Mr. Kennedy was born July 24, 1810, at Dayton, Ohio, and,
while yet a child, moved with his father, Stephen Kennedy, to Indiana, where
the father purchased a farm in the Indian Reserve, near Lafayette. 
The
districts schools afforded him a meager insight to knowledge, but instead of
satisfying, awakened a desire for more, and an ambition to enter a field in
which his native talents could find vent. Farm life grew irksome to him, and
finally he left home and went to reside with an aunt (Rebecca Cooper) at
Connersville, Ind, a pious lady, and a member of the Society of Friends. Here
he was apprenticed to a blacksmith and learned the trade; but he had no more
taste for this art than for farming, and soon abandoned it. He turned his
attention to the study of law, and made rapid progress, under the instruction
of Caleb B. Smith and Samuel Parker, two of the ablest most celebrated
counselors of their day. To an ordinary English education he united the force
of a mind endowed by nature with rare vigor and keen perceptive ability. He
obtained license and entered the bar in 1830, and came to Muncie, where he
engaged in the practice of his profession.
In 1834, he was united in
marriage,at Connersville, Ind, with Miss Miriam Weaver, a pure and beautiful
young lady, then recognized as one of the belles of Northern Indiana. With her
he lived in happiness until his untimely death. To bless this union there
were two sons, Evender C. and Philip A. B., and four daughters, Cyrene R.,
Elizabeth, Nan S., and Martha M., of whom all are now living save
Elizabeth.�
Mr. Kennedy was successful in his practice beyond his brightest
anticipations, and�soon began to take an active interest in State and
National polities. One of his eminent ability and fitness for public trusts
could not remain long in private life. In 1835 he was elected as
Representative in the Legislature of this State, and, in 1838, was chosen
State�Senator. In 1841, he was elected to Congress from the "Old Burnt
District," and the fact that he was the only Democrat returned from Indiana
that year was an eloquent testimonial to his character and popularity. Having
entered the political arena, he was not content to rest upon the laurels
already won by a faithful, creditable service to his constituency. In the
fall of 1847, he went to Indianapolis and entered vigorously into the
Senatorial canvass before the General Assembly of theState, and became the
nominee of the Democratic caucus for United StatesSenator. As that party was
largely in the majority his nomination was almost equivalent to an election.
At Indianapolis, pending the meeting of the two houses in joint session, he
was stricken with small pox, and died on the night of December 31, 1847. Not
one among his former friends and colleagues could be found willing to
superintend the performance of the last sad rites, and the secton of the
cemetery and the driver of the hearse bore his body away at midnight and gave
it interment. Both became contaminated with the disease and died during the
following week. General Assembly passed a series of resolutions, then
adjourned in terror of the contagion, and did not again convene until a year
later. Thus ended a young and promising life; a life which, while fruitful of
great results, had splendid possibilities yet before it. He died in the zenith
of his success, in high honor and esteem among all whose privilege it was to
know him.
He was a stanch Democrat, and warmly espoused the principles advocated by that
Party during his life. He was far famed for brilliant oratory, fine address,
forcible argument and witty repartee. (Page 219)
eldest son of Hon. Andrew Kennedy, was born Feb. 14, 1842, in the city of Muncie, Ind. 
Scarcely had he finished his He attended the public schools of this city, where he acquired a good English Education, completing the course at the old "Seminary." In 1856, he entered college, and, in 1860, graduated with high honors at Asbury University.
education, when the dark cloud of civil war spread its pall over the land, and the Nation's peril aroused his patriotism. The plans he had formed were abandoned for the time, and he enlisted as a private soldier in Bryant's Company, Tenth Indian Volunteers. He entered immediately into active service, and during the decisive struggle that ensued, he rose from the ranks to staff service, and was on active duty for nearly five years, making for himself a noble record as soldier and officer. After the close of the war, he went to the State of Kansas, and, after a short residence there, was elected to the State Legislature, serving with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituency. Subsequently he crossed the plains, visiting California, Mexico, Central and South America; and, after wandering thus for six years, returned to his native city in 1872. In 1874, he was elected to represent Marion County in the Legislature of this State.
For his vocation in life he chose the practice of the science of medicine. In this he has met with flattering success having a large and lucrative practice, and standing highly in the medical fraternity; but he is best known as the poet and novelist, having achieved a reputation in the field of literature by no means local. He is the author of the epic poems, "Osseo," "Specter Chieftain," "Lady of Tula," and the prose works, "Code of Blood," "Chickamauga," "Celestial Genius at Antietam," "Scouts of the Border," "Haunted House," and other works, romantic and rollicking in character, displaying true genius.
Although a young man, his life has been eventful and spirited, and his happy, social disposition has gained him many warm friends, and made him a universal favorite. (Page 219)
youngest son of Hon. Andrew Kennedy, was born May 6, 1845, at Muncie, Ind. 
Four years younger than his brother Evender, he was yet a school-boy when the war of the rebellion broke out; but the fires of patriotism burned none the less brightly, and at the age of seventeen years, he enlisted in Company A, Thirty-sixth Indiana Volunteers, and marched to the front. he shared the hardships of that brave regiment, on march, and watch, and dangerous field, until the battle of Shiloh, when he was dischared on account of wounds, which resulted, eventually, in permanent disability. Shortly after his return to Muncie, he was elected Clerk of the State Senate, a position which he filled with credit. In 1868, at the solicitation of numerous friends, he became the candidate for the office of Prosecuting Attorney for the Northern Judicial District, and at the election which ensued, his candidacy was supported by an overwhelming majority--eight out of every ten votes in the district having been cast in his favor. He was twice re-elected to the same office, serving six years consecutively, with cridit to himself and honer to the State. he is a good lawyer, and a forcible speaker; vigorous, with a strong mind, and, in the meridian of perfect manhood, he bids fairly to attain a still higher reputation, and splendid possibilities are before him. (Page 219)
William Kline was born February 20, 1824 in Berks County, Penn. His father was a
merchant and tanner at the village of Princetown, in that county, and, in
1837, moved with his family to Butler County, Ohio. During the first two years
after their arrival in Butler County, the subject of this biography worked on
the farm, and then accepted a clerkship in a store at Rosswell, Ohio (now West
Hamilton). In 1841, his father died, and, in the fall of 1844, he accompanied
the family to Cambridge City, Ind, where he was engaged as a clerk in the
mercantile establishment of Matthias and Kline. In 1849, he went to California,
in company with Jacob H. Wysor, James L. Russey and others, and, in 1852,
returned to Cincinnati,Ohio, where he remained until 1853.
In the spring of
that year, he was married,at Cambridge City, Ind, to Mary Conwell, and
removed to Muncie in March of the same year. He was associated with Capt.
Gilbert Beemer, in the grocery trade, until�1858. In May of that
year, he purchased an interest in the flouring mill with which he is still
connected. He is a thorough businessman, prompt in the fulfillment of his
promises,upright and honest in his dealings with the world. In social life,
he is pleasant and agreeable, and has won many warm friends during his
residence in Muncie. (Page??)
Among the early settlers of Muncie, there were few who took a more
active part in the improvement of the town than Mr. Turner. He was long
engaged in the manufacture of brick, and erected the first brick houses in
the town, and his residence on West Main Street was the first brick house in
the county. In whatever he engaged, he was actuated by a laudable ambition to
excel. He was one of the early merchants of Muncie and was identified with its
mercantile interests until the infirmities of age caused his retirement from
active life.�
His father, Bivens Turner, was a native of the State of Delaware. He was a
plasterer and brick mason, which vocations he followed during life, varied by
brief experience in the pursuit of farming. In 1809 or 1810, he emigrated to
the State of Kentucky and settled at Lexington, where he erected a residence
for Henry Clay. A short time subsequently, he moved his family to a farm near
that city, from which he was soon forced to retire by the unhealthy condition
of the locality mid the prevalence of the disease known as "milk sickness."
He then settled at Covington, KY, and pursued his trade, subsequently
engaging again in the pursuit of farming. In 1828, he came to Indiana and
bought a tract of land In the Twelve Mile Purchase, Randolph Co., which he
cleared and improved.
He was married four times�first, in the State of
Delaware, to Priscilla Beswick died In 1822. He was a widower at the date of
his removal to Indiana but, about the year 1830 or 1831, married Mrs. Deborah
Bowen, while pursuing his trade at Muncie. He returned to Randolph County
after working for about a year at Muncie, where his second wife died a few
years later. He then returned to Delaware County and occupied the Winton
farm, during which time he married Mrs. Butcher, who died after his children
had reached maturity. His fourth wife, Mrs. Jackson lived only a few years,
and, after her departure, he made his home with his son Minus until his own
death, which occurred in 1888.�
Minus, the subject of this sketch, was born
May 33, 1807, near the city of Dover, Del., and never enjoyed the advantages
offered by the school of that State, as he was scarcely more than an infant
when he accompanied his father�s family to Kentucky.� All his school was
limited to the crude system in vogue at that time in the latter State; and
for what ever knowledge he acquired in later years; he was indebted to his
own individual efforts.� He learned the trade pursued by his father, and when
the latter was engaged in farming, contributed his labors to his assistance.�
In 1823, here moved with his father�s family to Randolph County. Ind., where
he remained six years.� At the close of that period, he decided to start out
and earn his fortune in the world.� With a good trade, an industrious nature
and a determined will, he had little doubt of success. He came to Muncie in
1829, and engaged in brick laying and plastering.� In 1831, he was married,
in Randolph County, Ind, to Eliza C. Bowen, who died at Muncie. In October
1833, he married Miss Fanny Marshall, his present companion.� She is the
daughter of John and Nancy Marshall, early settlers of Muncie.�����
Mr. Turner was engaged at his trade until 1838, when he erected the brick
block on the corner of Walnut and Main Streets, which was destroyed by fire a
few years ago, and succeeded by the Patterson Block.� In this building then
one of the finest in the town he enjoyed his first experience as a hotel
keeper, and won the regard of the traveling public proving himself a genial
host, and one ever solicitous for the welfare and comfort of his guests.�He
was thus engaged for nine or ten years, at the end of which time he sold out
to Mr. Hoon, and erected a brick storeroom, at the east end of the same lot,
and engaged in mercantile pursuits.�In less than a year there after he sold
out, resuming work at his trade; and in 1861, he and his son Leonide L.
engaged in the boot and shoe business, and conducted a very satisfactory trade
until the senior member of the firm felt the necessity of retiring from the
tedium of active business life. The store was sold to William Lynn and Mr.
Turner has since led a retired life.� At the age of seventy-three years, he is
still well preserved and remarkably active for one whose life has been marked
by so much severe labor.�While engaged at his trade, he often went to his
work at early dawn and continued until midnight, and in all the pursuits of
his life, he manifested the same unflagging industry, accomplishing by this
means, the liberal allowance he has to sustain him in his old age.� His
achievements are the outgrowth of a nature to which no obstacle seemed
insurmountable.� He settled in an infant community, and by his untiring labors
at his trade, advanced, step-by-step, on the road to wealth, prospering with
the community and lending a helping hand in its advancement and public
improvements.� Honest efforts for self-advancement is always commendable, but
doubly so when pursued under such disadvantages as beset the aspirant for
fortune in the early days of Muncie.�
His second marriage was blessed by nine children: Millie is the wife of N. F.
Ethell, editor of the Muncie Daily News, while Leonidas L. and Charles M. are
prosperous bankers at Sedan, in the State of Kansas.� Jane, Lycurgus C.
Matilda A, Eliza, Nancy E, and Martha A are deceased. (Page 134)