brent-home MRS. MARY LOUISE (COLLINS) BRENTLINGER.-A highly esteemed woman of Haddon township, Mrs. Mary L. Brentlinger has spent her entire life in Sullivan county. She was born two and one-half miles south of Carlisle, October 6, 1839, a daughter of William S. Collins. Coming from Scotch descent on the paternal side, and from English stock on his mother's side, William S. Collins, was born, May 30, 1798, in Sumner county, Maryland. At the age of nineteen years, being of an active and enterprising disposition, and possessing a resolute will and an honorable ambition to better his material condition, he left home, determining in a newer country to seek a living. Going, therefore, to Gallatin county, Kentucky, he lived there a short time, and then located, in 1818, in Louisville, where he resided until after his marriage. Coming with his bride to Sullivan county in 1837, he located in Haddon township, and was here a resident until his death, July 6, 1886. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Hoke, was born, in 1797, in Jefferson county, Kentucky, and died, in Sullivan county, Indiana, at the age of sixty-eight years. Nine children were born to them, as follows: Sarah, deceased; James O., of Haddon township; the next two children died in infancy; Julia Catherine, living with her brother Edward; Mercer D., deceased; Edward, residing in Jefferson township; Alfred B., deceased; and Mary Louise, of this brief sketch.


On January 28, 1863, Mary L. Collins became the wife of Andrew J. Brentlinger, who was born in Jefferson county, Kentucky, October 27, 1827, and died in Haddon township, Sullivan county, Indiana, February 6, 1905. His father, Jacob Brentlinger, was born, July 4, 1793, in Jefferson county, Kentucky, and there spent the earlier portion of his life. In 1836 he followed the trail of the emigrant to Indiana, locating in Clark county, where he passed his remaining years, dying February 19, 1874. On January 5, 1826, he married Sarah Hoke, who was born, March 12, 1804, in Jefferson county, Kentucky, and died, in Clark county, Indiana, July 12, 1884. Of their union, thirteen children were born, namely: Robert H., deceased; Andrew J., deceased; Susan C., deceased; Charles M.; Mary F., widow of the late William McMillan, residing in Clark county, Indiana; Rosanna, widow of the late Mr. Barrickman, lives in Charlestown, Indiana; Matilda, deceased; Sarah A., deceased; Amanda, widow of the late James Beggs, resides in Arcola, Illinois; George W., deceased; Jacob A., living in Kentucky; Eva Elizabeth, deceased; and John W., living in Kansas.


Brought up on a farm in Jefferson county, Kentucky, where his birth occurred, Andrew J. Brentlinger received a common school education, and early in life became well acquainted with the various branches of agriculture. With his parents he came to Clark county, Indiana, in 1836, and was there a resident for a number of years. In March, 1860, he bought two hundred acres of land in Haddon township, and with characteristic industry and ability, began its improvement. He succeeded in his efforts, and for many years was one of the leading agriculturists of this part of the county. He raised grain to quite an extent, but was especially interested in stock farming, each year feeding and raising on an average a carload of hogs, chiefly Poland-Chinas, which were his favorite breed. Just a short time previous to his death, Mr. Brentlinger sold one-half of his farm, his widow and heirs now owning the remainder of the estate. He was a straightforward Democrat in politics; fraternally, he belonged to Carlisle Lodge of the I. O. O. F. In early life Mr. Brentlinger united with the Methodist Episcopal church, in Charlestown, Indiana, but after coming to Haddon township became a member of the Carlisle Presbyterian church, to which Mrs. Brentlinger belongs.


Mr. and Mrs. Brentlinger became the parents of six children, namely: Agnes A., born November 11, 1863, died October 15, 1869; Emmett P., born January 20, 1865, lives in Carlisle; Kate C., born November 20, 1866, died April 30, 1902; William J., born June 30, 1869, resides in Carlisle; Charles T., born September 19, 1873, died April 25, 1874; and Rush E., born January 7, 1878, lives with his mother on the old homestead, which he is managing most successfully. On March 8, 1899, Rush E. Brentlinger married Sallie D. Vigus, who was born in Knox county, Indiana, March 22, 1877, a daughter of Henry C. and Barbara (Norton) Vigus. Mr. Vigus was born in Martin county, Indiana, and Mrs. Vigus in Sullivan county. They are now living in Merom, Sullivan county. On September 4, 1907, Mrs. Rush E. Brentlinger died, leaving one child, Hubert V., born September 15, 1900.