One of the most enterprising, experienced and successful agriculturists of Henry County, Indiana, is Joseph Graves, an ex-soldier, who was born in a cabin on the farm he now owns, his nativity taking place April I 3, 1839. Most children in Henry County at that early day had their nativity in a log cabin, but while the old cabin has long since disappeared to give way to a modern structure, Mr. Graves is still an active factor in the husbandry of the township.  The parents of Joseph Graves, Sidney and Margaret (Dipboye) Graves, were respectively natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia and were married in the latter state.  About 1834 they came to Indiana and settled on the farm now owned by their son Joseph, but which was without any special improvements save a small log cabin and a few acres denuded of their forest growth, but of which Sidney later put sixty acres under cultivation. On this farm the parents lived until 1868 and then retired to Middletown, where the father died in his seventy-ninth year, and the mother then made her home with her children, spending her latest years at the home of her son Joseph on the old homestead, dying at the age of eighty-two years, eighteen years after the death of her husband. Their family comprised twelve children, of whom ten attained mature years, the eldest dying in childhood and the youngest when sixteen. Of those who grew to maturity, George H. died in Delaware County; two reside in Henry County, Joseph, of this notice, and Lizzie, wife of William Leiphardt, of the Middletown woolen factory. Joseph Graves has lived on the homestead all of his life excepting nearly three years that he passed in the army. On the 8th of August 1862, he enlisted at Middletown, in Company H, Sixty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, of which Frederick  Hoover was the first captain and later David Yount. Mr. Graves was captured by the enemy at Richmond, Kentucky, but was soon exchanged and took part in all the marches, skirmishes and battles in which his regiment was engaged. He received a slight wound at Champion Hill, back of Vicksburg, Mississippi, but did not leave the ranks, was promoted to be corporal, and was honorably discharged July 5, 1865, with his regiment, after serving nearly three years. After the war Mr. Graves returned to the old homestead and when his parents retired, in 1868, he rented the place until his father's death, when he bought it from his mother and was able to pay for it. It then consisted of one hundred acres, but he has since added to it until it now covers one hundred and forty-seven acres and extends into Delaware County. In 1880 he built his commodious barn, which has a dry and airy basement, and in 1897erected his modern and tasty dwelling, which favorably contrasts with any in the township. He raises all the grains indigenous to the climate and converts his corn into hogs, of which he fattens from forty to fifty each year, although he no longer takes an active part in the farm work, as he rents out the farm but retains his interest in its productions.  Mr. Graves was united in marriage April 9, 1868, with Miss Elizabeth Hart,daughter of Heth J. and Julia Ann Hart, both now deceased. Mrs. Graves was born in Middletown and was reared one-half mile east of the village, being a playmate of her husband in her childhood days. Mrs. Julia Ann Hart was a native of Virginia, but was married in Henry County, Indiana, having come here when eleven years old with her mother and step-father. Peter Sheds. Heth J. Hart came here when a boy with his parents, John and Margaret (Marsh) Hart, who settled on the Andy Bushong farm, east of Middletown. The children born to Mr.and Mrs. Joseph Graves were named as follows: George 0., a farmer in Delaware County; Emma, wife of Frank Ringo, of Middletown; Lester, at Shirley; Willie, a teacher in the high school in Middletown and a student in the State University; Cora, who died when seven years old, and Ethel, a school girl in Middletown.  In politics Mr. Graves is a Republican, while his religion is that of the Christian New Light church. He is one of the most highly esteemed citizens of Fall Creek Township and the village of Middletown, and his family enjoys with him the respect of all who know them, Mr. Graves being especially honored as an ex-soldier.

Submitted by: Lora
Compendium of Biography Of Henry County, Indiana B. F. Bowen 1920

Although a young man, the subject of this biography has attained distinction as a physician and surgeon that entitles him to a conspicuous place among the successful men of his profession in the county of Henry. He is a native of Hancock County, this state, and the son of David and Zerelda (Nugent) Wilson, the father born in Virginia and the mother in the state of Illinois. The Wilson family came to Indiana about the year 1862, settling on a farm near the village of Warrington where David Wilson lived the remainder of his life. He became a prosperous farmer and for a number of years was one of the leading citizens of his community, taking an active part in public affairs and using his influence for the up building of his township and county, materially and otherwise. Mrs. Zerelda Wilson was brought to Fayette County, Indiana; by her parents when young and lived they're until her marriage, which was solemnized in the year 1857. She bore her husband the following children, Arthur, attorney at law and loan agent of Indianapolis; Rhoda, wife of Dallis Reeves, a prominent farmer of Hancock county; Wilborn, who practices law in Indianapolis; Ralph, of this review, and Minerva A., deceased. Dr. Wilson's birth occurred on the 13th day of March 1870, and his childhood and youth were spent on the home farm in the county of Hancock. From a very early age he manifested a studious disposition and as a pupil in the common schools made commendable progress, completing the full course and graduating in the year 1888. Successfully passing the examination and securing a teacher's license, he engaged in educational work and was thus employed for a period of four years in the common schools of his own county. When but a lad the Doctor decided to become a physician and it was with this object in view that he taught school, expecting to prosecute his professional studies. As soon as he could properly adjust his affairs he entered the office of Dr. Robert W. Long, where he pursued a course of preliminary reading during a part of 1892 and 1893 and in the latter year became a student of the Central College of Physicians and Surgeons at Indianapolis. Dr. Wilson entered this institution with but limited means and was obliged to exercise the most rigid economy in order to complete his professional course. He made an honorable record as a student, won seven of the fourteen prizes for meritorious work and was graduated the first in his class in the' year of. 1896. On receiving his degree he took a civil service competitive examination for an appointment and such was the excellency of his record that he was given 'the post of head physician in the Indianapolis City Dispensary; a position of high honor, affording him a wide and varied professional experience. The Doctor discharged the duties of this place from May 1, 1896, to May 1 of the following year and then located at the town of Shirley where he has since built up a large and lucrative practice. Dr. Wilson's wife was formerly Miss Victoria B. Trueblood, a native of Madison County, Indiana, and daughter of Warner M. and Narcissa (Allen) Trueblood, born respectively in Washington and Henry Counties, this state. Warner M. Trueblood was a successful merchant of Salem and died in 1872, his companion departing this life two years later. Mrs. Wilson was left an orphan at the age of three years and from that time until twelve years old lived among her relations. She was then taken into the family of Abel and Elizabeth Mills, prominent members of the Hicksite branch of the Society of Friends, Putnam County, Illinois, and lived with them until a short time previous to her marriage. She belongs to the same religious body, holding membership at this time with the Spring Valley church, Madison County, Indiana. Dr. Wilson is identified with the Knights of Pythias, Independent Order of Red Men and Odd Fellows fraternities, in all of which he takes an active interest. In politics he is a Democrat, hut has little time to devote to public or political affairs, the demands for his professional services being such as to preclude any outside consideration. For some time past he has been medical examiner for the Fidelity Mutual Life Insurance Company, also holds similar positions with the American Central Life Insurance Company of Indianapolis, the Union Central of Cincinnati, the United States of New York, the Prudential and the Modern Woodmen of America, being a member of the organization last named. As a physician he has already won high encomiums from his professional brethren. His career as a successful healer having brought him prominently to the notice of the leading men of the county as well as winning for him the confidence and respect of a large number of patients in the town of his residence and country adjacent thereto. He is a close and critical student and his large perceptive faculties enable him readily to apply his theoretical knowledge to the treatment of the various diseases with which humanity is afflicted. Keeping in close touch with the advanced thought of his profession and sparing no pains in his investigations in the realm of medical science, there is no doubt that his future will be marked by many years of continued success and usefulness.

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Compendium of Biography Of Henry County, Indiana B. F. Bowen 1920

Dr. Samuel G. Rogers for years one of the popular physicians and surgeons of Henry County as well as one of its best citizens was born at Milton, Wayne County, Indiana, December 10 1856. His parents removed to New Castle, Indiana, in 1858 and here he was reared and grew to manhood. He received his elementary education in the common schools of New Castle and later attended Depauw University, completing his studies there in June 1881. He at once entered upon the study of medicine with Dr. V. G. Smith at Lewisville, Indiana, and afterwards completed the courses at Bennett Medical College, Chicago, and the Indiana Eclectic Medical College, at Indianapolis, receiving a diploma from the latter in the spring of 1885. Dr. Rogers began his active career as a physician at Lewisville as a partner of Dr. Smith. This partnership lasted for two years and gave to the young doctor a large experience in his chosen field. After the termination of his contract at Lewisville, Dr. Rogers and his wife, much to the regret of their many friends, removed to the village of Nettlecreek, in Wayne County, a thickly settled Quaker neighborhood. Here, from the first, he had a very successful career. After a stay of nearly three years at this place, he removed his office and family to Mooreland, Henry County, but four miles distant, in order to have railroad facilities. At Mooreland, where he remained for more than six years. He was unusually fortunate in securing a large business and was also a leading citizen and town official. As the strain of heavy country practice was wearing on the Doctor's physical system, in November, 1892, he removed with his family to New Castle where for several years he was engaged in the drug trade during which time he was forced by former patrons to give medical aid and advice. In March 1900, Dr. Rogers removed to the beautiful old homestead just west of New Castle, he having previously purchased the interests held by his brothers and sisters. This homestead contains two hundred and thirteen acres, mostly of rich bottom and grasslands, making it thus a fine grain and stock farm. When the writer visited this place the Doctor had just completed a fine bank barn, a modern structure, to take the place of one recently destroyed by fire. Thousands of bushels of grain and scores of tons of hay are annually raised here. The breeding and raising of fine cattle, hogs and horses is a specialty at "Valley View," the beautiful and suggestive name given to this sightly home. Dr. Samuel G. Rogers was joined in marriage June 10, 1885, at Indianapolis, Indiana, to Miss Kate D. Record, a highly estimable and cultured lady of that city, whose acquaintance he had formed while residing there as a medical student. Their married life has been more than usually happy and congenial. To them have been born three children. The oldest, Wilbur D., aged fifteen, is now in the second year of the high school; Sallie Maurine, who died when three weeks old, and Joseph Thomas, a bright boy of ten years. Dr. and Mrs. Rogers are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is one of the stewards and for several years was treasurer of the church. Socially he and his wife mingle with the best informed and most respected residents of New Castle and vicinity. In politics Dr. Rogers has always taken an active interest and is a stanch Republican.

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Compendium of Biography Of Henry County, Indiana B. F. Bowen 1920

Henry County can boast of few more progressive or enterprising farmers than the well-known gentleman whose name forms the caption to this review. He is considered one of the leading agriculturists of Dudley township and as a citizen is intelligent and enterprising, combining within himself those sterling qualities of man hood that make not only a useful member of society, but a leader in whatever he undertakes. Sanford L. Cole was born in Fayette County, Indiana, on the 10th of July. 1846, and is the son of A. M. B. and Mahala (Gard) Cole. The Cole family were originally from Virginia and were of German descent. When A. M. B. Cole was a lad of four years his father crossed the mountains from his native state into Montgomery County, Ohio, where he followed the occupation of a wagon maker and carpenter. About 1823 he removed to Fayette County, Indiana, and there entered forty acres of land. It was in the midst of a dense woods and in true pioneer style he at once erected a cabin and started in to create for himself and family a home. He lived there for some years, and when he disposed of the place A. M. B. Cole, the father of the subject, bought a farm near by and entered upon its improvement. He married Mahala Gard whose parents had come from Ohio and had also settled in that locality as pioneers. They later sold their first entry and bought one hundred and one acres of timberland, on which they made their home until the death of the father. He had added to his first purchase until he owned at the time of his death one hundred and ninety-six acres. He was well known in Fayette County, was a public-spirited citizen and in politics was a Republican. He was a member of the Christian church throughout his life and died in that faith. To A. M. B. Cole and his wife there were born the following children: Perry P., Phillip, Alvin, Catherine, Elizabeth, Jerry, Sarah J, Sanford R, Benjamin F, and Morrison B. The subject of this sketch was reared upon his father's farm and was early initiated into the mysteries of husbandry. He attended the common schools of his neighborhood, was proficient in his studies and taught one term of school in Henry County. He remained at home until he had attained his majority and upon his marriage entered at once upon the farm, which he now occupies. He at once erected the present farm buildings and proceeded to the cultivation of the farm, which he has continued uninterruptedly to the present time. He owns seventy acres of land and has brought the place up to a high standard of excellence. On the 2nd of October 1872, Mr. Cole was united in marriage with Miss Missouri Wooters. She was born September 8, 1853, and in her youth was given the benefit of a good common school education. Her parents were of German extraction and were natives of Union County, this state. Until 1872 Mr. Cole was a Republican in politics, but since that time has cast his ballot and influence in favor of the Prohibition Party. At one time he served as deputy assessor of his Township. He was also a member of the Grange at one time. He and his wife are members of the Christian church and are active in all good works, being especially so in the Sunday school, of which he has served as superintendent. He is a wide reader of the best literature and has a well-stocked and well-selected library of books. He retains a deep interest in the progress and well being of his township and freely contributes of his means to all worthy objects. He is highly respected by his neighbors, and is regarded all over the township as one of its best and most prominent citizens.

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Compendium of Biography Of Henry County, Indiana B. F. Bowen 1920

Possessing many attributes of noble womanhood and bearing well her part in life, the well-known and popular lady whose name introduces this article is worthy of mention in a biographical compendium of the nature of this work. Amanda A. Straub, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Dilling) Hoover, was born in Liberty Township, Henry County, Indiana, on the 26th day of March 1841. The Hoover family is of German extraction; the subject's great-grand father came from the old country a great many years ago and settled in Blair County, Pennsylvania, where Samuel Hoover was born and reared. On the mother's side is mingled the blood of German, Swiss and Dutch ancestry. The Dillings were also early settlers of Blair County and the two families lived in the same neighborhood and the children for many years attended the same little German school. Samuel Hoover was born July 16, 1812, and on the 26th of March 1834, married Elizabeth Dilling, whose birth occurred November 29, 1816. In May 1837, Mr. Hoover and family came by wagon to Henry County, Indiana. They were seven weeks in making the journey, which was a leisurely one and from what can be learned a most pleasant and agreeable experience. Mr. Hoover brought with him considerable means and on his arrival purchased land, choosing for his home an admirably situated place in section 20, Liberty township. He at once inaugurated a system of improvements, which by industry and well-directed energy were successfully carried out. He was a hard worker and would frequently make the night resound with the echoes of his sturdy strokes as he felled the giant forest trees and cut them into the proper sections for rolling and burning. His life was one of continuous toil, but he succeeded well and in due time became a prosperous farmer. In early life he united with the church of God and later was licensed to preach by that body, a work to which he devoted considerable of his time and not frequently would he go long distances to fill his appointments. He was a zealous Christian and by his God-fearing life as well as by his public ministry did much to counteract the prevailing evils of his day. The death of this excellent man and sincere servant of the Most High occurred on the 25th day of February 1872; his widow is still living at the ripe old age of eighty-six years. Samuel and Elizabeth Hoover were the parents of three daughters, Nancy, deceased; Amanda A., of this review, and Sarah A., who married George Gootfried and resides on a part of the old homestead. Amanda A. was reared on the home farm in Liberty township, attended the common schools during her childhood and youth and grew up to the full requirement that a woman as well as a man should earn her living by the honest sweat of her brow. She early became familiar with the duties of household economy and the plain, simple domestic virtues, which are womanhood's most beautiful and attractive adornments, and proved a continued help to her parents as long as she remained with them. On the 6th day of March 1859, she became the wife of John P. Straub, an excellent young man who came to America some years before from his native land of Germany, where his birth occurred June 28. 1823. By occupation Mr. Straub was a brick molder, but after his marriage he engaged in farming and so continued as long as he lived. He was an industrious man, of frugal habits, honest and straightforward in all of his transactions and wherever known his word was as good as his written obligation. He provided well for his family and as a citizen won the esteem of the people of the community, all of whom respected him for his many sterling qualities. He was reared a Catholic, but later severed his connection with that body and united with the Church of God, in the faith of which he died November 8, 1882. In politics he was a Democrat, but never took a very prominent part in political affairs, having been a quiet, unostentatious man, deeply attached to his family and with no desire whatever for distinction of any kind. In his death his family lost a most loving and devoted husband and father, the community a kind and obliging neighbor and the county one of its excellent citizens. Mr. and Mrs. Straub's marriage bore fruit in the persons of four children, the oldest of whom. John Henry, born December 10 1864, died February 2,1865, Sarah C., born August 29 1866, was educated in the common schools and has never left the home fireside: Susan E whose birth occurred on the 22nd day of June, 1869, is the wife of Charles Shafer; Anna M., wife of Oscar Adams, was born February 26. 1873. Since her husband's death Mrs. Straub has lived on the farm and looked after its management. She reared her children well early implanted in their minds and hearts a love of truth, virtue and right and the lives they now lead show that her efforts in their behalf have not been barren of most excellent results. She is a kind neighbor, ever ready to minister to the wants of the poor and distressed and her gentle influence has always been exerted in the right direction. The people of the community hold her in high esteem and she has, shown herself worthy of every mark of favor and consideration conferred upon her.

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Compendium of Biography Of Henry County, Indiana B. F. Bowen 1920

Andrew Nicholson, a retired citizen of New Castle, Henry County, Indiana, was born in Guilford County, North Carolina, November 5, 1805, near the battlefield on which General Nathaniel Green, of Revolutionary fame, won one of his remarkable victories, and on which field, when a boy, Mr. Nicholson found many a rusty old bayonet and other grim relics of the sanguinary conflict. The parents of Mr. Nicholson were John and Mary (Williams) Nicholson, the former of whom was born in North Carolina and the latter in Maryland. When Andrew Nicholson was about twenty years of age the family came to the west and located in Ross County, Ohio, near Richmond. After several years' residence in Ross County, they moved to Iowa, where the mother died and the father then came to Henry County. Indiana, where he died from the result of an accident when he was eighty-four years old. The father served in the war of. 1812 and Andrew still remembers his own small errands in going back and forth with messages from and to the regiment. The martial fervor seems to have pervaded the family, as Andrew himself long afterwards had two sons in the Civil War of 1861-65 and receiving news at one time that one of these (John) was sick in hospital, went there to bring the boy home and on the way back encountered a company of General John Morgan's men, but was not molested and reached home in safety with his boy. It was the custom, in the. Civil war days, for Samuel Hoover, a good reader, to gather the neighbors together, mount a box and read the news as it came. When it was reported that a relation or friend had lost his life in battle, all would stand it without a murmur, but when it was announced that such relation had been sent to Libby prison, the blood of the hearers would boil.

In the early days, while living in Wayne County, Indiana, Mr. Nicholson worked in a brickyard at Richmond for seven dollars per month. A friend, Mark Reeves, who later became a merchant at Cincinnati, Ohio, had worked in the same yard, and some years afterward came from that city to New Castle to buy a span of carriage horses for family use. In a crowd Andrew twitted him with having once worked at seven dollars per month and created a great laugh. Young Nicholson had educated himself at home with borrowed books and at twenty-one began teaching, a vocation he followed for fifteen or twenty years. One of his pupils was George W. Julian, afterwards a congressman of considerable note. Spelling was committed to memory at school and lexicographers differed in this respect, Walker, for instance, ending certain words lith "ick" and "our," while Webster ended the same words with "ic" and "or, as publick, public; rancor, rancour, and so on. At one of the spelling matches in Nicholson's school. Julian added the "k" to public, while a little girl left it off, and Julian went to the foot the Webster standard having been adopted. Julian was angered at this and quit school, but afterward was reconciled and returned. The schools were on the subscription plan, at a tuition fee of one dollar and a half per quarter for each pupil, yet Mr. Nicholson saved money and purchased a farm of eighty acres, to which he devoted his time and attention in the summers. In 1859 Mr. Nicholson came to Henry County, Indiana, and bought a farm of one hundred and eighty-four acres near Rich Square meeting house and cultivated it in part until his Sons went off to war, when he sold the farm and came to New Castle and bought an eighty-acre tract, on which he erected his present residence. He has retired from active work and has his money loaned out on interest. He has platted part of his eight acres into residence lots, and has occupied his present dwelling for thirty-one years. At the age of twenty-five, Mr. Nicholson married Miss Sarah Ann Lamb for his first wife, to which marriage were born seven children, namely: Abner, a mechanic and farmer in Wayne county, Indiana; Julia Corwin, in Urich, Henry County, Missouri; Luther was a soldier in the Civil war and died at home when thirty years old; Cornelia was married to Francis Gentry and died in middle life: Eveline became Mrs. James Bradbury and died when about fifty years old; Charles died at forty, and John, the soldier-boy before spoken of, died at thirty-five. The second marriage of Mr. Nicholson took place in 1870 to Miss Mary Boyd, of Brownsville. Union County, Indiana, but a native of Harrison County, Kentucky, and a daughter of James and Nancy (Ruby) Boyd who settled in Union County, Indiana, when Mrs. Nicholson was but a child. No children have been born to this second marriage. In religion Mr. Nicholson was formerly of the United Brethren faith, but for the past thirty years has been a Presbyterian, his present wife being of the same faith. In politics he was formerly a Whig, but is now a Republican and for three years served as county commissioner in Wayne County. At a recent public meeting Hon. Martin L.Bundy delivered a brief oral address, taking Andrew Nicholson and his long and useful life as his text, and in connection therewith reviewing the history of the United States as it was developed during the ninety-six years of Mr. Nicholson's remarkable career. The speech was a good and well received.

Submitted by: Lora
Compendium of Biography Of Henry County, Indiana B. F. Bowen 1920