STANTON, Michael R., farmer, Sylvania, was born in Guilford County, North Carolina in
1835, and came to this county with his parents when 2 years old, settling in Liberty
Township, at which time this part of the county was yet in the green and very sparsely
settled. game of all kinds, including deer and turkey, was numerous and the wolves would
howl around the cabin nightly. His father, Solomon BORN Stanton, worked hard to clear up
his farm, but was taken with milk sickness and died, leaving the widow with four small
children to fight the battle of life alone. With indomitable energy she worked early and
late to keep her family together, and succeeded in raising them, though in a very frugal
manner. At the age of 20 years, Michael responded to the call of his country and enlisted
in Co. A, 85th Ind. reg. for 3 years. He served with honor throughout the campaign. At
the fight at Thompson's Station he was taken prisoner and incarcerated in the Libby
March 4, 1863, and paroled in April following. Though he was there but for about a month,
when paroled he was so weak as to be unable to walk without the assistance of his
comrades. He served with Sherman in his famous campaign and march to the sea, and was one
of the first to enter Atlanta. He was detailed orderly on Gen. Mower's staff and
served in that capacity till the close of the war. In 1867, he married Miss Rachel C.
RICHARDSON, of Fountain County, daughter of James Richardson, one of the oldest settlers
of that county. They have one child, Emma L. Since returning from the war, Mr. Stanton
has devoted his time entirely to managing his farm, which he has acquired by hard work and
industry. Mr. Stanton is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and also of the AF
& AM being secretary of the Sylvania Lodge. In politics he is a republican. Taken
from: The 1880 History of Parke County, Indiana. J. H. Beadle. Chicago: H. H. Hill