260                 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY

ried Mrs. Melinda J. Cochran. Having acquired a good common school
education in his native state, he taught several terms after coming to In-
diana. For a time he did service in the Union army, in Company C, One
Hundred and Fifteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, until the 4th of
March, 1864, when he was discharged because of disabilities contracted
in the service. Mr. Burns was a progressive farmer and highly respected
citizen. Though previously a Republican, he affiliated with the Greenback
party, and in 1876 was the candidate of the party for county commis-
sioner for the Third district, and two years later for trustee of Lewis
township and still later for township assessor, always polling a very
respectable vote, as his competency and fitness for public service in these
positions were generally recognized and appreciated.

    David Moore, native of Kentucky, born in Henry county, November
2, 1816, seventh son of William and Elizabeth (Roberts) Moore, natives,
respectively, of Pennsylvania and North Carolina; brought up on the old
Kentucky family homestead, wholly deprived of opportunities for educa-
tion. At the age of nineteen, in 1835, the family came to Clay county,
locating on territory now a part of Van Buren township, then comprised
within Jackson township, as repeatedly stated by the subject of this sketch.
Mr. Moore was not only a man of stout build and physical force, but of
good native ability, endowed with a liberal share of common sense, there-
fore a valuable acquisition to pioneer society. On the 18th day of Oc-
tober, 1842, he married Nancy Clark, of Kentucky, who died in 1846,
leaving one son, William C. Moore. At some time in the year 1851 he
married Marinda McIntosh, of Clay county. To them were born five
children. Additional to his farm interests he managed a shingle machine,
and later a saw-mill. He was also a prominent helper in the cause of the
United Brethren church and superintendent of the first Sunday school
organized and conducted in Jackson township. In politics he was a
Democrat and always a worker in the councils and campaigns of his
party. His opinions and advice were frequently sought, not only in local
politics, but on many other subjects involving the public interest and
welfare. At a very early day in the history of Jackson township he was
elected a member of the board of trustees, in which position he was
retained ten years. After the change in township administration he was
elected trustee in April, 1859, and re-elected in April, 1860. He was
several times a candidate before the conventions of his party for nom-
ination for the general assembly. As a charter member of the Old Set-
tlers’ Society he played, very acceptably, a conspicuous part, all the
while manifesting a deep interest in its progress and proceedings, and
was for several years the presiding officer of the organization. About the
time of the Mexican war he was captain of a company of state militia.
Though deficient in education, David Moore was a well-regarded, trust-
worthy citizen.

    Clinton M. Thompson, native of Indiana, son of John D. and Eliza-
beth A. (Elsey) Thompson, born in Jackson county, October 12, 1829, the
only survivor of a family of eleven children. The parents were natives,
respectively, of Kentucky and Virginia. The family came to Clay county,
locating at Bowling Green, in 1842, engaging in hotel keeping, the subject
of this sketch attending the schools taught at the old county seminary, he
himself teaching temporarily at times in the absence of the teacher. At