Minerva who was still- born Dec 8, 1878 and Sarah died one week later on Dec 12, 1878. The two girls and Sarah are burried in White County AR.

John and Sarah's first move from Tennessee was to Batesville, AR in 1870 where they lived in Fairview Township. Their next moved was to Jackson Township in 1871 in White Co. John farmed at this time.

The 1880 census shows John and Children still living in Jackson Township.

In 1881 Ellen McCollough moved to Indianapolis In to live. She had a daughter, Sally born on Sept 4, 1881. Then on Jan 19, 1882, she and John Skelton were married in Hamilton Co TN.

To this union four children were born.

John Auston born Jan 26, 1884. Nellie Viola born Jan 17, 1887. John Franklin Jr. born Dec 24, 1889 and William Young born Sept 13, 1894. On July 11, 1889 on Stringers Ridge Ellen Skelton died. She was burried in White Oak Cemetery at Chattanooga.

John signed up for a Pension and received 12.00 per month. He was paid $30.00 on Feb 4, 1918 before his death on April 5, 1918 in Rome, Georgia. At this time, John was living with his daughter, Nellie and Gustave Duncan at 119 Calhoun St. He was burried in Oakland Cemetery there.

In 1996 a Tombstone was applied for from the Government and John's six Great Grandchildren, Forrest, Ivelyn, Evelyn, Danny, Thomas and Wiliam paid to have it set.

They descend down from John and Sarah's son, Frank who married Mary Etta Ferguson in White Co. Arkansas and Frank and Mary Etta's son, Raymond Avril Skelton who married Minnie Oneida JAY in Caddo County, Oklahoma.

I am Evelyn Skelton Sell, Franks Granddaughter. I have worked on our Skelton family for many years. My sources comes from Civil War Records, Census Records, Cemetery Records, Obituaries, Personal interviews from Johns grandchildren by his second wife , Courthouse Records, Marriage Records, Personal Family Records.

Evelyn Skelton Sell
P.O. Box 744
Chowchilla, CA 93610

Submitted by: Evelyn Skelton Sell on Tue, 30 May 2000

Deb Murray