From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Spiceland Township.
Page 835.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Samuel T. S. Williams, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Henry County, Ind., July 14, 1841, the second son of Jason and Abigail (Holloway) Williams. When he was eleven years of age he received a severe cut with a scythe, and about four years later caught his fingers in the cogs of a cider-mill, breaking three of them. Previous to this he had a severe attack of diphtheria, which resulted in the lost of his palate. When twenty-one years of age he rented his father's farm and borrowed $200 which he invested in fine sheep. At the end of a successful year he went to Blountsville and engaged in the drug business two years. He then moved to Greensboro, and five years later to Lewisville, where he remained six years. He then bought the farm where he has since resided, in the southwestern part of Spiceland Township, containing eighty acres of fine land. He makes a specialty of raising Poland China hogs. Sept. 29, 1872, Mr. Williams was married to Lou. A. Kerns, a native of Randolph County, N. C., born May 24, 1852, and came to Henry County in 1872. They have two children - William L. and Ethel. Politically Mr. Williams is a Republican.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Spiceland Township.
Page 835 and 836.
Submitted by: Jeanie

William C. Williams was born in Henry County, Ind., Nov. 22, 1843, the third son of the late Jason and Abigail (Holloway) Williams. He was reared on a farm, attending school at Spiceland. He remained on his father's farm till the fall of 1879, when he bought eighty acres of fine land where he has since resided. He has made a specialty of raising Poland China hogs, and has demands from all parts of the West, being unable to supply the number called for. In 1883 he took the prize, a silver pitcher, offered by the Indiana Farmer for the three best hogs shown at the fair. Mr. Williams was married Jan. 2, 1868, to Annie W., daughter of Abijah and Deborah (Wilkinson) Steddom. He and his wife are members of the Society of Friends.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Spiceland Township.
Page 836.
Submitted by: Jeanie

John M. Barr was born in Shenandoah Valley, Va., Sept. 11, 1852, a son of Christian and Margaret Barr, natives of Virginia. His early life was spent on a farm, receiving only a limited education. When he was eighteen years of age he began learning the plasterer's trade with his uncle, William Barr, and served an apprenticeship of three years. He then worked as a journeyman two years, and in 1875 came to Indiana and has since then lived in Blountsville where he has an extensive business. He was married to Mary M., daughter of Elijah and Lavinia Cory. They have one child - Watie Virginia. Politically Mr. Barr is a Democrat.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Stony Creek Township.
Page 840.
Submitted by: Jeanie

John S. Barr was born in Rockingham County, Va., Sept. 11, 1835, a son of George W. and Maria Barr, natives of Virginia. He spent from his seventh to his tenth year with his grandfather, and then began learning the trade of a tanner, serving as an apprentice of M. J. Zirkle till he was twenty-one years old. In 1856 he came to Henry County, Ind., and located at Middletown. He worked on a farm a year, and then at his trade as a journeyman for John Thomas, of Delaware County, four years. He then removed to Yorktown, Ind., where he remained over two years, working as a journeyman tanner for Thomas Allen. In 1864 he became established in business for himself at Blountsville, Henry County, where he still resides. On account of his health he has been obliged to partially abandon his business. He now owns a farm of thirty-eight acres, which he carries on in connection with tanning and harness-making. He was married in 1861 to Minerva J., daughter of James and Susan Knott. They have three children - William M., Frank A. and Ardella F. Mr. and Mrs. Barr are members of the Christian church.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Stony Creek Township.
Page 841.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Samuel Bechtelheimer was born in Franklin County, W. Va., Jan. 2, 1794, and when ten years old moved with his parents to Clermont County, Ohio, where he resided twenty-four years. During his life in Ohio he was drafted into the war of 1812 and served under Captain Ross. He was married to Rachel Kessler Oct. 30, 1817, and with his wife and family moved to Henry County, Ind., in 1827. The timber was so thick that he had to cut his way through to the place of destination. When the spot was reached whereon he should build he commenced to erect a cabin at once. Cold weather coming on so soon that mortar could not be made, he was compelled to gather moss off the logs to fill the place of mortar in daubing his cabin. The young men of to-day have no idea of the labors he had to undergo to rear a family of eleven children, clear his farm and raise and prepare the provisions to keep his family comfortable. Of his family of thirteen children two died in infancy. Those still surviving are - David, of Juniata, Neb; Jesse, of Correctionville, Woodbury Co., Iowa; Christianna Richardson, Des Moines, Polk Co., Iowa.; Samuel H., Deer Creek, Carroll County, Ind.; Jacob, Blountsville, Henry County, Ind. Mrs. Bechtelheimer died Sept. 30, 1865. His occupation principally through life has been farming. His political views have ever been in favor of the Democratic party. He has been a member of the German Baptist church ever since the year 1818. He has never attended a dancing frolic, a museum, fair, circus, or anything in that line. His frolics have been corn-gatherings, house-raising, log-rollings, etc. He is living on the same farm in good health at the age of ninety years which his son Jacob, who has been taking care of him for twenty-four years. Jacob Bechtelheimer was born in Clermont County, Ohio, in 1826. He worked and toiled for his father until Aug. 25, 1845, when he was married to Catherine Mahoney, a native of Virginia. They both are living at the present date. They have had a family of eleven children; six are living - Nancy J. Current, of Brown County, Minn.; Clemard, Rogersville, Ind.; Jacob A., Carbondale, Osage Co., Kas.; Alonzo, Serena, Minnie. Jacob and wife and two daughters and two sons are still living on the old farm.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Stony Creek Township.
Page 841 and 842.
Submitted by: Jeanie

John H. Billhimer was born in Wayne County, Ind., Dec. 28, 1853, a son of Jacob and Mary E. Billhimer, his father a native of Pennsylvania and his mother of Indiana. His early life was spent on a farm, and when eighteen years of age he began working at the blacksmith's trade, but a year later abandoned it and commenced learning the cabinet-maker's trade with his uncle, serving an apprenticeship of two years. He then worked in Logansport two years, and from there went to Peru, Ind., and worked for the Howe Sewing Machine Company two years, then for the Wabash Desk Company, at Wabash, Ind., eight months. Dec. 17, 1879, came to Blountsville, and became established in business for himself at cabinet-making and undertaking, and also deals in agricultural implements. April 8, 1880, Mr. Billhimer married Mary E., daughter of Miles and Sarah Holliday. They have two children - Merton M. and Esther M. Mr. and Mrs. Billhimer are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically he is a Republican.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Stony Creek Township.
Page 842.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Aaron Bird was born in Sussex County, N. J., Sept. 2, 1826. His parents were natives of the same State, and in 1836 emigrated to Henry County, Ind., where they lived in different places till 1843, when they bought a farm three miles west of Blountsville, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Aaron remained at home till he was thirty-two years old, when he was married to Mary Bird, a widow. After his marriage Mr. Bird settled on the farm, where he has since resided. He has always followed farming in which he has met with much success, and at present is the owner of 200 acres of well-cultivated land. In politics Mr. Bird affiliates with the Republican party.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Stony Creek Township.
Page 842.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Warren Blount. - The grandparents of Mr. Blount, William and Mary (McCoy) Blount, were natives of Tennessee. They removed to Kentucky, but three or four years later came to Indiana and located in Wayne County, on Whitewater River, two miles below Richmond. They built a cabin but only remained there four or five years, when they moved to the western part of the county, on Martindale's Creek, that being as far as they could go on account of the Indians. They subsequently moved to Henry County, and in 1820 removed to a farm seven miles above Muncie, remaining in the vicinity of Muncie till their death. They had a family of eleven children - Andrew, John, William, Joseph, Amos, Thomas, Aaron, Rachel, Hannah, Mary and Elizabeth, all now deceased. They were life-long members of the Baptist church. Andrew Blount remained with his parents till twenty-three years of age, when, in 1816, he was married to Sarah Warren, and settled in Wayne County, purchasing land of the Government. Two or three years later he removed to a farm eight miles from Muncie, but remained there only two years. He then lived in Wayne County a short time, and in 1822 bought the land on which the village of Blountsville is now situated. He remained here thirteen years and then in 1835 moved to Blackford County, Ind., where he died at the age of seventy-three years. His wife died at the age of seventy-seven years. They had a family of eleven children - Warren, John, Thomas, James, Andrew A., Mary, Tabitha, Rachel, Katura, Caroline and Sarah. Only four - John, Warren, Andrew A. and Sarah - are living. Warren Blount, the subject of our sketch, was born in Wayne County, Ind., in 1817. He spent his early life with his parents, receiving only a limited education. He was married in 1835 to Nancy Bedwell. He rented a farm in Henry County a year, and then bought forty acres of Government land, a part of the farm where he now lives. He has made additions from time to time till he now owns 556 acres, all well improved. He and his wife have been members of the Methodist Episcopal church thirty years. They have had eleven children, but six now living - Melinda, Andrew R., Jonathan, John W., Thomas J. and Emma. Those deceased are - Fanny, Sarah A., Elizabeth, Jerome, and an infant. Politically Mr. Blount is a Republican.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Stony Creek Township.
Page 843.
Submitted by: Jeanie

John D. Brewington was born in Greene County, Ohio, Sept. 25, 1826, a son of Daniel R. and Frances Brewington, his father a native of Maryland and his mother of Virginia. His early life was spent with his parents, and when twenty-three years of age he came to Henry County, Ind., and worked at the cooper's trade in Blountsville four years. He then worked at the cabinet-maker's trade seven years, and since then has worked at the carpenter's trade and carried on an undertaker's establishment. He is also proprietor of the hotel in Blountsville. He served as Justice of the Peace six years and as Township Assessor six years. He is a member of Blountsville Lodge, No. 305, I.O.O.F.; Blountsville Lodge, No. 331, F. & A. M., and David N. Kimball Post, No. 204, G. A. R. He enlisted Feb. 20, 1864, in the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Indiana Infantry and participated in several battles and skirmishes. He has a sword which he captured from a rebel during a conflict. He was detailed Quartermaster-Sergeant, holding the position six months. He was mustered out at Greensboro, N. C., and discharged at Indianapolis, Aug. 1, 1865. Mr. Brewington married Keturah Bedwell. To them have been born five children - Elizabeth J., Flora A., Eimsley J. M., Frances E. and Alice B., the two latter deceased. Politically Mr. Brewington is a Republican.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Stony Creek Township.
Page 843 and 844.
Submitted by: Jeanie

John M. Burch was born in Otselic, Chenango Co., N. Y., Aug. 9, 1832, a son of William and Mary Burch, his father a native of Vermont and his mother of New York. His father was by trade a tanner, and was also engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes in New York State, and subsequently in Warren County, Ohio, and in 1854 came to Blountsville, where he died April 8, 1866. His parents were both active members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Of their ten children seven are living - Emily, John M., Louisa, Orpha, Erastus, Edwin and Millard F. Harriet, Mary and Reform are deceased. Erastus and Edwin enlisted Feb. 29, 1864, in the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Indiana Infantry, and served till Aug. 31, 1865. Our subject worked by the month from his thirteenth till his seventeenth year, and then served two years at the shoemaker's trade with James Henry, in Red Lion, Warren Co., Ohio. In 1854 he came to Henry County and engaged in the boot and shoe business, and also in farming, owning at present 153 ¼ acres of fine land. Mr. Burch was married in 1860 to Sarah, daughter of Thomas Stanford. They have had ten children - Alma, Orlo, Ernest, Mary, Thomas, Jennie, Harriet (deceased), Harly, Nellie and Clay. Mr. Burch is a member of Blountsville Lodge, No. 331, F. & A. M. Politically he is a Republican, as was also his father.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Stony Creek Township.
Page 844.
Submitted by: Jeanie

David Cory was born in Ross County, Ohio, Jan. 7, 1819, a son of John and Mary (Osborn) Cory, his father a native of Ohio and his mother of North Carolina. His parents moved to Wayne Co., Ind., in 1820, and settled near Economy, where his father died Aug. 20, 1820. He remained with his mother till twenty-one years of age, receiving but a limited education in the country schools. Feb. 9, 1841, he was married to Mary, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Weaver, natives of Virginia. He lived on his mother's farm a year, and in 1842 removed to Henry County, and settled on eighty acres of land inherited from his father. He has since added eighty acres to it, and now owns 160 acres of well-improved land. His wife died Dec. 24, 1871. To them were born nine children. Six are living - John, Matthew, George W., Martha Jane, Margaret, William. The deceased are - Mary E., Sophronia and Barton A. Politically Mr. Cory is a Republican. He is a member of the Christian church, as was also his wife.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Stony Creek Township.
Page 845.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Calvin Cross was born in Wayne County, Ind., March 3, 1838, a son of Joseph and Martha (Norman) Cross. His father died when he was eleven years old, and he was thus early thrown upon his own resources. Sept. 20, 1861, he enlisted in Company K, Thirty-sixty Indiana Infantry. He participated in the battle of Shiloh, campaign of Atlanta, and at the battle of Stone River was wounded, the ball passing from the left hip through the lower part of the bowels and lodging in the right hip, where it still remains, causing him great inconvenience and pain. He was discharged Sept. 1, 1864, and Jan 18, 1865, he married Eliza E., daughter of John and Annis Bechtell. He lived with his father-in-law a short time and then moved to Randolph County and rented land two years, when he bought his father-in-law's farm. Two years later he sold his farm, and moved to Delaware County and bought 160 acres of land, but was unsuccessful, and after five years sold out and moved to an adjoining farm, where he lived two years. He then returned to Henry County and bought eighty-two acres of land, where he now lives, and by additions has increased his farm to 122 acres. Politically Mr. Cross is a Republican. He is a member of Kimball Post, No. 204, G. A. R. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren church. They have had a family of eight children - Ephraim Nelson, Alva Sherman, Barbara Ellen, Adam Brady, Purle Monroe, Della O., Lesty V. and Eliza C.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Stony Creek Township.
Page 845.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Abraham J. Current, son of James and Margaret Current, was born in West Virginia in 1812. He received a limited education in his native State and at the age of twenty-four years accompanied his parents to Henry County, Ind., and helped his father clear the farm where he now resides, owning 170 acres of well-improved land. He was married in 1833 to Elizabeth, daughter of Jeremiah Lake, and to them were born seven children - Jeremiah, Mary E., James W., Peter J., Rebecca, Emily and Thomas J. Politically Mr. Current is a Democrat. His father was born in 1773 in West Virginia, and was married in 1796. He removed to Henry County, Ind., in 1836, where he bought a farm of 120 acres which he cleared, remaining on it till his death in 1845 at the age of seventy-five years. His wife died Jan. 22, 1876, aged ninety-seven years. They were the parents of eight children, four now living - James, Abraham J., William and Nancy. Peter, Ellen, John and Mary are deceased.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Stony Creek Township.
Page 845 and 846.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Jeremiah L. Current, son of Abraham and Elizabeth Current, was born in Taylor County, Va., Feb. 20, 1834. When he was three years of age his parents came to Henry County, Ind. He remained at home till his twenty-fifth year when he married Orpha Burch. He bought forty acres of land in Stony Creek Township, where he lived ten years. He then went to Jay County, Ind., and bought eighty acres of land, remaining there three years, when he sold his farm and bought the one in Stony Creek Township, where he still resides. He now owns 109 ¼ acres of good, well-improved land and has recently erected a commodious dwelling, costing over $1,200. Politically he is a Democrat. To Mr. and Mrs. Current have been born eight children - Elvira A., Louisa, Emma E., Edwin R., Clara A., Edith, Rosalie and an infant. Mrs. Current is a member of the Baptist church.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Stony Creek Township.
Page 846.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Peter Davis is a native of Monongalia County, W. Va., born Jan. 14, 1794. He was married Jan. 17, 1826, to Keziah Reed, a native of the same State, who died in 1854. They had a family of eight children. Mr. Davis has always been an industrious, energetic man. In the winter of 1883-'84 he cut the most of the wood used in his daughter's house. He came to Henry County in 1860 and makes his home with his daughter, Mrs. Lake, of Blountsville.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Stony Creek Township.
Page 846.
Submitted by: Jeanie

William Finch, son of John and Mary Finch, was born in 1837, in Randolph County, Ind., where he was reared on a farm, receiving only a common-school education. At the age of twenty-four he married Mary J. Ross, by whom he has had two children - Harland and Della May. After his marriage he settled on the farm where he now resides, remaining there but a few years when he resided two years in Randolph County, Ind. He then returned to his farm where he has since resided and is the owner of fifty-three acres of excellent land which is highly cultivated. He was drafted into the war in 1864, but after serving a few weeks he obtained a substitute by paying him $1,000. He is a Republican in politics. Mrs. Finch has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for many years.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Stony Creek Township.
Page 846 and 847.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Isaac T. Houser was born in Stony Creek Township, Henry Co., Ind., Aug. 21, 1858, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Coffel) Houser, of this township. Of a family of eleven children but four are living - Hannah, Elizabeth, Jacob and Isaac T. The deceased are - Mary, John, Louisa, Lidda, George, Sarah and Susanna. John enlisted Sept. 20, 1861, in the Thirty-sixth Indiana Infantry and was killed at Shiloh, April 6, 1862. Our subject's mother died Oct. 4, 1858, and his father afterward married Saloma Lewis, by whom he has one son - Eli J. Isaac T. Houser was reared on a farm and received his early education in the common schools. He then attended Spiceland Academy two years, and subsequently taught three years. He then engaged in the mercantile business in Blountsville a year, and since then has been engaged in farming, owning forty acres of good land. Jan. 29, 1880, he was married to Mattie, daughter of James and Jane Duke. They have one child - Jessie May. Politically Mr. Houser is a Republican. His wife is a member of the Christian church.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Stony Creek Township.
Page 847.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Leroy T. Howell was born in Stony Creek township, Henry Co., Ind., June 10, 1857, the fifth son of Hillery and Fanny (Bidwell) Howell. He received a good education, attending the common schools and subsequently Blountsville Academy. When twenty years of age he attended one term at the graded school in Muncie, Ind. He then taught in the Blountsville Academy one school year, and afterward taught vocal music. When twenty-two years of age he was married to Laura E., daughter of Charles and Maria Conway. April 1, 1880, he engaged in butchering, which he followed seven months. He was then employed as clerk for S. T. Lake six months, and in 1881 went to Selma, Delaware Co., Ind., and engaged in the restaurant business a short time. He was then employed as clerk for J. W. Goings and the following spring removed with him to Blountsville. March 23, 1883, he was employed by W. J. B. Luther, still remaining with him. His wife died Sept. 14, 1883. To them were born two children - Carrie and Freddie. The latter died when nineteen days old. Politically Mr. Howell is a Republican. He is a member of the Christian church, as was also his wife.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Stony Creek Township.
Page 847 and 848.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Taylor C. Kerr, deceased, was born in Tennessee, March 4, 1827. His parents came to Indiana when he was small and settled in Stony Creek Township, Henry County. He spent his early life with his parents on a farm receiving only a common-school education. When twenty-four years of age he married Lida Duke, and settled in Blue River Township, at Rockland. He remained there five years working at the carpenter's trade, and then rented a farm two years. At the expiration of that time he purchased land in Stony Creek Township. It was in the woods but he built a log cabin and went to work and by industry and energy brought it under a good state of cultivation, leaving at his death 120 acres of good land, with comfortable buildings. He was a member of Blountsville Lodge, No. 305, I. O. O. F., Blountsville Lodge, No. 331, F. & A. M. To Mr. and Mrs. Kerr were born five children - James R., Joseph A., Elmer E., Mary L. and Randolph T., the two latter deceased. Mr. Kerr died April 22, 1875.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Stony Creek Township.
Page 848.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Daniel Kilmer was born in Berkeley County, W. Va., in 1817, a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Sebert) Kilmer, natives of Pennsylvania. His parents were married in Berks County, Pa., in 1814 and removed to Berkeley County W. Va., where they remained till Oct. 18, 1841, when they moved to Wayne County, Ind., buying the old Davenport farm. The mother died June 15, 1851, and the father in 1853 while visiting friends in Virginia. They were members and zealous workers of the Lutheran church. They had a family of twelve children - Catherine, Daniel, John, Elizabeth, Henry, Eli, George, Mary, Barbara, Thomas, Anna and David, the latter deceased. Daniel resided with his parents on the farm and came with them to Indiana. He was married in 1848 to Lavina, daughter of Jacob Seaney, of Wayne County. The year after his marriage he removed to Stony Creek Township, Henry County, and settled in the woods, there being no building of any kind on his farm. He has improved his land, erected good buildings and now has one of the best farms in the county, owning at present 400 acres of land. Politically Mr. Kilmer is a Republican. He has served as Township Trustee one term. He was one of the founders of the temperance organizations in Henry County. He has been a member of the German Reform church since 1836. To Mr. and Mrs. Kilmer were born eight children - Jacob H., Emma E., William, Luella A., Laura V., John, Harrison and Isaac, the three latter deceased. Mrs. Kilmer died Dec. 29, 1880, in the fifty-sixth year of her age.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Stony Creek Township.
Page 848 and 849.
Submitted by: Jeanie