JOHN CHENOWETH
The popular miller at Orleans, was born in Washington County, Ind., in 1829. His parents were Joseph and Annie (Wilson) Chenoweth, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Pennsylvania. They were among the early settlers of Washington County, his death occurring in 1884, at the age of eighty-five years and hers in 1834. John Chenoweth received a common school education in the early schools of his time and worked on his father's farm until twenty-two years old. At that age he began in the milling business on Honey Creek at which place he continued successfully for fourteen years. He then sold out and came to Orleans where he bought his present property of the Wright Brothers, and has since added many improvements, being enabled to do so by his prosperous business. Mr. Chenoweth has been three times married, the first time in 1851 to Elizabeth McIntosh, who bore him two children, her death occurring in 1856. His second wife was Matilda King, of Washington County, who died in 1865 after having borne him one son. His present wife was Leora Milligan, a native of Orange County, and to their union two children have been born. Mr. Chenoweth is a good citizen and neighbor, and is a member of the Blue Lodge in Masonry, and of the Christian Church. Politically he is a Democrat.

History of Lawrence, Orange and Washington Counties, Indiana
copyright 1884 Goodspeed Brothers and Company, Chicago
Data Entry by Diana Flynn


JAMES FISHER
Born in Washington County, Ind., January 30, 1822, is the eldest of the ten children of John and Elizabeth (Walker) Fisher, who were natives respectively of Shelby County, Ky., and Virginia. Four sons of these parents went to do battle for the right in the late war, all serving with distinction, two meeting soldiers' deaths at the battle of Champion Hills, and one dying in the hospital at Nashville. The only survivor of the four is a resident of the Lone Star State. James Fisher, subject of this sketch, began for himself at the age of eleven years by working around as a farm hand, which he continued until twenty-six, when Josephine Finley, daughter of Jefferson and Miriam (Brooks) Finley, on the 20th of January, 1848, became his wife. Six children blessed this union, named Miriam E., Amanda, John F., Lydia, Laura and Clara J. These children were left motherless March 16, 1868, and Mr. Fisher married for a second wife Mrs. Amanda (Tegarden) Bishop, daughter of Andrew Tegarden and widow of D. Bishop. Three children, Henry W., James M. and Orna D., were born to this union. Mr. Fisher by hard work has secured a fine farm of 286 acres (Northeast Township). In politics he was formerly a Whig, casting his first vote for Henry Clay, but is now a Republican.

History of Lawrence, Orange and Washington Counties, Indiana
copyright 1884 Goodspeed Brothers and Company, Chicago
Data Entry by Diana Flynn


SAMUEL FINLEY
Son of Jefferson and Mirian (Brooks) Finley, is a native of this county, his birth occurring July 10, 1828. The father was a native of Kentucky, and was born May 16, 1805; his wife, a native of the same fine State, was born November 5, 1803. David Finley, the paternal grandfather, whose wife was Elizabeth, was born June 1, 1754, and came to Orange County before the war of 1812; he died April 19, 1848, more than four score years and ten, well known and respected. His wife, born in 1763, died in 1835. Jefferson died November 19, 1829, and his wife December 12, 1848. They were excellent people of much prominence and worth. Samuel is a farmer by occupation, and owns the old farm (Orleans Township). His education is limited, but sufficient fort the business of life. December 7, 1848, he married Elizabeth Elliott, who was born in Washington County March 5, 1830. Their children are: Jefferson L., born April 25, 1850; Sarah J., born February 11, 1852; William J., born June 18, 1854; Susan, born January 27, 1856; Charles S., born January 8, 1858; Preston T., born March 25, 1860 (deceased); Oliver P. M., born October 24, 1863; Ulysses S. G., born February 9, 1868 (deceased); Reed, born November 14, 1869, and one which died in infancy. Mr. Finley is a Republican and a prominent and useful citizen.

History of Lawrence, Orange and Washington Counties, Indiana
copyright 1884 Goodspeed Brothers and Company, Chicago
Data Entry by Diana Flynn


CYRUS E. FINLEY
Born in the county where he yet lives October 25, 1850, is the only survivor of these three children born to the marriage of Merrill Finley and Sarah M. Wright: Cyrus E., Gilead E. and Eliza. Merrill Finley was born March 25, 1826, in Orange County, Ind., the son of Cyrus and Rachel Finley, and was reared, educated and always resided in his native county. Both he and wife are widely known and respected for their many excellent qualities of heart and mind, and their respective deaths were a source of general sorrow for the entire community in which they resided. Cyrus E. is one of the prosperous young farmers of his township (Northeast Township), and lives on the old homestead, which consists of 700 acres of good land. The marriage ceremony of his union with Miss Nannie Monyhan was solemnized March 27, 1870, and children have blessed them as follows: Henry M. born March 19, 1871; Ora M., March 9, 1873; Stella M., July 2, 1874; Bertie, November 10, 1876; Lelah P., January 18, 1878 and Gillie E., January 24, 1881. The mother was born in Washington County, Ind., July 25, 1853, and is the daughter of Henry Monyhan, of Lancaster. Mr. Finley is a Republican, and he and wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church.

History of Lawrence, Orange and Washington Counties, Indiana
copyright 1884 Goodspeed Brothers and Company, Chicago
Data Entry by Diana Flynn


JOHN H. BOWLES
Dealer in drugs and jewelry at Orleans, Ind., was born near French Lick Springs in Orange County, October 8, 1836. He is a son of Thomas C. and Ann (Patton) Bowles, who were among the early settlers of the county. Thomas C. purchased the land upon which the springs are situated, from the Government, but afterward sold it to his brother and moved to Washington County, engaging in the mercantile trade until his death in 1840. His wife survived him until 1862. John H. Bowles enjoyed the usual advantages afforded by the common schools of the country and worked upon a farm until 1865. In that year he began the drug business as a partner of his brother, Dr. L. S. Bowles, at Paoli. This he continued for five years, when on account of failing health he sold out and took an extended trip through the South, much to his benefit. In 1872 he located at Orleans (Orleans Township) and engaged in his present business, continuing it ever since with good success. Kittie, a daughter of James and Ann (Campbell) Fields, became his wife February 17, 1873. Mr. Bowles is one of the enterprising men of Orleans and as a Democrat usually takes a lively interest in the welfare of his town.

History of Lawrence, Orange and Washington Counties, Indiana
copyright 1884 Goodspeed Brothers and Company, Chicago
Data Entry by Diana Flynn


JAMES W. MONTGOMERY, M.D.
Was born at Hardinsburg, Washington County, April 17, 1848, being the eldest child of Charles B. and Ruth A. (Prather) Montgomery. Their children are as follows: James W., Sarah S. (deceased), Serilda A. (who married Nathan McCrasin), Albert R., Bazel M. (deceased), Mary B. (who married Edward Easley), and Elizabeth (deceased). The father was born in Kentucky, February 16, 1823, and came to this State quite early, locating first in Washington Conty, and in 1862 in Chambersburg, this county, and later in Paoli, where he died in 1874. He was a prominent man in his day; was Deputy Clerk of Washington County; was Justice of the Peace at Paoli for ten years. He was a Republican and a Methodist, and an honored an exemplary man. His wife was born in Washington County, where her marriage occurred; she yet survives, and is a quiet Christian woman. Our subject commenced to read medicine at the age of fourteen, with Dr. John Ellis, of Hardinsburg, continuing until October 20, 1864, when he enlisted in the Fifty-third Regiment, and served on detached duty until his discharge, April 8, 1865. Upon his return he assisted his father to operate a saw-mill. October 20, 1869, he married Ruth, daughter of Aaron and Jane (Andrew) Maris, and they have six children: Oliver M. (deceased), Nellie, Charles F. (deceased), Norman (deceased), Jennie H. and Edith. He carried on the carriage business at Paoli for a time, then began merchandising there and elsewhere, continuing about ten years. He also followed the occupation of milling for a short time. In the spring of 1882 he began reading medicine, and finished with Dr. Hazlewood in 1883. He graduated at the Louisville Medical College in May 1884. He is a member of the I.O.O.F., G.A.R. and A.F. & A.M.; is a Republican, and served as Justice of the Peace two years. His wife was born July 20, 1850.

History of Lawrence, Orange and Washington Counties, Indiana
copyright 1884 Goodspeed Brothers and Company, Chicago
Data Entry by Diana Flynn


WILLIAM WIRES
One of the substantial farmers and enterprising men of Orange County, is a son of Silas Wires, who emigrated from his native State (Pennsylvania) to Madison, Ind., at an early day, and later in life settled in Washington County. William Wires has lived the last fifty-one years of his life in Orange and Washington Counties, and with the exception of a few years while engaged in the drug trade, he has steadily followed farming and stock-dealing. He was born at Madison, Ind., in 1829, moved with his parents to Washington County, and in 1848 married Hannah Fisher, a native of Orange County, and the daughter of John Fisher. To this union have been born a family of children, the following five yet living: William F., Mary E., Margaret E., Lizzie E. and Catharine. Mr. Wires is a Republican in politics, and by hard work has secured 245 acres of good land (Northeast Township).

History of Lawrence, Orange and Washington Counties, Indiana
copyright 1884 Goodspeed Brothers and Company, Chicago
Data Entry by Diana Flynn


HENRY THOMPSON
A farmer and stock-raiser, of Paoli Township, was born on the farm where he yet lives, and is a son of David and grandson of Enoch Thompson. Enoch was a native of North Carolina, where he married Martha Lindley, and where David was born in 1810. In the fall of 1826, the family settled on Section 7, Paoli Township, Orange Co., Ind. They were induced to come West by their religious antipathy to slavery, belonging to the Society of Friends or Quakers. Of their family of fourteen children, five are now living. David Thompson, like his father before him, chose farming for his avocation through life. His wife was Melinda Wilson, of Washington County, who bore him four children. He was one of the foremost citizens of the county and took an active interest in educational affairs. Of their children, Henry, Deborah, Rachael and Isabel, only the youngest is married, and she to Adophus Braxtan of Paoli. Henry Thompson has never known any home but Orange County. He attended the Quaker meeting-house school near his present home, and afterward took a two years' course in Earlham College at Richmond, Ind. He enlisted as a private, August 11, 1862, and on the 19th of the same month was mustered into the United States service in Company D, Sixty-sixth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was engaged in the battles of Richmond, Ky., Collierville, Tenn., Dallas, Ga., the siege of Atlanta, with Sherman to the sea, up through the Carolinas to Washington, participating in the grand review at that place. He was honorably discharged June 14, 1865. Mr. Thompson owns 518 acres of land in the county, a part of which is the old home farm.

History of Lawrence, Orange and Washington Counties, Indiana
copyright 1884 Goodspeed Brothers and Company, Chicago
Data Entry by Diana Flynn


GEORGE W. THOMAS
Was born January 6, 1847, in Harrison County, Indiana, as were also his parents, Richard and Elizabeth (Cayden) Thomas. The grandparents of George W. settled in Indiana before it was admitted a State, and were among the first settlers of the Territory. When eight years old the subject of this sketch moved to Washington County with his mother, and was reared and educated near Hardinsburg. In 1865 he came to Orange County, and the same year wedded Miss Elizabeth Cornwell, daughter of William H. and Elton Cornwell, and by her is the father of four children: Flora E., Emma, Anna and Maggie D. The fall of 1865 Mr. Thomas moved to Missouri, but returned shortly thereafter to Indiana, finally settling in Orange County, where he yet resides. He has farmed, been engaged in mercantile pursuits at Chambersburg, the hardware and furniture business at Paoli, is now operating a store at English, Crawford County, and is the owner of over 200 acres of good land, seven acres being within the town corporation of Paoli. Mr. Thomas is an Odd Fellow, a Free Mason, a Democrat, and he and wife are members of the Baptist Church. In 1880 he was elected Treasurer of Orange County, and served one term of two years.

History of Lawrence, Orange and Washington Counties, Indiana
copyright 1884 Goodspeed Brothers and Company, Chicago
Data Entry by Diana Flynn


GEORGE SHIRLEY
A prominent citizen of Orangeville Township, is a native of Washington County, this State, where he was born October 5, 1813, being the oldest of eight children born to Henry and Catherine (Wyman) Shirley. His father was a native of Virginia, and his mother of South Carolina, and were both of German descent, and came to this State about the year 1809, and settled in Washington County, and moved to this county about 1814. Our immediate subject remained at home and assisted his parents on the farm until he attained the age of twenty-five years. He received a very limited education, such as was to be obtained in the primitive log schoolhouses of his day. September 13, 1838, his marriage with Elizabeth Wilson was solemnized, and to their union five children have been born, of which these four are now living: William C., who married Mary E. Hicks; Henry W., whose wife was Emma McKnight; Leroy O., whose wife was Emma Campbell; Lizzie, who was united in marriage to Nathan McPherson. Our subjects's occupation has always been farming, and he has been quite successful in that pursuit. He now owns 480 acres of well improved land. He also raises some stock. Mr. and Mrs. Shirley are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are prominent people. His political views are Republican, and he takes a live interest in the political affairs of the community.

History of Lawrence, Orange and Washington Counties, Indiana
copyright 1884 Goodspeed Brothers and Company, Chicago
Data Entry by Diana Flynn


LEMUEL RICHARDSON
Is a native of Washington County, Ind., where he was born December 19, 1858, being the son of Daniel and Sallie A. (Elliott) Richardson. The father was born in Washington County, May 11, 1827, and after a life of honor and usefulness died in December, 1882. His occupation was that of farming, to which he reared his son Lemuel, the subject of this sketch. The education of the latter was limited, though by diligence he managed to secure enough for the business of life. He is yet a young man and has a long life before him. October 27, 1881, he married Eliza L., daughter of E. S. and S. B. (Maxwell) Lemon. Mrs. Richardson was born in Washington County August 27, 1860. Her father is a native of the same county, and her mother of Orange County. Mr. Richardson and wife are members of the Christian Church, and he is a Republican and a progressive farmer and citizen.

History of Lawrence, Orange and Washington Counties, Indiana
copyright 1884 Goodspeed Brothers and Company, Chicago
Data Entry by Diana Flynn


WILLIAM NOBLITT
Was born in Washington County, Ind., November 1, 1817, and is one of the following family, children of Abraham and Amelia (Vandeveer) Noblitt: Vandeveer; William; Nancy, wife of James Lynch; Cynthia, wife of Benjamin M. Holaday, and John T. The parents are natives of North Carolina, and were taken in childhood to Kentucky, where they became acquainted, and married in 1814. The father's birth occurred October 2, 1780. Soon after his marriage, he with his wife's people immigrated to Indiana. This was in 1814, a very early period in the history of the State--in fact, the State had not yet been organized or admitted into the Union. They located first in Washington County, and later moved to this township, where the father died in 1840, and the mother in 1861. They were sober, industrious, honest, Christian people, and lie buried in Dauner's Cemetery, in Stampers Creek Township. William lived with his parents until his father's death, obtaining a rudimentary education at the subscription schools. October 2, 1842, he married Mary, daughter of Joshua and Sarah (Beard) Holaday, and to this union the following children have been born: Abraham; James L.; John V.; Nancy J., wife of William Wright; and four that died in infancy. Mrs. Noblitt died February 3, 1860, and January 20, 1861, Mr. Noblitt married Mrs. Nancy J. (Radcliff) Maxedon, who has borne her husband four children, as follows: Martha, David R., Josephine and Louisa. His second wife died May 6, 1881. She, as well as her husband, were Baptists. Mr. Noblitt has lived on his present place fifty-four years; he has 132 acres with fair improvements. He is a stanch Democrat; has served as Trustee and Justice of the Peace. Mrs. Maxedon, second wife, had one child--Mary-- by her former husband; this daughter lives with Mr. Noblitt. Her grandfather's name was Marquis De Lafayette Maxedon.

History of Lawrence, Orange and Washington Counties, Indiana
copyright 1884 Goodspeed Brothers and Company, Chicago
Data Entry by Diana Flynn


HENRY MONYHAN
Was born in Louisville, Ky., December 2, 1824. Turns Monyhan, his father, was a native of Ireland, and when a young man crossed to Quebec, Canada, from whence he went to Louisville, Ky., in 1816, and there, in 1823, married Nancy Bateman. In 1835 they moved to Lawrence County, Ind., and two years later to Washington County, where they died at the ages of seventy-six and seventy-nine years respectively. Henry was raised on a farm, and on attaining his majority began for himself by working around at $6 per month, cutting wood at 25 cents a cord, etc. Having secured a fair education he early in life evinced a desire for merchandizing, and after trading in poultry for a time opened a store at Saltillo, where he was also railroad agent. He continued there five years, then farmed two years, and in 1860 moved to Lancaster, in Orange County, where he again embarked in mercantile pursuits, also serving as Postmaster and railroad agent. For the past twenty-four years Mr. Monyhan has continued here (Northeast Township), and by good management and industry has secured a fine home, over 1,000 acres of land, besides other desirable property. He is a stanch Republican, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and the Masonic brotherhood, and has been twice married, first, in 1848, to Rebecca Walters, daughter of Abner and Elizabeth Walters, by whom he was the father of five children, only Nannie E. (Mrs. Cyrus E. Finley) and Johnson now living. The mother died in 1864, and one year later Mr. Monyhan married Julia, daughter of Benjamin and Amelia Turley. One daughter--Puss--has blessed this union, and is a graduate of De Pauw University.

History of Lawrence, Orange and Washington Counties, Indiana
copyright 1884 Goodspeed Brothers and Company, Chicago
Data Entry by Diana Flynn


JOHN McINTOSH
Was born in this township [Southeast] May 14, 1838, and is one of the following family born to Samuel and Susan (Radcliff) McIntosh: James, who died while serving his country in the last war; Elizabeth, who married John Chenoweth; Winafred, wife of J.R. Lambdin; David; Mary, who became the wife of Amos Lambdin; John; Jonathan; Susan, who married David Bird; Sarah, who later became the wife of David Bird; Susan, who married William Harned; Levi; Samuel; Martha, who married John Mattox, and Joseph. The parents are natives of Indiana, and are living well advanced in years, respected and honored, at Hardinsburg, Washington County. The father is a farmer, and a man of the highest worth and respectability. Our subject continued with his parents until his enlistment in the army; securing in youth a fair education, and becoming familiar with hard work. December 2, 1861, he enlisted in Company F, Fifty-ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served honorably until discharged at Wilmington, N.C., April 4, 1865, having served about four months longer than his period of enlistment. March 27, 1859, he married Fannie A., daughter of George and Mary (Brewer) Clayton, and to this union this family has been born: Mary S., Martha, Samuel S., George C., Eli (deceased), John, an infant, (deceased), Benjamin R., Arthur and Albert. Mr. McIntosh is a farmer, and owns 321 acres of fertile land. He is a Republican, a Mason and a prominent citizen. His wife was born December 2, 1839, and is a member of the Methodist Church, and a worthy Christian lady.

History of Lawrence, Orange and Washington Counties, Indiana
copyright 1884 Goodspeed Brothers and Company, Chicago
Data Entry by Diana Flynn


JACKSON MCCOY
A farmer of Stampers Creek Township, is a native of Washington County, Ind., and was born October 20, 1814, and is one of twelve children of George and Lydia (Wolfe) McCoy, who came to Indiana from Virginia in an early day. While quite young Jackson's parents moved to Orange County, where his home has been ever since. His education is meager, and was all obtained in the old-fashioned schools of his time. The occupation of his life has been farming and stock-raising. His farm of over 300 acres is well improved and cultivated, and is situated in the best part of Orange County. His marriage with Sarah VanCleave was on the 13th of April, 1847, and the result of this union was nine children, named William F., George B., Alexander, Jackson A., Guilderoy, John V., Sarah, Henry F. and James N. He was grieved by the death of his wife October 11, 1881.

Politically he has always been a Democrat, and expects always to be such. Mr. McCoy is now enjoying the close of life surrounded by his children, and reposing in the high esteem of all his neighbors.

History of Lawrence, Orange and Washington Counties, Indiana
copyright 1884 Goodspeed Brothers and Company, Chicago
Data Entry by Diana Flynn


SAMUEL MATHERS
Brother of the subject of the foregoing sketch [James Mathers], was born December 18, 1821. He also remained at home and assisted his parents on the farm until he was thirty-three years of age, receiving a limited education. February 17, 1853, he married Annie Wyman, by which union two children were born: James L., who married Maria Stackhouse, and Florence M., wife of Richard Burton. March 9, 1856, Mrs. Mathers died, and January 1, 1857, he again married, this time Nancy Fields, to whom were born two children: Marion F. and Margaret R. December 12, 1876, he was again compelled to witness the death of his wife. He, like his brother, is a farmer, making stock-raising one of the principal branches of that pursuit. He owns over 400 acres of well improved land. In company with his brother he also enlisted as volunteer in the same company and regiment, serving for a period of two years and nine months, and was honorably discharged at New Albany, May 24, 1865. He took part in the following important engagements: Chickasaw Bayou, Champion Hills, Arkansaw Post, Grand Gulf, Fort Gibson, Black River, and during the entire siege of Vicksburg. He is a Republican, and belongs to the Odd Fellows fraternity.

History of Lawrence, Orange and Washington Counties, Indiana
copyright 1884 Goodspeed Brothers and Company, Chicago
Data Entry by Diana Flynn