Jesse McCoy Trinkle was born in Stampers Creek Township on December 12, 1876 to Henry F. and Mary McGruder McCoy Trinkle.  He died in Orange County on June 28, 1961 and is buried in Stampers Creek Cemetery.  He first married on March 11, 1900 Eva Belle Cornwell born November 12, 1879 in Orange County and died May 30, 1919 in Orange County.  She was the daughter of Jacob and Nancy Jane Stone Cornwell.  They were the parents of two daughters; Mildred M. Trinkle who married James Herschel Bobbitt and Vivian Laperle Trinkle who died at the age of 10 of kidney failure.  Jesse married a second time on July 14, 1920 to Ella L. Fuller born October 20, 1885 in Orange County and died February 13, 1988 in Lawrence County.  She was the daughter of John and Mary E. Lindley Fullen.  They had no children.

 Jesse M. Trinkle was known as an historian, educator and a leader in community affairs.  He was a teacher in county schools for many years, county superintendent of schools, Paoli Postmaster and held many other official positions.  He wrote more than 2,000 obituaries for county citizens when asked.  He was a charter member of the Paoli Meridian Club, a member of Odd Fellows Lodge and a member of the Masonic Order.  He wrote family histories, as well as church and school histories.

 If anyone should happen to have the entire book, One Hundred Years in the McCoy Family, I sure would like to have the rest of the chapters.

The Progress Examiner, Orleans, Ind., Thursday, November 7, 1912
ONE HUNDRED YEARS IN THE MCCOY FAMILY
by Jesse Trinkle

      Under the above title our friend and local correspondent, Mr. Jesse M. Trinkle, has complied and completed a history of that branch of the McCoy family of which our fellow townsmen, Uncle Harry McCoy, Sr., J.V. McCoy and John H. McCoy, are members.  This family is one of the oldest and most numerous families in the county and have been residents of the county for more than 100 years.

     The work as completed makes a book of more than 320 pages divided into chapters dealing with each particular member of the first family. It fives in brief detail the dates of birth, death, and marriage, the religion, politics, occupation, residence and more important events in the lives of each of the nearly 1,000 descendants named in the book.  In these chapters as well as the solemn or pathetic side of many of the descendants.

     Mr. Trinkle tells us that he begun the work for two reasons, (1) the love of such work, and (2) a desire for a record of his own family, since he is a descendant of this family.  The task was far greater than he expected since it stretched as an endless chain into nearly every state in the Union; but the success in at last getting a record from every family far exceeded his expectations.  It has required much expense and more than two years labor to complete the work yet he has been encouraged by the numerous requests that the work be published in book form so that every member of the family may have a copy.  But since completing the work he has consulted several publishing houses and owing to the limited number of copies which might be desired the lowest price he has received for a book well bound and illustrated would make the work cost each one $5.00 per copy.  Mr. Trinkle says he is not financially able to go further with the work unless enough subscriptions were pledged to guarantee the printing of at least 100 copies.

     So, at our solicitation, Mr. Trinkle has consented to allow us to publish through the columns of the Progress-Examiner the first chapters of the work, which deal with the early history and settlement of Orange County and Stampers Creek township, the original home of the McCoy family.  The work will be continued from week to week until all the chapters furnished have been printed. –Editor

      The writer is indebted to many of the older citizens for much of the information contained herein and to each of these we express our sincere thanks.  Any criticism, corrections or additional data will be thankfully received without any offense whatever, although we may not be able to change the story.

Very respectfully,
JESSE.M. TRINKLE

 
CHAPTER I.

      Since the scene of our story is principally in and about Orange County, Indiana, and in that part of Orange County now known as Stampers Creek township, we therefore deem it proper at this time to give a short history of the Geography and early settlement of these two localities.  Furthermore, there are perhaps many of the generation of today who have but a vague idea of real pioneer life; and these facts concerning the early history of Orange County may serve to broaden their stock of acknowledge in this respect.

     The character of the soil, the surface, and in fact the physical features of a country often determine the character and strength of its people; and that such has had its effect on many of those named in our little story is no doubt true.  For, in general, there has never been a hardier, sturdier, healthier and longer-lived people in this township and county than the Wolfe’s Cornwell’s and McCoy’s.

     Orange County, as it exists today, is bounded north by Lawrence, east by Crawford and Washington, South by Crawford and West by Martin and Dubois.  It is in the extreme southern part of Indiana, its County seat, Paoli, being about forty files northwest of Louisville, KY.  Taking the county as a whole we may say it is very hilly and broken, although the northeastern part is comparatively level.

     The present county of Orange originally comprised portions of Knox and Clarke Counties.  On March 9, 1813 a part of it became a part of Gibson County.  December 21, 1813 another portion became a part of Washington County.  At this time what was left of Orange County comprised the present Lawrence County and nearly all of Monroe County.  But is was not yet called Orange County, but was known as part of Washington County.  In fact, it was really one township of Washington County, which was then called Orange township.  The main part of this township we now know as Paoli township in Orange County.

     The present county of Orange came into existence under as act of the legislature early in 1816.  Its name is said to be derived from Orange County in North Carolina, whence many of the first settlers came.  As it exists today it is twenty miles square, comprising four hundred square miles.

     Orange County was at one time occupied by the Piankeshaws, a tribe of the Algonquin Indians and at a later date the Wyandottes, Shawnees and Delawares settled here.  Many of the Indian boundary lines as described in Indian treaties, center in and cross Orange County.  A few small Indian villages were located over the County, one of which was called Shawnee, and stood on the banks of Lost River, not far from where that stream sinks.  The chief of the village was known as “King Billy” and is said to have had a red-headed white woman for a wife.

     Frequently, during the Indian War which ended with the Battle of Tippecanoe, November 1811, the few inhabitants of Orange County were compelled to fly to one of the early forts or blockhouses that were then built for protection of the pioneers.  Probably the first house of this kind built in the County was built on the farm now owned by Jas. N. McCoy—and formerly owned by Samuel Mahan—in the Northwester part of Stampers Creek township.  This was known as the Moore Fort.  The house was of regular block style, and a few yards away a deep ditch or trench was dug entirely around it and just inside of this was a row of split posts det into the ground slanting out.  This effectually prevent an approach from the outside.  Another such fort was located farther north near Orleans on the farm now owned Chas. F. Johnson.  There is said to have been but three white men killed in the County by Indians.

     There were several places throughout the county which were used as camping places by Indians and one of these was about the Springs at the head of Stampers Creek on the land formerly owned by George MCoy, Sr., the real subject of our story.

     A few traces of the Mound builders—that pre-historic race about which so little is known—are still found scattered over Orange County, but owing to cultivation, these mounds are continually growing less.

     Orange County is very peculiar, in that two of its largest rivers, Lost River and Stampers Creek, flow for a few miles and then sink into the earth and it is thought by many that both rise as one river a few miles farther on at Orangeville, still in the county and is the head of Lick Creek.  Another theory is that Stampers Creek rises at Spring Mill.  There are also many caves and caverns, but none of any great size.

    The French Lick and West Baden Mineral Springs, now known and noted world over, are in Orange County and attract thousands of health and pleasure seekers from all over the world.  Hon. Thomas Taggart, Democratic National Committeeman from Indiana, is president and main owner of the former and Lee W. Sinclair, formerly of Washington County is main owner of the latter, which is advertised as the “Carlsbad of America.”

     The principal industry has always been farming, and at first their implements for doing this were very crude.  Corn was planted and almost wholly cultivated with the hoe, and even the hoes were not as they are now.  They were of wood or of heavy iron without polish.  A man who could raise eight to ten acres of corn had a large crop.  The birds and squirrels were so numerous the farmer had to guard his crop continually.  They did not need game laws then.

     Wheat was sown broadcast and burrowed in by hand or by brush pulled around by horses or oxen.  All reaping was done with the historic old sickle that had been in use in Egypt before the pyramids were built; had been in use in the fields of Boaz long before Christ was born.  In fact for thousands of years it had been the only reaper.  Less than seventy-five years ago it was still in use in Orange County.  Then came the scythe and cradle with which many of use are familiar.  What a Godsend it seemed to our forefathers, yet how much out-of-date to us today.  The hoe, the Wooden plow and the sickle!  What could we do with these today?  Now the farmer can sit as independent as a king and almost see his crops sown and harvested before his eyes.  The farmer boy who has a good farm today is foolish to leave it and rush off to the city to contract vices that will kill him and probably dam him.  Stick to the farm and it will stick to you.

     The early wild animals were deer, bears, panthers, foxes, wildcats, wolves and coyotes.  The last bear said to have been killed in the county was in 1825 in Northwest township.  Today these are no wild animals of note, all the latest improved farming machinery is used, and some of the farms are as good as found in almost any rural community in the United States.

     The first settler of orange County, or at least the first settler who entered land, was John Hollowell, who entered land in Southeast township 1807.  We have been unable to find the name of the first white child born in orange County, unless it was Mary Hollowell, born about 1808—afterward Mrs. Joseph Clendenin—who was said to have been the first white female child born within the present limits of Orange County, if not the first child.

     The first school ever taught in Orange County was taught near Chambersburg by a man named Tomlinson.  The exact date of this is not known but the first District school in the county was at Lick Creek, three miles east of Paoli 1824, taught by John Murray.  These teachers made about two dollars per pupil of three months.  Miss Sophia Throop was the first lady teacher in the county.  She taught in 187 and the first term she received about $7.50 about her board bill.  A short description of the first school houses may enlighten the younger readers.

      The school houses were like the homes, log cabins with puncheon floors and great open fire places into which the big boys must roll in logs for the fire.  Those who sat near roasted, and the pupils farther away froze their toes.  The seats were logs or benches, without either backs or desks.  The theory of instruction was “no lickin’” “no larnin’”.  A long writing bench, made of a riven board or puncheon, smoothed off and supported by wooden pegs or legs was placed against the wall.  At this the pupils took turns in copy book work writing with a pen made of a goose quill and with ink made from pokeberry juice or from oak balls saturated in vinegar.  A spelling-match was an every Friday afternoon occurrence.  Boys and girls often attended school in the fall long after hard frosts came and even after ice had begun to form, with no shoes and their feet encased in old socks or stockings.

    All sorts of teachers were employed: the “one-eyed,” the “one-legged” the “lame teacher” and the “teacher who had fits.”  The story told of one teacher “who got drunk on Saturday and whipped the entire school on Monday.”  Often the teacher took his “grog” and fiddle to school with him.  One of Orange County’s early teachers was an old sailor who wandered out to the Indiana Woods.  Under his encouragement the pupils spent a large part of their time roasting potatoes.

     The first road laid out in the County, was the present Paoli and Salem road, now a pike.  The New Albany and Paoli pike, passing through the south part of the county was completed 1839.  The majority of roads now in the County are gravel or macadamized.

     The first railroad was completed to Orleans from New Albany October 30, 1851.  Later a branch road was built from Orleans to French Lick and thence extended to Jasper in Dubois County.

     The first court house was built 1816 for $25.  The present one was built in 1850 at a cost of $14,000 and has had much improvement since.

                                       (to be continued.)

The Progress-Examiner, Orleans, Indiana, Thursday, November 14, 1912

 (Continued from last week.)

 Settlers

     A majority of the early settlers were from the Southern States and had left there because of slavery.  So when the so-called “Underground” railroad system for getting slaves to Canada was in its height, one of these railroads passed through Orange County.  One of the stations was at Chambersburg and another at Orleans.  In this way the settlers of Orange County helped to free many slaves.

     The early settlers of Orange County were generous and hospitable to a degree scarcely known in the present day and if a neighbor was in distress, he at once received the undivided attention of the entire community.  Nor did they merely pity, they took hold and helped.  When a new settler came to their community, they all turned out to welcome him in a hearty way, often by gathering at his chosen spot, and in one day would chop and build his cabin home.  House raisings were of frequent occurrence, and at these it was the custom for the owner to have a jug of “grog” near by to stimulate his benefactors into greater efforts.

     The speech of Orange County was the true Hoosier dialect and some of those expressions are still heard, such as “heap-sight;” “juberous;” “jamberee” meaning a big time’ “flabbergasted,” i.e. exhausted; “gangling” meaning awkward; etc.  “Between you and me and the gate post” is a Hoosier expression of secrecy.  “Saucer” was pronounced “sasser,” soft pronounced “saft” and parsnips as “pasnips,” help was called “holp or “hope” etc.

     In dress in these pioneer times the gentleman’s waist must be of the “hour-glass” form, he wore a “clanhommers” coat with a low velvet collar and brass buttons, over a buff waistcoat.  He wore an extremely high collar with a flowered neckerchief with the flowing ends tied around it, over a plaited or ruffled shirtfront.  His hat was bell-crowned and often made of white beaver.  His shoes were point-toed and in full dress he wore a long cloak and flourished a gold headed cane and then with a fashion of swearing and “b’godding” for emphasis he was the real gentleman of those pioneer times.

     The ladies wore full dress skirts, much be-flounced and worn over large hoops.  They wore a tight basque over which was draped a shawl—lace in summer and broche in winter.  Bonnets were universal for old and young and their large round fronts were filled with a garden of flowers for face-trimmings?  For evenings, garlands of flowers were worn in the hair and around the low neck and skirt of the gown, and curls were always worn.  Most every girl attempted to sing and play the harp or guitar.

     One of the principal enjoyments of the long winter evening in this locality was the dance.  The roystering element among the Hoosiers of these backwoods were extremely fond of dancing and as they were a vigorous people dancing suited their natures.  The gayer ones cut the “pigeon wing” or threw in an extra “double-shuffle” to fill in the measure. Each neighborhood had its “caller” and some of the calls are worth preserving.  Here is one:

 “Balance one and balance eight,
Swing ‘em on the corner like you swing ‘em on the gate.
Balance to your lady and then promenade,
First couple out, to the couple on the right,
Lady round the lady and the gent solo,
Lady round the gent and the gent don’t go.
Ladies do-ce-do, and gents, you know,
Chicken in a bread pan, pickin’ up dough.
Turn ‘em roun’ and roun’, as pretty as you can.
An’ why in the world don’t you left alaman.
Right hand to partner and grand right and left,
And a big, big swing, an’ a little hug, too,
Swing your honey, and she’ll swing you,
Promenade eight, and when you all get straight.”

 
First couple out to the right
Cage the bird, three hands round
Birdie hop out, crow hop in,
Three hands round and go it again’
Alaman left, back to partner, an’ grand right an’ left,
Come to your partner once an’ a half
Yellar canary right, and joybird left,
Next to your partner and all chaw hey,
You know where and’ I don; t care,
Seat your partner in the old armchair.

      Those who would not dance played the kissing games like picking cherries, drop the handkerchief, wee’ly wheat and chase the squirrel.

     While the two incidents next mentioned did not, or we think not, happen in Orange County, yet they are given to us as happening in Indiana in those old times and we suppose Orange County to have been much like the rest of the state in these respects.  The first incident shows how the settler was in need of real money, instead of which they traded some product which they happened to have. 

The first incident was as follows: “One morning a certain squire saw a young man clad in homespun, ride up on horseback with a young lady seated behind him.  They dismounted; he hitched his horse and then they went into the house and were invited to be seated.  After waiting a few minutes the young man asked if he was the squire.  He informed the young man that he was.  He then asked the squire what he charged for tying the know.  ‘You mean for marrying you?’  ‘Yeas, sir.’  ‘One dollar,’ says the squire.  ‘Will you take it out in trade?’  ‘What kind of trade?’  ‘Beeswax.’  ‘Bring it in’ says the squire.  The young man brought in the beeswax, but when weighted it lacked forty cents of being enough to pay the squire.  After sitting silently for some minutes the young man said ‘Well, Sal, let’s be going.’  Sal followed to the door, then turned to the squire and with an entreating look said: 

Well, squire can’t you tie the know as far as the beeswax goes, anyhow?’  the know was tied.”

     The next incident relates to pioneer electioneering in a race for sheriff.  The story is told in the candidate’s own words: “One day when riding along looking for voters I spied an old Reuben plowing a field.  No sooner had I tied my horse then the agriculturist left his plow and came to the fence. I shook his gnarly claw in the candidates manner and then began my spiel.  He listened until I got through and then with ‘hems’ and ‘haws’ said: ‘Well, Cap, I’d like to vote for you frustrate, but the other fellow is sort o’ kin to me and I don’t like to vote again him.’  Rather taken back at this seeming relationship, I asked what kinship he claimed with my opponent; hen he, with seeming pride, drawled, ‘Well, I got an idee that he’s the father of my oldest boy.’”

     In my quest for the information necessary to complete this work it has required much asking questions and I am thankful that I have received such complete answers.  In many cases I have asked for narratives of some incident, either humerous or otherwise, pertaining to the life of the person questioned or some member of their family.  I give you here one answer verbatimeliteratim, which I received to the above question.

 (Somewhat Humerous)

      “I suppose most all writers find themselves, sometime or other, in an embarrassing position when asked by a friend for something from his pen.  I sadly regret that I can not grant your request at present, from the fact of a previous contract with my publishers to write nothing for the press, except through and by their permission, for the next five years.

     If you wish to consult literature, I would refer you to Sears, Roebuck & Co., Of Chicago.  This company will send their publications free to all that ask.

     Xyzorthox and Nxzorth & Co., London, Eng., may possibly have one of my Copy Rights published within the next twenty years.”

     Such answers were not received to all my queries, else my story must have been extremely humerous. 

Stampers Creek Township

      The present Stampers Creek Township was formed March 4, 1839.  It is seven miles long and four miles wide, lies next to the Washington County line on the East, joins Northeast Township on the South, Southeast on the North and Paoli Township on the West.  It contains twenty-eight square miles, and its surface especially the southern half is very broken.  Its population in 1910 was 893.

     The township receives its name from a small stream—Stampers Creek—which has its origin near the east side of the township, on the land formerly owned by George McCoy, Sr.  this stream flows diagonally across the township to the Northwest and sinks into a subterranean cavern just over the line in Paoli Township.

     The creek received its name from a man named Stamper, concerning whom but little is now known, and that little is largely traditionary.  By some it is maintained that he was never a resident of Orange County, but lived in Washington County, whence he came to the neighborhood of this creek to cut some of the fine timber that grew along its banks.  Another and more probable account is that he once lived on the farm afterward owned by George McCoy, Sr., and near one of the large springs that constitute the source of this creek.

     Probably the first settler in the township was Peter Mahan who is said to have come here in 1809.  Soon after him came the Moores, Wolfes, Vandeveers, VanCleaves, and Galloways, whose names will again be mentioned in this story and names yet familiar in the township.  Nearly all the settlers were from Virginia, North Carolina and Kentucky, who left their native states to rid themselves of slavery and to found a home and fortune away from that evil.

     The first school known to have been taught in the present confines of Stampers Creek Township was in 1814 when George Vandever, a crippled man, came with his family from Kentucky, settled near the head of Patoka Creek and soon afterward opened a school.  Another school was opened on the farm now owned by Wm. Hall, in the west central part of the township in 1818.  There was a school at the Mahan District in 1821.  It was built for a school house by the citizens, made of round logs with split saplings for seats.  It was located on the land now owned by John Holmes, Jr.  the average attendance at these schools was about 15 pupils for a term of three months; wages $1-50 per pupil.  The first real district school was built in 1829 near where the Burt school house now stands.  The first silent school was taught here in 1831.  In 1842, Joel C. Dillard taught a nine month subscription school at Millersburg.  The patrons were the Dillards, Duncans, McCoys, Wolfes and Cornwells.

     The first free school trustees were Joel Vandever, Fleming Duncan, and Edward Cornwell.  The first free schools were in the winter of 1855-56.  Henry H. Polson, I. K. Martin and R. C, Wells were among the first teachers.

 Distilleries

     Stampers Creek has always been very prolific in distilleries.  In the early day when corn was very cheap because of no market for it, a grain distillery was run in connection with almost every grist mill or corn cracker as they were then called and cap, calico, lead and whiskey were one of the orders always given at the country grocery stores of that day.  Among the men who have been engaged in this business in Stampers Creek Township may be mentioned Edward Kirby, Joel Kirby, Peter Mahan, Mason Burgess, Abram Peters, Henry Wolfe., Sr., Edward Moore, Jarvis Smith, William Brooks, Peter Wolfe, Jr., G. B., J. V. and Andrew Wolfe.  The last five named only operated fruit distilleries.  At present there are only two distilleries in the county, both in Stampers Creek Township.  One of these is operated by Guilderoy McCoy and the other by Andrew Wolfe.  They run but a few months in the year during the fruit season. With all these distilleries Stampers Creek Township has so far no crime of consequence laid at her door, either directly or indirectly traceable to these distilleries.

 Millersburg

      There are but two villages in Stampers Creek Township, Rego and Millersburg; the former in the extreme south and the latter is in the north end.  Neither are large enough to be called towns, although they have been villages a long time.  Millersburg is in the heart of McCoy settlement, therefore it will be mentioned several times in our story.  It has been a village at least since 1833.  In this year Greenup Miller opened a store here and from him the village received its name.  He remained in the store business here for three or four years and was followed by a man named Rogers, then True and Rogers, True and Duncan, Gilliland and Polson, Ulrich Sailer, Polson and Pickens, Geo. P. McCoy, and Polson and Trinkle, Galloway and Marshall, Boyd and Son, and at present Chas. H. Galloway is the only merchants, carries a $5,000 stock and is doing large business.  These has been a flouring and grist mill here since about 1850 and a saw mill since about 1866.  At present the four and saw mill is owned by R. A. Cauble, formerly of Washington County.

     So much for the geography of Orange County and Stampers Creek Township, a knowledge of which will give the reader an idea of the character and industry of these early settlers.  We will now turn our attention to the real subject of our story.

(To be continued.)

  
The Progress-Examiner, Orleans, Indiana, Thursday, November 21, 1912

 (Continued from last week.)

 
CHAPTER II.

      The first we learn of that branch of the McCoy family which is the subject of our story was in 1811, when one George McCoy immigrated to Indiana from Harpers Ferry, Virginia.

     It is not positively known who his parents were not whence they came, further than that they were Irish and at a still earlier date immigrated to this country from Ireland.  From his own records we learn that this George McCoy was born in Virginia—then called Old Dominion—on March 15, 1788.

     It seems that his parentage had been thrifty enough, to accumulate quite a snug little fortune in the new country, but none of this ever came to the McCoys in this country; although an effort was made at a much later day to recover that part of the vast estate which by right belonged to this George McCoy.

     Early in life he became infatuated with the love of Miss Lydia Wolfe, the daughter of one John Wolfe, of who but little is known, other that that he was a great hunter.  But, as was customary in those days—and perhaps should be in these days—the cage must be prepared ere the bird was caught, so instead of fitting up a home for his son, as is very customary in this day, the sturdy old father told George that he must prepare his own cage.

     Virginia, having been settled already more than two hundred years, had become rather thickly settled, while from the territories North and West came fabulous stories of pasture lands, great forests, and abundant game.  Hither towards this Aladdin’s lamp George now turned his way.  Not finding Kentucky to his liking, he crossed the Ohio River and followed the then well-worn Indian trails northward toward Ft. Harrison near where Terre Haute now stands.  Here the rich prairie lands seemed to promise a good home, but the war of 1812 now breaking out, and heeding the call for help to stop the ravages of Indians thought to be incited by English, he joined the forces and for one year performed the duties of a soldier in the War of 1812.

     Returning thence to these rich prairie lands he found much sickness among the inhabitants and decided to move farther south to select a more suitable place where he might better prepare a home for the future and build up that large family of descendants, whose life stories make up these pages.

     So late in the summer of 1813 he returned to Kentucky, whither his future wife’s parents had now located, and on October 26, 1813 was married to his former love, Miss Lydia Wolfe, who at this time had just passed her 24th birthday, having been born October 2, 1789.

     Shortly after his marriage he returned to Indiana with his wife by way of Louisville, Ky., which at that time contained but a few scattered dwellings, and settled in what is now Washington County, a few miles southeast of Livonia near where Sinking Spring church now stands.  Soon after this, 1814, his wife’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Wolfe, emigrated from Kentucky to Indiana and located near, bringing with them at least seven children, viz:  Aethel, Peter, Hannah, Henry, Jack, Polly and Elizabeth Wolfe, of whom mention will be made again since many of the Wolfes, Cornwells and Galloways now living in this vicinity are their descendants.  John Wolfe’s first land entry was in 1819.

     A few words here to describe the first home of Mr. and Mrs. McCoy may serve to show the generations of this day the average mode of going to housekeeping one hundred years ago as compared with that of today.  Their first dwelling was a small crude log building which they found already standing, but which had been used as a stable.  Getting permission of the owner to make this a temporary abiding place, he cleaned it out well to the bare earth, drove some stakes into the earth and laid poles on them and covered these with skins, leaves and grass.  This was their first bed.

     In the same manner they made a table and such other furniture as they were compelled to have.  For cooking and heating they built a fire in the middle of the room and cooked their food over this fire.  So here is this log stable with its rough hewn walls and its roof made of split poles covered with wild grasses; with the bare earth for a floor and with winter coming upon them, Mr. and Mrs. McCoy began that struggle for existence which ultimately brought to them an honored and respected old age and a world of plenty in their old age.

     So far as we learn they passed a very quiet and uneventful winter in this lonely habitation, yet very busy making preparation for the coming year.  They knew how to work, however, because they were born on a farm where work was imperative, and the first lesson taught them by an industrious parentage was, “There is no excellence without labor?”

     They were likewise taught that every effort should have their best endeavor or it was ignoby performed.

     The story has been handed down to us—and without fear of being disputed—that when seed time came the next spring there was a lack of seed corn in the new settlement.  How to get more in time for planting was the perplexing question!  Here the young wife came to the rescue!  On horseback and alone she went all the way back to Kentucky through a wilderness infested with Indians and wild beasts, purchased one half bushel of seed corn and returned in time for planting!  From that beginning, brought by this brave young wife, there has never been the need of another such trip; but were it necessary, where would we find the young wife today who would be willing to make such a trip?  Such was a typical pioneer life!

     On October 20, 1814, while yet living in this little, old log stable in Washington County, George and Lydia McCoy were blessed by the birth of their first child, a son.  Such was the humble birth of the first of that long line of descendants which has led down to the present time and is even yet going on.

     Because perhaps of the renown at that time attached to that great general of the War of 181 and the hero of New Orleans, General Andrew Jackson, they decided to call their first son by that name.  So Jackson McCoy is the first of the long line of McCoy’s.  So far as we have been able to learn, who was born on Indiana soil.

     Mr. and Mrs. McCoy was further blessed with sons and daughters to the total number of twelve; ten of who grew to manhood and womanhood and were married, and all of these except one, reared families.  These twelve children we will merely name here in the order of their birth and will later take each in order and make such comment as we are able to gather the data thereof.

     When Jackson was little more than sixteen months old a daughter was born March 14, 1816, who was christened America.  The followed Wesley McCoy, born September 20, 1817; Susan McCoy born November 9, 1818; Mariah McCoy born August 30, 1820; George W. McCoy born November 13, 1822; Berry McCoy born October 11, 1824; Margaret McCoy, (Peggy), Born July 1, 1826; Riley McCoy born May 3, 1828; Patterson McCoy born March 15, 1830; Allen McCoy born April 9, 1832; and Henry McCoy (Harry) born February 19, 1834.
     Of these children Wesley died January 30, 1818, aged four months and ten days, and Berry McCoy died March 5, 1825, aged four months and twenty-four days.

     The next year after the birth of their first son, Mr. and Mrs. McCoy moved from Washington County over into the Eastern part of Orange County and settled in what is now known as the “Wolfe Valley” in Stampers Creek township.  They remained at this habitation until 1830, when the removed to the farm surrounding the head of Stampers Creek.  At first they moved into an old log house that was already standing on the farm.  In 1835 he built a large brick house, making the brick nearby on the farm now owned by Mr. Floyd McCoy.

     This brick house is still standing in a good state of preservation and is occupied by Mr. Mary A. McCoy widow of Riley McCoy.  George and Lydia McCoy spent the remainder of their life here and it was here their three last children Patterson, Allen and Henry were born.  From this house all their children were married and ‘twas here that many of their children lived, for a while at least, after marriage.

     George McCoy, Sr., was a very sturdy gentleman, strong in his personality, honest and fearless.  Born in those good old times when ruggedness was a part of every man’s nature he early imbibed that characteristic which made him through life a fighter for what he believed to be the right.  He was very easily offended but as easily appeased.  He was always ready to fight on the slightest provocation and was very seldom whipped, having the “stick-to-it-ive-ness” about him which made him never give up until he had conquered.

     The story is told of him that at one time he and his brother in-law, Mr. Wilson were sawing a log off when they began disputing over some trifle.  Without thinking, perhaps, of what lay in store for him, Mr. Wilson disputed George’s word.  Such a thing now would in most cases, be little thought of other than to increase the argument.  But not so with George.  Such a thing with George meant being called a liar.  Instantly the saw stopped, he leaped the log and before he was scarcely aware of what was happening, Mr. Wilson had received a severe flogging.  After a little brushing up and making up they resumed sawing as though nothing had happened, but we imagine yet we can hear Mr. Wilson telling Aunt Betsy, his wife, his honest opinion of her brother George when he returned home.

     Another incident showing how easily offended he was in his closing years is seen by his division of his vast estate before his death.  So thrifty had he been that he became the owner of several good farms, amounting in all to 1000 acres, and a short time before his death in 1860 he called his sons in to divide among themselves these farms; while the daughters were to be paid $2000.00 in cash each.

     One of his sons, Patterson McCoy, had died shortly after his marriage and hence had been dead many years before this division.  Therefore Patterson’s share should be gone to his widow and their one child.  But at some time during the last years of Mr. McCoy’s life, he being no doubt in his second childhood, Patterson’s widow, it was claimed, made some trivial remark that displease Mr. McCoy.  This remark, whatever it was, he never forgot; and when this division came Patterson’s widow and child, at this request, received only $1000, just one half the share allotted the other children.  A very costly remark indeed! But one which was no doubt given with no thought or intention of offence.  These two incidents serve to show that rugged spirit, that firmness of purpose and above all that quick temper that characterized George McCoy, Sr.  And if there is any one general mark that would distinguish the McCoys today, counting myself as one, I believe this quick temper to be the highest mark of distinction.  But we are glad to say this high mark is much below that of our forefathers, and the name “McCoy” today betokens a good, first class, enterprising citizen, and a person of hospitable mien.

     Our story would be lacking, did we not say something concerning Aunt Lydia, the faithful wife and helpmate of this George McCoy for nearly fifty years.  Born in those same ole times and in the same locality and with practically the same surroundings, that sturdiness, strong personality, honesty and fearlessness were as much a part of her character as they were of her husband.  The incident relative to her journey alone to Kentucky for see corn forcibly illustrates these characteristics.

     But, we are told, it was good to know Aunt Lydia and to be in her home.  Quaint and old fashioned to a humorous degree, she was always careful to make every visitor, young and old, welcome in her home.  The most dejected stranger was always welcome in her home and at her table, while the noises, whims and caprices of children seemed to amuse her.

     The Greeks used to say, “The husband acquires substance, the wife saves it.”  Such a wife was Aunt Lydia.  She was a real helpmate to her husband, and so when the autumn of life came to them they did not have to “dance” as the ant told the grasshopper to do.  The influence of home and early training determine in a large measure the character of the child for life; the minds of children are more impressible than in age.  Lessons learned in childhood are remembered longest, and habits that are established during that period are most lasting.  It has been said that, “The foot that rocks the cradle determines the destiny of nations.”  Whether or not that Aunt Lydia ever rocked her children is a cradle, it is nevertheless true that the life of this parent was repeated in her children.  Another old saying is that the mother is what the daughters will be when she reaches her mother’s age.  It was never our pleasure to know but one of Aunt Lydia’s daughter and that was Margaret, or Lydia and our personal knowledge of Aunt Peggy, the above saying surely contained much truth.  The son more often, repeats his father’s habits in words, habits, tastes, temper and ways generally and these characteristics we believe were handed down from the father to the sons in the family.  It was Aunt Lydia’s custom to “rule with a gentle hand, but be sure to rule.”

     With this brief description of George Sr., and Lydia McCoy, the real beginning of our story, we hope the reader may form a good mental picture of them, that will hold them before the reader throughout our story.

     It may be mentioned here that George McCoy had at least one sister who came to Indiana with him or followed soon after.  She was always called “Peggy” hence we conclude her name was Margaret, since Peggy was the name generally given to those christened Margaret in those early days.  As to the date of her birth, marriage and death there is no record, and we give her such meagre data as we have been able to gather.

     Either before or soon after her immigration to Indiana, she was married to a man named ______Wilson and lived a short distance south of Millersburg on the farm now owned by T. J. Winder.  There is little or no trace of the old homestead with its rude buildings, and huge rock chimney but it is well remembered by our older citizens.  And the Wilson field is still spoken of a though it were a city, yet but a few of the younger generation know who or why it received its name.  The Wilson field is known by all the fox hunters for miles around, since it has always been a great place for the “chase.”  Mr. and Mrs. Wilson had several children among whom we learn the names of George, James, and Elias Wilson, but we are not able to give any other data concerning them.  

(To be continued.)

 
The Progress-Examiner, Thursday, December 5, 1912

 (Continued from last week.)

      About this time Henry Wolfe, in Partnership with Abram Peters, engaged in the distillery of fruit, mostly making apple and peach brandies.  Fruit for this purpose could be obtained at from 5 cents to 10cents per bushel, and therefore the business was very profitable, and was carried on by Mr. Wolfe until his death his death.

     Henry and Luck Grigsby Wolfe were the parents of ten children, among whom Peter, Henry Jr., Lewis, Mahala, Shelby, Louisa and George grew to maturity and reared families.

     Peter became the husband of Louisa Trinkle, and after the death of his father, Henry Wolfe, Sr., Peter continued the distilling business until his death.  Peter and Louisa reared a large family, many of whom are still living in our vicinity.  They were Lewis, Adeline, Margaret, George Ann, Virgil, Mack, Sarah, Andrew and Minnie.  Lewis and Andrew have successfully continued the distilling business the death of their father, but Lewis has recently sold his interest and Andrew now owns and operates the distillery in his own name.  Wolfe’s brandy today is known far and wide in many states and is acknowledged to be second to none for its purity, quality and medicinal purposes.

     Lewis married Rachel Beesom and they have a large family, all married except one.  Lewis at present, is a member of the County Council, an Odd Fellow and a devout member of the Baptist church.

     Adeline became the wife of Newton Mays and died several years ago.

     Margaret became the wife of Wm. R. Jones and died several years ago, leaving four small children, two of whom have since died also.

     George Ann married Samuel J. Norman and they reside in this township.  They have no children.  Virgil has been thrice married, first to Lizzie Vickery, second to Janie Key and third to Miss Kate Strange.  His children are all married, and he and his wife reside at present near this place.

     Mack married Lizzie Danner and they reside near Chambersburg in this county, owning a good farm.  They have no children.

     Sarah and Minnie never married, but both are dead.

     Andrew married Nellie Lapping and they have three children, all sons.  Andrew owns a good farm which he operates in connection with his distillery in this township.

     Henry Wolfe, Jr., became the husband of Elizabeth Cornwell, who was the first daughter of Shelby Cornwell, St., mentioned elsewhere in this chapter.  Henry and Elizabeth soon after their marriage settled on Stampers Creek on the land where Jarvis Smith had formerly been running a water mill for grinding corn, but no trace of the old water mill is now to be seen except the old mill race.

     Mr. and Mrs. Wolfe early in life became members of the Regular Baptist Church at Stampers Creek.  Mr. Wolfe died March 24, 1896 but the widow is still living, now 85 years old, on the farm here mentioned.  She is yet a devout Christian lady and no one in the community is more highly respected than she.

     To Mr. and Mrs. Wolfe were born five sons, Patterson, Alexander, Gilderoy, Henry B., and Elvet.  The later died when quite young and Gilderoy has never married.  For the past thirty years he has been a teacher in the public schools and has also had extensive experience in the General Merchandise business.

     Patterson married Edwina coulter, a daughter of the late Joseph coulter, formerly of this vicinity.  Paterson and Edwina have two daughters living, both married.

     Ida is the wife of John R. Boon and has a son, Courtney.  Anna is the wife of Banks Cornwell, and have a son, Kenneth.

     Alexander married Ellen Speer, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Speer.  They have one daughter, Miss Nellie, who is a graduate of State Normal School at Terre Haute and is a teacher in the Orleans schools.  Alexander died suddenly October 27, 1907.

     Henry B. Wolfe married Elizabeth Galloway, before mentioned and they have one daughter, Mrs. Dora Coulter, the wife of Scott R. Coulter, a son of Mary A. Coulter, who was a daughter of Shelby Cornwell, Sr., mentioned before.  Scott R. and Dora have one child, a daughter, Elizabeth.  Henry B. and Elizabeth Wolfe own and reside at the old Henry Wolfe home, the widow mentioned before residing with them.

     Shelby Wolfe, another of the children of Henry and Lucy Grigsby Wolfe, was one of the first children born in Stampers Creek township, having been born January 7, 1814.  He married Susanna H. Throop November 3, 1817.  Their children were Susanna, Rebecca, Adaline, Lucy, Jefferson, Hester, Anna and Mary.

     Of these children Rebecca became the wife of Henry McCoy and her life history is given complete in the last chapter of our story.

     Jefferson Wolfe was for many years a prominent citizen in our county, being at one time engaged in the drug business at Chambersburg.  His wife was Mary A. Hunt, a daughter of Thomas Hunt.  Heater and Anna Wolfe died young.  Lucy Jane married John Johnson.  He is dead and Lucy now makes her home with her sister, Mrs. Addie Scott.

     Addie Wolfe married Solomon Scott and is still living near Paoli.  She has five children.

     Emma Wolfe married Tommy Radcliffe and has been dead several years.

     Susanne Throop Wolfe died in 1863 and Shelby was re-married to Elizabeth Johnson in 1871.  Shelby died several years ago but the widow is still living, now more than four score years of age.

     Lewis Wolfe, another son of Henry and Lucy Wolfe married Lydie Brooks and their history is given complete in Chapter VI.

     Eliza Wolfe, a daughter of Henry and Lucy Wolfe became the wife of Samuel Trinkle and lived in Washington County near Sinking spring church.  Among their children were Jacob, Stephen, Henry, Lewis, George, Billie, Sam, Margaret, Lina, Elizabeth and Lucy Ann.

     Jacob has been twice married, first to Caroline Trabue, a daughter of the late Castilion Trabue, and second to Anna Perkins.  By the last marriage there are no children, but by the first marriage are Sam, Mecie, Oliver, Oscar, Oma and Ed, all married.  Jacob resides at Orleans.

     Stephen, the second named child of Sam and Louisa Trinkle married Ruth Stalcup and they have reared a large family.  Their children living are Ott, Charlie, Ola, Arch, Herman, John Ray and Clyde.  At present they reside near Hardinsburg in Washington County.

     Henry Trinkle, another son of Sam and Louisa Wolfe Trinkle, married Caroline Colgiazier of Illinois, and is still living in this township.  Their children are Perry, Billie and Brad, all married.

     Lewis Trinkle, another son of Sam and Louisa Trinkle married firs to Mary Coulter.  She died early in life and he was next married to Sarah Paine.  By the first marriage they have two children, Ezra and Wilbur.  Lewis and wife still reside near this place.

     Sam Trinkle married Miss Almira May and at present lives on the old home place in Washington County.  They have not children.

     George married a daughter of Thomas Roll, ‘Fine Roll, and they reside in Washington County.  Their children are Tom, Allie, Mattie, Milt, Bert, Ed and Fannie.

     Billie also married a daughter of Thomas Roll, Filda Anna Roll, and they have reared a family of two boys and two girls.  They reside near Hardinsburg in Washington County.

     Among the girls were four, Margaret, Lina, Elizabeth and Lucy Ann.

     Margaret never married. Lina married Nelson Marshall and lives near Hardinsburg.  They have two children.

     Elizabeth married a Mr. Lum Fultz and Lucy Ann married Aaron McBride.  These two last named girls went West with their families and we learn but little of their history.  When last heard from Elizabeth and Lucy Ann were still living.

     Mahala Wolfe, another daughter of Henry and Lucy Grigsby Wolf, married Hugh Young and removed to Illinois where he family were all reared.  Some of their children were Merritt and Henry Young.  The last heard from these they were in Texas.

     George Wolfe, the last of the sons of Henry and Lucy Grigsby Wolfe, was married to Emmaline Johnson, a daughter of David and Lizzie (Shively) Johnson.  George has always been a farmer and has spent the greatest part of his life in Orleans Township, this County.  There he has accumulated a competency for his old age.

     George and Emmaline were the parents of two children, Sarah Jane and Clarence Otis.  The former became the wife of Jacob Moulder and both died in early life.  However, they had one daughter, Estelle, who was the first wife of Wesley Galloway, mentioned elsewhere in this chapter and lived but a few months after their marriage.

     Clarence Otis became the husband of Emma McCoy, a daughter of Riley McCoy and their family history will be found in Chapter X.

     Emmaline Wolfe died several years ago, but Uncle George, as he is universally called, is still living with fairly good health for one of his age.  He makes his home with his son near Orleans.  He is a true believer in the principles of Democracy and is member of the Christian church.

     There remains yet one other of the sons of John and Elizabeth (Cornwell) Wolfe which we may mention here.  This is Jack Wolfe.  Already we have given a brief history of Lydia, the wife of George McCoy, Sr., Athel, Polly, Betty, Peter, Henry and Hannah.

     This Jack Wolfe married a Miss Sally Copeland and they begun housekeeping in this township, not far from the little village of Rego.  They reared a large family of children, among whom we learn of John, Harrison, William, Harve, Peter and a girl named Polly and one named Dorinda.  John married a Miss Thomas, a daughter of Tilden Thomas, and William and Peter went to Illinois and married there.  William’s wife, we are told, was named Anna Jane Thomas, Polly’s husband was Wm. Blackburn.  Dorinda married Sam Arteburn.

     This completes the brief history of the Wolfe side of the descendants of John Wolf, the father of Lydia McCoy.  Mush seeming prominence has been given them here, since they have always been so closely connected with the McCoy’s and have been so influential along with them in building up the community.  The reader has no doubt noticed the inter-marriage of the Wolfe, McCoy and Cornwell families in these pages, examples of which might be given in recent marriages.  But nevertheless they make up the best blood and sinew of the community.

     NOTE—This completes the publication of this story in this paper.  The remaining ten chapters and the 120 pages of chart form of each family deal with the members of the family direst.  This Mr. Trinkle does not deem advisable to publish here, but will probably place the entire work in book-form, if he can receive the proper encouragement. —Editor.

Continued from last week,

 Chapter III

     As we promised in the former chapter, we will make further mention of some of the other children of John and Elizabeth (Cornwell) Wolfe since many of the Wolfe’s, Cornwells and Galloways now living in this vicinity are their direct descendants; are more or less closely related to the McCoys in this vicinity; and have been instrumental in helping to settle and build up a great rural community along with the McCoys.

     One of the sons of John Wolfe was Aethel Wolfe. When he was grown to manhood he betook himself a wife and among their children we find one Mary Wolfe who was always known as Polly Wolfe. This Polly Wolfe became the wife of one Simon Cornwell who had come from Virginia to Indiana at a very early day, settling in this (Orange) County. Two of the children of Simon and Polly Wolfe Cornwell we especially wish to mention here, Jane Cornwell and Lucy Cornwell.

     Jane was born in Orange County in 1832 and Lucy was born April 3, 1837. In 1857 Jane became the wife of Shelby Cornwell Sr., he tracing his ancestry back to this same John Wolfe. In fact John Wolfe was the grandfather of his wife, Jane. This relationship came about in the following way:

     Another of the daughters of John Wolfe was named Polly Wolfe from whom perhaps Polly Wolfe, Aethel Wolfe’s daughter before mentioned, was named. This Polly Wolfe, a sister to Aethel Wolfe and Lydia McCoy, mentioned in the preceding chapter, became the wife of one Jacob Cornwell, a typical southern woodsman of Virginia and a true representative of pioneer times. In 1810 a son was born to Mr. And Mrs. Jacob Cornwell in their then Kentucky home who later becomes the Shelby Wolfe of our story here since the wife of the writer is a direct descendant of Shelby and Jane Cornwell, more of the history of their ancestry will be given in Chapter VIII of this story.

     But from what we have already given, the reader may conclude there must have been no law at that time hindering marriage of relation for if we figure rightly, Shelby Cornwell and Jane Cornwell, his wife, were at least second cousins. But be as it may with them there was no race suicide, for they became the parents of sixteen children namely in order of their birth, Jacob, Breckenridge, Mary Ann, Shelby Jr., Harriett, Luella, Thurston, Charlie, Patterson, Polk, Scott, Henry, Clarence (Dock), Herman, Peter, and an infant girl. Five of these children died without marriage, but all the others have reared families and are today all influential citizens residing in the community where they were reared by those hard working parents, who at the time of their death left as a legacy to their sons and daughters over 700 acres of the best land in the community.

     Lucy Cornwell, before mentioned, became the wife of William Galloway, another of the early settlers of our locality. He was the son of James and ____ Galloway, his mother’s maiden name being Galloway also. William and Lucy spent their lifetime in the eastern part of this (Orange) County; reared to manhood and womanhood a large family of children; and died at a ripe old age honored and respected by all.

     Their children were John, James, George, Benjamin, Charles H., Emma, Samuel M., Elizabeth, Volney, and Wesley. George died at four years of age and Wesley died at Winfield, Kansas, where he was living with a wife and one child on Nov. 8 1909. John resides at Noble, Illinois (1912) has reared a large family and has been a very prosperous farmer. James resides at Winfield, Kansas and a complete history of him and his family will be found in Chapter VI of this story. Benjamin is a farmer residing near his old home with his wife and youngest daughter, his other daughter being married. His wife was miss Mary Trinkle of Washington County. Charles H. is engaged in the General Merchandise business at Millersburg and has been very successful. His wife was Sarah Wolfe a daughter of Allen Wolfe, further mention of whom will be given a little later. Charlie and Sarah have two daughters, Nellie ad Cora both married. Emma Galloway became the wife of Andrew J. Bell and at present they have a nice home a portion of the old homestead and a son and a daughter.

     Samuel M. owns and resides on the real Galloway homestead with his wife and one daughter. His wife was formerly Miss Laura Wright of Orleans. Elizabeth is the wife of Henry B. (Brack) Wolfe, a grandson of the      Shelby Cornwell Sr., previously mentioned and a son of Henry Wolfe Jr., mentioned later in this chapter.

     Volney C. Resides on a part of the old homestead. His wife was Sarah Burgess, a member of one of the oldest families in the county. They have two daughters, both married.

     At the time of their death, William and Lucy Galloway owned 320 acres of the best land in our vicinity, all in one body and much of it good black loam now worth $100 per acres.

     Returning to Allen Wolfe, as we promised we learned that he was the son of Hannah Wolfe, a daughter of John and Elizabeth Wolfe and was born in Orange County, Indiana. His father was a Mr. Gallahan, but from early childhood Allen was reared by his mother’s people and always bore their name. Allen had one brother, Dick Wolfe. His father was a Mr. Arteburn. Allen Wolfe was rather odd in many of his ways, but was a fine citizen, such as are needed in many parts of our country today. His expressions were quaint, yet to the point, and many of our older citizens relate some stories of him which show these peculiarities. He was honest and conservative as is shown by the following: For a number of years, he served as a member of the Board of Commissioners. During his services there the Keeper of the County Asylum or poor farm, as it is usually called, asked the Commissioners to purchase another bed for the poor house, as the number of inmates had increased. Mr. Wolfe, with the other members of the Board went out to the Poor Farm to investigate and found conditions just as they had been represented. But they also found that among the inmates were an old gentleman and an old lady neither of whom had a companion. So Mr. Wolfe proposed that they purchase a marriage license and have this old couple to wed, so that they might with propriety occupy one bed, thereby saving the county an expense of perhaps two dollars. And he pushed his point so strong that he won out and the two were wedded. Present day County Officials might well follow some of the ideas of this old patriarch.

     He was a devout member of the Primitive Baptist Church and was twice married, first to Polly Massey and second to Mrs. Jane Foster, the latter still living. By his first marriage he was the father of ten children as follows: Virginia, Mordeca, Jackson, Almira, Mary, Sarah, Owen, and Ellen and two dead. By his second marriage there were no children. Jackson married Clara Jones, a sister to Phoebe Jones McCoy mentioned in Chapter IV. He is a farmer, owning and residing on a part of the old Allen Wolfe homestead, and has two children, a son and a daughter, both married.

     Mordeca was married thrice, two of his wives being sisters. They were Hester Wallace and Laura and Betty Mosby. They had several children, Everet, Lee, Delbert, Ima, Paul, Ora, Inis (Janis?) and Mildred. Mordeca died severally years ago. Virginia is the wife of William Boyd, a prominent farmer of our township. They have no children. Sarah is the wife of C.H. Galloway, mentioned before, and they have two daughters, both married. Owen married Mollie Moody and they reside in Orleans. Owen is a graduate of the Indiana Veterinary School and has a successful practice. They have four children living. Two are married.

     Almira married W.F. Foster and was the mother of one child, Mrs. Stella Speer. Almira has been dead several years.

     Mary married A.R. Marshall. They reside at Mitchell and have one child, a son, Ott. Ellen is the wife of O.P. Danner, a Baptist Minister. They reside in Campbellsburg, Indiana and have four children, three sons and one daughter.

     Elizabeth Wolfe, (Betty) another daughter of John Wolfe married Jonathan Leathers. They reared several children among whom we learn of Alfred, John, Frank, and Nelse (?) Leathers. After her husband’s death Elizabeth was married to a Mr. Hickman. They were later separated and she went to Illinois whither her sons had previously gone and died there.

     Peter Wolfe, another son of John Wolfe, was never married. He is remembered by our older citizens as being a rather eccentric fellow and a man who spent most of his time hunting the many wild animals that then abounded in the forest. He lived at the time when great efforts were being made to invent perpetual motion and many years of his life were spent in trying to devise some plan that would make him famous as the inventor of perpetual motion. One incident of his eccentricities is told as follows: During his declining years he attended church at Stampers Creek on a day when a very large crowd was present. The house was crowded and the minister had begun his sermon. Peter stepped inside the door, surveyed the crowded house, and then forgetting himself, or else allowing his thoughts to come forth in words he exclaimed in loud words, “She’s chock full! Chock full!” The last years of his life were spent at the home of Mr. And Mrs. Shelby Cornwell Sr., and here he died when about 80 years of age.

     Henry Wolfe, another son of John and Lucy Grigsby came to Indiana from Virginia in 1813 but we find no entry of land by him until 1818, when he entered land in what is now Stampers Creek Township. In these days distilleries flourished. Corn was an abundant crop and there was no outlet for it in the great markets of the world. In consequence it sold for 5 and 10 cents per bushel, and the distilling of it into whiskey became the only means whereby it could be turned into profit. These were the good old times so often lauded by our older citizens: times when whiskey flowed freely; times when it could be bought for most any price, even cheaper than milk is now. It is said that sometimes whiskey sold as cheap as 12 ½ cents per gallon. With this they tell us drunkenness was a thing unknown then. Perhaps ‘tis true, but one of two things must be true also; the boys were different from the boys of today, or the whiskey was different from the whiskey of today.

To be continued.