From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Blue River Township.
Page 565 and 566
Submitted by: Jeanie

Joel Gilbert, deceased, was born in North Carolina in 1793. In 1824 he came to Indiana and spent one year in Wayne County, and in August, 1825, he came to Henry County and settled on land entered from the Government, on section 23, Dudley Township, where he remained till his death in 1870. He was married in North Carolina to Lydia Morgan, a native of that State, born in 1786. She died in 1845. They had nine children; but three are living: Joel; Lydia, wife of Cyrus Kendall; Mordecai M. The deceased are - Aaron; Abigail, wife of Cornelius Ratliff, of Grant County, Ind.; Millicent; Pennina, wife of John Cook; Nathan and Jeremiah. Mr. Gilbert and his family were members of the Friends' Society of which he was an Elder many years.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Blue River Township.
Page 568
Submitted by: Jeanie

Joseph Ballard, farmer and stock-raiser, Dudley Township, was born in Franklin Township, Henry Co., Ind., Nov. 8, 1842, a son of Moman and Elizabeth (Paul) Ballard. He received a medium education in the common schools, remaining with his father till manhood. Aug. 11, 1862, he enlisted in Company I, Sixty-ninth Indiana Infantry. He was sent with his regiment to Kentucky, after the battle of Richmond, where he was taken ill and became unable to perform the duties required. He was transferred to the invalid corps, remaining there till his discharge, Oct. 31, 1863. After his return home he remained with his father till his marriage and then moved to Dudley Township, where he now has a fine farm of eighty acres. He was married March 3, 1864, to Nancy Ann, daughter of Samuel Shidler. They have three children - Minnie, now Mrs. Marcellus Symons; Angie Viola, and William M. Politically Mr. Ballard is a Democrat.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Blue River Township.
Page 566
Submitted by: Jeanie

Josiah T. Lewis, farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of Highland County, Ohio, born July 10, 1819, the eldest of nine children of Nathan and Rachel (Thomas) Lewis. His father was a native of Bedford County, Va., a son of Evan Lewis and a grandson of Louis Lewis, who came from Wales and settled in Jamestown, Va., in 1650. He was a noted man of his day, and held an appointment from the King in the colonial government. His mother was a daughter of Josiah T. Thomas, a native of North Carolina, who died when she was a child. Her mother afterward married Elisha Johnson, and in 1806 they moved to Ohio, and settled near Hillsboro, in Highland County. In 1811 Nathan Lewis emigrated to Ohio, and lived in Cincinnati several years. He was married to Rachel Thomas in September, 1818, in Waynesville, Ohio. Both were consistent members of the Society of Friends, and they were married by order of their society. In the spring of 1822 they moved, with their family, to Randolph County, Ind., and in 1825 came to Wayne County, locating near Richmond. In 1842 they came to Henry County, and settled in Dudley Township, where the father died in 1847, aged fifty-six years, and the mother in 1881, aged eighty-seven years. Josiah T. Lewis was married Nov. 9, 1848, to Juliann Heacock, a native of Pennsylvania, born near Philadelphia March 12, 1830, a daughter of Nathan and Eliza Heacock, who came to Henry County, Ind., in 1837, and settled in Knightstown. After his marriage Mr. Lewis bought his present farm, which he now has under a good state of cultivation. In his early life his educational advantages were limited, but being ambitious, he applied himself to study and became prepared to teach, a vocation he followed in connection with farming fifteen years. He has taken a great interest in educational matters, and has held many responsible offices for the promotion of the cause. To Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have been born seven children; but three are living - Mary E., Marcus A. and Charles A. Nathan H., Sarah J., O. W. and an infant are deceased. Politically Mr. Lewis is a Republican. He and his wife are members of the Society of Friends.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Blue River Township.
Page 569 and 570
Submitted by: Jeanie

Mordecai M. Gilbert was born in North Carolina, Sept. 5, 1824, a son of Joel and Lydia (Morgan) Gilbert. He was reared and educated in Henry County, Ind., residing with his parents till manhood. He now owns a farm of 120 acres in Dudley Township. In 1845 he was married to Martha Bundy, a native of Henry County, born in 1828. To them were born five children - Abel, born in 1846; Rachel, born in 1849, died in 1855; Esther, born in 1852, wife of W. P. Binford, of Hancock County; Jeptha, born in 1856; Wilson, born in 1859, died in 1863. Mrs. Gilbert died in 1863. In 1864 Mr. Gilbert married Mary Moore, who was born in 1830 and died in 1880. They had two children - Alfred and Albert, twins, born in 1867. The latter died in 1868. In 1881 Mr. Gilbert married Catharine, widow of Thomas Gilbert, and daughter of Jacob Elliott. She was born in Wayne County, Ind., in 1821. She has three children by her first marriage - Jonathan N., Oliver, and Anna, wife of N. A. Moore. Politically Mr. Gilbert is a Republican. He and his wife are members of the Society of Friends.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Blue River Township.
Page 568 and 569
Submitted by: Jeanie

Solomon Elliott was born in Wayne County, Ind., Dec. 2, 1819, the fifth of eleven children of Jacob and Mary (Peelle) Elliott, natives of North Carolina, his father born in 1793 and his mother in 1790. His parents were married in 1810, and in 1815 moved to Wayne County, Ind., and located near Centreville, remaining there till 1822 when they moved to a farm of 160 acres near Dublin, where the mother died Dec. 18, 1853, and the father Oct. 27, 1868. They were members of the Society of Friends. In politics he was a Republican. Their children all lived till maturity, and seven are now living - Absalom, of Hamilton County, Ind.; Rhoda, widow of Nathan Gilbert; Solomon; Catharine, wife of M. M. Gilbert; Exum, of Dublin, Ind.; Rachel, wife of James McCoy, of Dublin; Mary, wife of T. B. Pearson, of Florida. The deceased are - Jonathan; Gulana, wife of Stephen Marshall; Mark, and Ruth, wife of C. B. Eidson. Solomon Elliott remained in Wayne County till 1842, when he came to Henry County and settled on the farm where he now lives, in Dudley Township. He owns 170 acres of fine land, all well improved. He is one of the earliest settlers of the township, and the only one living of the old settlers that owns property within its limits. Politically he is a Republican. He has served as Township Trustee three years. Sept. 30, 1841, he married Penelope Morris, a native of Wayne County, Ind., born Aug. 12, 1823, a daughter of Jonathan and Abigail Morris. They had a family of nine children, eight of whom are living - Franklin has been a missionary of the Friends Society in Indiana Territory four years; he served three years in the late war in Company A, Thirty-sixth Indiana Infantry; he was wounded twice, - at Stone River, and Chickamauga, - and was a prisoner a short time; Martin L. resides in Jasper County, Mo.; Emma F., wife of Reuben Peelle of Clinton County, Ohio; Charles M., died aged one year and ten months; L. M. H. and Laura C., wife of William Mills, reside in Dudley Township; Amanda is teaching in Clinton County, Ind.; Anna M. and Milo are at home. Mr. Elliott and family are members of the Society of Friends. Mrs. Elliott died Dec. 26. 1883.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Blue River Township.
Page 567 and 568
Submitted by: Jeanie

W. O. Bogue was born in Washington County, Ind., in 1825, a son of Aaron and Elizabeth (Evans) Bogue, natives of North Carolina, his father born in 1790, died in 1855, his mother born in 1797, died in 1879. His father came to Indiana in 1812, and during the war settled in Washington County where he suffered many hardships and privations and where he was married and remained till 1829, when he moved to Henry County, and located on the farm now owned by W. O., on section 35, Dudley Township. His family consisted of three children - Benjamin E., W. O., and Sarah A., now Mrs. William Puntney, of Iowa. W. O. Bogue has made Henry County his home since 1829, with the exception of two years spent in Wabash County. He has made farming his principal vocation through life, and now owns 125 acres of excellent land. He was married in 1849 to Lucinda Coxen, a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, born in 1833. She died in 1855 leaving two children - Oliver H., an attorney of Wabash, Ind., and Frank, died aged fifteen years. In 1858 Mr. Bogue married Mary A. Holland, who was born in 1836. They have had three children - Flora M., Marshal G. (deceased) and Gertrude. Politically Mr. Bogue is a Republican. He and his wife are members of the Society of Friends.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Blue River Township.
Page 566
Submitted by: Jeanie

Phineas Macy, farmer and stock-raiser, was born near Liberty, Union Co., Ind., Aug. 19, 1833, the eldest son and fourth of ten children of James and Anna (Mendenhall) Macy. His father was a native of Guilford County, N. C., born Aug. 29, 1805, and came with his parents to Indiana in 1819. His mother was a native of Miami County, Ohio, born in February, 1805, and was married in her native county about 1823, and came with her husband to Indiana. When Phineas was two years of age his parents came to Henry County, and settled in Dudley Township, where he was reared and educated. He was married June 26, 1852, to Bettie Ratliff, a daughter of Cornelius Ratliff, who was one of the first to enter a farm in Dudley Township. They have a family of four children - Mary M., Rachel, John W. and Joseph R. Mr. Macy has a fine farm of 150 acres, all well improved. He and his family are members of the Society of Friends. Politically he is a Republican.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Blue River Township.
Page 570
Submitted by: Jeanie

Alonzo Mills, farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of Randolph County, Ind., born Jan. 25, 1852, a son of John D. and Huldah (Mendenhall) Mills, of Franklin Township. When he was four years of age his parents moved to Wayne County, and nine years later to Miami County. In 1871 they came to Henry County, and located in Franklin Township. Alonzo Mills received a good education in the common schools, remaining with his parents till his marriage. He then bought the farm where he resides, in Dudley Township, containing eighty acres of fine, well-improved land. He is an enterprising young man, and is surrounding himself and family with all the comforts and conveniences of the present day. He was married Feb. 20, 1879, to Emma, daughter of Samuel and Hannah Binford. To them has been born one son - Roscoe C. Mr. and Mrs. Mills are members of the Society of Friends. Politically, he is a Republican.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Blue River Township.
Page 566
Submitted by: Jeanie

Nathan Nicholson, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Liberty Township, Henry Co., Ind., March 24, 1843, a son of William and Ruth (Bond) Nicholson. His early life was spent on the farm of his father. When eighteen years of age he enlisted in the war of the Rebellion, Aug. 27, 1861, in Company C, Thirty-sixth Indiana Infantry. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, Stone River and Chickamauga. At the latter battle he was wounded in the head and disabled for a short time. After his recovery he joined his company and participated in the battle of Lookout Mountain, and was with Sherman from Chattanooga to Atlanta. After serving three years he was discharged in September, 1864, and returned home. He attended school for a time. Sept. 24, 1868, he was married to Lizzie, daughter of Samuel Leonard, an early settler of Dudley Township. After his marriage he engaged in agricultural pursuits, and now has a good farm of 200 acres of well cultivated land. For ten years he engaged in teaching during the winter months. His wife was also a teacher before her marriage. To them have been born two children - Pearl and Lawrence. Politically Mr. Nicholson is a Republican.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Blue River Township.
Page 566
Submitted by: Jeanie

Charles Smith was born in Virginia in 1775 and died in Henry County, Ind., in July, 1846. In his early life he went to Kentucky and there married Betsey Noble, a native of that State, born in 1785. In 1823 he moved to Henry County, Ind., and entered eighty acres of land in Dudley Township, where he lived the remainder of his life. In early life he worked at the hatter's and blacksmith's trades, and in later life following farming. Politically he was a Democrat. He served as Trustee of Dudley Township, and for several years was Justice of the Peace in Kentucky. He and his wife were members of the Christian church. Their children were four in number, three born in Kentucky and one in Henry County, Ind. - Rebecca, born Nov. 14, 1818, deceased wife of Isaac Brittingham, of Fayette County, Ind.; Jackson Smith; Washington, born June 28, 1825, died in 1850; Charles, born Feb. 26, 1829.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Blue River Township.
Page 571 and 572
Submitted by: Jeanie

Jackson Smith, second son of Charles and Betsey (Noble) Smith, was born in Kentucky, May 22, 1820. He has always given his attention to agricultural pursuits, and now owns a beautiful home of 160 acres, eighty acres in Fayette County and eighty in Henry County. Dec. 4, 1845, he married Elizabeth Walters, a native of Clinton County, Ohio, born Dec. 21, 1828, a daughter of William and Permelia Walters. They have had four children - Jackson, born Dec. 3, 1846, was married Nov. 23, 1871, to Alice Scott; Elmira, born Aug. 25, 1848, was married Feb. 14, 1867, to Leander Starr, who died, and March 14, 1877, she married Edwin Reynolds; Susannah, born March 17, 1850, died Sept. 20, 1866; Mary Emma, born Oct. 24, 1862, was married Jan. 13, 1881, to John Gebhart. Politically Mr. Smith is a Democrat. He and his wife are members of the Christian church.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Blue River Township.
Page 572
Submitted by: Jeanie

John Stiggleman, farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of Montgomery County, Va., born Jan. 28, 1817, a son of John and Frances (Wade) Stiggleman. His grandfather, Philip Stiggleman, emigrated from Germany in an early day and settled in Virginia. In 1819 his father left his native State, and with his family moved to Indiana, locating two miles north of Centreville, in Wayne County. He subsequently moved two miles north of his original place of settlement, where he cleared and cultivated a farm of 240 acres, residing there till his death, Aug. 18, 1866, aged seventy-nine years. His wife survived him seven years and died at the same age lacking five days. Our subject was reared and educated in Wayne County, remaining with his parents till manhood. April 19,1838, he was married to Phoebe Walters, a native of Virginia, born October, 1816, a daughter of William Walters, who came to Wayne County in 1833 or 1834. To them were born eight children; but three are living, the eldest and youngest two - Martin L., Melissa and Sarah Ellen. The deceased are Samantha J., Martha Ann., Francis, Elizabeth, and Elijah W. Mrs. Stiggleman died Feb. 11, 1859. Feb. 21, 1860, Mr. Stiggleman married Clementina Scott, a native of Virginia, a daughter of Thomas Scott. To them have been born four children - Marcus Lafayette, Rebecca (deceased), Ida V. and Mary Etta. In the spring of 1844 Mr. Stiggleman came to Henry County and bought his present farm. He had but $400 when he came to the county, but has been successful, and has now one of the finest farms in the county. He has had to battle with adverse circumstances through life, and owes his success to perseverance and an indomitable will, being determined to succeed although fate seemed against him. When but five months old his left had was so badly burned as to render it almost useless, and when six years old his right hand was cut nearly off, thus making both hands weak and unfitted for hard work. Politically Mr. Stiggleman is a Democrat. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren church.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Blue River Township.
Page 572 and 573
Submitted by: Jeanie

Philip Stiggleman, farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of Montgomery County, Va., born March 22, 1819, a son of John and Frances (Wade) Stiggleman. He was an infant when his parents moved to Wayne County, Ind., and was there reared and educated. His youth was spent in assisting his father on the farm and working at the millwright's trade. He was married Dec. 16, 1841, to Jane Woody, a daughter of Joseph and Sarah Woody, who were among the earliest settlers of Wayne County, from North Carolina. He worked at his trade two years after his marriage, and then moved to Alton, Ill., where he remained one season, when he returned to the old homestead in Wayne County. In April, 1846, he bought the farm in Henry County, where he has since resided. He has worked at the carpenter's trade in connection with carrying on his farm. To Mr. and Mrs. Stiggleman have been born five children - John served three years in the war of the Rebellion, and three months before his term of enlistment expired was shot in the knee at Kennesaw Mountain; Emily, now Mrs. W. Cartwright; Alfred; Solomon; Mary Ellen, now the wife of Dr. Oscar Guyer. Politically Mr. Stiggleman was a Democrat, but since 1858 has affiliated with the Republican party.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Blue River Township.
Page 573
Submitted by: Jeanie

John M. Swafford, one of the few pioneers who was identified with the early interests of the county, was born in Randolph County, N. C., Sept. 8, 1822, a son of Jacob and Abigail (Hammer) Swafford, natives of North Carolina, of Scotch and Irish descent. In 1826 his parents came to Indiana and entered land in Dudley Township, built a small cabin and began making a farm. Jacob Swafford was one of the most prominent of the early settlers, and was honored with many local offices of trust. He was Magistrate for fifteen consecutive years, and for several years held the office of Town Assessor and Deputy County Assessor. Politically, he affiliated with the Whig party. He was an active member of the Christian church. He accumulated a large property, and when his children grew to maturity was able to assist them to begin life for themselves. He died in 1857, aged nearly sixty years. His widow is still living, aged nearly eighty-nine years. John M. Swafford was reared on a frontier farm, receiving his education in the subscription schools. When nineteen years of age he began teaching. He was married March 24, 1842, to Mary A. Taylor, daughter of Rev. David and Susanna (Simpson) Taylor, of North Carolina, who came to Henry County in 1828, and entered land in Dudley Township. After his marriage Mr. Swafford settled on forty acres of land on section 9, Dudley Township, which his father had previously purchased. In 1853 he went to Iowa, but a year later he returned to Indiana and located on the old homestead, where, with the exception of a year spent in Huntington County, he has since resided. He has won the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens, and has been honored with the office of Magistrate sixteen years. He was appointed Postmaster by President Lincoln, and filled the position ten years. He has, in connection with farming, dealt extensively in grain, and has also been agent at New Lisbon for the Fort Wayne, Cincinnati & Louisville Railroad. Mr. and Mrs. Swafford have had nine children; but six are living - Catherine, Nancy J., Henry C., Jacob M., David T. and John C. F. The deceased were - Ellen, Abigail and Albert L. Mr. Swafford is, politically, a Republican. He and his wife are members of the Christian church. Mrs. Swafford's parents removed to Iowa, where her mother died. Her father afterward moved to Missouri, and there spent the rest of his days, living to the age of nearly eighty-six years.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Blue River Township.
Page 573 and 574
Submitted by: Jeanie

James L. Tweedy, son of Jonathan and Phoebe Tweedy, was born in North Carolina in 1830. When he was two years of age his parents moved to Wayne County, Ind., and the following year came to Dudley Township, Henry County, where he was reared and educated. He now resides on section 24, where he has a fine farm of 160 acres, and is engaged in farming and stock-dealing. He was married in 1852 to Sarah Bradway, a native of Union County, Ind., born in 1828, a daughter of Josiah and Alice Bradway. They have had four children - Albert, Mary, Alice B. (wife of William A. Smith) and Eddie, the two eldest deceased. Politically Mr. Tweedy is a Republican. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren church. He has been Superintendent of the Sunday-school fifteen years.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Blue River Township.
Page 574
Submitted by: Jeanie

Jonathan Tweedy is a native of Perquimans County, N. C., born October, 1807, a son of James and Elizabeth (Elliott) Tweedy, natives of North Carolina, the father born in 1783, and the mother in 1785. He was married June 14, 1829, to Phebe Lacy, native of the same county, born Dec. 11, 1811. In 1832, with his father's family, he came to Indiana, and settled in what is now Dudley Township, Henry County, where his father entered eighty acres, and he sixty acres, on section 3. The country was heavily timbered; not a tree had been cut by a white man. His father spent the rest of his life in Henry County, and died at the age of eighty years. His mother survived her husband two years. Mr. Tweedy improved his land and has since added thirty acres to his original farm. He has been a resident of the township fifty-two years, and is one of its most enterprising citizens. His wife died Dec. 14, 1883, aged seventy-five years. Their children were nine in number, three are deceased - William, Joseph and Aaron. Those living are - James L., Sarah E., Elizabeth, Anna, Rachel and Emily. Politically Mr. Tweedy is a Republican. He, as was his wife, is a member of the Christian church.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Blue River Township.
Page 575
Submitted by: Jeanie

Cornelius C. Weaver, farmer and shoemaker, was born in Wayne County, Ind., July 3, 1832, the youngest of four children of Christopher and Sarah (Shidler) Weaver, natives of Ohio, of German descent. The father died before our subject's birth, and his mother soon after came to Indiana, and purchased eighty acres of land in Jackson Township, Wayne County. She was a woman of rare energy and business ability, and by the time her sons were old enough to assist her had her farm well cultivated. She subsequently married Casper Bowen, by whom she had seven children. She died in 1880, aged seventy-three years. When Cornelius C. Weaver was fourteen years of age he began to work at the tanner and courier's trade and served an apprenticeship of five years. On account of his health he was obliged to abandon the trade, and then learned boot and shoe making, serving as an apprentice three years. He worked as a journeyman a time and then embarked in business in Cambridge City. A year later he went to Lawrenceburg, Ind., and worked three years, losing in that time only three days. In 1852 he went to Illinois. In 1861 he was among the first to enlist in the service of his country. He entered the ranks as a private soldier, but was elected by his companions First Lieutenant of Company B, Eighteenth Illinois Infantry. After a year and a half of service as Lieutenant he was promoted to Captain of the company, and served till the expiration of his term. He returned to Illinois, but soon after returned to his native county. He was married Jan. 2, 1866, to Louisa R., daughter of David and Mary Keller, of Maryland, who came to Indiana in 1856. In 1867 Mr. Weaver came to Henry County and settled in Dudley Township, where, in connection with farming, he works at his trade in the winter. He also pays special attention to vegetable gardening and the culture of bees. Politically Mr. Weaver is a Republican. He has served as Justice of the Peace since 1874. He and his wife are members of the Evangelical Association. They have a family of five sons - Edward W., Charles E., Fred W., John W. and Frank.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Blue River Township.
Page 575 and 576
Submitted by: Jeanie