DAVID PORT

The present solid prosperity and the progressive spirit which is so characteristic of this great republic is in a very large measure due to the injection into our national life of the blood of Ireland in the person of her sons and daughters who have come here in the hope of escaping from conditions which were galling and oppressive. The qualities which have characterized the natives of the Emerald Isle have enabled these emigrants under the more favorable conditions in the United States to attain to the most exalted stations in business, learning and the arts and sciences, and they are considered among the most active and progressive of the citizens of this great country. The immediate subject of this sketch is a native of Ireland, having been born near Belfast. His parents were Samuel and Eliza A. (Canton) Port. The Port family is originally from France, but migrated from that country to Ireland and their descendants have made their homes in America. The subject's grandfather on the maternal side was a surgeon in the noted Irish Rebellion and was descended from Lord 0'Neal. Samuel Port, the father of the subject, emigrated from Ireland in 1839 and at once located in Fayette county, Indiana. When he had come as far as Cincinnati, Ohio, he found himself with but ten cents in his pocket and a family of eight children to care for. He had learned the weaver's trade in Ireland, though upon settling in this country he engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was industrious and saved his money and was subsequently able to buy a quarter section of land, situated one mine north of Waterloo, in Fayette County. Here he settled and resided a number of years, and being energetic and ambitious, lived to see this tract cleared up and improved. He also kept a hotel for a number of years, which is remembered as one of the pioneer institutions of that county, from which he received a source of income. The hotel was known as the Drovers and Movers home for many years during the early history of that country, and was very popular and liberally patronized. He subsequently disposed of his possessions near. Waterloo and purchased a farm two miles north of Bentonville, on which he settled, and afterward resided until death, which occurred in 1859. He was highly respected and was known far and wide. He was the father of nine children, eight of whom were born in Ireland, and of this family the subject is the only survivor. He had been fairly prosperous and at his death was worth about twelve thousand dollars. Politically he was a Democrat and in religion was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. David Port was reared upon his father's farm and had but little opportunity to secure an education. He remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority. After his marriage he resided upon his father's farm near Bentonville for three years and in 1867 came to Henry County, locating upon a farm. He now possessed one hundred and ten acres of land and was successful in the operation of the farm. Besides the operation of the farm Mr. Port also engaged in the buying and shipping of livestock and found this a very profitable source of income. During the fall of 1902, Mr. Port and wife moved to Dublin, Indiana, where they now reside in retirement, enjoying the fruits of their many years toil. On the 10th of October 1858, David Port was united in the holy bonds of wedlock with Miss Martha J. Vickery. She was born in Rush County, this state, April 19, 1837, and is the daughter of Salathiel and Sarah (Long) Vickery. She is of Irish Welsh extraction. Her grandfather Long was a native of Virginia, and removed from that state to Ohio, thence to Indiana in 1820. He was an extensive contractor and constructed about three miles of the National road from Lewisville westward. He was a well-known and prominent man and was elected to the Indiana legislature. He was the father of nine children. To the marriage of the subject and his wife there have been born four children, as follows: Lenna A., married Clemment Baird and is now deceased; Samuel R. married Meda Teeter and lives near Centerville, Wayne county, Indiana; Lizzie L. married Lagrove Lamberson and lives in Dudley township, this county, and Maggie E., the second in order of birth, died when about two years old. Politically the subject is an ardent Democrat and has done much to advance the interests of his party. Religiously the families are affiliated with the Christian church and are active and earnest in their support of the same. Mr. Port enjoys a splendid reputation as a successful farmer and an entrprising businessman, being familiar with 17 the methods of agriculture such as the most scientific and progressive farmers have adopted to make their living financially remunerative. As a neighbor and citizen he occupies a desirable and conspicuous place and all who know him honor him for his many sterling qualities of manhood.

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


THOMAS BENTON JACKSON

It is an axiom demonstrated by human experience that industry is the keynote to prosperity. Success comes not to the man who idly waits, but to the faithful toiler whose work is characterized by sleepless vigilance and cheerful celerity, and it was by such means that Thomas B. Jackson has forged to the front and won an honored place among the substantial citizens of Henry County. He is widely and favorably known as a man of high character, and for a number of years his influence in the community has been marked and salutary. Thomas Benton Jackson was born in Wayne Township, Henry County, Indiana, December 27, 1851, and is the son of Washington and Matilda J. (Greenstreet) Jackson. The emigrant ancestor of the Jackson family was William Jackson, a native of Ireland who crossed the ocean with his parents when he was but eight years old. They came to Indiana and settled in Wayne township, Henry County, where he was reared and there he entered land. On this land Washington Jackson, the father of the subject, was reared and learned the business of farming, in the meantime receiving his education in the primitive log school house. He married Matilda J. Greenstreet, and in 1852 he located in Harrison Township, where he obtained possession of one hundred and sixty acres of land. It was almost entirely un- improved, but he was energetic and ambitious and at once started in to create for himself a comfortable home. It was swampy land and many of his friends thought he was making a mistake to select land of this character. However he thoroughly ditched the land and cleared out the brush and timber and in the course of time brought the place to a high standard of cultivation. At his death it was concede& to be one of the finest farms in Henry county. Besides this tract he owned forty acres elsewhere. To him and his wife there were born twelve children, of whom those living at present are Viretta, the wife of Ira Blake; Thomas Benton. The subject; Margaret J., the wife of Albert Lewis and Mary, the wife of Jackson Dudley, of Hancock County, this state. The subject of this notice was born in Wayne Township, but was reared in Harrison Township, being taken to that township when he was but six months old. Here he attended the district school, obtaining a fair education, and in the meantime was initiated into the mysteries of husbandry. He worked by the month for his father until he was twenty-four years old, at which time he had saved about four hundred dollars. He bought forty acres of land and lived upon this place until 1895. October 14, 1901, Mr. Jackson moved to Shirley, where he has since resided. He started in life with but forty acres of land and indebtedness of one thousand dollars, but as the result of his wise management and sound judgment he has now two hundred and forty acres of land and is worth probably fifteen thousand dollars. He is diversified in his farming operations, as every successful farmer should be, and his sound business policy and the honorable course he has pursued in all his relations with others has brought him the warm regard of all who are acquainted with him. Mr. Jackson has been twice married. His first marriage occurred August 27. 1876, the lady of his choice being Miss Lydia A. Cronk. She was born in Wayne County, this state, but when ten years of age was brought by her parents to Henry County, locating in Greensboro Township. She attended the common schools and also to some extent the high school. This union was blessed with the birth of three children, one deceased, Arminta M., born July 9, 1871, the wife of Lafe Coon, and Verlie F., born April 24, 1883, lives with his grandmother Cronk. Mrs. Lydia Jackson died on the 9th of January 1893, and on the 24th of August 1895, he married the widow of James McKee, and the daughter of Thomas and Mary (Huston) Wilhoit. Politically Mr. Jackson is an adherent of the Democratic Party, though in obedience to the dictates of his conscience he has recently cast his ballot in favor of the Prohibition Party. Religiously the families are all members of the Methodist Episcopal church at College Corners and hare been active in the work of the church, the subject having served as class-leader, secretary and superintendent of the Sunday school. He is a man who has been deeply interested in all that goes to the betterment of his community and has taken a part in the furtherance of several improvements, at present being a stockholder in two gas wells. The qualities which have made him one of the successful men of Henry county have also brought him the good will and esteem of his fellow citizens, for his career from the beginning has been one of well-directed energy, strong determination and honorable methods. Endowed by nature with strong powers of mind and possessing the energy to direct his faculties in the proper channels, he early became a man of resourceful capacity, as the able management of his affairs abundantly testifies. Socially he is a most agreeable gentleman, always genial and pleasant in manner and possessing the happy faculty not only of making friends but of binding them to him by his good qualities of head and heart.

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


The New Castle Courier was founded in 1841 by John W. Grubbs, although the paper had been issued at Knightstown since 1837 under the head of the Indiana Sun. but its existence as the Courier dates from June 12, 1841. In 1843 H. C. Grubbs became a partner in the concern, but in 1846 it was sold to C. V. Duggins, who died in 1850, and his executor, James Comstock, managed the paper a short time until John W. Grubbs again took possession, he keeping the plant until 1853. when George W. Lennard and Coleman Rogers purchased it. In 1854 it was sold to Nation & Ellison, in the same year Wrigley & Lyle purchased it and in 1856 C. E. Harwood and Thomas B. Redding became the owners. E. B. Martindale, L S. Drake, Drake & Goode and Elwood Pleas were the next proprietors respectively. In 1869 Mr. Pleas sold to M. E. Pleas and H. H. Hoover. Later owners were A. G. Wilcox, Calvin Scott, Adolph Rogers and Rogers and Pleas. In 1870 a stock company purchased the plant for ten thousand dollars and installed Adolph Rogers as editor. In 1877 W. H. Elliott took charge of the paper as manager and eventually bought in all the stock and proceeded to make the paper the leading Republican newspaper of eastern Indiana. In 1898 Mr. Elliott volunteered for duty in the war with Spain and to Mark 0. Waters, his assistant manager for the previous seven years, was given the management of the paper. Some months later Mr. Waters associated with himself Joseph A. Greenstreet and together they operated the plant until October 1, 1899, when they purchased the establishment. A year later Mr. Greenstreet assumed the duties of county superintendent of schools and retired from active management with the paper, but retains his financial interest in it. Mr. Waters is the active manager at the present time. In 1896 a daily edition was established and has steadily grown in popularity until it now has an extensive circulation. The political policy of the paper has been uncompromisingly Republican and has rendered valuable aid during political campaigns. Mark O. Waters was born on a farm seven miles north of New Castle, in Prairie township, Henry county, Indiana, November 21, 1867. His grandfather, George Waters, was one of the first settlers of the county, coming from Virginia in the thirties and entering from the government a tract of land upon which he spent his life and which is yet in the possession of the family. When he settled there a tribe of Indians still occupied a part of the land. The borne was the refuge of the pioneer Methodist preacher, of the Cartwright and Finley type, and many rousing, shouting meetings were held beneath his roof or in the shade of his poplar, walnut and oak forests. His farm was covered with a dense growth of these trees of the largest size and in order to clear the land timber of untold value was burned in the log heap. His barn and house were made of poplar logs and his fences were made from poplar and walnut rails, some of which still endure the tests of time. James, the eldest son, taught school in one of the first school houses erected in the forest. It was built by a neighborhood of pioneers, near what was called "Bear Pond", and was made of logs and with a puncheon floor. Nothing now remains of the old school house but a few scattered timbers and an old tree of great size marks the site of the building. James Waters married Margaret Current, of whose family there is genealogical record dating back to the Revolution, where gallant service was rendered the cause of freedom. Mark O. Waters grew up on the farm, spending his boyhood years much as do other farmer boys, but he learned the stories of the pioneers, he knew the historic land marks and their traditions and his farm home with its surrounding country were dear to him because of those cherished connections with his ancestors. He was educated in the district schools until sixteen years of age, then entered the New Castle public schools, and later spent two years at DePauw University. He then engaged in teaching, which he continued with success for four years, only discontinuing that profession to engage in the newspaper business. In the fall of 1890 he came to New Castle to assist on the reportorial force of the Courier during the week of the Henry county fair and his work was so pleasing to W. H. Elliott, the manager and proprietor, that he was immediately tendered a position as reporter. He accepted and became a resident of New Castle in September, 1890. He was promoted to the position of city editor and assistant manager and in 1898 when Mr. Elliott volunteered for duty in the Spanish-American war the entire management fell upon him. Mr. Waters is particularly gifted with the ability for hard work and the faculty for concentration of all his powers to the work in hand, which has been rewarded in his continued connection with the paper by its almost phenomenal success. Mr. Waters was married October 23, 1895, to Miss Alice Fulton, of Colusa, California. They have one child. William James, born January 6, 1900. Both Mr. and Mrs. Waters are members of the Methodist church in New Castle and take great interest in Sunday school and Epworth League work. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and belongs to New Castle Commandery No.44, Knights Templar. He is also a member of the board of school trustees and is interested in the various public improvements of the town. Although a young man, Mr. Waters has risen to a good business footing among his fellow citizens, where his advice is much sought and his opinions valued on all matters of public interest.

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


ELI BOND

The subject of this sketch is a representative of an old family that has been well and prominently known in Wayne and Henry Counties from a very early day. Jesse Bond, grandfather of Eli, was a pioneer of the former county and took an active part in its early growth and development. Enos Bond, his son and father of the subject, was born in 1810, came to Indiana when a young man and on the 23rd day of February, 1830, was married in Wayne county to Miss Susannah Hoover, whose birth occurred May 1, 1813. Immediately after his marriage Enos Bond came to Henry County and settled on land, which his father had purchased from the government some years previously. To reach his new home he was obliged to cut a road through the dense woods, after which he hastily constructed a rude log cabin for the reception of his newly wedded bride. This building differed somewhat from the conventional backwoods dwellings of the period in that it had no floor and no window, the only means of entrance being through an opening in the wall made by the removal of a section of two logs. As a protection from the cold and rainy weather a bed quilt was hung over this aperture, but later a small window was made and in due time a puncheon floor and other needed improvements were added. Mr. Bond worked diligently while clearing his land and experienced many of the vicissitudes and hardships common to the pioneer period of this part of the state. He became one of the substantial farmers of his community, also one of its best known and most highly respected citizens. He dealt considerably in livestock and is said to have been one of the best judges of cattle and horses in the county. It is stated that he could by a hasty inspection tell to within a pound the weight of an animal and his estimate of its value was generally accepted without further discussion. For many years he was a leader of the Hick site branch of the Society of Friends worshipping at Dublin and an active participant in the deliberations of the yearly meetings. He followed agricultural pursuits as long as he was able to perform manual labor, but having acquired a competency, spent his latter years in retirement among his children, and was visiting with his daughter at Pendleton when his death occurred on the 27th day of February 1883. Nine children were born to Enos and Susannah Bond, all of whom grew to maturity, the first one to die departing this life shortly after attaining his majority. Two of the number died recently, Calvin in 1897, at the age of sixty-six years and two months: then Catherine, in April of the same year, aged fifty-four years and eight months; the former was a resident of Dwight, Dakota and the latter died at Richmond from the effect of an operation, though a resident of Ridge Square, this county. The following are the names of the living members of the family: Mary Ann, widow of the late Joel Garrettson, resides in New Castle: she formerly lived at Pendleton, where her second husband, Mr. Garrettson, farmer and stock raiser, died at the age of seventy-three. By former husband, Jesse Wickersham, she had two children. Lee Wickersham, of Indianapolis, and Carrie. Wife of Walter Cammack, O Anderson, this state. Hannah, wife of Edward K. Stratton, lives near Spiceland; Isom Bond lives in the old homestead in Liberty Township; Jesse is a resident of New Castle; Phoebe is the wife of John H. Hewitt, a farmer of Liberty Township, and Eli is the subject of this review. Eli Bond was born on the old home place in Liberty Township, Henry County August 11, 1844;nd remained with his parents until his twenty-first year. Meantime he attended of winter seasons the common schools, became familiar with the varied kinds of farm labor and grew to manhood with a proper appreciation of the true dignity of honest toil. On attaining his majority he took charge of the homestead and managed the place for several years thereafter with results satisfactory to his father and to himself. Purchasing property in New Castle, he subsequently removed to the city and after living there seven or eight years decided to make a tour of the west with the two-fold object of recuperating his health and finding a favorable business location in view. For some years Mr. Bond had suffered much from chills and ague and their periodical recurrences actuated him to seek a more healthful climate. During a long and interesting western tour, covering a period of many months, Mr. Bond traveled over the greater parts of Colorado, California, Wyoming and other western states and territories, going as far north as British Columbia and other of the English possessions, visiting many places of interest and greatly building up his worn-out bodily energies. While in the west he was variously engaged at different towns and upon his return to Henry County was strong and healthy physically, having gotten rid of the last vestige of malaria in the course of his travels. Since his return Mr. Bond has made his home with his sister, Maryann Garretson, widow of the late Joel Garretson, who is now a resident of New Castle, though formerly resided in Pendleton. They have a beautiful and pleasant home, supplied with all the comforts and conveniences calculated to make life desirable. He owns a valuable farm within one and a half miles of the city limits and devotes his attention largely to agriculture and stock raising, although interested in various local enterprises, among which is the shovel factory at New Castle, in the organization of which he was one of the principal movers. He is a large stockholder in this establishment and realizes from his investment no inconsiderable part of his income, although his efforts in the line, of farming and stock raising have brought him liberal financial returns. As a man and citizen Mr. Bond enjoys the confidence of the people of the city and county and none stand higher than he in publicity, preferring to live a quiet life and to be known merely as a citizen. Reared a Republican and having always supported the principles of the party, he has kept out of active politics, having no taste in that direction and no ambition to gratify in the way of official honors. In religion he is a birthright member of the Hick-site branch of the Society of Friends and has always endeavored to make his life correspond to the beautiful and simple teachings of that excellent body of worshippers. Personally he is one of New Castle's most popular men and the county of Henry is honored in having such as he numbered among its intelligent, progressive and representative citizens.

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


EDWIN REYNOLDS

It is with a large degree of pleasure that the biographer essays the task of recording the, more salient facts in the life career of the gentleman whose name appears above. His efforts towards advancing the material interests of the county are so well known that they form no secondary part of his career of signal usefulness. He belongs to that class of representative Americans who, While gaining individual success, also pro mote the public prosperity. Such men stand pre-eminent among those who have conferred honor and dignity upon their places of residence, no less by well-con ducted business interests than by upright lives and commendable conduct. Edwin Reynolds was born at Fountain City, Wayne County, Indiana, on the 4th of November, 1834, and is the son of Isaac and Sarah (Hinshaw) Reynolds. The Reynolds family is of English extraction, though the more recent ancestry of the subject are from North Carolina. Isaac Reynolds was born in the latter state and was there reared to manhood and received his education. He married Sarah Hinshaw, also a native of North Carolina. He was reared to the life of a farmer, but afterward learned the trade of milling. He came to Indiana and located, at Fountain City, where in 1834 he built the first steam gristmill erected in Wayne County. There he followed the milling business for seventeen years. At the end of that time he disposed of his mill there and went to Dalton, the same county, where he engaged in the manufacture of lumber. He passed the remainder of his life at Dalton, dying there in 1884. He was a public- spirited man and his purse was always open to all worthy enterprises or movements for the public good. He was an ardent abolitionist and did all in his power to abate the institution of slavery. He was a Republican from the organization of that party and in religion was a member of the Friends Church. He was the father of twelve children, seven Sons and five daughters. Whose names were as follows: Clarkson, Milton, Francis. Edwin, Albert. Henry. Harvey, Martha, Julia A. Emily J., Louisa and Ellen. Edwin Reynolds was reared at the Wayne County home and was early accustomed to the hum of the sawmill and decide to make that his life work. He had attended the common schools of his neighborhood and acquired a fair education, but remained at home assisting his father until he had attained his majority when, in 1858, he came to Henry County and engaged in the lumber business near the town of Moorland. He remained in that location until 1873, when he moved his mill to Straughn, which remained his business location until 1900, when he retired from an active participation in business. He has always been a moneymaker and has lived comfortably, though he has not amassed very much property. Mr. Reynolds has been three times married. His first wife was Amanda C. Payne, widow of Jesse Payne. To his union with this lady one son was born, Charles, who died in infancy. This wife died in 1864, and his second marriage was with Miss Phoebe J. Knight. To the subject and this wife was born one child, Martha, who married William E. Willis and resides in Dudley Township, this County. Mrs. Phoebe J. Reynolds died in 1875, and the subject subsequently married Mrs. Almira Starr, by whom he became the father of one child, Frank S., born September 18, 1880. He was educated in the common and high schools at Straughn and also took a course in a business college at Indianapolis, and is now bookkeeper for Cox & Yockey at Rushville, Indiana. Politically the subject has always been a stanch Republican and has been active in advancing the interests of that party. While residing in Wayne County he was elected to the position of trustee of his township and served in that position seven years, resigning upon his removal to Henry County. He has also served in the office of trustee of Dudley Township, this County, for four years and performed the duties of the office in a most acceptable manner. In religion he and his Wife are both members of the Christian church and are active and faithful in the performance of their church obligations. Fraternally he is a member of the subordinate lodges of Masons, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias. He has been a member of the first-named order for the long period of forty-four years and was a charter member of the Knights of Pythias lodge at Lewisville. He has twice been a candidate for the nomination for county auditor, but each time failed of nomination. He is a man of strong personality and strength of character, which easily places him among the most influential residents of the county and his zeal in whatever cause he espouses is the signal of its success. He is public spirited to a degree and gives his most earnest support to all measures which promise to advance the public welfare.

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


Deb Murray