Family History / Bible Records



Lockard, John.

Steve Walters sent to us the following biography taken from “The History of Sullivan County, Indiana”, by Hill and published in 1881.

John Lockard – For more than forty years John Lockard has been actively identified with the agricultural growth and prosperity of Cass township, and as a general farmer has met with excellent success, the skill, ability and good judgment which he has exercised in his work being evident in his well-tilled and richly-producing lands. A son of William Lockard, he was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, September 25, 1831. His grandfather Lockard was a life-long resident of Ireland, dying there while yet in the prime of life. His widow, accompanied by her two daughters, Rebecca and Annie, and by her son William, subsequently emigrated to America and settled with her little family in Athens county, Ohio, where she spent her remaining days.

Born in county Donegal, Ireland, William Lockard was but twelve years old when he came with his widowed mother to this country, being six weeks in making the voyage. On attaining his majority he settled as a pioneer in Tuscarawas county, buying a tract of wild land, from which he improved a homestead and there lived until his death at the venerable age of eighty-eight years. He married Nancy Doherty, who was born of Irish parents in Jefferson county, Ohio. She died on the home farm in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, in middle life, leaving eight children, namely: John, Andrew, Elizabeth, James Thompson, Lettie, Isabelle, Catherine and William.

Obtaining a practical education in the typical pioneer schoolhouse made of logs, with slab benches and no desks, John Lockard grew to manhood in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, his home for many years being a log cabin. After his marriage he began life as a farmer, renting land, and he remained in Ohio until 1859. In April of that year he came to Sullivan county, Indiana, thinking in a newer country to improve his financial condition, and here rented land for several years. In November 1864, he enlisted in Company G, Forty-third Indiana Volunteer Infantry, joined his regiment at Indianapolis, and remained in service until the close of the war, being honorably discharged in June 1865. After his return to Sullivan county Mr. Lockard bought his present home farm in Cass township, and at once assumed possession of the log cabin with its puncheon floor. There were also two log stables on the place when he bought it, and twenty-five acres of the land had been cultivated and a few more were cleared. He has labored earnestly and judiciously since coming here and has now a fine farm of one hundred and two acres, all under cultivation and yielding abundant harvests of the crops common to this region. In addition to general farming Mr. Lockard pays considerable attention to stock raising, keeping a good grade of cattle.

On January 12, 1854, Mr. Lockard married Emaline Foote. She was born in Harrison county, Ohio, July 23, 1838. Her father, John Foote, a native of Maine, settled in Harrison county, Ohio, after his first marriage, being a pioneer farmer of that place. After residing in Ohio for a number of years he returned to his old home in Maine and there died. He was twice married, and by his first marriage had two children, Ebenezer and Louisa. He married for his second wife Frances Pierce, who was born in Baltimore county, Maryland, a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Wilson) Pierce, natives of Maryland and of English and Irish parentage respectively, After the death of her husband Mrs. Foote came to Indiana and made her home with Mrs. Lockard, dying here at the venerable age of eighty-eight years. She reared eight children, as follows: Thomas, Joseph, John W., Mary Ann, Elizabeth, James F., William S. and Emaline. Mr. and Mrs. Lockard reared two children, namely: William Swasey and Flora Virginia. William S. married Cynthia Evaline Gabard. He died at the age of thirty-eight years, leaving one daughter, Dottie. Flora Virginia is the wife of Andrew Smallwood and has four children, John Lockard, Emma, Coquella and Buena Vista. Mr. and Mrs. Lockard are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and have reared their family in that religious faith.




Tharp, Samuel and Catharine (Ralston).

Samuel Tharp was the first clerk of Mt. Moriah Baptist church. Later, he was a deacon after returning from serving in the Civil War. Samuel married Catharine Ralston (my ggg Aunt) on May 31, 1866 at Cadiz, Ohio. They lived on a 25-acre farm, 3 miles from the Ohio River on Salt Run. He mined coal and ran a sorghum press in the fall, in addition to running the farm. They remained members of Mt. Moriah until their deaths. They had one child who died in infancy.

Submitted by: Larry Ralston of Smithfield, Ohio.
Additional information: Samuel B. Tharp / Tharpe, was born 1824. He enlisted August 20, 1862 in the 126th Reg. O. V. Cavalry, Company D., during the Civil War. Samuel was discharged July 3, 1865 with the rank of Private. Samuel Tharp died 1911. Samuel B. and wife, Catherine A. Tharp are buried in the Old Tent Cemetery. Catherine was born 1831 and died 1915.












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