Hankley History (Ruetta Hankley 1842-1904)

 

Ruetta Hankley was born in Switzerland and came to the United States with his grandfather, uncle and brother, Fredrick Hankley.  Ruetta was about 8 years old at the time and Fredrick was about 10 years old.  While coming across the ocean, their grandmother died and was buried at sea.  The grandfather, uncle and the two brothers settled in Tipton County, Indiana, near a very small town called Omega. 

 

Their grandfather died there and Dr. Brozela Blaunt took Fredrick in his home while John W Newby Sr. took Ruetta in his home in Hamilton County, Indiana, wher he lived until he enlisted in the army in 1861 (Company H, 39th Reg.)  He served in the Army for three years and was wounded by a shell.  On March 23, 1865, he married Mary Catherine Near, daughter of John and Meargaret(Porter) Near of Hamilton County, Indiana.  To this union, 13 children were born as named below.

 

The exact age of Ruetta and Fredrick is not known.  They could not speak English when they came here, but we are told that Ruetta was about two years older than his wife, Mary Catherine, known as Katy, who was born in Hamilton County, Indiana.  Ruetta Hankley died May 26th, 1904, at about 62 years old.  His wife preceeded him in dath on October 25th, 1903 at 59 years old.  They died on the family farm one fourth mile east of Omega, Indiana, where all of their children were born with the exception of of the oldest daughter, Margaret Viola and the youngest, Linnie Elessie.  They were born on the farm of their grandfather Near about one mile from the Hankley home.

 

Children of Ruetta and Mary Catherine (Near) Hankley

 

Name                         Birth date                  Died

 

Margaret Viola          12,25,1865                02,--,1918

John Francis              03,03,1867                ??

Emma                         05,09,1868                ??

Ada                             11,22,1869                12,29,1948

Charley Squire          04,09,1871                ??

Lavina Elizabeth        ??,??,1872                1878

An infant                     1874                           stillborn

Mary Mabel                08,10, 1876               1927                                      

Elnora Alice               04,07,1879                ??

Clara Ruetta              11,04,1880                1963  

Amanda Leota          05,03,1882                ??

Linnie Elessie            08,24,1884                ??

 

Margaret Viola married Milton Martin in 1886.  They had 10 children

 

John Francis married Mossie Hobbs in 1892.  She passed away the same year leaving him one son, John.  He then married Pearl Detrick

 

Emma married James Hill on Feb 6, 1890.  He passed away Jan 31, 1894.  She married William Billhymer in Oct of  1918.  There were no children from either marriage.  William died Jan 14, 1949.

 

Ada married George W. Dresher in Feb of 1891.  Five children were born to this union.

 

Charley Squire married Myrtle Hauser on Jan 22, 1898.  Two children were born to this union.

 

Mary Mabel married Grant Carry on Feb 2, 1906.One son was born and died in infancy.

 

Elnora Alice married Jessie P Eller on March 5, 1899.  Nine children were born to this union

 

Clara Ruetta  married Blanche Alexander in about 1908.  To this union were born seven children.

 

Amanda Leaola married Oral (Ben) Harbit in June of 1906.  Nine children were born to this union.

 

Linnie Elessie married Will Nance July 4, 1902.  Four chidren were born to this union.