ky-footsteps Thursday, 3 July 1997 Volume 01 : Number 135 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Diana Flynn Date: Wed, 02 Jul 1997 19:57:49 -0400 Subject: KY-F: BIO: JONATHAN TURLEY - BARREN CO. KY JONATHAN TURLEY is a native of this township (Marion Twp), born May 2, 1827, son of BENJAMIN and PARMELIA (WRIGHT) TURLEY. The grandparents came early to Barren County, Ky., and in 1824 to this county (Lawrence Co., Indiana), locating at Palestine. Here the grandfather, AARON, died. One of his children was Benjamin, the father of Jonathan. The father married Miss Wright of Orange County, Indiana; was a prominent and useful citizen and farmer; was an Old Line Whig and a Republican, and was once Captain of Militia. Ten of his twelve children grew up. Jonathan is a self-made man. His youth was spent on the farm and in attendance at the subscription schools. He selected the occupation of farming and his success is shown by his 430 acres and comfortable home. In 1879 he began the distillation of brandy ans some whisky, making from 600 to 1,800 gallons per year. December 28, 1849, he married JULIA A. HALL, who was born in this county in 1828. They have four children: MARY F., SARAH J., ROBERT B. and ELIZA A. Mr. Turley is a Republican. The mill is known as Daisy Spring Mill and is doing a good business as it did in early times. Mr. Turley is just commencing to burn lime on an extensive scale. He is an industrious and properous man. "HISTORY OF LAWRENCE, ORANGE & WASHINGTON COUNTIES INDIANA" GOODSPEED BROS. 1884 ------------------------------ From: Diana Flynn Date: Wed, 02 Jul 1997 20:05:36 -0400 Subject: KY-F: BIO: AARON TURLEY - BARREN CO. KY AARON TURLEY. This gentleman was born in Orleans Township, Orange County, Indiana, June 19, 1854. He is the son of BENJAMIN and PARMELIA (WRIGHT) TURLEY and grandson of AARON TURLEY who came early to Barren County, KY., and in 1824 to Lawrence County, Indiana, locating at Palestine. Here the grandfather died. Our subject was reared on his father's farm, receiving a comman school education. He was united in marriage with Miss DORA M. HARDMAN, May 9, 1878. She was born, June 25, 1858, in Orange County, Ind., and is the daughter of JOHN and SARAH (REED) HARDMAN, early settlers of that county. Two childen have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Turley: UNA B. and RALPH H. Mr. Turley owns a well improved farm of 242 acres and raises good stock of all kinds. He has never aspired to any political preferment, but is an unswerving Republican. He is a member of the Christian Church, a man of good morals and habits, and a useful and influential citizen. 'HISTORY OF LAWRENCE, ORANGE & WASHINGTON COUNTIES INDIANA" GOODSPEED BROS. 1884 ------------------------------ From: Diana Flynn Date: Wed, 02 Jul 1997 20:49:35 -0400 Subject: KY-F: BIO: AARON WRIGHT - Unknown Co. KY AARON WRIGHT was born in what is now known as Orleans Township, Orange Co., Ind., May 3, 1816. His parents were JONATHAN ans SARAH (REED) WRIGHT. Jonathan's father was a resident of VIRGINIA. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, fighting for American Independence, and was killed in battle. He left a widow and quite a family of children, who separated, some of them being bound out. Such was the fate of Jonathan, who, when a boy, removed with the man to whom he was bound from Virginia to KENTUCKY. Here he was reared. He was married there to Miss SARAH REED, and in the fall of 1815 brought his family to Indiana, and located two miles east of Orleans, Orange County. He served in the war of 1812 against the Indians. He was the father of eleven children. Both he and his wife are now dead. Their lives were spent on a farm, Jonathan devoting part of his time to carpentering. In politics he was an Old Line Whig. During his life he held positions of honor and trust, and both, he and his wife were highly esteemed by all. Aaron Wright was reared on a farm; received a common school education, which was mostly procured by attending subscription schools. At the age of twenty-one years he started in life for himself by engaging in farming, which he has since followed. Like many of our prominent men, he began life a poor boy, with no capital. In 1838 he located where he now live, in Marion Township, Lawrence County, Indiana. He owns 300 acres of fine land, and has aided his chilren in procuring farms. On November 1, 1838, he married Miss JANE HALL, who was born in Orange County, Ind., June 4, 1817. To them were born eight children: PERMELIA, EMILY, ELIJAH, HENRY C., GREEN T., SARAH E., RHODA E. and ELMER E. Elijah, Henry C. and Green T. served in the late Civil war. Elijah went out with the Twenty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, Company G, but was transferred to a colored regiment as First Lieutenant, and died while serving his country. Henry C. was also a member of Company G, Twenty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He was at Fort Blakeley and particiapted in a number of other engagements. He served until the war closed. Green T. went out with the One Hundred and Seventeenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, serving one hundred days. Mr. Wright is one of the best farmers in the county. In politics he is a Republican; prior to the organization of which party he had always been a Whig. He is the Republican candidate for County Commissioner, a postiion he is eminently qualified to fill. He is also a Mason, and has ever taken a great interest in all projects which had for their object the country's good. He took an active part in sustaining the boys in the field during the war, and is one of the leading and influential citizens of the county. "HISTORY OF LAWRENCE, ORANGE & WASHINGTON COUNTIES INDIANA" GOODSPEED BROS. 1884 ------------------------------ From: Diana Flynn Date: Wed, 02 Jul 1997 21:02:14 -0400 Subject: KY-F: BIO: ABNER ARMSTRONG-husband of JEANNETTE BOONE-Pulaski Co KY ABNER ARMSTRONG is a native of the township (Indian Creek Twp., Lawrence County, Indiana), where he yet resides, born January 20, 1828. JAMES ARMSTRONG, his father, was born in the year 1800, and when this county was yet new made settlement within its borders, and died in 1866. The early life of Abner Armstrong was passed upon the farm of his parents and in attendance upon the district schools of that day, and since 1849 he has been doing for himslf. It is only necessary to add that Mr. Armstrong now owns over 1,400 acres of good land, besides other valuable property, to show that he has made this life a success. He not only is one of the county's wealthiest citizens but one of its most enterprising as well, taking advanced steps in the welfare of all laudable pulic enterprises, and contributing liberally from his means to this end. In 1881, he completed the erection of a fine, large, frame dwelling on his place, which is the best residence in the township, and reflects credit upon himslf as its architect. His marriage with Miss JEANNETTE BOONE, a native of Indiana, and the daughter of COL. NOAH and JANE (RHODES) BOONE, who were natives of PULASKI COUNTY, KY., was solemnized in 1852, and five children have blessed them, named: ALVIN B., WALTER (deceased), DANIEL (deceased), FLORA F. and LAURA C. In politics Mr. Armstrong is an unswerving Republican, formerly a Whig, casting his first Presidential ballot for Gen. WInfield Scott. In 1878 he was elected Township Trustee, and in 1881 was appointed to that office to fill an unexpired term. Both he and wife are members of the Christian Church. "HISTORY OF LAWRENCE, ORANGE & WASHINGTON COUNTIES INDIANA" GOODSPEED BROS. 1884 ------------------------------ From: Diana Flynn Date: Wed, 02 Jul 1997 21:46:45 -0400 Subject: KY-F: BIO: J. G. FERGUSON - LAUREL CO. KY J. G. FERGUSON was born May 28, 1832, in Perry Township, Lawrence County, Indiana, son of RALSTON and LETITIA (ARMSTRONG) FERGUSON. He is next to the eldest in a family of twelve children and is of Scotch-Irish extraction. The father of our subject was born in LAUREL COUNTY, KY., and when eight years of age came to Greene County, Ind., in company with his parents. Mr. Ferguson was united in marriage in 1859 to Miss TABITHA COX. To this union were born two children, viz: CANAAN and NETTIE. Mrs. Ferguson died in 1870 and the subject of this sketch was married again in 1871 to MRS. MARTHA RAINBOLT, who was deceased in 1878; and Mr. Ferguson was a third time married, in 1879, to MRS. SARAH SMITH. Mr. Ferguson began life properly for himself at a not very early day in his existence. He worked five years by the month on the farm. For nineteen years he has been engaged in farming and stock-raising, at which he has been most successful. He now possesses more than 300 acres of well improved land. In 1880 he bullt his present residence; the same is a frame, and cost about $2,000. He is one of the unswerving Republicans of Indian Creek Township and cast his first Presidential vote for John C. Fremont. Mr. Ferguson is one of the enterprising men of Lawrence County and one of its most public-spirited citizens. He has been a resident of this county more than half a century. "HISTORY OF LAWRENCE, ORANGE & WASHINGTON COUNTIES INDIANA" GOODSPEED BROS. 1884. ------------------------------ From: Diana Flynn Date: Wed, 02 Jul 1997 22:08:53 -0400 Subject: KY-F: BIO: ALBERT KERN & A. J. KERN - NICHOLAS CO. KY ALBERT KERN was born in Indian Creek Township, Lawrence Co., Ind., January 15, 1820, son of ELDER ABRAHAM and SUSAN (WILSON) KERN, and is of German-Irish origin. The father of Mr. Kern was born in NICHOLAS COUNTY, KY., in 1786, and came to Lawrence County in 1816. He was one of the pioneer preachers of the Hoosier State, and founder of what was long known as White River Union Church. The only renumeration he ever received for his services in the ministry was 25 cents, and that was forced upon him. His death occurred in 1858. The year 1840 dated the marriage of the subject of this mention to Miss ELIZABEHT HUTTON, a native of Lawrence County, born in 1820, daughter of ABEL and AUZY HUTTON, whose maiden name was DENSON. To this union were born twelve children. In 1840 Mr. Kern settled where he now is, and has since resided. Here he owns 360 acres of well improved land, and the greater part of which he cleared from the unbroken forest. As a farmer he is one of the most successful as well as one of the best in his township. He is a prominent Republican, and cast his first Presidential vote for Harrison. These people are among the pioneers of Lawrence County, and as citizens none stand higher. Mrs. Kern is a member of the Christian Church, and a most amiable Christian lady. A. J. KERN was born in Lawrence County, June 9, 1829, son of ELDER ABRAHAM and SUSAN KERN, whose maiden name was WILSON. The father of Mr. Kern was one of the pioneer ministers of this county. He emigrated from KENTUCKY to Lawrence County on a sled. The subject of this mention is one of a numerous family, and is of German-Irish origin. At eighteen years of age he commenced life for himself. His marriage occurred in 1848, to Miss MELINDA RAINS, daughter of JOHN RAINS, ex-County Commissioner of Lawrence County. To this union there are six children: WILLIAM H., JAMES D., ELCANEY, VINE, DECY and SAMUEL F. The first of these children is a Christian minister, and located at Harrison, Ohio. In 1851 Mr. Kern made a settlement on his present farm, which consists of 651 acres. He has a splendid residence which was built in 1884, and cost $2,000, and a barn erected the same year that cost $1,000. He is a Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Kern are members of the Christian Church. By energy and economy Mr. Kern has been successful in life, and is now in very comfortable circumstances. He is one of the leading stock-raisers of the county, and a much esteemed citizen in his community. "HISTORY OF LAWRENCE, ORANGE & WASHINGTON COUNTIES INDIANA" GOODSPEED BROS. 1884. ------------------------------ From: Diana Flynn Date: Wed, 02 Jul 1997 22:16:21 -0400 Subject: KY-F: BIO: JOHN E. LACKEY - Unknown Co. KY JOHN E. LACKEY was born in Indian Creek Township, Lawrence Co., Ind., May 26, 1835, and is a son of THOMAS and NANCY (SHORT) LACKEY, who were of English-Irish origin. When Lawrence County was first being settled and when everything was new, Thomas Lackey emigrated from KENTUCKY and settled in Indian Creek Township, where, after a long life of usefulness, he died in 1858. In 1870 the marriage of John E. Lackey with Miss MARY V. PITT, who was born in this county in 1854, a daughter of JOHN C. and SALLIE PITT, was solemnized, and the four children born to them are: ORLEY, NORMA, OTIS (deceased) and EARL. In politics Mr. Lackey is a Republican; is the owner of 416 acres of land, and he and wife are members of the Christian Church. In about 1856 he came into possession of the old Lackey homestead, which is one of the best farms in the township. and where Mr. Lackey has resided almost half a century. "HISTORY OF LAWRENCE, ORANGE & WASHINGTON COUNTIES INDIANA" GOODSPEED BROS. 1884 ------------------------------ From: Diana Flynn Date: Wed, 02 Jul 1997 22:35:04 -0400 Subject: KY-F: BIO: HOLLAND F. & WILLIAM C. PITMAN - WOODFORD CO. KY HOLLAND F. PITMAN, farmer and stock-grower, is a native of Indian Creek Township, Lawrence Co., Ind., born in 1833, son of HOLLAND and ELIZABETH (MCNEAL) PITMAN, of German-Irish origin, and is the ninth in a numerous family. His father was born in WOODFORD COUNTY, KY., in 1793, and his mother in the same county, but four years later. The parents of our subject came to Lawrence County about 1824, but the father of Mr. Pitman was in the county in 1818 and made a land entry, but then returned to his native State. The Pitman family made a settlement four and one-half miles west of Bedford. The father of Mr. Pitman died in 1854. His mother is yet living, and is about ninety years of age. The subject of this mention was married in 1862 to Miss RACHEL J. COX, also a native of Indian Creek Township, daughter of ALEXANDER COX. Mr. Pitman is one of the leading farmers of his township, and has at present 385 acres of well improved land. In 1870 he settled where he now lives; here he has valuable improvenemts. In 1881 Mr. Pitman began giving some attention to bee culture. As an apiarist he has been very successful. Mr. Pitman is an earnest supporter of the Republican party, and like his father, has always been a rigid anti-slavery man. Mr. and Mrs. Pitman have long been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. WILLIAM C. PITMAN is a native of Lawrence County, Ind., born March 19, 1835, son of HOLLAND and ELIZABETH (MCNEAL) PITMAN; is the tenth in a family of eleven children, and is of German-Irish descent. When the subject of this mention was twenty-one years of age he began the battle of life for himself. He was married in 1860 to Miss PHEBE A. KERN, daughter fo BENJAMIN and NANCY J. KERN. They have eleven children, as follows: HOLLAND C., ALICE E., WILLIAM W., LORETTA, ALVA H., MAGGIE E., JENNIE M., BENJAMIN F., FREDERICK, WALTER A. and NELLIE. In 1860 Mr. Pitman settled in the vicinity in which he has since and now resides (Indian Creek Township). He has 250 acres of moderately well improved land. In 1861 Mr. Pitman began stock-raising and dealing, and this he has since continued. He handles about 500 head of cattle per annum. For some years he has been giving much attention to thoroughbred stock. He is a Republican, and cast his first Presidential vote for Fremont, at which time there were only six votes of that kind in Indian Creek Township. Mrs. Pitman is a member of the Christian Church, and Mr. Pitman is by faith a Methodist. For twenty-five years the subject of this mention has been one of the leading and public-spirited men of Lawrence County. HISTORY OF LAWRENCE, ORANGE & WASHINGTON COUNTIES INDIANA" GOODSPEED BROS. 1884 ------------------------------ End of ky-footsteps V1 #135 *************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free genelaogical information on the Internet, data may be freely used for personal research and by non-commercial entities as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format or presentation by other organizations or persons.Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for profit or any form of presentation, must obtain the written consent of the file submitter, or his legal representative and then contact the listed USGENWEB archivist with proof of this consent.