Caplinger - Clayton - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

PO North Union, Steam Saw-Mill etc. Sec. 8, settled in this County 1825

also William H., PO North, Union Farmer, son of Clayton & Mary Caplinger, was b. in Hendricks Co, IN May 10, 1847. May 27, 1867, marr. Mattie F. WILLIAMS at La Fayette (sic) IND One child, Minnie.

Clayton Caplinger, lumber manufacturer, New Market. Almost among the first settlers of Brown township was Mr. Henry and Mary (Swindler) Caplinger. They came from Kentucky in 1824, and were preceded only by Benjamin Van Cleave, Wm. Carson, Samuel Stubbin, and some of the Galeys. He at once went to Crawfordsville and entered eighty acres of land, having saved and brought with him $100 for that purpose. His first work was, with the help of a few friends, to cut and haul together the logs with which to build a cabin. It was soon completed, and they moved into it, using the earth for a floor, and the smoke from their cabin ascended through a chimney made of short, round sticks, and quietly curled upward among the tops of the tall trees that closely surrounded their new home, and disappeared in the clouds. In this cabin the subject of this sketch was born, May 1, 1825, and was truly one of the pioneer children of this County, and it is believed he is the first one born in this part of the County that is now living. His advantages for education were very limited, yet by extensive reading and close observation, he is one the best posted men on all subjects in this township. August 13, 1846, he married Miss Mary, daughter of Mr. John and Harried (Eubanks) Strange. She was born in Clark County, Kentucky, October 23, 1820, and came to Indiana when quite young. After his marriage Mr. Caplinger engaged in farming in Hendricks County, Indiana, for six years, and then removed to Scott township and engaged in farming and carpentering. In June, 1862, he went to Warren County, Indiana, and there engaged in farming till 1865, when he returned to Scott township, and engaged in the business of carpentering till 1874, and then bought the steam saw-mill on the Greencastle and Crawfordsville road, about three miles north of Parkersburg. He has four children: William H., James F., John M. and Charlie A. They are all married and settled in the neighborhood. Mr. Caplinger relates of early pioneer life that for lights they dug out a turnip, filled it with oil or grease, stuck a stick in the center of it and lit it; this would burn all night. For bread they grated corn on a grater, or pounded it in a mortar. For their meat they secured deer and wild turkeys. Mills and markets were advantages only reached by many days of tedious travel. Six years he filled the position of township trustee, and eight years assessor of Scott township. typed by Harry L Bounnell