From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Stony Creek Township.
Page 849.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Thomas Littleton was born in Maryland in 1757. He spent his early life on a farm acquiring only sufficient education to enable him to read and write. He was married when twenty-one years of age to Mary Hurst. A few weeks after his marriage he was cut with an ax which made him a cripple the rest of his life, having to use a wooden leg fifty-six years. To Mr. and Mrs. Littleton were born five children - Nancy, Mathew, William, Leah and Thomas. Mrs. Littleton died and in 1801 he married Lovely Jones, and removed to Ross County, Ohio. He remained there twenty-five years, and then moved to Piqua County, Ohio, where he died in 1833. His wife died in 1841. They had two children - Levi and Margaret. Three of his sons were soldiers in the war of 1812.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Stony Creek Township.
Page 849.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Clarkson B. Bland (July 1847 Liberty Twp. Henry Co. Indiana - Dec. 1938) had a variety of occupations in each census: in 1870 he was a farmer, in 1880 a blacksmith, in 1900 an undertaker. By 1920 they had moved to Indianapolis, where he was a stock man in a bridge company.He married Mary Frances Hanby (not Hamby) (May 1848 Ohio - Aug. 1933 Cambridge City, IN) in Henry Co. Indiana in May 1871. She was the daughter of William & Hannah Fowler Hanby of New Lisbon, Henry Co. Indiana, natives of Ohio who m. 1837 in Marion Co. Indiana. Clark and Mary Bland had one child, Ella L. Bland (Aug. 5, 1872 Indiana - Dec. 1932). Ella Bland, who posed for photographs in fancy hats, married (1) the handsome Eugene Runyan in 1894 in Henry Co. Indiana. Gene (Nov. 1872 Indiana - March 1915) was the son of Andrew J. & Margaret Runyan, and grandson of Thomas & Mary Mullen Runyan (Thos. Runyan bio also on-line). By 1910 Gene & Ella Bland Runyan had moved from New Castle to Indianapolis, where Gene was a manufacturer of bridges. They had one child: Ruth Frances Runyan (June 1898 Henry Co. Indiana - Aug. 20, 1979 Orange Co. Florida). Ruth Runyan married William Albert Steinhilber (August 1888 Indiana - Nov. 1971 Orange Co. Florida) in 1916, Marion Co. Indiana. In 1930, Al Steinhilber was a salesman in plumbing. They had at least 2 children: William Steinhilber, born about 1921 in Indiana, and Gene, born about 1926 in Indiana.In September 1915, Marion Co. Indiana, the widowed Ella Bland Runyan married (2) Elmer H. Brubaker, (b. 1863 OH) a physician formerly of New Castle, Indiana. Ella and Elmer resided in Indianapolis. In 1920, their household included Al & Ruth Runyan Steinhilber. Ella's parents, Clark & Mary Hanby Bland, were neighbors of Al Steinhilber's parents, Emil & Bertha Steinhilber.Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana, is the resting place, all in the same section and lot, for Clarkson Bland, Mary Frances Hanby Bland, Eugene Runyan, Ella Bland Runyan Brubaker, Al Steinhilber, and Ruth Runyan Steinhilber.

Submitted by: Sally Gordon

David M. Luellen, merchant and Postmaster of Rogersville, was born in Rogersville, Henry Co., Ind., Sept. 25, 1844, a son of Jabish and Mary Luellen, his father a native of West Virginia, and his mother of Tennessee. His parents were married in Henry County, Ind., and settled in Rogersville. His father died in 1876 and his mother in 1882. Mr. Luellen spent his early life on a farm. He learned the blacksmith's trade and worked at it four years and then worked at the carpenter's trade about four years, and since then has been in the mercantile business. He has served as Justice of the Peace five years and is now serving his sixth year as Assessor. Feb. 8, 1865, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-seventh Indiana Infantry, and served till Sept. 25, 1865. Politically he is a Republican. He has been a member of Blountsville Lodge, No. 305, I. O. O. F., twelve years. Mr. Luellen was married when twenty-two years of age to Serepta McFadden. They have had seven children - Viva L., Jabish N., Dorsey E., Ada M., Kate D., Ocea A. and Walter Wesley.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Stony Creek Township.
Page 849 and 850.
Submitted by: Jeanie

William J. B. Luther was born in Greensburg, Decatur Co., Ind., Jan. 25, 1843, his father being a native of Rhode Island, and his mother of Pennsylvania. When he was about three years old his parents removed to Shelbyville, Ind., where he spent his childhood and youth. His father was in delicate health for a number of years and died when William was about eighteen years of age. He was the main dependence for support of his mother and four younger children, for a number of years, when his mother marrying again and the other children getting able to take care of themselves he was left to pursue his own interests, though of course with no capital except his energy and a determination to succeed. About the last of the year of 1867 he took a position with Eli Johnson, of Indianapolis, to drive a wagon, remaining with him two years. He saved about $800 of his salary, which was his capital on which to commence business for himself. He was married to Melvina Murray, of Blountsville, in this county, Dec. 25, 1869, and in January following he and his wife's brother bought out the drug store of House & Williams. They continued in partnership about a year when he purchased his brother-in-law's interest and since then, considering the place and its advantages and opportunities, he has been eminently successful. In addition to his drug store he is now proprietor of quite a nice dry-goods store and the owner of some valuable real estate. His wife's inheritance he has always kept invested separately in her name, never having used it in his business transactions. In short, his success may be considered a fair specimen of what may be accomplished by pluck, energy and determination. His family consists of three children - Eugene Murray, Annie and Beatrix.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Stony Creek Township.
Page 850.
Submitted by: Jeanie

William Murray, Jr., was born in Brown County, Ohio, Oct. 18, 1818, the fourth son and eighth child of William and Mary Murray, natives of Pennsylvania, and of Irish descent. His father having met with some financial reverses, removed to Wayne County, Ind., in William's early boyhood, where they lived for several years' engaged in farming and superintending the Wayne County Asylum for the poor. The whole family then came to Henry County about 1840, settling in Stony Creek Township, near the town of Blountsville, were William continued to reside till his death, which occurred Feb. 10, 1872. By occupation he was a farmer, owning a nice farm of 240 acres one mile from Blountsville. He began teaching when he was about twenty years of age and for ten or twelve years taught during the winter season. He was married Oct. 5, 1842, to Mary Taylor, of Wayne County, with whom he lived happily till her death, Nov. 2, 1856. She left a family of six children, the eldest not being thirteen years and the youngest ten months of age. He never re-married, living a widower for about fifteen years. He was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a strong supporter of all its institutions for a great many years. He was also a member of the Freemasons. In politics he was a strong Republican, having been originally a Whig, in strong sympathy with free-soil and abolitionism. He was a strong supporter of public improvements, good schools, all moral reforms, and an unyielding advocate of temperance. When the summons to bid this world and its care adieu came, he received it will all serenity, telling those about him that he had no regrets and that he was at peace with his Maker. The oldest of the children, Melvina, married Wm. J. B. Luther, and is living at Blountsville, near the old home. Alvin R. Murray, the second, is living in Reno County, Kan., engaged in farming and cattle raising. He married a Miss Clyne, of Delaware County, and has two children. He is a local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal church. J. C. Murray, the third child and second son, is a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church and a member of the North Indiana Conference, this being the third year of his location at Knightstown, in our own county. He is a graduate of Holbrook's Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio, and of Drew Theological Seminary, at Madison, N. J. He married a Miss Trembley, of Franklin County, and is the father of two sons. Louisa, the fourth, is married to a Mr. Sutton, who is engaged in the dry-goods line in Adams County, Ind. They have four children. Clara, the fifth, died unmarried at the age of nineteen. She was engaged in teaching school, and was cut off in the flower of her youth, being a young lady of great promise. Emma J., the youngest, is a graduate of Holbrook's Normal School, and engaged in teaching in a graded school in Adams County, Ind.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Stony Creek Township.
Page 850 and 851.
Submitted by: Jeanie

James Murry, son of William and Mary (Boles) Murry, was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., July 19, 1813. He was reared on a farm and educated in the subscription school. He acquired sufficient education to enable him to teach and taught during the winter months ten or twelve years. He was married Nov. 19, 1835, to Catharine Taylor, and settled in Wayne County, Ind., but a year later removed to Henry County, and in the spring of 1837 located on a farm which his father had entered from the Government, and by industry and good management brought it under a good state of cultivation. He lived there forty-six years, and then sold it and bought a smaller place, where he now lives. To him and his wife were born eight children, but four of whom are living - Frank W., Samuel T., Alford L. and Laura E. The deceased are - Mary A., Helen M., Viretta J. and Alice. His sons were all in the late war. Frank enlisted Sept. 20, 1861, in the Thirty-sixth Indiana Infantry, and participated in the battle of Pittsburg Landing, where he was wounded in the right elbow. He received a furlough of sixty days, and at the end of that time was discharged. Samuel enlisted in 1863 in the Eighty-fourth Indiana Infantry, and was discharged in June, 1865, serving most of the time as assistant in the hospital. Alford served as a substitute for Ellis Hodson, remaining the greater part of the time in Indianapolis, and was discharged in June, 1865. Mr. Murry is politically a Republican. He served one term as County Assessor, and has held several minor offices. He is not a member of any church, but is a liberal supporter of anything that tends to the welfare of the community. He has always been a temperance man and is a strong advocate of the principles of prohibition.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Stony Creek Township.
Page 851 and 852.
Submitted by: Jeanie

William Murry was born in 1786, in Pennsylvania. His early life was spent on a farm, receiving a common-school education. After his marriage he settled in Westmoreland County, Pa., remaining there twelve years, and in October, 1813, removed to Brown County, Ohio. In 1826 he moved to Highland County, Ohio, and in 1832 to Wayne County, Ind., where he bought eighty acres of land of Henry Warren. He also entered 320 acres from the Government, in Henry County, and 160 acres in Delaware County, Ind. He remained in Wayne County five years, keeping the county poor-house while there, and then moved to Henry County. He was married in his twenty-third year to Mary Boles, a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1785. They were members of the Presbyterian church, and were among the first members of the church in Stony Creek Township. He purchased the land and helped build the first church in the township, and also gave the land for a cemetery, his wife being the first person buried there. She died in 1838. To them were born ten children; but five are living - Cornelius, James, Jane, Rosana and Sarah A. Those deceased are - David, Ralph V., William, Mary and Elizabeth. In 1842 Mr. Murry married Martha Swan. He was a soldier in the war of 1812; and a son, Ralph V., was in the war of the Rebellion, enlisting in Wells County, Ind., in the 100 days' service. He died in December, 1883, aged sixty-two years.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Stony Creek Township.
Page 852 and 853.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Rev. John T. Newhouse was born April 1, 1847, in Columbia, Fayette County, Ind. In 1850 his parents moved to Henry County. On the breaking out of the Rebellion his two elder brothers enlisted and he was left to take care of his parents. They moved to Muncie, Delaware County, where he was employed in various kinds of business and made a comfortable living till the close of the war when his brother returned home and assumed the care of his parents. Mr. Newhouse married Emma Fisher, of Delaware County, and soon after his marriage returned to Henry County. He was converted and joined the Christian church and four years later was licensed to preach, and since then engaged in the active work of the ministry. He has been successful in his calling and has been the means of adding 1,500 to the church. He now has charge of four churches, receiving a salary of $700. His postoffice address is Blountsville, Ind.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Stony Creek Township.
Page 853.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Andrew Peirce was born in Blount County, Tenn., Feb. 22, 1812, a son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Anderson) Peirce. His father was born in North Carolina, near the border line of Tennessee, in 1785. He was married to Elizabeth Anderson, in Green County, Va., and subsequently moved to Blount County, Tenn., remaining there eleven years. In the fall of 1822 they moved to Wayne County, Ind., settling near Hagerstown, and remained there till after the mother's death in 1856, when the father sold his farm to the youngest son, Isaac, and came to Henry County, where he died April 23, 1863. There was a family of six children - Thomas, Andrew, Sarah E., Henry, Ezra and Isaac. Our subject received his education in the primitive log school-house, where only spelling, reading and the rudiments of arithmetic were taught. He remained at home till twenty-three years of age when he married Fanny Brown. He rented land a year and then moved to Madison County and settled three miles north of Pendleton on land of his own. In 1837 he returned to Wayne County and bought a saw-mill which he ran six years. In 1846 he bought land in Henry County and subsequently made various purchases and sales of land. In 1863 his wife died and he sold all his land in Henry County, intending to move West, but changing his mind bought again in this county. He was married in 1864 to M. J. Southwick. They have no children. To his first marriage were born nine children - Isaac W., Julia, Elisha H., Thomas, Elizabeth, James, Nehemiah, Eunice and Lorenzo D. Mr. Peirce has paid taxes in Henry County thirty-eight years and has never let a cent run delinquent. He has served his county and his township in some of the public offices. Politically he was originally a Whig, but since its formation has affiliated with the Republican party. He has always been a strong temperance man, and is now in favor of prohibition.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Stony Creek Township.
Page 853 and 854.
Submitted by: Jeanie

W. C. Pidgeon, eldest son of Jesse and Mary Pidgeon, was born in District No. 1, Blue River Township, March 22, 1855. His father, a hard-working, industrious farmer, had settled almost in the unbroken forest of the township; so when William opened his eyes for the reception of light and knowledge, his horizon was not far distant from the log house in which he was born. There was plenty of work in those times, grubbing, picking brush, burning logs, etc.; thus he was early inured to labor, getting a pretty good idea of the hardships of pioneer life, thereby learning a lesson which has been of inestimable value to him in his manhood years, viz.: "There is no royal road to success in life." His earliest recollections are of picking brush, deadening the forest trees and fighting "yaller jackets," ditching, sawing, etc. His life thus early was in no wise different from that of other boys in his neighborhood. In the summer of 1864 his father had a boy hired to help him tend the corn crop. William would follow and want to plow day after day, until finally he declared he could plow as well as the hired hand; so the hired man was given up and he went bravely at the work, receiving many a sore shin from springing roots, chuck in the ribs or under the chin from the plow-handle, etc., but he stuck bravely to it from that time forth. The years came and went, with the same routine of work; the horizon gradually widened, letting more sunshine to the earth and into the house. His winters were spent in the district school where he distinguished himself by his progress and application to study. "At night as we sat around the blazing fire, father would help us 'do our sums,' then pronounce to us from the dictionary in which mother would join the children, and all spell for head. These were happy times," so wrote he years afterward. At the age of thirteen he had mastered the branches then taught in the district school. Cyrus Hodgin, at this time, opened a graded school at Hopewell, Dudley Township, to which he was sent, working night and morning and the last of the week to pay his board, his father paying the tuition. At this place, and in the same way, he spent three winter terms of six months each, working for his father during the summer. During the eighteen months' schooling at this place he was tardy but once, and that was the first morning, and never absent. Such were his father's habits of promptness that rain or shine, hot or cold, his boy was always found at his place in school. He next attended Spiceland Academy, entering it the fall of 1871. Here he was noted for his quiet habits, thorough work and strict attention to his own business. Now, as formerly, he worked with his father in the summer, studying at home, thereby keeping up with his class. This was done for three years, and he was ready for the finishing term; but financial circumstances rendered it necessary to do something else; so he dropped out of his class, becoming Principal of a graded school at Spicewood, Hamilton County, during the summer. The next winter 1874-'75, was spent in a school in Howard County, where he had a rough set of scholars in number fifty-five. That school put him oftentimes to his wits' end but he proved himself equal to the occasion. That school gave a tinge to his government which has followed him ever since, and to-day it is known "he is strict" but deals justice to all, not forgetting mercy. He returned to the Academy the summer of 1875, finished its course, and carried home in triumph the diploma of the school. During the summers of 1877 and 1881 we find him again at Spiceland pursuing advanced studies, and teaching to pay his way. In the summer of 1876 he bore a diploma from Eastman's Business College, located at Poughkeepsie, on the Hudson. He visited New York City frequently while at Poughkeepsie. He often says "this was the pleasantest summer of his life.' Mountains, rivers, cities and the ocean, with their impressions, will never be forgotten by the "Hoosier boy." On his homeward journey, in September 1876, he visited Philadelphia, "taking in" the "never to be forgotten sights" of the Centennial. His life since then has been one of increased toil in the school-room, his only aim being to master his chosen profession. From early childhood his aspirations were to be a teacher, and rise through merited work to a higher place in the educational world. As a school-boy, his father told him "if he spent his time fooling with the girls he would bring him home and put him to work. So fearful was he of having to leave school that he rarely was seen in the company of ladies, consequently was very bashful. In August, 1881, he was married to Carrie Benedict, whose acquaintance he had formed while teaching at Springport, her father's residence. Her father's family came from Sullivan County, N. Y., to this county in 1875. A daughter, Edna Theresa, was born April 18, 1883. For the past two years he has been Principal of the Blountsville schools, where the same uniform success characterizes his work that has always followed his well-planned efforts. He is a member of the Society of Friends, in whose doctrine he is a firm believer, is an active Sabbath-school and temperance worker, would vote any day for Woman Suffrage and the total suppression of the liquor traffic. He has a library of nearly 200 volumes, including the American Cyclopedia, to which additions are frequently made. His is Republican in principle, but has not always supported the straight ticket; holds decided views on all points of general interest, from which he is not easily turned; believes in the centralization of school power as the only means of securing the best results of our schools. Is working, watching, waiting, hoping for the time when parents will co-operate with teachers in securing good behavior from pupils, regardless of methods of punishment.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Stony Creek Township.
Page 854 to 856.
Submitted by: Jeanie

G. W. Rees, tile manufacturer, was born March 20, 1827, in Delaware County, Ind., remaining with his parents till he was twenty-three years of age, when he was married to Mary Palsley. Of their eight children six are living - John R., Amanda A., Cassius M., Jacob B., Ollie and Mallie. Rebecca P. and William O. are deceased. After his marriage Mr. Rees lived in Delaware County about fifteen years, when he moved to Henry County, Ind., residing on a farm eight years. He then moved to Madison County, Ind., where he was engaged in the manufacture of tile five years, after which he returned to Henry County and established his present business. Mrs. Rees died June 20, 1871. Mr. Rees was again married Dec. 8, 1882, to Rachel Hyatt, who died Jan. 2, 1883. Mr. Rees has served two terms as Township Trustee. He is a member of Independence Lodge, No. 281, A. F. & A. M., of Grant County, Ind., and also belongs to Oneida Lodge, No. 81, Independent Order of Red Men. In politics Mr. Rees is a Republican. His parents were natives of West Virginia, and emigrated to Indiana in 1825, and settled on West River, above Hagerstown, where they remained only a few months. They then moved to Delaware County, Ind., where they resided till their death, which occurred, the father's April 1, 1864, and the mother's May 2, 1876.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Stony Creek Township.
Page 856 and 857.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Jacob H. Swearingen was born in Marion County, W. Va., in 1822, and at the age of nineteen was married to Mary Bechtelheimer, after which he lived on his father's farm in Henry County two years. He then moved to the farm in Stony Creek Township, where he has since resided. To Mr. and Mrs. Swearingen were born fourteen children, of whom four survive - Selina, Samuel B., Aaron and John B. Lerena and nine unmarried are deceased. His son Samuel B. enlisted in the spring of 1864, and was discharged at Indianapolis at the close of the war. Mrs. Swearingen died Dec. 28, 1864, and Nov. 26, 1865, Mr. Swearingen married Minerva Wilson, who died March 30, 1878. He was married to his present wife, Elizabeth Brown, Jan. 8, 1880. Mr. Swearingen owns and operates the only creamery in Henry County, which he established about two years ago. He has a capacity for churning 1,000 pounds per day, but the average at the present time is 100 pounds daily. He also has a dairy in connection with the creamery, milking at present forty-five cows, and shipping butter to several parts of the United States. He also owns 600 acres of excellent land in a high state of cultivation. Politically he is a Republican.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Stony Creek Township.
Page 857.
Submitted by: Jeanie

Henry C. Teetor, farmer, was born in Hagerstown, Wayne Co., Ind., July 25, 1862. His father, Zachariah Teetor, is a native of Indiana, and was reared on a farm, receiving no education till after his marriage. He was married in 1859 to Barbara Hoover, of Pennsylvania. They are the parents of seven children - John H., Henry C., Sarah E., Charles N., Joseph C., Emma F. and Benjamin F. After his marriage Mr. Teetor purchased a grist-mill in Hagerstown, which he carried on very successfully till September, 1883. He is an energetic business man, and held in high esteem by all who know him. His wife is a member of the German Baptist church. Our subject spent his early life with his parents, receiving a good business education in the public schools of Hagerstown. He worked in the grist-mill with his father till August, 1883, when he was married to Josephine Wright, and moved to a farm in Stony Creek Township, Henry Co., Ind. They have a good farm of thirty-two acres. Mr. Teetor is the champion bicycle rider of Indiana, and has taken several prizes at both State and county fairs.

From the History of Henry County, Indiana. Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Co. 1884.
Stony Creek Township.
Page 857.
Submitted by: Jeanie