Joseph Bartholomew (1766–1840) was a general in the Indiana Militia who is often referred to as General Joseph Bartholomew. He played an active role in the settling of the state of Indiana and in his later years was known for his work in politics. He was injured in the Battle of Tippecanoe. He died in Clarksville, Mclean, Ill and is buried in McLean County, Illinois. More information can be found in a pamphlet entitled "The Forgotten Warrior".
Bartholomew County, Indiana was named after him.
The primary sources for information about General Joseph Bartholomew are, "Record of the Bartholomew Family" by George Wells Bartholomew, Jr published 1885. Next is the pamphlet by Wesley Garber titled, "Forgotten Warrior". Garber's research material cannot be located. This is also true for the book by George Wells Bartholomew, Jr. A definitive article appears in the Indiana Magazine of History Vol. XIV December, 1918 No. 4 Titled "General Joseph Bartholomew" by George Pence. This article is based on an interview given by the General's son, James Curry Bartholomew of Lodi, Wisconsin. There is also a biography of General Joseph Bartholomew by his son William Milton Bartholomew of Pingree, North Dakota. It is not known who General Joseph Bartholomew's parents were. The listing in George Wells Bartholomew Jr.'s book is incorrect. This fact has been proven. The General's parentage is not listed in either biography. Some information in the book "Forgotten Warrior" has been proven incorrect. Some of the information included in the George Pence article does not agree with information about the General in William Milton's biography of his father.
The records state he was born in New Jersey. The family moved to Laurel Hill, Pa when Joseph was a young child. His brother John was born in 1770 at Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. This fact is confirmed. At some point the father died and the family moved to Western Pennsylvania. During this time Joseph's mother married a man named Smith. It is not known if Mr Smith died or the couple divorced. It is debatable is Joseph participated in the Revolutionary war. The DAR will not now accept applications for membership because there are no known documents to prove this. Joseph married Christiana Pickenpaugh in the 1780s or 90's. The family (Joseph, Christiana, Joseph's mother and possibly his sister (Caty) moved to the area of Louisville, Kentucky. From there the family moved across the Ohio River to Clark County , Indiana building a home in Springville, Indiana. This place is now just farmland. In this place Christiana died in childbirth and Joseph later married Elizabeth McNaught. Joseph's son John married Nancy McNaught and moved to Spencer, Owen County, Indiana. At this place Joseph bought a number of plots of ground. He never made Spencer his primary residence. The White River which is written about in the histories is at this place and not the White River in Arkansas. His 2nd wife, Elizabeth, fell from a horse and died a few days later. Joseph never remarried.
He was a Freemason and his Masonic apron is in the Grand lodge of Indiana Library & Museum collection.
Joseph was an Indian fighter and farmer. Bartholomew County, Indiana is named after General Joseph as is the Bartholomew Trail in Indiana. In 1831 all of General Joseph's property in Clark County, Indiana was auctioned off because his friend, Dr. Andrew P. Hay embezzled money due the government. Joseph, and others, had signed a bond and because of this was responsible for repayment of the embezzled money. He sold his property in Spencer, Owen County and moved with his family to Clarksville, Illinois where he and his son surveyed the town.
He continued as an Indian fighter and farmer. His politics was as a Whig. He died at age 74 after horseback riding to and from rallies for William Henry Harrison for president.