William F. Boor, M. D., was born in Perry County, Ohio, June 10, 1819. He is the sixth of a family of seven children, of Nicholas and Rachel (Guisinger) Boor, who were Pennsylvanians, of German descent.

Losing his father in early childhood, it became necessary for him to depend on his own exertions. As soon, therefore, as he was able he was put to work assisting on a farm, or "striking" in his brother's blacksmith shop when he was so small that he had to stand on a block "to swing the heavy sledge with measured beat and slow." Working in summer time and attending school during the winter season did not fully meet the earnest desires of the young man for an education; but while educational opportunities were limited, his teachers were men of the most sterling worth - men of "ye olden time school," who taught thoroughness in letters, purity in morals, and uprightness in character, which at times were almost severe. With such an instructor as Robert Stuart, and a determination to succeed, advancement was rapidly made, so that the pupil soon occupied the position of teacher, still pursuing his studies more zealously. Obtaining a good English education, in April, 1842, he became a student of medicine in the office of Drs. Dillon & Spencer, in Uniontown, Muskingum Co., Ohio, with whom he studied three years.

The fertile and growing State of Indiana was then the attractive point of immigration, and to Henry County the young doctor made his way on horseback in June, 1845. Shortly after his arrival in Indiana he received a call from Carlisle, Monroe Co., Ohio, and by the advice of his preceptor, Dillon, he returned to his native State, and at one engaged in a good practice in Carlisle. In visiting his patients, he would frequently contrast his climbing the rugged hills of Monroe County with "what might have been" in Henry County had he remained in the West. In the spring of 1846, a fire breaking out in the block containing his office, everything he had was consumed but his horse and the clothes he wore. This circumstance confirmed him in his decision to leave Carlisle where he had made many friends in his year's practice. No railroads, and the stage lines not connecting, he again started on horseback for Indiana, arriving at Middletown, Henry County, August, 1846. Here, in a short time he built up an extensive and profitable practice. Now fully established in his profession, he returned to Muskingum County, Ohio, and was there married April 15, 1847, to Miss Catherine E. Axline. This happy union was broken by her death in March, 1852. In the following October, determined upon obtaining greater proficiency, he entered the Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia, from which he was graduated in March, 1853. Returning to Middletown, he again resumed his practice, day and night bearing the hardships of a pioneer doctor, plodding bad roads and corduroy bridges, exposed to the inclemency of the weather. In the spring of 1857 he disposed of his property, and prepared to leave Middltetown, where he had practiced medicine eleven years. Strong ties of friendship and confidence had grown between practitioner and patrons that will never be broken. He had been interested in its growth from a mere village to one of the best towns in the county, except the county seat. The cars on the Pan Handle Railroad whirled by many times in a day, and the almost impassable roads were being transformed into smooth, solid gravel pikes. He had assisted in the development of its morals, until, under the local option law of 1851, all intoxicants were banished one mile beyond its incorporated limits. All these surroundings made it no small task for the Doctor to leave Middletown; yet other circumstances arising, these became subservient, and accordingly, on April 1, 1857, he was married the second time, removing to the neighborhood of his old home, in Perry County, Ohio. Here he bought a magnificent farm, and lived on it one year, then moving to New Castle, Henry Co., Ind., April 1, 1858. Finding nothing so conducive to his happiness as the practice of his profession, he once more entered the physician's arena, with a kindly spirit, attending the sick faithfully, ever conscientious in the discharge of its duties.

In April, 1862, he was appointed by Governor Morton Surgeon of the Nineteenth Indiana Volunteers, but declined to serve; yet on Sept. 4, of same year, he accepted the Surgeoncy of the Fourth Indiana Cavalry, and served with that regiment until June, 1863, when he was appointed Brigade Surgeon of the First Brigade, Second Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of the Cumberland. Unfortunately for the medical interests of that department, he was obliged to resign his post November, 1863, because of the protracted illness of his wife. Upon returning to civil life he engaged with youthful ardor in his profession, which grows not old nor rusty with his years. By his studious devotion to his books, journals and newspapers, he keeps himself up to the demand of the times in his art and in the current news of the day. By his keen observation and calm judgment in his practice of nearly forty years, none stand higher, and few whose counsels are sought more eagerly.

He was a charter member of the New Castle Medical Society, organized in 1856, which held regular meetings three times a year, until it was reorganized under the name of the Henry County Medical Society, as an auxiliary to the State Society. He was at various times chosen President of these societies, before which he read many papers on medical subjects, one of which we find as early as 1858, on "Phemoral Phlebetis as a sequela of Enteric Fever" - a painful complication ushered in with a chill and increase of fever about the end of the second week, in which he argued its pathological identity with phlegmasia alba dolens - there having been no mention made of this troublesome complication in any of the medical literature at his command. He is also a member of the Indiana State Medical Society, and of the American Medical Association. March 11, 1869, he was appointed physician to the Henry County Asylum, and on April 2, 1870, he received the appointment of United States Examining Surgeon for Pensions, both of which offices he still holds.

In the development of our educational interests the Doctor is an earnest advocate, being one of the three trustees, who argued and labored to bring up our schools to a free graded standard, under which system they are among the most successful in the State. As School Trustee he served for more than twelve years. Dr. Boor has never indulged in dissipation, as his splendid physique and perfect health, in the main, attest, weighing the heaviest, 218 pounds, but generally about 210. He never used intoxicants nor tobacco in any form. The Washingtonian movement originated in 1840, and in April, 1842, he joined the society. Subsequently the Sons of Temperance were organized; the Doctor, joining them, worked for the abolishment of strong drink. He has been connected with all the temperance organizations, and given largely of his means for the furtherance of the cause. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, passed all the chairs, and been several times a representative to the Grand Lodge. The Doctor's political attachments, though strong, are ever held subordinate to his sense of right, as seen in the fact that, although once a devoted Democrat, he left the party when it broke the Nation's compact and outraged the rights of man by repealing the Missouri Compromise. Since that event he has been a Republican.

The Doctor is a member of the Christian church, and was immersed March 7, 1871, by Elder D. H. Gary, then pastor of the New Castle Christian congregation. In church relation, as in other walks in life, a conviction of duty insures a steadfastness of purpose to the cause espoused. In the sacred trusts of a teacher in the Sunday-school, a Deacon in the church, President of the Board of Trustees, attendance at the Lord's-day services, and one of the singers, his place is rarely ever vacant. Business or pleasure, for the time being, are laid aside.

In finance, Dr. Boor has been eminently successful - a charter member of the First National Bank, a Director and Vice-President of the same. But, after all, a true man's light shines brightest in his own home-circle. Should its rays be clouded there, they cannot fall with much warmth or force in their radiation on a church relation, business circle, professional engagement or general society. This phase of the Doctor's life the historian cannot touch without give more than a passing notice to his wife.

Sarah. A. R. Roof was born in New Castle, Henry Co., Ind., Jan. 28, 1838. At a very early age she learned her A B C's, and when she was five years old - then reading in the second reader - she was sent to school, taught by the Hon. S. R. Powell. Books were her chief delight; to be a teacher her highest ambition. Industrious in habit, persistent in efforts, utilizing her meager opportunities with much ability, when she was fourteen years of age the earnest desires of her heart had been attained. Passing a critical examination by James S. Ferris, she received a teacher's certificate, and opened her first school. The subsequent years were spent in ardent devotion to literature, as pupil or teacher, until her marriage to Dr. W. F. Boor, April 1, 1857 - two lives now merged into one, complementing and supplementing each other; the one full of experience, and communicative; the other eager to grasp opportunities which were opening up, broadening and deepening channels for her life work. From this home, "the spot of sunshine in a shady place," emanates the hospitality of which we read: "I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me." A home of intelligence and culture, without formality or exclusiveness; of industry and order, without disquietude or severity - home to them is an equal partnership, rather than a place to stay. Together business is planned, books studied, and the questions of the hour discussed. When the Doctor went into the army he left all of his business interests to his wife's management, which she judiciously controlled, sending her husband monthly or quarterly statements of their financial standing. Mrs. B.'s library, in number and variety of books, on almost all subjects, is perhaps not excelled by many other private individuals in the State; among them are books she purchased with her first earnings; others valuable because of their antiquity. Her cabinet of rare minerals and shells, specimens in geology, archaeology, paleontology, Chinese and Japanese curiosities, would seem a life-work within itself. With her books, specimens and bric-a-brac she is conversant, and equally at home upon the moral, religious and political questions of the day.

Mrs. B. is a charter member of the Christian church at New Castle, and was immersed by Elder Benjamin Franklin, Feb. 25, 1863. She is Treasurer of the church, collecting and disbursing its funds; Deaconness on the official Board; one of the singers; Manager of the Woman's Working Society; President and Corresponding Secretary of the Missionary Society, auxiliary to the Christian Woman's Board of Missions; has been a teacher for more than thirty years in the Sunday-school; and at this time, with Miss Naomi Shively, is superintending a school every Lord's day afternoon, three miles in the country; they are also janitors of the Christian Church, ringing the bell, making the fires, lighting the lamps, and thus assisting to meet the demand on church repairs.

Mrs. B. is one of a committee of three appointed by the commissioners, provided by statute, to look after the interests of the Pauper Children's Home, located at Spiceland. For thirty years she has been an earnest advocate of temperance and woman's suffrage. In these positions of responsibility and trust, as in the execution of her household management, her motto is, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might."

Doctor Boor is the father of four children - two sons by his first wife, the younger, Milton G., dying in infancy. The elder son, Walter Axline, was born Jan. 27, 1849, in Middletown, Henry Co., Ind.; studied medicine with his father, and was graduated from the medical department of the Michigan University, March, 1872. He attended a regular course, and was graduated from Bellevue Hospital College, New York, March, 1876. But few physicians at his age have had his advantages, and none have made closer application and been rewarded with more successful results. August, 1877, he entered into partnership with his father in New Castle, and is now one of the most efficient and active practitioners in the city. He is a member of the Henry County Medical Society, and has several times been elected as its presiding officer; also a member of the Indiana State Medical Society, and of the American Medical Association. In September, 1873, he married the only daughter of Dr. L. W. Hess, of Cadiz. Two sons have been born of this marriage - Howard Hess Boor, Oct. 21, 1874; and Frank Boor, May 25, 1884.

By the second wife Dr. W. F. Boor had a daughter and son. The daughter, Minnie L. Boor, was born in New Castle, April 5, 1858. When nearing her twenty-second birthday she was suddenly and unexpectedly called hence in the early morn of the new year, 1880. She was possessed of an amiableness of disposition and gentleness of spirit rarely found, endearing herself to all. An active and devoted member of the Christian church, she was ever found at her place in all the meetings. A graduate of the New Castle schools, under Prof. G. W. Hufford, and two years at Antioch College, Ohio, she attained a high degree of intellectual culture. Thoughtful for humanity, she was diligent in the temperance work and moral reforms of the day.

The son, Orville L. Boor, was born in New Castle, Sept. 24, 1859. He and his sister Minnie were taught by their mother at home until they were prepared to enter the high school, then superintended by Prof. G. W. Hufford. He was within one year of graduating when the Professor was called to other fields of labor, and the graduating class disbanded. He studied medicine in his father's office about one and a half years, but on account of ill health was compelled to abandon the profession, and in the spring of 1881 moved to the farm in Prairie Township, where he now resides. He has been very successful as a tiller of the soil, which also has tended to develop a vigorous manhood. He was married April 1, 1882, to Miss Cora L. Bouslog, daughter of Wesley and Amanda (Pickenpaugh) Bouslog. Of this union they have one son, Everett Blaine Boor, born June 7, 1884. Politically Walter A. and Orville L. Boor, having been nurtured upon the love of country and rocked in the cradle of patriotism, are active Republicans.

We contribute to Henry County History a sketch of one who has been identified with her interests for forty years. That his career has been highly successful is generally known. There are no cascades, whirling eddies or shallows on his life-strand; it has always been an even, deep and steady flow. He moves quietly on, and when he acts does so without ostentation or show. By precept and example he gives to his fellow men, and more directly to his two sons and three grandsons, honesty, industry, economy, faith, hope, charity, upon which to build their own characters for time and eternity.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
New Castle and Henry Township.
Page 461 to 467.
Submitted by: Jeanie


Moses Bowers was born in Mechanicsburg, Henry Co., Ind., Nov. 8, 1838, the eldest son of Henry and Elizabeth Bowers, natives of Ohio. His parents were married Dec. 25, 1834, and settled near Middletown, where the father died in 1868, and the mother in 1873. Of their nine children six are living. Moses spent his boyhood on the farm, receiving a good education. He then engaged in teaching, following the vocation twenty-five years. In 1861 he enlisted in Company F, Fifty-seventh Indiana Infantry, and served one year. At the battle of Pittsburg Landing he was disabled by the exposure and was discharged in November, 1862. After his return home he was appointed Principal of the Mexico high school but declined to serve on account of ill health, but accepted a position in the common school of his neighborhood. Since giving up teaching he has engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was married in 1863 to Catherine A., daughter of Ezekiel and Elinor Rogers. They have had three children - Cora, John Whitefield and Clara B. The latter died aged fifteen months. Mr. and Mrs. Bowers are members of Sugar Grove Methodist Episcopal Church. He has been Class-leader seventeen years.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
New Castle and Henry Township.
Page 467.
Submitted by: Jeanie


Charles Brennemon was born in Washington County, Pa., May 8, 1838, a son of Henry and Tamar Brennemon who came to Henry County in 1850 and settled three miles south of New Castle, where his mother died in 1877 and his father in 1878. The family consisted of ten children, eight living. Our subject remained with his parents till manhood, receiving a common-school education. He enlisted in the war of the Rebellion in what was known as the Benton Cadets, commanded by Colonel Marshall. They were detailed as Fremont's body guard and served three months. After his return home he engaged in farming and now owns 120 acres of fine land, eighty acres under cultivation. He was married in September, 1862, to Sarah E., daughter of William and Mary Stinson, of Grant County, Ind. They have a family of two sons and five daughters. Mr. Brennemon has served two years as Assessor of Henry Township.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
New Castle and Henry Township.
Page 467.
Submitted by: Jeanie


Jacob Brenneman was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., Feb. 1, 1809, where he resided till he was twenty-two years of age. He learned the cabinet-maker's trade at Newton after which he went South for the summer. He came to Henry County, Ind., in 1835 and opened a cabinet shop at New Castle where he has carried on the business ever since, employing at times seven hands. He was associated with Adam Beam who died in April, 1871. In 1875 Mr. Brenneman became associated with his son, George Alspaugh and Hugh Mullin, the business being known as the New Castle Furniture Association. They continued together for seven years when they sold out and the name was changed to New Castle Furniture Company. Mr. Brenneman was married in 1837 to Margaret M. Branson, a native of Wayne County, Ind. She died in 1881. To this union were born eight children - Daniel, George, Lavina (now Mrs. Gough), Eli and Henrietta (now Mrs. H. H. Hernley). Mr. Brenneman served as Town Councilman. He was largely instrumental in getting and locating the Pan Handle Railroad from Richmond to New Castle, Ind.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
New Castle and Henry Township.
Page 468.
Submitted by: Jeanie


Rev. Emsley Brookshire was born in Randolph County, N. C., Dec. 8, 1813. When he was fourteen years of age he came with his mother and little sister to Henry County, Ind., walking all the way and carrying their effects, it taking them three months to make the journey. He was converted in 1830 and began his ministry in the Methodist Episcopal church as an exhorter continuing with that denomination until 1840, when he withdrew on account of his anti-slavery principles and for three years labored in different denominations, lecturing against intemperance, slavery, etc. In 1843 he organized the Duck Creek Wesleyan Methodist Church and began his labors as a home missionary. He became a member of the annual conference and was ordained an Elder in 1846 and commenced his labors as an itinerant and sustained that relation until 1866 when he accepted an appointment as missionary to the State of Tennessee and remained there two years. During this time he assisted in the organization of an annual conference, the churches numbering 600 members. In the fall of 1868 he returned to Indiana and labored as missionary at large three years. In 1871 he was appointed missionary to North Carolina, and while in that State organized six churches, numbering 200 members. In 1873 he returned to Indiana and was appointed pastor of the church in Richmond, Ind., and remained there two years. His labors there resulted in the conversion of 120 persons and an addition to the church of eighty members. He was then appointed to the Fairmount Circuit. Since 1881 he has sustained a superannuated relation, his health and age rendering him unable to assume the duties of the pastorate, although he preaches and does other work as he is able. Mr. Brookshire was married in 1834 to Elizabeth Shelley, who died in 1858 leaving nine children. He afterward married Julia M., daughter of Rev. Alfred Thorp, one of the first ministers of the Indiana Conference of the Wesleyan Methodist connection of America. They have one daughter - Bell. Mrs. Julia Brookshire had four children by a former marriage.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
New Castle and Henry Township.
Page 468 and 469.
Submitted by: Jeanie


Samuel H. Brown, attorney at law, New Castle, Ind., is a native of Henry County, born in Liberty Township, Nov. 21, 1852, a son of Moses and Delphia Brown. He was reared on a farm and received a good education, attending the high school of New Castle, Ind. He taught school five years, in the meantime reading law, and was admitted to the bar in 1879. He then formed a partnership was Charles S. Hernly the firm name being Hernly & Brown. He was married in 1880 to Sarah J., daughter of James H. and Nancy Frazier. They have one daughter - Lizzie. Mr. Brown is a member of the Knights of Pythias.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
New Castle and Henry Township.
Page 469.
Submitted by: Jeanie


Theodore F. Brown, passenger agent for the Pan Handle Railroad, New Castle, Ind., is a native of Henry County, Ind., born May 8, 1847, a son of Milton and Sarah (Moore) Brown. He learned the blacksmith's trade of his father and worked with him till after the breaking out of the Rebellion. He ran away and enlisted but being too young was taken home by his father. The third time he succeeded in getting away and served six months, till the close of the war. He was appointed passenger agent in 1878, under H. E. Townsend, General Agent of the Gould lines and served two years when he received the appointment to his present position.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
New Castle and Henry Township.
Page 469.
Submitted by: Jeanie


George W. Bunch, New Castle, Ind., is a native of Wayne County, Ind., born Aug. 24, 1844, a son of Calvin and Eliza A. (Williams) Bunch, the father a native of North Carolina, and the mother of Wayne County, Ind. The latter died in 1863; the former is still living. There was a family of three children, one son and two daughters, our subject being the only one living. He was reared in Whitewater, Ind., attending the school of that town. When seventeen years of age he enlisted in Company B, Nineteenth Indiana Infantry, and was appointed Sergeant; was afterward promoted to First Lieutenant, and served in that position three years, when he was promoted to Captain of his company, serving till the close of the war. He was in the Army of the Potomac, and participated in all the important engagements of that division, among them Antietam, Gettysburg, Bull Run and Fredericksburg. He was mustered out in July, 1865. After his return home he took a course in Hadley's Normal School, Richmond. He then opened a store in Whitewater, carrying a complete stock of dry-goods, groceries, etc. He continued in the mercantile business three and a half years, and then engaged in the sale of sewing machines and organs in Connersville and Hagerstown. In 1878 he came to New Castle, and opened an office, still continuing the business. In 1881 he with his wife established a millinery store on Broadway, where they carry a full stock of goods in their line. Mrs. Bunch is a practical milliner, and has the leading store of the kind in New Castle. Mr. Bunch was married in 1868 to Jennie L., daughter of Rev. W. C. Bowen, of the Methodist Episcopal church. They have had three children; but two are living - William M. and Byrham C.; Harry Lee died October, 1880, aged four years. Mr. Bunch is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Grand Army of the Republic. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and active workers of the church and Sunday-school, and Mr. Bunch is Class-leader.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
New Castle and Henry Township.
Page 469 and 470.
Submitted by: Jeanie


Charles Bundy, proprietor of boarding and sale stable, New Castle, Ind., was born in Greensboro, Ind., June 22, 1846, a son of Josiah and Maria J. Bundy. He spent his boyhood and received his education in his native town, remaining with his parents till his marriage. In the spring of 1877 he opened his livery stable in connection with the Bundy House. He has a well stocked stable, owning about twelve horses. He also runs two omnibuses and is doing a good, thriving business. He was married in 1883 to Mary C., daughter of Thomas B. Woodward, of New Castle.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
New Castle and Henry Township.
Page 470.
Submitted by: Jeanie


Josiah Bundy, proprietor of the Bundy House, New Castle, Ind., is a native of Wayne County, Ind., born April 21,1823, a son of George and Kerene (Elliott) Bundy. When he was twelve years of age his parents moved to Greensboro, Henry County, where his father soon after died. He remained with his mother till his marriage, and then engaged in farming four years. He subsequently carried on a hotel in Greensboro, till 1862, when he sold his farm and hotel, and moved to Minneapolis, Minn. In the fall of 1868 he returned to Henry County, and bought a farm near Spiceland. In 1877 he moved to New Castle, and bought his present hotel of George Hazard. It is situated on the corner of Main and Race streets - a three-story brick building containing fifty rooms. The house has recently been thoroughly refitted and furnished, and is kept in first-class style. Mr. Bundy was married in 1844, to Maria J., daughter of John and Elizabeth Study. They have had a family of eight children; but five are living - Charles, L. D., John M., George F. and O. P.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
New Castle and Henry Township.
Page 470 and 471.
Submitted by: Jeanie


Deb Murray