Memorial meetings have been held in Anderson Fraternal societies, churches and other organizations, but this was the first one ever held by the people to take action over the death of a citizen. Mr. Fleming was not a member of any society, secret or otherwise, and the meeting, therefore, was as great a tribute as could be paid to his memory. He was an upright man, generous, modest, sincere and cordial. Although a strong partisan in politics, he was never offensive, and hence he was popular with all classes and conditions in life.
Besides his widow, he left one son and three daughters to mourn his demise.
Historical Sketches and Reminiscenses of Madison County, Indiana
by John L. Forkner and Byron H. Dyson
Anderson, IN 1897
Submitted by Bev Davis
Prominent among highly esteemed agriculturists of Madison county who have won success through the medium of energy, industry and well-applied exertion, Lewis Johnson of Adams township is deserving of more that passing mention in a work of this nature. He has been a lifelong resident of this township and has witnessed and participated in the remarkable growth and development of its interests, which have changed it during this time from what was little more than wilderness into one of the most flourishing and prosperous sections of the Hoosier Sate.
Mr. Johnson was born in Adams Township, Madison County, Indiana, July 30 1846, and is the son of James and Amanda (Johnson) Johnson.
His mother having died when he was still a babe was reared to manhood by his maternal grandmother, and received his education in the district schools. The greater part of his schooling in his youth was in the school of hard work.
When about twenty-one years embarked upon a career of his own, renting land and, carrying on general farming, engaging to some extent in cattle trading, which later occupation he has followed off and on during his entire career. Being sober, honest and industrious, he managed to accumulate enough money with which to purchase his first piece of property and as the years have passed he has added to this from time to time as his finances have permitted, and had erected new buildings and made other improvements to his land. This has resulted in the development of a handsome farm, the appearance of which shows it’s owner to be a man of intelligence and thrift, an able agriculturist and
an experienced manager, while his sleek, well-fed cattle give evidence of his ability and good judgment in the line of stock raising. Mr. Johnson was married to Miss Martha A. Slaughter, who was born in Madison county, Indiana, a daughter of James and Rebecca (Fessler) Slaughter. To the union of Mr. And Mrs. Johnson there have been born four daughters and two sons as follows: Carry A.; Cora B.; Georgianna; Everett.; Stella; James L. By his own industry Mr. Johnson has won himself a competence and has reared a family that is a credit both to himself and to the community in which they are filling honorable places.
History of Madison County Indiana, A Narrative Accounty of Its Historical Progress, Its People and Its Principal Interests
by John L. Forkner Lewis Publishing Co.
Submitted by Bev Davis
Hon. William C. FlemingAmong the older residents of the county none is better known or more highly respected that the subject of this sketch. Mr. Fleming was born in Marion county, West Virginia, January 18,1825, and came with his parents to Indiana in the spring of 1831.
During the years 1848-49 he read law in the office of Judge David Kilgore, at Muncie, Indiana, and was admitted to the Bar, but never actively engaged in practice. In 1850 he was the Democratic candidate for member of the convention that framed the present constitution of Indiana, but was defeated by the late Judge John Davis. Two years later he was a candidate for the Legislature, and was elected by a majority largely in excess of his party’s strength. In 1857 he was again nominated for the same office, but declined the nomination on account of business engagements. In 1857 he removed from Madison county to the territory now comprising
the state of Nebraska.
In 1861 Mr. Fleming returned to Madison county, where his has resided ever since. Mr. Fleming was at one time editor of the Anderson Democrat newspaper, but disposed of his interest in the paper after a brief experience and purchased the Moss Island mills, west of Anderson, which he operated for several years. Mr. Fleming was married to Miss Catherine Thumma in 1855. Of this union three children were born, all of whom are living. Mrs. Fleming died in 1893. She was a woman of many excellent qualities, and enjoyed the respect of a large circle of friends.
Historical Sketches and Reminiscenses of Madison County, Indiana
by John L. Forkner and Byron H. Dyson
Anderson, IN 1897
Submitted by Bev Davis
RANDAL BIDDLE Was born in Pasquotank county, North Carolina, September 12,1827, and came to Madison County with his parents at an early day. His father settled in Adams township, and was one of the honored pioneers of that locality. Randle was reared on a farm and devoted the greater portion of his life to agricultural pursuits. He always took an active part in politics, and in 1864 was elected Trustee of Adams township on the Democratic ticket, which office he held with credit to himself and acceptably to the people until 1874. In 1874 he was appointed a deputy by Sheriff J. W. McCallister and removed to Anderson and took charge of the jail. After the death of Mr. McCallister, which took place soon after his election, Mr. Biddle was appointed a deputy by A. J. Griffith, who succeeded Mr. McCallister. He also served as a deputy Sheriff under T. J. McMahan. In 1880 he received the Democratic nomination for Sheriff, and was elected. After
retiring from the sheriff’s office, and up to the last two years of his life served as a merchant policeman. About two years previous to his death he received a stroke of paralysis while discharging his duties as a night watchman, and from that time on his health was feeble until his demise, which occurred April 15, 1895.
Randle Biddle was what might be termed, without levity, “a hale fellow well met.” His disposition was as sunny as a summer day, and everybody was his friend. He was modest in his manners as he was unostentatious in his generosity, and always unconscious of either. He was a sincere friend, a kind neighbor and an upright citizen. His remains repose beside those of his wife in Baptist cemetery at Ovid.
Historical Sketches and Reminiscenses of Madison County, Indiana
by John L. Forkner and Byron H. Dyson
Anderson, IN 1897
Submitted by Bev Davis
Dr. George F. ChittendenThe subject of this biography was born in Switzerland County, Indiana, December 25,1880, and is a lineal descendant of Thomas Chittenden, who served as governor of the State of Vermont for twenty-one consecutive years. His father, John Chittenden, was a farmer who immigrated to this state from New York in 1821, locating at Vevay, Switzerland county.
Dr. Chittenden was educated principally in the common schools and at Corydon Academy, attending the later institution two years, after which he began the study of medicine at Madison, Indiana, in the office of Dr. Benjamin Leavitt. At the expiration of three years of diligent study including a course of lectures in the medical department of Ann Arbor University, he entered the medical department of the University Of Louisville, where he graduated in 1855. He then began the practice of his profession at Milford, Decatur county, Indiana, where he remained three years when he removed to
Anderson, locating here in 1858. He at once entered upon a successful practice which kept on increasing until May, 1861, when he was appointed assistant surgeon of the 16th Regiment, Indiana Volunteers. During the following year he was promoted to surgeoncy of the regiment, a position that he filled with eminent credit until the spring of 1864 when he tendered his resignation and returned home. He has been a member of the Madison County Medical Society for twenty-five years, also a member of the District State and National Medical Associations, in the affairs of which he has taken an active and prominent part. At one time he was associated with Dr. John Hunt, recently deceased, in the practice of medicine, and in 1875 entered into a partnership with Dr. H. E. Jones, which continued for nineteen years, when the partnership was dissolved. The doctor is still actively engageng in the practice and has associated with him his son, Dr. Edgar W. Chittenden.
Dr. Chittenden was united in marriage to Miss Amanda B. Branham at Vernon, Jennings county, in 1858. Three children were born of this union: Carrie b., Edgar W. and Mattie V.. all of whom are living. The good mother deceased in 1889, beloved by all who knew her.
In 1891 Dr. Chittenden was married to Mrs. Catherine L. Brown, a lady of many enviable graces and varied accomplishments. No citizen of Anderson or Madison county is held in higher esteem than Dr. Chittenden. Of irreproachable character, he stands second to no man in his profession, to which he has devoted his life with untiring assiduity and eminent ability.
Historical Sketches and Reminiscenses of Madison County, Indiana
by John L. Forkner and Byron H. Dyson
Anderson, IN 1897
Submitted by Bev Davis
AMOS UNDERWOODAbout the best means by which a man can establish the highest credit for integrity and good citizenship, is to maintain a long residence in one locality, where all his neighbors know him under a great variety of circumstances, test his reliability and still continue to sustain him as a valued and valuable citizen. It is through this test that Amos Underwood has been judged one of the leading agriculturists of Adams township, while his reputation as a citizen is equally high. He is now the owner of a well-cultivated property, situated on the north-east quarter section 31, where he has ever borne a reputation for integrity in business dealings and probity of character. Mr. Underwood was born March 20, 1858, in Hamilton county, Indiana as is a son of John and Catherine (Thomas) Underwood Amos Underwood was reared on his father's farm, and during his youth worked on the home place during the summer months, his educational advantages being limited to occasional attendance at the
district schools during the short winter terms. He was early put to work at farming, plowing, planting, grubbing and harvesting, and the thousand and one things that are found to occupy the time of an Indiana farmer's son, thus thoroughly learning the duties of an agriculturist which have been of such great benefit to him in later life. He also was employed in a tile mill in his youth, and after attaining his majority operated a mill of that kind for a period of five years. Mr. Underwood was married June 14, 1888, to Alice M. Davis, who was born in Fall Creek township , Madison county, Indiana, February 28, 1865, a daughter of Washington Davis and Mary Davis, and was educated in the Spring Valley school. To this union there have been born two children: John W., born March 24, 1892, a graduate of the common schools of Madison county, single and engaged in agricultural pursuits in Adams township; Mary C., born February 24, 1895, a student in Earlham College. In
politics Mr. Underwood is a Prohibitionist, and has been active in the ranks of his party in matters of local importance. In addition to his home farm in Adams township, he has a well cultivated tract of eighty acres in section 27, Fall Creek township. As a general farmer and stock raider, he has met with uniform success in his various operations, and is acknowledged to be a practical agriculturist and excellent judge of livestock. During his long residence here, he has made numerous friends, and no man stands higher in general esteem of the community.
History of Madison County Indiana
Volume 1
by John L. Forkner
Lewis Publishing Co. 1914
Submitted by Bev Davis
SAMUEL Q. MARKLE. During the past twenty years Adams township has been the field of endeavor of Samuel Quincy Markle, a man of energy and push, who has been influential in business, political and social circles, and who had added materially to the growth and development of this section of Madison County. He belongs to one of the old honored families of this part of the state, whose members have been noted for their honesty, their integrity, as well as for their prominent connection, with commercial, agricultural and professional activities. As a worthy representative of this name, he is worthy of and receives the esteem of his fellow-citizens.
John Markle, the paternal grandfather of Samuel Q. Markle, was a native of New York State, and in young manhood came to Madison county, here becoming a pioneer farmer. He became well known to the citizens of this vicinity, arose to a position of prominence, and eventually the town was named in his honor, Markleville.
Samuel Quincy Markle,
or Quincy Markle as he is better known, was reared on the farm of his birth, situated about one and one-half miles north of Markleville, and there received his education the district schools. He was reared to the work of the home farm, and as was the custom of farmers' youths of his day and locality spent the long summer months in assisting his father and brothers on the homestead, his opportunities for and education being limited to the short winter terms in the nearby schools. He was ambitious and industrious, made the most of his chances, and thus acquired a good fund of practical knowledge.
In 1892, with his three brothers, James, Henry and Albert, the last-named of whom is now deceased, he entered the sawmill business. None of the brothers at that him had much money to invest, but a small mill was purchased for $400, for a part of which sum they went into debt, and out of this humble beginning has grown the large enterprise that now bears their name. In addition to the large sawmill located
near Markleville, they are now the owners of farms near that place, to the east, deals extensively in lumber, and have carried on much profitable contract work. Mr. Markle is recognized by his associates as a shrewd, astute man of business, with the ability to recognize an opportunity, the courage to grasp it and the business capacity to carry it through to a successful termination.
In 1888, Mr. Markle was united in marriage with Miss Eva J. VanDyke and to this union there have been born six children, namely: Merle, Oren, Florence, Agnes, Ward and Paul. Mr. Markle is a consistent member of the Baptist Church, which his wife and children also attend, and which all the members of the family have liberally supported.
His interest in politics has been only that of a good citizen, but he has never withheld his support from any measure or movement which his judgment has told him will eventually work out for the betterment of the community in which he has made his home all of his life.
Adams township has no more representative or popular citizen.
History of Madison County Indiana
Volume 1
by John L. Forkner
Lewis Publishing Co. 1914
Submitted by Bev Davis
The first merchants of Anderson and Madison county lave long since gone to their reward. But few even of the men, engaged in mercantile pursuits no farther back than the early '50s remain. Prominent among those who still survive, however, is the subject of this sketch.
Mr. Nichol was born in Butler county, Ohio, January 14, 1830. His boyhood was padded upon a farm where he enjoyed but meagre opportunities to acquire that which he so much desired-a superior education. A number of terms in common schools and one year at Farmers College, near Cincinnati, ended his school days.
In 1854, he located in Anderson and engaged in the hardware business, having for a partner the late Amos J. King. In 1855, he was married to Miss Harriett Robinson, oldest sister of the late Colonel M. S. Robinson. This estimable woman deceased on the 25th of May,1896, lamented not only by her immediate relatives by a large circle of friends. In 1861, Mr. Nichol was appointed Quartermaster of the Forty-seventh Regiment, Indiana Volunteers, in which position he served until the regiment veteranized in 1864, when he returned home having been a participant in all of the severe campaigns in which his regiment was engaged up to that time. While active in business, Mr. Nichol is an ardent Republican and has devoted much of his time and means in advancing the interests of his party. In return he had been honored with the various positions of prominence and trust as a partial reward for his services. He was a member of the first City Council elected in Anderson, and in 1870, was elected on the Republican ticket to the office of County Auditor, being the first Republican elected in the county to that important office. This was one of the most hotly-contested elections ever held in the county, his opponent being the late Neal C. McCullough, a man of acknowledged integrity and ability, besides having abundant resources from which to draw in such a contest. The county at that time
was safely Democratic by 600 majority and Mr. Nichol's success was regarded complimentary in the highest degree. He is at the present time serving as Chairman of the Republican Central Committee of the county.
Mr. Nichol, in recent years, has been connected in an official capacity with nearly every enterprise having for its object the promotion of Anderson's interests and development of the county. He was chosen President of the Anderson Board of Trade at the time of its organization and served acceptably as long as it was in existence.
Mr. Nichol is a member of the Presbyterian church, but not fanatical in his religious views. He is consistent in his daily walk and conversations, stands deservedly high as a business man and enjoys the esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens.
Historical Sketches and Reminiscenses of Madison County, Indiana
by John L. Forkner and Byron H. Dyson
Anderson, IN 1897
Submitted by Bev Davis
BAZIL NEELY was a farmer and one of the early pioneers of Madison county. He was born in Ohio county, West Virginia, August 16, 1810. His parents were Thomas and Elizabeth (Seamon) Neely. His grandfather was Jonah Seamon. In 1812 the parents of our subject emigrated with his family to Wayne county, Indiana and in 1816 the father returned to Virginia on business where he died and was buried, leaving his wife and six children, of whom Bazil was the fourth. The widow removed to Fayette county, Indiana with her children and in 1827 Bazil, who was but seventeen years of age, started out to seek his own fortune in the primitive wilderness.
He went to Delaware county where he did general farm work at three dollars a month, and occasionally made rails at twenty-five cents per hundred. Farming implements in that day were few and unwieldy and his first plowing was done with a wooden mold-board plow and four yolk of oxen. In 1833 Mr. Neely was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Suman. Of this union there was but one child, Miss Hester A. Neely. On the 10th day of July, 1833, he purchased eighty acres of land in Section 35 in Union township, Madison county, nine acres of which were cleared and improved by a hewed-log house, the remainder being covered by a dense forest. On this tract of land he located, and not being afraid of work, in the course of time acquired an ample competency.
He was resolute, persevering and energetic, in every way suited to the pioneer's arduous task of clearing up the wilderness. He was also fond of athletic sports and was an unerring shot with a rifle. He hunted frequently and in 1849, within one mile of his home, shot two deer while their horns were locked together.
In politics he was a supporter of Democratic principles, his first vote being cast for Andrew Jackson in 1832.
It can truly be said that no man ever lived in Union township who was more attentive to the sick and distressed than Bazil Neely. He was honest and true as the day was long. His wife passed away on September 7, 1856, mourned by all who knew her.
Mr. Neely remained on his farm from 1844 to June 14, 1893, when he took up residence with his daughter in Anderson. During his later years his health was quite feeble and on the 4th day of August, 1894, after a lingering illness, he went to his reward. He reposes in Mount Pleasant cemetery, Delaware county, Indiana.
Historical Sketches and Reminiscenses of Madison County, Indiana
by John L. Forkner and Byron H. Dyson
Anderson, IN 1897
Submitted by Bev Davis
MISS HESTER A. NEELY. The subject of this biography is the only child of Bazil and Sarah (Suman) Neely and was born July 4,1835, on the Neely homestead in Union township, where she resided until June 14, 1893, sharing with her parents the trials and hardships incident to pioneer life. Miss Neely enjoys the distinction of being the oldest maiden in the county, and is also among the oldest living natives in the county. Notwithstanding the school facilities were meagre in her day she acquired sufficient knowledge of the elementary branches of an education to enable her in after years to take care of her large property interests without assistance. After the death of her mother in 1856, she took charge of her father's home and looked after the household duties until she moved to Anderson in 1893, when she brought her venerable parent with her and attended to his every want until his death, in 1894.
Circumstances, together with good judgment and careful management, have rendered her
one of the wealthiest women in the county, her property holdings in Anderson being the most desirable in the city, comprising as they do the most valuable portions of the southwest square.
Miss Neely lives in an elegant home on West Sixth street, which she has furnished in a manner consonant with her taste,"neat not gaudy." She is not extravagant in her ideas of living but nevertheless seeks comfort and contentment regardless of the expenditure they may entail. While she is not a collector of the quaint and curious in the strict sense of the term, she has, perhaps, one of the most interesting private collections of rare relics and heirlooms in the county. These treasures consist of several pieces of rare chinaware, old books and quaint implements of various kinds, all of which she prizes more for the associations connected with them than for any intrinsic value they may possess.
She is not and never has been a devotee of fashion or society and takes no pleasure in them;
she appreciates her friends, however, and enjoys their companionship. She is specially fond of travel and has visited many interesting localities including the Pacific slope. Miss Neely possesses to a degree that quality which Shakespeare regards as "an excellent thing in woman"-modesty. Quiet and unassuming, she has pursued the even tenor of her way, doing unto others as she would have others do unto her, and meeting the disappointments of life as bravely as becomes her sex.
Historical Sketches and Reminiscenses of Madison County, Indiana
by John L. Forkner and Byron H. Dyson
Anderson, IN 1897
Submitted by Bev Davis
Mr. Philip P. Anshultz was born in Ohio, in 1834, came to Switzerland county, Indiana, in 1838, and moved from there to Stoney Creek township, Madison County, in August, 1849. He was elected justice of the peace in 1865, and is now serving his third term. Mr. Anshultz has acted as trustee one term, and has taught school sixteen years. He was a soldier in the war of Sucession, in Company K, 8th Regiment Indiana Volunteers. He volunteered in July 1861, as a private; was promoted to corporal and was in the battle of Port Gibson, Champion Hills, Black river, and siege of Vicksburgh. Mr. Anshultz is a member of the Christian church at Forest Chapel, and an Elder in the same. He is an active Republican, and resides near the centre of the township, about a mile and a half north of Shanklin's Mill.
History Of Madison County, Indiana From 1820 to 1874 by; Samuel Harden Markleville, Indiana 1874
Submitted by Bev Davis
Enos Adamson The subject of this sketch came to Madison county in 1827 and located one mile east of Huntsville on the farm now owned by George R. Diven. He lived there but a short time, removing to Huntsville, where he engaged in the milling and mercantile business. The mills were consumed by fire in 1848, causing him considerable loss. He rebuilt the mills, sold them to Wilson and Cockayne, and removed to Missouri, and died there about the year 1850. His wife died and was buried at Huntsville a few years previous to his removal. They had four children, whose names were Thomas, John, Elizabeth and Louisa Jane. Mr Adamson was regarded as a very honest man and will be remembered as a great help to Huntsville, the home of his manhood, where his best days were spent. He was, at one time, worth a great amount of property, but it is understood that he lost the greater part of it by his removal West. I never saw Mr. Adamson, and can give no sketch of his
personal appearance. Some who read this will call to mind his form and doubtless many kind acts which were characteristic of the man. Of his children there are none living within the county and their place of residence is unknown to the writer. Here we leave this interesting family as any further account would not be of general interest.
History of Madison County, Indiana from 1820 to 1874 by: Samuel Harden Markleville, Indiana 1874
Submitted by Bev Davis