Alfred Swain, one of Rush County's old pioneers, and an honored and worthy citizen of Rushville, was born in Union Co, Indiana, September 22, 1825. He was the youngest of four children, three sons and one daughter, born to Thomas and Lydia (Folger) Swain, both natives of North Carolina, of English descent. His father was the son of Joseph and Jedidah (Macy) Swain, both natives of Nantucket Island. His mother was the daughter of Latham and Matilda (Worth) Folger, both of whom were also born on Nantucket Island. His two brothers were Franklin F. and Alonzo, both of whom are deceased. His sister's name is Elvira, who is now the widow of Isaac Barnard, and resides in Clarke Co., Iowa. When he was seven years old, his parents removed to Rush County and located in the woods of Posey Township, where our subject spent his boyhood and early youth assisting to clear and cultivate his fathers farm. His mother died when he was eight years old, after which he continued with his father upon the farm until the latter's death, which occurred January 7, 1846. For about six years thereafter our subject was variously employed, but chiefly as a farm hand and as a clerk. In January 1852, he engaged in general merchandising in Manilla, this county. On the 31st day of December 1852, he had this misfortune of having his store and entire stock destroyed by fire. A loss, which Mr. Swain sorely felt, as it was wholly uninsured. For some four or five years thereafter he was engaged as salesman in a store at Manilla, and other wise employed, after which he spent a period of about five years upon the old homestead, in Posey Township. In 1864, he opened up a country store in Posey Township, which he conducted about four years and a half. He then removed to Arlington, where his attention was given to mercantile pursuits until 1874. In January 1875, he came to Rushville, a resident of which he has been ever since. For about seven years after locating here he dealt in lumber. Since 1881, he has had no regular pursuit, but has been leading the life of a retired citizen. His first marriage occurred September 16, 1852, when Miss Laurinda Barnard became his wife. She was born in Union County, Indiana, July 17, 1825, and was the daughter of Jethro and Sally (Gardner) Barnard, both natives of North Carolina. Mrs. Laurinda Swain died March 18, 1874, and August 1, 1875, Mr. Swain was married to Miss Rhoda E. Barnard, a younger sister of his first wife, who was born in Union County, this state, April 3, 1837. Mr. Swain's first marriage resulted in the birth of three children, as follows: Alva H., born July 15, 1854, Clara E, born October 30, 1856, and Rosa E., born July 15, 1859, died August 23, 1863. Mr. And Mrs. Swain are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The former has been a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge over thirty-five years. In politics he is an ardent Republican. His first presidential vote was cast for Martin Van Buren in 1848.Since 1856; he has been an ardent supporter of the principles of the Republican Party. He served as Assessor of Posey Township one term, and served this county as Real Estate Appraiser, one term.

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History of Rush County Indiana 1888
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The Swanson Case. At the April Term 1829, Edward J. Swanson was indicted and tried for the murder of Elishi Clark. The prosecution was conducted by William W. Wick, and James Whitcomb, and the defense by Charles H. Test. The indictment embodied the essentials of the common law. It was drawn by James Whitcomb, and from it the crushing prosecution escape was hopeless. The jury returned a verdict of guilty, which stands alone in the severity of punishment in the judicial history of the county. The defendants filed a motion for a new trial, assigning as one of the reasons that the Judge had charged the jury "that they were the judges of the facts and the court of the judge of the law." The Judge, Hon. B. F. Morris, over ruled all the motions and sentenced Swanson to be hanged on the following May 11, one month after the trial. Swanson disheartened, yielded to the inevitable and refused to appeal his case to the Supreme Court where there is scarcely any doubt that it would have been reversed. The execution occurred at the time fixed, and Swanson was the only man who ever paid the extreme penalty of the law in Rush County by an ignominious death upon scaffold.

At the October Term, 1829, Hugh Monroe was tried for murder. Monroe and deceased had been on bad terms for some time, and while at a shooting match, deceased while fixing a target was shot and instantly killed by Monroe, who was found guilty and sent to the penitentiary for sixteen years, but was afterward pardoned by the Governor. It was at this term of court that John Greeg, and Montgomery McCall took their seats as Associate Judges.

At the March Term, 1830, Charles H. Test came upon the bench as President Judge. James Perry was prosecutor. Business was very dull at this term. James Tyler was fined for contempt for coming into court intoxicated and talking loud.

September Term, 1830, Alfred Posey having been elected Sheriff, assumes control of the affairs of that office. At this term Judge Test made an examination of the records and gave the Clerk a sound lecturing on account of erasures and interlineations.

March Term, 1832, William J. Brown. Prosecutor. The following order was entered at this term. "James Raridan, Esq, fined $1 for standing up before the fire, in contempt of court" The fine was remitted next day. The courthouse took fire March 22, and created a commotion in court. John F. Irvin and Avanant T. Lewis ventured on the roof and extinguished the flames, receiving therefore the thanks of the court for this brave act. The Grand Jury examined the jail and reported, "It was in a sad state of decay, for several of the logs are much rotted and the door has no lock"

The most important civil case ever-tried in Rush Circuit Court was that to contest the will of John Megee. The plaintiffs were represented by Daniel W. Voorhees, Benjamin F. Claypool and William A. Cullen, the defendants by Thomas A. Hendricks, Leonidas Sexton, Oscar B. Hord, and Abram W. Hendricks. The charges of Judge Jeremiah M. Wilson were excepted to and appealed from. The judgment of the Supreme Court include the entire charges of Judge Wilson, and complimented that distinguished jurist in the following language. "We have given these instructions, repeated, and careful and thorough examination, and we fully indorse them, in all respects fully applicable and warranted by the evidence in and circumstances of the case.

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Theodore Morris was born in Scott County, Ky., December 19, 1824. His parents were John and Mary (Miller) Morris, natives of Kentucky. At the age of three, he accompanied his parents to Rush County, where he has since resided. They first settled one mile north of Rushville, in what was than a wilderness. There his parents both resided until their deaths. Our subject was brought up amid the scenes of farm life, and he adopted it as a life business, although for many years he has dealt considerably in stock, such as buying and selling cattle, and for seventeen years drove to Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1860 he was married to Miss Sarah Beaman. To this union four children have been born: Edward, Mary Belle, Francis and Dolly, all of whom are living. Mrs. Morris was called away in 1877. Politically, he is a staunch Democrat, but never sought political honors at the hands of his party. He began life a poor man, and by industry and perseverance has accumulated considerable property. He now owns about 900 acres of as fine land as the county affords, which is divided into four farms. His home is a pleasant one where he has resided over thirty years. He owns a valuable farm near the city of Rushville. In 1850, he says that $78 and a suit of cloths is every dollar he was worth. Thus we find the pioneer in Indiana, who has adopted a straightforward course in life possessed of means, and honored and respected by all who knew him.

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WILLIAM M. COOK was born in Union Township November 27, 1838. He is the son of J. B. and Nancy M. Cook, old residents of this township. The former was born in Ohio, and the latter in Fayette County. From boyhood his life has been spent here. His occupation has been farming and trading, and he has shipped considerable stock. In 1862, he was married to Susan Johnston. Mrs. Cook was born in Richland Township in 1839. This union has been blessed by the birth of four sons: J. B., Oliver J., Robert B., and Ora K., all living. Mr. and Mrs. Cook are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically, he is a staunch Democrat, and firmly believes in its principles. He is one of the active workers in this county, and is Central Committeeman for Union Township. He began life in limited circumstances, and now owns one of the best farms in Union Township, lying a quarter of a mile west of Glenwood. Mr. Cook is an honored citizen of this county.

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THOMAS W. MOFFITT a worthy resident of Union Township was born in Fayette County, December 29, 1837, and was the eldest son of William and Mary (Wiles) Moffitt, the farmer a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Ohio. Our subject was raised on a farm, and received a fair education in his youth. On July 25, 1861, he enlisted in Company F, Third Indiana Cavalry, and was placed in the Department of the Potomac. Mr. Moffitt continued in active service until August 1864, when he received an honorable discharge, and returned home with a shattered constitution. In 1867, he was married to Miss Lydia Jones, of Cincinnati, Ohio, who was called away in 1869, since which time Mr. Moffitt has made his home where he now resides. He receives a liberal pension from the Government, but would give the wealth of the Government, if he had it, to once more enjoy good health. He is now fifty years of age, and a quiet, genial man, of easy manners, and a good conversationalist. He makes his home with father and mother, who are still living.

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SAMUEL F. CLIFTON was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, December 2, 1829. His parents were Simon S. and Margaret Clifton, the former a native of New Jersey, and the latter of Pennsylvania. They removed to Franklin County at an early day, and are both buried in Union Township. They married in Franklin County. The former died in Grant County in 1883, and the latter in Union Township, in 1878. On December 7, 1850, our subject was married to Rachel Morgan, a native of Dearborn County, Indiana. her father was Benjamin Morgan. This union was blessed with eight children: Martha J., Richard F., William Emmet, Sarah E., Margaret L., Jacob J., Charles G. and Ada, all living. Mr. and Mrs. Clifton are members of the Christian Church, also his family. Politically, he is a Republican. He began life a poor man and has worked hard for what he is worth at present. He removed to the farm he now owns in 1864, and erected the fine residence on his farm. At present, farming is his chosen occupation, and his farm is considered the best farm in the county.

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ROBERT N. HINCHMAN (Picture) is one of the leading farmers of Union Township. He is a native of Rush County, and the son of James and Nancy Hinchman, early pioneers, whose biographies appear in this volume. He was born February 9, 1843, and spent his boyhood and youth on the farm, receiving a fair education in the district schools. On August 10, 1864, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah J. Kirkpatrick, a native of Union Township, and the daughter of David and Jane (Oldham) Kirkpatrick, the former a native of Kentucky, and the latter of Tennessee. The Kirkpatricks were among the first settlers of Rush County. The family circle of Mr. and Mrs. Hinchman has been blessed with six children, four of whom are living at this writing. They are: Carrie B., Van A., Eva M., and William E. They began life together on the farm where they now reside, which will compare favorably with the best-improved farms in the county. Farming has been his principal occupation in life, although in the fall of 1873, he removed to Rushville, where he resided until 1876, when he returned to the farm. Politically, he has been identified with the Republican Party and has worked hard for its success in the county. In 1876, he was elected County Commissioner, and for eleven consecutive years he has held that responsible position. During his official term the county debt has been wiped out, and numerous bridges and other public improvements have been made. The county is now out of debt, and can be classed among the foremost in the State as to public improvements. Mr. Hinchman retires from the Board of Commissioners with the good will and praise that a faithful public servant should receive from all parties. In connection with his farm labors, he is also engaged in buying grain at Ging's Station, a village on the J., M. & I. K. R., located one-half mile northeast of his farm. Honest and upright in all his dealings, Mr. Hinchman can be classed among the substantial citizens of Rush County. His portrait appears in this volume.

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JOHN T. MCMILLIN (Picture) stands foremost among the prominent and industrious farmers and stock-raisers of Union Township, and resides in the northeast quarter of Section 12. He was born near where he now lives August 30, 1831, and has spent his entire life in this township. We can trace his lineage back to about 1780, when we have an account of Thomas and Mary (Young) McMillen, who were his grandparents, emigrating from Ireland to America, locating in Washington County, Pa., and of six children being born to them; they were: Matthew, John, James, Ebenezer, Samuel, and Anna; also that their parents died in Washington County, Pa. John, the second son, and the father of the subject of this biography, was born in 1793. In 1815, he removed to Brown County, Ohio, and engaged as a farm laborer. While there, he made three trips on a flatboat to New Orleans, returning on foot each time to Brown County. There, on June 10, 1824, he was married to Susannah McConnell, a native of Brown County, Ohio, born April 30, 1800, and the daughter of Thomas and Mary (Downing) McConnell, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the son of Arthur and Elizabeth (Wilson) McConnell, both of whom were natives of Ireland, but emigrated to America prior to the Revolutionary War, and settled in western Pennsylvania. Thomas McConnell, their youngest of nine children, and the grand father of our subject on his mother's side, was born in Washington County, Pa., November 4, 1772. About the time of his maturity he went to Mason County, Ky., where he married Mary Downing, a native of Pennsylvania, born October 7,1799. She was the daughter of John and Susan (Ellis) Downing. Soon after this marriage, Thomas McConnell removed to Brown County, Ohio, where he entered land and continued to reside the remainder of his life, his death occurring April 26, 1865; his wife having passed away November 5, 1832. He was a Captain during the War of 1812, and was with Gen. Hull when he surrendered at Detroit. We will now return to John McMillin, who, soon after his marriage, located on a tract of land, which he had previously entered in Section 13, Union Township. He came here and settled down in the forest empty-handed, having but a few cents on his arrival. He erected a rude cabin, into which he moved his family, and with his axe started to clear up a home. His wife willingly assisted him by burning brush and such work as she could do, and by the next spring he had succeeded in preparing ten acres for corn. Success attended his labors from this time on, and ere his death, which occurred May 29, 1850, he found himself the possessor of over 6oo acres of choice farming land. He and wife were true Christians, and the honored principles taught their children in youth, are now evidenced by honest, upright men and women. The mother survived her companion until January 23, 1885, when she, too, crossed the dark river. Thus we glean a little knowledge of the lives of the sturdy pioneers who came here when all was woods, and by hard and earnest toil succeeded in developing homes which will stand as monuments to their honored names while memory lasts. They are gone, but not forgotten, for sons and daughters survive them who have inherited the homes which they toiled so incessantly to make, and who will keep their memories green, and pass down from generation to generation the history of the trials and hardships of their illustrious antecedents. As stated, John T. McMillin was born and reared in Union Township. His birth having occurred in 1831,he has had an opportunity to witness almost the entire growth of the county. His moral and intellectual training in youth was good, and he had the advantage of a common school education. Being raised on the farm, he adopted farming as a life occupation, in which he has been eminently successful. On November 25, 1852, he was united in marriage with Sarah Buzan, daughter of Wills and Maria (Kendall) Buzan, at that time residents of Union Township, but now deceased, and who were among the first settlers of the county. To this union were born three children, namely: Clara A., Laura B. (who died in infancy), and Sarah Bell. The wife and mother died January 27, 1857, and on the 24th of the following November, Mr.McMillin was married to Nancy B. Pentecost, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Bishop) Pentecost, the former the son of John and Jemima Pentecost, and born in Union County, Indiana, December 1, 1805, and died in Henry County, Indiana The latter was born October 4, 1808, and died in Union Township. She was the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Freel) Bishop, the former a native of Maryland, and the son of Robert and Rachel Bishop, natives of Maryland. He died in Preble County, Ohio, and was a soldier during the War of 1812. His wife, Nancy Fred, was the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Wood) Freel. By this union Mr. And Mrs. McMillin have had born to them six children: Emma J., John A., Ora M., William H., and Lida O., of whom Emma Josephine is deceased, dying the wife of John L. Shauck. Mr.McMillin now resides on a fine improved farm of 260 acres in Section 12, across the southeast corner of which the J., M.& I. R. R. crosses, and on which "McMillin's Station" is located. He also owns two other farms in the county. Besides giving his attention to farming, he has of late devoted considerable time and money in developing the heavy draft horse industry of the county, and was one of the first owners of imported Norman horses, and he now owns two fine imported Norman mares, "Marguerite," foaled in France in 1883, also "Marquise," foaled in the same country in 1885. He also owns an interest in the noted imported draft horses, "Favory" and "Coco," the former taking the world's premium at Paris in 1878, also at St. Louis, Mo., in 1880. He has taken premiums everywhere he has been exhibited, and is one of the finest Norman draft horses in America today. Space compels us to end this sketch of an illustrious family, whose name is familiar throughout the county, and we will close by adding that John T. McMihin, with a few other leading citizens of the county, in 1857, organized the Rush County Agricultural Society, and established a yearly fair at Rushville, which for its success, has become known beyond the borders of Indiana. For a number of years he served as a Director of the association, then as its President, and at present is a member of the Executive Board. He earnestly works to prosecute the interests of the agriculturists and breeders, of Rush County; hence the appreciation of his success. He and. wife are members of the "Church of Christ," or Christian denomination. Politically, he is a staunch Republican, and firmly believes in the principles of that party. Mr. McMillin's portrait appears in this volume as one of the representative citizens of the county.

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History of Rush County Indiana 1888
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GEORGE W. PRICE, who occupies a prominent place among the successful farmers of the county, was born in Posey Township, January 28, 1850, being the son of John and Sarah (Leisure) Price. The former who was born in Fleming County, Ky., was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Gallaway) Price, and the latter is the daughter of George W. and Lucinda Leisure, a history of whom appears elsewhere in this work. The father of our subject died September 22, 1873. His mother, who has ever since been a widow, resides upon a farm in Ripley Township. His boyhood and youth were spent upon the old home farm, where he was born. In summer he worked upon the farm and in winter he attended the district school in which he received a good practical knowledge of the branches then taught in the public school. He continued upon the farm with his father until after the latter’s death, after which he took up agricultural pursuits for himself, and to this his undivided attention has been given ever since. His first marriage occurred December 15, 1874, when Miss Mary J. Conaway became his wife. She was the daughter of Samuel and Phebe Conaway, whose history is given elsewhere. She was born May 2, 1850, and died August 29, 1884. On the 1st day of October 1885, Mr. Price was married to Miss Anna F. Conaway, who was a sister of his former wife. She was born In Posey Township, December 22, 1864. For four years after his first marriage, Mr. Price resided with his mother in Ripley Township. In the fall of 1878, he removed to Posey Township and located where he now resides. Mr. Price and wife are members of the Christian Church. The political affiliations of the former have always been with the Democratic Party. His farm, which consists of 101 ½ acres, is situated in an excellent farming locality and nearly all of it is in a high state of cultivation.

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John F. Price, farmer of Posey Township, was born in the house he now occupies, December13, 1846, being the son of John and Mary Price, both natives of Fleming County, Ky. The parents of his father were Thomas and Elizabeth Price, and his mother was the daughter of Elzy and Sarah Courtney. During his boyhood and youth, he attended the district school in winter, receiving a good knowledge of the ordinary branches of learning. He worked upon the farm in summer, and at twenty-one years of age engaged in agricultural pursuits for himself. He and Miss Sarah M. Scott were united in marriage August 18, 1867. Her parents, Aden D. and Emily Scott, were both natives of this State, the former of Henry County, and the latter of Hamilton County. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Price were Aden D. and Sarah M. Scott. Shortly after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Price settled upon a farm in Ripley Township. At the end of three years they removed to the old Price homestead in Posey Township, which they have occupied ever since. Mr. Price has followed the pursuit of a farmer all his life, and has been moderately successful. His farm consists of eighty acres of well-improved land, and it is very desirably located. Our subject and wife are members of the Christian Church. In politics, Mr. Price supports the principles of the Democratic Party. He was elected Trustee of his township in 1882, and was re-elected in 1884, serving two terms in a very satisfactory manner. In the fall of 1886, he was the candidate of his party for the office of County Commissioner, and succeeded in reducing an opposing majority from more than 300 to 194, and carried his own township, which is about evenly divided politically, by forty-seven, which reflects very creditably upon his standing.

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William Morris, the subject of this biography, is a prominent resident of Union Township, Bourbon County, Ky., was the place of his birth, March 13, 1820. Morris and Mary (Cummings) Morris are his parents. In 1834, or at the age of fourteen years, he accompanied his parents to Rush County, locating southeast of Rushville, where William spent the remainder of his youth on the farm. In 1847, he was married to Nancy Matlock, who died in 1849, leaving one child, Isabella, who is now the wife of George O. Pumphrey, and residents of Newton County, Indiana. In 1855, Mr. Morris was again married, this time to Miss Mary I. Smith, daughter of Louis and Rachel (Looney) Smith, the former a native of Virginia, born May 15, 1791, and the later a native of Kentucky, born February 9, 1795; they were both pioneers of Rush County. To this union of Mr. And Mrs. Morris, were born six children, viz: Noah, Emma N., Jesse L., Thomas M., William and Mary E., of whom Noah and Thomas M. are deceased. Mr. And Mrs. Morris are members of the Christian Church. In politics, he is a Democrat. He had a limited start in life, but has by hard and earnest toil provided himself with a comfortable home in his declining years. For nine years he was a resident of Hancock County, Indiana, but in 1866, returned to Rush County, and has made this his home ever since. In 1872, he moved upon the farm that he now owns near Griffin's Station.

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WILLIAM H. MAUZY was born in Noble Township, Rush County, Indiana, March 10, 1848. His parents were William and Caroline Mauzy, the former of Bourbon County, Ky., and the latter of Pennsylvania. The former was among the early settlers of Noble Township, and at present is a resident of Rushville. Our subject was raised on the farm, and at the age of twenty he began for himself. In June, I871, he was married to Luella J. Spivey, daughter of John and Rhoda (Lang) Spivey, residents of Fayette County. They are members of the Christian Church. He is a member of Glenwood Lodge 569, I. 0. 0. F. He moved on the farm in 1873, where he now resides. Politically, he is a Republican.

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