William R. Miller, third son of Andrew and Elizabeth (Snyder) Miller, was born in Clermont County, Ohio, April 23, 1822. His mother died in 1834, after which he was engaged with different farmers until he was about sixteen years of age, when he went to Felicity, Ohio, and learned the chair-maker's trade with Jeremiah Smith. At the end of eighteen months he became engaged on a flatboat, making three trips to New Orleans. April 7, 1842, he was married to Forlenia E. Lanham, daughter of William and Catherine (Sargent) Lanham. Eight children have been born to them - John W., enlisted as a private in the Sixty-ninth Indiana Infantry and died in the army May 9, 1863; Mary Catherine, wife of Dr. M. W. Ricks, of Muncie, Ind.; Benjamin P., died at the age of nine years; Elizabeth S., wife of William Brookshire, residents of Harrison Township, Henry County; the fifth child, a daughter, died in infancy; Sarah Jane, lives with her parents; Emma E., died in 1854, aged about two years; Luther O., married Florence Wood, and is in partnership with his father, the firm name being William R. Miller & Son. After his marriage Mr. Miller engaged in the manufacture of chairs in Adams Township, at which he continued eleven years, during which time he purchased about forty acres of land in the same township. In 1853 he moved to his farm remaining there six years and in 1859 sold his property in Madison County and bought land in Mechanicsburg, Henry County, where he farmed four years. He then built a large frame building where he has since carried on the business of chair-making and undertaking. He and his wife have been members of the Methodist Episcopal church about forty years. Politically Mr. Miller has been a Republican but in 1884 he was a delegate to the Prohibition Convention at Indianapolis, Ind.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Fall Creek Township.
Page 598.
Submitted by: Jeanie


Abraham Painter, second son of Absalom and Sarah (Thompson) Painter, was born Dec. 9, 1818, in Rockingham County, Va. In the fall of 1832 Absalom Painter moved to Fall Creek Township, Henry County, Ind., where he purchased 320 acres of uncultivated land which he, with the help of his sons, cleared and improved. He lived to see his children settled in life, and died at the age of seventy-six years. His wife survived him several years, living to the age of over eighty years. Our subject has followed farming through life, and through industry and good management now owns 186 acres of valuable land in this township, and eighty-eight acres in Jefferson Township. He was married Dec. 12, 1844, to Rhoda, daughter of Anthony and Louisa (Aker) Sanders. To them have been born ten children - Delilah Jane (married), John James, William Francis (married), Sarah Catherine (married), Mary Elizabeth (married), Absalom David, Lydia Margaret (deceased), Louisa Ellen (married), Martha Lincoln and George Ellsworth. They have fourteen grandchildren living and five deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Painter are members of the Christian church and in politics he affiliates with the Republican party.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Fall Creek Township.
Page 599.
Submitted by: Jeanie


David M. Painter, a son of Samuel D. and Anna Painter, was born in Henry County, Ind., Nov. 20, 1844. He was reared a farmer and has always followed that vocation. He was married in 1867 to Rosanna Johnston, a native of Delaware County, Ind., born December, 1843, a daughter of Anderson and Elizabeth Johnston. They have four children - John H., Elizabeth A., Isora, and Alfred J. Mrs. Painter is a member of the Christian church. Mr. Painter is a quiet unassuming man, devoting himself to his home and family. He takes great interest in all matters tending toward the advancement of anything of public benefit. He enlisted in 1863 in Company E, Ninth Indiana Cavalry, and served till the close of the war. In 1870 he moved to Kansas and entered a quarter-section of land in Howard, now Chautauqua County, and remained there four years. He then returned to Henry County and still resides on his farm of 100 acres which he has improved and where he is surrounded with all the comforts of life.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Fall Creek Township.
Page 599.
Submitted by: Jeanie


David T. Painter was born in Rockingham County, Va., April 15, 1831, and is the third son of Absalom and Sarah (Thompson) Painter. He came to Henry County, Ind., with his parents in the fall of 1832 and experienced the hardships of pioneer life. He has followed agricultural pursuits during his life, and at present owns a good farm of 213 acres in Fall Creek Township. He was married to Miss Gillia Ann, daughter of Jacob and Amanda Shoemaker, of Delaware County, Ind. They have three children - John Perry Morton, Otto Warden and Elanora, married to Wm. Prigg, a farmer near Mechanicsburg, and has two children - Lowell and Grace. In politics Mr. Painter has always voted the Republican ticket.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Fall Creek Township.
Page 599 and 600.
Submitted by: Jeanie


Samuel D. Painter, son of Absalom and Sarah Painter, was born in Rockingham County, Va., Oct. 6, 1816. He was reared and educated in his native county, and in his early life engaged in farming and cabinet-making. In 1834 he came to Henry County, Ind., and located in Fall Creek Township, where he was engaged in farming till his death, July 12, 1876. He was successful in his business transactions, and a pure, upright man. He was an active member and liberal supporter of the United Brethren church. He was a public-spirited man and an earnest advocate of all matters of benefit to the community. He served his county as Commissioner and his township as Trustee. He was married May 17, 1835, to Anna Rader, a native of Rockingham County, Va., born May 17, 1819. She came to Indiana in 1835 with her Uncle Jesse Rader. She united with the United Brethren church in 1839 and remained an active worker till her death, Nov. 22, 1879. She was a devoted wife and mother. Although kind and gentle, she was firm with her children and was beloved and revered by them. There were eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Painter John R., deceased; Mary J., wife of James Groenendyke; David M.; Sanford M.; Julia A., wife of Hensel Crittenborgen; Amanda, wife of Clinton Hess; Almeda and Horace G. All are residents of Henry County, the youngest two residing on the old homestead. It is a beautiful home of 138 acres, situated in the northeastern part of Fall Creek Township. Horace G. is an energetic, industrious man, and a thrifty farmer. He is one of Henry County's most prominent and respected citizens. Politically he is a Republican.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Fall Creek Township.
Page 600.
Submitted by: Jeanie


Sanford M. Painter was born Feb. 28, 1847, in Fall Creek Township, Henry Co., Ind., third son of Samuel D. and Ann (Rader) Painter, and a grandson of Absalom Painter, one of Henry County's pioneers. His father died in 1877, and his mother's death occurred in 1879. He was married Aug. 14, 1869, to Eva A. Condover, a daughter of John Condover, who was born in Germany and came to America when she was seven years of age. To this union one son has been born who died in infancy. Mr. Painter owns a fine farm of 160 acres, three miles northeast of Middletown. In politics he is a Republican, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Middletown.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Fall Creek Township.
Page 600 and 601.
Submitted by: Jeanie


Mrs. Catherine Pickering was born in Pike County, Ohio, Nov. 30, 1826, a daughter of Benjamin G., and Mary Bristol. In 1830 she came with her parents to Henry County, Ind., where her father entered a tract of uncultivated land, one mile west of Middletown, where Mrs. Pickering still lives in a substantial brick residence built by her father in 1846, the farm consisting of ninety-six acres of valuable land. The Bristol family were among the first settlers of this part of Henry County. Mr. Bristol died Jan. 3, 1869, and his widow, Dec. 19, 1878. Our subject was married June 28, 1846, to Jordan Pickering, who died Jan. 2, 1868. To them were born three children - Loring A., married Nora Cummins and lives in Sumner County, Kas.; Mary Alice and Charles J. living at home, the latter teaching the school (at this writing, 1883) in this district. Mrs. Pickering belongs to the Methodist church. Her parents were also members of the same denomination for many years. Mr. Pickering was a member of the Friends' church.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Fall Creek Township.
Page 601.
Submitted by: Jeanie


Charles Riley was born Feb. 23, 1817, in Delaware, eldest son of Nathan and Sarah (Stewart) Riley. His parents, with a family of seven children, came to Fall Creek Township from Guernsey County, Ohio, in a wagon in 1830, and Nathan Riley purchased 152 acres near where the village of Middletown now stands. Our subject was reared on a farm, and as well as a good worker, he became a fine hunter. The country was new and unsettled, and wild animals were numerous, affording an opportunity to become an adept in the art of shooting. Mr. Riley has killed about sixty deer, and at one time wounded a large bear near where he now lives. He was married Jan. 14, 1847, to Amelia, daughter of Samuel and Hannah (Walker) Cunningham, of Fall Creek Township. They have had eight children - Margaret Elizabeth, wife of Richard Emswiller, of Fall Creek Township; William Henry, married Ann Keesling, and living in Dade County, Mo.; Nathan, married Senia Keesling and living in Fall Creek Township; Samuel J., married Allie Ellison, also living in Fall Creek Township; Sarah, widow of Quincy Keesling, living near Indianapolis; Francis G., and Sanford L. (twins), and Charles Frederick. Soon after his marriage Mr. Riley moved on an eighty-acre farm which he had previously purchased, and where they still reside, and by good management and industry he now has nearly 400 acres of fine land. Mr. Riley had typhoid fever some twenty-six years ago, since which he has had an affliction in his leg and is quite an invalid. He is one of the few surviving pioneers of Henry County, and in politics is a Democrat.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Fall Creek Township.
Page 601and 602.
Submitted by: Jeanie


George W. Rodecap, physician and surgeon, was born in Rockingham Co., Va., March 4, 1855, the eighth of thirteen children of Martin and Susana (Sanger) Rodecap. In 1855 his parents moved to Delaware Co., Ind., and bought a farm of 320 acres on the line of Henry County, where they still live. His father is also a minister in the German Baptist church. George W. remained at home till fourteen years of age and then went West and traveled over several of the States and Territories. On his return home he entered the Middletown school. When about seventeen years old he began teaching school and taught two winters. He then went to Valparaiso, Ind., and graduated in 1875. He taught a country school the following winter, and in the spring of 1876 took charge of the grammar department of the Middletown school, retaining the position till 1880, when he was appointed Principal of the schools. In the meantime he devoted his spare time to the study of medicine, and in 1881 entered the medical department of Ann Arbor University. He took two courses of lectures and then returned to Middletown and began his practice. He was married in 1877 to Anna E., daughter of T. C. and Mary Swain. They have had three children - Ina, Cecil and Nellie; the eldest two are deceased.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Fall Creek Township.
Page 602.
Submitted by: Jeanie


Christopher C. Sanders is a native of Henry County. He was born Dec. 24, 1845, a son of Anthony and Louisa (Akers) Sanders, natives of Virginia. His parents moved to Henry County in 1831 and settled on a farm near Middletown, where they spent the remainder of their lives. They were the parents of twelve children, eight sons and four daughters; but six are living. Christopher C. Sanders was married in 1879 to Mattie Mower, daughter of Joseph Mower, of Henry County. They have one son - Clyde J. Mr. Sanders is a member of Middletown Lodge, No. 97, I. O. O. F.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Fall Creek Township.
Page 602.
Submitted by: Jeanie


Anderson Showalter, third son of Abraham and Frances Showalter, was born April 13, 1817, in Franklin County, Va., and at the age of eleven years moved with his parents to Jackson Township, Wayne County, Ind. In 1834 he came to Fall Creek Township, Henry County, and Jan. 16, 1840, was married to Tamor, daughter of Nathan and Sarah Riley, early pioneer settlers of this township. They are the parents of four children, three daughters and one son - Martha J., wife of James T. Abshire, living on a farm in Jefferson Township; Caroline, wife of W. F. Sanders; Eliza, wife of P. L. Harry, a farmer in Jefferson Township, and Stephen D., the youngest and only son, married Eva Harvey, daughter of Benjamin Harvey, of Honey Creek, and is clerking for his father. After his marriage Wm. Showalter followed farming for twelve years, when he engaged in the mercantile business at Middletown, three years. He then moved to Independence, Grant Co., Ind., and followed the same business for eleven years, after which he returned to Henry County and sold goods at Cadiz three years. He then turned his attention to farming altogether, till February, 1878, when he sold his farm and moved to Honey Creek and opened two stores, in one of which he sells hardware, groceries, paints and oils, and in the other, dry-goods, boots and shoes, ready-made clothing, hats, caps, etc. His son-in-law, W. F. Sanders, is associated with him in his present business, and is a young man of good business qualifications.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Fall Creek Township.
Page 602 and 603.
Submitted by: Jeanie


David Monroe Strickler was born in Rockingham County, Va., Dec. 3, 1828, a son of David and Polly A. (Crim) Strickler, and a grandson of David Strickler, a native of Page County, Va., who died of camp fever in 1815, while serving in the war. In 1834 our subject's parents moved to Delaware County, Ind., where they died. He remained with his parents till 1851, and then came to Henry County and bought some land, four miles south of Middletown. He had but little capital, but by being industrious and economical, assisted by his estimable wife, who has stood by him in every trial, he has been successful. He owns 300 acres of farming land, and a beautiful residence in Middletown. He was married in 1850 to Julia A., daughter of Wyatt and Elizabeth Thompson, natives of Montgomery County, Va., the father born Dec. 31, 1805, and the mother, Jan. 8, 1806. Mr. and Mrs. Strickler have had five children - Elizabeth T., Elnora J., Sophia A., Wyatt D. and Otis P. The daughters are deceased. Mr. Strickler is a member of Middletown Lodge, No. 271, F. & A. M.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Fall Creek Township.
Page 603.
Submitted by: Jeanie


Simon H. Summers was born in Highland County, Ohio, May 23, 1832, a son of William and Polly (Richardson) Summers, his father a native of Virginia, and his mother of North Carolina. His grandfather, William Summers, came from Germany with a colony, and located in Virginia, where he married Nancy Fenner, also a native of Germany and afterward moved to Highland County, Ohio, where his wife died. After the death of his wife he moved to Delaware County, Ind., and died there in September, 1848. For several years prior to his death he was blind, caused by falling out of a wagon and injuring the back of his head. He was a very reticent man, and niggardly. He accumulated a large property, and after his death was found about a bushel of gold and silver coin which he had hid away. His tax receipts and business papers, some of which are over 100 years old, are in the possession of our subject. Although a strictly moral man, he never attached himself to any church. He built the first frame house in Delaware County. The maternal grandfather of our subject, John Richardson, was a native of England, but came to America when a child and grew to manhood in the State of North Carolina, and then married Polly Terrell. From North Carolina they moved to Virginia, and from there to Ohio, where he died June 6, 1840, aged seventy-nine years, and she, Oct. 31, 1844, aged eighty-three years. They were members of the Society of Friends. But one of their seven children is living - John Richardson, now eighty-eight years old. In his young days he was a great hunter, and has killed hundreds of deer. Our subject's parents moved to Delaware County, Ind., and in 1868 to Middletown, where his mother died April 19, 1869, and his father, December, 1870. S. H. Summers was reared and educated in Delaware County, Ind., remaining there until 1868, when he moved to Middletown, and for three years engaged in the mercantile business. He then turned his attention to buying and selling grain and hogs, and became one of the largest dealers in the county, continuing the business until 1874. Since then he has lived a more quiet life, merely attending to his property. Mr. Summers has been a prominent, influential man in the county. He has been Superintendent of the Henry, Madison and Delaware Counties Agricultural Fairs for eleven years, and under his management they have always been carried on successfully. He was married in April, 1851, to Louisa Sanders, of Henry County, Ind. They have four children - Sarah A., wife of Albert J. Griffis; Nettie, wife of F. L. Thornburg; William L. and Osa Ray.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Fall Creek Township.
Page 603 and 604.
Submitted by: Jeanie


Chester B. Swain, son of Thomas and Mary (Keesling) Swain, was born in Fall Creek Township, Henry Co., Ind., March 2, 1849. He remained with his parents till reaching manhood, and was married Jan. 22, 1870, to Mary A., daughter of John and Melvina Fatic, who came to Henry County from Virginia at an early date. They are the parents of three children - Zanfretta, born Feb. 25, 1871; Zelotes, March 4, 1876, and Thomas Benton, March 21, 1879. Mr. Swain and wife are members of the White Chapel Christian Church, situated about two miles west of Mechanicsburg; and in politics Mr. Swain is a Republican. He has forty-four acres of excellent land with good improvements, adjoining Mechanicsburg. His father came to Henry County, Ind., from Tennessee about 1834 with his parents, John and Ann Swain, and settled on a farm near where Mechanicsburg now stands.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Fall Creek Township.
Page 604 and 605.
Submitted by: Jeanie


Frank L. Thornburg, M. D., was born in New Castle, Ind., Sept. 16, 1856, a son of Hiram and Lydia J. Thornburg. He obtained a common-school education, and then clerked in a grocery store two years. He then was employed as clerk in the postoffice eighteen months, after which he entered the Miami Commercial College, Dayton, Ohio, and took a full course. After his return to New Castle, he began the study of medicine with Dr. Rea, and subsequently attended lectures at the Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati, graduating in the class of 1877-'78. In March, 1878, he located in Middletown, and now has a good practice, having gained the esteem of his brother practitioners, as well as the confidence of the community. He was married in1880 to Nettie, daughter of Simon H. Summers, of Middletown. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Dr. Thornburg is a member of Fall Creek Lodge, No. 97, I. O. O. F.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Fall Creek Township.
Page 605.
Submitted by: Jeanie


Captain Frederick Tykle, one of the prominent business men of Middletown, Ind., is a native of Preble County, Ohio, born June 7, 1825. He is a son of John and Christena Tykle, natives of Germany, who came to the United States before their marriage. His father died in Preble County, Ohio. His mother afterward went to Illinois to live with her daughter, and died there. Their family consisted of three children, two sons and a daughter; all are living. When eighteen years of age Frederick went to Eaton, the county seat of Preble County, and served an apprenticeship at the cabinet maker's trade. At the outbreak of the Mexican war he enlisted as a private in the Fourth United States Infantry, and was sent to Pueblo, Mexico, where he joined General Scott's army. From there they went to the City of Mexico, and afterward participated in the battles of Churubusco, the storming of Molino Del Rey and Chapultepec, and the siege of Mexico. In June, 1848, he returned to Eaton, Ohio, and resumed work at his trade. In the spring of 1849 he went to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and remained until fall. He was married in 1851 to Ann Grimes, of Butler County, Ohio, and soon after settled in Fairhaven, Ohio, and began working on his own account. In the spring of 1855 he moved to Middletown, Henry Co., Ind., where, for a short time, he was engaged in the dry goods business. Selling out, he again worked at his trade till the outbreak of the Rebellion, where he raised a company for the Eighth Indiana Regiment (three months). He served three months and a half, and participated in the battle of Rich Mountain. After his discharge he returned home and raised another company, of which he was elected Captain. After serving three months he resigned and returned home, where he has worked at his trade and engaged in the real estate business. Although commencing on a small capital he has been successful, and now owns a handsome two-story frame residence and a fine brick business block. He has been an enterprising public-spirited citizen and influential in both social and business circles. He was a member of the first Town Board, and has since served a number of terms. In 1868 he was elected Appraiser of Henry County. He is a member of Fall Creek Lodge, No. 97; the Grand Lodge of Indiana, I. O. O. F., and Geo. W. Rader Post, No. 119, G. A. R. Mr. Tykle has two children - Laura C., wife of J. H. Terhune, of Anderson, Ind., and George E., a prominent merchant of the same town.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Fall Creek Township.
Page 605 and 606.
Submitted by: Jeanie


Cyrus Vanmatre, fifth son of David and Maria Vanmatre, was born in Salem Township, Delaware Co., Ind., Feb. 19, 1839. At the age of twelve he met with a serious accident by being caught under a tree that he was chopping, which lodged, and jumped back and caught his ankle, breaking the bone just above the joint, and cutting his leg half off. In the course of two years it healed up, but has always given him more or less trouble ever since. He remained at home until he was twenty-two years of age, and experienced many of the hardships of pioneer life. At this time the war broke out, and he volunteered with Captain Tykle, in the Eighth Indiana Infantry, for three months. Went to West Virginia; participated in the battle of Rich Mountain; then returned to Indianapolis; re-enlisted for three years in same regiment; was made a Duty Sergeant; went to Missouri under Fremont; was in the battle of Sugar Creek, Ark., and Pea Ridge, Ark.; was promoted to First Sergeant in 1862; participated in the battles of Port Gibson, Miss., Champion Hills, Miss., Big Black River, Miss., Vicksburg, Miss., Mustang Island, Tex., Fort Esperanza, Tex., Opequan, W. Va., Winchester, Va., Fisher's Hill, Va., New Market, Va., Cedar Creek, Va. He veteranized February, 1864; was commissioned as First Lieutenant. He received a wound through his right arm May 22, 1863, while charging the rebel works at Vicksburg; also at Cedar Creek, Va., Oct. 19, 1864, through the neck, ball entering on the heel of left jaw, and passing out between the leaders on back of neck just in the lower edge of hair. This wound rendering him unfit for service, he resigned Dec. 4, 1864, and returned home. He was in the service three years and seven months. In the spring of 1865 he engaged in farming again with his father. During same year he purchased a farm of ninety-seven acres, but still remained with his father till 1867. He was married Oct. 23, 1867, to Sarah C., second daughter of Samuel and Mary Sayford, residents of Delaware County. She was born in Roanoke County, Va., Feb. 13, 1840, and came to Delaware County with her parents about 1848. Mr. and Mrs. Vanmatre have two children - Cassius Emmett, born Nov. 13, 1868, and Augustus Abner, born Dec. 13. 1870. They moved to Henry County, Nov. 18, 1867, and settled on the farm previously purchased by Mr. Vanmatre, where they still reside. In 1870 he built a barn, and bought sixty-eight acres of land from Samuel D. Painter, joining on the west to his first purchase, making together 165 acres. He also owns 140 acres in Salem Township, Delaware County. In 1876 he was elected County Commissioner, holding that office six years by re-election. In 1877 he erected his beautiful brick residence. He is a member of the Methodist Protestant church, and his wife belongs to the Lutheran denomination. His political affiliations are with the Republican party. He cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Fall Creek Township.
Page 606 and 607.
Submitted by: Jeanie


Henry Van Matre was born in Fayette County, Ind., May 12, 1815, a son of John and Margaret Van Matre, his father a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother of Kentucky. They were married in Indiana in 1814, and settled in Fayette County. In 1827 they moved to Delaware County, where they spent the rest of their days. They had a family of seven children, four sons and three daughters. Henry, the eldest, spent his early life in assisting his father, and after attaining his majority began farming for himself. He moved to Middletown in 1860, and has since lived rather retired, although he has given some attention to his farms, owning three, two in Delaware and one in Henry County, his landed estate being 500 acres. In 1879 he was stricken with paralysis on the left side and has never fully recovered. Mr. Van Matre was married in 1844, to Elizabeth, daughter of Lewis and Diane Summers. But three of their five children are living - Margaret, wife of William Moore; Henry J. and William S., all residents of Henry County.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Fall Creek Township.
Page 607 and 608.
Submitted by: Jeanie


Deb Murray