RICHARD H. HOPKINS, one of the well-known and well-to-do farmers of this township, was born in Henderson County, Ky., March 9, 1827, being one of three children , Alfred, Alcha and Richard H., born to Richard and Elizabeth (Ellis) Hopkins. The parents were natives of the Old Dominion, and were married in Kentucky. The father dying in 1829 the mother, together with her children, moved to Warrick County, Ind., in 1830, where she reared her family, and died in 1870, aged seventy-eight years. She belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject, owing to the many inconveniences existing during his boyhood days, has but very limited educational, or other advantages. At ten years he began life's battles on his own responsibility, and until thirty years old was engaged in farming and teaming. August 23, 1860, he wedded Margaret E. Davis, daughter of James and Mary (Elder) Davis, by whom he became the father of five children, all being dead but one, James A., born October 18, 1862. His first wife dying August 3, 1868, he married a widow lady, Ellen M., daughter of James L. and Eleanor (Taylor) Porter, October 15, 1869, and seven children have been born to their union, four now living, viz.: Ollie, Samuetta, Lula and Richard H. Mrs. Hopkins was born March 17, 1842, and by her first husband, Albert M. Largent, had one daughter, Clara E. Mr. Largent died February 10, 1865, in his country's cause, during the late war, at Florence Prison. He was orderly sargeant of Company C, Fifty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Mr. Hopkins is a Republican, and a prosperous farmer, now owning 300 acres of excellent land.

"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Huff Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885


HON. WILSON HUFF. The history of Spencer County, particularily Huff Township, could not be written correctly without more than a mere passing notice of the family for whom the township was named. At an early period in the history of this country, members of this family settled on the eastern shore of Maryland, where they were known as law-abiding and industrious people. John Huff and wife, formerly Elizabeth Doderidge, emigrated West about the year 1784, and while on their way stopped to rest near the present city of Pittsburgh. Mr. Huff, while hunting game, was attacked and killed by the Indians. Mrs. Huff, with her children and other emigrants, continued on down the Ohio River, and settled in Breckenridge County, Ky., where they erected forts to protect them from the Indians. The children of John Huff were Benjamin, Reuben, Jesse, John, Aaron, Aquila, Priscilla and Dorcas. It was in one of the forts above spoken of that Aquila Huff, the old pioneer of this county, was raised from five to twenty-one years of age. He married Mary, daughter of Stephen Rawlins, in 1807, and in 1815 settled in what is now Huff Township, which was named after him. He resided within the county until his death, in 1857, and was an honor and credit to his county and State. To him and wife eight children were born as follows: Henderson, Wilson, John D., William, Rebecca, Abigail, Sallie and Jane. Wilson Huff, the next oldest of these, and the immediate subject of this sketch, was born in Breckenridge County, Ky., February 14, 1812, and in 1815 came to this county with his parents and has since here resided. Notwithstanding his limited educational advantages, he secured a good practical knowledge of books by much private study, and a fair knowledge of surveying. For ten or twelve years he has served Spencer County as surveyor, and to his credit can be said no one has filled the requirements of that office more satisfactorily. In 1844 Elizabeth, daughter of Silas Garrett, became his wife, and by him the mother of eight children: Mary F., John Q., Aquila C., Annetta, Wilson K., Rebecca F., and F.W. Of these only the following are now living: Mary (Mrs. W.H. Protsman), Aquila, Wilson and Ford W. Mr. Huff is a gentleman of an abundance of good practical sense, and although his own education is limited, he has taken great pains and spared no reasonable expense in the schooling of his children. His son Aquila is a graduate of the State University, and the fall of 1885 is to assume charge of the Troy schools. Another son passed two years at the same university as his brother, and is now at Danville. In 1845-46 and 1881 Mr. Huff was elected from Spencer County to the Lower House of the State Legislature, and besides this has filled other positions of honor and trust. In 1871 he was bereft, by death, of his companion and wife. A farmer by occupation, he has made life a financial success. He is one of the few men who have had strength and genius to rise above the ordinary circumstances of life, to acquire knowledge, though opposed by difficulties, to elevate his character above reproach, and to secure for himself integrity and eminent usefulness.

"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Huff Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885


FRANKLIN H. HURST, a native of the township and county in which he yet resides, was born November 26, 1841, and is one of the following named children born to James and Caroline (Hills) Hurst: Samuel L. (deceased), Mary J. (deceased), Franklin H., Martha J. and James R. The parents were married at Newport, Ky., October 21, 1835, and in 1837 settled in Spencer County, Ind. The father was born in Lincolnshire, England, May 8, 1810, and died April 7, 1847. The mother was born in Lower Canada, October 18, 1808, and died September 29, 1884. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Hurst was a member of the Masonic brotherhood, and a carpenter by trade. Franklin H. Hurst remained at home until the Rebellion, and August 2, 1862, enlisted in Company K, Fourth Indiana Cavalry, and was honorably discharged at Nashvile, Tenn., July 3, 1865. He received a severe gun shot wound at Chickamauga. January 7, 1866, he married Mary A. Lutz, daughter of Frederick and Catharine Lutz, and five children have been born to them: Mattie C., Cora A., Laura A., Mary C., and Emma C. The first two were twins and are now dead. The mother was born September 18, 1840. Mr. Hurst is a Republican, is the owner of seventy-five acres of valuable land, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and are worthy and highly esteemed citizens.

"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Huff Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885


JAMES JACKSON is a native Hoosier, his birth occurring in Perry County, August 9, 1844. He is a son of Greenbury and Elizabeth (Spencer) Jackson, who were parents of this family: James, subject of this sketch, Louisa, (Now Mrs. William Cassidy), Mary (Mrs. J.A. Miller), Isaac J. (deceased), Nancy (Mrs. Baxter Hammock), Jarrett, John, Ellen (now Mrs. Samuel B. Basinger), Henry L. and Susan. The father was a native of Kentucky, as was also his wife, and they were married in Perry County, this State. He served his country in the late war as a member of the One Hundred and Forty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and died in 1865, at Indianapolis. Mrs. Jackson died in 1878, and both were of the Roman Catholic faith. James Jackson is of English-Irish and German descent. Receiving a limited education, he was raised by his parents on a farm, and November 20, 1870, united in marriage with Mary Ann, daughter of John and L.E. (Riddle) Cassady. Eight children have been born to their union as follows: John, Isaac, Martin G., William M., Elizabeth M., Henry, Josephine and an infant that died unnamed. The mother was born November 17, 1848. Mr. Jackson began life’s battle with but little or no means, and with only a strong heart and willing hands to depend upon. Until within the past few years he was engaged in various pursuits, but is now a prosperous farmer owning 250 acres of land and other property. He is a Democrat, and he and wife are of the same religious faith as his parents.

"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Huff Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885


BENJAMIN F. JORDAN, a antive of Brown County, Ohio, was born November 12, 1846, being the fourth son in a family of eight children, three yet living, Grant L., George W. and Benjamin F., born to the marriage of B.W. Jordan and Mary Lindsey. These parents were also natives of Brown County, Ohio, where they were married and from whence they removed to Spencer County, Ind., in April, 1849. The father who became prominent in the public affairs of the county, died April 20, 1876, but his widow is yet living, a member of the Christian Church. Benjamin F. is one of the prominent and sucessful farmers of his township. Reared to man’s estate in this county, he secured a fair education in youth, and February 3, 1865, enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Forty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, from which he was honorably discharged September 12, 1865. Miss Nancy J. Jackson, daughter of Milton and Margaret (Harris) Jackson, became his wife October 21, 1869, and six children have cemented their union, viz.: John M. (deceased), Mary M., Clarence N., Tryphena C., Elizabeth H. and Rhoda R. The mother was born April 25, 1847, and is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Jordan is the owner of a well improved farm of 120 acres, is a Democrat and a member of the F. & A.M. fraternity. He has served three terms as assessor of his township, has also represented his township in congressional convention, and for five years was chairman of the Democratic township central committee. In 1882 he was elected justice of the peace, and is now acceptably filling the requirements of that office.

"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Huff Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885


ROBERT E. KENNEDY, ex-trustee of Huff Township, and a prosperous farmer, was born December 10, 1853, in Spencer County, Ind., being the youngest but two, in a family of eight children, born to John and Nancy Kennedy. These parents were natives of Ireland, where they were married, and in 1848 they immigrated to the United States, and for three years resdied at Wheeling, W. Va. They then moved to Spencer County, Ind., where the father is yet living. The mother died in 1856. Robert E. has always made his home in the county of his birth, and by industry has secured a valuable tract of land, comprising 360 acres. He received a good practical education in youth, is a Republican in politics, and in 1882 was elected township trustee, and office he held with credit to himself, and satisfaction to constituents. February 9, 1875, Mary C., daughter of John H. and Clarinda (Stapleton) Huffman became his wife, and by him the mother of five children: Valloria, Nancy E., William H., Eva A. and Louis E. Mrs. Kennedy was born March 27, 1856, and is a member of the Christian Church.

"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Huff Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885


ZACHARIAH KLAHN, a progressive and enterprising citizen of Huff Township, was born June 17, 1836, in Denmark, Europe, and is the third son in a family of ten children, three now living in the United States, born to Henry and Anna (Staker) Klahn, who were natives and residents of Hohenstein, Germany. In 1852 Zachariah Klahn immigrated to the United States, and after landing at New Orleans went to Davenport, Iowa, residing there one year. He then lived at Moline, Ill., five years, one year at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and in 1858 located at Tell City, Ind., where he remained one year. He then moved to New Boston, Huff Township, Spencer Co., Ind., where for twelve years he was engaged in mercantile pursuits, also officiating as postmaster a part of the time. In 1870 he was elected county commissioner, and later re-elected by a majority of 862 votes, being the largest majority ever given a candidate in Spencer County. He served in all six years, and his official record is without blemish. In politics he is a Republican, and as a farmer is a success, now owning 200 acres of good land. May 5, 1863, he wedded Anna Filler, who was born October 20, 1844, daughter of Christopher and Anna Filler. Ten children have been born to them, these yet living: Charles W., Zachariah L., Pauline, Alvina, Emma, Louisa and Amelia. Mr. and Mrs. Klahn belong to the German Lutheran Church.

"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Huff Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885


TRUSTEN LAMAR, farmer, P.O., Santa Claus, was born in Spencer County, Ind., February 16, 1832, and is a son of John and Elizabeth Lamar, who were among the oldest and best known pioneers of Spencer County. Until manhood, Trusten made his home with his widowed mother, and during youth received a limited education. For a helpmate through life he selected an estimable lady, who died after bearing five children, these four yet living: Clarinda, Cordelia, Qunicy and George T. January 20, 1868, he married Mrs. Sarah Cannier, who was born February 28, 1842, and by her is the father of seven children, six yet living, named Ulysses S., Eliza E., Millie, Ferd F., Lola J. and Robert A. By her first husband, Mrs. Lamar became the mother of three children, two now living, named John K. and Henry R. Mr. Lamar is the possessor of a good farm of 120 acres, is a Republican in politics, and has served as constable of his township. He is an unassuming, unpretentious citizen, and is regarded with respect and esteem by his surrounding neighbors.

"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Huff Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885


FREDERICK MUELLER, a prominent German resident of Huff Township and merchant at Maxville, was born March 30, 1826, in Prussia. He is the eldest son in a a family of eight children born to Gotlieb G. and Louisa (Brier) Mueller, who were born, raised, married and died in Germany. Frederick Mueller is the only one of his father’s family who immigrated to the United States. At seventeen years of age he left home, and shipping as sailor on board a merchant vessel, was for eight years engaged in that capacity, during which time he traveled all over the civilized world, seeing many strange and wonderful sights. He passed eight years teaming and in the gold fields of Australia, where he accummulated considerable of this world’s goods. In 1857 he left South Australia for the United States via Liverpool, landing at New York city, August 6, 1857. After visiting at Chicago and Indianapolis he returned to New York State, and from there moved to Spencer County, Ind., where for seven years he was engaged in farming. In 1864 he began hotel keeping at Troy, Ind., which he continued unitl his property was destroyed by fire in 1869. In December, 1871, he moved to his present home, and began merchandising. In 1875 he began farming, but four years later he again embarked in mercantile pursuits at Maxville, where he has since continued the business. He is the principal store of the place, and he is doing a good business. Mr. Mueller is a Democrat, and Lutheran in religious belief. He was married November 7, 1857, to Miss P. Lenguage, who was born August 1, 1840, daughter of Jacob and Margaret (Maltaher) Lenguage. These children have been born to them: Jacob G., John F., Michael P., Henry G., Louisa T., Matilda C., Philomena M., Francis B.M. and Frederick W.J. All are living but the first and fourth named. Mrs. Mueller and family are Catholics.

"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Huff Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885


C.C. PURCELL, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in the township and county where he now resides March 4, 1842, being the youngest of four children, who lived to years of maturity, born to Augustus and Susan (Blocher) Purcell, who were natives of Kentucky and Pennsylvania, respectively. These parents were married in this county, where the father died January 10, 1860, and where the mother is yet living, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Christopher C. Purcell, subject of this notice, was reared on his parent’s farm to years of discretion, during which time he received a liberal education. He enlisted August 15, 1862, in Company K, Eighty-first Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served his country faithfully until the close of the war, being honorably discharged in June, 1865. Returning to this native township he again resumed farming, at which he has since continued with fair success, now owning 160 acres of fertile land. In politics he is a Republican, and is one of Huff Township’s best citizens. He was married April 12, 1868, to Katie, the daughter of Joseph and Catharine (Bayless) Dentinger, and by her is the father of one daughter, Lola Estelle, born March 11, 1870. Mrs. Purcell was born June 19, 1842. Mr. and Mrs. Purcell are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Huff Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885


HENRY RACINE, an enterprising and prosperous farmer of Huff Township, was born in Spencer County, Ind., August 15, 1845, being the only son in a family of three children - Louisa, Henry and Margaret - born to Henry F.W. and Magdalin (Bower) Racine, who were natives of Holland and Germany, respectively. These parents were married in Spencer County, Ind., where the father died in 1847, aged thirty-five years. His widow yet survives him. Henry Racine, subject of this sketch, was raised by his mother in this county. April 29, 1869, he united in marriage with Margaret, daughter of John and Caroline (Slicht) Lottes, by whom he is the father of seven children: Magdalina, George W., Anna M.B., John F., Anna C., John W. and Amelia. The mother was born January 13, 1847. Mr. Racine represents a self-made man, as he began life poor and with but little means at this command. He now has a happy home and a farm of 162 acres, is a Democrat in politics, and he and wife are members of the German Lutheran Church. Mr. Racine is the trustee of Huff Township, having been elected by his party in 1884 by a majority of sixty-one votes.

"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Huff Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885


JACOB V. RUST, a prominent citizen and farmer of Huff Township, was born in the county of which he is yet a resident, May 4, 1856, and is a son of Vincent and Rebecca (Huff) Rust, who were natives of Kentucky and Indiana respectively. These parents were married in Spencer County, Ind., and resided many years in this township, where they both died. Jacob V. Rust was raised to manhood on his parents’ land, and after their deaths, which occurred while he was yet in his teens, he still continued on the old homestead where he is now located. He secured a good practical education in youth, and November 16, 1879, united in marriage with Flora I., daughter of Thomas J. and Mary W. Cutler, by whom he is the father of three children, these two, Rena and Millie, yet living. Mrs. Rust was born April 3, 1860, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Rust is a Republican in politics, a successful farmer, now owning 240 acres of valuable land, and he and wife are descended from among the oldest and most honorable families of Spencer County. The children born to Vincent and Rebecca (Huff) Rust were Sarah H. (who married C.C. Butler), and Jacob V. and Wilson D., twins.

"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Huff Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885


FREDERICK SEIM, born November 2, 1829, in Rensselaer County, N.Y., is the eldest of two children, Frederick and William, deceased, born to John and Walburga (Fehr) Seim, who were natives respectively of Hesse Darmstadt and Baden, Germany. They were married in New York, in 1827, and ten years later started for Evansville, Ind., expecting to make that their future home. Embarking at Cincinnati on board the steamer “Moselle” the continued on their journey as far as Columbia, when the boat’s boiler exploded, killing many of the passengers among them being John Seim and his youngest son William. Their remains were recovered near Madison, Ind., and were given proper burial. Mrs. Seim and the subject of this sketch were rescued by parties in a skiff after narrowly escaping death. They returned to Cincinnati, where Frederick was reared to manhood. After serving a four years’ apprenticeship in the furniture factory of Smith & Hawley he was amde foreman, and continued in that capacity until 1857, when he moved with his family to Huff Township, Spencer Co., Ind., where he has since resided, engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is the owner of 180 acres of good land, and although a Republican in politics was an advocate of the election of Cleveland and Hendricks. Mr. Seim was married February 19, 1854, to Miss Elizabeth Eiden, who was born in Germany November 22, 1834, a daughter of Henry and Catharine (Kiebel) Eiden. Nine children have been born to their union as follows: Anna E. (Mrs. Charles Reif), Charles F., Mary L., Amelia (Mrs. M.P. Greathouse), Susan, John B., Henry M., Ferdinand and Charles W., deceased.

"History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties, Indiana - Huff Township" by Goodspeed Bros. & Co. - published in 1885


J.D. McKim whose farm is located on Section 5 in Union township, is one of the early settlers of Appanoose County and was the first teacher of his township. From that time to the present he has been active in support of material, social, intellectual and moral interests calculated to benefit the community, and his locality classes him with its best citizens. He was born in Spencer County, Indiana March 11, 1827, and on one side comes form Scotch ancestry and on the other of Scotch-Irish. His father, Robert McKim was born in Kentucky in July 1798, and was reared in that state and in Indiana. He became a hunter and largely devoted his time to the hunting of wild animals with the Indians. When a young man he had served in some of the Indian wars and the war of 1812. He was married in Kentucky to Elizabeth Tate, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Samuel Tate, who also rendered his country by aiding in protecting the frontier settlements against Indian attacks. To Mr. and Mrs. Robert McKim were born twelve children of whom five reached years of maturity, while three are still living, those being: Alfred, of Missouri; Sarah, who is living in the same state; and John D., of this review. The mother died in Spencer County, Indiana, and the father after-war married Nancy Lamar, by whom he had three children, but all are now deceased. His death occurred in Spencer County, February 23, 1862. Both he and his wife were members of the Baptist Church, and he was a Republican in his political views.

John D. McKim was reared upon the home farm in Spencer County and is indebted to the public schools of that locality for the educational privileges he enjoyed. When he deceased to be a student he became a teacher and followed that profession for several terms. In his native county he married Rebecca Lamar, who was a native of Spencer county, Indiana, born April 2, 1831, her parents being Elisha and Nancy Wollen Lamar, natives of Kentucky, the former died in Indiana in middle life, and his children were Mrs. McKim, Elijah, now deceased; Mathias, who was a soldier of the Thirty sixth Iowa Infantry in the war of the Rebellion and is now deceased; Hannah, who has also passed away; and Trusten, who was a soldier of the twenty-first Missouri Infantry and is now living in Oklahoma.

In the year 1851 Mr. McKim left his old home in Indiana and came to Appanoose county, Iowa, settling in Union township, where he has since resided. He has lived upon his present farm for eighteen years and has here a tract of sixty-one acres of good land, on which he has a comfortable home a substantial barn and a fine bearing orchard. His fields, too, are well cultivated and his labors annually bring to him a comfortable living. The home of Mr. and Mrs. McKim has been blessed with ten children: Alfred, of Ringgold county, Iowa; J.R. (Riley), of Nebraska; James R., deceased; Elijah of Marion, who has also passed away; Mathias Woolen, of Moravia; Lewis Cass, of this county; Mrs. Martha Josephine Sapp, deceased; Mrs. Sarah E. Stocker, of Union township; Frank Leslie, of Des Moines, Iowa and one that died in infancy.

Mr. McKim's military service began on the 7th of November, 1862, at which time he joined the boys in blue of Company B, Seventh Iowa Cavalry, serving until the close of the war. He was under command of Captain John Wilcox and Colonel Sumner and the regiment did duty in Nebraska and the west against the hostile Indians, being stationed at different times at Fort Riley, at Fort Kearney, at O'Fallon's and Julesburg, Colorado, and at other points upon the frontier. They did much effective service for the government in suppressing the uprising of the Indians. Mr. McKim had his toes and lower limbs frozen and has suffered much since that time on account of this. He has always voted Republican party and has served on the school board and he was the first teacher of Union township and was followed by Thomas Underwood, our subject examining him and giving him his certificate. The cause of education has ever found in Mr. McKim a warm friend, and on the school board he did everything in his power to advance educational interest here. He belongs to the Christian church, his wife to the United Brethren church, and both are people of genuine worth. His word is as good as his bond, his integrity standing as an unquestioned fact in his career. He was still living at the time of this article and was liked and respected by the community.

BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL HISTORY OF APPANOOSE AND MONROE COUNTIES, IOWA Complied by S. Thompson Lewis, Lewis Publishing Company, 1903, p.58 John D. McKim
Submitted by Kim Wright


Deb Murray