From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Liberty Township.
Page 725 and 726.
Submitted by: Jeanie
Reason Harter, farmer, postoffice New Castle, Ind., was born in Preble County, Ohio, in 1822. His parents, Joseph and Catherine Harter, were natives of Ohio and moved to Henry County, Ind., in 1823. They were among the first settlers of Liberty Township and were among the founders and active members of the German Baptist church. Joseph Harter died July 12, 1872. His widow still resides on the old homestead. They had a family of thirteen children. Reason Harter remained with his parents till his twenty-second year. Sept. 1, 1844, he was married to Hannah Ulrich, a native of Wayne County, Ind. In 1866 he bought the farm in Liberty Township, where he has since resided, which contains 160 acres of well-improved land. He and his wife are members of the German Baptist church. They have had seven children; but four are living.
From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Liberty Township.
Page 726.
Submitted by: Jeanie
John Henry Hewit, farmer and stock-raiser, was born Jan. 25, 1850, in Liberty Township, Henry Co., Ind., a son of Thomas and Mary Jane (Odom) Hewit; the former was born in Ireland and the latter was born and reared where her son now resides. Our subject was reared on the farm and attended the common schools completing his education at the New Castle and Spiceland Academies. For nine years he taught school during the winter, and worked on the farm during the summer. He was married April 4, 1876, to Phebe, daughter of Enos and Susannah (Hoover) Bond, natives of Indiana. They have had two daughters born to them. Shortly after marriage Mr. Hewit bought the Wells farm where he lived six years, and in 1883 he purchased from W. D. Pierce, an adjoining farm where he has since resided. He owns 280 acres of excellent and well-improved land. He makes a specialty of raising thoroughbred short-horn cattle. Mr. Hewitt served eighteen months as County Surveyor
and one year as Township Assessor. He and his wife belong to the Universalist church.
From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Liberty Township.
Page 726.
Submitted by: Jeanie
Thomas Hewit, farmer, was born near Belfast, Ireland, Dec. 15, 1816, a son of Henry and Margaret Hewit. He came to America in 1841, and in 1845 his parents followed him and settled in Wayne County, Ind., where his mother died in 1846. His father then resided with him till his death, Aug. 11, 1871. Of three children, Thomas, George and Anna, our subject is the only one living. He learned the weaver's trade in early life and worked at it a number of years in Wayne and Henry counties. Although a poor man when he came to America he has by industry and good management accumulated property, and now owns 290 acres of fine land, well improved. He was married Dec. 26, 1847, to Mary J., daughter of John and Margaret Odom, natives of Henry County. They had a family of four children - John H., Margaret Ann, George, and an infant, deceased. His wife died Dec. 26, 1855, and Nov. 19, 1857, he married Mary, daughter of Jacob and Phoebe Hall. They had four children -
Sarah, William, Ella and Emma, all save Ella deceased. Mrs. Hewit died Aug. 11, 1866. April 4, 1867, Mr. Hewit married Mrs. Lucinda A. Courtney, widow of Joseph Courtney. They have had one son, now deceased, Samuel. Mr. Hewit is a member of the Methodist, and his wife of the Christian church.
From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Liberty Township.
Page 726 and 727.
Submitted by: Jeanie
From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Edmond L. Kent, of the firm of Wisehart & Kent, grain dealers, Millville, Ind., was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Sept. 14, 1842, a son of Luke and Adeline E. (Ernst) Kent, his father a native of the District of Columbia and his mother of Cincinnati, Ohio. The parents of Luke Kent removed to Cincinnati in 1814, when he was two years old, and his father established the first jewelry store in the place. In 1826 he began working with his father and has been in business since that time being now located at No. 58 West Fifth street. He was married July 5, 1840. Of the nine children born to him but six are living - Edmond L., Lillie E., Andrew H., Herbert F., Otis S., and Walter. The deceased are Charles, Luke, Amelia. Edmond L. Kent was reared and educated in Cincinnati. In 1861 he was employed in the Quartermaster's Department of the Army of the Cumberland and was in the South with the army three years. He was at the battles of Nashville, Murfreesboro,
and with Sherman on his march to the sea. At the expiration of his term of service he returned to Cincinnati and remained a year. He then removed to Millville, Henry Co., Ind., and engaged in farming till Sept. 1, 1880, when he became connected with S. D. Wisehart in the grain business. He was married Dec. 23, 1868, to Melissa Laboyteaux. Mr. Kent is politically a Republican.
From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
David Kutz, third son of Joseph and Martha (Shell) Kutz, was born Jan. 27, 1851, in Montgomery County, Ohio. He was reared on the farm and obtained a good education at the district schools. He was married Dec. 25, 1872, to Sarah J., daughter of Daniel and Catherine Gibhart, natives of Pennsylvania. After his marriage he engaged in farming which he still follows and now owns thirty-three acres of valuable land under a high state of cultivation. He and wife are members of the Lutheran church and his political affiliations are with the Democratic party. Our subject's parents were natives of Pennsylvania, of German descent. They were married in Ohio, and after living there several years they settled in Liberty Township, Henry Co., Ind., where Joseph Kutz carried on farming and coopering until a few years ago when he retired from active business. His wife died Oct. 11, 1875. They were the parents of five sons and five daughters, of whom two sons
and one daughter are deceased. He and wife belonged to the Lutheran church.
From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Aaron B. Leakey, farmer, postoffice Rock Creek, Huntington Co., Ind., was born in Butler County, Ohio, July 6, 1821, the eldest son of Joseph R. and Abigail (Biggs) Leakey, the former born in Knox County, Tenn., in September, 1798, and the latter a native of Ohio. Joseph R. Leakey moved to Butler County, Ohio, in 1818. In the fall of 1821 he attended the land sales for Henry County, Ind., at Brookville, and entered eighty acres for his mother, 160 acres for his brother Levi, and 160 acres for himself, and the following spring moved to the county and settled in what is now Dudley Township. He was married in Ohio, to Abigail, daughter of Aaron Biggs. To them were born eight children, seven of whom are living. His wife died and he subsequently married Mrs. Martha A. Newball. They had a family of six children. Mr. Leakey was for many years a member of the Christian church. His widow still resides in Liberty Township with her daughters, Mrs. Wisehart.
Aaron B. Leakey was married Dec. 15, 1842, to Anna Paul, a native of Virginia, born Aug. 16, 1821, a daughter of Daniel and Leah (Swope) Paul, natives of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Leakey resided in Henry County five years after their marriage and then moved to Huntington County, where he has since resided. To them were born ten children; but three are living. Mrs. Leakey died Jan. 1. 1877, and Sept. 1, 1878, Mr. Leakey married Mrs. Mary Gray, who died Nov. 29, 1882. Mr. Leakey is a member of Rock Creek Grange, No. 574. He is an active member of the Christian church.
From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
L. J. Martz, of the firm of Modlin & Martz, dealers in general merchandise, was born Nov. 3, 1854, in Montgomery County, Ohio, and is the only son of David and Lydia (McMullen) Martz, the former of German and the latter of Scotch descent. In 1864 he came with his parents to Henry County, Ind., and received a good business education. At the age of thirteen years he began clerking in the dry-goods store of Samuel Winnings, of Millville, with whom he remained three years. He was variously engaged for the next few years, and March 26, 1874, he entered the general mercantile store of C. & C. Howsen as clerk. He remained with Mr. Howsen till he sold out to Hernly & Bouslog, who was succeeded by Isaac Brumback, Mr. Martz remaining in the same store as clerk until Dec. 1, 1882, when he and W. E. Modlin purchased the stock and have since carried on a successful business. His political affiliations are with the Republican party.
From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
David Millikan. - William and Eleanor Millikan were the parents of Alexander Millikan, and grandparents of the subject of this sketch. They emigrated to Tennessee from North Carolina in the year 1795, settling in Granger County, of the former State, which was then an almost unbroken wilderness. They reared a family of eight sons and two daughters, all of whom lived to old age, the youngest being sixty-two years old at the time of his death. William was a very zealous Quaker and a strong Democrat. He was an excellent mechanic, as a worker in both wood and iron. Alexander was the fifth son, and was born in 1788, being seven years old when his father went to Tennessee. At the age of twenty-one he married Elizabeth Russell, of the same State. About that time he came into possession of a farm, which he proceeded, with energy and in good faith, to clear up and improve. But upon a subsequent survey it was discovered that the title to the land was
in another, and he therefore lost all. He again settled another claim and that was taken in the same way, thus forcing him to lay the third claim, after spending much labor on the first and second. The third farm was a purchase, and embraced about 300 acres. There he opened up a farm and reared a family of twelve children, eight girls and four boys, who all lived to have families of their own. In December, 1838, he moved to Indiana, having been preceded by three of his children. On his way here, just west of Cincinnati, his four-horse team took fright and ran away, coming in contact with the fence and tearing loose a stake which struck the driver, Martin Stubblefield, on the head, killing him instantly. Four of his children were in the wagon, but all escaped unhurt, and were rescued after the team had run about a mile. Arriving in Indiana he settled on a farm which he had previously bought, about a mile and one-half east of Hillsboro, on Little
Blue River. Again settling in the woods, he moved into a small log house which his son, John R., had prepared for him. He lived there and improved the farm. His family being grown and his wife very weakly, his children began to marry and go to places of their own; all but two of them were here married. In May, 1855, his wife, Elizabeth, died. Shortly after he moved to a farm on Flatrock, in Liberty Township, which is now owned and occupied by his son David Millikan, where, on the 18th day of August, 1880, he passed peacefully away, being almost ninety-three years old. He and his wife had joined the Baptist church when about twenty-four years old, and ever afterward remained faithful and consistent members of that faith, and died in the hope of a blissful immortality. David Millikan, the subject of this sketch, was born in Jefferson County, E. Tenn., Jan. 13, 1828, and came to this State with his father in 1838, and lived, as other boys of
that day, enjoying very few of the advantages of school, helping his father to open up and prepare the Blue River farm, rolling logs and clearing; at the age of sixteen years, plowing here and there among roots and stumps with the old-fashioned right-hand plow. When about twenty-one years old he saw his first double-shovel plow, made by his brother, John R. Millikan, and thought it one of the grandest improvements he ever beheld. He continued with his father, farming on the shares, until his marriage, Feb. 11, 1858, to Martha A. Runyan, the youngest daughter of Thomas and Mary Runyan. In the meantime he had bought a piece of land in Grant County. He never moved to it, but sold it and purchased the old home farm on Flatrock, in order that he might live in the neighborhood of his brothers and sisters, and be the support of his father in his declining years. He has lived on and so improved this farm that it is to-day one of the most pleasant homes
in the beautiful valley of Flatrock. Martha Millikan, his wife, was born in Henry County, Ind., July, 1840, and was brought up on her father's farm, which joined that of her husband. Her Christian graces and virtues have been such as to not only adorn the marriage relation, but make it a blissful and happy one. She is a consistent and zealous member of the Universalist faith, and her husband, although not a member, is in full sympathy with her religious views, and does his full share in supporting and advancing the interests of said church. The fruits of said marriage were one girl and two boys - Ora Lee, who died in infancy; Mont. V., born March 8, 1868; and Clint R., born April 15, 1871. Mr. Millikan is an active and zealous member of the Democratic party of the old Jacksonian and Jeffersonian school, and firmly believes that the affairs of this Government will never be fairly, honestly and economically administered until that party resumes
control of the executive and legislative branches of the Government, which he has great faith it will do about March, 4, 1885. Mr. Milligan enjoys the confidence of the members of his party to a high degree, and has often been honored by them in various positions of responsibility. In the last quarter of a century few have been the County and State conventions to which he has not been sent by his constituents as a delegate. He was elected one of the three Trustees of Blue River Township under the new school law of 1854, although the Whig party was largely in the ascendency in that township. As such Trustee he helped locate all the school-houses of that township. For the second term of said office he was opposed by Jacob Hill, a prominent Whig and member of the Society of Friends, and defeated him by a large majority. Mr. Millikan was then only twenty-six years of age.
From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Isaac N. Millikan, farmer, was born in Liberty Township, Henry Co., Ind., Dec. 31, 1855, a son of J. R. and Martha (Koons) Millikan. His early life was passed on the home farm, receiving his early education in the district school. He then attended the New Castle Academy one term, the Spiceland High School a year and a half, and the Butler University, at Irvington, Ind., a year. He was married Dec. 15, 1881, to Narrie Boyd, daughter of James M. and Permelia Boyd. After his marriage Mr. Millikan settled on a part of his father's farm, where he has since resided. He owns 100 acres of fine land. Mrs. Millikan is a member of the Christian church.
From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
William E. Modlin, member of the general mercantile firm of Modlin & Martz, was born in Dudley Township, Henry Co., Ind., June 17, 1857, the eldest son of Amos and Samantha (Stiggleman) Modlin, natives of Virginia and Henry County, Ind., respectively. He was reared on a farm and educated at the district schools of his native township. When he reached the age of twenty-one years, his grandfather gave him 140 acres of land, which he farmed five years. He was married Aug. 21, 1880, to Lizzie, daughter of David and Lydia (McMullen) Martz, natives of Pennsylvania and Maryland respectively, of German and Scotch descent. Two years after his marriage Mr. Modlin came to Millville, and purchased a half interest in his present store, carrying a general line of drugs, hardware, groceries, etc. They carry a stock of $2,000, and the sales for 1883 amounted to $7,800. Politically Mr. Modlin is a Republican. His parents were married in Henry County, Ind.,
where they resided on a farm till his father's death. His mother was married again a few years afterward to Henry Scott, of Henry County. She is now deceased. She had three sons by her first husband and one son by her second.
From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Joel Mullen, of the firm of Mullen & Craig, proprietors of a saw-mill, and wholesale and retail dealers in hardwood lumber, Ashland, Ind., was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, July 28, 1846, a son of Thomas and Rachel Mullen, of New Castle, a sketch of whom will be found on another page. He resided with his parents till manhood, receiving a good education in the schools of the county. He was reared a farmer, and followed that occupation till 1882, when he formed a partnership with George Craig in his present business, which they have carried on very extensively and successfully. He was married Nov. 5, 1865, to Mary H. Craig, daughter of George and Elizabeth Craig, natives of Pennsylvania. They had three children - Elzetta, Irena and Arminda (deceased). Mrs. Mullen died Feb. 3, 1881. July 28, 1883, Mr. Mullen married Martha J., daughter of Alfred and Mary Ann Welker, of Henry County.
From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Daniel Neff, blacksmith, was born in Lancaster County, Pa., March 21, 1851, a son of Cyrus B. and Mary A. (Johnson) Neff, natives of the same county. Eight of a family of ten children are living. Cyrus B. Neff has been for the past twenty-five years chief engineer of the blast furnace at Cordelia, Pa. He was a member of the Two Hundred and Twelfth Pennsylvania Infantry and served four years. He was taken prisoner at Richmond, and sent to Belle Isle, and thence to Libby Prison, where at the end of eleven days he was paroled and exchanged and immediately joined the command, and subsequently participated in many hotly contested battles under General Sherman. Daniel Neff learned his trade at Silver Spring, Pa. He came to Indiana in 1876 and located two and a half miles from Millville, where he remained four years and then moved to his present location. In connection with his trade he also carries a full line of farm implements, including the
celebrated Wood twine binder. Mr. Neff is the inventor of Neff & Folck's sectional harrow, and is now sole owner and patentee. He has manufactured over 400 of these harrows, the greater number having been sold in this vicinity. All that have been sent to adjoining States have given perfect satisfaction. Mr. Neff was married in 1874 to Margaret Meiskey, a native of Lancaster County, Pa. They have five children, three sons and two daughters. Politically Mr. Neff is a Republican.
From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
John Netz, Postmaster, and dealer in dry-goods, groceries, hardware, drugs, etc., Ashland, Ind., was born near Chillicothe, Ohio, in 1836, a son of Peter and Elizabeth (Shoup) Netz, natives of Prussia. His parents were married in their native land, and in 1836 came to America and settled in Ohio, where they died, leaving two sons - John and Peter. Both were members of the Lutheran church. His father was a soldier in the Prussian army six years. When he was eight years of age our subject was bound to Peter Shoup and remained with him six years. He then was variously employed till he was twenty-one years old, when he began to learn the cooper's trade. The next year he came to Henry County, Ind., and remained eighteen months, when he returned to Ohio and enlisted in August, 1862, in the Wallace Scouts. He served one month, and then enlisted for three years in the Eighth Ohio Cavalry, First Batallion, afterward consolidated with the Second Ohio Cavalry,
under General Rosecrans. He was discharged at Washington, October, 1865. After his return from the war, Mr,. Netz engaged in saw-milling fourteen years, when he sold his mill and carried on a farm till 1881. He then established his present business, at which he has been very successful. He was appointed Postmaster in April, 1883, and in 1884 was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace. He is also station agent of the third division of the Pan Handle Railroad, at Ashland. April 15, 1866, Mr. Netz was married to Mary Ann, daughter of Truman B. and Rachel (Boothby) Strong. They have had eight children - Andrew J., John W., Mary E., William, Elizabeth (deceased), Charlie, Flora and an infant, unnamed.
From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Frank Phelman, farmer, was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, March 23, 1837, a son of Francis and Elizabeth (Cook) Phelman, natives of Pennsylvania. He was married with twenty-two years old to Amanda Laboyteaux, of Hamilton County, Ohio. They have had three children; but two are living - Blanche and Effie. Guy died Oct. 2, 1881. Mr. Phelman came to Henry County, Ind., March 7, 1865, and bought eighty acres of the farm in Liberty Township, where he has since resided. In 1881 he added forty acres to his original purchase, having now a fine farm of 120 acres. He is one of the most successful hog raisers in the county. Politically he is a Democrat. He is a member of the Universalist church.
From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
John Pressel (deceased) was born in Kentucky, Feb. 14, 1801, a son of Daniel and Motley (Larndy) Pressel, natives of Kentucky. He passed his early life on a farm in his native State, and when a boy came with his parents to Montgomery County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood. He was married in 1825 to Barbara, daughter of George and Fannie (Wendall) Hoffman, who emigrated from their native country, Germany, to America. They lived some time in Pennsylvania, and from there moved to Ohio, where they spent the remainder of their days. John Pressel left Ohio for Henry County, Ind., in 1829, where he resided till his death in 1846. His widow still resides on the place where they first settled when coming to this county. They were the parents of nine children, of whom four survive. Mrs. Pressel is a member of the German Baptist church. Mr. Pressel also belonged to that church.
From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
John Runyan, farmer, was born in Liberty Township, Henry Co., Ind., in 1840, a son of George and Elizabeth (Mullen) Runyan, natives of Hamilton County, Ohio. George Runyan was born in 1808, and in 1829 was married and came to Indiana and entered eighty acres of land, where he has since resided. His wife died July 17, 1881, after a married life of fifty-two years. They were among the founders of the Devon Universalist church, and were earnest supporters of its interests. Six of their eight children are living. John Runyan was reared a farmer and has always followed that vocation. He now owns 160 acres of land in his native township and has a pleasant home. He was married in 1859 to Margaret, daughter of George and Catherine Evans. They have had seven children - George, Clay, Bertha, Walter, Jennie, Arthur and Oscar, the latter deceased. Mr. Runyan is not a member of any church; his wife formerly was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Liberty Township.
Page 727.
Submitted by: Jeanie
Liberty Township.
Page 727 and 728.
Submitted by: Jeanie
Liberty Township.
Page 728.
Submitted by: Jeanie
Liberty Township.
Page 728 and 729.
Submitted by: Jeanie
Liberty Township.
Page 729.
Submitted by: Jeanie
Liberty Township.
Page 729 to 731.
Submitted by: Jeanie
Liberty Township.
Page 732.
Submitted by: Jeanie
Liberty Township.
Page 732.
Submitted by: Jeanie
Liberty Township.
Page 732 and 733.
Submitted by: Jeanie
Liberty Township.
Page 733.
Submitted by: Jeanie
Liberty Township.
Page 733 and 734.
Submitted by: Jeanie
Liberty Township.
Page 734.
Submitted by: Jeanie
Liberty Township.
Page 734.
Submitted by: Jeanie
Liberty Township.
Page 735.
Submitted by: JeanieDeb Murray