From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Jefferson Township.
Page 689.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Isaac Cory, eldest son of Abraham and Mary J. Cory, was born in Stony Creek Township, Henry Co., Ind., Dec. 24, 1848. He was educated in the common schools and reared a farmer, following that vocation till 1878. In 1875 he bought a farm in Wells County, Ind., and moved there the same fall. He remained in Wells County till 1878, when, his health failing, he moved to Sulphur Springs and opened a general store, where he has since carried on a lucrative business, carrying a complete stock of notions, hardware, provisions, etc. Feb. 27, 1868, he was married to Sarah Beeson, a native of Parke County, Ind., born March 7, 1847, a daughter of Isaac K. and Rebecca Beeson. They have one child - Rebecca Jane, born Feb. 25, 1869. Mr. Cory has always been a strictly temperate man, and is a firm advocate of all that tends to the upbuilding of morality.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Jefferson Township.
Page 689 and 690.
Submitted by: Jeanie

John Courtney was born in Morgan County, W. Va., in 1804, a son of Jacob Courtney, who was born in Germany in 1761 and came to America when quite young and died in 1833. His mother was also a native of Germany, born in 1761, and died in 1845. He was married in 1827 to Mary Ann Michaels, a native of Virginia, born in 1809. In 1835 they came to Henry County, Ind., and located in Prairie Township, but a year later he entered eighty acres in Jefferson Township, which he afterward increased to 300 acres. He cultivated and improved his land and at his death owned one of the best farms in the township. He died in 1860 lamented by all who knew him. He was one of the most influential and progressive men of the township. His wife died in 1857. They had a family of twelve children; eight are living - Christian, of Missouri; Daniel, of Nebraska; James W. and John J., of Henry County; Amanda, of Fulton County, Ind.; Caroline, Catherine and Jacob, of Henry County. Eliza J., Edward, Francis M. and Mary Ann are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Courtney were members of the Christian church.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Jefferson Township.
Page 690.
Submitted by: Jeanie

John J. Courtney, son of John and Mary Ann (Michaels) Courtney, was born in Jefferson Township, Henry Co., Ind., in 1839. He was reared a farmer, and has always followed that vocation. He now owns 160 acres of the old homestead where he was born. For twenty years he followed threshing, and for two years was a partner in a saw-mill. He was married in 1860 to Sarah Ellen Cooper, a native of Marion County, West Va., born in 1838, and a daughter of Thomas and Nancy Cooper, both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Courtney are members of the Christian church.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Jefferson Township.
Page 690.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Isaac Crabill was born on a farm near Strausburg, on the banks of the Shenandoah River, in Shenandoah County, Va., Aug. 22, 1810, and there grew to manhood. His father and grandfather were born in the same valley. His Grandfather Crabill was born early in the eighteenth century and was reared on a farm. At the breaking out of the Revolutionary war he enlisted as a private and served during the war. At its close he was honorably discharged and returned to his home and continued farming till his death, about his sixty-fifth year. His Great-grandfather Rhodes, was a Mennonist preacher, of Swiss descent, and lived in what is now Page County, Va. His grandfather, Michael Rhodes, was born on Missinita Creek, near the south branch of Shenandoah River. When Michael Rhodes was about eight years old a party of eight Indians and a worthless white man crossed Powell's Fort and came to the residence of John Gatewood, where his father was then living, and murdered part of the family. One son attempted to save himself by flight, but was pursued and killed while attempting to cross the river. The place to this day is called Bloody Ford. The eldest daughter caught up her little sister, a child sixteen months old, ran into the barn and secured the door. An Indian discovered her, and after finding the door fastened went back to the house for fire. While he was gone she crept out of a hole on the opposite side of the barn with her sister in her arms, ran through a field of tall hemp, crossed the river, and got safely to a neighboring house and thus saved herself and sister. After plundering the house of such articles as they chose to take, the Indians set fire to the house and left, taking with them two of the sons and two daughters prisoners, Michael being the oldest boy. The youngest boy was sickly and not able to travel, and after crossing the head of Powell's Fort they killed him. His sisters then refused to go any farther and were barbarously murdered. Michael was held captive and taken west of the Ohio River to a village on the Coita River, where he remained till twenty-two years of age. He was reared a warrior and accompanied the Indians on many raids upon the frontier settlements. Soon after the breaking out of the Revolutionary war the Indians planned a raid on the frontier settlements of Pennsylvania. After getting east of the mountains he saw a chance to escape and deserted them. He made his way to Philadelphia and enlisted as a soldier in the Colonial army. He served faithfully till the close of the war and when he had received an honorable discharge returned to the home of his childhood, but could find no one that could recognize in him the little Michael Rhodes, supposed to have been killed by the Indians, and his lawful possessions were denied him. After several years residence in the neighborhood, while hunting in the mountains he accidentally came to a cave, near where lived an old lady, solitary and alone. He went to the cabin door to ask for a drink, and the old lady asked his name, which he told her, and then gave her a brief history of his life, concluding by telling how the people of the valley doubted his story, and that for want of identification his estate was denied him. The old lady promptly replied that if he was Mike Rhodes she could tell by a peculiar crescent-shaped spot or mole between his shoulders, of which he was entirely ignorant. She examined the shoulders, and then declared she could sware to his identity. From this circumstance his identity was established and his father's estate was restored to him by the courts. He then married a Miss Strickler, sold his possessions and moved to the North Shenandoah River Valley and settled four miles below Woodstock, where he died in 1819. In 1835 the subject of this sketch with his father and family moved from Virginia to Ohio and settled on the west side of Mad River, in the beautiful Mad River Valley, Champaign County, where his father died in 1879, aged over ninety-three years. June 16, 1842, Isaac Crabill was married to Cevilla Penc, a native of Ohio, and lived on the old homestead till 1864 when he moved to Henry County, Ind., and bought what is known as the Funk farm, where they still reside. They have had a family of twelve children - Mary J., George F., Joseph E., Michael R., John D., Franklin P., Benjamin F., Levi W. (deceased), Emma C., Alba O., Jacob C., David E. Mr. Crabill owns 392 acres of fine land, all well cultivated. Mrs. Crabill is a member of the Baptist church.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Jefferson Township.
Page 690 to 692.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Samuel Deaver is a son of Richard and Henrietta (King) Deaver, the former a native of Maryland and the later of North Carolina. They were married in North Carolina in 1812. Wm. King, maternal grandfather of our subject, was a Revolutionary soldier and was wounded at General Gate's defeat, near Camden. Samuel is the fifth of thirteen children, and was born near Salisbury, N. C., Jan. 20, 1819. He came to Wayne County, Ind., when seven years old with his parents, and seven years later came to Jefferson Township, this county. They settled on the land where he now lives about the year 1835. Here he has lived and received his education. His first education was obtained at Watkins's School held in the Griffith house, one and one half miles northeast of his present home. He afterward attended school about three months, when, in 1843, he entered the Dublin Seminary where he remained as a student but about six weeks. He afterward taught school in his own neighborhood for two terms. He now, at the age of sixty-five years, lives on his fine farm of 200 acres, surrounded by pleasant associations. He was never married and lives with his two maiden sisters who preside over his home.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Jefferson Township.
Page 692 and 693.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Robert Downs was born in New Jersey, Feb. 14, 1828, a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Babbington) Downs, his father a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother of New Jersey. Robert Downs, Sr., was reared and educated in Pennsylvania, and worked in the iron works till 1840, when he moved to Licking County, Ohio, and bought a farm, remaining there two years. In 1842 he came to Henry County, Ind., and bought 160 acres of wild land in Prairie Township, which with the aid of his sons he cultivated and improved. Mr. Downs served over a year in the war of 1812. His family consisted of eleven children; three died in infancy, and Matthew, the eldest, died in California in 1852. Those living are - Sarah, wife of Joel Harvey; Samuel; Robert; Elizabeth, wife of A. Harvey; William; Mary J., wife of Isaac Holsinger; Rachel, wife of Wesley Peterson, of Blackford County, Ind. Robert Downs, Jr., came with his parents to Indiana, and has remained here, with the exception of twelve years spent in travel. He was married Dec. 3, 1863, to Alice Rutledge, born in Delaware County, Ind., Jan. 10, 1846, a daughter of John and Hannah Rutledge. They have three children - Martha, born Oct. 18, 1864, wife of Douglass Peckinpaugh; Sarah, born Sept. 21, 1866; Hattie, born March 21, 1871. Mr. and Mrs. Downs are members of the Christian church. In 1863, after returning from a trip in the West, Mr. Downs bought the old home farm where he lived two years, when he sold it and bought 160 acres in Jefferson Township, where he has since resided. Mr. Downs was in the service of the Government five years, and during the early part of the war had charge of a supply train from Mexico to the States.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Jefferson Township.
Page 693.
Submitted by: Jeanie

William Downs, son of Robert and Elizabeth Downs, was born in Maryland, Oct. 10, 1834. In 1837 his parents moved to Ohio, and two years later to Henry County, Ind., locating in Prairie Township, where he was reared and educated. June 1, 1870, he married Samantha Rutledge, a daughter of John and Hannah Rutledge, born in 1850. They have four children - Ida, John, Robert and Samuel. In 1861 Mr. Downs enlisted in Company D, Second Indiana Cavalry, and served three years. Since his return from the war he has given his attention to farming, and now owns 120 acres of fine land in Jefferson Township.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Jefferson Township.
Page 693 and 694.
Submitted by: Jeanie

James H. Edleman is the fourth of eight children of Leonard and Nancy W. (Atchison) Edleman. His father was a native of Greene County, Tenn., and his mother, of Lexington, Ky. Our subject was born at Cynthiana, Harrison Co., Ky., July 13, 1835; came to Ashland, Henry County, with his parents in 1836, and in 1840 they settled two miles west of Cadiz, while that section of the State was a wilderness. His father died Nov. 18, 1860; his mother is still living at the age of seventy-seven years. James H. Edleman now resides on his farm in Jefferson Township, consisting of sixty acres, thirteen acres of which was the homestead of his parents, settled by them in 1855. Our subject was married Nov. 2, 1860, to Louisa Latshaw, daughter of Josiah Latshaw of Rochester, Ind., where he died about 1868. To this marriage have been born eight children; six are living, all born in Jefferson Township, this county; all are unmarried and remain with their parents. While Mr. Edleman has been engaged much in agricultural pursuits, he has also worked at the cabinet maker's trade, serving an apprenticeship before the war. He is one of the early pioneers of Central Indiana, and is familiar with all the stirring incidents that make up the life and adventures of a frontiersman. Mr. Edleman takes a deep interest in all educational matters; has a literary turn of mind and is the author of a number of articles on social, educational and political subjects. He has for many years contributed to the local press and has written much for the Cincinnati Enquirer and Atlanta Constitution. He is a leading member of the Democratic party.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Jefferson Township.
Page 694.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Leonard Edleman, deceased, was born in Tennessee in November, 1804, and when eleven years of age went to Kentucky, where he lived till manhood, engaged in farming. He was married in 1826 to Nancy W. Atchison, a native of Harrison County, Ky., born in 1806. In 1828 they came to Indiana and settled in Liberty Township, Henry County. In 1849 they moved to Jefferson Township, where Mr. Edleman bought 120 acres of land, which he cleared and cultivated. He was a man of unquestionable character, a strong advocate of temperance, and in educational matters especially took an active interest. He died in 1860. His wife is still living, aged seventy-seven years. Of a family of nine children five are living - Jane, widow of H. H. Swift; James; Alvira, wife of William Chapman; Richard J. and Montgomery B. The deceased are - Elizabeth, wife of Charles Personett; David, Cynthiana and Thomas.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Jefferson Township.
Page 694 and 695.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Richard J. Edleman was born in Henry County, Ind., in 1840. He was reared a farmer, an occupation which he followed till 1876, when he was employed as agent of the Chicago, St. Louis and Pittsburg Railroad at Sulphur Springs, a position he still occupies. He is also the agent for the Adams and American express companies. He has served as Justice of the Peace six years. In 1880 he was Census Enumerator of his district. Mr. Edleman enlisted in the war of the Rebellion in the Twelfth Indiana Battery, Second Light Artillery, and served nearly a year when he was discharged on account of disability. He was married in 1863 to Eleanor, daughter of Owen Griffith. They have had a family of eight children: but four are living - Marietta and Alviretta (twins), Almira Josephine and Maud. Laurena, Deloss O., Montgomery M. and an infant are deceased. Mrs. Edleman is a member of the New Light church. Although a member of no church, Mr. Edleman is foremost in upholding the right and maintaining all causes that tend to elevate society.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Jefferson Township.
Page 695.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Jacob W. Fry was born in Rockingham County, Va., Jan. 1, 1831, and died in Henry County, Ind., March 2, 1875. His parents, Jacob and Frances Fry, moved to Henry County, Ind., in an early day. His mother died in 1859 and his father then went to Missouri and spent the remainder of his life with a daughter. The family consisted of seven children who lived till maturity, and three who died in infancy - Elizabeth, Noah, Anna, Sarah, Polly, Jacob W. and Barbara. But four are living - Anna and Barbara in Missouri, Sarah in Kansas, and Noah in Howard County, Ind. Jacob W. was reared and educated in his native county, and came to Henry County with his parents. He was married in 1855 to Mary Griffith, who lived but a short time. Sept. 1, 1857, he married Sarah Snideman, who was born in Henry County, Ind., April 7, 1839, a daughter of John and Christena Snideman. They had a family of nine children - John H., born June 23, 1858; David F., born Feb. 25, 1860, died May 11, 1865; Melvina, born Sept. 5, 1861, wife of David Spitzer, of Blackford County, Ind.; Virginia Ann, born Sept. 9, 1863, wife of Isaac Burk, of Delaware County, Ind.; Laura M. J., born in 1865, wife of William Miller, of Delaware County; Lucretia A., born Feb. 19, 1867; Mary C. E., born Feb. 25, 1869; William, born April 5, 1871; Maud C., born March 18, 1873. Mr. Fry was one of the most enterprising and public-spirited men in Jefferson Township. His ideas were progressive in regard to all matters of public interest, especially pertaining to education. He and his wife were active members of the German Baptist church.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Jefferson Township.
Page 695 and 696.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Owen Griffith, the eldest son of Abel and Jennie (Windsor) Griffith, was born in Boon County, Ky., in 1810. His parents were natives of Virginia, and early in their married life came to Indiana, locating first in Dearborn County. In 1825 they removed to Henry County, and entered forty acres of land in Fall Creek Township; afterward moved to Madison County. They had a family of eight children - Owen, James, John, William, Abel, Letta, Sarah and Pruda. Owen Griffith came with his parents to Indiana, and has been active in advancing the interests of Henry County since his first settlement here. He has, by good management, nobly assisted by his wife, amassed considerable wealth. They have always been ready to help the needy, and many of their hard-earned dollars have gone to pay the debts of others. Mr. Griffith was married in 1831 to Mary Ring, a native of Union County, Ind., born Dec. 28, 1815, a daughter of William and Sarah Ring. They have had a family of eight children - Louisa J., deceased; Sarah E., wife of J. Young; Mary E., deceased; William; Nancy C., deceased; Eleanor, wife of R. J. Edleman; Maggie, widow of H. Jackson; and Lucretia A., deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Griffith are members of the Dunkard church, and are influential citizens of the township.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Jefferson Township.
Page 696.
Submitted by: Jeanie

James Groenendyke was a native of New Jersey, born in 1770, and died in Fayette County, Ind., in 1836. He married Johannah Hagerman, also of New Jersey, born in 1780, died in 1825. They had a family of eight children; three are living - John, Michael and Elias. The deceased are - Nicholas, Peter, Thomas, James and Catherine. In 1819 they settled in Fayette County, Ind. They are members of the Presbyterian church. Michael, their sixth child, was born in Dearborn County, Ind., March 25, 1815, and was reared and educated in Fayette County. In 1843 he came to Henry County, and located in Jefferson Township, where he has since resided. He bought 160 acres which was literally in the woods and has made of it one of the finest homes in the county. He was married in 1837 to Anna Hankins, a native of Pennsylvania, born Dec. 16, 1815, a daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth Hankins. They are the parents of three children - James, Amos and Josephine. Amos enlisted in 1864 as First Lieutenant of Company F, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Indiana Infantry. He was wounded at Franklin and died at Nashville, Dec. 27, 1864. He was brave, modest and vigilant in the performance of every duty. Mr. and Mrs. Groenendyke are members of the United Brethren church.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Jefferson Township.
Page 696 and 697.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Lafarie Hale, son of Abraham and Sarah Hale, was born in Monongalia County, W. Va., April 19, 1823, where he lived till ten years of age, when his parents came to Henry County, Ind., and located in Prairie Township. His father leased a piece of ground of John G. Millett, where they lived four years, when the lease was sold and eighty acres of land entered in Jefferson Township. The family were poor when they came to Indiana, but by hard work were prospered. When twenty years of age our subject was given his time by his father and went to work for Clem Murphy, at $8 a month. At the close of the season he was employed to teach the Masterson school for a term of six months, at $13 a month. The next summer he worked on a farm for $9 a month, saving his money that he might buy a home. In the fall of 1845 he bought the home farm, and has gradually accumulated property till he owns 500 acres of fine land, the most of it under good cultivation, all gained by his own perseverance and industry. He was one of the first Trustees of the township, and has been a Justice of the Peace eighteen years. He has been one of the most progressive and influential men of the township, and has always assisted in all enterprises of public interest. He was married March 19, 1846, to Matilda Hazelton, who was born in Ohio, Aug. 23, 1823, and died May 29, 1859. They had a family of six children - John, born Oct. 8, 1848, married Lutitia Lester; Susannah R., born May 23, 1850, married George M. Ball; Mary, born Jan. 28, 1852, married Elind Drum; Thomas C., born March 17, 1854, died April 5, 1855; Joseph W., born Aug. 10, 1856, died Aug. 9, 1871; Ellis W., born Sept. 22, 1858. The three eldest reside in Delaware County, Ind. Sept. 14, 1859, Mr. Hale married Rachel Mitchell, who was born in Rockingham County, Va., May 16, 1832. They have had six children - Lewis, born May 29, 1860, was married March 26, 1882, to Ella Veatch, who was born Feb. 25, 1860, and died Jan. 20, 1884; Addie J., born Nov. 7, 1862; Alice O., born Oct. 10, 1864, died Sept. 15, 1865; William M., born Aug. 26, 1867; Ruth M., born Feb. 10, 1871; Charles, born Nov. 15, 1872. Mr. Hale has been a member of the Protestant Methodist church eighteen years. His wife is a member of the German Baptist church. Politically he is a Democrat, and a strictly temperate man.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Jefferson Township.
Page 697 and 698.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Simeon H. Hays is a native of North Carolina, born in 1822. His parents were natives of the same State. His father, John Hays, was born in 1786, and his mother, Magdalena (Buck) Hays, in 1790. His parents came to Indiana in 1823 and entered land in Dudley Township, Henry County. They were earnest members of the Baptist church. The father died in 1865, and the mother, Sept. 6, 1862. They had a family of six children - James M., Susanah, Sarah A., Simeon B., Mary A. (deceased), and Martha Ann. Simeon B. Hays was reared in Henry County, and has assisted largely in its improvement, being active in helping forward any enterprise of benefit to the community. He was denied the privilege of more than a common-school education, and realizing the necessity of better school accommodations, has been foremost in advocating and establishing schools. He has accumulated a good property, owning 484 acres of valuable land. He was married in 1847, to Catharine, daughter of David Bouslog, who was born in 1829. She died in 1862. They had a family of seven children - Mary J. (deceased), John C., David M., Margaret C., Miles A. (deceased), Rachel and Strawther. In 1865 Mr. Hays married Mahala, daughter of Philip Lindamood. She is a native of Henry County, Ind., born in 1841.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Jefferson Township.
Page 698.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Albert Harry was born in 1812 in Shenandoah County, Va., and was there reared and educated. When twelve years of age he began learning the hatter's trade and served an apprenticeship of nine years. He then learned the wagon-maker's trade, at which he worked till 1860, and since then has given his attention to his farm. He came to Henry County, Ind., in 1839, and has since made this his home. He has a fine farm of 120 acres, all well improved. Mr. Harry was married in 1839 to Juliet Bledsow, a native of Virginia, born in 1820. She died in 1873. They had a family of thirteen children; eight are living - Martin L., Marcus D., Louisa, Mary, Albert J., Preserved, Juliet and David G. Politically Mr. Harry is a Democrat.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Jefferson Township.
Page 698.
Submitted by: Jeanie

M. D. Harry, son of Albert and Julia D. Harry, was born in 1842, in Jefferson Township, Henry Co., Ind., where he was reared and educated, and has always made his home. He worked on the farm till his majority, and then in a saw-mill two years. He then returned to the farm and remained two years, when he moved to Sulphur Springs and engaged in the grocery business a year. The next eight years he worked at the carpenter's trade, and in the meantime held the office of Justice of the Peace six years. During his term of office he handled about $12,000 of the people's money, collecting the greater part through litigation. He then opened a general store, which he is still successfully carrying on. His receipts the first year were $6,000, and the last, $9,000. In 1870 Mr. Harry married Matilda Canaday, a native of Wayne County, Ind., born in 1851, and a daughter of Enos and Hannah Canaday. They have three children - Odie L., Effie M., and Leetha M. Mr. Harry is a member of the Henry County bar.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Jefferson Township.
Page 698 and 699.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Isaac Holsinger, son of Jacob and Polly Holsinger, was born in Bedford County, Pa., in 1832. He remained in his native county till sixteen years of age, when, with his brother John, he came to Indiana and settled in Prairie Township, Henry County. He remained with his brother till 1861, when he married Mary J. Downs, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Downs, and a native of Maryland, born in 1836. They have a family of four children - William, Alice, Robert and Charley. Mr. and Mrs. Holsinger are members of the German Baptist church. He owns a fine farm of 160 acres in Jefferson Township.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Jefferson Township.
Page 699.
Submitted by: Jeanie