This representative of one of the oldest and best known pioneer families of Vernon township, Hancock county Indiana, is a native here, was born October 17, 1846, and is a son of Elias H. and Elizabeth (Behymer) McCord, natives of Clermont county, Ohio, who came to this township about sixty-three years ago and settled on the present site of McCordsville, the village being named in honor of the family, or, more specially, of Elias H. McCord, its head. Here Elias H. first started a saw-mill and engaged in making ties and furnishing other lumber for the Bee Line railway (now the Big Four), and this industry was pursued until after the close of the Civil War, when the plant was converted to a grist-mill, but a few years later was burned to the ground.

Elias H. McCord, born in 1818, was a very potent factor in the management of the affairs of Vernon township and the village of McCordsville and was naturally the leading spirit in all its progressive steps until the date of his death, which occurred in 1885, at the age of sixty-five years. He was a Democrat in politics and fraternally a member of McCordsville Lodge No. 501, F. & A.M., was liberal in his contributions to the erection and maintenance of the various church edifices in the township and in the up-holding of their congregations, and a generous benefactor to the poor. He left to his offspring not only an honored name, but to the community the impress of a remarkably strong individuality.

Mrs. Elizabeth (Behymer) McCord survived until she reached the age of eighty-two years, when she passed away in August, 1899, in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which she had long been a devout member, and by the loving congregation was familiarly called "Aunt Lizzie." She possessed many noble traits of character and of women was one of the most womanly. Of the nine children she bore her husband four are still living, namely: Lucinda, now the wife of Francis Day; Cassandria, wife of Van Collins; Elhanen, whose name opens this biographical mention; Delphia, who is married to Worth Trittipo, Ann Eliza, Jacob, Horace and two unnamed infants have passed to the "further shore."

Elhanen McCord began his business life when twenty-four years old, when he married and took charge of the parental homestead and very successfully managed it for several years; then, about twenty years ago he settled on his present farm, on which he has made all the improvements, having erected a fine modern dwelling and commodious outbuildings and having ditched and tiled nearly all the land. His marriage took place October 17, 1860, to Miss Mary Elizabeth, daughter of William H. and Julia (Gardner) Apple, natives of Ohio. The young couple at once went to housekeeping on a part of the old McCord homestead and later, in 1882, moved on their present place, a part of the old Apple homestead, where he has since resided. To Mr. and Mrs. Apple have been born the large family of thirteen children, namely: Francis Marion; Andrew Jackson; Hannah, wife of Henry Smith; Mrs. M. McCord; Sabra Melissa, married to Joseph Waits; Mariah, wife of Benjamin Snider; Samuel and Ollie (twins), the latter the wife of Edward Smith, and Silas, all of whom are still living. The deceased were named Henry, who died in the Civil War; Debe Ann, William, Westley and Ella. The father of this family was an honest, sturdy farmer, a very energetic and public-spirited citizen and a class-leader in the Methodist Episcopal church. To Mr. and Mrs. McCord four children came to bless the home, viz: Elias Edgar, married Carrie Eastes; Effie Cora, wife of Edward Eastes; Clyde Elmore, married to Edna Ballard, and Lue Ella, at home.

Mr. McCord is a member of McCordsville Lodge No 501, F. & A. M., and in politics is a Democrat. He is a gentleman of great public spirit and is a self-made man, as he began his business life without a dollar, but through his unaided efforts has acquired a handsome home and fertile farm and has won the respect of all who know him.

Transcribed from Biographical Memoirs of Hancock County B. F. Bowen, Publisher, Logansport, Indiana, 1902 Pages 405-407.

Submitted by Sylvia (Rose) Duda, Laingsburg, MI Sept. 22, 2003.

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