Former county surveyor Jesse Paul JOHNSON dies in Indianapolis (1937)

[obituary courtesy of Jim Cox]

source: Fort Wayne News Sentinel (Fort Wayne, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, May 27, 1937

Maple Hill Cemetery; Plainfield, Hendricks County, Indiana

JESSE JOHNSON, OF INDIANAPOLIS, DIES
Former Albion School Head To Be Buried on Friday; Once County Surveyor

INDIANAPOLIS, May 27 - Jesse Paul Johnson, aged 49, former president and owner of the J. P. Johnson Company, road contractors, died of a cerebral hemorrhage here Wednesday. He was born in Michigan City August 19, 1887.

At one time he was school superintendent at Albion and was County Surveyor in Hendricks County seven years.

Funeral services will be held here Friday with burial at Plainfield.

James W. SAWYER dies in Danville (1976)

This obituary is courtesy of Karen Zach.

Source: Crawfordsville Journal Review (Crawfordsville, Indiana) - issue of Tuesday, February 17, 1976:

NORTH SALEM – James W. Sawyer, 68, of North Salem, died Sunday in Hendricks County Hospital. He had been in failing health for several years and was a retired construction worker. He attended Waverly schools. Born March 24, 1907, he was a son of John and Viola Armstrong Sawyer of Waverly. He was married to Irene Johnson in October 1951. Survivors are his wife; a brother, Lonnie of Waverly; a stepson, Donald Russell of Danville; five daughters, Cheryl Jones and Debbie Sawyer of North Salem, Deloris Surber of Clermont, and Janet Davis and Phyllis Ballard both of Indianapolis; four sons, Jeff, Robert and Dale, all at home, and Richard of Greencastle; and 14 grandchildren. Services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday in Porter Funeral Home with the Rev. Earl Davis officiating. Burial in Waverly Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home this evening.

Adoption of Christopher Michael JOHNSON and Amber Michelle JOHNSON (1982)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, September 30, 1982 - page 7, column 1:

According to a legal notice, in September 1982 Charles Leroy Brooks, Jr. filed a petition in the Hendricks County Superior Court (case # A 82-27) to adopt minor children Christopher Michael Johnson and Amber Michelle Johnson. Their biological father, Brian Dale Johnson, was alleged to have abandoned and deserted them. The petition was scheduled to be heard in court 30 days after the legal notice was published.

Deaths of Lester JOHNSON and Martha Lucille (HAWKINS) JOHNSON (1950)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, September 21, 1950 - page 1, column 5:

DOUBLE FUNERAL SERVICES MONDAY
Double funeral services were held Monday afternoon at the Baker Chapel for Lester V. and Martha Lucille Johnson of Bainbridge.

Mr. Johnson shot his 28-year-old wife Saturday evening with a shotgun at their home northeast of Bainbridge and then took his own life. Dr. Gilbert Rhea, Putnam County Coroner, ruled the deaths as murder and suicide.

He was separated from his wife, and under court order not to return to their home. He was a former employee of Marmon-Herrington, Indianapolis, but at the time was unemployed. She was a waitress at a restaurant in Bainbridge.

Immediate survivors are six children, Shirley Ann, age 11; David, 10; Lester, Jr., 8; Bonnie Lee, 6; Caroline Sue, 5, and Diana Kay, 4.

Other survivors of Mr. Johnson include his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Johnson of North Salem; five sisters, one of whom is Mrs. James Young of New Winchester, and four brothers including Vernon, Dudley and Wayne of North Salem.

Other survivors of Mrs. Johnson are her parents, Mrs. and Mrs. Floyd Hawkins of Indianapolis, and two sisters, Mrs. Opal Crouch and Mrs. Grace Money of Danville.

Both bodies were interred in the West Newton Cemetery.

Name change of Corey Leigh JOHNSON (1981)

As mentioned in Hendricks County Circuit Court Order Book 126 (October 1980 - November 1981), in April 1981, Corey Leigh Johnson petitioned the court (case # C 9 80-391) to change her name to Coryell Leigh Johnson. The petition was granted.

Activity in Hendricks County probate cases (March 1893)

From Hendricks County probate records:

Activity in probate cases as of 4 March 1893 [in vacation of the January 1893 term of court]:
--Santford Richmond estate - Mary Richmond appointed administrator ($1,200 bond)
--William Pierson estate - Rebecca Pierson appointed administrator ($1,200 bond)
--John Cosner estate - Leander S. Cosner appointed administrator ($1,200 bond)
--David E. Surber estate - Alex A. Surber appointed administrator ($500 bond)
--Elizabeth Johnson estate - David McClellan appointed administrator ($1,400 bond)
--Wesley Byram estate - Charles Albertson appointed administrator ($300 bond)
--Jabin Weesner estate - Oscar K. Weesner appointed administrator ($2,400 bond)
--Fannie J. Downard guardianship (minor) - John W. Tinder appointed guardian ($650 bond)

Lillian JOHNSON granted divorce (1951)

As mentioned in Hendricks County Circuit Court Civil Order Book Volume 100 (April 1951 - June 1952), in July 1951 Lillian Frances Johnson was granted a divorce from Imel Johnson (case #18650). Imel was stationed in Korea and custody of their adopted child Michael Dee Johnson was given to his paternal grandmother, Edna Johnson, with Lillian given visitation rights. Imel was also to pay Lillian $50 a month until he returned from service and to pay his mother Edna $100 a month for child support.

Ruth JOHNSON granted divorce (1915)

As mentioned in Hendricks County Circuit Court Civil Order Book Volume 61 (March 1915 - November 1915), in September 1915 Ruth Johnson was granted a divorce from Pleasant M. Johnson (case #9433). She was given custody of their child, Merion F. Johnson, and ordered not to remarry for 2 years.

Activity in Hendricks County probate cases (November 1900)

From Hendricks County probate records:

Activity in probate cases as of 8 November 1900 [in vacation of the September 1900 term of court]:
--Ezra H. Cox estate - William J. Cox appointed administrator ($24,000 bond)
--Eli Johnson estate - William Townsend appointed administrator ($50 bond)
--James A.B. Baird estate - Eldridge R. Ellis appointed administrator ($1,600 bond)
--Martha Brown estate - Levi H. Brown appointed administrator ($1,000 bond)
--Shelby T. Cooper estate - Alfred T. Cooper appointed administrator ($1,000 bond)

Activity in Hendricks County probate cases (January 1898)

From Hendricks County probate records:

Activity in probate cases as of 15 January 1898 [in vacation of the November 1897 term of court]:
--John D. Williams estate - Dennis B. Williams appointed administrator ($2,500 bond)
--William Johnson estate - Alfred Lininger appointed administrator ($300 bond)

Orda JOHNSON paroled from Indiana State Reformatory (1907)

As mentioned in Hendricks County Circuit Court Civil Order Book Volume 52 (March 1907 - February 1908), Orda Johnson (case #4433) had been committed to the Indiana State Reformatory in Jeffersonville on November 7, 1904 and paroled on March 1, 1906. In March 1907, he was fully discharged.

Lawyers admitted to Hendricks County Bar (1906)

As mentioned in Hendricks County Circuit Court Civil Order Book Volume 51 (March 1906 - February 1907), in June 1906 these lawyers were admitted to the Hendricks County Bar:

Hance H. Cleland
Chester J. Gerkin
Dwight N. Mason
Samuel Herdin Mills
John Yonetaro Takata
Ephraim E. Vanscoyoc
Francis Evart Watson
Mary Irene Johnson
Laura C. Niswander

Gertrude JOHNSON graduates from Butler University (1892)

According to Butler University's annual catalog for the thirty-eighth session (1892-1893), among those who received degrees in 1892 was Gertrude Johnson of Clayton - she received a Bachelor of Arts degree.

NOTE: Butler University is in Indianapolis.

Peter DAVIS arrested for murder of Sam FLETCHER (1902)

from The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, July 17, 1902 - page 1, column 6:

A MURDER
Southern Hendricks the Scene of a Fatal Stabbing
Hendricks County was the scene of another murder yesterday. Peter Davis stabbed Sam Fletcher to the heart, the latter dying instantly. The affray was about 100 yards north of the Center Valley school house and was the result of an old feud.

Fletcher was at Comp Johnson's store at Center Valley talking with a party of young people. Davis went by riding on a hayrake. Fletcher followed him and words passed between them. Fletcher left his buggy and with his whip in his hand ran after Davis who had dismounted from the hayrake. Davis drew his knife and when Fletcher came near, Davis struck at him, the blade penetrating Fletcher's heart. He died in the road. Both were about 21 years old. The affray occurred at 4:30 p.m.

Great excitement was caused in the community and some of Fletcher's friends breathed vengeance against Davis. He became alarmed and hitched up his buggy and started to Danville, bringing Emory Johnson along for company. They reached Danville near ten o'clock and finding Watchman Bryant, David asked him to lock him up. Sheriff Figg and Deputy Sears had gone to Center Valley after Davis. Mr. Bryant took Davis to jail, searched him and found nothing, and then put him behind the bars.

Mr. Johnson, who came with Davis, said that Fletcher struck Davis several times with the whip before Davis used his knife.

Bert ANNADELL arrested after attempted elopement (1901)

from The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, September 5, 1901 - page 1, column 5:

DID NOT SUCCEED
Attempted Elopement Lodges the Man in Jail

There was an attempted elopement Sunday evening. The principals were Bert Annadell and Mabel Johnson, daughter of Lon Johnson, who bought the Bodenhamer farm a few months ago.

Annadell has been working for Mr. Johnson and an attachment sprang up between him and Mr. Johnson's daughter. Annadell is twenty-one and the girl is in the neighborhood of sixteen. Sunday evening she and her sisters went after the cows and at the edge of the pasture they met Annadell. Miss Mabel and Annadell directed the sister to drive home the cows while they started on their trip by walking to Danville. When the sister arrived home she told her father and immediately search was made for the couple. Valuable time was lost in going to Clayton for them. Then Mr. Johnson telephoned to Danville and came here himself in company with his son, Clifton, and Ira Martin.

In Danville, they learned that a couple had secured arig and a driver and left town, presumably for Bridgeport. The three were joined by Sheriff Figg and the four started in pursuit, young Johnson and Martin going to Indianapolis and Mr. Figg and Mr. Johnson going to Bridgeport where Annadell's mother lives. The Indianapolis party found no trace of them and came back via Bridgeport where they found Mr. Figg and Mr. Johnson with the couple, they having been found at Annadell's mother's where they had represented themselves as having been married. Annadell was lodged in jail and the girl was taken home. Monday an affidavit was filed against Annadell charging him with seduction.

The plan of the couple was to go to Cincinnati Monday morning and be married.

[NOTE: According to Hendricks County marriage records, Bert Anadell and Annie Mabel Johnson were married on 17 November 1901]

Travis JOHNSON and Fanny DEE Charged With Adultery (1840)

As mentioned in Hendricks County Circuit Court Order Book Volume 3 (April 1840 - April 1843), in April 1840 Travis Johnson and Fanny Dee were charged with adultery. Travis Johnson paid a $200 bond (with John Stewart as the surety on the bond) to appear at the next term of court. In October 1840, the court ruled that the charges were "insufficient in law", and the case was dismissed.

Lulu PECK Sues For Damage To Reputation (1896)

As mentioned in Hendricks County Civil Order Book Volume 40 (May 1896 - March 1897), in November 1896 Lulu O. Peck brought a suit against Mary E. Henson (case #6284) for damaging her reputation with her remarks. Lulu was the wife of Wesley Peck and the mother of a girl about age 9, and they resided in Clayton. Her suit alleged that Mary E. Henson had told Mrs. Binda Lookabill and Mrs. Millie Berlin that Lulu had been caught "doing something indecent", which they took to mean adultery. Henson then told them what she had heard from Daisy Elmore - that Daisy, Florence Wooden, Maggie & Mollie Crawley and Maud Johnson had looked underneath the blinds at the Peck's house on Halloween 1894 and witnessed Dr. Thrasher with "his hands in Lulu's bosom feeling her tities [sic]". Dr. Thrasher was said to have told Lulu he admired her Halloween costume - the girls reported it was a deep V-neck dress with short sleeves. Daisy Elmore was upset when she witnessed this, because Lulu had been talking about Daisy & Dr. Dryden and Daisy told Henson that Lulu "ain't nothing but a nasty dirty bitch". Henson was later heard, in the presence of J.O. Winstead, to say that Lulu Peck "is not a virtuous woman."

The jury agreed with Lulu Peck and awarded her $75 in damages.

NOTE: Thomas Wesley Peck (1858-1930) and Lulu O. Peck (1867-1937) are both buried in Clayton West Cemetery.

Town of Belleville Incorporated in 1850

Source: Local laws of The State of Indiana, passed at the thirty-fourth session of the General Assembly (Indianapolis: John D. Defrees, 1850)

In Acts of 1850, Chapter 324 [approved January 8, 1850], the town of Belleville in Hendricks County (located in Liberty Township) was officially incorporated. The act specified that Jonathan Cope, Anthony W. Shiveley, Lawrence A. Johnson, John E. Johnson and David E. Carter were appointed trustees of the town until its first official election could be held on the 4th Monday of January, 1850. Subsequent elections would be held each year on the 4th Monday of January, with 7 trustees to be elected. Every white male who lived in the town limits and had resided there 3 months prior to the election was eligible to vote. All males in town limits who were not exempted were to work on the town's roads between 2 and 4 days each year, under the auspices of the town marshal.

Oliver PRUITT of Belleville Celebrates 50th Wedding Anniversary (1934)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, August 23, 1934 - page 1, column 4

BELLEVILLE COUPLE TO CELEBRATE 50TH ANNIVERSARY
Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Pruitt of Belleville, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, Sunday, with an open house to their friends at their home from 2 o'clock until 5 and from 6 to 9. Mr. and Mrs. Pruitt are the parents of nine children all living. They are Mrs. Hallie Hadley and Mrs. Katherine Craven, Belleville; Arthur Pruitt, West Newton; Luther, Hall; Mrs. Ruth Kephart, Cartersburg; Mrs. Jessie Johnson, Amo; Mrs. Jennie Schuler, Clayton; Merle and William of Belleville. They have eight grandchildren.

Clarence JOHNSON of Guilford Township Seeks Divorce (1933)

source: The Republican (Danville, Indiana) - issue of Thursday, April 20, 1933 - page 1, column 3:

SEEKS DIVORCE
Clarence Johnson filed suit for a divorce from his wife, Tressia Johnson, Friday, in the local circuit court. The plaintiff alleges cruel and inhuman treatment in that the defendant continually nagged and criticized him. The Johnsons were married in April, 1922, and separated April 7, 1933. The plaintiff is a farmer living in Guilford Township.