DAR Chapter to host plaque presentation at museum March 11

The Governor Oliver Perry Morton Chapter, National Society Daughters of the Union 1861-1865 will be hosting a plaque dedication for local Civil War Brigadier General William Grose at the Henry County Historical Society Museum in New Castle, Indiana on Saturday March 11th at 1 p.m.

The dedication will honor this local civil war general for his achievements as a pioneer, lawyer, legislator, judge, and author. A reception with light refreshments will be served after the dedication and speakers. The public is invited to share in this historical event.

This painting of Gen. Grose has hung in the same spot on the parlor wall since the museum opened in 1902.

The National Society Daughters of the Union 1861-1865 is a non-political organization that celebrates our history. We are a growing and vibrant Society made up of women who share common interest in honoring our ancestors and heritage.

The objects of our Society are:

(a) To honor the memory of the men and women who contributed towards the preservation of the Union during the Civil War extending over the years 18611865.

(b) To foster a spirit of patriotism, loyalty and love of country.

(c) To uphold the honor of the Flag of the United States of America.

(d) To give financial aid to Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, Tennessee.

For more information on our society, please visit nsdu.org. And in the words of our society motto, “Let us Have Peace.”

New exhibit in 2023 will honor founders of historical society

One of the new exhibits planned in 2023 at the Henry County Historical Society is a tribute to our founders.

Henry County’s courthouse was just 17 years old when the historical society was founded in 1886.

When visitors enter the historical society museum annex doors, a plaque with the names of founders greets them. The list includes Joshua H. Mellett, Eugene H. Bundy, Nathan H. Ballenger, John R. Millikan, Daniel H. Stafford, Benjamin S. Parker, Martin L. Bundy, Elwood Pleas, Thomas B. Redding and Mark E. Forkner.

They came from all parts of Henry County. Mellett was from Springport; Redding, Elliott and both Bundys from New Castle; Ballenger from Knightstown; Parker from Hopewell;Millikan from Liberty Township; Pleas from Dudley Township; Stafford from Greensboro and Forkner from Liberty Township.

Their diversity included in occupations as well as locations.

Most of them at one time or another had also farmed, although only five – Ballenger, M.L. Bundy, John Millikan, Stafford and Pleas – had done so extensively.

Five of the founders were prepared to practice law: Mellett, Redding, M.L. Bundy and Forkner.

Seven of these men had taught school at one time or another in their lives, but only Rogers on a continuous basis.

Five had been journalists. In most instances, they were editors of New Castle newspapers.

They were relatively young by today’s standards. Four of the men were in their 40s. The youngest, at age 40, was E.H. Bundy. Three of the men were in their 50s. Four of the men were in their 60s and only one, John Millikan, was 72.

What they started 137 years ago is now the oldest, continuously operating historical society and museum in the state of Indiana.

We hope you’ll make plans to come and see this interesting exhibit to learn more about the men who not only made history, but enabled it to be preserved for generations of Henry County residents. Plans are for the exhibit to be ready when regular museum hours resume Thursday March 2. The museum will be open 1-4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and by appointment on Saturday.