Hugh L. Mullen was born Oct. 9, 1832, in Hamilton County, Ohio, a son of Robert and Catherine (Stout) Mullen, natives of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, respectively. He learned the cooper's trade with his father, and came to Indiana with his parents in 1852. He worked at his trade until 1861, when he enlisted in the Thirty-sixth Indiana Infantry as a private, to serve three years. He was soon promoted to Fifth Sergeant, then to Orderly Sergeant, and in 1862 he was made First Lieutenant. In 1863 he was promoted to Captain, which rank he held till his discharge. He participated in many important battles, among which were Pittsburgh Landing, Stone River, Perryville and Chickamauga, at which battle he was wounded by a minie-ball, which entered his left cheek, coming out in the neck near the jugular vein. After his recovery he participated in the Atlanta campaign. He was mustered out in September, 1864, at Indianapolis. He accepted a position as clerk in the Commissary Department, and was in the celebrated march to the sea. After the war he returned to New Castle, Ind., and for a short time engaged in farming. In 1870 he was elected Sheriff of Henry County and served a term of two years; and in 1872 he was re-elected and served another term.

After his term of office expired he engaged in the manufacture of furniture, which he followed seven years, after which he was variously engaged. In 1883 he became a stockholder in the New Castle Foundry and Pump Company, and soon after was appointed Superintendent of the business. He has been a Director since the organization of the company. He has been three times married. He had one child by his first wife and two by the second. In 1872 he was married to this third wife, whose maiden name was Leah Modlin, a daughter of Mark and Cynthia Modlin, of this county. To them have been born one son and one daughter. Mr. Mullen is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows fraternities, and is also a Knight of Pythias.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
New Castle and Henry Township.
Page 511 and 512.
Submitted by: Jeanie


James Mullen is a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, born May 29, 1828, a son of John S. and Huldah Mullen, his father a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother of New Jersey. His parents came to Henry County, Ind., in the spring of 1830, and the same spring built a cabin and moved in, in the green woods, a mile east of New Castle, where our subject was reared. He followed farming for several years after reaching manhood, and in 1853 moved to New Castle and carried on a meat market, at the same time dealing extensively in stock, till 1865, when he moved to Chicago, Ill., where he carried on a commission house, making a specialty of hides and tallow. In 1866 he returned to New Castle and was in the grocery business several years, and subsequently dealt extensively in hardwood lumber and building stone. In 1848 Mr. Mullen married Amanda M., daughter of Elijah Stout. She died May 20, 1873, leaving four children - Orominah, wife of Wilson Winings; George L., Loda Lee and Charles. In 1875 Mr. Mullen married Maggie, daughter of Otho and Ruth Williams. Mr. and Mrs. Mullen are members of the Christian church.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
New Castle and Henry Township.
Page 512.
Submitted by: Jeanie


Thomas Mullen is a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, born March 8, 1816, of Scotch-Irish descent. His parents were married in Pennsylvania and subsequently moved to Ohio, where they spent the remainder of their days. He learned the cooper's trade when a young man and worked at it several years in connection with farming. In the spring of 1846 he moved to Henry County, and bought forty acres of land two and a half miles east of New Castle. He built a little shanty and commenced clearing his land; subsequently added to it till he owned 160 acres of choice land. Besides his fine farm he owns considerable valuable property in New Castle and has given each of his children $1,000. He has accumulated his property by industry and good management, being in meager circumstances when he came to the county. He was married in 1834 to Rachel Wilkinson, a native of Ohio, born in 1816, a daughter of Joel T. Wilkinson. They have had eight children - Isaac; Ephraim; Hugh, died in 1864; Mary, wife of George Thompson; Melissa, wife of George Craig; Margaret, deceased, wife of James Smith; Joel; Hannah, died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Mullen are members of the Christian church. After a married life of fifty years they are both hale and hearty, superintending their own work.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
New Castle and Henry Township.
Page 512 and 513.
Submitted by: Jeanie


William Murphy, President of the First National Bank of New Castle, was born in Wayne County, Ind., Jan. 31, 1814, a son of Miles Murphy, who came from North Carolina in 1811. He cleared and cultivated a farm and followed agricultural pursuits in this county till his death which occurred about 1843. His wife was also a native of North Carolina and died about 1834. They reared ten children to maturity, all now deceased but our subject. William Murphy was reared on the farm till he grew to manhood and was educated at the subscription schools. When about twenty-one years old he engaged in mercantile pursuits in New Castle which he followed twenty-five years. In 1862 Mr. Murphy helped organize the First National Bank at New Castle, with which he has always been connected. He was elected its President soon after the death of Judge T. Elliott. He was married in 1840 to Sarah L. Harvey, a native of Henry County, Ind. To this union were born three sons and six daughters. Mrs. Murphy died in 1876.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
New Castle and Henry Township.
Page 513.
Submitted by: Jeanie


John Needham, M. D., is a native of Henry County, Ind., born in Franklin Township, Oct. 15, 1835, the eldest son of Robert and Malinda (Nixon) Needham. He was reared on his father's farm, attending when a child the district schools. He subsequently attended the academy at New Castle two years, and then the Asbury University at Greencastle, Ind., a year. The following two years he taught school and in the meantime was married to Christena A., daughter of Peter and Margaret Keesling, of Fall Creek Township. After his marriage he followed farming two years, and in his leisure moments devoted himself to the study of medicine. In 1861-'62 he took a course of lectures at the Physio-Medical Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio, and in the winter of 1863-'64 returned to the Institute and graduated. He began to practice his profession in April, 1862, and with the exception of a year spent in Logansport has been an active practitioner of New Castle to the present time. In 1869 he accepted the chair of Materia-Medica and Therapeutics in the Physio-Medical Institute of Cincinnati, and held the position five years, when failing health compelled him to resign. In 1883 he was again elected and accepted the same chair in the Institute, still holding the position. He formed a partnership with B. F. Keesling and established a drug store in Logansport, but at the end of seven years sold his interest to his partner. Dr. Needham is a member of the District Medical Association, the State Medical Board and the National Medical Association. He served some time as President and Secretary of the State Medical Association. He served as a member of the City Council one term and of the School Board three years. He is a member of New Castle Lodge, No. 91, F. & A. M.; New Castle Chapter, No. 50, R. A. M.; New Castle Council, No. 51, R. & S. M.; and Knightstown Commandery, No. 9, K. T. In politics he is a Republican. He and his wife are members of the Christian church. He takes an active interest in the Sunday-school work; has been Superintendent of the Sunday-school several years, and of the county as well as of his own church. Dr. and Mrs. Needham have two children - Charles E. and Ida F.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
New Castle and Henry Township.
Page 513 and 514.
Submitted by: Jeanie


W. Needham, photographer, 120 South Main street, New Castle, Ind., was born in Henry County, Ind., Dec. 6, 1840, a son of Robert and Malinda (Nixon) Needham. He remained on the farm of his father, and attended school till the breaking out of the Rebellion, when he enlisted in Company F, Fifty-seventh Indiana Infantry, and served till the close of the war; was mustered out July 1, 1865. He participated in the battles of Stone River, Perryville, Atlanta, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge and many others under General Sherman. After his return home he engaged in the drug trade until January, 1866, when he opened a photograph gallery on Broad street, removing to his present location in 1868. He was married Sept. 10, 1866, to Mary C., daughter of John and Elizabeth V. Hosea. They have five children, three sons and two daughters. Mr. Needham is a member of the Knights of Pythias and Grand Army of the Republic. He is filling the chair of Past Chancellor in the former.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
New Castle and Henry Township.
Page 514.
Submitted by: Jeanie


Joshua Newby was born on the farm where he now resides, May 1, 1830, a son of Thomas and Sarah Newby, natives of North Carolina, his father born Feb. 25, 1794, and his mother Nov. 6, 1798. His parents came to Henry County, Ind., in 1827, and entered eighty acres of land to which they added from time to time till they owned several hundred acres. Thomas Newby was a successful farmer and stockraiser making a speciality of fine horses. A few years before his death he moved to Greensboro where he died in 1863. His wife died July 13, 1879. Of their family of ten children, eight are living. Joshua was reared on his father's farm but after reaching his majority went to California and remained several years. In the spring of 1859 he returned to Henry County. He owns 168 acres of choice land, and is engaged in farming and stockraising, like his father making a specialty of fine horses. He has two fine Kentucky horses, Harrison Chief, Jr., and Van, which cost him about $2,000. Mr. Newby was married in March, 1862, to Sarah A., daughter of Emsley Brookshire. They have two children - Abner E. and Luther H. Mr. Newby was instrumental in having the Southwestern Grand Pike built. He took the subscriptions, and has been President several years.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
New Castle and Henry Township.
Page 514 and 515.
Submitted by: Jeanie


William Nipp, of Nipp Brothers, proprietors of the Blue Mills, two miles north of New Castle, is a native of Rush County, Ind., born March 10, 1848, a son of John and Catherine Nipp, residents of Rush County, Ind. His father was a millwright and when twelve years of age he began working at the same trade. His brother John, who resides in Knightstown, is also a practical miller and millwright. They purchased and took possession of their present mill in 1883. It was built in 1852 and was owned by Henry Earnley. The mill is in good repair, having four run of burrs. They make a first-class grade of flour, which is all sold before it leaves the mill.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
New Castle and Henry Township.
Page 515.
Submitted by: Jeanie


Benjamin S. Parker, son of Isaac and Mary Parker, was born in Franklin Township, Henry Co., Ind., Feb. 10, 1833, and being reared on a farm he had only such school advantages as were furnished to the common schools of the time, which were supplemented, however, by abundant home reading and study. In early manhood he was engaged for a time in teaching and afterward for ten years in the mercantile pursuits, and then for seven or eight years was engaged in the publication of a newspaper at New Castle. He also found time to study law and was admitted to the bar. Mr. Parker has been an industrious contributor to newspapers and magazines, frequently editorially connected with the country press prior to assuming the management of one. He was more widely known by poems published in the leading journals and magazines and widely copied throughout the country. Selections from them may be found in Coggshall's "Poets and Poetry of the West," published in 1860; in "The Union of Art and Poetry," by John James Piatt, in 1881. In this latter collection one of his poems was superbly illustrated. Mr. Parker printed a small collection privately in 1871, entitled "The Lesson and Other Poems," but the best part of his work is still uncollected, though his friends hope it will not long remain so. Mr. Parker has a great variety of material collected for a representative volume of Indiana poetry, which would have been completed ere this had the pressure of other duties permitted. He came into active political life with the Republican party, for which he has done a great deal of work with the pen, on the stamp and as an active organizer. In 1878 he was the nominee of his party for joint Representative for the counties of Henry and Madison, but owing mainly to a large Greenback defection he was defeated by a small margin. In 1880 he was the Presidential Elector on the Garfield ticket from the Sixth Congressional District. In 1882 he was appointed by President Arthur U. S. Consul at Sherbrooke, Province of Quebec, which next to Montreal is the most important of the Canadian consulates. He has been quite fortunate in winning friends in his temporary home and is accounted a prompt, efficient and judicious officer. Mr. Parker was married to Huldah, daughter of Jethro and Mary Wickersham, in January, 1869, and they are the parents of three promising and healthy children - Florence, aged thirteen; Allegra, eleven, and Jethro, aged five years. Although it has been Mr. Parker's lot to suffer much from financial embarrassment for a number of years, his domestic relations have been of the happiest, and to the sympathy and assistance of Mrs. Parker he owes much for the opportunities and encouragement received in his literary work. Mr. Parker is just in the noonday of mental vigor, his schooling in self-denial has not soured him, and with the broadening influence of travel and a large acquaintance with men and things his friends are hopeful of the future of one who wrote on his forty-fifth birthday:

But yet, at times, the shadows lift,
And with the eager touch of old,
I seize the wayward harp, and drift
In fancy's atmosphere of gold;
I move along
The ways of song; I wander every night and day;
O'er sweetest tides
My shallop glides,
My ship, song-wafted, sails away.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
New Castle and Henry Township.
Page 515 and 516.
Submitted by: Jeanie


John Payne, one of the most successful farmers of Henry Township, was born in Stokes County, N. C., Sept. 26, 1805, and remained in his native county till twenty-four years of age. He worked four years for one man at $6 a month and saved each year $50. In the spring of 1829 he and another young man came to Indiana, with one horse, riding alternately, and making the trip in seventeen days. He bought eighty acres of land of Colonel Murphey, and the following fall was married to Sarah, daughter of Samuel and Keziah Wilson. They settled on the eighty-acre tract, and remained there four years when he sold it and bought 160 acres, on part of which is residence is located. He engaged in general farming and stock-raising, and by industry and good management accumulated a large property. His home farm now contains 480 acres. He at one time owned 1,560 acres, 1,000 lying west of New Castle, which he has given to his children. He has the oversight of three farms, and has erected two stores and dwellings in New Castle, and carries on a threshing machine, each department being carried on successfully. He was one of the organizers of the Citizens' State Bank, of New Castle, and is one of the Directors, owning $8,000 worth of the stock. He also has a large amount of property loaned on real estate security. His work is performed with the latest and best machinery, believing it the only way to secure good crops. He is strictly temperate in his habits, an early riser, and although seventy-nine years of age, is as active as many at fifty. He enjoys a coon hunt the same as in his younger days. In January, 1884, he started out one morning and by night had tracked and caught eight coons. Although he received but a limited education his natural ability has enabled him to carry on a large and increasing business successfully. He has always been strictly honest in all his business transactions, never knowingly defrauding any one. He lost his wife Feb. 11, 1882, after a married life of nearly fifty-four years. They had a family of fourteen children, eleven of whom lived till maturity. Only four are now living - John, Nathan, Charles C., and Mary J., wife of William Beard. Politically Mr. Payne is a Republican.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
New Castle and Henry Township.
Page 517.
Submitted by: Jeanie


Evan H. Peed, one of the enterprising farmers of Henry Township, was born in Liberty Township, Henry County, Ind., Jan. 5, 1843, a son of James and Elizabeth (Elliott) Peed, his father a native of Kentucky and his mother of Wayne County, Ind., born Feb. 14, 1809. His parents moved to Henry County in 1834 and settled on a farm in Liberty Township, where the father died in July, 1860. His widow still lives on the old homestead which contains 240 acres of fine land. Of a family of seven children, but four are living. Evan H. received a good education in the district schools and the New Castle Academy, and afterward taught three years. He was married when twenty-three years of age to Samantha, daughter of John and Elizabeth Powell, of New Castle. Immediately after his marriage Mr. Peed located on his present farm, which contains 160 acres of land, the greater portion well cultivated. He pays especial attention to the raising of Clydesdale horses and Jersey cattle. Mr. and Mrs. Peed have four children, two sons and two daughters. He is a member of Masonic and Knights of Honor fraternities.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
New Castle and Henry Township.
Page 517 and 518.
Submitted by: Jeanie


John R. Peed, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Mason County, Ky., Oct. 17, 1832, a son of William and Elizabeth Peed, natives of Kentucky. His mother died in her native State, and in 1855 his father came to Henry County, Ind., where he died in 1880. John R. remained in Kentucky till 1857. He worked for William Dobucker, of Baltimore, as a drover several years, and in the meantime crossed the mountains thirty-five times. After coming to Henry County he bought a part of his present farm, which he has added to till he now owns 600 acres well adapted to general farming and grazing. He is one of the most successful stock-raisers of the county, owning many fine Durham and Jersey cattle, Cotswold and Merino sheep. The most of his Durham cattle are registered. Mr. Peed was married in January, 1858, to Sarah A., daughter of Robert Needham. They have had five children; but three are living. Mr. Peed is an enterprising, progressive man, and has done much toward the improvement of the county. He has introduced some of the best stock in the county, thereby benefiting the stock-raiser and farmer.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
New Castle and Henry Township.
Page 518.
Submitted by: Jeanie


Cyrus P. Pence, son of Charles, who served in the war of 1812, who was a son of Jacob, a soldier under Washington and Lafayette at Valley Forge, Pa., during the Revolutionary war, is a native of Rockingham County, Va., born Nov. 15, 1809. He learned the trade of a tanner and currier, remaining in his native State until 1835. He then moved to Clinton County, Ind., remaining there until 1853, when he moved to Anderson, Madison County. In the spring of 1859 he moved to New Castle and purchased a tannery and boot and shoe and harness manufactory, which he carried on until the breaking out of the Rebellion, or civil war, during which four of his sons enlisted. One, F. N., was severely wounded at the battle of Chickamauga. He was struck on the shoulder by a bursting shell, receiving injuries in his back and head, but recovered after the war. Mr. Pence discontinued his tannery, etc., and engaged in the milling business for two or three years at the same place, converting his building into a mill. He purchased Wm. H. Hoover's property in New Castle, where he has since resided. He owns seven acres of choice land, and pays strict attention to raising fruit, berries, etc. Mr. Pence was married to Elizabeth Littell, daughter of Joseph Littell, of New Market, Va., who died at Frankfort, Ind., Jan. 29, 1849, having had eight children, five of whom, four sons and one daughter, are living. Mr. Pence remained a widower until October, 1850, when he married Miss Catherine Kyger, of Frankfort, Ind. To this marriage eight children were born, five sons and three daughters. Four sons and three daughters survive. One, Harry G., died from sunstroke, June 30, 1878, aged eighteen years and six months. Politically Mr. Pence has been a strict adherent to the Jeffersonian doctrine, ever voting the Democratic ticket, except for Abraham Lincoln's second election, who was in favor of a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, whose heart, Waldo Emerson said, "was as large as the world, but no room for a wrong." Mr. Pence is probably the only person now living in Indiana who has seen and conversed with Washington Lafayette, son of General Lafayette. He met him with another distinguished friend from France, at the Thomas Jefferson residence, Monticello, Va.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
New Castle and Henry Township.
Page 518 and 519.
Submitted by: Jeanie


Caleb C. Perdieu, attorney at law and Justice of the Peace, New Castle, Ind., was born in Dudley Township, Henry County, Ind., July 30, 1850, the only son of Benjamin and Nancy (Witt) Perdieu, his father a native of North Carolina, and his mother of Tennessee. His parents came to Indiana in an early day, and kept a tavern and wagon yard near Dublin. His father moved from there three and a half miles from Cadiz, where he died in 1856, and his mother in 1862. Caleb C. received a good education, and in 1867 began teaching, following the vocation till 1873; in the meantime he began the study of law, and was admitted to the bar in the spring of 1874. In 1881 he was appointed Justice of the Peace by the county commissioners, to fill a vacancy caused by the failure of one of the elected parties to qualify. In 1882 he was elected a member of the Board of Town Trustees. In 1870 Mr. Perdieu was married to Mary E., daughter of James W. and Sarah J. Callahan. They have four children. Mr. Perdieu is a member of New Castle Lodge, No. 91, F. & A. M.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
New Castle and Henry Township.
Page 519 and 520.
Submitted by: Jeanie


Charles A. Phelps was born near Cadiz, Aug. 3, 1862, a son of Frederick and Elizabeth (Newby) Phelps, natives of Henry County. His father died in 1863. Charles A. received a good education in the schools of Spiceland, and attended the academy at Westfield, Hamilton County, one term. He then turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, and now owns a fine farm of 120 acres in Harrison Township. He lives on his father-in-law's farm, near New Castle, and is engaged in general farming. He was married in 1882 to Cora, daughter of Clark and Margaret Hosier. Mr. Phelps is a member of Crescens Lodge, No. 33, K. of P., New Castle.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
New Castle and Henry Township.
Page 520.
Submitted by: Jeanie


Ezekiel Phelps was born in Guilford County, N. C., Feb. 11, 1829, a son of Samuel and Sarah Phelps. In 1831 his parents came to Henry County, Ind., and settled on a farm four miles west of New Castle, and four years later moved to another, four miles southwest of New Castle, where they lived the rest of their lives. Of a family of eleven children six are living. Ezekiel Phelps had very limited educational advantages. His father was an invalid many years, and he was obliged to work on the farm and care for the family. He married Sarah, daughter of Levi and Margaret Hoover. He settled on his present farm in 1865, known as the Abner Elliott farm. He owns 278 acres of choice land, the most of it under cultivation. In 1876 he built a fine two-story brick residence with all modern improvements. Mr. and Mrs. Phelps have had four children; but two are living - Cora A., wife of S. S. Test, and Vierling L. They are members of the Society of Orthodox Friends.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
New Castle and Henry Township.
Page 520.
Submitted by: Jeanie


I. W. Pitman, manager of Baldwin, Roberts & Co.'s packing house, New Castle, is a native of Milton, Ind., born June 20, 1832, a son of Eli and Hannah Pitman, his father a native of North Carolina and his mother of Pennsylvania. His father died in Cambridge City, in 1861. When nineteen years of age Mr. Pitman went to California, returning to Indiana in 1856. In 1857 he came to Henry County, where he manufactured pumps and engaged in different kinds of business till 1867. He then sold agricultural implements nine years, and in 1876 assumed the duties of his present position. He was married in December, 1858, to Rebecca, daughter of Powell and Ann Carpenter. Her father died when she was a little girl, and her mother in 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Pitman have six children. He is a member of New Castle Lodge, No. 121, K. of H.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
New Castle and Henry Township.
Page 520 and 521.
Submitted by: Jeanie


Robert H. Polk, one of the oldest citizens of New Castle, was born in Virginia, June 13, 1800, a son of James and Elizabeth Polk. In 1806 his parents moved to North Carolina, where they passed the remainder of their lives. His grandfather, William Polk, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and died in North Carolina in the fall of 1805. Robert H. Polk learned the gunsmith's trade when a young man. He came to Henry County, Ind., in 1841, and settled a mile and a half north of Greensboro, where he worked at his trade and carried on his farm till 1864, when he moved to New Castle, and soon after opened a shop, where, although eighty-four years of age, he still works. Mr. Polk was married in 1823 to Hannah Hogin, who died in February, 1875. They had a family of ten children - Babel N.; Milton; Rebecca, wife of Jacob Kennard; Rachel C., wife of Q. Hinshaw; John F.; Nancy J., wife of J. Newby; Jonathan C.; Hannah M., wife of B. F. Reagen; Robert L., deceased; Elizabeth T., wife of D. F. Woods. Mr. Polk has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church fifty years. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
New Castle and Henry Township.
Page 521.
Submitted by: Jeanie


Deb Murray