HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY                      17

Holston’s grandfather, was born. Enoch Jackson lived in Dearborn
county until after his marriage to Elizabeth Hardesty, when he bought
land in Decatur county, and was subsequently engaged in its improvement
until his death, at the age of three score and ten years. His wife, who
was born in Pennsylvania, of German ancestors, survived him, and died
at the home of a son in Perry township. James Jackson was born
December 28, 1831, in Decatur county, and married Matilda Bewley,
who was born in Dearborn county, Indiana, a daughter of Silas and
Susanna Bewley, natives of Pennsylvania and pioneers of that county.
Soon after their marriage James Jackson and his wife moved to Owen
county, where they lived on rented land for eight years. The following
two years they lived in Riley township, Vigo county, then returned to
Owen county, and subsequently came to Clay county, locating in Perry
township, where they resided for a time, after which they spent three
years in Vigo county, coming from there to Lewis township, Clay county,
where Mrs. Jackson died. Mr. Jackson subsequently married for his
second wife Adaline Bewley, a sister of his first wife, and a few years
later she died. He then married for his third wife Mrs. Cynthia (Phipps)
Fry, a native. of Harrison township, this county. She was a daughter of
Moses and Catherine (Griffith) Phipps, and widow of William Fry. By
his second marriage Mr. Jackson had eight children that grew to mature
years, namely : James Perry ; Julia ; Cassie ; Emma ; Lydia J., wife of
Mr. Holston ; Albert ; Idella May ; and Minnie. The children of Mr.
and Mrs. Levi Holsion are: Floyd W., born May 18, 1886; Harry F.,
born September 1, 1887; Lillie G., born August 25, 1888 ;Sylvia J.,
born November 23, 1891 ; Edith, born March 5, 1897, deceased; Bonnie
J., born August 1, 1898; and Lenola L., born May 2, 1906.

    JESSE ROBINSON BENHAM.—The name of Benham has been known
in Indiana for a full century, and it is doubtful if there lives to—day a
white person in Clay county, if in the state, whose ancestors settled in
Indiana earlier than did James Benham, grandfather of Jesse R. Ben-
ham, who came from Kentucky in 1807, locating in what is now Brown
township, Ripley county. At that time the forest-covered land of Indiana
was the hunting-ground of the Indians. who had held the country for
centuries, perhaps, and who resented the intrusion of the pale—faced white
men, and with their treacherous disposition, were liable at any time to
make war upon the newcomers wherever they were to be found. James
Benham, however, was without fear, and stood firm in his determination
to remain and make for himself and his growing family a permanent
home.
    An ambitious man, full of push and energy, he cleared a fine home-
stead, at the same time materially advancing the growth of Ripley county,
living to see that section of the state transformed from a wilderness to a
rich agricultural country, and his own people living in peace and plenty.
A man of great enterprise, he not only carried on general farming to a
good purpose, but he used to build flat boats, on which he took dressed
hogs, grain, furs, and other commodities down the river to New Orleans.
where, on seven occasions, he disposed of boat and all and made the
return trip to his home on foot. At one time he had title to upwards
of three thousand acres of land, and gave to each of his children tracts
varying in size from eighty acres to one hundred and sixty acres. He
died on the farm which he had redeemed from the forest when seventy-