Halstead - William
Source: Portrait & Biographical Record of Montgomery, Parke & Fountain Counties, Indiana. Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1893, p. 681
William Halstead, a prominent stockraiser of standard-bred horses and Short-horn cattle, and also widely known as a general agriculturist of Madison Twp, Montgomery County, is a descendant of a long line of eminent ancestry. His paternal grandafther, Reuben Halstead married Miss Preston, a Southern lady. The husband and wife were both natives of NC, but hoping to improve their fortunes, removed at an early day to Ohio, then the land of promise to many emigrants from other states. Here also located a brother of Grandfather Halstead, Griffin Halstead by name. This gentleman, great uncle to our subject, was the father of the celebrated editor and politician, Murat Halstead, now one of the leading and representative men of Ohio. In Butler COunty of the Buckeye state, Grandfather and Grandmother Halstead rasied their children. Josiah P, father of our subject, enjoyed exceptional educational advantages, attending good preparatory schools, and finally graduating with honor from the college located in his native county. His studies completed, he gave his time and attention to business duties, and having fitted himself for their performance, soon married Rebecca Wilson, who became the mother of six children, of whom our subject was 5th in order of birth. Death called no little ones from the household circle. One after another the sons and daughters attained mature age and went out to found homes and families of their own. Sarah, the oldest, is the wife of JW KIRKPATRICK, an old resident of Madison Twp, Rebecca J. married Daniel BENNETT and by him had one child. Mr. Bennett died and his widow became the wife of Wiliam DUNKLE, of Linden. Joh n L.A. now deceased left a family in Vigo Co. Caroline was married to Edward Coleman and died leaving one child. William, our subject was the next child and Clara L, is now wife of Daniel Wilson of Linden. The three daughters and one son now living reside within easy distance of each other, and much enjoy the mutual interchange of early recollections, which bind together the scattered members of the pioneer home in the West.
William Halstead was born in 1844, in about the centre of what is now Madison Twp. In the early 40s the educational advantages of our subject's birthplace were not of the same order as today,b ut his parents gave him a good schooling, which he well improved. Life went on with him in a quiet round of daily tasks and pleasures until 18, when there came the call for the 100 days volunteers, and without delay our subject enlisted, in 1862, in Co F 135th Ind Inf, and hurrying to the country's aide, soon reached the Army of the Cumberland. Having joined the ranks full of boyish enthusiasm and desiring most of all to do his full duty, it was a bitter disappointment to Mr. Halstead to be taken ill and be obliged to remain in the hospital during the greater part of his term of service. In 1868, our subject entered into one of the most important obligations of his life and was united in marriage to Miss Rhoda COYNER, daughtr of John and Mary N. COYNER, her father being long since deceased. Mr. and Msr. Halstead are surrounded by a large and happy family of children. T heir daughter, Musetta, a lovely young igrl 19, died in 1890, but Clyde V, Alma, wife of F. Morin of tippecanoe Co; William C; John C; Rubey, Noble E and Joseph P. still survive. These bright young people varying in age from early youth to manhood/womanhood, give promise each and all of an honored, upright and useful future. Our subject is the owner of 260 acres of land under fine cultivation, upon which are bred exceptionally choice horses and Shorthorns, for which the well-known stockfarm is noted. His time is occupied mainly in conduct of his business, but he gives intelligent consideration to local and national affairs, and enjoys the reputation of being a progressive man. Mr. Halstead has never been anxious for political preferment, but he endeavors to do his duty at the polls and casts his vote, as most of his ancestors have done before him, for the Democratic ticket. - typed by kbz