MOSES E. DAVISSON was born in Clark County, Ohio, September 30, 1812, and is one of the four children born to Hezekiah and Phebe (Ellsworth) Davisson, named in order of birth, Solomon, Isabel, Mary and Moses. Of these, our subject is the only one living. The father was born in West Virginia. He helped to build Fort Meigs during the war of 1812, pursued farming as an occupation, and died in Jasper County, Ind., at the age of seventy-one. The grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. When Moses E. was six years of age, he came with his father to what is now Johnson County, Ind.; in 1847, he moved to Jasper County; lived there about eight years, and thence moved to Francesville, where he was engaged for four years in mercantile business; during the late war, he resided in Jasper County; since 1873, he has made Medarysville his home. He was married, January 28, 1832, to Mahala Earlywine, celebrating his golden wedding, or, as he terms it, family re-union, January 28, 1882. This couple have had born to them eleven children, of whom there are still living the following: Thomas, Sarah, Moses and Martha. During the Mexican war, Mr. Davisson was appointed Sheriff of Johnson County. He has served as Justice of the Peace in Jasper County and in Francesville, and is now filling that office in Medarysville, having been elected in 1876. In 1840, he began as a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church; in the fall of 1866, he joined the Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church, and has been a member ever since; he was also a circuit rider in Northern Indiana about twelve years. He is a Freemason, and a highly respected citizen.

"Counties of White and Pulaski Counties, Indiana - White Post Township" by F.A. Battey & Co. - published in 1883


E.A. ELSTON was born in Medarysville, October 21, 1857, and is one of the seven children of William and Theodosia (Ivins) Elston; these children were born in the following order: Matthias, Maria, Henrietta, Eugene, John, Edward and Theodosia; Maria and Edward are the only ones living. The father was born in Union County, Ind., November 14, 1820; he began the study of medicine at the age of nineteen, completed his course in Cincinnati, received his degree of M.D., and began practicing in 1844, and continued until his death, in the fall of 1873, at Medarysville. E.A. Elston farmed chiefly until 1876, when he purchased the business stand where he is now located. He was married, November 20, 1881, to Addie Harris, who was born November 15, 1859, and to this union has been born one child - William Clyde. Mr. Elston was elected Township Trustee in the spring of 1882, and is the present incumbent. He is engaged in mercantile business and carries a stock of goods valued at $3,000. Having lived in Medarysville all his life, he has the full confidence of her citizens.

"Counties of White and Pulaski Counties, Indiana - White Post Township" by F.A. Battey & Co. - published in 1883


WILLIAM H. EMRICH was born in Champaign County, Ohio, January 8, 1853, and is the son of George and Sarah (Long) Emrich, who were the parents of three children - Emmanuel (deceased), William and Albert. The father was born in 1823, spent the greater part of his life farming, although he worked somewhat at milling and carpentering. He died at the house his widow now resides in, a short distance north of our subject’s present home. When the latter was two years of age, he was brought to this township by his father, and here he has ever since resided. He was married April 16, 1878, to Wilhelmina Cortz, who has borne him two children - George (deceased) and Tracy. He is the owner of a fine farm, about six miles southeast of Medarysville, and his chief crops are corn, wheat and hay, although he pays considerable attention to the raising of sheep and hogs, and makes a specialty of cattle breeding. He is an industrious and thrifty farmer, and is strictly temperate.

"Counties of White and Pulaski Counties, Indiana - White Post Township" by F.A. Battey & Co. - published in 1883


JAMES M. FARNSLEY was born in Jefferson County, Ky., May 9, 1817, and is one of seven children born to David and Sarah (Merriwether) Farnsley, only three of whom are living - Mary, James and Martha. The father was born in 1787 or 1788, and was a farmer and harness-maker, and died in Jefferson County, Ky., in 1833. James M. worked on his father’s farm until 1844, when he moved to Harrison County, Ind.; there he farmed for ten years, after which, in partnership with another, he erected a “fifty-barrel” steam grist mill; shortly afterward, he purchased his partner’s interest and operated this mill alone until 1869, when he came to Medarysville to view the country. In 1873, he settled on a farm two and a half miles southeast of the town, and in 1879 returned to Medarysville and purchased a two-thirds interest in the only grist mill in the township. This is a two-and-a-half-story frame, with two sets of buhrs, run by a twenty-five horsepower engine. The firm name is Farnsley & Slocum, and custom work is made a specialty. Mr. Farnsley was married in October, 1841, to Margaret C. Neil, who gave birth to eight children, of whom Holby, Eurah, Julia, Alice, Lizzie and Mattie are living. Mr. Farnsley was again married in December, 1864, his choice being Margaret E. Kessinger, who has given birth to fourteen children, of whom there are living the following: Lucy, Hattie, Leah, Tamy, Rachel, Mildred, Albert and Eve.

"Counties of White and Pulaski Counties, Indiana - White Post Township" by F.A. Battey & Co. - published in 1883


JOSEPH J. FREDERICK was born in Moultrie County, Ill., February 23, 1835, and is one of the five children born to Richard and Malinda (Roney) Frederick - George, Joseph, Sarah, Levi (deceased) and Elvira. The father was born in 1810, was a farmer, and died in Morgan County, Ind., in 1841; the mother followed three years later, leaving her five young children alone in the world. At the age of three, Joseph came with his father to Morgan County, and there resided about nineteen years. In the spring of 1857, he came to Medarysville, was a tenant until 1864, when he purchased a fine farm of eighty acres, one and one-half miles south, which he worked until 1870, and then returned to Medarysville, and engaged in the lumber business, then in the produce trade, and he is now conducting one of the leading mercantile establishments of the town. He was married, August 14, 1856, to Parthenia Brewer, who has borne him three children - Ollie V., John R. and Mary E. Mr. Frederick has done much toward the training and educating of the youth of his day, having taught school for eighteen consecutive years. He has been a member of the Christian Church since 1850, and is strictly honest in all his dealings.

"Counties of White and Pulaski Counties, Indiana - White Post Township" by F.A. Battey & Co. - published in 1883


ELIJAH C. HANSELL was born in Putnam County, Ind., October 27, 1842, and is the son of George and Mary Ann (Wilkerson) Hansell. This couple are the parents of thirteen children, viz.: Juretta, John, David, Elijah, Joseph, Rachel, Hannah, Elizabeth, Mary, George, Jonathan, Jehu and Rebecca. Of these, John, Joseph and Elizabeth are dead. The father was born in Virginia in 181, is a farmer, and is now living in Putnam County with his wife, who was born in February, 1817. At the age of twenty-five, Elijah came to this township, and moved on his present place in May, 1869. He was married, September 5, 1867, to Mary Ann Aldridge, who has borne him two boys and two girls - Nora, George, John and Alice. Of these, Alice has passed away. In July, 1863, Mr. Hansell enlisted for six months in the One Hundred and Fifteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and in August, 1864, in the Eighteenth Indiana Battery, and fought at West Point, and in many skirmishes and minor engagements; he was mustered out in July, 1865. At present he is engaged in raising wheat and corn chiefly, and pays a great deal of attention to the breeding of blooded stock. He is probably the only man in the county that has a well-defined registered herd of “short horns.” He lives three miles south of Medarysville, and owns a fine farm of 160 acres.

"Counties of White and Pulaski Counties, Indiana - White Post Township" by F.A. Battey & Co. - published in 1883


FRANCIS S. HORNER was born in Yorkshire, England, October 16, 1818, one of the ten children of Elias and Dorothy (Smith) Horner, of whom there are living Francis, Elias and Cornelius. The father, also a native of Yorkshire, was born in 1798, and, at the age of fourteen, was apprenticed for seven years to one of the great cutlery firms of Sheffield. In 1821 or 1822, he came to America, engaged in farming for several years, then in merchandising, at which he was occupied at the time of his death in 1854, in La Porte County, Ind. He was a sincere Christian, and an Elder in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Francis S. came to America with his father. At the age of thirteen, he was apprenticed to a harness-maker in Warren County, Ohio, and continued at the business for about five years, since when he has been engaged chiefly in farming. In 1854, he came to this township, and in 1872 to Medarysville, to engage in mercantile business, and is now one of the firm of E.W. Horner & Co., one of the most extensive establishments in the town. Francis S. was married, in 1839, to Isabel Campbell, who has borne him two children - Elizabeth and Dorothy, the latter deceased. Mrs. Horner died about the year 1843. In July, 1848, Mr. Horner married Margaret Callaway, who has borne him five children; the names of the living are Elias, Sarah, Eva and Francis. Mr. Horner is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is an influential citizen.

"Counties of White and Pulaski Counties, Indiana - White Post Township" by F.A. Battey & Co. - published in 1883


LEW W. HUBBELL was born in Dearborn County, Ind., August 11, 1849, and is one of six children born to David and Frances (Wood) Hubbell. These children were named Sylvia (deceased), Lewis, James (deceased), Cyrus, Edward and John. The father was born in Ohio in 1826, came to this county in 1856, served ten years as Commissioner of the county, and died here in January, 1879. When Lew W. Hubbell was six or seven years old, he was brought by his father to Salem Township, this county, where he resided about eleven years; since then he has made this township his home. He was married, November 14, 1875, to Mary E. Byers, who has borne him four children - Frank, Fanny C., Earle Scott and Jesse. Frank is deceased. Mr. Hubbell now lives six miles south of Medarysville, and has a fertile and well cultivated farm, on which he chiefly raises corn and wheat, and, of stock, sheep and hogs. He is a Mason and a member of the Baptist Church, and he has probably done more toward the building-up of the public prosperity than any man of his age in the township.

"Counties of White and Pulaski Counties, Indiana - White Post Township" by F.A. Battey & Co. - published in 1883


HIRAM KESSINGER was born in Washington County, Md., February 2, 1823, and is one of the nine children of Jacob and Margaret (Beard) Kessinger, names as follows: Jacob, Theodore, Benjamin, Hiram, Luther, Mary (deceased), Margaret, Lucinda and George. The father was born in Maryland, took part in the war of 1812, and was engaged in a variety of occupations during life, such as tanner, merchant, manufacturer of earthernware, tinner and farmer. He was well educated, and was quite a linguist; he died in Harrison County, Ind., in 1838. Hiram Kessinger came to Harrison County with his father in 1837, and he there was engaged in farming and merchandising. In January, 1870, he came to this township. He was married July 17, 1859, to Rowena Gaither, and has had born to him four children - Thomas, Caroline, Walter and Margaret, the last named deceased. In February, 1862, he enlisted in the Fifty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Two months later, he became Ward Master in the hospital, and then Steward, holding the last-named position until mustered out in July, 1865. He was present at the sieges of Corinth, Vicksburg and Jackson; at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, at the siege of Atlanta, at Jonesboro, with Sherman on his renowned march, at Savannah, Columbia, Raleigh, and other points. He owns a fine farm of 100 acres, two and a half miles south of Medarysville, raises a variety of crops, and has a neat residence and commodious outbuildings.

"Counties of White and Pulaski Counties, Indiana - White Post Township" by F.A. Battey & Co. - published in 1883


JAMES A. LOW & CO. is the name of the firm composed of James A. Low, James E. Low and Simpson E. Low. James A. Low was born in Harrison County, Ind., February 2, 1829; at the age of eighteen, he began the carpenter trade, at which he worked about four years, and then engaged in mercantile business, at which he continued five years; he then resumed his trade, adding cabinet-making, and worked thereat on an Ohio River steamer until 1861; at the breaking-out of the war he was appointed Deputy Marshal, and was stationed at Jeffersonville, Ind., his duty being to capture deserters, “bounty jumpers,” etc., from 1865 to 1868, he was engaged in collecting bounties and pensions; in the fall of 1868, he moved upon a farm in Pulaski County, and in the spring of 1869 he came to Medarysville and resumed merchandising; in 1881, he moved to Putnam County, where he is now engaged as a merchant and miller, his two sons, James E. and Simpson E. conducting the business at Medarysville. James E. Low was born in Harrison County February 17 1853; he came to Pulaski County with his father, and between 1877 and 1881, lived on the farm, at all other intervals being employed in the mercantile business. He was married, July 2, 1877, to Mary J. Baughman, who has borne him three children - Jessie, Floss and Gracie. Simpson E. Low was born October 3, 1858, and came to this county with his father in 1868; from early youth, he has been connected with the business in Medarysville, the most extensive of the kind in the place. The firm are the only grain dealers in the town, and they carry a general stock of goods valued at $12,000, which, added to the stock in Putnam County, makes a firm stock of $27,000. The children born to James A. and Basheba (Hudson) Low were seven in number, viz., James E., Oscar, Frances E., Simpson E., David E., Martha E. and Isabel E. Of these, Oscar, Frances and Martha are dead.

"Counties of White and Pulaski Counties, Indiana - White Post Township" by F.A. Battey & Co. - published in 1883


HENRY LUKEN was born in Prussia September 3, 1852, and is one of the nine children of John and Mary (Wilke) Luken, named Catherine, Sarah, Harmon, Anna, William, Henry, Mina, August and Charlotte. The father, a native of Prussia, is a farmer, and now resides in Starke County, Ind., aged about seventy-one years. When Henry was sixteen years of age, he began the cabinet-maker’s trade. In 1869, he came to America and for six years worked at his trade in Baltimore; he then came to Indiana, and followed his trade in La Fayette a year and a half, and then moved to San Pierre, Starke County, and farmed three years. In March, 1882, he came to Medarysville, and here he conducts the leading saloon in the place. He was married, December 26, 1878, to Julia Dreblo, who has borne him two children, named Otto and Karl. Mr. Luken is a Knight of Pythias and a member of the Lutheran Church.

"Counties of White and Pulaski Counties, Indiana - White Post Township" by F.A. Battey & Co. - published in 1883


FREDERICK MAIBAUER was born in Prussia July 25, 1841, and is one of the five children of John and Justina (Leferenz) Maibauer, viz.: John, deceased; Frederick; Mary; Augusta, deceased; and Ida, deceased. The father was born in 1809; he was a soldier for seven years, and belonged to the “Black Cavalry;” he was wounded and discharged, and appointed Government gamekeeper; he came to America in 1857, and now lives in La Fayette, Ind. Frederick came to this country with his father, going directly to Danville, Ill., where he lived three years and learned shoe-making. He visited La Fayette, South Bend, Detroit and Cairo, and then returned to Danville; afterward he enlisted, in 1862, for three years, in the Fourth Indiana Cavalry. He took part in the battles of Stone River, Chickamauga, Strawberry Plains, Buzzard Roost, Kenesaw, Atlanta, Montgomery, West Point (Ga.), Macon, and was Kilpatrick’s bugler in Sherman’s famous march to the sea. He was wounded three times, and was discharged in July, 1865. He then worked at his trade in La Fayette until 1874, when he came to Medarysville, and is now the only shoe-maker in the place. He was married, September 15, 1867, to Augusta Waknitz, who has borne him six children - John, Frederick, Augusta, Ida, Minnie and William. John is the only one not spared to his parents. Mr. Maibauer is a member of the German Lutheran Church, and is a worthy citizen.

"Counties of White and Pulaski Counties, Indiana - White Post Township" by F.A. Battey & Co. - published in 1883


WILLIAM B. NICOLES was born in Highland County, Ohio, September 14, 1816, and is one of the nine children of Samuel and Susannah (Noel) Nicoles, only four of whom are living - David, Lovicy, William and Maria. The father died when our subject was but seven years old. At the age of fifteen, the latter began to learn tailoring, which he followed until 1854. At the age of twenty, he moved to Miami County, Ind., where he resided until 1853; he then went to Jasper County, and remained two years; in the spring of 1856, he came to Medarysville and began clerking for Enoch S. Brewer; three years later, he went to farming, which has since been his chief occupation. I 1869, he was appointed Postmaster of Medarysville, which position he still holds. He was married, September 9, 1837, to Nancy P. Graham, who has borne him nine children - Milton, Alston, Walter, Keturah, William, Emma, Frank, Pulaski and Samuel. Of these, Milton, Keturah, William, Emma and Pulaski are dead. Mr. Nicoles became a Freemason in 1842, and he is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

"Counties of White and Pulaski Counties, Indiana - White Post Township" by F.A. Battey & Co. - published in 1883


MOSES PRUITT was born in Bartholomew County, Ind., September 8, 1830, and is one of the ten children named below born to William and Rebecca (Hawkins) Pruitt: James, Mary, John, Margaret, Elizabeth, Esther, Moses, Archibald, Maria and William; of these, Mary, Archibald and William are deceased. The father was born in South Carolina, was a blacksmith, but paid some attention to farming, and died about the close of the civil war, in Bartholomew County. In February, 1864, Moses Pruitt came to his present farm of 180 acres, three miles south of Medarysville, where he is chiefly engaged in raising wheat, corn and oats. His place is improved with a comfortable dwelling and commodious stables. He was married, February 5, 1851, to Sarah Ann Bowles, who has borne him seven children, of whom the living are named Leonidas and Maria. Mr. Pruitt is a thrifty farmer, and always endeavors to forward any enterprise which gives promise of becoming a public benefit.

"Counties of White and Pulaski Counties, Indiana - White Post Township" by F.A. Battey & Co. - published in 1883


DAVID REDER was born in Rockingham County, Va., March 9, 1813, and is the son of John and Abigail (Carrier) Reder. There were twelve children born to this couple, viz.: Jonathan, Elizabeth, David, Mary, Amanda, Eli, Nancy, William, John, George, Daniel and James, and of these Jonathan, Eli, James and all the daughters are dead. The father was born in Virginia in 1788; practiced medicine as a profession, and died in Cass County, Ind., about the year 1867. At the age of four, David was taken by his father to Coshocton County, Ohio, and thence to Crawford County; thence David moved to Cass County, Ind., in 1844, and to this township in 1858. He was married in 1838 to Caroline Hogan, who became the mother of one child, which was named Caroline, and which died in infancy. March 10, 1842, he married Phebe Munson, who gave birth to six children, the living ones being named Margaret and Emma. In 1850, Mr. Reder began studying for the ministry, and has been circuit rider and preacher ever since, more or less. He now lives six miles southeast of Medarysville, and is a liberal and much respected citizen.

"Counties of White and Pulaski Counties, Indiana - White Post Township" by F.A. Battey & Co. - published in 1883


SAMUEL D. RIGGS was born in Livingston County, N.Y., December 2, 1818, and is one of the nine children born to Ransom and Sarah Riggs. These children were named Louisa, Sophronia, Samuel, Susan Simeon, Ransom, Wilson, Harvey and Martha. All the daughters (excepting Sophronia), and one son, Wilson, are dead. The father was born in 1789, was a minister of the Gospel in his latter years, and died in Johnson County, Ind., in January, 1863. When Samuel D. was four years of age, he was brought by his father to Dearborn County, this State, and was taken thence to Decatur, Shelby and Johnson Counties. In the fall of 1850, Samuel D. came to this county, and here he has ever since lived. He was married, April 11, 1847, to Grace Greenwood, who bore him eight children - Henry, Sarah , George, William, Martha, Joseph, Emma and John; these are all dead, save Joseph and Emma. Mr. Riggs took for his second Esther Baughman, who became the mother of four children - Ina, Byron, Carrie and Katie, and of these all are living except Byron. Mr. Riggs resides on a well-cultivated farm of 200 acres, about six miles southeast of Medarysville, and he also owns 120 acres in Carroll County.

"Counties of White and Pulaski Counties, Indiana - White Post Township" by F.A. Battey & Co. - published in 1883


MICHAEL N. STUMP was born in Hardy County, Va., December 25, 1813, and is one of the nine children of George and Catherine (Neff) Stump. These children were named John, Charlotte, Mary, Michael, George, James, Elizabeth, William and Catherine, of whom all are dead excepting John, Michael and George. The father was born in Virginia in 1787. He was a farmer and blacksmith; he served in the Black Hawk war, and died in Pulaski County, Ind., in 1863. Michael, at the age of eight, was taken by his father to Wood County, Va. (now West Va.); thence to Fairfield County, Ohio, and thence to Tippecanoe County, this State, where he remained about four years. In March, 1835, he came to this township, and here he has lived ever since. He was married, June 24, 1841, to Sophia Long, and to this union were born five children, named as follows: Louisa, Andrew, George, Mary and James (the two last named deceased). Michael Stump is the oldest living settler of White Post, and, with the exception of one, George Phillips, is the first white man that ever located in the township. Mr. Stump now resides one mile southwest of Medarysville, and is the owner of a fine farm of 127 acres.

"Counties of White and Pulaski Counties, Indiana - White Post Township" by F.A. Battey & Co. - published in 1883


ANDREW J. STUMP was born in this township March 30, 1844, and is the son of Michael and Sophia (Long) Stump. he has always resided here, and has made farming his vocation through life. He was married, January 20, 1875, to Emma J. Davis, who has given birth to two children - Drusilla and Maria - the former deceased. in 1864, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry as a “100-day man,” and in January, 1865, enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifty-first, but never happened to get into an engagement. His residence stands about one-quarter of a mile south of his father’s, and he has a fertile farm of eighty-four acres, improved with a neat frame dwelling and substantial tables.

"Counties of White and Pulaski Counties, Indiana - White Post Township" by F.A. Battey & Co. - published in 1883


SYLVESTER BACON was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, November 22, 1836, and is the son of Albert and Malinda (Welton) Bacon. The father was born in Darke County, Ohio, June 3, 1803, and was the son of Uriah Bacon, a native of Ireland, who came to America about the close of the Revolution. He served in our war of 1812, and died in Shelby County, Ill. Albert Bacon was married in Darke County, Ohio, January 12, 1826; his wife was born in Greene county, Ohio, May 17, 1807. In 1846, Mr. Bacon came to White County, this State, where Mrs. Bacon died April 3, 1852. August 18, 1853, he married Miss Miller, who died December 5, 1854. April 12, 1855, he married Parmelia Shoup. In the fall of 1858, he moved to Missouri, but returned to White County in 1862. In October, 1881, he went to Los Angeles, Cal., where he now resides. Sylvester Bacon was married in White County, Ohio, January 2, 1859, to Elizabeth Imler, born in Marion County, Ohio, October 5, 1838, and daughter of Henry and Hannah (Walters) Imler. The only child - Loretta J. - born to this union is now deceased. In July, 1861, Mr. Bacon enlisted in Company K, Twentieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and for eighty-six days suffered incarceration in the Libby Prison. He was discharged in November, 1862, and in 1864 he purchased land, and came to this county to reside. In 1865, he engaged in merchandising at Star City, and in 1870 bought the farm of 165 acres on which he now lives. He is a member of the Star City Lodge, No. 442, I.O.O.F., and he and wife are members of the Christian Church.

"Counties of White and Pulaski Counties, Indiana - Van Buren Township" by F.A. Battey & Co. - published in 1883


Deb Murray