Randolph County, Indiana
Obituaries
The Winchester DailyJohn Caswell Batchelor, the youngest son of Caswell and Ann Elrington Batchelor, was born near Williamsburg, Indiana, April 29, 1843, and departed this life at Marion, Indiana, Dece mber 24, 1917, aged seventy-four years, seven months and twenty-five days.
January 3, 1918
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His father Caswell Batchelor was born in Nash county, North Carolina in 1799 and named after the Revolutionary war governor of that state. In about 1825 he went into the western district of Tennessee and was married to Ann Elrington, to which union were born in that district and in Missouri, four children, william, Samuel, and the twins, Joseph and Asa. With these four the young pioneer and his wife removed to Wayne county, Indiana, and settled a claim a short distance north of Williamsburg,. Here they merged themselves into the task of the early pioneer, clearing the forest, draining the swamps and cultivating the fields, and here also were born to further bless the union David, Sarah, James and John, the subject of this sketch.
John Batchelor was a posthumous son, his father having died a short time before his birth.
The mother and her children were compelled to fight the battles of pioneer life without the strong hand of her adventrous companion and soon moved into the border of Randolph county, where the work of pioneering was continued.
When clouds of discord began to surround the Republic and the nation was threatened with rebellion and secession, the young heart of John Batchelor beat true to the Union, and at the early age of seventeen he answered Lincoln's call for volunteers. He enlisted in the 69th Indiana Infantry, was wounded at Richmond, Kentucky, took part in the engagement at Chickasaw, Mississippi, and at Pittsburg Landing and was entirely through the siege of Vicksburg, and after taking part in the battles of Arkansas Pass, was discharged and soon thereafter enlisted in Company I (?), of the 2nd Indiana Cavalry, and served his country during the entire four years of the war.
Returning from the army he was united in marriage to Sarah E. Ball, of Bloomington, Indiana, to which union were born James Commodore, commonly known as Dora, who died about two years ago in the service of the United States army, with which he had spent most of his life; Tillie, who died at the age of sixteen; Anna Gertrude and Carrie, who died in infancy; Joseph C., who died at the age of eighteen; Mrs. Mae Martin, wife of Frank Martin of Winchester, Indiana; Martha J., who died at the age of two; Mrs J.B. Swain of Economy, Indiana; Glenn A., of Ross, Ohio, and John Dillon, of Detroit, Michigan.
Few families were happier than the family of John Batchelor. Those who knew him and Mrs. Batchelor when they were surrounded by their children, were touched and inspired by the gentleness and the loving kindness which permeated the family circle. He was not only a kind and devoted husband and father, but breathed a spirit of friendship to those about him, giving encouragement and cheer at every turn.
As one after another of the members of his family were taken from him by the ruthless hand of death, his spirit seemed at times almost broken and his eyes expressed a sadness almost overwhelming. But as time healed the wounds of death and his cheerful spirit would again assert itself and he was the genial friend as ever.
He was engaged in business at Bloomingsport, at Carlos and Winchester, in which latter place he lost the mother of his children May 31, 1893.
During the past six years he resided at Economy until about three weeks ago, when he went to visit relatives at Marion, Indiana, and old comrads in the National Military Home at which place, after an illness of a few days, he died.
He leaves to mourn his loss two sons, Glenn A., of Ross, Ohio, and John D., of Detroit, and two daughters, Mrs. Frank Martin, of Winchester, Indiana, and Mrs. J. B. Swain, Economy, Indiana, and a host of other relatives and friends.
Contributed by Jan Speer
A Randolph County Area NewspaperBATCHELOR Sarah E., w/o John C. d/o Joseph & Matilda (Briton) Ball b. 6/30/1850-d. 5/31/1893 in Winch. Born Wayne Co. IN ae 42y 11m. Mar. 5/28/1868. Lost dt Matilda in 1887 of measles. Bur Mt. Zion.
1893
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Summarized by Sandra Mumah