The Middleton Family

Thanks to Marian Evelyn Middleton of Lexington, Indiana for her help on the Middleton family.  

Matthew Henning sailed for America via Liverpool, arriving in New York in 1832. After working for a year in a store, he moved to Indiana via the Ohio River to New London (a now vanished town on the Ohio River 10 miles below Madison, Indiana). He bought land east of Lexington and sent back to Ireland for several families to move to the new found frontier land. (From the 1730s waves of Scots-Irish immigrants, numbering perhaps 250,000 by the time of the Revolution, swelled the ranks of the non-English group. Forming dense settlements in Pennsylvania, as well as in New York's Hudson Valley and in the back-country South, they brought with them the Presbyterian church, which was to become widely prominent in American life.) As the rest of his family moved to America (including his parents), he would sell them a farm, on a winding, rolling, picturesque hill road south of Lexington which was later named the "Irish road". He later moved to a large farm near Wooster, Indiana and traveled 10-12 miles each Sunday to attend church at the Lexington Presbyterian Church. He made the original survey of Indiana State Road 256. He is buried at New Liberty or Mt. Carmel in Jefferson County, Indiana.

The Scotch-Irish, who came to this country together via Nova Scotia, settled together along this two-mile wide radius. Some of these families were the Middletons, Halls, Blairs, Kennedys, Perkinsons, Spires, Hennings, Ashes, McCullochs and McClanahans.  Most of them had been neighbors in the Emerald Isle and they brought very few personal belongings other than children, clothing and bare necessities to build a home. But each had the rugged determination to build a richer and more free way of life. Most of these early settlers farmed their fertile land, but later their children became carpenters and school teachers. Most of the children received what little amount of education they had in the Old Irish School which was located on the Middleton farm. Mary (Mary Wilson, a descendant of James Middleton) relates that the Irish kids were pranksters. Some of the kids were supposed to have filled the chimney of the school with rags to cause the building to fill with smoke, but the school burned down instead. Matthew Henning was a surveyor and the Irish built the road that is today a part of State Road 203. Back then it was known as the Irish Road. The first home was a log cabin on the Marjorie Middleton farm. This log cabin was later part of the barn on that farm.  (Editor's note:  My parents bought this farm in the late 1950's and we lived there for several years.)

The following articles were taken from "Lexington" by Mary Wilson and Sharon Y. Asher:

THE MIDDLETONS OF THE IRISH ROAD
Written by William H. Mace of Norfolk, Virginia

It was on a hat day in August, 1897, that Mrs. Mace and I accompanied with a jolly crowd of young folks had finally reached Ireland from Germany on our "bykes." One purpose of our visit to Ireland was to search out relatives of friends on the Irish Road whom they had left behind when emigrating to America earlier in the century. We were to report our findings to our friends in America -- the Middletons, Halls, and Kennedys.

We had taken up our quarters in Hilltown, a little city situated on an eminence. The young folks of our party were interested in other things than looking up relatives of my Irish friends. So, one day, I mounted my byke and started down the beautiful roads, and across the valley to a neighboring farm where I expected to find Middletons I took a side road lead ding up to a neat white cottage and knocked at the half door. The lower half of the door was shut and the upper half open (to keep out the pigs, according to Irish tradition). I saw two motherly women talking over the stranger at their door. Finally one came to the door and peered out at me. She turned to the other and said: "Come quick! Its your John." The latter fairly ran to the door, and I saw myself in for a hearty Irish hugging and kissing. But we were both disappointed. Mother Middleton had a keen eye for just before she laid hold on me she stepped back with disappointment written in every feature, and said, "No! No! Its not my John!"" Conversation brought out the fact that her son from Australia was coming home. I also learned that they knew of no Middletons who had gone to America.

The Scotch-Irish, who settled along the Irish Road, together with those along the Vienna Road made up the bulk of the backing of the Presbyterian Church of Lexington. The families who were neighbors to the Middletons were the Halls, Blairs, Kennedys, Perkinsons, Spires, Hennings and Ashes. To the west of the Irish Road were the McCullochs and the McClanahans. Many of these folks were neighbors in the Emerald Isle and no doubt were happy in their associations in Scott County.

On Sunday morning in the last quarter of the last century one could see wagons, spring wagons, and now and then a buggy laden with the families -- old and young, making their way to the Lexington Church. Some arrived early for Sunday School for these Scotch-Irish saw to it that their young people were well-grounded in a knowledge of the Bible. The Middletons, when I knew them first, drove a large spring wagon drawn by as fine a pair of mules as the region around afforded.

I must turn aside for a moment to say that Captain Higgins Campbell led the singing in the S.S. of this church and that James Amick, veteran teacher, was one of the chief tenors in that choir. I was attracted to the S.S. and with a neighboring chum, Will Alf Staples, now of Indianapolis, often remained to hear the excellent sermons of the Rev. Mr. Whalon. To us country boys it was something of an education to listen to his preaching.

The home of James Middleton, Sr., was situated half way between Lexington and Nabb, just where the hills begin to break down to the smaller branches of Kimberlin Creek. Most of his farm was level as I remember it, and was kept in superb order. I know, because in the fall and spring I saw the back part of it as I walked the railroad for two or three years to school in Lexington and in winter rode right by the door yard of the farm home.

In the summer time this home was a beauty spot. The story and half frame house and charming yard were surrounded by an artistic fence painted white. A profusion of simple flowers set off the house and yard.

James Middleton and his wife Nancy Henning must have already attained mid-life when I first knew them. They both belonged to a sturdy stock of people and were seldom sick at time of life. I must say that I always stood a bit in awe of the elder Middleton. Whether this was due to "natural" timidity or to the fact that he seemed a bit dignified, I do not remember.

I first made the acquaintance of some of the Middleton children during the Civil War at the opening of the first term of school in the "Old Ireland" building in Mr. Kennedy's bottom by the side of the Irish Road. Jane Middleton was the first teacher, and an excellent one, too. She kept order in a school that was not the easiest to manage, at least in later days. It was the age in which the rod was called into frequent use, but that was not Jane Middleton's method of keeping order. Her quiet dignity was the secret. How pupils responded to example! A large percentage of her pupils belonged to the Scotch-Irish families and were a sturdy and studious lot. I became an admirer of Jane Middleton without her ever knowing it. Later in life I had occasion to appreciate her generosity for Mrs. Jane Middleton Wilson loaned me a sum sufficient to enable Mrs. Mace and I to finish our work at the University of Michigan. It may be interesting to some people to know that James Hall, a Scotch-Irishman of the second generation, came manfully forward and placed his name beside mine on the note. I am sure that Agnes Wilson, for several years principal or the Scottsburg High School, is well and favorable remembered by many citizens of your county capital.

In the first school taught at Old Ireland, my brother Ben was a small tot who presented himself for his lesson in a primer. Mrs. Jane Wilson took in the situation at once, saw how bashful he was and proceeded to take him on her lap and, in this act, captured the little fellow and for the rest of the school anxious to "say his lessons." Not only so, but this simple motherly act made her his ideal teacher and he remembers it to this day.

Two sons of the Middleton family seized arms on Lincoln's call in '61 and marched away to the battle fields of the South. The result was tragic. Robert, the eldest son, received his discharge for ill health, kept store for a time in Lexington, but gave that up and soon died. Matthew, the next son, came home on a furlough, went hunting, and as he climbed a fence his gun was discharged and killed him instantly. This was a hard blow to the Middleton family but its members never wavered in their devotion to the Union.

"Jim" and "Sam" Middleton were among the big boys at that first school taught by their sister. I was rated as belonging to the younger "fry." They were steady boys at that school and did not indulge in the boisterous horse play that many of the boys did. In this they hey showed their home training. I must not forget Sallie Williams! Although not a Middleton, she lived as a member of the family and was a general favorite at school because of her cheery disposition. She became the wife of James McClanahan, also of the second generation of Scotch-Irish in Scott County.

In the sixties and seventies there was no such thing as a graduation in the country schools of Scott County. When one reached the quitting place he stopped or stayed on as he might choose. He just continued to repeat Ray's Third Part, McGuffey's Sixth Reader or Cornell's Geography.

Jim and Sam Middleton did not continue but on reaching young manhood gave their energy to the farm.

But in the best Scotch-Irish families education did not stop with finishing school. In most of these families there were weekly papers and frequently books, mainly of a moral and religious kind. The Middle-tons and the McCullochs had a most unique arrangement for exchanging books and periodicals. Half way between their homes they erected an exchange box where on certain days they could call and make the exchanges. This struck my boyish imagination as a most excellent scheme for exchanging other things besides books and papers!

It was noticed that Jim and Sam Middleton did not give much time and attention to the young ladies of our neighborhood and many people wondered why. But after a few years it began to be rumored that Sam was soon to bring home a bride. Everybody was on the lookout for her for she did not belong by birth to the Irish Road. Sure enough! A tall, handsome young lady came to join the Middleton home. She was from Jeffersonville and her maiden name was Stacy. It was not long before James followed his brother into matrimony. He, too, went to Jeffersonville and brought as his bride Miss Elizabeth Herzog. Down the road James built his home where he spent many years but finally moved to Lexington to spend his declining days.

A few words about the third generation of the American Scotch-Irish. Three daughters were born to Jane Middleton Wilson and each graduated at Hanover. James and Samuel Middleton had "old fashioned" families. To James were born seven boys and four girls, and to Samuel came twelve children -- six boys and six girls. Here were children enough to make up a modern school district!

From these two homes were several graduates of Hanover and Maryville, Tennessee. Many broke away from the occupation of their fathers and have gone into various lines of useful work. Is it not strange that 23 children should not select a single occupation of a questionable nature? Home training is the answer!

One, a teacher, follows my own line of work and has demonstrated her ability and skill and has differentiated her teaching from the average by using her subject to develop character. She loves boys and girls as well as history and many young men and women of Scottsburg bless the day when Ida Middleton came to their school.

One, at least, of the Middleton boys smashed the Scotch-Irish line by marrying into my mother's line and took for his life companion probably the most brilliant woman of the Johnson family line -- graduate of Maryville College.

James and Samuel Middleton, of the Irish Road, have left behind in the 23 children the proudest monument that is given to mankind to build. Scott County rejoices in these children of the Irish Road.

From the day when the senior Middleton left the Emerald Isle down to the present, God has blessed him and his children's children.

THE ARTHUR MIDDLETON FAMILY

Samuel Arthur Middleton, the first son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Middleton, was born at Lexington, Indiana, on December 30, 1876. His future wife, Ola Paul, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Paul, was born at Lexington, Indiana on July 5, 1878. They were married in the Presbyterian Manse in Lexington on December 24, 1902, by the Rev. D. B. Whimster. Their daughter, Frances Mae Middleton was born April 10, 1904 and Fannie Marie Middleton was born on April 13, 1906.

While living in Lexington, Arthur was a farmer, rural mail carrier and a carpenter. As a carpenter, he did much repair work on the English family property and worked at Camp Taylor in Louisville during World War I. He suffered from asthma attacks and was unable to work part of the time. He went to Colorado for several months hoping to improve his health but the move was unsuccessful.

Ola was a dressmaker and a milliner. For a time she worked for Molly Gray Bruce and then opened her own shop on the east side of the square in Lexington.

In 1920,when the Lexington School was decommissioned, the family moved to Scottsburg. Both daughters entered Scottsburg High School with Frances graduating in 1922 and Fannie in 1923. Arthur continued his work as a carpenter, having his own shop. His health failed and he died on November 6, 1936. Ola worked many years in the C. C. Studabaker 5 and 10 cent Store and in the David Spann Variety Store. Because of glaucoma, she became blind, but she retained her mental alertness and lived to celebrate her 90th birthday. She died on August 30, 1968.

Frances attended business school and worked in various offices. She also worked as a governess in Louisville and in children's homes in the Indianapolis area. In 1944 she married Vance G. Rannells and moved to Longmont, Colorado. She died there on November 21, 1974.

Fannie graduated from Hanover College in 1926 and was employed as a clerk in the post office for two years before beginning her teaching career in Grades 3 and 4 at Lexington. She moved to the Scottsburg school system and completed 42 years of teaching experience in 1971 when she retired.

All four members of the family were members of the Presbyterian Church, first in Lexington and later in Scottsburg. Arthur and Fannie served as Trustee, Deacon and Elder. All served as teachers in the Sunday School and held other offices as well.

HERBERT MIDDLETON

Herbert Middleton was born October 3, 1885, the 8th child in a family of 12 born to Samuel and Emma Jane Stacy Middleton. The Middleton farm was situated on what was known as the Irish Road which ran between Lexington and Nabb. While he was still in his teens, the family moved to Johnson County near the Hopewell Community and operated a dairy farm for several years.

After the family's return to Scott County, two brothers moved to Colorado in search of a drier climate. Between 1910 and 1913 Herbert and another brother joined them and spent some time work-ing on farms, first in Colorado and later in California before returning to Indiana.

Herbert was employed at the car works in the manufacture of railroad and street cars at Jeffersonville and returned to Lexington frequently where, in 1917, he was married to Bertha Phillips. They lived in Jeffersonville until 1921 when they returned to Lexington in order to assist in the care of her mother who had become ill. During the time spent in Jeffersonville, a daughter, Marian Evelyn, was born.

While living in Lexington, Herbert worked in the general store which was operated by Guy Campbell (on the present site of the Lexington Oil Company). After the death of Bertha's mother, the family moved to the Phillips' home place one and one half mile northwest of Lexington on Plymouth Road. It was at this time that he embarked on a career as a carpenter or, more precisely, a builder. While building, he would move from carpentry to plumbing to electrical work or to whatever process was needed to see the project to an end. During the next 35 years he worked in partnership with several different people and built and repaired many homes and buildings in Lexington and surrounding communities.

A lifetime member of the Presbyterian Church, he served in many capacities such as elder and Sunday School teacher. He enjoyed singing and was often called upon to sing on public occasions either solo or with a group. He was affectionately referred to as "Mr. Herb" by many, and those who knew him knew he could be counted on to give help where it was needed. Many people have acknowledged that knowing him, in fact, has influenced their lives to the better.

He died October 6, 1959, having suffered a heart attack some months earlier, and he was buried in Lexington Cemetery next to his wife.

Descendants of James Middleton I

1 James Middleton I

+Jane Hall

2 James Middleton II Born: 1809 in Ireland Died: March 21, 1878 (see photo of James and Nancy Henning Middleton)

+Nancy Henning Born: July 09, 1808 in Ireland Died: January 05, 1903

3 Jane Middleton Born: April 19, 1836 Died: December 14, 1916

+David Wilson Born: November 07, 1827 Died: March 16, 1910

4 Agnes Wilson Born: 1869 in Lexington, Scott County, Indiana Died: December 12, 1952 in Madison, Jefferson County, Indiana

4 Dora Wilson Born: 1871 in Lexington, Scott County, Indiana Died: March 18, 1948 in Lexington, Scott County, Indiana

4 Emma Wilson Born: 1873 in Lexington, Scott County, Indiana Died: 1914 in Hanover, Indiana

4 Harriet Wilson Born: 1877 in Lexington, Scott County, Indiana Died: May 19, 1878 in Lexington, Scott County, Indiana

4 Jesse B. Wilson Born: November 25, 1867 in Lexington, Scott County, Indiana Died: October 09, 1870 in Lexington, Scott County, Indiana

3 Robert Middleton Born: February 22, 1838 Died: January 19, 1870

+Victoria Campton

3 James Middleton III Born: September 03, 1840 Died: March 12, 1921

+Elizabeth Herzog Born: 1850 Died: October 06, 1923

4 Fredrick Middleton Born: March 22, 1873 Died: July 31, 1943

+Anna Dykins Born: 1879 Died: March 29, 1972

4 Catherine Agnes Middleton Born: November 25, 1874 Died: August 14, 1957

+James Edgar Wilson Born: May 19, 1870 Died: November 09, 1949

4 James Willard Middleton Born: February 20, 1876 in Lexington, Scott County, Indiana Died: October 05, 1958 in Lexington, Scott County, Indiana

+Anna Gray Born: August 29, 1879 Died: February 24, 1922

*2nd Wife of James Willard Middleton:

+[1] Jessie Paswater Born: 1884 Died: January 18, 1950

4 Carrie Elizabeth Middleton Born: July 08, 1878 Died: August 05, 1892

4 Samuel Walter Middleton Born: August 25, 1879 Died: April 22, 1962

+Hazel Uebel Born: 1896 Died: November 13, 1968

4 Flora Jane Middleton Born: September 18, 1881

+Lacy Gaskins

4 Emma Ethel Middleton Born: October 14, 1883 Died: December 12, 1961

+Clarence Wilson

*2nd Husband of Emma Ethel Middleton:

+Dave Bansmer

4 Adolph Wilson Middleton Born: June 1886 Died: May 12, 1924

+[1] Jessie Paswater Born: 1884 Died: January 18, 1950

4 George Winfield Middleton Born: January 22, 1889 in Lexington, Indiana, USA Died: February 29, 1964 in Denver, Colorado, USA

+Florence Esther Noble Born: May 07, 1895 in Otterville, Jersey, Illinois, USA Married: 1925 Died: November 13, 1954 in Sioux City, Woodbury, Iowa, USA

4 Irving Stanley Middleton Born: October 13, 1890 Died: November 12, 1971

+Estele Cortner Born: July 11, 1891 Died: February 10, 1973

4 Frances Dewey Middleton Born: October 23, 1891 Died: March 08, 1962

+Eva Pauline Hall Born: 1908

3 Matthew Henry Middleton Born: May 04, 1843 Died: October 10, 1862

3 Samuel Middleton Born: May 22, 1845 Died: July 09, 1929

+Emma Jane Stacy Born: 1852 Died: February 02, 1938

4 William Edwin Middleton Born: November 30, 1880 Died: December 26, 1960

+Mabel Salisbury

4 Ella Middleton Born: 1871 Died: 1897

4 Ida Eunice Middleton Born: 1873 Died: October 1931

4 Clara Jane Middleton Born: February 23, 1875 in Lexington, Scott County, Indiana Died: December 26, 1960 in Tucson, Arizona

+Charles Robbins Born: March 14, 1875 Died: March 10, 1912

4 Samuel Arthur Middleton Born: 1876 in Lexington, Scott County, Indiana Died: November 06, 1936 in Scottsburg, Scott County, Indiana

+Ola Paul Married: December 25, 1902 in Lexington, Scott County, Indiana

4 James Franklin Middleton Born: 1878 Died: February 12, 1956

4 Harry Ernest Middleton Born: 1883 in Lexington, Scott County, Indiana Died: 1940 in Longmont, Colorado

+Maud Frantz Married: November 12, 1912 in Longmont, Colorado

4 Herbert Middleton Born: October 03, 1885 in Lexington, Scott County, Indiana Died: October 06, 1959 in Lexington, Scott County, Indiana

+Bertha Phillips Born: 1883 Married: December 25, 1917 in Lexington, Scott County, Indiana Died: May 13, 1951

4 Agnes Middleton Born: 1887 Died: 1889

4 Horace Leslie Middleton Born: 1890 in Lexington, Scott County, Indiana Died: 1939 in Longmont, Colorado

+Bertha Marguand Married: in Longmont, Colorado

4 Mary Edith Middleton Born: 1892 Died: 1944

+Vance Rannells Born: January 14, 1888 Died: November 1981

4 Marjorie Elizabeth Middleton Born: June 27, 1895 Died: September 21, 1973

3 Elizabeth Middleton Born: June 28, 1848 Died: May 10, 1858

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