GETTING MARRIED IN INDIANA

Ohio County Marriages in Indiana

For reasons unknown to me, it was not uncommon for Ohio County residents to marry in Indiana.  Maybe these marriages were elopements, or maybe the bride’s family lived in Indiana – or perhaps it was cheaper or quicker. Of course there were no bridges across the Ohio River to Indiana until the 1860's or later, so the mode of travel was by ferry. The earliest ferry operation I have found connected Brandenburg, Meade County, KY to Mauckport, Harrison County, IN, which was in operation as early as 1808. Of course there were ferry operations in the Louisville area  (Falls Cities) from the late 1700's, connecting Jeffersonville, IN and Louisville; New Albany, IN and Portland, KY (NW of Louisville); and Clarksville, IN and Shippingport (Louisville). These boats were propelled by manual labor using poles, paddles and oars and service was "on demand."  By 1815 at least 10 ferries served Clark County, IN (which included much of Floyd County until 1819), but by 1820 attrition and consolidation had eliminated most of them.  Having said all that, I'm sure there were ferries across the Ohio in the early days that history has forgotten, so our adventuresome ancestors might have crossed the Ohio at Owensboro, Rockport, Cloverport, or some other location that was closer than Brandenburg or the Louisville area.

In any event, I have found that several of my ancestors married in the following Indiana counties: Floyd, Clinton, Clark and Warrick. This map shows (yellow highlights) the location of the Indiana counties where a few of my (Leach) Ohio County ancestors married.  The green highlighted county, Spencer, is where I found the marriage of Wesley Davis and Nancy Cox in 1827. Rockport is the county seat of Spencer County.

Here is an online database that you can use to search Indiana marriages by surname to help you find your ancestors. To shorten your search, only consider people born before 1835, because this site only shows marriages thru 1850:

INDIANA MARRIAGES thru 1850

https://www.statelib.lib.in.us/INMarriages1850/marriages_search.asp

The Index to Indiana Marriages Through 1850 began many years ago through a project initiated by Dorothy Riker, the late former Editor of The Hoosier Genealogist, which listed the name of the groom in county listings in this publication.  Later, brides names were added to the original card set of groom names in the Genealogy Division. Volunteers expanded the card set to include all dates through 1850 for counties where marriage records existed. This became a database which contains approximately 330,000 records totaling 90.5 MB of electronic data.  In addition to the marriage listings which index the county courthouse records, the database includes marriages which were noted from the early Quaker monthly meetings in Indiana. These Quaker marriages were listed in the Abstracts of the Records of the Society of Friends in Indiana compiled by Willard Heiss, (Call Number Geneal. 929.102 F911h v. 7).  In addition the database includes listings for the St. Francis Xavier parish church in Vincennes, Indiana which date from 1749.

FRANCIS M. HATLER

FRANCIS M. HATLER, Ohio County, was born September 26, 1848, in Warren County, Ky., and in childhood removed with his parents to Ohio County, where he has since resided. At the age of fourteen he enlisted in Company H, Twelfth Kentucky Cavalry, and was mustered out at the end of six months on account of his minority. In 1863, he re-enlisted in the Thirty-fifth Mounted Infantry and served one year. His father, Berry Hatler, was drowned in Green River in 1852. Berry's wife, Desdemona, daughter of John Minard, died in 1875, near Richland, Spencer Co., Ind. Their children are Lethia E. (Davis) and Francis M.  December 5, 1869, Francis M. married Susan C., daughter of James B. and Mary E. (Hampton) London, of Ohio County; she was born January 3, 1851, and to them have been born James M., William W., Jessie E., Mary E., Annie and Nannie (twins and very much alike), Joseph, Lulie A., and Henry C. By industry and frugality, Mr. Hatler has acquired a competency, owning 185 acres of well-improved land, in good state of cultivation. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is also identified with the Democratic party.

Source: J. H. BATTLE, W H. PERRIN, & G. C. KNIFFIN 1895

Note:  Francis Marion Hatler died after 1910 but the exact date is unknown.  I was unable to find where he was buried.

ELI MILTON HART

ELI MILTON HART, Ohio County, was born December 10, 1824, in Boyle County, Ky., and at the age of twelve years, removed with his brother to Indiana, where he remained until 1845, when he settled in Hardin County, Ky., and located in Ohio County in 1872, where he now resides. His father, Charles Hart, a native of Mercer County, Ky., died in 1833, at the age of sixty years. He was the son of Charles Hart, Sr., one of the pioneers of Kentucky, a Revolutionary soldier, from North Carolina, who died in Mercer County, Ky., in 1837, at an advanced age. Subject's father married Sarah, daughter of John Meek, of Henry County, Ky.; she died in 1882, at the age of eighty years, and to their union were born Golden M., Esther L. (Lawson), Mary L. (Pierce), Henry H., Martha L. (Pierce), Margaret (Atherton), Eli Milton, and Louisa G. (May). September 10, 1855, Eli M. Hart was united in marriage to Mary J., daughter of Meredith and Sarah B. (Wilkison) Arthur, of Hardin County, Ky. She was born July 16, 1835, and to them have been born Charles M. (deceased), William L. (deceased), Katie M., John B., Louisa G., Willie, Julia A., Meredith A., Eli O., and Mary B. Mr. Hart is a farmer and is successfully engaged in growing corn, hay and live-stock. In religion he is a Methodist and in politics a Democrat.

Source: J. H. BATTLE, W H. PERRIN, & G. C. KNIFFIN 1895

Note:  Eli M. Hart died 14 December 1909 at age 85 in Perry, Vanderburgh County, Indiana. He is buried in the Mount Hermon Methodist Church Cemetery at No Creek, Ohio County.

ILER

ILER Marriages in Ohio County Kentucky, 1798-1900

Polly ILER to William LEACH, November 14, 1811, A7

Sally ILER to Samuel LEWELLEN, February 20, 1812, A10

Jacob ILER to Elizabeth LEACH, September 30, 1813, A13

Jacob ILER to Polly MILLER, January 29, 1818, A32

John ILER to Sarah LEACH, September 24, 1818, A32

Nancy ILER to John CANNON, January 5, 1826, A61

Elizabeth ILER to Benjamin PIERCE, March 13, 1826, A62

Patsy ILER to James IZEL, October 29, 1827, A159

Perry ILER to Elizabeth COOKSEY, February 12, 1831, A84

Jane ILER to Solomon PEARCE, October 19, 1832, A88

Mary Ann ILER to Nathan KEOWN, September 25, 1836, A97

Eliza Ann ILER to Thomas TAUGHT, December 2, 1840

William ILER to Patsey WILSON, April 6, 1843, B14

Elizabeth ILER to John RALEY, September 27, 1843, B13

Nancy Maria ILER to Franklin FOUGHT, March 13, 1845, B16

Althea ILER to John H. ARNOLD, August 14, 1845, B17

Henry ILER to Mary STEWART, March 24, 1846, B19

Sally ILER to Jeremiah M. TILFORD, December 10, 1851, F119

Czarina C. ILER to John E. FERGUSON, October 7, 1856, D59

H. L. ILER to Mahala FERGUSON, March 23, 1857, D147

Emma ILER to Leonard T. COX, December 21, 1856, I-335

Thomas W. ILER to Mary Jane AUTRY, August 30, 1867, J389

Zachariah T. ILER to Sallie M. PARKS, October 13, 1868, O-246

Mariah J. ILER to Jasper N. SANDEFUR, August 21, 1869, Q18

Sallie M. ILER to Francis M. MAPLES, November 28, 1870, Q404

John T. ILER to Sarah E. SHOWN, December 31, 1870, R2

Thomas W. ILER to Mrs., Nancy STOGNER, October 18, 1873, S392

John T. ILER to Elizabeth V. BENTON, October 3, 1876, V58

Francis M. ILER to Mary Ellen STEWART, September 2, 1878, W264

Nancy E. ILER to Benjamin S. CHAMBERLAIN, November 19, 1878, W352

Margaret E. ILER to John W. SORRELS, November 19, 1878, W354

F. M. ILER to Victoria LILES, January 7, 1884, 1-157

Amanda J. ILER to W. T. JOHNSON, June 26, 1884, 1-307

T. M. ILER to Mrs. Martha E. ROWE, October 6, 1885, 3-234

James B. ILER to Luella BENNETT, March 10, 1886, 3-458

Nettie ILER to Nehemiah MINTON, January 9, 1888, 4-412

Fannie ILER to J. W. THOMAS, January 29, 1889, 5-134

Mary Q. V. ILER to William W. FERRY, February 14, 1891, 6-312

F. H. ILER to Miss F. A. CROWDER, March 28, 1892, 7-228

Mollie ILER to H. C. SIMMONS, July 18, 1893, 8-138

William P. ILER to Nellie C. YOUNG, April 30, 1895, 9-238

Joseph R. ILER to Eldo LEACH, August 28, 1897, 10-552

Nellie M. ILER to Thomas J. MULLEN, October 25, 1899, 12-316

R. E. ILER to Georgia REID, January 15, 1900, 12-442

Swain Family

Swain Family:  The first Swain to come to Ohio County was Henry "Harry" Swain, who was born 25 Sept 1780 in NC.  Henry died 7 Jan 1856 in Ohio Co. I am told that Henry was buried in the Swain Family Cemetery [possibly called the Hudnall Cemetery], which is located above Green River at the mouth of the Thoroughfare on Highway 169 below Prentiss and Schultztown. I am not certain of the location of the 116 acre Swain farm and family cemetery, but I think the following maps are close:

Henry married Mary Howell 25 Jan 1808 in Logan County, KY. She died in Ohio Co. 13 Sept 1843.  Henry and Mary had the following children:

   1. Peyton T. Swain, born about 1810 and he died after 1863.

   2. James H. Swain, born about 1812; moved to Missouri; and died 1 June 1847 in Mexico during the Mexican War. James married Nancy Terrence in Ohio Co. in 1833 and married Mildred P. Cason in MO in 1840.

   3. Nancy Swain, born about 1814 and died 20 Dec 1853 in Ohio County.

   4. Mary D. Swain, born about 1819 and died about 1882 in Ohio Co. Mary married John W. Haws in 1844 in Butler Co.; and married Nicholas Taylor in 1854 in Butler Co.

   5. Martha Swain, born 3 May 1822 and died 21 Jul 1899. Martha married Phillip Davenport in 1844 in Butler Co.

   6. Elizabeth Swain, born about 1825 and died 26 Oct 1911 and is buried in Butler Co. Elizabeth married Woodson Legrand in 1857 in Ohio Co. 

   7. Henry Allen Swain, born 26 March 1827 and died 31 March 1878 in Ohio Co. Henry married Eliza Jane Garner Morton "Maud" 20 Feb 1851 in Ohio Co. and they had ten children (see below).

  8. Rhoden Burgoyne Swain, born 1 Jan 1832 and died 2 Apr 1908 in Ohio Co.  Rhoden married Nancy Jane Smith about 1850 and that marriage ended in divorce. Rhoden next married Elizabeth Mary Davenport in 1867 in Ohio Co.

   9. Homer C. Swain, born about 1837 and died before 1 Sept 1856. Homer married Mary A. Howerton in Ohio Co. 28 Nov 1877.

Next generation. The children of Henry Allen Swain:

   1. Mary Frances Swain, born 30 Dec 1851, and died 8 Feb 1947 in Butler Co. Mary married James R. Read 28 Oct 1869 in Ohio Co.

   2. Peridope Swain, born 5 Aug 1853.

   3. Percipial Aurthine Swain "Sip", born 5 Aug 1853 and died 7 March 1951 in Beaver Dam. Percipial married Wihelmina Elminia Angle 17 Nov 1875 and they had five children.  "Sip" Swain (198) died at age 97. His obituary stated that he was a sterling citizen of quaint individuality and would be remembered for his dapper manner, long locks of hair, and friendly jollity. He was an accomplished fiddler and maker of fiddles, a horse racing devotee and hiking enthusiast. He was a farmer, merchant, blacksmith, and postmaster, living most of his life in the Prentiss community. He was buried in Slaty Creek Cemetery, Ohio County, Kentucky.

   4. Peyton Timoleon Swain, born 21 Jul 1855, and died 2 June 1935 in Butler Co. Peyton married Laura E. Turns 3 Oct 1878 in Ohio Co.

   5. Finis Leona Swain, born 7 June 1857, and died 21 Apr 1937 in Ohio Co. Finis married Samuel William Leach 10 Jan 1874 in Ohio Co. and they had four children: Henry Oscar, Harney Leslie, Clyde Fielding, and Chester Finis Leach. Her obituary states: 

Venerated Woman Dies at Beaver Dam.  Mrs. Finis Leona Leach, 79 years of age, died at her home in Beaver Dam at 4:15 p.m., Wednesday, April 21, after having been ill for a number of years and bedfast for the last two years.  Her death was attributed to a complication of diseases.  Mrs. Leach was a native of Ohio County, born near Cromwell, a daughter of the late Allen and Lyda Morton Swain.  She was the widow of Samuel William Leach, who preceded her in death a number of years ago.  She was an admirable woman and a member of the Baptist church.  Surviving relatives are three sons, Oscar, of Cincinnati, Clyde, of Lexington, Chester, of Owensboro, eight grandchildren; a sister, Mrs. Frank Cooper, and two brothers, Sip and Harper Swain, Ohio County.  Funeral services were conducted at the home at 1:00 p.m. last Thursday, and also a short service at the Leach cemetery, near Rob Roy, where commitment was made.  Services were in charge of the Rev. J. L. Sullivan, pastor of Beaver Dam Baptist church.  Ohio County News, April 30, 1937.

Finis was my great-grandmother. Here is her photo:

   6. Laura Lelah Swain, born 1860. Laura married John S. Buckley.

   7. Jefferson Davis Swain, born Feb 1863, and died 12 June 1905 in McLean Co.  Jefferson married Elizabeth H.

   8. Ellis Harper Swain, born 12 march 1865, and died 12 march 1962 in Ohio County.

   9. John Wilkes Booth Swain, born 19 Nov 1868, and died after 1910. John married Iona Alice Carter 20 Feb 1895 in Ohio Co.

   10. Elida Quantrilla Swain, born 2 Jan 1871, and she died 7 May 1968 in Ohio Co., having married Frank Cooper 19 Oct 1892 in Ohio Co.

   The following is a family history narrative sent to me by Marguerite Leach (1908-2007); Marguerite was my cousin:

My father was Clyde Leach and my mother was Sylvia May McCoy.  Father was born 29 Sep 1879 and died 9 Aug 1962.  Mother was born 1 May 1887 and died 2 Oct 1980. My grandfather was Samuel William Leach and my grandmother was Finis Swain. Grandfather and grandmother had 4 sons, Oscar, Harney Leslie, Clyde and Chester.

Grandmother Leach had a brother we called Uncle Sip who raised trotting horses.  I remember watching them race at the Ohio County Fair.  The horses pulled a sulky while racing. 

When I was a child we lived near the Swain farm.  My mother called Uncle Sip's wife " Aunt Willie", and I remember mother telling me to run over to Aunt Willie's home and borrow a cup of flour.  To get there I had to go through the field where Uncle Sip had his horses and they were very big and I was afraid of them.  My father, Clyde Leach, would keep the (racing) time for Uncle Sip with Uncle Sip's stop watch.  After Uncle Sip died my father ended up with the stop watch, possibly by inheritance, and I got it when father died.  I gave it to Otis Leach, who lived in Owensboro, and his son, Billy Leach has it now. 

I remember that Uncle Sip and Grandmother Leach (Finis) had a sister that we called Aunt Lydia, and that she married a Cooper and had two children, Juanita and Corbit. Corbit was a Mason and was very good to Uncle Leslie's widow, Ella, after Uncle Leslie died (Uncle Leslie was also a Mason).  I remember that Aunt Lydia lived west of Beaver Dam, near Centertown. 

Uncle Sip had a daughter named Effie T. Swain that married Richard (Dick) Taylor. They had two children, Ruby and Wilma, who were friends of mine.  I remember that Effie had a family bible that had all of the Swain family information. 

I remember spending the night with Grandmother Leach (Finis) when I was quite young.  She cooked in the fireplace.  I slept upstairs in a little room.  She had a shawl that hung on a nail that she called a facinator. When Uncle Oscar's wife died I was small and they held the wake at Grandmother Leach's house.  

CLARENCE HARDWICK

CLARENCE HARDWICK, circuit clerk, was born in Hartford, Ky., January 3, 1851, the eldest of eleven children born to William and Sarah F. (Nail) Hardwick. The father was a merchant for thirty years in Hartford, and was well reputed for his sterling business qualities and strict integrity. His death occurred February 26, 1883. The mother was a refined, exemplary lady of high Christian character, and was for many years a member of the Baptist Church. Our subject early in life became self-supporting, accepting the position of deputy circuit clerk under A. L. Morton. Here his attention to the duties of the office, efficient work, genial bearing, and care in the accommodation of the public, made his services indispensable, and won him great popularity throughout the county. He retained this position ten years, and in 1880 he was elected to the office for which his familiarity with the public records expressly adapts him, and gives to him, in general estimation, the honor of being one of the best officials ever in the county's employ. His wife was Miss Sallie McDaniel, the talented and accomplished daughter of the Rev. James S. and Mary J. McDaniel. They were married January 18, 1882, and are blessed with two children: James F. and Mary M.

Source: J. H. BATTLE, W H. PERRIN, & G. C. KNIFFIN 1895

Note:  Mr. Hardwick died 9 April 1892 in Hartford and is buried in the Oakwood Cemetery, Hartford.  

LOUIS G. HADEN

LOUIS G. HADEN was born in Louisiana, near Baton Rouge, July 14, 1846, and is a son of Robert H. and Jane E. (Curtis) Haden, the former of whom was a native of Kentucky, and the latter a native of Louisiana. They were of Scotch-Irish and French descent, respectively. Robert H. Haden received his early education in his native county. When a young man he removed to Louisiana, where he was married, and where he followed his trade (that of a house carpenter) for some eight years. In 1846 he returned to Franklin, Simpson Co., Ky., where he continued to follow his trade for some twenty years. He then engaged in farming in the same county for about ten years, when he removed to Muhlenburgh County, Ky., where be resided for some eight years; thence removed to Christian County, remaining about five years; thence in 1885, to Providence, Tenn., where he now resides. Mrs. Jane E. Haden departed this life November 20, 1871. She was a devoted member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Haden has been for many years a member of the Christian Church and was formerly a member of the S. of T., and of the I. O. G. T.  Louis G. Haden received a good common school education in youth, and was employed on his father's farm until he attained his majority, after which he continued to farm on the home place, on his own account, for several years. He then removed to Christian County, Ky., where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits for some four years. In March, 1882, he came to Rockport, Ohio Co., Ky., where he has since resided, and been engaged in the drug trade and in general merchandising with S. & M. J. Reid, under the firm name of Reid, Haden & Co. He was married March, 30, 1876, to Mollis A. Sharp, a native of Muhlenburgh County, no children have been left to them. Mr. Haden and wife are devoted members of the Christian Church. He was formerly a member of the I. O. G. T. In politics he is a Democrat.

Source: J. H. BATTLE, W H. PERRIN, & G. C. KNIFFIN 1895

Note:  Mr. Haden's given name is sometimes spelled Lewis and his middle name was Green. The date of birth shown on his grave marker is 18 July 1848 but his death certificate shows 14 July 1846. He died 31 March 1921 in Ohio County and is buried in The Old Rockport Cemetery. Mr. Haden had a son named Urey, who was born in 1891, and who is shown as the informant on Mr. Haden's death certificate as living in Rockport (died 1961), and two daughters, Eunice (1886-1886) and Bernice (1887-1907).