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GENERATION ONE (beginning with Johann Philip Hertzell)

Direct Ancestor                                                         Source of Information
12345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890

Johann Philip Hertzell
	born:	1743
	  where:	
	married:	
	  where:	
	spouse:	Christina Barbara Kreiling
	occupation:
	moved:	
	died:	
	buried:
	children:




Johannes Lindemuth
	born:	1764
	  where:	Shenandoah County, Virginia
	married:	June 10, 1781
	  where:	Shenandoah County, Virginia
	spouse:	Mary Magdalene ______
	occupation:
	moved:	Wythe County, Virginia, 1788
	died:	about 1831, Wythe County, Virginia
	buried:
	children:
        Andrew Lindemuth
		born:
		  where:
		married:
		  where:
		spouse:
		died:	
		buried:

        Georg Lindemuth
		born:
		  where:
		married:
		  where:
		spouse:
		died:	
		buried:

        Catharina Lindemuth
		born:	1786
		(see Direct Ancestor data below)	

        Johannes Lindemuth  Jr.
		born:
		  where:
		married:
		  where:
		spouse:
		died:	
		buried:

        Elizabeth Lindemuth
		born:
		  where:
		married:
		  where:
		spouse:
		died:	
		buried:

        Christina Lindemuth
		born:
		  where:
		married:
		  where:
		spouse:
		died:	
		buried:
        Mary Lindemuth
		born:
		  where:
		married:
		  where:
		spouse:
		died:	
		buried:

        Mary Magdalena Lindemuth
		born:
		  where:
		married:
		  where:
		spouse:
		died:	
		buried:

Charles Walker
        born:   around 1747
          where:
        married:
          where:        (was in Virginia in 1777)
        spouse:
        occupation:
        moved:  to Ross County,Ohio (Chillicothe)  Wm. Walker bio.
        died:
        buried: Ross County, Ohio?                              Wm. Walker bio.
        children:
        William Walker
                born:   1777
                (see Direct Ancestor data below)

GENERATION TWO

Direct Ancestor                                                         Source of Information
12345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890

Adam Hartzell
        born:   1768
          where:
        married:
          where: 
        spouse:
        occupation:
        moved: 
        died:
        buried: 
        children:
        David Hartzell
                born:   Nov. 20, 1805
                (see Direct Ancestor data below)

Phillip Nipp
	born:	1775
	  where:	Pennsylvania
	married:	before 1815
	  where:	Wythe County, Virginia
	spouse:	Catherine Lindemuth
	2nd wife: Nancy about 1830?
	occupation:
	moved:	
	died:
	buried:
	children:
	Andrew

	Milly

        Barbara Nipp
		born:	Dec. 15, 1815
		(see Direct Ancestor data below)

        Christena (“Teany”)	
		born:	about 1817
		  where:
		married:
		  where:
		spouse:
		died:	
		buried:

	Rebecca		(by 2nd wife Nancy?)
		born:
		  where:
		married:
		  where:
		spouse:
		died:	
		buried:

	Rachel		(by 2nd wife Nancy?)
		born:
		  where:
		married:
		  where:
		spouse:
		died:	
		buried:

Catherine Lindemuth - wife of Phillip Nipp
	born:	April 14, 1786
	  where:	Shenandoah County, Virginia
	moved:
	died:	about 1830?
	buried:	

William Walker (Sr.)
        born:   1777                                                    Bio. sketch, gravestone
          where:        Virginia
        married:        Apr. 1, 1802                            TJP; marriage record
          where:        Ross County, Ohio                       TJP; marriage record
        spouse: Ginny (Jane) (Fanny) Corbett    TJP; marriage record
        occupation:
        moved:  to Connersville, Ind. 1819              biog.
        died:   May 15, 1859, age 82                    gravestone
        buried: Springersville Cemetery, Connersville, Indiana
        children:
        Jane (Louisa?) Walker                                   1885 bio.
                born:
                  where:
                married:
                  where:
                spouse:
                died:   died young?
                buried:
        Henry Walker
                born:   Aug. 15, 1803
                  where:        Ohio
                married: Nov. 16, 1826
                  where:        Fayette Co., Ind.
                spouse  Sarah Cooper
                died:   May 17, 1869
                buried: Fayette Co., Ind.
        William (1) Walker ?
                born:   around 1806     
                  where:        Ohio    
                married:        Sep. 23, 1830
                  where:        Fayette Co., Ind.       
                spouse: Hannah Stoddard 
                died:   July 11, 1833   
                buried: Fayette Co. Ind.        
        Joseph Walker
                born:   Mar. 11, 1814   
                (see Direct Ancestor data below)
        Frances (Fannie?) Walker
                born:   around 1815     
                  where:        Ohio    
                married:        May 22, 1833
                  where:        Fayette Co., Ind.       
                spouse: Joel Williams   
                died:   after 1859      
                buried: 
        Alexander Walker
                born:   around 1816     
                  where:        Ohio    
                married:        Dec. 26, 1833
                  where:        Fayette Co., Ind.       
                Spouse: Sarah Noble     
                died:   Dec. 16, 1879   
                buried: Fayette Co., Ind.
        Willis Walker
                born:   around 1819     
                  where:        Ohio    
                married:        before 1844     
                  where:                
                spouse  Emaline ____    
                died:   after 1859      
                buried:
        James Walker
                born:   around 1824
                  where:        Ohio
                married:        Apr. 22, 1857
                  where:        Fayette Co., Ind.
                spouse: Deborah Wallace
                died:   after 1885
                buried:
        Samuel Walker
                born:   July 28, 1822
                  where:        Indiana
                married:        Feb. 3, 1859
                  where:        Fayette Co., Ind.
                spouse: Barbara (Aunt Babe) Hartsell
                died:   Aug. 21, 1888
                buried: Union Cemetery, Connersville, Indiana
        John Walker
                born:   Apr. 13, 1828
                  where:        Indiana
                married:        1853
                  where:        Indiana
                spouse: Mary E. Berry
                died:   after 1885
                buried:
        Lewis Walker
                born:   around Dec. 1831        
                  where:        Indiana 
                married:        
                  where:        
                spouse  
                died:   Aug. 6, 1833  age 1 yr. 9mo.    
                buried: Fayette Co., Ind.
        Eliza J. Walker
                born:   around Aug. 1832        
                  where:        Indiana 
                married:
                  where:        
                spouse  
                died:   Aug. 13, 1833  age 1 yr.        
                buried: Fayette Co., Ind.
        William (2) Walker ?
                born:   Aug. 23, 1833                           Walker gravestones      
                  where:        Indiana 
                married:        around 1855
                  where:        Indiana
                spouse: Matilda ______  
                died:   Feb. 12, 1869                           Walker gravestones
                buried: Springersville Cemetery, Connersville, Ind.

Jane Corbet - wife of William Walker Sr.
        born:   1783
          where:        Virginia
        moved:
        died:   June 15, 1855
        buried: Springersville Cemetery, Connersville, Indiana

Thomas Dorsey
        born:   1797    
          where:        Maryland
        married:        
          where:
        spouse: Elizabeth ______                                land records
        moved:
        died:   Sep. 1849, age 52, widower?                                     
        buried: 
        children:
        Eli Dorsey
                born:   
                  where:                
                married:        
                  where:
                spouse:         
                died:   
                buried: 
        Sarah W. Dorsey
                born:   June 27, 1824
                (see Direct Ancestor data below)
        Eliza Dorsey
                born:   
                  where:                
                married:        
                  where:
                spouse:         
                died:   
                buried: 
        Elizabeth Dorsey
                born:   
                  where:                
                married:        
                  where:
                spouse:         
                died:   
                buried: 
        George W. Dorsey
                born:   
                  where:                
                married:        
                  where:
                spouse:         
                died:   
                buried: 
        Thomas I. Dorsey
                born:   
                  where:                
                married:        
                  where:
                spouse:         
                died:   
                buried: 
        Margaret Dorsey
                born:   
                  where:                
                married:        
                  where:
                spouse:         
                died:   
                buried: 
        Mary E. Dorsey
                born:   
                  where:                
                married:        
                  where:
                spouse:         
                died:   
                buried: 

GENERATION THREE

Direct Ancestor                                                         

Source of Information

David Hartzell
        born:   Nov. 20, 1805                                           gravestone; derived
          where:        Virginia                                                1850, 1860 Census 
        married:        1830
        spouse:         Margaret Nieval      
        married:        May 15, 1836                                    Connersville courthouse
          where:        Connersville, Indiana
        spouse: Barbara Nipp                                            many sources
        occupation: shoemaker/farmer                            1850/1860 Census
        moved:  to Connersville, Ind. before 1835       marriage/census record
        moved:  to Windsor, Ill. 1860                           many sources  
        died:   Mar. 5, 1865; age 59 yrs.,3 mo.,13 days   gravestone    
        buried: Ash Grove Cemetery, Windsor, Illinois

        children:
        James Alexander Hartsell
                born:   Mar. 18, 1837
                (see Direct Ancestor data below)
        Margaret (“Sis”) Hartsell
                born:   Mar. 11, 1838                                   gravestone 
                  where:
                married: no
                spouse: n/a
                died:   July 16, 1922                                   gravestone
                buried:         Ash Grove Cemetery, Windsor, Illinois
        Rebecca Ann Hartsell Small
                born:   Oct. 1839
                  where:        
                married:        Aug. 1858
                spouse: Timothy Small
                died:   Apr. 8, 1874,  age 34 yrs. 6? mo.       gravestone
                buried:         Ash Grove Cemetery, Windsor, Illinois
        Barbara (“Babe”)  Anna Hartsell Walker
                born:   Oct. 30, 1842                                   Fayette Co. Lib.
                  where:        Fayette County, Ind.
                married:        Feb. 3, 1859                            DVH letter
                spouse: Samuel Walker                                   DVH letter
                died:   Sept. 18, 1897                                  Wm. Webster H.
                buried: Union Cemetery, Connersville, Ind.              Wm. Webster H.
        William Hartsel (one “l”)
                born:   Apr. 16, 1848                                   gravestone
                  where:
                married:
                spouse: Harriet Robinson (1851-1936)
                died:   Feb. 21, 1905                                   gravestone
                buried: Windsor Cemetery, Windsor, Illinois
        (Mary) Celestia (“Let”) Hartsell Walker
                born:   1852                                                    gravestone
                  where:
                married:
                spouse: Alex E. Walker                                  gravestone
                died:   1924                                                    gravestone
                buried:         Windsor Cemetery, Windsor, Illinois
        (Sarah) Elizabeth (“Sade”, “Sallie”) Hartsell Walden
                born:   Nov. 24, 1855                                   gravestone
                  where:
                married:                (later divorced)
                spouse: John Walden
                died:   Oct. 10, 1940                                   gravestone
                buried: Windsor Cemetery, Windsor, Illinois

Barbara Anna Nipp - wife of David Hartzell
        born:   Dec. 17, 1815                                           obituary
          where:        Wythe County, Virginia                  obituary
        moved:  to Connersville, Ind. 1830                      obituary, marrigage
        moved:  to Shelby County, Ind. 1860                     obituary
        died:   Jan. 22, 1880, age 62 yrs. 1 mo. 5 days   obituary
        buried: Ash Grove Cemetery, Windsor, Illinois

Joseph Walker
        born:   Mar. 10, 1814                                           gravestone, biog.
          where:        Fayette County, Ohio                    1891 biog.
        married:        Sept. 20, 1847                                  1891 biog.
          where:        Fayette County, Ind.                    1891 biog.
        spouse: Sarah W. Dorsey
        occupation:
        moved:  Fayette County, Ind. about age 9        1891 biog.
        moved:  Shelby County, Ill. 1859                        1891 biog.
        died:   Apr. 8, 1896, age 82 yrs. 28 days       gravestone
        buried: Ash Grove Cemetery, Windsor, Illinois
        children:
        Amos Walker
                born:
                  where:
                died:
        Sophronia Jane Walker
                born: June 15, 1849
                (see Direct Ancestor data below)

Sarah W. Dorsey - wife of Joseph Walker
        born:   1824
          where:        Maryland
        moved:
        died:   June 11, 1851
        buried: Springersville Cemetery, Connersville, Indiana

GENERATION FOUR

Direct Ancestor                                                         Source of Information

James Alexander Hartsell
        born:   Mar. 18, 1837
          where:        Fayette County, Indiana
        married: May 6, 1858                                    marriage record
          where:        Connersville, Indiana           marriage record
        spouse: Elizabeth Palmer (died 2-25-1866, age 29)  marriage record
        married:        Dec. 23, 1868
          where:        Windsor, Ill.
        spouse: Sophronia Jane Walker
        occupation: Farmer
        moved:  to Windsor, Ill. 1860                   many sources
        died:   Sep. 1, 1910
        buried: Ash Grove Cemetery, Windsor, Illinois

        children:
        Minnie Alberta (“Bert”) Hartsell Hart
                born:   May 15, 1872
                  where:
                married:
                spouse:
                died:   1924                                            gravestone
                buried: Ash Grove Cemetery, Windsor, Illinois
        William Webster Hartsell
                born:   July 5, 1875
                  where:
                married:
                spouse:
                died:   1944                                            gravestone
                buried: Ash Grove Cemetery, Windsor, Illinois
        Oma Estella (“Dutch”) Hartsell Crockett
                born:   Apr. 8, 1878
                  where:
                married:
                spouse:
                died:   Aug. 12, 1943                           obituary
                buried:
        James Oran (“Jake”) Hartsell
                born:   Oct. 22, 1881
                  where:
                married:
                spouse:
                died:   1953                                            gravestone
                buried: Ash Grove Cemetery, Windsor, Illinois
        Sherman Donald (“Alex”) Hartsell
                born:   May 24, 1886
                  where:
                married:
                spouse:
                died:   1965                                            gravestone
                buried: Ash Grove Cemetery, Windsor, Illinois
        Harrison Marine (“Harry”) Hartsell
                born:   Sep. 28, 1888
                  where:
                married:
                spouse:
                died:
                buried:  

Sophronia Jane Walker - wife of James Alexander Hartsell
        born:   June 15, 1849
          where:
        moved:
        died:   Mar. 7, 1926
        buried: Ash Grove Cemetery, Windsor, Illinois

NAME              YEAR  STATE   COUNTY  TOWNSHIP   PAGE
					
George Nipp       1820  Indiana Fayette             51
William Walker    1830  Indiana Fayette             18
George Nipp       1830  Indiana Rush               302
David Hartsel     1840  Indiana Fayette Jennings   105
William Walker    1840  Indiana Fayette Jennings   104
Thomas Dorsey     1840  Indiana Fayette Waterloo    59
George Nipp       1840  Indiana Rush    Rushville  186
David Hartsell    1850  Indiana Fayette Waterloo*  234
William Walker    1850  Indiana Fayette Jennings   225
Joseph Walker     1850  Indiana Fayette Waterloo   239
Dorsey children   1850  Indiana Fayette Waterloo   235
George Nipp       1850  Indiana Decatur Adams      118
David Hartsell    1860  Indiana Fayette Jennings   613
James A. Hartsell 1860  Indiana Fayette Jennings   613
Joseph Walker     1860  Indiana Fayette Jennings   613

* was probably just across the line in Jennings Township.

David Hartzell's former land, which was purchased in 1853, is to the east, and starts about halfway to the far north-south fence line. Somewhere in the middle of that piece is the boundary between Section 21 and Section 22. He had 8 acres in Section 21 and 12 acres in Section 22. The possible homesite is in a fenced off square in the far northeast corner of the 20 acres.

1997 owner of David Hartzell's land: James A. Snyder, 4305 Springersville Road, Springersville, just west of the Springersville cemetery. Phone number is (317) 825-5024.

Ownership History of David Hartzell's 1853 Land         MAKE PRINTABLE

    DATE            OWNER            PRICE  ACRES  NOTE  BOOK, PAGE
-------------   ----------------   ---------  ---  ---   -------------
Oct. 27, 1813   David Fletcher     homestead  160   1    Tract Book #1

Feb. 14, 1816   Oran Stoddard      homestead  160   2    Tract Book #1

Jan.  3, 1821   David Sutton       $250        40   3    A  389
        
Sep. 18, 1824   Jonathon Sutton    $300        80   4    B  294

Jun. 10, 1826   James Rumbly       $100        20   5    C  356
                                           
May   4, 1833   William Squire     $150        20        E  647

Feb. 29, 1848   Jonas Scholl       $300        20        O  267

Aug. 27, 1853   David Hartzell     $500        20        R  243

Sep. 15, 1863   Richard Slithens   $500        20        V  348

Mar. 17, 1864   John Fiant         $1000       20
                
Nov. 18, 1864   Lewis Payton       $800        20

Dec.  7, 1867   Joseph Hickerman   $1000       20
                
Mar. 24, 1886   Daniel Gise        $800        20               6       142

                Baker

                Florence Baker

                James A. Snyder

Note 1: Homesteaded 160 acres; NW 1/4 Section 22 Jennings Township. 
        (Did not check for David Fletcher as seller 1813-1824.)

Note 2: Together with Mel Robinson homesteaded 160 acres; 
        NE 1/4 Section 21 Jennings Township.

Note 3: E 1/4 NE 1/4 Section 21.  This 40 acres includes the 8 acres 
        of Section 21 on the north end, and the presumed David Hartzell 
        homesite in the NE corner.

Note 4: First time the 20 acres was owned by one person.  This 
        piece was made up of the N 1/5 NW 1/4   Section 22, plus a  
        40-rod (8 acre) extension into Section 21.  David Hartzell's 
                land was the westernmost 20 acres.

Note 5: First time the 20 acres was defined as a separate piece; 
        8 acres in Section 21 plus 12 acres in Section 22.

Indiana became a territory in 1800, with roughly the same shape as currently, and became a state in 1816. Fayette County was organized Dec. 28, 1818, effective Jan. 1, 1819. People had been settling here for about 9 years, and already the population was large. By Feb. 1819, first officers were in place (appointed) and the county fairly in business, meeting at the home of John McCormac, about a mile north of Connersville. The first official act of the county Commissioners, Feb. 9, 1819, was to divide the county into 5 townships: Columbia, Connersville, Brownsville, Harrison, and Jennings. Waterloo Township was formed in 1821 from Harrison and Brownsville twps. Springersville, on the Connersville-Brownsville road, was a hamlet laid out in 1840. The post office and store was kept by Mr. Simpson. Ground which is now the graveyard was early owned by William Dawson; it was "entered" by Thomas Dawson and set up under Mr. Simpson with trustees. Included among the older burials are William Walker, age 82, and his wife Jane, age 72. The first school in Posey Township, as early as 1818, was built of round logs, with greased paper windows. The western portion of Fayette County belonged to the Indians until 1818; as late as 1820, "Connersville was filled with them every day." First sales of land in Fayette County began in 1811 from offices in Cincinnati; later a land office was established at Brookville. In 1811, 103 tracts of land were sold; only 36 in 1812 because of "Indian troubles". In 1813, 80 tracts; in 1814, 99. "Doubtless" in part because the "choicest tracts had been secured", only 34 sold in 1816, 19 in 1817, and "very few" in 1818 & 1819. The treaty of St. Mary's in 1813 provided lands known as the New Purchase, and when these were opened up (in 1820), sales revived: in Oct., Nov., & Dec. 1820, 40 tracts sold in Orange and Fairview townships. In 1821 about 120 tracts entered, mostly within Posey, Fairview, and Orange townships. Of the total of 131,000 acres in the county, nearly 2/3 or 79,333 acres had been entered prior to 1819. In 1820 the white male voters totaled 1153. (JDH: note that the 1885 History says William Walker entered 160 acres. His first purchase appears to have been in 1821). Of the early settlers, a larger portion were from Ohio than from any other State. In talking with Mr. A.B. Conwell, he declares that 'the first settlers were nearly all poor, but honest'. Many of them having emigrated with little more than they could carry on their backs, and a man was looked upon as being in affluent circumstances who had a good team and money enough to buy 80 acres or a 'quarter' of land at government prices. Before 1828 there were 1162 taxpayers in the county, of whom only 29 were required to pay more than $5.00 each for state, county, and road purposes. Tavern keepers were furnished with a schedule of prices as follows:

1/2 pint whiskey            12 1/2 cents
strong beer, per quart      12 1/2 cents
dinner, breakfast or supper 25 cents
lodging per night           12 1/2 cents
horse, per night to hay     25 cents
oats or Indian corn per gal 12 1/2 cents

John Nipp, son of George and Rebecca (Townsend) Nipp, was born in Wythe County, Virginia, November 18, 1811. His father was a soldier in the War of 1812. In 1814, he (George) removed to Tennessee, and the following year came to Indiana (1815) and stopped at Connersville, a small Indian station on the outposts of the white settlements. In 1821, on the 11th day of March, the father with his wife and several small children, located on the farm now belonging to Dr. W. H. Smith, on Flat Rock. The children were Nancy, John (our subject), Jane and Martha. The following were born after the family came to Indiana: William, now in Marshall County; Leonidas, now in Grant County; Reuben, now in Seymore, Jackson County, and a sister (of John), Anna. John's father was a tanner by trade, and located a tannery on his farm in the wilderness just south of a point a quarter of a mile east of the bridge over Flat Rock, near Dr. Smith's country residence.

Here the family remained until 1826, when the farm was purchased by the late Dr. H. G. Sexton, and the family removed to a farm now owned by Martin Blacklidge. Here this pioneer prosecuted his farm work in season, and carried on shoe-making in winter. John grew to manhood among the scenes incident to pioneer life, and on September 15, 1836, married Catherine Goodmon, a native of Ohio. She was the daughter of James and Sarah (Johnson) Goodmon. These young people began house-keeping on the farm just west of Purnell Bishop's farm in Union township. The subject of this sketch was a natural mechanic and during the transition from log to frame buildings he stepped immediately to the front as a very skillful carpenter, as many of the best frame buildings in the county will testify.

After remaining here three years he removed to a farm now belonging to A. N. Norris. In 1842, he went to Grant County, and after spending two years there he came back to Rush Country and worked at his trade; during his life he built ten mills in Rush County, two in Grant County, and one in Decatur County. Streams which to-day would not furnish sufficient water to "turn a wheel", were, in those days, quite enough for the needs. In 1852, John moved to the farm on which he now resides, in Washington township. Here he hired to Adam Ammons by the year. He build the saw mill here in 1851 for Ammons, and in 1856, he built the grist mill known all over the country as Nipp's mill. He helped to build the second mill at Smelser's (the first having been built in 1822 by Stephen Cory). John Nipp built a combination mill for Philip Ertel. This was a woolen mill, a grist mill and a saw mill, on Flat Rock, near where Joel Carson now resides.

In 1858, in the month of July, his father, George Nipp, died at his (John's) home, after having walked from New Castle, in Henry County. In a few days the mother passed away; she died on 1st day of January, 1859. The following children were born to John and Sarah Nipp: George, deceased; Sarah, married W. Hendricks; James, married Malissa Hahn; William, Jane, married George Booth; John, married Lydia Glimpse; Vinson, deceased; Mary Ann, deceased. A few days after this sketch was written, John Nipp was called to his reward. His life closed on September 13, 1887. He was an honest, unassuming, conscientious man, respected by all. At the time of his death there was only one man living who had resided longer in the county than John Nipp; that man is Harmony Laughlin, of Rushville. Mr. Nipp was a man of remarkable memory, and gave the writer valuable information in the preparation of the school chapter in this work. His reputation for truthfulness and accuracy was so recognized that no one is found who questions his statements when talking of pioneer matters. "The good that men do lives after them", and the influence of the life of John Nipp will be felt in this community when the spot which marks his last resting place will have been forgotten.

Bio. Sketch of John Walker (s/o our Charles Walker?)         MAKE PRINTABLE

From History of Rush County, Indiana. Brant & Fuller, 1888.

NOTES (JDH 9/26/2003): This John Walker is very likely a son of our ancestor Charles Walker, and younger brother (by 16 years) of our ancestor William Walker. This sketch gives Jane Short as the name of Charles' wife.
This sketch was sent by Jay Kimmel who had these comments: William and John Walker were both sons of a Charles Walker. Each Charles was from Virginia and settled in Chillicothe, Ross County, Ohio. Both William and John were born in Virginia before 1800, both were married in Ross County Ohio in the early 1800's, and both came to Fayette County about the same time.
Added by JDH: About 1821, both William and John settled at first about a mile from each other in Jennings Township, Fayette County. See further comments below the biographical sketch.

JOHN WALKER was born in Virginia, December 26, 1793. He was the son of Charles and Jane (Short) Walker. When quite young he removed with his father to Ross County, Ohio. Here he grew to manhood, and at the age of twenty-two, he married Eliza R. Jefferson, a young lady of English family, eighteen years of age. In 1818, John removed with his wife and two small children, Lewis R. and Kittie I., to Fayette County. He settled at the place where Lyon's Station now is, and entered nearly a section of land in Rush County, and on to which he removed in 1823. While in Fayette County, John W. and William L. were born. His first cabin was erected near the spot on which now stands the commodious residence of his grandson, Commissioner William L. Walker. Here were born James Q. and Edward T. In 1828, on August 4th, while John Walker was in Ohio on business affairs, his wife died, and ere the return of the pioneer to his family, the companion and mother of his children had passed away. The wife had been dead two weeks before he returned. On January 8, 1829, he married Rachel Russel, a native of Ohio, born September 27, 1808. The following are the children of this union: Benjamin R., Eliza J., Henry F., Rachel A., Lindley I., Festus H., Samantha E., and Sarah E. There are to-day four sons living, viz.: Louis R., Benjamin R., Lindley I., and John W. The father, the subject of this sketch, lived to a ripe old age. He was a pioneer in its broadest sense -- in the opening up of a new country, in the establishment of educational facilities and religious work; he donated the land for the church and school house at Franklin Chapel, took care of the Methodist pioneer preachers, was one of the early Justices of the Peace, and did quite a lively business in tying the nuptial knot for the pioneer lovers. The fee for marrying a couple was $1., and frequently the groom would work for the Squire three or four days to pay him for the ceremony. John Walker was the County Commissioner, elected on the Whig ticket, and served on the Board with Peter Looney and George Mull. He was then a young man, and was Commissioner before the Mexican War. Was Captain of the militia in his township, and while in Ohio was enlisted in the War of 1812, under what was known as the General Call. He received his education in the pioneer schools of Ohio, was industrious and frugal, and at the close of a busy life he beheld in part the realization of his hopes. He died September 27, 1875, and lies in the burying ground at Franklin, with which spot he had long been familiar. After the Republican party was formed, he acted with, and voted for, his principles.

JDH: It goes on with a sketch of John Walker's son John W. Walker, and here is the relevant first part:
John W. Walker, son of John and Eliza R. (Jefferson) Walker, was born in Fayette County, Ind., March 14, 1821, and when about two years old, came with his parents to Ripley Township, Rush County, a then unbroken forest, and settled near Blue River, on Section 35, now the home of his son, William L. Here he assisted his father in his work of clearing up a farm, and attended short terms of school in winter.

NOTES (JDH 9/26/2003)): Lyon's Station (now Lyonsville, Fayette County, Indiana) is about 1 mile from William Walker's 1821 land purchase. See "1856 Plat Map". Lyon's Station is where the railroad crosses from section 22 into section 23. William Walker's 1821 land was in the SE corner of section 21 where it shows his son Samuel's name. Just north of Lyonsville, in the lower right corner of Waterloo Township, section 15, is the Springersville Cemetery where many Walkers are buried.
John Walker's son John W. was born in Fayette County March 14, 1821, apparently at Lyon's Station. John W. was 2 years old (1823) when the family moved to Ripley Township in Rush County onto nearly a full section of land. David Hartzell's brother Leonard bought land in Ripley Township in 1840 (1/2 mile from his 1832 land), where I think David lived at first. David Hartzell had a close relationship with the Walker family, and this may be where it started.

Biographical Sketch of Joseph Walker         MAKE PRINTABLE

From "Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties 1891"

JOSEPH WALKER. Although our subject make his residence in the town of Windsor, Shelby County, and thus enjoys the advantages of town life, he is actively engaged in farming. Mr. Walker is an omniverous reader, and being a thoughtful man who judges and weighs for himself, he has the advantage of some of his fellow-men, whose views of general matters and current topics are only those of some one else. Original to a refreshing degree, our subject is very pronounced in all his views. He is a progressive man although not readily attracted by every new idea that for the moment is paramount, being practical in all his affairs.

The original of our sketch was born in Fayette County, Ohio, March 10, 1814, and thus it is seen that he had lived a long and eventful life. The early part of his life was spent in the woods during which time he was engaged in clearing, and in his native county, and he repeated the same experience in Fayette County, Ind., where he went when about nine years of age. In 1837 he came West and spent two months engaged in trading, visiting different parts of what was then considered the far West. At the end of that time he returned to Fayette County, Ind., and launched into the business of buying and selling cattle and hogs, finding his market in Cincinnati. They were not shipped as now, by rail, but our subject was obliged to drive them over the public highway.

September 20, 1847, Mr. Walker was united in marriage in Fayette County, Ind., with Miss Sarah W. Dorsey, and with her he began the journey of life, with a realization of the responsibilities that he had taken upon him. By this marriage he became the father of two children, whose names are respectively Sophronia and Amos W. The daughter became the wife of James Hartsel, of Ash Grove Township. Amos is a teacher and has attained a wide reputation as an educator of advanced and progressive methods and theories.

Mrs. Sarah W. Walker died in Fayette County, Ind., about three years after their marriage and after his bereavement Mr. Walker returned to Illinois and settled permanently in Shelby County, in 1859. Prior to this he had lived there in 1842, but his stay had been comparatively short. In company with another man he had purchased twenty thousand acres of land in Kansas. In 1866 he settled in Windsor Township and was from that time until 1884 when he removed to the village of Windsor, engaged in farming. He owns about six hundred acres of land in the county and considering his various possessions, must be accounted a wealthy man.

Although Mr. Walker is a farmer and has been such for many years, he has never bound himself down to the drudgery of agricultural life, trading in live-stock having been his chief occupation. Politically he is in sympathy with the promoters of the Greenback party. He is highly esteemed in the community of which he is a citizen and his opinions are regarded with a great deal of respect. His portrait is presented in connection with this brief biographical review. (See 1880 Walker section.)

Biographical Sketch of John Walker         MAKE PRINTABLE

From "History of Fayette County Indiana 1885", Warner, Beers & Co.

(Has information on William Walker.)

JOHN WALKER, farmer, Jennings Township, was born on the old homestead, April 13, 1828, son of William Walker, who was born in Virginia in 1777. The latter, a son of Charles Walker, also a Virginian, settled near Chillicothe, Ohio, and there died (this is Charles).

(This whole paragraph is about William) William Walker was married in Ohio to Jane Corbet, by whom he had twelve children, four of whom are now living: Joseph, James, Samuel and John. The deceased are Jane, Henry, Willis, Alexander, William, Frances, Eliza J., and Lewis. In 1819 Mr. & Mrs. (William) Walker, with their two children, Henry and William, removed to and settled in Jennings Township, this county, entering 160 acres of land. (Note (JDH) Joseph Walker was age 5 but isn't mentioned, neither is John.) Mr. Walker was poor in purse, depending entirely on his own exertions for a living, but he was energetic and made good progress from the start, accumulating, with the aid of his family, about 3,500 acres of land. He was a man of honor, sterling character, and whose word was as good as his bond. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Church, in which they worked for Christ and their soul's salvation till called to a higher reward. Mr. (William) Walker served in the war of 1812 (age 35). He was a Jacksonian Democrat at one time, but joined the Whig party, and died in the ranks of the Republican party. He died May 17, 1859, aged eighty-two years, his wife having preceeded him June 15, 1855, aged seventy-two years, six months.

Our subject (William's son John Walker) was married, in 1853, to Mary E., daughter of David and Elizabeth (Lemmon) Berry, by whom he had three children: Eugene J., Frances S., and Albert S. He has always lived within half a mile of his birth-place. He has prospered, and now owns 230 acres of good land. He is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he has been connected for many years. He is an uncompromising Republican, and takes more than an average interest in public affairs.

Biographical Sketch of James F. Cook         MAKE PRINTABLE

From "History of Fayette County, Indiana, 1917", Frederic Irving Barrows, Editor.

(Has information on William Walker.)

On October 1, 1880, James F. Cook (age 23) was united in marriage to Frances C. Walker, who was born in Jennings township, this county, on a farm one-half mile east of her present home, daughter of John and Mary (Berry) Walker, both natives of this state, the former born in this county and the latter in the neighboring county of Union. John Walker was born on a pioneer farm just east of Mr. Cook's farm, in Jennings township, in 1828, son of William and Fannie Walker, prominent among the early settlers of Jennings township. William Walker, who was born in Virginia, came to Indiana in the early days of the settlement of this part of the state and settled in this county, establishing his home in Jennings township at a point not far from the present home of Mr. Cook. He was an energetic and enterprising pioneer and became the owner of two thousand three hundred acres of land in this county. John Walker, his son, farmed all his life in Jennings township, where he was the owner of about two hundred and twenty acres of land. He married Mary Berry, who was born near Dunlapsville, over in Union county, a daughter of David and Elizabeth Berry, pioneers of that section. John Walker died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Cook, in Jennings township, on February 18, 1913, and his widow is now making her home in Brownsville, over in Union township.

Biographical Sketch of Leonard Hartzell         MAKE PRINTABLE

From Geoff Crawford GenForum hartzell/285.html:

The biography quoted below is about William R. Smith, and appears on pages 861-862 of a book called Past and Present of Bureau County [Illinois], by George B. Harrington, printed by Pioneer Publishing Co., Chicago, 1906.

Susan Hartzell is stated as being the daughter of Leonard Hartzell and Delilah (Weiss) Hartzell, and was born Oct. 20, 1831, in Miami County, Ohio.

The narrative says Leonard and Delilah (Weiss) Hartzell were "Pennsylvania Dutch people" who "removed from Ohio to Rush County, Indiana, and subsequently to Wabash County, that state, where they remained until the death of the wife and mother in 1847. Mr. Hartzell [Leonard] afterward removed to Iowa, where he died in 1878, at the age of 80 years. He followed farming as a life work and owned a good tract of land in Indiana.

In his family were 11 children:
1. Willis and;
2. Lewis, both deceased;
3. Adam, who resides in Wyanet [town in Bureau County];
4. Susan, now Mrs. [William R.] Smith;
5. Mrs. Nancy McNuslin, of Cass County, Nebraska;
6. Mrs. Eliza Mounts, deceased;
7. Edward, who has also passed away;
8. John, who resides in Kansas City, Missouri;
9. Philip, living in Tama, Iowa;
10. Mary, deceased; and
11. Aaron, who has departed this life.

Biographical Sketch of James A. Hartsell         MAKE PRINTABLE

From "1910 Shelby County History"

The pioneers of ILLINOIS have borne a very important part in the development and advancement of the State, and the present supremacy of this commonwealth has been largely attained through the importance of its agricultural interests. For many years SHELBY COUNTY land was not as valuable as that in some other parts of the State, owing to the fact that so much of it was bottom land. But, since it has been tiled, the black soil of those erstwhile fallow acres is yielding phenomenal crops and placing the farmer among the most prosperous in the State. (Note (JDH) - to "tile land" means to install drainage tile.)

JAMES A. HARTSELL, a pioneer agriculturist of ASH GROVE TOWNSHIP, was born near CONNERSVILLE, FAYETTE COUNTY, INDIANA, Mar. 18, 1837, a son of DAVID and BARBARA (NIPP) HARTSELL, the former of VIRGINIA, and the latter of WEST VIRGINIA. (Note (JDH) - Barbara's birthplace of Wythe County is in Virginia, not West Virginia.) They were married in INDIANA, whence MRS. HARTSELL had come in childhood, MR. HARTSELL having made his way there from OHIO. Both parents died in SHELBY COUNTY, ILLINOIS, advanced in years.

JAMES A. HARTSELL resided at home until his marriage at age of 21 years to ELIZABETH PALMER, and 2 years later, in 1860, he came to ILLINOIS, settling in RICHLAND TOWNSHIP, where he rented land until 1872. In the latter year he purchased 80 acres of partly improved land at $27.25 per acre (note (JDH) - this must have been $34.00 per acre), for the greater part of which he had to go in debt. Hard faithful labor soon cleared his indebtedness, and he later added to his holding from time to time, paying from $16.25 to $40.00 per acre, and in mean time draining numerous ponds and tiling his land throughout. He now owns 300 acres of excellent land, which he devotes to grain growing.

In 1896, MR. HARTSELL erected his present home, situated four and one-half miles southeast of WINDSOR, in ASH GROVE TOWNSHIP, his farm extending into RICHLAND TOWNSHIP on the west side. This property is operated by MR. HARTSELL and his son.

The first MRS. HARTSELL (ELIZABETH PALMER) died after 5 years of married life. On Dec. 23, 1868, MR. HARTSELL married SOPHRONIA WALKER, daughter of JOSEPH and MARY (note (JDH) - Sarah?) (DORSEY) WALKER of FAYETTE COUNTY, INDIANA (note (JDH) - they were in Illinois by now). To this marriage of MR. HARTSELL there were born these children: MINNIE ALBERTA, wife of JOHN HART of RICHLAND TOWNSHIP; WILLIAM WEBSTER, a leading attorney of WINDSOR; OMA ESTELLA, wife of JOHN CROCKET, Principal of Schools at STRASBURG, ILLINOIS; JAMES ORAN, assisting his father in operation of the home farm; SHERMAN DONALD and HARRISON MARINE, both at home.

In addition to his own children, MR. HARTSELL reared and educated several whom he adopted, among them ALMIRA LAWTON, whom he reared from 6 to 21 years of age. For 4 or 5 years, MR. HARTSELL's sister lived with them.

MR. HARTSELL has always been a staunch Republican and cast his vote in the TOWNSHIP. He is a self-made man on the truest sense of the word, and his success in the various operations has been hard earned and well deserved. He bears the reputation of a man of sterling integrity and has many warm friends in the TOWNSHIP where he has made his home so many years.

  JAMES A. HARTSELL and WIVES are buried in ASH GROVE CEMETERY.
  JAMES A. HARTSELL     born March 18, 1837     died September 1, 1910
  ELIZABETH PALMER      born Sept. 4, 1836      died February 25, 1866
  SOPHRONIA WALKER      born June 15, 1849      died March 7, 1926

  REBECCA ANN HARTSELL, daughter of DAVID and BARBARA HARTZELL
                        sister of JAMES A. HARTSELL
                        wife of TIMOTHY SMALL
                        Mother of JAMES W. SMALL
  All buried in ASH GROVE CEMETERY

JDH's notes are in italics.

From History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa (Chicago: O.L. Baskin, 1883), p. 83.

Center Township

T.C. Alexander, physician and surgeon, Oakland, was born in Union County, Ind., September 25, 1839. He is the son of James and Catharine (Hartsell) Alexander; he (James Alexander) was born in Green County, Tenn., and she (Catherine [Hartsell] Alexander) is a native of Virginia. (Catherine was born about 1812. This tells us that Catherine's parents George & Sussanah Hartsell are the ones who were married in 1809 in Franklin County, Virginia. Sussanah's maiden name was Toney.) They (James & Catherine) came to Indiana after their marriage (?? James & Catherine were married in Union County Indiana in 1827), and in the fall of 1852, moved to Platte County, Mo., where they spent one winter, coming to Big Grove in the following spring, settling in Section 13, Township 75, range 40. He sold this place to Ephraim Bird and moved to Adams County, this State, in 1856. The following year they went to Kansas, but returned during the drought in the fall of 1860. In 1864 they moved to Jackson county, Kan. The father (James Alexander) died in 1867, and the mother (Catherine) in 1879. Our subject (T.C. Alexander) lived with his parents until 1860. In the following year he enlisted, in Adams County, in the Fourth Indiana [sic] Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. E.Y. Burgan. His initiation in war procedure took place in Page County, where they camped for two days. Gen. G.M. Dodge, at that time Colonel, ordered a false alarm to try the boys. At 3 o'clock in the moring they were ordered out without giving them time to dress, and in this condition were __wn up in line of battle. Our subject was engaged in many of the principal battles of the War, including Pea Ridge, Vicksburg, Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge, at which latter places he carried the colors above the clouds. He was also engaged in the battles of Ringgold and Resaca, Ga. at which latter place he received a gunshot would in both legs. He afterward lay in several hospitals, until recovering from his wounds, he rejoined his regiment at Raleigh, N.C. He was present at the surrender of Gen. J.E. Johnston, ad was mustered out of service at Louisville, Ky., August 20, 1865 and returned to Big Grove, then his home, having returned on veteran furlough, and married at Big Grove, March 24, 1864, Miss Phoebe Huff, born in Mercer County, Ill., May 25, 1849. She was the daughter of Louis and Susan (Palmer) Huff. (Note the name Palmer, and J.A. Hartsell's marriage to Mary E. Palmer.) Her father was born in Stokes County, N.C., February 22, 1811. He came to Illinois, where he was married to Miss Palmer, who is a sister of Dr. Palmer, of Belknap Township. In 1865, our subjct moved to Jackson County, Kan., and farmed during the following year. He then sold his place, and commenced the study of medicine under D.W. Taylor, M.D., of Holton, Kan., an old army Surgeon. Here he studied for three years, afterward taking two course of lectures at the E.M. Institute, of Cincinatti. He practiced at his professin in Holton until 1874, when he returned to Big Grove, where he has resided ever since. His residence is on the southwest quarter of Section 5, Township 75, Range 39. He has two children, Elmer Ellsworth, born June 9, 1865 , and Laura Belle, born September 23, 1867. Mr. Alexander is a member of the I.O.O.F., and in politics is a Republican.

NOTE from Donna Meszaros email:
The citation for the marriage of James Alexander and Catherine Hartzel is from a book called Genealogical Sources Reprinted from the Genealogy Section, Indiana Magazine of History, compiled by Dorothy L. Riker. (Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Society, 1979).

p.26
James Alexander to Catherine Hartzel, July 26, 1827

Obituary of Thomas Carr Alexander;
Oakland Acorn, 7 June 1923, p. 1 [Oakland, Iowa]

Another Pioneer is Called Beyond
Dr. Alexander Dies Suddenly Saturday Afternoon
Won High Honors in War
Uncomplainingly Endured Hardships of Pioneer Physician, Ministering to Rich and Poor Alike

The whole community was deeply grieved and shocked Saturday afternoon by the news of the sudden death of one of our most highly honored poneer citizens, Dr. T.C. Alexander. Throughout his long and eventful life Dr. Alexander had enjoyed exceptionally good health and was, to all appearances, as well as usual upon the day of his death. He had been working in the garden and it is assumed, became overheated. He was seen to fall to the ground and friends rushed at once to his aid, tenderly carried him into the house and gave him all possible aid, but the spirit soon took its departure.

The following obituary, prepared by his old friend, P.H. Green, faithfully and fully relates the events of the long life and services of this pioneer citizen of the community.

The subject of this sketch, Dr. Thomas C. Alexander, son of James and Catherine Alexander, was born in Union county, Ind., Sept. 25, 1839; departed this life at Oakland, Saturday evening, June 2, 1923 at 5 o'clock, aged 83 years, 8 months and 7 days. He came with his parents from Indiana, to La Platte county, Mo., in the fall of 1852 and to Big Grove, now Oakland, the following spring and settled on a farm in section 13, township 75, range 40.

In 1856 his father sold the farm to Ephraim Bird and removed to Adams county, Ia., [Illinois?] and the following year they removed to Kansas. During the drouth of 1860, they moved back to Big Grove. In 1864 the parents returned to Kansas and settled in Jackson county. Here the father died in 1867 and the mother died in 1879. Dr. Alexander lived with his parents till 1860. The following year 1861, he enlisted as a private in the 4th Iowa Volunteer Infantry in Adams county, under Capt. E.J. Burgan.

Our brother was engaged in many battles of the war, including Pea Ridge, Vicksburg, Lookout Mountain, and Missionary Ridge, at which latter places he carried the colors above the troops. For valor and courage he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. He was also engaged in the battles of Ringold and Resaca, Ga., at which latter place he received a gun shot would to both legs, and was removed to the hospital. On his recovery he joined his regiment at Raleigh, N.C. He was present at the surrender of Gen. Joseph E. Johnston.

He was mustered out of service at the close of the war at Louisville, Ky., August 20, 1865, and returned to Big Grove, his home, as he had returned on veteran furlough at which time, March 24, 1864 he was united in marriage to Miss Phoebe Huff.
This union was blessed with two children, a son and daughter, as follows: E.E. Alexander, of Oakland, and Mrs. Laura B. Bilger, who preceded the father to the spirit world, having departed this life in 1895. Soon after his return from the army he and his wife removed to Jackson county, Kansas, where he engaged in farming for a year, after which he sold his farm and commenced the study of medicine under the direction of his brother-in-law, D.W. Taylor, M.D., of Holton, Kansas, an old army surgeon. Here he studied for three years, afterward taking three courses of lectures at the E.M. Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio.

He practiced medicine at Holton, Kansas, till 1874 when he again came to Big Grove where he had resided and continued in the active practice of his profession till about five years ago. Since that time, on account of extreme[?] age and home duties, it became necessary for those who desired his advice and service to ___ to the ____.

Rest of obituary unreadable.

Obituary of Barbara (Nipp) Hartsell         MAKE PRINTABLE

From the Windor Gazette, Dec. 26, 1974 (reproduction of early obituaries)

JANUARY 1880
Obituary
Barbara Hartsel, the deceased was born in With County, Virginia on December 17th, 1815 and at the tender age of fifteen she emigrated to Fayette County, Indiana, where she resided up to 1860, whence she removed to Shelby County, Illinois and here she resided, for the most part, ever since. She married at the age of 20 to David Hartsel, deceased, was married but a single time and was the mother of a large family of children. In Childhood's early age she embraced christianity, in the Communion of the Lutheran Church. She breathed her last Thursday afternoon quarter past four o'clock January 22, 1880, aged 62 years 1 month and 5 days. Buried in Ash Grove.

Obituary of James Alexander Hartsell         MAKE PRINTABLE

(Printed separately because newspaper was too slow.)

Fayette County, Indiana, March 18, 1837
Shelby County, Illinois, September 1, 1910

Funeral services will be conducted at Ash Grove church Saturday afternoon, September 3, 1910, at 2:00 o'clock, Rev. W. W. M. Barber officiating. Burial will be in the adjoining cemetery. Friends of the family are invited to the services.

Windsor, Illinois

Obituary of Joseph Walker         MAKE PRINTABLE

From TJP; April 16, 1896 Shelbyville Democrat: