A History of Napoleon, Indiana
The son of John and Elizabeth (Betsy) Jennings Mendenhall, Miles was native to South Carolina. Miles married Nancy F Craig, George Craig's daughter, on October 29, 1828. The couple would have six children. The Mendenhall family migrated to Vevay in Switzerland County sometime around 1815. The family became established as politicians and merchants in the Vevay area. Census records indicate that the Mendenhall family moved to Napoleon in Jackson Township between 1830 and 1840. He opened a store, known locally as the Elkhorn Store, on Madison Street, Lot 29. The name of the store probably derives from the Elkhorn Association of the Baptist Church. Mendenhall's father in law served as a minister in this church. Mendenhall served as an Associate Judge of Ripley County in 1839 and as Justice of the Peace in Napoleon in 1845. Mendenhall was a major landowner in Napoleon. He acquired his father in law's property after his death, including the property on which the Central House is located on December 16, 1845. The date of his death is unknown; however the last census listing him was around 1880. At that time he was still listed as a merchant.
