1880 Census:

James B. NICKERSON   M  Male  46  OH  Farmer 
Mary E. NICKERSON   M  Female  42   OH  Keeping House 
Marthy E. NICKERSON  S  Female  12  OH  At Home 
Benjamin KETCHUM  M   Male  22  IN  Farm Laborer 
Amanda KETCHUM  M   Female  19  IN  Servant 

Source Information: Census Place Knox, Jay, Indiana
Family History Library Film    1254287 Page Number    474C

Blackford County, Indiana
Marriage Records
Book A 1839 - 1857
Name: Thomas Moore
Spouse: Effy Dildine
Marriage Date: 18 Dec 1856
Date: 18 Dec 1856
OSPage: 30
County: Blackford
Name: Elijah Sims
Bytitle: Minister


Blackford County, Indiana
Marriage Records
Book A 1839 - 1857
Name: Joseph Dildine
Spouse: Elizabeth Williams
Marriage Date: 19 Mar 1868
OSPage: 269
County: Blackford
Name: John F. Peirce
Bytitle: Min.


Blackford County, Indiana
Marriage Records
Book A 1839 - 1857
Name: Ezra Bugh
Spouse: Sarah E. Dildine
Marriage Date: 06 Jun 1875
OSPage: 542
County: Blackford
Name: B. G. Shinn
Bytitle: Local Pr.
Blackford County, Indiana
Marriage Records
Book A 1839 - 1857
Name: Benjamin Ketcham
Spouse: Maria A. Dildine
Marriage Date: 11 Mar 1880
OSPage: 149
County: Blackford
Name: Rev. C. H. Mayer

Blackford County, Indiana
Marriage Records
Book A 1839 - 1857
Name: Benjamin Ketcham
Spouse: Maria A. Dildine
Marriage Date: 11 Mar 1880
OSPage: 149
County: Blackford
Name: Rev. C. H. Mayer

Now in reference to Benjamin Ketchum mar Maria Amanda Dildine.
The oldest child was Myrtle Ketchum her younger brother was my grandfather and this was Herbert Ketchum.
                         Myrtle Ketchum  1st marriage to Unknown Toole.  They had 1 child Edward Toole  he was never married  and killed in a paper factory in Alexandria, IN
                          2nd Marriage was to George Smith 
       I remember about 35 years ago I talked to a Smith who lived in Hartford City who was related.  I know this sounds crazy but if you want to find a Smith just use the phone book.  On the 3rd call I found who I was looking for.and I was able to locate Earl Melvin Smith in Huntington, IN who was related and new about Benjamin Ketchun and Maria Amanda Dildine.  From him I got the following:
 
                       Myrtle Ketchum mar George Smith
                                         Childern
                 1.  George (Sam) Smith, Jr.  mar  Charlene Huntcinger
                                                                   she was 81  in Jan 2003
                           they had 1 daughter    Tonia Smith   mar
                                                            Jasbir (Jesse) Kalocria  from India
                           they have 2 boys      1. Karam Kalocria
                           who has 1 daughter   Celiste
                                                          2. Sherton Kalocria
                 2.  Earl Melvin Smith (Red)
                      lives in Huntington, IN
                      Born May 11, 1918 in Hartford City, In
                            they had 2 daughters   1 Chery Lee Smith
                                                              2 Coreen Smith
                 3. Harry Smith
 
      The problem seems that I was so excited just to find the family I really did not get all the information that I should have gotten.
 
                             2nd child of Bemjamin Ketchum my grandfather
                             Herbert Ketchum  mar Sophia Anna Hawkins
Herbert Ketchum died when my mother was in her teens  while working atop a pole for an electric Company in Muncie, IN  I can't find that paper but the year was 1934.  They had 1 daughter my mother Anna Marie Ketchum who married  Donald Edward Wheatley.. enter Donald Edward Wheatley and that will give you the entire line of Wheatley's  my Full name is Earnest Charles Wheatley born 19 Jan 1941.  Just can not stand the name Earnest so I do not use it.  I have 2 sons and 1 daughter, and 2 adopted daughters, 4 grand children and 1 great grand son.  I was the last descendent of the Wheatley's who carried the name Wheatley.  I know of no other older members in my family that are still alive.
 
       That brings you up to date on Benjamin Ketchum.  I have found in census records that Benjamin Ketchum was born in Ohio but no idea where.  But when Herbert died this broke off the relationship with the Ketchum's to my family