John Hanna, a son of James Parks Hanna, was born Sept. 3, 1827, in what is now a part of the city of Indianapolis. His father entered and improved eighty acres of land in Warren Township and there died Aug. 21, 1839, leaving a widow and five children, John being the eldest. The mother died in 1844. John and the children remained on the farm until 1846, when, at the instance of General Robert Hanna, their guardian, they broke up housekeeping that they might go to school. The subject of this sketch, determined to acquire an education, started for Greencastle in February, 1846, with only $4 in his pocket. He walked the entire distance, entered the university, got the position as janitor of the college, worked his way through college and graduated with honors in June, 1850. He then entered the law office of Judge Delaney R. Eckles and there finished the study of his profession. He then became the law partner of his preceptor and settled in Greencastle. He was elected Mayor of the city of his adoption and served three years. After Judge Eckles went upon the bench as Circuit Judge, Mr. Hanna formed a partnership with the Hon. John A. Matson, which continued until the spring of 1858 when he went to Kansas. He was the same year elected a member of the Territorial Legislature from the county of Lykins, now Miami, and served as such during the session of 1868-'9; was chairman of the judiciary committee, introduced and carried through the act abolishing and prohibiting slavery in the Territory; was an earnest-working Republican in politics. After remaining one year in Kansas he returned to Greencastle and resumed the practice of law. In the presidential canvass of 1860 he was the Republican elector of the Seventh District, and as such voted for Abraham Lincoln. Prior to the Chicago convention he had advocated the nomination of Edward Bates, of Missouri, for the Presidency. Afterward Mr. Bates became Lincoln's Attorney-General. Hon. Henry S. Lane and Schuyler Colfax recommended the apointment of Mr. Hanna for United States Attorney for the district of Indiana, and he was also recommended by Mr. Bates, and appointed a few days after the inauguration of President Lincoln. He served four years; then his re-appointment was ordered by Mr. Lincoln, although his name was not sent to the Senate until after the death of the President. He continued to serve until the split between Johnson (the successor of Lincoln) and the Republican party, when he denounced Johnson, at a Johnson meeting held in Indianapolis he introduced a series of resolutions which was the immediate cause of his being removed, and Alfred Kilgore was appointed. This proves clearly that Mr. Hanna's political opinions were not in the market, to be transferred as merchandise. He furnished Mr. Kilgore all the information desired as to the business of the office; assisted him in the trials the first term after his appointment. Mr. Hanna then formed a partnership with General Fred Knefler, of this city, in the practice of law, and has devoted his time entirely to the practice of his profession, except in the canvass of 1868, when he, at the request of his political friends, canvassed the county of Putnam as a candidate for the Legislature. Although defeated he ran ahead of the State ticket. Since 1868 he has made no political speeches, although known as a decided, out-spoken Republican in politics. His life at the bar has been a constant warfare and he has more than the usual share of hotly contested litigated cases. He has perhaps been engaged in as many jury trials as any lawyer of his age. As United States Attorney during the war his position was one requiring great labor, yet, without assistance, he managed to discharge his duties to the entire satisfaction of the Government. The prosecutions for violations of the draft laws, the revenue laws, confiscation acts, conspiracies, treasons and felonies were numerous, as the records of the court attest. As a successful prosecutor his record was satisfactory to those who gave him their influence. Since he commenced the practice of law in this city he has been engaged in a number of the most prominent murder cases for the defense, the Clem case perhaps being the most noted. His practice at present is remunerative. He still resides at Greencastle, where he has a lovely home near the town. His family library is the best in the county and the favorite resort of his children of evenings. He regards it as money well spent, and it is his boast that he never had a moment's concern about the whereabouts of his boys at night. His sons incline to be farmers rather than professional men. The oldest is now a farmer in Hendricks County. While attending the University Mr. Hanna became acquainted with Miss Mahala Sherfy, of Perrysville, Vermillion County, who was attending the female collegiate seminary, then in charge of Mrs. Larabie, wife of Prof. William C. Larabie. Miss Sherfy and Mr. Hanna graduated from the same rostrum in June, 1850, and May, 1851, they were married. Mrs. Hanna was a woman of liberal education and superior intellect, and in the fullest sense of the word a true wife. As a Christian she was loved by her neighbors and idolized by her husband. She was the mother of seven children, one who died in infancy. She died in the spring of 1870, leaving her husband three sons and three daughters. Mr. Hanna remained a widower two years then married Mrs. Emma Pothorff, of Greencastle. They have now another son and daughter, eight in all. His children are devoted to him, and it seems a labor of love for him to work in their interest. His eldest child, a daughter, Lillie, graduated at the University two years ago. Mr. Hanna was, therefore, the first graduate of the institution that furnished a daughter for graduation. His second daughter and two of his sons are now attending the same University. He believes in giving girls equal chance with boys in the advantage of education, and, therefore, insisted that the University open its doors to both, which was finally done. The result has proven that the "honors" may be won by the so-called weaker sex if they are given an equal opportunity. Mr. Hanna's great success in his profession has demonstrated that he is man of much more than ordinary natural ability, starting out a poor boy comparatively, without friends or money, working his way through college and attaining an enviable and high position both as a civil and criminal lawyer. It is certainly a great incentive to other poor young men to go and do likewise. Mr. Hanna's record shows that he has descended from an ancestry that had rendered service during the Revolution. His great-grandfather was a native of South Carolina and was there engaged during the entire struggle for American indepedence in behalf of liberty and the stars and stripes. He had a large family of sons. Mr. Hanna's grandfather, John Hanna, was one of the elder brothers. The late General Robert Hanna, the younger, and several more of the family removed to Brookville, Franklin County, early in the history of Indiana Territory. General Robert Hanna was a member of the convention that framed the first Constitution of the State in 1816. The father of the subject of this sketch was a mere boy at the time they first came to Indiana. They removed to Marion County in 1826. The grandfather settled on a farm near where the poor house now stands in Wayne Township; his brother Joseph, a short distance from him on the Crawfordsville State road. James Parks Hanna, father of John, lived with his uncle, General Hanna, up to the time of his marriage with Miss Lydia Heward, of New Jersey. Four years ago Mr. Hanna removed the remains of his father and mother to Greencastle cemetery, where they will probably remain until that day when the graves and the sea will be called on to give up their dead. Mr. Hanna's record is one worthy of emulationi, and should be inscribed in the pages of history.
In person he is about five foot eight inches in height, with a heavy, square frame, though not inclined to corpulency, dark hair, eyes and complexion, and seems to be in the full strength and vigor of manhood, plain and unassuming in manner. A stranger upon entering our court could at once single him out as one of the leading spirits of the Indianapolis bar.
In 1884 Mr. Hanna was nominated by the Republican convention for Representative in Congress from the capital city district, and was elected at the State election in October, defeating the Hon. Franklin Landers, the incument, and one of the most popular men in the district, 1,398 votes.
"Nothing is difficult beneath the sky, Man only fails because he fails to try."
The History of Hendricks County, Indiana copyright 1885 by Interstate Publishing Co. (profiles of Washington Township)
Submitted by: Meredith Thompson
Theophilus H. Barlow was born in Harrison County, Ky., Feb. 1, 1820, a son of Enoch and Jane Barlow. In 1828 his parents moved to Hendricks County, Ind., and settled in the northern part of Washington Township, on land entered by his father in 1826. He is the only one living of a family of twelve children. He was reared and educated in Hendricks County, and is now one of the leading agriculturalists of Lincoln Township. He owns 223 acres of land, all under cultivation, and his improvements are among the best in the township. He was married Aug. 24, 1842, to Susan A., daughter of John and Elizabeth Moberly, early settlers of Hendricks County. They have had eleven children, two of whom are living--Mary A., now Mrs. Robert Bell, of Brownsburg, and Abbie Z. Mrs. Bell has nine children--Clyde W., Lloyd T., Ernest E. and Grace I. (twins), Nellie S., Charles H., Zoe M., Estelle C. and Clara P. Eliza J., wife of Aaron N. Crouch, died Dec. 25, 1879, leaving
three children--Estella May, William H. and Joanah S. Enoch M. died March 6, 1870, aged twenty-two years. Theophilus died Oct. 4, 1863, aged nine years. William Harvey died Sept. 4, 1864, aged seven years. Gillum L. was killed by a run-away team May 29, 1871, aged ten years. Charles A. died Feb. 1, 1881, aged sixteen years. Three died in infancy. Mr. Barlow and his family are members of the Presbyterian church, which he has served as Elder twenty-five years. He is a member of Brownsburg Lodge, No. 188, I.O.O.F. In politics he is a Republican.
The History of Hendricks County, Indiana copyright 1885 by Interstate Publishing Co. (profiles of Washington Township)
Submitted by: Meredith Thompson
Volney J. Brown was born Feb. 1, 1817, in Scott County, Ky., a son of Daniel and Elizabeth Brown, natives of New Jersey and Delaware respectively. They moved to Hendricks County, Ind., in 1828, and settled in Lincoln Township where the father entered 160 acres of timber land, and endured many discomforts in his pioneer home. To his parents were born ten children, but two now living--Volney J. and George. Volney J. came to this county with his parents when a boy and was here reared to manhood. He has worked at the carpenter's trade for many years, but his chief occupation through life has been farming, and he now owns a good farm of 140 acres, under a high state of cultivation. March 25, 1841, he was married to Susan Butler, born in Franklin County, Ind., April 12, 1816, a daughter of William and Nancy Butler. They have had five children--William M., Isaac H. (deceased), Ellis E., Jane V. and Lazena (deceased). Mr. and Mrs. Brown are members of the Christian church.
The History of Hendricks County, Indiana copyright 1885 by Interstate Publishing Co. (profiles of Washington Township)
Submitted by: Meredith Thompson
John M. Carter is a native of Hendricks County, Ind., born May 16, 1832, the only son of David and Ruth (Hadley) Carter, natives of North Carolina, who moved to Ohio with their parents, where they were married, and in 1822 moved to Hendricks County, Ind., and settled on a tract of heavily timbered land which is now the site of the town of Plainfield. David Carter at one time owned 600 acres of land and at the time of his death owned 500 acres. His wife died about 1871 and he in 1881. They were members of the Christian church, of which he was for several years an Elder. Their family consisted of nine children, one son and eight daughters--Jane, Matilda, Mary, Martha A., John M., Sarah, Orpha, Ara M. and Zipporah. John M. Carter spent his youth on his father's farm and after his marriage settled on a tract of wild land, of which he made a good farm, on which he lived till 1864, when he moved to Plainfield and engaged in the mercantile business.
He afterward returned to his farm, and remained till 1870, when he again engaged in the mercantile business till 1874. He then lived on the farm till 1883, and since that year has lived retired from active business. He still owns his farm in Washington Township, which contains 183 acres of valuable land, with a good residence and farm buildings, and is now occupied by his son. Mr. Carter has served four years as Township Clerk. He and his wife are members of the Christian church, of which for the past fifteen years he has served as Deacon, and at present is Superintendent of the Sunday school. He was married in 1852 to Susan Wells, and to them have been born two children--David W., and Mary, wife of Dr. J.T. Strong. In politics Mr. Carter is a staunch Republican.
The History of Hendricks County, Indiana copyright 1885 by Interstate Publishing Co. (profiles of Washington Township)
Submitted by: Meredith Thompson
John Corliss, son of Michael and Hannah Corliss, is a native of County Galway, Ireland. When he was about fifteen years of age he immigrated to America, and settled in Hendricks County, Ind. He has always followed farming pursuits and now owns a good farm of ninety-six acres, situated in Union Township, this county. He was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Greeley, a daughter of John and Bridget Greeley, and to them were born nine children, six of whom survive. Those living are--Michael, John, Mary T., Thomas, Delia and Patrick. Mr. Corliss is a consistent member of the Roman Catholic church. In politics he is a Democrat.
The History of Hendricks County, Indiana copyright 1885 by Interstate Publishing Co. (profiles of Washington Township)
Submitted by: Meredith Thompson
Mrs. Maria Davis, daughter of Daniel and Annie (Smith) Newham, was born Oct. 16, 1818, in Scott County, Ky. When very young she removed with her parents to Hendricks County, Ind., where she was reared. April 16, 1840, she was married in this county to Thornton F. Gorham and to them were born six children--John A., Daniel S., William, Thomas J., Priscilla and Thornton. Thomas J. is deceased. Mr. Gorham died in January, 1853, and our subject was again married, this time to James Davis, in August, 1860. Mr. Davis died in December, 1878, leaving Mrs. Davis owner of a good farm of 100 acres in Lincoln Township. Mrs. Davis is a member of the Regular Baptist church.
The History of Hendricks County, Indiana copyright 1885 by Interstate Publishing Co. (profiles of Washington Township)
Submitted by: Meredith Thompson
Benjamin O. Davison was born Oct. 2, 1833, in Hamilton County, Ohio, a son of Robert and Mary Davison, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Kentucky. In 1837 they came to Hendricks County, Ind., from Ohio, settling near Brownsburg where his father entered 160 acres of uncultivated land. Here they experienced some of the discomforts of pioneer life. Seven children were born to them of whom four are living--Sarah A., Margaret E., John W. and our subject. The latter was reared on a farm in this county. He was married April 10, 1856, to Theressa Shirley, daughter of William P. Shirley, an early settler of Hendricks County. They have three children--William P., Thomas J. and Carrie E. Mr. Davison lived on his farm, one mile north of Brownsburg, until the fall of 1881, when he retired to Brownsburg. He owns a good farm of 125 acres, all under a high state of cultivation. For several years he has served as Elder in the Christian church. Politically he is practically independent.
The History of Hendricks County, Indiana copyright 1885 by Interstate Publishing Co. (profiles of Washington Township)
Submitted by: Meredith Thompson
Grandison Eaton is a native of Hendricks County, Ind., born Sept. 13, 1837, a son of Greenup and Mahala Eaton, early settlers of Hendricks County from Kentucky. He was reared and educated in his native county and in his youth learned the bricklayer's trade, which he has followed the greater part of the time, and at one time was engaged in contracting and built some of the best houses in the township. He owns a fine farm of 100 acres, which he superintends in addition to working at his trade. In August, 1861, Mr. Eaton enlisted in Company B, Seventh Indiana Infantry, and served till August, 1864. He participated in some of the most important battles of the war, among them being Greenbriar, Winchester, Cedar Mountain, second Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Petersburg and Spottsylvania Courthouse. In January, 1865, Mr. Eaton was married to Mary F. Lawler, of Hendricks County. They are members of the Christian church. Mr. Eaton has been a member of the Village Council three years.
The History of Hendricks County, Indiana copyright 1885 by Interstate Publishing Co. (profiles of Washington Township)
Submitted by: Meredith Thompson
John Fullen, a prominent and successful business man of Plainfield, was born in Fayette County, Ind., Dec. 25, 1821, the second son of John and Jemima (Harrell) Fullen, natives of Virginia, who moved to Fayette County, Ind. in an early day. The father died in Fayette County, and John subsequently moved with his mother to Johnson County and settled on land entered by his father before his death. There he grew to manhood and remained till 1872, when he moved to Hendricks County and located in Plainfield, where he has since lived. He owns a fine farm of 200 acres in Johnson County, all under cultivation, and until his removal to Hendricks County he was successfully engaged in farming and stock-raising. He has accumulated a good property and is now living retired from active business life. He was married in 1841 to Rachel Smith, who died in Plainfield in 1881. They had a family of five sons and five daughters; four of the number are living. July 14, 1881, Mr. Fullen married Mary E.
Barton. Mr. Fullen has been a member of the Baptist church since 1843 and for several years has been Deacon of his church. His wife is a member of the same denomination.
The History of Hendricks County, Indiana copyright 1885 by Interstate Publishing Co. (profiles of Washington Township)
Submitted by: Meredith Thompson
John W. Griffith, one of the prominent business men of Brownsburg, was born in Putnam County, Ind., March 10, 1835, a son of Samuel and Camelia R. (Witty) Griffith. His father was one of the pioneers of Putnam County, locating there in 1820. He died at Vicksburg, Miss., of cholera in 1837. The mother is now the wife of John Conley, of Franklin County, Ill. When fourteen years of age our subject began to work as a farm hand which he continued two years. When sixteen years old he went to Greencastle and began learning the barber's trade, serving an apprenticeship of three years. He then worked as a journeyman about ten years visiting mainly the towns on the Mississippi River. He has been a resident of Brownsburg since 1876, where he has built up a good trade. He is thoroughly conversant with all branches of his trade in addition to which he carries a stock of jewelry and does a watch-repairing business. Mr. Griffith was married Nov. 18, 1863, to Rebecca Steepleton, of Edgar County, Ill. Of
the eight children born to them but two, the eldest and youngest, are living--Camelia E. and Carl. Mr. Griffith enlisted in July, 1861, in Company C, Eighth Illinois Infantry, and participated in the battles of Fort Donelson, Vicksburg, Raymond, Jackson and others of less importance. He was a faithful soldier and was honorably discharged in August, 1864. Before the war he was a Democrat in politics but since the war has given his suffrage to the Republican party and is one of the most earnest workers in its ranks. He is a member of the Christian church.
The History of Hendricks County, Indiana copyright 1885 by Interstate Publishing Co. (profiles of Washington Township)
Submitted by: Meredith Thompson
Elias Hadley, deceased, was one of the early settlers of Hendricks County. He was born in Chatham County, N.C., Aug. 5, 1809, a son of Jeremiah and Mary Hadley. When he was three years of age his parents moved to Butler County, Ohio, and subsequently to Hendricks County, Ind., and settled in Guilford Township, where they both died. Oct. 14, 1829, Elias Hadley was married, in Butler County, Ohio, to Miss Cox, daughter of Mordecai and Nancy Cox, a native of Butler County, born in 1814. After his marriage he settled on a tract of wild land which is now the site of Plainfield, but at that time was heavily timbered. He cleared and improved a farm, which he subsequently sold and bought one north of Plainfield, where he lived till 1874, when he rented his farm and moved to the village and lived retired from active business till his death, Dec. 8, 1884. The farm contains 180 acres of valuable land, all under cultivation. To Mr. and Mrs. Hadley were
born sixteen children, six sons and ten daughters, twelve of whom are living--S__, Hiram, Nancy, Mary, Jane, David, Enos, Emma, Susan, Addie, Oscar and Arthur. Mr. Hadley was a member of the Christian church fifty years and his wife is a member of the same denomination.
The History of Hendricks County, Indiana copyright 1885 by Interstate Publishing Co. (profiles of Washington Township)
Submitted by: Meredith Thompson
James G. Hoadley was born in September, 1824, in New Haven County, Conn., a son of Alvah and Aurelia Hoadley, who moved to Hendricks County, Ind., in 1838, and the following spring settled in Lincoln Township. Mr. Hoadley was reared on a farm and received but a limited education. He has been a resident of this township since coming here with his parents in 1839, with the exception of one year spent at Pittsboro, and one year at Amo, where he was engaged in the mercantile business. He was married in August, 1846, to Miss Elizabeth Larsh, of this county, formerly of Kentucky. They have four children--Alva T., Sarah E., Cerena and Mary. He owns 193 acres of land in this county and eighty acres in La Porte County. In politics he casts his suffrage with the Democratic party. He is a member of the Christian church.
The History of Hendricks County, Indiana copyright 1885 by Interstate Publishing Co. (profiles of Washington Township)
Submitted by: Meredith Thompson
Alva W. Hornaday is a native of Hendricks County, Ind., born in Washington Township, Oct. 8, 1845, the eldest son of Isaiah and Elvira Hornaday, his father a native of Ohio and his mother of North Carolina. They were married in Hendricks County, and settled in Washington Township, and then they moved to Brownsburgh, Lincoln Township, in 1875, where they now reside. Alva Hornaday was reared a farmer, attending the common schools of his district. He remained with his parents till his marriage, and then bought what is known as the old William Townsend farm, which contains 136 acres of choice land. His residence is a neat one-story frame building, and his farm buildings are among the best in the township. Mr. Hornaday is a thrifty and one of the representative agriculturalists and stock-raisers of the county. He was married in 1875 to Ella E. Cox, daughter of James H. and Lillus Cox. They have one child--Elvira Belle Hornaday. Mr. and Mrs. Hornaday are members of the Christian church.
The History of Hendricks County, Indiana copyright 1885 by Interstate Publishing Co. (profiles of Washington Township)
Submitted by: Meredith Thompson
Wiley G. Hull, son of Jesse and Mary Hull, was born May 11, 1840, near Zanesville, Ohio. His parents had a family of eight children of whom only two survive--Wiley G. and Giles. Wiley G. was brought to Indiana by his parents at a very early age, and when he was nine years of age he was left an orphan. He then lived with Dr. Levi Ritter, of Pleasant Garden, Putnam County, for several years, and at the age of fourteen he began to learn the blacksmith's trade with William Wilkin, of Plainfield, Hendricks County, with whom he remained several years. In September, 1861, he enlisted at St. Louis in the Second Missouri Cavalry and participated in numerous battles and skirmishes, among which were Chattanooga, Prairie-De-Hand, Little Missouri, Selma, Kirkville and Memphis. He was slightly wounded during the campaign and his constitution was greatly impaired. He was honorably discharged in September, 1865. Jan. 25, 1866, he was married to Jane Walker, a daughter
of Joseph Walker (deceased). Nine children have been born to them, six now living--Sarah L., Wade, Ollie, Haskett, Oscar and Ada. Flora, Iva and Laura are deceased. Mr. Hull is at present living on his farm in the northeast part of Lincoln Township. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He also belongs to the Christian church.
The History of Hendricks County, Indiana copyright 1885 by Interstate Publishing Co. (profiles of Washington Township)
Submitted by: Meredith Thompson