From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Wayne Township.
Page 874 and 875.
Submitted by: Jeanie

J. F. Bell was born in Virginia in 1831, a son of H. Bell, of Knightstown. He received a common-school education and then went into a shop to learn the trade of a tinsmith. He followed that and the hardware business till 1871 when he moved to his present home and has since been engaged in farming and stock-raising. He was Postmaster of Knightstown ten years. He was married in 1851 to Angeline, daughter of John Pride, a native of Indiana. They have no children. Politically Mr. Bell is a Republican. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Wayne Township.
Page 875.
Submitted by: Jeanie

William Call, a son of Jacob Call, was born in Decatur County, Ind., Dec. 15, 1839, of Dutch descent. His mother died in 1840 and his father was killed by a falling tree in 1843. He was reared by Robert Scott, of Knightstown, and passed his youth on a farm, receiving a common-school education. He has made farming his life work and now owns 115 acres of fine land, also paying special attention to stock-raising. He was married Oct. 29, 1862, to Ellen, daughter of James Tinney, of Virginia. They have five children - Hattie, Clarence, James, Emma and Eddie. Politically Mr. Call is a Democrat.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Wayne Township.
Page 875.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Waitsell M. Cary, founder of Knightstown, was born in Pennsylvania, March 2, 1786, a son of Abram and Mary Cary, the former of French and Welsh and the latter of English descent. His father was an early settler of Cincinnati, Ohio, and served as the first Sheriff of Hamilton County. He afterward moved to Springfield, where he died in 1816. The early life of our subject was spent in the vicinity of Cincinnati and Springfield, Ohio. During the war of 1812 he served as a teamster. In 1823 he entered a quarter-section of land in Henry County, Ind., and in 1825 moved with his family to it. In 1827 when the National road was surveyed it was run through his land. Soon after a town was laid out and surveyed by Thomas R. Stanford and named Knightstown in honor of the Government surveyor, Mr. Knight. As soon as the lots were surveyed Mr. Cary built a frame house, on the north side of Clay street, between Washington and Adams streets, and soon after opened a hotel and hatter's shop. He afterward erected a hotel building on the corner of Washington and Clay streets, which he carried on a number of years, at the same time superintending his farm. The latter part of his life he devoted exclusively to farming. He was married in Ohio to Nancy Rock, who was of Irish parentage. They had seven children - Abram; Martha, deceased, wife of Jesse Hinshaw; Mary, widow of Asa Heaton; Elinor, wife of Dr. J. M. Whitesell; Phoebe, wife of Robert Hudelson; Rose A., wife of Morris F. Edwards, and Caroline, deceased, wife of David Macy. Mrs. Cary died in 1856, and Mr. Cary afterward married Elizabeth Elder. For many years prior to his death Mr. Cary was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He died in Knightstown in June, 1863.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Wayne Township.
Page 875 and 876.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Milton H. Chappell, D. D. S., dentist, Knightstown, Ind., was born near Liberty, Union Co., Ind., Aug. 23, 1841. He is the youngest and only son living of Reuben and Mary A. (Johnson) Chappell, early settlers of Union County. They subsequently moved to Wayne County, where the mother died in 1849, and the father in 1882. Milton H. received his early education in the common schools, and completed it at Oakland Institute of Raysville, Ind., a school under the control of the Society of Friends, of which his parents, himself and family are members. After leaving school he began the study of dentistry with Dr. J. W. Jay, now of Richmond, and remained with him two years. He began practice in Greensboro, Aug. 20, 1860, remaining there eleven months. From there he went to New Castle, but six months later returned to Greensboro and remained till October, 1865, when he located in Knightstown, and now occupies the spacious rooms where he first opened his office. He has built up a large practice, and an extensive reputation. He is the inventor of a number of instruments and appliances bearing his name, and now manufactured by a firm in Philadelphia, and sold all over the world where American dentistry is known. The degree of "Doctor of Dental Surgery" (D. D. S.) was conferred upon him by the Ohio Dental College of Cincinnati, years ago, after coming up to the requirements of its faculty. He has been honored with being Secretary and then President of the Eastern Indiana Dental Society, member Mississippi Valley Dental Association of Cincinnati, member of State Dental Society, and when the dental law of Indiana was passed in 1879, he was selected as one of the members of the Board of Examiners under the law, and has been twice re-elected, and has served as its Secretary and Treasurer ever since, or for five years. He is a member of the American Dental Association and a member of the National Board of Examiners, and for the year 1884 President of the Indiana State Dental Association. In the organization of the Indiana Dental College of Indianapolis, 1879, he was elected Vice-President, and selected as one of its Professors, and filled the chair of Clinical Dentistry, Oral Surgery, Oral Deformities and Pathology and Therapeutics two terms, until the close of the session of March, 1884, lecturing each week during the sessions. His essays on various professional subjects are to be found in the dental journals and the published proceedings of the State Society. At present he is engaged in writing a text-book, Dental Pathology and Therapeutics, for the use of dental students, preparatory and in college. Dr. Chappell was married in 1871 to Miss Carrie C. Mong, daughter of R. H. Mong, of Muncie, Ind. They have four children living and one deceased. The Doctor lives in a beautiful resident on East Main street, which he built with modern conveniencies in 1873, handsomely furnished, and presents every appearance of a prosperous, happy home. He is a prominent Odd Fellow, a Free-Soil Equal Suffrage Republican and a Prohibitionist, and active in all the moral enterprises of the town. The Doctor on being asked why he remains in Knightstown, he replied: "Family ties are very strong." His father, who recently died, lived here, and he was very much attached to him, also a widowed sister with a family of five small children requiring his attention, the excellent schools, good society to raise a family, and a healthy location, with a large number of friends, and life here is as desirable as elsewhere, having traveled East, West, North and South, finds no place better.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Wayne Township.
Page 876 and 877.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Eli Charles was born near Richmond, Wayne Co., Ind., Aug. 26, 1823, a son of John and Elvira (Peacock) Charles, natives of North Carolina, who came to Indiana in 1809. His father died in 1826, and his mother in 1827. They had a family of eight children; five of whom are living. Eli Charles was reared by his grandfather, Samuel Charles, remaining with him till twenty-one years of age. In 1844 he came to Henry County and worked at house-painting in Knightstown a number of years. He was married in 1849 to Eliza T. Newby, who died in 1870, leaving three children. In 1874 he married Mary J., daughter of Henry and Harriet Shinn, and widow of R. D. Maxwell. She has two sons - Henry M. and Charles M. Mrs. Charles owns the farm of forty acres were they reside. Mr. Charles was elected Assessor of Knightstown, and served ten or twelve years. In 1881 he was elected Assessor of Wayne Township for a period of four years. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1848. In religious faith he was reared a Friend, but is very liberal in his views; has not been a member of any religious organization since 1850.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Wayne Township.
Page 877 and 878.
Submitted by: Jeanie

John T. Charles is a native of Wayne County, Ind., born Feb. 9, 1832, a son of Samuel and Eunice S. Charles, natives of North Carolina. His paternal grandparents came to Indiana in 1809, and his maternal grandparents in 1816, and located in Wayne County. In 1834 the family moved to Knightstown, where, for many years Samuel Charles engaged in the manufacture of chairs and worked at the painter's trade. He died in 1848, leaving a widow and three children - Oliver, Minnie and John T. The mother is still living, and is in the seventy-sixth year of her age. She has nobly performed her part in the rearing and caring for her children. John T. Charles has lived in Knightstown since two years of age, and was educated in the city schools. He began his mercantile career as clerk in the store of A. B. Fithian, remaining with him two years. He then, in 1859, engaged in business for himself, and has, by diligence and honest integrity, become well established, having a good trade and the confidence of his customers. Mr. Charles was married in 1869 to Mary, daughter of John H. Bales, a lady of culture, and a leading spirit in many humanitarian movements, and a member of one of the most influential families of the county. They have one daughter - Cora. Mr. Charles is a member of Lodge No. 99, I. O. O. F. He has served as a member of the City Board.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Wayne Township.
Page 878.
Submitted by: Jeanie

John V. Cooke, merchant, Knightstown, was born in Fayette County, Ind., July 25, 1830, a son of George K. and Sarah (Hampton) Cooke, his father a native of Virginia, born in 1792, and his mother a native of Charleston, S. C., born in 1794. His parents were married in New Orleans and soon after moved to Kentucky. In the fall of 1826 they came to Indiana and settled in Fayette County, on Williams Creek. They subsequently moved to Wabash County, Ind., where they spent the remainder of their days. They had a family of five sons and five daughters, but three of their children are living. John V. was a boy when his parents moved to Wabash County. His education was received in the common school and finished at Asbury University, Greencastle, Ind., spending two years at the latter institution. After leaving school he began clerking for Isaac Bedsarel, of LaGro, Ind., one of the first merchants of the State, and remained with him five years. He then went to California and engaged in gold mining. Returning to his home in Wabash County, he clerked in a dry-goods house for a time and then traveled for a clock company two years. For four or five years he was engaged in the wholesale notion business in company with John D. Evans & Co., and after this partnership was dissolved he invested his money in land in Hancock and Montgomery counties. He now owns one store in Carthage, a grocery and drug store, which are carried on by partners, while he for the past five years has been traveling for a firm in Covington, Ky. Mr. Cooke was married in 1857 to Amanda A. Hale, daughter of Mathew Hale, of Wabash County, Ind. They have two daughters, Nellie and Millie. Mr. Cooke is a member of the Masonic fraternity Golden Rule Lodge, No. 16, and Knightstown Chapter, No. 33.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Wayne Township.
Page 878 and 879.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Henry M. Crouse, M. D., is a native of Knox County, Ohio, born July 25, 1830, a son of George and Lydia (Melcher) Crouse, natives of Virginia. His father is still living in Ohio. His mother is deceased. He received his early education in the district school, afterward attending the academy and Kenyon College. He left college when in his senior year and commenced the study of medicine with Dr. J. W. Russell, an eminent physician of Knox County, Ohio. He subsequently entered Cleveland Medical College, where he graduated in 1855. That same spring he located in Knightstown and is now one of the leading physicians of the county. He is a hard student and thoroughly understands his profession. In the late war he enlisted in the Fifty-seventh Indiana Infantry as Assistant Surgeon. Six months later he was promoted to Surgeon and served till ill-health compelled him to resign. He was at the battles of Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, Perryville and Stone River. Dr. Crouse is a member of the State and county medical societies. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and has passed all the chairs in the Knightstown lodge. He has served efficiently on the School Board and in other of the city offices. He was married in 1857 to Helen M., daughter of Robert and Hannah Woods, of Knightstown. They have one son - Colman F., now of San Francisco, Cal.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Wayne Township.
Page 879.
Submitted by: Jeanie

L. S. Dille is a native of Belmont County, Ohio, born July 14, 1812, a son of Absalom and Thirza Dille, his father a native of Pennsylvania, of English descent, and his mother a native of New York. His father was a soldier in the war of 1812, serving under General Harrison, and was present at the siege of Fort Meigs. He died in 1816, in Ohio. L. S. was reared by his grandfather, Caleb Dille, remaining with him till seventeen years of age, receiving a fair education for that day. In 1826 they came to Wayne Township, Henry County, Ind., where his grandfather died at an advanced age. He split rails at 25 cents a hundred and thus earned the money with which he bought his first forty acres of land. Afterward worked one year for $50 and bought forty acres more. It was in the dense forest, but he went bravely to work and in a few years had converted it into a good farm. He has steadily accumulated property till he now owns 320 acres of fine land, all well improved. Nov. 23, 1823, he was married to Margaret, daughter of Joseph and Mary Fort. They have had a family of eight children, but four are living - Mary L., Malinda E., Luther S., Jr., and Margaret A. The deceased are - Thirza, Harvey, Verlin and Josephine. Mr. Dille has been Treasurer of the Knightstown and Warrington Turnpike a number of years. Politically he is a Republican and a strong believer in the doctrine of the final holiness and happiness of all mankind.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Wayne Township.
Page 880.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Squire Dillee is a native of Monroe County, Ohio, born Dec. 18, 1827, a son of Joseph and Elizabeth Dillee, his father a native of Pennsylvania and his mother of Virginia, and a grandson of Caleb Dillee. When he was three months old his parents came to Indiana and settled on Montgomery Creek, where his mother died and his father afterward went to Fortville and lived with his daughter till his death in 1875, aged eighty-four years. Our subject was reared a farmer, a vocation he has always pursued. He now owns a little farm of twenty-five acres. He was married in 1849 to Margaret, daughter of George Creath. They have two children - Mary J. and Clara. Politically Mr. Dillee is a Republican. In the fall of 1861 he enlisted in Company A., Fifty-seventh Indiana Infantry, and the following June was discharged on account of disability. In September, 1864, he was drafted and assigned to Company A, Thirty-eighth Indiana Infantry. He participated in the battles of Nashville, Smithfield and at Goldsboro joined General Sherman and was with him till the close of the war.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Wayne Township.
Page 880.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Isaac C. Dovey, dealer in wall-paper, window-shades, paints, oils, etc, Knightstown, Ind., is a native of England, born in Staffordshire March 29, 1833. When fourteen years of age he came with his parents, William and Eleanor Dovey, to the United States and settled in Wellsville, Ohio. About 1841 he went to Three Rivers, Mich., and was employed as traveling salesman for Shaler, Becker & White, of the Lockport Paper Mills. He remained with them six years. He then went south and worked for a firm in Murfreesboro, Tenn., till the breaking out of the Rebellion, when he came North, and in 1862 located in Knightstown, and in 1863 established his present business, in partnership with his brother. In 1880 he bought his brother's interest in the business. He has a good trade, and is one of the most substantial citizens of the city. Mr. Dovey was married in 1858 to Kate Scenell, of New York City. She died in 1871, leaving a family of four sons and three daughters. Mr. Dovey is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He is an active worker in the Episcopal church.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Wayne Township.
Page 881.
Submitted by: Jeanie

E. E. Elliott was born in Henry County, Ind., Nov. 20, 1853, a son of Richard P. and Martha Elliott, natives of Indiana, his father of Scotch descent. His parents were early settlers of Henry County. His father died in 1873. His mother is living in Wayne Township. He received a good education, and when twenty years of age began clerking in a drug store, where he remained three years. Since then he has devoted his attention to farming and stock-raising, at which he had been very successful. He was married Oct. 24, 1879, to Alice A., daughter of Eli and Jennie Hodson. They have two children - Raymond and Ada. Politically Mr. Elliott is a Republican.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Wayne Township.
Page 881.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Thomas Frederick, farmer and stock-raiser, Wayne Township, is a native of Snyder County, Pa., born Jan. 3, 1831, a son of Christian and Ann (Yetter) Frederick. When he was eleven years of age his parents moved to Henry County, Ind. His mother died in 1852 and his father in 1872. They had a family of seven children, all living. Thomas Frederick learned the brickmaker's trade and worked at it ten years. He then bought the farm where he now resides. He has 280 acres of land, lying on the Knightstown and Warrenton Pike. He was at one time engaged extensively in buying and shipping hard-wood lumber to Eastern cities. He was in meager circumstances when he commenced life, but has been successful and now owns a good property. He was married Oct. 15, 1874, to Jane Dill, of Cass County, Ind., daughter of Thomas and Nancy (Wiley) Dill. They have two children - William Penn and Nellie. Mr. Frederick is a member of Golden Rule Lodge, No. 16, A. F. & A. M., at Knightstown, Ind.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Wayne Township.
Page 881 and 882.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Freeman Fort was born in Henry County, Ind., December, 1827, a son of Joseph and Mary Fort, natives of Virginia, who moved to Ohio in an early day, and in 1825 to Indiana and settled near Knightstown, where they died when Freeman was about sixteen years of age. Our subject's early life was one of hard work and poor pay, often receiving but 25 cents a day for his labor. He has been industrious and now owns between 500 and 600 acres of land, well improved, with good farm buildings. He was married in 1848 to Sarah, daughter of Edmund and Mary Lewis. They have a family of five children - Oscar, Almira, Lowrey, George W. and Henry M. Politically Mr. Fort is a member of the National Greenback party.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Wayne Township.
Page 882.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Milton Fort is a native of Wayne Township, born Dec. 25, 1835, a son of Benjamin and Alsie (Clark) Fort, his father a native of Virginia, born June 28, 1803, and his mother of Ohio. Benjamin Fort came to Indiana with his father, James Fort, when eighteen years of age. He was a farmer the greater part of his life, but in later years retired and moved to Knightstown, where he died in 1883. His wife died in 1840 and he married again. He had a family of eleven children. Milton remained with his father till his marriage and then began farming for himself. He subsequently moved to Knightstown and carried on a livery stable four years. In 1870 he moved to the farm where he now resides, which contains eighty acres of the choicest second bottom land. He has been raising the sacred cattle (Zebu), and sold a pair to the city of Richmond, Ind., for its public park. Mr. Fort was married in 1857 to Mary R., daughter of John N. and Hannah Robinson, of Ohio, who came to Indiana in 1840. They have three children - Oliver P., Bennie L. and Willard M.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Wayne Township.
Page 882.
Submitted by: Jeanie

J. C. Hardin was born in North Carolina in March, 1835, a son of David and Elizabeth Hardin, natives of the same State. He remained with his parents till seventeen years of age, and then lived with an uncle two years. In 1854 he came to Indiana and worked by the month four or five years, when by his economy and perseverance he had saved enough money to buy some land, and began farming for himself. He now owns 228 acres of fine land, and devotes his entire attention to his farm, also making stock-raising a prominent part of his business. He was married Nov. 30, 1859, to Ann Hiatt, who was born April 14, 1840, a daughter of James and Betty Hiatt, natives of Ohio, but early settlers of Henry County, where the father died in 1841, aged forty-one years, and the mother in 1848, aged forty-eight. Mr. and Mrs. Hardin have two children - I. Edwin and Horace L. They are members of the Society of Orthodox Friends. Politically he is a Republican and cast his first vote for President for John C. Fremont.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Wayne Township.
Page 882 and 883.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Moses Heller is a native of Bavaria, Germany, born July 1, 1829. He was educated in his native country and when twelve years of age began to learn the tailor's trade of his father. When twenty years of age he came to the United States in company with a younger sister, who has since died. They landed in New York and proceeded from there to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he remained till 1852, working at $8 a month. In April, 1852, he came to Knightstown and opened a clothing store. He came here an entire stranger but applied himself to business and his trade steadily increased, making it necessary to enlarge his stock from time to time. He continued in business till August, 1873, when he retired and is now living a quiet life in Knightstown. He was married in January, 1857, to Barbara Weil, daughter of Myer and Jennetta Weil. She is a native of Germany, coming to America with her parents when seven years of age. To Mr. and Mrs. Heller have been born four children - Sally, wife of Emile Kahn, of New Castle, Ind.; Ettie (deceased); Myer and William Herbert. Mr. Heller is a member of the Odd Fellow fraternity, Lodge No. 99, and Encampment No. 48. He has served several years acceptably as Councilman of the city of Knightstown.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Wayne Township.
Page 883.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Rev. Horace N. Herrick, B. D., pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church, Knightstown, Ind., was born in Allen County, Ind., June 17, 1846, a son of William R. and Ruth (Williams) Herrick, natives of New York, now of Fort Wayne, Ind. He was reared on a farm, attending the district schools, and subsequently attended Fort Wayne College. His father being in moderate circumstances he was obliged to rely on himself and when fifteen years of age began working at the carpenter's trade, to defray the expense of his education. When sixteen years of age he began teaching school, which was better suited to his tastes. He subsequently attended Asbury University two terms, and in 1868 was licensed to preach, and admitted to the North Indiana Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church. He preached eight years, having in that time five different charges, viz.: Alexandria, one year, New Comer, three years; North Muncie, one year; Ridgeville, two years, Hartford City, one year. In the spring of 1876 he took a supernumerary relation to the conference, and moved to Evanston, Ill., where he took a full course in the Northwestern University and in the Garrett Biblical Institute, graduating form both institutions in the spring of 1881. He then returned to the conference and was appointed to the church in Winchester, Ind., remaining there three years, when he was sent to his present charge in Knightstown. His church here has a membership of over 350. June 28, 1868, Mr. Herrick was married to Mary E. Erick, daughter of Samuel Erick, of Allen County, Ind. They have two children - Bessie R. and William V.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Wayne Township.
Page 883 and 884.
Submitted by: Jeanie