Bartholomew-Harrison County IN Archives Biographies.....FLORA, John (& Amanda G) January 28, 1800GER - October 4, 1876 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/in/infiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Bill Boggess billboggess@webtv.net January 23, 2006, 6:37 am Author: Bill Boggess (Revised: 08/28/06) OUR FLORA FAMILY (Parents, John and Amanda FLORA) "Do you know that each life is a garden, And we sow as the days go by Seeds, for a future harvest To be gathered with smiles, or sigh?" Poet: Harriette (FLORA) Gray's poem; "The Garden of Life" http://files.usgwarchives.net/ks/montgomery/obits/g/grayflor36ob.txt http://www.thegardenoflove.org/weeklypoemarchives120103.shtml (Poem) http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=:2621954&id=I544058785 (Tree) INTRODUCTION: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The "FLORA FAMILY" research of mine started near the end of eighteenth century, almost to beginning of our nation. Surprises appeared, leaving some questions unanswered. It was an extension of earlier project at 75th anniversary of my mother's, Frances Elizabeth FLORA, 2 April 1928 death. Facts found: John and Amanda's sons were among earliest settlers of Kansas & Colorado, my maternal roots are 100% German, firmly embedded in the State of Indiana while my Boggess family's, 7th great grandfather, Robert Boggus (A1), was first found in America at Nansemond county, Virginia, (now Suffolk City) 1 April 1644, of English descent, and the Gray family to their 1st of several Robert Grays also of 17th century in Massachusetts and the incorrectness by historians published biographies of my great grandfather, John Andrew FLORA. At least three books provide differering stories! Two, otherwise most informative books, digress from John Andrew FLORA's documented record; "History of the State of Kansas" by William G Cutler, as first published in 1883 by A. T. Andreas, Chicago, IL and "History of Labette county, Kansas and its Representative Citizens", ed. & comp. by Honorable [Judge] Nelson Case. Published by Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, IL 1901, having him born in Susquehanna county Pennsylvania ca 1800, (but created; 21 February 1810 from Luzerne county).The Director of United Brethren Historical Center (UBHC) of Huntington, Indiana advised us of a third: "History of Indiana Conference" by Adam Byron Condo(1926) on pages 141 and 142, has him born in Germany 1801, family moving near Pittsburgh when he was very young. Bartholomew, Indiana, County Clerk's genealogist, Mary Ellen Sweet Grossman, wrote: (8/05/05): "As you know there is not a check on "truth" in the "Vanity Books" [Cutler's 1883, & Case's 1901]. The fellow who was selling and writing the biography for the book often invented things to fill up the page. With a Judge He should have had some input but you never know." Cousin Jim Duggan (1937CA-2006UT), a g,g.g.grandson, (g,g,grandson of Volney P FLORA) born January 1937, San Diego, California, raised in Long Beach, now of Utah, said: (8/05/05): "I began research into my family in 1961, and still revel in the interesting stories I learn about my ancestors. They are better than any TV series I have ever watched." "I remember my dates for John Flora, Amanda G. Lentz, and their [seven] children are all based on entries in the Duggan Family Bible." Duggan Family Bible spelling is "Wolney" and "Ellinor" (her gravestone, "Elleanor")! "Volney" and "Eleanor", found on 1856 Indiana Marriage Certificate. Duggan's bible information was copied by cousin Jim Duggan in 1960's while it was in possessin of Maggie May (FLORA) Duggan's youngest Duggan son, James Joseph Duggan, in Charleston, West Virginia, town where Maggie died September 1947 visiting other son John Healy, but buried, with "High Mass", in California. The bible entries are assumed to be copied from a FLORA Family Bible following 4 May 1882 Colorado marriage of Maggie May and James Joseph Duggan nearly fifty years after her father's, Wolney Pulaski, December 1834 birth in Harrison county, Indiana. PARENTS : ~~~~~~~~~ Duggan Bible lists Rev John FLORA born in Germany, 28 January 1800 (The United Brenthren records also say Germany, 1801, coming to Pennsylvania at a young age), and Amanda G Lentz born 12 November 1810. John's army pension records state both died in Bartholomew county, Indiana; Amanda, January 1862, John (Wednesday), 4 October 1876, year confirmed in United Brethren materials, presumed buried at Hartsville University cemetery without head-stones, not listed in county records. We searched pre-1840 Index of Pennsylvania revealing name "John FLORA" in York county, York township(1800), one each in Lancaster county's, Miller & Rapho Townships (1810) and one in Franklin county, Montgomery township(1820) plus a "Christopher Lentz" (?father of Amanda G Lentz John's 1st wife) in Montgomery county, Springfield township(1790) and in Montgomery county, Lower Merion township(1810 & 1820). Amanda and John FLORA were probably married in Pennsylvania, because NO Indiana certificate was found, then venturing to State of Indiana. Harrison county was created in 1809 in Indiana Territory, state was created 11 December 1816 with eight year old Corydon made 1st state Capitol. Meetings were held under the huge, spreading "Constitutional Elm" until capitol was moved to Indianapolis 10 December 1825, one hundred years before the tree died of Dutch Elm Disease in1925. A John FLORA & wife, both in their 20's with two sons under 5, are in 1830 Orange county, IN census. Its possible those sons died before 1840 Harrison county census. FLORA's first home, if not in Orange county, Indiana was in community of Zion Church, says United Brethren Historical Center to be north of New Market, Harrison county. New Market was platted by Frederick Mauck, son of 1811 land owner and ferry operator of "Mauck's Port", John Peter Mauck, 7 May 1827, in 1847 was named Mauckport, thus all of the Flora children were born in or near New Market, Harrison county, Indiana. John may (?) have been related to Adam FLORA, a trustee of New Market, later Mauckport, Methodist Episcopal Church in 1844. Interesting is that in Mauckport, Indiana history we found, to wit: "The earliest settlers in the area were from the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. Many came through Kentucky but made homes north of the Ohio River because Indian troubles were settled in the area." 1840 Harrison county, Heth township, Indiana's sixth Federal census finds John and Amanda FLORA in their 30's with family of four children, while the 1850 census, District 45, dwelling #904, has John listed a "United Brethren Minister", with six children, NO Maryetta Isebelle. Amanda G & John FLORA seemingly started their family in Harrison county, Indiana resulting with seven known children; Josephine F, (1833IN-1915KS), Wolney Pulaski, (1834IN-1909KS), Sarah Catharine, (1836IN-1877KS), Daniel Rice Boon, (1838IN-1908CO). Margaret Ann, (1841IN-1926MO), Maryetta Isebell (1843IN-184xIN), and lastly John Andrew (1845IN-1934KS), my great,grandfather. Director of United Brethren Historical Center found; (8/10/05): "....according to the Indiana Conference Minutes Rev. Flora was never officially stationed on a circuit." ... "The last meeting he attended was Aug. 22, 1876. In the 1877 Minutes he is mentioned as having died but no personal or family information is given." "Rev. Flora is also mentioned in "Our Heroes of United Brethren Home Missionaries" by W M Weekley and H H Fout (1908), p. 51-52: The following account is given of the conversion of John Flora in the early history of the Church: "He was a talented young man, of a skeptical turn of mind, well informed in infidel literature and skillful in argument. When he attended religious services, he used to call in question what they said and did. The conversion and changed life of an old drunkard in the neighborhood set him to thinking. Discovering the old reformed drunkard at prayer in the woods one day, it set the infidel to thinking more seriously, and, hearing his testimony concerning the power of Christ to save, one day at the cross Roads Church, almost overcame him. At the same service a pupil of his school, a young lady for whom he had great respect, gave a touching testimony. This completely broke him down. His skepticism left him and he went bounding through the large congregation, crying at the top of his voice, "Here comes Saul of Tarsus,", meaning that he had been a strong opposer to the Christian religion. He fell at the altar of prayer and was converted. "Later he entered the ministry and accomplished great good in the pioneer mission work of southern Indiana." There were over twenty FLORA families listed in greater Louisville area in 2005, none in Mauckport. Some of John's 2nd family (w/Sarah Mobley) may (?) have migrated back to Mauckport early twentieth century, where there is a Wm.H Sr & Jr., and a James FLORA. Mary Ellen Sweet Grossman wrote: (8/03/05): "The Frakes who lived next door to Flora in Harrison Co IN in 1850 are [my] relation who moved from Montgomery Co Ky to Indiana and later to Putnam Co Indiana." It was on to Haw Creek township, Bartholomew county, Indiana establishd 12 January 1821, around time of national economical downturn of1857. Volney is of record attending Hartsville University about 1858 and we have copy of note signed by John & Wolney P FLORA dated 12 November 1856 with Daniel & J L Shuck w/court action by David Fix in "Court of Common Pleas", Bartholomew county, Indiana's fall term,1859. . I believe this to be David C Fix, born1810, an uncle to the Mobley sisters husbands, Mahala's Rev William M, born1825, the Hartsville College teacher and Sarah's first husband John Fix, born1827. The UBHC material says; "He was received into the Annual Conference in 1858. Ordained in 1861. He moved to Hartsville about 1858. He was a soldier in the Civil War [discharged 1863 with "diarrhea & heart trouble", recorded in Bartholomew County Archives, pension papers say only "diarrhea"]. He died in 1876, and is buried in Hartsville." Hartsville was a center for United Brethren Church and where in 1889 it suffered a major split, --- some staying, others going a different direction. Involved was Milton Wright, whose wife Susan was a student (parents of Orville & Wilbur), in mid 1850's. The Hartsville University dissolved 1897 into what today is world headquarters for United Brethren and Huntington University, in Huntington, Indiana. FLORA children started "flying the coup", 1st, Wolney Pulaski (g,g,grandson James Duggan contacted me, 7/28/05) married Ellinor Hollingsworth, Christmas day1856, in Dublin, Wayne county, Indiana, they later had three daughters, following day, 26 Dec1856, Sarah Catharine married HenryK. Muth in Bartholomew county, Indiana having five children, he's found in 1880 at Neosho county, Kansas as minister with wife Millie, then sister Margaret Ann (g,g,granddaughter-in-law, Jenny Olson contacted me, 8/27/05) after attending Hartsville University, married 10 March 1860, Josiah F Beauchamp, living in Vermillion county, Highland Township Indiana (1830 census had a John W FLORA in Vermillion county, Indiana) where older sister Josephine is found after 15 June 1860 marriage in Vermilion county, ILLINOIS, marrying younger brother William Beauchamp. Both sister's families moved to northern Missouri ca 1863, Margaret to Worth county, having 6-girls (2 died as infants) & 2-boys, boys went to California (see obit), -- Josephine to Livingston county, having 5-girls, 1st born December 1862 in IN, Josephine moved ca 1890 to Olathe, Johnson county, Kansas, county where I lived, 1960-1984, before moving to Naples, Florida. Daniel and John married their wives 1868 & 1867 in Lyon county, Kansas each with four known children. Margaret Anna (Flora) Beauchamp's seventh child, Bertha Flora (Beauchamp) Worth, born 27 July 1879, Grant City, Missouri, married 2 March 1899, died 26 April 1987 at Page, Arizona, age 108 & last born Willma M , who looked after mother, born 1882, died 1987, age 105! Source: great,granddaughter-in-law Jenny Olsen. John Andrew was only child home in eighth Federal census 1860, dwelling #342 for Bartholomew county, Haw Creek township, Indiana. Father John is listed as a "carpenter" with "real estate worth $400, personal estate worth $1870" --- next door, dwelling #341, is sister Sarah Catherine with Henry K Muth with first two sons, William, one year old and two month old, Homer R E. John is of record attending Hartsville University in 1859 & 1861 (created 1850 by the Brethren, 4th oldest west of mountains, also open to Blacks & Women). It seems reasonable to explain his 1860 absence from records, by its fire that year, rebuilt for 1861. The 1860 census has Sarah (Mobley) Fix,Crisler with three Crisler step-children plus 2-y/o William (?Williemetta), and two of her three daughters with John Fix. Father John enlisted in 6th Indiana Regiment Infantry 20 August 1861, saying he was 45 when 61, then pension records show mother Amanda died January 1862 and he received an honorable disability discharge 14 February 1863. John's 2nd marriage, 17 February 1863, to wife Sarah (Mobley) Fix, Crisler appears in 1870 census with her and her younger Fix daughter, Cyntha, her Crisler children 12-y/o William (?Williemetta), & 7-y/o Lilla, each with substantial wealth, plus four of John's five children (one yet to be born, all later married in Bartholomew county), ie: Philip Beecher, born 1864, married Stellie Stuckey, 20 June 1885, died 1907, William H S, born 1866, married Ada Chitty, 26 September1886, Lauretta G, born1868, married Walter Chitty and yet to be born, Lewis Herschel (born 1870,married. Hattie McCay 14 August1893). The 16 November 1881 marriage license of Lillie C to Abraham Phillips, listed John FLORA as her father. Son William H S may be, William "H" FLORA Sr., found later in Mauckport, Indiana. John has "$400 personal wealth, no real estate" and Sarah has "$12,000 real estate plus $300 personal". Reverend John FLORA died near the noon hour, Tuesday, 4 October 1876, after falling, about six-feet, out of an apple tree at his step-son-in-law's, Reverend Nathaniel S Hollcroft, place, with son William present. It was an hour trip by wagon to John's home where he passed away. Widow Sarah (Mobley) Fix-Crisler-FLORA passed away Thursday, 18 February 1909 in Columbus, Indiana at daughter Lauretta's home (Mrs Walter Chitty), 15th & Chestnut Street, after living with daughter Metta (Williemetta Crisler) Beatty-Lee, in 1900 census who married and moved away. John and Amanda FLORA had seven known children and twenty-six known grandkids. I follow only Wolney Pulaski ("V P"), Daniel Rice Boon & John Andrew all found as early settlers in Kansas, which all but southwest corner a part of $15 million Louisiana purchase of 1803, explored by Zebulon M Pike in 1806, entering area the FLORA brothers did battle in 1864, on trip discovering Pikes Peak, becoming Kansas Territory 30 May 1854 then under President Buchanan, our 34th state 29January1861. A state in which I lived over thirty years. Each FLORA brother served during the Civil War's October 1864 decisive engagements, "Mine Creek", Mound City, Little Osage River, etc. Research was in part to the seventh FLORA generation, includes surnames; FLORA, CONRAD, BORIE, DUGGAN, TILLMAN, GRAY, HOPKINS, BOGGESS, DIEFFENBACH, KNUTSON, BONES, ANGLEA, FRENCH, CARENY, VEST, JOHNSON, GEHLBACH, JANDIC, STENDAHL, VAN HOVE, MEYER, HENDERSON, OSADO, LAMEY, WHITE, HAMILTON, SALATHIEL, MAURIAS, BIDELMAN, DELGADO, COTTON, and VENETICCI, -- with their descendants, much help coming from family members and generous people from the "net", such as Jan Wasson in NM, a lady named Lorena, Lonie Addis, County Commissioner, Labette County, KS, Maryann Johnson of the "Kansas Room", Independence Kansas Library, Sara Murphy at Lyon County Historical Archives and my "Borland" project cohort, Sally Kosetler, of College Station, TX Captured were Confederate Generals, Cabell who earlier was with his family and Marmuduke (promoted to Major-General while in prison at Fort Warren, Massachusetts 18 March 1865), had, to the displeasure of Virginia Davis GRAY as written in 2 September 1864 published diary entry, cut his hair and beard in Princeton before leaving. Bartholomew Indiana County Clerk's Mary Ellen reported: (8/05/05): "I have the Bartholomew County Draft list (ordered by Lincoln to see how many men would be available to go to war [".... demanding enrollment of males ages 20-45 in the Union Army."]) and in Hawcreek Twp there are these names and the regiment they were in...This census was taken in August 1862...reporting what was happening August 1862 by local folks who knew the folks they were listing. (Unlike the Federal census) Jessie and Jacob Crisler 21 & 19...oldest listed a Teacher and youngest listed as student both in Indiana 33rd. (These are Sarah [John's 2nd wife] Mobley Fix Crisler's step sons.) Also John Flora Sr 62, [??]Daniel R B Flory (Flora) 23, and [??]John A Flory (Flora)17 all members of 6th Indiana Reg. Both John Flora's are listed as Carpenters and Daniel as a farmer. There are certainly "PENSION" records for each of them. One John Flora was discharged 1863 as disabled but I do not know which one.." (8/24/05): "John Flora's (Co C 6th regiment) wife collected a pension from US Government for her husband's service even tho he was mustered in 20 Sept 1861 and discharged 14 Feb 1863 with a disability. John Flora m Sarah Mobley Fix Crisler 17 Feb 1863." We secured copies of pension papers for John and Daniel R B FLORA (donating them to Bartholomew county), found none for "V P" (Wolney Pulaski) nor John Andrew FLORA. Kansas State Historical Society (KSHS), and Mine Creek Battle Site furnished information that "V P" & John A were in the 11th Kansas State Militia's Cavalry, under Colonel A J Mitchell, attached to Colonel Thomas Moonlight during October 1864. State of Kansas was under Martial Law because of being invaded by General Price. Brother Daniel Rice Boon FLORA, was a Corporal in Company C, 7th Kansas Cavalry, and Buffalo Bill Cody in Company H, pursuing Price across Missouri, October 1864 at Mine Creek, said to be one of the greatest Union Cavalry Charges, of the entire Civil War. John A Flora's future (1886) son-in-law, Carl Raymond GRAY's, mother maintained a diary in Princeton, Dallas county, Arkansas with an entry of 2 September 1864, having General Price, Marmaduke, Cabell among seven Generals and others in Princeton leaving Tuesday, 30 August, for the Missouri-Kansas Campaign, also noting Price's defeat in her 13 November entry. Her diary, years 1863-1865, was published summer of 1983 in Arkansas Historical Quarterly and summer of 2005 donated by the Gray Family Archives, to be housed at Special Collections of University of Arkansas, with other historically interesting items and art included therein, of Virginia LaFayette (Davis) GRAY (1834ME-1886AR), 1st Chair of Art Department at what is now University of Arkansas,1874-1881, wife of Colonel Oliver Crosby GRAY (1832ME-1905AR), he 1st Chair of Civil Engineering 1874-1879, more widely and much better known for his Chairmanship of Mathematics 1874-1895, before assuming Superintendency of The Arkansas School for the Blind, each institution had once dedicated buildings honoring Colonel Gray, both now gone and replaced, 1869 ASB's 1st brick building in 1948 for Governors Mansion, 1906 UA's "GRAY HALL", in 1966 for Mullins Library. See: & ending with Carl Raymond & Harriette Amanda Gray's story. Gray's college classmate Colonel Parrington is in Americus . 1)- Father, Reverend John FLORA, blue eyed, 5 foot - 6-1/2 inches tall, enlisted in the 6th Regiment Indiana Infantry Volunteers 20 August 1861 in Columbus, Bartholomew county, Indiana giving age as 45 (maximum allowed to serve) when 61. "Ordered to Louisville, Ky., September 20. Duty at Muldraugh's Hill till October 14. ;Moved to Nolin River, Ky. Duty at Bacon Creek and Green River till February, 1862. Attached to 1st Brigade, McCook's Command, at Nolin, Ky., October-November,1861. 4th Brigade, Army of the Ohio, to December,1861. 4th Brigade, 2nd Division, Army of the Ohio, to September,1862. 4th Brigade, 2nd Division, 1st Corps, Army of the Ohio, to November,1862. 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, Right Wing 14th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to January, 1863." SERVICE. "March to Nashville, Tenn., February 14-March 3, 1862. March to Duck River, thence to Savannah, Tenn., March 16-April 6. Battle of Shiloh, Tenn., April 6-7. Advance on and siege of Corinth, Miss., April 29-May30. Duty at Corinth till June 10. March to Iuka, Miss., thence to Tuscumbia, Florence, Huntsville and Stevenson, Ala., June 10-July 5. Expedition to Tullahoma July 14-18. March to Pelham July 24, thence to Altamont August 28. Reconnoissance toward Sequatchie Valley August 29-30. March to Louisville, Ky., in pursuit of Bragg, August 30-September 26. Pursuit of Bragg into Kentucky October 1-15. March to Nashville, Tenn., October 16-November 7, and duty there till December26. Advance on Murfreesboro December 26-30. Battle of Stone's River December 30-31, 1862, and January 1-3, 1863." Honorable disability discharge issued at Louisville, Kentucky, 14 February1863. 2)- Daniel Rice Boon FLORA, blue eyed, 5 foot - 7 inches tall, 25-1/3 y/o, enlisted in Company "C", 7th Regiment Kansas Cavalry, "Veteran" Volunteers, 20 February 1864 at Fort Leveanworth, Kansas and promoted to Corporal, with Honorable Discharge, 29 September1865. "February, 1864 Unattached, 1st Cavalry Division, 16th Corps, to June,1864. 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, District of West Tennessee, to September, 1864. District of St. Louis, Mo., Dept. of Missouri, to July,1865. Dept. of Kansas to September,1865." SERVICE. "Veterans on furlough February 4-March 4; then moved to St. Louis, Mo., March 12. Moved to Memphis June 6. Near Memphis May 2 (Detachment). LaFayette June 9. Smith's Expedition to Tupelo, Miss., July 5-18. King's Creek July 9. Pontotoc July 11-12. Tupelo July 13-14. Oldtown Creek July15. Ellistown July 16. Tupelo July 25. Smith's Expedition to Oxford, Miss., August 1-30. Tallahatchie River August 7-9. Hurricane Creek, Oxford, August 9. Hurricane Creek August 13, 14, 16 and19. "Moved to St. Louis, Mo., arriving September 17. Pursuit of General Price through Missouri September 20-November 26. Little Blue October 21. Independence October 22. Big Blue and State Line, Westport, October 23. Mine Creek, Little Osage River, October 25. "Duty by Detachments in St. Louis District till July 18, 1865. Moselle Bridge, near Franklin, December 7, 1864 (Co. "E"). Expedition from Bloomfield into Dunklin County March 3-7, 1865. Skirmishes near Bloomfield March 3 and 7. Dunklin County March 4. Skirmish, McKinzie's Creek, near Patterson, April 15. "Ordered to Omaha, Neb., July 18; thence to Fort Kearney and duty there till September. Moved to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, arriving September14. Mustered out September 29, 1865." Traveled over 15,000 miles & Buffalo Bill Cody was in Company H. 3)- Wolney, "V P", age 29+ and John Andrew FLORA, barely 19, served with some 300 others from Lyon County when needed, in Company F, of Kansas State Militia's 11th Regiment Cavalry, during October 1864. Both issued horse and rigging, "V P" lost his horse while on duty. SOURCE: Kansas State Historical Society, microfilm reel # 817, p 89, 11th KSM, Muster Rolls, Records of KS Adj Gen. The search for pensions failed to reveal such for either. Additional Comments: Other family biographies: John A FLORA: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ks/montgomery/bios/flora112bs.txt Daniel R B FLORA: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ks/montgomery/bios/flora113bs.txt V P FLORA: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ks/lyon/bios/flora114bs.txt Clarence Morton FLORA: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ks/montgomery/bios/floragra115bs.txt Harriette Amanda (Flora) GRAY: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ks/montgomery/bios/floragra116bs.txt William Walter FLORA: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ks/montgomery/bios/floragra117bs.txt File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/in/bartholomew/bios/flora207gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/infiles/ File size: 22.4 Kb