SKILLMAN, William M. - Putnam

SKILLMAN, William M. P. O. Parkersburg, Farmer, Sec 12; born March 30, 1816 in Highland Co Ohio; son of William Skillman born in Loudon Co VA March 30, 1777 and Mary Henton Skillman born in New Hampshire Co VA in 1789; he settled in this county and township in 1850. Married Dec 17, 1843, Elizabeth Swank born in Hardin Co KY July 7, 1819; daughter of David and Elizabeth Swank; children were born as follows: Benson Nov 2, 1845 died March 7, 1864 in the army; Eliza Ann Oct 9, 1847; Byron Jan 22, 1850; James Aug 23, 1852; Mary Nov 6, 1854 died Dec 11, 1857; Nora born Nov 23, 1857 died Dec 6, 1867 and Clarendon June 10, 1861. Mr. Skillman owns 222 acres of land in this country and 93 in Hendricks County; is a Republican and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Church. His father and mother emigrated to Ohio with their parents when quite young, and there grew up; had a family of 11; 7 are living; his mother died in Ohio in 1852, his father in Hendricks Co In Sept 18, 1862. Mrs. Skillman's grandparents, John and Rosanna Swank were natives of Germany and settled in KY where he was killed by the Indians, while going from one station to another with his wife; she barely escaped with life, being compelled to run to the woods for protection, her horse having been shot under her; her parents came to this county in 1822 and settled on Sec 12 of this township, which section her father owned, besides land elsewhere; he built the first grist mill in the township on Raccoon Creek; both he and his wife were members of the ME Church; his son, Cornelius was a minister of that denomination he (David Swank) died Feb 20, 1842, his wife Oct 16, 1851.