HANDY, John - Putnam

John HANDY, farmer, Newtown was the youngest child of Thomas and Mary Ann (ANDERSON) Handy. His father was a native of NY and mother of Ireland. They removed from NY to Ohio and lived one winter near Huntsville; then continuing their removal west, stopped in Parke County, illinois (sic-pretty sure this is Indiana) where the subject of this notice was born April 23, 1828. In 1830 the family retraced their jounry as far as this county, making permanent settlement on the S 1/2 NW 1/4 Sec 2 Tp 20 R7 Richland Township, Mr. Handy's present home. This land was bought from a man by the name of NELSON. Mr. Handy has lived here since that time, engaged in farming. His marriage with Miss Lucinda JOHNSTON (sic) took place March 1, 1848. She was the daughter of James JOHNSTON who arrived in this township from Montgomery Co Ohio Nov 3, 1826 and improved a home near the present site of the Union Cemetery Church. Mrs. Handy was born April 18, 1828. Hannah BERKSHIRE was her mother's name before marriage. In 1848 her parents went to Wapello County, Iowa, and resided 5 years; then returning to Indiana made their home near Pine Village in Warren County, her father dying there Nov 15, 1863 and mother Oct 30, 1865. The Berkshires were from Wales and the Johnstons Germany; their arrival antedates the revolution. Her grandfather Berkshire was one of the Boston Tea Party and a soldier in Gates' army at the surrender of Burgoyne. He also performed the difficult and dangerous service of a spy for General Washington. Her grandfather Johnston was one of the first settlers of Ky, and was in the army during the War for Independence. His family went to Va all borne on a single pack saddle, his wife carrying her infant (Mrs. Handy's father) in her arms. The journey occupied 40 days and was made in company with one man, 3 women and some children. They passed among the Indians were tracked by wild beasts and procured their food in the wilderness as they traveled. There have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Handy 3 children, all living: Henrietta Dec 19, 1848 wife of Joseph SHIELDS of Van Buren Twp; Charles Sylvester March 20, 1851 married to Martha WHITESEL; John T. born May 19, 1861. Both parents have been professors of religion 30 years; they first united with the Presbyterian Church but after 3 or 4 years took letters to the Methodist Church with which they have since communed. Mr. Handy has been a member of Richland Lodge, No 205 AF & AM since 1863. He owns a farm of 120 A 40 of which are in Van Buren Twp, 30 of this last tract uncleared. Mr H. passed from the whig to the republicccan party where he still has membership. Both his parents died in Richland Twp, his mother March 12, 1867 father May 24, 1867.