Elizabeth J. Slayback
 

The biographer is always pleased to record anything relating to the success of womankind in any field of action, but is especially so in giving an account of the subject of this sketch, who is a practical woman of Boone county, and a successful farmer. She is a daughter of James Thornberry, one of the original pioneers of the county, and widow of William E. Slayback, who was a prominent farmer of Center township. He was born in Boone county April, 23, 1836, the son of William and Anna (Belles) Slayback. The elder Slayback was one of the earliest pioneers of Boone county, and was of Pennsylvania Dutch stock, coming from Hamilton county, Ohio, in 1832, and settling in Washington township. His wife, Anna Belles, was born December 10, 1802, near Trenton, N. J., and removed to Hamilton county, Ohio, with her parents, in early childhood, where she married William Slayback about 1821. They settled on a farm in the wilderness, where she lived until the time of her death. To them were born eight children --Lucinda, Millen, David, Mary, William, Eliza, Jane and Levi. Mr. and Mrs. Slayback were early members of the Baptist church, but later in life became members of the Christian church. Mr. Slayback became a wealthy and prominent farmer. He inherited the characteristics of his Dutch ancestry and was a man much respected and beloved by all who knew him. He had a distinguished demeanor and fine appearance, and reached the great age of eighty years and died. His wife died January 14, 1894, at the still more advanced age of ninety-two years. W. E. Slayback, a son of the above, and the husband of our subject, was born April 23, 1826, on the old homestead in Washington township, six miles east of Thorntown. He received the limited education of the pioneers, and followed through life the vocation to which he was reared--that of a farmer. He married, at the age of twenty-four years, Elizabeth J., daughter of James and Jane (Andrews) Thornberry. Mr. Thornberry was born in Kentucky in 1801. His father, John, was one of the original pioneers of that state, and was from an old colonial American family. James Thornberry married in Ohio, and settled in Boone county, Ind., 1831-2, in the woods in Washington township: He entered 160 acres of land, which he improved from the virgin' forest and increased, by good management and industry, until he owned 210 acres of fertile land, He and wife were the parents of twelve children, One died an infant, and eleven grew to manhood and womanhood-Christina, Mary, William, John, Nancy, Abigail, David, Ira, James, Elizabeth and Levi. In 1866 Mr. Thornberry moved to Thorntown and retired from active life. He and wife were members of the Baptist church, of which he was a deacon for many years. Prior to the organization of the republican party he was a democrat, but afterward he affiliated with the former. He had two sons in the Civil war-William and Levi. William sickened and died in hospital after six months' service. He was in a Missouri infantry regiment. Levi was in the One Hundred and Forty-third regiment Indiana volunteer infantry and served four years, and was in many battles. He was wounded and a prisoner at Andersonville nine months. Mr. Thornberry lived to be an aged man, and died in 1878. He was one of the prosperous farmers of Boone county, a man of high character, and brought up an excellent family of children. On the maternal grandfather's side, Mrs. Slayback descends from Arthur Andrews, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war His parents were Irish, and he was born six weeks after his parents came to this country. His wife, Christina, was English. Mr. Slayback worked with such steadfast determination to improve his farm that he shattered his constitution, and died at the comparatively early age of forty-three years, in 1879. He is well remembered by many of our citizens for his many good qualities, his unflagging industry, and high sense of honor. To Mr. Slayback and wife five children were born: Lew W., Millroy L., Dora A., Charles G. and Mary A. They all received good common educations. Dora A. married Lewis W. Copeland, a farmer of Boone county; they have two children. After the death of her husband Mrs. Slayback assumed the management of her farm, her eldest son being but sixteen years of age. By careful management, prudence and thrift, she brought up her family and improved the farm by having it thoroughly drained, and has now one of the finest farms in Center township, the home bearing all the evidences of taste and refinement. Mrs. Slayback is a devout member of the Missionary Baptist church, and is a lady of great force of character and good business ability. Her patience and faithfulness in managing the farm and raising the children since the death of her husband, cannot be spoken of in terms of too much praise.

Transcribed by: Chris Brown
Source: "A Portrait And Biographical Record of Boone and Clinton Counties, Ind.," pp 478-479, published in 1895 by A. W. Bowen & CO. Chicago