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

WILLIAM SHORTRIDGE was born in Fayette County, Ky., December 16, 1825. His parents, Samuel and Eleanor (Hulls) Shortridge, were respectively born in Virginia in 1785, and in Pennsylvania in 1796. William attended school, and worked for his father until the latter’s death, in December, 1844, when he took charge of the farm. November 19, 1846, he married Elizabeth L., the daughter of James and Ara Ann (Pelly) McCormack, and born in Fayette County November 23, 1826. There have been born eight children to this marriage - Mary H., September 6, 1847; James S., April 12, 1849, died October 22, 1850; Massie J., born April 2, 1851; George F., February 26, 1853; Jessie E., December 16, 1856; Elizabeth A., November 10, 1858; Clara C., October 25, 1860, died September 4, 1861; and Ella D., born March 24, 1865, died September 25, 1865. Mr. Shortridge engaged in farming at various points until about 1871, when he came to this county, farmed for awhile, and then settled in Francesville, where he engaged in stock-dealing and general trade. In 1876, he was appointed to fill a vacancy as Justice of the Peace; in the same year, his wife started a millinery and dress-making establishment, and is doing a good business. Mr. Shortridge is an Odd Fellow, and up to 1876 was a Republican, but is now an active Greenbacker. He attends the Christian Church, of which his wife is a member. Mrs. Shortridge’s father was born in Pennsylvania, February 18, 1805, and her mother in Maryland January 13, 1804.

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

GEORGE W. STALNAKER, son of Elijah and Mary (Wilcox) Stalnaker, was born in Putnam County, Ohio, April 24, 1842. The father died when George was but nine years of age, and consequently the latter was compelled to aid his mother in the management of the farm, to the neglect of his early education. in 1862, he volunteered in Company K, Ninety-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, his mother having moved to near Logan, this State. He took part in all the engagements in which his regiment fought, and at Atlanta was taken prisoner. He was incarcerated in different prisons, and at Andersonville suffered beyond description for eight months. After being paroled, he was taken to his mother’s home, where he remained two weeks before he could realize where he was. After his recovery, he was sent to Columbus, Ohio, where he was mustered out. April 28, 1865, he married Barbara A. Hanselman, and to this union were born six children - Edward R., January 13, 1867; William A., September 26, 1869; Mary E., June 4, 1871; Emma E., September 30, 1874; Nettie A., June 2, 1878, and George H., June 8, 1881 (who died March 3, 1882). Shortly after his marriage, Mr. Stalnaker came to this township, and purchased a farm of forty acres, and here he resided until his death, May 3, 1882, after a lingering illness. He was an Odd Fellow, and an honest, upright man. His widow, with her family, still resides on the farm. She is the Treasurer of Lodge 175, Daughters of Rebecca, Francesville, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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

THEODORE F. STOKES is the son of William and Sarah (Laskey) Stokes. The father was born in Philadelphia February 4, 1779, and the mother in the same city February 3, 1783. They were married by Bishop White in Christ Church, Philadelphia, November 12, 1801, and Theodore was born January 2, 1822. At the age of fourteen Theodore began clerking in the first domestic hardware store started in Philadelphia, and remained until 1841. He then came West and started a general store at Winamac for W. Brown & Son. June 15, 1843, he married Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Wyatt) Phipps, and to this union have been born five children - William B., Emma W., Rufus B., Sarah E. and Schuyler C. The mother of Mrs. Stokes died in Ohio, in 1835, and the father subsequently married Margaret Gotshall, and came with her and his children to this county when it was quite a wilderness. In 1852, Mr. Stokes was appointed the first station agent of the L., N.A. & C.R.R. Co. at Francesville, and retained the position until 1861; he was then appointed to a first-class clerkship in the Land Office at Washington, D.C., and has now reached the fourth class, the highest in this department. He has passed all the chairs of the Odd Fellows order. His first vote was cast for Henry Clay for President. Mrs. Stokes is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and Mr. S. is an attendant of the same.

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

STEPHEN THRASHER was born in Marion County, Ind., April 2, 1841. His parents, Josiah and Elizabeth (Clarke) Thrasher, were born in 1815 and 1821, respectively, and were married, March 17, 1836, in Rush County, Ind. At the age of fourteen, Stephen began an apprenticeship with his father at carpentering, and worked with him until June, 1861, when he enlisted in Company K, Fifteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He took part in the fight at Greenbrier, West Virginia, then in the battle of Shiloh, siege of Corinth; the fight at Stone River, where his regiment charged the ford; he was at Chattanooga and with Sheridan’s division at Mission Ridge and then at Knoxville. He was mustered out at Indianapolis June 25, 1864, and then came to Salem Township. September 27, 1865, he married Rachael A., the daughter of William and Mary A. (Cartright) Gordon and to this union have been born five children - Britamoote, Cyrus, Minnie (deceased), Mary (deceased) and Carrie L. Mr. Thrasher farmed four years and then sold out and moved to Francesville, bought a lot and built a dwelling and shop and resumed business as carpenter and builder. Mr. T. is a Master Mason, and a member of the G.A.R., and he and wife are members of the Christian Church.

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

WILLIAM S. VALENTINE was born in New York City April 20, 1806, and is the son of Charles and Rachel (Hopkins) Valentine, natives of Long Island. His youthful days were passed partly on his father’s farm on Long Island and partly in the city, where he learned tailoring and followed the business for a number of years. About 1829, he married Emily L. Bull, who born him four children - Clarence, William, Frederick F. (deceased), an infant son who died unnamed, and Marie E. Having lost his wife, Mr. V. came to Logansport in 1858, but soon returned to the East, and married at Newark, N.J., in March, 1859, Margaret P. Chadwick (widow of Thomas Chadwick), daughter of Nathan and Ann (Berry) Pickles, and mother of six children - John (deceased), Sarah An, Tabitha, Mary, Margaret and Alice (deceased). Mr. Valentine then came back to Logansport and began hunting, in a short time realizing $300. He then came to Winamac, this county, where he kept hotel until 1842, when he left the place in charge of his son and came to Francesville and again engaged in hunting and shipping birds. He built a large freezing house, with a capacity for six hundred dozen birds, and he now buys all he can, freezes them and ships them to New York and other markets. He is now seventy-seven years of age and is still considered one of the best marksmen in the county. He has a fine dwelling, with ample storehouses and other outbuildings, and his business continues to thrive. Mrs. Valentine is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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

CAPT. CARTER L. VIGUS is the son of Cyrus and Alazand C. (Heth) Vigus. The father, a soldier in the war of 1812, was born in Old Virginia September 4, 1793, and the mother in Pennsylvania some twelve years later. They were married at Harrison County, Penn., about 1822; were proprietors of a hotel in Corydon, and there Carter was born September 27, 1829. When quite young, Carter was brought to Logansport by his parents, who there kept a hotel for a number of years. In 1846, he enlisted in the First United States Mounted Rifles, served through the Mexican war, and on his return engaged in mercantile pursuits and farming. June 23, 1851, he married Eliza J., daughter of Capt. John Douglass, of Logansport, and to this union have been born six children - Henry W., Belle E., Elizabeth B. (deceased), Henrietta H., Carried D. and Ada E. (deceased). At the outbreak of the late war, he went out as Second Lieutenant of Company D, Ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, for three month’s service, and was appointed Regimental Quartermaster. On his return, he raised a company and went out as Captain of Company B, Fifty-fifth Indiana Volunteers Infantry, for one year’s service. While in the field, his wife died, in the summer of 1863. After his return, he again went out, Captain of Company G, One Hundred and Fifty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He had been wounded at the battle of Cerro Gordo April 17, 1847, but passes through all his engagements during the rebellion unharmed. He resided at Logansport, until about 1868, when he came to Francesville and adopted the life of a hunter and dealer in game. August 15, 1869, he married Laura H., daughter of Dr. Robert and Mary (Howard) Mattingly. The Captain is a member of the G.A.R., and is a Republican. He and wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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

W.R. BALLINGER was born in Miami County, Ohio, August 19, 1825, and is one of the seven children of Benjamin T. and Nancy (Lightfoot) Ballinger, natives respectively of Tennessee and Ohio. In April, 1839, the family came to this county and located on the south side of the Tippecanoe River, two miles above Winamac. At his majority, W.R. Ballinger left his father’s farm and started on his own account on rented land, and two years later purchased a farm three miles south of Winamac. December 7, 1848, he married Miss Susanna Sutton, born in Darke County, Ohio, May 13, 1831, and daughter of John and Mary Sutton, who came to this county in March, 1840. This lady became the mother of one son, who died in infancy. Mr. B. lived on his seventy-five-acre farm in this township, which he has greatly improved and increased to 188 acres. In 1862, he was elected Trustee of his township, and in 1866 elected Sheriff of the county, and two years later re-elected. He has served as member of the Democratic Central Committee for a number of years. He is a Master Mason and an Odd Fellow, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church.

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

ISAAC H. BARKER was born in Delaware April 16, 1831, and is one of the seven children of Caleb and Prudence (Barker) Barker, both natives of said State and of Irish extraction. Caleb Barker, a farmer, came to this county January 1, 1844, pre-empted forty acres of wild land, erected a round-log cabin, increased his estate to 140 acres, and here died in 1873, aged seventy-two years. Mrs. Prudence Barker died in 1880, aged seventy-five years. Both were faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Isaac H. Barker was reared on the farm, receiving his early education at a schoolhouse three miles distant. He was married, at the age of twenty-three, to Miss Margaret Burk, of Carroll County, Ind., daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Givens) Burk, and born December 31, 1832. There were born to this union nine children - Sarah J. (deceased), Thomas E., Caleb W., John H., Margaret E., Isaac F., Clara C., Oliver M. and Lucy P. In the spring of 1855, Mr. Barker leased a farm in Van Buren Township, on which he lived seven years. He then came to this township and purchased forty acres. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company E, Eighty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, took part in the fights at Chappel Hill, Resaca, Atlanta, Jonesboro and other points. Was with Gen. Sherman on his grand march; was in hospital a year, and was mustered out June 15, 1865. He is now owner of eighty-six acres of good land, well improved. He was Trustee of Van Buren Township, and was Road Supervisor a number of terms. He is an active member of the National party, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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

JOHN F. BORDERS was born in Darke County, Ohio, July 22, 1833, the second of the seven children of Wesley and Sarah W. (Edson) Borders, natives of Virginia and Kentucky respectively. The family came to Miami County, Ind., in 1836, entered land, and remained there twelve years, and then came to this township. In 1862, the father and a portion of the family moved to Kansas, where he is now a leading farmer and stock-raiser, at the age of seventy-five. At the age of twenty-one, John F. Borders began farming on rented land, and so continued until 1861, when he enlisted in Company H, Forty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. At the expiration of one year, he was honorably discharged, when he returned and purchased a piece of land. In the winter of 1864, he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Fifty-first Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war, returning in September, 1865. He then rented a planing mill on Mill Creek, and for three years did a good business. In the spring of 1869, he moved upon his land, and, although he began with nothing, has now a farm of 160 acres, of which seventy-five are well improved. He was married, September 9, 1855, to Miss Nancy, daughter of William and Jane (Kain) Benefield, who came to this county in 1847. Mrs. Borders was one of eleven children, and was born in Delaware County, Ind., in 1837. She has borne her husband ten children - Burlingame, Minerva, Almina, Martha, Frank, Ada, Warren, Walter, Frederick and Charlie. Mr. Borders was elected Township Trustee in 1863, and again in 1882, and has also served as Supervisor and School Director.

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

HENRY BRUCE was born in Union County, Penn., January 7, 1812, one of the eight children of Stephen and Elizabeth Bruce, natives of the same State, and of Scotch and German extraction. The family came to Fulton County, this State, in the fall of 1836, and were the first white settlers of Union Township. Henry Bruce, reared a farmer, was married in January, 1833, to Catharine Rarich, of Union County, Penn. She died in 1834, leaving one son - John. In January, 1835, Mr. Bruce married Catharine Miller, of Lancaster County, Penn. She was born in 1817, and became the mother of ten children, of whom six are now living - George, Frances M., Benival, Fiana, Abbie and Emeline. Mr. Bruce resided in Fulton County but a short time, and then went to Carroll County, where he engaged in hauling lumber; two and a half years later, he came to this township, moved into the Indian tradinghouse, and lived there six years. He ran a breaking-team through the summer season, and hunted in winter for ten consecutive years. In breaking, he used from seven to eleven yoke of oxen, hitched to a 30-inch plow, and received $1.50 to $3.00 per acre, breaking from two to three and three-quarter acres per day. He was a wonderful fisherman, and has caught pike weighing as high as twenty-four and three-quarter pounds. He entered his first land in 1843, and now owns in one body 555 acres, which he occupies as his home farm, besides 115 acres of timber land in Fulton County, and is now worth upward of $23,000.

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

DANIEL BRUCE, a native of Centre County, Penn., was born June 6, 1836, the eldest of the eleven children of Abraham and Sarah A. (Hoch) Bruce, both natives of Pennsylvania, and of Scotch-Irish and German descent. The family came to Fulton County, Ind., in the fall of 1836, locating near what is now known as Bruce’s Lake. There they resided, enduring all the hardships of pioneer life, for several years, when they came to Winamac, where the father worked as a blacksmith for five years, and then went to live on his 80-acre farm, which he had pre-empted in 1836. This he increased to 1,000 acres, 800 of which were in one body. After a long and useful life, he died August 21, 1874; his widow still living on the homestead, aged sixty-six. Daniel Bruce, at the age of twenty-one, with a purse of $50, began life by working the home farm on shares. He was married in October, 1857, to Miss Sarah E., daughter of Aaron and Elizabeth Hiser. She is a native of Fulton County; was born in November, 1839, and has borne her husband nine children, of whom five still live - Naomi E. (wife of William A. Light), Emma Alice, James O., Manoah M. and Cora V. Mr. Bruce located on part of his present farm in 1861. August 11, 1862, he enlisted in Company E, Eighty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry; went into camp at South Bend, and was mustered in at Indianapolis, August 31. He was detailed as teamster; was musteredout at Washington, and discharged at Indianapolis, June 24, 1865. He then resumed his farming, and now owns 460 acres, and is worth at least $15,000. He is a Republican, and both he and wife are prominent members of the Evangelical Church.

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

JACOB A. DEPOY was born in Fayette County, Ohio, July 22, 1829, and is one of the six children born to William and Maria (Purnell) Depoy, both natives of Rockingham County, Va., and of French, German and English extraction. The parents settled in Fayette County in the fall of 1824; in November, 1850, they moved to Howard County, Ind.; in 1860, they came to this county, locating at Star City, and finally came to this township, where they died at the home of our subject in the spring of 1870, aged, respectively, seventy-three and sixty-nine years. Jacob A. Depoy was reared a farmer, but after his majority learned to be a carpenter. He married, December 2, 1852, Miss Cyrena J. Marcum, born in Darke County, Ohio, October 3, 1832, and daughter of Josiah and Rachel (Penny) Marcum, natives of Tennessee and North Carolina. By this marriage there were born to Mr. Depoy ten children, six now living - Amanda J., William S., Harriet E., James L., Frank D. and Harry E. Mr. Depoy followed farming in Howard County until 1860, when he came to Indian Creek Township, this county, purchased eighty acres of land, and lived here two years; then he returned to Howard, where he worked at his trade two years; then came back to this county, sold his land in Indian Creek, and bought ninety-one acres in this township. This land he has highly improved, and has erected a fine, large frame dwelling. He is a Republican, and was Township Trustee in Howard County. He and wife are members of the Christian Church.

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

GEORGE S. DOUGLASS was born in Cass County, Ind., January 23, 1844, and is one of the six children born to Joseph and Susan (Keith) Douglass, natives, respectively, of Ohio and Tennessee. George S. was educated at the common schools; was reared a farmer, and at his majority began on his own account, farming on the homestead as a renter. He was married in December, 1869, to Miss Emma, daughter of Samuel and Charity (Thomson) Horn, and a native of Highland County, Ohio, and born in 1847. Three children have blessed this union - Jessie, Gracie and Joseph. Mr. Douglass came to his present home in this township in 1870, finding very fair buildings and fences, but he has since erected a large frame dwelling, and made other corresponding improvements. His farm comprises 180 acres, which are well improved. He is an active Republican, and in 1878 was elected Township Assessor. Both he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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

DAVID KESSI, a native of Switzerland, was born July 27, 1830. He attended school until sixteen, then worked in a vineyard till 1850, when he emigrated to America, landing in New York May 16, and soon commenced to work in a machine shop in Jersey City, where he remained two years. He then changed to Pickaway County, Ohio, where he learned the carpenter’s trade. He was married February 12, 1857, to Miss Mary A. Zorn, also a native of Switzerland, and born June 11, 1837. To this marriage there were eleven children born, ten now living - Elbert M., Mary ellen, Letta, Zebulon A., Sarah A., Bertha C., Josephine G., George E., Stella M., and Catharine G. In 1874, Mr. Kessi brought his family to Tippecanoe County, this State, where he purchased a small unimproved farm, on which he lived until the spring of 1878, when he sold out and then bought his present place of eighty acres in this township, which is now well planted with a variety of fruit trees. Mr. Kessi still works at his trade, his sons taking charge of the farm. He was elected to the office of Township Trustee in the spring of 1880. He is an upright and energetic business man, and he and wife are members of the Lutheran Church. The parents of Mr. Kessi are named Benedict and Mary; the names of the parents of Mrs. Kessi are Jacob and Anna M. Born.

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