| Notes |
Chadwick?s History of Shelby County, Indiana
James H. Nail
Shelby county boasts of no older and no more highly respected family than that of the Nails. They were the pioneer of pioneers, coming here when settlements were few and far between: neighbors several days? ride from each other, and the whole face of the country covered by the primeval forests. The first-comers and their descendants have always occupied honorable positions among their fellow citizens, helped materially in the agricultural development of the county, and were splendid types of the kind of men that it take to make a state out of raw materials. Though the family originated in Germany they have been identified with the United States from a period antedating the Declaration of Independence. Henry Nail, the emigrant founder, who was born in the German Fatherland in 1771, came three years later with his parents to Pennsylvania. In 1776 they migrated to Rowan county, North Carolina, where a settlement was made and a home established. In 1799 Henry was married to Mary Keller, a native of Pennsylvania, and in 1824 brought his family to Indiana, finding a location in Shelby county on land purchased from the government. With Henry Nail came his son, Samuel, who was fifteen years old when they reached this newest of the northwestern states. Samuel Nail, the most noted of the family connection, was born in Rowan county, North Carolina, September 1, 1809. He remained with his parents until he was twenty-two years old, and then took one of man?s most important steps in the world by marrying. The lady of his choice was Cherry Wray, a typical pioneer girl, who knew how to spin and weave, make clothes for the family out of home-produced material, and do the other useful things essential in a woman who was the be the wife of a first settler. She was born in Virginia, September 30, 1813, her parents being James and Tabitha (Bass) Wray, who came to Shelby county in 1822. James Wray, who was born in Virginia January 13, 1787, became a minister of the Gospel and was a member of these sturdy soldiers of the cross known as the pioneer preachers. Tabitha Bass, who shared his hardships as well as his triumphs in the trying times of the western settlement, was a native of North Carolina. Samuel Nail became one of the most successful farmers and most extensive land owners of the county. His holdings included four hundred and twenty acres in Brandywine township, sixty acres in Addison township, some property in Fairland, and eighty acres in Missouri. He and his wife were charter members of the old Protestant Methodist church in Brandywine township, and were regarded as pillars of the faith during their long and useful lives. For many years it was the custom of the children to hold family reunions to celebrate the union or natal days of their parents, and these were occasions long to be remembered as evidencing the sincere affection and high esteem in which this fine old couple were held.
James H. Nail, perhaps the best known of the children, was born in Addison township, Shelby county, Indiana, December 25, 1844. He helped clear away some of the forest on this father?s land and knows at first hand what it meant to be the child of a pioneer farmer in Shelby county. When nineteen years old he enlisted in the famous Seventieth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, commanded by Benjamin Harrison in the beginning, and with this command took part in the battles of Kenesaw Mountain, Pumpkin Vine Creek, Resaca, Peach Tree Creek and Atlanta, besides many hot skirmishes, like that at New Hope church. After his muster out in 1865 he returned to the old home farm in Addison township, and resumed the peaceful occupation of tilling the soil. He has been twice married, but had no children by the first union. December 30, 1883, he married Mary, daughter of Henry and Matilda (Muir) Howe, who was born and reared in Indianapolis. After his marriage Mr. Nail engaged in farming on his own account. He first bought a small place of thirty-three acres in Brandywine township, to which he has added from time to time until he owns now about one hundred and thirty acres of good farming land. In 1893 he purchased a house of South street, in Shelbyville, to which he removed for a residence, having retired from active farming pursuits. Later he acquired various pieces of property in Shelbyville, and has since devoted most of his attention to looking after the same. In 1907 he bought a house at No. 36 North Tompkins street, in which he is making his present home. Politically he has always been a Republican. When General Harrison was inaugurated President Mr. Nail has the honor of acting as escort to his olde commander of Civil war days. He is a member of Dumont Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Shelbyville. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church, and always interested in its religious and missionary work.
|
Bassett Family Association Database
1844 - 