William Titus

WILLIAM TITUS,

The subject of this sketch, was born in the state of Pennsylvania (Green County), March 4, 1825, and with his parents, Stephen and Nancy Titus, moved to Indiana in the fall of 1830, settling two and one-half miles east of Thorntown, in Washington Township, Boone County. “The land had been brought into market two years before, but the Indians did not leave till the year we moved here, therefore the country was just beginning to be settled by the whites. This, then, was an unbroken wilderness, save what little the squaws had cleared up at what was then called Upper and Lower Thorntown, and a few hardy pioneers who had pushed out among the Indians to get a home. My father went to work, after building a cabin, to clearing away the forest so that he might raise something for his family to live on. I, being the oldest boy of the family, had to do all I could, as soon as I was old enough, to help make the farm and keep the family. I lived at home till I was twenty-six years old. I married, in 1851, Nancy A. McKinsey, daughter of George and Leah McKinsey. She was born in a little cabin, where Thorntown now stands, February 24, 1830. Her parents soon after moved to the Twelve-Mile Prairie, living there until she was grown to womanhood. Her father finally bought the mill property owned by Michael Chase, on Sugar Creek, in Washington Township, this county, where we were married. Eight children have been the fruit of our marriage, five of whom have passed away to the Savior who said: ‘Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.’ One son and two daughters live to comfort us in the evening of life. I have lived to see this country, a wilderness fifty-seven years ago, converted inot beautiful farms and pleasant homes, with all the advantages of schools, churches, and elevation in society that follow such grand improvements. I and my family are members of the Christian Church; have a farm in Sugar Creek Township, where, perhaps, we will live till called to that country where Christ, our elder brother, has gone to prepare a mansion for all who love Him. William Titus.” February, 10, 1887.

Source Citation: Boone County Biographies [database online] Boone County INGenWeb. 2007. <http://www.rootsweb.com/~inboone> Original data: Harden & Spahr. "Early life and times in Boone County, Indiana." Lebanon, Indiana. May, 1887, pp. 379-380.

Transcribed by: Julie S. Townsend - July 7, 2007