John N. Walton, dealer in boots and shoes, Liberty, was born in the town of Wallingford, New Haven County, Conn. May 6, 1821. His paternal ancestors came from England to America in early colonial times, some of them serving in the Indian wars and in the war of the Revolution. Thomas Walton, our subject’s father, was a native of Connecticut, and when a boy took up the life of a seaman, a business he followed many years, at last becoming Captain of a merchantman that made regular trips between the United States and the East and West Indies. In 1821, at the earnest solicitation of his wife and family, he quit the seas and the year following came to Ohio, locating near the town of Oxford on a farm. To him and wife (whose maiden name was Charlotte Neff) was born a family of five sons and five daughters, seven of whom were born in the same State as the parents. In 1828, Mr. Walton, while on a visit to the East, went on a vessel in New York Harbor to visit an old friend, a sea-faring man, and while there the vessel blew up and Mr. Walton and his friend, with others, were killed. His wife survived him three years, when she also passed to her reward. John N. Walton resided upon a farm till fourteen years of age, receiving but a limited education. He then served an apprenticeship of three years at the shoe-maker’s trade, after which, for some time, he worked as a journeyman, a portion of this time being spent in the town in which he now resides. In 1841, he located permanently in Liberty, which he has since made his home, and where he has successfully followed his trade. He was united in marriage with Miss Ann Dormire December 26, 1841. She was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1824. By this union there were ten children, viz., Richard T., Charlotte J., Theodore H., John N., Carleton D., Susan E., Cora A., Gertrude M., Henry H. and Charles. Of these children seven are yet living. Richard T. and Theodore H. served their country in the late war. Richard T. served three years in company I, Fifteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and then enlisted in Company C, Thirty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, serving until the close of the war. Theodore H. was a member of Company D, Ninth Indiana Volunteer Cavalry, serving nearly two years. He was severely wounded in the right hip near Franklin, Tenn. Both these sons were good soldiers, serving their country faithfully in the hour of peril, and are highly spoken of by their comrades in arms. Mrs. Walton departed this life April 8, 1874. April 4, 1875, Mr. Walton was united in marriage with Mrs. Lavina Durham, a native of Indianapolis, Ind., where she was born in 1835. Mr. Walton began life a poor boy, and is in the fullest sense of the term a self-made man. He is a Republican, a member of the Presbyterian Church and of the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders. He interests himself in all things for the public good, and is one of Liberty’s best and most useful citizens.

Submitted by: Jeanie
Atlas of Union County Indiana.
J. H. Beers & Co. Chicago. 1884.
Page 73.


George W. Ward, farmer, P. O. Liberty, was born in the county in which he now resides, October 11, 1830. His grandparents, Stephen and Mary (Genung) Ward, were natives of New Jersey, where Mr. Ward worked at nail-making. In 1793, he started with his family for the West, coming over the mountains with an ox team as far as Pittsburgh, where they took a flat-boat and came down the Ohio River to Cincinnati, which at that time was a small village. The family located near where Madisonville now is in Hamilton County, Ohio, where they remained until 1820, when they came to Union County, Ind., and purchased a farm two miles southeast of the town of Liberty, where they passed the remained of their days. They had a family of four children, viz., Silas, Saloma, David and Mary. Silas married Mary Bowers. Saloma married John G. Leonard, and both reared families in this county. David, who was born while the family resided in Hamilton County, came with his parents to this county, and was married to Miss Eleanor Lafuze, and to them was born a family of eleven children, George W. (our subject) being one of them. David was a wagon-maker and blacksmith. He made many of the plows used by the early settlers, who speak highly of them. He remained a resident of Union County until 1854, when he moved to Boone County Ind., where he has since resided. George W. Ward, was brought up on the farm, and from early boyhood, was accustomed to hard work. He received his education in the common schools of that day, and besides working on the farm, he worked some time at blacksmithing. Soon after reaching his majority, he began for himself by farming land on shares. He worked hard, and carefully saved his earnings until he had saved enough to purchase forty-seven acres of land. This he has since added to until he now owns 184 acres, which are well improved and nicely located in Center Township. He was united in marriage with Miss Nora Heavenridge February 24, 1853. She was a native of Union County, and was born August 18, 1833. By this union there were six children, viz., Samuel P., George E., Lucy M., Laura E., Eliza M. and Mary J. Mrs. Ward died January 8, 1868. Mr. Ward then married Miss Martha J. McCreary October 7, 1869. This lady was also a native of Union County, and was born January 27, 1843. The fruits of the second were five children, viz., Roscoe M., Alpha L. Bessie C., Grace and David. Mr. Ward began life a poor boy, and is in the fullest sense of the word a self-made man. He has always voted with the Whig and Republican parties, and is one of the leading and influential men of Union County. He was elected Commissioner of Union County in the fall of 1878, and three years later was re-elected. He has held other positions of honor and trust, and has ever been found efficient and trustworthy. He is watchful of the interests confided to his care, and is the friend and advocate of every measure that looks to building-up of the country or benefiting his fellow man. He is a member of the Masonic order, and a leader in the political party of which he is a member. He is unassuming in his manners, and observes a degree of affability and courtesy in his intercourse with his neighbors that proclaims him a gentleman, both by nature and inclination.

Submitted by: Jeanie
Atlas of Union County Indiana.
J. H. Beers & Co. Chicago. 1884.
Page 73.


J. M. Watson, farmer, P. O. Billingsville, was born in Union Township, this county, April 18, 1845. William B. Watson, his father, was a native of Bourbon County, Ky., and his mother, Charlotte Flint, of Franklin County, Ind. They were married in Franklin County, where they resided some years, and then moved to the southern part of Missouri, where, in 1863, Mr. Watson died. On first coming to this county, which was in 1840, Mr. Watson kept a store in Billingsville, seven years. Since her husband’s death, Mrs. Watson has resided in Union County. When about nine years of age, our subject went to live with his mother’s parents, with whom he remained, working on the farm, until 1862, when he enlisted in Company I, Fifty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. After eight month’s service, he was discharged on account of physical disability, and returned home. After some time, he entered the employ of Benjamin Dubois, as farm hand, and continued in his employ until 1870, when he purchased his employer’s farm of 135 acres. He was united in marriage with Miss Susan Albert September 30, 1871. They have one child – Arthur M. Mr. Watson has made most of the property he now owns. In politics, he is a Democrat, although conservative in his views, voting for men and measures and not for party. He is a useful and respected and enterprising citizen.

Submitted by: Jeanie
Atlas of Union County Indiana.
J. H. Beers & Co. Chicago. 1884.
Page 73.


John West, farmer, P. O. Liberty, was born in this township and county June 3, 1832. He is a son of Lawrence and Elizabeth (Nickels) West. Lawrence West, a native of New Jersey, came at seven years of age, with his parents to where Cincinnati now is, remaining there about a year, and then removing to near the present site of Roseburg, since when he has resided in this county. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Nickels, whose parents were among the first settlers of this county. He was a farmer and stock-raiser, but in early manhood he for some years followed teaming to Cincinnati. He was a hard-working man, and a very useful and influential citizen. He died in 1852. His widow still survives him. Our subject was raised on the farm, and enjoyed the limited advantages of a common school education, remaining at home four years after his father’s death. He was married September 12, 1854, to Miss Miron Laird, who was born in this township May 2, 1836. To this union were born two sons, Lawrence P. and Hezekiah H. With the exception of four years residence in Hancock County, he has lived in this county all his life. Mr. West is a Democrat in politics. He has made the most he has by hard work, owning now 160 acres, besides giving land to both of his sons. He helped to build the Connersville & Liberty Short Line Pike, and was its first President, besides which he has contributed liberally to other enterprises. He is a gentleman of high social standing and a useful citizen to the county. He stands as one of the foremost men of Union County.

Submitted by: Jeanie
Atlas of Union County Indiana.
J. H. Beers & Co. Chicago. 1884.
Page 73.


Oswald H. Williams, farmer, P. O. Liberty, was born in Union County September 6, 1829. His paternal grandfather, George Williams, came to this county previous to the State’s admission into the Union. He entered land, part of which is now in the corporate limits of the town of Liberty. He was very prominent in the development of the country, and suffered many hardships and privations. He had a large family of sons and daughters, one of whom was John, the father of our subject, who married Miss Mary McCoy, a daughter of one of the early settlers of Harmony Township, this county, and by whom he had a family of five children. They were honorable, hard-working people, and had the respect of all who knew them. Our subject was raised on a farm, and received a common school education. He began life as a shoe-maker in Liberty. He worked about twelve years at his trade in Liberty, Richmond, Cincinnati and other points. He then began farming. He soon after bought a small farm in Jackson County, Ind., where he lived three years. He then came to this county, where he has lived ever since. By his skill and industry, he has amassed quite a snug little property, consisting of 231 acres in this county, and eighty acres in Newton County, Ind. Mr. Williams married Susanna B. Davis December 19, 1855. She was born in Union County, Ind., April 12, 1840. By this union there were born two daughters, Minerva M., who married Moses Remington, and Mary A., who married James A. Jones. Mr. Williams was a conscientious Democrat until the war, since when he has been an earnest, consistent Republican. He has always been regarded by all who know him as a good man and a useful citizen. He is foremost in all educational matters and affairs of public enterprise.

Submitted by: Jeanie
Atlas of Union County Indiana.
J. H. Beers & Co. Chicago. 1884.
Page 73.


John B. Wilson, farmer, P. O. Brownsville, was born in Liberty Township, Union County, Ind., July 11, 1842, and is a son of Hezekiah and Eliza (Thompson) Wilson, who were among the early settlers of Union County. The father was a native of Ohio, and the mother of the Emerald Isle. They reared a large family, and endured many hardships and privations during their first residence in the county. They are both living near the town of Liberty, and all who know them speak in the highest terms of them. John B. was brought up on a farm, receiving his education in the common schools of that day. He was united in marriage with Miss Alice McIntosh February 16, 1873. This lady was born in Rush County, Ind., August 2, 1855. By this union there are three children, viz., Bessie M., James McI. and Levi P. Mr. Wilson has made what he now possesses by hard work and close attention to business. He owns 100 acres of nicely improved land. He is a Democrat in politics, but desires to see competent and honest men in office, and often votes for men and measures without regard to politics. He is a practical farmer and stock-raiser, and one of the prominent and well-known young men of Union County.

Submitted by: Jeanie
Atlas of Union County Indiana.
J. H. Beers & Co. Chicago. 1884.
Page 73.


The Witt Family. This was one of the pioneer families of this section of the country, and several of its members figured in the public affairs of the county. The parents of John F. Witt emigrated from North Carolina and settled on Silver Creek, about the year 1816, prior to the organization of Union County. John F. was here born, December 25, 1818, and on the 22nd of October, 1838, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Boroughs, and to them were born seven children, three sons and four daughters. She was a daughter of Bartley Boroughs, and was born in Ohio in 1819, but reared in Union County, Ind. Her parents were Virginians. Mr. Witt was a member of the Christian Church from 1841 to 1876, then united with the Methodist Episcopal Church. He became an Odd Fellow in 1868. During the years 1870, 1871 and 1872, he served as County Commissioner. His first wife died in 1864, and he subsequently was marred to Mary E. Dawson, daughter of Russell Dawson. Mr. Witt’s death occurred August 17, 1877, and in the obituary notice it was said that he was a good neighbor, affectionate husband and kind father, and was honest in all his business transactions. R. B. Witt, a son of John F., was born in Harrison Township, this county, August 15, 1839. He remained on the home farm until twenty-two years of age, when on the 4th of December, 1862, he was married to Mary J. Farlow, daughter of William and Martha Farlow, and to them were born three children – Icedora, Lizzie and Howard. The mother died November 26, 1866, in Illinois, where they had only resided a short time. Soon thereafter, Mr. Witt returned to this State and county, where he has since resided and been occupied as a farmer. On the 4th of March, 1869, Mr. Witt was married to Sarah E. Nutter, a daughter of Benjamin and Amy (Sullivan) Nutter, born in Union County, Ind., December 15, 1844. Her parents were natives, the former of North Carolina, and the latter of Tennessee. By the last union two children have been born, namely, John B. and Grace. Mr. Witt has served the people of his county as a Justice of the Peace, and in the fall of 1878, he was chosen by them as County Commissioner, and was re-elected to that office in the fall of 1882. He is an efficient officer and a popular gentleman. He is a member of the Masonic order, and both himself and wife belong to the Christian Church in Harrison Township. He possesses a good farm of some 200 acres of well-improved land in Harrison Township. Wellington C. Witt, a brother to R. B., was born in Harrison Township, on the farm of his father, February 10, 1851. He was educated in the district schools of the neighborhood, and in the public schools of Liberty. In February, 1872, he was married to Emma Beck, daughter of John W. and Lavina (Lafuze) Beck, the former being a native of the State of North Carolina, and the latter of Union County, Ind. The Becks were early settlers in this county, also the Lafuzes, an account of whom appears elsewhere in this work. To Wellington C. Witt and wife have been born Frank and Ethel J. Mr. Witt is one of the stirring young farmers of the county.

Submitted by: Jeanie
Atlas of Union County Indiana.
J. H. Beers & Co. Chicago. 1884.
Page 73.


Martin Witter (deceased). Christopher Witter, grandfather of Martin, was a native of Lancaster County, Penn., where he was born in the year 1760. The records show that the second body of land entry in what is now Center Township was made by this gentleman June 25, 1806. In September of the same year, he, with family, settled upon this land, which lay along Four Mile Creek. The family were members of the German Baptist Church, and were among the first of that persuasion to locate in this region. One of the sons of Christopher, George by name, and father of Martin, was born in Franklin County, Penn., September 4, 1796, and with his parents emigrated to Union County, Ind., in the fall of 1806. On the 25th of January, 1819, he married Fannie Kingery, a daughter of Martin and Polly (Webb) Kingery, who, in about the year 1804, emigrated from Virginia to Greene County, Ohio, and from thence to Union County, Ind., about 1820. Fannie was born in Virginia July 8, 1802. The following-named children were born to George Witter and wife: Martin, Sarah, John, Lucy, Daniel, Baltzer, Samuel, Henry, Mary, Abraham, Maria. Our subject, the oldest, was born in Union County, Ind., on the farm adjoining the one upon which he died, January 23, 1821. He was married to Lydia Eikenberry, who was born in this county and State, on what is now the Henry Witter farm, November 29, 1825. Her parents were Henry and Elizabeth (Kingery) Eikenberry, natives of Franklin County, Va., where Henry was born August 1, 1792,and Elizabeth May 12, 1795. The Kingerys were early settlers on Bear Creek, in what is now Montgomery County, Ohio, and the Eikenberrys on Twin Creek, Preble County, Ohio. Henry died December 27, 1870, and his widow is still living and resides with her daughter, the widow of our subject. George Witter, the father of Martin, died August 26, 1849, and his widow now resides with her son, John Witter. To Martin Witter and wife have been born the following-named children: Lizzie, George, Abraham, Henry E., Peter, Martin, Mary J., Sarah E., Francis, Joseph, Emma, Rose, John E. and Maggie A., nine of whom are living. Our subject departed this life March 20, 1883, greatly beloved and highly esteemed by the people of the county with whom his entire life had been spent. For a quarter of a century, himself and wife had been members of the German Baptist Church, known as Four Mile Church. In politics, Mr. Witter was a Republican, and while he entertained no aspirations for office, he was considerably interested in the politics of the country, and was a close reader of the press. He held a strong hold upon the affections of his family, relatives and friends, and his exemplary life and Christian character were such as to endear him to all with whom he came in contact. His funeral took place from the Presbyterian Church at Liberty, where religious services were conducted by Revs. Cary, Toney and Alfred Moore of the German Baptist Church.

Submitted by: Jeanie
Atlas of Union County Indiana.
J. H. Beers & Co. Chicago. 1884.
Page 73.


Smith Wooters, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Billingsville, was born in Bath Township, Franklin County, Ind., December 25, 1822. He is a son of Richard and Martha (Dubois) Wooters, the former a native of Maryland, and the latter of New Jersey. When a young man, Mr. Wooters came to Ohio, and was married in Lebanon, that State, soon after which the war of 1812 broke out, and he enlisted and served with Gen. Harrison in the Northwest. During this time, his young wife had gone to Union County, Ind., to stay with her relations, and here, after the war, Mr. Wooters came and remained several years, when he purchased a farm in Bath Township, Franklin County. After some years, they returned to this county, where they passed the remainder of their days. On first coming to Ohio, Mr. Wooters followed teaming between Lebanon and Cincinnati for some time, his employer being an uncle of the celebrated Thomas Corwin, who was also at work at that time for his uncle in the same capacity as Mr. Wooters. In Mr. Wooters’ family were seven children, all of whom were born in Indiana. He was a hard working man, and had the respect and confidence of all who knew him. He died in 1843, and his wife in 1851. Mrs. Wooters’ brothers Jacob, William, Isaac and Alexander Dubois and two sisters came to Indiana in 1806, and settled in Harmony Township. All are now dead, but many of their descendants are now residing in Union County, and are among its most worthy and respected citizens. Smith Wooters was brought up on a farm, receiving but a limited education. He was united in marriage, with Miss Eliza Hughes, October 21, 1841. This lady was born in Loudoun County, Va., February 13, 1821. By this union there were four children, viz.: Indiana M., Missouri, Virginia and Elisha. Mr. Wooters, when married, had little or no property. He was frugal and industrious, and after owning several small tracts of land, in 1855 purchased the farm he now owns, which at present consists of 121 acres, well improved. He has owned much more, but has given liberally to his children. In 1847, he purchased a short-horn cow of high grade, and from that time until the present has steadily increased this business, until he now owns quite a herd of this fine breed, all of which are registered in the American Herd Book. He also raises Berkshire hogs and Cotswold and Shropshire sheep. He is a Republican, a member of the Christian Church, and has held positions of honor and trust in the township in which he resides.

Submitted by: Jeanie
Atlas of Union County Indiana.
J. H. Beers & Co. Chicago. 1884.
Page 73.


George W. Ward - This well known farmer of Center Township, Union County, Indiana, was born on a farm adjoining the one he now owns and occupies, Oct. 11, 1830, his parents being David G. and Eleanor (La Fuze) Ward. Mrs. Ward was a daughter of Samuel La Fuze. David G. Ward was born at Madisonville, Ohio, a son of New Jersey parents, Stephen and Mary (Gunung) Ward, who came from their eastern home to the Western Reserve in early life and in 1815 moved over into Indiana, settling on the farm on which the subject of this sketch was born. Here they spent the closing years of their lives and died, each reaching a ripe old age, he being ninety-two at the time of death and she eighty eight. They had two sons and one daughter, namely: Silas, who spent the whole of his life on the home farm, and who died at the advanced age of ninety-two years; David F., the father of the subject of this sketch; and Laomi, who was the wife of John G. Leonard, of Union County.

David G. Ward lived in Union county until 1852, when he moved to Madison County. Later he took up his abode in Montgomery County and still later he moved to Thorntown, this state, where he still lives, at this writing being in his ninety-second year. In his active life he was a farmer, merchant and miller. He was in the dry-goods business in Liberty, Indiana, in 1837, afterward erected a mill on Hanna’s creek, which he operated for a time, and from milling returned to farming. He had twelve children, of whom six are still living, George Washington, the subject of this sketch, being the only one now living in Union County.

George Washington Ward in his youth learned the blacksmith trade, but never followed it as a business. In 1855 he went to Montgomery county, Indiana, where he lived two years, after which he came to his present farm in Center township, Union county. He purchased the greater part of this farm, one hundred and eighty-five acres, in 1872, and three years later, in 1875, built his present residence. He has carried on general farming, raising grain and stock and giving special attention to fine hogs, exhibiting his thoroughbred stock at the local fairs.

Mr. Ward is a public-spirited man and has always been active in promoting the general welfare of the people of his county. He served six years as county commissioner, having been first elected in 1876. His political faith is that of the Republican party, and frequently he has served his party as delegate to conventions. For years he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Liberty and is a trustee of the same.

Mr. Ward was married February 14, 1852, to Miss Eleanora Heavenridge, of Union county, who died in 1868. October 7, 1869, he married Miss Martha J. McCreary, of Union county, daughter of John and Mary (Williams) McCreary, both now deceased. The children of his first wife are Samuel, of Liberty, Indiana; George, of Union county; Lucy and Laura, twins, the latter the wife of David Girt, of Mount Comfort, Indiana; the former, wife of Frank Hamilton, died in Missouri; Addie, unmarried, lives with an uncle in Boone county, Indiana; Mollie, wife of Samuel Flanningan, resides in Montgomery county, Indiana. The children of his second marriage are Retta, wife of Bert Shriner, of Liberty, Indiana; and Bessie, Grace and David, at home.

Mr. Ward is a member in good standing of the Masonic order, with which he has been identified for a period of thirty years.

Of Mrs. Ward's father, John McCreary, we record that he was born, reared, and married in Warren County, Ohio. In 1833 he removed with his family to Indiana, settling in Union County on a farm that is now owned by Mr. Ward. On this farm they both lived until old age, and both died in Center Township, he at the age of eighty-three years and she at eighty. In their family were five children, viz.: Almira, widow of Samuel Borden, of Campbell County, Kentucky; Mary, wife of Charles Paddock, died in 1895; Cynthia Ann, wife of Samuel Duvall, is a resident of Liberty, Indiana; Martha, wife of the subject of this sketch; and Sarah, wife of Alexander Beard, Center township, Union county, Indiana..

Submitted by: Jeanie
Biographical and Genealogical History of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin Counties, Indiana. Chicago. The Lewis Publishing Company. 1899.
Pages 333 – 335.


Rev. Charles R. Paddack – The History of Nantucket says: “Finding that the people of Cape Cod had made greater proficiency in the art of whale-catching than themselves, the inhabitants, in 1690, sent thither and employed a man named Ichabod Paddack, to instruct them in the best manner of killing whales and extracting their oil.” Thus commenced the Nantucket history of this family. We can not trace the lines from Charles R. Paddack to Ichabod. The great-grandfather of Charles, however, was Benjamin Paddack, of whom little is known. Joseph Paddack, son of Benjamin, was born in Nantucket about 1757, and died in his ninety-second year, in Center township, Union county, Indiana. He was engaged in fisheries at Nantucket and somewhat in whaling. He married Amy Folger and they had these children, possibly others: Mary (Mrs. Joseph Whippey); Hepzibah, who was three times married, the last union being with one Webb; Phebe, twice married, the last husband being Charles Mitchell; Tristram, father of Charles R.; Eliza died single; Joseph, captain of a whaler for many years, became wealthy and lived and died at Newport, Rhode Island; Alice became the wife of Charles G. Swain, who was a local Methodist preacher, cashier of two prominent banks in Dayton, Ohio, and judge of probate; Reuben was the youngest child. Tristram and Reuben early settled in Union county, Indiana, and passed the most of their lives there, Reuben, however, removing to Henry county and dying there, after a few years’ residence, at an advanced age.

The war of 1812 reduced the people of Nantucket almost to destitution, and many families left the island for the fertile Ohio Valley. Of this number was Joseph Paddack and family, who made their home in Cincinnati. Staying there but a few years, Mr. Paddack came to Union county, Indiana, which remained his home until his death in his ninety-second year; he survived his wife a number of years. Both were lifelong members of the Society of Friends. Tristram Paddack, born in Nantucket, July 7, 1793, followed the fortunes of his father’s family until his marriage, in Cincinnati, June 16, 1816, to Charlotte, daughter of Captain John Palmer, who was a son of Lord Palmer, of England. Commanding a British war vessel, he was defeated by an American ship, left the service and settled in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where Mrs. Paddack was born, March 4, 1797. Her father emigrated to Chenango county, New York, lived there for a time, then in one of the western counties of the state, and from there removed to Cincinnati, where Mrs. Paddack became acquainted with her future husband. The young couple commenced housekeeping in Cincinnati, where Mr. Paddack for some time operated an “ox” sawmill. Captain Palmer and Mr. Paddack soon, however, purchased a gristmill property at Jeffersonville, Indiana, but on account of a flaw in the deed they lost the money invested, and Mr. Paddack returned to Union county, where he purchased the Caleb Wickersham farm, in Center township, where his children, Charles and Ellen, now reside. Mr. Paddack was a birthright Friend, but on his marriage to a Methodist he was disowned by the Quakers. He did not unite with any other sect, but lived by himself in accordance with the high standard of morality and purity inculcated by the Friends and was well known for his blameless life. He was once elected justice of the peace, but paid his fine rather than serve. From the time of its purchase until his death, November 4, 1870, in his eighty-fourth year, he resided on his farm, and now lies peacefully at rest in the Friends’ burying ground at Salem. His wife survived him nineteen years, dying in 1889, and was buried at the side of her husband. She was converted in early life and was for over seventy-five years a valued member of the Methodist church. To illustrate her sterling character we will state that after losing the mill property at Jeffersonville, her father removed to Arkansas, and became very wealthy and an extensive slave-owner. From her opposition to slavery she could not consent to be enriched by its profits, and in consequence received but a small part of her portion of her father’s estate. To this worthy couple were born these children: The three eldest, Lydia, George and John, died in infancy; George (2d), Mary, Phebe H. and Joanna (Mrs. Samuel L. Royalty) all are now dead. Joseph H. lives near the old home in Center township; Sarah M. married first, Job Harris, an elder in the Friends Society; secondly, Elisha Bracey, and lives in Randolph county; Ellen resides on the homestead farm; and Charles R. and Benjamin F. are now residents of Randolph county.

Charles Rollin Paddack was born on the Center township homestead, in Union county, October 22, 1839. His early life was passed on the farm, assisting in the many duties connected therewith, and his first educational acquisitions were obtained by diligent study at the fireside of the old-fashioned log house that was his home. He prepared for college at the Salem public school, and entered Hartsville (Indiana) College in 1862 and had its advantages for a time, but on May 24, 1864, he was mustered into the United States service as a member of Company E, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and with it was assigned to the First Brigade, First Division, Twentieth Army Corps of the Army of the Cumberland. This regiment had a severe baptism of blood in its by no means long period of service, suffering more severely than many older organizations with longer terms of service. On August 20, 1864, while in camp with his regiment near Nashville, Tennessee, a strange accident came near fracturing his spinal column. He was not only incapacitated from military service at that time, but at this day – thirty-five years later – he suffers intensely from its effects and is compelled to constantly have the support of crutches. Mustered out of served on September 2, 1864, with his regiment, he returned to his home, and for nearly a year was unfitted by his injury for any business, much of the time being confined to his bed. He then taught school for a few years – as long as his health admitted.

Mr. Paddack has had a peculiar religious experience. He says he was “converted” at the age of five years and from that time had a clear call to preach. When a mere child his mother asked him what he was going to do in life, and his answer was: “Stand up and tell the people.” This call has always been heard by him, clear, strong and persistent. While in attendance at Hartsville College his religious experience was renewed. He joined the United Brethren church and commenced to preach. After relinquishing teaching, as before stated, he was “licensed,” in August, 1873, by the White River annual conference, and was ordained an elder in 1878. He has filled various charges in Indiana, Ohio and Illinois, working as a regular itinerant and also as an evangelist.

In politics Mr. Paddack was long a Republican. He voted for Grant for president, under protest, however, on account of prohibition. He voted the first prohibition ticket cast in Union county and organized and was made president of the first Prohibition county convention, and from that time he has been firm in his allegiance to prohibition. A man of strong and independent thought, he never blindly follows the teachings of any one, but puts all things to the test of reason enlightened by the grace of God. He has always been opposed to secret societies and for some years voted the “American” or anti-secret society ticket. He is a man who votes for men, not partisans, in all local issues, and may be styled an independent. In spite of his prohibition tendencies he was once elected justice of the peace by his Republican friends. He has ever been a diligent reader of the best literature and a close, logical reasoner.

Mr. Paddack married first, November 25, 1866, Miss Mary B. McCreary, daughter of John and Mary T. (Williams) McCreary, who was born in Center township. She died March 10, 1895. Their children were: Markwood, Otterbein and Lawrence Dillon, the last named dying in infancy. Mr. Paddack married secondly, on March 27, 1898, Cassandra Elina Lee, daughter of Isaac K. and Anna C. (Glidewell) Lee, a native of Salt Creek township, Franklin county.

Mr. Paddack has done extensive and valuable work in his religious activity, and many attribute their awakening to religious life to his earnest labors. It is the wish of many that he may be spared for long years of Christian usefulness..

Submitted by: Jeanie
Biographical and Genealogical History of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin Counties, Indiana. Chicago. The Lewis Publishing Company. 1899.
Pages 912 – 915.


Benjamin Hill, the subject of this sketch, was born in Dearborn, now Wayne County, Indiana, September 23, 1809. His parents were natives of Randolph county, North Carolina. His father, Benjamin Hill, Sr., was born June 22, 1770, and was of English descent. In early manhood he married Mary Jessup. Their children were John, who died in Rush county, Indiana; Sarah, wife of Jehosaphat Morris; Jacob, who died in Henry county, Indiana; William, who died in Rush county; Joseph, who died in Boone county, Indiana, at the age of eighty years; and Mary, who was the wife of Richard Haworth, and died in Kansas.

In 1801 Benjamin Hill, Sr., removed with his family to Carroll county, Virginia, and in the autumn of 1806 became one of the honored pioneers of Indiana, locating in the midst of the unbroken forest, about three miles east of the present city of Richmond. There the family suffered all the hardships and privations incident to frontier life, and also bore a prominent and active part in the work of development and progress. Not long after their arrival in Wayne county the wife of Benjamin Hill died, and he afterward married Martha Cox, who was born November 28, 1779, and come to Indiana in 1807 with her mother and two sisters. One sister, Jane Cox, married John Harvey and lived near Centerville. The other sister, Mary Cox, became the wife of John Small. The mother resided with her daughter Martha until her death. The children of Benjamin and Martha Hill were Benjamin, our subject; Harmon, who lived near Richmond, and died at the age of sixty-seven years; Rebecca, who became the wife of Thomas Newby, and died in early womanhood; Ezra, who lived in Wayne township, Wayne County, and died at the age of seventy-five years; and Enos, who is the only surviving member of the family, his home being near Richmond. For many years in the pioneer epoch in the history of Wayne county Benjamin Hill, Sr., was extensively engaged in farming, and also built the flour and saw mill east of Richmond, long known as Hill’s Mills. He was a life-long orthodox Quaker, and died February 9, 1829, in this fifty-ninth year; while his wife, Martha Hill, passed away January 25, 1867, in the eighty-eighth year of her age.

Benjamin Hill, our subject, during the greater part of his life carried on agricultural pursuits. He married Sarah Hoover, daughter of David Hoover, and soon afterward removed to a fine farm, three miles east of Richmond, where he resided for almost half a century, conducting his business affairs with such energy and judgment that he won a handsome competence. In connection with his brothers he carried in the mill built by their father until in 1839 he located on the homestead farm, the greater part of which he cleared of the native forest trees. He first owned one hundred and sixty acres of land, but added to his possessions until within the boundaries of his farm were comprised two hundred and thirty acres. He also acquired other valuable real estate. He was for a time connected with his brother Ezra in the ownership and operation of a large flouring-mill north of Richmond. A very energetic, enterprising and honorable business man, he carried forward to successful completion whatever he undertook, and his labors were crowned with prosperity. He gave his political support to the Republican party from its organization until 1872, when he cast his ballot for Horace Greeley, and later advocated Democratic principles He always kept well informed on the issues of the day, and could give a good reason for his political faith. He was a member of the Masonic order form early manhood, was a Knight Templar, a member of Richmond Commandery, No. 8, and several years previous to his death he became a Scottish-rite Mason. He continued to live on the homestead until in August, 1888, he went to Minneapolis, Minnesota, on a visit to a son and daughter residing there, and after a few days’ sickness died, September 12, 1888. His remains were brought home and buried in the Hoover cemetery by the side of his wife, who had died August 1, 1885.

Their children were: First, David H., who married Gertrude Tullidge, in early manhood taught school and later was bookkeeper for his father and uncle for a number of years. In 1873 he was admitted to the bar in Richmond, and afterward was elected justice of the peace, which office he acceptably filled for ten years. He was a man of great information and sound judgment, and consequently was qualified for almost any position in life. In 1887 he removed to a farm in Preble county, Ohio, where he died September 2, 1896, in the fifty-seventh year of his age. He had been a Mason for many years and was a Knight Templar, a member of Richmond Commandery, No. 8, at the time of his death. His widow and four children – Marguerite, Benjamin T., Rudolph and Alice – reside in Richmond. The second child of our subject, Martha E., is the widow of Mordecai Perry and lives in Richmond. Albert G., the third, married Lydia Moore, of Wayne township, and resides on a fine farm three miles east of Richmond; they have two children – Fred R., of New York city, and Sarah D., a student at Earlham College. Henry L., the fourth, married Cora Garwood, of Wayne township, and is a real-estate and insurance agent of Minneapolis, Minnesota; they have one son, Eugene G. Anna C., the fifth, is a widow, residing in Richmond; she has two sons – George W. and Paul E. Fisher. George W., the sixth, married Mary Scheid, of Preble county, Ohio, and lives on the old homestead; they have two children – Myron W. and Catherine Esther..

Submitted by: Jeanie
Biographical and Genealogical History of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin Counties, Indiana. Chicago. The Lewis Publishing Company. 1899.
Pages 341 – 343.


Everett R. Beard, M. D. – In the early settlement and subsequent history of Union county the ancestors and relatives of Dr. Everett Riley Beard were prominent. His great-grandfather, William Beard, was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, December 6, 1787, and married there Rachel Pearson. In 1816 he came to what is now Union county, and entered land in Center township there passing the rest of his useful life. His death took place October 6, 1873. In his youth he had learned the potter’s trade, and this calling he followed to some extent, in connection with agriculture. For his day he was considered a man of much knowledge, and he not only practiced medicine for a period, but preached to congregations of the Society of Friends, with which organization he was connected, and for more than half a century he did not fail to keep his appointments as a minister of the gospel. His great heart was filled with love and sympathy for the poor and oppressed, and at an early day he enlisted in the earnest fight against slavery which at last resulted in the breaking of the shackles which bound millions of the colored race in the south. The fugitive slave found in him one ready to aid with food, shelter and clothing – one who was ready to put aside all other business in order to help him on his way toward freedom, and besides this he gave much time and money to the great cause. Twice he was chosen as solicitor for aid for runaway slaves, and traveled in the eastern states on this errand, and twice was selected by his religious brethren to distribute money and supplies to those who had been fortunate enough to cross the Canadian border. He made the long trip on horseback and met many whom he had personally assisted years before. In politics he was a Whig and Republican. His wife, Rebecca, died April 6, 1856. Their children were named as follows: Mary, Elizabeth, John, Abigail, Sarah, Thomas, Phoebe, Lida, Elihu, William, Hannah and George.

The Doctor’s grandparents were John and Catherine (DuBois) Beard. The former was born in North Carolina, and was a pioneer of Indiana. The old house, which he built of brick made on the premises, is still standing on the old home place, two miles east of Liberty, and has but recently passed out of the possession o f the family. He helped put up the first log cabin in the woods on the present site of Richmond, and during the several years in which he was a county commissioner he assisted in the construction of the largest bridge in the county, an old-style covered bridge, but two specimens of which order are now standing in the county. The original parchment deed to the tract of land which he owned here, signed by James Monroe and dated in 1818, is now in the hands of the Doctor, his grandson. He was a stockholder in the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad and aided in getting the road through this county. He was one of the most extensive buyers of live stock in the county at one time, and drove cattle to Cincinnati, where he found a ready market. One of the founders of the Quaker church in this state, he preached its doctrines for years in the pulpit and was an earnest supporter of the work. He died in 1893, aged nearly eighty years. His widow, who came from an old Quaker family, still represented in this county, was two years his junior, and survived him but two weeks. They owned over one thousand acres of land here at one time, and to each of their children they gave a farm, reserving but a quarter-section of land for themselves. Alexander lives on a farm adjoining the old homestead; Oscar is a resident of Harrison township; Wellington owns a home in Center township; Allen lives on the old home place; Alonzo and Elihu are citizens of Liberty; John died at the age of nineteen years; and Delphina married Daniel Maxwell, of Liberty.

Oscar Beard, the father of our subject, is still living on his farm in Harrison township, but the wife and mother, whose maiden name was Mary Nutter, died about two years ago. She was a daughter of Benjamin Nutter, an early settler in these parts, formerly of Virginia. The old Nutter homestead is the one adjoining that of Oscar Beard. The latter started out in his independent career as the owner of eighty acres of wild land, and later added a tract of similar size to his original farm. He has improved the whole, and long since was ranked as one of the practical, thrifty farmers of his locality. He is a member of the Christian church and is highly esteemed by all who know him.

Dr. Everett R. Beard is an only son, born April 11, 1871, on the parental homestead. He received superior educational advantages, being graduated in 1893 in Miami University, at Oxford, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and in 1897 the degree of Doctor of Medicine was bestowed upon him at the time of his completion of the medical course of the Ohio Medical College, in Cincinnati. At college he gained unusual honors, and in the final oratorical contests he came off victor. For some time he was editor of the college societies paper, was prominent in the Kappa Epsilon fraternity, and in 1893 was its delegate to the national convention of the order in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Dr. Beard has built up a good practice in Liberty and is rapidly winning the commendation of the public and his professional brethren. He is now the secretary and treasurer of the Union County Medical Society and is a member of the local medical society. Socially he is connected with the Order of Red Men.

On the 1st of September, 1897, Dr. Beard married Miss Jennie Agnes McElroy, who had been a student at Western College, in Oxford, when he was attending college there, and graduated in June, 1897. Mrs. Beard, who was born and grew to womanhood in Ottumwa, Iowa, is a daughter of Rev. J. M. McElroy, an early settler of that place, and the founder of the first Presbyterian church there. He is a graduate of Washington and Jefferson University, of Pennsylvania, and of Princeton Theological Seminary, and for years was a member of the faculty of Salem Academy, at Salem, Ohio. Mrs. Beard is an active member of the church in whose doctrines she was reared..

Submitted by: Jeanie
Biographical and Genealogical History of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin Counties, Indiana. Chicago. The Lewis Publishing Company. 1899.
Pages 516 – 518.


Deb Murray