From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Franklin Township.
Page 623 and 624.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Oliver Greenstreet, farmer and stock-raiser, section 14, Franklin Township, is a native of Wayne Township, Henry Co., Ind., born Sept. 3, 1843, the eldest son of Albert and Eunice B. (Macy) Greenstreet, of Spiceland Township. He remained at home till his marriage, and then rented land in Spiceland Township five years. In 1870 he bought a tract of unimproved land in Howard County, and lived there a year, then returned to Henry County and bought a farm in Franklin Township. In 1879 he moved to the old homestead entered by his father-in-law. This is a fine farm of 160 acres, all well improved. He also owns eighty acres of land in Spiceland Township. Mr. Greenstreet was married Nov. 30, 1865, to Rebecca, daughter of Christopher and Zilpha (Copeland) Hedrick. They have had three children; but two are living - Joseph A. and John B. Mary Ada died July 19, 1883, aged sixteen years. Mr. and Mrs. Greenstreet are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically he is a Republican.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Franklin Township.
Page 624.
Submitted by: Jeanie

William Griffin, farmer and stock-raiser, section 14, Franklin Township, was born in Wayne County, Ind., July 12, 1813, the youngest son of Jacob Griffin. In 1835 he came to Henry County and bought eighty acres of unimproved land in Franklin Township. He cleared a small space and set out an orchard and built a house. He has since cultivated the entire portion and for a period of nearly fifty years has made it his home. He was married in June, 1838, to Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Greenstreet, of Henry County. They had three children born to them; but one is living - Elza. Elizabeth and Sarah Jane are deceased. Mrs. Griffin died in 1846, and in 1847 Mr. Griffin married Mrs. Lucy Evans, a native of Surry County, N. C. They have two children - Joseph D. and Melvina.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Franklin Township.
Page 624 and 625.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Robert Hall is one of the most prominent and successful agriculturists of Henry County. He is a native of Northampton, N. C., born Jan. 19, 1817, a son of John and Sarah (Parker) Hall, natives of North Carolina, his father of English and his mother of English and Irish descent. In 1818 his parents came to Indiana and settled in Boston Township, Wayne County. Twelve years later they moved to Henry County and settled in Dudley Township. Both were members of the Society of Friends. Of a family of seven children, but three are living. When eighteen years of age Mr. Hall began teaching school, following the vocation ten years. He was married Sept. 2, 1839, to Luanna, daughter of Benjamin and Amy Strattan, and settled on a part of his father's farm, following agricultural pursuits in connection with teaching. His wife died Sept. 8, 1841. Aug. 24, 1843, he married Lydia, daughter of Thomas and Jemima White. They have six children - Ellen E., Thomas W., Albert N., Mary M., Sarah E. and Robert Willard. Mr. Hall has served his township as Trustee and Assessor several years. He and his wife are members of the Society of Friends.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Franklin Township.
Page 625.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Thomas W. Hall was born in Franklin Township, Henry Co., Ind., Feb. 14, 1846, the eldest son of Robert and Lydia (White) Hall. He received a good education and taught school several terms in Henry County. He was then in the hardware business seven years, and traveled two years for D. M. Osburn, selling reapers. Since 1876 he has been in the dry-goods business in Lewisville, where he has built up a good trade. Politically Mr. Hall was a Republican till 1872, when he became a follower of Horace Greeley, and since then has been active in the Democratic ranks. In 1878 he took charge of and edited the Lewisville Democrat. In 1882 he was nominated to represent Henry, Madison and Hancock counties in the Legislature, but was defeated by ninety-five votes. He has filled many local offices of trust and responsibility. Sept. 23, 1868, Mr. Hall was married to Laura Bartlett, a daughter of Dr. Wm. M. Bartlett. To them have been born two children; but one is living - Don Karl.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Franklin Township.
Page 625.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Christopher Hedrick, deceased, was one of the first settlers of Franklin Township, coming here in 1822. He left his home in Virginia and came through the wilderness on horseback, alone, going as far as Lafayette, but returned to Henry County and entered 160 acres of land on sections 13 and 14, Franklin Township. He was born in Pittsylvania County, Va., in 1801, a son of Philip Hedrick, a native of Pennsylvania, and a Captain in the Revolutionary war. He was married May 28, 1835, to Zilpha, daughter of Joseph Copeland. To them were born six children; but three are living - John, George and Rebecca. Joseph C., Jesse S and Abner are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Hedrick were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically he was a Whig, and subsequently a Republican. He died in the spring of 1878. His wife died July 28, 1882.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Franklin Township.
Page 626.
Submitted by: Jeanie

William L. Houston, Postmaster, Lewisville, Ind., was born in Rockbridge County, Va., May 12, 1813, the youngest of four children of William and Mary (Poague) Houston. When he was an infant his father died from exposure at Norfolk, Va., in the war of 1812. His mother then went to Shelbyville, Ky., with her brother, J. M. Poague. In 1825 she married Samuel Lattimore, and our subject came with them to Union County, Ind. When sixteen years of age he went to learn the tanner and currier's trade with Isaac Conwell, of Liberty, Union Co., Ind., serving an apprenticeship of four years, receiving as a compensation his board, clothes, six months' schooling and a freedom suit of clothes. On the 12th of November, 1834, he came to Lewisville, and in company with his employer, Isaac Conwell, engaged in the mercantile business twelve years. He then bought his partner's interest and carried on the business alone twelve years. He then engaged in farming several years, when he went to Dublin, Ind., and engaged in the mercantile business four years, when he returned to his farm and remained till 1877. Since 1877 he has been Postmaster of Lewisville, a position he filled from 1836 till 1854. He was married Oct. 7, 1834, to Fannie, daughter of John and Fannie Lybrook, of Union County, Ind. To them have been born ten children; eight are living - Mary F., Anna L., Catherine E., Rebecca S., Samuel L., Rosa I., William A., Albra. The first and fifth of the family are deceased - John L. and Isaac C. The daughters are all married, and their husbands and the two sons are all for Blaine and Logan. Mr. Houston is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically he was first a Whig, but since its organization has affiliated with the Republican party.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Franklin Township.
Page 626.
Submitted by: Jeanie

John M. Macy is a native of Guilford County, N. C., born Dec. 28, 1806, a son of Stephen and Rebecca (Barnard) Macy. His grandparents, Enoch and Anna (Macy) Macy, natives of Nantuckets Island, and Francis and Catherine (Osbern) Barnard, natives of Nantuckets Island and New Jersey respectively. They were early settlers of North Carolina. In the spring of 1808 Stephen Macy moved to Montgomery County, Ohio, and in 1828 to Richmond, Ind. He was the first manufacturer of cast-iron mold-board plows in Montgomery County, and also of Richmond. In 1836 he moved to Henry County, and settled near Raysville, where his wife died in 1844. He subsequently moved to Greensboro Township, where he married Mrs. Rebecca (Lamb) Ratliff. A few years later he moved to Franklin Township, and died at the house of our subject. John M. Macy in early life received only the rudiments of a common-school education, but after he was twenty-one years old, by dint of hard study and many sacrifices, he acquired a fair education and successfully taught school twenty-five years. He first taught in Miami County, Ohio, three months for $25 and his board. In 1856 he came to Franklin Township and bought the farm where he has since resided. Mr. Macy was married in 1832 to Beulah, daughter of Isam and Margaret Hunt. His wife died in March, 1835, and in 1840 he married Betsey Ann, daughter of Thomas and Jemima White. To them were born three children - Margaret M., William A. and Henrietta M. (deceased). Mrs. Macy died, and in 1854 Mr. Macy married Lydia, daughter of John and Lydia Bell. They have one daughter - Maria Josephine. Mr. Macy and his family are members of the Society of Friends.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Franklin Township.
Page 627.
Submitted by: Jeanie

William A. Macy, of Lewisville, farmer and stock-raiser, section 20, Franklin Township, is a native of Wayne County, Ind., born Aug. 4, 1845, a son of John M. and Betsey Ann (White) Macy. He was a child when his parents moved to Henry County, and received his early education in the schools of Franklin Township. In 1867 he entered Earlham College, Richmond, Ind., and graduated in 1871. Since leaving school he has given his attention to farming and stock-raising making a specialty of thoroughbred stock. He was married Jan. 1, 1879, to Zelinda Johnson, daughter of Ansalem and Rebecca (Bell) Johnson, of Henry County. To them have been born four children - Clarence Orestes and Florence Oretta (twins), and Everett A. and Everest J. (twins). Mr. and Mrs. Macy are members of the Society of Friends.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Franklin Township.
Page 627.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Eli F. Millikin is a native of Blue River Township, Henry County, Ind., born Aug. 17, 1843, a son of William Millikin. He received a good education, residing with his father till manhood. In August, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, Thirty-sixth Indiana Infantry, and served three years; was discharged in September, 1864, and returned home and has since been engaged in farming. In 1868 he bought the farm where he now resides, containing 160 acres of good land, well improved. He was married Nov. 22, 1866, to Lizzie, daughter of Joel and Sarah Harvey. They have five children - Verney, Harvey, Laura, Sallie and Jennie. Mrs. Millikin is a member of the Christian church. Politically he is a Republican.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Franklin Township.
Page 628.
Submitted by: Jeanie

William Millikin, retired farmer, was born in Guilford County, N. C., Sept. 12, 1805, the eldest son of Eli and Mary Millikin, his father a native of Tennessee and his mother of North Carolina. In 1811 his parents moved to Clinton County, Ohio, where his father worked at the blacksmith's trade and farming till his death. He remained with his parents till May 13, 1830, when he was married to Charity, daughter of Charles and Sarah Cannady, and settled on a farm in Clinton County. In 1836 he came to Henry County, Ind., and bought a farm in Blue River Township remaining there till 1864, when he sold his farm and bought the one in Franklin Township, where he now resides. His wife died in 1839. July 7, 1840, he married Mary, daughter of James Russell. She died Jan. 20, 1842. Dec. 8, 1842, he married Susanna Frazier, who died July 2, 1852. Oct. 12, 1856, he married Mary E. Williams, who died April 7, 1863. Mr. Millikin has had a family of thirteen children; but nine are living - John, Charles, Almeda, Esther, Eli F., Thomas K., William M., Elnora, Rebecca J. He is a member of the Society of Friends and one of the most influential men of the township.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Franklin Township.
Page 628.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Joseph R. Morris is a native of Jessamine County, Ky., born March 29, 1805, the second son of Joseph and Sarah (Rodman) Morris, natives of Virginia. When he was an infant his parents moved to Pendleton County, Ky., where he was reared and educated. When he was three years of age his father died, and when he was nine years of age his mother died, thus leaving him an orphan at an early age. He was apprenticed to Joseph Watson to learn the tanner's trade, remaining with him till his majority. He was married Oct. 18, 1825, to Margarett D., daughter of Waller and Mary Miner. After his marriage he bought a small farm but two years later sold it and rented the tan-yard where he learned his trade. In April, 1833, he moved to Rush County, Ind., and entered 160 acres of unimproved land in Washington Township, remaining there five years. In August, 1838, he changed his farm for a tan-yard in Lewisville, where he engaged in business twelve years. He then bought the farm of 200 acres, on which he lived till 1882. Since then he has lived retired from active business pursuits. His wife died May 7, 1869. To them were born eleven children, but three are living. Mr. Morris is a member of the Baptist church. He has been one of the most influential and public-spirited citizens of Franklin Township for nearly fifty years.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Franklin Township.
Page 628 and 629.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Robert Needham is a native of Randolph County, N. C., born Aug. 5, 1809, a son of Isaac and Margaret (Perry) Needham. His grandfather, John Needham, was a native of England, of Irish parentage. His maternal grandfather, William Perry, was a native of England, and his maternal grandmother, of Germany. His parents came to Indiana Territory in 1814, and settled in New Albany. Isaac Needham made the first plank door and laid the first shingle in that town. He resided there less than a year and removed to Washington County, Ind., about eight miles east of Salem, which was dense woods. Two years later he sold out and removed to another part of the county, where he lived two years. He then lived seven years in Jackson County, and about 1826 moved to Wayne County, and lived near Cambridge City a year when he came to Henry County and settled in Henry Township, remaining here till his death. His wife died at the age of sixty-two years, and he at the age of eighty years. Our subject spent his youth in assisting his father. He was married March 10, 1828, to Malinda Nixon, a daughter of Jacob and Jemima (Walker) Nixon, early settlers of Blue River Township. After his marriage he settled on land previously entered, which he cleared and improved. He has been energetic and a good manager, and has added to his land till he now owns 175 acres, all well improved. His wife died Sept. 13, 1849, leaving seven children, all now living save the eldest - William John, Sallie Ann, Winford, Jemima, Mary Ellen and Alvanus. July 6, 1850, Mr. Needham was married to Mrs. Harriet (Clift) Peed, widow of Leroy Peed. She had four children - John Richard, Maria, Hanley and Anna. Mr. and Mrs. Needham are members of the Christian church.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Franklin Township.
Page 629.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Josiah P. Nicholson is a native of Perquimans County, N. C., born Nov. 10, 1833, a son of Christopher and Parthanna (Griffin) Nicholson. In 1842 his parents moved to Indiana and lived in Wayne County one year, then moved to Henry County and settled in Henry Township. Four years later they moved to Spiceland Township, where his mother died in March, and his father in April, 1874. Mr. Nicholson was married March 14, 1862, to Sarah Ann, daughter of James A. and Mary Windsor, early settlers of the county, coming here from North Carolina. Of their nine children, but three are living - Alferetta, Nancy P. and Sarah Ann. Mr. Nicholson has always followed agricultural pursuits, and now owns a fine farm of 397 acres, all well cultivated. Mrs. Nicholson is a member of the Christian church. Politically he is a Republican.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Franklin Township.
Page 629 and 630.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Nelson G. Smith, M. D., is a native of Carroll County, Ind. He made his appearance on this mundane sphere Nov. 23, 1845, a son of Peter B. and Elizabeth Smith, his father a native of Virginia, of German descent, his mother a native of South Carolina, of English descent. His mother died when he was only ten years of age. He was bound out to live with a man named John Lynch, with whom he remained but a few months. Not liking Bro. Lynch's way of doing business, young Smith started for himself. Being eager to get an education all his energies were bent in that direction, his father helping all his limited means would allow. His Grandfather Gillam, dying, left him a small legacy which he used in acquiring an education as good as the common schools and seminaries of Indiana gave in that day. At the breaking out of the civil war, he left school and enlisted as a private in Company F, Forty-eighth Regiment Indiana Volunteers, serving also in the Ninety-ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteers, coming out at the close of the war. Previous to his going to the army he had given his special attention to such studies as best fit a man for the ministry, but at the close of the war he began the study of medicine, studying and practicing until March, 1869, when he graduated from the Eclectic Medical Institute of Ohio, located at Cincinnati, Ohio. Shortly after, he moved to Lisbon, Ill., where he engaged in active practice until September, 1873, when he moved to Battle Ground, Ind., where he entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church, living at Lebanon, Ind., the second year. Early in1875 he retired from the ministry and resumed the practice of medicine at Lewisville, Franklin Township, Henry Co., Ind. In 1870 Dr. Smith was unanimously tendered a professorship in now one of the leading medical colleges of Chicago, Ill. This he declined, preferring a quiet country practice. Again, in 1873, he was tendered, by the trustees of one of the leading literary colleges, a professorship, and in 1876 he was offered, by the proper authority, from a New York City medical college, a professorship, that of obstetrics and diseases of women. Again, in 1877, the new college just starting at Atlanta, Ga., requested him to move to that city and join a band of medical reformers in establishing in that beautiful Southern city an eclectic college. Again, in 1880, he was solicited to move to Chicago and teach in a very popular medical college on a stated salary, provided he leave off the name eclectic. All these very generous and flattering offers he declined, but in 1883, at the urgent request of the trustees of the Indiana Eclectic Medical College, he accepted the chair of obstetrics and gynaecology, which place he now holds, his services being so appreciated that he was unanimously re-elected for 1884-'85. He stands among the first physicians in Henry County, no one having a larger or more remunerative practice than he. Not only is he an active student at medicine, but well informed on all leading public questions of the day. In religion he is a Presbyterian; in politics, a Democrat of the old school. His party often call on him for public services and often require much of his time. At the Democratic Congressional Convention of the Sixth Indiana District, held at Muncie, Ind., July 22, 1884, he was unanimously chosen on the fourth ballot as their candidate for Congress. Dr. Smith was married June 1, 1870, to Sallie M. Rogers, eldest daughter of Rev. Thomas Rogers, of New Castle, Ind. They have one son - Earl C.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Franklin Township.
Page 630 and 631.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Sarah M. Smith, daughter of Thomas and Joanna H. Rogers, was born Oct. 25, 1847, in Liberty Township, Henry Co., Ind. Departed this life July 13, 1884, at 11:30 o'clock a.m., at Lewisville, in said county, aged thirty-six years, eight months and nineteen days. Removed to New Castle with her parents in 1849, where she spent the most of her life previous to her marriage. She was united in the holy estate of matrimony with Dr. N. G. Smith on June 1, 1870, in the Methodist Episcopal church in New Castle. Removed with her husband to Lisbon, Ill., from there to Battle Ground, Ind., from thence to Lewisville, where he resided about nine years. In her youth she attended the seminary at New Castle for several years and acquired a very respectable education. She spent a considerable portion of her leisure hours in reading good and useful books, and thus she was constantly enabled to increase her stock of knowledge on a variety of subjects. Her husband took special pains to encourage this by furnishing her from time to time with a liberal supply of all such books as she needed, as his well-stocked library will show. She rendered valuable assistance to her father in the auditor's office for a period of four years, and by this means she acquired a considerable knowledge of county business. Her religious education was not neglected. Being trained by religious parents in her youth in the great principles of Christianity, it was a comparatively easy transition for her to accept the religion of the blessed Savior as her portion, and she accordingly united with the Methodist Episcopal church in New Castle when she was quite young; but about three months prior to her decease, on account of an unpleasant state of things in the Methodist Episcopal church at Lewisville, she and her husband changed their relation from that to the Presbyterian church at that place. During all the years she maintained an upright deportment and a consistent Christian character, and was beloved by a large circle of friends. She regularly attended the Sunday-school and was a member of the choir at the Methodist Episcopal church at New Castle for several years. Her affliction was protracted, lasting nearly three months. Prior to that she was the very picture of health and vigor, and no one but a physician possessing the closest scrutiny would have suspected for a moment that the insidious destroyer was lurking within and silently, but steadily and surely, sapping the foundation of life. Yet such was the fact. She was very hopeful during all that season of affliction and still entertained the thought that she would recover, until toward the last, when the chances seemed to be somewhat against her, and rendered her recovery doubtful. When she understood this to be the case she expressed resignation and submission to the "Divine will." When her father very delicately and tenderly gave her to understand what her condition probably was, she said after due reflection, that whether she lived or died she wanted to be the Lord's; and subsequently on another occasion, when she requested her father to read and pray with her, she realized the blessed experience that it was so in her case. She lingered on until Sunday, July 13, at 11:30 o'clock, when she passed away from earth "to be forever with the Lord."

"Friend after friend departs;
Who hath not lost a friend?
There is no union here of hearts
That finds not here an end;
Were this frail world our final rest,
Living or dying none were blest.

"There is a world above
Where parting is unknown,
A long eternity of love,
Formed for the good alone;
And faith beholds the dying here,
Translated to that glorious sphere."

Deceased was exemplary in all the relations of neighbor, friend, daughter, wife and mother. She labored to make her home pleasant and agreeable, and no one enjoyed home better than she did. She leaves a bereaved husband and son, a father and mother, two sisters and three brothers, besides a numerous circle of relatives and friends, to mourn. The funeral occurred on Tuesday, July 15. At eight o'clock a.m. the hearse containing her lifeless remains left the house for New Castle, followed by a large concourse of the people of Lewisville in carriages and other vehicles. Having arrived at New Castle, at ten o'clock the procession repaired to the Methodist Episcopal church, where a very able and appropriate discourse was delivered by Rev. M. Mahin, from the text in Job: "For I know that my Redeemer liveth." It was her special request that he should preach her funeral, and that this text should be used on the occasion. Revs. S. Jamison, J. S. Cain and H. M. Shockley were present and assisted in the services. At the conclusion of the services the lifeless remains were conveyed to South Mound Cemetery and there laid to rest. The relatives of the deceased return their sincere and heartfelt thanks to Mrs. Dr. Gronendyke and Mrs. Bedford, of New Castle, for the beautiful floral collection furnished by them, and so handsomely arranged by them on the platform in the Methodist Episcopal church on that occasion. Also the same to her lady friends of Lewisville for the lovely pillow of neatly arranged flowers, with the appropriate words "At rest" interwoven, furnished by them, and laid upon the casket as a very forcible and sincere evidence of the truth of the declaration on the accompanying card, "We loved her."

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Franklin Township.
Page 631 to 633.
Submitted by: Jeanie